PHS MEDIA NEWS

This past summer, freshman Bladen Patton was involved in an ATV accident resulting in a broken ankle and arm. Though it has been a road full of ups and downs for him and his family, Patton remains hopeful for the future.

On his path to recovery, Patton is going to rehab two days a week. His ankle is now fully healed, but his arm is still having some difficulties.

“I am now able to straighten my elbow out and my fingers more. The feeling in my fingers is gradually coming back,” said Patton.
Though doctors have not given him any time frame for his full release, Patton’s goal is to be back playing sports by this spring.

“I plan on returning to play baseball, basketball and football my sophomore year,” said Patton.

Going through something traumatic can be damaging both physically and emotionally, but Patton never lets his head hang.

“Recovery has been a challenge, and it’s really all about staying positive. The biggest challenge of all is definitely not being able to play sports. Before the accident, sports were my life. Staying positive about all of it and not having mental breakdowns is on top of my list for sure. I could’ve very easily given up by now, but that’s not me. I want to get back to doing the things I love,” said Patton.
Even though it may not seem like it at times, Patton has learned a lot from this rough experience.

“I look at life in general quite differently now. I understand that anything can happen so fast and change your life, but I know God always has a plan,” said Patton.

To raise money to help with Patton’s medical bills, “Superman” bracelets were sold. Around $1,000 was raised by this fundraiser.

“It’s good to know people care. I’m glad to have so much support through all of this. I know God has a plan for me, and I’m going to stick to it in the future to get back to my normal lifestyle,” said Patton.

Story by Gracie Walls

Guidance counselor Brandi Kerly has excitedly accepted Jon Shellenberger’s proposal for his construction class to build her new home.

The students who have helped with this project are freshmen Chase Conn, Sven Gehl and Braxton Knight; sophomores Tyler Ash, Craig Couch, Samuel Giles, Keeghan Jones, Mason Laws, Blain Marshall and Triston Robbins; juniors Adam Abounnaaim, Dylan Beck, Cole Crawhorn, Tanner Cole, Isaiah Holland, Anthony Lowe, Dawson Lynn, Ian Lynn and Kenneth Wadsack and seniors Joel Robinette and Dylan Beck.

“I am confident in these students’ abilities, dedication and work ethic. I visited the house they built last year before we started my build, and they did an amazing job. I was so impressed with the quality,“ said Kerley.

Kerley’s favorite part of this whole process is getting to work with this group of students.

“With Mr. Shellenberger’s direction and leadership, the construction classes work hard and pay attention to detail. They are also very energy conscious and are making sure my home is well insulated so utility bills will be low,” said Kerley.  

So far, the students have finished the foundation, concrete walls, roofing, shingles, framing of the walls inside, doors, windows, drywall, lighting, electrical, HVAC and painting. They plan to begin installing cabinets, lights, countertops and vinyl siding soon as well as finishing the flooring and porches.

“I’m excited to finish the flooring because once it gets done, you can really start to see how the house is coming together,” said Lowe.

Kerley has been involved in the entire decision making process that goes into building the house, especially the interior. She has ordered cabinets and countertops of her choice and has also picked out flooring to order.

As the house nears completion, Kerley is very excited to begin decorating. Her son Gage’s room will be painted Boston Celtics green, and his playroom will be painted navy blue to represent his travel baseball team and the Boston Red Sox. His bathroom is bright red, also to represent the Boston Red Sox. Kerley’s living room, kitchen and cabinets will all be white to go along with her beach theme. The island in the kitchen will be gray, and the countertops will be white with grey and black mixed in. The floors and her room will be gray.

It has been predicted that the house will be finished in April, and Kerley is eagerly awaiting the reveal of her new home.

“I am so excited about all of it. It has been an extremely cool experience, and I am forever grateful,” said Kerley.

Story by Makiya Russelburg

In early December, junior Kyla Lee had the opportunity to take part in an event at the University of Indianapolis. The event is known as the Richard G. Lugar Symposium for Tomorrow’s Leaders. It honors top juniors in the state of Indiana and brings them together for a day of discussion of public issues and world events.

The University of Indianapolis website describes the purpose of the event as a way to expose some of the best and brightest young minds in Indiana, our future leaders, to global issues and help them gain an appreciation for the complexities of these issues.

Each participant of the event was asked to attend two afternoon sessions that focus on current events. The sessions feature two experts who present opposing views on a current event, which is followed by a formal discussion on the topic.

“I loved one of the classes I took while I was there. It was a class about assault. I got to listen to one of the professors there, which had just published a book. The class gave great information and ways to avoid or help someone involved in assault or harassment,” said Lee.

The principals from each high school in Indiana have the opportunity to select three outstanding juniors to participate in the event. Principal Chad Johnson was not familiar with the event, but Lee brought it to his attention and was able to attend.

“Three students are supposed to be selected by their principals from each high school; however, I heard about it from a teacher and asked about it. Mr. Johnson had not heard of it before, but contacted them and somehow got me in,” said Lee.

By attending the event, Lee is now eligible to apply for a scholarship they offer as well as an award. Any student who chooses to attend the Symposium their junior year of high school will automatically be considered for the $15,500 scholarship. The selection committee selects up to ten students from the pool of applicants to receive the scholarship, but the recipient must be attending the University of Indianapolis. The award has a very similar selection process, but it awards the recipients with a $1,000 monetary award.

The Lugar Symposium is an event available only to juniors in Indiana; therefore, Lee would not be able to attend again. However, she would recommend the Lugar Symposium to any upcoming junior because it is a great experience.

“The event is very worthwhile, mostly if you are wanting to go into a profession that involves politics, and it also gives the experience of being in a college class,” said Lee.

Story by Madison Street

Not all of the action in football takes place on the field. Many people help behind the scenes to support the football team. Sophomore Maggie Vincent is a manager for the team.

Vincent has just finished her fifth year being a manager. In the past five years, she has made many memories.

“My favorite memories have been time spent with the other girls and trainers. We always have so much fun, whether we are cleaning a stinky locker room or hanging out at practices. I also cherish all my memories spent with the coaches and players. I’ve grown up around football my whole life, so I feel like the coaches and players are family. We always have so many laughs together and so many great stories. There have been way too many memories to even count,” said Vincent.

There is a lot that goes into being a manager. Vincent’s various jobs and tasks include filling up water bottles, fixing broken helmets, organizing medical kits, helping tape the players’ ankles and doing anything coaches or players may ask for. It can get really stressful during a game. The managers may have to fix a helmet so a player can get back in as quickly as possible or constantly have different equipment ready.

She doesn’t have to do these tasks alone, however. The other managers with her this past year were senior Lexi Smith, junior Kayla Bailey, sophomore Alyssa Warren, freshman Lillie Warren and seventh grader Madison Warren.

