Wichita Heights’ Grant Pierce

By Hayden Swope

Grant Pierce of Wichita Heights knows a lot about hard work, and has proven himself on the track time and time again.

“To be chosen as an athlete it is not just an opportunity to share my story but a chance to bring more attention to adaptive sports and adaptive athletes,” Pierce said. “This is so important because it shows that athletes like me do exist and compete at that high level.”

Not only did Pierce want to set achievements for himself to accomplish, but also all athletes that follow the same dream he has.

“Coming into the season I not only want to set some personal best but I also want to leave adaptive records that the future and current athletes can all strive for,” Pierce said. “Particular stats that I want to work on are my starts. I feel like it’s my only lacking technical skill and it can be costly in my sprints.”

Besides track, Pierce stays busy with clubs and events in and outside of Heights High School.

“For extracurricular activities I’m an active member in the National Honors Society and another sport I play is wheelchair basketball with our local club team,” Pierce said. Pierce will continue his academic and athletic career in Illinois, and major in science to continue helping others.

“After high school I will be attending the University of Illinois on a scholarship for track and basketball where I will be majoring in biology with the intent of going to medical school,” Pierce said. “As for a career I plan to be a reconstructive or vascular surgeon.”

Valley Center’s Sam Kemp

By Matt Browning

Sam Kemp went to Wichita Driving School the summer before he started high school and said is experience was top-notch.

“My experience with Wichita driving school was great I learned lots of helpful information and became a great driver,” Kemp said. While it can be grueling at times, the knowledge and tutelage Kemp took away from the Wichita Driving School was second to none. It was a proper combination of book work and information, with real world driving, technique and laws.

“You show up early in the morning go through some lessons, then in the afternoon you they let you

Athlete Spotlight

go out to lunch and take a break where shortly after you finish up the day with more lessons and take your test,” Kemp said. “I highly recommend Wichita driving school to other high schoolers looking to become a great driver. The instructors were very helpful and helped understand the rules of the road.”

Kemp, who was a key component to the Hornets team last season, is the leading scorer for them this season, averaging over 17 points per game. Outside of basketball, Kemp is also a member of Valley Center’s pep club.