JHS Puts on Its Very First Play Kassen & Tautphaeus Earn Top Scouting Honors As Eagle Scouts
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May 2016 Volume 4, Issue 4 Jefferson High School THE In this issue: • Oh the places they’ll go...check out the Class of 2016’s plans after high school. • Tips to avoid being that creepy alumni. • JHS girls track team wins their first ever BEACON Conference Championship. Seniors soar to new heights JHS puts on its very first play Kassen & Tautphaeus earn top Scouting honors as Eagle Scouts Senior Colton Kassen is awarded his Eagle Scout honor from his grandfather, Ray Kassen, at a ceremony held at Jefferson High School on March 6. by Lindsay Recar Staff Writer When thinking of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the image that Putting on your first play with a small cast, limited budget and no theater can be a daunting task, but the comes to mind is usually of a child selling cookies or learn- Page to Stage Players successfully did just that. The performance consisted of three short vignettes cen- ing to tie knots. However, some have chosen to go above tered around the theme of technology and featured minimal costuming and sets. Instead, it relied on strong and beyond, sticking with the program throughout their ad- acting. The Friday night performance sold out and received outstanding reviews from students, staff and olescence. This can be said for Seniors Colton Kassen and community members. The Page to Stage Players are under the direction of Ms. Cassie Peterein and Ms. Michael Tautphaeus, who recently achieved the highest and Tessa Peterein. See complete story on page 3. most prestigious rank in Boy Scouts: Eagle Scout. Both Kassen and Tautphaeus have been a part of Troop 405 since first grade. Kassen first joined “because of friends,” mentioning several students who have gone to Emptying our pockets, filling our closets Jefferson R-VII, including Michael Tautphaus, Hunter Dar- by Jordan Shockley and Ellie Steller nell, and Jacob Schweiss. Despite staying a Scout for such a long time, Kassen never considered quitting at any point. “It and warming our hearts Staff Writers looks good on my job resume,” said Kassen, “and it was fun to do.” In fact, in a recent job interview, Kassen said it was A hidden expense in the pockets of many high school students (and the first thing the interviewer asked him about. Kassen said parents) is the school t-shirts they purchase for clubs, events, activities he received a lot of encouragement from his grandparents. and sports. Ranging from football camp to National Honor Society, His grandfather earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1954 and was JHS gear fills up the closets of over 50 percent of students. The t-shirts proud to participate in Kassen’s ceremony. His cousins and students buy express who they are and what they love. The average brother are also active in Boy Scouts. Tautphaeus had similar jock’s closet will be overflowing with team gear they have bought over motivations and said his dad encouraged him to continue. the years. Those students that bleed blue and white tend to have Home- Both Kassen and Tautphaeus say their best memories coming, Student Council, pink week, and class shirts cluttering their come from many camping trips with their friends. “My favor- rooms. ite trip was going to New Mexico for a two-week hike,” said When surveyed, 60 percent of JHS students said that they buy Kassen. Tautphaeus also fondly remembers the 70-mile hike three or more shirts a year, while only 9 percent do not buy any. Aver- through the mountains their freshman year. aging $15 a shirt, these expenses add up as quickly as students’ closets Kassen has done plenty of community work as well. fill up. During R-VII’s many Veterans’ Day assemblies, Kassen par- Junior Morgan Govro says she probably has 15-20 shirts from ticipated in the Color Guard, setting up the national and state high school. “I order them all the time. I like to have t-shirts because I flags, as well as leading the other Scouts. can wear them anytime.” To achieve the rank of Eagle Scouts, members must What to do with all these shirts after graduations? There is a earn over 20 Eagle-required merit badges and submit a pro- creative solution to give them a different practical use. Mrs. Theresa posal for their final project. After the proposal is approved, Williams, high school lunch lady, has been taking old school t-shirts and Scouts must fund and complete a project that will benefit repurposing them into quilts. Williams was first introduced to the idea their community. The work and time must be meticulously when her daughter’s college roommate showed her a t-shirt quilt she logged and documented. This entire process