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TALON Staley High School Kansas City, Mo. Volume VIII Issue III February 2016 Inside this Issue: Meet the Courtwarming Candidates #CaydenHothsFight Athletes Overcome Adversity

Staley Talon Vol. 8, Issue 3

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Talon is a student-produced magazine created and published by the journalism students of Staley High School in Kansas City, Mo. It is a quarterly magazine. Volume 8, Issue 3, Feb. 2, 2016, www.staleynews.com

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Page 1: Staley Talon Vol. 8, Issue 3

TALONStaley High SchoolKansas City, Mo.Volume VIII Issue IIIFebruary 2016

Inside this Issue:Meet theCourtwarmingCandidates#CaydenHothsFightAthletes OvercomeAdversity

Page 2: Staley Talon Vol. 8, Issue 3

Table of Contents

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PG. 4-5 Hallway IssuesHall Passes

PG. 4-5 My Mind, Not YoursBe True to Your Political Opinion

PG. 6 Business AwardStudents Win Best in State for App

PG. 7 Business AwardTeacher Earns Award for Inspiring Young Women

PG. 8-9 #CaydenHothsFight PG. 10-11 CourtwarmingMeet the Candidates

PG. 12 Student JobSenior Works for Mayor Sly James

PG. 14 Leap Day Birthdays

PG. 15 Brinton’s Bobble Heads

PG. 16 FashionCourtwarming Dresses

PG. 17 TrendsWhat We’re Watching on Netflix

PG. 18-19 Student AthletesOvercome Adversity

PG. 10-11 CourtwarmingMeet the Courtwarming Candidates

On the Cover

Business teacher Lesley Martin helps senior Jason Needham in class. Martin received the NCWIT Aspira-tions in Computing Educator Award. “This award is for educators about how they get girls involved in technol-ogy,” Martin said. Photo by Rita Sargent

Assistant principal Dr. Chad Brinton displays his collec-tion of bobbleheads in his office. The collection features bobbleheads modeled after famous athletes and sports announcers. Photo by Lane Burch

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TALON STAFF

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFAbbi Atwell

STAFFMaddy BendaLane BurchBryttany HolovachAlexis HowardHafsa HusseinJessica JordanEmilie KerrAlayna LopezRita SargentChristopher Spry

GRAPHIC ARTISTSJessica JordanAmber Lewis

ADVISERCherié Burgett

Talon is published quarterly during the school year. Talon will accept letters to the editor in CR202 or at [email protected]. Before the letter is published, we will need to ver-ify the writer’s identity identity with a photo identification. Letters may not exceed a length of 350 words. We will not publish letters that are libelous, obscene or that may cause a verifiable disruption of the education process of Staley High School. Letters must be signed. Anonymous letters will be discarded. Advertisers may contact the adviser at [email protected], (816) 321-5330 or at 2800 NE Shoal Creek Pkwy, Kansas City, MO, 64156-1313.

Opinions expressed in Talon do not express staff’s endorsement of the products or services.

Talon is a member of NSPA, MIPA, MJEA and Quill and Scroll. Talon is affiliated with JEA and JEMKC.

Volume VIII | Issue 3 | Talon | 3

Staff Editorial Have you ever been told no, over and over again? No matter what you did, it was all you’d been told? Hearing that can make a difference in someone’s life, good or bad. However, that rejection and feeling of underachievement can be held onto for a long time. It may be years later, but the bitterness may still be there for some. With a positive outlook, past setbacks and disappointments can have the power to fuel later success. Having that “I’ll show ‘em” attitude is important for motiving us to achieve higher and do better in shaping our future. Motivation has the power to fuel, change and satisfy. Like a fire, it can keep you alive and going when things get cold. Life is hard, it gets complicated, it gets ex-pensive, and there are always problems. When we’re hungry for change, we look for the motivation to get things done. It’s something like a journey that tires us out, we get burnt and disappointed with past failures. But once we’re really hungry for some-thing, we get up and go get it. It’s important because that’s when you will be able to reach set goals. That is why motivation is so important. Those, “thank you for believing in me” speeches read at graduation; stories conveyed to others about personal success stories; and memories of looking back at past decisions concerning future success. Being able to look back and smile with no regrets make it all worthwhile. If you’re finding it difficult to motivate yourself, you can always motivate your peers, friends, families and those around you. That way, I believe, you will be able to see you that yes, I can do it too. It takes courage to have motivation to get things done. When those around you tell you that you can’t do something or that you’re not worthy, you become motivated to prove them wrong. For parents, failure isn’t just a problem of taking care of your child. It’s also not wanting to see them hurt. But when parents motivate their children, kids will eventually develop the mindset of not wanting to let down themselves, or those who believed in them; their parents and family. For students, that devastating F on a test, rejection letter from a college, or failing your drivers test; after the letdowns, and disappointment, you should pick yourself back up with a positive outlook. Tell yourself that you’ll try twice as hard for the next time. When something happens, instead of letting it takeover; take control of your future because we can’t change the past, only shape our future. Sometimes, it is hard to get started; sometimes it is hard to continue; and sometimes it is hard to fin-ish. To pick up from where you didn’t quite meet your goal. But whatever stage you’re in, the one thing you need to complete it successfully: motivation.

