Opinion: School Board cheats Sentinel seniors out of Valedictorian
Aston Kinsella
Editor-in-Chief
Feb. 27, 2018
The MCPS school board made a choice in the spring of 2013 to repeal and replace the Nationally recognized title of Valedictorian and replace it with a Medallion Medal, a decision that would go on to affect every academic class from 2018 on. While not only depriving students of tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships, this choice also diminished the value of work students have put into their educational careers.
Students from the beginning have been misinformed of the requirements, the school has procrastinated its efforts to create the new award along with implementing it upon the Senior class of 2018 without finalizing the selection process of the “Highest honor given to any MCPS student,” from the 2013 criteria brief for selection committee.
The school board has made this decision without asking the students or families if this change was needed or wanted. While this honor allows students to set themselves apart from their peers and be recognized for their well-rounded efforts, it does not hold the same weight and accolades that come with the title of Valedictorian, resulting in many potential 2018 Valedictorians to say, “It’s just not fair.”
The medallion was created to replace the title of valedictorian, an honor awarded to the student normally with the highest grade point average, and gives the final commencement speech for the graduating class before diplomas are handed out. Unlike most schools Sentinel awarded multiple valedictorian titles because of an unweighted grading system allowing for multiple students to tie with a 4.0 by the end of their senior year. This resulted in anywhere from 4-16 valedictorians from the graduating class.
Yet as Principal Ted Fuller said, “We don’t have a true valedictorian. When you look at the definition of valedictorian, it finds its origin in a weighted grading system.”
However there is no standard definition for valedictorian, as many schools across the country use different systems of grading, rewarding students for taking more rigorous courses, and have varying systems of grading scales. Additionally it is not a requirement for the valedictorian to be the student with the highest GPA.
This newly established title is not recognized outside of the MCPS district, if you were to put Spartan Medallion on your transcript or resume it wouldn’t hold the same weight as the nationally recognized title of valedictorian. Valedictorian is not only used by the U.S. but it is also used internationally by countries including Canada, Central America, and the Philippines. So is it fair to replace this traditional and highly revered honor with an award that doesn’t even require the same academic achievement?
Senior and potential valedictorian recipient Jamie Seifert said, “If you put anywhere on your resume or for colleges nobody is going to know what it is or care. Whereas valedictorian, even if you don’t like it, carries with it a sense of pride. People recognize that when you’re getting into college, or getting a job.”
The decision made back in 2013 came with general requirement for the individual school to decide upon what students would need to do to achieve this award. With components of community service, activity participation, and high academic achievement, these outlines were given to school after the decision was made, allowing schools to determine how their school would give out the award. Meaning that even though the title means the same across all MCPS schools, the standard for achieving it was different from each school.
Another valedictorian candidate Grace Stayner said, “It seems that it means a little less because you’re recognized as the same but for different things, but you could be great at one school, well rounded, but not the same outside of the school.”
While this new award is not only recognized for achieving different accolades in each school in MCPS, Sentinel High School is implementing a changed and unfinished award to the class of 2018. The senior class was presented with an initial award requirements at the beginning freshman year, consisting of 30 logged community service hours, maintaining a 3.92 GPA, a required five AP or Dual Credit courses, three years of foreign language, and documentation of participation in extra-curricular activities or clubs.
Then during our freshman year we had a change in principals, as Fuller joined the staff.
“The ’13-’14 school year was when Sentinel created the first round of criteria, and when I became principal in ’14-’15 and looked at that original criteria, I realized it was not in line with the Board’s criteria, so I formed a committee in ’15-’16 to develop this (current) criteria,” Fuller said.
The new criteria has made it easier, and harder, for many students to attain this title. With an increase to 75 community service hours, adding eight teacher evaluations, and now requiring a minimum of six participation points (sports, academic programs, and performing arts) for all applicants, all while maintaining an even lower GPA standard than valedictorians did or that the original draft required with a current 3.75 instead of a 4.0 or a 3.92. It creates a ridiculous amount of unneeded documentation to receive a reward that students didn’t want in the first place, yet with no other option, students begrudgingly apply for this award.
Senior Paige Childers felt very strongly about her view that the medallion, “Favors rich people that have money to do stuff outside of school vs. poor people who lose an opportunity.”
Childers believes students who do not have the time or the ability to participate in extra-curricular activities in and outside of school lose out on the ability to receive this award. Childers also said the replacement “makes me feel like there is no point in trying because you’re telling me that what I did and what I worked for doesn’t matter anymore because I was able to do other things.”
Childers would have received Valedictorian status for maintaining her outstanding 4.0 GPA through her four years of high school.
It is not right to implement this award on the class out 2018, as seniors from the beginning have been misinformed of what the award is and have lost out on a traditional and prestigious title that is actually recognized and understood outside of MCPS.
The first draft stated “We invite you to sign on to an exciting four years of challenging work.”
With the fact that this award has changed during our four years at Sentinel, it is not right to apply it to our class as we did not have the full time to attain it. This award should have been put into effect with the newest incoming freshman class after it had been finalized, not on to the senior class that had already been attending the school for two years.
Furthermore, even if the School Board wanted to implement a new award such as the Medallion Pledge, why then must valedictorian be removed? Why cannot both titles be recognized? What harm is there with retaining a nationally recognized title earned for achieving a high grade point average?
Editor-in-Chief
Feb. 27, 2018
The MCPS school board made a choice in the spring of 2013 to repeal and replace the Nationally recognized title of Valedictorian and replace it with a Medallion Medal, a decision that would go on to affect every academic class from 2018 on. While not only depriving students of tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships, this choice also diminished the value of work students have put into their educational careers.
Students from the beginning have been misinformed of the requirements, the school has procrastinated its efforts to create the new award along with implementing it upon the Senior class of 2018 without finalizing the selection process of the “Highest honor given to any MCPS student,” from the 2013 criteria brief for selection committee.
The school board has made this decision without asking the students or families if this change was needed or wanted. While this honor allows students to set themselves apart from their peers and be recognized for their well-rounded efforts, it does not hold the same weight and accolades that come with the title of Valedictorian, resulting in many potential 2018 Valedictorians to say, “It’s just not fair.”
The medallion was created to replace the title of valedictorian, an honor awarded to the student normally with the highest grade point average, and gives the final commencement speech for the graduating class before diplomas are handed out. Unlike most schools Sentinel awarded multiple valedictorian titles because of an unweighted grading system allowing for multiple students to tie with a 4.0 by the end of their senior year. This resulted in anywhere from 4-16 valedictorians from the graduating class.
Yet as Principal Ted Fuller said, “We don’t have a true valedictorian. When you look at the definition of valedictorian, it finds its origin in a weighted grading system.”
However there is no standard definition for valedictorian, as many schools across the country use different systems of grading, rewarding students for taking more rigorous courses, and have varying systems of grading scales. Additionally it is not a requirement for the valedictorian to be the student with the highest GPA.
