Opinion | Safety still important after a year of COVID

With the coronavirus having been in the United States for a year now, and life-changing safety precautions put in place not long after, many people are growing fatigued and are ready to see a normal life again. Because of this, many people have lost sight of what is important, which is doing your part to slow the spread of this virus.

With lots of misconceptions and dispute surrounding the rules and recommendations, I spoke with Wabaunsee County health director Ray Finley about the current safety procedures. Here is what I learned:

Editorial: Homecoming traditions worth effort to modify

Homecoming is going to take on a new Covid-proof look next week as the Chargers prepare to take on the Uniontown Eagles.

Students and staff enacted numerous changes in an attempt to make homecoming fun, but there were some disappointing decisions made. Student Council representatives met with principal Jan Hutley and discussed options for continuing with the traditional homecoming activities safely, although a few are still being prohibited.

Editorial: Students need to take virus precautions seriously

Returning to school during a pandemic is concerning for a multitude of reasons: the unknowns of how long we’ll be able to continue in person, the constant possibility of getting sick or spreading the virus, the potential loss of another school year and sports season.

All things considered, we feel USD 329 is doing all that it reasonably can to keep us safe and in school.

Baseball graduates experienced class, but well-stocked for future

With school being transitioned to completely online due to the current stay at home order as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHS coaching staff and players took time to reflect on the season that could have been.

With the 2020 season, the baseball team had some changes to the coaching staff. David Amer and Colby Harris joined the team as assistant coaches.

“I was really enjoying getting back into the baseball groove and working with all of the guys,” Amer said. “It sucks we don't get to enjoy baseball this spring, but if it helps keep family members alive, it's what we need to do.”

Seniors saddened by loss of track season

On March 17, Governor Kelly made the decision to close all Kansas school facilities for the remainder of the year, ending the 2020 track season before it ever began.

Track had high hopes for this season, with several returning state qualifiers and medalists, and upperclassmen who “set the tone for what was expected,” according to head coach Roger Alderman.

Opinion: Student selected to all-state choir hopes it escapes the effects of lockdown

Two weeks ago I got the news that I, along with sophomore Sarah Vanstory, had made the Kansas Choral Directors Association 2020 All-State Treble Choir.

I was super excited at first. It is such a huge accomplishment. Only about 75 high school girls across the entire state of Kansas get into the choir each summer, and this is the second year for both Sarah and I to make it. I made it my sophomore year, and Sarah made it last year.

Cooking with the Charger: Buttered Popcorn

In our first installment of “Cooking with the Charger,” watch seniors Kaytlyn Meseke and Laurel Barber make popcorn for a final wrap on Kaytlyn’s series of popcorn reviews. The two laugh while making popcorn for the whole family. 

Senioritis: Quarantine Edition

Mr. Praeger joins seniors Kaytlyn Meseke and Laurel Barber remotely to discuss the school closing due to COVID-19, the impending transition to online learning and how to pass the time while social distancing.

Students, staff and community respond to announcement that school will close for the year

At 4 p.m. yesterday, governor Laura Kelly announced that schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year.

Details about alternative learning via small groups, packets or online assignments will be figured out in the coming weeks, according to an email superintendent Brad Starnes sent to staff. “We're in uncharted waters. We want to be proactive and help our kids,” Starnes wrote.

Students, teachers and parents shared their initial response to the news.

Opinion: Potential loss of sports, activities worries seniors

With COVID-19 being passed around like wildfire, many sports programs decided to end seasons early.

The NBA suspended the season after a Jazz player preliminarily tested positive for the Coronavirus. The NCAA cancelled the winter and spring championships to combat the problem. Both organizations had a very valid reason to end the season, since health comes above sports, but many athletes did not want to see the end so suddenly.

From the NBA to the NCAA to KSHSAA, the ending of many seasons crushed the dreams many hopeful athletes had to be named the top dog.