March_2014 - Tempe Preparatory Academy
Transcription
March_2014 - Tempe Preparatory Academy
Vol. IV No. 6 - Mon., March. 24, 2014 DE EQUITIBUS INSIDE Music Regionals inspire participants. Page 3 Track season puts spotlight on individuals. Page 5 Cast working hard to make musical comedy memorable By PJ Carmody There you are, standing on the stage, as the piano plays the introduction to your song. You understand that messing this up could mean someone else gets the part as you begin to sing. Many students experienced this exact anxiety weeks ago as Tempe Prep’s musical returned for another year. Auditions occurred in January following an audition workshop teaching students the ins and outs of auditioning. A few lead roles were given to Christopher Moffitt (Frederick), Tiffanie Cappello Lee (Mabel), Michael Benson (Pirate King), Connor Will (Major General Stanley), Aubri Stough (Ruth), and Grace Brittain (Chief of Police). Yes, it’s The Pirates of Penzance. The drama teacher, Mr. Sanderson, directs it during his first year at TPA. It takes a lot of effort to put together such a production. Rehearsals began seven weeks ago, and the cast dove directly into learning two long acts of music. Since The Pirates of Penzance is an operetta, it’s about 80 percent song. Music teacher Mrs. Wilkison has been leading the cast through the challenging pieces of the music. She says, “The music is very comical, as are the words. Generally the harmonies are classical, even though it’s the height of the romantic period.” Sophie Kniaz plays the role of one of the The Pirates of Penzance performance times: April 10-12 at 7 p.m. April 13 at 3 p.m. Major General’s daughters. She says the most challenging thing about the play is “deciphering the music — it’s from the 1880s.” The first two weeks were spent simply learning the music. “It’s not easy,” Mrs. Wilkison says, and Mr. Sanderson along with many cast members agree. Aubri Stough says, “It is hard to hit the higher notes that are almost out of my range.” The musical is a comedy, however, and Mr. Sanderson says the music supports this notion. “I can’t say I enjoy getting the songs stuck in my head,” says stage manager Sarah Faulkner. Mrs. Wilkison describes the progress made by the cast musically as a path leading to where they must be by the time of the performance: “It may seem we haven’t gotten as far as we need, but we have.” Overall, Mr. Sanderson is also very assuring: “People learning this music study voice in grad school for years. I’m very impressed at how well the students are able to perform it.” By three weeks through rehearsals, Mr. Sanderson began the stage work with the cast members, who was still struggling to memorize the music. He reveals that the biggest thing that distinguishes the acting in The Pirates of Penzance from other musicals is “the comedy. It’s very funny. It’s a good time to be had by all.” It can be difficult “keeping up with Mr. Sanderson,” says Sarah Faulkner. Memorizing multiple stage actions can become difficult, especially because “in musicals, it makes it harder to speak at the same time,” says Aubri Stough. She is the dance manager, meaning she plans and teaches the choreography for the musical. She carried the job from last year’s The Sound of Music to this year’s production. She enjoys this job because she loves helping people. Additionally, there is the fight choreographer, Mr. Bolt. He plans all of the fight scenes and teaches the cast how to make it look as realistic as possible. Through all of this commotion, however, students still seem to enjoy the hours spent rehearsing on the stage. “Being a lead [role] has been great because I’m able to lead others,” says Aubri (Ruth). Next up is the musical’s artwork and set. The Art Club’s job is to make the Zelman Center look, as Kayla Scott explains, as much like a “seascape” as possible. Continued on Page 4 2 Top junior high spellers offer tips on mastering difficult words By Emily Gregg Azimuth. Netiquette. Occipital. Could you spell those words off the top of your head? How about stöllen, bourgeois, or chauvinism? Some might not know how to say these words and may even doubt their existence in the dictionary. They are real words, from junior high spelling bee lists. Having experience competing in both the school and regional spelling bees, I set out to find the best ways to remember correct spellings. When competing in the bee, you are allowed to ask five questions about the word: the definition, the language of origin, the part of speech, an alternate pronunciation, and if it can be used in a sentence. I know that if you ask these things the answers will give you clues on how to spell the word. High school students have had years of experience writing. Luke Reboulet and many other seniors say that they look at the root of the word, and the definition. Kate Coriell and Maggie Drury (also seniors) suggest finding the correct pronunciation of the word and learning how to use it in context. What do junior high students say? Sofia