This newly established title is not recognized outside of the MCPS district, if you were to put Spartan Medallion on your transcript or resume it wouldn’t hold the same weight as the nationally recognized title of valedictorian. Valedictorian is not only used by the U.S. but it is also used internationally by countries including Canada, Central America, and the Philippines. So is it fair to replace this traditional and highly revered honor with an award that doesn’t even require the same academic achievement?
Senior and potential valedictorian recipient Jamie Seifert said, “If you put anywhere on your resume or for colleges nobody is going to know what it is or care. Whereas valedictorian, even if you don’t like it, carries with it a sense of pride. People recognize that when you’re getting into college, or getting a job.”
The decision made back in 2013 came with general requirement for the individual school to decide upon what students would need to do to achieve this award. With components of community service, activity participation, and high academic achievement, these outlines were given to school after the decision was made, allowing schools to determine how their school would give out the award. Meaning that even though the title means the same across all MCPS schools, the standard for achieving it was different from each school.
Another valedictorian candidate Grace Stayner said, “It seems that it means a little less because you’re recognized as the same but for different things, but you could be great at one school, well rounded, but not the same outside of the school.”
While this new award is not only recognized for achieving different accolades in each school in MCPS, Sentinel High School is implementing a changed and unfinished award to the class of 2018. The senior class was presented with an initial award requirements at the beginning freshman year, consisting of 30 logged community service hours, maintaining a 3.92 GPA, a required five AP or Dual Credit courses, three years of foreign language, and documentation of participation in extra-curricular activities or clubs.
Then during our freshman year we had a change in principals, as Fuller joined the staff.
“The ’13-’14 school year was when Sentinel created the first round of criteria, and when I became principal in ’14-’15 and looked at that original criteria, I realized it was not in line with the Board’s criteria, so I formed a committee in ’15-’16 to develop this (current) criteria,” Fuller said.
The new criteria has made it easier, and harder, for many students to attain this title. With an increase to 75 community service hours, adding eight teacher evaluations, and now requiring a minimum of six participation points (sports, academic programs, and performing arts) for all applicants, all while maintaining an even lower GPA standard than valedictorians did or that the original draft required with a current 3.75 instead of a 4.0 or a 3.92. It creates a ridiculous amount of unneeded documentation to receive a reward that students didn’t want in the first place, yet with no other option, students begrudgingly apply for this award.
Senior Paige Childers felt very strongly about her view that the medallion, “Favors rich people that have money to do stuff outside of school vs. poor people who lose an opportunity.”
Childers believes students who do not have the time or the ability to participate in extra-curricular activities in and outside of school lose out on the ability to receive this award. Childers also said the replacement “makes me feel like there is no point in trying because you’re telling me that what I did and what I worked for doesn’t matter anymore because I was able to do other things.”
Childers would have received Valedictorian status for maintaining her outstanding 4.0 GPA through her four years of high school.
It is not right to implement this award on the class out 2018, as seniors from the beginning have been misinformed of what the award is and have lost out on a traditional and prestigious title that is actually recognized and understood outside of MCPS.
The first draft stated “We invite you to sign on to an exciting four years of challenging work.”
With the fact that this award has changed during our four years at Sentinel, it is not right to apply it to our class as we did not have the full time to attain it. This award should have been put into effect with the newest incoming freshman class after it had been finalized, not on to the senior class that had already been attending the school for two years.
Furthermore, even if the School Board wanted to implement a new award such as the Medallion Pledge, why then must valedictorian be removed? Why cannot both titles be recognized? What harm is there with retaining a nationally recognized title earned for achieving a high grade point average?
This opinion article covered the school board's decision to get rid of a nationally recognized title of valedictorian from the class of 2018 going forward in all of MCPS district high schools. This opinion allowed me to voice my thoughts on this issue along with iincluding the voices of seniors who would have received the valedictorian status if it had not been taken away. Principal Ted Fuller was also available to comment on the issue while backing up the factual information used within the piece.
Sports Event: Wrestlers end season in Sixth
Aston Kinsella
Editor-in-Chief
Feb. 27, 2018
The Spartan Wrestling team headed to Billings, MT on Feb. 9, 2018 to compete at the AA Wrestling State Tournament, finishing their season in a disappointing sixth place.
The team consisted of athletes who pplaced top eight in their individual weight class at Divisional’s hosted in Flathead during the previous weekend.
The Spartans took 20 of the possible 26 competitors to the state tournament, including Seniors Bryar Newbary, Cameron Hegel, and Junior Reece Eckley who in past years placed in the top three.
Sentinel Spartans took 6th overall with a total of 113 team points, compared to the 2016-2017 season where Sentinel took 10th overall with a total of 86 team points. This was one of the greatest improvements the team has seen in past years.
Coach Jeremy LaPorte said, “We had some ups and some downs, we had a few guys that should have gotten some hardware but we came up a little bit short, we also had some guys step up.”
Top placers for the Spartans included Seniors Dylan Goforth and Bryar Newbary taking second place in the 182 and 205 weight class respectively. Junior Camrin Doty taking fourth in the 182 weight class, Seniors Cameron Hegel and Justin Kovalicky in the 138 and 126 weight class respectively.
Junior Reece Eckley also took third in the 132 weight class while breaking a Spartan record with a season total of 33 pins, breaking the previous record of 32 pins set back in 2010 by Bentley Alsup.
Eckley said, “Honestly it didn’t really set in until a week after stat, I feels kina cool knowing that I was the one who pined the most kids in Spartan history.”
Editor-in-Chief
Feb. 27, 2018
The Spartan Wrestling team headed to Billings, MT on Feb. 9, 2018 to compete at the AA Wrestling State Tournament, finishing their season in a disappointing sixth place.
The team consisted of athletes who pplaced top eight in their individual weight class at Divisional’s hosted in Flathead during the previous weekend.
The Spartans took 20 of the possible 26 competitors to the state tournament, including Seniors Bryar Newbary, Cameron Hegel, and Junior Reece Eckley who in past years placed in the top three.
Sentinel Spartans took 6th overall with a total of 113 team points, compared to the 2016-2017 season where Sentinel took 10th overall with a total of 86 team points. This was one of the greatest improvements the team has seen in past years.
Coach Jeremy LaPorte said, “We had some ups and some downs, we had a few guys that should have gotten some hardware but we came up a little bit short, we also had some guys step up.”
Top placers for the Spartans included Seniors Dylan Goforth and Bryar Newbary taking second place in the 182 and 205 weight class respectively. Junior Camrin Doty taking fourth in the 182 weight class, Seniors Cameron Hegel and Justin Kovalicky in the 138 and 126 weight class respectively.
Junior Reece Eckley also took third in the 132 weight class while breaking a Spartan record with a season total of 33 pins, breaking the previous record of 32 pins set back in 2010 by Bentley Alsup.
Eckley said, “Honestly it didn’t really set in until a week after stat, I feels kina cool knowing that I was the one who pined the most kids in Spartan history.”
This brief article was a wrap up of the 2017-18 Sentinel wrestling season for the Spartans. Results came from the MHSA records and interviews with players and head coach Jeremy LaPorte.
