Friday, February 7, is a busy day for Washburn Rural High School with many events to prepare and gather attention to their formal dance on February 8. They will hold an assembly during the school day and will host the Topeka High Trojans for their formal basketball game. In between the girls and boys games the formal court will be announced and during halftime of the varsity boys game the WRHS Dancing Blues have a special guy and girl dance prepared.   

On Friday, February 7, Washburn Rural will be on assembly schedule for a pep rally to excite students for the activities occurring that upcoming weekend. WRHS Staff and WRHS STUCO will encourage attendance for the game that night and the dance the next day, with the WRHS Spirit Leaders engaging the students. 

The Washburn Rural varsity Lady Blues basketball team is 7-3 and will face off a 9-3-1 Topeka High Trojan team. The game is scheduled to take place in the activity center at 6 p.m. At this point in time, the Lady Blues are ranked below the Trojans in the 6A division, but it’s looking to be an entertaining match up. The Trojans are on a four game winning streak but will be facing Manhattan on Wednesday the 5, before they play the Lady Blues. The Lady Blues are returning from a win at Blue Valley and are facing Junction City before they meet the Trojans this Friday. 

Mr. Schmitz, a teacher involved in many sports teams including the girls basketball team, expressed his thoughts about the team and their plan for this upcoming game.

“I am anticipating a highly competitive rivalry type game,” he said. Coach Schmitz is involved in JV and Varsity girls basketball practices. When asked about what they have been focusing on he said, “We have been working really, really hard recently on the flow of our offense. We saw a lot of improvement in that this week, in the games we have played. I think if we do those things that we will see the success we’re hoping for against Topeka High.” 

Following the Girls varsity game, a ceremony to announce the King and Queen of Courts will occur in the WRHS Activity Center. The title of king and queen are awarded to the seniors that have received the most votes from their peers. Candidates are nominated by an extracurricular activity to run for king or queen of courts. 

The King and Queen of courts are nominated and selected for each dance. STUCO requires nominees to record a video explaining why they should be voted, what they are involved in, and advice to underclassmen along with a video from their parents. Students then watch the videos and vote for their favorite King and Queen. Students should have voted in advisory on Tuesday. 

This year WRHS has 12 candidates, six girls and six boys. The Queen candidates are Kate Hinck of the girls basketball team, Liana Murphy of the black student union, Taylynn Bivens of the cheer team, Emerie Catlin of the fellowship of christian athletes, Rylee Ismert of the track and field team, and Ashley Schwarz of the womens wrestling team. The King candidates are Mitchell Rabb of the baseball team, Kaden Ballard of the boys basketball team, Connor Ahrens of the bowling team, Jack Rogers from journalism/yearbook, Ryder Nikkel of the boys soccer team, and Easton Broxterman of the boys wrestling team. 

Taking place after the King and Queen of Courts ceremony, the Topeka High Trojans boys varsity basketball team will be taking on the Washburn High Varsity Jr. Blues. The game is scheduled for 7:30 and will take place in the activity center. The Trojans appear to be in a slump, as they are 0-12-1 as of right now. However, the Jr. Blues are 9-4, but they are coming off of a more than 20 point loss to Blue Valley.

As the WRHS Dancing Blues always do they will perform during halftime of the boys varsity game. On Friday they will perform their special and annual guys and girls dance where each dancer selects a guy to perform a specially choreographed dance with them.

Alayna Bivens, a freshman, was asked if she felt more pressure for this dance to which she said, “No, because we’ve done it (performed at home) multiple times.” Bivens was unsure of what all she could share about the dance but was able to share her favorite part is the partner work and theme. Many students enjoy watching the girls and guys perform. Korynn Draper, a freshman said, “I enjoy watching the guys attempt to dance like the girls. The girls are so good and watching the guys try to keep up is entertaining.”