ASH/Centric: March 2021

MARCH 2021

ASH CENTRIC MAGAZINE

TRACK IS BACK IN 2021

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: MATTHEW BECK

FOOTLOOSE: HOW THEATRE IS MAKING A COMEBACK IN PHASE 3.

TROJANS PLAN A STRONG FINISH TO SCHOOL YEAR

ASH/CENTRIC MAGAZINE STAFF AND CONTRIBUTORS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: MRS. DOWNEY WRITERS: A S H LY N N B .

ELIZABETH D. LAUREN R. D A LT O N M .

JACK J. E M M A F.

ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: AMELIA M. HETTIE M. E M I LY F. JACK J.

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CONTENTS

Trojan Relays

The Pandemic: One Year Later

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Track is Back in 2021!

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Footloose's Sweeping Success

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Pandemic Protocol in 2021

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Alumni Spotlight: Matthew Beck

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Basketball's Playoff Run

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Track is Back!

T H E PA N D E M I C R E S T R I C T E D T H E 2 0 2 0 S E A S O N . N O W T H E T R OJ A N S A R E M A K I N G U P F O R LO S T T I M E .

T H E G I R L S TO O K F I R S T P L AC E AT T H E T R OJ A N R E L AYS T H I S Y E A R , W H I L E T H E B OYS C A M E I N S E C O N D .

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Footloose: A Sweeping Success!

T H E D E B U T P E R F O R M A N C E AT C O U G H L I N - S A U N D E R S P E R F O R M I N G A R T S C E N T E R F O R 2 0 2 1 U S H E R E D L I V E T H E AT R E B AC K TO C E N L A .

By: Dalton M. The ASH Theatre Department made a big hit this month with the Broadway musical production of Footloose. Once the production hit Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center on March 11, 2021, the tickets went quickly, selling out in a matter of minutes for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening. The director of this production, Mr. Tyler Price remarked, “I was really happy that the community got to see the production, and I felt like they needed to see live theatre again.”

This musical was the first-ever show at Coughlin-Sanders for 2021, and Price says, “I believe we set the tone for musicals to come and that musicals can be produced again!”

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THE PANDEMIC...

ONE YEAR LATER. H O W A G LO B A L PA N D E M I C C H A N G E D T H E L I V E S O F T R OJ A N S A N D O U R C O M M U N I T Y.

By: Ashlynn B.

A year ago this time life was completely different, and it was about to take a turn that no one saw coming. Within a blink of an eye, crowded hallways and maskless faces were a thing of the past. From sports to the ACT, COVID-19 took over life at Alexandria Senior High and brought many plans and activities to an abrupt halt.

When the announcement was made on March 13, 2020, that school was let out due to this new virus, excitement filled the halls. “People were so excited because they didn’t realize what it really was,” says Anne Marlow G., a Student Council member.

Students did not know the grim reality that lay beyond that announcement. Prom, graduation, future pep rallies and dances would all be canceled. The excitement students once had quickly faded. Fast forward to over a year later and the side effects of COVID-19 still take over life at ASH. Track is just one of the many sports that suffered from the beginning of the pandemic last year. March 13 was the last time “we were together as a team” says Freeman, coach of the ASH track team. The abrupt halt of track season last year “created a gap that we have to work hard to get everyone caught up and on the same page,” states Freeman. Despite the challenges COVID-19 has brought upon the track team they “accept the challenge to continue to build our program up and continue to garner the respect in the state that we want.”

Along with track, baseball and softball handed over their seasons to the growing pandemic. On March 13 last year baseball was preparing for a game they had that afternoon with hopes of a good season, “that’s when coach sat us down and told us the news,” states Butler, a member of the ASH baseball team. The expectation that seasons would only be cut back by a few weeks soon were dismissed when those weeks slowly turned into months.

Aside from extracurriculars, education also suffered from this pandemic. Clases were cut off with months left of material to cover, the ACT was postponed, and teachers had to navigate a new way of teaching. “I just remember all of the questions forming around the ‘how’ behind it,” says Faith Kelly, assistant principal. The ACT many students had been preparing to take was now postponed and new obstacles for all teachers and students just arose.

Collectively, administrators, coaches, teachers, and students have spent the last year developing new protocols, procedures, and plans.

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Now, a year into this pandemic, though it has been hard, has led the school and the community to be even more adaptable and to accomplish great things despite the trying circumstances.

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: MATTHEW BECK By: Elizabeth D.

Matthew Beck stands on the field as he competes in the quarterfinals in 2014. He and his teammates made special memories that season; it was the furthest ASH Baseball has gone in the playoffs in many years.

“I will always look back and see friendships and a brotherhood that could never be measured,” Beck states as he explains how special his teammates were to him.

As Beck grew up in Alexandria, La., he played baseball from the time he was young. Before he could remember, he always had a baseball in his hand. His parents, Debbie and Rick, were people who helped him grow as a player and allowed him to go after his own dreams. They never forced baseball on him and wanted him to pursue his own passions.

After graduating ASH in 2016, Beck continued fulfilling his dream. Always wanting to be part of the rich tradition, Beck attended Louisiana State University where he is still playing baseball to this day. He always grew up wanting to go to LSU and made that a reality.

Before every home game, the team huddles in a hype circle, where Beck has been the “middle guy” for the past two years. This circle generates lots of energy, and Beck considers his pre-game ritual to get ready.

One of his most profound memories as a player was during Beck’s freshman year of college, where the team made it all the way to the National Championship in Omaha. He cherished all of the memories leading up to this game that were incredible and unforgettable.

“Playing baseball at LSU was something I always dreamed of and it truly is a dream come true to be here.”

“As a college athlete, sports are filled with diversity. Meaning you can be the best on your high school team; however, whenever you get to college, there are tons of other players that are the best as well. Therefore, you have to perform to your absolute best ability in order to stand out and overcome by competing harder than anyone else on the field.”

Beck’s hard work has earned him the right to wear the #8 jersey for LSU Baseball. He looks forward to what this season holds for the Tigers.

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ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF M AT T H E W B E C K .

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BASKETBALL'S JOURNEY BY: J A C K J .

A S T H E A S H T R OJ A N S B OYS B A S K E T B A L L T E A M M A D E I T TO T H E 5 A S TAT E P L AYO F F S , T H E Y W E R E N ’ T A B L E TO G E T T H E W I N A G A I N S T WA L K E R I N T H E Q U A RT E R F I N A L S . C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S TO A L L O F T H E B OYS T H AT C O N T R I B U T E D TO T H E T E A M A N D TO C O A C H B R A S H E R A N D C O A C H B A I L E Y F O R L E A D I N G T H E I R T E A M TO A N OT H E R G O O D S E A S O N O F B A S K E T B A L L .

A L S O, A H U G E S H O U TO U T TO A L L T H E S E N I O R S O N T H E T E A M T H AT H AV E L E D T H E T E A M T H I S FA R . T H E T R OJ A N S W I L L LO O K TO C O M E B A C K I N N E X T Y E A R ’ S S TAT E P L AYO F F S TO C O M P E T E F O R A N OT H E R C H A N C E TO W I N T H E 5 A S TAT E C H A M P I O N S H I P.

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