VOL. 57, ISSUE 3 November 11,2009 2424 S.E. CALIFORNIA AVE. / TOPEKA, KANSAS

Earl Brooks, a 2004 Highland Park graduate, is a now attending the University of Kansas and is a currently competing for the Rhodes and Mar-shall scholarships.

Rhodes scholarships, first offered in 1903, fund

two years of study at Ox-ford University for 32

recipients nationwide; Marshall scholarships al-low students to study at any British university.

Rhodes competitions take place Nov. 20 and 21. If invited, KU nomi-nees will interview in Kansas City, Mo. along-side competitors from a district that includes Ar-kansas, Kansas, Missouri and Mississippi.

The Rhodes Founda-tion selects two winners from each district im-mediately following the Nov. 21 interviews. (KU

Press Release) “Winning one would

be a dream come true for me,” said Brooks. “It

would mean the chance to study at one of the top universities in the world.”

“I would be able to

work with brilliant pro-fessors and do some real-ly interesting research.”

“In the athletic world it

would be equal to being a first round draft pick!

To say the selection pro-cess is tough would be an understatement. I feel

blessed to even be in the running, ”said Brooks.

Brooks is an American Studies and Music Major at the University of Kan-sas.

Brooks chose to pursue music and jazz. “I love

it for how it sounds and for what it means to Af-rican American culture. I

love R&B, Gospel, Rap and Jazz is a major influ-ence in all those genres. If you can play or at least

understand jazz, you can do almost anything musi-cally.”

Brooks served as vice

president to the Black Student Union in 2007-2008 and is a member of Black Men of Today and International Gos-pel Voices. He is also a participant in the Deans Scholars Program and the McNair Scholars Pro-gram.

Brooks was recently selected as a Hall Center Scholar for the upcom-ing 2009-2010 academic

year and will have the opportunity to help with the Humanities Lecture Series and to meet with prominent scholars.

As a Highland Park student, Mr. Dale Cush-inberry constantly says, “You can get there from here.” and Brooks be-lieves this is a very true statement.

What Cush is trying to tell you as students is that it’s easy to focus on all the things you don’t have...money, connec-tions, whatever. But ulti-mately you can still fail

even if you have all those things.

You have to know what it means to work hard, to struggle and to know yourself well enough to make decisions that take you towards your goals despite friends, family etc. I’ve seen gifted stu-dents who were in school on academic scholarships drop out.

“You have to have a vi-sion of yourself and what you want to do because once you can see it, you start believing it.”

Brooks plans to be-come a professor and return to Topeka where his family is located. His current goal is to get into graduate school and be-gan pursuing a master’s degree.

Earl Brooks advice for those pursuing the college dream. Pg. 5

You can get there from hereEarl Brooks: A true success

By Ta’Micka Cavitte

Photo Submission by Earl Brooks

Students at Williams Elementary who participate in Miracle Mix

Italian manicotti. Have you ever

had it? If not senior Joseph Minjares

can hook you up. It’s Minjares’

favorite food to cook, and he’s been cooking for 10 years.

Minjares was offered a full ride scholarship to Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in San Francisco. He starts classes in January.

“I plan to major in hotel

management and culinary arts,” said Minjares.

Since he was little, Minjares would watch his grandmother,

Cecelia Ramirez, who was a pastry chef when she was younger.

She would bake cookies, soufflés, and her specialty cakes.

Through watching her, cooking became more than a passion, but it became his dream.

When Minjares was 8 years old he cooked his first meal alone. He

cooked an omelet.

He now finds his recipes from

other family members, online and sometimes just from being creative.

One of his creations is spaghetti with brown sugar. This is a result of experimentation.

So far he has not had a disaster meal.

Minjares plans to finish college

and open up his own Italian and

Mexican restaurant.

Next Top ChefSenior Joseph Minjares to attend culinary school

By Yara Arreola

Great Scots are back at it again. Highland Park has a new program called “Miracle Mix,” where a few students are selected to help and mentor fifth graders at Williams

Magnet Elementary School. Some activities that they may

do with kids are eat lunch with them, play with them at recess or do an educational activity like a scavenger hunt.

