By Clint Turrentine Staff Writer
The 2024-25 school year has brought a lot of change to Alexandria Senior High. In addition to a new freshman class of over 350 students, there are more than 20 new teachers as well as a new member of the administration.
Mr. Spikes is the new assistant principal for discipline at ASH after spending most of his career as the band director
and assistant principal at Richwood High School in Monroe.
Mr. Spikes has both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Grambling State University, where he was a part of the college’s famed Tiger Marching Band.
The scholars at ASH are excited to welcome Mr. Spikes to ASH and to see all that he can bring to the school.
In addition to the new people on campus, ASH will be getting a facelift courtesy of the District 62 bond that was
passed recently.
The baseball and softball fields are in the process of getting new turf infields, and the football field received a turf upgrade last year. A new football fieldhouse will be constructed, and the academic building will be getting a new wing and additional classrooms.
Ground was broken for that project last week, and everyone is excited to see all of the changes that are coming to ASH this year and beyond.
By Marcie Loken Managing Editor
ASH Theatre began its 2024-25 season with a performance of “Six,” a musical about the six wives of England’s King Henry VIII.
This musical takes a deep, yet lighthearted look into the lives of each of the wives, showing how they all claimed their unique place in history. The show starred nine girls – Eva Pathoumthong and Kennidi Hamilton as Catherine of Aragon, Lorelei Bolen as Anne Boleyn, Rebecca Smith and Calleigh Kress as Jane Seymour, Mary Cate Leddy as Anna of Cleves, Evie Thompson as Katherine Howard, Laila Collins as Catherine Parr, and Ava Walker as a lady-in-waiting.
The Theatre Department did a phenomenal job with this production. The girls loved being a part of the play, and they all appreciated the positive feedback that they received about it.
“‘Six’ turned out to be bigger than we imagined, and all the positive feedback and love we have received on the show has been life-changing,” Mary Cate said. “We are so happy to have impacted people’s
lives with the magic and love of ‘Six!’”
The seniors said that there’s never a dull moment in ASH Theatre, and anyone who is interested in joining should do so because the group is like a second family.
“The thing that I love about ASH Theatre is that it’s always changing,” Evie said. “We always have new shows, new people, and just so many new things. I also love that no matter what happens, at the end of the day, we’re always there for each other. Some of my closest friends come from my four years in a theater and my castmates of ‘Six.’ There’s never a dull moment with my theater group. We’re always laughing with each other, or sometimes mad at each other. We cry with each other; we’re happy with each other. To say that ASH Theatre is just a club for me doesn’t feel right. It’s more of a family to me.”
Coming up, ASH Theatre will likely stun us yet again with its performance of Peter and the Starcatcher, a play telling the story of Peter Pan before you met him in the movie of your childhood. Get your tickets and come see the show Nov. 7-10.
ABOVE: Senior Evie Thompson, playing Katherine Howard, sings during a performance of “Six.”
BELOW: Sophomore Lorelei Bolen plays the role of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII who was beheaded for treason.
By Lauren Kramel Editor
Vaughn Darbon may not be the star on the ASH Trojan football team, but he’s carved out an invaluable role for himself for his senior season.
Vaughn is the Trojans’ No. 2 running back, meaning at times he subs for star JT Lindsey while other times he shares the field with him.
Vaughn and the Trojans are off to a hot start to the 2024 season and have high expectations for this year.
ASH/Centric caught up with Vaughn to discuss life both on and off the football field.
AC: What’s your favorite part about football?
VD: Celebrating with my teammates after big plays.
AC: What’s your guilty pleasure song?
VD: Your Friends by hunxho.
AC: How do you come back after a bad game?
VD: Watch film and practice hard.
AC: How would your coaches and teammates describe you?
VD: Probably slow, but a good athlete.
By Giovanna Franklin Staff Writer
Every successful team needs its stars and its role players.
While James Lawhorn might not be a household name to every ASH football fan, he is to his teammates.
A backup running back, Lawhorn plays a vital role in the locker room and on the sidelines.
ASH/Centric caught up with James to talk about what he enjoys most about the sport and how he and others view himself.
AC: What’s your favorite part about football?
JL: Being around my friends and I like the sport in general.
AC: What’s your guilty pleasure song?
JL: Tried Our Best by Drake.
AC: How do you come back after a bad game?
JL: I come back not in a good mood but focused on our next game.
AC: How would your coaches and teammates describe you?
