What’s recently happened?
The John Adams High School Eagles have successfully swept away the crowd in their outstanding strive and diligence in their sports.
The John Adams Track and Field team took home the first place trophy in their city meet. Battling against over three different schools, many John Adams students finished their individual races as city champions as well.
Senior Angel Thomas, a dedicated track runner since freshman year, finished in first place in both her 100m dash and 200m dash. Senior Kayla Douglas finished first in high jump with a height of 5’0”. Additionally, Senior Bol Agwick finished first in the 3200m run, 1600m run and the 800m run.
On April 14, the Spanish Club and Spanish Honor Society hosted their annual Latin dance, Sabor Latino. The three hour event consisted of dancing and traditional Hispanic music such as salsa, merengue, bachata and cumbia.
“The dancing was incredible; it’s definitely not something I would’ve tried learning on my own. I also met Joel Paniagua there, so it’s dope,” Senior Charlie Barron said.
What’s coming up?
On May 12, the senior class student government will put on the annual dance, prom. Happening at the Century Center, this year's theme is “Enchanted Gardens.” Going from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., great fun will be produced with a live DJ and fun music.
“It’s going to be fire,” said Junior Kali Yazel.
“Planning for prom was the most stressful thing, but I am very pumped,” added Junior Katie Wagnor.
The Senior Honors Assembly will be held May 22 and will honor and recognize all the seniors individual scholarship accomplishments as well as academic accomplishments.
On June 1, the seniors will partake in their graduation ceremony practice followed by a senior cookout in the student parking lot. The cookout will include food, friends and games to end the year off light.
Staff spotlight:
Teacher Jamie Rayburn is the pride and joy of the International Baccalaureate (IB) math department. Teaching for four years in total, they teach both IB Math and Geometry.
“Adams was the second place I interviewed at. Megan Twietmeyer was also a teacher I observed, and I loved the environment and diversity of the school. I like the demographic of students at John Adams over other suburban schools,” Rayburn said.
Being homeschooled for all their life, Rayburn went to Bethel University in Mishawaka, IN to study math education. Though in the beginning choosing elementary education with a focus in math, they chose to switch to high school due to the deeper connection with the students as a whole.
“You can never really have a conversation with younger students. Not that that's bad, but high school students are easier to talk and chat with not only about math but about life,” Rayburn said.
Their favorite thing about being homeschooled was the freedom of taking their own time on assignments. They noted that starting university was jarring, living with over 50 other girls, working under others’ deadlines and learning new rhythms of schooling.
Through their four years at John Adams, their goals have always been simple throughout. Being homeschooled, they wanted to ensure students were able to love and enjoy math even though it's not always an enjoyable class.
“My goal is to ensure students understand the purpose of math even though it might not be a class they love,” Rayburn said.
Inspiring words Rayburn would leave with students are two-fold, both about life and about math. In life, they advise students to know that sometimes adults do not always know what they're doing.
“Work on yourself, find your own rhythm, and do what makes you happy,” Rayburn said.
Student spotlight:
Senior Angel Thomas is a star factor in the John Adams Girls Track team. Attending John Adams for all four years, she is a part of the Human Services Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.
The main two clubs Thomas has been a part of during her high school career are L.O.V.E and the African Student Association (ASA). Thomas noted her main reason in joining L.O.V.E. was because it felt like a safe space to connect with others.
“I was influenced to join L.O.V.E. freshman year because it is an all-girls club,” Thomas said.
The ASA group being founded and established by a close friend, Thomas wanted to show her support as a member of the African American community. Additionally, Thomas’ love and dedication to track is something she notes as influencing her mental, physical, and future self.
“Track has impacted and influenced me beyond measure. It has strengthened my mental health and drive to create goals and actually achieve them,” Thomas said.
Goals that Thomas has accomplished while at John Adams have been breaking the women's 100 meter dash record of 11.91 seconds as well as the 60 meter dash of 7.62 seconds. Thomas was also awarded as the first individual champion in the indoor track state competition.
“To the underclassmen that I run with, I hope to show them that, through hard work and time, champions are made.” Thomas said.
The connections and bonds Thomas has made throughout the years through school and track are all ones she hopes to have left a mark on.
In the fall, Thomas will be attending Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN on a full Track and Field scholarship.