“Also, two seniors won outstanding soloist awards. Travis Wright on the alto and soprano saxophone and Max Walker on the drum set,” Manteuffel said.

“Thank you HHS staff and administration for supporting our trip to Colorado,” Manteuffel said.

If interested in season passes, they’re $40 per person, good at both HAP and the Wilson Pool. Passes will be reused so be sure to keep your pass at the end of the 2012 season for next year. However, new pictures will be taken of everyone this year.

The pool will not be opened if the air temperature is less than 75 degrees. No refunds will be issued for temperature or weather condition closings after you have been there for one hour. To receive a refund, ask for a time slip at the time you enter if weather is in question.

The pool offers lots of special events throughout the summer, including evening swim, K-9 swim and play, and Independence Day kids’ free swim. For more information on these programs and others, contact the HRC at (785)623-2650 or click here

Also offered are pool rentals for birthday parties of group gatherings. Tables and deck space may be reserved for a group on Monday-Saturday from 1-3 p.m. or 5-7 p.m. Reservation forms must be submitted to the Hays Recreation Center at least one week in advance with fees of $50 paid at that time. The $50 includes admission fee for 12 people, reserved tables and deck space. Each additional guest will be an additional $2 at the gate. Parties may bring a cake. However, there will not be any other food or drink allowed. The whole pool can be rented out for two hours by request only with a fee of $500 from 7:15-9:15 p.m. Full staff is provided and concessions will be made available if you choose the HAP. The Wilson pool can be rented for two hours by request only from 5:30-7:30 p.m., if guests are 35 or less the fee is $75, if there is 35-60 guests the fee is $100.

Swim lessons are also available Monday through Thursday for 45 minutes. There is an age limit of five years or older with different levels available. There is also a junior lifeguard program available for 11-14 year olds. The class fee is $30.00 and entry deadline is July 11.

13ozody@usd489.com

The production “Aida” was nominated for outstanding achievement in the “Overall Production” category – in which only six of the 27 submitted musicals were nominated.

Here’s the complete list of nominations AIDA received: Overall Production, Leading Actress – Kiley Dinkel (performing as Aida), Supporting Actor – Jake Parker Nelson (performing as Mereb), Ensemble/Chorus, Production Number – “The Gods Love Nubia,” Musical Direction – Johnny Matlock, Choreography – Tawnita Augustine, Stage Crew, Scenic Design – Jeremy Wann, Brad Moritz, and Brenda Meder, Costumes – Janna Wright, Graphic Design – Northwestern Printers, Lobby Display – Stacy Berens, Andrea Carmichael, Jody Dinkel, Cari Rohleder and Lisa Schreck. Kj – kj

“Brenda Meder (drama director) and I were able to share this fabulous news with the kids and audience in award-style fashion, ripping open envelopes & everything at the conclusion of Friday night’s Hays High Chamber Singers Dinner Show,” music director Johnny Matlock said. “Of course, that timing and opportunity were perfect as 21 of the 24 Chamber Singers were in the musical and one was in the orchestra.  And for the five outstanding seniors who held leads in the show,­­­ (Kiley Dinkel – Aida, Ashley Nease – Amneris, Travis Wright – Radames, Aaron Cunningham – Zoser, Jake Nelson – Mereb) two were nominated.

“Wow, is the first thing I thought of,” senior Kiley Dinkel said. “This is by far the biggest honor of my life, and I am so very grateful to have been given this opportunity.”

According to Dinkel, this opportunity isn’t just handed to anybody. Lots of hard work and energy was required.

“Aida was quite the role to fill,” Dinkel said. “It was difficult to carry myself as she is portrayed on Broadway, but it came naturally after I got it. Additionally, it was very strenuous vocally. I’m actually surprised I didn’t lose my voice for any of the shows. I think it is important to emphasize how big of a group effort this was. To be nominated in so many categories, one person can’t do it alone. From parents to the tech crew to the chorus and directors, this show would not have been what it is.”

The musical cast has been invited to perform at the May 18 ceremony and are asking the senior leads to be there and perform a number or two to represent the show.

“I will definitely be there,” Dinkel said.  “Some of my family (my biggest fans) will be coming as well. I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Jake Nelson and I will be performing our duet and my solo, “Easy As Life.”

