Kingfisher, OK 73750

Page 2: New Stinger Chief

Page 3: Senior Profile

Page 4: Vocal Concert Pics

Page 5: Christmas Foods

Page 6: Christmas Stories

Page 7: Test Schedule

Page 8: Staff Wish List

Page 9: Top Christmas Songs

Page 10: Wrestling Pics

Pages 11&12: Stars Wars

Coming Next Issue:

Have a great break!

December 15, 2015

“I may not agree with what

you say, but I shall defend to

the death your right to say it.”

Voltaire? Christmas Around the World Concert Story by Stinger Staff Cover Photo by Jared Hughes

This year, Mrs. Magnus, the KPS Vocal Instructor, took her students around the world to

celebrate Christmas through song. She presented the Kingfisher Middle and High School Choirs

on December 10 at 7 p.m. in the Heritage Auditorium for a “Christmas Around the World” pro-

gram.

The 5th Grade Choir group started the evening off with selections from Spain, followed

by the 6th Graders singing songs native to the island nations of Trinidad and Tobago. Rounding

off the middle school vocalists were the 7th/8th grade choirs presenting French songs.

The High School Choir took the stage and presented rousing numbers, including “That’s

Christmas to Me,” by the Pentatonix, featuring solos by Kaitlyn Kelly, Maitland Pickle and Au-

tumn Bedford. The moody melody of “Blue Christmas” filled the auditorium next with All State

lead Hayden Turner and Kylee Young performing solos. Wrapping the evening up were soloist

Cassidy Adams with her version of “Stille Nacht” (Silent Night) featuring a simultaneous sign

language performance by Manea Brown.

Mrs. Magnus wanted to thank Elisabeth Magnus for running sound, Mr. Sternberger, Mr.

Campbell and Mr. Overstreet, the KPS Music Boosters and Parents, and Mr. Sam Trent for his use

of a trailer for the parade and for constructing a platform for the middle school band room.

December 15, 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.

Stinger Staff Top Job Changes Hands By: Stinger Staff

The end of this semester will bring change to The Stinger weekly newspaper.

Senior Daniel Tautkus, who has served as Editor-in-Chief for the last three years, will

be handing over the reigns of the Stinger to his successor, Stephanie Soto.

Tautkus took over the Stinger as a freshman, and oversaw the day-to-day operations of

the paper for the following school years: 2012-2013 (second semester) 2013-2014,

2014-2015, and the first semester of 2015-2016. That’s an unprecedented 6 semesters

in a row for Tautkus’s service as the top editor, a Stinger record.

Soto, who is a junior this year, has been serving as an Editor-in-Training for

the last 18 weeks. Also in editorial training has been sophomore Laryn Schemmer, who

is slated to assume the top editorial job when Soto graduates next year. Soto cut her

chops as a reporter last semester, penning stories on the Spanish Club and Band on a regular basis. Schemmer recently joined The Stinger

staff at the beginning of this year and has proven to be a skilled and prolific journalist.

Schemmer will also work to expand the multimedia content for The Stinger, continuing her podcast, and developing more video

stories. When asked to co1mment on his remarkable run as Editor-in-Chief for the only student generated newspaper in Oklahoma,

Tautkus replied, ”My battle against the dark forces of poor gram-

mar has been long and unending, but I have confidence in my

successor and her own battle to come.”

Pride Low Brass Play Tuba

Christmas

Four members of the KHS Pride Concert Band participated in

SWOSU’s Tuba Christmas, an annual gathering of low brass high

school students and professionals from across the state.

A time-honored tradition among band and orchestras around the

country, Tuba Christmas concerts number over 200 in the US alone.

The concerts highlight the low brass instruments, mainly tubas and

euphoniums (aka baritones). The Tuba Christmas concert at SWOSU

enables low brass players from across Oklahoma to join the Tuba/

Euphonium ensemble players at the university, on stage for a perfor-

mance of Christmas tunes.

This year, over 143 low brass players attended the event. Repre-

senting the Pride of Kingfisher were senior euphonium players Hay-

den Turner and Trena Adams along with sophomores Cricket Kaya

(euphonium) and Jared Hughes (tuba).

December 15, 2015

Senior Profile: Drew Shults By: Teresa Rangel/dt

May 12, 1998, was one of the most

eminent days in history. It marks the day that

greatness was born. The noun attached to

greatness is Andrew Michael Shults.

