Nova
Highlands Latin School
|
May 2022
Roma |
Volume 5, Issue 5
What’s Up? Your HLS Student Spotlight
The Past and Present of the Kentucky Derby By: Devin Moore One of the most iconic things about the state of Kentucky is, of course, the Kentucky Derby. Started in 1875, it was at first one of the many “derbies” or horse races specifically running three-year-old horses, but it has become the most famous and prestigious horse race in America, if not the world, and a whole culture has grown up around it. The reasons for the derby starting in Kentucky are contested, but many agree that good grass, good weather, and a good socio-political climate made it a very good place to raise and race horses. When open racing in downtown Lexington became a problem for the city, city leaders began to promote the construction of ac-
tual racetracks. Then, in 1872, one Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr, grandson of William Clark, travelled to Europe and got involved in horse racing. He then proceeded to take what he had learned back to America, and decided to establish a jockey club in Louisville to celebrate its equestrian history and sponsor the races already popping up around there. In 1875 he opened what would become the official Kentucky Derby track. The first official winner of the derby was Aristides and his jockey Oliver Lewis. The Kentucky derby has since been the site of lots of drama and intrigue. In Depression-Era 1930, (the same year in which the tradition of playing “My Old
Kentucky Home” as the horses enter the track came about) gate-jumping, or spectators attempting to visit the track without a ticket, became a more serious issue, and at times the police were called in to prevent unauthorized access. In 1933, the jockeys of the lead horse and the runner up had a fist-fight while galloping full-speed to the finish line. There is even a story of a horse being buried at Churchill Downs, as Barbaro, champion of the 2006 races, tragically fractured his leg in the Prentiss Stakes two weeks later, and despite several operations, eventually developed laminitis and had to be euthanized. His ashes were spread over the field of his previous (cont. on page 2)
By: Elli Bitner and Trevor Geddes T: Hey everyone! We only have one last interview before Elli and I sign out. We’re almost done! E: That’s right. And what’s a better to end our newspaper career than interviewing senior Emma Mccoy? Hi Emma! Em: Hi. T: Alright Emma, tell us about yourself. What House are you in and what are involved in at school? Em: Well I’m obviously a senior and I’m in the house of George. I’m currently in the Fiddler on the Roof play at school. T: What character are you? Em: I’m Yenta, the matchmaker. E: Oh, I know that one song! *Elli starts singing “Matchmaker”* Em: Yep, that’s the song. E: When did you start doing drama? Em: I was in 8th grade on the costume team and then I was in The Music Man and I’ve been doing it ever since. T: Did you play any sports for HLS? Em: I played volleyball. I was a right hitter for a hot minute, but that’s over now, so sad. T: Where are you going to college Emma? Em: Western Kentucky University. E: Awesome! What are you studying? Em: I’m majoring in visual studies with a minor in computer animation. Tr: That’s a straight fire major. Can I go rapid fire on the questions?
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Derby (cont. from page 1) victory. Today, more than 150,000 visitors and Kentucky residents flock to see the Kentucky Derby, and to participate in the parties, events, and dinners that spring up during the Derby season. Some popular Derby traditions include eating burgoo, a rich stew often including various meats and corn, okra, lima beans and potatoes, and Kentucky hot browns, a construction made of turkey meat, bacon, bread and Mornay sauce, drinking mint juleps, a bourbon cocktail with ice, sugar and mint, making outrageous bets, and showing off ornate and outlandish hats. In very recent news, Rich Strike won the 2022 Derby at 7:04 pm, with the most unlikely odds since Donerail in 1913! Though not as fraught with strife, and with perhaps a shorter history, Highlands Latin School also holds its own annual Derby. During lunch on Friday, May 5, the contestants, working in teams of two, lined up beside the “gates” right in front of Cooke Hall. The House of David entered the team “Curious George,” featuring Braxton Harstein in a monkey suit and Clayton Nau as the Man in the Yellow Hat. The House of Andrew entered Danny Sweeney and Xander Justiniano as “Father & Son.” House of George entered the hilarious duo Bo Hamilton and Ethan Lane as “Trash Donkey” with his rider. House of Patrick entered Saylor Sizemore and Micah Arnold and as “Leprechaun & Pot-O-Gold.” Each House’s contestants had to do three laps around the circle in front of Cooke Hall, and were judged on costume, acting, and special effects, as well as placing order. “Leprechaun & Pot-O-Gold” broke the ribbon, as well as delighting the audience with actual “gold” made of chocolate, “Curious George” was equipped with a banana, which he ate after escaping the Man with the Yellow Hat, the “Father” carried his “Son” like a baby, and “Trash Donkey” entered in an actual trash can, so it’s fair to say that all of the contestants did superbly. This year, the team “Father & Son” from the House of Andrew is in first place! In second place is “Leprechaun & Pot-O-Gold” from the House of Patrick! In third place is “Curious George”, from the House of David. And, last but not least, in fourth, by a margin of only a few points, the closest Derby in years, is George’s team: “Trash Donkey.”
