Category Archives: Alyssa Book

A&E, Alyssa Book

Taylor Swift’s ‘Red’ Tour wows fans at Tuesday night’s concert

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By Alyssa Book

Taylor Swift graced her presence among Kentuckiana again last night on her much anticipated ‘Red’ tour. Swift brought along two opening acts, Ed Sheeran and Florida Georgia Line, that got the crowd up on their feet and preparing their vocals to be singing along with girl empowering songs for two more hours. Swift was a seasoned professional up on stage and is on the peak of her game.

Red lights, red dresses, and red guitars. From beginning to end, Swift rocked her new favorite color and had me loving it by the end of the night. As the lights shut off and she started singing ‘State of Grace,’ the screaming began and did not waver until the Louisville crowd had to leave the Yum Center.

Not only were her vocals impressive, but her set for this tour was top notch. Every song had a theme tied to it and it kept the concert fresh and exciting. Swift was a ringleader of a circus, a fairy-tale princess, and a glamorous superstar all in a short two hours. Her  fan enthusiasm cannot be matched and her ability to make 1500 girls feel like they are her best friend is a talent that comes with experience and a gift she was born to share.

Swift played songs off of her ‘Red’ album as well as bringing back songs from her past albulms that really pushed  her into the limelight she soaks in today. The crowd got a taste of what it felt like to be ’22’ for a night. The songs that generated the most electricity were ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ and ‘Never Getting Back Together.’

The choreography of this tour was incredible and her dancers never missed a beat. Come to think of it, neither did she. Swift has came into her own, and showed a poise and grace on stage that I had never seen. What was amazing to see was the crowd get so into her songs. Girls relate to her lyrics and seeing her in person star struck many across the stadium. Whether Swift sang a slow ballad or a sassy pop song, the crowd was up dancing and swaying and enjoying their time in red lights.

Swift performs with such enthusiasm and a wit that makes her fans keep wanting to attend her sold out concerts. From the sparkles on her microphone to the red lipstick brilliantly painted on her lips, Swift basked in the joy of her profession last night and made her joy contagious. Her ‘Red’ tour is massively brilliant and demands recognition. Taylor Swift has transformed from country singer to world wide phenomenon.

 

 

 

 

 

Alyssa Book, Girls Tennis, Sports

Girls’ tennis prepares for upcoming tournament

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 By Alyssa Book

The girls’ tennis team is heating up at the right moment. Coming off a big win last weekend, the team is heading into this weekend’s tournament with confidence. The team faces another challenge Saturday at Zionsville High School, but is accepting it head on.

The team played the Crawforsville Invitational last weekend. The ending surprised senior Olivia Boesing and was an exciting win for the entire team.
“We won the tournament by one point. I think our strong point was our number 2 doubles team. They won their bracket 15-13 in a third set tie breaker. They really pulled through for us and we are really proud of them.”
Boesing and the rest of the team is now looking ahead to the Zionsville Invitiational this Saturday at 9 a.m. Boesing said two areas they need to focus on improving is their conditioning and mental toughness.
Sopomore Alexis Applegate has been playing 2 singles for the varsity team and hopes to win her position in Zionsvillle.
Applegate descibes last weekend’s big win as a motivator.
“It gave us a confidence boost and showed us how far we could go.”
Boesing’s goal for this weekend is too improve as much as they can.
“We have a few girls out this weekend due to illness and choir so our goal is just to improve this weekend. We are hoping to win, but that is not the most important thing.”
Senior doubles player Whitney Batliner has prepared for this weekend by working hard in practice and imporving each match she plays.
Batliner is using her senior leadership to help her teammates. She says she leads her team by pushing everyone to put forth their best effort.
Batliner has faith in her team and expresses what she thinks are major strenghths.
“Our postitive mindset [is our strength]. Although we are a younger team than we have been in the past, all the girls have stepped up to the plate and even pulled out some wins for us.”
As a senior, Boesing not only has goals for this weekend, but for the rest of her season as well.
“We want to win sectional and regional and then beat Jasper at semi-state. We are hoping to get as far as we can in the state tournament.”
A&E, Alyssa Book

Picoult offers look into motherhood in novel

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By Alyssa Book

Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult is a book that explores the struggles a young woman faces with dealing with issues of her past while meeting the demands of being a wife and a new found mother. The plot centers on Paige O’Toole and Nicholas Prescott. She is a young runaway and he is a striking up and coming med student. Having their backgrounds  being from completely different parts of the globe, as the reader you can begin to feel like this a modern Cinderella story, Picoult is too crafty for that though, weaving in abortion, neglect, and lies into the story-line. The sensitive topics covered are handled in a respectful manner.

The story talks about the difficulty of meeting the demands of a family. The story switches point of view between Paige and Nicholas, which is great because it shows how men and women look at the same concerns in a different way. Having a mother absent in her life, Paige is wondering if she has the emotional state to take care of a child of her own. As the story progresses, you see how Paige is starting to become a mirror image of her mother, the woman she swore she would never take after.