Hidalgo remembers words from funny links with the pronunciation. “A three-year-old told me that he had serious ‘busy-ness’ to attend to in the bathroom, and that is how I remember business,” she said. Another student, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “I just study at the last minute.” In my opinion, this method is not recommended. You could always take my advice, the advice of a champion: bug your parents to help you study by saying the words correctly lest you look like an idiot asking for an alternate pronunciation. You can also check out these websites as studying tools: spellingcity. com, myspellit.com, and spelling bee.com. De Equitibus www.DeEquitibus.com Co-Editors in Chief Claire Newfeld, Rachel Neglia Sports Editor Alexander Agadjanian Features Editor Chris Moffitt Education Editor Billie Nagy Junior Academy Editor Sammy Nagy Staff Writers Sarah Faulkner, Francesca De Luca, Tiffanie Cappello Lee, Nina Lin, Sarah Buchert, PJ Carmody, Emma Moriarty, Mya Caldwell Escribens, Emily Gregg, Frances Caldwell Advisor Bob Schuster [email protected] The De Equitibus staff meets every Friday morning at 7:30 in Room 503. Anyone interested in participating is invited to attend. Published by and for Tempe Preparatory Academies Tempe, Arizona Front, from left: Emily Gregg (7A and TPJA Champion), Max Terrell (6A), Ehsa Murray (6C). Back, from left: Alex Wait (7B), Bryce Klassen (7C), Rachel Dietz (8B), Trevor Kerber (8C). Not shown: Lindsay Newfeld (8A), Elijah Garside (6B) Preview college classes at OpenCourseWare By Billie Nagy If you have ever wondered about what it would be like to take a certain course at your favorite college, or if you want to learn more about a subject or major in general, then look no further than OpenCourseWare. OpenCourseWare (OCW) is a collection of course lessons created by universities that are made available online to sites like YouTube and Open Culture for the benefit of everyone. The OpenCourseWare movement started in 1999 at the University of Tuebingen in Germany. However, it really took off with the launch of Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s OpenCourseWare in 2002. After MIT got on board with the project, a multitude of other universities such as Stanford, UC Berkeley, and Yale did as well. MIT’s reasoning behind OCW was to “enhance human learning worldwide by the availability of a web of knowledge.” MIT also stated that it would allow students to become better prepared for classes so that they may be more engaged. All in all, it is essentially getting a small scale education from the nation’s highest colleges and universities - all for free. Besides YouTube, there is an amazing website called “Open Culture” (www.openculture. com) that most students have not heard about, but should definitely know about. Besides many other things, the site has almost 900 free online OpenCourseWare courses to choose from and watch, in almost every subject you can think of, stretching from large, popular, and general topics such as business, economics, and history, to very small and specific courses you might not have even heard about such as Anthropology of the South Pacific. If you have some time, or are curious about different subjects, I would highly recommend checking out this neat and interesting site! Tempe Prep students Maryclare Mooney, left, and Megha Thathi made a presentation in Spanish last month at the ASU Foreign Language Fair. They were among a number of TPA juniors and seniors who participated in the fair. To see more photos and videos of TPA’s performance at ASU, visit tpaspanishclub.blogpot.com Photo courtesy of Sr. Cardoso 3 Taking part in choir, orchestra Regionals is unforgettable experience By Chris Moffitt When the top musicians of the region are gathered together in one group, in one building, for one performance, the music that is made is absolutely unbelievable. I had the recent privilege of being part of the Regionals experience along with several other talented TPA students. Of those who made the Regionals Choir, TPA had Nasrynn Chowdhurry, Tiffanie Cappello Lee, Christopher Moffitt, Anthony Giandiletti (sophomores), and TJ Smith, and Andrew Stough (seniors). TPA also had several students which made the Regional Orchestra: Josephine Fisher (freshman), Dominic Amorose (junior), and Thomas Menefee (senior). In total, our small and humble Tempe Prep saw nine of its students qualify to perform with the best musicians in our region. To make it to this level, students have to go through a rigorous audition process where they compete with students from every other high school in the region. This process includes both sight reading and performing a prepared solo. This requires much talent and preparation. “To prepare, I drill on sight-singing as much as I can,” says Nasrynn Chowdhurry. “Although the solo is the less stressful part, I still prepare the song a few months prior to the audition.” Dominic Amorose, on the other hand, practices “a half hour, five days a week” in order to