Former Washington High School student graduates from basic military training

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Jamechia T. Prater graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Prater is the daughter of Rafetta Denise Crook-Prater of Gadsden, Ala., and Timmye L. Prater of Stockbridge, Ga., granddaughter of Elizabeth A. Malone of Gadsden, Ala., Mary Julia Prater of Piedmont, Ala., and John Crook of Gadsden, Ala.

She is a 2007 graduate of Wyandotte High School, Kansas City, Kan. She earned a bachelor's degree in 2011 from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa.

Blackie Enloe, former Washington student, graduates from combat training

KANSAS CITY, KAN. --- Army National Guard Pfc. Blackie R. Enloe has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Enloe is the grandson of Byron Enloe of 49th Street, Kansas City.

He is a 2011 graduate of Washington High School, Kansas City.

James Carter III, former Washington student, graduates from basic combat training

KANSAS CITY, KAN. --- Army National Guard Pfc. James W. Carter III has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Carter is a 2010 graduate of Washington High School, Kansas City.

VIDEO: Washington High School faculty does the Harlem Shake

One of the biggest Internet memes of 2013 has hit Washington High School's faculty.

Below is video of the faculty from Washington High School performing the Harlem Shake.

Enjoy!

GLASS WORK: Wildcats conquer Pioneers to win Leavenworth championship

By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com

Two years ago, the Washington Wildcats had to overcome an 18-point fourth quarter deficit and survive two grueling overtime periods to knock off the Hogan Prep Rams in the 2010 Citizen's National Bank final.

In 2012, the Wildcats really only needed three good quarters to cement a tournament title.

Washington defeated Leavenworth 62-48 in a game that really wasn't that close to win the program's second Leavenworth tournament crown in the past three years.

Senior forward James Jappa was Washington's MVP of the game and tournament. His 19-point, 17-rebound performance in the final against Leavenworth came off the heels of his 14-point, 14-rebound game against Hogan Prep in round two.

"Jappa's a beast," said Eric King, head coach of the Wildcats. "He worked his butt off this summer. He's always been a good player, but he had to get his weight under control and get into better shape to run."

The Wildcats used a 28-14 rebounding advantage in the first half to quickly establish dominance inside the paint.

Jappa's 14 points led the way for Washington, as the Wildcats clawed to a 41-29 lead. Nine first quarter points by Kameron Allen helped Washington jump out to a 25-16 lead after the first quarter.

Wildcats prepare for loaded Leavenworth tournament

By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com

As they have every year under Washington Wildcats boys basketball head coach Eric King, the Wildcats begin their journey to a state crown in Leavenworth, Kan., this year.

And as it is every year, the tournament appears loaded on paper.

"Leavenworth is always one of the best tournaments," King said. "You can always expect some dogfights. The competition is tough, but I expect us to be the victors."

Joining Washington in the tournament will be the host-school Leavenworth, along with Hogan Prep, Raytown South, Topeka High School, Word of Life, North Kansas City and Wyandotte.

Washington draws Word of Life to open things up and would take on the winner of the Hogan Prep/North Kansas City game in the second round if they were to win.

"This is valuable experience for us," King said. "You get some different styles and different teams from all around Kansas and Missouri. It prepares us for state and league."

League Champs! Clock strikes midnight for Washington as Bulldogs win game and league

By NICK SLOAN, KCKPreps.com

It's fitting Dimonic McKinzy sealed a 25-19 victory against Washington with a late interception in the fourth quarter.

McKinzy is one of the biggest reasons why the Wyandotte Bulldogs are celebrating a Kansas City Kansas - Atchison League championship this weekend.

Wyandotte improved to 5-1 and 4-1 in the KCKAL with the win Friday night - one that clinched a league championship for the first time in years.

However, as most opponents for Washington found out this season, it wasn't easy.

After fumbling the opening kickoff of the game, the Bulldogs defense was fodder for a Washington rushing attack that was strong all night.

Washington sophomore running back Javeon Williams scored on a 13-yard touchdown to open up the scoring. The extra point put the Wildcats up 7-0 with 9:39 left in the opening quarterback.

As he did last week, McKinzy gathered his offense and started picking away at the opposition.

KCK Preps Game of the Week: Previewing Wyandotte-Washington

By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com

For the first time in at least five years, the Wyandotte Bulldogs-Washington Wildcats football game will matter significantly in terms of a league championship.

And KCKPreps.com will be providing a live broadcast of the game. 

For most of the last decade, the Wyandotte Bulldogs football program was near the bottom in terms of success among those programs in the Kansas City metro area.

For the last three years, Washington was even worse than Wyandotte.

Wyandotte enters Friday night 4-1 overall and coming off a huge victory against the Schlagle Stallions last Friday. Washington, meanwhile, is on a bit of magic carpet ride after an 0-2 start.

Sandwiched around an easy victory against Harmon, the Wildcats have upset Atchison and Sumner Academy two of the last three weeks - improving their overall record to 3-2.

The Wildcats enter with a three-game winning streak and the winner of the game will leave Washington High School with at least a share of the lead in the Kansas City Kansas - Atchison League.