Feature: SHS's own makes Olympics: Darian Stevens to compete in Slopestyle 2018
Aston Kinsella
Editor-in-Chief
Feb. 1, 2018
In 2012, Darian Stevens walked the halls of Sentinel High School as a sophomore before moving to Park City, Utah to train full time. In two weeks, she will be walking onto the biggest stage of her life--the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.
Stevens, 21, got the call last week that she will represent the United States in Women’s Slopestyle Skiing, an event she missed out on four years ago by one place.
Stevens’ mother tells her she first clipped into a pair of skis at three years old, but Stevens says she first loved skiing when she began competing at age 8. Although she competed locally and nationally until high school, she didn’t decide to pursue the sport full time until her sophomore year, when she relocated to Park City to train.
“Skiing became more than a sport for me when I had been competing a couple years and could start to imagine a career in it,” Stevens said. “I started pursuing Slopestyle skiing full time when I was 15 years old. I left my family and friends when I was 16, halfway through my sophomore year at Sentinel. It was really hard on me at the time. I had to learn how to accept that I was no longer a regular high school student. I wanted to be with my friends a lot of the time and just be normal, but now looking back on it, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
In Utah, Stevens did most of her schooling online, until her senior year when she attended a school in Park City during the summer in order to ski during the winter.
“At the time I felt like I missed out on a lot of cool things like dances, and football games, and just making friends and memories. I missed my friends a lot and would always feel the fear of missing out while I was in Utah and my friends were doing cool stuff in Montana,” she said.
However, she does admit leaving home forced her to grow up faster than most, and helped her to find her independence by living away from her parents.
“I learned to cook dinner for myself, plan my own days with skiing and workouts, and just kinda make my own decisions,” Stevens said.
Fast-forward six years, and the decision to leave home has paid off. For the last year, her eyes have been on the Olympic stage. Starting with Olympic camps in Mammoth, Cali. last spring, training returned to Park City at the gym and at the new air bag jump throughout the summer.
Before the ski resorts in the U.S. opened for the season, the team traveled to Europe to ski in Switzerland and Austria for about a month in early fall.
“As of now, I am back in Park City and hitting the gym,” she said.
It takes a certain determination to make the Olympic squad, especially having missed the team four years ago by one place.
Teams are determined after athletes compete in five qualifying events, with the top four athletes as determined by points, making the final cut. Four years ago, Stevens took fifth place, just missing the chance to compete in the Olympics.
“I was completely heartbroken after missing the last Olympics and it took me a really long time to come back from it, but eventually I figured out a way to use it as motivation,” Stevens said. “I figured out that I needed to stop dwelling on the past and focus on the present and what I should be doing to be the best skier I can be so I don’t miss out on the next ones.”
Stevens also found motivation in her competitive spirit, and the desire to prove to herself and everyone else that she could do it.
“I think what motivated me each day to train again was just coming back from a huge hardship in my life and knowing that I wanted to be better. There was definitely a time when I almost quit, but I also knew that I wasn’t going to until I was going to the Olympics. I couldn’t quit.”
Stevens credits her family for being supportive of her dreams.
“My brother (Thomas Stevens, SHS ‘17), pushed me a lot when I was growing up because we were both so competitive that everything was a contest,” Stevens said. “My dad was kind of the same way when I was growing up. He wanted me to be the best I could be at anything we were doing. He taught me to not sell myself short and always do my best.
“My mom was just always so supportive of what I was doing and has helped me out a lot physically, mentally, and financially with skiing. They motivate me in the way that I want to make them proud.”
And we can’t forget the hill she grew up on.
“Although I currently ski the terrain park, and Snowbowl doesn’t have one, I couldn’t be any luckier with where I grew up. The terrain at Snowbowl is amazing, probably some of the best days of skiing I’ve had anywhere, and I’ve traveled all over the world to different resorts. Growing up at Snowbowl taught me to actually ski,” she said.
As for the Olympics, Stevens is just excited to be going, and plans to treat the event like any other.
“I definitely hope to do well at the Olympics, but I’m trying to just think of it as another contest. I am most looking forward to just taking everything in. I’ve watched the Olympics since I was a little kid and I’m just so excited to get to do everything there like opening ceremonies and see other events,” she said.
The Women’s Slopestyle events begin Feb. 17 and will be aired on NBC.
Editor-in-Chief
Feb. 1, 2018
In 2012, Darian Stevens walked the halls of Sentinel High School as a sophomore before moving to Park City, Utah to train full time. In two weeks, she will be walking onto the biggest stage of her life--the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.
Stevens, 21, got the call last week that she will represent the United States in Women’s Slopestyle Skiing, an event she missed out on four years ago by one place.
Stevens’ mother tells her she first clipped into a pair of skis at three years old, but Stevens says she first loved skiing when she began competing at age 8. Although she competed locally and nationally until high school, she didn’t decide to pursue the sport full time until her sophomore year, when she relocated to Park City to train.
“Skiing became more than a sport for me when I had been competing a couple years and could start to imagine a career in it,” Stevens said. “I started pursuing Slopestyle skiing full time when I was 15 years old. I left my family and friends when I was 16, halfway through my sophomore year at Sentinel. It was really hard on me at the time. I had to learn how to accept that I was no longer a regular high school student. I wanted to be with my friends a lot of the time and just be normal, but now looking back on it, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
In Utah, Stevens did most of her schooling online, until her senior year when she attended a school in Park City during the summer in order to ski during the winter.
“At the time I felt like I missed out on a lot of cool things like dances, and football games, and just making friends and memories. I missed my friends a lot and would always feel the fear of missing out while I was in Utah and my friends were doing cool stuff in Montana,” she said.
However, she does admit leaving home forced her to grow up faster than most, and helped her to find her independence by living away from her parents.
“I learned to cook dinner for myself, plan my own days with skiing and workouts, and just kinda make my own decisions,” Stevens said.
Fast-forward six years, and the decision to leave home has paid off. For the last year, her eyes have been on the Olympic stage. Starting with Olympic camps in Mammoth, Cali. last spring, training returned to Park City at the gym and at the new air bag jump throughout the summer.
Before the ski resorts in the U.S. opened for the season, the team traveled to Europe to ski in Switzerland and Austria for about a month in early fall.
“As of now, I am back in Park City and hitting the gym,” she said.
It takes a certain determination to make the Olympic squad, especially having missed the team four years ago by one place.
Teams are determined after athletes compete in five qualifying events, with the top four athletes as determined by points, making the final cut. Four years ago, Stevens took fifth place, just missing the chance to compete in the Olympics.
“I was completely heartbroken after missing the last Olympics and it took me a really long time to come back from it, but eventually I figured out a way to use it as motivation,” Stevens said. “I figured out that I needed to stop dwelling on the past and focus on the present and what I should be doing to be the best skier I can be so I don’t miss out on the next ones.”
Stevens also found motivation in her competitive spirit, and the desire to prove to herself and everyone else that she could do it.
