Page 8 ------------------------------.-------November-December 2006 :::::::::~======:;;~~ Spirit Squads Bring Home the Honors ~L ~ ~ The Union High School Varsity Porn Squad and the Union Highsteppers were ~~6# 1 named Frontier Valley Conference Champions at Union Public Schools will host the sec­ Jenks. The Varsity Cheer ond annual John Q. Hammons Holiday squad was named Runner-Up. Hoopla Basketball Tournament Dec­ "Our young ladies and their ember 14-16 at the Union Multipurpose coaches represented Union Activity Center, 6836 S. Mingo Road. with pride and excellence," Amy McCready, assistant Sixteen teams (eight teams of boys and director of Athletics, said. eight teams of girls) from around the "They should be congratulat­ state will compete in the tournament, ed on outstanding perform­ explained Amy McCready, assistant ances." athletic director for Union Public Schools. Varsity Porn is coached by The Varsity Cheerleaders perform a routine during the fall pep Amy Calmus and Emily rally at Union High School. Jones and the Union The boys' teams will include last year's by Christy Wright, were all named con­ champs, Edmond Memorial, Fort Smith, Highsteppers are coached by Kristi ference champions. Arkansas, Oklahoma City Southeast Posey and ]ami Mulliken. Union High School, Bixby High School, Booker Cheerleaders are coached by Jaime T. Washington, Nathan Hale and more. jackson-Cooper and Shannon Sloan- In addition, the Varsity Cheerleaders Union High School, which was runner­ Clark. received a certificate for Academic up last year, will also compete. Achievement from the OSSAA Junior Varsity Cheerleaders, coached by (Oklahoma Schools Secondary Activities The girls' teams will include Fort Smith, Laura Blakemore, and 9th Grade Cheer, Association). Edmond Memorial, Bixby, Tulsa coached by Holly Fimple and Bailie Memorial, Glendale, Norman North and Kennedy, were named conference cham­ The varsity cheerleaders had a rmru­ Claremore. Claremore's girls' team has pions in their division, while 8th Grade mum cumulative grade point average of won the SA State Championship in Cheer, coached by Somer Johnson, 3.25 and ranked in the upper one-thirc 2003, 2004 and 2005. Union, which won Tiffany Winburn and Kristen Wright, of the school classification, qualifying the Holiday Hoopla Tourney last year, was named runner-up. the squad for the certificate, McCready will also compete. said. The Varsity Cheerleaders were also Junior Varsity Porn, runners-up in the state cheerleading coached by Amanda comP,etition, missing first place by just Robison; 9th Grade 1.5 points. Porn, coached by Kendall French and Jessica Monaghan; Top-Ranked Wrestlers and 8th Grade Porn, Sign with State Colleges coached by Lani Senyard and Amber A pair of Union High School senior Baily, were named standouts have committed to Oklahoma runners-up in their schools. Jamal Parks, a Junior National divisions. Champion last summer at l3 5 pounds, Members of the Union junior High Boys' Cross County Team square off has committed to Oklahoma State against jenks at the starting line during the first ever Backyard Bowl The Shining Stars (JV University while teammate Seth Vernon Cross County Meet at the Union Eighth Grade Center. The meet was Dance), coached by committed to rival University of inspired by the annual Backyard Bowl football game between Union and jenks. Union's junior High boys and girls teams defeated jenks that Lauren McGuire and Oklahoma. lntermat.com, a nationally­ day. Varsity Boys also placed first and Varsity Girls placed second. This Deborah Pense, and based website that covers high school was a very unique set-up where only Union and jenks teams went head the Union Elite (8th wrestling, ranked Parks No. 23 and to head. Grade Dance), coached Vernon No . 40 in the country. Union Public Schools 5656 S 129 EAVE TULSA OK 74134·6711 www.unionps.org Page 2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------November-December2006 November-December 2006 --------------------------------------------- Page 7 Security Efforts Ongoing In Our Schools Motivational Speaker Praises Union High School Union has always stressed the impor­ "We are continuing to follow our normal New security officers at the 6/7t \ll.otivational speaker Bill Cordes, a for­ Cordes spent hours with students, eration to keep the legacy alive," Cordes tance of safety for its students and staff. safety practices," Intermediate Principal Grade Center - You may think that yo :ner educator, praised Union High focusing on personal leadership and ser­ wrote, adding when the two-day camp Based on recent national e-.:ents, admin­ John Chargois said, noting some are seeing double, but you are not. Tulsc. School, its staff and students on his blog vant leadership under the premise that was finished, he hated to see it end. istrators continue to evaluate security changes have occurred such as relocat­ Police Officers john and Andrew after a two-day visit at Camp Dry