Junior Taelor Adams lifts weights during her offseason in order to remain in shape. Photo by Maggie Siciliano.

Athletes cannot just show up to the first practice expecting to be good.  The best athletes do not just train during their own sport’s season, but they also train in the off season.

Athletes can train hardcore everyday, condition, go to the gym, work out a few days in the week, or do next to nothing when it comes to off season training.  Most athletes do a little bit of everything.

“I just keep up cardio endurance, running at least 3 days a week plus biking, or swimming.  And I try to weight lift twice a week as well,” freshman Brougan Brown said.

Brown trains for Cross Country in the fall, Indoor Track in the winter, and Tennis in the spring.

“I run and lift weights,” junior Brady Cockerham said.

Some have to train a little more specifically, though.

Senior Joey Glick does bench presses in order to remain fit both during football season and during the offseason. Photo by Maggie Sicilano.

“For basketball, during the summer, I will go somewhere just to shoot a little to get back into the rhythm.” freshman Matt Shifflett said.

Senior Scott Measell agreed with Shifflett’s style of training for basketball.

“I try to get in the gym and get lots of shots up,” Measell said.

Different sports always require different training, though.  Especially when the weather does little to help out.

“For golf, after the season I wait a month or two then go somewhere indoors and work on my swing, after the weather warms up, I will go back outside again.” Shifflett said.

The question is, does all this training really help?  Will practicing in the off season do anything to make you better during the actual season?
“It definitely helps.  It makes the conditioning easier when it comes time, and I recommend it for sure,” said Measell.

“I might start running a week or two before soccer [season], but the first couple weeks is half conditioning anyway, so you’ll be in shape when the season rolls around whether you do anything before or not.  That first couple of weeks will just be harder or easier depending on how much you work in the off season.” junior Evan Shank said.

Many athletes stay in shape by participating in sports other than their own. Photo by Maggie Siciliano.

Some students are so busy with sports, there is not even an off season.  Multiple sports keep athletes in shape year round.

“I definitely train in the off season because I don’t have an off season!  But the different sports help keep me in shape for the other sports,” sophomore Kerri Hofacker said.

Students agree that training is the way to go, especially if you want to be the best straight out of the gates.

“I think it helps you in the season to be in shape, so I would recommend it,” senior Lexi Vondrak said.

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Freshman Brougan Brown

Brougan Brown

Year: Freshman

Sports/Activity: Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Tennis

What she likes about the school: the people and the diversity

Her dislikes about the school: “I don’t even think about them [don’t really have any]”

Favorite Subject: English

Her story:  “I went to elementary school here, and went to one year of middle school, but when I was asked to ride horses for someone in Florida there was a lot of traveling back and forth.  I ended up being home schooled.  I competed, and became number one in the country in the 18 and under division for horseback riding, but I was burnt out.  That’s when I decided to stop the horseback riding, and [came back to public school].  ”

What surprised her about the school: “How accepting and nice everyone was.  And I had a lot of upperclassmen that took me under their wing, I can ask them anything, and that’s really comforting. ”

Sophomore Emma Peifer

Emma Peifer

Year: Sophomore

Sport/Activity: Swimming

Favorite Stroke: Breastsroke

What she likes about school: the social aspect

Her dislikes about school: homework

Favorite Subject: Art

Her Story: Peifer has been swimming since third grade, and last year she swam for the school swim team.  She considers one of her best accomplishments was dropping 3 seconds on her 50 meter butterfly in the Summer League Championships, she swam for Westover, after taking a week off.

Favorite thing about swim team: team dinners

Sophomore Eric Jackson

Eric Jackson

Year: sophomore

Sport/Activity: Key Club

What he likes about the school: the Mac computers

What he dislikes about the school: all the homework

Favorite Subject: Math

His story: Jackson  moved here this year, with his sister, from Richmond, Virginia.  He used to attend Lucille Brown High School and would like to get involved with Key Club at HHS.

Yearbook staff members wash a car at their September 4th fundraiser. They hoped to raise funds for a trip to Anaheim, CA. Photo by Ama Ansah

Today, September 4th, the HHS yearbook staff held their first ever fundraising car wash. At 9:00 am, staff members gathered at the Exxon gas station across from Costco, equipped with signs advertising their services.

The goal of the day was to raise money for their publication and trips, specifically a spring 2011 journalism convention in Anaheim, California.

“It was Talia Baltazar, our Editor-In-Chief’s idea. She thought it was a good team building concept along with raising money to go to L.A.,” Yearbook advisor Mary Strickler said.

