O’Huddle offers support, service and mentorship Two WHS divers, McConnell and Frantz,

CALEB KOSTOHRYZ staff writer

Owen McConnell (12) and Colleen Frantz (10) are the two standout divers for the WHS swimming and diving team, having both experienced recent success at the OCC and NEAC championships.

place at NEAC’s and second place at OCC’s, and as a sophomore, she earned first place at NEAC’s and OCC’s and was named OCC diver of the year.

MATTIE DUNLAP cover editor

OHuddle is a nonprofit organization that provides a school-based mentorship program that currently serves 16 school buildings in eight districts.

According to their website, OHuddle currently has around 300 volunteer mentors who have aided 573 youth through OHuddle’s three services: youth group, mentorship and service coordination.

OHuddle’s mission, according to their website, is to, “awaken youth to their unique value through hope filled relationships and one to one mentorships”

Sarah Reith, executive director of OHuddle, explains the concept of OHuddle.

“OHuddle provides service coordination to find resources around each student's sparks of interest. Every leader who has made an impact on the world has had a mentor in their life. We are grateful to have more than 300 volunteers dedicate time to make sure that students in our community have many opportunities and resources to engage their talents,” Reith said.

Tessa Dalessandro, a third year WHS site coordinator, explains the importance of OHuddle in the community.

“By using 40 Developmental As- sets…students are challenged to think outside the box, set goals and work toward them, try new things, take inventory of their choices, friend groups, adult role models, decision making and how they spend their free time…The impact [of OHuddle] is immeasurable,” Dalessandro said.

OHuddle also supports youth in the community in ways other than mentorship. Just this past weekend, on Jan. 21, OHuddle hosted its second annual Prom Boutique. The Prom Boutique, which sold gently used gowns to youth, brought in nearly 500 people where 80% of the families bought at least one dress according to Erica Owolabi, the Triway High School OHuddle site coordinator.

Owolabi attended OHuddle’s Prom Boutique and explained the impact of the boutique on the community.

“Prom dress shopping is such a monumental experience, but dresses are expensive. Our event allows every student an opportunity to shop for their perfect dress without the huge cost that typically comes with it,” Owolabi said.

On Feb. 25, OHuddle will be hosting their next event, the fifth annual Golden Circle Speaker Dinner, which will serve as a fundraiser for OHuddle’s mentorship service. In-person and virtual attendance tickets can be bought online on the OHuddle website.

Scheduling advice: Students offer guidance

as hard as some make it,” Gireesh said.

Scheduling for classes is often a difficult time for students.

Deciding what classes to take is a hard process. With students receiving scheduling information on February 8th there will most likely be lots of questions being asked. Some advice can go a long way in helping students.

Ishaan Gireesh (12) said that one of his major recommendations in selecting courses is to take fun classes with friends, saying, “Scheduling with friends, you won’t have fun in a class if you don’t know anybody, which will hurt your motivation in the class.” Also, Gireesh recommends that students take CCP and AP classes.

If you’re planning to go to a state school CCP is the way to go, AP if you’re going out of state, AP is not

An issue some students also face is with balancing home and school life .w “Usually do what you think is best/what you can handle,”

Gireesh said.

Few students also take into account planning ahead when it comes to scheduling. Cheryl Goff, WHS guidance counselor, said that students never think of their freshman year as important. “I let them know it is very important, it is the foundation you build upon… This is when your Grade Point Average (GPA) usually begins,” Goff said.

Goff recommends going to counselors with any help they may need ”[Students]can send their counselor a ‘request to see the counselor’ or stop by the guidance office with a pass,” Giff said.

Scheduling can be a headache, however with some help it does not have to be that way.

As a freshman, Frantz started competing as a swimmer, but decided to dive this year. “I decided to switch from swimming to diving because I had a better opportunity to make it farther in diving, and having to miss practices with both sports wouldn't allow me to get better with either one,” Frantz said. As a freshman, Frantz earned first

Diving is as much, if not more, mental than it is physical. “Every diver has mental blocks that set you back, so you have to tell yourself that you will do it, or you’re going to be stuck on it for a while,” Frantz said.

McConnell started diving when his gymnastics practice got canceled due to weather and he went to a diving practice. By the end of the practice, he had six dives and was signed up for OCC’s which was in three days.

McConnell is also a gymnast, which encompasses skills that carry over well to diving. “Being a gymnast helps me so much in diving… doing the crazy skills I do at gymnastics has given me insane air awareness and I’m fully aware of my body and surroundings…,” McConnell said.

This year, Owen earned first place at NEAC’s and OCC’s. His favorite diving memory was winning OCC’s this year as a senior.

Chris Matthew, head swim coach said, “When you have a diver, they help a ton at conference championships. Very few schools have divers, so I feel fortunate that we have two.”

Colleen and Owen will both be competing at districts on Feb. 13.