“I think what motivated me each day to train again was just coming back from a huge hardship in my life and knowing that I wanted to be better. There was definitely a time when I almost quit, but I also knew that I wasn’t going to until I was going to the Olympics. I couldn’t quit.”
Stevens credits her family for being supportive of her dreams.
“My brother (Thomas Stevens, SHS ‘17), pushed me a lot when I was growing up because we were both so competitive that everything was a contest,” Stevens said. “My dad was kind of the same way when I was growing up. He wanted me to be the best I could be at anything we were doing. He taught me to not sell myself short and always do my best.
“My mom was just always so supportive of what I was doing and has helped me out a lot physically, mentally, and financially with skiing. They motivate me in the way that I want to make them proud.”
And we can’t forget the hill she grew up on.
“Although I currently ski the terrain park, and Snowbowl doesn’t have one, I couldn’t be any luckier with where I grew up. The terrain at Snowbowl is amazing, probably some of the best days of skiing I’ve had anywhere, and I’ve traveled all over the world to different resorts. Growing up at Snowbowl taught me to actually ski,” she said.
As for the Olympics, Stevens is just excited to be going, and plans to treat the event like any other.
“I definitely hope to do well at the Olympics, but I’m trying to just think of it as another contest. I am most looking forward to just taking everything in. I’ve watched the Olympics since I was a little kid and I’m just so excited to get to do everything there like opening ceremonies and see other events,” she said.
The Women’s Slopestyle events begin Feb. 17 and will be aired on NBC.
This feature was written about Darian Stevens, Missoula, Montana's latest Olympian and former Sentinel student. She was happy to talk to me through a series of e-mails. While the major headline was about how she achieved her Olympian status, Stevens' gave me a greater story than I could ask for. From her chance to start training by her sophomore year, to the time she nearly made the 2012 Olympic team and was short by one spot. She fought back and trained harder to attain her current title and could not have asked for any other path to get her to where she is today.
News: YouTube drops vlogger Logan Paul 2018
Aston Kinsella
Editor-in-Chief
Feb. 1, 2018
YouTube has dropped vlogger Logan Paul from the Google Preferred program after he posted a video of a dead body he filmed hanging from a tree in Japan’s colloquially titled “suicide forest.”
The Google Preferred program is a lucrative advertising network for certain YouTube channels that results in members having more favorable ad rates.
On Monday, Dec.31, 2017, Paul posted his final video of the year. The video’s original intent was to conclude Paul’s three-part series on his trip to Japan.
Paul and his companions ventured into the Aokigahara forest, known for its history as a location for people attempting and completing suicide, in hopes to capture some paranormal events that the forest has become infamous for.
However the video resulted in the discovery of a supposed dead body of a person who completed suicide.
Paul began his video with a personal address to his audience, as quoted from NYMag.com, saying, “This is not clickbait. This is the most real vlog I’ve ever posted to this channel. I think this definitely marks a moment in YouTube history because I’m pretty sure this has never hopefully happened to anyone on YouTube ever.”
Going forward in the video Paul tells his viewers to be prepared for what’s in store for them, “Now with that said: Buckle the (expletive) up, because you’re never gonna see a video like this again!”
The 15 minute video contained some mild jokes about the surrounding area and other comments as the group hiked through the forest. It is then that Paul and friends noticed a body hanging farther off in the distance.
After questioning if it was just a person and then realizing he was filming a dead body, Paul turns the camera to himself, to explain, “So, a lot of things are going through my mind. This is a first for me.” Also adding that, “Suicide is not a joke. Depression and mental illness are not a joke. This obviously just became very real.”
After the posting of the video it was viewed more than 6 million times before the video was pulled from YouTube on Jan. 1, 2018. At the same time Paul posted an apology on Twitter, apologizing that he posted the video and for all the criticism.
He said that he thought he could “make a positive ripple on the internet, not a monsoon of negativity.”
A majority of the criticisms came from the people’s views that he was using the person to gain publicity, that he was insensitive to the situation, and that his light-hearted stance and the humor and laughter that was in the video was rude to what had happen to that person.
After receiving additional criticism that his Twitter apology wasn’t sincere, Paul posted a two and a half minute video apology, describing that he was truly sorry. He claims he did not intend for the video to send the message as it has been received.
On Jan. 3, 2018, Paul took to Twitter once again to say that he would be taking a break from YouTube.
YouTube has also announced that Paul will not be featured in the fourth season of the YouTube Red scripted original “Foursome.”
YouTube’s prior actions against Paul included giving him a strike for his violation of its posted community guidelines.
His participation in the upcoming YouTube original film “Thinning: New World Order,” a sequel to another of his YouTube Red projects, has been put on hold.
Editor-in-Chief
Feb. 1, 2018
YouTube has dropped vlogger Logan Paul from the Google Preferred program after he posted a video of a dead body he filmed hanging from a tree in Japan’s colloquially titled “suicide forest.”
The Google Preferred program is a lucrative advertising network for certain YouTube channels that results in members having more favorable ad rates.
On Monday, Dec.31, 2017, Paul posted his final video of the year. The video’s original intent was to conclude Paul’s three-part series on his trip to Japan.
Paul and his companions ventured into the Aokigahara forest, known for its history as a location for people attempting and completing suicide, in hopes to capture some paranormal events that the forest has become infamous for.
However the video resulted in the discovery of a supposed dead body of a person who completed suicide.
Paul began his video with a personal address to his audience, as quoted from NYMag.com, saying, “This is not clickbait. This is the most real vlog I’ve ever posted to this channel. I think this definitely marks a moment in YouTube history because I’m pretty sure this has never hopefully happened to anyone on YouTube ever.”
Going forward in the video Paul tells his viewers to be prepared for what’s in store for them, “Now with that said: Buckle the (expletive) up, because you’re never gonna see a video like this again!”
The 15 minute video contained some mild jokes about the surrounding area and other comments as the group hiked through the forest. It is then that Paul and friends noticed a body hanging farther off in the distance.
After questioning if it was just a person and then realizing he was filming a dead body, Paul turns the camera to himself, to explain, “So, a lot of things are going through my mind. This is a first for me.” Also adding that, “Suicide is not a joke. Depression and mental illness are not a joke. This obviously just became very real.”
After the posting of the video it was viewed more than 6 million times before the video was pulled from YouTube on Jan. 1, 2018. At the same time Paul posted an apology on Twitter, apologizing that he posted the video and for all the criticism.
He said that he thought he could “make a positive ripple on the internet, not a monsoon of negativity.”
A majority of the criticisms came from the people’s views that he was using the person to gain publicity, that he was insensitive to the situation, and that his light-hearted stance and the humor and laughter that was in the video was rude to what had happen to that person.
After receiving additional criticism that his Twitter apology wasn’t sincere, Paul posted a two and a half minute video apology, describing that he was truly sorry. He claims he did not intend for the video to send the message as it has been received.
On Jan. 3, 2018, Paul took to Twitter once again to say that he would be taking a break from YouTube.