prepare. As one can see, making Regionals is not an easy accomplishment. Front, from left: Josephine Fisher, Tiffanie Cappello Lee, Nasrynn Chowdhury, TJ Smith. Back, from left: Dr. Wolfe, Thomas Menefee, Andrew Stough, Christopher Moffitt, Anthony Giandiletti. Dominic Amorose, Mrs. Wilkison. The work definitely pays off once the musician successfully makes it into the Regionals experience. Regionals provides “a fun experience where you are able to meet interesting and talented people outside of school,” says Dominic. For Nasyrnn, “The main reason the Regional choir experience is so fun is because Fry’s Rewards pack benefits for TPA By Mya Caldwell Escribens This year, TPA will do the Fry’s Community Rewards Program as they have done in past years. The big difference this year will be that the program will be linked to your Fry’s VIP card, which transfers an amount of your purchases toward your Tempe Preparatory Academy student’s account. This year my father volunteered to coordinate the program, and I asked him about what has changed in the program from years past. This program will benefit the families of TPA because it will offset the fees that the families have to pay for extracurricular and campus activities. Soon the Parent Teachers Organization will be having a meeting inviting all TPA families and providing the opportunity for them to find out about the new Fry’s Community Rewards Program. This will give all the families of students attending TPA an opportunity to have their questions answered, and learn more about the program. This is an excellent chance for the families of TPA to not only help their students that are attending TPA but to also contribute to the programs of the school. Families that would like to set up a Fry’s Community Rewards Program account need to have an email account in order to get started. Specific instructions will be provided to families that attend the upcoming PTO event. If you would like to offset some of the expenses that you incur as a part of this great TPA community, we encourage you to have your parents attend. All of us are fortunate to be a part of such an excellent tradition and history here at TPA, so do your part. Make sure that your family attends this vital PTO event in the near future. If you have questions you can contact Allen Caldwell at: [email protected] or Jill Myrick at: [email protected]. everyone in the choir is there for one reason: to have fun doing what we love to do.” For me, the best aspect of Regionals is creating as musicians such a wholesome, pure, and beautiful sound, and knowing that I am contributing to that music. It is one of the best feelings I have ever felt. Pursuing scholarships can be well worth the extra effort By Sarah Faulkner Colleges and financial support are often dark, bothersome topics students like to avoid. While scholarships sound fantastic, the application process and the essays are annoying. In fact, only $3 billion to $4 billion are put into scholarships, out of the $180 billion for college funding each year. It sounds like a lot of money, but there are millions of college students, and the cash goes away fast. So it is best to apply for scholarships quickly. However, there are scholarships that offer more than money. For example, the TW Lewis Scholarship is a “local real estate developer that offers $5,000 a year to attend Barrett Honors College at ASU,” says Mrs. Moffitt. Only ten local students are selected and are worked with throughout their entire college career. Another example is the Flinn Scholarship. It offers to cover nearly all of the tuition, to pay for a three-week seminar after freshman year, and funding for at least one more international study-travel experience and further professional development. This scholarship is offered for the Arizona schools — ASU, NAU and U of A — and is valued to be about $100,000. Scholarships can offer more than just money, and those that do are the ones to go after. As Mrs. Moffitt says, “Even if the scholarship offers $50, your parents will be so proud and will be boasting about it to their friends.” 4 Honor Society members enjoy putting in extra hours of community service By Claire Newfeld High school students at Tempe Prep must complete a minimum of ten community service hours per year in order to graduate. National Honor Society members must complete a minimum of 15 hours per semester. TPA students participate in several interesting, fun, and valuable service projects in order to fulfill these requirements. One of the most popular service activities is Feed My Starving Children. FMSC is a “non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God’s children hungry Christine Scarpati, chief executive officer of the in body and spirit.” Tempe Prep students have the opportunity to Child Crisis Center, looks over the board of volunvisit the premises about once a teers, who work with children from troubled homes. month and package meals specifically designed for malnourished Several TPA students who volunteer