begins in 5th had previously made. The roommate explained to Williams how simple grade and must be completed before the age of 18. Kassen’s it was, so Williams decided to attempt the project. “I’m kind of crafty,” project involved making the picnic tables that sit just outside said Williams. The first quilt she made was of all of her daughter’s ex- of the high school cafeteria. Because of the unusual shape, tracurricular shirts. The quilt was so big it fit a king size bed! they posed more of a challenge to build than a standard pic- Altogether, Williams has made four t-shirt quilts. In order to nic table. Kassen felt there was a need for the benches. “Last make a nice-sized quilt, Williams needs a substantial collection of shirts. year, kids would eat outside and sit on the concrete.” “A good body size is twenty-five to thirty shirts,” said Williams. She Tautphaeus chose to fix up the playground at the Con- charges $125 for each standard size quilt. In all her free time, each quilt servation Club. He spent over 40 hours repainting the fence, takes Williams anywhere from ten days to two weeks. scraping rust, weeding and repairing the swingset. According to Williams, kids hold on to their shirts because it Once reaching Eagle Scout, Scouts still have the op- is a cool way to reminisce. “The shirts bring back fond memories and Pictured above is a quilt Mrs. Williams made for her daughter. It is experiences,” said Williams. Rather than letting school t-shirts collect made exclusively from Student Council shirts. Below is a collec- portunity to participate. “I’ll still help out in places when I tion of the many shirts that a JHS student might have accumulated can,” said Kassen, “but I won’t be as involved as I used to dust in closets or drawers, they can be repurposed into a practical quilts throughout their high school years. be.” that allows one to reminisce high school while staying warm. [email protected] May 2016 2 NEWS Don’t forget to Meet the candidates add community A closer look at who’s in the running to be the next POTUS service to your Complied by Campbelll Ebersoldt Co-News Editor Republican Candidates resume The 2016 Presidential election features a variety of views and opin- Senator Ted Cruz by Dean Carter ions, ranging from building a wall along the Mexican border to free Staff Writer tuition for anyone attending public universities and colleges. Before Climate Change: “There has not been a the final tally comes in for each party’s presidential nomination, meaningful warning in weather patterns for Volunteering is a system of service that many here is your chance to see all of the candidates who are in the run- years.” perceive as something only nice people do when ning and where they stand in the delegate count (as of 5/1/16). it is, in fact, a critical service that has an enormous ISIS: “President Obama has a photo-op policy- The Democratic nominee will need to win 2,383 delegates for nom- impact on the health and well-being of commu- drop a bomb here, a missile there. The US nities worldwide. But many students may not be ination, and the Republican nominee will need to win 1,237 dele- needs a president who will do what’s needed to keep the country aware of the enormous advantage community gates for nomination. safe.” service gives them over their peers when trying to get into college and get scholarships. Community Fun Fact: Cruz enjoys playing games on his iPhone. service can add to one’s resume, filling in any of Democratic Candidates the blank spots one might have, making a student Current Delegate Count: 562 more appealing to employers and colleges. Former Secretary of State Mrs. Debra Runzi, guidance counselor, Hillary Clinton added, “Volunteering and community service Governor John Kasich are as important as taking rigorous courses and participating in school activities while in high Climate Change: “Climate change is a huge Climate Change: “I think it’s real, it’s here, but school.” Colleges don’t just look at the courses problem.” Clinton supports and plans to let’s not overreact with coal regulations.” students are involved in, but also how involved further on the actions President Obama has they are in their community,” said Runzi. “Service implemented to combat climate change. Immigration: “Shipping illegal immigrants is what scholarship committees look for and what back to Mexico is a ‘silly idea.’” some colleges and universities consider when ISIS: Clinton says that she “would arm Syrian rebels and would making admission decisions.” never have sent ground troops to the Middle East.” Fun Fact: Kasich is friends with Bono. Volunteering has other great benefits. With each volunteer activity or program comes training Fun Fact: Clinton used to have a job sliming fish in Alaska.