Decatur County Community High School
605 E Commercial St, Oberlin, KS 67749
May 7, 2023 (Schedule at the bottom, Skip What You Want)
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Decatur community,
Senior parents, this week is primarily for you. I want to simply focus on some numbers, numbers that look large on paper, and at one time probably seemed like an eternity. Each of these numbers started at 1, and they began in August of 2010, as your student was about to start kindergarten. And for the first time in my life, I am right there with you with a student of my own.
2,262
One August long ago, you said goodnight to your young child knowing that tomorrow was their first day. I have experienced that emotion personally, and I know how exciting and terrifying that first day and the night's sleep before were for me. Over the course of your child's public education career, there are approximately 2,262 times that you will have said goodnight to your student going to school the next day.
16,965
There are approximately 16,965 hours that your student was in school. Those first few that first day probably seemed to last an eternity, but eventually, they became regular old hours, many of them even wished away. It must have felt like there was still so much time left.
1,017,900 & 61,074,000
The first number is approximately how many minutes and the second is how many seconds your child spent at school. These numbers (in the millions) seem like forever. Give me those numbers and I feel I have all the time in the world, and many years, months, days, hours, minutes, and seconds to enjoy parenthood.
4
2,262 is now down to 4. Perhaps you are reading this tonight , perhaps tomorrow, but as I write this final message of the year, there are 4 last "goodnights" before sending your child to school, 4 last "goodnights" left of childhood, for isn't the end of high school the ultimate celebration of truly becoming an adult?
Senior parents, I know that many of you would tell me that 61,074,000 is a number that can actually fly by. I thank each and every one of you for being a part of the community and for choosing DCHS as the place where your kids would spend that big 61,074,000.
4 Inducted Into NHS
Shoutout to four special young ladies that were inducted into the NHS (National Honor Society) this past Wednesday. The NHS recognizes students beginning at the sophomore level that have met academic requirements and completed the application process. NHS recognizes 4 pillars: Scholarship, character, service, and leadership. Thanks to NHS sponsor Mrs. Krickit Ketterl for putting it all together.
Congratulations to the 2022-2023 DCHS National Honor Society Chapter. This years inductees are:
Jenna Fortin
Cheyanna Hale
Makadyn Ketterl
Michaela Wasson
Morford Signs with Goodland Tech
Junior High STUCO Elected
Shoutout to our JH STUCO members on their recent election by next year's junior high students. Next year's STUCO officers are :
Mitchell Wasson - President
Kaden Sowers - Vice President
Brady Gehring - Secretary
Kira Burmaster - Treasurer
Shoutout to the current 6th grade students that came over this past Friday for our 6th Grade Orientation. The students made a great first impression coming into the building and were very attentive during the whole process. I am looking forward to having them in the building next year.
Senior Spotlights
All You Need to Know About Graduation and Surrounding Events?
1. When is Graduation? Graduation is set for Saturday, May 13th at 2:00 PM sharp. Doors open at 1:00 PM.
2. Where is Graduation? Graduation will be held in the DCHS Gymnasium.
3. When is the last day of class for Seniors? The last day of class for Seniors is Wednesday, May 10th.
4. When is Graduation rehearsal? Graduation rehearsal is set for Thursday, May 11th at 9:00 am. Students will turn in all items, pay all fees, walk in caps and gowns through the OES hallways, and be served pizza after rehearsal. Students are dismissed after lunch.
5. Other Important Items: Seniors and parents should expect a letter with important information regarding Graduation early this week. Here are important dates to plan for.
Awards Program - Wednesday, May 10th at 2:15 in the DCHS Auditorium.
Baccalaureate - Wednesday, May 10th at 7:00 in the DCHS Auditorium.
Bryant Addleman
Bryant is the son of Shannon Addleman. He has one sibling – Brynna.
While at DCHS, Bryant has been active in football, basketball, golf, and track. He has played leading roles in musicals and plays – including Cat in the Hat and the Pink Panther. Bryant has also been in vocal all four years and has participated in KMEA.