get children, which are then sent to almost 70 to work directly with the children. This countries around the world. activity is not for the faint of heart. As Kate NHS members hold several annual Coriell, senior, said at the NHS Induction fundraisers for this organization, such as Ceremony, “Have you ever played tag with Feathers For Food at Thanksgiving and a 5-year-old? They cheat!” But of course, the Krispy Kreme Donut Fundraiser at knowing that you are making such a posiValentine’s Day. tive impact on these kids’ lives just by playSarah Faulkner, ing with them makes it junior, said of her all worth it. “Feed My Starving experience, “FMSC NHS members will was not what I had exalso have the opporChildren was not what I pected. I had thought tunity to participate that it would be more expected... The air was in events on March 19 of an assembly line and 26 from 6-7 p.m. giddy and the chatter and squeaky clean and fast. to conduct science It was fast and clean, incessant. It was a lot of experiments and play but more of a giant basketball with chilgarage-like area. There fun.” dren at the Center. For were stations with six more information and or seven people, pourto sign up, go to your Dashboard on x2Vol. ing food into bags, weighing the bags to Josh (junior) and Marisa (sophomore) make sure that it was between 380 and 400 Putrasahan participate in a unique service grams, and putting the bags into boxes. activity at Esperanza Para Los Ninos, an It was loud and competitive. The air was orphanage in Puerto Penasco, or Rocky giddy and the chatter incessant. It was a lot Point. “We go down as a family with some of fun, though, and I’m definitely doing it other dentists to do dental work on the again.” kids and adults there. Normally, they Feed My Starving Children is located at wouldn’t get proper or safe dental work 7965 S. Priest Dr. #106, Tempe AZ 85284. done, or maybe even none at all,” says Josh. The next Tempe Prep-scheduled event is “We’ve also raised clothing and food donaon May 16 from 8-9:30 p.m., but students tions for them occasionally. Four years ago can schedule individual volunteer visits. we actually had a clothing drive at TPA for Another popular organization is the Esperanza.” Child Crisis Center, which serves to preClearly, many Tempe Prep students vent child abuse and neglect. They pursue choose to contribute well over the minithis by “supporting and strengthening mum 10 hours required to graduate. families through education and intervenEven those who only do about 10 hours tion by providing a safe environment for participate in activities that make such a children to heal, and by recruiting, trainstrong impact on our community and the ing and supporting foster and adoptive world. TPA students show how dedicated families.” Volunteers must make a one-year they are to service, and just how much of a commitment and work a two-hour shift difference a single high school student can each week. make. Youth Town Hall participants address issues that affect teens By Tiffanie Cappello Lee Every year, students from all different high schools come together to solve problems that plague teenagers. Whether it be the issue of teen pregnancy or lack of enthusiasm for volunteerism, Youth Town Hall covers it. On Feb. 19, a small group of Tempe Prep students skipped school, and possibly a few tests, to attend this meeting to propose solutions for the following topics: “Teen Health and Wellness” “LGTBQ Discrimination” and “Teen Stress and Depression.” Each student is placed into one group that will discuss a certain topic. Sophie Kniaz, a sophomore who attended, said that “the small groups were convenient because we could bounce ideas off each other.” Every year the recommendations that are proposed from groups in Youth Town Hall are presented to the Tempe Mayor and City Council and to the school boards. And yes, some of these suggestions do become implemented into Tempe high schools. Thought and organization go into planning one of these Youth Town Halls. Everything from the setting up of tables and chairs to facilitating the discussions is accomplished by high school students. So if you are interested in making a good impact in your school, or are just interested in having a solid college application, consider participating in Youth Town Hall next year. ‘Pirates’ prepare musical Continued from Page 1 The art teacher, Mr. Chapin, leads the Art Club and Kayla is his assistant. “Last week, we designed a blueprint. It’s like the audience is in the ocean,” Kayla adds. Sixth grader Natsuki Saballos says: “I wanted become in the cast of the play, but I wasn’t able to. I became a member of the art club to help with the set. It’s been a great opportunity to see how to act. I hope to get a role in the play next year.” There are so many aspects that go into creating this production. Rehearsal is every day after school, and though only certain people are required to attend depending on the day, it can become difficult to schedule around it. Rehearsals are spent reviewing music and action on the stage while Mr. Maza or the Art Club occasionally work around the cast. From the perspective of a pirate myself, rehearsals can seem lengthy. However, I along with the rest of the cast enjoy our roles in the musical. 