Category Archives: Alyssa Book

Cheerleaders compete today for shot at state title

October 28, 2011 jlang@nafcs.k12.in.us Leave a comment

cheerleading2 — Sophomore Schyler Cerqueira remains standing while the rest of the cheerleaders sit during the end of their routine.

By Alyssa Book

Hard work, dedication, and talent can be found on more than just the field. Trade in the pads for a pair of pom-poms and the play call for a cheer and find a whole new breed of athletes: the FC cheerleaders.

The cheerleaders have multiple competitions a season, and one of the biggest of the year is coming up this weekend: regionals.

Coach Ashley Nevin explained how their performance and scores at regionals this weekend determines if they advance to state, and she is hopeful they get another shot at the state title this year.

“Emotions are always high as our competitive season kicks off. My girls have been eager to go back to regionals or state and compete given our second place finish last year. I know my new members are excited to compete wearing that ‘Floyd’ uniform for the first time, but I also know it is bittersweet for my seniors as they approach things as their ‘last time.’ While it is easy to let our nerves creep in as Saturday gets closer, we try and stay calm and positive. We know what we are capable of accomplishing and we have definitely put in the work to reach our goals. Now is the time to get excited,” said Nevin.

With regionals only a few days away, the girls are preparing for the task at hand. Not just physically, but emotionally. The team has to try and put away the nerves and bring out the excitement.

“When regionals begins to get close the overall emotion of our team changes. This is the time when we all

cheerleading1 — The cheerleaders run through their routine in preparation for this Saturday's regional competition that decides whether the group moves onto to state.

start to pull together and realize how much it means to be the best in the state, and doing it with the girls that are like family to you makes it that much more rewarding,” said junior Karli Archer.

Nevin also feels keeping calm and confident is the best strategy before going on the mat.

“Our strategy for staying calm during stressful competitions is to make sure we are confident and prepared going into the event. We constantly practice turning stress into motivation to reach our goals. My girls are confident in themselves and their teammates so they can overcome any situation with their excitement and eagerness to compete. For us, the competition is no different than what we do at every practice, all year long – it is our two minutes and 30 seconds to show everyone else how great we are and how hard we have worked,” Nevin said.

With regionals leading into state, the stakes are even higher. They must reach a certain score on their performance to qualify.

“We have to do really good at regionals before we even think about state,” said sophomore Emma Bellus.

Losing only two seniors from last year, the returning girls are hoping to take their talent and the incoming freshman to new heights. Nevin said her returning members know what it takes to be successful and they have helped instill that winning attitude in the freshmen.

Freshman Sidney Martin said,”We have practiced a lot leading up to regionals. We are so excited to compete, we all feel like we should already be there. That’s how ready we are.”

With hours of preparation and minds racing to that moment when they hit the mat, the cheerleaders are ready to prove why they deserve the state title. Nevin is confident with her squad and believes in their ability to achieve their goals.

“I want everyone to know how proud I am of ‘my kids’,” Nevin said.“Having gone through the program myself, it brings me great joy to watch 18 young ladies dedicate so much time, effort, and heart to Floyd Central. When they look back on their four years at FC, I know their memories as a cheerleader will stand out and I hope we can remember our 2011-2012 season as state champions.”
　

A&E, Alyssa Book

Taylor Swift tour enchants audience

October 13, 2011 jlang@nafcs.k12.in.us Leave a comment

SAM_1927newspapaer — Photo by Alyssa Book

By Alyssa Book

Since the cancellation in July, Kentuckiana has been anxiously awaiting country superstar Taylor Swift to come back to a rescheduled performance at the KFC Yum! Center on Oct. 10.

Miss Swift had to reschedule her Speak Now concert in Louisville because she was feeling ill the morning of the performance. Tears and cow girl boots exited the Yum! Center that night, but it only created two more months of excitement to fester inside the prized ticket holders.

The moment the red curtain pulled back, the sold out crowd was up on their feet clapping and awing in the presence of a Grammy award-winning artist.

Wearing a flashy gold dress and her signature cow girl boots, Taylor opened with the track Sparks Fly, and as the chorus set in, fireworks erupted out from stage and that set the bar for the rest of the show.

Swift’s concert stage was set up with a balcony and a winding staircase, which was covered at every point in the show by her and her back up dancers. Her band being dressed in black made her multiple dresses, which all included sparkles and red lips, stick out and exude the look of a true superstar.

Songs had fans screaming in excitement, and dancing was inevitable as songs like Better Than Revenge and Mean had every girl in the house feeling like Taylor’s songs were written specifically for their lives.

My favorite part of the concert was when Enchanted played and Swift sang along with violins and glitter poured out into the mesmerized audience. Her voice was flawless and the ballerinas swaying across the stage made it feel like a complete fairytale.

The concert ended with an encore performance of her hit ; Love Story. As she flew over the crowd in a hanging balcony piece, you realized this was way more than a concert. It was a country musical. The set, dancers, and wardrobe brought you inside the imagination of Taylor Swift.

The Speak Now tour was everything I imagined it to be and more. It left me wishing every night could be filled with fireworks and girl empowering anthems. Taylor Swift left her crowd “Enchanted” and the standing ovation at the end confirmed why she is the leading lady of country music.