Kingfisher, OK 73750

Page 2: Quiz Bowl Team

Page 3: Chicken Strip Test

Page 4: JV Wrestling Tourn.

Page 5: HS Soccer Schedule

Page 6: Senior Profile

Page 7: Stinger Fashion

Page 8: Band Concert

Page 9: Holiday Season

Page 10: Talent Show

Page 11: Holiday Issue Next

Page 12: B of Education Notes

Coming Next Issue:

Final Issue of 2015

Senior Profile

Stinger Fashion

Christmas Wish Lists

December 8, 2015

“I may not agree with what

you say, but I shall defend to

the death your right to say it.”

Voltaire?

KPS Bands Usher in Christmas with Winter Concert By: Stinger Staff

Kingfisher High School Band performed its annual Winter Concert on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the APB. The concert featured performances by

the Kingfisher Middle School 5th and 6th grade bands separately, while the 7th and 8th grade bands combined for their performance.

The bandies of Kingfisher were fresh from their early evening performance in the Kingfisher Downtown Christmas Parade the previous night.

The entire contingent of Kingfisher’s band students were joined by the Hennessey High School band, forming a superband of over 200 blowing,

drumming and marching bands members. For the Winter Concert performance, Kingfisher Band Director Dakota Horn lead the middle school

bands as conductor, while Assistant Band Director Mandy Owens took a turn conducting the KHS Band for two songs, “Excerpts from a Charlie

Brown Christmas” and a “Christmas Canon.”

In addition to the songs conducted by Mrs. Owens, the KHS Band also played “On a Hymnsong of Phillip Bliss,” which Mr. Horn introduced

as a song to be used for personal reflection when facing the difficulties of present life (citing the recent Paris terror attacks). The final selection of

the night was “Christmas Chimes,” accompanied for the first time by senior band percussionist Robert Reid on the electric guitar. Dr. Johnson and

KHS Chief Photographer Sean Borelli were on hand to document the event, their pictures can be viewed and purchased at the KHS Photography

website.

A photo essay of the event can be viewed later in this issue of The Stinger.

December 8, 2015

Editor-in-Chief Daniel Tautkus

Chief Photographer Sean Borelli Asst. Chief Photographer Sam Walter

Compositing Editor Kaden Baartman

Advisor Mr. Kurt Kaya

Advisor Emeritus Dr. A.J. Johnson

High School Principal Mr. Todd Overstreet

Superintendent of Schools Mr. Jason Sternberger

Editorial Intern Stephanie Soto Reporters: Janelle Hawk, Blanca Barcenas, Teresa Rangel,

Clairanda Porter, Logan Hightower,

Laryn Schemmer, Capacine Watan Photography Staff Cricket Kaya, Regan Henderson, Joey Little, Alex

Wilczek, Jared Hughes, Josh Howard, Brady Liles

Email Address: khsstinger@kingfisher.k12.ok.us

Policy Statement It is the policy of the Kingfisher School District to provide equal opportunities

without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, qualified handicap, or veteran

status in its educational programs and activities. This includes, but is not limited to,

admissions, educational services, financial aid, and employment.

Inquiries concerning application of this policy may be referred to Jason Sternberger,

Coordinator of Title IX and Section 504 responsibilities, Kingfisher Public Schools, P. O.

Box 29, 11th and Chisholm, Kingfisher, Oklahoma 73750. Telephone 405-375-4194.

Kingfisher Public Schools provide educational opportunities to disabled students

age 0-21. These services are provided in accordance with public law 94-142, which

requires an approved appropriate education for disabled children ages 0-21. Any person

having knowledge of a disabled child and not identified or served, please contact Jason

Sternberger, Superintendent of Schools, 11th and Chisholm, Kingfisher, Oklahoma 73750

or telephone 405-375-4194.

The opinions expressed in THE STINGER are those of the author and do not

necessarily reflect those of THE STINGER staff, its sponsor, the administration or

faculty of the Kingfisher Schools.

Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus

High School Newspaper Service.

Quiz Bowl Team at Triad By: Stinger Staff

After a rousing set of victories at the Nov. 14 Regionals,

the Kingfisher Academic Quiz Bowl Team advanced to Area compe-

tition slated for January 16th. Before they head to Areas, the team

has two more Triads to muscle through. The Third Triad found the

team facing off against the Cashion Wildcats last Monday.

