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Check out our new stories!
FFA Chapter Attends PSI
FFA Chapter Attends PSI
Interview by: Adalyn Dietrich
Harper Dickey talks about her time at Public Speaking Institute
Q: How was psi?
A: PSI was an amazing opportunity to grow my public speaking skills! We had an awesome time and learned so many tips and tricks.
Q: What did you do while you were there?
A: At PSI, we attended different workshops and learned in-depth details about each part of public speaking. I met many people from all over, and saw members I met at the public speaking academy over the summer.
Q: Do you feel like your public speaking abilities have gotten better?
A: I feel that my public speaking has improved because I now know all of the ins and outs of delivering a speech.
Q: What trick stuck with you the most?
A: When speaking its important to tell stories to keep your audience
engaged.
Speech and Debate prepare for Conference
Speech and Debate prepare for Conference
Interview by: Carson Bradley
Question: When is your next competition?
Pastore: “Our next competition is next week [when the interview was conducted], it is February 18th and 20th, and it's a conference, it's not districts.”
Question: Are you more excited or more nervous for the next competition?
Pastore: “I'm more nervous cause I’m bringing an event I've never done. I'm still a little excited because I like debate.”
Question: Ms. Turner told me that you had won a congressional debate award, could you tell me more about that and like what it's for?
Pastore: “The first tournament was at Blue Springs High School. Basically you had a 3 minute speech to make your case and then you go sit down.”
Question: Are you going to be in the Radium Girls One Act, and if so, do you know what your role is?
Pastore: “Yes, I play 3 roles. I play Harriet, who's the main character's daughter, an old lady who gives advice on good health, and the Sob Sister, who's a sleazy reporter.”
Students join Scholar Bowl to work as a team and discover new things along the way.
By: Chloe Garrett
Scholar Bowl is a fast-paced quiz competition where teams of students answer questions across a wide range of topics, like history, science, literature, and even music and art. It’s all about using knowledge and quick thinking to outsmart the other teams.
Students focus on their strengths when preparing for the competition. For example, Lucas Tate, senior, is strongest in music and art.
Colton Fredrich, senior, suggests picking a subject and studying it really hard.
To prepare for competition, the team members share their knowledge, so each person’s area of expertise is covered, and they’re ready for anything that comes up in the game
Even though they haven’t had any games this year, the team has always worked well together by spreading out their knowledge. Everyone plays an important role, and each person’s skills contribute to the team’s success. Knowing when to lean on your teammates’ strengths is key to doing well.
“We know each other’s strengths and can cover each other’s weak spots,” Fredrich said.
In a Scholar Bowl, things can get intense. Fredrich shares that he fidgets with his hands to stay calm and focus when the pressure is on. Different students might have their own tricks to stay calm, but for Fredrich, this technique helps him think clearly under pressure.
Tate remembers a time when he answered a question that everyone thought was a guess—but he was right.This shows that sometimes, quick thinking and confidence can pay off in a big way during these matches.
Parker Nye, junior, joined Scholar Bowl because he had fun doing it at his old school, and a teacher encouraged him to try it. He enjoys competing because it challenges his knowledge and helps him connect with others who love learning.
“I enjoy getting to hang out with my friends, and I joined because I know a lot of random facts”. Fredrich said.
Fredrich’s advice for anyone thinking about joining Scholar Bowl is simple, study a subject you love and become an expert in it. This will help you be ready when a question about your topic comes up.
Scholar Bowl is all about knowledge, strategy, and staying calm under pressure. It’s a great way to challenge yourself, work as a team, and have fun competing with friends!
“Just join it because it is fun and you learn some new things,” Nye said.
National Convention
National Convention
By: Adalyn Dietrich
Picture Provided by: Austin Ray
Fourteen Odessa FFA members attended the 98th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis.
“Nationals was really fun, the group got along well, and we went to a lot of activities that I personally find interesting. The guest speakers were relatable, especially A’ric, and helped make the general sessions enjoyable,” said Kaylee Robison, senior vice president.
While Robinson had fun at the sessions, Brodie Barker, junior secretary, and Abygayle Spencer had fun at the shops at convention.
Many members attended workshops and learned many valuable lessons, Barker says, “You have to think about the end before the beginning to see what your outcomes need to be”.
Four of our FFA alumni, Jewelia Lett, Colby McCartney, Jenna Schwartze, and Kaycee Combs, received the highest degree in FFA, the American degree.
FFA alumni member Abigayle Lett placed in the top four in the Specialty Crop Production Proficiency and got an award on stage; she was one of the first in 90 years.
