Reporter

After a season of all-team wins up until state qualifiers and state, three members of the Jaguar’s boys golf team played at state Monday and Tuesday in Springfield. The state tournament started off roughly for most of the golfers but the Jags finished with one player, Nick Rehmer, placing sixth.

“My goal was to make top 15 and I ended up doing better and making top six,” said Rehmer. “I didn’t want to let anyone down, so I made sure to to play as well as I could for my team and my family, who was there to watch,” said Rehmer.

According to J.P. Derksen, despite the season-ending outcome, the ages of this year’s key players and their experience were definitely to the programs advantage.

“This year was extra good because the top five golfers were seniors who stayed competitive all year long and made up a good team,” Derksen said.

Seniors J.P. Derksen, Nick Rehmer, and Blake Windsor qualified for state.

“We had three players going; it’s hard to get that from a public school,”Rehmer said.

After the season, however, the boys were expecting a higher number of competitors to come from South when they headed to state.

“It’s exciting to be going to state, I’m hoping to continue having a good season. It was hard going to state without the whole team though; it was a heart breaker honestly,” Derksen said before leaving for the state tournament.

Despite things not going as planned regarding making it to state as a team, the boys golf team kept their bond strong.

“This year’s been a fun experience and we’ve given it one hell of a run. It was really fun and we did really well,” said senior golfer Blair Sanders.

Once the boys got to state, Derksen, Rehmer, and Windsor were cheered on by their coaches and fellow teammates for the duration of state.

“Not only was I there to cheer the guys on the whole time, I made sure to keep everyone at school updated with constant tweets regarding how the guys were playing,” said Braden Curd.

Although the golfers didn’t finish quite where they had hoped to, they all agreed that it was a good and memorable season.

“It was a successful season. We were conference champs and district champs. Despite the tough losses at sectionals and state, we were undefeated and we all enjoyed ever moment of the season we could. We made records for the school too, that was exciting,” said Windsor.

In the fall Derksen will be continuing his golfing career at K-State, Rehmer at Lindenwood, and Windsor will be on the golf team at St. Josephs College in Indiana.

Reporter

From a walk-off hit to a blowout, the boy’s baseball season has been intense and unpredictable.

The boys played really well in the 2-1 win against Truman on Monday in the district semi-finals, coach Ben Baier said. They played even better in the district final when they beat Lee’s Summit North 10-2.

“They competed in every inning, and that’s all you ask for towards the end of the year,” Baier said.

It’s a game. Odd things are going to happen, but keeping the team under control is the best way to win a close game.

“It’s a team game, and the team has shown signs of being really good,” Baier said, “but when the guys don’t come to play we can have issues.”

Despite that, Baier said that the team has had some great performances, and when all 18 players are ready to play, the Jags have a shot.

Sophomore right fielder Conner Davis said that the team has improved its pitching and hitting.

“We’ve come together and we’re more of a team now than we were earlier this season,” Davis said.

They have to be a team and play as a team, Davis said. If they compete every inning and come prepared they’ll win games.

“We focused on the fundamentals and getting base hits, not just on hitting home runs,” Junior pitcher Reece Eddins said.

The Jags have to stay focused, play small and try to not do so much.

“When you try to do too much teams can get overwhelmed and lose control of the game,” Eddins said.

Junior pitcher Austin Simms agrees with Davis, in that the team has improved.

“Our defense has been consistently good, but both hitting and pitching-wise,” Simms said. “We have gotten better all-around.”

The Jags will play Rockhurst Tuesday in Sectionals. The game will be played at the 3-2 complex in Kansas City.

Reporter

One very common trend among high schoolers leading up to summer has been the wearing of male tank tops known as ‘Bro Tanks.’ They are reminiscent of wife beaters but feature more color and often have stripes. They sometimes have short messages like “Cool Story, Bro” or “Do You Even Lift?” but you they come in any number of designs. They are sold at most places that carry clothes like Target, TJ Maxx, etc. There are also several websites devoted to creating your own custom bro tanks, like brotanks.net. Bro tanks are an acceptable choice everyday of summer, especially if you’re going to be outside a lot. They are a great thing to wear during the summer months, whether you’re trying to stay cool, get a tan or give the public a free ticket to the gun show (if applicable).