Scholarship by Fate: Former Washington guard Campbell lands unexpected scholarship after pick-up game

By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com

There are strange stories in the world of college recruiting.

Sometimes, strange can be bad. Other times, strange can be a blessing.

After graduating from Washington High School in 2010, former Washington Wildcats guard Deandre Campbell thought his basketball career was over. He was taking educational courses and was working at a local grocery store.

Then, fate intervened in a pick-up game in Kansas City, Kan., this week.

With recruiters from Seward Community College in town to check out another local product, it was Campbell who stole the show.

In a pick-up game that involved some recent KCK basketball greats, including Washington Wildcats all-time leading scorer Tra'Vaughn White, it was Campbell who put in enough work to earn a two-year scholarship with Seward Community College. 

"He was the best player on the court that day," said Derrick Estelle, head coach of the Kansas City Blue Dogs AAU program Campbell played for. "Deandre just balled that day and the coach saw what he liked."

Campbell, who saw limited action through his junior season at Washington, provided the Wildcats a rock of leadership during his senior season. He averaged 8.1 points, 3.4 assists and 2.8 rebounds a game.

He also made the all Kansas City, Kan., League's defensive team and finished top five in the voting.

Still, while he had a good senior season, the college option was not there. For two years, it looked like his basketball career was over.

Until last weekend, that is.

"This means a lot to me," Campbell said. "I'm really excited about meeting all the coaches and the players. I want to fit in and help them win some games."

Over the past four seasons, Washington Wildcats head coach Eric King has coached 15 players who eventually earned scholarships. This case may have been the strangest since scholarships generally aren't offered on the fly.

However, the coach isn't too surprised Campbell will play college hoops for at least two years.

"He's a competitor," King said. "Campbell was a  competitive player for us and he was one of the biggest reasons we made it to the state tournament in 2010. He was a great defensive player for us."

Campbell provided huge minutes and points during Washington's run to the state tournament.

He shot nearly 60 percent from the field in sub-state play, averaging 10 points a game in two upset wins against Lansing and Highland Park.

"When we finally beat Highland Park, that was sweet," Campbell said. "It was a great feeling getting to state in my senior season."

Lessons can be learned from examples.

In Campbell's case, it's the lesson that athletes should never throw in the towel no matter how bleak it looks for them.

"Campbell never gave up," King said. "He could have easily given up his career. He was working in a store when he got this opportunity."

"This is a blessing for him."

Washington High School journalism teacher wins 2012 Sunflower Award

Release:

Kansas City Washington adviser Brandi Stout has been named the winner of the 2012 Sunflower Award, given annually by KSPA to a relatively new adviser (first four years) who has already made a significant contribution to scholastic journalism in Kansas.

Stout, who will be honored at the annual KSPA State Contest brunch on May 5, will receive up to $500 to cover tuition for continuing journalism education, a plaque and a free 2012-2013 KSPA membership. Stout was nominated by her high school adviser, Jill Holder from Bonner Springs.

Here’s what one judge wrote about Stout: “In her three years as an adviser, Brandi has done a great job to revitalize the yearbook and to train her  students to the point that they are competitive and confident. The editor’s comment about Brandi speaks volumes: ‘The main thing Mrs. Stout teaches is that she has faith in her students even when they don’t have faith in themselves.’”

Another judge noted that Stout “works at a low-income school (and) has re-energized the journalism program. Recent research shows that journalism programs are least likely to exist in schools that have large proportions of disadvantaged students, which is measured by how many students in a school qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This relates to the type of funding for curricular and extra-curricular programs, like journalism, that a school has at its disposal. In Brandi’s school, 78 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.”

All judges had praise for all three nominees: Stout, Todd Vogts of Western Plains High School and BriAnne Chayer of Paola High School.

“In two years in a school with a total enrollment of 48, Todd has created an entire program and his students placed first in KSPA state contest. Quite an achievement in a short time. In addition he teaches his students about their First Amendment rights and empowers them to practice those rights.”

“Most impressive in BriAnne’s recommendation packet were the endorsements she received from her superintendent as well as a former fellow reporter. While both letters presented detailed, appropriate information, it was the student letter that (was most impressive.) The student credited BriAnne with the change in the journalism program and continued ‘she offers a safe haven for students to learn and grow as students, leaders, and journalists.’”

“Looking over all these nominations, I came to believe that student journalism in Kansas is in good hands of excellent advisers,” one judge wrote.

Michelle Wilmes of Ottawa won the inaugural Sunflower Award in 2011.

Salsgiver named head football coach at Washington High School

By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com

Bryan Salsgiver has been hired as head coach of the Washington Wildcats football program.

Salsgiver will become the third football coach for Washington in the past five years. He arrives to Washington High School after being an assistant football head coach at Shawnee Mission South.

Salsgiver is an alum of Shawnee Mission South, where he played quarterback for the Raiders.

For Salsgiver, the job will be tough.

He inherits a program that's coming off a 2-7 season. Worst yet, Washington football is just 3-24 in the past three years.

After last year, multiple players transferred to Schlagle High School and other programs in the metro area.