By Paxton Winzer, BHS Journalism Department Staff Writer and Webpage Editor

The broadcast of the StuCo press conference can be found on the BHS CRUvision Youtube channel.

Oct. 9, 2026

The “Cats Out Of The Bag” - New Student Section Theme Announced 

For almost nine weeks, we've been left wondering, “What is the student section theme for homecoming?” 

On Oct. 7th STUCO president Sabella Regier announced the theme for the homecoming game theme at a press conference. The theme was announced to be “Minions and Gru”.

With this news has come a wave of questions and ideas like: 

“Who's going to be Gru?” 

“How many minions can we get?” 

“Can we make the whole student section yellow?” 

“What grade will participate the most?”

 And of course… “Who can become the best minion?”

Some student ideas include yellow shirts, blue jeans or overalls, goggles, yellow stocking caps, and even black gloves. Get creative!

Please keep in mind not to bring dust, colored dust, confetti cannons, or anything not approved by the administration into the stands.

Homecoming theme days are: 

Tuesday: Toes Out; let those dogs breathe (no socks with your sandals)

Wednesday: Welcome to the Jungle - wear your best animal print

Thursday: Decade Day/Throwback

Friday: Maroon and White/Game Day

By Tesslyn Strawn, 21st Century Journalism Staff Writer

October 5, 2026

This weekend, the BHS Marching Band kicked off their marching season at the Air Capital Marching Invitational. They ended the competition earning first in the White division and first overall with a score of 89.7. Percussion and colorguard brought home top awards as well. 

This year’s show is called “LUXE.” In this show, the band will take fans on a ride of pursuing perfection. On the field, fans will see eight-foot-by-eight-foot diamonds towards the middle, while two golden arches and other gold-reflected props will sit near the back. This brings the luxury feel to life all across the field. The theme of the show is: “Perfection is never simply found; it is forged through ambition.” 

When asked what she would tell fans to expect, senior flute player Savannah Keele said, “You can expect a lot more movement from our previous years. We have a lot more visuals, some more dance incorporated onto the field. We also have a lot of exciting props that you can look forward to seeing.”

Fans will be intrigued by all the new visuals added this year, as the band makes a stride in creating visuals their audience has not seen from them before. 

Sisters Abigail and Josie Cummins have been drum majors together the last two years, something so rare yet fun that they’ve gotten the chance to bond over it.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with Josie, my sister. I think it is super cool we both get to be drum majors. Also kind of obvious, but I enjoy being able to kind of run the group,” said  Abigail Cummins, head drum major.

“I try not to make it about me being in charge; I make all the decisions. I talk to all my peers and get insight from all of them. But it's nice after watching Cheyanne, (the previous BHS Head Drum Major), and how she interacted with the band. I am able to add my own spin on it,” said Abigail.

The tension is high this year as the band starts to prepare for their first competitions. “My overall goal is to be in the top three at KBA (Kansas Band Master Association). “It was my freshman year we got third and I would love to get back up there. I would love to be first, but I want the goal to be manageable; there are also other good bands in Kansas,” said Cummins. 

This year the band has 27 seniors graduating. They have made a great impact on the band over the past four years. 

“I am looking forward to some of my final performances as a senior. It’s a little bit bittersweet saying goodbye, but I know the band is doing a great job putting together the show, and we will leave the band in good hands,” said Keele.

In the following month, fans can come experience the show “LUXE” for themselves at any home game, or at any of the listed competitions below.

-The Olathe Marching Invitational October 10th @Olathe, KS

-Kansas Band Masters Association Small Schools 1-4A October 17th @Wichita, KS

-Kansas Band Masters Association Open Class Marching Championship October 31st @Overland, KS

For additional Information, please visit the BHS Band website: https://sites.google.com/usd313.org/buhlerbands-buhlerusd313?usp=share_link

Zoe Swan, BHS Journalism Department

In the fall of 2026, Buhler High School will welcome new assistant principal Dylan Graves. 

Mr. Graves has many reasons he is looking forward to working at BHS. 

“I’ve heard great things about Buhler and am looking forward to a lot of the traditions at Buhler High School and within the community,” said Graves. “I know there is a big emphasis on arts as well as athletics and student involvement, and the importance of student involvement stood out to me during my research and interview,” said Graves.

He is also excited to build relationships with staff and students. 

To get to know Mr Graves one can look at his educational background, and his role at Hutchinson High School. Graves went to K-State and got his elementary education degree, and then he went on and earned his master's at Emporia State. 

Graves knew as a teenager that he wanted to work in education. 

“When I was in high school, I actually worked in a special education classroom. It was an elementary special education classroom and I just kind of fell in love with that work,” said Graves. 