-Staley Talon Staff

WHY MOTIVATION IS IMPORTANT

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Bypass the Hall Pass

Written by Emilie KerrCartoons by Amber Lewis

Lame Ways to try and Dodge a Hall

Monitor:

1. Make direct eye contact, smile, and pretend like you’re a teacher.

2. Stop, drop, and roll into the wall so they can’t see you.

3. Just stop in the middle of the hall-way and pretend you are a tree.

4. Do the potty dance so they can’t deny you a basic right.

5. Squeeze yourself in a locker so they think you are a huge backpack.

6. Rise and soar like a falcon above their reach.

7. Use a blanket as an invisibility cloak.

STUDENTS SHOULD BE TRUSTED

In high school, students gain a lot of privi-leges compared to middle and elementary school. Turning 15, 16, 17 and 18, there are more privileges that students get to do by themselves. When some-one turns 15, they can get their permit. Then the following year at 16, they can drive. Then two years later, at 18, they become a legal adult. Among other things, they can enlist in the military and can vote. During these four years, students are also expected to get to class on time, keep up with school work and also have a social life. If students can do all of these things, why aren’t they trusted enough to go in the hallway without an official hall pass? The passes that are needed to have in hand every time they enter the hallway must have the destination, and in some cases must have a reason why. Why else would they need to go to the bath-room other than to go to the bathroom? It would be one thing if they were allowed to be in the hall with a laminated pass or a sym-bol from the teacher that indicates that they are

allowed to be in the hall-way, but they have to have the specific hall pass. Some students have already enlisted in the mil-itary, but they can’t walk to the bathroom without written permission? Assis-tant principals Kevin Kooi and Sharon Roberts said the passes are required so that every student is treat-ed the same, so that there is consistency throughout the whole school. Some students are allowed to go in the halls permitted by the teacher without a hall pass, and some student’s teachers won’t let them go without having a pass. All students should be treated fairly, but do they really need to written permission to go to the tech office, library or bathroom? As a student body we should be trusted. Yes, there are a ceratain few who have proven that they shouldn’t be trusted in the hallway. But shouldn’t others get a chance before they have to have a specific hall pass? Students should not be punished or regulated with rules when it comes to hall passes, especially when they haven’t done anything to not be trusted. Life would be so much easier if each teach-er could have a laminat-ed, already signed pass. Teachers wouldn’t have to write a long, drawn out pass, and the students could get in and out of class a lot easier.

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Opinion

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My Mind, Not Yours

Written by Christopher Spry

BE TRUE TO YOUR POLITICAL OPINION

Teens need to stop choosing their politi-cal beliefs just because of what their parents believe. They must get their own opinions and learn to back them up. Young adults are caught in a political world where everyone’s views and opinions are right in their face. Not knowing a lot about how the gov-ernment actually works, young adults look to the people who are most trusted and respected in their eyes. When going to school, kids hear other people talking about their political views and opin-ions. Many teens don’t understand politics but still believe that they are a part of a certain political party based off of what was heard at home or school. Parents or teach-ers don’t always force opinions, but when kids don’t know much about a certain subject, they strive for an answer and often cling to what they have heard. When the voting season approaches, signs are often put up in yards

to show the party that a certain person is voting for. Some households put out signs, and that allows people to see what po-litical party their parents are voting for as well as friends’ families. When developing their political ideals, students need to be careful not to view the government or choose political parties based on adults. There are many ways to decide to choose whether to identify as a Republican, Democrat or Independent party. Students should research all parties and see the pros and cons of each. Online, there are surveys such as Pew Research Center that can help students find out which party they agree with most. It doesn’t hurt to talk to adults about the different parties or their opinion on the parties, but this information can often be biased. Watching unbiased TV and learning about what they both can offer and what makes them each special is an-other way to find the party that fits their beliefs. When voting, young adults should not make decisions based on who has the same politi-cal views and opinions as their parents, and instead, vote for the one who shows more knowledge and whose opinions and goals match their own.

