softball special edition, staley talon vol. 8, issue 2

TAL N Staley High SchoolKansas City, Mo.Volume VIII Issue IINovember 2015

Inside This Issue:Team NicknamesSenior GoodbyesFall Sports Wrap-Up

Table of Contents

2 | Volume VIII | Issue 2 | Talon

PG. 4-5 Talk on TwitterFans on Social Media

PG. 6-7 Get to Know the TeamNicknames and Statistics

PG. 8-9 State ChampionshipPhoto Essay

PG. 10 Senior GoodbyesSeniors Say Goodbye to the Team

PG. 11 Tapp GoodbyeTapp Says Goodbye to the Team

PG. 12 Tapp the Humble CoachCoach Tapp Feature

PG. 13 SupersitionsTeam Supersitions and Traditions

PG. 14-15 Fall Sports Wrap UpCross Country, Volleyball, Football, Tennis, Soccer, Swim, Cheer, Band

PG. 16 RoyalsRoyals Superfans

The last moments of the championship game against Marquette High School were intense. The whole team held hands, including sophomore designated player Alyssa Ramirez and head coach Jairus Tapp. “We all just held hands. After this picture, coach Tapp jumped 10 feet in the air,” said Ramirez.

During districts on Oct. 2, varsity soccer loses to Park Hill High School 3 to 0. The team said they will come back strong next year. “Next year we willl come in strong,” said junior Ian Cavver.

PG. 8-9 Softball StateFirst Time Success at State

On the Cover

Photo by Maddie Lott

Photo by Maddy Benda

After winning the state championship game, senior pitch-er Alle Pattillo collapses to the ground. She had told the team that they better not dog pile her, but when she saw them rushing at her, she fell to the ground so that the team wouldn’t knock her down. Photo by Kelsey Bennett

TALON STAFF

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFAbbi Atwell

STAFFMaddy BendaLane BurchHannah CritesBryttany HolovachAlexis HowardHafsa HusseinJessica JordanEmilie KerrAlayna LopezAdrianna McLeanRita SargentChristopher Spry

GRAPHIC ARTISTSAmber Lewis

ADVISERCherié Burgett

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORSKat FloresMaddie LottKyndall Truelove

Talon is published quarterly during the school year. Talon will accept letters to the editor in CR202 or at [email protected]. Before the letter is published, we will need to verify the writer’s identity with a photo identification. Letters may not exceed a length of 350 words. We will not print letters that are libelous, obscene or that may cause a verifiable disrup-tion of the education process of Staley High School. Letters must be signed. Anonymous letters will be discarded. Advertisers may contact the adviser at [email protected], (816) 321-5330 or at 2800 NE Shoal Creek Pkwy, Kansas City, MO, 64156-1313.

Opinions expressed in Talon do not express staff’s endorsement of the products or services.

Talon is a member of NSPA, MIPA, MJEA and Quill and Scroll. Talon is affiliated with JEA and JEMKC.

Volume VIII | Issue 2 | Talon | 3

Staff Editorial It’s easy to show up to a football game, a pep rally, even a soccer game, but it has always been rare for a large crowd to show up to a softball game. However, this year has taken a huge turnaround. This past season, the fans made an impact on the Softball team. This year, you have made an effort to show up and support them, and that support truly does make a difference. This season, the student section supported our varsity softball team more than ever before and followed them all the way to the state champion-ship. During the state tournament, students really turned the atmosphere into a fun, supportive and even funny environment with comments to the other teams and encouragement for our players. Heading to the tournament, the varsity team had an enthusiastic send off with flags, cheers and a crowd full of students. A full spirit bus went to the game on Friday. For those who weren’t at the game, it was almost guaranteed that the teachers showed it in the classroom. Students went around asking teachers to turn the game on, and the game was also playing during lunch pe-riods. On Friday when they won, there was excitement in the air, and cheers rang out in the Great Hall. Twitter was going off the hook with congrats and well wishes. Stu-dents really showed their support when a crowd showed up to to welcome the state champs home on Saturday night after the game. There was an all-school assembly on Oct. 27 to celebrate with the state champions. We have really changed our ways, from not taking time to support the team to driving out to Springfield, Mo., to support them. We, as a staff, are sure that the students gave them something to remember, and we hope that it lasts for years to come.

