4:37 a.m. FC marching band does a run through of the show before leaving to Indianapolis.
4:41 a.m. The marching band gets on the buses before they depart for Indianapolis.
7:46 a.m. After a two-hour drive FC marching band arrives at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.8:07 a.m. After parking, the band gets on the trailer to get their uniforms to change back on the bus.9:15 a.m. After the band is in uniform, they get into formation to head to physical warm-ups.
9:37 a.m. FC marching band does physical exercises one hour before the performance.
10 a.m. FC marching band does musical warm-ups 40 minutes before playing on the football field.10:20 a.m. The Pit arrives on the sideline to prepare to set up after DeKalb High School finish performing.10:40 a.m. The marching band runs a nine minute show to compete for the top 10 in state finals.11:25 a.m. After performing sophomores Phoenix-Grace Lackey and Chris Harbeson sits with the band watching the rest of the bands perform for state finals.12:14 p.m. The band stands in a block on the Colts football field to wait for the announcement for placement.12:42 p.m. After hearing the band place 6th place, field commander Sloane Lewis leads the band back to the buses carrying the sixth place trophy.
1:35 p.m. The band packs up and leaves for home.
4:11 p.m. Waiting on the semi that broke on the way home, the band gets together watching the last performance of the year. Afterwards band director Harold Yankey gives a speech on how proud he is of the band and of the season.4:55 p.m. After a new semi is attached to the trailer, the semi arrives. The Pit Crew dads unload the truck of instruments and props to end the day and the marching band season. Photos and captions by Jonathan Blaylock and Brad Hunt.
It is only the start of November, and already students have been seen wearing heavy coats and jeans. The weather in the early mornings, around the time that most students find themselves waiting for the bus, has dipped down in the 30s and 40s in the past couple of weeks. Teachers too, are noticing the cold, such as meteorology teacher C.J. Jackson.
“[It’s] definitely colder than last year.”
Many students agree that the winter is going to be a cold, snowy one, though some such as freshman Ryan Parker are skeptical.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a snowy winter,” said Parker, saying such due to the lack of snowy winters in the past few years.
Some students, like sophomore Matthew Jewell wonder how long the season is going to be, saying that the winter is going to be a little longer.
Of course, a cold winter may result in snow days, and members of staff don’t really like the idea.
“I’d like for it to play out to where we had no snow days,” said assistant principal Joe Voelker.
Even some students aren’t so willing for snow days, considering the finite amount of summer break students are getting, such as senior Peyton Winchell.
“I don’t want any snow days; I want to finish [school] early.”
Voelker also talked about how students should prepare for bad weather, recommending that all students have a jacket to wear at the bus stop.
While some are wondering exactly how bad this winter is going to be, Jackson is confident in his belief of how the seasons’ going to play out.
“ [The winter] won’t be as warm as last year, but it won’t be as cold as our worst year.”
Local teenagers and community members got a civics lesson on the First Amendment on Wednesday.
In 1965, a 13-year-old girl named Mary Beth Tinker wore a black armband to her school in Des Moines, Iowa to mourn the dead on both sides of the Vietnam War. She was suspended, along with several other students, for this peaceful act of protest. In 1969, the case went to the Supreme Court, where it was ruled that students and teachers have First Amendment rights within school. The Tinker v. Des Moines case has made a significant impact upon the freedom of students to express their thoughts and ideas.
Tinker, as a part of her tour around the country, spoke at Indiana University Southeast at 7 p.m. Wednesday to educate people about student’s rights and encourage young people to start speaking up for what they believe in. Along with the Vietnam War, she also witnessed racial discrimination towards African-Americans during her childhood, and many people advocated for civil rights.
Mary Beth Tinker speaks about the First Amendment and the Tinker v. Des Moines Supreme Court case at the Indiana University Southeast Ogle Center Wednesday night. Tinker’s speech was part of the Tinker Tour, sponsored by the Student Press Law Center. Photo by Noble Guyon.
“There were so many young people speaking out and standing up. It was when I was growing up, in the early 1960s. It seemed like everyone around me was a strong, brave, courageous person,” she said.
