Category Archives: Lexi Burch

Lexi Burch, News

Senior Mandy Dunlap to be awarded Outstanding NJROTC Cadet

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Senior Mandy Dunlap
Senior Mandy Dunlap

By Lexi Burch

Senior Mandy Dunlap will be awarded Outstanding NJROTC Cadet on May 16 by the Louisville Armed Forces Committee. This award is awarded to those cadets who have exceptional leadership, commitment, and skill.

“I was really surprised, and it means a lot to me to get the Outstanding NJROTC Cadet award,” said Dunlap.

The procedure in order to pick the outstanding cadet analyzed cadets on their skills, mental ability, and leadership.

“To win this award, I was chosen by my instructors to write an essay on leadership qualities,” said Dunlap. “NJROTC has prepared me on how to be a successful leader, to be committed, and how to work together, along with many other skills. The leadership qualities that I have learned and wrote about were leading by the Navy’s core values of courage, honor, and commitment.”

Dunlap plans on using her NJROTC skills by continuing her career in the national defense field. She hopes to enlist in the Navy.

 “After graduation, I am continuing in the field of national defense by serving in the U.S. Navy; I enlisted as an Aircrewman,” said Dunlap. “I believe that as a citizen I should help protect my country, and I chose the Navy because I like the Navy way of life and the opportunity to travel the world.”

Dunlap has been a member of FC’s NJROTC for four years. She said she is glad that her hard work is finally paying off.

“This wraps up my four years in NJROTC,” said Dunlap, “how I have grown as a person, and how I have been blessed for the things I have accomplished.”

A&E, Lexi Burch

KFC Yum! Center offers popular concert lineup

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By Lexi Burch

As the year 2013 kicks off with a bang, so do the sounds from inside the KFC Yum! Center. Even though it is only March,  the Yum! Center has brought in and will bring in music’s top names for their concert lineup.

The KFC Yum! Center, the home basketball court of the Louisville Cardinals, also hosts some of the largest concerts in Kentucky and Indiana. With seating for up to 22,000 people it is a key place for music stars to come and share their music. Junior Courtney Crombie said it is an awesome place to hold concerts.

“It’s so huge, the large space allows artists to do awesome things,” said Crombie.

Less than a week ago the Yum! Center hosted punk rock singer P!nk.

“My favorite part of the concert was when she was flying around the arena doing her acrobatic stuff,” said Crombie.

The concert line ups doesn’t stop at P!nk, artists like Luke Bryan, Kid Rock, Zac Brown Band, and The Who have all paid a visit to the Yum! Center.

“I’ve been to a couple concerts there,” said sophomore Natalie Graham. “The Yum! Center never fails to book awesome artists.”

In less than a month, country star Jason Aldean will take the stage and senior Alex Beyer said he is very excited.

“I am most excited to go see him live,” said Beyer. “It’s so much different to see an artist live.”

In addition to country stars like Jason Aldean, the Yum! Center will welcome one of country music’s biggest star. 21-year-old Taylor Swift will make her appearance May 10. This will be Swift’s third time in Louisville and second time at the Yum! Center.

“I was so excited [to get Swift tickets] because I have been to all of her concerts in Louisville and I know she always puts on an amazing show,” said junior Alex Kennedy.

It seems as if the Yum! Center’s line-up would slow down after Swift but if anything it gets better. Later in the year they will host Bruno Mars, One Direction, Bon Jovi, and Fleetwood Mac. This year’s line up will be every concert-goers dream, full of ultimate concert experiences.

“My favorite thing about concerts is because of how loud it is and how many people are there,” said Kennedy. “It’s like a giant party.”

A&E, Lexi Burch

Orchestra prepares for the ‘Big Apple’

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Next week, on Feb. 27, 29 members from the orchestra will travel to New York to participate in a competition at the Alice Tully Hall in the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

“I think is our fourth trip to new York,” said orchestra director Doug Elmore. “New York is an obvious choice for a music trip, as it is the most arts dense city in America, in addition to being the home of some great architecture, monuments, and the largest auditorium in America.”

Traveling anywhere for school is very exciting, but the opportunity to travel to New York is amazing. Junior Lucy Brown said she is more than excited to travel to New York.

“I am very excited but I’m most excited for the cruise around Manhattan,” said Brown.

There are many aspects that go into preparing for a show, but an incredible amount goes into preparing for New York.

“Preparing the music has been a little stressful,” said Elmore. “The kids are working very hard though.”

As the day gets closer and closer the more the members are getting a little bit nervous and really excited. There is many things the orchestra will do other than perform.

The members said they will go out to eat, tour the city, shop, and much more.

The upcoming trip presents many opportunities for the students.

“I am very excited to be taking such a talented, responsible, and fun group of students on such an awesome trip,” said Elmore. “The kids will remember this for a lifetime.”