The jockeys and horses of the middle school HLS Derby.
HLS’ Fiddler on the Roof By: Sophie Krumhansl aand Sophia Bryant
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June 9 & 10 7:00 p.m.
June 11 2:00 p.m.
by on school As the year nears its end, the students in the drama troupe Tickets Ursuline Arts Center ati str HLS.org u l $10 General Admission 3113 Lexington Rd. | Louisville, KY 40206 Il prepare for their upcoming performance of Fiddler on the Roof, an Oscar-winning adaptation of the Broadway musical about life among the Jewish community of a pre-revolutionary Russian village in which a poor milkman, determined to find good husbands for his five daughters, consults the traditional matchmaker and also has a word with God. The drama troupe at HLS is known as a very fun and enjoyable organization to be a part of. It is composed of many students as there are many different roles to be fulfilled from acting as the star of the show to assisting with the technological aspects of the performance. Marly Presser, a freshman who plays Bielke, one of the youngest daughters in the family and also makes a brief appearance as a Russian dancer says “I think the best part of my experience in the drama troupe is performing shows. There’s something about the excitement leading up to going on stage, the adrenaline while performing, and the atmosphere backstage of pure joy. I love all the people i get to perform with too!” She believes the drama troupe is very unique because of Tech Week. “Tech week is the week that we spend perfecting our shows everyday before the show is performed. If you’ve ever been in the cast, you’ll know that tech week consists of sleep deprivation, coffee, singing and dancing for copious amounts of hours, and then repeating it again and again. It might sound exhausting, which it is, but it’s also one of my favorite parts about being in our drama troupe, because we have so much fun all week. From funny pre-show rituals to many inside jokes, everyone always has such a great time and I’ve made some of my favorite memories during tech week.” Marly is excited for the dances that will be performed in the show. “Dancing has always been my favorite part about doing drama troupe, and I’m so excited to perform the dance scenes in this show! Also, our cast is so talented and does such an amazing job bringing this show to life and telling the story, shout-out to Luke Nicholas in particular.” Come out and see the drama troupe in Fiddler on the Roof on June 9-11 at the Ursuline Arts Center!
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Student Spotlight (cont. from page 1)
A Letter from the Class of 2022
By: Sophie Harris (and, of course, the rest of the senior class) Dear HLS, This is a letter from your senior class, the class of 2022. The end of our time here, our home for so many years, is fast approaching, so we’ve decided to compile some of our hard-earned lessons for you in the hope you might learn them the easy way. Some of them are light-hearted, but as you might find, we are getting awfully sentimental the closer we get to the finish line. And although some of these are old cliches, I urge you not to dismiss them. There is a reason such things like, “it will be over before you know it” are repeated ad infinitum! I ask you only to contemplate them for the next few minutes it will take to read this. So without further ado, I present to you the class of 2022. Be kind to everyone. You never know what someone is going through, and there is no good reason not to be. Don’t take the HLS relationships for granted. Value the close relationships with your peers and teachers that HLS gives. They’re unlike anything else. You get out of something what you put in. Get involved and push yourself out of your comfort zone. You’ll never regret doing something, but you might regret not doing it. Don’t spend time wishing this school is something it isn’t. When you spend time thinking about what you don’t have, you miss out on what you do. There’s no doubt HLS is a difficult school. Be prepared to put in the work and trust it will yield
good results! Your teachers care about you and want you to learn. Look out for them in return. Work hard but have fun, it goes by fast. Do things that make you uncomfortable. You make so many good memories and friendships in places you wouldn’t expect. Get started on your work the night it’s assigned! If you’re considering taking BC Calculus, do it. It’s amazing. Make the best use of your time. Senior year is usually looked at as a time of transition, but make sure you take the time to honor senior year for what it is. Take joy in everything, it’ll change your experience of HLS. There’s joy to be found in the struggle, we promise! Don’t try to debunk what your teachers are telling you, go into it with trust and take time to consider your objections before attacking. Have a level of trust in your education that you’ll learn to love the right things. Take time to figure out why your teachers love their subjects and learn to love them too. (continued on page 4)