The purpose of Miracle Mix is to raise the child’s self-esteem and help them develop social skills for the future. It also helps the teens

because it is a good experience in case they want to pursue a career in education.

Mr. Fred Willer, Division Two

social worker, and Ms. Susan Mills, a social worker at Williams proposed this idea. But, not everyone can be involved.

“I hand-selected four kids

based on leadership qualities and kindness towards children,” said Willer.

According to most of the students involved they think it is a great thing to do and has been achievement.

Ajali Jones, senior, said, “Yes it has an been achievement. We are able to see the students grow and change from when we first

started.” Some of the kids have also

enjoyed the presence of their mentors.

I like talking to them, they bring

out the inner you,” said Breana Tiffany, a fifth grader at Williams.

Another fifth grader said they

like to hang around older kids because they are more mature.

Some other things that the Miracle Mix teens have helped with is unpacking boxes from Harvesters Feed America, which is a meal pack that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is given to 95

students at Williams who do not have food for the weekend.

They do a lot of positive things, which makes a difference in many young lives.

Miracle Mix meets every Tuesday and Thursday during Scot time. They include: Adrian Douglas, Cody Pollock, Jones and Angelina Estrada.

Miracle MixTeens mentor with students at Williams Elementary

Photo by Christine Labrador

Joseph Minjares in the kitchen.Photo Taken by Yara Arreola

By Christine Labrador

The StaffEditor in Chief- Ta’Micka Cavitte

News Editor- Jordyn Kelly

Features Editor- Bianca Greenly

Editorial Editor-Christine Labrador

Sports Editors- Dante Jordan

Antwan Robbins

Business Editor- Kira Southall

Web Master- Prentice Inyard

Staff Reporter- Yara Arreola,

D’Marco Smith

Adviser: Heather Hooper

Editorial Policy: The diverse opinions expressed in editorials are either

those of The Bagpiper staff or individuals. The editorials may never

purposely attack or ridicule anyone. Views in this newspaper do not

always represent those of the staff, faculty or the school board of Topeka

Unified School District 501.

Letters to the Editor: The Bagpiper encourages all readers to submit

letters to the editor. The letters can be mailed to The Bagpiper at Highland

Park, dropped off in Room 219 or turned in to any of The Bagpiper staff.

Submitted letters must be under 300 words and signed by the writer or

writers. The Bagpiper will not accept any obscene, personally offensive or

irrelevant material, and reserves the right to edit or refuse publication.

The Bagpiper is the official

student publication of Highland

Park High School. The mission

of this paper is to inform

students and staff of current

events, to entertain and to serve

as a forum for thoughts and

opinions of students and faculty

as accurately and tastefully

as possible. The Bagpiper

is published monthly and

distributed to the students and

staff at Highland Park.

NOVEMBER 11, 2009 • THE BAGPIPER 2

SALUTE TO OUR VETERANS

Fred MaisbergerUS Airforce 1988-2008

Dennis RansoneUS Navy 1968-1972

Joyce ParkerUS Airforce 1985-2009

Peter KindUS Airforce 1985-2006

George HamptonUS Army 1988-1994

Robert ThadisonUS Airforce 1969-1993

Other Veterans Include:

It’ll make your cringe, it’ll make you scream, it’s “ Paranormal Activity”.

Writer-director Oren Peli introduced this horror film in only seven days on a $15,000 budget. The movie was filmed using a video camera in an overnight room with the time showing in the right corner of the screen. So as the audience watches its almost as if being in your living room watching a home video

This thriller takes place

in San Diego, when a young couple, Katie Featherstone

and Micah Sloat, move into their new home an evil spirit constantly taunts them. Katie believes the spirit has followed her since childhood.

After finding it hard to believe, Micah finally decides to set up a camcorder and catch everything on video. Micah decides to bring out a Ouija board to talk to the spirit, a move that deeply offends the ghost.

It keeps the audience on edge because the audience never leaves the couple’s haunted house. All that we

see is what is recorded on the video camera.

