OPINION | Inadequate sexual education failing teenagers

The sex education at USD 329 is inadequate, and it doesn’t prepare teens for a sexually healthy future. 

Kansas schools are required to teach sexual health education as part of high school physical education curriculum. The curriculum is not required to be comprehensive, meaning that it would teach about abstinence as the best method for avoiding STDs and unintended pregnancy, but also teaches about evidence-based information, condoms and contraception to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy and of infection with STDs, including HIV. Comprehensive sex ed also teaches interpersonal and communication skills and helps young people explore their own values, goals and options. 

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:

Winter Royalty candidates discuss time at WHS

Winter Royalty candidates shared a few reflections on their high school careers. The baksketball teams face Rock Creek Friday evening, and the crowning will take place between games. Watch on the livestream if you are not able to attend in-person.

Senioritis Podcast: Tennis season preview with coach Praeger

Tennis enters the season with hopes to return some players to state and no large changes in protocols due to Covid-19.

WHS hits the courts at 3 p.m. Thursday in Wamego. 

The Charger interviewed head coach Brendan Praeger and seniors Kendyl Bolinder and Reagan Feyh.

NHS prepares to host winter formal

WHS students will have a chance to get “Frozen in Time” at the Winter Formal.

“NHS [National Honor Society] got together and decided that we wanted to do something different this year,” NHS adviser Miriam Barton said. It’s Barton’s first year at Wabaunsee and her first year as an NHS adviser. 

Opinion | Wabaunsee County needs to come together after 2019 tragedies

Wabaunsee County tragically lost five of its citizens to suicide in 2019, sparking a change in the way Wabaunsee Sherrif Rob Hoskins hopes to tackle mental health awareness. 

“We had a rough couple of weeks. It was rough on my staff, it was rough on the emergency responders, it was rough on me personally, and I know the families involved, it was devastating and terrible for them. Afterwards, I felt that something needed to be done,” Hoskins said. 

Schreiner finishes 8th at state tennis

Senior Autymn Schreiner ended her tennis career at state with an eighth place finish.

Wabaunsee finished 12th as a team with 8 points. Kansas City Christian School earned the championship with 40.

Schreiner opened against Molly Bender from Conway Springs. Schreiner played aggressive and had no problem earning the win, 6-2, 6-3. 

State Bound

Tennis season will continue for another week.

Three Wabaunsee players placed in the top six of the Hillsboro regional Friday and Saturday, placing 4th as a team and qualifying for the state tournament next weekend in Kansas City.

“It’s a great feeling to send some players to state for the first time,” head coach Brendan Praeger said. “Wabaunsee has had a lot of good teams in the past and I’m glad we’re finally playing on that level again.”

Tennis ends season at regionals

 Kaytlyn Meseke, @kaytlyn_nelle WHS tennis ended the season at a difficult regional tournament Friday at Hesston. The Chargers highest seeded player, junior Autymn Schreiner, fell just short of a state appearance. Schreiner was seeded number six at regionals and her first match was against Ashten Halls from Sabetha. Schreiner defeated Halls with a score of 9-1...