Due to the ice storm which rendered much of Watonga

without power, their high school was closed and activities were can-

celled, leaving only two of the three schools (thus the name, Triad) to

compete. KHS, Ms. Bean and Ms. Friday played host to this round.

Competing for the Yellowjackets were Veronica Olivares, Brady

Werner, Carson Racer (Captain), Harrison Powell, Jacob Koehn-

Howry, Caroline Powell, Diego Perez, Malachi Mclain and Sammy

Masters.

Sporting their competition team T-shirts that read, King-

fisher Academic Team - The A Team" in dayglow yellow and royal

blue, the first round began just after 4 p.m. in the KHS Media Center.

Ms. Hobza was the Moderator, while Mr. Kaya acted as the

judge for the two scheduled games. The first round saw the scores

neck and neck, as the Wildcats and Yellowjackets matched each

other answer for answer. It all came down to the final question in the

speed round. Cashion's captain knew they needed one more correct

answer to tie up the game and send it into a tie breaking round, how-

ever they couldn't muster a final correct answer. Kingfisher won

game one, 130-120

The second game proceeded in very much the same man-

ner, however in the final stretch, Carson Racer gave correct answers

in a series of humanities questions, while Harrison Powell contribut-

ed in the mathematics (calculations) categories. Jacob Koehn-Howry

continued to astound both his and the visiting team with his

knowledge of just about all things sports. Final score for game two

was 160-130 favoring Kingfisher.

The fourth and final Triad match will be on January 12,

hosted again by Kingfisher. The Yellowjackets are scheduled to com-

pete against teams from Calumet and Chisholm, at 4:00 p.m. and

5:00 p.m., respectively.

December 8, 2015

Kingfisher’s Chicken Strips Opinion By: Clairanda Porter and Laryn Schemmer/dt

Editor’s Note—The following essay was creatively written from the point of view of the camera that was videotaping the event.

On Friday, November 20, Laryn Schemmer and Clairanda Porter sat down in

front of a mountain of chicken strips and reviewed every last detail of what most young

humans consume. Being the camera I am, I had no choice but to sit there on the tripod

and watch two teenage girls stuff their faces, chicken strip by chicken strip. From

McDonald’s to one of Kingfisher’s local cafes, all the crunchy, white meat, tenderness

was present and eaten upon.

Starting with Sunrise Café, Laryn and Clairanda swiftly opened the box to

find, in Laryn’s words, “spicy” fries, thick, soggy toast, and six chicken strip babies.

They described the chicken goodness as juicy as the forbidden fruit.

Sonic was the next to be munched upon, bringing much happiness and joy to

the two weirdoes. They agreed that if the chicken itself had better quality the experi-

ence of the chicken consumption would have been more enjoyable. The gals stated that

even though the taste was bomb, the quality affected them greatly.

McDonald’s was next up to be murdered and hated. Laryn says that it might

have been decent if it wasn’t just a chicken patty in a tortilla with crap, such as ranch,

lettuce, and other questionable substances, all buried inside. As Laryn had much to say

about the “piece of crap” McDonald’s calls chicken, Clairanda was pretty satisfied with

the chicken other than the fact that the crust had half of the world’s finely grinded pepper within it. It was hard for me to watch Laryn reject

that pour piece of meat the way she did, but had no way of stopping her.

After crumbling the messy chicken wrap from McDonald’s into a soggy, ranch filled ball, Clairanda and Laryn went in on the best

chicken in the room, Braum’s. Laryn had prepared her body for the deep fried, crunchy, juicy goodness, as Clairanda was a little apprehen-

sive. Clairanda went on to explain that her experiences weren’t always the best, but was still open-minded. Laryn absolutely loved the gift

from the heavens with and without the gravy. Clairanda agreed that the strips were delicious, but the quality of the Oklahoma Exclusive,

Braum’s, isn’t always up to par.

In a few words, KFC should’ve been at the top of the chicken strip scale, but was most definitely not. As the girls opened the sog-

gy box, (eww) they soon came to the determination that it isn’t what a place that SELLS CHICKEN should have been like. Laryn thought

that the chicken was better than usual and the biscuit was DELICIOUS, but Clairanda had a different opinion. Clairanda was horrified at the

site and taste of what was supposedly “chicken.”

