Tag Archives: Sydney Sears

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.

Features

Students broadcast TV show

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By Sydney Sears and Delaney Smith

“Okay, standby Julie five seconds.”

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Senior Julie Jackson talk to her viewers during “Everybody Talks.” Photo by Delaney Smith.
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“Everybody Talks” is broadcast through the hallway in the Preforming Arts wing. Photo by Delaney Smith.
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Sophomore producers Emily and Erin Keenan work behind the scenes in the production room of “Everybody Talks.” Photo by Delaney Smith.

 Senior Julie Jackson’s TV show “Everybody Talks” gets ready to air, the production room is busy with everyone scrambling around, getting the cameras focused, the sound levels right, and the guests set with their microphones.

“There is a ton of technical stuff we have to do before we start the show,” said Radio/TV teacher Tim Dench.

Although Dench helps out, he emphasizes that he is “a strictly behind the scenes overseer” and that sophomore producers Emily and Erin Keenan do a most of the work that helps makes the show a success. Some of the many jobs of the producers are anything from coming up with  titles for Jackson, and the names and titles of their guests, to making sure the sound levels are just right so that you can hear them speak without it being too loud or quiet.

“Their job as director is always to stay one step ahead,” said Dench.

Jackson’s show, which is put on every Tuesday night, is a mirage of interviews, fun facts, community talk, and Jackson’s opinions. The show consists of different segments, like her top ten pet peeves or top ten lies that people tell. A few segments vary from show to show, but others stay consistent throughout the weeks.

“It [Everybody Talks] offers students with special talents or that are involved in upcoming events to get on our TV channel,” said Emily.

During the half hour to hour long show, Jackson interviews someone. The special guests include student actors, singers, race-car drivers, and even a hypnotist.

“It [Everybody Talks] offers students with special talents or that are involved in upcoming events to get on our TV channel,” said Emily.

Mr. Dench and Jackson’s love for radio/TV prompted Jackson to start doing shows. Throughout her experience of putting on “Everyone Talks” she’s been affected in a positive way.

“Doing this show has benefitted me immensely. I used to be super quiet and I used to not like to talk at all. I’ve never really been outgoing and this show has made me outgoing,” said Jackson.

Jackson shares that doing this show has also allowed her to enjoy talking to people more and led to her becoming a big people person.

“It’s made me the person I am today,” said Jackson.

In the future Jackson hopes to have the show develop and include the community more and involve more students within the school.

“I wanna form the show around really good causes that people in our community are involved in,” said Jackson

Emily also has high hopes for the future of ‘Everybody Talks.”

“I hope we can get more students to interview and just keep the show going for a long time. I look forward to the show each week and I just hope to keep getting better at working behind the scenes.” said Emily.

Erin has hopes that the show will grow and become more popular.

“I hope that it [Everybody Talks] grows into something that could be really big. I also hope that we just keep adding on and improving the show like maybe a little 30 second video in the beginning or something. Hopefully we are moving in a good direction,” said Erin.

Everybody Talks is a completely student run operation with very little help from Dench.

“It is unique, in that it is totally student based, it is different. It may not be for everybody but a lot of people seem to like it,” said Dench

“Everybody Talks” is broadcast live every Tuesday night at five o’clock on the school’s television station (cable channel 24, digital channel 8-6).

Uncategorized

Student planner lacks arts events’ dates due to printer deadlines

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By Sydney Sears and Delaney Smith

As students flip through their student planner they may notice an abundance of dates for sports events, but notice a lack of dates for yearly arts events.

“Not having our dates in the planner makes me feel as if our events aren’t as important than the sports,” said women’s choir member junior Bethany Smith.

Arts students shared that they put in a lot of work into their performances and  just as much work as student athletes do.

Sports are advertised through the student planner, announcements, and posters throughout the school. The school has trouble printing the arts events’ dates in the planner due to printer deadlines.

“I think that events should be more publicly announced just like the sports are,” said orchestra member sophomore Isabelle Didelot.

Assistant principal Rob Willman was in charge of the student planner until two years ago when assistant principal Joe Voelker took over the responsibility. Willman shared that although they probably need to do a better job of trying to get all of the arts events in the planner, it can be tough to publish specific dates due to printing deadlines for the printer.

