'Klunkers' hold special place in hearts of drivers - Cimarron High ...

BluejayPOST
Cimarron High School Cimarron, Kansas 67835 March 2006 Vol. 3, No. 6
THE
InsIde
Austrian exchange student
looks for palm trees, p. 3
New isn’t everything
By Alison Ketzner
As you look out over the sea of automobiles in the
CHS parking lot, you’ll notice brand-new, shiny cars as
well as old, beat-up cars. Most attention is focused on
the newest cars, but usually the older cars prove to have
the most personality.
Most people tend to buy their cars from a used car
lot without knowing the past history of the cars they are
buying. For some, though, they know their car’s previous
identity all too well.
“My great-grandma bought me my car, which used to
be a Mary Kay car,” said Neal Giebler, CHS junior.
Another personality trait of older cars is that they
make their owners nervous about mechanical problems.
“My car had a problem with the computer system,”
said Joseph Dasenbrock, junior. “So it would shut off
the speedometer, and sometimes it wouldn’t start or idle
right.”
Cars can also make the owner anxious about what
friends might think about the car.
“It [makes me nervous about] what people will think,
due to the color. Taking girls on dates, some like the color,
and some think it is ‘interesting’,” said Giebler.
People often have memorable experiences with their
old car. These experiences would most likely make an
owner of a new car cringe at just the thought.
“I rear-ended Daniel Unruh with my car down at the
turn-around one night,” said Dasenbrock. “I looked down
at my phone, and the next thing I know the left fender of
my car was in Daniel’s bumper.”
Older cars are usually hated by the owners because of
anything from what year the car is to the many problems
that come with its age.
“My car is only a V-6, and the inside driver’s side
door handle doesn’t work,” said Giebler.
Nicknames given by friends or family members can
also make a car unwanted by its owner.
“[My car] is white, ugly, slow, a Buick, and earned the
nickname ‘The Granny Cruiser’,” said Dasenbrock.
Sometimes the owners can’t help but love aspects
of their car,
“I like my car because it is fast and loud,” said Kythan
Stevenson, junior.
Due to age and other various problems, older cars are
often in need of maintenance. Thanks to the high cost of
maintenance, people may have to work on their cars on
their own.
“I work on my car whenever I have the tools and
equipment to,” said Dasenbrock. “I do brakes and oil
changes, but there are some things I don’t have the ability
to do,” said Dasenbrock.
Whether you hate or love you old car, it’s probably
a part of you and will provide you with many memories
and laughs as time goes on.
Non-profit
Permit #41
Cimarron, KS
67835
FCCLA group keeps busy, p. 4
Wrestlers go for state, p. 6
‘Klunkers’ hold special place in hearts of drivers
Neal Giebler is the proud owner of an old Mary Kay car. Giebler is one of many students at CHS who owns an old car. “The
inside driver’s side door handle doesn’t work,” Giebler says. (Ketzner photo)
The front of Neal Giebler’s car is designed with flames.
Giebler is currently painting his car himself to disguise its
Mary Kay past. (Ketzner photo)

2 The
Bluejay Post
OPINIONS
March 2006
Testing, Testing, testing: March and April bring standardized tests
By Alison Ketzner
We all hear how important the standardized tests are, but even though
our teachers stress this point to us over and over again, many students don’t
know why these tests are important or how to study for them.
Therefore, students often don’t pay attention and end up doing poorly
on their tests.
One reason to do well on our standardized testing is because our scores
reflect back on our school.
President Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” Act requires that 80% of
students who test must score an 80% or above, or else the federal government
may stop funding the school.
High test scores raise our school’s score and help to keep the government
providing money for our education.
Another reason to do well on the tests is because our own scores also
reflect on us as individuals.
Many schools are now putting our standardized testing scores on our
school transcripts. Colleges can take a look at these transcripts when students
apply and know what areas the student is strong or weak in.
Eighty percent of a school’s students must score Proficient (80-86%),
Advanced (87-92%), or Exemplary (93-100%) on those standardized tests
in order to show they know the required material on a subject.
A major problem is that many students aren’t sure how to study for
their standardized tests and, therefore, go into the tests not knowing what
to expect.
A few good study habits for taking the tests are going over the material
our teachers have taught us earlier in the year so we can refresh our memory,
practicing the problems that give us trouble, and getting a good night’s sleep
in order to be well rested for the test.
