Issue 8

Clarion The

“A Clear Call Summons All”

InsideNow Online

May 22, 2014

Opinion

Feature

Sports

- p5 Teen minister

- p2 School improvement - p7 Summer softball

- p4 Mission trips - p6 Teachers saying goodbye

School plans for renovations

Connersville High School • 1100 Spartan Drive • Connersville, IN 47331 • www.chsclarion.com • Volume 100 • Issue 8

Changes include water pipes, iPads and new desks

Gill McDonald

S

Staff Writer

everal changes are in the works for next year. The One-toOne Initiative will occur, new USDA snack standards will go in affect July 1, early bird won’t continue, fewer credits will be needed to graduate, and

weighted grades will be figured differently.

With the One-to-One Initiative, students will be carrying iPads, and the big gray built-in computer desks in English and social studies classrooms will disappear. Rules have been modified to cover device and phone usage.

Students will be allowed

to use electronic devices in the hallways and in the cafeteria, but will still need teacher permission to use them for educational purposes in class.

Students who go against these rules will have their devices taken away and will go through the discipline process.

Due to new USDA snack

During first period, Hannah Underwood, Hettie Dalrymple, Stephanie Plemons , Tyler Massey and Brandon Brumfield work in Suzi Brown’s English 11 class. Computer desks with recessed monitors such as these will be replaced this summer. Students will have free-standing desks and will be using their school-issued iPads. Cara French photo

regulations, beginning July 1 soda vending machines will no longer carry normal sodas. They will instead carry low-calorie sodas.

Also, candy fund-raisers will be limited.

Early bird classes have been canceled for next year. Not enough students signed up for them, and it was causing problems with scheduling, according to Principal Randy Judd.

Next year, though, students will only need 40 credits instead of 46 for the Core 40 general diploma.

This meets the Indiana state requirements. An academic honors diploma will still require 47 credits.

Not only have the credit requirements changed, but the weighted grades system has, too. The only weighted classes will be dual credit and AP classes.

The weight on the grades will only be 0.3 instead of the current weight, which is at max 1.0.

Besides policy changes,

Graduation ceremony June 8 End of year events planned for Class of 2014

Cara French

C

Staff Writer

urrently, 241 seniors are eligible to graduate. This number may change when grades are verified after exams.

Graduation practice will be held June 6 at 10 a.m. in the Spartan Bowl.

The commencement ceremony will be June 8 at 2 p.m. in the Spartan Bowl.

There is no admission

fee or limit to the number of family members a single student can invite.

Seniors will need to report to the first floor corridor of the middle school at 1:30 p.m. on June 8. All seniors are to use the first floor rest-rooms to change into their cap and gown.

Once properly dressed, the seniors will find their names posted on the wall and will line up under their name card.

Seniors will enter the Spartan Bowl as the band plays “Pomp and Circumstance.” After the “National Anthem” is played, the salutatorian will lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Principal Randy Judd will make a few introductions and the choir will provide special music.

The valedictorian will then give the class address before diplomas are present-

At the June 8 commencement ceremony, Principal Randy Judd and Superintendent Dr. Russell Hodges will pass out diplomas to members of the senior Class of 2014. Cohiscan yearbook photo

Baccalaureate Thursday, June 5; 6 p.m.

Wise Center Grad practice Friday, June 6; 10 a.m.

Spartan Bowl Commencement Sunday, June 8; 2 p.m.

Spartan Bowl ed to the Class of 2014.

After Superintendent Russell Hodges certifies the class, senior class President Samantha Girot will lead students in the traditional moving of the tassels before the graduates leave during the recessional.

There will be 40 students who graduate with a general diploma. There will be 114 students who will graduate with the Core 40 diploma.

Seven students will graduate with the Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas. 50 students will graduate with Core 40 diplomas with Academic Honors. Another 26 will graduate with Core 40 with Technical and Academic Honors diplomas.

there will be construction, too, with renovations taking place over the summer. The high school will be closed for at least two weeks starting June 9. Summer school will take place at the middle school, and main office, guidance office and athletics office be located at CMS, too.

“We are running new water pipes through the ceiling and most of the hallways,” Judd said. “We’re replacing all the windows in the building.”

Once the building is reopened, other changes will occur. The labs in JA206 and JA207 will become virtual labs, which are remote controlled labs.

“Rather than having the big computer tower, [the computers] will have a [smaller computer tower] on the back [of the monitor],” Judd said. “It’ll be a lot less wires, a lot less things for students to vandalize. It should all work much better.”

Baccalaureate ceremony set for June 5 For the first time since 2009, graduation will be preceded by a baccalaureate. It will take place on June 5 at 6 p.m. in the Robert E. Wise Auditorium.

Baccalaureate is a student-led religious service that takes place before graduation. Typically, they include guest speakers, musical performances and short speeches or scriptural readings by various students or community members. While the official line-up is still undecided, orators have been chosen, and the program will be finalized this week. “[Baptist Temple pastor] Tim Billups will preach. [Calvary Baptist pastor] Rick Wright will do the benediction and senior Brett Drew will do a motivational speech because he is an ordained minister. A few choir members will sing four or five songs,” senior Rachel Johnson said. Since the event has to be studentled, Johnson is in charge of planning the events and running it.

Since a baccalaureate hasn’t been held in five years, Johnson feels that it will give students a good opportunity to express their faith.

“There are a lot of religious students in our class, and I feel as if they’d want to pray for their graduation and future and be prayed for. I think it’s beneficial because it allows the graduates to come together and praise their higher being,” Johnson said.

According to Johnson, the celebration is free and open to all seniors and the public and will last about an hour.

by Seth Winstead

Opinion

page 2 ‹ Clarion

May 22, 2014

Students: respect each other

W

Staff Editorial

ith new renovations, iPads and relaxed graduation requirements, the 2014-15 year looks bright, however, there are still a few things that need to be addressed to meet that goal.

We need to improve the way students treat each other and their teachers, and we need to improve the amount of support for under-rated events, clubs and sports.

These issues that have been pointed out repeatedly, but they are still problems and must be addressed.

One way that student disrespect manifests itself is through bullying. Despite convocations and reprimands from staff, bullying still occurs. Students still harass each other in the hallways and in class, both verbally and physically. While it is more verbal than physical, both types of bullying negatively affects students.

Bullying is one of the leading causes of suicide.

According to a study at Yale

University, bullying victims are two to nine times more likely to consider suicide compared to their non-bullied counterparts. Bullying also impacts attendance.

According to ABC News, around 160,000 kids stay home from school every day to escape being bullied.