5 Varsity track season shifts spotlight to individual performance John Paul Beguhl and Rebecca Knebelsberger perfect their form on the hurdles as assistant Coach Rust looks on. By Nina Lin and Francesca De Luca The varsity track and field season has begun! There are substantially more novice competitors compared to last year, but according to assistant Coach Hickernell, this season will be as great as the last. “The team will have fun, and when they have fun, they work harder,” explains Coach Hickernell. The most recent meets included one on March 5, where they were not scored as a team. There were only three teams: McClintock, Tempe Prep, and Notre Dame Prep. Tempe Prep also had a meet on March 7 at Queen Creek, where it competed against 15 to 20 different teams. The track team usually has a meet once a week. The benefits of doing track include community, discipline, fitness, fun, and teamwork. It might still be possible to join Track and Field - just visit the athletic office. Let’s go Knights! Junior Academy fields impressive array of track competitors By Emma Moriarty and Frances Caldwell The words “I open at the close” can apply to many things. Though in this case, they apply to the beginning of another running season - that is, with the closing of junior high cross country, junior high track opens. Yet again the question as to why the students participate in this activity rises up. Catie Morales in 6c says, “I really just wanted to try something new! I’m looking forward to getting stronger throughout the season. I feel that running is good for your system.” When asked what their favorite thing about track is or what the easiest event is, each athlete had a different answer. Spencer Will, 7b, is looking forward to “racing against other teams, and competing in the championship meet will probably be my highlights of the season ... I want to improve on my overall running time and performance.” When asked what the easiest event is, Sofia Hidalgo says, “The mile is one of the most difficult because you have to focus on pacing yourself the whole time. Running the relay is also very demanding because all of your teammates are depending on you.” This shows how much the team is required to push themselves, and only by doing that may they improve. Along with all of the things the track team is looking forward to, there are other exciting memories from previous years of exhaustion and suffering — uh, I mean running. Gaby Urias, 8b, says, “Competing against other schools inspired me to push myself even further. Running the relay Long jumpers Ashley Troglia and Michael Toomb go airborne. was also a past highlight because there is a great sense of team spirit during the event.” They were also asked why they decided to participate in track. Emily Bergin responded, “Because I love the sport, including the long jump. It’s good to get your energy out especially after school.” Charlotte McIntosh commented, “Because I really like to run, and thought it would be fun.” Another great part of track is the coaches, with Gaby Urias as assistant coach. Upon arriving to a track practice, I found Gaby shouting words of encouragement to the young athletes. She yelled: ”I expect everyone to give 100 percent effort! Always do your best. Whatever you do, always give 100 percent - unless you’re donating blood...” These words are not only inspiring, but also very true. The girls are having a good time participating on the track team, and invite you to join the team in the fall. When asked how she felt between sprints, Izzy Werner, 8b, replies,” How do you think I feel? I feel like death.” After the practice ended Izzy stated that she “loves running and can’t wait to come to the next practice!” Izzy has successfully summed up most peoples’ thoughts on running. 6 Strong men’s basketball season ends short of goal By Alexander Agadjanian The Tempe Prep men’s basketball team lost in the quarterfinals of the Division IV state tournament, marking the final game for a senior class that spearheaded the program’s most successful years. Seeded as the 12th best team in the state tournament, Tempe Prep faced 21-seed Valley Union in its opening playoff game. While the Knights held an advantage for most of the contest, they did not reach a comfortable lead until the second half, where it grew to double-digits, eventually keying a 53-31 victory. Valley Union’s tight zone defense created difficulties for TPA at first, but as a result of running at their opponents more in the second half, the Knights started to convert more shots. In order to cope with the change of pace, Valley Union defenders were forced to come out and guard Tempe Prep shooters more frequently, and thus played out of their usual defensive scheme. Having disrupted their opponents’ defensive plan, the Knights would take advantage and add 15 more points to their lead. Senior point guard Luke Sandoval noted that although “there were too many turnovers,” the opening game against Valley Union “helped us get focused for our game against St. Gregory,” the team the Knights would face as they progressed into the second round. “I could not be more proud of this team and how hard they played this season.” —Coach Lambros The matchup against 5-seed St. Gregory posed some similarities to the previous game for TPA: In addition to encountering another zone defense, the Knights would also have to make several in-game adjustments due to unfamiliarity with the opposition, a challenge that often surfaces in the state playoffs that features a wide array of squads that might not have played before in the regular season. Tempe Prep got off to a blazing start in the game, as shots fell easily to begin, leading to a 20-8 advantage by the end of the first-quarter. Though St. Gregory trimmed the lead to eight by halftime, and even got within two points in the third-quarter, TPA eventually sealed a 59-47 victory with a dominant final quarter of play. Coach Lambros was particularly amazed at how balanced the scoring was in his team’s second round victory, as four different players reached double-digits and another had eight points. “[It] truly goes back to not having any one superstar on the team, but five, and those five playing together.” Coach Lambros also noted the Knights’ very efficient free throw shooting (14-17) during the game; what once was perceived as a liability and even the cause behind losses during the season was now a part of the game that Coach Lambros felt confident about. But that was as far as the Knights would advance in the tournament, as a 58-36 quarterfinal defeat at the hands of Desert Christian concluded the 2013-14 season. The devastating loss could be best described as a tale of two halves: While Tempe Prep shot out to a 28-27 lead by halftime, it came out flat in Ryan Van Dusen hoists up a shot during the Knights’ first-round the second half, victory over Valley Union. getting outscored 31-8. Senior Ryan Van was the main cause of our defeat. Desert Dusen believed that his team “started out Christian did not do anything spectacular the contest with plenty of energy but posor especially well but they were a balanced sibly too much energy. We were confident team which easily took advantage of an in our ability to play with our opponent, unbalanced day for us as far as our emoyet each player put too much pressure on tions, playing style, and rhythm were out themselves to make plays.” of sync.” Concerning his team’s performance in the Although the Knights could not replicate second half, Coach Lambros said, “It was their 2013 tournament success, Coach if we were running in mud. It was not for Lambros says he “could not be more proud lack of effort or desire or for lack of shootof [his] team and how hard they played ing; we just could not get anything to drop this season,” and feels that “all is not lost. through the basket.” Tempe Prep’s basketball program is on the Van Dusen also remarked that it simply rise. Our Froshmore and JV teams had felt like an off day for the team, and added great seasons and we have a great foundathat “our failure to adjust and face the fact tion laid for future years.” that we were out of sync and had to adapt 7 Point guard Karly Vullo gets set to pass the ball in heavy traffic during the Knights’ first-round playoff victory over Pima. After rough start, Lady Knights conclude solid season in quarterfinals By Alexander Agadjanian After having reached the Division IV state finals in each of the two previous seasons, the Tempe Prep women’s basketball team bowed out in the quarterfinals of the 2014 state tournament. To commence the tourney, the 12thseeded Lady Knights won handily over Pima High School, the 21-seed, by a score of 52-20. Standout senior Camille Zimmerman led the way in the victory with an all-around superb performance, totaling 25 points, nine rebounds, five assists, eight steals and seven blocks. The subsequent matchup against Valley High School proved much more of a challenge, but dominant play by Zimmerman once again secured another tournament win. The Lady Knights emerged triumphant 59-50 over their opponents, as Zimmerman notched a double-double (38 points and 17 rebounds) and did much of her damage at the charity stripe: The Knights power forward Camille Zimmerman goes to the hoop during playoff action against Pima. senior converted an astounding 18 of 18 free throws. Yet the season — as well as Zimmerman’s illustrious Tempe Prep career — came to a halt in the quarterfinals, as eventual champions Gilbert Christian knocked the Lady Knights out of the tournament by a tally of 50-36. TPA fell behind early in the contest, going into halftime with a 10-point deficit. A spirited fourth-quarter comeback found the Lady Knights within five points late in the final quarter, but a 13-4 