When it is finally time to take the test, we should read over all of the
possible answers before answering the question and also check our work
to make sure we didn’t make any mistakes.
These study tips should help you do well on the tests.
As the standardized test start to approach, remember why it’s important
Be a celebrity!
Are you thinking about joining The Bluejay Post?
By Mallory Anderson
Month after month and year after year, students at
CHS pour their time and dedication into a newspaper
just for you! It’s a fun way to learn to write and express
your creativity.
However, as the year begins to wind down and half of
our group leaves us, The BlueJay Post is in need of some
new talent to emerge from the hallways and classrooms.
This year we have had the smallest journalism class
ever: a total of six writers. Yet it’s been awesome, and we
have had so much fun working on the paper!
Think of this: while working on the paper, you are
left with maybe two nights of homework in this class a
month! Part of that will be interviewing people and jotting
down notes and taking pictures.
In reality, journalism class can be a walk in the park
if you have the drive, the will and the voice to be heard
above the crowd!
So…do you want to be a celebrity, to rise above the
Do your best on the tests!
to do the best you can on your tests
and learn how to prepare to take
them. The tests not only reflect
on us, but they also reflect on our
school as a whole.
rest of the classes and truly put your ideas and thoughts
in print?
If so, see Mrs. Hewes about an application! Mrs. Millershaski
will be doing enrollment soon, so don’t delay!
We applied and we don’t regret it for a minute!
Some of us even wish we had another year to serve in
the force of journalism known as The Bluejay Post.
Letter Policy
The Bluejay Post welcomes letters
from readers. We do, however, reserve
the right to edit letters for purposes of
clarity and space, and we regret that we
cannot publish unsigned letters.
Although our editorials are written by individual board
members, the thoughts and ideas conveyed are that of The
Bluejay Post editorial board. Members of the editorial
board are Johana Erives, Mallory Anderson, Katelyn
Royle, Alison Ketzner.
The Bluejay Post
2005-2006 staff
Editor: Rachel Woods
Assistant Editor, Grade School/Middle School
News, Graphic Arts: Johana Erives
Sports Editor, Graphic Arts: Phillip Marshall
Cartoonist, Organizations Editor:
Mallory Anderson
Photo Editor, Copy Editor: Katelyn Royle
Community News Editor, Graphic Arts:
Alison Ketzner
Advisor: Lynne Hewes
Cimarron High School
March 2006
Volume 3, Issue 6

PEOPLE
The Bluejay Post
March 2006
New country brings new experiences
By Johana Erives
Michael Margreiter, an Austrian native, is a new
foreign exchange student to CHS. He is a friendly person
and likes to talk to everyone.
Most foreign exchange students who go to different
countries usually go in the beginning of the year. Margreiter,
however, just started school here in January.
“I just handed in my application in September,
and I had to wait until the first semester was over,” said
Margreiter.
Many times when we go to a new place, we explore
around us, and that’s how we can tell if we are going to
like it or not. There are certain things that people look
for in the new town they will be living in.
Margreiter wasn’t so lucky in picking where he
wanted to go.
“When I first saw Cimarron, I thought it was so flat,”
he said, “Back in the town I live in, there is a population of
about 2,000 people and it is so beautiful. There are lots of
mountains everywhere. Also here you have to walk so far
to go somewhere else, and in Austria everything is really
close to each other. It is just so different to me.”
Foreign exchange students are assigned a host family
to stay with while they are here.
Cimarron women speak out about STDs
By Mallory Anderson
Because of an increase in the number of STDs over
the past several years, many local people who work with
teens are concerned. An STD is a disease that can be
transmitted through intercourse.
Liz Wetmore, Nurse Practitioner for The Community
Wellness Center, says that there are certainly more identified
STDs now than a few decades ago.
“We have identified a few more, including Human
Paplova Virus (HPV) and HIV/AIDS.” Wetmore says,
“HPV, which can cause some cancers, or sterility in
women, has even become an epidemic.”
Marca Deimund, wife of Pastor Richard Deimund,
agrees.
“Oh, yes, there are certainly more [STDs] than when
I was a kid,” she said.
There is a reason there are more identified.
“Our screening technology is better, but in the late
‘90s people stopped using protection.” Wetmore said.
“We don’t know why…maybe they thought medication
was a safety net? That’s just a hypothesis.”
There are many ways that STDs are spread.
“High-risk behavior,” said Wetmore.
Deimund adds to this.
