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Haley Butler

As of Feb. 16, school will be in session until May 19, a day later than originally scheduled. Students will also be released two minutes later on Wednesdays starting Feb. 23.

Everyone, students and staff alike, were under the impression that we had been granted nine snow days, but when the schedule change was released, everyone was in shock.

“We actually didn’t have nine snow days. It was a miscalculation in minutes and that is what it all boils down to. How long a student is in school is what determines whether or not they graduate,” Brad Graf, athletic director and assistant principal said. “We thought we were ahead when we were actually behind, and it just magnifies because of seniors.”

All seniors were calm, perhaps even laughing at the fact that the rest of the students, juniors and below would be required to attend school an extra day, but the moment it was said that seniors were also required to attend an extra day, moving their last day from May 11 to May 12, commotion filled the air throughout the building.

“It’s total crap that we have to come to school an extra day, too, especially because we aren’t the ones who decided it was a snow day, but we are the ones being punished. I can think of at least one day that was called off that we could have went to school,” senior Tyler Espinosa said.

All seniors have one question in mind: Why us?

“There is a definite reason for it. Seniors have a certain required minutes that they have to attend as well, according to the State Department of Education. We could take away a day from Spring Break, but we all thought that doing so would just cause more ruckus,” Graf said.

Assistant principal Ryan Cobbs emphasized that seniors need to make sure they are present on that last day, whether they want to be or not.

“If seniors don’t go to school that extra day, their diplomas mean nothing. They will not be able to receive credit for all the work they put in,” Cobbs said.

The entire school’s schedule has been altered, including early-release Wednesdays which now include two more minutes added on to the day.

“The extra two minutes just figure into the minute requirements and adding just two measly minutes is really non-existent,” Graf said. “It’s not like in those last two minutes you will be getting assigned a ton more homework.”

As mad as everyone is about the slightly extended year, we should all be grateful due to the fact that we were technically over by four days, but were forgiven for two of them due to the unusual January and February weather that swept through the nation, and we are not as in bad of shape as some other schools. Students in Kansas City, Mo., are expected to be in school after June 1, and will be missing out on some of their spring break, whereas students out in Pennsylvania are going to have to endure school all the way until some time after July 4.

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Danon Taylor

Spring fever has come to us in the midst of negative-degree weather and an overall snow accumulation of more than a foot. Most years, snow days include a few fun days in the snow with friends or a comfy day at home snuggled up on the couch. But with eight snow days already this year, it is no surprise that students and staff are more ready than ever to trade in their coats and boots for shorts, sandals, green plants and warm sunshine.

“I definitely have spring fever. I can just feel it. I’ve already started wearing my shorts, too. I love the snow, but I’m ready to go outside to play. My cat is getting pretty lonely,” freshman Brianna Pfizenmaier said.

Besides the warm weather and sunshine, spring will bring more motivation for everyone. The snow, ice and freezing cold causes an increased lack of motivation for everyone. It causes society to become even more lazy than usual. Research also shows that winter increases the depression rates more than any other season.

The thing that most students are looking forward to the most? More days without school.

“Winter is my least favorite time of the year, so I am really happy that it is warming up,” senior Allyson Bittner said.

Spring break seems to be on everyone’s mind being only a few weeks away. Sophomore Kaden Shaffer said he’s ready to have fun, although he is not planning to go anywhere for vacation.

“I’m pretty sick of the cold weather. I’m looking forward to being able to be outside and do stuff – I don’t even care what. Camping, four-wheeling, even just sitting outside. The snow is so pretty, but I’m done with it, Beth Black, math teacher, said.

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Angela Geist

An estimated 222,570 people were killed, 300,000 injured; 1.3 million displaced; 97,294 houses destroyed; and 188,383 damaged in the Port-au-Prince area and in much of southern Haiti. Relief and aid has come from all corners of the world to help these people in desperate need. A new breakthrough in aiding Haiti has been introduced to the world, and people, particularly in the regions in Kansas, have become involved.

The Numana project is helping to raise money for unique packaged food that contains rice, beans, and protein packed powder. This food is remarkable, and it costs a mere $1.80. One bag produces enough food to feed six people. All people need to do is mix minimal amounts of water into the food and heat it to produce a life- saving meal.

Ottawa is one of the newest supporter of the Numana Project, alongside other Kansas communities such as Dodge City, Wichita, Topeka, Washburn University, and Liberty, all located in Kansas. Ottawa University and Ottawa High School have begun to organize events to raise money to donate the packaged food to the needy country.