The way students treat their teachers needs improvement, as well. One can walk into just about any classroom and hear students raising their voices and shouting at teachers and subs. When students yell and argue about doing their work, their disrespect is evident.

In addition to improving support of students and teachers, students should offer more support for lessrecognized events, clubs and teams.

It is this lack of support that leaves those in underrated groups feeling underappreciated. This feeling tends to arise when students see hundreds go out and support a major sports team but then only 50 show up for their event.

When it comes to fixing the problem of bullying there is no overnight solution, but things can get better if students treat others the way they would want to be treated.

This respect should be evident in both the classroom and the hallways, but it shouldn’t stop there. Students should respect each other outside of school and in all of their social media interactions, as well.

Students should give teachers a break when something doesn’t go their way. Sometimes the very things a students blame teachers for are the students’ fault. If there is a misunderstanding with a teacher, don’t scream or yell, talk to them like they are another human being.

Talking gets a lot of things done faster than yelling.

Is it really so hard to turn around, stop talking, put up your phone or take off your hat when asked to do so? Are requests like that really worth arguing about?

Supporting each other is a part of respecting each oth-

Practice respect.

Treat fellow students & teachers better.

Katie Bailey photo illustration

Changes for next year should include the way we treat others

er. Students should consider going to an event that they have never been to before.

If a student is unable to go to an event but still wants to do their part for future events there are other ways to support these students.

Another way students could support each other is by talking to a teacher about starting a spirit club,

Writers’ Corner

Rocks&Roses

Together

by Bryauna Crouch

Tainted thoughts, Tainted wings

Rocks & Roses is a way to recognize the good at CHS and a way to address areas that could be improved. If you have suggestions for Rocks & Roses, submit them in room J113 or online at chsclarion.com.

In the beginning my thoughts were like feathers Sleek smooth and dazzling white Like the ones that ride on angels back.

Roses to

by Destiny Russell

From far above, the sun shines Down on you and me Dancing around so effortlessly Laughing at the imaginary lines

Off in the distance, there’s a church steeple Holding a brass bell captive inside That’s deeply ringing with pride As it releases all the people

Mocking jays sing from the trees And I match their tune without a care As thousands of butterflies soar through the air And we fall, laughing to our knees

You quickly move to stand And before I know what’s happening You’re running; abandoning I reach, too late, for your hand

Together forever or so we say The best of friends since the first hello Hanging out in the bright green meadow Among the beautiful flowers we play

But you’re already gone Leaving behind your Coke You’ve disappeared like a puff of smoke Into early pre-dawn

Underneath a sky so crystal blue “I love you” whispered oh so gently At the same time, incidentally We both know it’s certainly true

I whisper we’ll be together again soon Meet me by the two streams In the place of all my dreams Under the light of the next bright moon

An hour quickly passes; another They fall like petals off a rose But somehow neither of us knows And yet again, we smile at each other

I stand, thinking about your face and you show up with a smile We stare at each other for a while And envelop each other in a tight embrace

Teacher Roger Tyler for being named Fayette County School Corporation Teacher of the Year.  Roses to Senior Council for their work on prom.  Roses to senior parents for putting together the after prom activities.  Choir classes for having a successful concert May 23. The cast of the spring play for their performance of murder mystery The Butler Did It. Band classes for their May 1 concert. The food pantry and clothing closet for providing food and clothes to those in need. School almost being over. Shannon Morrow, Brooklyn Nicholson and Calen Crumpton for graduating a year early. The school for finally changing the flag out front.

Full of desire and daring to imagine, I fell into my dreams heels over head.

I was cautious, smart I deemed, Everything seemed perfect.

Then came the subtle things, That specked my feathers like ash, The pain anxiety, The problems surrounding me in society.

Still there you stood, My evergreen constant and proud, Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined, That I would lose you one day.

Rocks to

Students who vandalize computers. Those who leave gum under desks, on the floor, on the sidewalk and on walls. Those who get the whole class off task by talking. Students use the hallways for loud confrontations with other students or teachers. Students who make fun of other students because of differences. Students who come into class late and make the teacher repeat what was already said.

My wings became faded and ceased their glimmer, As the oil, black, took over and killed their shine, And one by one the feathers fell, Useless...Limp...

And I tried to reign in my thoughts, But without you I’m staggering blindly in the darkness, Looking for the light that leads to you.

For more student work, visit chsclarion.com or scan this QR code with a QR reader app, like ScanLife, for your smart phone or tablet.

Clarion The

Connersville High School 1100 Spartan Drive Connersville, IN 47331 www.chsclarion.com

which would be a cheer block for everything--not just basketball or football.

This would be a great project for one of the service clubs or advisory councils to organize.

If students take these steps in the right direction, then next year could quite possibly be a harmonious year and pass by smoothly.

“A Clear Call Summons All” The Clarion is a student publication serving as open forum for student expression at Connersville High School, where it is distributed to all students, faculty and staff. While the staff aims to provide a balanced account of news, opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of faculty, staff, administration or school board. The editor is solely responsible for the content.

Editors in Chief

Katie Bailey

Seth Winstead

Principal

Randal Judd

Adviser

Lisa Morris

Staff

Kara Dye Dakota Firsich Cara French Jordan Harris Ali Hostetler Gill McDonald

Michael McMillan Megan McNally Katie Moffitt Lilli Stinger Erica Valentine

News

May 22, 2014

Clarion › page 3

Summer school moved to CMS Classes still available; enroll by May 28

Dakota Firsich

A

Staff Writer

s the school year comes to a close, it’s still not too late for students to register for summer school. The last day to register is May 28, but classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Forms are available in the guidance office.

The first session starts June 9 and ends June 27.

Buses will be available for session one. Session two runs June 30 through July 21. Classes will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 1 p.m.

Summer school will be held at Connersville Middle School because there will be construction going on at the high school.

Breakfast and lunch are provided to all students for free. All on-site summer school classes are free this year. Besides classwork, the main requirement of summer school is attendance.

Students must attend 12 out of 15 days or they will not be able to earn credit.

For those that can’t take summer school due to other obligations, online sum-

“

Summer school should be mandatory for students who have failed a core class. Jaime Hamm, counselor

”

mer school is available.

Students do not have to log on every day.

Students have to register for online summer school

by June 6, and classes start June 9. Registration information is available in the guidance office. Online summer school costs $15 per class, and students can take two courses. Students must make an appointment to take their final exams before July 30.

Many summer school classes are available; however, the P.E. classes are already full.

Available first session classes include English 9, 10, 11 and 12, government, economics, U.S. history, geography, health, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, geometry and biology.

