School spirit shines at KSHSAA cheer competition

The Piper cheerleading team performed in the KSHSAA Spirit Gameday competition. The team finished fifth in Class 5A. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

Piper and Bonner Springs high schools competed in the KSHSAA Spirit Gameday class 5A cheer competition on Saturday in Topeka. The event is the state-level competition for cheerleading.

Teams competed in preliminary rounds performing a fight song, band chant and crowd cheer. The top six teams after preliminaries advanced to the finals where they performed a game situation cheer and an open routine.

After preliminaries, Piper sat in fifth place, and made it through to the final round, while Bonner Springs was in ninth place.

Piper also finished fifth in the final round and the squad received medals for its performance. Blue Valley Southwest was the winner in Class 5A.

Piper’s dance team finished third in the dance competition held on Friday.

With football season complete, the Bonner Springs and Piper cheerleading squads are preparing for basketball season starting in the first week of December.

The Bonner Springs cheerleading team performed in the KSHSAA Spirit Gameday competition. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

The Piper cheerleading team performed in the KSHSAA Spirit Gameday competition. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
The Bonner Springs cheerleading team performed in the KSHSAA Spirit Gameday competition. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
The Piper cheerleading team performed in the KSHSAA Spirit Gameday competition. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
The Bonner Springs cheerleading team performed in the KSHSAA Spirit Gameday competition. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
The Piper cheerleading team received its fifth place medals. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
The Bonner Springs cheerleading team performed in the KSHSAA Spirit Gameday competition. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Head coach Morgan Kolenda and the team reacted with joy when they were announced as finalists. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
The Bonner Springs cheerleading team performed in the KSHSAA Spirit Gameday competition. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Duelling holiday light shows this year near 126th and State

Will western Wyandotte County be visible from outer space this holiday season?

No one really knows, but lights will be brighter near 126th and State this holiday season, with three holiday light shows planned. One sponsored by the Unified Government’s Parks Department starts tonight.

Last year, the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame and the Renaissance Festival held holiday light shows near 126th and State, Bonner Springs, and they plan them again this year.

The Ag Hall’s light show served as a substitute for the former Santa’s Express event, with people staying in their cars as they toured the lighted Ag Hall grounds, and waved to Santa Claus from their cars.

Ag Hall

This year, the Ag Hall plans two weekends, Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 10-12, for a drive-through holiday light show, Santa’s Express in Lights, according to information from the website. People will stay in their cars. The family-friendly show from 5:30 to 9 p.m. will feature a drive through living nativity, with animals including sheep, goats, camel, cow and donkey. Christmas trees will be decorated, and the Ag Hall train will be lighted. Kids can wave to Santa Claus, and can drop off letters in Santa’s mailbox. People may drop off canned goods for area food pantries. The admission charge will be $10 per car, with proceeds benefiting the Ag Hall.

Renaissance Festival

The Renaissance Festival, meanwhile, held a light show last year, helping it through a year when COVID canceled a lot of regular activities. The Renaissance Festival returns with Knights of Lights Holiday Celebration starting at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, on the festival grounds. Patrons may walk through the Renaissance Festival grounds, viewing lights, enjoying performances, and buying food. The cost will be $14.95 for adults and $9.95 for kids 5-12 in advance. At the gate, prices are $18 for adults and $13 for kids 5-12. Producing the Renaissance Festival’s light show will be Landers’ Visions.

Hours at the Renaissance Festival will be Thursdays and Sundays: 5-10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays: 5-11 p.m., Dec. 20-24: from 5-10 p.m. Closed Christmas Day. On New Year’s Eve, open for a special celebration from 5 p.m. – 1 a.m.

UG Parks Department

New to the mix at 126th and State this year will be the Unified Government’s Parks Department’s drive-through Holiday Light and Magic show, starting tonight, Nov. 18, in Wyandotte County Park, 126th and State, Bonner Springs.

With the UG’s mile-long drive-through contact-less lighting show, patrons will buy tickets online for a time slot per day. The time slots are aimed at controlling traffic. For example, for Nov. 18, tickets are available for 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. The cost of the tickets on Nov. 18 will be $20 per car, $30 per commercial van, and $40 per bus. Tickets go up by $5 each on Fridays and Saturdays. The holiday light shows will go through Jan. 2.

People at the UG’s light show will stay in their cars. Tickets for the UG’s Holiday Light and Magic show will not be sold in person at the gate. All tickets are sold in advance online. Proceeds go to the UG Parks.

Recommendations: It’s recommended to visit the website for the holiday light show you’re interested in before going. Also, look at the maps, directions and other information posted online to make sure you’re in the right place.

Websites:

Ag Hall, https://www.aghalloffame.com/events/santas-express-in-lights/

Renaissance Festival, https://www.kcrenfest.com/2021-knights-of-lights/

UG Parks Department, https://holidaylightandmagic.com/

Sen. Moran visits KCK West Kiwanis Club

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, visited the Kansas City, Kansas West Kiwanis Club on Thursday to discuss issues including veterans’ topics. The meeting was held at the Wyandotte County Museum, Bonner Springs. They discussed their gratitude for men and women who have served and their work to ensure veterans receive the care and benefits they deserve. They also discuss President Biden’s withdrawal strategy from Afghanistan and the impact it has had on veterans who served in Afghanistan as well as mental health resources that are available for veterans. They also discussed the federal, state and county partnership supporting the completion of the Turner Diagonal interchange and the businesses that have sprung up since its opening a few years ago. Sen. Moran thanked Joe Vaught for inviting him to speak, and also thanked Unified Government Commissioner Jane Philbrook, Sheriff-Elect Dan Soptic and Kiwanis President Sandy McMillian for joining the event. (Submitted photos)
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, center, discussed several issues on Thursday with the Kansas City, Kansas, West Kiwanis Club. The meeting was at the Wyandotte County Museum, Bonner Springs. (Submitted photo)