In the end, I was relived for the girls to be completely done stuffing their faces with remains of what once was a majestic white

feathered chicken. According to the odd girls that I had to listen to, if you want to indulge in beautifully made strips of chicken and crispy,

golden, goodness we know as breading, then eat Braum’s.

December 8, 2015

JV Wrestling Tour-

nament By: Teresa Rangel/kk

Kingfisher High school was proud to

announce that it invited the following Oklaho-

ma middle schools to a wrestling tournament

last week: Blackwell, Tonkawa, Southmoore,

Woodward, Heritage Hall, Duncan, Elk city,

Clinton, Chickasha, Anadarko, Santa Fe

South, Cassady, Lawton, Mangum, Deer

Creek, Edmond, Cromwell, and Lexington.

The tournament is a Kingfisher tradi-

tion according to Coach Evey who said that it

has been going on for more than 35 years. At

lleast from what he knows, it has been around

before he moved to Kingfisher.

KHS Wrestling Managers manned

the timing tables and made sure the tourna-

ment ran smoothly.

According to the rubric the winners

thus far, from when I arrived at the gym, circa

12:45 P.M., were Ben Bolland LEX, Ryan

Pollard DARKO, Alex Legg SMOORE, Row-

dy Rhone COM, Logan Mills KFR, Javier

Chavez BLKWL, Gabe Lopez LWTN, and

Chris Harper MANG. Kingfisher High

school’s very own Stone Snodgrass won in the

first round advancing .

December 8, 2015

24 Hr. Roadside & Emergency Service Alignments

Oil Changes Tires

816 N. Court Kingfisher, OK 73750

Office: 405-375-4862 Toll Free: 1-800-346-7116

With Locations In:

Alva, Woodward and Clinton

School Photos Available To view and order photos from this school year.

www.khsphotography.com

2016 Soccer Schedule By: Laryn Schemmer/dt

As the Spring is quickly approaching, or as many call it, Soccer

Season, the 2015-2016 Schedule has been released! Both the girls and boys

will have two scrimmages in February. Tuesday, February 23, the girls will

play at Bethany, and the boys will play at Putnam City. On the 29th the

girls and boys will play at John Marshall. Real games start in March. There

are five regular season games, six district games for the girls, five district

games for the boys, and of course, the Bethany Tournament. The games are

listed in the column to the right.

Day: Month: Who/Where: Times:

Friday-4th March Harding Charter-H G 5:00/B 7:00

Tuesday-8th March Del City-A G 6:00/B 8:00

Thursday-10th March OCS-A G 5:00/B 7:00

Tuesday-22nd March Newcastle-H G 5:30/B 7:30

Th-Sat-24th-26th March Bethany Tournament-A G & B TBA

Tuesday-29th March El Reno-A G 5:00/B 7:00

Friday-1st April Weatherford-H (D) G 5:00/B 6:30

Tuesday-5th April Alva-H (D) G 5:00/B 7:00

Tuesday-12th April Elk City-A (D) G 5:00/B 7:00

Tuesday-19th April Cordell-H (D) G 5:00/B 7:00

Thursday-21st April Clinton-A (D) G 5:00/B 7:00

Monday-25th April Crossings-A (D) G 5:30

Everyone is looking forward to a fun and exciting soccer sea-

son. Go Jackets!

Becoming an Ovo Vegetarian By: Lisa Baxter/kk

About 3 years ago I was thinking about becoming a vegetarian so I looked up everything about them and slowly I just started to lose

interest in meat, seafood, and dairy. Then about 6 months ago I lost total interest in seafood and meat just seems disgusting now. On No-

vember 26th, 2015 (Thanksgiving Day) I decided to choose the vegetarian lifestyle that seemed right to me which is Ovo vegetarianism. It is

one of the four REAL vegetarian lifestyles, where you don’t eat any type of meat, seafood, dairy but eggs. The other types of vegetarian

lifestyles are Vegan, Lacto vegetarian, and lacto-ovo vegetarian. LOTS of people we have heard of were vegans or vegetarians such as:

Abraham Lincoln, Walter “Killer” Kowalski, Weird Al, Christian Bale, Brad Pitt, Leonardo De Vinci and Albert Einstein.