Sorry guys, you’ll have to go buy your tickets and find out what happens to this young couple. This movie is at 21.1million in ticket sales right now, surprising taking the lead of Saw VI, according to Bloomberg.com stats.

I give this movie literally 5 stars, It’s a must see movie! Lines will be long, but its so worth the wait. It’ll definitely leave you having nightmares.

“Paranormal Activity” will keep you up at night

By: Jordyn Kelly

Bill BairdUS Army 1987-1992

Robert Johnson US Navy 1964-1983

Craig HaugsnessUS Navy 1972-1976

Gerald ToledoUS Marines 1974-1976

Check Out the Literary Magazine

www.hpbagpiper.com

“Straight From The Pipes”

SEN10R CHECK LIST

>> Turn in your yearbook portrait by Jan. 29

>> Reserve you senior salute by April 15

>> Order your 2010 yearbook pay half now, half later.

>> Come to Room 219 for more info.

NOVEMBER 14, 2009 • THE BAGPIPER 3

Kyle Garcia is able to complete his assignments in

less than a third of the time it takes for his classmates,

yet Garcia patiently and quietly sits and waits for his

classmates to finish. He shows patience with fellow classmates when conversing with them or helping them

understand a concept. He has many good qualities one is definitely patience.

Alysia Majette is a great example of patience. According to the dictionary, patience means a state of

endurance under difficult circumstances. She grasps some concepts very easily but some are a little more

challenging. Instead of giving in and giving up, she works that much harder to master the concepts. She never gives up and asks for help when she feels she

needs it.Zach Martinez starts on his work immediately

and never lets up until it’s complete. He finds some of the work in Physics hard and sometimes needs help but continues to work

until the work is complete. He has many good character traits but one is certainly patience.

Channing Allen is very helpful with providing her

classmates with information if I can’t get around to everyone. She is definitely a leader in the group and is willing to work with anyone in the class. She is not afraid to participate in class and works with others

with diverse backgrounds. She is very patient with her classmates .

Character Of The Month

October :Patience Nominated by the Science Department

Grade:11

Grade:9

Grade:10

The Highland Park Marching Band was involved in the Washburn

Marching Exhibition on Oct. 28, where they received a ranking of 2 (which means excellent).

The musical pieces selected for

this event were some of Michael

Jackson’s songs, including

“Thriller” and “Don’t Stop Til’ You Get Enough.”

Band Director Chad Hughes said he chose the Michael Jackson

pieces for field show because he was strong and popular musician.

In addition to performing well, the band’s goal was to gain

positive publicity the community

“I don’t think any coach or director has achieved what they

want, but we have goals which we

are reaching for,” said Hughes The band also participated in

two elementary school parades. Their next performance will be

a Jazz Festival on Nov.20 at Baker University.

On Saturday, October 24 Share Fest, an organization of community

churches, sponsored a community

clean up. Fellowship Bible Church led the

third annual community clean up. More 200 people came out to help

beautify the community, including

13 Highland Park teachers and Highland Park clubs such as AVID, SADD, Community Service Club, district school psychologists, and

the Highland Park football team members.

During the community cleanup poles, signs, parking lines were

painted and bushes and trees were

trimmed.Assistant Principal Valerie

Patterson said, the community clean up was a very nice thing to

do. “It was good because the

community, together as a people,

helped beautify the community.”

By Christine Labrador

By Prentice Inyard

The Highland Park Scot Singers under the direction of Tiffany

Bonnewell performed at the White

Concert Hall, at the Washburn University on Nov. 2.

They were other groups

performing there from across

the area, which included Topeka

High Madrigals and Topeka West Singers.