“Since sporting events are scheduled at least a year or so in advance, we are able to get them in there fairly easily.  The planner is due for the printing company around March, and many of the performing arts dates are not set,” said Willman.

The sports dates are also constructed by just one person, while the arts events are controlled by a larger number of people. Also, sports dates are based on contracts for two to four years, so their dates are already set years in advance, while the dates for the arts can fluctuate, said Willman.

“If someone doesn’t like sports, they might like the arts, but they won’t know arts events are going on because of lack of advertisement, “ said theatre student sophomore Henry Miller.

While Willman explained that they are open to trying to include more arts events in the student planner, there are still complications.

“Keep in mind that there is a lot going on at FC.  To put every event into the planner might be impractical and overwhelming,” said Willman.

Boys Basketball, Sports

Boys basketball players preview upcoming season with their new coach

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By Sydney Sears and Delaney Smith

As the boys basketball players trudge out of another practice their sore muscles let them know they have given the day their all.

With a new coach and fresh faces, FC awaits the upcoming season.  The players have a new mindset and are more determined than ever to have a successful season. The boys are adjusting to a new schedule, workout program, and coach in this upcoming season.

“I like what Coach Lieberman has come in and started doing. It’s really affected the team by all of us being in much better shape than we were before, and it’s helping us improve as athletes,” said senior Zane Nichols.

Coach Mark Lieberman has instilled a novice practice and workout schedule for the players. They practice every day of the week except Sunday. Lieberman said that the new workouts have resulted in improved strength throughout the entire team.

“He has us on a conditioning program that we can almost be positive no one else is doing,” said junior Brandon Smith.

Lieberman expressed his ideas on improvement and working hard. He said that he believes that they can outwork any team they will play this season. Lieberman shared that the team will work hard, compete, and find ways to outwork their opponents this season.

“I’m always looking for gradual improvement,” he said.

With all this hard work, team members are excited to see what will happen on the court.

“I’m just excited for the upcoming season to start. I want to know where all of this hard work that we’ve been putting in is going to get us,” said Nichols.

Though Lieberman cannot predict an outcome for the season, he promised hard work and dedication.

“We will play hard. I do know that,” he said.

The varsity team’s first official game of the season is at home against New Albany at 7:30 on Friday, Dec. 13.

Features

Some student athletes seek alternatives to earning PE credits

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By Sydney Sears and Megan Johnson

In order to graduate from FC,  students must take two semesters of physical education. According to the “Alternative Supervised Physical Education” section of the Floyd County Student Rights Guide, any student that partakes in a school sport or marching band class may use his or her activity as a PE class. However, this rule only applies to teens that are a part of a school-associated sport or activity. Any other outside activity does not count. Due to this circumstance, athletes such as these end up having to take gym and cannot take other classes that help further their education.

“It did affect my schedule because I couldn’t take certain classes like child development or culinary arts,” said junior Kenzie Ross.

Ross is part of an all-star dance team and had to follow the guidelines to gain PE credits. Ross stated that she felt that her hard work with the dance team should have earned her credits.

“It’s aggravating because we work hard. We practice two to three times a week for two to three hours.”

Sophomore Ashley Denny also shared her opinion regarding the  work that she puts into gymnastics.

“I work three days a week and three hours for each session. It involves a lot of cardio and strength training,” said Denny.

Many athletes who do sports outside of school, work just as much as athletes who do school sports. The only difference is that their teams are not affiliated with the school. This produces the question of why other athletes are not allowed to earn P.E. credits as well.

“I just don’t think it’s fair that other athletes are offered that and people like me aren’t.” said Denny

Denny and Ross concluded with ideas to help their situation and other students like them. Ross explained that students could provide evidence that they play a sport and spend enough time doing that sport to earn their credits

Denny agreed with Ross in that aspect.

“This problem could be resolved by having the student bring in a note from their coach, just like how FC athletes do.” said Denny.

Principal Janie Whaley shared that there actually is a possibility for an athlete that is not part of the FC athletic program to gain credit. However, these students must show their participation in their sport.

“All students receive a ‘B’ if they complete the season. There is a fitness test at the end of the semester that allows students to move from a ‘B’ to an ‘A’.”

Although this option is offered to all athletic students, there has still been a minor reduction in enrollment.

Whaley shared her final thought on both P.E. and sports in and out of school, which is essential for students to endure.

“The end result is physical fitness.”