Bryant is a member of the DCHS Singers, Chem/Physics Club, Drama Club, D-Club, and National Honor Society. He has also been in Scholars’ Bowl all four years and was a member of this year’s state-qualifying team. He was a Homecoming king candidate and a 2022 Halloween Clean-Up Captain. Bryant is also a 2023 Kansas Regents’ Scholar.
Basketball has been Bryant’s favorite DCHS activity.
His advice for the underclassmen is to “do as many activities as possible – especially theater – and don’t be shy.”
“The people and connections I’ve made in and out of school” are what Bryant said he will miss the most once he graduates.
Bryant also said, “I’d like to thank my Papa for being the best father figure of all time and my mother for doing single-mother things.”
Bryant plans to attend Kansas State University and major in chemical engineering and minor in theater.
Ellison Anderson
Ellie is the daughter of Kurt Anderson and Amanda Jones. Her siblings are Emma Anderson and Erin Jones.
In her free time, Ellie enjoys reading, watching TV, and baking.
Her favorite activity at DCHS has been participating in Singers, and she said she will miss her teachers the most.
She would especially like to thank Mr. Bricker and Mrs. Breth for helping her throughout high school.
Ellie’s advice to underclassmen is to “get your homework done.”
Her honors and achievements include being on the honor roll, and being a member of the DCHS Singers, a Halloween Clean-Up captain, and a homecoming candidate.
She has been in volleyball, track, chem/physics club, drama club, D-Club, vocal, and a class officer.
Ellie plans to attend Fort Hays State University and major in biology education.
Breyana Gehring
Breyana Gehring is an honor-roll student who made the NWKL All-League First Team in both volleyball and basketball this year. She was also invited to play All-Star games in both volleyball and basketball and was selected to the NWKL-WKLL All-Tournament Volleyball Team.
She has been on the honor roll all four years of high school and is a member of D-Club and National Honor Society. This year she is the NHS Vice President and the 2023 yearbook editor. Breyana was crowned the Snowball Princess her junior year and Homecoming Queen her senior year. She was also chosen by last year’s seniors as one of their marching graduation ushers.
Breyana’s advice for the underclassmen is “work hard for what you want and stay in school.”
Her hobbies include reading, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends.
She said her favorite DCHS tradition is Homecoming Week, and she will miss basketball, her teammates, and her teachers when she graduates.
“I would like to thank Mrs. Breth for helping me figure out who I want to be and how I want to accomplish things that I want to achieve in life,” she said. “I would also like to thank her for always being there for me.”
Breyana is the daughter of Tina and Brandon Gehring. She has three younger siblings: Brady, Brooklynn, and Beau. She plans to attend Kansas State University and major in elementary education.
Emma Holloway
Emma is the daughter of Jeremy and Megan Holloway. She has a younger brother, Jack, a sophomore at DCHS.
In her spare time, Emma enjoys sewing, singing, ice skating, and sleeping.
While she has been at DCHS for only eight months, she has been very involved. She is a member of Student Council, National Honor Society, and the DCHS Singers. She had a major role in this year’s musical, ”Seussical,” and she was also a member of the DCHS Scholars’ Bowl team that qualified for state.
Emma said, “The person I would like to thank most is Olivia Williby. She definitely made senior year easier for me, and I bet that if we had met before that, she would have made the rest of high school better, too.”
Emma is a 2023 Governor's Scholar, which honors the top 1 percent of seniors in the state.
She plans to attend the University of Kansas and major in Spanish.
Joshua Juenemann
Josh plans to attend Manhattan Area Technical College to become an HVAC technician.
Josh has participated in football, wrestling, track and field, golf, shooting sports, vocal, the play, the musical, KMEA, and D-Club. He was the 2022 Halloween Clean-Up General and has lettered in wrestling and football.
His hobbies include playing guitar, singing, swing dancing, hunting, wrestling, shooting, and playing video games.
He said he “will miss living rent-free in his parents’ house,” and his favorite DCHS tradition is Hobbies and Passions Day.
Josh would like to thank his brothers for helping him throughout high school. “They went through it before me and figured out all the hard things before I had to.”
His advice to underclassmen is to “finish high school. You already made it this far.”
He also said “take lots of woodshop classes.”