The second semester

equivalents are offered in session two. Advanced concert band and Agriculture SAE are only offered in session two.

Online courses include English 9, 10, 11 and 12, government, economics, U.S. history, geography, health, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, geometry, psychology, earth science and biology.

Summer school course availability is subject to enrollment.

This means that if not enough students sign up, the class will not be held.

Benefits of summer school include being able to retake a failed core class and being able to take as many classes as possible.

“Summer school should be almost mandatory for students who have failed a core class. I think any student who fails should seriously consider taking summer school that way you do

not get behind,” guidance department chair Jaime Hamm said.

In some cases, summer school can help students make their schedule more flexible.

“A student may be in band for two periods or choir and they want to take as many music classes as they can. They may take a class in summer to get ahead,” counselor Jeremy Corn said.

As students including Treasure Isaacs, Kenzie Wilson, Austin Bailey and Jaylen Halcomb follow along, math teacher Kim Duncan goes over answers in her first period geometry class. Geometry is one of a variety of classes offered during summer school, which will be held at CMS. Dakota Firsich photo

Students graduate on the fast track Three on the road to graduate early

Kara Dye

T

Staff Writer

ypically it takes four years to complete high school, but in the case of Calen Crumpton, Brooklyn Nicholson and Shannon Morrow, they will be ending their high school adventure after only three years.

For Crumpton, Nicholson and Morrow to graduate in three years, it took a lot of work.

“The hardest part in trying to graduate Calen Crumpton, 12 in three years was probably doing high school classes in eighth grade,” Crumpton said.

“I studied Algebra 1, Spanish 1 and Integrated Chemistry and Physics,” Crumpton added.

Traditionally students do not go to college until they’re 18, but according to Crumpton, “Some colleges want to see younger students, according to my counselor, Jamie Hamm, and my college

advisor,”Crumpton said.

Crumpton will be studying at Purdue University and is already accepted.

For Morrow the hardest part was trying to get all the credits worked into a three-year plan.

“It was the hardest part because I had to cram four year’s worth of classes into three years,” Morrow said.

Nicholson also had some difficulties with trying to graduate early.

“The hardest part was trying to stay focused and being determined to get through the classes,” Nicholson said.

Morrow wanted to graduate early to get ahead.

“I wanted to graduate in three years because I want to start my life early,” Morrow said.

Shannon Morrow, 12 After she graduates, Morrow plans to go to Vincennes University to enter the nursing program there.

Crumpton also wants to get a head start on college.

“I wanted to graduate early so I could get to college where I can study what I

like,” Crumpton said.

For Nicholson, time played a big role in why she took CPL, Center for Performance Learning. “I wanted to graduate early so I could get better college opportunities and get done with school faster,” Nicholson said.

“I do not worry about missing out on my senior year activities because I’m not worried about them. I get to go to prom so the rest does Brooklyn Nicholson, 12 not matter to me,” Morrow said.

“I made the decision to graduate early when I transferred here from my old school this year because I only needed one more credit and there was really no point in staying another whole year,” Crumpton said. “It did not really take a whole lot of planning.”

Morrow has advice for those who also want to graduate early. “If you want to graduate early, you need to stay on track.”

“Don’t get into trouble and take a CPL class. I took nine credits through CPL,”

“

If you want to graduate early, you need to stay on track. Don’t get into trouble and take a CPL class. I took nine credits through CPL.

”

Shannon Morrow,12

Morrow said.

“The only disadvantages to graduating early are that it takes a lot of hard work and you can’t slack off,” Crumpton said.

If students wish to graduate in three years, they need to fill out an application for graduating early and turn it in to their counselor. This must be approved by the principal.

They also should look into the Mitch Daniels’ Scholarship application, which can award $4,000 to eligible students who graduate in three years.

“Come see your counselor so we can go over what classes are needed and talk about the added responsibilities,” guidance department chair Jaime Hamm said.

FYI Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship To apply for this scholarship, students must graduate within three years and must meet the following requirements. complete the FAFSA forms be a resident of Indiana have attended a publicly supported high school on a full-time equivalency basis for at least the last two semesters before the student graduated have had legal settlement in Indiana for at least the last two semesters before the student graduated meet at least the minimum requirements for granting a high school diploma by the end of grade 11, including any summer courses completed by July 1 of the year of graduation not be enrolled in a publicly supported high school for any part of grade 12; (their fourth year) within five months of graduating must be taking classes at a SFA approved college in a program leading to an approved postsecondary degree or credential. information from in.gov

News

page 4 ‹ Clarion

May 22, 2014

Tyler earns Teacher of the Year Seth Winstead

Playing

Co-Editor in Chief

T

piano, choral director Roger Tyler leads a men’s choir practice session during fourth period May 7. Men’s choir members include Joe Chasteen, Jacob Zane, Jordan McGraw, Devon DeVinney, Jonathan Waterman, Alex Jauregui, Danny Frye, Brice Knighton and Brandon Farmer.

Cara French photo

his year’s Fayette County Teacher of the Year honors went to choral teacher Roger Tyler, who has taught in Fayette County for 21 years, with 13 of those at the high school.

Tyler was unaware that he had received the award until administrators visited his seventh period class May 2 to give him the news.

“I was very surprised and humbled. I didn’t know I was a candidate until Dr. [Russell] Hodges, Dr. [Kathleen] Rieke and Mr. [Randy] Judd came and told me,” he said.

“It’s a great accomplishment, but I don’t feel like I’m better than any other teacher in Fayette County. The only people in my family whom I told were my mom and wife.

Everyone else in my family who found out, found out from my wife,” Tyler said.

“Mr. Tyler works very hard. He has great initiative and goes above and beyond what his job requirements mandate,” Principal Randy Judd said.

The Teacher of the Year process began when letters were sent to parents asking for recommendations. Also, each principal was asked to make a recommendation.

Once Central Office received the recommendations, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Rieke formed a selection committee.

Each nominee was evaluated by the committee, which was composed of various administrators, teachers, parents and principals who processed the nominations.

The committee narrowed the candidates down to five.

Then, those five teachers were asked if they wanted to participate in the process.

Two declined, and the remaining three submitted an

informational packet. Once this additional information was evaluated, the Teacher of the Year was chosen.

Now that Tyler has been recognized at the county level, he is a candidate for Indiana Teacher of the Year and must fill out the required paperwork for his nomination.

“I have to write the next six steps of a 10-part portfolio. The first four parts had to be completed and submitted to be considered for the county level,” Tyler said.