E: Trevor… T: Favorite food? Em: Chicken and dumplings. T: Favorite car brand? Em: I drive a Nissan so probably that. T: Altima? Em: Oh yes. E:Do you have any plans this summer Emma? Em: I’m going on a trip with my youth group to Wisconsin and then I’m going to Hilton Head with my family. E: That’s awesome! T: What’s been your favorite class senior year? Em: I’ve been digging art history. I love how chill and discussion-based it is. T: Facts no printer. E: Do you have any advice for future seniors? Em: Do your homework and show up to class, but iit’s okay to take a day off when needed. E: I think we all needed to hear that. T: Favorite pencil brand? E: Trevor! Em: Prisma color. E: Okay yeah she’s actually right. T: And finally, who’s your favorite Disney princess? Em: Mulan. T: Mulan is so awesome. E: That was our last question we’re ever gonna ask. I’m gonna cry. T: That’s actually so sad. E: It’s okay! All good things must come to an end. Thank you all for joining us this year, and have a great summer! T: Seniors out.
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A Letter from the Class of ‘22
(cont. from page 3)
Get to know people outside your grade! There are some amazing people you might never meet if you’re too afraid to reach out. Extracurriculars are a great way to do this. You can learn something from everyone. Even if you don’t agree with the person, listen to what they have to say with an open mind. Take advantage of opportunities. Don’t worry about what’s cool. High school is one of the only times in your life you are presented with so many opportunities to branch out and explore and find what you love. In your classes, don’t simply memorize information. Use your abilities and mentors to grow your skills and character. Remember to take care of your body and mind. Classes and grades are important, but without the foundation of a healthy mind and body, none of it can happen. Common sense is the most important thing you need in life, but it’s also the one thing no class can teach you. Find a way to make someone smile every day, even if you’re having a bad day. Explore who you are as a person and what you’re interested in. Don’t worry about if you look cool or if you feel like you’re too late to join. Lots of us joined things senior year and loved them! You never know what you might end up loving, so don’t be afraid to try new things. Never quit on yourself. When it seems like you can’t do it, keep pushing forward. You are capable of so much more than you realize. Be confident in yourself and your abilities, but never prideful, and you will always be able to do what you think you cannot. Don’t believe everything you read or are taught right away. Learn to question everything in the right way. Seek more opinions and perspectives than you can find in any one person. Give best to all your endeavors because you are doing them for the Lord, not anyone else. Negativity about classes, events, etc. ruins them for everyone involved! Don’t trust anyone’s negative opinions too much until you have the experience yourself. Everyone is different, it’s not worth missing out on what could be a great experience! It’s never too early to start visiting colleges! Start building up an idea of what you want before you’re an upperclassman with very limited spare time. As you can see, this letter is a scrapbook of our 13-year journey - all
the memories, the struggles through hard classes, the class jokes, the now laughable) drama, the love between us that has grown despite everything thrown at us throughout this wild and loveable journey. Remember this whatever grade you are in. Everything small or large that you are going through is part of this crazy journey, and one day I promise you will look back and laugh fondly. It will not look how you think it will, but it will all work out for the best. Administration, thank you for all you have done for us. We would be nothing without your work and support. Teachers, thank you doesn’t even begin to describe it. You have been through things we never saw coming with us and believed in us even when we were at our most unloveable. You’ve made us the people we are today. To those students we leave behind at HLS, thank you for all you have taught us. We wish you the best. Please pray for us as we take our next steps. Sincerely, The Class of 2022
Senioritis
By: Anna Moran, Sam Birkholz, and Kara Moran Kara Moran: What will you miss most about HLS? Elli Bitner: Sam Birkhloz and the volleyball team. Mesi Bitner: I will miss all my friends. Isabel Daniels: Yes, all my friends; I love our grade so much. James Daniels: Boggers. That is spelled B O G G E R S. Jonathan Lasoi: Mr. Messiter. Sam Birkholz: All my friends. KM: What are your plans after college? EB: I plan to go to Cedarville. MB: I am going to Radius International Missions Training to help with childcare in Mexico, then Cedarville the following year. ID: Samford University to study psychology and nutrition and dietetics. JD: I am attending UofL to study business administration. JL: Literally the same thing James just said. SB: I am going to UofL for finance. KM: If you could see one person in concert this… EB: MORGAN WALLEN KM: … this weekend, who would you see? MB: I was going to say the same thing or Ed Sheeran. He’d be