“Blood and skin contact,” said Deimund. “Viruses
can live in many places. That’s a scary thought,”
Most STDs don’t have many symptoms, if any at all,
and that can be harmful.
“Some do, but most don’t,” Wetmore says. “The
“My host parents are Carrie and Lorenzo Navarro. I
really like being with them because they are really nice,”
said Margreiter.
As most people stay in a town, they grow to like things
about it. Margreiter is no exception.
“I really like that the people are really supportive, and
they help me around. The school is really nice and the
classrooms are like living rooms,” he said.
Coming to a new country makes us want to achieve
new things.
“I plan on having a nice time with everybody and meet
as many people as possible. I really want to improve my
English a little better,” said Margreiter.
Being active in sports is a good way to meet new people
and to see many different places around the country.
“I really don’t know if I’m going to be in any sports,
but if I make up my mind I want to join golf or track,” said
Margreiter.
There is always a time when we have to go back to
the country we came from, but we can take the memories
of everything we experienced in that country.
“I have plans to go back home around the month of
June, but I just want to say thanks to everyone for giving
me a chance to come and visit America,” said Margreiter.
symptoms can be subtle, obvious, or even silent.”
Deimund agrees.
“A lot of them don’t have symptoms for a very long
time,” she said. “It’s very frightening to think of an STD
as silent.”
Wetmore and Deimund agree that “safe sex” does in
fact, exist.
Deimund says, “Yes, after marriage, and when sexual
activity is just limited to your spouse. It’s not for single
people.”
Wetmore adds to this.
“I think so.” Wetmore says, “When [protection] is used
each and every time.”
There are definitely ways that people can avoid getting
an STD.
“Abstaining from all types of intercourse, [all types]
are risky,” said Wetmore.
Deimund thinks there is another way.
“Know your spouse’s history,” she says.
A recommended way for a person to find out if he or
she has an STD is to get tested.
“People can trust a health care practitioner, tell them
their history. We don’t hold anything against people,” Wetmore
says. “If we don’t get the information, how can we
screen for STDs when it could be needed? People shoud
find a health care clinic with a trusted health care professional.
They should pick someone they can trust. That is
important.”
3
Michael Margreiter is our new foreign exhange student from
Austria. (Courtesy photo)
•
•
•
•
•
STD Facts
More than half of all people
will have an STD some point
in their life.
The estimated total number
of people living in the U.S.
with a viral STD is over 65
million; every year there are
at least 12 million new cases
of STDs, some of which are
curable.
Each year, one in four teens
conracts an STD.
One in two sexually active
persons will contact an STD
by age 35.
Hepatitis B is 100 times
more infectious than HIV.

4 The
Bluejay Post
FEATURES
March 2006
Busy times at busy places:
Sociology students learn how to live
By Mallory Anderson
The bell rings as six students file into John Mowry’s
third hour Sociology class. As they sit down, they open
their highly unusual text books, Steven R. Covey’s Seven
Habits of Highly Effective People, and read about how
they can better themselves.
Mowry knows that this book really helps, both by
what it’s about and because of the lessons it teaches.
“It is about powerful lessons that help people change,”
he said.
The students themselves chose to break away from
their regular sociology book, and study this instead.
Mowry feels strongly that there are good reasons to
study sociology.
“The more you know about yourself, the way you
work and how society works, gives you more input and
data to make good decisions,” said Mowry.
The book talks about seven habits of effective people.
These habits are:
1.Be proactive.
2.Begin with the end in mind.
3.Put “first” things first.
4.Think “win, win.”
By Rachel Woods
Members of CHS FCCLA attended the District F
STAR Events competition on February 15 at Garden
City.
The following students medaled for their STAR
Events: Kandra Woods and Crysta O’ Grady for Applied
Technology, Mellisa Bosley for Interpersonal
Communication; Andrea Rivera for Career Technology;
Katey Nash, Ciara Cunningham, and
Melissa Burns for Focus on Children; and Kelly
Smidt for Creed- memorization and interpretation.
Their sponsor is Earlene Hill.
Bosley will represent Cimarron in state competition
on April 10 and 11 in Wichita.
STAR Events (Students Taking Action with
Recognition) are competitive events in which
members are recognized for skill and accomplishment
in chapter and individual projects, leadership
skills, and occupational preparation.
STAR Events encourage the FCCLA mission
to focus on the many roles of family member, wage
earner, and community leader. Each event is designed to
help members develop specific lifetime skills.
