Quill Issue 2

Volume 63 Issue 2 Winter 2025

Pumped Up (7) :

A look into how two freshmen girls broke weight lifting national records.

Beyond the Finish Line (9) : The cross country team finishes their season on a high note with a senior leading the way.

A Golden Debut (12-13) :

A peek behind the curtain at the new actors taking the stage for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

There’s Snow Place like Springfield (18): A guide to making the most of your winter break.

Merry and Bright (21): Light shows in the Ozarks that are free of cost.

CONTENTS

About the Quill: Quill * Volume 63 * Issue 2 Glendale High School, 2727 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield, MO, 65804. Contact (417) 523-8900 Ext. 38231 * Fax (417) 523-8995 * Email Jcrobinson@spsmail. org. Glendale Student Enrollment * 1294 * Glendale Faculty and staff * 147 * Tech: All pages created using Adobe InDesign 2025 on the Mac platform. Fonts: Bodoni 72, Bodoni 72 oldstyle, Helvetica, Helvetica Neue, and Big Caslon. 500 copies were printed and distributed for free to Glendale students and the surrounding community. Editorial Policy: Quill exists as a quarterly student publication produced by the Glendale High School journalism department. Quill operates as an open forum, with the intention of accurately and fairly reporting and responding to the needs of readers. Staff members take responsibility for reporting honestly and without bias, for running the news-magazine as a business, and for printing material that is not legally considered obscene, libelous or private. All context is subject to prior review. Advertisements appearing in Quill are provided by Glendale’s Marketing Class and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of Glendale administration or Springfield Public Schools. Quill does not support any political campaign or candidate. Quill encourages the submission of ideas or comments from the readers. Letters to the Editor must contain no more than 150 words. Personal opinions column submission must contain no more than 300 words. Letters to the Editor and the personal opinions column should be signed and delivered to room 233, or emailed to editorofthequill@gmail. com. Quill reserves the right to edit submissions for grammatical and spelling errors and space limitations. Opinions expressed in columns reflect the opinions of the writer, not those of the Editorial Board. The Editorial Board is composed of students Aubree Bohannon, Adelyn Letterman, Bowen Nelson, Kira Pigott, and Madi Ashlock.

Contents

Cover (1)

Contents (3)

Staff Photos (4)

Letter from the

Editors (5)

Feature

Glendale gives back (11) A Golden Debut (12-13)

opinion

Merry and Bright (21)

Unspoken Heros (22)

news

Flock Friends(6)

Pumped Up(7)

Last Name Basis(14) It’s a Family thing (15) The Season of Giving (16)

Issue 1 CorreCtIon on the Cover

In the feature story “Culture Shock” by Kira Pigott, there was a misinterpretation of the quotes made by the students. The Quill regrets this error as this was not the intention of the story or of the quotes going in.

sports Dialed in (8) Beyond the Finish Line (9)

Above the Rim / Shoot for the Stars (10)

LiFestyLe

Holiday Hosting(17)

There’s Snow Place Like Springfield (18)

Helping the Holidays (19)

Behind The Quill

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

Dear Glendale Family,

The next issue of the Quill is finally here, and we are excited! Our goal as a staff is to accurately represent our Glendale family through a wide variety of stories, and this has truly been a fun issue to write. Whether we were reflecting with athletes about their fall seasons (pg. 7-8) or talking with students about their favorite winter fits (pg. 19), we enjoyed the opportunity to learn about our classmates’ activities and interests. Each and every person on our wonderful staff has put in hours of work interviewing, researching, writing, and designing to produce the magazine before you. Nevertheless, we did not hesitate to take a step back and enjoy the holiday season.

The festive time of year is a great reminder of the importance of community. Students have the opportunity to go out into their social circles and volunteer, entertain (pg. 14), or host holiday celebrations (pg. 17). One act of kindness can bond a community into something more: a family. In the words of George Santayana, “The family is one of nature’s masterpieces,” and there is no family like the Flock. Our students support one another in many ways, but our favorite is when the Glendale family comes together to celebrate one another. For example, this fall, new faces appeared on the drama stage for our production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (pg. 10-11). Staff and students filled the crowd and cultivated an atmosphere of pride and acceptance. At Glendale’s annual Flock Olympics (pg. 5), the student body showed up with signs and smiles to cheer on our functional skills classroom as they participated in some lighthearted competition. Moments like these, where the school comes together to raise one another, remind us that the Flock is truly a family (pg. 15).

So, however you choose to celebrate the holiday break (pg. 18), we hope you can gather close with those you hold dear and take a second to appreciate this time together.

Flock Friends

DECA

fundraiser and new Best Buddies

program work for inclusivity in Glendale student body.

Story by Aubree Bohannon

Design by Aubree Bohannon

Photos by Aubree Bohannon

Throughout the school year, Glendale High School has been recognized for its inclusivity. This year, it has been announced that Glendale will be starting a Best Buddies chapter, and it is now a Special Olympics Unified Champion School. These achievements have impacted the functional skills program and are helping create a more inclusive Glendale community.

Glendale High School Distributive Education Clubs of America, better known as DECA, hosted the annual Flock Olympics fundraiser on Oct. 29. The event invited the student body to cheer on the functional skills students as they participated in athletic events. Callie Dills (12) and Lianna Gray (11) are DECA students who ran the Flock Olympics event. The goal of the event was not just fundraising, but also inclusivity.