December 8, 2015

School Photos Available To view and order photos from this school year.

www.khsphotography.com

www.pkequipment.com 800-227-5439

Senior Profile: Alma Atondo By: Blanca Barcenas/kk

This week’s Senior profile is of Alma Atondo Leyva who was born on July 25, 1997,

in Sinaloa, Mexico to Victor and Carmina Atondo. Victor Atondo Jr (22) is her only sibling,

although she has 2 chihuahuas named Dolly and Candy who she loves very much. Alma’s nick-

name is “Almita.” AT KHS she participates in the Spanish club, the Native American Club, and

FCCLA.

She plays soccer and is also a wrestling manager. Her favorite subject at school is

math, while her favorite teacher is Mr. Kaya. After graduation Alma plans on attending UCO or

SWOSU, and wants to major in business.

When asked where she sees herself in the future she answered “in California, in a huge

mansion, just chilling watching tv and drinking some cold margaritas.” Some of Alma’s favorite

movies are, “White Chicks” and “South Paw,” while a few of her favorite tv shows include,

“The Walking Dead”, “Teen Wolf”, and “Finding Carter”.

With regards to her favorite books, Alma will quote from her younger reading days

and the fun she had diving into “The Magic Tree House” series. Her favorite video games are

Pokémon but only on the old school Nintendo 64. On modern consoles, she likes Grand Theft

Auto: San Andres, Need for Speed, and Most Wanted.

She likes any music besides Jazz and Blues or any music that falls under that category.

She doesn’t really like any particular bands and she listens to KJ103 and 103.5. Alma’s hobbies

are going swimming, hanging out at parties and eating food with her friend Denise in her 2009

grey Chrysler 300.

Getting out that credit card, she likes to shop at Gordman’s, Deb, Tilly’s, and Ross.

Her favorite holiday is Easter and her favorite animal is a tiger. Her best

friends include Aide Cruz, Denise Padilla, Blanca Barcenas and Andrea

Jimenez. Her favorite colors are purple and blue, her favorite candies are

the delicious Pay Days or any type of chocolate…as long as it doesn’t in-

clude mint of any kind.

Alma works somewhere in Kingfisher (have to ask her personal-

ly to get specific) and she has many favorite songs, however at the moment

she can’t just pick one. Alma is very low key and almost never gets embar-

rassed, however on the flip side, she doesn’t feel like she’s won anything

that she has really wanted.

Random facts about Alma, she likes the smell of gasoline and dipping her

fries in her ice cream.

Advice she offers to under classmen is, “Try to never regret what

you do, because things always happen for a reason, so live life and better

yourself.” The things she will miss most about KHS is seeing her friends

every day and being wrestling manager, helping coach Evey and messing

with the students in the hallway. Also how Mr. Kaya always greets here by

singing her name, “Allllll-maaaa.”

Her words to her fellow senior classmates are, “I hope you guys

reach your goals and life goes good for you. Hukuna Matata.”

Finally, her last words to everyone here at KHS are, “If you are

going to be late, might as well be very late, skip the first 3 hours and get

some breakfast.”

December 8, 2015

Stinger Fashion By: Teresa Rangel/dt

Welcome to the Stinger Fashion Watch column! Eve-

ry week Blanca, Janelle or I will be picking a random boy or

girl to have their best outfits featured in this column.

The selection for this week is Drew Shults and his outfit is

composed of the following:

Vans shoes - $70

Nike socks - $30

Nike pro combat underwear - $35

Rock Revival Jeans - $200

Polo Shirt - $45

Polo Sweater - $100

G shock watch - $150

If you have an outfit you would like featured, or you

know of someone’s that is die for and should be featured,

please contact Blanca or I on campus or during sixth period in

Dr. Johnson’s classroom. Thank you everyone and we hope

you enjoy.

School Photos Available

To view and order photos from this school year.

Be sure to visit the website at:

www.khsphotography.com

A Color PDF Version

of THE STINGER is available at:

www.khsstinger.com

December 8, 2015

A Proud Supporter of Kingfisher High School

You need to visit the branch office where

you think you will conduct most of your

banking and bring a list of questions to ask

December 8, 2015

Pharmacists:

Larry Adams & Nancy Mo-

The Holiday Season Opinion By: Clairanda Porter/kk

Around this time of year I

find that everyone is either com-

pletely happy, filled with fairy

dust, or a complete and total party

pooper.