Pre-pay tickets were sold at school for four dollars. If a student sold a ticket, the money went towards their trip. At the end of the day, the money was divided amongst the participating yearbook staff members.

Students stood along the side of the road, waving their signs whole others washed and rinsed dirty cars. Some yearbook staff members had been working since the morning, while others had worked in shifts.

“We didn’t’ think we would have that much business this morning because it was cold and it was so early.  But people started showing up and they’re calling their friends, so it’s been good,” junior Brian Chicas said.

Stricker inspected the students work. If she saw a missed spot or a streaked window, she made sure the students fixed it. The money was donations and she wanted to make sure the customers were getting the best job possible.

“We’ve met a lot of very nice people, a lot of out-of-staters who have never seen a car wash done by students.  We’ve had people stop by and just give us donations because they’re alumni or they just appreciate a child who’s willing to work,” Strickler said.

One man, who wished to go by John, said he was happy to let the students wash his car.

“I was going to get it washed anyway and thought it would be better to give it to an organization than a corporation,” John said.

The yearbook staff say they appreciate the Exxon station letting them do their fundraiser at their gas station, which is a heavily trafficked area.

“We’d like to thank Exxon for being very generous and letting us use their water. We hope we’ve brought in a lot of customers for gas,” Stricker said.

The yearbook has yet to determine if they will do another car wash.  It depends on how successful today was and how much interest there is for another one.

The HHS volleyball team spent much of their summer preparing for the season. They already have two more victories than last year. Photo by Maria Rose.

In 2009, the Harrisonburg High School varsity volleyball team could not catch a break. They went 0-19 for the season, not winning a single game. The team came close on many occasions, but never succeeded.

This year is different. HHS won their second volleyball game against East Rockingham High School. Sophomore Taylor Grogg says a season with no wins is tough and that she was frustrated but now is excited.

“Last year was horrible. It was my freshman year and we won 0 games. I am a really competitive person and I much rather win then lose,” Grogg said.

On September 2nd, the volleyball team had their second win of the season against Rockbridge High School. The team won in four games, with scores of 25-19, 16-25, 25-20, and 25-22.

“Last year was bad, but it taught the returning players to be mentally and physically tough. This year we are coming out with our motto, no more darn it!” junior Sarina Hartman said.

Former assistant principal Jeremy Knapp poses with secretaries on his last day of school. Photo by Maria Rose.

Assistant principal Jeremy Knapp was grilling steaks at roughly 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept 2nd, when a short phone conversation would turn his life around. He was phoning back a missed call, but the message awaiting him on the other end was pretty unexpected: “Would you accept a position as principal of JP King Middle School, in Franklin, Virginia?”

Knapp’s initial reaction was shock—“I just tried to catch my breath; I was completely caught off guard”. Mind whirling, he answered that he would simply have to call them back again later. He breathed. He waited. He called principal Irene Reynolds.

A few hours later, he accepted.

Knapp, who was beginning his fifth year in the Harrisonburg City Public School system this year, loved working with the faculty and student body. But while he was content with his current job, he also kept an eye out for any available positions as principal.

“It was time for me to move on,” Knapp said, on his acceptance of the new offer. “I wanted to also work as a principal, not just an assistant, and this was a good opportunity for me.”

Knapp first heard about the offer around the beginning of August, and started the initial

JP King Middle School located in Franklin, VA. Principal Jeremy Knapp will begin his tenure as principal there on Tuesday, September 7th. Photo courtesy of Franklin City Public Schools.

interview process three weeks ago. On Monday night, he was called back for a second interview. At this point, Knapp was tied in the running for the job with another person.

“It was so close that they didn’t even know who they wanted the day before they called me,” Knapp said. “I think part of what helped was the recommendation Mrs. Reynolds gave me, and I thank her. I think that gave me an edge.”

Reynolds was, in fact, the only person who knew about Knapp’s application prior to Thursday. Knapp, feeling superstitious, did not want to jinx anything.

“I just had it in my head that I didn’t want to tell too many people,” Knapp said.

When he finally did break the news to the school (first the faculty, in an email), it was difficult. He spent his impromptu last day on Thursday, September 2nd packing up (“It’s a mess in here,” he gestured around his office), and saying goodbyes.

“It’s hard,” Knapp said. “I’ve watched a lot of these kids grow. I’ve seen them off to a fantastic start, and I want to watch them continue throughout the year, but I can’t do that.”

