The seniors voted on who they wanted to have as the candidates,” said Ulysses High School English as a Second Language instructor Theresa Gray, adding that voting is done electronically via email and Google. When the voting was completed, seniors had voted in favor of queen candidates Taylor Ackley, Cammy Kenny, Isabella Eddie, and Mariana Guillen. King candidates chosen were: Elias Anguiano, Broc Harland, Justin Degollado, and Aaron Mendoza.
Gray noted that those selected must meet certain criteria in order to be candidates.
“They have to be involved in two or more activities,” Gray said. “They have to have at least a 2.5
GPA or higher. They have to be in good standing with KSHSSA and they also have to have attended school at
Ulysses High School at least one semester prior to being a candidate.”
Those selected to be the candidates do not always go on to fulfill that role for UHS.
“The kids have a say in it,” Gray explained. “I will send a form out to them if they are voted to be a candidate, and if they say yes, they want to be a candidate,” then they are. I also confirm their qualifications to ensure they have met all of the guidelines. Some may qualify in every way; however, they decline to be a candidate. Sometimes the kids don’t even want to be on the ballot as a candidate.”
This week, students at Ulysses High School, not just the seniors, will decide from the candidates who will receive the king and queen honors. Voting once again will be done via email and Google.
“It makes it so much better for them to vote that way because we don’t have to sit here and count the votes manually,” Gray said.
Ulysses High School’s Basketball Homecoming Queen and King will be announced at the end of the girls’ varsity game on Friday, according to Gray, who noted when a candidate is one of the girls’ basketball players, “they make it happen.”
“Candidates who are also players may choose to wear their uniform for the crowning ceremony if they want,” Gray said. “If they don’t want to wear their uniform, they might leave the game a little bit early unless they are still needed on the court. We have the coaches office that is located right there near the court for them to change in. Candidates usually have ateam of people who come down and help them with getting ready.”
Parents of the homecoming candidates will have tables set up at the game depicting something about their child. Basketball homecoming festivities include Spirit Week. Each day during the week was designated for students to participate: Monday was Pajama Day; Tuesday, Duo Day; Wednesday, Jersey Day; and today is Anything But A Backpack Day. Tomorrow, Friday, will be Crazy Orange and Black Day. Basketball homecoming festivities are a bit different from football.
“For football homecoming we do Spirit Week, but we also do a parade and a pep rally,” Gray said. “Basketball homecoming is less stressful.”
Gray has been in charge of the homecoming festivities since coming to work here in 2007,when she became the STUCO sponsor.
“I have three more years of it until I retire,” she said.
The Colby Eagles will be coming to Ulysses for the homecoming match-up. Games begin at 4:30 p.m.
Taylor Ackley
Taylor is the daughter of Thomas and Jeannie Ackley. She has one sibling, Tyson, 12.
Taylor is involved in volleyball, cheerleading, power lifting, NHS, resist and replace, SADD, STUCO, interact, youth group and FCA.
Her hobbies and interests include hanging out with her friends and her boyfriend.
The person Taylor most admires is her dad, Thomas, because, “he has always worked above and beyond for my family,” Taylor said.
Her favorite memory at Ulysses High School is looking up at the student section after the last home volleyball game and seeing the support the team had.
If she had a super power, it would be the ability to go anywhere and any time she wanted.
Taylor’s future plans are to attend Fort Hays State University to pursue a career in nursing.
The best advice she has ever been given is to “take a minute to appreciate what is happening right now.”
Her favorite thing about Ulysses High School is that she gets to go there and see all of her friends.
Taylor’s favorite subject in high school is history because, “I like to learn about what happened in the past and what lead up to it,” she said.
Elias Anguiano
Elias is the son of Alan and Natalie Anguiano. He has one sibling, Alexys, 23.
Elias is involved in wrestling, Templo Emmanuel Church and FFA.
His hobbies and interests include taking care of gardens and garden systems. He is also very eager to help others and try to be the best person he can be.
The person Elias admires the most is his sister, Lexy. “She always has such a positive attitude and a hopeful spirit,” Elias said. “She loves our family a lot and is a great leader and example for me. She is also very intelligent and always there for me.”
His favorite memory at Ulysses High School is the home duals for wrestling.
If he had a super power, Elias says it would be to read people’s minds. “I would know so much about everyone,” he said.
Elias’ future plans are to attend Salina Area Technical College in order to pursue his goal in electrical engineering and obtain a degree.
The best advice he has ever received is from his father who said, “that someone is always working harder than you, so always give it your best.”
Elias’ favorite thing about Ulysses High School is building a relationship with teachers and the conversations he has had with faculty members.
His favorite subject in high school is Ag Mechanics. “I enjoy learning new information about how to maintain a home,” he said. “I have fun classmates and great teachers.”
Cami Kenny
Cami is the daughter of Jason and Andrea Kenny. She has two siblings, Kali, 23, and Koy, 20.
Cami is involved in volleyball, basketball, track, FFA, STUCO, Interact, FCLA, NHS, The Ambush, uncommon leadership, Youthgroup (FUMC). Her hobbies and interests include: hanging out with friends, spending time outdoors, and spending time with her family.
The person Cami admires most is her sister, Kali.
“She has always been there for me and she has shown me that anything is possible if I just put my mind to it. She has accomplished many great things, and because of her I know I can, too.”
Cami’s favorite memory at Ulysses High School is running the 100m hurdles at state track. “It was an awesome experience,” she said.