If you want to avoid the dreaded Farmer’s tan this summer, I highly recommend the bro tank. They allow you to tan your arms as well as your shoulders so they don’t become super pale as they would wearing a normal T-shirt.

Another great benefit of the bro tank is the freedom it allows you. They allow you to have your shoulders and forearms free from the oppression of sleeves. They also keep you cool during the scorching summer, and also here at South where the AC isn’t always enough to keep comfortable.

If you don’t want to shell out the cash for a new bro tank (generally above $20), it’s actually fairly easy to make your own by using your own shirts. Just remember, there’s no going back once you convert it.

The first step is to find a T-shirt that you think would make a nice bro tank. The next step is to cut off the sleeves. It’s your choice how far down you want to cut the arm hole. The final step is to cut a U shape into the front of your collar; again, you decide how low you want it cut. And voila! you are now the proud owner a new bro tank. So the next time someone wants to know if you even lift, make sure you are well equipped to show them.

Over the summer, it’s easy to let the heat beat you and keep you inside, attached to your TV screen or napping until 3 in the afternoon. You spend time in your air conditioned house instead of going out and doing things, but it’s much more important to stay active and healthy over the summer.

Many more opportunities can be found to get out and active over the summer, and they should be embraced. Get out of the house and go do something with your friends or family. There is so much to do, and staying in your house isn’t fun for everyone. After a while, you’ll get cabin fever and want to get out, so embrace that feeling.

There are so many things to do over the summer, and getting out can help you stay active. Anyone involved in a fall sport has training over the summer, so it’d be best to keep in shape before that starts up, and anyone not involved in a sport has the opportunity to stay active in many different ways. You can go to the pool, the lake, or the gym to keep your physical fitness levels at their peak.

Exercise isn’t the only way to have fun on the off months from school. Blue Springs and nearby towns have fun things to do to keep you out of the house and away from your parents. Go to the movies, go to the mall, go play in a park, go bowling, go to the library, go do anything. Staying busy is the best part of summer because it gives you more free time to be with your friends and do things you never had time to do during the school year because of early mornings or lack of free time.

Changing your diet over the summer to include less fast food and healthier food is another way to improve your summer. As much as you want to spend all summer with one hand on the TV remote and the other in a bag of potato chips, it’s not the healthiest option and it can slow you down.

Keeping active and healthy through the months we have off from school is important and when we live our summer to the fullest extent that it can be, we can have a great summer.

Entertainment Editor

Twenty-nine years into her career, Coach Sheri Rehmer has announced her plans to retire.

After hearing the news, many of her students are saddened to see her go, including junior Jared Martin, a player on her tennis team. He said he’s learned a lot from her coaching, and is sad to see her go.

“[Her retirement is] really sad; she’s one of the best coaches,” Martin said. “Freshmen year, I wasn’t very good [at tennis], but over the years, she’s taught me new techniques.”

Not only has Rehmer been the boy’s tennis coach, but she has also coached basketball and taught various different physical education electives, and several years of math, health, and senior seminar, which since then has been changed to personal finance.

According to Rehmer, her favorite part of teaching has been the connection she’s made with her students

“I don’t have a favorite memory, but just getting to know kids on a deeper level than just in your class. Some kids you connect with, whether it’s in coaching—I coach boys tennis and basketball— or whether its in class, you just get to know kids. I would just say in general, it’s that connection and for me that’s really important,” Rehmer said.

Senior Brent Henderson said he’s formed a bond with Rehmer; she’s supported him throughout his years on the tennis team.

“She’s always been very encouraging and she’s always been there for me,” Henderson said.

The bond Rehmer has had with her students has developed from mutual trust. Rehmer said the best way she connects with her students is through honesty, which sometimes may seem brutal.

“I think its a very honest relationship. I’m very honest with them, like if I think your shoes are ugly, I’m going to tell you that, in so many words, or if I think you’re acting stupid, I’ll tell you in so many words, or if you’ve done some great things I’m going to tell you that,” Rehmer said. “I think a lot of kids appreciate my bluntness and my honesty.”

