Tag Archives: Kirk Hamsley

Student-led event brings faith, fellowship together

By Rachel Lamb and Megan Johnson

Every year the fourth Wednesday in the month of September is Annual Global Day of Student Prayer. On this day an event known as “See You at the Pole” is held before school nationwide.

By having this opportunity, students get the chance to pray for their nation and school with others that have the same beliefs.

“They are not the only Christians in school, so they should not be intimidated,” said Georgetown Christian Church’s youth minister Chris Cowsert.

He added that since the school is the biggest mission field available, it is important for students to show their faith through coming.

“The world is turning away from Christianity, so it’s refreshing to know that there are other teenagers like me,” said freshman Mitchell Lockhart.

He shared that he has invited friends to similar events and they would invite other people, causing fellowship to grow.

Sophomore Phoenix-Grace Lackey agreed with Cowsert and Lockhart’s statements.

“Students need to know that they are not alone in the walk with Christ.”

It has been shown that participation has affected teen fellowship greatly. Without them, this would not be possible because it requires student initiative as well as leadership and organization.

“It is very important to me to see student from area churches come together for one purpose,” said Campus Life director Kevin Becht.

However, they are not alone in the process of organizing. Staff members, such as counselor Kirk Hamsley, have participated in this event ever since he started working at FC, play a big role in ensuring that it is running smoothly.

Hamsley said that FC has participated in See You at the Pole for the past 20 years.

For more information on “See You at the Pole” please visit syatp.com.

Lady Highlanders strengthen team bond

By McKenna Click

The Lady Highlanders basketball team is half way through their season and because of their statistics, can already be considered a winning team. The girl have won six of their ten games so far this season.  Which means senior Tori Kingsley’s goal of “[winning] sectionals and conference and to have a winning season” is well on its way.

“We’ve got a lot of returning kids who’ve played varsity and a lot of hard working kids,” said counselor and head girl’s basketball coach Kirk Hamsley. He has hopes of a winning season.  Winning does not just happen, teams need to be strong, and the Lady Highlanders have quite a few strengths.

Head coach Kirk Hamsley works with the girls' basketball team in practice.
Head coach Kirk Hamsley works with the girls’ basketball team in practice.

Junior Taylor Andrew recognizes their strengths including the teamwork among the girls. “We’re a pretty good shooting and scoring team too,” said Kingsley.

Although the team is strong, Andrew realizes the girls still have improvements to make.  “[We need to] talk and work on leadership.”

Leadership may be something the girls need to work on but Kingsley and Hamsley realize there are other things the girls need to work on also.

Kingsley wants the team to work on their defense, but Hamsley said, “[the girls] need to buy into being a team and playing together.”

The girls said they have been trying to grow together as a team.  “We do team bonding like three times a week,” said Kingsley.  Andrew and Kingsley rattled off team bonding activities including making balloon animals, a scavenger hunt, and team dinners.

“[At team dinners] we all indulge in a lot of food and talk about stuff that’s really funny and that makes us come closer,” said Kingsley.  Team dinners help the team grow closer.  “We are a lot closer than past teams.  We’re all really good friends and we hang out outside of school,” said Andrew.

Not only have the girls been trying to grow together as a team, Hamsley talked about how the girls have been working hard to have a good season.

“[We worked for] six weeks conditioning.  We have practice for two hours and fifteen minutes six days a week,” said Hamsley.

They successfully beat Scottsburg, who were sixth in the state last year, and Seymour, who are a part of their conference.  Hamsley cited both of those wins as big wins for the team.

Hamsley looks forward to playing Jeff, New Albany, and Bedford, FC’s main rivals.

The next time the girls can be seen in action is Dec. 27 at 2:30 pm or 28th at 11:00 am at the Lady Highlander Classic held at FC.

For those looking to see a rival game the girls play New Albany at New Albany, January 5th at 6:00 pm for JV or 7:30 pm  for varsity.  There is also a game at FC January 12 against Bedford 1:00 pm for JV or 2:30 for varsity.