Josh is the son of Gary and Jennifer Juenemann and is a brother to Wade, Brent, Troy, Jeff, Drew, Jenna, and Gabe.
Payton Kelley
Payton is the daughter of Nathan & Erica Kelley and Jamie & Jason Coffey. She has four siblings: Mason and Diana Kelley, Dalton and Austin Coffey.
Payton has been involved in volleyball, golf, FFA, and choir. She is also the Senior Class President.
In her free time, Payton enjoys reading, drawing, singing, building Legos, fishing, and horseback riding.
Her favorite activity while at DCHS has been choir, and it is what she will miss the most about DCHS when she graduates.
Payton would like to thank her friends Savannah Morris, Ellie Anderson, Tony Kuhlman, Mason Urban, and Lukas Diederich “because they are all amazing friends and really helped me settle into this school when I first moved here, especially Savannah.”
Payton would also like to thank her boyfriend and her family for “everything that they've done for me. I couldn't have made it here without you guys.”
Her advice for the underclassmen is to “take all your math credits early on, so you don't have to worry about them later.”
Payton plans to attend Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte and pursue an associate's degree in Fine Arts.
Teague Morford
Teague is the son of Dan and Carrie Morford.
He plans to attend Northwest Kansas Technical College in Goodland and study precision ag.
In high school, Teague participated in football, basketball, track, golf, and shooting sports and lettered in basketball, football, track, and shooting sports.
Teague is in FFA, D-Club, and Weight Club. He also was a Homecoming candidate and a Halloween Clean-Up Captain.
Teague’s hobbies are hunting and shooting trap, and his favorite DCHS activity is Homecoming.
He said he will miss playing football the most when he graduates.
His advice for the underclassmen is “Do everything while you can; you will miss being able to do all the fun stuff in high school.”
Teague has won many shooting awards, including five Trap State-Qualifier medals, three Skeet State-Qualifier medals, three Aggregate State-Qualifier medals, 4-H State Runner-Up Skeet medal, 3rd place State Trap medal, two High School State Runner-Up medals, and was nominated for the Kansas National 4-H shooting team.
“I would like to thank my parents and teachers for pushing me to be the person I am today,” Teague said. “All the times Mom yelled at me for not doing homework paid off.”
Savannah Morris
Savannah is the daughter of Maggie Smith and Dave Morris. She has an older brother – Dakota, and a younger brother – Tucker.
Savannah is a member of FFA and was the girls’ basketball manager. She was also on the volleyball team and a member of the choir. In her spare time, she likes spending time with her family and watching TikTok videos.
Her favorite DCHS activities are Halloween Clean-Up and Stuco’s Winter Olympics, and when she graduates, she will miss most her underclassmen friends and her teachers.
Savannah’s advice to the underclassmen is “Don't procrastinate doing your homework, especially during your senior year. Don't be afraid to be yourself and don't try to fit in. In 5 years, it won't even matter if you were popular in high school or not. NEVER wish you were older or say you want to be a senior when you're younger. It goes by really fast, and you'll miss being young. Last, don't take life for granted. It goes by fast, and you never know when your last day is going to be. Live life to the fullest.”
Savannah also said the people who have helped her the most through high school are Mrs. Breth and Mrs. Witt. “I would like to thank them for everything they have done for me. They truly helped me through the best and worst days of my high school days, and I don't know where I would be if they didn't work at DCHS.”
Savannah plans to attend Hays Academy of Hair Design.
Gavin Seller
Gavin is the son of Stosh and Jill Seller. He has an older brother, Gabe.
Some of Gavin’s hobbies are hunting, fishing, and playing sports.
Gavin has been involved in football, basketball, track, golf, shooting sports, the play, the musical, D-Club, Weight Club, and FFA. He was chosen the 2022 Homecoming King, and his junior year, he was the Snowball Prince.
Gavin was also named NWKL Second Team All-League center and NWKL All-League Honorable Mention nose guard twice.
Gavin said his favorite DCHS activity has been football, and he will miss Lukas Zodrow, Josh Juenemann, and Mr. Williams the most.