Vincent remembers two games more than the rest. One was her favorite game to be at, and the other was her least favorite. The best game she remembers was this year’s Sectional championship. Overall, she said it was a great environment to be around, and it was a very exciting game. Vincent likes how the whole team came together to push for a Sectional championship.

“The worst game I’ve been to was the Providence game a little over a year ago when we lost to them in Sectional. It was a sad night for my family because it was my brother’s last high school football game, and it turned out to be my dad’s last game as a high school football coach after 20 years. There were many tears that night. It was sad watching my brother and dad walk away from a game they both loved to much,” said Vincent.

Even though some games are sad, Vincent can always find something that cheers her up.

“My favorite part is after we score, and I look in the stands and see everyone so excited,” said Vincent.

Story by Michael Hannon

Senior Sara Kesterson has been a member of the PHS cheer squad since her junior high days after a friend of hers convinced her to try out.

“I originally tried out just because my friend said it’d be fun, and I didn’t think anything of it. After I made the team, however, I discovered that I actually enjoyed cheerleading. I fell in love, and I have been cheering ever since,” said Kesterson.

Kesterson started as a backspot for the squad but moved the being a base her freshman year. Currently, Kesterson moves between the two positions and helps as needed.

“In all of my years of cheering, I have only participated in one season of football, in ninth grade. I only cheered during basketball season the other five years,” said Kesterson.

Kesterson permanently switched to a basketball season cheerleader after her former coach, guidance counselor Brandi Kerley, suggested she do so to allow her to play volleyball in the fall and cheer in the winter.

Kesterson’s favorite memory as a cheerleader has been her time at the Universal Cheerleaders Association, or UCA, camps she has been to. During these camps, cheerleaders stay for three days at Indiana University Bloomington to learn dances, chants and cheers leading up to a performance.

“Our team was able to work one-on-one with actual UCA cheerleaders. They adapted to each squad’s wants and needs. While we were there, we did fun bonding activities to take breaks from the hard work we were doing,” said Kesterson. “I loved the entire atmosphere of the camp. Everyone there had one thing in common: cheer. It was easy to make friends and get along with other squads.”

In the future, Kesterson plans to attend Indiana University to study journalism or communications, but she does not intend to continue cheering. As Kesterson leaves her career as a cheerleader behind, she will miss her squad most, along with the fans she has got to cheer with for the past five years.

“I’m going to miss the bonds I have made with a lot of the girls I have cheered with over the years. Knowing I won’t be in front of a crowd on games days will feel so foreign to me because I have been doing it for years. Putting together stunts for starting lineup and seeing fans stand up and sing with us during the school song are two other events I’ll most definitely miss,” said Kesterson.

Story by Rebekah Reeves

For many seniors, their senior year seems to be the most stressful year. With finals, college applications, and otherwise preparing for the future, it’s hard to find time to just relax and blow off some steam. When senior Isaiah Jones finds free time, he enjoys playing the guitar.

Jones has played guitar since his eighth grade year. He plays both acoustic and Les Paul electric guitar but prefers electric guitar because of the wide variety of sounds it can make. He was briefly taught to play by Tim Key, a guitar instructor who has done business both on the square in Paoli and from his home. However, Jones now teaches himself.

“Playing guitar is a great way to learn about music and to build hand-eye coordination,” said Jones

Jones likes to play classic and grunge rock, which includes a lot of bending the strings and hammer-ons. His favorite song to play is “Yellow Ledbetter” by Pearl Jam because of its laid-back tone and guitar solo. When it comes to guitar playing Jones looks up to famous musicians such as Jimi Hendrix and Dave Grohl.

“I decided to play the guitar because a lot of my favorite songs use the guitar. I like how the notes are all laid out on the strings, which helps me visualize what I want to play,” said Jones.

He has played with his church and with the band a few times and plays whenever he can find time between studying and homework. His favorite part of playing the guitar is finding new songs to play, and his least favorite part is having to tune every time he changes songs. Jones plans on continuing to play the guitar and encourages others to play.

“It can be hard in the beginning, and it will hurt your fingers. Once you power through it, the rest begins to come naturally,” said Jones.

Story by Angie Ceja

For some students, it takes a while to figure out what they want to do after high school. From where to go and what to do, a lot of things have to be sorted out. However, senior Ian Maxwell is already one step ahead.

Maxwell plans to pursue a career as a nurse, and he is on the fast track to becoming one.

“I have been working in the medical field for about a year now, and I currently work as a Certified Nursing Assistant CNA at Springs Valley Meadows, a long-term care and rehabilitation facility,” said Maxwell.

Maxwell has taken all of health career teacher Mara Eisele’s classes at Paoli’s vocational school to prepare for this future. These classes include medical terminology, health science 1 and health science 2.

Maxwell decided to go into the medical field because of his sister.

“I chose to start at the bottom and work my way up, starting as a CNA. My sister is a registered nurse. I look up to her, and she is my inspiration,” said Maxwell.

After graduating high school, Maxwell plans to attend Sullivan University in Louisville to become a registered nurse.

“Nursing is so much more than what people make it out to be, and I learned that very quickly. I love being able to take care of and assist the elderly with their activities of daily living, and I can’t wait until I get to help many more people,” said Maxwell.

Story by Gracie Walls

This year, a few juniors will be added to the graduating class of 2019. One of these students is junior Cailah Nikkila. She was eligible to graduate a year early by having all her credits for her diploma complete. When Nikkila set up her schedule to graduate early, she wanted to accomplish something nobody else in her family had done and to give herself more time to start a career.

“I decided I wanted to get done with school as early as possible. I went to talk to Mr. Unsicker to work out a schedule, and I had made enough credits to double my classes and finish this year,” said Nikkila.

Nikkila was encouraged to graduate early by fellow junior Jericho Drake. Her grandparents were also supportive and helpful with the decision.

“I am moving to California to live with a family friend after graduating high school. I will also be attending college there and hope to have a music career,” said Nikkila.

Throughout high school, Nikkila has formed many enjoyable memories in choir and drama. The concerts and the plays always made her excited, but the Veterans Day program in 2017 was her favorite performance.

“I felt like we did a really good job on the song. It was an eight part harmony, and    I feel like that song was an accomplishment,” said Nikkila.

Nikkila would tell anyone interested in graduating early to be determined to do it and willing to miss out on senior year. Nikkila will always remember the memories she made in high school.

“I will really miss seeing my friends and the teachers I have good relationships with. Cherish the time you have in school even when it really sucks because you will never get that time back,” said Nikkila.

Story by Lili Seals

Senior Nick Douthitt has always had a passion for understanding technology and the many advances that have occured. In today’s world, technology has seemed to incorporate itself into the daily lives of almost everyone. With that being said, the opportunities in the technological field are endless. One specific field Douthitt finds most interesting is cyber security.

Cyber security is the protection of internet-connected systems from cyber attacks. This includes hardware, software and data. Cyber security is used by businesses to protect against unauthorized access to data centers and other computerized systems.