Fayette County has only had one state Teacher of the Year: media specialist Kim Giesting who earned the honor in 1998 when she was a science teacher. In 1995 Japanese teacher Sachiko Kawakubo was a finalist for the honor.

The Indiana Teacher of the Year goes on to compete for the National Teacher of the Year title. So far, Indiana has not had a national Teacher of the Year winner.

Three teachers to leave CHS ranks Givens, Ross, Curtis bid CHS students a fond farewell Seth Winstead Co-Editor in Chief

At the end of the year, three teachers will be departing from CHS. Mild intervention teacher Carolyn Givens and special education teacher Barb Ross will retire at the end of the year, while social studies teacher Shawn Curtis will be moving to northern Indiana.

Carolyn Givens

For 40 years, Givens has devoted her career to education.

“I started teaching in 1974. My first year I taught in Johnson County at Franklin High School. I came here the next year,” Givens said.

While there are many reasons for one to retire, Givens’ reason is family-oriented. “I’m getting old. My mother is in declining health, and I have to look after her. Also, I have one grandchild and I plan to spoil him,” she said.

There will be some things that she misses when she retires. “I’m going to miss co-workers and most of the kids I’ve had in high school that I won’t see very often. I won’t get to see them develop into adults,” she said.

For Givens, teaching has been a very rewarding career.

“The best part about teaching is getting to share so many lives.

You’re working with living people, and there are so many differences between one person and the next. It’s always kept things interesting,” she said.

Throughout her career, Givens tried to help students change their lives for the better. “I see a few students who make bad choices, and I’ve always tried to get them to stop and think. One of my goals is to help them start making better choices and to give them support,” she said.

While here, Givens coached the Archery Team. She took them to State five years and to Nationals four years.

Once she retires, Givens plans to do as much as she can while she can. “I would really like to go to Europe while my husband’s health is good enough,” she said. Also, she would like to kick back at home and take it easy.

“I really enjoy reading, quilting and painting. All those things are things that I plan to do--that and spoil my grandson,” she added.

Barb Ross

Ross has 26 years of teaching under her belt, with 25 of those years in Fayette County. Ross says her reason for retiring is due to a disagreement with modern education practices.

“I still love teaching and the kids. I just don’t like all the red-tape and testing,” she said.

Over the years, Ross has seen a change in the way schools operate. “[One thing that has changed is] the amount of testing and the stress teachers are under,” she said. “Accountability has moved from the students and parents to the teacher.”

In her time as a teacher, Ross has learned a great deal about people. “I’ve learned that you have to have a healthy respect for individuals and their circumstances and that every-

one has talents and everyone has challenges,” she said.

Along with teaching, Ross has been the chairperson for the Response To Instruction program. The program helps students who have barriers with learning by reaching out and providing resources that assist them with overcoming their barriers.

Also, Ross has been the president of the Fayette County Federation of Teachers for 18 years. The union helps gain benefits for teachers, as well as offering support for the staff. As union president, Ross started a philanthropic charity which donates a portion of the union dues back to the community.

In her 25 years here, Ross has some experiences she won’t forget. “One thing that I’ll never forget is when one of my students, a special education student who worked very hard, was accepted into college and is doing very well in it,” Ross said.

Once she retires, Ross has some plans mapped out. “I’m moving to Cincinnati. I plan to travel more and shop and maybe find a part-time job that doesn’t require me to take my work home,” she said. Also, she plans to spend time with her family.

“My daughter is working in Paris over the summer, so I may fly there and see her. Also, I may go to Charleston, South Carolina, to visit family,” she added.

Shawn Curtis

Far from retirement, Curtis is leaving due to family reasons. “My wife was reappointed to another church in Indiana,” he said.

Curtis, who has been a teacher for 15 years, nine here, has also taught in New Jersey, at Union High School. Over the years, Curtis has learned many values. “I’ve learned that teaching has more to do with understanding your students than content,” he said. “I’ve learned that a town can be resilient despite a negative environment.”

Besides teaching, Curtis has been involved with many extracurriculars and clubs. He has served as co-coordinator for the

“

I don’t know [what I’m going to do.] The future is unknown. I may write or get my Ph.D. in history or social studies. Shawn Curtis, Social Studies

”

academic teams, coached both the social studies and the fine arts team and has also sponsored Student Government. Curtis also served as the social studies department chairperson.

Curtis says what he will miss the most are his students. “I’ll definitely miss the students and teaching world history. I’ll also miss the academic teams and Student Government,” he said.

There are many things that Curtis will never forget. “There was my first year here, when we experimented with volcanoes in my geography class. [Other memorable experiences were] going to State for the social studies academic team and winning the ISTAR award. Also, [the Dec. 20 school-wide] blackout and how we survived on Triscuits and sweet-tea,” he added.

In his time here, Curtis has tried to make his class and school better for his students. “I’ve tried to make it a safe environment; there are a lot of bad things out there. I’ve tried not to choose favorites, and I’ve tried to understand every student as much as I could,” he said.

While he is looking for another teaching job, he is open to other possibilities. “I don’t know [what I’m going to do]. The future is unknown. I may write or get my PhD in history or social studies,” he said.

For more about teachers leaving, visit www.chsclarion.com

Doing the “Cabbage Patch,” social studies teacher Shawn

Curtis prepares to read the news on the CHS Today set. Each day during Teacher Appreciation Week, teachers filled in for the CHS Today news crew. Seth Winstead photo

Working in Libby Adams’ third period algebra class, Carolyn Givens explains the steps to solve an equation to sophomore Daniel VanWinkle. Seth Winstead photo

As her students call out the main ideas from an article about texting addiction, special education teacher Barb Ross writes down their correct responses. Seth Winstead photo

Feature

May 22, 2014

Man of God

Lilli Stinger

S

Staff Writer

enior Brett Drew is one student who knows firsthand about keeping high morals and values close to his heart. Drew recently became an ordained Pentecostal minister, but this was no snap decision.

“I realized that I was called in to the ministry at [age] 15 in January of 2011,” Drew said. “I preached my first message across from K-mart. Since then, in three year’s time, I now preach in the tri-state area: Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.” Drew has led congregations in Assemblies of God, Church of God and Pentecostal churches.

“An Evangelical preacher travels and has many flocks, which is what I am. It’s a hard job, because, believe it or not, there is a lot of church drama. It’s sad because that is why most don’t go [to church],” he said.

Becoming a minister hadn’t originally been a part of Drew’s plans; in fact, he hadn’t been interested in that occupation at all. “I didn’t really want to become one,” Drew said. “It kind of just happened. I remember, Pastor Lester Rose said, ‘You’re preaching next Sunday’, and a not-so-smart me said yes. I had never preached before.”

