Hays High School's Official Student Newspaper

The Guidon Online
Hays High School's Official Student Newspaper

The Guidon Online
Hays High School's Official Student Newspaper

The Guidon Online
Caitlin Leiker

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant/Online Editor

Caitlin Leiker is a senior, and this is her third year in newspaper. She is involved in Chamber Singers, Musical, Spring Play, National Honor Society, Leadership Team and Jazz Band. On the weekends, you’ll find her teaching piano lessons, furthering her photography business (https://caitlin-leiker.pixpa.com/home), curling up with a book and a cup of coffee or watching Netflix.

All content by Caitlin Leiker
Boys basketball hosts end-of-season banquet, presents student awards

Boys basketball hosts end-of-season banquet, presents student awards

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
April 26, 2021

Dance Team undergoes tryouts for 2021-2022 school year

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
April 13, 2021

Chamber Singers hold classical program on April 10

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
April 13, 2021
Musical cast list for 'RENT' released

Musical cast list for ‘RENT’ released

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
March 24, 2021
RENT is set in the East Village in 1990s New York City, a community largely inhabited by artists and those who reject the status quo, as well as a large homeless population. With the AIDS crisis being the primary source of tension for featured characters with and without the disease, the group of unlikely friends ponder the value of their lives while coping with the fact that their days are numbered.

Auditions for ‘RENT: School Edition’ take place in Lecture Hall March 17-18

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
March 14, 2021
Spring Play prepares for live performances March 11-13, limited crowds due to COVID-19

Spring Play prepares for live performances March 11-13, limited crowds due to COVID-19

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
March 3, 2021
Seniors Gabe McGuire, Tom Drabkin, and Andrew Duke (left to right) line up in their order as the opening act in the 2021 Cabaret. The trio performed "Man of Constant Sorrow" from O Brother, Where Art Thou, set in rural Mississippi in 1937.

Chamber Singers host Cabaret as first live vocal performance for 2020-21

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
February 24, 2021
QUIZ: What are your dad vibes?

QUIZ: What are your dad vibes?

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
February 14, 2021
Sophomores Spenser Mills-Kulmala and Savannah Lawson test their mic with a few of their lines during the soundcheck.

Students wrap up audio drama, ‘Unplugged’ by off-Broadway playwright Catherine Trieschmann

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
February 9, 2021
2021 State KMEA publishes results, prepares for online events

2021 State KMEA publishes results, prepares for online events

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
January 20, 2021
With the Kansas Scholastic Press Association's 2021 season being held online, the organization has continued create new events. State-only options of Review writing, Multimedia Storytelling, Online Photo Gallery and Social Media will be expanded to the regional level. KSPA has also broadened their video entries to include Public Service Announcement, Sports Promo, and Video News. This year will also include a cash prize photography event sponsored by KANSAS! magazine: "A Winter in the Heartland".

Kansas Scholastic Press Association declares 2021 competitions online, expands events

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
January 17, 2021
Sophomore Seth Tripp takes time after school to record his part for the Chamber Singer's arrangement of 'Crown' by Chika. Recording each of the students voice parts individually means that each can be adjusted in volume and resonance, resulting in a more balanced final product.

Chamber Singers begin recordings for virtual a cappella project

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
December 15, 2020
Most of the Chess Club's participants have adjusted to this year's virtual competitions, but Holder understands the perspectives of the struggling students. "I am the same way," Holder said. "I feel like I can 'see' better when I am playing over a board as opposed to playing virtually."

Chess Club competes against Cordley, students continue to hone virtual gameplay

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
December 14, 2020
'The Trial of the Chicago 7' sends shockwaves across decades

‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ sends shockwaves across decades

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
November 18, 2020
The representatives from the Smoky Hill Foundation for Chemical Dependency kick off their presentation on tobacco and vaping products by explaining different types of advertising used in the tobacco industry. The presentations took place on Nov. 11 and 18 in the library for the freshman health classes, taught by Haley Wolf.

Freshmen health classes attend tobacco, Juul presentations in library

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
November 18, 2020
Due to COVID-19, Chess tournaments have been moved online, using chess.com. Club sponser, Erin Holder, hopes that the online tournaments won't span the entire season, and that the state competition will still be in person at Wichita State University on March 3.

Chess tournament held online due to COVID-19

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
November 9, 2020

‘The Social Dilemma’ offers glimpse into surveillance capitalism

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
October 25, 2020
Orchestra director Joan Crull, principal Martin Straub, vocal director Alex Underwood, band director Matthew Rome and assistant orchestra director Nathan Mark pose in front of the Concert Orchestra after awarding Straub with his KMEA Honor Administrator of the Year plaque at the Fall Orchestra Concert that was held on Oct. 13 in Gym A.