Gavin would like to thank his family, teachers, and friends for helping him throughout high school.
His advice to underclassmen is to “go hard every time so others may every time.”
Gavin plans to study physical education at Sterling College, where he will also play football.
Franklin Smith
Franklin is the son of Tammy Hawkins; his siblings are Sean Ybarra, Cody Kane, and Tracy Hoppal.
While in high school, Franklin participated in football, track, weight club, powerlifting, and FFA. He was also a member of this year’s Homecoming court.
Franklin’s hobby is lifting weights. Earlier in the year at the Leoti powerlifting competition, he placed first in bench press with 345 pounds, which is a new DCHS senior record. At State Power Lifting a few weeks ago, he placed second.
Franklin’s favorite tradition at DCHS is the Winter Olympics that the Student Council organizes each year, and he said what he will miss most after graduation is “messing with the teachers.”
His advice to younger students is to “show up,” and the teacher who helped him the most is Mrs. Scott because she helped him through geometry.
Franklin plans to work after graduation.
Joshua Starnes
Josh Starnes is the son of Ryan Starnes and Ashley Dietz. He has one sister – Valerie Dietz.
Josh plans to work after graduation. “I plan on taking a gap year to save up money, and then I plan to attend Colby Community College for my gen eds,” said Josh. I am still unsure where I will transfer from there and what I will major in.”
Josh is a member of the DCHS band and the DCHS Singers. He earned a I rating on his bass clarinet solo at regional festival.
Josh’s hobbies are making music, reading, swimming, and sitting in nature.
His favorite DCHS tradition is building the class floats for the homecoming parade
.
What will he miss after graduation? “I will miss the supportive community,” he said.
Josh’s advice for the underclassmen is “Don't let what other people say affect you. What's important is that you get your stuff done and have a good time doing it.”
“I would like to thank my sister for watching over me and taking care of me when other people couldn't,” said Josh. “I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren’t for her. I would also like to thank my parents for continuing to support and love me.”
Kyle Strohm
Kyle is the son of the late Vanessa Strohm and the late Wendell Strohm. He has three brothers – Jeffery, Tommy, and Josh.
While in high school, Kyle has been involved in track, band, vocal, the play, and the musical. He has also been a member of Drama Club.
His favorite DCHS tradition is Homecoming, and he will miss his friends the most when he graduates.
“All of my teachers and friends are equally important to me,” said Kyle.
In his spare time, Kyle likes to play video games and write. “I am very passionate about writing and acting,” said Kyle. “In my spare time, I play video games, but I mainly focus on the story elements.
His advice for underclassmen is “No matter how tempting it is, DON’T PROCRASTINATE.”
Kyle plans to go into the work force after high school.
Gabby Vontz
Gabbie is the daughter of Greg and Terese Vontz. She has three siblings: Canaan, Chantelle, and Gracie.
In her free time, Gabbie likes to work out, play basketball, and hang out with friends. Her favorite activity at DCHS has been basketball.
Gabbie said when she graduates, she will miss “the people I’m leaving behind” the most. Her advice to the underclassmen is “Enjoy every second you can because anything can change in an instant.”
Gabbie has been involved in volleyball, basketball, track, and D-Club, and was a homecoming candidate. She was named NWKL First Team All-League in basketball this year, and she was invited to play in Northwest Kansas All-Star games in both basketball and volleyball.
Gabbie said, “I would like to thank my parents, my grandparents, my siblings, my nephews and nieces, Melissa Mathews, and, of course, Addison.
Gabbie plans to attend Carl Sandburg Community College in Galesburg, Illinois, to play basketball and study criminal justice.
Adriona Wahrman
Adriona is the daughter of Jessica and Eric Wahrman. She has one brother - Terence, who is a junior.
In her free time, Adriona likes to color and draw, play video games, and listen to music.
Her favorite activities at DCHS are our Hobbies and Passions day, the music programs, and helping out at the grade school for work study. Adriona is a member of the DCHS Choir.
What will she miss about DCHS? “Mrs. Breth and all my other teachers, who I love, and my best friends.”
Adriona’s advice for the underclassmen is to “enjoy high school and have fun. Be kind to others and keep up with your grades.”