Gulch students must be whole personally issues at all of the ing security guards to increase Zafares, who are twins and former near Tulsa. More than 200 leadership before they can serve others. Superintendent Dr. Cathy Burden also sites to take steps visibility and encourage stu­ Union teachers, are now taking shifts as students, administrators and advisors called the experience a great event for to ensure safety dents to share their concerns security officers at the 6/7th Grade attended the retreat. "It was powerful to hear the students Union students. "We have great students remains a priori­ with adults. Center. Be watching for the story in the talk about the importance of leadership, and great programs and this is one of ty. next Communicator or go to our web site "If you have ever wondered about the give advice and encourage the next gen- those programs that can't be lost." Boevers Principal Sherri Fair for a preview, www.unionvs.org. fate of America's education system then you have never been to Union High In an address to sent a letter home with fami­ Union Alternative students students, lies, sharing school safety pro­ School," Cordes wrote on his blog at Eric Goolsby, left, who was Principal Dave cedures such as the use of District #1 www.billcordes.com. "Union High School scheduled to join the Marines is a school that prides itself in being rich in December, and Dillon Stauffer said, security cameras. In a senti­ Board Seat Filled Hampton pose by a sign out­ "Not only do we ment shared by all Union in tradition, and takes leadership on side their school for Cpl. jared want you to be administrators, Fair wrote, "No In a special election, Jeff Bennett won a their campus very seriously. I was so Shoemaker, 29, of Tulsa, who proud to attend metal detectors, or even an three-way race for the amazed by so many things I saw this died while on active duty in past weekend I hardly know where to Iraq. Union Alternative Union High increase in the number of secu­ District 1 seat on the teacher Patt Mica/ and coun­ School, we also rity guards, can make us safer Union Board of Edu­ start. The facilities were first class, but selor Tammy Garcia had want you to feel than the alert eyes and ears of cation. Bennett, who then Union High School only exposes placed a line of flags in front of the school for the funeral safe and actually Tulsa County Sheriffs Deputy and our students and staff. Real has one child in the their students to first class opportuni­ School Resource Officer Brandon district, works for ties." Cordes also praised Assistant procession. During the proces­ be safe at school. Hendrix uses an iris scanning machine security is achieved when we sion, students and employees, No one should be to record the iris of a student at Peters develop an atmosphere where Continental Airlines Principal Denise Vaniadis, who is also including Education Service fearful. Fear Elementary. The scanner is a new students are comfortable talk­ and owns four local Student Council advisor, and Principal "-'""=~ - - ~ Center employees, showed develops when device that compliments the depart· Curves for Women fit- Dave Stauffer for their leadership ---·• their respects by lining up ment's efforts to also fingerprint stu­ ing with adults - to tell us their along the road. one is not pre- dents and help in situations where chit­ issues and concerns." ness centers. Bennett efforts. pared for certain dren are missing. defeated John Adams, a sergeant with events. Preparation and awareness are One such tool available for stu­ the Tulsa Police Department, and retired Union High School stu- Commended Students the keys." dents is a hot line - 461-HELP- which is firefighter Don Schaum, who finished dents show their spirit dur­ ing a nationally-televised Named open seven days a week, 24 hours a day, third. game on Fox Sports Net­ Security is not a new issue, Stauffer said, to anyone who wants to report a crisis work against the number­ Three Union seniors, Courtney R. remembering how as an elementary stu­ situation or report a concern. The caller The District 1 seat opened in Septembe one ranked Hoover, Gatlin, Michael S. O'Dell and Sara E. dent, he participated in drills for atomic after Beverly Laubach moved out of the Alabama, - a team which may leave a message so his or her call also was regularly fea­ Williams, have been named Commend­ bombs. can be returned. area. The board then decided to hold an tured in an MTV reality ed Students in the 2007 National Merit election rather than appoint a new mem­ show. Although Hoover Scholarship Program. Superintendent Dr. Cathy Burden meets In addition, the state provides a toll-free ber. Bennett said he would like to work beat Union 34-7, the game regularly with principals to discuss and thrust Union into the confidential hotline: 1-877-SAFE-CALL, to provide opportunities for kids and national spotlight and pro­ Out o'f 1.4 million students who took plan for security concerns.