This great legend was entrusted to

parents Lesleigh and Stepfather Jay Steuart and

Mike Shults along with siblings Nicole Ho-

erschgen (25), Savannah Shults (18), and

Hunter Steuart (12).

Andrew is the third youngest out of four sib-

lings and owns a Golden Retriever named

Belle and Cat named Kit Cat.

Andrew, also known as Drew or

Golden Boy, is a Math enthusiast and plans on

majoring in Safety Management at UCO or

OU. He is involved in FCA, FCCLA, NEHS,

and Native American Club. His favorite teach-

er/staff member at KHS is Mrs. Becca Hughes.

“Where do you see yourself in the

future?” I, the interviewer, asked. “I see myself

as a millionaire.” He had no comment as to

how he would achieve this goal. His all time

favorite movies include Stepbrothers and Mon-

sters Inc. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper

Lee is his favorite book. In his free time you

might catch him cruising in his 2005 Nissan

Titan listening to Hip Hop or his favorite radio

station KJ 103. Santeria by Sublime is his favorite song.

His hobbies are sports. By far his favorite holiday is Christmas. He also adores snow leopards and shopping at Dillards.

His favorite TV show by far is Breaking Bad. His best friends are Hunter Lopez, Christian Payne, Gabe Rednose, Trey Borelli, Reagan

Henderson, Beau Jinkens, and Tucker Arrington. His current employment is at Ace Hardware and mowing lawns. He loves to eat all food

and Kit Kats. His favorite primary color is red. “Golden Boy”

recounts that his most embarrassing moment was “When I over-

threw Trey Borelli against Heritage Hall.” Drew’s achievements

are: 2013 State Championship Class 3a, 2012 Runner Up, 3rd

Team in Golf State. “I’m pretty cool,” Drew says, half jokingly.

Drew’s words of wisdom to the underclassmen are

“Keep Your Mouth Shut.” Drew says what he’ll miss the most

about KHS is the people.

His words to Fellow Seniors are “I love all of you.”

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 15, 2015

December 15, 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

Christmas Foods Opinion by: Clairanda Porter/dt

Lots of people see the Christmas season as a way to excuse the

rapid weight gain, or use the happy feelings to hide the guilt the human

masses conceive as they eat their hearts out.

Food is seen as a way to connect family and friends, or to open

doors to new cultures. Food is the master of all, and the master of all is

food.

From the sweetest things that make your teeth fall out, to the

most savory piece of dead animal you will ever eat, no one is safe from

the compelling call of the food of the holiday season. Whether you are a

vegetarian, or full on caveman, the food of the holidays are versatile.

In the conclusion of my rambling of holiday foods, I would say to feel

free to eat what you want and not give a care in the world what exactly

you are consuming, as long as you are happy.

From sweets to the meats of many animals, your holiday will be

merry as you consume all you have been dreaming about for the past

year, dreaming off thick, juicy figgy pudding sliding down the old gullet.

The Pollution is Getting

Worse By: Logan Hightower/dt

On December 8th,

Beijing, China was put

under “Red Alert” for their

pollution problem, which

is caused from all the cars,

factories, and people.

This has wors-

ened by the amount of

people that have been pol-

luting the air and its sys-

tem. The smog level is so

bad, it is 10 times worse

than last year, which has caused them to have an emergency.

With this problem, people are worried about what

will happen from this smog. First and foremost, babies are one

of the main problems. If babies have to breathe polluted air,

they will have problems. Second, plants: if the smog is so

heavy, the plants won’t get enough sunlight. Third, animals

around the area can’t breathe, causing animals to die, and with-

out animals, or plants, humans can’t survive.

What are people doing to protect themselves? People

are wearing face masks. Yes, the ones dentists use. It helps

with the problem. They are also not even leaving their homes.

They don’t want to be poisoned by this pollution. They are

having extreme problems with this and are starting to get des-

perate to fix this problem in their country.

My Christmas Holiday

Opinion by: Teresa Rangel/kk

Typically as a Mexican you might assume that I would spend

my time in Mexico for the holidays surrounded by my ginormous Mexi-

can family--- who are probably inebriated half of the time on spirits made

of agave.

In reality I am actually spending most of my time hibernating

near my Grandma’s fire place wasted on Chocolate de La Abuelita by

Nestlé, fed up of tamales, and choco-flan. There is nothing like being in

front of a nice fiery, warm, cozy fire place surrounded by delicious savory

food, welcoming electronics, and WiFi access all day.