The concert was co –sponsored

by the Civic Music Club of Topeka

and Washburn University, which

has been held annually for nearly

40 years. The proceeds raised will be for

a music scholarship at Washburn

University. The students participating

included seniors: Mayshala Ross,

Gerald Schmidt, Tyrah Talbert, Jared Lange, and Christina

Thompson Juniors: Isiah Keith, Josh Litscher-student accompanist,

Tony Montoya and Sabrina Ramsey

Canned food

donations needed

Entrepreneurship fair

Cupcakes, nachos, and ice cream shakes were some of the top sellers at the annual entrepreneurship fair held during both lunches Nov. 5. Tre’Ona Hickerson, junior had the most successful booth with her Tasty Cakes. She made about 300 cupcakes for the fair and had a brisk business. Her team cleared about $100 in profit. Danielle

Jones, junior, was part of the Waco Taco team which drew large crowds. “We would have made more money if we didn’t run out of meat,” she said. Mrs. Anita Aubert said each of the six teams made a profit this year.

Five Highland Park students didn’t spend Oct.31 trick or treat-ing but getting educated at the

Mid-America Association of Ed-

ucational Opportunity Program

Personnel (MAEOPP) student leadership pre-college conference

in St. Charles, Ill. The leadership conference was held from Oct. 30 to Nov.1.

The conference hosted more

than 500 students from 10 differ-

ent states

The purpose of MAEOPP is leveling the playing field of edu-

cational opportunity for first gen-

eration, low income, or disabled

students. Seniors Ta’Micka Cavitte and

Mashayla Ross and junior Heloice Steele attended the conference this year sponsored by the University

of Kansas and sophomores Phillip Wade and Christopher Harris at-tended on behalf of Kansas State University.

The conference theme this year

was TRiO: The Ticket to your

Success. The conference focused on inspiring students to reach their

full potential and focus on being

leaders as well as life skills and

educational career development. Students selected the sessions

they wanted to attend and then

did various activities and attended

a college fair that hosted over 22 colleges and universities.

Ross said,” The conference was

fun and informative. My favor-ite part was the relationships ses-

sion.”The conference featured several

guest speakers such as Dr. Ngondi

Kamatuka, the MAEOPP President and motivational speakers Ryan

Moran, Courtney Snowden, Leslie Love, and Patrick George.

Wade said he took away many

things from the conference but the

most important was learning social

skills. “I learned how to expand my so-

cial life throughout society.”MAEOPP is the representative

professional body for colleges,

universities and agencies that host

federally funded TRiO educational

opportunity programs within 10

states in the Midwest.Formally established in 1975,

MAEOPP advocates on behalf of those persons least likely to en-

roll in and obtain a college degree

at our nation’s higher education

institutions.

David Brooks, Will Muldrow, Tony Montoya and Alex Hubbard maching in

a recent parade.

Marching Scots receive “Excellent” ranking

Volunteers clean up The Park

Scot Singers perform at Washburn University

Students attend Chicago Area leadership conference

By: Ta’Micka Cavitte

Bring your canned food and

non-perishables to Rooms

115C and 225. All donations will go to support Let’s

Help.

Grade:12

4 THE BAGPIPER • NOVEMBER 11, 2009

Hot Winter TrendsSo what if it’s getting colder, Highland Parks fashion life is only starting to spice up!

By: Jordyn Kelly

5 Top Winter Picks

Snow Boots. They come in dif-

ferent brands and colors. Best

worn with leggings, or skinny

jeans.

Christine Labrador shows off a

scarf. There is such a variety of

colors and patterns. They can

be worn in different ways.

Sindy Dominguez wearing a

half sweaters. There are all

different kinds of sweaters..

Usually worn with jeans.

Sweater dresses with leggings

or big waist belts and snow

boots.

Prentice Inyard wearing a

fitted hat to top of his outfit.Hats are a traditional winter

trend. Coming in different

colors and styles, even patterns

you can top your outfit off with one of these.

Dashayla White wearing a Fur

hooded coat. Both the coats

and jackets are really popular.

Not only for girls, but for guys

as well. They come in different

colors and styles.

Monique Young and Alyssa Holloway looking great in the fur-lined hooded coats.

Jessica Cohee shows off her snow boots.

Chariece McCreary ,Briana Ortega, and Jasmine Jaimez rock the famous Jordans.

Dezyon Clark shows off a light jacket perfect for the chilly weather.

