Category Archives: Alyssa Book

A closer look into the lives of football players


By Blake Dykes and Alyssa Book

With a team as large as the football team it is hard to put an exact face to the jersey. We see them as players and forget that inside the uniform are students who worry about grades, have future goals, and live out their hobby every Friday under the lights.

Sophomore Garry Posey, started playing flag football at the age of six or seven and now plays varsity.

BP: How did you start playing football?

Garry Posey: “My dad introduced it when I was really young. When I started playing flag football I knew it was a sport I was really going to like, so I stuck with it.”

BP: What are your goals for your football career in the future?

GP: “I want to play for FC and and play in college. I don’t care where, I just want to say I play college football.”

BP: Who is your biggest supporter?

GP: “Definitely my parents. They are always at the games and positive. They give me constructive criticism when I need it. It’s a good thing.”

BP: What does it take to be a Highlander football player?

GP: “Attitude, enthusiasm, effort, and to stick with it in the summer.”

“We are Highlanders!”

The next sophomore is Victor Ammer.

BP:  How long have you been playing  football?

Victor Ammer: “I have been playing football since eighth grade.”

BP: What are your goals for your football career in the future?

VA: “My goals for football is hit anyone that comes my way and catch any ball that comes my way. I would like to set a record in the future for defense.”

BP: “How did you start playing football?”

VA: “In the eighth grade my friends wanted me to play, so I did, and I turned out to love it.”

BP: Who are your biggest supporters?

VA: “My biggest supporters are my family and especially my teammates. My teammates motivate me. Some other things that motivate me are; tackling somebody, making a great catch, or getting a big hit.”

BP: What does it take to be a highlander football player?

VA: “It takes a lot of commitment and long hours of motivation.”

Moving onto an upper classman is senior Chaz Wolf.

BP: Why do you enjoy playing football?

CW: “Because it’s what I’ve always done and my friends play.”

BP: How long have you played?

CW: “I have played tackle football since fourth grade, but I started playing flag in the second.”

BP: What is your favorite part of the game?

CW: “I like the camaraderie between your teammates, as well as the feeling of being on the field on Friday nights.”

BP: How do your teammates affect your performance?

CW: “My teammates affect everything about how I play. I can’t block for a running back who won’t run hard. If the team plays well, I play well.”

BP: What are your goals after high school?

CW: “I would like to go to a four year university and possibly major in architecture or physical therapy.”

Another dedicated senior is Brad Sims.

BP: Why do you enjoy playing football?

Brad Sims: “At times it is a lot of work and isn’t as much times, but on Friday nights it’s worth it.”

BP: How long have you played football? Who are your main supporters?

BS: “I have played since the third grade. My main supporters are my family, coaches, and teammates.”

BP: What is your favorite part of the game?

BS: “The rewarding feeling after being successful.”

BP: How do your teammates affect your performance?

BS: “My teammates are highly motivational and drive me to go hard in practice and perform my best on game night.”
BP: What are your goals after high school?

BS: “I want to attend the University of Louisville and study mechanical engineering.”

“I hope people remember how our team was able to perform well this year, even without last year’s senior class, especially Kyle Bramble.”

FC students tour Europe with Kentucky Music Ambassadors

By Alyssa Book

As teens were busy enjoying their last weeks of summer, some got the opportunity to leave the country to pursue their passions.

Students from different schools were chosen to represent the Kentucky Music Ambassadors program as they traveled to Europe. FC students were joined by choir students from different schools around Kentuckiana.

FC graduate Hayley Fien enjoyed being with other choir participants.

“It was a great opportunity to meet new people from the same area that I never would’ve met because our schools don’t interact. I made some great friends that I will definitely keep for as long as I can.”

Senior Ted Hartog also said it was a good experience being with kids from different choirs and spending so much time together made it easy to branch out and meet new people.

Some locations that were visited included the London Embankment next to the River Thames, St. Severin in Paris, the Pfarrkirche in Seefeld, Austria, Mondsee Basilica in Austria, St. Mark’s Basilica, and Franziskanerkirche in Rothenburg, Germany. Music genres performed were  classical religious hymns, some American classics and some gospel music.

Fien described the daily schedule as jam packed and always having something fun to do.

“Well, depending on where we were, we would wake up around 7 for breakfast, maybe do an hour or two of sightseeing, possibly a performance around 2 or 3 from the band, then more sightseeing, then a performance by the choir and orchestra after dinner.”