Tinker, who described herself as shy, did not begin speaking out until the issue of the black armbands came up. After the case was won, she grew up without understanding the full significance of the court decision. As an adult, she realized the effect it has had upon the United States.
“I slowly began to see that our case is part of a larger issue, of civil liberties, of children’s rights, of human rights. I started to see that there are young people all over the country who are standing up for their rights- all over the world. And I started meeting some of them, and I started talking to them about some of things they are speaking up about,” said Tinker.
Attorney Mike Hiestand, who is traveling with Tinker on the tour sponsored by the Student Press Law Center in Washington, D.C., encouraged students to speak out.
“When you feel something from so deep within, from the very core of your heart, you need to say what you need to say. It is so important…young people have a message that we as adults have sometimes forgotten,” said Hiestand.
Many teenagers are passionate about causing change, according to Tinker.
“Young people want to make things better,” she said.
The Tinker v. Des Moines case has had a particularly significant effect upon student journalists.
“It has affected anyone who is in the [journalism] business or anyone in a high school situation where they have tried to give some sort of expression of themselves,” said journalist Jarod Clapp, a reporter for the New Albany Tribune covering the event.
Clapp said that students need to take advantage of their freedom to speak up.
“It’s just as important as it is for anyone else to stick up for their opinions. If you don’t stand up for what you believe in, what you believe in may disappear,” said Clapp.
Although speaking one’s mind can often lead to negative responses from others, Tinker said she thinks discussion between those of different beliefs can lead to tolerance.
“We are trying to have peace in the world, in our communities, in our schools, so we want conversations, so people don’t just yell at each other,” she said.
Joseph Dever, an IUS and FC graduate who attended the speech, said Tinker has had a major impact on him and the people around him.
“As a journalism student I’ve always been inspired by Mary Beth Tinker. It’s been really crazy hearing about her experience, and just seeing the change that she’s brought. What she does is so important to the students- to inspire them to take a stand, and express themselves. That’s one of the most important things for people to learn,” said Dever.
Dever said the First Amendment rights lead to a more successful society.
“I think it is important because everyone has the right to express what they think- they have the freedom to do that. I think when, as a society, we place limits on people, we place limits on society. I think society thrives from free press and free people,” he said.
IUS senior Rebecca Egger said standing up for one’s beliefs is an important part of learning and growing as an individual.
“I think it is important because they are people just like anyone, and they deserve to have their voice heard. I think when their voice isn’t heard, it can cause students to be discouraged, and I think, in some ways, it can inhibit you from trying and from pushing yourself forward and learning.”
One of the main points made throughout the speech, by both Tinker and Hiestand, was the importance of students realizing and acting upon their First Amendment rights.
“She is certainly part of history, but the thing we are trying to remind students of is that she’s part of history, but it’s a history that is ongoing. Her case is the law of the land today, that’s been cited over 6000 times…the rights that her case helped win are the rights that we are really trying to remind students that they exist today,” said Hiestand.
FC will be hosting the Dance Marathon this February for the fourth consecutive year. This event provides games and activities in an effort to raise money for Riley Children’s Hospital. To conduct an event like this requires well thought out planning and dedication. In order to make the fundraiser as successful as possible, the planning and preparations are divided into four different committees.
“We have the fundraising committee, which is in charge of fundraising money prior to the event itself to try and get the total up each year. We also have recruitment, which works on getting people to the event itself and spreading the word about what Dance Marathon is and what we’re trying to accomplish. The entertainment committee is in charge of planning the night, which involves creating a schedule and planning out all of the activities. And then of course there’s catering that provides us with all of the food and beverages,” said FCDM coordinator and English teacher Tiffany Stansbury.
Creating each committee and giving them a purpose was a large task to take on. But even more in depth was deciding how each group would be constructed. For the fourth annual Dance Marathon, there were 170 students who volunteered to be on staff. Unfortunately, not everyone could be accepted.
“It was certainly a nice problem to have,” said Stansbury, “But we had to have a certain amount of guys and girls, a certain amount from each grade, and then we tried to get an even amount of people who have been involved in previous years and people who are new to the staff.”
Each year the event is hosted, more students learn about the fundraiser and it’s success seems to build from previous years.
“I had so much fun at last year’s Dance Marathon, and I thought it would be an even better experience this year to contribute,” said sophomore Kristen Burger, new to the FCDM staff this year.