JL: My coaches and teammates would describe me as hardworking and goofy.
By Lauren Kramel Editor
Jaiden Tyrese Lindsey, known around campus as JT, is a senior running back for the Trojans football team. Considered one of the top running backs in the country, JT has committed to play college football at LSU.
ASH/Centric caught up with JT to discuss life both on and off the football field.
AC: What’s your favorite part about football?
JT: My favorite part of football is the competitiveness .
AC: What’s your guilty pleasure song?
JT: Bulletproo f by La Roux.
AC: How do you come back after a bad game?
JT: After a bad football game, I usually get film work and see where I went wrong and how I can do better and improve.
AC: How would your coaches and teammates describe you?
JT: I would say my coach and teammates would describe me as an energetic and funny teammate.
By Giovanna Franklin Staff Writer
Just over a month ago, Kartez Simon wasn’t sure how much he would play this year. He wasn’t in the Trojans’ starting lineup, but he was working to get there.
All that work was rewarded as Simon earned a starting spot at outside linebacker, and he was named the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Athlete of the Month for August.
Over the past month, Simon has emerged as a disruptive force on the defensive side of the football and one of the Trojans’ most important players.
ASH/Centric caught up with Kartez to discuss what he enjoys about football as well as life off the field.
AC: What’s your favorite part about football?
KS: The competitiveness.
AC: What’s your guilty pleasure song?
KS: Vampire by Olivia Rodrigo.
AC: How do you come back after a bad game?
KS: Move on and try to do better
AC: How would your coaches and teammates describe you?
KS: Very energetic, weird, funny, selfless
By Desire Wright Staff Writer
The Lady Trojans volleyball team is off to the best start in school history with a 10-2 record.
Much of that success has come from the leadership and play of the team’s three seniors: Sarah Grace Buckels, Suhani Patel and Lily Thompson.
ASH/Centric caught up with Suhani and Lily
By Marcie Loken Managing Editor and Nova Tate Associate Editor
to talk about the team’s performance and life as part of the Lady Trojan volleyball team.
While football gets the majority of the sports attention in the fall, other athletes are working just as hard in their sports.
That includes the cross-country teams, which are constantly running and training for their meets. Runners compete in 3-mile races against other teams.
ASH/Centric caught up with cross-country seniors Matthew Crenshaw, Wesley Gassiott, Jack Iles and Brodie Smith to talk about how they prepare for their sports.
AC: What’s your favorite part about cross country?
MC: Being with the team and building relationships while doing something hard.
WG: Finishing the race, team bonding, winning!
AC: What’s your favorite part about volleyball?
SP: The bond I have with the girls because we’re all like sisters.
LT: My favorite part about playing volleyball is getting food after.
AC: What is your pregame ritual?
SP: Whenever I’m on the bus, I have to listen to music the whole ride and this year, I’ve worn
JI: My favorite part about XC is finishing a race and knowing that the team is eating pizza after.
BS: I love running with the friends I’ve been running with since middle school, and the team dinners at pizza places are always fun.
AC: What’s your most memorable cross-country moment?
MC: Last year at the state competition, I lost my shoe and ran in the mud without a shoe.
WG: The 2023 state meet at NSU.
JI: I will always remember standing on the starting line of the regional race my junior year and praying with my teammates.
BS: The whole team qualifying for state two years in a row.
AC: What’s your pre-race ritual?
WG: Stay locked in! Warmup, stretch, drink water all day, eat healthy, listen to music.
JI: I usually like to put in my
the exact same hairstyle for games.
LT: I eat a good meal
AirPods and kind of visualize the race on the bus or before I start warming up
AC: Do you think about anything specific while you’re running?
MC: I just focus on my pacing.
BS: I just think about finishing the race and sticking with the person I’m sticking with for pace.
AC: How do you come back after a bad meet?
MC: Everybody has bad
the day before, get rest, and right before the game, I listen to music.
AC: How do you come back after a bad game?
SP: During practices, we huddle it out and let out whatever is necessary so that we go back onto the court and perform better.
LT: The coach helps us and tells us what we need to fix, and everyone on the team helps to pick each other up.
meets; my best advice is to just keep running.
BS: I try not to think about it. I just continue going to practice and working with my training schedule. I focus on getting a better time at my next race.
AC: How would your coaches and teammates describe you?
WG: Outgoing and hardworking.
JI: I think that they would say I’m a super hard worker and very focused before a race.