The FCCLA STAR Events program offers individual
skill development and use of learning through the fol-
5.Seek first to understand before being understood.
6.Synergize. (The idea that 1+1=3, or that two
different ideas can create a third and better idea.)
7.Sharpen the saw: going over the previous
habits, it’s a habit of self- renewal. Or reminding
oneself of the more important things.
This book even helped Mowry in his life.
“It has helped me to go after a solution when
there is a problem,” Mowry said. “It’s like anything
else: You have to practice it on a daily basis. For
instance, what are the best ways of interacting
with people? I would rather interact on a positive
field.”
There are reasons why Mowry wanted to teach
this topic in class.
“I think kids need more of this,” he said.
“Sometimes they are too quickly criticized instead
of taught. It also blends right in with what we study
in sociology, and the students area able to visualize,
use and apply this to their lives.”
FCCLA members medal with STAR
lowing activities: cooperative--teams work to accomplish
specific goals; individualized--members work also to
accomplish certain goals; and competitive--individual
or team performance is measured by an established set
of criteria.
STAR Event Winners. Front Row: Crysta O’ Grady, Mellisa
Bosley, and Melissa Burns. Back Row: Kandra Woods, Ciara
Cunningham, Katey Nash, Andrea Rivera, and Kelly Smidt. As
members of FCCLA, these students represented CHS at the STAR
Senior Charles Helfrich listens as instructor John Mowry
describes some of the habits of effective people. The topic
of the day was “Can you make other people do anything?”
(Courtesy photo)
Post staff qualifies for
The KSPA Journalism Contest took place on February
23. The journalism class and a three yearbook students
took part in the competition.
Those who qualified for state are as follows:
Mallory Anderson-1st in Editorial Cartooning
-HM in Newswriting
Phillip Marshall-2nd in Newspaper Sports Writing
-HM in Yearbook Sports Writing
Rachel Woods-2nd in Yearbook Copy Writing
Katelyn Royle-2nd in Headline Writing
-HM in Editing
Alison Ketzner-3rd By Rachel Woods
in Feature Writing
Johana Erives-HM in Feature Writing
Julie Collins-HM in Feature Photography
These students will be taking part in the state competition
on May 6 at KU in Lawrence.
On the day of contest, Lynne Hewes, sponsor of journalism
and yearbook, took the students who had on-site
competitions to Hays for the big day. Those in the Suburban
were Anderson, Woods, Royle, Ketzner, Marshall,
Erives, Julissa Sauzameda, and Alexandra Brown.

FEATURES
The Bluejay Post
March 2006 5
What’s happening at CHS?
Blast from the past
Students go back in time
By Katelyn Royle
Jackrabbit drives, listening to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio, and
living in simpler times. The makings of what our country used to be in
the 1930’s through the 1960’s, and how it’s different from what life is
like today.
This is the topic the Junior class of CHS has been working on since
the end of January for their English III class under the instruction of Mrs.
Lynne Hewes.
To begin research for the paper, the students must decide who to
interview, and what method to use.
The students had a choice to interview anyone who lived in a decade
where they were the average of a junior. They could interview anyone
from their grandparents, neighbors, or even just close friends.
“I interviewed my grandpa, Phil Ridenour, and he had some really
interesting stories to tell, like he lived in three different states, and went
to three different high schools,” said Mitchell Ridenour, junior.
When the interview is being conducted, the students have the choice
to record their interview on a tape recorder.
Hewes said, “Each student must conduct an interview, but not every
students opts to make a tape. They must, however, type a transcript of
their interview. The taped option will earn them a few bonus points when
they donate it to the library.”
The main purpose of the paper is to promote a greater understanding
of what went on in history as a comparison to our own times and to create
a stronger bond between generations.
Some students have really been able to get into writing their papers,
because they like to learn about what has happened in the past.
Hewes said, “I’ve read some really great interview transcripts students
have made from their taped conversations with their grandparents. Some
Anderson’s design wins SADD T-shirt contest
By Johana Erives
Every year the SADD club has a T-shirt design contest,
and many students create a design for the contest. The theme
for this year was: “I have better things to do than drugs.”
The winner of this year’s design contest was senior, Mallory
Anderson.
“Last year I had a bad entry and I wanted to better myself.
It also had to do with art and I love art. I guess I just entered
for fun,” said Anderson.