“Cyber security has always interested me because it is an elaborate process. I like having to think through all the processes and having to figure out a way to solve the problems at hand,” said Douthitt.

Douthitt’s dad, Alan Rutherford, influenced him in the technological field. Rutherford has worked as the technology director at PHS for many years. However, Douthitt has always has a knack for technology himself. For as long as Douthitt could remember, he has been around technology. Douthitt started out by fixing cell phones and computers for his friends and family, but has since moved on to having an interest in 3D printers.

Douthitt first became interested in cyber security specifically after he watched a documentary about former United States CIA employee Edward Snowden.

“This documentary particularity interested me because it made me realize how important cyber security actually is and continues to be,” said Douthitt.

Douthitt enjoys the idea that there is a new challenge at hand every day. No two days on the job are never going to be the same. It is important to have good problem solving skills to go into this field because there are going to be situations arise suddenly.

“Problem solving skills are important because you need to be able to think of a solution quickly that is actually going to work to solve the issue,” said Douthitt.

Cyber security is an extremely important to business because it is vital to protect their internet softwares and information they may have stored on different hardwares. This continues to be a field in high demand, and Douthitt is ready to take on the responsibilities of a cyber security professional.

After graduation, Douthitt plans to attend Purdue University. He plans to major in cyber security with a minor in forensics. Douthitt hopes to pursue a career path dealing with antiterrorism or forensics in the future.

Story by Madison Street

You may know her as the girl on the basketball court making threes or getting kills on the volleyball court. Whatever you know her for, she is making a new name for herself. Junior Audrey Blankenbaker is not only talented in her field of sports, but has now ventured into a passion for hair and makeup.

Blankenbaker has been doing makeup since she was 13 but has now become more invested in her passion.

“I have always been pretty good at hair and makeup, but I have recently picked it back up and started doing other people’s to get practice,” said Blankenbaker.

To advance her skills to a higher level, Blankenbaker is excited to do more girls’ hair and makeup and see where it takes her.

“I’m hoping this year to have a lot of girls ask me to do their hair and makeup for Morp and Prom. I even have a wedding coming up next fall, so that will really help,” said Blankenbaker.

Though she still has three semesters left until graduation, Blankenbaker is anticipating this path to lead her to attend Paul Mitchell Cosmetology of Louisville after graduating. She is then hoping to open a salon at some point after she furthers her cosmetology education.

“I really want to do something I love, and love this,” said Blankenbaker.

Story by Maggie Vincent

Seniors are usually the ones to bid farewell as they walk across the steps to graduate, but this year a junior will be added to the crowd. Junior Jericho Drake is a student whose academics have led her to graduate a year earlier than others. Drake decided to graduate early in hopes to jumpstart her future.

“I decided to graduate early so I can get a head start on my future. I like to challenge myself, so I thought decided to double up on some classes and get it done,” said Drake.  

After graduation, Drake is planning to continue her education at Indiana University Southeast while majoring in elementary education. After freshman year, she hopes to transfer to IU Bloomington. Transferring to the Bloomington campus will give Drake the opportunity to get a dual degree in elementary education as well as elementary special education.

Drake is very grateful to a few teachers who have helped her get to where she is today.

“I definitely want to thank my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Apple, for pushing me to try my hardest even when things weren’t going the best outside of school. At the time, I was frustrated, but years later, I am thankful I had a teacher who cared enough to push me even if it meant upsetting me,” said Drake.

Another teacher she has to thank is study hall supervisor Caitlyn Menchaca for always helping her through hard times.

“I am grateful for Mrs. Menchaca because I know I can go to her for any of my problems, and she always brings me back down to earth and makes me realize it’s not the end of the world,” said Drake.

When Drake graduates, she will miss out on the the fourth and final year of high school, but she has fond memories to take with her. Her favorite parts of high school have been Friday night football games and getting to spend study hall with her boyfriend. Drake has made the best of her high school years even if she only had three.

“It doesn’t matter how you get it done, just graduate. Push yourself to the limit,” said Drake.

Story by Maggie Vincent

Finding a passion can be a long, difficult process. However, for senior Jace Ingle, discovering his love of writing came early on, specifically his journalistic style of writing for the Paolite.

Ingle joined the Paolite staff in eighth grade, directly after being in journalism teacher Heather Nichols’ intro to media class.

“I wanted to join because I have always loved writing, and intro to media really introduced me to the whole world of writing,” said Ingle.

Starting out, Ingle did not have a set pattern when it came to what he wrote about. In the beginning, he was assigned random stories. It was when he started to be assigned to sports stories he found his interest in sports writing. Ingle is now a designated sports writer. Despite this, he occasionally writes stories which are not sports related.

“I can always provide a lot of information about sports and sporting events, and I could write pages about a sports game with the only challenge being to trim it up. It’s like writing about sports takes no effort compared writing about anything else,” said Ingle.

Being a student journalist does not come easy; his biggest challenge is dealing with controversial stories. To Ingle, having to write controversial stories is the hardest part.

“When I wrote about IHSAA policies regarding illegal behavior, I had to be cautious on my wording to be sure I didn’t upset anyone,” said Ingle.

Writing for the high school media department requires a lot of time and effort, and Ingle quickly learned this while being on staff. Additionally, Ingle has learned responsibility, accountability, how to avoid procrastination and to be aware of due dates.

Over the years, Ingle’s writing has won multiple awards over a few different platforms. Ingle has received Best Sports Story from the Southern Indiana Student Press Association Fall Convention at Indiana University Southeast as well as the Indiana High School Press Association Fall Convention at Franklin College on a few different occasions. Ingle has also won Second Place Best Review from the Southern Indiana Student Press Association Fall Convention.

Ingle has been represented many times in PHS’s newspaper and yearbook. It will be hard for him to leave it all behind. In his future career plans, Ingle will not be able to participate in the type of writing he loves to do.

“I know I can write whenever I feel like it, but the Paolite offers [the opportunity] for it to be read by a whole audience of people,” said Ingle.

After high school, Ingle plans on majoring in nursing and receiving his Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, but he has yet to decide a college to attend. Ingle wants to eventually become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, but he is open to change.

Story by Sara Kesterson

As the school year is moving along, seniors especially are trying to figure out their futures. For senior Audrey Manship, she has had it figured out for quite some time. After high school, Manship plans to become a teacher, specifically a Spanish teacher. Manship has always known she wanted to be a teacher, but the Spanish part only came to her last year.

“I have always had a special place in my heart for education, both my mom and my mamaw are teachers. I have loved Spanish since the first day I walked in to Mrs. Carter’s class. She makes learning fun, and I want to be able to do that for someone also,” said Manship.

From being in Spanish class with Spanish teacher Rachel Carter, Manship has discovered that learning Spanish comes naturally to her, and it is easy to pick up on. Carter has taught Manship more than just Spanish in her three years of being in her class. Manship realizes that being a teacher is more than the actual subject being taught; it is also about caring for the students and getting to know them as a person.