13ejohannes@usd489.com

“I’m going to Rock Fest in Kansas City,” sophomore Landen Barenberg said. “There will be 14 bands performing.”

Rock Fest is a concert where rock genre bands perform and is a popular summer activity among students.

“Rock Fest is May 11 and I’ll be going,” sophomore Laken Kennedy said.

Another event that students are looking forward to is the Country Stampede.

“I’m going to the Country Stampede on June 21 in Manhattan,” senior Candra Armbruster said.

Country Stampede is an event where country bands congregate in Manhattan and perform over the course of a few days.

Similar to Country Stampede and Rock Fest is Mayhem Fest. Like the other two concerts, a number of bands perform in the same location. However, these bands are metal genre bands.

“I think I’ll go to Mayhem Fest and Rock Fest this year,” junior Emily Deckman said.

Junior Jack Polifka will also be attending Mayhem Fest.

“I’m going to Mayhem Fest in Bonner Springs, Kansas,” Polifka said.

Barenberg will be attending Mayhem Fest as well as Vans Warped Tour, which is another traveling music festival.

“I’ll be going to Warped Tour, but I’m not sure when or where it is yet,” Barenberg said.

Polifka will attend warped tour as well.

“I don’t know where it is, but I’ll be there,” Polifka said.

Although many students enjoy going to festival-type concerts, others have tickets to concerts featuring only one band or artist.

“I’m going to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Kansas City,” sophomore Taylor Thomas said. “It’s going to be awesome. Why wouldn’t you go?”

Freshman Cheyenne Ford agrees that it will be fun to see a concert featuring just one band.

“I’m going to see Breaking Benjamin in July,” Ford said. “I’m excited.”

Junior Lauren Murphy plans to see a Dub Step concert this summer.

“A Dub Step concert would be awesome,” Murphy said. “It’d be pretty crazy.”

Sophomore Keirra Haberman is going to a Lil Wayne concert.

“He’s going to be performing in Wichita, and I want to go,” Haberman said.

Senior Jennifer Urban is not sure what type of concert she will see, but usually attends concerts in South Dakota.

“I’ll probably see someone perform in Sturgis, South Dakota since I have before,” Urban said. “It’ll be fun.”

13dbrissonburns@usd489.com

According to teacher Lisa Colwell, students can participate in the following:

• Volunteer to help with The Hays Area Children’s Center’s carnival on June 7. Anyone interested in helping may contact Kelly O’Brien Koerner, the Community Relation Coordinator. Koerner’s number is (785) 625-3257 and her e-mail address is kellyk@hacc.info.
• Contact the Hays Recreation Commission and volunteer to help coach a softball or baseball team or volunteer with any program that HRC offers.
• Volunteer at one of the many Vacation Bible Schools around Hays. Information is usually posted in the church bulletin. Students may also contact the church directly for more information.
• Volunteer at the Hays Public Library to help out with their summer reading program. Contact the library to see what opportunities are available by calling (785) 625-9014.
• Work at the information desk at the Hays Medical Center. To do so, call (800) 248-0073 and speak to Jo Murphy. Volunteers may also work in the gift shop of the hospital.
• Help out elderly or disabled people who live in the neighborhood or in town that could use help with house work, yard work, washing windows, painting, running errands, etc.
• Volunteer at the Humane Society of the High Plains.
• Offer to pet sit for families or individuals who go on vacation in the summer.
• Become a big brother or big sister through your local “Big Brothers Big Sisters” program. There is a screening process required before a match can be made.
• Volunteer at the Community Assistance Center or the St. Joseph’s Food Pantry.
• Volunteer at the Ellis County Fair during July 14-21. There are multiple opportunities to not only volunteer, but take a leadership role, too. Contact the Ellis County Fair Association via the website, elliscountyfair.com, or call the Ellis County Extension Office and speak with the 4-H agent, Susan Schlichting by e-mailing her at sschilich@jsu.edu. A student could volunteer as little as a few hours or for several events over the week of the fair.

14rmoravek@usd489.com

If interested in season passes, they’re $40 per person, good at both HAP and the Wilson Pool. Passes will be reused so be sure to keep your pass at the end of the 2012 season for next year. However, new pictures will be taken of everyone this year.

