Q&A with junior Lexie Stites: Miss Harvest Homecoming’s Outstanding Teen 2019

By Mary Ficker

What does winning the title of Miss Harvest Homecoming’s Outstanding Teen mean to you?

LS: “It means that I have an incredible opportunity to connect and make an impact in my own community! With this title I am a spokesperson for New Albany and Floyd County and hope to do everything thing I can do with that responsibility.”

How has the Miss America Organization impacted your life?

LS: “The Miss America Organization has taught me the importance of service, skills that will help me in my future life, such as interview tactics, and has also given me the opportunity to meet so many new people and create lifelong friendships!”

What do you plan to do during your year as Miss Harvest Homecoming’s Outstanding Teen?

LS: “During my year I plan to share my platform Dance Across Borders as much as possible and inspire others to join me in benefiting their communities as well.”

What are you looking forward to most during the Harvest Homecoming Festival?

LS: “Everything! Pumpkin Chucking, booth days, and all the food! I can’t wait for the nonstop fun I know I am going to have!”

What do you hope to achieve with your platform this year?

LS: “I will continue to donate and share opportunities for dance with underprivileged children and keep raising money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals by using the ties I have in the local arts centers to share our talents to benefit those who may not be able to themselves.”

What is your main goal this year when you compete for the title of Miss Indiana’s Outstanding Teen in June of 2020? 

LS: “I want to have a good time, that’s for sure number one on my list! Last year I won an interview preliminary so repeating that along with a talent preliminary award are my two set goals!”

Football beats Vincennes Lincoln 28-12

By Brock Kennedy

Junior Isaac Hatfield sprints out onto the field with his arms out wide, ready for the first official home game of the season against Vincennes Lincoln on Friday, Sept. 7. The Highlanders won the game 28-12.

A Baddude’s Journal Underrated Athlete Spotlight: Junior Caleb Slaughter

Photo by Grace Allen

Story by J.D. McKay

FC has been terrific at sports all four years I have been in high school, and we have had many talented athletes. This year, if you read The Bagpiper, you will probably see some names carry over from past years, athletes like senior kicker Cole Hussung, junior quarterback Tristan Polk, senior cross country runner Sydney Liddle, and senior soccer player Katie Yankey. All four people I named are extremely talented and have earned the attention given to them. 

However, there are other athletes who are also very talented. Athletes that often are not the highest point scorers, have the fastest times, or make the flashiest plays. These athletes can be very important players on the team, too. Their few points, several great tackles, or beautiful passes could push their team over the edge. 

This week, my athlete is junior football player Caleb Slaughter. Slaughter is a middle linebacker who is in his second year of football in high school. However, he started playing football as early as he could. He did not play his freshman year because he wanted to focus on baseball. But, his year off rekindled his love for the game. You can tell in practice that he does love the game again. 

As the “mike” backer, Slaughter understands his role. “The mike backer is typically the captain of the defense, so I view my role a little bit like that. But with both team captains being on that side of the ball, I let them lead and step up when I need to. I still take charge by calling the plays that coach Polk sends in to our DB’s,” said Slaughter. 

He understands the role of a middle linebacker, though. One of his goals is to win a sectional, and he knows to do that, his tackling will need to be top notch.

“I want to miss under eight tackles this year,” said Slaughter. “The lower that number is, the more likely it is we win games.”

Slaughter also plays a little bit of offense. He has the opportunity to get his name in the paper on that side of the ball by scoring some touchdowns as a fullback or tight end, but that is not his main goals. 

“My role on offense is to block and open holes so Wenkers (Wright) can score some touchdowns,” he said. 

Slaughter also fits into the student-athlete phrase. Slaughter has the team’s highest GPA and is in the top 10 percent of his class. He said being an athlete has helped in achieving such high grades. 

“The best advice I have ever been given related to sports was that everything I learn in sports will carry over to my day-to-day life now, and as an adult, said Slaughter. 

Slaughter probably does not get much attention because, as he said, “I want to help make the rest of the team look as good as I can.” But do not let that fool you. Even if Slaughter is making others look good, he will be one of the most important pieces of a defense that gave up just seven points Friday at Providence.

Football plays Charlestown on Aug. 16

By Grace Allen

Senior Will Isaacs walks towards the 1 yard line as he plays defense against the Charlestown Pirates. Photo by Grace Allen.

Junior Trace Richards listens intently to his coach about the details for the next play. Photo by Grace Allen.

Seniors Grant Gibson, Garrett Grubbs, and Hope Wheatley lead the Floyd Central Student Section in cheers as they root for their football team. Photo by Grace Allen.

Junior Blake Zehnder shuffles backwards as he tries to defend against Charlestown. Photo by Grace Allen.

Marching band coverage from the parent show on Aug. 9

 

Emerald Guard members readily walk behind the band with flags, rifles, and sabers in hand. Photo by Presley Vanover

Drum majors Connor Bickel, Stephanie Combs, Amaya Munoz, and Spencer Robinson lead their band down to the football game. Photo by Presley Vanover

The drum majors and the band waiting on director Harold Yankey to lead the national anthem. Photo by Presley Vanover

Junior Eric Haney waits for the drum majors to take their place and conduct. Photo by Presley Vanover

Junior Bailey Durrett carries her tuba as she eagerly walks onto the field. Photo by Presley Vanover

Sophomore Ally Groves looks ahead fiercely waiting to take her position on the field with fellow guard members. Photo by Presley Vanover

Drum majors Connor Bickel, Stephanie Combs, Amaya Munoz, and Spencer Robinson saluting while the national anthem plays. Photo by Presley Vanover

Drum major Spencer Robinson stands at ease on the edge of the field. Photo by Presley Vanover

Drum majors Connor Bickel, Stephanie Combs, and Amaya Munoz stands with the rest of the winds. Photo by Presley Vanover

Junior Preston Fonseca plays the mellophone during the second movement. Photo by Presley Vanover

Band members hold in a stand still during the final part of the show. Photo by Presley Vanover

Band members stay focused while marching down to the field. Photo by Tori Ables

The marching band members take place on the football field to play the national anthem. Photo by Presley Vanover

Drum major Stephanie Combs waves as she’s introduced to the crowd. Photo by Presley Vanover

Director Harold Yankey explains the show to parents. Photo by Presley Vanover

Senior Connor Bickel and sophomore Dane Rudolph discuss the performance afterwards. Photo by Presley Vanover