Category Archives: Alyssa Book

Alesha McCulloch, Alyssa Book, Girls Swimming, Sports

Girls swimming prepares for battle

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By Alyssa Book and Alesha McCulloch

Saturday at 6:00 p.m, the girls’ swim team will battle at Highland Hills Middle School for the Sectional finals.

Last year the girls finished in first place, and coach Joe Perkins is hoping for the same results in 2013, although the girls know they have some real competition.

“The team’s biggest competition this year is New Albany, they have a fast team this year so sectionals could be close,” said sophomore Meg Taylor.

Perkins is preparing the team for the big race by cutting back on yardage and making the girls rest more during practice. He also mentioned focusing more on turns and finishes.

Senior Sarah Taylor will be hitting the pool for her last sectional race, and this one brings emotions that were not present in the years past.

“It’s bittersweet for me,  it’s sad because this is my last high school meet but I am excited to see my future holds.”

Taylor went on to say that all year the girls have been lifting weights to prepare for special meets, but in the weeks leading up to sectionals, they begin to taper and back off on their yardage.

“I get really hydrated and got to bed super early the night before and I’m superstitious, so I eat a banana before every meet,” said sophomore Maryn Meldrum on preparing for meets.

Not only have the girls prepared physically, they have been supporting each other out of the pool and encouraging each other to reach their full potentials.

Meldrum encourages her teammates by reminding them “we all have the same goal, win conference and keep the sectional title. Were all friends and competitors that keep each other focused in and out of the pool.”

“This would be our sixth consecutive year winning. We would love to make that happen. It would show that all our hard work has paid off,” said Taylor.

A&E, Alyssa Book

Picoult publishes another thought-provoking novel

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By Alyssa Book

Jodi Picoult has published 18 books, each dealing with topics that can pull on the heartstrings of people and end with a twist the reader will never see coming.  All of her books have IMG_1757intrigued me, leaving me thinking about controversial issues and letting me interpret the ending of the story with my own conclusions. I was lucky enough to stumble across The Pact, a book that is now in the collection of my favorite reads.

The plot centers around two teenagers who have been destined to be together since birth. Chris Hart and Emily Gold are the two main characters in this mysterious tale. With their parents being best friends and houses only yards away from each other, separation has never been an option. That is why the plot twist, which surprisingly unfolds on the first two pages, is so shocking.

A phone call at 3 a.m. tells the Harts and the Golds that one of their children is dead, while the other might have pulled the trigger. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat from the time you read the first sentence.

Was this really a suicide pact gone wrong, or a murder that went just right? This is the question that occupies your mind throughout the whole novel. A trial, parents’ interpretations, and evidence from the crime scene help you lead to decide who is innocent and who is really good at lying.

What I liked about the book was the mystery. Picoult presents the details of the murder and lays them out in a trial, and lets the reader form their own verdict throughout the book. Even when I finished the last page and shut the book for good, I was questioning what actually happened the night the victim died and if the verdict was correct. I think that takes a skilled author to keep the reader questioning their judgement and not spelling out the correct answer, instead letting the reader put together the clues for themselves.

Something that might frustrate the reader is the use of different protagonist telling the story. This feature can sometimes make it confusing and you really have to focus on who is speaking and what their point of view os on the trail. Switching off narrators does create some confusion.

I really enjoyed the book and never found a moment lacking suspense. The book is appropriate for all genders, although I would not recommend anyone to read it that is not in high school because of the topics it covers. The Pact is a book that captures you from the first sentence, and its meaning holds on to you forever.

Alyssa Book

New class teaches students culinary arts skills

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By Alyssa Book

This year a new class was introduced at FC. Culinary arts is a class where creativity is encouraged and hands-on learning experiences are offered daily. It has became so popular among students that classes are offered several times a day.

The class prepares students with basic cooking skills, as well as showing the basics of being a chef and restaurant work.

Culinary arts teach Carol Dilk teaches several home economics classes, and this year got to embark on a new adventure with a class that incorporates the concepts of sanitation, cooking, and a look into the culinary profession.

