Staff Report
Hey, eagles! Welcome back to school! The Talon is super excited to share some fantastic articles with you all this year! Many fun activities have already taken place here on campus so far, and there are many more fun activities coming your way! The Talon staff is wishing you all the best this year! If you have any article recommendations feel free to contact a journalism staff member or let us know on our Instagram @ihs the talon !
The Talon is Back!
For over 30 years Immanuel has had an annual tradition of a fall fun day. On August 19, 2022, Immanuel High’s Fall Fun Day took place. All students dressed out in their class color and had a full day of activities and fun, more specifically, 36 stations of fun! Chef Lori provided a delicious breakfast for the student body, and after breakfast, students took their class picture and then a school-wide picture. Students were then bussed to the complex, and the great race officially began! Seniors started first, and other classes grabbed their catfish and followed. For about two hours, students participated in various activities around the entire complex until it was time for lunch. The Hofer family graciously cooked hamburgers for the school, and after was dodge ball which is another yearly tradition.
by Sienna Mehling
The O-Fishal Fall Fun Day Recap
There were many good dodge ball games, including the Senior Girls beating the Freshman girls; however, the Freshman boys dominated the Senior boys. If you ask me, though, there are double Freshman boys, so was the game fair? All seniors then got to play against the teachers, and to your surprise, the seniors won! The class of 2023 also became the o fishal champions of this year's great race! This year's fall social was fun and memorable for all of Immanuel High.
Here at Immanuel we are incredibly excited for our sports program to really go crazy this year! We've interviewed some players and gotten their thoughts on their excitement of leading into this year. An interview with our very own, Charles Going, let us get an insider on the new coach and how exciting it is to have some new and fresh coaching techniques. He's especially excited for the Reedley home game and the CVC game which for our football players is the highlight of the season. Sadly, one of our football players already sustained an injury, we are praying for a speedy recovery and healing and we ask for continued prayer. The basketball players are excited and all for different reasons. Some are excited about the new coach who is pushing them to be better and faster than the years before. When asked if they think the coaching will work and pay off they said that our readers can come and see them on the court if they have any doubts! Xavier is an avid baseball fan and player, who's very excited for this year's athletics, revealed that he got his cousin to join him for baseball, and they are hoping to have another amazing season and go all the way back to valley and catch a victory from left field! When we asked the rest of the baseball team if they are excited for this new year we got very different answers, but all with the same message: of course they are! They are excited to bring us to the valley tournament and put another victory under the belt of the Immanuel eagles!
ESPN: Eagles Sports & Plays Network
By JosiahBurkhart
What was your favorite part of the trip?
What was something you learned in Guatemala?
The thing that stuck with me the most as I came home from the trip is that the God I know is the same God at work in Guatemala. It gave me hope when I saw the hard situations people were living in there.
Personal interview. 07
Eliana Rotunno
There were so many special little moments that it's hard to pick a favorite, but I think that something I look forward to again is the dynamic of staying with a bunch of girls in one house during our first week in Antigua. We ate home-cooked meals together, talked at the dinner table, became close as roommates, and shared the deep and hurting parts of our hearts late into the night during testimony time.
What would be one word to describe your experience?
by Sienna Mehling
As soon as I heard that Immanuel offered missions trips, I was down to go anywhere, but the turning point in deciding to go to Guatemala was when I talked to a student who had gone on Students International trips in previous years Hearing their story made me so excited and pumped up to participate at the ministry sites.
What would you say to someone interested in going on a mission trip but hesitant?
This past summer, students from Immanuel had the opportunity to go on a mission trip offered by Students International. This trip was to Antigua and Magdalena, Guatemala, and included one week of language immersion and one week of missionary work. Twenty-four students from this campus traveled to Guatemala and had their own lifechanging experiences while there. They got to grow their faith, teach others about the Gospel, and open their hearts to serving those around them. A few students from the trip had some fantastic things to say about their experience in Guatemala.
If I had to describe my experience in one word, it would be “selfless.” God taught me how it feels to put aside my preferences and comforts so that I could empathize for those who live a simple life. I remember washing out all my clothes by hand in the pila at night. I remember letting my hair get wet and crazy from the humid and rainy Central American climate. I had to just get uncomfortable and be okay with it. I wasn’t there for myself, I was there to help the least of these, to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
September 2022
Why did you decide to go on this trip?
It taught me that no matter where you are in the world, no matter the poverty levels, no matter the language, the God we serve is the same everywhere. As believers, we can connect with each other as brothers and sisters in Christ with a language that we all understand, which is faith.