Volume VIII | Issue 3 | Talon | 5

Opinion

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Business Department Earns Awards

A team of five business students won “Best in State” in the Verizon App Challenge. The app helps teach-ers keep record of a student’s behavior for other teachers, parent, and administrators to view. The app is to spe-cifically help teachers organize their classroom and manage student behavior, according to team leader sophomore Connor Davis. “It’s a database for all the teachers where each student has a profile that can be viewed by other teach-ers,” Davis said. The team mem-bers were Davis, senior team leader Hunter Walters, sophomore Aaron Wyland, seniors

Dylan Wisdom and Tommy Vo. For winning “Best in State,” each received a personal tablet and one $5,000 grant from Verizon for the school. Other than having to create an app, they each had to write an essay and create one 30 second commercial. According to Vo, creating the app had other benefits that the awards received. They learned to work as a team which will benefit them on future projects and also gave them more experience in the computer science field said Davis. “Creating the app gave us a great opportunity for the computer science field,”

Vo said. Vo, Davis and Walters said they aspire to work in the computer science field because they have a passion for creating with a com-puter. Walter said that working with technol-ogy is his way of being creative since he’s not artistic. “It’s my way to be creative and invent what I envision,” Wal-ters said. As the team members pursue their careers in computer science, their resume now can say that they invented an app that won “Best in State” and helped the school’s business department with a $5,000 grant. “I’m proud of

what we accomplished,” said Walter, “It looks good on a resume and is a great opportunity for scholarships.”

Written by Bryttany Holovach

STUDENTS WIN BEST IN STATE FOR APP

Sophomores AaronWyland and ConnorDavis and seniors Hunter Walters, Dylan Wisdom and Tommy Vo won “Best in State” for the app they designed and marketed togeth-er for the Verizon App Challenge.

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Lifestyles

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Lesley Martin is a teacher who works with students in busi-ness education. She has been awarded the 2016 NCWIT Aspirations in computing educa-tor award. This award recognizes educators that have demonstrated commitment to young women’s aspirations in computing. “It feels pretty good; it’s nice to be rec-ognized and to see that people are seeing that I’m trying really hard to promote computers and work really hard,” Martin said. This year her classes have won many awards. Three female

students were nomi-nated for the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in computing programing. This award recogniz-es female students in technology class and encourages them to aspire to work in the technology field. Two female students won, and one earned runner up. One of the winners was ju-nior Miranda Haryo-Pu-tri. The award recog-nizes young women for their computing-related achievements and inter-ests. “Because I was never really confident that I could excel in the field, but getting the

award kind of reassures me that if you work hard, then you can definitely make it,” said Haryo-Putri. With all the success of the business department, Martin said she’s proud of them. “It feels amaz-ing,” said Martin. “It’s

fun to watch the kids get excited because at first they’re kind of nervous about it and not quite sure what it is going to turn into. And to watch them get excited when they see where their idea goes is pretty cool.”

Written by Alexis Howard

TEACHER EARNS AWARD FOR INSPIRING YOUNG WOMEN

Visit Pitt State!Schedule your visit TODAY!

pittstate.edu/beagorillaIn-state tuition.

Less than two hours away.

Pittsburg State University 800-854-PITT (7488) • Pittsburg, Kansas

Martin helps senior Hannah White during her Accounting class. Martin earned an award for her commitment to young women’s aspirations in com-puting. “It means a lot to me,” Martin said. Photo by Rita Sargent

Volume VIII | Issue 3 | Talon | 7

Lifestyles

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Twitter: @CaydenHothFacebook: Cayden Hoth’s Fight

Instagram: @caydenhoth#CaydenHothsFight

SOCIAL MEDIA

#CAYDENHOTHSFIGHT

After leaving the varsity basketball game at Oak Park High School on Jan. 8, sophomore Cayden Hoth was in a car crash and had to be cut out of the car and then hospitalized, according to Cayden’s mother, Tracy Hoth. Cayden has limited mobility in his arms, and is only barely able to kick his feet, according to an update from Tracy Hoth. As he begins his recovery, Hoth has received support from his family, friends and school community. Tracy Hoth said that how much people care has been overwhelming. “I never knew we had so many friends,” said Tracy Hoth. “Even