Adriona also said that Mrs. Leitner and her mom and dad have helped her the most throughout high school.
Her future plans include attending community college.
Olivia Williby
Olivia is the daughter of Angie and Justin Williby. She has three younger siblings: Ella, Hailee, and Von.
Olivia has participated in many school activities including volleyball, track, musicals, plays, Drama Club, D-Club, and Scholars’ Bowl, including this year’s state-qualifying team.
She is the president of Student Council and National Honor Society and was president of her class her freshman, sophomore, and junior years. She is also the cheerleading captain.
Olivia was a member of the homecoming court and was chosen for state KMEA.
Her favorite DCHS tradition is homecoming, and she will especially miss the Homecoming bonfire.
Olivia's hobbies include reading, hanging out with friends, and fashion.
Olivia plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney and major in secondary English education.
Her advice for younger classmen is “to focus on yourself,” and she would like to thank her parents “for always pushing me to do my best.”
Avery Witt
Avery is the daughter of Crystal and Tim Hayes, and the older sister to Myleigh and Easton Hayes.
After high school, she plans to attend Hutchinson Community College and study psychology.
At DCHS, Avery participated in volleyball, basketball, track, band, vocal, the musical, D-Club, and FFA, and she was on the honor roll all four years.
Avery enjoys painting, watching TV, hanging out with friends and family, cruising around, camping, fishing, and going to the lake.
Her favorite DCHS activities are the musical and basketball, and what she will miss the most about high school are her classmates and laughing with her favorite teachers.
Her advice to the underclassmen is to "not make up rumors about other people because of jealousy or hatred" and "get the hard classes done early so you have an easy senior year.
Enjoy the memories while you have them."
She would like to thank her friends for the good times, the basketball team and coaches for the fun, her family for their support, and her classmates for the memories.
School Sports Physicals (on Facebook)
Decatur Health Family Practice Clinic will be providing FREE Physicals for USD 294 students May 8-12 and August 7-11 during normal office hours.
The following are the details of the upcoming Free Sports Physicals provided to USD 294 from Decatur Health. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!
Students can pick up a form at either the OES or the DCHS office, or they can pick them up at the clinic. Students will need to bring this paperwork, signed by their parents, to the clinic to be seen.
Sports physicals will only be available during normal clinic hours on May 8-12 and August 7-11 during normal Clinic Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9a-12p, 1p-5p
It is important to understand that any sports visit outside of these dates will be treated as a normal clinic visit that may result in a medical bill. If there are any questions, please feel free to call the Decatur Health Family Practice Clinic at 785-475-2015.
A Final Special Shoutout to the Class of 2023. You will forever be my first class of graduating students at DCHS. I will never forget that. Though it was only a year, I can honestly say that I felt like I was able to get to know each of you, some more than others, and I genuinely wish that I had more years with you all. You are a small but mighty class, a group of students that have truly been leaders for us this year. I am going to miss you. Thank you for making this past year such a great experience.
It was an honor to be your principal!
Until next week,
Jeremy Holloway
Go Big Red!
Monday, May 8, 2023
3:00 HS Golf @ Greely
5:00-6:30 Open House (Walking Tacos Served)
7:30 HS Band Concert
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
7:15 DCHS Singers Practice
7:00 DCHS JH and SH Vocal Concert
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
2:15 HS Awards Assembly
5:45 Booster Club Meeting
7:00 Baccalaureate
Thursday, May 11, 2023
9:00 Last Day for Seniors (Rehearsal, OES walkthrough, pizza lunch)
9:00 JH Track @ Greely
3:00 HS NWKL League Track @ Greely
Friday, May 12, 2023
3:00 HS NWKL Golf @ Atwood
Saturday, May 13, 2023
2:00 Graduation (doors open at 1:00)
Decatur County Community Junior/Senior High School
Email: jholloway@usd294.org
Website: https://www.usd294.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/DCHS
Location: 605 East Commercial Street, Oberlin, KS, USA
Phone: 785-475-2231
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Decatur-Community-JrSr-High/372347636275932
Twitter: @DCHSREDDEVILS