If she had one super power, Cami said it would be the ability to talk to animals because, “I am always wondering what they are thinking,” she said.
Her future plans are to go to college and study agriculture education. She does not know yet where she wants to go.
Cami says the best advice she has ever received is “if you get knocked down seven times, then get up eight.”
Her favorite thing about Ulysses High School is her FFA Chapter.
“I have met many great people and made so many good memories that I will never forget,” she said.
Cami’s favorite subject in high school is Animal Science because “Mrs. Rice always made everything fun and easy to understand.”
Cami added that Mrs. Rice is the “reason that I want to become an Ag teacher.”
Broc Harland
Broc is the son of Bo and Allison Harland. He has one sibling, Wyatt, 20.
Broc is involved in football, basketball, power lifting, track, church leadership, and musicals.
His hobbies and interestes include liftingweights, reading psychological books, watching Netflix, making new friends and cooking.
The person Broc most admires is his grandpa Porka, because, “he was always a shining light of pure joy,” Broc said. “He would always put others before himself and he would get me the coolest toys at Wal-Mart.”
Broc’s favorite memory at Ulysses High School is the spaghetti dinners every night before the football games.
If he had a super power, Broc says it would be to have indestructable bones.
His plans for thefuture are to play college football and get a PHD in criminal psychology.
The best advice Broc everreceivedwas “life is not a spectator sport, if you sit and watch, you’ll see your life pass you by.”
Broc’s favorite thing about Ulysses High School is makingnew friends and stepping out of his comfort zone.
His favorite subject in high school is English Comp because “it’s a nice laid back class.”
Isabella Eddie
Isabella is the daughter of Josh and Willa Eddie. She has four siblings: Dominic, 20, twins Lyla and Layla, 14, and Joshua, 12.
Her activties include volleyball and pepclub.
Her hobbies and interests include watching movies, hanging out with her friends and spending time with her family.
The people sheadmires the most are her parents because, “they’ve always believed in me and constantly show support for whatI believe in.”
Isabella’s favorite memory of Ulysses High School is painting the parking lot and the first day of senior year.
If shecould have a super power, Isabella says it would be to go back into time and just travel places.
Her plans for thefuture include attending abeauty school and becoming an esthetician.
The very best advice Isabella has received is “no oneis going to do it for you.”
Her favorite things about Ulysses High School is Sofia and Adrienne.
Isabella’s favorite subject in high school is English class, because, “Mrs. Pfingston is my favorite teacher,” she said.
Justin Degollado
Justin is the son of Frank and Myrna Degollado. He has two siblings: Stevan, 27, and Mercedes, 22.
His activities in high school include football, wrestling, baseball, uncommon leadershipand Mary Queen of Peace.
His hobbies and interests include throwing and playing catch with his brother. He also likes to play video games in his free time and walking his dogs.
The person Justin admires the most is his dad. “He’s always helped me better myself and he’s always set a good example,” Justin said. “He gets things done and does them right. I hope to be like him one day.”
His favorite memory at Ulysses High School is making it to state wrestling and seeing the whole school come together to support him.
If he had a super power, Justin says it would be to be “super fast like Flash, so I couldbe super quick with things and get stuff done.”
His plans for the future include going to college and getting some type of degree in Business Management. He is hopeful to one day run a business of his own.
Thebest advice he has ever received was “whatever happens enjoy it, there could always be worse. Stay grateful.”
Justin’s favorite thing about Ulysses High School is all the people there and the relationships he has made.
His favorite subject in high school is accounting because, “I really enjoy working with numbers. It also helps me with real life situations. It is really informative and is for sure gonna help in my future,” he said.
Mariana Guillen
Mariana is the daughter of Diana and Mario Guillen. She has two siblings: Briana, 14, and Cristian, 8.
Her activities include tennis, power lifting, SAFE club and NHS.
Her hobbies and interests include playing roblox with her brother and watching movies with her brother while drinking hot chocolate.
The person she admires the most is her dad, because, “he and my mom came with nothing to give me everything. He is the most incredible and hardworking dad.”
Mariana’s favorite memory of Ulysses High School is cheerleading with her friends her junior year.
If she could have a super power, Mariana says it would be teleportation.
Her plans for the future include going to Washburn University and graduating with a bachelor’s or master’s degree of science in order to become a sonographer.
The best advice Mariana has ever received is “with no struggles you’ll have no strengths” said by Tim Fargo.
Mariana’s favorite thing about Ulysses High School is her friends.
Her favorite subject in high school is English because she enjoys writing.
Aaron Mendoza
Aaron is the son of Rene and Mayra Mendoza. He has four siblings: Andrew, 23, Adrian, 22, Abram, 7, and Angel, 4.
His activities include track, power lifting and pep club.
Aaron’s hobbies and interests include lifting weights, pottery, cooking, carpentry and art.
The person Aaron most admires is his dad, because, “without him I would be a lazy bum every day,” Aaron said.
His favorite memory at Ulysses High School is “realizing and valuing the whole high school experience after the pandemic,” he said.
If Aaron could have a super power, he says it would be to stop time.
Aaron’s future plans are to attend Fort Hays State University and major in carpentry and business.
The best advice he has ever received is to “never let someone tell you you’re not enough.”
His favorite thing about Ulysses High School is the teachers.
Aaron’s favorite subject in high school is weight class because “I like to see myself improve physically and mentally,” he said.
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