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Junior tennis player balances activities, schoolwork

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By Sydney Sears

As junior Erin Patterson enters into school each day, she has more than just her school work on her mind.

“I play varsity tennis, I sing in a Cappella choir and chamber singers. I am also secretary of student council for this 2013-2014 school year. I am also traveling to Washington, D.C. with the constitutional government debate team this April,” said Erin.

Along with all of Erin’s extracurriculars she is also one of the top ranked students in the Junior Class. Erin shares that although it is hard to keep up, she tries not to procrastinate.

“Erin is an exceptionally fast learner. She can read or listen and comprehend things usually on the first pass through. She also has a sharp memory that allows her to recall things exactly as presented,” said Erin’s father, Kevin Patterson.

He also shared that Erin is extremely driven and completes her homework as soon as she arrives home from school.

These qualities, along with others, have allowed Erin to persevere through high school and prepare for her future.

“She’s not afraid to speak her mind and stands up for what she believes in,” said junior Bailey Smith.

Tennis coach James Markert has also seen Erin’s characteristics in tennis.

“As good as our teams have been over the years, our personality qualities have been even better, and Erin definitely showcases this.  She’s competitive, she’s a team player, she’s always willing to help her fellow teammates for the betterment of the team, and she likes to have fun on the court, which is crucial to our success,” said Markert.

Her parents have also helped her with preparing for the future.

“Hopefully, we have helped Erin by providing her the tools to be successful. Whether it is a computer, car, racquet, book or tennis shoe, we have tried to make sure she has what she needs,” said Kevin.

With all the activities Erin participates in, tennis is what she enjoys the most.

“Tennis is my favorite activity. I have been playing for years and I really enjoy the sport and the people with whom I play,” said Erin.

Markert has seen Erin improve vastly.

“I’ve seen her tennis skills improve every step of the way because those are more visibly noticeable, but she’s also making mental strides, as seen in some big wins last season during the heart of the run to state,” said Markert.

He has also seen Erin’s personality qualities shine.

“As good as our teams have been over the years, our personality qualities have been even better, and Erin definitely showcases this.  She’s competitive, she’s a team player, she’s always willing to help her fellow teammates for the betterment of the team, and she likes to have fun on the court, which is crucial to our success.”

Boys Swimming, Sports

Boys’ swimming prepares for state competition

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By Delaney Smith and Sydney Sears

Shaved heads and bleach blonde hair are now a new addition to the halls of FC thanks to the boys’ swim team. They are traveling to the IUPUI Natorium this weekend the compete in the state finals.

The swimmers have started to focus on their speed and cleaning up their technique so that they can make everything the best they can.

Sophomore Brendon Smith said that the practices have been a lot more intense and the team has been working a lot harder to get ready for state.

The boys are seniors Colin Lyell and Nathan Manias, juniors Elijah Anderson and Marc McCormick, and sophomore Brendon Smith qualified to compete in the upcoming state competition out of the team of about 17.

“We are hoping to be at our best for the end of the season. we took some chances at the sectionals not ‘shaving’ some of our guys to give them the opportunity to be going their fastest at the state championship,” said boys swimming coach Joe Perkins.

The state championship preliminaries are this Friday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. and the finals will be held on Saturday, Mar. 1 at 1 p.m. The swimmers are planning to swim their best times and hope to have the team place higher at state than in previous years.

“I am personally hoping to get top 16 in both of my events and top eight in at least one of the relays,” said Anderson.

Smith and McCormick are also planning on swimming their best times and Smith is also hoping to break some school records.

“We are looking to score as many events as we can, this is the first time in 14 years we have taken all three relays to state and have a good chance of scoring all three,” said Perkins.

Columns

Popularity issues plague teens

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by Sydney Sears

As a fifth grade girl it was all I had ever wanted. The illusion of popularity basked in my vision, taunting me. I moved here when I was 11 and my ultimate goal was to be popular. I had no desire to be the awkward new kid with no friends and her head hanging low. I wanted popularity and I was willing to change myself to do so. I started to obsess over what I wore. I was constantly worrying about my appearance. I even started hanging out with people who were not the best influence for me. None of these changes made me happier or a better person, yet that was the price I was willing to pay for a taste of the popular life.