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Feature

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#CAYDENHOTHSFIGHTCOMMUNITY RALLIES AROUND TEEN INJURED IN CRASHWritten by Abbi Atwell Photo by Alayna Lopez

people we don’t know have given, and you just know that God moves in people’s lives in ways that you would never imagine.” Cayden’s father, Chad Hoth, said that the support they have re-ceived has been a bless-ing. “It just shows Tra-cy and I the lives that we have touched, and now they are touching us back with their support,” Chad Hoth said. “All the lives we’ve interacted with are just pouring out their love for us.” Cayden’s Go-FundMe page is available online for donations and can be accessed through Cayden’s Facebook page,

“Cayden Hoth’s Fight,” where friends and family can also receive updates on Cayden’s recovery and purchase T-shirts with the hashtag #Cayden-HothsFight to help sup-port the costs associated with his injuries. Cayden Hoth went to Denver, Colo., on Jan. 25 for further treatment. He said that he is thankful for all the support he has received. Friends and family have sent cards and balloons, and students at school made a poster and signed it to take to Hoth to show their support. “I’ll be taking that poster over there to Colorado with me,” Hoth said. “It’s pretty cool.”

Cayden played basket-ball on the sophomore team and continues to watch the team’s games from the hospital. He has also been using social media to stay in touch with friends. Tracy Hoth has been updating the Facebook page and the GoFundMe page as Cayden undergoes more treatments. The family reached their initial goal of $40,500 on the Go-FundMe page within the first three days. “I was really surprised I got that much money in two days,” Cayden said. “I’m very thankful.” The family need-ed the initial funds to

cover the cost of his 75-day rehab, but the fund-raising goal was set to $70,000 in order to help the family renovate their home to be wheelchair accessible and purchase a wheelchair accessible ve-hicle, as well as cover the costs of Cayden’s out-patient therapy, medical equipment and prescrip-tions. The school has organized an event called “Cayden Hoth’s Fight Night” to help raise funds to meet the family’s new goal. The event will be held on Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Falcon Field-house, during the varsity basketball game, which is being dedicated to Cayden and his family.Volume VIII | Issue 3 | Talon | 9

Features

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STUDENTS NOMINATED FOR COURTWARMING COURTPhoto by Emilie Kerr

Name: Eli RossGrade: Junior

Activities: Football, Basketball,

Baseball

Name: Gunner BurchGrade: Junior

Activities: Choir, Golf

Name: Jason NeedhamGrade: Senior

Activities: Baseball

Name: Cade HorsmanGrade: Senior

Activities: Football, NHS, Student Council

Name: Christian Covington

Grade: SeniorActivities: Basketball

Name: Blaine MoralesGrade: Freshman

Name: Sam QueenGrade: FreshmanActivities: Choir,

Theater

Name: Tim LawsonGrade: Junior

Activities: Choir, Theater, Track,

Student Council

Not Pictured JuniorsJackson Relford

Shale Hoth

Meet the Courtwarming Candidates

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Name: Nick BarbeauGrade: Senior

Activities: NHS, Science Olympiad,

Robotics, Scholar Bowl, French Club, Math Club

Name: Sam PretzGrade: Senior

Activities: Cross Country, Track

Name: Christian Covington

Grade: SeniorActivities: Basketball

Name: Cole DennisGrade: FreshmanActivities: Soccer

Name: Jason SimcoeGrade: Freshman

Activities: Baseball, Football, Band

Name: Evan FoxGrade: Freshman

Activities: Football, Choir, Wrestling

Name: Dominic RaybournGrade: SophomoreActivities: Baseball,

Football

Name: Wyatt LarsonGrade: SophomoreActivities: Football,

Baseball

Name: Davis PlattGrade: SophomoreActivities: Baseball

Not Pictured SophomoresBennett Holloway

Cayden Hoth

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Harris at City HallSTUDENT WORKS ALONG SIDE MAYORWritten by Abbi Atwell

Internships offer students real-world experience and the opportunity to discover more about different career fields. In senior Jacob Harris’ internship, he works for mayor Sly James of Kansas City on data entry, as well as researching facts for the mayor’s speeches and public addresses. “My job has been to find other cities’ responses on gun control and gun violence,” Harris said. Harris said that he got the job because of his interest in law enforcement and govern-ment. He plans to double major

in political science and econom-ics. He credits his decision to go into law because of how much he has enjoyed his time working for James. Harris’ internship has opened up many opportunities that he otherwise may not have had. He attended the United Nations state dinner and met Rep. Emanuel Cleaver. He was also able to shadow James for a day. According to Harris, the best part has been getting to see how politics take place from a governmental perspective rather than just a citizen’s perspective.