YouTube has also announced that Paul will not be featured in the fourth season of the YouTube Red scripted original “Foursome.”
YouTube’s prior actions against Paul included giving him a strike for his violation of its posted community guidelines.
His participation in the upcoming YouTube original film “Thinning: New World Order,” a sequel to another of his YouTube Red projects, has been put on hold.
This news story was all the talk of our staff, as what Paul had done seemed so ludicrous to us as journalists. But what I wanted to know was what moments lead up to the posting along with what happened to him after. The consequences he received didn't seem out of place but the entire series of events seems almost scripted. This piece was well-received as many different story lines were circling the halls of Sentinel, and this report was able to answer the question of what really was happening.
Event Writing: Spartans take back-to-back State Titles: Leaving everything on the court, volleyball wins Class AA State Championship 2017
Aston Kinsella
Editor-in-Chief
Dec. 7, 2017
With a team comprised of 12 seniors and being the reining State Champions, the Sentinel Spartans were the team to beat all season.
For many players it was their final year to don a Sentinel jersey, but the girls were ready for the season to come.
All season long the Spartans were hit with injury after injury starting with Junior Shelby Schweyen coming off a torn ACL and meniscus. But as players recovered they were ready to go and get back in the game.
“Coming back was the best thing ever, I was finally on the court again. I wasn’t myself for a while and it took some time to get back into rhythm but once I did it was great,” Junior RS Shelby Schweyen said.
But the Spartans fought through each setback as the team was set to face any challenge that lie ahead. The Spartans kept their pace from last season by playing ‘Spartan Volleyball’ every match--meaning, they played their game each and every time they walked onto the court.
Spartans headed for the state tournament ending their season with a victory over the Flathead Bravettes finishing their season with only one loss to Billings Senior early on--the first loss in two years for the Spartans.
With a commitment to leaving everything they had on the court, and playing Spartan volleyball, they knew the title was within their reach.
Coming into Bozeman as the number one seed from the West, the Spartans faced off against Great Falls High Bison in the first round. Spartans took their first match in three sets, winning 25-8, 25-17, 25-17.
The second match was later that night as Spartans faced off with the Helena High Bengals, winning 25-14, 25-20, 25-18.
Senior Elsa Godwin lead the team with 15 kills and 3 aces. Senior Jordyn Schweyen had 35 of the team’s 37 assists, setting up the offense for a fast and hard victory.
After the undefeated Billings Senior team beat Helena Capital, the Spartans had to face the only team they’d lost to all season in the semi-finals. The gym was packed for the most anticipated match-up of the tournament.
“We waited all season to play Senior at state. We were all so full of excitement and ready to go out and play them,” Senior RS Cassie North said.
Senior DS Mariel Warren added, “We were all focused on playing our game and not playing any different just because it was Senior.”.
The Spartans would lose their first set 2025, and came back winning the next two sets 25-13 and 25-16. They lost the fourth set in a grueling 25-27 and would come back to win the match with the final set 15-8. This moved the team into the Championship round to be held the next day.
The Spartans had to stay focused and prepare for either outcome of the morning match between Billings Senior and Helena Capital, knowing they would face the winners in the final.
“We were remembering how great it felt to win last year, and how we knew that we would get it again with all the hard work we had put in this year,” Senior middle and captain Kylie Frohlich stated.
As the semifinal match between Senior and Capital resulted with Billings Senior winning 3-1, the Spartans were looking at a repeat of last season’s championship match.
The game itself started off strong for the Spartans taking the first set 25-13.
“I was mostly excited since I knew it was most of our last time stepping on a volleyball court and that’s what made us all want it that much more,” Warren said.
The Spartans took the second set 25-18 and were leading the Broncs 2-0.
“I was so tired yet so focused and knew I had to keep playing at 110 percent. After winning the first and second set, I had that feeling that it was ours,” North said.
In the final set the Spartans put all they had into their game. With a back and forth set and the Spartans sitting at 24-23, they had one last point to seal the first place tittle.
The final volley had Senior libero Sarina Moreno with the dig, who passed it to setter Jordyn Schweyen. Schweyen then set the ball to the outside for Godwin to bring it home with the kill, winning 25-23.
The Spartans stormed the court in celebration as the took the second consecutive state title.
“Scoring the winning point was super special. I concluded my senior season in a very memorable way,” Godwin said. “I was able to finish with all my teammates but they were also my friends. I’m going to miss playing with them, but I wouldn’t have wanted to end my last season any other way.”
Editor-in-Chief
Dec. 7, 2017
With a team comprised of 12 seniors and being the reining State Champions, the Sentinel Spartans were the team to beat all season.
For many players it was their final year to don a Sentinel jersey, but the girls were ready for the season to come.
All season long the Spartans were hit with injury after injury starting with Junior Shelby Schweyen coming off a torn ACL and meniscus. But as players recovered they were ready to go and get back in the game.
“Coming back was the best thing ever, I was finally on the court again. I wasn’t myself for a while and it took some time to get back into rhythm but once I did it was great,” Junior RS Shelby Schweyen said.
But the Spartans fought through each setback as the team was set to face any challenge that lie ahead. The Spartans kept their pace from last season by playing ‘Spartan Volleyball’ every match--meaning, they played their game each and every time they walked onto the court.
Spartans headed for the state tournament ending their season with a victory over the Flathead Bravettes finishing their season with only one loss to Billings Senior early on--the first loss in two years for the Spartans.
With a commitment to leaving everything they had on the court, and playing Spartan volleyball, they knew the title was within their reach.
Coming into Bozeman as the number one seed from the West, the Spartans faced off against Great Falls High Bison in the first round. Spartans took their first match in three sets, winning 25-8, 25-17, 25-17.
The second match was later that night as Spartans faced off with the Helena High Bengals, winning 25-14, 25-20, 25-18.
Senior Elsa Godwin lead the team with 15 kills and 3 aces. Senior Jordyn Schweyen had 35 of the team’s 37 assists, setting up the offense for a fast and hard victory.
After the undefeated Billings Senior team beat Helena Capital, the Spartans had to face the only team they’d lost to all season in the semi-finals. The gym was packed for the most anticipated match-up of the tournament.
“We waited all season to play Senior at state. We were all so full of excitement and ready to go out and play them,” Senior RS Cassie North said.
Senior DS Mariel Warren added, “We were all focused on playing our game and not playing any different just because it was Senior.”.
The Spartans would lose their first set 2025, and came back winning the next two sets 25-13 and 25-16. They lost the fourth set in a grueling 25-27 and would come back to win the match with the final set 15-8. This moved the team into the Championship round to be held the next day.
The Spartans had to stay focused and prepare for either outcome of the morning match between Billings Senior and Helena Capital, knowing they would face the winners in the final.
“We were remembering how great it felt to win last year, and how we knew that we would get it again with all the hard work we had put in this year,” Senior middle and captain Kylie Frohlich stated.
As the semifinal match between Senior and Capital resulted with Billings Senior winning 3-1, the Spartans were looking at a repeat of last season’s championship match.