STUDENTS SUPPORTING SOFTBALL

1 Brittanie Shepherd 13 Gabbe Abbott 33 Abby Klein Coaches:3 Kayley Thomas 16 Morgan Herman Jairus Tapp4 Lindsey Gilbert 18 Jordan Samariah Managers: Kasey Martin5 Paige Shelley 19 Jen Harvey Alex Leimkuhler Lynne Maddox6 Nicole Gravett 20 Lindsey Boord Lexi Taylor 8 Katelyn Kiser 23 Alyssa Ramirez Kameron Hamm 10 Hannah Gregg 24 Jordan Jenkins 11 Alle Pattillo 25 Beylie Webber 12 Alana Vawter 32 Kendra Holt

THE TEAM

Fans Make Way to StatePhotos by Maddie Lott, Kelsey Bennett, Kat Flores and Emilie Kerr

Holding up cut out heads of the senior softball players on Oct. 24 are seniors Megan Klein, Maranda Bethard and Riley Varuska. Klein, who held her triplet sister’s cutout, made them for the crowd to show their support. “Megan made all the heads of the seniors for us, and she made smaller heads for everyone else,” Bethard said.

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Cheering for the softball team on Oct. 24 are juniors Amos Healy, Isacc Esquilin and senior Jacob Crisafulli. The team was playing in the semi final game against Fox High School. “We were all getting hype, cheering, start-ing cheers, and trying to support our Staley softball,” said Healy.

STUDENT SECTION SHOWS UP FOR TEAM


“I was disappointed I couldn’t be part of the journey with the team this year, but I’m so happy for the girls. All their hard work paid off.”

with the superfans

Andrea Holmes, former softball assistant coach Seth Otis, Senior

“It was just awesome because it was the actual state game.”

Kimber Teel, Senior Abigail Atwell, Senior

“It was cool that everybody was there to support them.”

“The energy in the crowd was phenom-enal; it felt like the whole student section was dedicated to lift-ing the team up and encouraging them.”

Fans Dominate Social Media


#4

#24

State Champ Starting Line UpTHE PLAYERS, THEIR NICKNAMES AND RECORDSGraphic by Jessica Jordan

#11Alle PattilloSeniorPitcherNickname: “Princess”How did you get your nickname?“I got it from the class of 2014 for being really girly and sassy and my love of pink and sparkles, and it just stuck.” #23

Alyssa RamirezSophomoreDesignated PlayerNickname: “A-Ram”“How did you get your nickname?”“My summer ball coach when I was 10 took my first and last names and put them together.”

#25Baylie WebberJuniorCatcher

#33Abby KleinSeniorHolds state records for most at-bats and most stolen bases

#32Kendra HoltJuniorFirst Base

#19Jen HarveyJuniorShort StopHy-Vee Athlete of the Week

#24Jordan JenkinsSeniorHolds records for RBIs & homeruns with 7 homeruns

#4Lindsey GilbertSophomoreLeft FieldHow did you get your nickname?“Everyone in all my sports called me ‘Lou,’ and Tapp never would, so I just kept yelling at him until he did.”

#1Brittanie ShepherdCenterfieldNickname: “Peanut”How did you get your nickname?“I’m the shortest on the team.”

#12Alana VawterFreshmanRight fieldNickname: “A.V.”