“Being Mrs. Carter’s TA my senior year has let me see all the things she does in preparation for her students. It basically gives me a backstage look into her teaching life,” said Manship.

Because she has close family members who are teachers, Manship can observe to see what the job is like. She is able to figure out the dos and don’ts of teaching, and she is also able to set goals for her teaching career.

“My goal as a teacher is to not only teach my students, but to also help them be better people. Teaching is about more than just the subject area; it is about the whole student,” said Manship.

After graduation, Manship will major in Spanish education and minor in business at either IU-Bloomington or USI.

Story by Sara Kesterson

Senior Timothy Burton will be starting his last wrestling season this year. After thirteen years of hard work and dedication to the sport, his effort and time have certainly paid off. In the past two years, Burton has received PLAC All-Conference and is also a two-time Semi-State qualifier. This year, in the 160 pound weight class, he is aiming even higher.

“My personal goals this year are to beat my record from last year and to make it to State, which would make me the first State qualifier in school history. My team goals are to win Conference overall,” said Burton.

Burton’s brother was the one who inspired him to start wrestling.

“My brother was doing it, and it looked like fun, so I decided to give it a try. Now, I can’t imagine my life not wrestling,” said Burton.

Burton loves many aspects of wrestling. His favorite move to use on an opponent is a sweep single to a ninja kick cross side cradle. This involves wrapping around the opponent’s leg, kicking upward towards their torso and holding them down on the ground.

Burton also loves the pressure of being one-on-one on the mat.

“I love that wrestling is an individual sport, so you know that the pressure is always on you and you alone,” said Burton.

Not only is the physical aspect of wrestling important to Burton, but it also touches him and his family emotionally.

“I remember walking off the mat to my dad after Conference my sophomore year. It was the first time that he considered I had ‘stepped up and started to become a man,’ and, needless to say, that’s the first time I saw him cry. It really made me realize my love for this sport,” said Burton.

Story by Gracie Walls

Senior Brayden Rutherford has made the decision to serve his country after graduating high school.  Rutherford enlisted in the Army. He was fascinated by war and bravery from a young age, and this fascination has continued throughout his life.

“From a young age, I always told my parents that this is what I wanted to do. My decision has greatly impacted my family. They have become the typical soldier parents and have put up flags and Army stuff everywhere. Their support is very important to me,” said Rutherford.

Rutherford went to basic training last summer, and the biggest change was being away from his family. For Rutherford, the first few weeks were hard on everyone, but the constant distractions of training helped him through it.

Throughout his 10-week-long basic training, Rutherford made new lifelong friends he spent hours with, especially those in his platoon.

“The friendships I made during training are different from the ones here at home because we saw each other in positions where we were emotionally compromised during training, and we pushed each other to the breaking point. The friendships I have here are just people I grew up with,” said Rutherford.

After graduation, Rutherford will ship off again to another round of training and become military occupational specialty code (MOS) qualified.

“I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life, and it has greatly impacted my views, morals and how I present myself. It brings me a sense of pride and an even greater amount of respect for the brave men and women who have encouraged and influenced me to be the person I am today,” said Rutherford.

His decision and training have prepared him to do what is necessary when the time comes.

“It’s bittersweet, but I am ready to take the next step and hopefully do what I’m trained to do. I am proud to be a Ram. PHS has given me a lot of memories, but I’m on to bigger and better things,” said Rutherford.

Story by Kaden Lewellyn

Student athletes take on an important role when they become a senior. They are looked up to by their teammates and typically set the bar for the season. For his final basketball season, senior Shawn Buchanan is looking forward to reflecting on memories from previous years, enjoying the best moments in the present and having fun.

“I love basketball because of the big moments, and there is nothing like a whole town rooting for you,” said Buchanan.

Buchanan has been playing basketball since he was in second grade. The second graders and the fourth graders played, which resulted in a second grade win. Ever since that game, he has always loved playing the sport. His biggest role model is his father, who is well-known at PHS for his ability in basketball. Buchanan looks up to him and hopes to be able to follow him in his career.

“My inspiration is my father. I just want to win like he did and bring greatness back to Paoli basketball,” said Buchanan.

Buchanan plays multiple positions. In basketball, the positions are organized by numbers, one, two, three, four and five. One, two and three are typically ball handlers, shooting guards who shoot or get the ball to a shooter and point guards who primarily handle the ball across the basketball court. The four and five are posts who take care of the ball down by the net and also help get the ball to the inside for an easy layup. Most of the posts are taller and are stronger with the ball so they can easily maneuver against opposing teams. Buchanan’s favorite position is the four since he can shoot threes but also give the ball to the inside teammates.

After all of these years as a high school basketball player, Buchanan has made memories with his team. His favorite thing to do before a game is eat with his teammates. Some of them will carpool or meet up at a restaurant before they get ready for the game. Buchanan also has fond memories of dancing around in the locker room after a good win. One of the most memorable moments for him is when the team won the Springs Valley Holiday Tournament back December of 2017.

“There is nothing like all the hard work paying off and being in that moment,” said Buchanan.

As he looks back on his final year of high school basketball, Buchanan will say goodbye to the team and sport he loves most. He will forever cherish the moments with the team and the time he has spent giving his best. He also wants the future basketball team to work towards the big moments and enjoy what they have before it is gone.

“Stay tuned; this year is going to be special, and we are going to be fun to watch. Come out and support,” said Buchanan.

Story by Kinley Block

Many students at PHS are members of clubs or organizations around the school. However, the majority of these students do not have the power to make executive decisions regarding financial issues or event planning. However, for senior Nick Padgett, this is not the case. Padgett is on the FFA senior advisory board for Paoli along with fellow senior officer Chloe Elliott.

“Having this position as a senior advisor gives me responsibility and allows me to help with other boards and give my opinion on things without being the technical leader. These things might include financial decisions or choosing what events to have and not have,” said Padgett.

Padgett was introduced to FFA when he was in junior high. With a lifetime interest in agriculture and the outdoors, Padgett knew FFA would be a club that he would enjoy immensely. However, along the way, he has encountered friendships and people he will be close to for the remainder of his life.

“I knew FFA would be the right club for me since I was young. Not only have I learned about agriculture, but I have also made so many friends. By being in a club that is based off a common interest, it’s very easy to make friends with the people around you,” said Padgett.

Padgett has been a member of FFA for his entire high school career, and the program has impacted him in a way he hasn’t experienced with any other club. Throughout his FFA career, Padgett has obtained the positions from officer all the way to president. Over the past four years, Padgett has been active in leading the barn project, Christmas leadership contest, barnyard carnival and many other activities FFA sponsors throughout the school year. Padgett believes being the head of these various events throughout his years has him well prepared for his new position as a senior advisor.

