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
McKena McBride

McKena McBride, Assistant/Online Editor

McKena McBride is a senior, and this is her third year in newspaper. She is involved in tennis, StuCo, National Honor Society, Leadership, Yearbook, Red Cross Club, Future Medical Professionals Club, Pen Pals and Girl Scouts. McKena also works at Taco Shop and enjoys volunteering. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, reading, writing (obviously) and hanging out with her friends.

All content by McKena McBride
'The Mitchells vs. The Machines' was released on Netflix on April 30.

‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines’ a heartwarming film

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
May 11, 2021
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
Lovato released her new album, "Dancing with the Devil...the Art of Starting Over" on April 2.

Demi Lovato covers a multitude of issues in new album, ‘Dancing with the Devil…the Art of Starting Over’

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
April 23, 2021
Students can either receive the silver or the gold award when taking the Seal of Biliteracy. Of those who took the test, eight won the silver and three won the gold.

11 students earn Seal of Biliteracy

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
April 19, 2021
Music students share their experiences with participating in band, choir, orchestra

Music students share their experiences with participating in band, choir, orchestra

McKena McBride, Nikka Vuong, and Brenna Schwien
April 19, 2021
The group who marched to the SGA meeting wore black, and allies wore white.

FHSU Students march to Student Government Association meeting to express their need for change

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
April 14, 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
Junior Jocelyn Rigler shows her eighth grade group all of the clubs organizations Hays High has to offer on March 5.

Leadership Team visits HMS to help future freshmen plan schedules

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
April 8, 2021
Musical cast list for 'RENT' released

Musical cast list for ‘RENT’ released

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
March 24, 2021
Teachers at Hays High received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on March 3.

Teachers receive COVID-19 vaccines on March 3

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
March 15, 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
The annual Spring blood drive was held at Hays High on Thursday, March 4.

Red Cross Club hosts blood drive

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
March 9, 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
The first episode of "Jersey Shore" was released on Dec. 3, 2009. The show is now available on Hulu.

‘Jersey Shore’ provides entertainment despite its debatable reputation

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
February 25, 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
Pandemic forces students to adjust study spaces

Pandemic forces students to adjust study spaces

McKena McBride, Brenna Schwien, and Nikka Vuong
February 22, 2021
QUIZ: What are your dad vibes?

QUIZ: What are your dad vibes?

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
February 14, 2021
Two students chosen as candidates for Kansas Governor's Scholars program

Two students chosen as candidates for Kansas Governor’s Scholars program

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
February 12, 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
Potatoes are the best food!

Potatoes are the best food!

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
February 5, 2021
Sixth grader Kamden McBride practices with sponsor Erin Holder. McBride attends Chess Club meetings and meets up with the club to compete online.

Chess Club members compete in grade level championships

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
January 21, 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
When time to compete, the players are taken to a different room for the quiet and for better focus.

Chess Club competes against TMP, Columbus

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
January 15, 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
FLHS member gathered together on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. to exchange gifts, eat food and watch a movie. The group watched "The Polar Express."

Foreign Language Honors Society hosts end of semester activity night for members

McKena McBride
December 13, 2020
The FLNHS Induction occured on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.

National Foreign Language Honors Society inducts new students

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
December 2, 2020

QUIZ: Are you the imposter?

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
November 30, 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

StuCo discusses holiday plans

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
November 17, 2020
A 2019-2020 team from Science Olympiad sets up their project.

Science Olympiad students encouraged to recruit others

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
November 13, 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
Men's birth control should not be taboo

Men’s birth control should not be taboo

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
October 26, 2020

‘The Social Dilemma’ offers glimpse into surveillance capitalism

Caitlin Leiker, Assistant Editor
October 25, 2020
The girls' varsity team competed at Maize High School for regionals on Oct. 10.

Girls varsity tennis competes at regionals

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
October 16, 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
Senior McKena McBride and junior Brittnee Leiker played #2 doubles at the meet.

Girls varsity tennis plays at McPherson

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
October 7, 2020
Maggie Robben played #1 singles at Great Bend.

Girls varsity tennis places second at Great Bend make up meet

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
October 5, 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
Junior Morgan Shorb placed seventh in #1 singles.

Girls varsity tennis places seventh at Garden City

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
September 29, 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
Seniors Emmy Morely and Mylah potter played #2 doubles and placed fifth.

Girls varsity tennis places fifth at Dodge City

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
September 17, 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
Senior Alicia Feyerherm was given the role of Editor-in-Chief of the Guidon for the 2020-2021 school year.

Augustine announces editorial staff for the Guidon newspaper, Indian Call yearbook

McKena McBride, Assistant Editor
September 10, 2020
Seniors Taylor Deines and McKena McBride played #1 doubles and tied for second.

Girls varsity tennis places second at home meet

McKena McBride, Co-Assistant Editor
September 5, 2020
The team gathers to take a group photo after winning fourth place at the Cimarron meet.

Girls varsity tennis plays at Cimarron

McKena McBride, Co-Assistant Editor
August 31, 2020
Quarantine affects student sleeping patterns

Quarantine affects student sleeping patterns

McKena McBride, Staff Reporter
May 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
Social media constructive, yet detrimental, to students while social distancing

Social media constructive, yet detrimental, to students while social distancing

McKena McBride, Staff Reporter
April 24, 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
The Kansas Association of Broadcasters announced their 2020 awards.

Tribe Broadcasting team wins awards from Kansas Association of Broadcasters

McKena McBride, Staff Reporter
April 16, 2020
Freshman Kaden McBride persists with his classwork.

Student body responds well to online learning

McKena McBride, Staff Reporter
April 8, 2020
Possible plans for 2020 Prom arise

Possible plans for 2020 Prom arise

Caitlin Leiker, Copy Editor
April 8, 2020
Juniors Alisara Arial and Cami Moore ran the Hays High Memery together. They will be continuing to post on the page until they graduate.

Junior reveals self as creator of the Hays High Memery Instagram page

McKena McBride, Staff Reporter
April 6, 2020
Senior Mulu Bannister stands with the first place winner and second runner-up of the State Poetry Out Loud competition.

Senior places second in Poetry Out Loud state competition

McKena McBride, Staff Reporter
March 30, 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
Journalism team competes at Kansas Scholastic Press Association regional contest

Journalism team competes at Kansas Scholastic Press Association regional contest

McKena McBride, Staff Reporter
March 10, 2020
It has been debated whether the phrase 'okay boomer' should be used.

‘Okay, Boomer’ is not comparable to other derogatory terms

McKena McBride, Staff Reporter
March 9, 2020
The forensics team attended the tournament in Lyons on Feb. 22.

Forensics team competes in Lyons on Feb. 22

McKena McBride, Staff Reporter
March 9, 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
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