Music Department settles into safe performances, as Orchestra Fall Concert held

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
October 15, 2020
10 classic Halloween movies to get you into 'the spooky spirit'

10 classic Halloween movies to get you into ‘the spooky spirit’

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
October 8, 2020
Band director Matthew Rome leads the bass drums through a difficult section in their rehearsal time during M1. Without the commitment of any marching festivals, the students will have the freedom to vary their music throughout the season.

Changes to band bring more leadership opportunities

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
October 2, 2020
Senior Kai Kaufman studies one of his audition pieces in Pride Time. Every college follows a different set of guidelines for their auditions, with some setting extremely competitive standards that the students must work to meet. Kaufman believes his technique must be impeccable in order to put his best foot forward.

Senior Cabaret, Senior Recital set for students pursuing performance careers

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
September 30, 2020
Principal Martin Straub was awarded Northwest Kansas KMEA Administrator of the Year for “showing special support for the arts as an indispensable part of the school curriculum,” as the award's qualifications include.

Hays High principal recognized as Northwest Kansas KMEA Administrator of the Year

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
September 19, 2020
A student logs in after the Outlook crash on Sept. 2. The crash halted communication among students and staff, resulting in many issues.

[Photo] Outlook crash disrupts students, staff communication

Cade Austin Becker, Staff Reporter
September 14, 2020
Top 20 unique college majors

Top 20 unique college majors

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
September 10, 2020
As an opera prompter, Matthew Piatt works with each singer individually to help them perfect their roles in the production. The prompter also acts as an assistant conductor, guiding the performers through the music so they can focus more on their acting and technique. This means that Piatt must have every singer's part committed to memory before the first day of rehearsal.

Chamber Singers host Q&A with Lyric Opera of Chicago prompter

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
May 8, 2020
This year's Kansas Scholastic Press Association's state journalism competition would have been held at the University of Kansas in Lawrence on May 2 if not for the COVID-19 school closings. In order to combat the circumstances, KSPA created multiple new events allowing students to participate from their homes.

KSPA adds at-home events to competition, releases state results

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
May 3, 2020
The launch of Earth Day helped put environmental issues on the map. Now, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the world will unite for the first-ever online celebration.

Celebrating 50th Earth Day during COVID-19

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
April 20, 2020
Artist, writer and classical guitarist Joshua Merello performs in "The Dusty Bookshelf" book store in Manhattan, Kan. Merello, who had played guitar as a hobby in and out of different bands, began taking music seriously at the beginning of 2018 when his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The family struggled to express their emotions in words, but through playing guitar for his parents during that time, Merello found he was able to pour both his joys and struggles into his music.

Memories of performing arts outlast pandemic uncertainty

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
April 18, 2020
Possible plans for 2020 Prom arise

Possible plans for 2020 Prom arise

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
April 8, 2020
This year's Spring Play, "Murder's in the Heir," is being postponed due to USD 489 school closings. Now that school has closed for the rest of the year, director Bill Gasper is unsure of when a live performance can be scheduled. In the event that Spring Play is canceled, all tickets purchased in advance will be refunded.

Update: 2020 Spring Play cancels public performances

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
March 17, 2020
Students gathered in Room 112A after school on March 10 to make bracelets in promotion of the school's Gender Sexuality Alliance. The purpose of the GSA is to discuss how to handle bullying and provide a safe space for students to express themselves.

Gender Sexuality Alliance holds bracelet-making day on March 10

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
March 10, 2020
This year's Spring Play, "Murder's in the Heir" by Billy St. John, will take place at 7 p.m. on March 19-21 at 12th St. Auditorium. General admission tickets will be sold for $7 at the door.

2020 Spring Play cast prepares for first student matinee

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
March 7, 2020
The students from the Treble and Mixed choirs pose in front of La Galette French Bakery after their concert [freshman Devlyn Jochum and junior Alexis White not pictured]. Each choir featured 256 students from across the state.

Choir students perform in KMEA All-State Convention concert

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
March 4, 2020
The FHSU Teacher Education Department will hold a Future Educators conference on March 9 in the Union for students looking to pursue an educational career. Transportation and lunch will be provided that day. Any interested students can contact principal Martin Straub.

FHSU prepares Future Educators conference for high school students

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
February 21, 2020

Chamber Singers ‘spread the love’ in Valentine’s Day Cabaret

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
February 12, 2020
Job trainer Jaque Beckman instructed juniors and seniors on how to stay ahead of the game in their job interviews. Nex-Generation offers hands-on job experience programs to students in a variety of local career paths. The students gain and apply skills by shadowing workers, all while completing their school semester.