The Heart of Missions
If you have any interest in going, then you definitely should!! If you’re worried about the money to get there, God will make a way if he wants you there. We have crazy stories about financial stuff; just ask any of us who have gone before. The one thing I will say is be open to getting uncomfortable. God meets us where we are at. When you’re on a mission trip giving up two weeks of your life to serve and be selfless, I promise you that if you let God work, he will surprise you with the best loving comfort you will ever Rotunno,receive.Eliana.
My favorite part was playing polish ping pong with the kids and communicating just through sports.
What would be one word to describe your experience?
I was a little hesitant because I thought I’d be going just to travel, but Mr. Thomas said wanting to travel is a gift from the Spirit, and with that want to travel, I should definitely go because god could use me.
What was something you learned in Guatemala?
Lily
After being encouraged by certain teachers around me, I started to pray and ask God if this was something he was calling me to do. Later that week, I got a message from a friend, and it was a bible verse that has been my foundation since then, it was Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” This passage has been something that has spoken to me and made me realize that when God has plans laid out in front of you, take them.
What was your favorite part of the trip?
I learned that God has a plan for me. Plain and simple. What I thought was my story was actually his. I'm not writing my own story; none of us are. It's all God. I had lived my life wanting to do things for myself and what I thought would benefit me and never added God into any of my decisions. After making the big decision to go on this trip, I realized that even if you don't know why you're in the position you're in, God I'll use you, and he will allow you and our walk with him to influence those around you.
I guess God reminded and showed me that He truly wants the best for me and is always paying attention even to the small details. And he always sees little worries and is there to comfort.
What was your favorite part of the trip?
If I'm being honest, going on the trip was something I was hesitant about. I was very uncertain in my faith at a certain time last year, and going on this trip didn’t seem like it was right for me.
Maddi Martinez
To pick a favorite memory from this trip is hard because it was an experience I will never forget, but if I had to choose a certain time, it would have to be when I shared my testimony. I was so nervous to share my testimony because of how much it changed over the course of a year. I was preparing myself the night before, and when doing so, I was struggling to figure out what I should share. As I was sitting, there was a sudden presence that filled the room and told me that it was in God's hands. I had never felt peace like I did in the moment. When I had heard the next day, my story had related to so many others that I would never think I could. Being able to share my story and have an impact on another life is driving me further into what was to come next on this journey.
Personal interview. 07 September 2022
WhyAtmajiandidyoudecide to go on this trip?
What would you say to someone interested in going on a mission trip but hesitant?
What was something you learned in Guatemala?
I know these are two words, but eye-opening Well, from my stance. I was nervous because none of my friends were really going but for any reason just go on the Trip! God takes care of everything, and He can use you wherever you are. I was totally out of my comfort zone, but it was awesome! Just go for it; you’ll make so many new relationships, and your eyes will be opened to another part of the world. And you’ll totally see God in all things.
Why did you decide to go on this trip?
I would just want to say that for some people, it might seem scary to go on a mission trip. I felt very out of my comfort zone on the first day of sight, but God is there, and He is taking care of you and me. So don’t be scared and go and get uncomfortable because you grow so much when you are. Atmajian, Lily.
What would be one word to describe your experience?
Why did you decide to go on this trip?
What was your favorite part of the trip? The highlight of my trip was getting to see God work! Whether it was through ourselves, the people we interacted with, or even the places we went, it was always evident He was working. In my site, Microfinance, I faced some of the hardest things to see, yet every single time I could see God was working there. Even through the financial poverty, God was with the people of Guatemala. It was so encouraging to see how much hope they found in God, amidst their lifestyles, living conditions, difficult circumstances, etc. We often can be distracted from seeing the way God is working around us.
Humbling! I loved seeing God's work, even though it was emotionally difficult at times! It truly humbled me and my relationship with Christ! After my time in Guatemala, I have rethought some of my future goals/plans and have been able to give my all to God! I am excited to see where and when He takes me next! I want to continue to be humbled by Christ as He leads me throughout my future!
Leading up to this trip, I knew what poverty was, but I had no idea about the various forms it can be in. Learning, understanding, and even witnessing the different types of poverty blew my mind! I had never heard of Spiritual Poverty, which makes me laugh now because it was the most impactful thing about the trip for me! Realizing how poor we are without Christ made me think harder than ever! We tend to have all of the “things”, not always allowing us to fully rely and depend on God to provide for us! It was inspiring to see the way people prayed and sought out God for quite literally everything! They were all in for God and it made me want to be as well! What would be one word to describe your experience?