“Being in charge of these things has taught me responsibility and decision-making, two things I use as a senior advisor,” said Padgett.

However, as a Senior Advisor, Padgett is faced with tasks that require more responsibility than the tasks he received as an officer. Organizing meetings, setting dates for events, confirming everyone gets their job done and just helping out any way he can are examples of his leadership roles. By watching out for all members, Padgett is the role model for FFA. Knowing he is being watched by younger members as a mentor can be stressful, but Padgett has his own way of thinking about it.

“I know the younger members are doing their jobs based off what I do. By making getting your work done a habit, you automatically become a great role model without any effort,” said Padgett.

However, Padgett does not plan to use his experiences in FFA to pursue a future career. He plans to become a teacher, but he is unsure of the subject he wants to teach. Taking charge and being a role model is something that will assist Padgett in his career path and in his life in general.

Story by Jace Ingle

Most students make the most of their high school experience through outlets such as athletics, academics or clubs. However, for senior Michael Campbell, welding is a passion he has discovered while in high school.

Welding is the joining together of metal pieces or parts through excessive heat. PHS offers welding classes certain periods of the day. Campbell enrolled himself in these classes his freshman year and has not looked back since.

“I took welding as an elective class my freshman year to try out something new. Since then, I have grown to love welding in general,” said Campbell.

Campbell’s passion for fusing metal pieces together is strong enough to influence his future. After high school, Campbell plans to pursue a career in welding. These careers can range from welding basketball goals locally to underwater welding jobs off the coast. Regardless of where Campbell chooses to live in his future, welding will be the method by which he receives an income.

“I could see myself working in a different state either welding or pipe fitting. The pay in Indiana for welders is very low, but in states like West Virginia and Alaska, it could be up to $45 an hour depending on the education level,” said Campbell.

The right education for welders can be difficult to find, considering that welding is a unique area for someone to study. The job demand for welders has only increased over time, influencing Campbell’s future decisions more and more as time goes on. However, welding is not the only possible option for Campbell following his graduation from PHS.

“I have thought about playing college football at a smaller college in the state. However, I also want to go to the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, which is a trade school for welding in Troy, Ohio. The longer I am there, the more things I can be certified to do,” said Campbell.

If Campbell chooses to attend the Hobart Institute, he will be receiving an education anywhere from five to ten months, depending on what level of education he is striving for. A benefit of Hobart that greatly influences Campbell is the low cost of an education there. Since it is a trade school, it is more affordable than a college or university. The love for welding Campbell has acquired throughout his high school career is inspiring and has the ability to affect his future in multiple ways.

“I can get lost when I weld, like there is nothing else in the world when I put my hood down and start to weld; all my worries go away,” said Campbell.

Story by Jace Ingle

Junior Murphy Laws has been a member of the Paoli chapter of the FFA for four years and has spent three of those four years as an officer. However, it was not until this year that he became the FFA President.

“I am the head of the student governing body for the Paoli FFA chapter. I run meetings and correspond with Mr. Scott, Mr. Woolston and other officers to plan events for the year,” said Laws.

Laws originally got involved in FFA after taking an agriculture class at PHS to obtain his Hunters Education card.

“I started to talk to Woolston with the former officer team and realized there were lots of members in my class that could help the chapter. We were considered the new age of officers. I wanted to be a part of something great, and I realized this year I’m living in it now,” said Laws. Since then, Laws has been an active member of FFA. Over the past few years, Laws and the other officers have worked together to create a hydroponics department where almost all vegetables used in the school cafeteria are grown. The FFA members also began to raise pigs for meat and accomplished building a barn.

Laws believes the most important part of his role as president to be encouraging of communication between advisors Cory Scott and Kyle Woolston and the other members.

“Communication is key in an FFA chapter, and the president is a link between the two,” said Laws.

Through FFA, Laws has had the opportunity to visit many different places, but his favorite of them all was his first National FFA Convention he attended.

“I had a blast forming relationships with different people and realizing this organization was much bigger than a little chapter in Paoli. I met new people and even formed better relationships with the people I already knew,” said Laws. “The best part of FFA is all the relationships you form. You can make a friend in one conversation. Everyone is easy to relate to. FFA is a place that you get to meet other people that you never would have thought about meeting or even talking to.”

Story by Rebekah Reeves

Wanderlust is the desire to travel, and senior Breanna Ward is familiar with the feeling. The combination of playing music and experiencing new places around the world has had a big impact on her life and future plans. The opportunities for her to travel and play music came to her when she joined orchestra in elementary school. She had no idea she would join band years later, and Ward had all kinds of new opportunities brought her way because of band.

“When I see an opportunity, I take it. I like to live in the moment, and when a traveling opportunity comes along, I take it. They are once-in-a-lifetime trips that are worth every every penny,” said Ward.

Over the years, Ward has traveled within the United States to New York, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Washington, D.C., New Jersey and Texas. She has also traveled out of the country to England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria and Lichtenstein.

“Traveling has really opened my eyes in terms of how I view the world. Life is so much more than what we see. It has made me respect different cultures even more,” said Ward.

Ward is hoping to have many more opportunities to travel in the future. She wishes to return to Europe and New York City in the future. However, she would like her next musical performance to take place in California. Ward has participated in concerts in five different countries.

“I have been able to enjoy unique opportunities through music and typical tourist events,” said Ward.

One of her favorite places she has been is Venice, Italy. She was only there for a short afternoon trip, but it was the most interesting city she had ever been to.

Ward believes there is more to life than staying in one place, and she enjoys getting to experience different cultures.

“Every trip I take is truly life changing, and the feeling is one of the best,” said Ward. Ward’s favorite memory was when she went to Switzerland right after spending time in London and Paris.

“Switzerland was like a breath of fresh air after the busyness of the city. I remember my group sitting in the grass near a mountain range just relaxing. It was by far the highlight of the trip. There was nothing like the view I had; pictures just do not do it justice,” said Ward.

Ward has not decided what she wants to do after high school, but she will continue to travel and play music.

Story by Lili Seals

Many students know what life is like living with a brother or sister. Siblings often are forced to share or fight for the attention of their parents.

Senior Michael Hall, the oldest of nine, would never be able to live without his eight siblings. Hall has been a sibling of many for roughly 15 years, with four brothers and four sisters. Although being the oldest may seem like a hard task, Hall definitely sees the advantages, such as having more authority and receiving the least amount of attention, which he tends to enjoy.

“The thing I love most about being the oldest sibling is that I am generally more listened to and respected than my younger siblings,” said Hall.

Because he is the oldest, he has extra responsibilities. Since Hall is the only sibling with a car, he takes care of most of the transportation. He also does a lot of the babysitting when his parents aren’t home.

“I am expected to do more than the younger siblings, like more chores. Also, I feel that as the oldest, I am held to higher expectations, which can always be challenging,” said Hall.

In general, Hall believes he is closest to two of his brothers, as they enjoy many of the same video games and TV shows.