#19

#1

#33

#32

#12

#11

#25

#23

REGULAR SEASON SCOREBOARD


A Story Book FinishSOFTBALL CELEBRATES STATE WINAfter the last pitch of her last-ever high-school game on Oct. 24, senior Alle Pattillo fell to the ground. She said she knew when she threw the strike it was her last pitch ever in a game since she is not playing in college. “There was a lot of shock that I ended my pitching career on a strike out,” Pattillo said. Photo by Kelsey Bennett

The softball team gathers around in a circle to do a chant before starting the championship game against Marquette High School. The did pregame rituals to shake away nerves and pump the team up beforehand. “It’s the pregame ritual of us doing the ‘F-A-L-C-O-N-S’ cheer. It feels like we all came together as a team because we all do it in sync, and it’s just a good feel-ing,” junior Nicole Gravett said. Photo by Maddie Lott

Centerfielder sophomore Brittanie Shepherd steals second base on Oct. 24 during the state champion-ship game. The girls won the game 10-6. “It was a very special feeling. I cried, I was very emotional with happy tears,” Shepherd said. “We worked super hard, and it all paid off in the end.” Photo by Maddie Lott


The state champions design their rings on Oct. 28. The rings will have an outline of Missouri on them and it will say “Team of Destiny” on the outline; each ring will also be personalized with the player’s name. “They are well deserved, and I can’t wait to get them ordered and have them arrive,” first baseman Kendra Holt said. Photo by Maddy Benda

After winning the cham-pionship game, junior Jen Harvey helps decorate head coach Jairus Tapp’s classroom. The girls dec-orated his room to cele-brate and put streamers in his walkway. “He tore it down instantly,” Harvey said. Photo by Maddy Benda

After winning the state championship on Oct. 24, senior pitcher Alle Pattillo holds the trophy up to the team. “We worked so hard throughout the entire season. It felt great to get to that point,” said Pattillo. Photo by Kelsey Bennett

At the championship on Oct. 24, juniors Lindsey Boord and Bailey Webber, chest bump. The girls have different handshakes and gestures to congratulate players or pump them up for the game. “We do silly things before the game to get pumped up,” said Boord. Photo by Maddie Lott


Seniors Say Goodbye

With her eye on the ball, senior third baseman Jordan Jenkins bats. She was playing on Oct. 24 for the state championship. “I was getting ready to swing. It was a bad pitch, so I held it back,” said Jenkins.

Waiting for the ball, senior second baseman Abby Klein gets into position. Klein said she was confident they would win state. “Losing never crossed my mind. We just played a regular game like we always have,” said Klein about the State game on Oct. 24.

JordanJenkins

#24

Alle Pattillo#11

Abby Klein#33

While pitching at state on Oct. 24, senior Alle Pattillo throws a rise ball for the last out. The championship was held in Springfield, Mo. “I chose to throw a rise ball because it seemed like the smartest choice,” Pattillo said.

Saying goodbye is a difficult thing to do, maybe because saying goodbye means it’s actually over. I never imagined it actually ending. For my final goodbye, I would like to leave you with this; I am proud of each and every

one of you. Don’t lose the heart and passion you have for the game. Play every game like it’s your last. One day it will be. Show all of the “babies” next year the true meaning of being a Falcon by being great role models for them. Keep the intensity, but never forget the crazy, goofy personalities that helped this team power through the season

with the most fun anyone has ever had in a high school career. Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way to make every memory last a lifetime. But most importantly, never forget the prin-cess inside and never lose your sparkle.Thank you for being the best sisters a girl could ask for.

Out of all the memories I’ve had at Staley High School, being part of the softball team is by far the best portion of these last four years. Though every year has been a blast, these past few months are some I will remember

forever. As a team, we were never bad, but no one expected the amaz-ing accomplishments out of us that we eventually reached. From the road to conference all the way to state, our team had something special that made us stand out. We eventually came to realize that this unique factor was love and trust.

Both the coaches and teammates had complete respect, love, and trust for each. For this reason, saying goodbye to every-one is much harder than I thought it would be. I love you all so much. Thank you for making my senior year one I will never forget.

In my long career play-ing softball, I have never truly felt a part of a team. Sure, I’ve made some pretty good friends, and most of my memories encompass something in-

volving my teammates or a field, but I have never looked back on a season with such happiness. You showed me what it means to be a part of a family. You made me realize just how deep my love of this game goes and just how hard the end of this is going to be. I love all of

you; my teammates, my coaches, my managers. Each and every one of you will hold a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. Thank you for a truly unforgettable season. Thank you for the memories. Thank you for everything.