Who cares about the presents when there’s always El Dia de los

Reyes Magos in January. There are extra presents so win-win either way

or I could simply just ask my parents to hold on the madness of shopping

and gift giving and have them just hand me the money they would have

spent on my presents.

During Christmas break, I also take my time to successfully

procrastinate and read a classical book for pleasure. Then when it’s New

Years I go outside and stay up until around three o’clock in the morning

popping fireworks and playing chicken with black cats.

December 15, 2015

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

www.khsphotography.com

Pharmacists:

Larry Adams & Nancy Moyeda

www.pkequipment.com 800-227-5439

Best Things about Christmas Opinion by: Logan Hightower/dt

I love Christmas because of all the amazing surprises you

get from the gifts, foods, candies, family, movies, and so much

more.

First off, who doesn’t like the food? Right after Thanks-

giving, you get to eat more amazing food. The peppermint flavored

foods and candies are amazing. I love candy canes, so all the differ-

ent flavors of those are amazing. The foods at Christmas dinner just

makes me amazed also. The flavors from Christmas just blow me

away!

The gifts from Christmas are what make little kids get so

excited, but they also make me excited. The surprises from the

friends, family, and random people are the best! The love, support

and hope from everyone is amazing. The best part about the gifts is

seeing all the kids’ faces when they see their gifts.

The movies on the TV during Christmas are the wonderful

part! Lying around the fire place, drinking hot chocolate and watch-

ing Christmas movies gets the Christmas spirit up. The movies al-

ways make you happy because they always have a happy and magi-

cal ending. The songs are also joyful. Even if they do annoy you,

they still help get the Christmas spirit up.

Debt Has Arose (“Dyet Marrose”)

By: Elijah Lowman/kk

Despite the pun for Russian San-

ta, Christmas is ironic from being the time

of the year after the Thanksgiving Day.

Somewhat ironic right? Though Christmas

has an impact on the debts your mom has

racked fom Capitol One, and with your

dad’s crippling college debt, the outlay of

cash to get that new Star Wars Battlefront

themed PS4, might be more than they

want to handle.

About 25% (in increase) of those

who go and shop tend to seek help for the

debts for the merry joy of Christmas, have

the joy of not being able to buy their lover’s chocolates on Valen-

tine’s Day. Some may say, the ghost of Christmas isn’t real, but their

crippling debts say otherwise.

Budgeting could be a big problem for Christmas this year.

Being that normally any other time of Christmas, the disproportion to

the 40% of people who pay their bill in full, there are 60% who have

them roll over. Though thankfully holiday shopping isn’t too bad

saying that the only thing I have gotten is socks so I know that no one

in my family will have this problem.

December 15, 2015

KINGFISHER HIGH

SCHOOL

SEMESTER TEST SCHEDULE

DECEMBER 17TH & 18TH

THURSDAY – DECEMBER 17TH, 2015

PERIODS

TIME (HH:MM)

ODD START END

1 8:10AM 9:35AM

3 9:40AM 11:05AM

OPEN CAMPUS LUNCH 11:05AM 11:55AM

5 12:00PM 1:25PM

7 1:30PM 2:55PM

FRIDAY – DECEMBER 18TH, 2015

PERIODS

TIME (HH:MM)

EVEN START END

2 8:10AM 9:35AM

4 9:40AM 11:05AM

OPEN CAMPUS LUNCH 11:05AM 12:15PM

6 12:20PM 1:45PM

December 15, 2015

Laryn (Stinger Staff, Reporter)

Dear Santa,

For Christmas I would love to receive college tuition to wher-

ever I would like. This way I only have to apply for scholarships

for parking, library, meal, books, and any other fees. I would also

like all other costs for all graduate schools and other schools I

would like to attend. Please help me get more followers on Twitter

@larschemmer and Instagram @patty_simcox. Thank you for

your time.

PS. Please pay for all of my schooling and costs.

PPS. Help me get more followers on IG and Twitter.

Eli (Stinger Staff, Reporter)

-Some coupons to like, Dollar Store or something.

-A bunch of money.

-Like, four McDoubles on the day before Christmas break.

-Maybe some pants.

-Sunrise (Café)

-To figure out when the best time to wear a striped sweater is.

-All the time.

-A 1972 Cutlass Supreme convertible.

-A raise from all three of my jobs.