Picoult wrote this story in a voice of vulnerability and delicacy. Every character I came across I felt that I understand what they were going through. I have many Picoult books, and this one felt the most personal. She handles the story with emotional grace and shows how the transition into motherhood and marriage is not always the fairy tale we grow up hearing about.

The only frustrating part I found with the novel was the ending. It did not give you a clear cut answer to what the solution to the problem was. I found myself wondering days after I finished the novel what exactly the ending meant. I loved the book and just wanted to know more about the future of Paige and Nicholas. While this was frustrating, I believe that the ending showed how well Picoult causes the reader to think about what they are reading and use their own morals to decide what they think should happen.

I would recommend this book to anyone that is at least high school age. With both male and female narrators is helps both genders identify with story. The novel is full of suspense but has a romantic interest in it so it stays interesting the whole way through. Harvesting the Heart is a great novel that shows a new perspective into the life of motherhood, marriage, and discovering yourself.

 

Alyssa Book, Softball, Sports

Softball seniors prepare for final season

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By Alyssa Book

Spring break means vacations, relaxation, and a full week with friends and family for most students. The girls’ softball team, however, will spend that week playing games, having practice, and working hard toward their goal of making it to state. Two of the players have a different story than the rest, though. This season marks their last chance to wear the Highlander uniform and represent FC on the diamond.

Senior Robin Dowell has been playing softball for 13 years. She said her position this year will be anywhere in the outfield. Her favorite memories of being on the team have been creating and performing a song with her previous teams for the seniors on Senior Night.

Dowell marks these as her most cherished memories associated with playing softball for FC. This year, she will get to enjoy the song from a different perspective, as she will be honored on Senior Night.

The other senior on the team is Bre Mayfield. She has been playing softball since she was four years old and has had experience in every position. This year, however, she will find her position at third base. Mayfield is hopeful that her goals will come true for her final season.

“My personal goal is to start third base, and my goal for the team is to win sectionals, regionals and state, which we are capable of doing. I want all of that along with winning the HHC.”

Sophomore Clara Shean describes how the seniors have helped her improve her out fielding skills and says that she hopes she can help the team as much as she can reach their goals.

Another underclassman that has learned from the two seniors is junior Caroline Cato.

“Bre keeps our defense together and always makes sure that the team is relaxed. She is a great leader. Robin has brought tons of team spirit and hard work. She is always there for everyone and always works hard.”

Cato goes on to describe how the seniors have taught her to work hard and not care what anyone thinks. She looks to them as role models as well as teammates.

Dowell is excited to start the season, but is sad about it being her last.

“I am really emotional about this last year. I want it to officially start yet I don’t want it to end.”

Now that it is her turn to enjoy the leadership of senior year, Dowell has advice for the underclassmen.

“I would tell the girls to enjoy the rest of the time they’re playing and to always have fun. Always have a positive attitude.”

Mayfield has hopes for the underclassmen as well, and hopes that she can be a leader the younger members can look up to.

“I hope the underclassmen learn that there’s more than just softball in life; there’s friends and family. And that’s exactly what we are.”

Editor’s Note: For more in-depth coverage of the softball team, check out the next issue of the Bagpiper coming out on March 22.

Alyssa Book, Blake Dykes, Boys Swimming, Sports

Boys’ swimming prepares for sectionals

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By Alyssa Book and Blake Dykes

The boys’ swim team is preparing to race in the most important race of the season. The team will be participating in sectional prelims this Thursday and the qualifiers will race in the sectional finals this Saturday. Both meets will take place at Highland Hills Middle School.

Sophomore Eli Anderson said that his team is prepared for the matchup.

“I think we are as prepared as we could possibly be for this meet. And I think we will definitely meet our expectations, and maybe even a little more.”

Anderson has faith in his team, but also has strict expectations for himself.

“As for myself, I would like to get a state cut in the 200 free and get a second in the 500 free.”

Sophomore Grant Anderson agrees with his other teammate in the aspect that they will be very competitive in all the races.

“This season all of us have pushed ourselves in practice more than we ever had and I don’t think we could be more ready for this meet.”

His goals are too place in the top eight in his individuals events this year.

Senior Rick Ellis has been preparing for this meet all season. With this being his final high school season, winning means more than just advancing to state. This is his last chance to reach his goals.

“I’ve worked hard and kept my goals of doing well this weekend in sight the whole way.”

Sophomore Sam Cleveland comes to realize his biggest competitor is not someone from a different school.

“I am my own biggest competition. I race the clock.”

Cleveland said the boys have prepared by weight training and technique work.

Ellis hopes that his team  and especially the seniors will leave a legacy of greatness.

“We’re some of the all around greatest people, swimmers, and friends that have been through the pool.”