The game itself started off strong for the Spartans taking the first set 25-13.
“I was mostly excited since I knew it was most of our last time stepping on a volleyball court and that’s what made us all want it that much more,” Warren said.
The Spartans took the second set 25-18 and were leading the Broncs 2-0.
“I was so tired yet so focused and knew I had to keep playing at 110 percent. After winning the first and second set, I had that feeling that it was ours,” North said.
In the final set the Spartans put all they had into their game. With a back and forth set and the Spartans sitting at 24-23, they had one last point to seal the first place tittle.
The final volley had Senior libero Sarina Moreno with the dig, who passed it to setter Jordyn Schweyen. Schweyen then set the ball to the outside for Godwin to bring it home with the kill, winning 25-23.
The Spartans stormed the court in celebration as the took the second consecutive state title.
“Scoring the winning point was super special. I concluded my senior season in a very memorable way,” Godwin said. “I was able to finish with all my teammates but they were also my friends. I’m going to miss playing with them, but I wouldn’t have wanted to end my last season any other way.”
As the manager of this team for the past three years I felt this was just another thing I could do for the team. While it was thrilling to take part in, I tried to convey the feelings and excitement these girls were creating for all who watched. The story nearly wrote itself as the team was so passionate about what they were doing as it allowed me to represent those feelings to our readers.
Opinion: Sticks and Stones: Take time to Think before you Tweet 2017
Aston Kinsella
Editor-in-Chief
March 9, 2017
Many of the senior athletes who stepped onto the court to play basketball for one of their last times as a Sentinel Spartan did not know of the events that would follow. Claims of lack of student turnout and lack of support for the boys’ final night was the concern of the original group voicing their opinions. This then sparked three days worth of fighting between Sentinel students––some from opposing activities, and some who just joined to support one side or the other.
While the initial social media post came from a place of frustration--lack of student support at “senior night,” a reply from a student from another activity, though not a sport, claimed most of those who attend sporting events rarely, if ever, attend other activities. Thus, they felt it was hypocritical for this individual to be upset about student turnout.
In the beginning, points made by both sides were reasonable, as the student section at the game was smaller than normal, and the arts over the past years often see a lack of support at their events.
However, from here, all semblance of a mature discussion fell to the wayside, and what could have been a healthy argument lost all focus and turned into personal, hurtful, harmful attacks aimed at appearances, race, and socio-economic status.
So far off the mark, the exchanges became ludicrous. Any Sentinel student should be able to fully recognize how much work athletes, artists, speech and debate members, robotics team members, and even journalists put into their activities. We are creating the problem when we get in fights on social media about this.
To say that one activity is more difficult, more important, or worth more is to belittle the relations we have established between each other as members of the student body as a whole. All of us attending Sentinel--getting through this period of time together--should be enough to unite us.
Truly understanding the statements we and our peers make is a problem we face today, and a problem we will have to face every day, even after graduation. Often, once a claim has been made on social media, our generation immediately agrees, or attacks. Often, we don’t even attack the point, we instead attack the claimant, and anyone who may agree with him or her. Even when we agree, we tend to blindly agree, and may not clearly understand the argument.
People need to take a step back and see both sides of an argument, see why people said what they did.
In the last year, this same scenario has played out on a national level in our politically charged world. We can easily argue in our classes about why the adults around us are acting like children. Yet, we see and say without attempting to understand, dividing us even more. As a generation we generally say we want to unite our country and our people. But if we can’t do it within our own school, let alone our community, then how can we expect to affect change after we leave Sentinel?
To do and say these kinds of things to one another is not something to accept as a normality. This fight between arts and sports may have been a long time coming. The question now is how do we go forward?
Instead of hurting each other, we could have influenced the next generation of Spartans by offering a solution. Attending as many events and supporting as many different programs as possible only makes the school a more positive environment. It takes the first step, to voice the problem, and the second step, to make the change.
Editor-in-Chief
March 9, 2017
Many of the senior athletes who stepped onto the court to play basketball for one of their last times as a Sentinel Spartan did not know of the events that would follow. Claims of lack of student turnout and lack of support for the boys’ final night was the concern of the original group voicing their opinions. This then sparked three days worth of fighting between Sentinel students––some from opposing activities, and some who just joined to support one side or the other.
While the initial social media post came from a place of frustration--lack of student support at “senior night,” a reply from a student from another activity, though not a sport, claimed most of those who attend sporting events rarely, if ever, attend other activities. Thus, they felt it was hypocritical for this individual to be upset about student turnout.
In the beginning, points made by both sides were reasonable, as the student section at the game was smaller than normal, and the arts over the past years often see a lack of support at their events.
However, from here, all semblance of a mature discussion fell to the wayside, and what could have been a healthy argument lost all focus and turned into personal, hurtful, harmful attacks aimed at appearances, race, and socio-economic status.
So far off the mark, the exchanges became ludicrous. Any Sentinel student should be able to fully recognize how much work athletes, artists, speech and debate members, robotics team members, and even journalists put into their activities. We are creating the problem when we get in fights on social media about this.
To say that one activity is more difficult, more important, or worth more is to belittle the relations we have established between each other as members of the student body as a whole. All of us attending Sentinel--getting through this period of time together--should be enough to unite us.
Truly understanding the statements we and our peers make is a problem we face today, and a problem we will have to face every day, even after graduation. Often, once a claim has been made on social media, our generation immediately agrees, or attacks. Often, we don’t even attack the point, we instead attack the claimant, and anyone who may agree with him or her. Even when we agree, we tend to blindly agree, and may not clearly understand the argument.
People need to take a step back and see both sides of an argument, see why people said what they did.
In the last year, this same scenario has played out on a national level in our politically charged world. We can easily argue in our classes about why the adults around us are acting like children. Yet, we see and say without attempting to understand, dividing us even more. As a generation we generally say we want to unite our country and our people. But if we can’t do it within our own school, let alone our community, then how can we expect to affect change after we leave Sentinel?
To do and say these kinds of things to one another is not something to accept as a normality. This fight between arts and sports may have been a long time coming. The question now is how do we go forward?
Instead of hurting each other, we could have influenced the next generation of Spartans by offering a solution. Attending as many events and supporting as many different programs as possible only makes the school a more positive environment. It takes the first step, to voice the problem, and the second step, to make the change.
Reading about this fight all weekend long was almost hard to do. I could see fair points from both sides but what I also saw was that they were only talking about how they felt. The students were endlessly fighting and not listening to what the other side was saying, resulting in an unending spiral of name-calling and "yelling." I saw this issue and used my platform to show how I felt, making sure to address both sides and show that while fights like these bring up some crucial issues, the people taking part have to understand both sides and not just argue to argue.
Sports Feature: Newbary Defeats Odds, Wins State 2017
Aston Kinsella
Editor-in-Chief
Feb. 16, 2017
Junior Bryar Newbary stood on the podium Saturday night, tears in his eyes, thinking only about how far he’d come in the last year for this moment.