Daniel (Stinger, Editor-in-Chief)

Dear Santa,

I want World of Warcraft Legion and a 1-year Battle.net subscrip-

tion. I also want Blackrock Mountain, Nexrammas, and $50 dollars

worth of Classic packs, $50 worth of TGT packs, and $50 dollars worth

of GvG packs. I want a new Xbox One, and a new NVIDIA GTX TI-

TAN BLACK. I also want a Doctor Boom Golden Legendary. I also

want an A in all my classes, a good government, and a not dead econo-

my. And I want a puppy. Please let me have good luck. Can I also have

a golden hero? Plz give me Leeroy Jenkins, l33t ellegiggle skills in

everything I play. Amen.

Clairanda (Stinger Staff, Reporter)

If I could have anything in the universe for Christmas it would be a

time machine! I want to groove with Earth Wind, and Fire, or drop to

the floor, almost dead, from dancing to whatever Big Band Swing

group was playing. Going back in time and experiencing the evolution

of music, art, and partying is what I want and that is that!

Blanca (Stinger Staff, Reporter)

For Christmas I would like many things. Here are a few:

- a Mexican restaurant to own, so I can make bank

- a ring, any kind of ring.

- a new bed because mine is too low to the ground

- a painting

- a new window because someone got too lit and cracked it with

their back

Kaden (Stinger Staff, Compositor)

COMIC SANS FOR LIFE!

Dear Santa Claus,

What do I want for Christmas? I would love to have Winter from The

Lunar Chronicles, ALL of the Throne of Glass books by Sarah J.

Maas, Silence of the Lambs, The Rose Society by Marie Lu, some Ste-

phen King books, and I’m gonna halt there because I still want more

books. #bookworm #issues.

In other words I want to start building a personal library, but addition-

ally (while I get things sorted out with starting my own ENORMOUS

library) I would like a Barnes & Noble gift card; $1,000 minimum (for

book purchases and a possibly needed reader night light). Also, I need

a sewing machine to start bringing my infinite creations to life and did

I mention I would also appreciate if you got me a violin and piano.

Sincerely,

Teresa (Stinger Staff, Reporter)

P.S. Oh and PLEASE bring Finnick Odair back!

Capacine (Stinger Staff, Reporter)

A Trampoline that I can go out and curl up on in a blanket.

A fluffy blanket with leopard print

Soe iPhone ear buds

A Coldstone Creamery Gift Card

A case of Flaming Hot Cheetos

A set of tickets to see Bryson Tiller in concert

A new phone

Some clothes & make-up

Christmas list by Janelle (Stinger Staff, Reporter)

Phone

Headphones

Backpack

TV

Speaker s

Shoes

Clothes

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

the new account officer

December 15, 2015

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

www.khsphotography.com

Not My Top 10 Christmas Songs

Opinion by: Laryn Schemmer

A lot of people LOVE Christmas and the music it brings.

As I have looked up these songs and listened to them I have formed opinions on all of them. These are a few of my favorites and

least favorites.

Number one is of course All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey. Personally I do not like this song, as it is overplayed. It

is definitely one of my least favorites. I enjoy more than I do not, so here are some of my favorites. The Christmas Song by Michael Buble

and Happy Xmas by John Lennon are two of my favorites as they have a very smooth sound and are pleasing to the hear.

Last Christmas by Wham! is most definitely my favorite. This is one of the classics to me (and it is bomb to sing on karaoke!).

These are ten of the top Christmas songs.

1. All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey

2. The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You) by Michael Buble

3. White Christmas by Bing Cosby

4. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town by Haven Gillespie and John Frederick Coots

5. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Mariah Carey

6. Last Christmas (Pudding mix) by Wham!

7. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Frank Sinatra

8. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon

9. Do They Know It's Christmas by Band Aid 30

10. Winter Wonderland by Richard B. Smith

December 15, 2015

School Photos Available

www.khsphotography.com

December 15, 2015

How do you prepare for 'Star Wars:

The Force Awakens'? Buying a

ticket could be enough

By Rich Heldenfels Akron Beacon Journal

Close to 40 years after "Star Wars" changed the pop-culture landscape, fans

are bracing for the newest installment, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," in thea-

ters this week.

The official opening is Friday but there are showings on Thursday. Some are

sold out already. Commercials and stores are pitching all sorts of "Force Awak-

ens" merch _ or just want to be connected to the movie in some way. "Few things

feel like the first time you saw Star Wars," says one ad, before suggesting that a

new car can cause the same feeling.