I decided to go on this trip because I felt called! I was full of nerves and fear every minute leading up to the trip! However, God brought me out of my comfort zone to show me what He was truly all about! After the first few hours in Guatemala, I immediately knew God had placed me there for a reason! Trusting His plan isn’t always the easiest, but when you do, it’s totally worth it!
I went on, but after making the decision to go, I would never go back and change a thing. If you're unsure because you feel like you're not the “right person” to go or if you don’t “qualify” to go, let me tell you that even when you're broken or hurt, or unsure, God will use you. Pray, ask God, what his plan is for you. If you feel like God is calling you to go, take that calling; that is my one advice. TAKE THE CALL FROM GOD! You will not regret your decision. Martinez, Maddi. Personal interview. 07 September 2022
Feeling hesitant to go on a mission trip is completely normal and ok. I know I was the very onefirst
What would you say to someone who is interested in going on a mission trip, but is perhaps hesitant about it?
If someone was interested in going on a mission trip but was nervous, what would you say to encourage them?
Go! You can't grow from within your comfort zone! Going on a trip like this was totally out of my comfort zone, yet I came back wanting to do it all over again. Even on the hardest of days, I reminded myself of how far I had made it and that I was already growing by just stepping foot on the plane. The things you experience, the people you meet, the work you see God do, is so worth getting out of your comfort zone for! God is going to guide you each and every step of the way, just like He did for so many of us. Give it to God and go on a mission trip!
Vulnerability because of how much that one word changed my life.
However, when I returned home, I began to look for the ways God was working in those around me, and for that I am grateful. What was something you learned in Guatemala?
Mackenzie Brautigam
What I learned in Guatemala was that there are other Christians out there who have such a strong faith and love for Jesus. It is so refreshing to see real and authentic people who love the Lord but live in a different country and speak a different language. What would be one word to describe your experience?
I would say to pray about it and if that is something you think God is leading you to then go for it. This is an opportunity that you shouldn’t take for granted and I promise you will love it. Don’t be nervous! Go for it full force!
What was something you learned in Guatemala?
One word that could describe my experience would be…I’m not sure. It’s something that I feel like I can’t describe. It’s something personal and changed me spiritually that I wouldn’t know how to put it in one word. What would you say to someone who is interested in going on a mission trip, but is perhaps hesitant?
One more thing, At the end of the trip I was very impacted by the spirit and he moved on that trip. It was no mistake that I went to Guatemala.
Why did you decide to go on this trip?
I guess, to be honest, I went on the trip to see what Guatemala looked like. I wasn't doing it really for any specific reason. What was your favorite part of the trip?
Definitely go, It is something that is rewarding and it really puts an impact.
My favorite part of the trip was those free time moments in Antigua, when we went to tour the old monastery, and definitely spending time with Meme and just getting to be around him and learning about the people!
What was something you learned in Guatemala?
Brautigam, Mackenzie. Personal interview. 07 September 2022
Why did you decide to go on this trip?
Jackson, Carter. Personal interview. 07 September 2022
What spiritual impact did you personally experience during the trip?
To be honest, I have heard this question a lot and I could never answer it because I truly questioned myself why I even wanted to go. But now reflecting on it, I know for a fact this was God working in my life. God wanted me to get to know him more and brought me on this trip for a reason I remember Mr. Thomas asking me this question and I remember God saying you need to go on the trip. So I thought well, let’s go for it.
My favorite part of the trip was getting to know all the people on the trip. Especially the girls, I also loved getting to know the Freshman girls! They are so fun to be around and definitely bring out the kid at heart. I also loved the small special moments that probably wouldn’t have mattered but forever stuck out to me and will miss terribly.
07 September 2022
Mackenzie Hernandez
I probably learned in Guatemala that God definitely moves in mysterious ways, the way that we were able to share the gospel with people and to pray over them was amazing. What would be one word to describe your experience?
Similar to what I learned from the trip, I watched God show me what it really looks like to want Him.
Hernandez, Mackenzie. Personal interview.
What would you say to someone who is interested in going on a mission trip, but is perhaps hesitant?
Surreal.
Carter Jackson
What was your favorite part of the trip?
In some of the houses I visited through my site, I watched women weep to God and cry out for help and understanding. I often thought to myself, "Do I depend on God like that?" We tend to have all the "things", therefore we don't always truly depend on God. It's been made so clear to me that we often live in spiritual poverty, and without even realizing it. I want to depend on God for ALL things, just like the people of Guatemala did.