Photo by Kelsey Bennett

Photo by Maddie Lott

Photo by Kelsey Bennett


LOVE AND BELIEFLadies, As I am writing this, I am looking at our team softball, the one where everyone penned her #1 reason for wanting this season to be The One. It strikes me that nothing on that ball mentions individual achieve-ment. No one mentioned records they wanted to break or homeruns they hoped to hit. Instead, it is filled with messages of team accomplishments, of family, of hopes, of dreams. I will forever cherish this team because of those very reasons. You ladies thought about your team be-fore yourself. You subscribed to the belief that this team was more than a collection of players dedicated to a game, but rather a family dedicated to each other. I told you on September 9th that this was a special team, that some indefinable quality made you special. I also told you right before we beat Lee’s Summit that you were a team of destiny. I didn’t need to tell you that. I merely expressed what you already knew, what you already felt deep in your soul. I will leave you with the same words I wrote to you the morning of your state semifinal game because they will always be true, for this season and for the rest of your lives: Nothing in this world is as powerful as love and belief. You are blessed with both: the love of your team-mates and coaches and the unshakable belief that you and this team are special. Destiny awaits.

TAPP: PLAYERS PUT TEAM BEFORE SELVESWritten by Jairus Tapp

After winning the state championship game on Saturday, Oct. 24, the softball team hugs in celebration. The team had just pulled head coach Jairus Tapp in to their group hug. “They were already capable of accomplishing their goals. They just needed to trust all the work they put into it,” said Tapp.

The players wrote their No. 1 reason for wanting the season to be “The One.” Photo by Bryttany Holovach


Head Coach Jairus Tapp reacts after the championship game. Staley had just won against Marquette High School, earning the first softball state championship in the North Kansas City School District’s history. “It’s just joy and pride in the girls. I do nothing. It’s all the girls,” Tapp said. Photo by Maddie Lott

The victory achieved by the softball team was accomplished by “sacrifice and loss of ego,” according to head coach Jairus Tapp. Tapp has coached softball for eight years, since Staley has opened. He said his job as a coach is to better the team. “I’m just a coach,” said Tapp. “My job is to put players in the best position for them to succeed.” Though Tapp said he thinks of himself as just a coach, the team views what he does for the team differently. “Tapp encourages us to be better every day,” said freshman outfielder Gabriella Abbot. Motivation was important for the team during the season. Tapp said that the players are the ones who motivate one another, however he does believe in them. “I’m not exactly a motivator,” said Tapp. “I make them believe that I believe in them.”

The players notice how much he believes in them. Senior third baseman Jordan Jenkins said that she has gained more respect for him over the four years he has been her coach. “He believes in us with everything he’s got,” said Jenkins. Another player, junior outfielder Nicole Gravett said that the faith Tapp has in the team is what contributed to their success. According to Gravett, Tapp coaches well because he doesn’t overreact when they make mistakes. Instead, he tells them how much he believes in them, which is why the team wanted to be better and improve. “Since he believes in us, he knows we will make up for our mistakes,” said Gravett. From the start of the season, Tapp said they were the “team of destiny,” and Jenkins said that is what made them believe in themselves. Tapp also said the team was unique. “They’re special,” said Tapp. “They are resilient and selfless.” In order to be a selfless player, Tapp said sacrifices need to be made for other teammates. For him to be a selfless coach, Tapp said he sacrificed time with his family. He also said that the they learned to put the

success of the team before their personal success. “A good team is a family who makes sacrifices for the other members,” said Tapp. The aspect of the team feeling like family is what gave them the chemistry to win, according to Tapp. Freshman outfielder Katelyn Kiser said he always tells the team that they are a family. “Coach Tapp gets along with everyone,” said Kiser. “We feel like he’s the father in the group.” Tapp’s support as a coach impacted the team. Kiser said everyone understood working together as a family would get them to state, and that is what the team did. When the championship game began, the team knew they were a family and believed in one another from the encouragement and support from Tapp, according to Gravett. Still, Tapp said he views his position as a coach like part of the crowd. “I’m just a coach,” said Tapp. “I’m a fan on the sideline.”

