What’s recently happened?
The Kouts High School (KHS) Track and Field Invite was last Saturday, April 30. The KHS Mustangs and Fillies hosted 7 other schools.
The Fillies were able to defend their championship from the 2021-2022 season totaling 173.5 points.
The Mustangs also did well for themselves finishing fourth out of the eight participating teams.
Ella Patterson claimed victories in the 100 and 300 hurdles. Her time of 15.85 in the 100 hurdles broke the meet record.
Jenna Twedt also claimed 2 victories on the day winning both the 800 and 1600.
The Fillies also placed first in the 400 relay and 1600 relay. The 400 relay team members were Desiree Hall, Patterson, Lindsey Kobza, and Taylor Moyer. The members of the 1600 relay were Cassidy Ryan, Kassidy Gregory, Moyer, and Twedt.
Second place finishers included shot and discus, the Fillies 4X800 relay team of Anyssa Heinold, Emily Gurekovich, Gregory, and Twedt, Hall in the 100 and 300 hurdles, Ryan Fox in the 200, Heinold in the 3200, the Mustangs 4X400 relay team, Patterson in long jump, Michayla Porter in the high jump, and David Heinold in the pole vault.
"Don't be overshadowed by the winners, each team member played an important role in the team's success this weekend,” said the KHS athletic department.
KHS would also like to thank everyone that came and worked at the meet to support the athletes.
What's coming up?
The end of the 2021-2022 school year is quickly approaching! After this weekend, there will be only two full weeks and two days left before summer vacation, which is a total of 12 school days and 17 days in total.
Then, it will be time to say goodbye to the senior class of 2022 as they walk across the stage on June 2. While it is sad to have to say goodbye, it is important to remember that they are going to do great things and follow their dreams.
Many memories have been made this year. From the introduction of Mustang Mondays and Fillie Fridays, to PIE day, where staff members were pied in the face, great concerts, fantastic sportsmanship throughout all the athletic events. Plus, just the simple everyday feeling of a great community that can be felt from the gymnasium to the smallest of closets.
Students at KHS are looking forward to the beginning of summer, but there is so little time and so much to do before it all ends on August 10, when the 2022-2023 school year begins.
Staff Spotlight:
The end of the school year marks the third year of Caitlyn Coller’s teaching career. Coller teaches general music to 6th graders, directs middle school band, high school band, high school choir, jazz band, pep band, and the KHS show choir, Kouts Singers.
Music has been a part of Coller’s academic life since she was in high school.
“I was in band and my band directors were super awesome. They not only encouraged me to be a band director like they knew I wanted to. They gave me every opportunity they could to explore music,” she said.
But music always had its place in Coller’s life.
“I grew up teaching myself piano, guitar, and drums. I was in an orchestra in elementary school and played violin. Band happened in middle school where I started playing the clarinet. I was very much the band kid,” she said.
It was actually in elementary school because of her elementary school teachers that Coller decided that being a teacher was right for her.
“I really love the chance to create music every single day. I think that’s my favorite part is that I get to do what I love every single day and create beautiful things every single day. I love getting to see you guys grow. Not only as musicians but as people,” she said.
That must be why her students love her so much because they were given a chance to grow with their teacher.
Student Spotlight:
Starr Hensley is currently finishing out her junior year. In her opinion, the year came and went so quickly that it doesn’t seem possible the end is nearly here.
“It’s hard to believe, to be honest. It went by super fast! Sophmore year was a lot slower,” Hensley said.
This year Hensley was a part of the color guard team where she found some new friends which she said was one of her favorite parts of the year.
“I think it was a super positive experience for me, I love being part of a team. I’m definitely going to do it next year,” Hensley said.
The biggest thing that Hensley learned this year is the importance of asking for help when needed. She said this took them a long time to learn. If she were to give advice to the incoming freshman she would say:
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I caused myself a whole lot of trouble by not asking for help, once I finally did things got a lot easier,” Hensley said.
Hensley is optimistically looking ahead to her senior year in the upcoming fall and her bright future which lies ahead of her.
“I’m pretty nervous but also excited. It’s a fresh, clean slate. Fixing my mistakes from the previous years will be hard, but I think it’ll be alright!” Hensley said.
While she isn’t completely sure what she plans to do after high school, she is looking forward to being out in the world on her own in college after graduating.
She would like to thank her English teacher, Carol Flanigan, but also wants to make sure all of her teachers recieve thanks for the work they do throughout the year.
“My other teachers deserve thanks too!” Hensley said.
This sentiment comes just in time for teacher appreciation week where teachers all over are being thanked for all the hard work that they do every day.