Nova Roma | October 2020 | Volume 4, Issue 1| Highlands Latin School

Nova

Highlands Latin School

|

October 2020

Roma |

Volume 4, Issue 1

Review of Upperschool Advance: Perspective of a Senior House Member By: Abi Bitner This year’s Advance was bound to be drastically different than in years past. To be honest, I was uncertain at first whether we would be able to pull off an online advance. However, my fears were quickly dismissed as preparations began to evolve. The weeks leading up to the Advance were filled with careful planning, collaborations, and much anticipated excitement. I am personally not on my House leadership board, but I was definitely aware of all the effort and dedication that was being put forth by both the administration and the house leaders to make the advance a special day.

Much of the advance was centered around the induction ceremony. While the leadership board for each House was present for the induction process, many house members joined Zoom to participate. I was both shocked

and impressed to see the high number of students who chose to join the Zoom call. This participation made it evident that HLS is a school where students love the community and culture. I was on the Zoom call for the induction ceremony and never once felt like an outsider looking in on the event. The leadership board was constantly including those who joined online and making us feel as though we were still a major contributor to the event. Another favorite of the event was the get to know you games led by each individual house. My house did a fantastic job participating in that and the leadership board went above and beyond making sure all the people who joined virtually felt welcomed and included.

Although the Coronavirus infiltrated our usual Advance plans, I believe that many of the new experiences created this year can

What’ s Up!? Your HLS Student Spotlight

be used moving forward. For ex- By: Steve and Gus ample, this year parents were able Steve: Welcome back everybody! to join in with their children’s ex- Allow me to introduce myself. My citement as they were separated name is Steve and my little sideinto their respective houses. I be- kick here is Gus. lieve this inclusion of the family Gus: Excuse me? I am pretty sure could be a new tradition in com- you mean “the incredibly handing years as it promotes a more some and talneted, all-around joyful family atmosphere. greatest guy: Gus!” As the Head of House for An- S:Sure, whatever you say Gus. drew, Sydney Windhorst, said Anyways, we have been selected in her speech, the house system to take up the honorable duties of succeeds when we all work to- the student spotlight and carry on gether. This was exactly the case the legacy this year. So brought this year as Sydney Windhorst to you for the first time ever, this (Andrew), Lilly Luse (David), is Steve and Gus introducing our Lilly Pottlitzer (George), and AJ guest. Hello, Logan Pottlitzer!

Mangione (Patrick), along with Logan: Hey. their leadership boards, joined to- S: It is so nice to meet you! I’m gether to create an Advance that sure you know how this works so will long be remembered as one go ahead and tell us about yourof the greatest. self.

COVID Adjustments: Field Hockey and Soccer By: Lilly Pottlitzer, Carly Wheat, Justin Gilbert, Caleb Kang This year has been both crazy and eventful, not only in the classroom, but also in the Athletic Department. All HLS teams have impressively adapted to the changes. In addition to entering an entire new league, the KHSAA, Covid protocols have put up some new challenges. Our sports teams, however, have endured these unforeseen complications with a positive attitude and creative perseverance.

One such team is varsity soccer. This year, they have an impressive record of 3-1-1. The

switch from the teams they were accustomed to in the KCAA to the teams in the KHSAA, provided an opportunity for the players to grow. Senior, Carter McGill, explained “So far it seems like a pretty smooth transition, although the difference is obvious with both the style of play as well as the physical intensity of each game. Our team is being pushed to the limits, and it is already evident that we will be a strong force in the league we are in now.” Covid-19 also had an impact on the way that the team prepared for

games. Junior, Sam Birkholz, said, “Less games have been scheduled, so it’s been a shorter season...but it has not affected us too much.”

Senior Night was Friday, September 25. The team played a former KCAA opponent, Trinity Christian. HLS won the game with a final score of 4-2. Seniors Sean VanderWoude and Justin Gilbert scored 2 of the goals. Our seniors have shown amazing leadership skills this season and we cannot wait to see how the season

Continued on page 5

L: I’m in 7th grade, and I’m in George.