Tapp Leads With Belief in TeamCOACH, TEAM MAKE SACRIFICESWritten by Bryttany Holovach Graphic by Ashlyn Marbury


VerySuperstitious

Before each game, the varsity softball team had their own superstitions to keep their winning streak alive. The girls listened to the same playlist on the bus ride and they played “Watch Me” by Silento so coach Jairus Tapp could do the “Whip and Nae Nae.” “He just happened to do it before our Park Hill South district championship game, so since we won, he had to do it before every game,” said junior Jennifer Harvey. The girls also wrote words of inspiration on their wrists followed by a pink ribbon before every game. “Intensity,” “relax,” and “swing away...” Senior Alle Pattillo and Harvey wore the same socks for each game. Pattillo said she has yet to wash hers. Before each inning,

Pattillo and junior Nicole Gravett positioned themselves outside of the dugout for hits. “Every inning we start really high, and then by the seventh inning we are laying on the ground,” said Gravett on their per-sonal chant outside the dugout. Once the team headed out onto the field, junior Kendra Holt drew a ghost with a circle around it, and then the team stood around the circle and drew out a straight line. The only teammate who did not do a straight line wasjunior Samuraia Jordan. The team attributed these superstitions to their winning streak along with their hard work and determination.

TEAM STICKS TO TRADITIONSWritten by Maddie LottGraphics by Maddie Lott


Running in their districts meet on Oct. 24 are senior Ward Mershon and junior Tyler Collins. The team placed first in the meet and are District 8 champions. “We’re getting our focused mind set, and I’m confident that we will get to state,” said Mershon. Photo by Maddy Benda

There were 28 girls who played on the tennis team, including 11 new freshmen. Junior varsity and varsity had had their best season record of 9-3, according to coach Tammy Harmon. Varsity was undefeated confer-ence champs. There was a district champion in singles and junior Natalie Thimgan made it to state for the first time ever. “It was a good year, and I am very proud of this group of young ladies. They were young, enthusias-tic and very coachable. The future looks bright for Staley tennis,” said Harmon. Photo by Rileigh Bates

Swimming at the Gladstone Community Center on Oct. 14 is senior Jared Vawter. He placed fourth in the 200 freestyle. “It’s going alright so far. As a team, we have good swims and the best meet we’ve ever done at the Columbia Invitational. Photo by Monica Aguila

Running in Districts on Oct. 24 is junior Cara Hawks. The team earned 2nd place. “I’m ready to help my team out by making it into the top 30 and run to the best of my ability,” said Hawks. Photo by Maddy Benda


By Kyndall Truelove

Boys soccer took on the Park Hill Trojans in the District Qualifiers game on Oct. 27. “It was tiring,“ said junior Ian Carver. “We had a lot of losses under our belt. We came together to try and get the win, but it didn’t work.” Sta-ley had 5 wins, 14 losses, and 2 ties this season. Photo by Maddy Benda

Senior Joe Eller sets to hike the ball to senior Michael Kilpatrick on Oct. 9. The game was against Raytown High School. It was Staley’s homecoming game. Photo by Kyndall Truelove

The cheer team performs the Green-Black chant on Oct. 2. Cheer will compete at State in Columbia, Mo., Nov. 7. “We’ve added an extra hour to practice ev-ery week. We’re buckling down and becoming more serious,” said Duke. Photo by Kat Flores

Huddling together is the volleyball C team on Oct. 6 during the Dig for a Cure game. They were undefeated in the regular season and lost one match at a tournament. That was the best record by any C team in school history. Photo by KimberlyHeuermann

Blocking the ball on Oct. 1 is senior Felicia Raybourn. Varsity won the game against Oak Park. The team end-ed their season with a record of 23-6-3. “The girls had a great season with some of the biggest and best crowds we have ever seen,” said head coach Kristina Francis. “They consistently played with power, pride and pas-sion.” Photo by Brooke Bannister


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