 

Popularity is this misconfigured concept that teenagers are taught to believe is something important. Movies, books, and media seem to show us that being in the “popular crowd” is essential and one of the most successful things one can accomplish in high school. This could not be farther from the truth.

 

These days being popular seems to consist of partying, defying parents, and not caring what happens. This is not always the case, but it is what society has generalized popularity to be. This should not be something that anyone strives for. Teens are made to feel inferior if this is not their lifestyle. Since when has getting good grades and following rules made someone unsuitable to a social crowd? That should not be the case. Succeeding in things are reasons someone should be looked up to, not because of how little they studied for their semester final or how much they partied the previous weekend. Doing something different and just being oneself is radical in today’s society since everyone wants to do the same thing in order to look or act cool. Teens should not sacrifice their personality, and especially not their dignity to be accepted into a place that they may not truly want to be.

 

Eventually my preteen-self learned that how popular one is in school does not matter at all in the grand scheme of life. I began to change back to my former self and renewed my former personality that did not care if I was wearing a t-shirt or if my hair was a little messy. I learned to love myself for who I was and not who I hung out with. My friends liked me regardless of the sport I played or how well-dressed I was. I was miserable throughout the process of trying to please everyone, including myself. Once I learned that popularity does not define someone I was happy and confident, which is what really matters.

Features

Prayer group brings students together

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By Sydney Sears and Rachel Lamb

Early every Tuesday morning a small group of students meets with Highland Hills Middle School teacher April Elmore to gather in prayer.

“Prayer can change the climate of the school,” said Elmore.

Elmore started this group last year after a couple of girls in her small group at Northside Christian Church wanted to begin a prayer group at their school. Elmore took the initiative to create this group so that students can grow closer to God in high school and help prepare their faith for college.

“The prayer group is just a few high school kids that come to school early before school on Tuesdays and pray. It exists to be a time for students to simply read a few verses of the Bible and pray for what they feel like,” said junior Reagan Kurk.

Reagan is one of the girls in Elmore’s church small group.

The group meets every Tuesday morning at about 7:05 a.m. outside the athletic office. During this time they talk about life, complete a devotional, and then finally finish with prayer. This all ends at about 7:30 a.m., giving students enough time to prepare for their first class.

Senior Scott Schuchartdt shares how he has personally benefitted from the prayer group.

“You get to connect with others that share the same faith that you do and realize that you are not alone.”

Reagan and Schuchartdt agreed that this group creates a positive influence in your life.

“Allowing students the opportunity to meet, encourage one another, and pray together is a wonderful thing,” said Reagan.

“You are able to grow your faith so that you can impact the school in a positive way through prayer and fellow devotions,” said Schuchartdt.

Some students that attend this group like Schuchartdt said they not only grow closer with one another but God as well.

“This group helps brighten my day and opens my eyes to what He has done around me,” said freshman Elise Kurk.

Features

Jackson to add co-host to TV show

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By Sydney Sears and Delaney Smith

“How many high schoolers can say they have a show?” said sophomore Kylie Wheeler, who is soon to be a co-host with senior Julie Jackson on her TV show entitled “Everybody Talks.”

Wheeler will start to co-host the show with Jackson starting next semester in January.

“I’m in love with change, especially change that will benefit everyone. The show will be a lot more exciting and a lot more fun when Kylie joins the show crew,” said Jackson.

Jackson said the idea for a co-host came up when she was brainstorming because she felt that there was something missing from the show.

“The idea for a co-host sparked my mind when I was in the shower. I went to Mr. Dench the next day and he thought it was a great idea,” said Jackson.

Radio/TV teacher Tim Dench said that the original idea for the show included a co-host and that will make the show more fun and interesting.

“Different ideas will come along with a new co-host,” said Dench.

Wheeler originally took radio/TV because others had suggested to her that she could be a broadcaster and she ended up loving the class and therefore took the co-hosting opportunity.

“She [Wheeler] is outgoing, loves to talk, and with her pageant history she would fit in,” said Dench.

Also, with Wheeler as an underclassman she will take over the show when Jackson graduates this May.

“She may only be a sophomore, but she knows what she’s doing,” said Jackson.

Wheeler has high hopes for the future of the show

“I hope to just have fun with this opportunity and get to learn a lot more about this field,” said Wheeler.

Jackson concludes her thoughts on Wheeler’s introduction to the show.

“This is more of a friend title than a co-host stamp,” said Jackson.