“The impact ranges not only from raising money for the department, but it also builds a community for the athletes themselves and or the special education students.” Dills said.

This event was successful in its fundraising as it was able to provide $4,500 for the functional skills program. These funds are important to the program as teachers Dina Wilson and Krysten Muench need to provide curriculum and other learning materials.

“It was shocking, I was expecting approximately the same amount as last year,” Wilson said. “But to have almost $1000 more, it feels nice knowing that there are people who see the impor-

tance of education for all.”

Along with being announced as a Special Olympics Unified School, Glendale High School was announced as one of the first high schools in the area to start a Best Buddies chapter.

Best Buddies is a national organization with a mission to include and support people with intellectual development disabilities. Glendale’s Best Buddies chapter is run by A+ coordinator Jenny Cofield and is meant to help unify the student body.

“It is a partnership between students in regular ed classes and our functional skills classes,” Cofield said. “They are forming a buddy system that they will be paired with all year and do activities throughout the year together.”

Both Flock Olympics and Falcon Friends help to build up Glendale’s

community, making it a more welcoming positive environment for everyone.

“Our goal is to make a tighter-knit Glendale community,” Dills said. “This is pursued through inviting not only all of the students to come, but the teachers and staff.”

A goal of the Best Buddies program is to integrate the functional skills students into the student body. This inclusion makes an impact not only in school, but extends outside of school. The friendships made through the program creates connections that would not otherwise exist.

“We will have activities that are facilitated outside of school, but the goal is also for those friendships to build and continue outside of school.” Muench said.

Story by Audry Gowers Design by Jaxon Parrish

Photos by Audry Gowers

PUMPED UP

A look into how two freshman girls broke weight lifing national records.

Justrecently, two of Glendale High School’s students broke two national powerlifting records as freshmen. Alexandria Robbins (9) and Peyton Davenport (9) showed their effort and dedication to the sport. Both girls broke national records in every round they were in. Davenport scored a total of 529, breaking the weight record in her division for the first time ever, and Robbins scored a 509. Starting in July, Robbins feels that she has made great improvements in her strength and ability. Additionally, Robbins has been able to make new friends along the way. Robbins said. “It definitely helped me, coming

into Glendale being scared because it’s my first year of high school. Having friends who are upperclassmen has helped me be more comfortable. They’re all really helpful and know the correct form and everything to do; they’re always just there to help,” Robbins said.

Davenport started around the same time as Robbins, having an earlier passion for the sport, and breaking records was definitely a big step in her powerlifting career.

“I was kinda shocked, and I didn’t really understand it at first. I was dazed, and I still had a lot of tension built in my head – cloudy in my mind – it was fun, and everyone was cheering, lots of hugs and highfives,” Davenport said.

Davenport’s record-breaking competition didn’t happen overnight. It took hard work, guts, and determination. Justin Murray, Glendale High School’s Police officer and Powerlifting coach, gave some insight into their program. “Half of our team is new, but they’re doing really, really well. The hardest part is getting up at 6:15 every morning for practice, so it takes really driven kids to do it. Usually, if you’re going to be a competitive person in this sport, you need to be a driven person anyway,” Murray said.

Powerlifting takes some serious drive; however, Murray brings light to the fact that you don’t have to be big to compete.

“People think they need to be a big person to compete. Their individual size has nothing to do with their age and weight divisions. It’s all about being strong for who you are, and not worrying what everyone else does,” Murray said. “They all push each other, they all spot each other, and of course, there’s teasing and razzing on purpose, but that’s just kinda how they drive each other. Sometimes you kinda need that. Most of them get in there and turn the music up, and work on

their stuff.”

Robbins and Davenport both talk

about their coach as well, saying he’s a great coach and is very understanding of any situation.

“He’s super sweet, always helping us, and he always has something to say. You can ask him anything. He never has a bland story to tell, and I can come to him about literally anything. He’s definitely the first person I’d go to if something goes wrong to talk to,” said Robbins.

Even Murray comments on how he coaches his team, striving for them to be the best.

“I’m very laid back, I don’t expect anything from them that I won’t do myself, I expect them to have the drive to want to compete and win without me having to push them to do it,” Murray said.

Dialed In

Sinceshe can remember, Page Bowman (12) has played golf.

“My dad golfed in college, and then he golfed professionally for 10 years. When I was really young, he used to take me out golfing all the time,” Bowman said. “He was my coach growing up. He taught me everything I know.”

Ron Yocum, the head girls’ golf coach, recalls one of the first times he met Bowman.

“She shows up (as an eighth grader), grandpa drops her off, and she’s going to go practice… We went on and did our thing, and she went over and started hitting pitch shots around the rough out of the practice green. We have our practice, we leave, and she’s still doing the same thing, just getting better,” Yocum said.

According to Yocum, Bowman has kept the persistent drive to improve and perform.

A reflection on Page Bowman’s golf success at Glendale.

“She’s a hard worker, great thinker, and she’s a fabulous teammate,” Yocum said. “In four years, I’ve never seen her act out in any kind of negative light for herself, for her team, or for her school. She’s pretty class act.”