Harper Dickey, junior president, got a tour of the media room as she's one of the FFA of the USA reporters.
Odessa visited many new places and overall had a good time at national convention.
Exploring the Past, One Trip at a Time
Exploring the Past, One Trip at a Time
By Abby Smith
Picture by Ali Cain
History club is taking a few adventures this school year.
They are taking, some are in March, February and others they are currently unsure about when they are or if they will end up having them.
Question: What are you most excited about doing this year?
Coral Mills (Senior): “Watch Hamilton live in Kansas City sometime during February or March. The only thing bad about it is that there will be different actors.”
Lily Heflin (Senior): “Watch Hamilton live and do concessions.” Helfin likes doing concessions because they get to interact with other people and families.
Question: What are some things you hope the history club will do?
Mills: “Go on more field trips and go to more museums like the WW1 museum."
Heflin: "Have more meetings because last year there were not a lot of meetings."
Question: What are some things you are hoping the club will do again?
Mills: “Go to the WW1 museum again" Mills confessed that she tripped on the stairs a lot.
Heflin: “WW1 museum," Heflin liked all the artifacts.
Question: What fun things is the history club doing this year?
Lynette Williams (Teacher): “We do the field of flags. Also, we are going to go to the court of appeals. We will go to the Truman Library. We may do the WW1 museum again this year. We are the Sponsor of the Senior parking spot so we raise money for that each year. We are going to watch Hamilton live and then watch Hamilton in theaters.”
FCS Follows Faith
FCS Follows Faith
Q&A by: Jaidyn Hemmen
Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS) helps students grow in faith and communication by sharing God’s word in a supportive, Christ-centered community.
Q: What is FCS?
Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS) is a group where students and teachers meet to learn about Jesus and grow in their faith together.
Q: What is the goal of FCS?
Trevor Foster, sophomore: “The goal of FCS is to share Christ with everyone and get his teachings into school.”
Q: What are some other goals of FCS?
Grant Wolfe, FCS advisor: “Our goals are to have fellowship with students and staff, learn about Jesus, and share the Gospel with others.”
Q: How has FCS impacted members?
Wolfe said FCS has helped him step out of his comfort zone and see “the bigger picture in life,” which also influences how he coaches.
Student Wyatt Lockhart, senior, said FCS gave him confidence in his faith and even inspired him to become a youth pastor. “It’s helped me grow as a leader and speak more confidently about Christ,” Lockhart said.
Q: What would you say to someone nervous about joining?
“Don’t worry—just come Thursday mornings, listen, and try speaking once. I’ll help you,” Lockhart said.
Giving Back to the Community with Interact
Giving Back to the Community with Interact
By Jaiden Hemmen and Emma Mahan
The Interact Club is spreading kindness and community spirit through a variety of upcoming service projects.
Members are preparing positive notes to leave on cars, organizing a clothing drive, and adopting a Family for Christmas. Their goal is to raise awareness of local needs, support families, and bring joy during challenging times—all while helping students develop life skills and a heart for service.
Crisa Seals, sponsor, said the projects' aim was, “to bring awareness to areas of concern in our community and spread positivity during these challenging times.”
Ayana Brown, senior, added that the club hopes to, “embrace and help the community, and help kids with life skills like economics.”
The current project Interact is working on is “kindness letters,” said Brown. “We’re planning to put them over the school and on some cars."
An upcoming project Interact is planning to do is a clothing drive where “winter clothes or necessities in good condition” will be wanted, said Interact president Carrera Kuntze, senior.
Everything donated will be donated to “local women's and children's shelters,” said Kuntze.
Kuntze added, “Another one like the clothing drive is the shoe drive,” which will also be happening here soon.
The group encourages students and community members to get involved.
“We really appreciate community support and participation so that our projects are successful and impactful,” Seals said.
For Interact members, giving back is what makes the club special.
“I wanted to help,” Brown said. “It’s fun and easy to get service hours, and it feels good to make a difference.”
With so many projects ahead, Interact continues to prove that small acts of kindness can create a big impact.
DECA
DECA
Q&A by: Emma Mahan
Interactive projects, a fun experience, and marketing opportunities are what OHS DECA is all about; OHS students encouraged to participate.
Q: What is DECA?
Jessica Wade, DECA sponsor: “DECA is a marketing club that gives back to the community.”
Q: What are the goals?
Wade: “The current goal is to get everyone active/involved and qualify for the state or ICDC.”
Q: What initially drew you to join DECA?
Nicole Sipola, senior: “DECA gave me an opportunity to meet new people.”