The pool will not be opened if the air temperature is less than 75 degrees. No refunds will be issued for temperature or weather condition closings after you have been there for one hour. To receive a refund, ask for a time slip at the time you enter if weather is in question.

The pool offers lots of special events throughout the summer, including evening swim, K-9 swim and play, and Independence Day kids’ free swim. For more information on these programs and others, contact the HRC at (785)623-2650 or click here (LINK HERE!!!!)

Also offered are pool rentals for birthday parties of group gatherings. Tables and deck space may be reserved for a group on Monday-Saturday from 1-3 p.m. or 5-7 p.m. Reservation forms must be submitted to the Hays Recreation Center at least one week in advance with fees of $50 paid at that time. The $50 includes admission fee for 12 people, reserved tables and deck space. Each additional guest will be an additional $2 at the gate. Parties may bring a cake. However, there will not be any other food or drink allowed. The whole pool can be rented out for two hours by request only with a fee of $500 from 7:15-9:15 p.m. Full staff is provided and concessions will be made available if you choose the HAP. The Wilson pool can be rented for two hours by request only from 5:30-7:30 p.m., if guests are 35 or less the fee is $75, if there is 35-60 guests the fee is $100.

Swim lessons are also available Monday through Thursday for 45 minutes. There is an age limit of five years or older with different levels available. There is also a junior lifeguard program available for 11-14 year olds. The class fee is $30.00 and entry deadline is July 11.

13ozody@usd489.com

Pool Events

Memorial Day Special – 12:00-7:00 pm, Monday, May 28: Former military personnel will receive free admission to the Hays Aquatic Park.

Independence Day Kids Free Swim – 12:00-7:00 pm, Wednesday, July 4: Free admission will be given to the first 200 kids, age 15 and under, through entrance gates.

Hays Hurricanes Swim Meet – Saturday, July 7: The lap pool will be closed for the day due to a Hays Hurricanes swim meet.

Blues, BBQ, & Bargains Family Special – 12:00-7:00 pm, Saturday, July 21: Admission will be $2 per person or $5 per family.

10th Annual Nex-Tech Summer Splash 2012 – 5:00-8:00 pm, Friday, July 27: Admission is free and will be paid for by Nex-Tech along with entertainment and games.

Special Pops, Wet & Wacky Special Olympics – 9:00-11:00 am, Saturday, August 11: Participants will participate in different water competitions at the Hays Aquatic Park. The event choices will be a ring toss dive, walking race, over/under team relay and a dance off. It will be $3 for one event or $10 for all four.

Love Your Pet Photo Contest – 7:00-9:00 pm, Saturday, August 18: Take a picture of your pet and enter it in this photo contest. All photos should be no larger than 4×6 in size, with your name and phone number on the back of the picture.

K-9 Swim and Play – 11:00 am-1:00 pm, Saturday, August 18: Bring your dog to the Hays Aquatic Park to swim in the zero depth pool. It will be $5.00 per dog.

Aquatics classes as well as swimming lessons will be offered this summer.

Sports Programs

Hershey’s National Track and Field Program: entry fee is $2 and the deadline is May 16.

Summer High School Basketball League: entry fee is $35 per player and the deadline is May 16.

Summer High School Volleyball League: entry fee is $35 per player and the deadline is May 16.

Youth Volleyball Skills & Drills: entry fee is $15 and the deadline is May 16.

British Challenger Soccer Camp: register online at www.challengersports.com by May 30.

For more summer program information pick up a “Hays Rec Times” at the Hays Recreation Center.

13kgriffin@usd489.com

One important tradition is the ushers who lead in the seniors, beginning the ceremony and representing the upcoming class. The ushers are chosen by the administration, juniors in high standings with the school are chosen for the honor. But with great power comes great responsibility.

Though the ushers are not the only important part of the ceremony, the entire musical department is brought in to perform. Along with class time, student’s seminar time on May 9 was devoted to making it picture perfect for the graduating class on May 13.

The band and orchestra play a big part in the ceremony, playing the infamous Pomp and Circumstance and American Hymn as seniors make their way in.

“The practice went okay, some people don’t come in at the right time which is annoying but I’m not worried,” senior Catherine Waring said. “But I’m a senior so it’s not like seminar time means anything to me right now so I don’t mind giving it up.”