On Jan. 15 there was a pancake feed at Applebee’s, and on Jan. 29 there will be a concert at Ottawa Middle School. OHS alumnus Tyler Hazen’s band will be performing along with other Christian bands such as Hands of Glory. All proceeds will go towards the Numana project. After all the fundraising is complete on Feb. 12 the packing and shipping of the life- saving food will take place at the armory. Volunteers are welcome and needed.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact Cherry Coen at OHS. Coen’s contact information is coenc@usd290.org or 785-229-8020 ext. 2121. Lisa Rivers who is in charge of Youth in Action Council is another optional contact. Her email is lrivers@eckan.org her phone number is 785-242-7450 ext. 205. Further information can be found at http://Ottawa.numanainc.com

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Haley Butler

“I’m excited for break to get here because I am ready for a break from school,” Ashley Haag, sophomore, said. “It’s just been really stressful with all the homework.”

For many students, the anxiety has been piling up the whole second quarter—even more so than in the first. Senior Adam Gillaspie said that in this quarter, things were more difficult because it seemed as though teachers’ assignments just took more time; fellow senior Paul Thomas agreed.

“[The second quarter] was a lot more difficult,” Thomas said. “Whoever said that junior year is the hardest year—that is a myth!”

So how do students deal with all the stress of finals?

“Well, I’ve discovered over the years that stressing about things doesn’t get them accomplished any faster,” Chelsea Jamison, junior, said. “So I try not to think about everything I have left to do and just focus on one thing at a time.”

Students like Jamison cope with the pressure by taking tasks one by one, while others attempt to find ways to take their minds off that pressure and just relax. Music is a common way students unwind in the face of school stress.

To relax, Gillaspie plans to listen to the band Angels and Airwaves and “enjoy the little things.”

Thomas has a more unique way of dealing with the overwhelming amount of work.

“I time manage, do homework, yell at my cats and I listen to Big Time Rush,” Thomas said.

However, in the midst of all the de-stressing, students will eventually have to study for the ominous finals. To perform one’s best come exam day, one must study a little bit each night. And you know what they say: get a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast to jump start your day and get your brain in high-gear.

Though the stress of school can seem like way too much, at times, students find relief in knowing it is almost the end of the semester. Seniors especially are beginning to feel the mix of emotions, realizing they are just about at the end of their high school careers.

“It feels like Jesus Christ came down himself, wiped my face and lifted the burden from my shoulders,” Thomas said.

And as for Claire Shea, senior, the end of the semester is part relief, part bittersweet.

“Although I am so ready to graduate, I am leaving a lot of good friends and memories behind,” she said.

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Jaime Birzer

Traditionally, Thanksgiving is a time to express thankfulness and gratitude to God, family and friends, or to count one’s blessings—to remember what you have been given and be grateful for the things you might be taking for granted.

Since its inception, the holiday has somewhat strayed away from its religious roots, but it remains a time when people gather with their loved ones to spend quality time and be thankful.

Though many take out the religious-affiliated tradition, there are plenty of other traditions that are formed during this time. Traveling is one such tradition. People fly across the country to see loved ones, drive miles to spend time with friends or even go somewhere just to get away and take advantage of time off work. So it is no wonder that during Thanksgiving break, the number or long-distance trips increases by 54 percent (bts.gov).

“I’ll be going to Mississippi for a family gathering,” Cade Bell, junior, said. “My dad’s side of the family has six sisters and one brother; it’s a tradition.”

When families are spread across the country, holidays such as this are some of the few times members are able to see each other.

“My sister comes home from Florida [for Thanksgiving],” Erica Roberts, junior, said.
For Roberts, this reunion with her sister is the best thing about the holiday because she has not seen her since the summer.

For others, the biggest and best tradition of this holiday is what you would find on the dinner table: a Thanksgiving feast. Many students admit that the food is what makes them most excited for this time of year. And who can blame them? Warm turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, sweet corn and that yummy stuffing is enough to make any grown man fall to his knees. And the best part: nobody cares if you eat too much!

But while some families gather together to share a special meal, others bond using different means.
“We just spend time with my family watching football,” Jennifer Boyce, sophomore, said. “We have the ham and everything, but it’s just like any other, ordinary dinner,” Boyce said.

Boyce proves that families do not need an extravagant supper to spend time together; traditions can be as simple as enjoying a favorite pastime.

And although Thanksgiving is practically a tale as old as time, it is not always about tradition. This year, many students will be going somewhere or doing something new to celebrate the season. Hunter Peoples, sophomore, is one such person. Peoples will be going to Iowa to visit family members because “the family wouldn’t come down here this year.”

This goes to say that Thanksgiving is often full of tradition but there is always room to make new ones! No matter where you are going or what you are doing, the important things are to spend quality time with friends and family, eat as much of that delicious holiday grub as you possibly can and ask yourself: What am I thankful for?

