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Girls Tennis, Sports

Rising expectations give girls’ tennis team high hopes

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​By Rachel Lamb

Excitement filled FC’s girls tennis team last June when they brought home the title runner up in state. After accomplishing this, expectations started to rise for the upcoming season.

With conditioning already started and practice just around the corner, many  team members and their coach, James Markert, believe that going back to state again this year is possible.

“We definitely can make it back to state this year. Even though we lost a lot of experience and some of the best players to ever play tennis at FC last year,  we’ve still developed a program with some longevity,” said Markert.

Not only did the team lose some highly skilled players, but also four seniors.

Sophomore Callie Oaks shared her opinion on how losing the seniors is going to affect the team this year.

​”I think we depended on the upperclassmen too much last year and this year we need to learn to succeed without them.”

Even though this team is at a disadvantage with mostly underclassmen, there still are a few additions being made to the team.

“We’re adding a very talented exchange student, Giorgia Rossetto, who has already meshed wonderfully with the rest of the girls on the team,” said Markert.

Sophomore Emily Stock said having Rossetto is a sign of hope.

“We have a good team and especially now that we have Rossetto, I have faith that we can make it to state. ”

Another addition to the team are three freshmen that have been playing tennis since early middle school. The way that they have been preparing could lead the team to state.

“I have been playing with many of the girls for years and already have lots of experience with the coaches,” said freshman Madison Woosley.

Senior Dana Frank, who played on the number one doubles team last year, said that the team is ready.

“We’re on track for a spectacular season mainly because our team has a good deal of upside and all of us are working especially hard in areas that need heaps of improvement.”

Features

Snow days call for schedule changes

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By Rachel Lamb and Megan Johnson

Snow and ice have been cascading upon the ground in drastic amounts, especially over areas in Southern Indiana. Due to these wintery conditions, New Albany-Floyd County schools have lost several instructional school days.

“I have heard of two different ways to make them up. One is they take away from our second week of spring break and add on to the end of the year. Second is extra days are to be added to the end of next year,” said sophomore Logan Smith.

Options such as staying an extra hour after school and going to school on Saturdays have also been mentioned for other schools in Indiana.

“Fort Wayne Consolidated Schools have to stay after school one hour for 24 days straight, in order to make up snow days,” said principal Janie Whaley.

Senior Shaw Ray shared his opinion on the two ideas.

“I think the options are both bad, considering some people have jobs and play sports.”

Students that are seniors such as Ray,  just want to make up the days needed and get out of high school.

“Honestly, I really do not care how the snow days are made up, as long as I graduate on time,” he said.

Whaley added that the graduation date, which is currently set for June 8, will not be moved unless five more snow days occur.

Certain days that students have missed are waived due to not necessarily the snow, but the temperature outside. Sometimes, the days missed contribute to a mixture of the two.

“I feel as though we should not  have to make all of the days up, considering that we were in a state of emergency for a couple of them,” said freshman Kayla Brown.

Making up hours for two-hour delay days has even been in consideration by the Indiana legislature, but Whaley said that is not the plan for the immediate future.

Sophomore Heather Bouch shared why she thinks we should not have to make the hours up.

“We still went to school that day, just not for the full time.”

Bouch is not the only student that feels this way about the shortened days.

“I don’t think that we should have to make up the shortened days because we still attend those days and learn the material we need, even though the days were slightly shorter,” said Brown.

However, the administration has made an official decision on the matter. On Feb. 6, the dates on which snow days are to be made up were released on the New Albany-Floyd County School website. Students will have only one week of spring break and then will return to school on March 31 through April 4. There will also be an additional day added to the end of the year, June 2.

Any further missed days will be added on after June 2.

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

Dual personalities share experiences in radio/TV and softball

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By Rachel Lamb

Between producing a FC radio/TV production to standing in the outfield during a softball game, sophomores Emily and Erin Keenan are still able to manage within their busy lives. For some students, having this hectic schedule is hard to fulfill alone. This is not the case for the Keenans, since they are twins.

“It is pretty cool having my best friend with me 24/7 since birth,” said Erin.

These sisters may have the same interests, but their opinions on the hobbies they share are not necessary the same.

“Softball keeps me in shape and gives me the opportunity to meet new people,” said Emily.

Erin shared that her favorite part leans more on the energetic side of the sport.

“I like the feeling of the adrenaline rush you get from outrunning a play, sliding into base, or catching a line drive.”

Softball coach Rick Keenan, also the twins’ dad,  shared a few of Erin’s strengths on the softball field.

“She always has a good sense of where the ball is going to go and her good arm always comes in handy.”

This sport is only a small part of their lives. Emily and Erin also help produce “Everybody Talks,” a radio/TV production.

“Both girls are hard working, responsible, and take pride in their work. However, they are a little quiet and shy; I think that’s why I can’t tell them apart,” said radio/TV teacher Tim Dench.

Last year, both girls took the first radio/TV class. Instead of continuing on to the second class, Emily and Erin decided to take sports broadcasting this year and get involved in helping produce “Everybody Talks” with senior Julie Jackson.

Emily shared her opinion on why she enjoys being in the class and producing “Everybody Talks.”

“It is preparing me for my career as a filmmaker, but most of all that my twin sister does it with me.”

Features

Campus Life helps students grow in faith

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Photo submitted by Melissa Jeffries DeLuca

By Sydney Sears and Rachel Lamb

Every Monday night a group of students and adults meet at various places including students’ homes,  churches, and even local restaurants to socialize with others that have the same faith.

“Campus life is a place where kids can hang out and grow closer to not only the people around you, but God,” said junior Hayley Wilson, who regularly attends Campus Life.

Campus Life (CL) meets every Monday night at 7:07 p.m. Here, they play games and do a variety of Bible studies.

“At CL we play games, learn lessons through the word of Christ, and enjoy meeting new people and making memories with new and old friends,” said junior Carly Franklin.

Senior Joshua Becht shared that his favorite part of Campus Life is the friendships that come out of it and how it made him more outgoing.

“Some of my best friends are from CL. You meet people that you have a lot in common with and you have the ability to put a huge focus on strengthening relationships with others,” said Becht.

Many have joined CL due to friends and their experiences.

“I started going to CL when a friend told me about it and ever since my first time I was hooked on the Bible studies we have done and are doing, since they relate to everyday life,” said senior Kylie Davis.

She also explained that CL is a place where you can be around people who have the same morals.

Davis is one of many students that is involved in the FC Student Christian Ministry. This group of students also lead Monday nights at CL.

However, the FC Student Christian Ministry is not alone in the leadership on Monday nights.

“I direct CL along with a team of adults and student leaders,” said Campus Life director Kevin Becht.

Kevin shared his opinion on why he enjoys having Campus Life for students and above all, see them take charge.

“There aren’t enough places in this world today where students are able to share their story and be real. I enjoy seeing students step up to lead by being there for their friends in everyday life.”

Most people feel that Campus Life is a place where beliefs are shared, people connect, and where many friends have been made.

“I love this group so much and I cannot imagine not being apart of this group. Looking back on all of the positive things that I have gained from coming to Campus Life, I want as many people to experience all the wonderful things that come out of it,” said Wilson.