Each year, our Junior and Senior students have the opportunity to participate in mock interviews. This process begins well ahead of the actual interview day, as students prepare resumes and then, after being screened by multiple people, have the opportunity to revise them to more accurately convey their experience, skills, and preparation.
Sterling Black Bears
Mock Interviews
On Wednesday, over 40 volunteers descended on SJSHS to ensure each of our Juniors and Seniors were able to engage in three one-on-one, face-to-face interviews. Monte Ball, Chief Organizational Development Officer at Conklin Cars, provided our students with a short opening session getting them ready for their day. Students then interviewed with three volunteers, as well as attended sessions on Interviewing Skills (Hunter Morgan, Sterling College) and Making a Good First Impression (Sheryl Fulton, Retired Jostens).
With both gymnasiums filled with tables and a volunteer interviewer at each table, students pushed past their nerves and fears to engage with a process that best imitates interviews that will matter in the very near future. Whether those interviews are for part-time jobs, scholarship competitions, or admission into selective programs within a postsecondary institution, the experience of answering questions and finding confidence in one's answers will prove to be a positive one for each of our Seniors and will make next year's interview day that much easier for our Juniors.
A huge shout out to Mrs. Wohler, who organizes this day, including recruitment of volunteers. To our fantastic custodial staff for their work in making sure
SJSHS Assembly Series: Value-Up
"The top shelf is where your dream is. You must keep reaching no matter what. When you take your hand off the top shelf it gets easier to start reaching for the bottom shelf. Don’t let failure define you. Get back up and keep going." ~Mike Donahue
Each semester, we try to bring in a speaker who connects and resonates with our student body. On Wednesday, we were blessed by hosting Mike Donahue of Value Up. Mike's story is one of perseverance, hope, forgiveness, and acceptance.
From finishing high school having been emancipated from a dysfunctional home at age 16, to speaking to thousands upon thousands of teenagers as part of his Value Up program, Mike understands youth and their relationship struggles with adults, both teachers and parents. He did a fantastic job of sharing with students about their intrinsic value and that their value doesn't diminish because of what others think or even mistakes made. His analogy was to that of a gold bar: melt it if you will, but when it returns to solid form, it's still gold and it's worth hasn't been altered.
Mike began the day with our high school students and junior high in separate assemblies. Then he worked with a small group of identified leaders before sharing with our faculty after lunch. Then, in the evening, he shared with a small group of parents who showed up to hear him, too. In each group, there were nuggets unique to the audience, as well as some common take-aways that are good for all.
In the weeks to come, we'll share more from Mike through our social media channels. In addition, students will receive an electronic copy of Mike's book, Value Up. Additionally, I've sent parents an email from Mike with an invitation to his podcast and his book, both entitled Talking to Brick Walls.
Leadership Opportunities
Blended into Wednesday's half-day were three leadership opportunities for 7th - 10th grade students: Both Men's and Women's Panels, as well as a Co-Ed Value-Up Panel.
The Women's panel was moderated by Mrs. Stacie Lewis, who teaches JH Science and included panelists Katie Herrman, Director of Rice County Special Education Cooperative; Sheri Bennett, Office Manager for Sterling Services and former Black Bear Coach; and Heather Oden, Executive Director at Light Up The Dark.
The Men's panel included Justin Carter, Sterling Police Department; Gary Kempf, former Asst. Athletic Director and Head Swimming Coach at the University of Kansas; Wayne Buchberger, President & Managing Director of KMW, Ltd.; and Randy Stange, Head Men's Basketball Coach at Sterling College.
Questions asked of our panelists:
Who inspires you as a leader and why?
If you could select one leadership characteristic that all leaders would possess, what would it be and why?
What is the most misunderstood aspect of leadership?
Is leadership something that you are born with or is it something that’s developed?
What do all great leaders do that sets them apart?
If you had one piece of advice for students as they grow into a leadership role, what would it be?
What’s your favorite leadership quote?
Mike Donahue, our Speaker for the day, worked with a group of 8th, 9th, and 10th graders to discuss how to make cultural change and the personal risks one takes when stepping out to lead change.
Speaking State and Championships
SHS Debate continued the program's strong tradition of competing well at the State Meet by finishing as the 3-2-1A 4-Speaker State Runner-Up last month in Tonganoxie. A relatively young team with just one senior, the Bears, who qualified by taking third in their Regional meet in December, clearly showed marked progress by finishing ahead of the two teams that bested them in Wichita a month earlier. The 4-speaker team consisted of Senior Zoe Harding, Juniors Jackson Mendoza & Mason Lockhart, &Sophomore Lydia Webb. Alternates KayleAnn Higgins (So) and Isaac Sant (9), while not competing directly, were also instrumental in the team's success in preparation. The Bears are coached by David Wilson and Torey Wilson.
Tomorrow, Black Bear Scholars Bowl heads to Moundridge to participate in the 2A State Bowl after their impressive Runner-Up finish in last Thursday's Sublette Regional. The makeup of this team is similar to the Debate team, as Lindsey Beltz is the team's only senior. She is joined by Juniors Fallon Brown and Mason Lockhart, and Sophomores Lanae Welty and Kevin Ploutz. The Bears are coached by Amy Brownlee.
First buzzer tomorrow at Moundridge High School is at noon. Follow our social media for updates.
For the first time since 2020, Sterling's Boys' are the Champions of the Sterling Invitational Tournament, courtesy of wins over Smoky Valley (57-43), Southeast of Saline (58-36), and a thrilling Championship win over Hugoton (ranked 2nd in 4A), 53-52. The Bears are currently 15-1 headed into tonight's HOA matchup at Berean Academy and sitting in the driver's seat for the 1-seed in the Meade Sub-State.
For the seventh consecutive year, the Bear Cub Boys' squad has made their way to the HOA Championship game, this year clinching tournament title #3 in that span.
Last week, the Cubs ran away from the field and completed a perfect 14-0 season, defeating Trinity, Ell-Saline, and Inman in convincing fashion with wins by 49, 37, and 28 points.
The Cubs are coached by Kenan Comley and Rylee Hayes.
Not just Activities
Last Sunday, 19 students gave up part of their weekend afternoon to take a practice ACT. This practice test gets graded and returned to the students so they have the opportunity to improve ahead of the state-wide ACT test for Juniors later this month. SJSHS Counselor Tina Wohler is the driving force behind this event, which helps students improve their scores, leading to great postsecondary opportunities and potential scholarship funding.
Calendar Highlights
Monday, February 19 is a day off for students and staff participate in In-Service.
The 3rd quarter ends on Friday, March 8 with a Noon dismissal at SJSHS
Spring Break is March 11-15; Classes resume March 18.
Student-Led Conferences for grades 7, 9, 10, and 11 are March 19 & 21, 4:30-7:30P
#WeAreSterling