This hasty departure has also prompted kids whom Knapp has not had much communication with to speak up. It is the students, Knapp said, who he will miss the most.

“I’ve had students I didn’t know I had an impact on come up to me and say they’re going to miss me, and thanking me for helping them,” Knapp said. “And I will miss the nursery. They’re my babies”—Knapp

grinned widely and continued—“It will be hard to not have that place to relax and see these mothers and their children growing in school and life.”

While there is still some hesitation in his decision (“There still is—there always is when you’re leaving something you love,”), Knapp is looking forward to working as principal in a new environment. JPKMS, three hours from Harrisonburg, has about 250 students total—a much smaller size than what he is used to.

However, he wanted to find a school that needed help, and Knapp felt that this was a place where he could put his experiences at HHS to use.

“Here, we’ve dealt with numerous personalities and cultures, and there, there isn’t that much diversity,” Knapp explained. “But I can carry that knowledge over and help other groups have a close connection and get more parental support with the small town community.”

For Knapp, it will be hard to leave a place where he has established so many close connections and relationships. He feels that he has created a strong support network within HHS, and one of the things he is most nervous about and most looking forward to is starting the process of getting to know people again.

“I’m scared to death,” Knapp said. “I’m nervous, but can’t wait to get to know a new group of students and teachers and work with them. I think I can do a very good job with that.”

Knapp will begin his second first day of school on Tuesday, which is JPKMS’ second day of school. Until then, he will be in and out of the HHS, finalizing papers and organizing different information. But even though Knapp has his own new school to think about, it does not make leaving HHS any easier.

“It will be hard to walk away from here, knowing this isn’t my school,” Knapp said. “It will be hard to just walk away.”

To the students of HHS, Knapp leaves one final goodbye.

“Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and best effort,” Knapp said. “Not all schools give their best, but in HHS, I know that you guys are always working hard. Thank you.”

And do not worry too much—he will be back for graduation.

Templeton prepares to swing. Photo by Jack Burden.

Freshman Kyle Templeton once cracked a man’s head open with a golf club.

“I was swinging a club one day, and hit my neighbor in the head with the club. It split his head open,” Templeton said.

Of course, this happened before the HHS number one seeded golfer gained the experience and skill that has propelled him from basically a beginning golfer to the number one seed for the high school golf team in just three years.

Templeton began playing golf at the age of seven with the help of his father. He played for about a year, then quit the game for three years. Three years later he picked up the game again, playing regular at Lakeview Golf Course under the guidance of golf instructor John Rodgers.

“I just wanted to do something different again,” Templeton said.

This past year, and summer especially, Templeton has been practicing for the high school season, playing in tournaments all over the state. He played in the First Citizen’s Junior Golf Tour, in which he was points leader, and the Lakeview Junior Tour with fellow HHS team member, freshman Matthew Shifflet.

“I’ve worked a pretty good amount, been working on my mental game a lot,” Templeton said.

HHS Golf team's #1 seed Kyle Templeton. Photo by Jack Burden.

Templeton, Shifflet, and sophomore Troupe Armentrout rotated at the first seed, but after posting a 69 at Heritage Oaks Golf Course (on a day that the team posted a combined score of 291), Templeton became the permanent first seed.

With his scoring average in the low seventies, last years individual district champion, Spotswood number one seed Robbie Failes, is in jeopardy of losing his title. In fact, until this season Failes had never individually come in second in a district match, but both Templeton and Armentrout have beaten him this season.

As for the District and Regional tournaments, Templeton is optimistic about the teams chances.

“I think we have a chance for the top three [at Regionals],” Templeton said.

However, if the entire team does not qualify for states, he would like to qualify as an individual.

“I’m going to work hard and get better before Regionals, so that I can shoot a good score and help my team out,” Templeton said.

When this season is over, Templeton plans on playing golf at least three to four times per week. However, he has baseball to look forward to in the spring, so he will not be able to practice as much then as he may like.

“I like golf better, baseball’s getting kind of old,” Templeton said.

When next summer rolls around, he plans on playing almost every day at Lakeview in preparation for next years golf season.

“I think [being one seed] is great for him, he’s getting a lot of good experience, and that will help him out throughout his high school golf career,” Armentrout said.

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A banner outside of Gov. Bob McDonnell's town hall urged him to support the DREAM Act.

Isabel Castillo graduated from Turner Ashby High School with a 4.0 grade point average. She graduated from Eastern Mennonite University magna cum laude with a degree in social work. As she told Governor Robert McDonnell her story at a town hall meeting on August 26th, he nodded and congratulated her for her achievements. Then, she dropped the bombshell: she is undocumented.