He has been teaching for 3 years at Hutchison as a social studies teacher. He has coached varsity football, middle school basketball, and middle school track.

Outside of school, Graves’ home life is a big part of who he is. Graves loves spending time with his family: his wife, Faith, and his 9-month-old son, Kit. He loves to watch football, especially the Chiefs and the Wildcats. 

He also plays guitar and sings. He was in a band in college that played around Manhattan. He mainly plays 90s country music.

Students met Mr Graves on August 12, 2026 – the first day of school of the 2026-2027 school year.

Parker Ratzlaff, BHS Journalism

On Tuesday, November 25th from 8am  - 2pm, the Red Cross was in Jim Baker Fieldhouse at Buhler High School collecting blood donations. There is a nationwide blood shortage, so BHS hosted a blood drive. Students, staff, and parents signed  up to donate with a link that was shared in an email from organizer Mrs. Kelley Whisler and the Buhler school district. 

Red Cross blood donations took a nosedive in July 2024, dropping their blood supply over 25%, due to a significant drop in blood donors. Currently, there is still a blood shortage and a need for as many blood donations as possible.

In the past two years, the average units of blood donated from BHS staff, students, and community members was 57 units of blood. One blood donation can save up to 3 lives, so in the past two years, up to 342 lives could have been saved.

BHS science teacher and blood drive organizer Kelley Whisler talks about the importance of blood donations. 

“You know you’re saving a life when you donate blood and that's a pretty good feeling to know that little bit of uncomfortableness for 15 minutes is literally saving somebody's life,” said Whisler. 

Sometimes people are afraid to donate or don’t know what the process is like. Mrs. Kimberly Cottam, BHS FACS teacher and 5-time donor explains the process.  

“A worker from the Red Cross takes you for the interview first, making sure you are of age, weight, and have enough iron. They want to keep you comfortable and safe,” said Cottam. 

“After you get cleared, they take you to the table and you choose an arm to use. You don't have to watch any of the process if you don't want because they give you verbal directions. You squeeze a stress ball item to get the blood flowing and you wait until it's done. The needle hurts a tiny bit, but not as much as you'd think. At the end, they give you snacks and drinks to get your blood sugar back up!”

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Your single donation can save up to three lives, directly impacting patients undergoing surgery, fighting cancer, or recovering from trauma. Don't wait for a crisis; the need is constant.

Other local donation drives can be found by going to redcrossblood.org.

Ashlyn Bounds, BHS Journalism

Jessica Fleeman is the head leader in our Young Life youth group. It is located downtown, but is also located in other places all around the world. Young Life was created in 1941; however, it was just newly added to Hutch 4 years ago.

Young Life is a Christian outreach for adolescents (6th-12th grade). This focuses on what matters to teenagers – fun, adventure, friendship and a sense of significance. Their mission is “to reach every kid with the gospel.” Their method is in relationships, and their message is Jesus.

“One thing I enjoy is seeing the culture of acceptance and belonging that happens within Young Life. As we attend club, camp, and other events together, we become some kind of weird, loving family. Kids find a safe place to have fun and grow,” said Fleeman. “My favorite part about Young Life is that it feels like a family,” said Trinity Wells, BHS junior.

In the Hutchinson area, Young Life began over 12 years ago when Dr. Greg Miller moved to Hutchinson. Miller had been a committee chair for Young Life in Florida for 12 years previously. He saw the positive impact it had on his family and community. When he moved here, he believed God called him to begin Young Life in Reno Co. 

“Young Life was brought here because we believe every kid needs acceptance and belonging. We also believe every kid has the right to hear the gospel told in a way they can understand. We choose to walk with kids, regardless of their response to the gospel and we accept them where they are at,” said Miller.

Young Life is all about relationships. Leaders will hang out with teens and even come to their sports games or musicals. They will also take them out to eat and just have simple conversations with them about how their day went. Leaders also encourage teens to be their best selves and push them out of their comfort zones so they can experience a little more fun. 

“I had such a close relationship with many of the leaders. I feel heavily loved by each and every one of them and they have helped me through so much,” said Reagan Scherbarth, BHS junior. 

“We also spend time at Young Life club. Club is a party with a purpose! At club, we have crazy fun, but we also set aside time to seriously investigate the person of Jesus,” said Fleeman.

Young Life needs help getting kids to camp. When teens go to camp, it costs about $700 per kid and it's rising every summer. Teens get to experience so much fun and the whole time they get to learn more about Jesus! If you’d like to help, contact Jessica Fleeman at: (316) 518-1727 and ask her how to donate.

Contact Jessica for the next club date; all highschoolers are welcome to join!