pretty awesome. ID: I know that some teachers will support this, so Taylor Swift. JD: Jack Harlow. JL: Oh, Kendrick Lamar. Easy. SB: Polo G. KM: What was your favorite school event we did this year? EB: Upper school advance. MB: Girls retreat. ID: Can I say the whole year hanging out with people, or does it have to be a single event? JD: Rome. ID: Yes, ROME!!!! (everyone shouts Rome) JL: A capture the flag event. SB: Rome or the soccer season. KM: If you could have lunch with anyone, dead, alive, fictional, etc. who would it be? EB: Either Mesi or Taylor Swift. MB: Not Christian. ID: Mesi or Taylor Swift. JD: Uh, a cool guy… JL: Bo Hamilton. SB: Anthony Edwards. JD: Actually, Drake. KM: What is your least favorite movie? EB: 1st Dr. Strange. MB: Elf. Also, the Bee Movie. ID: I really don’t like Barbie movies. JD: Cats. (cont. on page 5)
Senioritis
(cont. from page 4)
KM: What’s one thing you wish you knew before starting high school? EB: That it’ll go by fast. MB: I needed to get involved in more things. ID: Value your time as a freshman and sophomore and really all of high school.
JD: You need to try in Latin. JL: Latin isn’t easy anymore. SB: Freshman year grades actually matter. Thank you seniors for one last interview! It has been a great year with you all and we wish you the best of luck.
Word Unscramble
(Hint: These things all happen in May) kdyektnbyecur _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ wrdppufofe _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ iswfelaenk _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ puhcosue _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ dyoantetaciri _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
HLS Tradition Lasts Another Year By: Leili Popejoy and Samantha Kang
The day of the second annual Powderpuff Competition between the junior and senior girls dawned with overwhelming support for the seniors, who were currently the reigning champions. By the end of the night, the junior girls would earn the title by two touchdowns. How did they arrive at
this moment? Months before the game’s scheduling excitement began brewing between both grades in anticipation for the coming conflict. Rumors flew about secret practices and Instagram accounts made specifically for the game. No one knew what to think. All anyone knew was that there was an inevitable
Nova Roma Staff
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Sophie Harris..............................................................Editor-In-Chief Kara Moran............................................................Senior Interviewer Anna Moran...........................................................Senior Interviewer Sam Birkholz.........................................................Senior Interviewer Elli Bitner......................................... Student Spotlight, Photographer Trevor Geddes..........................................................Student Spotlight Marissa Mudd........................................................... Sports Journalist Olivia Petrie.............................................................. Sports Journalist Leili Popejoy..................................................................Book Review Hanna Davis...................................................................Book Review Jonathan Lasoi............................................................ Poll Conductor Jonny Steinrock........................................................... Poll Conductor Sophie Krumhansl................................................... Feature Journalist Devin Moore........................................................... Feature Journalist Samantha Kang....................................................... Feature Journalist Sophia Bryant.......................................................... Feature Journalist Caleb Kang................................... Director of Arts and Entertainment storm brewing on the horizon that signaled elevation or downfall. Months dwindled to weeks and rosters began to be formed and finalized. Coaches were chosen for both teams: Jonathan Lasoi and Aaron McGraw for the senior girls and George Hall and Eli Robson for the junior girls team. Elli Bitner took a leading role in organizing the senior girls’ team alongside the coaches and when asked how their performance might be elevated in this year’s events said, “It was really interesting because last year was our first year doing it so we didn’t know what to expect, but this year I think we’re ready because we know what to expect, we know the strengths of our team, and we all want each other to do well.” Elli outfitted the girls for the game as well as organized practices for the group. Quarterbacks for each team were also designated: Meseret Bitner and Ava Helms for the seniors and Samantha Kang and Mary Claire Vonderheide for the juniors. Coincidentally, during the week of the game both teams went to the same park on the same day to practice. Important initial perceptions were formed that would be significant in the game days later. Senior girls realized that the juniors would probably have a preference for run plays and that their defense had to be