By Gabe Scales Staff Writer
Earning one of the coveted 10 spots on the Alexandria Senior High Homecoming Court is a very prestigious honor. It’s a highly competitive process to make the list of 20 semifinalists, who are voted on by ASH students to get onto the court.
ASH/Centric asked each of the finalists about who and what motivated them to run for Homecoming Court.
Aniya Baxter, Senior
I wanted to be part of the experience. It sounded exciting. I wanted to have that last moment with my friends as a senior. My mom is my biggest motivation.
Grace Brown, Senior
I wanted to be closer to people like the girls on HOCO court. My mom is my best motivation.
Maya Dowell, Senior
I wanted to dress up, and my best friend, Maggie Neely, motivated me to run.
Amelie Doyle, Senior
I ran for Homecoming Court because I thought it would be something fun for me to do with my friends. It is fun to see everyone’s outfits and build a better bond with all the girls in general. My mom motivated me to run because while I was nervous she helped me with the campaigning and getting everything I needed for court. It was very stressful with all the deadlines, but she made it fun for me.
Wesley Gassiott, Senior
I ran for Homecoming Court because I wanted the experience senior year. I love ASH, and I am so proud to represent my school. My motivation to run comes from my mom because she was on the ASH Homecoming Court her senior year.
Gracie Pringle, Senior
I wanted to make a positive impact on my community and my school. Homecoming is an event that brings everyone together, so I thought it’d be a great opportunity to represent my friends and peers. My biggest inspiration is my mom. She has always demonstrated incredible
strength. As I grew up, I watched her handle problems with grace and determination. She has been a constant source of motivation for me.
Ash’lyn Walls, Senior
I wanted to have fun and have good experiences before I graduated. My best friend Jaylon wanted me to run, even though I wasn’t very confident I would win. He really made me more confident, so I decided to run.
Elizabeth Crenshaw, Junior
My brother and cousins are seniors, so I wanted to participate in running before they graduate. My mom is my biggest motivation.
Ella Ferguson, Sophomore
I wanted to run for the experience and to make new friends. My mom was my biggest motivation.
Brooklyn Baylor, Freshman
I wanted to represent ASH and be a part of things such as HOCO court. My greatest motivation is my mom. She really shines a positive light on me.
By Lorelei Bolen Staff Writer
There are many extracurricular activities available to students at Alexandria Senior High.
There are many successful athletic programs, the band, choir, theatre, cheer and dance teams, and even a successful JROTC program. Beyond that, though, there are many different club opportunities for ASH students.
Below are some – but not all – of the clubs and organizations available and some information about them.
Art Club: A vibrant community for creatives of all levels. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just looking to explore your artistic side, Art Club offers a supportive space to express yourself.
Bass Fishing Club: A Tier-1 membership to the team allows you to compete in local tournaments hosted by area high schools. A Tier-2 membership opens the door to compete in statewide competitions sanctioned by the LHSAA and Louisiana High School Bass Nation. Team members must join with a partner and have an adult captain to operate their boat.
Best Buddies: This heartwarming community is dedicated to fostering friendships and inclusion. The club’s mission is to create lasting connections among students of all abilities through fun activities, social events and meaningful experiences.
BETA Club: This club is ideal for freshmen and sophomores who would like to prepare for National Honor Society. A 2.5 minimum GPA is required. This service-based organization seeks to instill responsibility and character building in its members.
Chess Club: This club meets after school every Friday in Room 44. The club is open to experienced chess players and beginners. Come out and see the fun, competitive environment if you are interested.
Educators Rising: Educators Rising is a national organization that aims to inspire high school students to pursue a career in education. Join to shadow teachers, create bulletin boards, read and tutor at elementary schools, attend conferences across the state, and learn more about the exciting field of education.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes: Since 1954, FCA has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college,
high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ.
Key Club: Key Club members around the world are learning how to lead and stand for what’s right through service and volunteerism. In partnership with their local Kiwanis Club, high school students are making a positive impact as they serve others in their schools and communities.
National Honor Society: NHS is a collection of ASH’s most academically promising students. The club places an emphasis on academic excellence, community service and outstanding character.
Spanish Club: The purpose of this club is to better understand and promote the Spanish language as well as its diverse cultures.
Student Council: The goal of Student Council is to promote a sense of community within the school, act as a voice for students with the administration, provide community service, and raise funds for charitable causes and school improvements. Leadership is a key component of a successful Student Council. Elections for sophomores and juniors interested in serving next year will be held in the spring.