Shaka Thomas, Tre’Vell Luarks, and AJ Downing rocking the beenie hats.

La’ Destiny Crawford wearing the popular plaid coat.

Jaylen Boyd, wearing a Rockawear sweat suit with some Jordan Ones.

Amir Peppers rocking the fitted hat with some Jordans.

November 11, 2009 • THE BAGPIPER 5

By Bianca GreenlyGetting ready for college

isn’t an easy thing to do especially if you don’t know where to start.

You may find yourself asking questions like, what school is right for me? What should I major in? Do I want roommates? Can I even afford to go?

At Highland Park we have a woman dedicated to helping you answer those tough question and get you started into the next

chapter of your life.

Sherlice Spicer works in the Career Center (across from division 1). Need to take the ACT or get in touch with a college rep? Then Ms. Spicer is the woman to see. Here are the helpful hints she wants all students to know. ✓ Students should start preparing a resume their freshmen year of all the activities they do through out their high school years, such as sports any honors

and awards they receive and community services they do. Keeping a resume of all these things will help when its time to fill out scholarship and college applications.✓ Take the ACT and or the SAT at least one time by junior year.✓Set goals and make plans. ✓Talk to your guidance counselors or career center coordinator about what you want to do after high school.

Getting Ready for College

College LifeTwo former students give the inside scoop on college.

For all you seniors and juniors getting ready for college and wondering what it’s like the Bagpiper staff has conducted an investigative interview to help you.

Two Highland Park alumnae who are now in college have answered many of your common questions.

College senior Brittani Crith and freshmen Raven Crawford attend two different universities and have very different views on college life.

By Bianca Greenly

BP: What College do you

attend?

BC: Kansas University

BP: What is college life

like?

BC: It’s fun, way different from high school lots of freedom, but really time consuming. Your life becomes school 24/7.

BP: Is it hard or more

fun?

BC: I think its fun. School work can be tough at times but you have to learn how to balance school work and going out along with other stuff.

BP: How do you balance

friends, college and

work?

BC: Simple weekdays are for work and school weekends are for friends and fun and Sundays are reserved for homework.

BP: Did you get any

scholarships or pay do

you pay straight out of

pocket?

BC: Out of pocket and it is very hard.

BP: Do you live on

campus? Why did you

decide to live on/ off

campus?

BC: I live off campus in student housing I chose to do this because it’s cheaper more privacy and more space.

BP: What are you

majoring in?

BC: Nursing, I’m going to be an ARNP (advanced registered nurse practitioner) in the NICU (neonatal intensive care)

BP: Did you go to the

college you wanted to or

the one that gave you the

best deal?

BC: I go to the college I wanted to.

BP: What advice do you

have for teens going to

college?

BC: Stay focused, be organized, get all your work done and turned in on time.

Earl Brooks HP alumnus

and senior at KU offers some advice for being successful in college.

The fist step is you have to decide how bad do you want it and how hard are you willing to work for it. Once you decide you want it more than anything, all

the obstacles you come across will only make you want it more and work harder.

After that I would say start reading as much as you can on what you want to do and where you want to go. And for all of those excuses like “I can’t pay for it” “I don’t want to go

in debt” “I’m not smart enough” etc. shouldn’t concern you because there is an opportunity or program out there that can get you past whatever it is your facing and people that will help you find them if your serious. I’ve done it and seen others do it too.

BP: What College do you

attend?

RC: Wichita State University!!

BP: What is college life

like?

RC: It’s like one big party and you go to class in your spare time. College life is something I believe everyone should at least experience I love it!

BP: Is it hard or more

fun?

RC: Fun, fun, fun! It’s very different from high school; it’s not as much work but it’s more about paying attention and being responsible. You are not bombarded with homework every night it’s more about tests and projects. Due dates do not change because you forgot your paper or left it at home. These professors don’t care about your personal problems like teachers in high school. You actually earn the grade you get. It’s more fun because everyday feels like the weekend. You have the power to do what you want, when you want.

BP: How do you balance

friends, college and

work?