“I’ve never been on a stage that big, in front of 5,000 people. It was a huge accomplishment, and one I’d been working 13 years for,” Newbary said.
And he’d only been cleared to compete a week before the seeding tournament.
In the summer of 2016, Newbary was poised to win a Regional Triple Crown, in which a wrestler wins a Freestyle, Folkstyle and Greco-Roman championship in one year. With two titles under his belt, he was in the finals to take the Greco title, when he dislocated his shoulder--an injury his physical therapists were afraid he might never recover from.
Yet, last weekend, as the 205 pound champion at the Montana AA State Wrestling Championships, Newbary had just done what no one thought he could do--come back from a supposedly career-ending injury to claim the title.
Head coach Jeremy LaPorte said, “He had shoulder surgery in July and had seven pins put in his shoulder. We were not sure if he was going to come back when the season started. Actually, it looked like he wouldn’t.”
However, about halfway through the season, his coaches knew he was coming back--when no one else did.
“It was a little secret,” LaPorte said. “I knew he had a very good shot at winning a title if we could get his conditioning up. I really have to give him credit for really pushing himself that last month to get ready for the postseason.”
And push himself he did. For months, Newbary spent hours in the weight room, in the gym, in physical therapy--sometimes upwards of four hours a day.
“I’ve spent the last year basically rehabbing my shoulder. Since Christmas, I’ve increased my workouts. Typically in a week, I will work out around four hours a day, and that includes an hour and a half of physical therapy two times each week,” Newbary said.
The workouts paid off. Although he was only officially cleared to compete the week before the seeding tournament, Newbary went 9-0 on the season, sweeping both the divisional and the state tournaments.
“I was not surprised that he won, I don’t think anyone was,” LaPorte said. “Going into the final match I would have to say Bryar was the favorite to win.”
Editor-in-Chief
Feb. 16, 2017
Junior Bryar Newbary stood on the podium Saturday night, tears in his eyes, thinking only about how far he’d come in the last year for this moment.
“I’ve never been on a stage that big, in front of 5,000 people. It was a huge accomplishment, and one I’d been working 13 years for,” Newbary said.
And he’d only been cleared to compete a week before the seeding tournament.
In the summer of 2016, Newbary was poised to win a Regional Triple Crown, in which a wrestler wins a Freestyle, Folkstyle and Greco-Roman championship in one year. With two titles under his belt, he was in the finals to take the Greco title, when he dislocated his shoulder--an injury his physical therapists were afraid he might never recover from.
Yet, last weekend, as the 205 pound champion at the Montana AA State Wrestling Championships, Newbary had just done what no one thought he could do--come back from a supposedly career-ending injury to claim the title.
Head coach Jeremy LaPorte said, “He had shoulder surgery in July and had seven pins put in his shoulder. We were not sure if he was going to come back when the season started. Actually, it looked like he wouldn’t.”
However, about halfway through the season, his coaches knew he was coming back--when no one else did.
“It was a little secret,” LaPorte said. “I knew he had a very good shot at winning a title if we could get his conditioning up. I really have to give him credit for really pushing himself that last month to get ready for the postseason.”
And push himself he did. For months, Newbary spent hours in the weight room, in the gym, in physical therapy--sometimes upwards of four hours a day.
“I’ve spent the last year basically rehabbing my shoulder. Since Christmas, I’ve increased my workouts. Typically in a week, I will work out around four hours a day, and that includes an hour and a half of physical therapy two times each week,” Newbary said.
The workouts paid off. Although he was only officially cleared to compete the week before the seeding tournament, Newbary went 9-0 on the season, sweeping both the divisional and the state tournaments.
“I was not surprised that he won, I don’t think anyone was,” LaPorte said. “Going into the final match I would have to say Bryar was the favorite to win.”
Bryar's story was very interesting to report on. His journey through recovery and competition was so inspiring to write about. He came into the wrestling season unsure if he would be able to compete, he went on to win the state title. It is an inspirational story that reads like a movie script. I wanted to do his character justice, and bring his fight, and passion for the sport to the forefront of my story.
Event Writing: Spartan Volleyball State Champs for first time in 28 years 2016
Aston Kinsella
Editor-in-Chief
Nov. 28, 2016
It has been 28 years since Sentinel last won the state title, under the tutelage of head coach Deb Thompson, and they have finally done it again with the current coach Erin Keffler.
The Spartans have gone undefeated all season with a 25-0 win record and have only lost a total of three conference sets. The team focused on winning it all from the very start of the season, with three goals in mind: finish the regular season as conference champions, be undefeated, and to win state. All three were accomplished by the end of the final set against Billings Senior.
With their final regular season victory over the Flathead Bravettes just before Halloween, the team would celebrated their victory on the bus ride home knowing their first goal had just been accomplished––they were first place in the Western Conference, securing their bid to the State Tournament as the number one seed.
On the bye week heading into the tournament, he team did not have it easy as coaching staff Erin Keffler, Colleen Froehlich, Tian Harrington, Deb Thompson, Karen Umbaugh, and Bri O’Learey Bustillos pushed the girls hard.
At the tournament, which ran Nov. 10 and 12 in Bozeman, the Spartans first trounced Billings Skyview, winning easily in three sets, 25-13, 25-15, and 25-18. With their win the players would face off against long time rivals Bozeman Hawks later that evening in a rematch of last year’s championship match. Winning the first set 25-20 the players felt confident of their win.
Yet, going into the second set the Spartans couldn’t get their groove, and at one point were down 17-9, but with hard pressed blocks and kills by Shelby Schweyen and steady serving by Elsa Godwin, the Spartans would go on to win the neck and neck set 30-28.
Even though Bozeman took the third set 25-16, he Spartans fought back hard in the final set winning 25-15, putting them into one of the top spots for the state title.
With their two wins on opening day, the Spartans had only one match on day two against Billings Senior.
After a hard fought three sets, winning 25-18, 26-24, and 25-23, the Spartans earned a trip to the last day of the tournament, putting them one step closer to the coveted state title.
On November 12, the Spartans gathered on the court to face off once again against Billings Senior after their semi-final victory over the Glacier Wolfpack who would finish 3rd overall. The match started off strong for the Spartans winning their first set, 25-14. After dropping the second set 19-25, only the third set lost all season, they battled back to win 25-22, 25-21.
In the final points of the match the Spartans were on their feet in anticipation.
With a final block by senior middle Tizzy Weida the players stormed the court as cheers echoed in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse as the team’s final goals of going undefeated and winning the state title were realized.
Editor-in-Chief
Nov. 28, 2016
It has been 28 years since Sentinel last won the state title, under the tutelage of head coach Deb Thompson, and they have finally done it again with the current coach Erin Keffler.
The Spartans have gone undefeated all season with a 25-0 win record and have only lost a total of three conference sets. The team focused on winning it all from the very start of the season, with three goals in mind: finish the regular season as conference champions, be undefeated, and to win state. All three were accomplished by the end of the final set against Billings Senior.
