Bigger than Basketball OLIVIA CERDA
STAFF WRITER
K
ansas Gatorade Player of the Year, USA National Team MVP, McDonald’s All-American, two-time 4A State Champion and Louisville commit, senior Payton Verhulst has a well-decorated basketball reputation. But there’s more to Verhulst than her basketball resume. Verhulst is planning on continuing her education and basketball career at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky, where she plans on majoring in special education. “My little sister, Addy, she has epilepsy, and I was kind of the one who helped her when she was younger at school,” Verhulst said. “I was always her buddy whenever she started needing more help.” Payton has gotten a head start on her major through the Peer Mentoring program offered at Miege. “I know a lot of colleges don’t offer that type of support until junior year, and I just feel like that experience is really going to help me when I do begin those classes my junior year,” Verhulst said. During Verhulst’s time as a peer mentor, she has worked both one-on-one and in a classroom setting by assisting math teacher
Taryn Frank’s Algebra I class and working closely with freshman Lola Kernell in fine arts teacher Sarah McCambridge’s journalism class. “I loved being with Payton, she always gave good advice, and it was really fun,” Kernell said. “We always had a lot of funny things going on.” According to Verhulst, Peer Mentoring not only helped her grow her knowledge in special education, but also create new friendships. “I still talk to Lola every day, it’s not just about learning how to teach and help them work in class, but also just building relationships with them outside of the classroom,” Verhulst said. Whether it’s on the court or in the classroom, Verhulst continues to find ways to go above and beyond the standard. “Payton really has a kind heart and a great knowledge of how to work well with others and adapt to what is needed to be able to let that student learn in a style that works best for them,” learning resource director Mallorie Hurlbert | OLIVIA CERDA said.
History in the Making ISABELLA GUADAMUZ
STAFF WRITER
W
ill Calovich has an affinity for learning about history. His love of history began in middle school when he started learning about World War II, Ancient History and the Industrial Revolution. “My love of history began when I was in the sixth grade,” Calovich said. “I loved learning about different concepts, inventions, and chain reactions that have occurred throughout history.” Calovich said he enjoys learning about the impacts these events have had on modern-day society and hopes more people would appreciate history. “I wish more people would appreciate world history. History
might help people prevent mistakes that have already happened, and they help guide us in the future,” Calovich said. This year, Calovich conducted a project on the original “Godzilla” movie. Calovich placed first at districts and state for National History Day in his category. His project is titled “Gojira vs. Godzilla: Lost in Translation or Censored Communication.” According to Calovich, he never knew how much he would have enjoyed learning all about history, but it has become a big part of his life. “Try it out,” Calovich said. “Stick with it, and you might just realize how cool history really is.”
| ISABELLA GUADAMUZ
Profile
13