All of the members of SADD take part in voting for the
winner. After seeing the shirts that they are to vote on them,
each person receives a voting form.
Whenever one draws something, it usually has a meaning.
Anderson’s shirt also means something for.
“I feel amazed that they like it. I was worried that nobody
would like them or not wear them,” said Anderson.
Hilario Yebra and Melissa Bosley consult with each other on their English III research papers. The CHS junior
class has been working on these papers since the middle of January. (Courtesy photo)
are really in-depth and show the result of quality-time conversations.”
Writing a paper such as this, allows everyone to take a peek into the past, and really see how our
country has come to be the way it is today.
Ridenour said, “This paper will be beneficial because it let’s us know history of a time period
we’ve never experienced.
“My design can have more than one meaning.
The first meaning for it is that when people are more
active in school activities, they don’t do drugs. The
second idea is that you are different when you break
out. You show the real person in you, someone that
is drug-free. My theme is “BREAK OUT 2 STAY
DRUG FREE!”
Many people like to enter contests just for fun.
They never know when what they draw is what judges
are looking for.
“In eighth, grade I kind of won a design contest
on a Christmas card. Then this year I entered a journalism
T-shirt design contest. I still don’t know if I
won, but I hope I did!” said Anderson.
Showing
off their
new
SADD
T-shirts
are Jose
Trevino,
Mini
Casas,
Mikaela
Holsten,
and
Carlos
Varela.
(Royle
photo)

8
The Bluejay Post
March 2006
The Principal’s Perspective
Can you believe it is almost time for
Spring Break!
As the season changes and the grass gets
greener, we must keep our focus, finishing this
school year strong.
Although there are days when we cannot
tell whether it is winter or spring, rest assured
we are not out of the bad weather timeframe.
Academic Advisor Program
I am going to update you on our new
Academic Advisor Program. A survey was given
to the students to determine if the program was
being well received by the students.
The following are questions from the
survey. The results show that this program is
well liked by the students and was a good addition
to our building.
Questions
Do you feel you are meeting enough
with your academic advisor?
73% said yes
Do you feel that your academic advisor
is meeting your academic needs?
93% said yes
Do you feel comfortable with your academic
advisor?
95% said yes
ADMINISTRATION NEWS
Do you feel you will benefit from this
program?
76% said yes
Do you think you should keep the same
advisor throughout your academic career at Cimarron?
69% said yes
A total of 257 students were surveyed.
Of those students who felt they would
not benefit from the program, the majority said it
was because they were doing well academically
already.
To this I had to remind them that the
program was not only about academics, but also
about forming academic networks and building
student relationships.
Please talk with your child about the
program. We are always looking for ways to
improve the school for the students.
If you have any suggestions on how we
might make this program more effective, please
call me at the high school.
pal
Rudy Perez
CHS Princi-
The Counselor’s Corner
It has been a busy month around school, with basketball,
wrestling, forensics, scholars’ bowl, and numerous other activities.
Students have been working hard getting ready for the
State Assessments,which will be given in March and April. Please
encourage your student to do their best.
ACT Preparation
The ACT prep course is being offered again this spring.
It is open to any Junior or Senior wanting to prepare to take the
ACT. For more information, see me soon.
Important Dates to Remember
March 3 End of nine weeks
ACT registration Due
March 13-14 Parent Teacher Conferences 5:30-
8:30 p.m.
March 17 No School
March 20-24 SPRING BREAK
April 7 Local Scholarships due to the Counselor
April 8 ACT Test
March Birthdays
3 Michael Davidson
5 Bethany Charmassson
5 Kythan Stevenson
6 Catherine Melton
7 Shelby Taulman-
Crockett
8 Nicholas Simmons
8 Kelsy Stucky
12 Derek Hoskinson
12 Claudia Marmolejo
14 Sasha Reed
Message for the Seniors
I have several scholarships available in my office. Stop
by and see me.
I would like to close with a quote that I recently heard at
a counselors’ meeting: “Don’t worry about failure. Worry about
the chances you miss when you don’t even try.”
Have a great month, and remember my door is always
open.
Mrs. Millershaski, CHS
Counselor
16 Whitney Barton
17 Erin Brady
19 Sarah Newberry
20 Erika Droste
23 Blake Batman
23 Loyde Heady
24 Johnathan Dasenbrock
28 Marcelo Escarcega
28 Tiana Schiender