Bowman has also learned how to be resilient. Two years ago, she said her father, who had been a mentor and source of love for the game, suffered a stroke, losing the ability to walk and talk.

“It’s different when you’ve had this role model and coach your whole life, and even though he is getting better, it’s not the same as it was,” Bowman said.

Despite Bowman’s family tragedy, she kept working on her game and relied on the community around her.

“Everyone really stepped up, they say that it takes a village, and it really does,” Bowman said.

With her community and coach

Story by Bowen Nelson Design by Adelyn Letterman

behind her, Bowman has continued to find success throughout the past two seasons.

Bowman won her third consecutive state golf title for the Falcons this year. Since her freshman year, Bowman has dropped her average from one over par to four under par.

Page works hard to improve her game and the teammates around her. Aden Brown (12) is a fellow teammate of Bowman.

“She’s been very encouraging, but also she’s a big teacher,” Brown said. “She helps us with the techniques and skills.”

Another trait that sets Bowman apart is her poise in the heat of the moment.

“I just try to stay in the moment and be present,” Bowman said. “I’m just going out and playing golf.”

It’s a trait Yocum has noticed as well.

“She processes the situation and executes. I know she’s got to be nervous sometimes, but you would never know it,” Yocum said. “I’ve rarely seen the moment be too big for her.”

Brown highlights a similar aspect.

“Sometimes it’s hard to keep your emotions in check, but she does a really good job with that,” Brown said.

With Bowman graduating this spring, she has signed with Mizzou to play golf collegiately and hopes to play professionally after college. Although she is leaving Glendale, Bowman has some last words of advice for the next generation of high school golfers.

“If you’re hesitant to do golf or try it out, I think you should just go for it because you are never going to know what you can do unless you just do it,” Bowman said.

Beyond the Finish Line

TheGlendale cross-country season is coming to an end, and for Lincoln Crews (12), it is only the beginning of his successful running career. Crews has been running for almost six years, and his performances have been notable at Glendale.

“I started running in seventh grade…I was pretty good at it. The eighth-grade cross-country coach came and told me I should run for him…that was what kind of started it,” Crews said. “I think just having good teammates and good coaches throughout the years kind of helped me continue.”

Crews finished his high school career on a high note. Starting off the season at the SWCCCA Richard Clark invitational, Crews placed third with a 5k time of 15:20. Moving towards the bigger meets, Crews took first place at the Central Ozark Conference meet with a time of 15:35. Before the district meet, Crews had a goal to beat the Glendale school record.

“I plan to break the school 5k record this weekend…the record is 15:15,”

Story by Maya Price Design by Bowen Nelson

The cross country team finishes their season on a high note with a senior leading the way.

Crews said.

With confidence and security, that weekend, Crews secured the school record in the 5k and placed fourth at the meet. Crews is undeniably a talented athlete, but he is influential off the track as well. Jack Johnson (12) is a teammate and close friend of Crews. Johnson highlights the kindness and leadership Crews represents to their team.

“He supports the whole team by having us all run together…they’re just good bonding moments and they get the team better as a whole,” Johnson said.

Johnson admires Crews’ mindset, especially his mentality when it comes to running.

“I really, really love Lincoln’s mental game; he has all the physical attributes that could go into running, but it’s really just a mental game,” Johnson said.

Johnson is not the only teammate who notices Crews’ leadership and stability. Tatum Bauer (12) has been a teammate of Crews since middle school, and she had a lot to say about his character.

“[Lincoln] is definitely a leader. He’s always been one of the best runners and someone I’ve always looked up to,” Bauer said. “He gives me some hard times about how I run, but he definitely holds me accountable and makes sure I’m doing what’s right.”

Bauer notes Crews’ faith and her admiration for it.

“[Lincoln] definitely gives it all to God when he is running, which is something I have always done and something that I am working on doing better,” Bauer said.

Crews finished up his season at state, placing tenth overall with a time of 15:42. Crews has confirmed that his running career will not be ending after this season.

“I do plan to run in college, I don’t know where yet, but I will be running in college,” Crews said. “I just want to be at the level where I can compete with the best athletes…being at the standard I think I should be at.”

Crews’ talent and confidence will take him far, and his mark on Glendale High cross-country will leave an impact on future generations of runners to come.

Stories By Bowen Nelson and Audry Gowers

Design by Audry Gowers

Photos by Bowen Nelson and Audry Gowers

Diving into predictions and goals for the Glendale boys basketball team.

Withfall rapidly trasitioning to winter, Brian McTague, the boys basketball coach at Glendale, thinks he has a championship-caliber team ready to go.

“We have high expectations that we are going to compete for conference and district championships, and potentially final fours and beyond,” McTague said.

McTague is confident in the team this year because of the returning talent.

“They’re used to playing together, so it’s nice to

Above the Rim Shoot for the Stars

have your core back. We have 7-8 of our top guys returning to key roles,” McTague said.

Sylijah Davis (11) is one of McTague’s returning players from last year.

Heading into the season, Davis has high aspirations for the team.

“We all know what we need to get done,” Davis said. “Our goals are winning districts and coming together as a team. Everybody is returning, so we have a lot to look forward to.”