Getting the license required effort. He had to conduct two weddings, one funeral, and either take two years of classes or have four years of preaching experience.

Drew chose the four-year route.

Drew doesn’t believe that getting the license itself was the difficult part; it was more his own internal battles that made things challenging. “There really were no hardships. Last year my mind was not on ministry. I allowed things to interrupt my

“

Clarion › page 5

Senior Brett Drew ordained as minister

I realized I was called into the ministry at [age] 15 in Janunary of 2011. Brett Drew, 12

”

calling, so I had to take a break as a restoration to get my act together,” Drew said.

To get through it, Drew relied on a song and Bible verse. The song was “On Christ the Solid Rock I’ll Stand, All Other Ground is Sinking Sand” and the Bible verse was Philippians 3:13-14. “Paul said, ‘Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus,’ ” Drew said.

Drew is certain that ministers are no different once they receive their license than they were before. “Ordained ministers are humans like everybody else! Just because you’re ordained doesn’t make you Jesus,” Drew said.

“There are people in school that probably roll their eyes at this article, but if I let that stuff bother me, I would have been out a long time ago,” he said.

“I know I have haters. I let them stop me before, but now they can keep hating.

I’ve come too far to turn back. Nothing compares to what Jesus went through, so I won’t whine and cry because people don’t like me. I live with it,” Drew added.

Just because Drew doesn’t let people get to him, that doesn’t necessarily mean that ministering is all positive and happy.

“Reaching out to people [is probably the hardest thing] because some people just don’t receive you,” he said.

When it comes to the future and furthering his theological studies, Drew is still

considering everything. “College is a scary thing,” he said. “I take care of my grandma, so my college is on the back burner for now, but I’m going to Ivy Tech. Of course [my studies would revolve around] ministry, whether it be working with the youth or not. As much as I love pastors, I would not wish that job on anybody!”

“I wouldn’t wish a pastoral job on anybody who doesn’t want to commit. I would have to hear God in an audible voice. I’ve been in this for almost four years and most people think since you preach, that makes you a preacher. [That is] wrong,” Drew said.

Ministering is sometimes a family tradition, but this is not the case with Drew. “Most of my family doesn’t like the choice, but it’s something I had to encourage myself into doing. My grandma, though, supports me every step of the way,” he said.

The decision Drew has made created an impact on his life. “God has blessed me in so many ways,” Drew said.

“He has humbled me. No matter what anyone has said about me, I still walk with my head up. My pastor [Dustin Gay] told me, ‘People will bring up your past because they have nothing new to hold against you.’ I have really had a heart of love since I’ve been saved,” Drew said.

Clarion photo illustration

Youth diabetes diagnoses on the rise

Erica Valentine Staff Writer

D

iabetes now affects 25.8 million people worldwide. But it isn’t just older people who can get diabetes; young people are increasingly being diagnosed with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Eleven CHS students have Type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is when the pancreas can no longer create insulin for the body to balance out the sugar. With Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas can still

create insulin, but the body does not absorb it or regulate it well.

Anyone can be diagnosed at anytime. It can depend on the gene pool or just bad luck.

It is crucial that blood sugar doesn’t drop too low or get too high because of the consequences. High blood sugar can cause a sugar coma and long-term consequences like kidney failure. Low blood sugar can cause people to pass out and have seizures.

If not well maintained, diabetes can be dangerous. “I have to always be on

Question&Answer How does diabetes affect your everyday life?

“It affects me a lot because I have to take a lot of time out of my day with checking my sugar and taking my shot when other people don’t.”

Isaiah Easley, 10

“It stops me from focusing in class when my blood sugar is high because when it is high, I can’t focus.”

Justice Brown, 09

“I was nervous for what I was getting into and I didn’t know what to expect; I feel more confident about what I’m doing. “ Mikaela Jennings, 12

“I was recently diagnosed, so I am still getting used to it. It is really frustrating to have to constantly stick yourself with a needle.“ Erica Valentine, 11

alert 24/7,” said senior T.J. Billups, who was diagnosed seven years ago.

People with diabetes have to frequently check their blood sugar and make sure it stays in a healthy range.

“My blood sugar stays between 80 and 120,” Billups said.

Early signs of diabetes vary from person to person. Some can rapidly lose or gain weight, depending on type.

Sometimes they have a big appetite that causes heartburn that can’t be cured with antacids. Feeling very thirsty all the time and very hungry are common symptoms. Being tired all the time, having blurry vision, being unable to focus and feeling shaky and unstable are other indicators of diabetes.

To keep diabetes in check, insulin sometimes needs to be taken two to eight times a day, normally using two different types of insulin. “[I take] Novalog at night and Lantus every time I eat,” said Billups. There are different methods used for calculating how much insulin needs to be taken. Some use a sliding scale, but that is no longer used because of the inaccuracy of it.

The other method for calculating how much insulin is needed is carb counting. Diabetics need to count carbs in their food, take their blood sugar, calculate a personalized formula and take insulin. Most of the time this is the process for every meal.

Exercise and nutrition plays a big part in living with diabetes. Exercise

Miranda Levi photo illustration

Students adjust to diabetic lifestyle

helps keep blood glucose levels stable while nutrition affects blood glucose.

Syringes, pens or insulin pumps are used for injecting insulin. Both Billups and freshman Justice Brown use pens.

An insulin pump is sometimes suggested as an easier way to take insulin.

The pump automatically gives insulin. “I recommend the pump; it’s less stressful,” said senior Mikaela Jennings, who has had diabetes for four years. “It’s a lot easier instead of giving shots every single time,” Jennings added.

To get an insulin pump, the diabetic needs to have had diabetes for a year and have a good hemoglobin A1C of below 8.0 three times in a row. Hemoglobin A1C is the average blood sugar over three months. A non-diabetic would have an AIC of 4.5 to 6.

“I have a hard time maintaining [my blood glucose level],” Brown said.

She was diagnosed last year. At her last doctor’s appointment, Brown’s A1C was 12.6, which she said was very high because it needs to stay below eight. “My blood sugar needs to stay between 120 and 160,” Brown said. “On average it is between 200 and 300.”

Sometimes people don’t understand how serious diabetes is.

“Adhering to caring for themselves seems to be a struggle [for students],” school nurse Emma Williams said. “They seem to not take it seriously.”