Even though the main event is not until the second semester, the committees are dedicating their time and efforts in advance to make as large an impact as possible.
“We sold Yankee Candles at the end of August as our first fundraiser, and we have so much more planned. The yard sale is on Sept. 28, and we have a Halloween Party coming soon in October,” said Burger.
For the other volunteers, the overall experience of being on staff is also a main reason they choose to dedicate themselves to the cause.
“I volunteered for Dance Marathon again this year because last year it had a big impact on my life. It felt good to be a part of something so huge and worthwhile. I was a small part in it but it was still a great opportunity,” said junior Lexie Byrd.
For the past three years, the FCDM committee has gone past their own expectations and raised more than their actual goal. To make this possible for a fourth year in a row, their new goal is to “Strive for Forty-Seven Five”, which is a couple thousand more than what they collected at last year’s event. On top of that, they are constantly thinking of how they can improve and give more back to Riley’s Hospital.
“We’re trying to get the word out earlier and take part in more activities throughout the school year. For us, Dance Marathon is a year-long process and we want to bring that to the school as well,” said Stansbury.
Editor’s Note: For more details on this year’s Dance Marathon activities, check out the Oct. 4 issue of The Bagpiper.
By Melanie Parrish, Delaney Smith and Megan Johnson
Walking up to the wall is an emotional journey to many of the people there. Tears are shed as people trace over names of loved ones that were lost all those years ago. Not all of the people who gave their lives were killed in battle. Many of them put others before themselves, risking their lives, on Sept. 11, 2001 to help people that could not help themselves while they were trapped in the burning towers when the planes crashed into the World Trade Center.
“I feel that you should treat a veteran with as much respect as you would your best friend,” said sophomore Aidan Holt, a former NJROTC cadet.
The memorial, which was in Clarksville from Aug. 14-18, displays a small scale replica of the original Vietnam Memorial wall as well as replicas of many other memorials honoring the people who have died for the country. This includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and multiple 9/11 memorials. FC NJROTC proudly carried the honor of posting the colors at 1 p.m. on Aug.15.
“It made my heart hurt for those who have lost [loved ones],” said sophomore Joel Jackson, who attended the event.
Jackson said that he believes the wall honors everyone in the way they deserve, and hopes that people visiting, including himself, would take a moment to remain silent and reflect upon what they had seen.
“The area where the wall was standing was almost silent.”
This memorial means something different for each individual that visits.
“It means more than just a wall with a whole bunch of names. I think it meant that people risked their lives for everything that we know,” said Holt.
Some say veterans were treated very harshly when they first arrived home from the war. The wall is intended to honor these veterans.
“When we arrived home in Washington, protesters spit at us and hollered. We were just doing our jobs,” said retired Army Artilleryman Bud Downard.
Former Air Force Captain Jeri Rue agreed that veterans should be treated with more respect.
“They gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. We need to do more for the ones that come back that are handicapped veterans and that society needs to do more for them. Veterans are very honored. I just wish the economy was stronger so they would have better jobs for when they come out of service,” said Rue.
About 9,870,000 military personnel served on active duty during the official Vietnam era from Aug. 15, 1964 to May 7, 1975. According to Standown.org, about one third of homeless adults in the US are veterans. Veterans represent about 11 percent of the population, meaning that anywhere between 107,000 and 300,000 are homeless and/or out of work. The Department of Veteran Affairs stated that the number of homeless Vietnam veterans is higher than the number of fatalities during the war.
“Veterans deserve good VA (Veteran Administrations). They deserve to be taken care of when they have problems,” said Downard.
Downard explained that during the time of the war that his job as a specialist fourth class was to fire cannons at the Vietnamese. He remembers the living conditions of the war most vividly, as camps consisting of holes dug in the ground with sandbags on top.
“They gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. We need to do more for the ones that come back that are handicapped veterans. Society needs to do more for them,” said Rue.
Holt shared his finial opinion on respecting veterans.
“I think a good way to honor veterans is to show your greatest respect and gratitude to them and their families.”
Official news source for Floyd Central High School
9:37 a.m. FC marching band does physical exercises one hour before the performance.