RC: It’s not hard. I only work three days a week (for the school newspaper), I have morning classes so I’m done with school around 12:20 everyday, and whenever I’m not busy with that I’m with my friends. However, it is hard to balance old friends because college life can keep you busy, there’s always something going on. I don’t make time to call my friends and family as much as I should, but I miss them all very much!

BP: Did you get

scholarships?

RC: Not as many as I could have. I didn’t really apply for any, I was too lazy my senior year, but being a college student who’s already in debt I now know how important scholarships are and I have been applying for scholarships for next year ever since the beginning of October.

BP: Do you live on

campus? Why did you

decide to live on/off

campus?

RC: Yes, I do as a freshman at Wichita State you required to live on campus. At first I was kind of shaky about living with a roommate but I now love living on campus.

It’s the best way to meet people and there is always something to do. It’s very hard to get bored living on campus here.

BP: What’s your major

and minor?

RC: My major is psychology and I minor in ethnic studies.

BP: Did you go to the

college that you wanted

to or the one that gave

you the best deal?

RC: The one I wanted to go to. Wichita was actually the only school I applied to.

BP: What advice do you

have for teens going to

college?

RC: Go to college for the right reasons, once you get to school it can be very easy to adapt into the party life but don’t let that stop you from going to class. Apply for scholarships! It may seem like it’s a waste of time now but it will indeed help you once you get to school! Take the time out to write that essay and go the extra mile; come on its free money! Last bit of advice is LIVE ON CAMPUS it’s the only way to get the real college life experience; it makes college 10 times better.

Words of advice from Earl Brooks

Brittani Crith Senior at KU.

Raven Crawford Freshman at WSU.

By: Ta’Micka Cavitte

Many athletes want to go to college and excel in the classroom as well as in sports.

There are many ways to go to college and play sports.

Football coach Sadiq Muhammed has been through the experience as a college athlete. He explained the best way to play sports in college is to be recruited, which is very common for a lot of athletes to get college scholarships.

Getting recruited is when a college is interested in you and sends scouts to watch you in your sport.

The first contact from a scout is usually by a letter, which lets you know that they are looking at you.

Anther method is they call or text you. Also, some will come and watch you play in your sport. Then they may invite you to summer camps or AAU competitions.

There are some rules

that the recruiters have to follow or they will have some consequences from the NCCA.

One, if any recruiter talks to an athlete younger than a junior they will be fined $15,000 dollars or will be put on a recruiting probation.

Also, they are not allowed to talk to a student’s parents. Recruiters can not contact an athlete by phone; they are just allowed to send letters for those younger than a junior.

Senior Rashawn Baker is one of the top recruited track athletes here at the school.

“I got a lot of junior colleges, Kansas University, Kansas State University, and Nebraska recruiting me,” Baker said.

At this time not many athletes have many recruiters contacting them.

Baker explained how the recruiters would get in touch with him “They sent

me a few letters. Also, they talked to me at the KU Relays.”

A lot of the recruiters come and watch the athletes when they play in tournaments or up against their rivals. Then they also like to come to the state tournaments and state events.

Senior LaZerrick Richardson is a top recruited football player at the school.

“I got many junior colleges and Washburn University, KU, and K-State,” he said.

After recruiting, the athletes can sign their letter of intent on a day called National Signing Day.

It’s a day where you sign to the college or your choice and you could call a press conference and let the people and peers know what school you chose.

For football it is the first week of February and for basketball it’s in the month of November.

By: Antwan Robbins

The end has come for the volleyball team. Highland Park made it to the finals in sub-state by routing Kansas City-Washington, 25-8, 25-14.

The Lady Sots who are (13-25) couldn’t pull off the upset against the No.1 seed Lansing (35-6) in the championship match, however, with the Lions posting a 25-9, 25-13 victories.

Senior Taylor Wilson describes the team’s season as very disappointing and said, “We could have done better if I didn’t get injured. Maybe the season would have ended off better.”

Makhala Giardina led the team with 113 kills in 22 games, senior Andrea’ Rhoiney led the team with 87 blocks and 121 touches in 22 games, senior Katie Wilson led the team with

180-189 serves, and senior Jessica Cohee led the team with 96 saves.