According to diabetesjournals.org, hormonal changes in teens cause insulin resistance and a corresponding need for bigger doses of insulin. Teens tend to rebel or experiment, which results in a lessened adherence to the treatment regimen. Teens who fail to adhere to the regimen of self-management tend to have less motivation and less support.

Feature

page 6 ‹ Clarion

May 22, 2014

Mission(s) accomplished Groups devote time, effort to helping others on mission trips

Megan McNally

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Staff Writer

hile some students spend their breaks relaxing at home or on the beach, others use breaks as a chance to give back by doing mission work. Home projects, teaching church services, showing love and sharing knowledge about God are some of the opportunities missionaries have. Several students have taken part in this unique opportunity.

Senior Sam Gragg and sophomore Cole Barricklow spent their spring break in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, along with five other people from their church and a representative from the missions organization.

Barricklow and Gragg helped paint feeding centers in the city and served food to kids at them.

Gragg said the trip deepened his perspective. “It was eye-opening to see how the people there live.

Their houses are more like shacks with dirt floors, and they are basically on top of each other. There usually isn’t any planning or organization to their cities so it’s pretty chaotic,” Gragg said.

They were often reminded that they weren’t in the United States. “While we were there, we saw soldiers on the street just to keep order. We definitely take our security and sense of safety for granted [here at

Taking

a break at a feeding center, sophomore Cole Barricklow poses with a new friend. photo courtesy of Sam Gragg

 In Honduras for a spring break missions trip, Lincoln High School sophomore Seth Randall, senior Sam Gragg, sophomore Cole Barricklow, Lisa Pause, John Pause, Community Christian school eighth grader Claire Lane and Calvary Baptist Church pastor John Reynolds pose with Manna Worldwide missionary Jerry Abbott. photo courtesy of Sam Gragg

home],” Gragg said.

They did frequently encounter American culture.

“It was interesting to see the influence Americans have on the world because Honduras has a lot of American restaurants like McDonald’s and Wendy’s. They listen to a lot of American music there, too,” Gragg said.

“The best part was seeing how open and friendly the people were to us as strangers. By the time we left, our driver and his family felt like our family,” Barricklow said.

Mission trips occur within the U.S., as well.

Juniors Scotty Brunell, Mikayla Kelley and Jill Batton and sophomore Annie Taylor traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, over spring break with members of the Woodland Bible Church

youth group. While there, the group led church services, painted a church and played with children. They also got to see the Grand Canyon and climb Bell Mountain in Sedona.

According to Batton, she wanted to go on the trip to step out of her comfort zone and share the gospel of Christ. Kelley’s reasons were similar. “I wanted to go on the trip to help serve others and spread God’s love to others,” she said.

For Taylor the trip was a trial run, to help her decide whether she wanted to become a missionary.

“I want to major in missions, and the trip was a great start. The knowledge I learned on the trip will help me in my dream career,” Taylor said.

The trip was beneficial for others, as well as a learn-

“

One of the greatest things about missions is that the people you go to help, more than not, end up teaching you something special about yourself, God’s love or people. Tamron Dowd,10

”

ing opportunity for the girls. “I learned that even though we were across the United States, we all serve the same God,” Batton said.

Sophomore Tamron Dowd wanted to help kids and deepen their knowledge of God when she went to the Sunvalley Indian School in Flagstaff, Arizona, in 2011. While there ,she worked in the elemen-

tary school teaching kids, led a basketball camp and helped build homes.

“You don’t have to go out of the country to find families in poor conditions,” Dowd said. “My knowledge will help me later in life to never take for granted all I’ve been blessed with and to never judge.”

“I enjoyed every single moment of my experience as a missionary. One of the biggest reasons was because my work didn’t end in Arizona: we brought three kids home with us and took care of them for a few summers,” Dowd said.

“One of the greatest things about missions is that the people you go to help, more than not, end up teaching you something special about yourself, God’s love or people,” Dowd said.

Students work hard for the money Variety of options fill students summertime and wallets Lilli Stinger

W

Staff Writer

ith school ending, many students are looking forward to the free time and lazy days that come with summer vacation.

Some students, though, won’t be just lounging pool-side or sleeping until

Taking online training classes, junior Wyatt Ford starts his

orientation for Subway, where he will be working over the summer.

Katie Moffitt photo

noon. Instead, their time will be spent at a summer job.

Sophomore Riece Drew will work at the Summer Discovery program at Roberts Park. “This will be my second or third year in the program,” Drew said. “I watch the kids while at work.

I like watching them and how they all come together. The main purpose of a summer job was to keep busy and to earn and save money for future things.

This year I might put it towards a car.”

Though it may seem a summer job would curtail other activities, Drew is optimistic. “I normally work from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. My job doesn’t conflict with any summer activities.”

Sophomore Ashleigh Poe will also work. “I [work at] Big Boyz Pizzeria. I got hired in March, so this will be my first year. I wanted the experience and some extra money. I plan on saving up [the money I earn], and [I’ll work] however many hours they’ll let me,” she said.

Poe also believes that her other summer plans will be unaffected. “I don’t think [the job is going to interfere with anything]. I can work later so it won’t conflict with Spartanettes or band,” she said.

Sophomore Jake Crain will work at McDonald’s. “It’s the first time I’ve worked there, but I’ve mowed yards

before. I’m glad to finally have a stable job,” Crain said.

“I got a job so that I could pay off my car and earn a little extra cash. I wanted some spending money. I’ll probably get a new phone,” Crain said.

“I’ll probably be working around eight hours a day but I’m not sure yet.

I’m relatively free this summer. That’s another reason I got the job. I wanted something to do and earn money while I’m at it,” Crain said.

Sophomore Terry Flowers will spend his summer lifeguarding at the Roberts Park Aquatic Center. “This year will be my second summer with them,” Flowers said. “I decided to get a job because I have to buy a vehicle for myself. I should be working six hours a day minimum.”

While other students’ summers won’t be compromised for their jobs, Flowers isn’t that lucky. “This job will conflict with my swimming this summer,” Flowers said.

Junior Emmett Sandoval will spend his time at Subway. “This will be my first time working at Subway but not working in general. I decided to get a job to earn some money and get myself used to a work schedule,” Sandoval said.

Sandoval has plans for the money he earns. “I plan to save my income for summer trips and concerts I have

“ ”

I got a job so that I could pay off my car and earn a little extra cash. I wanted to have some spending money, too. Jake Crain,10 planned. I will most likely be working about four to six hours a day during the summer. It won’t conflict with anything I have going on because I’m working around the things I’m doing this summer,” Sandoval said.

Sophomore Josey Allen won’t have to leave home for her job. “I’ll work babysitting at my house,” Allen said. “I’ve babysat before, but only my brother.

