Category Archives: Lexi Burch

Features, Lexi Burch

Senior Cylie Miller wins programming award

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By Lexi Burch

Senior Cylie Miller has devoted herself to web design and technology. That devotion paid off not too long ago when she won the National Center for Women and Information Technology Programming award. This is an award only given to a few girls in the state of Indiana, so for Miller this means a lot.

“I was very surprised when I found out I had won the award. I know there are girls out there that are a lot more advanced in computers than I am, so to be picked as a winner was an honor,” said Miller.

Winning an award like this takes a lot of devotion, time, and practice. Miller just got started with computer classes in her junior year but instantly loved it and worked hard to be on the level she is.

“What I like best about Computer Science and Web Design is that you are given a task that you have the freedom to complete it how you want,” said Miller. “You can design or program in your own way. “

Since the Technology Programming award is a ‘Women’s’ award, Miller, hopes to get more girls involved in programming. By winning this award, Miller hopes she will inspire more girls to go after their dreams.

“I hope to show other girls through this award that computers have been a career path mainly pursued by men,” said Miller. “This only makes a woman in computing more valuable to a company so you are more likely to get a job in the growing career field! Also it’s great to get an accomplishment and award in something that you love doing, so I hope to show others to pursue what they love.”

Many people are very proud of Miller one of which is programming teacher David Traughber.

“I am very proud of her, ” said Traughber. “She will go far in programming, if that’s what she chooses to do. She is very talented.”

Miller has an even brighter future after winning this award. She said she plans on staying on the technology track and hopes one day she will have a job in the field.

“In the future I hope to attend IU for computer science,” said Miller. “Through that, I think I can find a great career that will allow me to see new people and places, as well as a career that I will love.”

Bryce Romig, Dazzlers, Lexi Burch, Sports

Dazzlers dream for success at Nationals

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By Lexi Burch and Bryce Romig

Disney World is where ‘dreams come true’ and the Dazzlers are hoping for their dreams to come true when they travel there this Wednesday to compete in UDA Nationals.

After winning eleven consecutive national titles and double titling last season, expectations will be high when the Dazzlers arrive in Orlando.

“For me to win my fourth national title would be amazing,” said junior Courtney Crombie. “Most people work four years to get those four titles, and to get it as a junior would be such an awesome accomplishment.”

Sophomore Coral Portman said that they have been preparing for this years nationals even before they won last year. The Dazzlers devote all their time and breath to the sport.

“We train every week with a personal trainer and we practice hours daily,” said Portman. “We have competitions almost every weekend to prepare for the pressures of nationals.”

For the senior Dazzlers this will be their last time performing on the black mat. They say that the feeling of it being over is very bittersweet.

“Knowing this is my last time at nationals is hard to believe,” said senior Kimberly Humphries. “Saying goodbye to my team will be one of the hardest things I will ever do.”

UDA Nationals is not all stress and sweat. The girls said spending the weekend in sunny Florida, in the exciting Disney World is one of the best times throughout the season.

“The most exciting part about Nationals is being out on the floor with the rest of my teammates and just knowing that we’re about to kill it.” said Crombie. “The idea that everyone in the building is watching you and only you, is a feeling I can’t even describe. We go on autopilot when we’re out there competing and everything just happens.”

Winning Nationals for any team would be exciting but for the Dazzlers it is carrying on a legacy. This team and past teams have made it possible for the Dazzlers to have a consecutive winning streak.

“It would mean everything to win,” said Sophomore Taylor Neagle. “We work so hard each year to bring home another title. Carrying on the legacy of teams before us would mean so much to current team and past teams.”

As Wednesday draws near the hearts of the Dazzlers are racing and the butterflies in their stomachs are fluttering. The memories of winning reenter their minds.

“The feeling of winning is like a ten thousand pound weight has being lifted off your shoulders,” said Crombie. “It is crazy how much pressure is on us to keep an amazing legacy going, and when we win all the hard moments and struggles are beyond worth it.”

Lexi Burch, News

FC speech team host third annual Highlander Howl

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By Lexi Burch

This weekend FC’s speech and debate team will host its third annual Highlander Howl speech tournament. There will be over ten schools and 150 students participating.

“It is a chance to showcase our school to other teams around the state and bring attention to speech and debate at our school,” said speech coach Wallace Austin.

FC has been hosting this tournament for the past two years and it has been growing each year.

“It’s gotten a whole lot bigger this year year than it was last year,” said junior Sarah Henry. “We have over 150 students participating from all over the state.”

The tournament is a large scale competition with lots of teams, students, and over 50 adult coaches and judges. Putting together a tournament like this takes a lot of time and effort.

“With over 190 competitors it’s very important to be organized in advance and make sure everything goes smoothly during the tournament,” said Austin. “This is our third yeah, so that helps. This is not our first rodeo.”

This tournament is open to the public but students must be accompanied by an adult. The meet begins at 8:30 a.m. and awards are scheduled for 3:00 p.m. The Highlander speeh team would love to have as much support as they can get.

“People can watch different events and see for themselves if they would like to participate,” said Austin.

Lexi Burch, News

Juniors take winter fun to a new level

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By Lexi Burch

For some people Paoli Peaks is a forgotten winter attraction but for a group of FC students it is much more than that.

“I’ve been snowboarding since about seventh grade,” said junior Zach Lewis. “A few of my friends have been doing it since grade school.”

That is the case for another junior Ian Welsh, who said he has had a love for the snow for as long as he can remember.

“I’ve been snowboarding, skiing, and anything that has to do with the snow since I was a kid,” said Welsh. “Paoli is my second home during the winter.”

The group of boys said that they devote their winter season to Paoli and winter sports.

“We try to go up everyday or a least as much as we can,’ said Welsh. “I probably go up the most out of my friends.”

They treat it like another sports practice, they try new tricks and ways to improve their skills.

“[The best part about snowboarding] Hitting a trick you’ve been working on forever,” said junior Eli Marion

Some of they boys said they spend their time on two boards instead of just one.

“I probably take skiing more serious than any other sport,” said junior Logan Vaughn. “Skiing really tests all your abilities.”

They said that it is all a giant competition between each other. They are always trying to be better than the next guy.

“I’m the best,” said Welsh.

“Ian is probably the best because he has been snowboarding longer and devotes more time to it,” said Lewis.

“I’m the best at skiing, though,” said junior Grant Foster.

It is all friendly competition they said. Paoli is a great way to hang out and do something together that they love.

“I don’t think I would be as good as I am if my friends weren’t doing with me,” said Lewis. “They really push me.”

As Paoli season gets closer and closer the more they get excited.

“We’ve all got our new and old boards ready for another awesome season,” said Lewis.