What’s recently happened?
As their season has ended, the New Prairie High School (NPHS) Marching Cougars look back with pride. NPHS’s marching band holds many responsibilities in the fall, such as playing at every home football game and playing through the halls to raise school spirit. However, the Cougars also participate in their own competitions.
Marching band competitions are long but entertaining days, ranging from 10-14 hours long. Competing against other schools’ bands and color guards, each band has a performance that ranges from 10-15 minutes long that tells a story through movement and music.
“While I love competing at competitions, over the past five years, I would say my favorite parts of band were creating friendships with people that I never thought I would become friends with. It has led to me meeting some of my best friends,” says Senior and Clarinet Section Leader Evan Lux.
NPHS offers the opportunity to join the marching band as early as a student’s eighth-grade year, meaning that many Marching Cougars have been a part of the group for five years. While band classes are offered during school, marching band also practices after school and is an extracurricular activity.
“It’s been amazing to see so many people, especially our eighth-grade marchers, come out of their shells throughout the season,” says MacKenzie Gall, five-year member and center marimba player.
Drum Major Kodie Wilhite has been a part of the marching band for five years and is an integral part of the team. A drum major is the leader of the band, almost like a captain, who helps the director when giving instructions as well as keeping the tempo for the musicians.
“When I heard that our band got first place for visuals and second overall at the Concord Invite, I was so happy,” says Wilhite.
Although the marching band season has ended, the NPHS Cougars can still look forward to hearing the bands at their annual concerts, as well as the Indoor Percussion Ensemble in the winter. For many, this was their last season, and while they will miss it dearly, they are excited to look back in years to come to see the new recruits for the NPHS Marching Cougars.
What’s coming up?
As NPHS is heading deeper into fall, the school gears up for its annual Trunk or Treat.
Trunk or Treat is a fun and safe way for children to trick-or-treat, going around to different cars and collecting candy from the people. Each year at NPHS, different clubs and sports teams are invited to bring their cars to the school’s parking lot decorated to hand out candy as well as wear fun costumes. This year, Trunk or Treat is being planned and organized by NPHS Key Club.
Kaylee Hoggard has been a part of participating in Trunk or Treat for many years as well as helping get the event planned and ready for the upcoming day.
“Preparation for Trunk or Treat requires a lot of organization. The date and time must get approved, the number of cars being provided must be counted, donations of candy are needed, and students find fun ways to decorate their trunks to make it more fun for the children,” says Hoggard.
While dressing up and handing out candy is fun for both the children and the high schoolers, another reason Trunk or Treat is so important is the help to the community it provides. Canned goods will be collected from the families that come to participate in the Trunk or Treat to donate to the local food pantries in New Carlisle.
“I think it is really important to have a fun way of interacting with the community but also giving back,” Aisling Zarate, a four-year member of Key Club, said.
NPHS Trunk or Treat is on Sunday, October 29 from 1 - 3 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) in the main high school parking lot. Entry is free for everyone, but attendees are asked to donate non-perishable food items.
Staff spotlight:
Kesley Russell has been the NPHS administrative assistant secretary for two years now and is not always recognized for all of her hard work. Russell holds many roles at the front desk of NPHS, from greeting everyone with a smile, whether it is an unfamiliar face to the school or the student aides that help the office every day, to answering the phone to find an answer to someone’s question.
As an alumnus of NPHS, Russell has been a Cougar her whole life.
“I grew up in New Carlisle, and I still live here too. I wanted to continue the tradition for my kids at this school,” says Russell.
Russell also works hard behind the scenes with the high school’s payroll, substitute teacher plans, graduation preparation, and assistance to Attendance Secretary Samantha Hackett, as well as updating most of the NPHS graphics and websites seen throughout the community and school.
“My favorite part about this job is my relationship with my students. I love this age because you can get to know them as they grow and can have more goofy and meaningful conversations with them,” says Russell.
While the job can be demanding and hard work, Russell is heavily appreciated in the school and loved by the students.
Student spotlight:
Brynn Smith is an NPHS senior who is very active in and out of school. Smith is a participant in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), the National Honor Society, the International Honor Society, and the Student Senate. Yet, Smith is most actively involved on the Girls Soccer team at NPHS.
As the captain of the varsity soccer team, Smith constantly strives to be better and work harder for her team. Smith plays goalie most often, although she sometimes plays striker. She has played all four years of high school and improved each year.
“My biggest accomplishment this past season was when we were playing Westville High School, and I was playing striker in the second half and earned a hat trick, which is where you make three goals,” says Smith.
Although the soccer season has come to an end, Smith ended her final season with her hard work paid off by receiving Player of the Match four times.
“I am very proud of my team this season as there was continuous determination and growth. I saw the hard work and effort put into each practice, and it truly paid off,” she said.
After high school, Smith plans on attending college to major in animal sciences with the goal to advance into a veterinary medicine program.
Smith’s soccer season may be over, but she has only started her senior year, and it’s off on an impressive foot.