Aside from the positives, being the oldest also has disadvantages.

“I like when they enjoy the same things I do, allowing me to share the joy of that interest with them. Some bad experiences I have had are when they take and or break my stuff,” said Hall.

Out of the nine of them, three of Hall’s siblings are adopted. One was adopted from Africa, one form Florida and one from Utah. Despite the small annoyances, Hall enjoys all the personalities and built-in best friends that come with a large family.

“While there are many small things I don’t enjoy about a big family, such as lack of privacy and personal space, I do enjoy the big picture aspects that I will always have someone to talk and relate to. I also look forward to future family reunions as I think they will be quite interesting,” said Hall.

Story by Ashlyn Bonta

Winter sports are in the beginning of their seasons, which means fall sports season have come to a close. However, some fall sports can be played year round through club organizations. Some athletes choose to participate in this while others do not. Junior Kinley Block takes advantage of club volleyball each winter.

Block is a member of a club volleyball team. Club volley is a step up from a high school team. It is essentially a group of girls from different schools, private or public, that is picked by a coach from a club organization. The players are divided into teams based on age.

“My favorite part is getting to play with different people. It’s a new look at volleyball because you are so confined to the people in your school in school volleyball, but with travel, you get to play with so many different people from many different schools,” said Block.

Block has been involved with travel volleyball for about five years. She is a server and takes serving and passing very seriously. She plans on improving her abilities as a defensive specialist and working on her serves. Over the course of the school season, she has tremendously improved on serving, passing and keeping the ball in the court.

“Serves win games, and I am blessed to be able to continue to work on them in the offseason. Passing is a very crucial part of volleyball. When you are hit or served a ball, the entire approach begins with one pass, then one set and one hit. It takes everyone, but it starts with a good pass,” said Block.

Block is very passionate about the game and encourages people who want to play volleyball to not let anyone else’s opinion change their mind. She also encourages volleyball players to be good, supporting teammates and to lift up each other when something goes wrong instead of yelling at them.

“It’s one thing if you don’t really like the sport, but it is another thing if you let someone else dictate your decision. Being a teammate is crucial. Lift each other up and take the time that is necessary to be a team. It works out better in the long run,” said Block.

Story by Angie Ceja

Senior Rebekah Reeves is one of the Co-Editors-in-Chief in the media department at PHS. She has also accepted an internship position with the Paoli-News Republican, which helps her in being the staff leader.

“I am a leader to the writing staff for the media department. I help edit and organize things the writers need to do and act as a mentor to them. Along with being the co-EIC, I am also the feature editor for the writing staff. As a feature editor, it is my responsibility to come up with feature ideas as well as assign and edit stories,” said Reeves.  

Reeves has been a part of the media department since her freshman year. At first, she was a writer for the staff but wanted to design for the yearbook. After writing for a year, she realized how much she liked writing and decided to stay on the writing staff. One of Reeves’ favorite things about being the the writing leader is building strong relationships with the other parts of the staff. Since Reeves has become the editor, she has grown as a person and a leader.  

“Prior to being co-EIC, I was really scared of telling people what to do and taking charge, but since being the staff leader, I have learned how to be a leader, and it’s really helped me a lot,” said Reeves.

However, being the writing leader can have its challenges. Reeves has a difficult time being the writers’ friend while also being their leader too. It is harding finding a balance for Reeves; she can easily help those she is close to but has a hard time with others.

Even though Reeves’s responsibilities in the media department can be stressful, she loves what she is doing for the department.

“Being the writing leader is stressful, but it’s worth it. I’ve gotten closer to a lot of my writers as a leader, and I’m able to help them with writing, which is one of my passions. I have a lot to do as the the staff leader, but I love it more than anything,” said Reeves.  

Reeves has also taken an internship position at the Paoli-News Republican. Reeves heard about the opportunity from her uncle, who is the editor at the Paoli-News Republican. She took this internship in because she is very interested in journalism. She wants to pursue a career in some kind of journalism form, which could include writing or English. Through her internship, Reeves writes captions and mini features for the paper.  

Reeves’ top choices for colleges in the future include Franklin and Indiana University Southeast. She plans to major in communications and minor in journalism. Reeves believes this internship experience will help her learn more about what is going on behind the scenes of journalism.

Story by Faith Wilder

A new addition to the Paoli High School staff was announced at the school board meeting on Monday, December 10. A second guidance counselor position was filled and the identity of the person who will be working alongside current guidance counselor Brandi Kerley was revealed.

Rachel Robinson, a PHS graduate herself, was hired for the job.

Robinson already has experience in the field, with two years of employment at the Brady Shrum Elementary School in Salem as counselor. As well as counseling, Robinson has a background in special education, which Principal Chad Johnson believes will be a great resource.

“We’re hoping that [with] her skill set, especially helping with special education students, she will be able to bring a different set of skills to the guidance department,” said Johnson.

There are 654 students at Paoli who have the potential to utilize the guidance office, whether for mental and emotional issues or academic aspects. It is easy to see how just one counselor could become overwhelmed, even with the help from guidance secretary Sara Parks.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am for the hiring of another counselor. I know Mrs. Robinson is going to do great things for our students and our school. She is kind and confident and is bringing good experience with her. I look forward to working with her, and can’t wait to celebrate her successes here at Paoli,” said Kerley.

With the addition of Robinson, Johnson hopes to balance out the amount of work which had been put on Kerley and Parks since the resignation of former guidance counselor Brandon Crowder.

“It was wearing on them, so we wanted to help them out,” said Johnson.

Robinson personally would like to give back to the place she grew up in through her work. As a graduate of PHS in 2008, she considers Paoli her hometown and knows how well the school is run and wants to get involved in it.

“I think she wanted to work here because she knows what we do, we do a good job at it and she wants to be a part of that,” said Johnson.

Robinson will start her career at Paoli and return to her roots on January 14, 2019.

“I’m excited to work in my community and where I attended school. I’m looking forward to working with students and staff at PHS,” said Robinson.

Her addition will have a great impact on both the students and staff with a fresh face and new ideas to enrich PHS.

Story by Masden Embry

Guidance counselor Brandi Kerley recently agreed to let Jon Shellenberger’s construction classes build her new home. These students and their teacher are helping every step of the way, from tossing around ideas to building the house from the ground up.

“I thought this would be a cool opportunity, especially since I know all of these students. My son Gage and I have been looking for a while now, and this is really a once-in-a-lifetime thing to work with kids in the construction classes,” said Kerley.

So far, the classes have finished the crawl space, concrete walls, roof, shingles, windows, doors, lighting, wiring and framing on the inside of the building. They have also started on the decks and will begin on the drywall soon, so Kerley will be able to begin painting the interior of her house over winter break. Once they are closer to being finished, they will install the cabinets, island, trim and insulation and help with putting in concrete outside.