The Falcons are appear-

ing in the Blue and Gold Tournament for the first time since 2023. The holi day tournament will be the first true test for McTague, Davis, and the team. Ac cording to Davis, the team has the talent; now they just need to execute.

“We need to start the game off hot,” Davis said, “We need to make sure we win the games that need to be won.”

The Glendale girls basketball team looks ahead to a season with no senior players.

Basketballseason is starting up for Glendale, and it’s coming fast.

Matt Powell, the head girls basketball coach at Glendale High School, thinks the season is going to be exciting.

“I’m ready to see what our girls have put in a lot of effort and time in the off-season. I’m excited to see that pay off for them. We’ve got a lot of kids that played a lot of minutes last year and, you know, they’ve got that year of experience under their belt, so I’m excited to see that,” Powell said.

Powell is sure they’ll accomplish great things at conference.

“I think we’ll have a good year. The conference that we’re in is really tough, but, you know, we finished tied for third last year at conference. I think we can accomplish that again. I’m excited to see where the season goes, takes ‘em,” Powell said. “We’re in a really good tournament at Pink and White over Christmas break, so I’m looking forward to the challenging schedule, but at the same time, for the girls to have some success,” Powell said.

Eva Spurlin (11) thinks the team is cultivating a great community.

“I’m looking forward to

having a good season with a bunch of juniors. We don’t have any seniors this year, so we have a lot of team unity,” Spurlin said.

“I actually transferred here in my sophomore year from Logan Rogersville. I really enjoy the teammates and the coaches and the unity of the team.”

Elle Givens (11) has a similar passion and belief in the team’s abilities.

“We’re a pretty young team. This is all of our second year playing varsity. So it’s going to be a pretty young team, but I think it’ll be really fun,” Givens said.

A

Glendale Gives Back

Story by Maddy Lawrence

look behind how Glendales donations impact the community.

Eventhough the blood drive medical chairs and tables have been packed away, the impact of Glendale’s blood donations is just the beginning, reaching patients in hospitals who depend on it the most.

This year’s blood drive, organized by HOSA students and staff, provided the school with a significant way to help the community. They taught the students about the importance of leadership and responsibility. Behind the scenes of the blood drive, Katie Alford, the HOSA advisor, helped the students prepare for the event.

“This year, I have taken over HOSA, which is the Health Occupations Students of America. We really wanted to push more on the medical side of that and get Glendale back up in the numbers of donating

blood, and so I wanted to take on that challenge,” Alford said.

With Alford leading the preparation of the blood drive, the HOSA student president stepped in to handle the hands-on work of managing the volunteer roles and supporting the event. HOSA president Jocelyn Ybarra (12) explains the different roles that go into setting up a blood drive.

“There are a lot of things that go into the blood drive that we all contribute to. We have to set up the drive and then sort all of the cards that go to the classrooms, so we mainly have a couple of people that have certain roles, so the drive runs smoother,” Ybarra said.

For co-president Elizabeth Johnson (10), the most meaningful part of the blood drive was seeing students step up and help with something that could save someone’s life.

“What made me want to help set up for the blood drive is that I know how important they are to people’s lives, and there’s a bunch of people in hospitals who need blood transfusions, but they’re not always available,” Johnson said.

While students handled the setup and organization of the blood drive, the real purpose of the event lies in what happens to the blood afterwards.

For Alford, one of the most important parts of the blood drive is for students to understand where the donated blood goes, so they realize how crucial it is for people in need.

“Anyone can benefit from these donations. They’re going to hospitals to assist with surgeries or to help people who have lost blood during car accidents and other emergency situations. If you have O-negative blood, this can be given to infants or babies. These donations go wherever the blood bank needs them, so it’s important that you donate if you’re able to,” Alford said.

To Alford, the most powerful takeaway from the blood drive is reminding students how even the smallest actions can affect someone’s life.

“I always encourage donating because by giving one pint of blood, you save 3 lives, so it’s really important that people in need receive these blood donations,” Alford said.

A Golden Debut

A peek behind the curtain at the new actors taking the stage for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

For students in the theatre program, each new production is a new opportunity. There are costumes to create, sets to build and characters to embody. For some, the musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a continuation of that journey, while others are taking their first steps into the world of drama.

Director Dustina Thomas described the production as having many moving parts, especially in the set changes and design.

“Wonka’s Factory has a lot of tricks, so you have to figure out all these little hidden gems and ways to design a set accordingly,” Thomas said. “Lots of imagination and creativity go into

designing a show like this.”

As far as her role in the show, Thomas has her hand in every piece of the organized chaos.

“I oversee all of the prodution aspects, including publicity, programs, all of the things. But I have a lot of people delegated to do different things,” Thomas said. “We have a few students who are primarily the builders of the set, and a few of them are super excited about the opportunity to build future things because they’ve gotten the chance to problem solve and figure things out.”

To Thomas, this enthusiasm and growth that she sees in her students - whether they are set designers, backstage crew, or actors - is the best part about the production. In the audition process, this enthusiasm is also what makes a new actor stand out.

“They’re just so excited to be here and be a part of it,” Thomas said.

Taking the stage for the first time, Connor Eitel (12) surprised himself by

earning a principal role.

“I’ve never acted before or sang before until now, so it’s huge,” Eitel said. Eitel is not completely unfamiliar with the world of theater.