Junior Chanaya Kershner said the season was not as good as the last years team, even though they should have been,

To be better the team needs work harder in the off-season and just work on playing as a team for the next season, Kershner said.

Photo By: Taylor Wilson

Photo By: Joseph Minjares

By: D’Marco Smith

College recruiting for athletes

Close Finish for Volleyball team

Makhala Giardina kills the volleyball at the Highland Park invitational.

Football: Aaron Douglas 300 total yards against Bonner Springs

Soccer: Daniel Corrall with 4 goals against KC Washington

Cross-Country: Demarus Kelley qualified for state, which the first for a female cross-country athlete since 1991.

Volleyball: The team made it to the finals of sub-state

Girls Tennis: Lindsay Brooks placing in the majority of the tournaments

Girls Golf: There was no team this year for the first time since 1994

Top fall sportsperformances

Rashawn Baker gives the Seaman defender the stiff arm.

6 THE BAGPIPER • NOVEMBER 14, 2009

NOVEMBER 11,. 2009 • THE BAGPIPER 7≠

History is Made

A long hard football season

finally over. They had new coaches,

new plays, and a new outlook on

the season.

Despite ending 0-9, the team still

felt like it was a successful season.

At the end of the season senior

Khiry Crawford had to say,

“I feel like this season was one

of the hardest we worked for, and

things just didn’t turn out the way

we wanted it to.

“Despite the record I think this

year’s team was one of the best

Highland Park football teams I’ve

seen in my four years. I’m just

going to miss it like crazy”

Senior Rashawn Baker said, “I

felt like I learned a lot and we got

way better.”

When asked what he would have

done different this season, Baker

said, “Lift more weights and stay

more dedicated.”

The team is going to continue

to work at becoming the best team

they can be said senior LaZerrick

Richardson.

The cross-country team ended

by making history when freshman

Demarus Kelley qualified for

state.

She is the first girl to qualify

for state since 1991. This was also

the first year Kelley has run cross-

country.

“I’m proud of myself. This is

something that I knew I could

accomplish and this is only the

beginning of my cross-country

career,” Kelley said.

To get ready for her competitions,

Kelley ran about four miles on the

weekends.

Prior to this season, Kelley had

run track, but never for distance.

She was a sprinter.

She learned a lot from her cross

country experience.

“This sport is a mental sport not

a physical sport. When I run I just

stay focused.”

Her secret to success is simple.

“All you have to do in the sport

is just run with your mind set

that your going to finish the race

strong,” Kelley said.

Coach Freddy Maisberger said

qualifying for state is a huge

accomplishment.

It’s hard to get a girl to go out for

the sport but to get a state qualifier

is something big, Maisberger said.

“I’m very proud of her, she is

really committed to the sport even

though she’s only done the sport

for the first time,” he said.

The rest of the cross country

team finished strong as well.

Two runners came up short.

Juniors Will Gray and Dylan

Walthall could have qualified for

state.

“Dylan came close. It was 48

seconds off, but Will just kind of

fell off towards the end of the race,

Maisberger said.”

But overall Maisberger said the

team had a great season. They

ended on a record setting note.

“I think the season went great.

I wish there were more runners

but I made things happen with the

runners I had, Maisberger said.”

The Season Ends

Prentice Inyard

LaZerrick Richardson with the touchdown catch against Seaman.

Photo by Joseph Minjares

Antwan Robbins

Demarus Kelly runs for history Picture by. Hannah Davis

Demarus Kelly Makes it to state

Looking AheadHighland Park Classic Dec. 3-5 1.

(Basketball)

The Gardner Invitational Dec 5th 2.

(Wrestling)

Melvin Douglas Invitational Dec. 11th 3.

(Wrestling)

Paola Invitational Dec. 7th 4.