“We always think about how policies will affect us,” Harris said, “but people don’t often understand or realize what the city has to go through to allocate certain parts of the budget to one department over another.” On Jan. 19, Harris had the chance to accompany the youth commission to meet with some students from the Ukraine to talk about education.Harris side he enjoys his intern-ship because of the real world experience that it has given him. “What I do affects the community,” Harria said.

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Lifestyles

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Text Falcon

followed by your message to CRIMES(274637)(274637)

Falcon

Message Sponsored by Staley Community TRY

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LEAP YEAR BABIES CELEBRATE 4TH BIRTHDAY AS THEY TURN 16Written by Rita Sargent Photos by Christopher Spry

Q: What are annoying questions that people ask you about being born on a leap day?A: “People ask me if I’m

celebrating my birthday when it doesn’t happen. Also people ask me ‘When you’re 21, will you be able to drink?’ or ‘When will you be able to get your license?’”Q: Do a lot of people know you’re a leap day baby?A: “No, But it’s my go to interesting fact on the first day of school.”Q: When your birthday

actually happens, do you celebrate it more than the years when it doesn’t happen? A: “No, I just get a cookie cake and cele-brate with my family and friends.”Q: How does it feel to have such a rare birth-day?A: “It’s cool to be one out of two in the school to have my birthday.”

Q: “What day do you celebrate your birthday when it’s not leap year?”A: “Feb. 28”

Q: How old are you really?A: “A little over 3 years

old.”Q: What annoying questions do people ask you about being a leap year baby?A: “When people ask, I just tell them it’s on the 29th.”Q: When it actually happens, do you cele-brate it more than when it doesn’t happen?

A: “It’s about the same, I would like to have a big party.”Q: How does it feel to have such a rare birth-day?A: “It feels the same, just a little different.”Q: When do you cele-brate it when it doesn’t happen?A: “Feb. 28”

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Lifestyles

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Brinton’s BobbleheadsPhotos and Story by Lane Burch

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL DISPLAYS COLLECTION IN OFFICE

Walking into Dr. Chad Brinton’s office, it seems almost like a museum -- a bobblehead muse-um. There are several different kinds of bobbleheads, ranging from presidents to musicians to a Royals announcer from the early 2000s that talks. One of Brin-ton’s favorite bobble-heads is the George Brett figure. Brett is a former Royals player.

“George Brett was my favorite athlete when I was growing up,” Brinton said. Brinton’s wife recently bought him three members of the band Rush. “Those three are probably my next favorite due to their uniqueness and the fact that I am a life-long fan of that band,” Brinton said. Brinton has been collecting bob-bleheads for about 15 years and has amassed a collection of dozens of figures. He also owns a cou-

ple of rare bobble-heads that can sell for more than $100. Some exclu-sive figures in his collection are Denny Matthews, a Royals broadcaster and an original Mike Swee-ney bobblehead, which includes an actual cloth hat that rests on his oversized head. The first bob-blehead that Brinton owned is showcased in his office as well. The Brinton bobble-head collection began when he bought a Harry S. Truman bob-blehead, along with a couple other historical figures and presidents from a closeout sale at Metro North Mall. Brinton said he has plans to expand

his collection. “I am now sole-ly committed to com-pleting my Royals col-lection,” Brinton said. “The difficult part is that as the team has become better, the prices of the Royals bobbleheads has risen dramatically.” Catching a case of “Skip School-itus” is popular among teenagers, and talking to Dr. Brinton is how to fix attendance is-sues. So the next time this happens, pay a visit to his office, and take a look around. People who like the Steelers, Royals, Bear-cats, have a patriotic side, cheer for the Tigers, or listen to the band “Rush” are sure to find a character in the Brinton Bobble-head Collection that they will like.

Volume VIII | Issue 3 | Talon | 15

Lifestyles

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Photos and Story by Alayna Lopez

Courtwarming is more casual than homecoming and prom, so a simpler dress would be suitable. If you choose to go with a brightly colored dress, wear silver heels and keep the jewelry minimal.

Plain colored dresses are in this season. If you want to stand out, try picking a state-ment color. If you wear a black or white dress, wear bright colored shoes or bright jew-elry.