“Every other time that a play or musical has happened, I’ve ushered for it,” Eitel said.

However, this year, Eitel decided to take a step out of his comfort zone.

“I had a friend push me into it,” Eitel said. “I was like, you know, last year, might as well put myself out there.”

Coco Rollins (10), another first-time actor, had a similar motivation to audition.

“Some of my friends were doing it, and I was like, this will be really fun,” Rollins said. “So I decided to do something new, and I really like it.”

Rollins described her feelings during the audition process.

“When I got up there, because I knew Ms. Thomas and our choir teacher, it was easier than I thought,” Rollins said. “So it was not as nerve-racking when I actually got in there and got done. But at the start, it was very nerve-racking.”

Carli Neubert (12), a new student to Glendale, joined theater as a way to meet new people and make friends.

“It is definitely a big jump, but every-

one is extremely nice, and it feels pretty comfortable if you need to ask for help or ask anybody questions about things that are going on,” Neubert said. “It’s a really fun group of people.”

Neubert also said that everyone’s commitment to the production was one of the things that surprised her most.

“The people who are in it are really in it, especially the managers. They’re on top of things, and it’s very serious,” Neubert said.

Naomi Kirchner (9), although not new to performing, faced a similar transition from middle school theater to high school.

“It’s a lot more people, and people are way more committed to it,” Kirchner said. “Everyone’s a lot better because it’s high school. But mainly just the commitment is more as well.”

Thomas spoke about this commitment, especially as a learning curve for those new to theater.

“They have to learn that it takes a lot more work than they expect,” Thomas said. “Especially with a musical, you’re learning choreography, you’re learning music, you’re learning acting.

You’re also probably backstage helping move stuff on and off. This show they’re learning puppetry, so there are all kinds of things that they have to learn.”

Despite the learning curve, however, Kirchner had similar praises about the people she met through theater.

“The people are some of the best people that I’ve met,” Kirchner said. “Everyone’s super supportive and really nice.”

Rollins said that despite the difficult transition, the work pays off.

“It can be stressful, but then when you get everything right, it is really fun,” Rollins said.

Eitel said that he wished he had joined theater sooner.

“This is the most fun I’ve had all year,” Eitel said. “I think that I’ve grown to be a lot more mature, and I definitely got over any fear or stage fright after performing a lot in front of people.”

The general consensus among both the new actors and the director is not to let the nerves of trying something new keep you from experiencing how rewarding and fun theater can be. “Just put yourself out there, and no one’s gonna judge you,” Rollins said.

Last Basis Name

A student led band on the rise

When kids transition from elementary school to middle school, a lot of people decide to play in their school band, and some even play in high school. But what do you do after high school band? For Glendale students Willow Teller (11), Indiana Jones (11), Maddox Buckmaster (11), and Eli Jones (11), the decision came easily.

“We formed in our freshman year, so like Oct. 2023,” Buckmaster (11) said. “Last Name Basis, our band, was like a project for all of us to let out any creativity and really express ourselves,” Jones said, the guitarist for the band. “It’s almost a way to vent and let musical frustrations out in a way you

can’t do unless you’re in a band or jazz band.”

The band started playing in Teller’s basement in late 2023 and just recently produced their first album, The Spire. An album combining folk, indie, and rock themes to make something creative and new.

“It’s really nice being in this band because we all kind of do everything,” Teller said. “I played drums for the whole thing, but I also sang quite a few songs.”

“I mixed the entire album, I mastered the entire album, I added keyboard, and I added bass. I do a lot, but everyone does a lot,” Buckmaster said.

The album officially came out on Oct. 31, 2025, but it had been in the works for a long time.

Balancing school, extracurriculars, and a music career hasn’t always been easy for the band; finding time to create music wasn’t always guaranteed. Still, the band made it a priority.

As the members of Last Name Basis look toward the future, their passion and determination remain clear. What started as a group of friends experimenting in a basement has grown into a genuine artistic pursuit—one built on trust, creativity, and a shared love

of music.

“I just hope we can make people happy,” Buckmaster said. “Just get some good music going.”

Whether their paths lead them across the country or keep them close to home, the band’s story is far from over, and if The Spire is any indication, it’s only the first chapter in what promises to be an exciting journey.

A look into the origins of Glendale’s motto “Flock is Family.”

The words “Flock is Family” can be found all over Glendale: On our shirts, promotional posters, and hallways. However, most students do not know the story behind this adopted motto.

On Sept. 15, 2012, Glendale junior Grayson Lambert and freshman McKinley Lambert, along with their father, little brother, and father’s friend, perished in a local plane accident after attending a Royals baseball game in Kansas City. The Lamberts took a 2002 Cirrus SR22 that was owned by their father and a business partner. However, the plane experienced complications and crashed in a field. By the time witnesses and emergency responders arrived on scene, the plane was engulfed in flames, leaving no survivors.

The Glendale community awoke on Saturday, Sept. 16, to a tragic reality. One day, everything was normal, and the next two of their students were gone. Tyler Kieny, the Lamberts’ little sister and former Glendale student, remembers how it felt to receive the devastating news.

“It was an indescribable pain,

something no one can ever prepare for,” Kieny said. “It felt like the world had stopped.”

Despite the loss, Kieny describes how she was encouraged by the people around her.