The trip was led by University of Louisville choir director Dr. Kent Hatteberg. Many teachers and parent volunteers were also involved in the program. The trip was planned and prepared by Voyagers International.

Not all of the students had parents with them to share in the experience. Senior Regan Platt was one that went two weeks without her family.

“It wasn’t too hard to be away from my family at first because of all the chaos and excitement of arriving in Europe. After the first week or so it really hit me how far away I was and that was hard. Communication was little to none as I didn’t have my phone and I think that was the worst of it. Yet I knew that they were fine and I would see them soon, so I always kept that in my mind and just focused on enjoying the experience.”

Hartog was thankful for the opportunity, but was glad it was just a visit and claimed he would not want to stay there long term.

“It was a nice place to visit, not a nice place to live. I got homesick because water wasn’t free and you have to pay for bathrooms.”

With every person taking in the same sights and singing the same songs, each location struck different chords with students.

Fien’s favorite place was Switzerland while Platt was impressed by the atmosphere in London.

“It is a completely different culture and every street leads to something new and exciting. It was as if I’d stepped into a storybook. Truly it was just as I’d imagined. Rainy and overcast skies yet still just wonderful,” said Platt.

Students got to spend two weeks traveling Europe and making lasting memories that will stick with them forever.

Platt described the trip as majestic and as something that changed her entirely.

“I hold a new view of the world and what it holds, all the pictures we see in textbooks are real, they aren’t just flat images on a page. It is only when you see these that you realize how intricate this world is, your view shifts. Everything seems so much smaller and yet bigger at the same time. I know what it is to sit on the side of the Seine and watch the sunset, what it is to stand on top of the alps, I’ve seen the Eiffel Tower, and I’ve climbed the rocks out over lake geneva….so many experiences of which I will never forget. I learned what it is to be filled with wonder knowledge, and even now after all this I know I have to go back.”

‘The Avengers’ are heroic in students’ eyes

By Alyssa Book
The Avengers is a Marvel movie that centers around some of the most famous heroes, including  Captain America, Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Thor, who all come together to defeat Thor’s brother, Loki. The movie centers around comic book mayhem and was in 3D to help intensify the action.With all the excitement surrounding this new Marvel installment, FC students joined in the fun, incorporating superheroes in the academic pep rally and some even going to the midnight showing of the film.Senior Erica Mohler went into the premier with low expectations because she does not particularly enjoy superhero movies. Coming out of the theater, though, she left with a different perspective.“I loved it. I wasn’t expecting to laugh, but it was hilarious. So often in superhero movies the hero is just “the hero,” but this movie did a great job of bringing out the heroes differences and made them more human. It showed their imperfections. It exceeded my expectations.”Junior Bryson Koch thought the movie was awesome and the best he has seen in a long time. He liked how the movie displayed every character. Koch’s favorite superhero was Iron Man because of his suit and flying abilities.

With all of the praise and the ticket sales to show the movie was a success, people are left wondering if the Avengers will be coming back to the silver screen.

Koch thinks it is inevitable that there will be a sequel.

“With box offices sales off the charts it would be stupid to not make a second movie. The effects in the first were great and the second would be even better.”

Junior Gordon Heltzel went to the midnight showing and loved the effects and the plot line. Heltzel also commented on the characters having human qualities.

“I liked how the movie showed each character’s flaws and special abilities.”

The Avengers made students come back to the comic book hysteria that once came with the Spiderman and Batman installments. Surely, the sequel will be hitting theaters sooner than some expect, to keep up the hero madness that is sweeping across America.

The Avengers was really entertaining and lived up to everyone’s expectations. There has to be another one soon. It’s like lays chips, you can’t have just one,” said Heltzel.

Weekly Playlist: Best of the 90’s

By Blake Dykes, Alyssa Book
You do not have to be a true 90s kid to appreciate this weeks playlist. This week we will be bringing back some of the best pop songs from the 90s.
1. “All Star” by Smashmouth

2. “Just a Girl” by No Doubt

3. “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It” by Will Smith

4. “Black or White” by Michael Jackson

5. “No Scrubs” by TLC

6. “U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer

7. “…Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears

8. “Bye Bye Bye” by Nsync

9. “Vogue” by Madonna

10. “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes

11. “Jumper” by Third Eye Blind

12. “All I Want to Do” by Sheryl Crow