New KU orientation assistant a graduate of Piper High School

The University of Kansas Office of First-Year Experience has announced 17 new orientation assistants and two orientation coordinators for the 2014-2015 year, including Jessica Guilbeaux, of Kansas City, Kan.

Guilbeaux, an orientation assistant, is the daughter of George and Rhonda Guilbeaux and a graduate of Piper High School. She is a sophomore in computer engineering.

Orientation assistants are students whose job is to make the transition to KU a positive and engaged experience. These OAs will guide first-year students and their families through their orientation, assist with advising and enrollment, answer questions and offer their perspective on life as a Jayhawk.

Students beginning KU in the fall 2014 semester will attend orientation and enroll in classes starting in April for transfer students and June for freshmen.

Orientation programs continue throughout the summer. OAs and OCs will serve more than 10,000 new students, parents and guests as part of the orientation program.

First-Year Experience works in partnership with new students to create environments that help them discover, engage and belong at KU. Programs such as this contribute to the university’s goal to increase retention among students and improve the graduation rate.

Piper girls to compete in state basketball semifinals Friday

The Piper High School girls basketball team advanced to the state semifinals with a 77-70 victory over Coffeyville March 12. Here they pose with a trophy following the substate victory. (Piper file photo)

by Mary Rupert

The Piper High School girls basketball team made the final four, advancing to the state semifinals with a 77-70 victory March 12 over Coffeyville.

The Lady Pirates advanced to the semifinal game, which will be at 6:30 p.m. March 14 in Salina, Kan., vs. No. 1 seed, Wamego. Both teams have won at least 20 games this season.

Doug Key, Piper athletic director, said Wamego has a 23-0 record this season with a 39-game winning streak. Piper this year is 20-3.

Key noted that Wednesday night’s victory over Coffeyville was probably the most points scored all year by the Lady Pirates.

He said Piper players who led in Wednesday’s scoring included Haley White, Megan Woolley and Jessica Wayne.

“Everybody that played really contributed last night,” he said. “It was a great team victory.”

In other high school basketball action, Washington High School lost 73-47 to Highland Park on Wednesday in Class 5A boys competition.

Sumner Academy (10-12) takes on McPherson (20-1) in Class 4A boys basketball competition at 6:30 p.m. March 13.

Piper athletes named to Kaw Valley League teams

Several Piper High School athletes were named to Kaw Valley League basketball teams recently.

They include: Kaw Valley League first team girls: Megan Woolley, Haley White, and Tori Webb.

Kaw Valley League honorable mention girls team: Jessica Wayne.

Kaw Valley League first team boys: Luke Long, Dominique Jennings and Vincent Eskina.

Kaw Valley League honorable mention boys team: Tyler Owens.

– Information from Doug Key, Piper athletic director