“The Glendale community was incredible,” Kieny said. “People brought meals, shared memories, sent letters, and simply showed up, often just to sit with us or hug us. Friends, teachers, classmates, and even people we didn’t know reached out. It truly showed how loved Grayson and McKinley were and how much of an impact they had made in their short lives.”

At Glendale, Grayson Lambert was involved in both the debate and soccer teams. Glendale soccer coach Jeff Rogers remembers the impactful last conversation he had with Lambert before the accident.

“It was on a Thursday, and I remember Grayson came up to me and said that he was going to miss practice on Friday,” Rogers said. “I asked what was going on, and he said, ‘I’m headed to Kansas City to watch the Royals play with my family.’ And I jokingly said, ‘Who would want to watch the

Story by Adelyn Letterman

Design by Adelyn Letterman

Photos by Adelyn Letterman

Royals play?’ And he laughed and said, ‘It’s a family thing.’ Those were the last words that I ever heard from Grayson.”

Lambert’s words, “It’s a Family Thing,” became an anthem for the Glendale community as it tried to navigate through a time of grieving. Students, teachers, staff, and friends gathered together to support one another, strengthening the bonds between the school and cultivating a family-like atmosphere that can still be felt today. Over the years, Lambert’s words have morphed into the Falcon’s motto, “Flock is Family.” However, the meaning stayed the same.

Dr. Lisa Anderson, one of Glendale’s administrators, is proud of the positive atmosphere we have maintained over the years.

“Schools should be a place where people feel safe and accepted and seen…we never want it to just be a slogan, it really is who we are.”

How students work together to spread holiday cheer.

Whenyou step into Glendale’s Agriculture Science room, the fresh scent of cedar and pine cones fills the air. Inside, you’ll find students gathering together around tables covered in greenery and ribbons, carefully hand-crafting holiday wreaths for their annual seasonal fundraiser.

For Glendale’s Future Farmers of America members, this event is more than just a seasonal project. According to FFA advisor Makayla Barry, the holiday wreath fundraiser teaches students hands-on agriculture skills while supporting the chapter’s yearly financial needs for trips and other student opportunities.

“What makes this fundraiser so special is that the wreaths are unique to our program, and we are hand-making them, so people really find the value in

Story by Kira Pigott

The Season Of Giving Decking The Halls

it,” Barry said. “I think that’s what sets our fundraiser apart from others.”

FFA president Izzy Williams (12) said it also plays a major role in building communication skills and teamwork within the chapter.

“When making the wreaths, it really does take a lot of communication,” Williams said. “There’s a lot of talking that goes into the process of the wreaths, but once we slow down and communicate better with each other, it runs smoothly and works out.”

While teamwork is essential in making the holiday wreaths happen, the fundraiser also depends on the planning and organization behind the scenes.

FFA member Tyla Garrison (11), who helped organize the wreaths, explained the efforts involved.

“Mainly, we have to work together as

Interior Design students find creative outlooks.

Here at Glendale High School we have a class that many students may not know about. Interior design III is one of them. Madison Young, the Fashion and Interior Design teacher, is new to Glendale this year and is already showing intentions for bigger

plans for her interior design students.

“This year I’m trying to introduce them to community members who are involved in interior design,” Young said. “So architects like broadening their horizon on what jobs they could potentially do. And then also connect them with colleges and programs, just to give them connections and networking, moving into the field.”

Those connections also extend into Glendale with Young saying the interior design students make things like the window displays for the library.

Clara Daehn (12) who is a part of Interior Design III shares that it is more than just a class for her but a pathway to her future.

“So there are a lot of checkpoints and we come up with blueprints and designs for a front. I’m planning on going to college to study interior design and

a team to get stuff done; otherwise, nothing gets done, and it’s important that we make the money,” Garrison said.

interior architecture so I’m doing all three years just so I have more experience before I go to college,” Daehn said.

According to Young, this program is a fit for any student who wants to express their creativity and build toward a future career.

“We do a lot more than you may assume we do,” Young said. “We do a lot with merchandising, working with local companies and getting a lot real-life experience and hands-on activities. A lot of my students want to do this as a career but some of them don’t so it’s a way for them to do things they wouldn’t get to do in other classes, and it’s just a lot of fun.”

A Modern Guide to Holiday Hosting. Warm Welcomes

Theholiday season is a time for warmth, celebration, and connection; however, if you’ve ever hosted a holiday gathering, you know it can also be a time of stress, preparation, and a surprising amount of behindthe-scenes work. According to Trinity Morgan, who is competing in Family Career Community Leaders of America, FCCLA’s Event Management program, “There are a lot more elements to hosting and event management than people think,” Morgan said. From planning menus to sending invitations, from organizing guest lists to coordinating décor, hosting requires thoughtful strategy. With the right preparation and the right mindset, you can create a gathering that feels effortless, joyful, and memorable. Before diving into logistics, take a moment to reflect on why you’re hosting in the first place. As Morgan emphasizes, one of the major “considerations before hosting an event” is understanding the purpose behind it. Is your gathering meant to be intimate and cozy, or high-energy and festive? Clarity on the purpose of your event will guide your decisions about theme, food, activities, and even timing. Knowing the “why” sets the tone for the entire holiday experience.