Sadly, there is no in be-

tween of how the holidays take

it’s toll on the human mind.

Christmas should be a time of

leisure, spending time with family

and friends, not regret, nervous

feelings, or hatred towards all

living, breathing life.

As the seasonal traditions unfold, most of the human mass becomes so fo-

cused on what they will buy for their loved ones, that they lose the whole feeling of

what the season is really all about. Giving gifts out of the heart, not out of spiteful

fire towards topping everybody else’s gifts.

What was once a time of sweet, precious love towards others has a reputa-

tion now of, “how can I make this party better,” “what will everyone think,” “will

anyone like my gifts I give them?” To me, it is very sad that what was once love is

now replaced with nervous feelings of someone not being happy.

Christmas is a time when I look at my life and am grateful for all that I

have. I don’t look to what I could get as a way of happiness, but look at the family

and friends that surround me with love.

This Christmas look more at the things you already have and the people

surrounding you with their time and love, not the items you could get.

December 8, 2015

School Photos Available

To view and order photos from this school

year. Be sure to visit the website at:

www.khsphotography.com

December 8, 2015

December 8, 2015

December 7, 2015

The Kingfisher Board of Education met in regular session

on Monday, December 7, 2015 at 7PM with Board member

Dana Golbek absent. President Mike Copeland called the meet-

ing to order and recognized Superintendent of Schools Jason

Sternberger for “Honors and Recognitions.”

Supt. Sternberger introduced three of the four district site

teachers of the year (Becky Hart, Misty Blundell and TJ Harris)

noting that Mrs. Schaefer was in her final Master’s class and

could not be present. Building principals spoke about the teach-

er from their school explaining their qualifications and contribu-

tion which led to this honor. Mr. Sternberger noted the District

Teacher of the Year will be announced in January.

After congratulating the teachers, the Board approved pre-

vious minutes and heard a discussion over district finances.

Supt. Sternberger said all funds are in good condition but the

district is behind last year’s budget by about $200,000 due en-

tirely to reductions from state aid. He also mentioned that get-

ting a better deal on buses purchased through the recent trans-

portation bond issue plus the sale of old buses permitted the

district to purchase a small activity bus that will hold 14 passen-

gers and can be driven by teachers who do not have the standard

bus driver’s license. Altogether, the sale of old buses netted the

district about $7500.

The Board discussed remaining funds from the QZAB loan.

Mr. Sternberger said, depending on what remains in the special

contingency fund set aside for the heating and air condition of

the Heritage gym and the work on the high school room, there

could be between $75,000 and $95,000 remaining. There are a

number of projects for which this money can be used including

supplies and equipment for the band and other refurbishment

projects at the schools.

The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding

with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Department of Education that

will provide tutoring, mentoring and parent/student advocacy.

Mr. Sternberger said he and the building principals have been

impressed with the new leadership at this agency and the district

is looking forward to cooperation.

The Board will consider a proposal from the Kingfisher

Trails to extend walkways north from Toronto across school

property and they approved a DVD sale fund raiser for the Her-

itage School music program.

The Board approved additions and modifications to the

Board Policy Book to comply with state law noting that one

new law requires that a district counselor serve on the Profes-

sional Growth and Development committee.

Mr. Sternberger reported dirt work is being done to prepare

for the construction of a bus “garage” at the round top building

located north of the middle school. This covered building is

required as the 6 new buses are too tall for the current garage.

In a side note, Mr. Sternberger noted on how quiet the new bus-

es are compared to the ones they replace. He also told the

Board that the district may have to consider an alternate date for

spring break in the 2016-2016 school year as the Youth Expo

has been scheduled for March 8 of 2017. He commented that so

many of our students are involved in that event, it would benefit

the district to have a break at that time.

Regarding the upcoming Board Member election in Febru-

ary, as of the Board meeting, only current member Mike

Copeland has filed. The Board accepted the resignation of Mrs.

Collier as a first grade teacher and Ms. Lombardo as a high

school teacher’s aide.

The Board adjourned shortly before 8PM.