Not only does Rehmer apply honesty to form connections with her students, but she also hopes to teach students to apply it to their own lives.

“I hope that some kids grasp that you need to have integrity and honesty. That’s more important than anything else. I hope that something has come through in my teaching of certain things; it doesn’t matter who you are, everybody has to abide by the same rules. You might be the star of the school, and you’re tardy– you’re ten minutes tardy. I’m not gonna treat you special. You’re like really good at something. Fairness and integrity are the two most important lessons.”

Throughout her years of teaching, 17 of which were spent at South, Rehmer said she’s learned lessons of her own. Perhaps the most important to her, however, has been dealing with judgment.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover. There’s a lot of stories– a lot of students have a lot of stories. I wish we knew those sometimes because you don’t and you find out later, ‘Well maybe that’s why they had that reaction’ or whatever. [I’ve learned] to not be judgmental, and I hope I’m not because so many things can happen to anybody and hopefully they get through tough times and things like that.”

The greatest accomplishment she’s experienced, however, has been learning the various aspects of different physical education electives such as modern dance, and then teaching them to students. Rehmer actually began her career in education with the goal of becoming a basketball coach after playing in college. In addition, Rehmer said she’s always had a soft spot for P.E. since her childhood.

“I loved physical education as a kid and that was my favorite class. I loved doing all kinds of activities and sports, and I thought that would be a fun thing to do and it has been,” Rehmer said.

When she retires, Rehmer plans on traveling around with her husband, who is planning to retire within the next few years, and one of her friends who retired last year. In addition, Rehmer said she plans on coming back to substitute occasionally and will be spending time out on the golf course.

“I picture it to be a lot of fun; I’m not going to sit home and eat BonBons,” Rehmer said.

Entertainment Editor

After five years of leading Blue Springs South High School and many more working in the district, Principal Randy Dowell has announced his retirement. According to Dowell, the idea of his retirement developed over time, and the good position of the school helped him to finalize his decision.

“I think you just keep doing your job and finally one day you realize that things are in order for all the right reasons,” Dowell said. “Things are in order here, and there’s great people to do the things we need done here. Things are right at home and so you just do it. I don’t think there’s one point where I said, ‘Yep, that’s it!’ and I decided. Its a process.”

Dowell began his career in education at Blue Springs High School as a teacher and a coach, then continued this position when this school opened in 1992. After a couple of years, Dowell moved to George M. Baker Middle School, now the Freshman Center, and took the position of assistant principal. Once the school became the Freshman Center, he stayed and became the athletic director for two years. After five years as principal at Delta Woods Middle School and two years at the alternative high school, Dowell returned to South.

Dowell said he decided on a career in education after having good experiences when he was a student in high school.

“I thought, ‘You know what? I had a really good experience in high school, and that just seems like that would be fun to do,’ so that’s why I chose it,” Dowell said.

According to Dowell’s secretary, Terri Toland, Dowell’s time as principal has resulted in a positive transformation of the school. She said even through various obstacles, Dowell has restored the school and created a better atmosphere.

“There’s been a lot of changes since he came here five years ago; there’s been construction on all the new parts, he’s improved every aspect of the school in his five years here, he’s made sure that all of the teachers have everything they need and all the students do also, so he’s made a big impact in the last five years,” Toland said.

Assistant Principal Dr. Charlie Belt will be taking Dowell’s position next year. According to Belt, Dowell has succeeded in setting up the school for the future.

“I think Blue Springs South has been a good school for a long time, but Dr. Dowell has made it better. He’s been a great leader, and I am very thankful for the time I got to spend with him. I’ve learned a lot from him and he set us up to be really successful for next year and beyond,” Belt said.

In addition, Belt said that Dowell has effectively managed budgets and staffed the building. Every decision that has been made by Dowell had only the intention of benefitting the students, according to Belt.

“Whether its scheduling, or whether its hiring, or whether its the way we use money, he does a really good job of trying to think, ‘We gotta do a good job and what’s best for students first and foremost, and not do stuff for adults, it’s about the kids.”