strong. Junior grils knew that Mesi and Julianna were threats and strengthened their defense to stop them. Senior girls left with confidence in their athletic capabilities and unity as a team. On May 13th, seniors got ready together in the gym. They sprayed glitter in their hair, painted black and gold body paint across their cheeks, and wove strands of tinsel into each other’s braids. The junior girls donned bright pink tops and white jerseys and pink face paint, and went over plays in the locker room. Dr. Shelburne drove the screaming senior team onto the field in her truck bed. Each member of the two teams was announced and applauded by their teammates following a brief warm-up. The starting players lined up to face off. When asked, Meseret Bitner, Sydney Petrie, and Elizabeth Giltner all acknowledged the confidence of the junior girls’ team as a weakness that could be advantageous to the seniors. Initially, Carly Wheat intercepted two throws in the first few plays of the game. This bolstered the senior girls’ confidence in a favorable game. But no one was prepared for the physical ferocity and determination the junior girls exhibited that would set the standard for the entire game. Marissa Mudd, Elia Trocan, and Samantha (cont. on page 6)
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Tradition
(cont. from page 5) Kang emerged as the junior team’s strongest players. As predicted by the senior team, the junior girls utilized run plays but unexpectedly made many successful short pass plays. Marissa Mudd had a pick six to give the juniors the first touchdown of the game. The senior team failed to catch all but one throw the entire game, due to the unrelenting defense put on by the juniors. The senior coaches acknowledged this as a significant issue that may have resulted in the team’s loss. The junior team had nearly twice as many members as the senior team. While the juniors were subbing new and refreshed teammates often, there were seniors who stayed on the field the entire game. Despite these factors, the skill and commitment of the junior team was undeniable as they made the first two touchdowns. Meseret Bitner gained one for the senior team, only to have the juniors achieve another after with a catch by Mary Claire Vonderheide. With seconds on the clock and the score at 18-6, the seniors made an admirable final attempt at a touchdown, coming within a few yards of the end zone. The final score was 18-6 and was for the second year in a row a victory for the junior girls’ team. George Hall thanked the team for the opportunity and said that everyone contributed. Jonathan Lasoi encouraged the senior girls’ team after the loss saying, “We also played a really good game!” Although disappointed, each member of the senior team high fived the junior team. The senior team, although they lost, exhibited integrity and sportsmanship in both their game play and in their loss. Congratulations to the junior girls!
Ad: TELEMETRY! By: August Rothpletz A few weeks ago, I released my first game into the Google Play and Apple App stores, called TELEMETRY! It’s a small endless game, in which you control the speed of a rocket ship. You must navigate the solar system using the gravitational forces of nearby planets, entering and exiting orbit at just the right time to avoid crashing into a planet! Feeling a bit burnt out with another project, I had decided to make a game inspired by the Gravitation chapter in my AP Physics class. I had a lot of fun implementing all the physics equations and figuring out Game development is a fun, but at times very challenging and time-consuming hobby, so it’s been truly amazing to see what a warm reaction my game has received! If you are interested in learning how to make games yourself (which I definitely recommend, anyone can do it!)
I suggest starting with the free coding tutorials at khanacademy.org. Khan Academy has some really great classes, and it taught me much of what I know about game development!
If you want to play TELEMETRY yourself, you can download it for free on PC or mobile at jarpletzstudios.org/telemetry. Thanks for checking it out, I’m looking forward to seeing your highscores!
Senior Poll
By: Jonathan Lasoi and Jonny Steinrock What was the senior class’ favorite grade? Freshman Year - 15% Sophomore Year - 30% Junior Year - 1% Senior Year - 54%