Now, I’ll have to watch four kids.”

Allen decided to get a job when her mother pointed out that she’d need gas money for driving. “Mom wants me to use it for gas, but I’ll most likely be up to my neck in ‘Doctor Who’ merchandise by the end of the summer,” Allen said.

“Depending on how late the parents work, I’ll be babysitting anywhere from seven to 10 hours a day. I don’t really do anything during summer besides read and play video games. All I’ll be missing out on is gaming time and extra sleep,” Allen said.

Sports

May 22, 2014

Clarion › page 7

Summer softball underway Ali Hostetler

Staff Writer

S

Summer softball player, sophomore Kristina Barksdale, prepares to run after hitting the ball. Barksdale played for the Pizza King sponsored team. photo courtesy of Kristina Barksdale

ummer is a time for people to relax by the pool and possibly make some extra cash from a summer job. However, some people like to spend their summers playing slow-pitch softball.

Summer softball is held at the Babe Ruth Little League fields. Players had to sign up at the Boys Club and pay a fee of $35. The draft, where coaches pick their teams, was held April 24.

Summer softball starts in the middle to the end of May. The girls play at the little league fields and the first game of the season is May 18. The teams practice about one to two times a week. There are approximately 24 games in the season, not including the championship tournament.

Summer softball has leagues for all ages. There’s the 12-and-under league, the 14-and-under league and 18-and-under league. In the 18-and-under league, there are four teams.

One reason summer softball is popular for those who play it is because they have conflicting sports during the spring. “I play summer softball because I run track in the spring during school softball, and it’s a fun thing to do,” sophomore Victoria

McQueen said. She has been playing softball since she was 11.

That’s not the only reason people play softball in the summer, however. “I play softball during the summer because I enjoy it, and it eases my mind when I have a lot going on,” sophomore Kassie Shafer said. “I also love playing and competing with different friends.”

“I play summer softball because it’s more recreational than competitive,” sophomore Kelsey Barrett said.

“The best part of playing summer softball is always having something to do, whether it be practice or a game, and it’s a fun way to be active,” Shafer said. Shafer has been playing since she was 10. “[The best part about summer softball is] being able to communicate with new people and to learn to improve on my weak spots,” freshman Ashley Klein.

“The best part about playing summer ball is being with my teammates and just having fun,” sophomore Kristina Barksdale said.

Softball is also a sport where people can pick up right where they left off. “I played my first year when I was eight, then I stopped around three years ago, and then I started again last year because I missed playing,” sophomore Brooklyn Payne said.

Classes participate in heavy lifting Michael McMillan

Staff Writer

A

dvanced physical conditioning,APC, is a class where lifting weights and pushing the human body earns the grade for the class. There is no way of cheating or finding an easy way to get through each exercise.

This class can be very difficult for the students who don’t apply themselves in physical activities, according to teacher Lori Burge.

“Students need to expect that there is going to a lot of hard work because lifting weights isn’t easy, and I believe it really surprises some students,” Burge said.

In APC, students will work all muscle groups, alternating upper body and lower body stations or workouts on two differ-

ent days. “We do 20 different stations a week,” Burge said. APC students workout four days a week doing five stations a day. The day that APC students are not lifting they are normally doing a written assignment about muscles in the human body.

Burge teaches six APC classes a day; Adam Kelly teaches an early bird APC class. Students in APC can spend time molding and shaping their bodies to the way they want to look.

“99% of our students improve their strength on the three core lifts and their body fat percentage goes down,” Burge said.

If students achieve high enough weights in the three main lifts (bench, squat and deadlift) they might get themselves on the record board and beat the records set by past students. In APC there are records for

the three core lifts; bench, squat and deadlift, as well as records for push ups, sit ups, dips and even body weight percentage, which is calculated by how much a student benches divided by their weight.

Sophomore Cassie Moore has several records on the APC record board for girls. “I bench 185 pounds, squat 275 pounds and dead lift 385 pounds,” Moore said.

Students in APC enjoy working toward their fitness goals. “I’d like to bench 200, squat 300 and dead lift 400 by the end of the year,” Moore said.

Junior Dylan Steele is also looking for improvement in the APC weight room. “I want to break the bench, squat, and deadlift records in APC,” Steele said.

Senior Makayla Gaines takes APC for health rea-

sons. “I took APC to stay in shape and make me stronger,” Gaines said.

Some students take the class for fun while others use it as extra conditioning for sports. “Lifting weights means a great deal because it makes me better at football,” Steele said. Senior Bryan Hicks uses the class to build strength and stay in shape for track.

For some students, APC is a tradition. “I get to follow what my dad has done when he took the class,” Moore said.

APC students normally use free weights in all the exercises they do. Free weights consist of a bar and iron weights or dumbbells.

To add weight, one adds more iron plates to the bar.

Students also use a machine called the jammer in their routine. It can be used for many different exercises, but in APC the jammer

is used for a driving motion much like a football tackle.

This works the lower body and upper body in one exercise.

For students who are thinking about weight lifting and joining APC, Steele offers this advice. “Don’t do more than you can do properly and don’t take it easy,” Steele said.

Using the

lat pull down bar, sophomore Tyler Billups works the lattissimis dorsi muscles in his back in APC class. Michael McMillan photo

Student turns weight lifting into competitive pastime Senior Dakota Moore takes APC to the max

Michael McMillan

S

Staff Writer

enior Dakota Moore has been lifting weights ever since his freshman year and now has his name on the APC record board for bench, body weight percentage, 500 Pound Club and 1,000 Pound Club.

Dakota Moore, 12

What is your one-rep bench max?

At school I got 425 pounds, which is the record, and failed at 440 pounds, but I have gotten 440 pounds in the past.

What is your squat max?

445 pounds officially, but it’ll be much higher next max.

What is your dead lift max?

525 pounds.

Do you enjoy APC? APC is great for conditioning, and I enjoy improving.

What is your favorite part about APC?

I really enjoy maxing out when I feel like I’m peaking, and the way our workouts are set up gives us a good chance to peak at max time.

What does working out mean to you?

Lifting means relieving stress and having fun.

What made you want to get fit and work out?

I like being active, and I love feeling the pump.

Do you workout outside of APC if so then where?

Yes, at Anytime Fitness.

What is a goal of yours to achieve in the weight room?

All three core lifts get at least 500 pounds; bench, squat, and dead lift.

Are there any changes to your body that you are trying to make? What are they?

I want to build explosiveness and to increase core fitness.

What is your favorite exercise?