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Jaime Birzer

On Saturday, Oct. 30, Bob Marsh, director of the Downtown Main Street Design Committee, met at an open forum to discuss issues that the public had with downtown Ottawa. The majority of the audience at City Hall was made up of Youth in Government and Youth Action Council members. The goal of the meeting was to address what teens like about downtown and what they do not like. Attendees agreed that it is time to make downtown Ottawa more youth friendly.

“All the kids had really good ideas about what they wanted to see downtown,” senior Brigitte Clancy said. Clancy was among the members of YAC who attended.

Some of those ideas include a teen center where teenagers could hang out and do their homework during the week, then become a teen club on weekends. Other ideas include a bowling alley and arcade, an art wall, clothing stores and getting the youth better involved with parades downtown. Some of these ideas have already been addressed and work for them has already started. The goal is to get the ball rolling for everything within a year. YIG and YAC, along with the Downtown Main Street Board, will have a large part in making these desires become realities.

Although changes will not happen right away, the youth in Ottawa and surrounding areas should look forward to the rise of a more youth-friendly downtown.

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Angela Geist

                “I’ve always had my eyes on this position,” George said of his reasoning for becoming president. “Throughout my time at OHS I’ve seen a decrease in school involvement, traditions and fair representation, and I wanted Student Council to change the direction our high school has been going.”

                George is determined to be the one to lead the school in that new direction; he devotes an enormous amount of time and effort to see that he is. But one of the main obstacles standing in Student Council’s way is itself. George said it is an honor to be in such a prestigious organization, but many of the members do not treat it as such; they do not put in the amount of effort needed, and that makes it difficult for the council to come together and pull off a big project.

                “[We need] to do a better job representing and making an impact on our school,” George said.

 And though it is an undeniably difficult task, George is doing his best to change the reputation of Student Council so that the students feel it is an organization that works for them. According to George, students need to know who their representatives are, and feel free to express their opinions with them.

  One recent way council members have been collecting information from their peers is with the use of “opinion sheets.” These sheets ask the student a yes-or-no question and then ask for any additional comments or concerns. One such question reads “Would you attend an all-school formal dance?” George picked out this topic, assuming it would be one that many students, especially the underclassmen, would have a multitude of opinions over.

“A formal dance for all OHS students would be nice to see in the future,” George said.

He believes that with the absence of CAT this year, and the reservation of prom being just juniors and seniors, that there is no incentive system in place at the high school, no reward system.

“It seems that our school provides no privileges for students,” George said.

And what other benefits or events is Student Council planning for the future?

“StuCo is planning on establishing a ‘StuCo Store’ during the second semester,” George said. A StuCo store has been done before, and the funds made are to be spent on students and further Student Council projects. George has some big projects and big change in mind—meaning the more funds the better.

Although being the president of such a busy organization can be incredibly taxing and holds a lot of responsibility, George said it is very important to be in a leadership position. Not only is he hard at work with Student Council, but he is also involved in more than 10 other organizations within the school and Ottawa community, such as Youth in Government, Youth in Politics, O-Club, Key Club and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. George said it is vital to be active in school and the community, and he encourages his fellow students to do the same.

                “Students do not understand that they can make a difference no matter what activity they are in,” George said. “And to those who only participate in sports, I would say that is not enough. Students need to attain experience in leadership roles; it will benefit them in the long run.”

George has resolved to make Student Council the best it can be and to unite the student body.

“StuCo is here to be the voice for all students at OHS,” George said.

 Sounds like George is yelling loud and clear. 

 —–
Jaime Birzer

Nine members of the local Rotary Club and Ottawa Optimists completed a large painting project for the OCAC Preschool located in the historic Carnegie Cultural Center basement. OMS Kay Club collected an entire SUV full of food for our local food pantries. OMS Builders Club spent the morning bringing cheer to the residents of ORV and Vintage Park with games and activities for young and old. Teen Court of the 4th Judicial District volunteers cleaned and organized the CTEC Preschool Playground at OHS before playing games at Vintage Park with senior residents.

OHS students were particularly busy this year with the following activities:

– Games & Activities with 28 COF consumers at OHS

– Baked hundreds of cookies for Meals on Wheels recipients

– Collected 15 bags of toiletries for domestic violence victims

– Cleaned & played with animals at Prairie Paws Animal Shelter

– Added 3 Cyclone Murals to the south OHS campus

– Painted 24 historic street markers throughout Ottawa

– Created 34 ceramic bowls for Empty Bowls event in February

– Painted bookshelves & interacted with children at Franklin County Daycare

– Seeded lawn with Habitat for Humanity

– Prepped walls for painting at Carnegie Cultural Center

– Moved props and costumes with ACT Ottawa

To find out more about this exciting endeavor to engage students and youth supporters in service, call the Ottawa Volunteer Center at 785-242-7450 ext. 205 or email lrivers@eckan.org.

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Submitted by Lisa Rivers