“So far, it has been a lot of fun. I have enjoyed brainstorming with Shellenberger and the students. They have helped with everything, the lot, the house plan and more. It has been a great experience. I love going up there and seeing the students and their excitement. They are such hard-working kids and very passionate. I’m so proud of them and all they have accomplished so far,” said Kerley.

Story by Gracie Walls

Senior Jordan Clark doesn’t remember life without sports. Out of all the athletics he has been a part of, however, basketball was always the one constant. He knew that regardless of what was going on in his life, he could always step on the court and forget about it all. Basketball became his outlet.   

Clark had always been around basketball for as long as he could remember. His older brother and cousin both played, but it wasn’t until Steve Lawson asked him to be a part of a team he was putting together that Clark became interested in playing himself.

“Steve Lawson asked me to be on a team when I was in the second grade. After playing with the guys, I knew basketball was a sport I wanted to continue playing for as long as I could,” said Clark.

Along with Lawson, varsity basketball coach Dusty Cole has played a major role in Clark’s development as a player and as a person. Cole has taught Clark the value of hardwork and persistence.

“Coach Cole has always taught me that nothing is going to be handed to us. We are going to have to work hard to accomplish the things we want. This doesn’t just apply to basketball, it applies to the things you do every day,” said Clark.

As well as hard work and persistence, basketball has taught Clark the importance of a good work ethic. This may be one of the most rewarding skills Clark has taken away from the sport.

“No matter who is watching or if no one is around at all, it is important to work hard because it will benefit you in the future as well as the present,” said Clark.

Basketball has also allowed Clark to create bonds with his teammates that go beyond the sport itself. He has met some of his best friends through basketball, especially those he has played with since he was in grade school.

“My favorite thing about basketball is being able to spend time with some of my closest friends on the team and sharing the experience with them,” said Clark.

As Clark moves on to the next stage in life, he hopes the underclassmen continue to work hard every day in practice and never take anything for granted. It may be cliché to say, but high school does fly by, and one day you’re not going to be on the court with the people you have grown up with. Cherish the moments you have with them before they are gone.

After graduation, Clark plans to continue his education at Indiana State University in Terre Haute. He hopes to major in exercise science and eventually pursue a career in physical therapy.

Story by Madison Street

Football season has come to an end, so basketball is kicking into gear. With the boys basketball team falling short in last year’s Sectional, they are expecting nothing less than a PLAC championship and a Sectional trophy this year.

Four of the top five scorers are returning from last year, a couple of players are moving up from a JV team that only lost a few games last season and head coach Dusty Cole has high expectations for this year’s season.

“Our senior, junior and sophomore classes are used to winning, and they’ve done lots of it throughout their basketball careers. It is very rare to have three season leading scorers on one team, and that is the case this year. Ashton Minton led us in scoring three years ago, Ty Lawson led two years ago and Brett Bosley led last year. Most things we do start with those three, but we can also bring in added scoring with Jordan Clark and Mason Buchanan. Carter Elliott and Hobie Bobbit are both capable varsity players as well, and both of them excel on the defensive end. Austin Carmickle and Charlie Meredith do all the little things that make a team special, and our wild card this season could be Parker Sullivan. He has grown a few inches, gotten much stronger and could be a real difference maker this year.  We have a lot of pieces that can play multiple styles and paces,” said Cole.
One of the most important things Cole’s team will need this season is team cohesiveness.

“History has shown how difficult it can be to bring a lot of stars and talent together and be successful. Everyone will have to make sacrifices and be willing to put the team first. We don’t foresee that being a problem at all with this bunch of young men, but it is still important that we make that happen,” said Cole.

The team has several goals this year, including winning the Holiday Tournament Championship, becoming PLAC champions, and even achieving the HBCA Honors Court as a team.

“Every member of the Sectional roster has to achieve certain standards and have a GPA of 3.0 or above. Every season, there are about a dozen teams in the state of Indiana that stand a legitimate chance of playing on the last day of the season in Indianapolis.  We feel like this season we are one of those 10-12 teams,” said Cole.

Aside from the big goals, Cole just wants his players to improve each day.

“If we can continue to improve and grow every day, then we will be very successful later in the year,” said Cole.

Senior Ashton Minton believes this could potentially be one of the most memorable and successful seasons he has ever had as a basketball player.

“I think this season will go very well. If we do what we are coached to do, it should be a very special season in the end. I, along with the rest of the seniors, have been wishing on this year since the third or fourth grade, and now it is finally here,” said Minton.

Overall, the Paoli boys basketball team wants to succeed, not just as individuals, but as a team. They know it won’t be easy, but they are willing to work hard and fight toward a victory.

“All of them have put in the work, stuck with it and are ready to contribute on one of the best teams Paoli has ever had,” said Cole.

Story by Gracie Walls

Many students at PHS possess their own struggles in their personal lives. Whether these struggles regard academics, family or internal issues is irrelevant; they all share a common factor of fighting a battle.

One student, senior Kayle Kibler, is currently fighting a battle of his own, as he is recovering from brain surgery. Kayle was experiencing intense migraines and constant headaches before he was issued an MRI on his brain. The MRI showed that Kayle had a mass of cells on his brain, and the mass was unknown to be cancerous or not. Kibler underwent surgery on November 13 at Indiana University Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis to remove the mass of cells inside his cranium.

“Surgery went well. They removed all of the mass. It appears to be an abnormal mass of cells, not a tumor. My family and I would like to thank everyone for the prayers, well wishes and concern. It has helped Kayle and us in this tough time,” said Kayle’s father, Kyle Kibler.

Following his surgery, Kayle was placed in ICU with drain tubes still attached to surgical sites. He came out very stable, showing slight movement in his fingers and toes; however, his blood pressure seemed to rise periodically, but this was assessed by the hospital staff.

As the days went on, Kayle began showing more movement as well as improved speech and memory. At the beginning stages of his recovery, Kayle was concerning the nurses with how much he was sleeping. A CT scan was ordered to see if there was a reason for his near constant state of rest. The results of the CT scan showed no correlation to Kayle’s excessive resting time. However, Kayle seemed to completely turn around his current state, as he started drastically improving almost immediately following the CT scan.

“Kayle is eating solid food and even feeding himself at lunch. He is still fighting some to stay awake, and his sodium is slowly going down. He is having some memory issues, which was expected. His motor skills have improved greatly, though. He is doing very well,” said Kyle.

Just after he was beginning to improve tremendously, Kayle had a setback and began experiencing a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid. Doctors had previously implemented drainage tubes for Kayle; however, the overflow of fluid has continued to reappear. After some discussion, doctors have agreed to install a permanent drain tube running from his cranium to his abdominal region. Fortunately, almost a day following his permanent drainage surgery, Kayle was moved out of ICU into a regular hospital room. Soon after he was making some progress, Kayle experienced another buildup of fluid.

“There are two cavities that hold fluid in the brain. They are connected, but for some reason, one is getting bigger than the other,” said Kyle.