It varies with pain. If my knee feels shot, it is bench. If my shoulder feels weak or vulnerable, then squat.

Do you have any records on the APC record board?

Bench first place at 425. Body weight percentage on bench at 180%. 500 Pound Club first place record with 870 pounds. In the 1,000 Pound Club I have second with 1,395 pounds and that was first until Dylan Steele beat it.

What is your body weight percentage for bench?

180% What advice would you give to kids who want to start lifting?

Stay focused and never skip a day.

The Final Word

page 8 ‹ Clarion

Summer reading list Books provide indoor, outdoor summer fun Gill McDonald

O

Staff Writer

ver the summer, reading books is a good way to have something fun to do. Here are a few books that students may want to check out and read.

Divergent

by Veronica Roth

If students have read The Hunger Games and enjoy dystopian books, Divergent would be a series to read. The other two books in the series are Insurgent and Allegiant.

Even though the movie came out over spring break, the book is still worth reading. Sixteen-year-old Tris Prior has to take an aptitude test to determine which faction she belongs in. There are five factions, each of them have a place for people who have the same personality: Abnegation, Candor, Amity, Erudite and Dauntless.

Tris qualified for three of the factions, making her Divergent. Being divergent is a dangerous thing, and Tris has to make sure no one knows that she is one, or people will kill her. The story’s action-packed, too, with some funny

parts, and readers won’t want to put it down once they start reading it.

The book is very descriptive, and it gives a clear image in the reader’s head, like the readers can put themselves into Tris’s body and thoughts.

The Beginning of Everything

by Robyn Schneider

This book reminds high schoolers that there’s more to life than just “living it up.” Ezra Faulkner was the king of the school until the summer before his senior year. He was hit by a drunk driver on his way home from a party and his knee was shattered. Ezra is discriminated by his jock friends, and he’s now considered a “loser.”

His friend, Toby Ellicott, from grade school, takes Ezra into his group. Toby signs Ezra up for the debate team, and that’s when Ezra gets to know the mysterious girl, Cassidy Thorpe.

Cassidy is the queen of debates, but no one really knows who she really is. Ezra wants to know. As he and she become friends, he learns that being popular isn’t everything.

Virals by Kathy Reichs

Kathy Reichs, the author of the Bones series, has written a young adult series. If a student likes the Bones series, Virals may be a series to read. Virals, the first book, is about four teens who discover a wolf dog that was being tested on for a disease. What the teens didn’t

know is that the disease was contagious to humans.

Tory Brennan, Ben Blue, Hi Stolowitski and Shelton Devers have wolf DNA with their DNA because they were around the wolf dog. They can “flare” now, which increases their senses, and their eyes glow yellow.

They decide to tackle an unsolved crime because with their powers they could solve the case. This book is actionpacked and will keep students on the edge of their seats. The other books in the series that are out are Seizure, Code and Exposure.

May 22, 2014

The book touches the readers, and that’s what makes the book so good, and John Green really makes sure one connects to Hazel because he really makes sure readers can feel the emotions Hazel feels.

The Fault in Our Stars

by John Green

For students who have read and like Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns, The Fault in Our Stars may be a book to look into.

With the movie coming out June 6, reading the book may give one more motivation to watch it in the theaters. The book is about Hazel Lancaster, who has cancer, and Augustus Waters, who is an amputee.

The book teaches teens that cancer shouldn’t bring someone down; a person should live life to the fullest while he or she can. It’s an inspirational book recommended for teenage girls.

Wake up and read the Rosies 2014-2015 Rosies Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe Benjamin Alire Saenz Beautiful Music for Ugly Children - Kirstin Cronn-Mills Black Boy White School - Brian F. Walker Bomb: The Race to Build--& Steal--the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon - Steve Sheinkin Seraphina - Rachel Hartman Something Like Normal - Trish Doller Splintered - A.G. Howard

Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different - Karen Blumenthal Trafficked - Kim Purcell Under the Never Sky - Veronica Rossi The Loners - Lex Thomas October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard - Leslea Newman Out of the Easy - Ruta Sepetys Paage by Paige - Laura Lee Gulledge Personal Effects - E.M. Kokie

Pushing the Limits - Katie McGarry The Raven Boys - Maggie Stiefvater Second Chance Summer - Morgan Matson Every Day - David Levithan Everybody Sees the Ants - A.S. King Exposed - Kimberly Marcus Freaks Like Us - Susan Vaught Grave Mercy - Robin LaFevers How to Lead a Life of Crime - Kirsten Miller Insignia - S.J. Kincaid

Band prepares for summer season Katie Moffitt

W

Staff Writer

ith summer break just around the corner, the marching band is already planning for marching camp. Due to summer renovations at the high school, the band will be using Grandview Elementary

At the May 1 spring

band concert, senior Sarah Taylor and sophomore Katie Moffitt perform the clarinet part of “Excelsior,” a lively, challenging piece. This was one of the band’s contest pieces for the season. Seth Winstead photo

School as their field.

Band camp will be July 21-28 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and July 28-Aug. 1 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. During this time, the students, band director Stephen McKean and co-director Meggan Clifton will prepare their marching routine and begin playing the music.

They will learn the music and find

their spots on the field. Moves and choreography will be added in later once the music and show are combined.

According to McKean, the band expects to perform at about five competitions throughout the summer and fall.

This includes a parade on July 27 in town.

“My goal for next year is to receive at least a silver at competitions,” sophomore Alec Bell said.

The band’s marching show will be specifically choreographed to fit the instruments and number of marchers.

“I really look forward to receiving the new marching show because I get to be back on the field marching and being a part of something,” Bell said.

“I’m looking forward to spending time with my friends this upcoming season and working hard toward a common goal,” sophomore Taylor Fudge said.

With the returning marchers and incoming freshman, the band will have about 50 marching. To prepare the freshmen, upperclassmen run through how to roll step, slide, about face, right

face, go to attention, go to sets, back march, read drill charts and keep in time with the music.

“I’m looking forward to having another great year with my band family and having a lot of fun. I want to work with them to make it a great season,” freshman Bailey Wells said.

They hope to add a color guard to add visual effects to the show by twirling flags and creating a dance routine.

Last year, the band had a color guard for the end of the season.

McKean isn’t the only one who will be directing the band. Fudge was recently elected as drum major, the student director who conducts at competitions and football games. Students apply to be drum major, and candidate audition for McKean. Then the band then votes for the candidate they feel fits the spot.

“There’s more to being a drum major besides the music and conducting.

The one thing our band needs more than anything is positive leaders,” Fudge said.