But if you have not already experienced "Star Wars" exhaustion (and I have-

n't), you may be facing another question: How much do I really need to know to

see this movie?

Do I need to know if Han shot first?

Or what the deal was with Jar Jar Binks?

Or how to spell Wookiee? (Yes, it's two e's.)

Do you need to come over to my house and watch my old VHS tapes of Star Wars

movies, which I can't give up because original maestro George Lucas kept mess-

ing with the movies?

OK, maybe there was some nerd TMI there. Still, for Continued on Next Page

December 15, 2015

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11)

some people, such as super-devoted fans and

copy editors, details matter a great deal.

There's a long and tangled history at-

tached to "Star Wars," in which "The Force

Awakens" is the seventh live-action film.

(Completists might consider it the eighth

movie in total, since there's also the animated

"Star Wars: The Clone Wars.")

The Los Angeles Times devoted an esti-

mated 8,000 words to a style guide detailing

the proper names of films, characters and

gear _ as well as how to keep track of the

various releases, re-releases and home-

viewing versions of the movies.

Based solely on the trailers for "The

Force Awakens," fans have launched debates

about what will happen _ and what should or

should not.

But, again, how should you dip into the

"Star Wars" legacy to prepare for the new

film?

Here are four suggestions, arranged in in-

creasing order of commitment.

1. Do nothing (except get a ticket): Fig-

ure that whatever needs explaining will be.

After all, "The Force Awakens" is directed

and co-written by J.J. Abrams, who has pre-

vious experience with franchise titles ("Star

Trek" and "Mission: Impossible").

With the 2009 "Star Trek," he success-

fully revived a series that had seemed dead

seven years earlier. And he did it by making

a movie that could be enjoyed by an audi-

ence with little or no prior knowledge _

while pleasing the hardcore fans with refer-

ences to "Trek" history.

Especially with so much time having passed

(the first film was in 1977, the most recent

one in 2005), "Star Wars" has to follow a

path similar to "Trek's." That also means

doing more than providing state-of-the-art

effects. You also need story and character.

Other-wise, you end up with "The Phantom

Menace."

One good sign: Abrams has said in inter-

views that the new film will not have two of

the more controversial elements of the earlier

films: Jar Jar Binks and Ewoks.

But let's say you don't want to be completely

out of the legacy loop, especially if you're

sitting next to fans having a stage-whispered

discussion throughout the film.

Well, then …

2. See "Return of the Jedi" (1983): The

main chronology of "Star Wars" has up to

now included six movies. But they were

made out of order, with "Episode IV _ A

New Hope" kicking off the screen adven-

tures, then followed by "Episode V _ The

Empire Strikes Back" and "Episode VI _

Return of the Jedi" to seemingly wrap up the

saga.

Then, 16 years later, Lucas went back

before "Episode IV" to make "Episode I _

The Phantom Menace" and two sequels lead-

ing up to the events in "A New Hope." So, if

you want to see the most recent events in

Star Wars' screen history before "The Force

Awakens" (which itself is set decades after

"Jedi"), just watch "Jedi."

That should tell you the key characters

and ideas at work.

But those folks next to you are still whisper-

ing. So ...

3. Watch the original trilogy ("A New

Hope," "The Empire Strikes Back," "Return

of the Jedi"): Really, this is all you absolute-

ly need. These are by far the best of the six

films to date, with "Empire" often ranked the

best of all, even with a cliffhanger ending.

The movies are not without flaw (including a

still-weird arc in the Luke/Leia relationship).

But if you want to understand everything that

people love about "Star Wars," these three

will do it.

Which brings us to the worst-case prepara-

tion ...

4. Watch the six episodes: All right, this

isn't the worst of the worst. You could try to

watch the "Clone Wars" movie and the TV

versions, read all the companion novels,

memorize Mark Clark's "Star Wars FAQ"

and maybe even find the "Star Wars" Christ-

mas special.

You could check out all the side-by-side

presentations on ways Lucas changed the

films. You could study every single extra bit

of footage; the Blu-ray of the six films has

three discs of accumulated bonuses. But get-

ting through those six movies will be chal-

lenging enough, since Episodes I-III ("The

Phantom Menace," "Attack of the Clones"

and "Revenge of the Sith") can be unbeara-

ble. But at some point, you're going to have

to get out of the past and into "The Force

Awakens."

Then you can decide how much you

want to go into "Star Wars" past.