Also, along with the band and orchestra, the choirs join together one last time to sing along with the American Hymn.

“I don’t really like giving my time to it,” freshman Jasmine Lawson said. “It kind of wasted my time and I’m not really excited for graduation, but at least we sound like angels.”

Also, the ushers spent their seminar time training on the logistics of the job.

“I don’t mind practicing during seminar because I don’t have too much to do,” junior Preston Ryan said. “Being an usher is a lot of fun and I’m excited to see my senior friends move on.”

12rscott@usd489.com

Music teacher Johnny Matlock said the show was a success.

“We had people saying that it was the best show in 10 or15 years,” Matlock said. “It was definitely one of the better shows.”

Senior Aubrey McGinnis, a two-year member of Chamber Singers, also said she was pleased with how well the weekend went.

“It went really well because of the theme,” McGinnis said. “It was more enjoyable because we could relate to the songs.”

The theme, “A Night on the Red Carpet,” featured hits from classic movies such as the Lion King, 27 Dresses, The Sound of Music, and Walk the Line.

Some student audience members said they thought the show went well.

“I liked it,” junior Sarah Malott said. “It was really good. All the numbers were fantastic.”

According to sophomore Megan Zeman, who has been in Chamber Singers for one year, the show went so well because of all the practice put into it.

“We practiced three times a day—before, during and after school,” Zeman said. “On normal nights, we got out at 10:30 or 11. The last night we got out at 1:30 a.m. It was tiring, but so worth it.”

Zeman said the entire project was a bonding experience for the choir.

“I’m close to people now that I wasn’t close to before,” Zeman said.

McGinnis said that, for her, Dinner Show brought personal growth.

“My favorite part was the fact that I got a chance to do a solo,” McGinnis said. “Before, I was always intimidated by upperclassmen.”

Matlock agreed that the Chamber Singers benefitted from the past weekend.

“We were trying to think outside the box,” Matlock said. “We had a good variety of songs. The audience loved the comedy and acting incorporated into the show.”

According to Matlock, the group sold about 250 tickets per night and had approximately 800 people see the show in total.

“It was a good way to end my music career at Hays High,” McGinnis said.

12lmarcotte@usd489.com

The Larks have been a baseball team in Hays since 1869.

The team consists of college baseball players from around the country. Last year’s team placed second in the Jayhawk league with a conference record of 19-4 and an overall record of 27-16.

The schedule for this year’s team is posted below.

* denotes a non-Jayhawk league game

June

1 — *DENVER, 7 p.m.
2 — *DENVER, 7 p.m.
3 — *DENVER, 7 p.m.
4 — at Dodge City, 7 p.m.
5 — at Liberal, 7 p.m.
8 — at El Dorado, 7 p.m.
9 — at El Dorado, 7 p.m.
10 — at El Dorado, 7 p.m.
12 — LIBERAL, 7 p.m.
13 — LIBERAL, 7 p.m.
15 — HAYSVILLE, 7 p.m.
16 — HAYSVILLE, 7 p.m.
17 — HAYSVILLE, 7 p.m.
18 — DODGE CITY, 7 p.m.
20 — COLORADO (DH)
21 — COLORADO, 7 p.m.
22 — at Derby, 7 p.m.
23 — at Derby, 7 p.m.
24 — at Derby, 7 p.m.
26 — at Dodge City, 7 p.m.
27 — at Dodge City, 7 p.m.
29 — EL DORADO, 7 p.m.
30 — EL DORADO, 7 p.m.

July

1 — EL DORADO, 7 p.m
2 — at Dodge City, 7 p.m.
3 — at Dodge City, 7 p.m.
6 — at Haysville, 7 p.m.
7 — at Haysville, 7 p.m.
8 — at Haysville, 7 p.m.
12 — DODGE CITY, 7 p.m.
14 — LIBERAL, 7 p.m.
15 — LIBERAL, 7 p.m.
16 — DODGE CITY, 7 p.m.
17 — at Dodge City, 7 p.m.
18 — at Liberal, 7 p.m.
20 — DERBY, 7 p.m.
21 — DERBY, 7 p.m.
22 — DERBY, 7 p.m
25 — DODGE CITY, 7 p.m.
27-Aug.10 — NBC World Series in Wichita

13kgriffin@usd489.com