Perhaps one of the greatest impacts Dowell has made, according to Toland, has been his ability to involve the community. Toland said Dowell’s policy that made its debut this year, “The Power of One”, has been very influential and will probably continue on even after Dowell’s departure.

“[The policy says] it just takes one person to make greatness everywhere. So, I think we will continue on with helping out the community,” Toland said.

In fact, community has played a huge role in the policies of Dowell. He said throughout his years in teaching, he’s learned that every part of a group matters, and he said he believes the school community is very positive.

“No matter who you are, what you do, you can not be any greater than the sum of the whole, than the people around you. You can feel like you’re really good, but you’re only good as the people around you. And that’s what I think we’ve done here; we’ve created an atmosphere where there’s so many people doing great things. Our students, our teachers, our support staff,  the sum of the whole here is pretty darn good,” Dowell said.

For Dowell, the most rewarding part of working in education has been watching students grow throughout the years.

“There’s some people in this school that I knew when they were sixth graders, and to see them grow, and now be a young adult, and accomplishing great things on their own, it doesn’t get better,” Dowell said.

After years of hard work, Toland said Dowell deserves his retirement.

“I just wish him well; he’s going on to be a farmer on his gridiron farm in Odessa, and I think he will enjoy retirement,” Toland said.

Dowell plans on spending his retirement with his family and friends, but said he isn’t exactly sure of what his future holds.

“I think it’s kind of like graduating from high school; you’re really not sure, you just gotta live it and do the best you can,” Dowell said.

Reporter

A few of South’s varsity cheerleaders, and a Touch of Silver dancer will move up and bring their skills to the college level for their freshman year to come.

Marissa Torres made the University of Central Missouri’s cheerleading squad. Tryouts were an open gym and each day they were eight hours long. The girls trying out learned cheers and dances and stunted throughout the mornings and then cuts were made four separate times during the day. Torres described these cuts to be nerve racking each time.

“I’m really excited to go to camp this summer and to cheer at football games again. Those have always been my favorite part of cheering,” Torres said.

Grace van der Drift is a part of Mizzou’s Spirit squad. She made the women’s squad, which is the second highest out of three squads. Van der Drift will cheer at Mizzou football and women’s basketball games unless she is moved to a higher squad. Any girl could be moved up to a higher squad during the summer. The tryout process was four days of stunting, tumbling, cheer and dance.

“I am most excited to cheer at football games. Football games were always one of my favorite parts of high school cheerleading; I can only imagine how exciting it will be to cheer at collegiate level games!” van der Drift exclaimed.

Claudia Martin is now a Fort Hays State cheerleader. For the tryout process, she learned two dances and a cheer and showed tumbling and stunting skills.

“I’m looking forward to having new cheerleading experience and cheering on my college,” Martin said.

Michaela Barrett is now a part of UMKC’s dance team. Her tryout process consisted of 15 eight counts of a jazz and pom dance. Barrett had to demonstrate many dance moves on the Saturday morning of prom which makes for a very busy and stressful day. Her team gets to travel to Florida next April and compete for nationals. The competition will be held on the beach.

“I’ve been dancing since I was 4 and it’s always been such a huge part of my life so I am looking forward to continuing dance in college,” Barrett said.

Reporter

The show stoppers, with their glowing faces and drum sticks took the stage with confidence while the crowd was in a roar. The lights were lowered as the black lights were turned on to reveal a fantastic performance. The audience was clapping and screaming for more of South’s drum line at Southern Exposure.

Junior Rueben Hoyle explained Southern Exposure as a showcase to highlight South’s fine arts department including band, choir, and forensics. Hoyle got the chance to choreograph his own dance and perform in it as well. The crowd was astonished by the talent the dancers left on the stage.

The crowd couldn’t hold in their laughter when they were entertained by the forensics piece “Brussels Sprouts” performed by senior Krysta Kirk; she had the crowd crying in laughter. Kirk played multiple characters of a family, including a young boy, a teenage girl, mom and dad. The crowd applauded overtime when the lights rose to show Kirk sitting on stage waiting to fill the auditorium with laughter again.

South’s Woman’s Ensemble Choir sang “Fabulous” from the movie High School Musical 2. Dressed in footie pajamas while dancing on stage and jumping around on beds and tables. The girls even had the crowd singing along with them.