Kayle received a CT scan and then moved back into ICU due to the buildup of fluid.

Kayle had just began his senior year when he began experiencing these setbacks. He has avidly participated in baseball and football since he was in elementary school. His recovery time determines his playing time in the upcoming spring baseball season. However, he is in very high hopes.

Kayle’s recovery will not be a short one, but with the help and support of his friends and family, he plans to be back at PHS in March.

To follow his journey, go to caringbridge.org and enter “Kayle Kibler” in the search engine. Family members post daily updates on Kayle and the progress he has made and will continue to make in the future.

Story by Jace Ingle

There are more members of the basketball team than can be seen on the court. An important asset to the boys basketball program is senior manager Tyson Line. Line is the one who quietly works behind the scenes to wash the jerseys, film the games, fill the water bottles and run the clock during practices. He has been on staff for the basketball team since his freshman year.

“I had nothing to do after football ended, so I thought it’d be fun to be able to hang out with my friends,” said Line.

Some of Line’s favorite memories come from spending time with his friends on the basketball team. He has enjoyed the many bus rides home after an on-the-road victory and all the time he has had to hang out with his friends.

Varsity head coach Dusty Cole is just one witness of Line’s work ethic.

“Tyson is a hard worker who has spent a lot of his hours around athletics, so he knows what is needed and how things need to be done. Tyson is the type of kid and manager you don’t have to put a list together of his job responsibilities,” said Cole.

Since Line has mastered the art of being a manager, he often serves as a role model or helps the team improve their game.

“Tyson is also a great leader who has taken Davis Minton and other younger managers under his wing and taught them the ropes. It isn’t out of ordinary to see our managers included in practice either. They are sometimes used in drills and can often be seen holding practice dummies and banging on our guys to help toughen them up,” said Cole.

Story by Maggie Vincent

Choosing to dedicate one’s time solely for the purpose of helping others is a decision which would be difficult for many to make, but for senior Sierra Rodewig, it was quite simple. With a strong desire to lend a hand and change people’s lives for the better, Rodewig was prompted to serve her community.

“I’ve always loved helping the people around me. I find more satisfaction in helping others than receiving help,” said Rodewig.

This desire Rodewig had to serve others called for an outlet. As a freshman, she found a school organization which centers around community service. National Junior Honor Society was the perfect way to start giving back to those who truly needed it.

Rodewig’s involvement in her community allowed her to observe the obstacles the members of it were forced to tackle. What she observed taught her how crucial it was for the people of Paoli to reach out and help each other.

“As the years have gone by, the community has faced countless challenges, and I find it even more important for the community to come together and be there for one another now,” said Rodewig.

The service became more personal to Rodewig when she realized how much volunteering could change things. Her discovery that giving leads receiving pushed her to continue helping others. She was rewarded with satisfaction after serving her community.

Rodewig has learned significant life skills by serving her community, such as how to have patience with both herself and others and how to communicate with people of all ages in a clear way.

Rodewig tries to donate her time to the people who really deserve to be helped out, the people who might not be considered otherwise and the people who are the most alone. By serving those who are usually in the dark, Rodewig is an encouraging, supportive influence.

“I believe my service has positively impacted others because I always try to focus on the more important opportunities. I focus on working with groups of people who aren’t always understood by everyone or who don’t have many people there for them,” said Rodewig.

Rodewig engages in several different service projects, most of which are Throop Elementary PTO sponsored. She helps out with Fall in Love with Reading, Bingo for Books and the Winter Holiday Festival. The Community Thanksgiving Dinner and the Special Olympics are also events Rodewig takes part in annually.

“I enjoy participating in these events because the PTO events serve highly influential children and allow students to make a positive impact on them early in life,” said Rodewig.

Tutoring is a large piece of her service as a whole and takes up most of her time. It is very fulfilling for her because she is able to cater to the specific student’s learning style and discuss things with them one-on-one, which they would not normally get in a classroom full of their peers. Rodewig is able to see her effect on students first-hand when helping them with school work and can tell how much of a difference she has made.

“Seeing the positive impact I have been able to make has kept me volunteering. Seeing the gratitude on other people’s faces when I am working with them is what keeps me going,” said Rodewig.

Although she loves helping others, service hasn’t always been easy for Rodewig. As a high school student, it’s not hard to get stressed out with all of the tests, homework and responsibilities one must juggle. Rodewig had all of those things to worry about and also had volunteering thrown into the mix.

All this weight on her shoulders can be overwhelming. However, Rodewig learned to balance her obligations by using all of the time available to her in the most efficient way possible.

The amount of great experiences Rodewig has had due to her service has left her with the hope to continue serving Paoli, even after she graduates this year.

Community service has become a priority to Rodewig, and its impact on her has been enriching. Her involvement in the community has shaped who she is today and has paved the way to the person she will become in the future.

Story by Masden Embry

Senior Jacob McDonald has been a part of the Supermileage team for six years. McDonald was drawn to the team because he has a passion for both engineering and racing; McDonald describes it as “the perfect mix.”

When McDonald first joined Supermileage, they were a team that designed a car to operate on gas. Currently, McDonald and the rest of the team strive to construct a car that runs on electricity. To McDonald, constructing the different cars is the most exciting part.

“I am very proud of the way my team works together. We have come a long way as a team. We are able to work together and solve problems together the way a team should,” said McDonald.

Along with having the responsibility of building a car from scratch to race in competitions, McDonald has had to hold the weight of being Team Captain for four years. Although this position has given him a few struggles, McDonald has learned patience and leadership from it as well.

“These skills will help me later in life in whatever career path I take,” said McDonald.

Because McDonald wants to continue in the engineering field, being on the Supermileage team as been extremely beneficial for him. McDonald has learned skills related to engineering as well as what to expect when pursuing an engineering career.

“I have also learned to expect the unexpected when it comes to building the cars because everything imaginable can and will happen. I’ve learned to work through the frustrations of cars not working and things not going the right way,” said McDonald.

Supermileage has been a part of McDonald’s life for six years, so the team as well as the people involved in it have left an impact on him. The faculty support comes from ITE teacher Jason Goodman and economics teacher Cliff Brannon as well as volunteer work from members in the community, including Jerrell Dennis, Luke Becht and Ben Bosley.

“This team has meant so much to me over the years. I’m not sure what I will miss the most, but this team has impacted my life forever and will not be forgotten. We have been nothing short of a family,” said McDonald.

McDonald highly recommends Supermileage to anyone planning on going towards an engineering path. Within the club, members learn about STEM curriculum, calculating and constructing, all skills required in an engineering job. Supermileage has been a beneficial experience for McDonald, and it has prepared him for his future.

McDonald plans to attend Purdue University with a major in agricultural systems management and minor in business. In addition, McDonald plans to be on Purdue’s Supermileage team.

Story by Sara Kesterson