One of the most common struggles hosts face is time. , “How far ahead should you plan? The bigger you want to go, the further out you should plan” Morgan said. Large events benefit from months of preparation, while more casual gatherings can be pulled together in a few weeks. But regardless of size, Morgan recommends having “a strong plan at least 2 weeks before.”

Creating a timeline can be an invaluable tool. Start with the event date and work backward: When do invitations

need to go out? When should you shop for supplies? When will you prepare the food? When will you decorate or set up? The earlier you begin outlining these tasks, the less frantic the final week will feel.

Holiday hosting overlaps heavily with event management—something Morgan understands deeply from her FCCLA experience. She explains that event planning involves questions like: “How much and what supplies are needed? How many people are attending? Who is the target audience?” These apply directly to holiday preparation. Start by identifying who will be attending. This helps determine seating, meal size, number of gifts or party favors, and any special accommodations guests may need.

Once you know how many people to expect, you can calculate supplies. Do you need additional chairs? Extra plates? Table linens? Don’t overlook the small details—napkin rings, candles, serving utensils, or even coat space can make a difference.

Morgan notes the importance of understanding “who is the target audience.” Are you hosting adults, children, or a mix of both? A family-friendly event might include activities like cookie decorating, while a more adult-oriented gathering might focus on ambiance, conversation, and curated food and drinks.

Morgan highlights a key element often forgotten in casual hosting: “Invitations.” Whether you choose digital invites or handwritten cards, they serve a purpose beyond simply informing. Invitations set expectations—dress code, arrival time, what to bring, and the general vibe. They also help you track RSVPs, which is essential for managing food quantities and seating

arrangements.

The holidays revolve around sharing, and that includes meals and presents. Morgan suggests considering “Gifts? Food? Party favors? Timing,” build these elements intentionally: Choose dishes that suit the event’s purpose and size. Plan dishes that can be prepped ahead of time so you aren’t cooking everything on the day of. A small ornament, a homemade treat, or a handwritten card can elevate your event and make guests feel appreciated. With all the planning involved, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. But as Morgan reminds us, “Have fun with it, think about the reason for the event, remember that the driving purpose is getting together with your people for the holidays, don’t let the stress of planning overwhelm you,” Morgan said. Perfection isn’t the goal, connection is. A spilled drink, a forgotten side dish, or a last-minute guest won’t ruin the spirit of your gathering. A relaxed host sets the tone; your guests will follow your lead.

Holiday hosting doesn’t have to be stressful. With early planning, thoughtful consideration, and a clear sense of purpose, your event can unfold smoothly and joyfully. Embrace the process, stay adaptable, and remember what truly matters: creating memories with the people you care about.

There’s Snow Place Like Springfield

A

guide to making the most of your winter break.

As Glendale students head into their winter break and the demands of finals and semester deadlines winds down, the important question arises: What do I do with all this time? It’s all too easy to spend the week rotting in bed, and while doing nothing is its own kind of luxury activity, winter break is also a chance to knock some items off of your winter bucket list. Whether you’re in the mood for an excursion with friends or a cozy night in, here are a few ideas to get you started.

Cozy Crafts

Story by Lyla Miller Design by Lyla Miller

For those days when the wind chill is just a little too low, crafts are a great way to have fun from the comfort of your own home. Jodi Morris, a Glendale art teacher, had a few suggestions: Painting pottery, designing personalized gift tags, or making DIY ornaments using either felt and beads or salt dough.

Activities In The Area

If you’re looking for a reason to get out of the house, however, check out Brightspeed Ice Park (635 E. Trafficway St., Springfield, MO 65806) for ice skating and ice hockey. Admission for students with a school ID is $6, and adult admission is $7. Alternatively, driving to look at Christmas lights with a cup of hot cocoa allows you to beat the cabin fever while still staying warm, and of course, gets you in the cozy holiday spirit! Christmas lights are a great way to enjoy the winter wonderland around you with minimal cost and time commitment. Speaking of minimal cost, a walk in the park is a completely free way to appreciate the winter weather and get yourself out of the house. Just bundle up, grab a few friends or a warm drink, and you’ll find yourself in a scene straight out of a Hallmark movie montage.

Ms. Cassara’s Go -To Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

If all else fails, nothing beats a classic holiday baking day. While there are numerous recipes available online, ranging from gingerbread cheesecake cookies to cranberry crumble bars to peppermint bark, culinary teacher Mackenzi Cassara recommended the recipe for “The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies” by the Broma Bakery. She said that this is a recipe she recommends to everyone for both its versatility and the enhanced flavor.

Helping the Holidays

The Branch expands to provide for students this holiday season.

This holiday season, Glendale High School’s food pantry, The Branch, has gone through an expansion and is able to provide for students in a way that it wasn’t able to before. The branch is run by teacher Alexandria Money and Site Coordinator Emily Massey.

“We have more people on the team working towards getting students the resources they need,” Money said. “We are not just organizing a system for the food, but also the clothing and the hygiene stations in the girls’ restrooms.”

Throughout this year and previous years, The Branch has been able to provide food for many students and their families, and now provides needs specific to the holiday and winter seasons. Over Thanksgiving break, the Branch

team was able to provide for Thanksgiving-specific needs, and is now working to put together a plan for winter break.