The A Cappella Choir performed a mash up of songs from the Disney film The Lion King. With their creative and festive costumes, the choir grabbed the audience’s attention quickly and didn’t let it go until the end. They also performed “It Don’t Mean A Thing”.

The audience got to witness the tear jerker “Blessings,” performed by Ethan Grumke and Sarah Speigle. They dedicated the song to anyone facing the hardships of trying to survive cancer. With the dancers Rueben Hoyle and Michelle Pace performing with the song, this piece had the audience in awe of how beautiful it was. You couldn’t look around without seeing a teary eye in the crowd.

Reporter

The 2012-2013 school year is coming to an end and not only will South be saying goodbye to the seniors, but a goodbye to Madi Kipinski, this year’s foreign exchange student.

Kipinski, sophomore at Blue Springs South, said her year here was unforgettable and she will always remember the people who have changed her life.

“There are so many people that made this year special, I wouldn’t know where to start,” Kipinski said.

Junior Jack Pluenneke and sophomore Molly Pluenneke opened their home to a stranger at the beginning of this year. However, as the year is coming to an end, Kipinski is not a stranger anymore. She is family to the Pluenneke’s.

“It was unusual having someone just come to your house and say that they are staying with you for a year, but I think it was a great experience for my family and myself. I had a great time with Madi, and I hope she never forgets any of this,” Molly Pluenneke said.

While being in America, Kipinski had the oppurtunity to travel to numerous places, such as Washington DC, Las Vegas, St. Louis, and New York City. Kipinski enjoyed learning the history of those places.

Kipinski said that Las Vegas was her favorite place she visited because it was pretty, had a great feel to it, and had huge buildings that shined through the whole city.

“I would really like to go back to Vegas on my 21st birthday, it is just so fun,” Kipinski said.

To Kipinski, being at Blue Springs South High School was in many ways different than her school in Germany. She says, back at home, they don’t have much selection for the classes they take.

“You guys don’t realize how lucky you really are to be able to pick your classes. You have the choice of taking fun classes and get to be involved with school activities,” Kipinski said.

Homecoming, Courtwarming, Sweet 16, and Prom are a few of the big celebrations high school students celebrate. You go to the dance, or go to the party, and have lots of freedom with what you want to do.

“No country that I have been to has had house parties like you guys do,” Kipinski said.

Sophomore Dakota Brewer expressed  how lucky she is to have met Madi and become a dear friend of hers.

“It is going to be extremely hard to say goodbye this summer to Madi, we just love our Germ,” Brewer said.

“Germ” is Kipinski’s nickname that many close friends used with love. The irony of “Germ” incorporates her home country of Germany while joking at the term of a sickness or “Germ.”

Kipinski said it has been such an amazing year and while she finishes up she will be taking advantage of our ability to have Netflix, our “good” gas prices, and the amazing opportunity to live life to her fullest potential.

“While being here I have learned that I have to just be myself. I will never forget this experience and will come back as often as I can to see everyone that has changed my life,” Kipinski said.

Reporter

Seniors Emily Royer and Marleigh Gilyard were chosen from several student applicants to speak at graduation.

Their speeches were judged by a panel of teachers, counselors, and administrators, and they received the two highest scores on the grading scale.

Both girls had different motivations for writing.

“I want to write something that everyone could relate to and that wouldn’t be too cliche,” Royer said.

“My motivation is definitely my experience at Blue Springs South and how much of a positive impact it has had on me,” Gilyard said. “Like all the fun times I’ve had, all the good friends I’ve made, my good relationships with the teachers I have.” Royer said.

While Royer isn’t planning on revealing her topic, Gilyard explains hers a little.

“It’s kind of like my experience in school and how we should look at it and how I want things to go in the future and experiences in high school, like how it was,” Gilyard said.

Royer is currently in forensics so she was excited to hear she will be speaking.

“Public speaking is something that I really enjoy, and I want to share that with everyone,” Royer said.

To speak at graduation it’s all about the message your speech gives, rather than public speaking skills.

“Its about the message not the performance,” assistant principal Doug Mattson said.