“I want the kids to take away from this class a passion for getting in the kitchen and cooking. I want them too not be afraid to try and taste new things and to sharpen their skills,” said Dilk.

The class is offered to all grade levels. Freshman Grayson Devall said she enjoys being with upperclassmen and explains how they offer help if the younger grades ever need it.

The events that take place in the class vary from week to week, but Dilk said the usual formula for a successful week is to work in the workbook for a specific chapter, do a Powerpoint with notes, have a lab where students can use the concepts from a chapter, then have a test at the end of the week.

The aspect of the class that has really drawn students in is the time spent in the kitchen labs. Some dishes that have been prepared have been Spanish chicken, homemade biscuits and gravy, and apple taffy pizza to name a few.  From freshmen to seniors, the cooking has taught a lot of students about the joys of being creative and learning basic skills.

Senior Casey Stacer said, “The class has taught me how simple cooking can really be and it doesn’t always take a long time.”

Devall took the labs as a fun activity and said her favorite lab was making macaroni and cheese.

Dilk designs the labs and helps the students while they experiment in the labs. While she may not be cooking, labs also bring her joy.

“I love seeing the kids succeed where they thought they couldn’t. I wish the class was offered for two semesters so we could cook more.”

While the class is only for one semester, Dilk tries to get the students in there as much as possible to create a hands-on learning environment.

Culinary will be offered second semester this year, but will not be offered again until the 2014-15 school year. The class will be offered every other school year.

Stacer would recommend the class to any student interested in cooking.

“My favorite part of culinary is that it isn’t like any other class.”

The class does not require any basic knowledge in culinary.

Dilk confirmed that by saying, “I have taught kids who have never held a knife or washed a dish. I teach the basic understanding of sanitation, cooking, cleaning, and handling kitchen tools.”

Alyssa Book, Girls Cross Country, Sports

Girls’ cross country travels to semi-state

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By Alyssa Book

With leaves changing and fall starting, one team at FC wraps up a chapter of their season. At 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, the girls’ cross country team will travel to Brown County to compete in the Indiana semi-state competition.

The girls have advanced to semi-state, and the stakes rise this weekend as the state finals are now in close reach. Striding to the finish line could mean a possible state medal in the weeks to come.

With excitement and nerves surrounding the days leading up to one of the most crucial races of the season, coach Carl Hook said he tries to focus the girls by having them visualize the course, know their competition, and trying to keep them relaxed.

He has prepared the team mentally and physically for this tournament and feels like they are prepared.“The girls are ready and focused on running their best race of the season this weekend at semi-state and advancing to the state finals,” said Hook.

Hook sees Terre Haute South and Evansville North as the team’s biggest competition.

Junior Jamie Bierman thanks that Hook has prepared the team by leading them into this race with a positive attitude and workouts several weeks prior.

Bierman described this weekend as being a time for the team to prove themselves. “Winning isn’t possible for us at semi-state, but advancing to state is. Making it to state would prove all the hard work we’ve put into our running this season.”

Bierman knows she would not be where she is today if not for her teammates. “We think positive and encourage each other. Teamwork is a big thing in cross country because you can’t do this sport alone and have fun,” she said.

Senior Alyssa Moore is preparing for the meet by drinking enough water, getting enough rest, and eating right. With this being her last chance to race, Moore is putting forth her optimal effort.

Moore said there are certain people who have prepared her the most for this pivotal moment. “My coaches and teammates are ultimately the people who prepare and focus me the most. We push each other as teammates and the coaches have guided us here,” said Moore.

At 10:30 tomorrow morning, the results will show of the team’s goal can be fulfilled.

Bierman ended with saying what she wants the legacy of this 2012 season to be: “I want the legacy to be hardwork and dedication. This sport would be nowhere without these two things,” she said.

With the showdown so close, Moore said her team deserves to advance to the state competition. “We have been preparing since June 6. Everything we have done our whole season has all been for this moment.”