Gilbert Christian run thereafter sealed the loss. Zimmerman’s performance is often representative of her team’s, and such was the case in the final game of the season: Zimmerman only made 4 field goals on 29 attempts, and the Lady Knights shot a woeful 18 percent as a team. But Zimmerman affirmed that Tempe Prep’s poor play was not so much a result of overwhelming defense by Gilbert Christian. “We had a lot of open shots, we had a lot of good looks at the basket … It was just an off day.” Despite failing to make it past the quarterfinal round, Coach Calahan remained resolute in viewing the season as a very successful one. “Though we did not reach our goal of a state championship, we were very pleased with our advancement to the Elite Eight. With lots of sickness, nagging injuries and academic issues, we faced many obstacles along our journey.” Zimmerman echoed her coach’s sentiments, and pointed to a loss against Salt River High School that galvanized the team, after which it went 8-1 to close out the season. “We had a rough start to the season, but we definitely got better. I think our big turnaround point was our first Salt River game in January, which we did lose by one point, but that was one of the best games we saw everyone play so far. And then from there on, we started having a lot of people score in games and very highscoring games.” 8 Andrew Stough commits to play football at Arizona Christian By Alexander Agadjanian On every first Wednesday of February, high schools across the nation celebrate National Signing Day. A critical juncture in the college football offseason, this day features high school football players who sign binding letters of intent to play at the university level. As much as the event is promoted throughout the country, it usually passes without a trace on the Tempe Prep campus. Yet on Feb. 5 — 2014’s edition of signing day — senior Andrew Stough signed a letter of intent to play football at Arizona Christian University. Stough first became a starter on the Knights football team halfway through his sophomore season, playing on the offensive line. Since then, he started every game in the remainder of his career, as well as played on the defensive line as he progressed into his upperclassman years. During his time with the TPA football program, his coach, Mr. Brittain, described him as a “leader amongst his peers” who possessed a “tireless work ethic in the weight room.” Stough will now step into a unique situation, as the Arizona Christian football program begins its inaugural season in the fall of 2014. Though he was first contacted by ACU as a prospective student, Stough really began to consider the school when asked if he would be interested in playing football there. After meeting his potential future coaches and visiting the school TPA senior Andrew Stough signs letter of intent to play football at Arizona Christian University as ACU officials and the team mascot look on. campus, Stough finally decided to commit on National Signing Day, signing a letter of intent that would include a $2,000 scholarship. While he still needs to work out the financial aspect of attending ACU, Stough says he “[looks] forward to just playing again, being on the field with [teammates], and playing with other people.” He will become only the seventh player from Tempe Prep football to go on and play at the college level. Coach Brittain adds that “his goal has been to play college football for the last few years and through his hard work, dedication and God-given size, his dream is about to become a reality.” Improved varsity golf team swings into action; junior high team also practicing By Francesca De Luca and Nina Lin High school golf has begun! The team, according to Coach Thurston, is “doing better than last year and improving.” They have not competed in any golf tournaments so far this season. The team practices Monday through Thursday for two hours per practice at Ken McDonald Golf Course. The leaders on the team are Christian David, a junior, and James David, a freshman. The other members of the team are Jacob Massey, freshman, Carter Marshall, sophomore, Jose Urias, sophomore, Hayden Powers, junior, and our newest member, Mary Goodykoontz, a sophomore. Mr. Thurston is coaching the high school golf team because he loves to play golf and has played since he was fourteen. He expects at least three people to go to state to represent Tempe Prep, although he hopes that the whole team can qualify. If you are interested in golf it is not too late to join. Go to the athletic office for more information. If you are a junior high student, you don’t have to wait until high school to play — just ask about the junior high golf team. Varsity leader Christian David, left, tees off during practice at Ken McDonald Golf Course in Tempe.
Similar documents
September_2014 - Tempe Preparatory Academy
•Delve into the archives and see who was making news in past editions •Stay current with breaking news before it appears in the print edition
More information