A hush fell over the room. As she choked back tears, she pleaded with the Governor to endorse the DREAM Act, a bill that would allow for undocumented immigrants who were brought into the country at a young age to continue their education and eventually become citizens.

“Why not give us the opportunity to give back to our communities?” Castillo asked McDonnell. “This is home to me. I’m an American.”

“I can’t, because what that does is to look the other way… The federal government has done a lousy job [addressing immigration] … I’m the governor of Virginia, and I have very little authority to enforce federal law,” McDonnell responded.

This exchange was the climax of a 5-hour protest against section 287 (g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. In pamphlets handed out at the protest, 287 (g) and similar immigration laws are referred to as a “hemorrhaging injustice in our society.”

“287 (g) is a contract between law enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security that would give them the power to stop anyone who looks ‘suspicious’ of being undocumented. It’s basically legal racial profiling,” Castillo said.

Supporters of the DREAM Act, or DREAMers as they are informally known, held signs, which they later raised as Castillo questioned McDonnell. Many wore shirts that read, “The dream is coming.” A small group participated in classes held on the grassy lawn just outside of the James Madison University Federal Conference and Student Center, where McDonnell was speaking. These classes were on a variety of topics such as pending legislation and civil rights.

“I at least hope [McDonnell] knows there are supporters [of his] who oppose this legislation here in Virginia,” Castillo said.

Castillo says that in addition to fighting for herself, she is fighting for other undocumented children in the area. HHS alumna Maria Martinez is among those whom Castillo cites as her motivation.

Last year, Martinez received a one-year deferment after being nearly deported. Like Castillo, she graduated from high school with honors and is now attending Eastern Mennonite University.

“At Blue Ridge [Community College], she was paying out-of-state tuition. She goes to EMU now and it’s private, so it’s all the same. She has multiple part time jobs to put herself through school. She has to help take care of her family. She signed up to be a Big Sister at Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She also volunteers at her church. She’s just an amazing person,” collaborating English teacher and Martinez’s mentor Sandy Mercer said.

Spanish teacher Phil Yutzy wasted no time characterizing Martinez as just that: “amazing.”

“[When I had her in class], she was very responsible. She always got her work done. She was helpful, involved and engaged in class. She participated. She was respectful and a great person to have around. She never put anyone off– all the other students liked her, too,” Yutzy said.

Indeed, Martinez was so involved in Yutzy’s Spanish for Native Speakers class that she began tutoring students in introductory level Spanish classes.

“She tutored in Spanish 2 and students all loved having her around. She was able to help them with their language learning. She is an amazing person,” Yutzy said.

Despite all this, Martinez’s one-year-deferment has expired and she is at risk of being deported again.

“Her one-year deferment from last year has expired so we’ve filed again and we’re waiting to hear back. We should find out in September,” Mercer said.

Mercer says she and Martinez are less worried about her deferral being granted than they were last year. The Obama administration has indicated they will not continue deportation proceedings against non-criminal immigrants.  While these immigrants are not being granted citizenship, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official told NBC News that they had “other, more pressing deportation priorities” than “a juvenile who spent the vast majority of their life here.”

Still, undocumented immigrants are subject to changes in the political environment. A shift in immigration policy could place their status at risk. Thus, DREAMers continue fighting in hopes of becoming United States citizens.

Castillo is perhaps their most ardent fighter. In July, she was arrested after staging a sit-in at Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) office.

“I was in Sen. Reid’s office and asking him to put it up for a vote. All of our protests, everything we do, is peaceful, but I was arrested,” Castillo said

Castillo says despite being arrested, Reid was more receptive to her message than McDonnell.

“[Reid] said he would put it up for a vote this year if he has the 60 votes for it to pass. He doesn’t want to fail all these kids, he doesn’t want to disappoint us. He does support it. Sen. Webb voted yes on the DREAM Act in 2007 and Warner says he will not co-sponsor, but he would vote yes if it is put up for a vote,” Castillo said.

“There are the kinds of people we want in our community,” Mercer said. “Passing the DREAM Act is a common sense solution and a win-win situation.”

Principal Irene Reynolds

The Reynolds Quiz contest will run from September 1st to 15th. After taking the quiz, register with your first name and last name and your score will be submitted to Newsstreak Online. The top ten scorers will be entered into a raffle for two free homecoming tickets.

Good luck!