Category Archives: Lexi Burch

Lexi Burch, News

Columnist gets involved in community

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By Lexi Burch

The sounds of loud barking and faint meows fill the air, but it isn’t the sound of a noisy animal shelter, but the sound of citizenship. Getting into community service may not be a high priority but it is far from that. Community service is something very fulfilling and rewarding.

I have been volunteering at the Floyd County Animal Shelter for a couple months now and it is something I am very proud of. Getting involved in the community is a great way to learn commitment and be involved in something outside of school.

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in community service; the local animal shelter, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, park departments, and many others. A few hours a week or even a month can really make a difference.

Commmunity service can open many doors such as the door to colleges. Community involvement and can be the difference in being accepted or not. Community service shows colleges that you like to get involved, have very good leadership skills and can manage time wisely.

If you are unsure where you want to get involved  you can get online or visit your local town hall for volunteer listing. You never know you may find something you love.

Writer’s note: For more information about the Floyd County Animal shelter. Pick up a December issue of the Bagpiper. There is orientation the last Thursday of every month. The shelter is open Mon-Fri 11am-5pm and Sat 11am-2pm. The shelter also accepts donations.

Features, Lexi Burch

Finals tips dispensed

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By: Lexi Burch

As the semester comes to a close it is not time to tap the breaks, it is time to put the pedal to the metal.

Step 1: Prioritize

Physical Education A+, Geometry C-. The obvious subject someone would focus most on is Geometry. Prioritizing can be key in a successful semester grade. Focus on those ‘struggling’ classes, the classes that need that extra step.

“I cheer and take advanced classes,” said junior Blayne Miles. “Cheer is demanding but I always make sure school comes first.”

School should be a number one priority especially as the year comes to a close.

“Students that are involved in many things need to have great time management skills,” said counselor Mark Clark. “Students need to realize that school is ticket to their future, therefore, school work and studies need to remain the most important focus.”

Be sure to focus on all courses involved in but prioritize those that need the extra attention.

Step 2: Do not procrastinate

It is the Devil in disguise; procrastination can creep up on anyone. In fact it has probably creeped up on just about everyone. The way someone tackles procrastination will make or break them as the year winds down.

“[The worst thing about procrastination] the sleep I lose when I do the project the night before it’s due,” said sophomore Clayton Crum.

When that magazine sounds better than an English paper or Twitter seems more interesting than The Great Gatsby, it is not. Stays focused and get things done in a timely manner it will make the grades go up.

Step 3: Get help

Getting help from teachers may make someone shiver with fear. A big scary teacher and alone with just them sounds intimidating but it is the best way to get a complete understanding of a lesson. Teachers are here to help students succeed, take advantage of them.

“Teachers will definitely help if you ask,” said English teacher Wallace Austin. “We will get busy at the end of the semester, so don’t wait until the last second.”

Ask a teacher if they have a few minutes after class or even after school. Being brave could be the difference from passing a failing.

Step 4: Study

It is something everyone dreads, studying. Is there really even a right way to study? There is, the way that works best and shows the most improvement. The way everyone studies varies but as long as studying going on it is going to help improve grades.

“I like to study in my room while I listen to music,” said junior Eli Marion.

The best way to study is to make sure the studied subject is easy to focus on. Study in quiet places where there are not a lot of people that would bother the study session. Like the school library, your room, or basement. Make sure it is quiet with not a lot of distractions that could make someone get off topic. Stay away from televisions and computers. Make sure to focus and take in as much information as possible to get the best results.

Most people think because a vacation is coming, that it is already here. Do not do that; do not forget that these days are probably some of the hardest parts of the year. Teachers are going to try to squeeze as much in as they can and do not forget about those icky finals. So do not slow down, if anything speed up. Study, don’t procrastinate, ask for help, prioritize classes and it will be a successful semester.

Boys Basketball, Lexi Burch, Sports

Inexperienced basketball team prepares for season

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By Lexi Burch

The sound of squeaky shoes cling to the floor,  as a young new team comes together to represent FC basketball.

Returning junior Zane Nichols said he is very excited for a new season and all the opportunities it brings.

“I am the most excited for the New Albany game because it is the biggest rival game of the year.”

This year’s team has a lot of young new players one of which is junior Chad Zoll.

“This is my first year on Floyd’s team,” said Zoll. “I’m both nervous and excited for this season.”

Nichols said the team is working hard to rebuild from the loss of the previous year’s seniors.

“We’re focusing on what our team’s strengths are so we can take advantage of them each game,” said Nichols.

The team is excited to work hard to represent the school and give fans something good to see out on the court.

“I can’t wait to bond and become close with this year’s team,” said Nichols. “It’s going to be a great season.”

Lexi Burch, Uncategorized

Theater director prepares for fall show

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By Lexi Burch

As theater director Robbie Steiner wraps up his first play, “Miracle Worker,” he is not wasting any time with firing out a second show, “Music Man.”

Theater director Robbie Steiner

“[On choosing ‘Music Man’] I wanted to choose a family musical that would involve lots of high school, middle school, and elementary students,” said Steiner. “It has been a long time since we have done ‘Music Man’ and I thought the community would enjoy seeing this old classic revived.”

Steiner said he is very excited for this show, mostly to watch the growth of his cast.

“The most thrilling thing about being a teacher for me is watching my students develop their talents and discover what they can do together,” said Steiner.

Another person who is excited for this show is sophomore Bonnie Hopkins.

“I am excited for everything,” said Hopkins. “Putting a show together is very stressful but it is the kind of stress that only makes you want to better.”

Theater may seem like all fun and play, but Steiner said the cast is working very hard to make this show great.

“The cast is currently attending lost of rehearsals and working hard to memorize lines, choreography, blocking, and to develop their characters,” he said.

Hopkins, being a part of the cast, said Steiner is putting them to the test. They are all working hard everyday.

“Because the show is a musical, I am working on my harmonies in the music because when I see professional show it’s one of the things I notice the most,” said Hopkins.

“Music Man” is a show in progress and will be coming to FC’s stage during the first two weekends in November.

“Reservations can be made by calling our box office at 812-542-2284,” said Steiner. “Ticket prices are $12 for adults $10 for senior citizens, and $6 for students.”

Features, Lexi Burch

Meet assistant principal Rob Willman

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By Alexis Burch

Assistant Principal Rob Willman can be seen walking the halls, talking to students, observing classrooms, or disciplining students. Willman is just one of the many administrators at FC, but being an administrator was not always Willman’s plan.

“I wanted to be a lot of things,” said Willman. “I wanted to be a professional athlete. I also wanted to be a college football coach.”

Willman grew up right here in Floyds Knobs and graduated from Hanover College. Willman began right back where he started when he took the English job at FC in 1999. Willman did not decide to become an administrator until the fall of 2008.

“I wanted to do something different,” said Willman. “I wanted to see if I had the leadership skills to do the job.”

As the years of being an administrator have gone by, Willman said he is enjoying a lot of things about the job.

“I really enjoy going to the events,” said Willman. “I like to see the success of the students and staff. I really like observing, that is probably my favorite. I feel like after observing the classrooms and the way teachers teach, I could go back into the classroom and be better teacher than I was before.”

Although there seems to be plenty of positives of being an administrator Willman said there are a few down sides to the job.

“[The hardest part is] the difficult conversations that aren’t positive, whether it’s with students, teachers,or parents.”

For those freshmen wondering where to find such a person as Willman, he said he can be found just about anywhere. The hallways, classrooms, and the lunchroom are the places students will most likely spot him.

“It is hectic, it is busy,” said Willman about his administrative job. “You have a to-do list every day that is usually, by 8:30, different.”