January 27, 2010

Shannel Winkel: Chit-Chatting Her Way to the Top
by Joanna Hodder

This talented and talkative young woman looks towards her bright future as she begins her last semester at KHS. While she says that she will miss seeing her friends every day and all the fun activities, she is ready to move on to Marquette University or the University of Central Florida with a major in pre-med and a minor in military science.

Shannel Marie Winkel was welcomed into the world on April 14, 1992 by her parents Delyle and Susan, along with her older brothers Alex, Michael, and Travis. This senior enjoys traveling to Lake Kabetogama every June to go fishing with her family. “It’s always fun and relaxing when we go up there. I love it!” she says. She also enjoys playing football with her brothers and watching the games on TV when it’s too cold to go outside.

While Shannel loves spending time with her family, she certainly has plenty of other things to keep her busy. She is a veteran of a long list of extracurricular activities, including: volleyball, track, yearbook, Model UN, science fair, student council, FACS, and speech. “I think some of my favorite accomplishments include being nominated as an outstanding performer for All-State speech in 2008 and getting 3rd place at state science fair in 2009.” Shannel also attended the National Youth Leadership Forum of Medicine in the summer of ’09. As if that isn’t enough, she also finds time to work at Fareway in Washington. It’s a wonder she has any free time for hobbies like hanging out with friends, dancing, writing, and shopping.

When asked who she admires, Shannel talked about her older brother, Alex. “He is very independent and driven; I wish I had a little more of those traits!” However, in ten years, she hopes to have graduated medical school, have a great job in a good hospital, and begin her family. Shannel also wants to travel the world, skydive, and find the cure for cancer. Most would agree that accomplishing all of those things would be no small feat.

Shannel describes herself as “congenial, energetic, and adventurous.” Her biggest pet peeve is when people chomp on their gum, and she admits that she often gets into trouble for talking when she is not supposed to.

With such big goals and a well-thought out future, this chatty senior is sure to make a name for herself. Shannel has left her mark on KHS; soon she will be leaving her mark on the rest of the world.

EagleRock! And Dessert: A Great Combo
by Jacob Temple

This author is practically drooling over the fantastic desserts that will be included in the EagleRock! dessert concert on January 31. An endless variety of desserts, including cheesecakes, pies, and dessert bars, will be available for consumption to those that attend.

To sweeten the deal even more, members of EagleRock! perform as they enjoy their dessert. There will be two performance times, one at 12:00 and one at 2:30. Anyone who is interested in some great food and some great singing, tickets are $5 each and can be purchased from members of EagleRock!

FFA Takes a Trip to the Mile High City
by Blake Bayliss

The Keota High School FFA chapter recently returned from a trip to Denver, Colorado to the National Western Stock Show. Making the trip were students: Patrick Frank, Kyle Huber, Travis Greiner, and Matt Romoser. These students were chosen to represent the school in Denver due to their placement in a previous livestock judging contest at the state level. The students traveled to Denver via train, all of them for the first time which they found to be a “bumpy ride.”

Students attended the livestock show in which they viewed cattle and sheep. As the livestock was being shown, the members made predictions as to how they thought the class would rank. Student Patrick Frank commented, “We were pretty accurate in our guessing. This made it interactive for us.”

After viewing shows, the students attended auctions where animals were sold from $1,050 to $12,000. The group was impressed by the event's venue as it was housed outside in the old stockyards of Denver. This was unique and vastly different from the familiar Iowa State Fair Grounds.

“I learned to better judge between animals based on certain characteristics such as an animal’s stance and foot placement,” said junior Patrick Frank. The career fair was similar to that of the one at the Iowa State Fair.

Student Kyle Huber said the group drove to see the mountains and they also passed through the Eisenhower Tunnel was educational as well. “We saw big horn sheep, mule deer, and elk on the drive,” Huber said.

“It was a fun and interesting trip. I enjoyed seeing the old Denver Stockyards. I have always wanted to walk through an old stockyard. I am thinking about making it a bi-annual trip but it is not for people who don’t really get into cattle shows,” the students’ advisor Dan Striegel said.

Up next for the FFA chapter is FFA week, which is a week with ag related activities including: tractor day, faculty breakfast, and a reading relay.

Question of the Week

What is your favorite snow day activity?

Mrs. Striegel, Faculty – Entertaining Isaac.
Madison Sieren, 7th – Sleeping and watching TV.
Katrina Weber, 8th – Going sledding with my brothers behind their 4-wheelers.
Lexi Sieren, 9th – Going sledding and vegging out.
Brittany Lane, 10th – Sleeping in and calling people on the phone.
Haley Uphold, 11th – Going sledding and sleeping.
Tyler Sieren, 12th – Playing COD – Call of Duty.

Junk or Jewel?
by Blake Bayliss

Maxine was born a 1995 Lincoln Town Car Cartier Version. Olivia Ollinger is the proud owner of Maxine, or Max for short, which happens to be this week’s Junk or Jewel. Olivia acquired the car from her parents Oly (John) and Mer (Mary) Ollinger when she started driving. Due to Maxine’s old age and Olivia’s driving habits, it gets anywhere from 9 to 19 miles per gallon of gas. It does not tell how fast it is going due to a broken speedometer, the power steering fluid leaks, it often bottoms out, the heated seats do not do their job anymore, the heat setting is set on high at all times, one rear window does not go down, and the three power outlets are inoperative.

Although Maxine has her faults, Olivia thinks that Maxine does have a good side to her. “It fits a lot of people, like 15,” she said. She also likes that the interior is decorated with signatures from her friends. Friend and classmate Jesseca Leonard said, “I really enjoy taking it everywhere. You know, I don’t remember it having so many issues when Mer drove it…” Olivia has some fond memories in her car, like the time Olivia and some of her friends drove around Sigourney with hockey masks on and found people to spook. She does wish that the speedometer worked because then she wouldn’t have such a lead-foot and wishes that it was equipped with a CD player. If Maxine were to pass away Olivia would like to own a Range Rover or perhaps a Ford Mustang. All in all, this car is a sweet piece.

*Maxine is currently parked at the Ollinger residence due to issues with the steering wheel.

Counselor’s Corner