Nex-Generation job trainer gives students tips, techniques for interviews

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
February 7, 2020

Board of Education recognizes students, educators, discusses maintenance projects

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
January 30, 2020
Spring Play kicks off 2020 season with read through

Spring Play kicks off 2020 season with read through

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
January 22, 2020
The performances of "Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier" will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 16-18 at 12th St. Auditorium. The musical will serve as a fundraiser for the Chamber Singers trip next summer.

‘Twisted: the Untold Story of a Royal Vizier’ to be performed Jan. 16-18

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
January 15, 2020

Music Department’s Winter Concert held at Beach/Schmidt

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
December 24, 2019
Audience members pack the Basilica of St. Fidelis before the start of the concert. The Basilica is commonly referred to as "the Cathedral of the Plains" and is 108 years old. It is also considered to be one of the eight wonders of Kansas.

Chamber Singers featured at 34th annual Cathedral Christmas Concert

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
December 13, 2019
Alex Wimmer from Kansas State University served as this year's band clinician. He spent the day rehearsing with the band in Malloy Hall until all three ensembles were moved to Beach/Schmidt for the afternoon concert.

Students attend annual Northwest KMEA District Music Conference at FHSU

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
December 10, 2019
In the midst of an enemy ambush, Army Ranger Steven Elliott was one of four soldiers in his battalion who mistook Pat Tillman's position for that of the enemy. He is one of two Rangers considered to have likely fired the fatal shots. Elliott came to speak with students about his story during PRIDE Time on Nov. 26 in the Lecture Hall.

Army Ranger and author of ‘War Story’ Steven Elliott shares life journey with students

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
November 30, 2019
Students wrap up 2019 Hays High Musical, 'Anything Goes'

Students wrap up 2019 Hays High Musical, ‘Anything Goes’

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
November 25, 2019
Grace McCord types her manuscript for her interview assignment before school.

21st Century Journalism students host interviews, gain reporting experience

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
November 25, 2019
Debra Elston, former Corporate Office Director for the U.S. Department of Transportation, has held multiple jobs in the Federal Government. Her occupations throughout her years of service are listed above.

Debra Elston speaks with students about U.S. Department of Transportation jobs

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
November 16, 2019

Students promote 2019 Hays High Musical, ‘Anything Goes,’ performances Nov. 14-17

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
November 10, 2019
The performances for "Twisted" will take place on the evenings of Jan. 16-18. The idea for a student-run production was brought to life by junior Andrew Duke, who will direct the show.

Cast list for student-run musical announced

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
November 6, 2019

Dog groomer Jessica Gabel offers advice to students on how to manage a small business

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
November 1, 2019

Youth Pastor Dustin Mulkey helps lead students to career paths

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
October 28, 2019
The new pumpkin decorating contest will take place during the week of Oct. 21-25 in PRIDE Time. On the 25th, the finished projects will be judged. Each PRIDE Time will choose one of their four pumpkins to represent their class against the other PRIDE Times' pumpkins.

Achieve team initiates pumpkin decorating contest during PRIDE Time

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
October 21, 2019
Junior Alisara Arial helps sophomore Shirley Lee run through the lyrics to her song before the showcase at the Hays Optimist Club meeting at Whiskey Creek. The performances for this year's musical, "Anything Goes," will be Nov. 14-17.

Leading Musical cast members perform for Hays Optimist Club, promote upcoming show

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
October 18, 2019
Orchestra director Joan Crull conducts the Concert Orchestra. Along with Concert Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Chorale, Chamber Singers, and Concert Choir performed at 7 p.m. on Oct. 8 at Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.

Music Department raises $500 during second annual Fall Benefit Concert

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
October 10, 2019
Firefighter and EMT Travis Hageman had to be called back to the station during the presentation, but he still had the chance to answer a few of the students' questions. A total of 15 students attended the meeting in the vocal room.

Travis Hageman answers student questions about firefighting

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
October 2, 2019
Seniors Allison Hillebrand, Paige Polifka-Denson and former student Isabelle Braun decide which of the individual skill sessions to attend. Interviewing, creating deadline strategies, and layout and design were just a few of the many topics covered.

Annual KSPA Fall Conference educates, inspires student journalists

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
September 26, 2019
The charcoal drawing “Coming Home” by junior Silver Abbott from Elberta, Alabama represents the everyday motivation for American soldiers. The name Hope represents the hope that we hold onto, that our families will return home to us. Abbot's work won last year's $15,000 scholarship for 1st place.

VFW offers scholarship opportunities for artists, writers

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
September 19, 2019
Along with teaching and conducting, professor Vinroy Brown has sung on concert and opera stages across the country. He has been a part of two PBS specials. He has also made his debut with the New York Lyric Opera Theatre at Carnegie Hall and premiered David Lang’s "The Mile-Long Opera: a biography of 7 o’clock."

Chamber Singers hold Q&A with gospel music specialist

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
September 16, 2019
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