Rylee Hicklin, senior: “I enjoy competing with people on a level of business and speaking.”
Q: What is your favorite part of DECA?
Sipala: "That the club genuinely makes a difference in the community and within itself.”
Hallie Brice, junior: “I love how much it proves to me that I can do something if I put my mind to it, and it really pushes me to be my most productive version of myself.”
Q: What are you looking forward to?
Wade: “I've got a pretty good group of students this year and am looking forward to what projects they come up with.”
DECA this year has many interactive projects to look forward to. Some examples are Movie Night by Sipala and Brice, the DECA diner that'll be run by Anna King, senior, and Hicklin, and the dodgeball tournament by Rex Gust, junior, and Charles Finch, senior.
Q: What movie is it?
Sipala: “We originally wanted to do Coraline but ended up landing on Hocus Pocus.”
Q: Where is it held?
Brice said, “It’s going to be held on the football field on October 18.”
Q: What inspired this project?
Sipala said that her inspiration is from "drive-ins".
Q: What are the goals of this project?
“To hopefully make up to $400 for the DECA Scholarship Fund,” said Sipala
The second project is the dodgeball tournament held by Gust and Finch.
Q: When is the tournament?
Gust said it would be either October 20 or 23.
Q: What made you want to do the dodgeball tournament?
Gust: “It was something fun, it’s a pretty popular thing.”
Q: Are there any changes to the tournament?
Gust: “Their only changes would probably be theme changes, a couple of rule changes, and different teams.”
Q: What are the goals/ expected outcomes?
Gust: “Hopefully, a bunch of teams sign up and honestly just have fun.”
Q: Where are the proceeds going?
Gust said that all the money raised was going to Baby Grace.
Q: What conflict have you encountered/ expected to encounter?
Gust: “Well, bracketing and getting the teams to the gym on time is a problem every year."
Outside of projects, DECA runs the DECA Diner during school hours.
Q: What is the store going to sell, and is it going to have anything new?
Hicklin: “Mostly stay the same, but we are going to start selling frozen stuff."
King: “There's also going to be Friday cookies.”
Q: What are the goals for the DECA Diner?
Hicklin said that their goal is for there to be a "steady income,” and to “not have shipments all over the place.”
These are just a few DECA projects to look forward to this year.
Making Odessa Feel Like Home
Making Odessa Feel Like Home
By Kaylynn Seefeldt
Picture by Ali Cain
For Kara Smith,OHS social studies teacher, running STUCO means empowering peers and creating a stronger school community.
In this interview, she shares how the experience has shaped her leadership and helped her feel at home in Odessa.
Question: What does running STUCO mean to you?
Smith: “It means that I am able to help develop students into leaders, and I am able to try to make the high school a better place.”
Question: How has STUCO impacted you?
Smith: “It has made me a better leader, but it has also allowed me to make connections here personally in Odessa. As somebody who was raised in a different town, it has made Odessa feel more like home.”
Question: What made you decide to run STUCO?
Smith: “I wanted to be part of an organization that empowers students. I also wanted to be part of a group that tries to better the school community.”
Question: How do you handle disagreements or conflicts within the group?
Smith: “I sit down with the members, and I have them talk it out. This has resolved the problems that we have had. Usually, the group doesn't have much conflict.”
Gaining Tractionat OHS
Gaining Tractionat OHS
By Ali Cain
Picture by Ali Cain
Traction is a club made up of friendly, dedicated students who share one common goal: teaching others the importance of safety while driving.
For Kylee McElmurry, senior, joining Traction was deeply personal. After losing someone close to her because of a drunk driving accident, she wanted to turn her pain into purpose.
“Traction is just a big organization and family full of loving and supportive people,” McElmurry said. “The staff overall are just so amazing, and they’ve helped me overcome that loss in my life.”
Many students in Traction share her sense of connection and purpose.
Ira Williams, junior, explained, “You get to have a great time and teach safety about cars to others.”
Many members often describe the club as a family where everyone looks out for one another.
The club’s sponsor, Kim McMahon, OHS Health teacher, is another reason students are drawn to join Traction. McMahon is known for her enthusiasm and compassion. She helps create an environment where students feel supported and inspired to make a difference.
Her leadership encourages members to take what they learn beyond the classroom and into their everyday lives.
Traction also participates in statewide conferences and competitions that connect them with other students in Traction across Missouri.
Through their dedication, compassion, and teamwork, the students in Traction continue to prove that caring about others’ safety is one of the most powerful lessons anyone can learn.
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