“A priority is going to be making sure everyone has food security,” Money said. “One of the ways we are working on that is by sending home Thanksgiving baskets over break so that they’re taken care of during that time.”

As cold weather comes, there may be students who do not have the resources to stay warm during this time. The Branch team recognizes that and is working to provide for the needs of those students.

“A primary concern is making sure that any student who needs backpacks or winter apparel like gloves, hats, jackets, and other things like that gets it,” Money said.

Story by Aubree Bohannon

Design by Aubree Bohannon

The mission of the branch is to provide for students however they need it. Whether that need is meals for a family, hygiene products, clothes, or backpacks, the Branch team has worked hard to expand so it can provide for any student who needs it.

“On Student NOW, there is a form you can fill out if you or someone you know needs that resource,” Money said. “And teachers, you can always let your teachers know.”

Proudly Supports the Glendale Falcons

Merry and Bright

Light Shows in the Ozarks that are free of cost.

As the Christmas season approaches, the Ozarks are lighting up in big ways. Many different parks and neighborhoods are decking the halls and turning their rooftops into runways for Santa. With all the magical displays, here are some of the most well-known showcases, along with their locations.

Right up the street from Glendale High School, you will be able to find a house that is glowing with Christmas spirit. This place is known as the Bagwell Lights (2008 E Cambridge St). The display has its debut on Thanksgiving night and will hang up its stocking on the last night of the year. The Bagwell Lights are free of cost, so there will

be no need to add money to your wishlist for Santa. Donations are encouraged, and all proceeds will go to various charities in the Springfield area.

Another light display in the Springfield area is Jaxon’s Lights. This show is located at 4938 S Tujunga Dr. and is free of charge. The show runs from Thanksgiving night and sings its last carol on Dec 28. The people who run the show do encourage donations, which helps fund the show and is also distributed to local charities. The owners of Jaxon’s Lights also help others put up their Christmas lights.

If you take a trip on Santa’s sleigh over to Nixa, there is a light display

Stories by Jaxon Parrish and Claire Owen

Design by Jaxon Parrish and Claire Owen

Photos by by Claire Owen

Illustration by Claire Owen

show called the Gateway Tour of Lights. This show is free of charge and is actually a contest between the neighborhoods of Nixa and Republic. A few houses that have won in the past are 828 E Weldon Dr, Nixa, MO, 626 N Althea Ave, Nixa, MO, and 1082 Green Pine Rd, Nixa, MO. The contest begins in the middle of November and ends on Christmas night. There is a Facebook group that keeps up with all the updates on who the top three winners are.

Sipping Through Springfield

Mudhouse Coffee - 9/10

The Best Places to get Hot Chocolate.

Neighbors Mill Bakery & Cafe - 9/10

Downtown Springfield’s Mudhouse Coffee leans into a dark-academia atmosphere, with dim lighting, wallto-wall posters, and the energy of a busy college hangout. Despite the bustle, it’s an inviting spot to study or unwind. The hot chocolate arrives with a classic swirl of whipped cream and a nostalgic, sweet flavor- just shy of overly sweet. Service was quick and warm, adding to its charm. A near-perfect cup, softened only by its sugar-forward finish, but overall my favorite.

Neighbors Mill pairs modern-farmhouse comfort with the steady rhythm of a bakery and cafe. They are versatile with their variety of options, whether you want a full meal or a quick grab-and-go. The staff went above and beyond, even asking about my temperature preferences when it came to my drink. The hot chocolate was cute in presentation and balanced in flavor- not too sweet, not too mild. With friendly service and a comfortable atmosphere, it stands out as a great place to grab a warm mug.

Kingdom Coffee - 8/10

Kingdom Coffee offers a bright, modern space accented by wide windows that overlook nearby woods, giving students a calm study escape conveniently close to Glendale. The staff was notably friendly, and the service was efficient. The hot chocolate was topped with a light foam and hits a well-rounded sweetness, making it easy to sip. It’s served at a drinkable temperature- no waiting, no burning- earning points for comfort and consistency.

Unspoken Heroes

Every student deserves recognition for their kind and unspoken acts.

TStory by Kira Piggott

he staff of Glendale High School has a lot of responsibilities, including classroom instruction, grading papers, and even the occasional supervision duty. In addition to these duties, teachers also observe students who they say go above and beyond, even if their efforts go unnoticed.

“Abi Bowman is a behind-thescenes person. She doesn’t want people looking at her necessarily, but she’s gonna help with anything, or she’s going to do it to the best of her ability; she’s professional.”

-Christine Chadwick, math teacher

Zander

“Zander Wahner is our music director for Flockappela; he arranges our music,” Tracy said. “He is also a teacher mentor for our chorus one. So he’s a great role model for our future Falcons who just need a safe place and somebody that they can trust and talk to. Zander has been a part of the program for a long time, but he also represents himself very well. He works hard. He’s involved in several choirs, but more than anything, he works hard to make sure that everybody is included.”

-Tabith Tracy, choir director

“Caleb Dailey (12) is such a sociable person, always hard working. Does what he needs to do and does it well. He’s very humble again and likes to get things done, and I appreciate that about him, and he’s willing to get things done without, you know, too much fanfare.”

-Ryan Harris, student teacher

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