(Girls Basketball)

8 THE BAGPIPER • NOVEMBER 14, 2009

Atchison: the most

haunted town in Kansas!Photos & Story by:

Kira Southall

Have you ever seen a

ghost? Maybe communicated

with one or been saved by

one? Not many have had

ghostly encounters, but

several Atchison families

have.

In the town known as the

most haunted in Kansas,

you will find fright and

unbelievable stories.

A ghost known as the Pet-

Lovers Ghost peacefully

haunts a family of three. The

home owner once saw his

dog perched up on his back

legs, eyes closed as if his

ears were being scratched.

At another time the ghost

led the owner down the

stairs late at night by creating

numerous sounds down to

the basement.

Melting plastic had fallen

and landed onto a box and if

it had not been found ahead

of time, it quickly would

have caught fire. The family

still has the box of which is

slightly burned where the

plastic had once laid.

Atchison has more than 15

haunted houses and a variety

of haunted parks and pieces

of land all over.

The Atchison ghost tour is

an hour long narrated tour

that takes the visitors to 20

different haunted grounds

and shares the many haunted

events that have occurred

and why it is haunted.

First stop on the Atchison

ghost tour, is the Atchison

County History Museum.

This landmark had numerous

haunted artifacts on display,

such as a haunted typewriter,

old time coffins, and Ouija

boards.

The Atchison County

History Museum alone,

receives 30,000 visitors a

year, who travel from, places

such as Russia, South Africa,

Australia, China, France,

Ireland, and numerous other

countries.

“It is interesting to see

who and where people come

from, all around the country

and hear what different

people ask.” said volunteer,

Verbena Siskey. “Not every

day is the same.”

Next stop, Jackson Park,

which is full of twisty steep

roads and hills, and is an

easy place to get lost in. As

a matter of fact, an elderly

couple disappeared in

Jackson Park this year.

The legend with this

haunted land is that a young

girl, who had broken up

with a long-term boyfriend,

jumped to her death off of a

cliff that now is filled in.

Scared yet? The Sallie

House is one of the most

popular in Atchison. It is

told that a young girl was to

have surgery from an illness

she had.

Once she was medicated

and put to sleep the doctor

began working. With the

first slice, she awoke and

screamed at the doctor. With

her last look of terror and

anger she died. The Sallie

House is owned and is home

of a family today.

The Annie House is

yet another stop for most

tourists. The owners of the

house believe that the ghost

they have encountered

multiple times over the years

is the daughter of the man

who had built this house for

himself and his 16 children.

The daughter died of

scarlet fever when she was

about the age of 12. The

owners do not fear her nor

have they had any frightening

occurrence.

They have however felt

cold spots, heard the piano

being played while no one

was in the room, and even

at one point while tutoring a

neighbor’s child, the parlor

room grew very cold and

a bright lighted girl stood

across from the owner and

her guest.

The two continued to

work, trying not to frighten

Annie away and after about

a minute, she disappeared

and the temperature returned

to normal.

This house has had 3000

visitors since the family has

lived there. They do not mind

the visitors and actually quite

enjoy decorating the home

just for the guest’s occasion.

The Highland Park T.V.

Production class took a trip

to this haunted treat for a

story. They achieved all they

expected and much more.

Sophomore Stacie Burch

was the producer for this

chosen story.

One of TV Productions

reporters is senior Joe

Lillibridge. The trip itself

excited Lillibridge because

it was his biggest project so

far.

“I came to see if the rumors

are true. Because I don’t

believe it,” said Lillibridge.

Although this trip didn’t

seem to be able to change his

mind set, it still had been an

experience to remember.

The Annie House is haunted by the ghost of a girl who died in its parlor.

The Sallie House is haunted by the ghost girl who died during

surgery.

Haunted Atchison Trolley Tours

200 S 10th Street

Atchison, Kansas 66002

(913) 367-2427

(800) 234-1854

First Saturdays in May - August

plus Fall evenings - reserve early.

$14/person all ages.

For more details visit the Web site: trolley@atchisonkansas.net

The creaky stair case in the

Annie House is delicate to a

single touch.

This photo was taken in the living room of the Pet-Lovers house. A mysterious shape appears to

the right of the candle.