With their final regular season victory over the Flathead Bravettes just before Halloween, the team would celebrated their victory on the bus ride home knowing their first goal had just been accomplished––they were first place in the Western Conference, securing their bid to the State Tournament as the number one seed.
On the bye week heading into the tournament, he team did not have it easy as coaching staff Erin Keffler, Colleen Froehlich, Tian Harrington, Deb Thompson, Karen Umbaugh, and Bri O’Learey Bustillos pushed the girls hard.
At the tournament, which ran Nov. 10 and 12 in Bozeman, the Spartans first trounced Billings Skyview, winning easily in three sets, 25-13, 25-15, and 25-18. With their win the players would face off against long time rivals Bozeman Hawks later that evening in a rematch of last year’s championship match. Winning the first set 25-20 the players felt confident of their win.
Yet, going into the second set the Spartans couldn’t get their groove, and at one point were down 17-9, but with hard pressed blocks and kills by Shelby Schweyen and steady serving by Elsa Godwin, the Spartans would go on to win the neck and neck set 30-28.
Even though Bozeman took the third set 25-16, he Spartans fought back hard in the final set winning 25-15, putting them into one of the top spots for the state title.
With their two wins on opening day, the Spartans had only one match on day two against Billings Senior.
After a hard fought three sets, winning 25-18, 26-24, and 25-23, the Spartans earned a trip to the last day of the tournament, putting them one step closer to the coveted state title.
On November 12, the Spartans gathered on the court to face off once again against Billings Senior after their semi-final victory over the Glacier Wolfpack who would finish 3rd overall. The match started off strong for the Spartans winning their first set, 25-14. After dropping the second set 19-25, only the third set lost all season, they battled back to win 25-22, 25-21.
In the final points of the match the Spartans were on their feet in anticipation.
With a final block by senior middle Tizzy Weida the players stormed the court as cheers echoed in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse as the team’s final goals of going undefeated and winning the state title were realized.
This team had been doing so great all season long that it was expected for them to win the AA Montana State Championship title. But what they had nearly accomplished was astounding. The team, over the course of the season, had lost only three sets over three different games and went undefeated to the very end. It was so rewarding to watch these girls all season long, from tryouts all the way to scoring the final point. They were in it to win from the very start.
Sports Feature: Delridge named Gatorade Player of the Year 2016
Aston Kinsela
of the Sentinel Konah
March 3, 2016
The Gatorade Player of the year is an achievement high school athletes across the United States dream about winning.
This year, Sentinel soccer star Brittany Delridge was named a Gatorade Player of the Year due to her outstanding performance and accomplishments as a member of the girls’ varsity soccer team.
Out of her 28 career points, 13 of them were scored in 2015-2016 season alone. Delridge also added 18 assists this past season. Coaches from around the state have remarked on her ability to finish possessions and her ability to maintain control.
Even off the field, Delridge is putting in work to keep herself at the top. Along with her achievements on the soccer field, Delridge has maintained an impressive 3.98 GPA, an impressive enough feat let alone the fact that Delridge is a multi- sport varsity athlete. Delridge is also actively involved in the community through Student Government and Key Club. In addition, Delridge volunteers at the Watson Children’s Shelter.
Delridge said she was thankful for the support of others along the way.
“This has been a huge honor for not only me but for my team as well. It reflects all the hard work we have put forth in practice and on the field. It shows how much support I have gotten from my parents, coaches and teachers, and what they have pushed me towards in my soccer career,” Delridge said.
While Delridge said the award had no impact on her future plans for school, she is hopeful for more scholarship opportunities.
“I have already committed to Eastern Washington University, so my plans won’t change much, but if anything it would be nice to get some more scholarship money,” said Delridge with a grin. “I’m excited to bring a fun new atmosphere to my new team, along with my competitive attitude and drive.”
However, Delridge said she wouldn’t be looking at a college soccer career without her parents.
“My biggest influence is my mom. She played college soccer herself and I’ve always wanted to since I was a little kid. I got most of my physical attributes from my mom so that helped a lot, but it was always my dad who pushed me to practice on my own time,” Delridge said. “They both have helped me and supported me.”
Soccer isn’t Delridge’s only love though. Off the field, she is an involved student who is always looking for an opportunity to help others.
“I really enjoy my extracurriculars like Key Club and Student Government. I also love volunteering. It’s great because it not only benefits the people you’re helping but it feels nice to do good,” Delridge said.
Delridge is a student that has become irreplaceable to the Sentinel community, both on and off the field, which has finally been recognized with the Gatorade Player of the Year. Sentinel couldn’t be luckier to have her.
of the Sentinel Konah
March 3, 2016
The Gatorade Player of the year is an achievement high school athletes across the United States dream about winning.
This year, Sentinel soccer star Brittany Delridge was named a Gatorade Player of the Year due to her outstanding performance and accomplishments as a member of the girls’ varsity soccer team.
Out of her 28 career points, 13 of them were scored in 2015-2016 season alone. Delridge also added 18 assists this past season. Coaches from around the state have remarked on her ability to finish possessions and her ability to maintain control.
Even off the field, Delridge is putting in work to keep herself at the top. Along with her achievements on the soccer field, Delridge has maintained an impressive 3.98 GPA, an impressive enough feat let alone the fact that Delridge is a multi- sport varsity athlete. Delridge is also actively involved in the community through Student Government and Key Club. In addition, Delridge volunteers at the Watson Children’s Shelter.
Delridge said she was thankful for the support of others along the way.
“This has been a huge honor for not only me but for my team as well. It reflects all the hard work we have put forth in practice and on the field. It shows how much support I have gotten from my parents, coaches and teachers, and what they have pushed me towards in my soccer career,” Delridge said.
While Delridge said the award had no impact on her future plans for school, she is hopeful for more scholarship opportunities.
“I have already committed to Eastern Washington University, so my plans won’t change much, but if anything it would be nice to get some more scholarship money,” said Delridge with a grin. “I’m excited to bring a fun new atmosphere to my new team, along with my competitive attitude and drive.”
However, Delridge said she wouldn’t be looking at a college soccer career without her parents.
“My biggest influence is my mom. She played college soccer herself and I’ve always wanted to since I was a little kid. I got most of my physical attributes from my mom so that helped a lot, but it was always my dad who pushed me to practice on my own time,” Delridge said. “They both have helped me and supported me.”
Soccer isn’t Delridge’s only love though. Off the field, she is an involved student who is always looking for an opportunity to help others.
“I really enjoy my extracurriculars like Key Club and Student Government. I also love volunteering. It’s great because it not only benefits the people you’re helping but it feels nice to do good,” Delridge said.
Delridge is a student that has become irreplaceable to the Sentinel community, both on and off the field, which has finally been recognized with the Gatorade Player of the Year. Sentinel couldn’t be luckier to have her.
As one of my first articles for the paper it was great to have the opportunity to interview Brittany about her accomplishment. She earned the title as she had done so much for the Sentinel team and was such an amazing part of the student body.