If you choose to wear a blue or spring-colored dress, wear neutral heels. Finding a dress should be a fun experience, so don’t stress if it takes you a little longer to find the perfect dress and shoes.

16 | Volume VIII | Issue 3 | Talon

Fashion

Page 17: Staley Talon Vol. 8, Issue 3

By Rita Sargent

The Fosters

The Office Criminal Minds One Tree Hill

Bob’s Burgers Making a Murderer Grey’s Anatomy

Parks and Recreation Pretty Little Liars The Walking Dead

Gossip GirlFriends

WHAT TO BINGE WATCH ON NETFLIX

Volume VIII | Issue 3 | Talon | 17

Trends

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ALANA VAWTER WINS 2016 LOCKTON RESILIENCY REWARD

Freshman Al-ana Vawter has been covered by many news outlets, includ-ing KMBC 9 News and “The Northland-er”, because of what she’s accomplished in the sports she par-ticipates in despite the adversity she has faced. Alana partici-pates in swim, softball and track. Among her accomplishments,

Alana was the only freshman starter the state championship softball team. She has also succeeded in her club softball team. “She’s highly intelligent,” said head softball coach Jairus Tapp. “She never seems to get ner-vous.” Before Alana’s success, she under-went a serious health

condition during her 8th grade year. In No-vember 2013, Alana broke out in a severe rash and was rushed to the hospital. She was diagnosed with a rare skin disorder called Stevens John-son-Syndrome— “A painful rash that spreads and blisters follow,” according to Mayo Clinic. Alana spent six weeks in

recovery. Her family visited every day, ac-cording to her brother senior Jared Vawter. “She couldn’t really see out of her eyes, so I would just talk to her,” said Jared. Some of her recovery was spent in ICU, according to Ala-na, where her friends and teammates weren’t able to visit her. During her recov-

Written by Bryttany Holovach

Through Adversity

ALANA VAWTER WINS 2016 LOCKTON RESILIENCY REWARD

Freshman Alana Vawter plays in the game against Fort Osage High School on Oct. 1. Vawter has been playing softball since she was 7. “Softball is fun because not only are the people great, but everyone loves to win. So whenever we win it just makes it all more fun,” Vawter said. Photo by Amanda Allen

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ery, they redecorated and painted her room while they couldn’t visit her. Alana said she appreciated that her friends and fam-ily had the idea, it showed how much they support her. “My team-mates really help; they’re always there for me,” Vawter said. “I feel like I should be

there for them more, too.” After her recovery from the skin disorder and all the success in sports, Alana will be hon-ored at the WIN for KC Women’s Sports Awards Celebration presented by Price Chopper on Feb. 4 at Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Cen-

ter. Alana is the 2016 Lockton Companies Resiliency Award win-ner. All of the softball team will be attend-ing, according to head coach Jarius Tapp. Her family will also attend to support her, ac-cording to Jared. “It means a lot to win the award because then others get to hear my story

and what I’ve gone through,” said Vawter. “I hope it’s inspiring to others.”

During soph-omore Nick Rumbo’s 8th grade year, he suffered a brain injury. It happened during passing period in a classroom when a pair of scissors was thrown and hit the right side of his fore-head, penetrating 2 centimeters in his brain. “I didn’t even see the kid throw it,” said Rumbo. “The scissors just got stuck in my forehead.” According to Rumbo, he was sent to Children’s Mercy and had neurologi-cal brain surgery the same day to remove the scissors. After the surgery, Rumbo had to start the long

recovery process without playing basketball. Rumbo couldn’t play a con-tact sport during March through July he said. “It was tough,” Rumbo said. “I knew if I followed directions, I would come back a 100 percent, and I did.” He now plays on the varsity basket-ball team as shooting guard. Basketball head coach James Wheeler said that Rumbo is a great play-er. “Rumbo is a very dedicated play-er,” Wheeler said. “He’s a very hard worker which has led to his success.”

Moving on From Brain Injury SOPHOMORE RETURNS TO BASKETBALL AFTER BRAIN INJURYWritten by Bryttany Holovach

On Jan. 26, Rumbo makes a shot against Grain Valley High School. Staley won 67-56. “I’ve came back stronger than ever and ful-ly recovered,” Rumbo said. Photo by Maddy Benda

In March 2013, Rumbo was rushed to the emer-gency room because a pair of scissors was thrown at his head. “I had to spend two days in the hospital,” Rumbo said.

Volume VIII | Issue 3 | Talon | 19

Sports

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