S: Wonderful! Seventh grade was definitely one of my favorites.

G: Oh yeah! That was the year I learned to ride a scooter! Good times.

S:Anyways Logan, are you excited to be in George? I’ve heard they’re the best house by far.

G: You are sorely mistaken. I’ve never heard that.

Continued on page 3

Page 2

Adapting

By: Marissa Mudd and Devin Moore This summer was certainly an unexpected one. It was full of changes, cancellations, highs and lows. Despite the disappointments, some events were still able to go on, they just looked a little different. For example, the Governor’s Scholar Program and the Governor’s School for the Arts still had some form of their annual program. GSP, which was held at Centre and Bellarmine College, was only one week instead of the traditional five weeks. Matthew Leprell who attended GSP said that while the experience was certainly not the same, and he felt a little cheated, he was still thankful for the opportunity. He was able to develop new friendships and overall enjoyed GSP even though it was cut to one week. Usually GSA is three weeks and hosted at the University of Kentucky.

However, Daniel Young who was accepted into GSA, said that it was moved completely online.

At first, he was very upset over the chaos of moving to zoom

instead of in-person camp, but his attitude soon changed, and he was thankful for even the altered form of GSA. Daniel says throughout this summer he was forced to focus more on the good and what he was given to work with, rather than what he might be missing out on. In his words, “This whole quarantine has forced me to be more patient and to look more to what I have than what I expect or hope I will have, because that’s not as certain as I thought it was.”

Another tradition that was different this year was the girls’ retreat.

Normally the girls’ retreat is in April and spans three days and two nights, but this year it was unofficially held on July 15th through the 16th at Country Lake Christian Retreat. One of the current sophomore girls who attended said that, “The girls retreat was so fun and probably more sweet than normal to see everyone because we valued the time so much

Ladies swimming in Country Lake at the 2020 Girl’s Retreat

more.” Though this summer has been an unprecedented and unexpected one, it has also given us the chance to grow and show us that we should be thankful for the everyday things that we used to take for granted.

Many HLS students were thankful for the growing-up opportunities that quarantine offered.

Kara Waurio said, “In the few months before June and during the summer months, I had a lot of time to be with myself without the distractions of daily life, and consequently I was forced to be content with my own company and become far more comfortable in my own skin.” Allison Cornwell also commented that quarantine “gave me the opportunity to grow closer to my family and grandparents. Besides that, I also got to spend more time in nature and even looking at the tiniest details of nature made me appreciate it more

and grow more confident in my faith. Overall, I’ve become a more positive person and grateful for what I have.” Julianna Sizemore, a junior, had her first season playing club volleyball cut short by quarantine. She said, “quarantine and not getting to do what I normally have planned such as travelling and hanging out with friends made me realize how important those things are. I guess to a certain extent I didn’t realize how much I loved something until I didn’t have it anymore. So overall even though COVID was awful, I think it gave me a much greater appreciation for friends, fellowship, and hugs.”

Students impressively adapted to the ever changing reality brought on by COVID-19. Even though many events were cancelled and altered, I am so proud that students searched for the positive aspects and used the time to better themselves.

Page 3

Student Spotlight continued from page 1

S: Shhhhhh, let him answer the question.

L: Yeah, of course I was excited.

S: What was it like when you found out you were in George?

L: It was weird, cause I would’ve liked to do it the other way, like how people had done it before.

G: Oh yeah, I get that.

Sorry bud.

S: Do you think they did a good job this year though?

L: Mhm, yeah, it was really fun on Zoom too.

S: Yeah, I agree they did a great job making the retreat exciting and fun.

What’s been your favorite part of 7th grade so far?

L: Science! I like going outside and studying trees. And I really liked being inducted into my house.

G: Do you ever think you would want to be a House Leader one day?

L: I’m not sure, but my sister’s gonna try to make me one since she’s the Leader this year. And I applied for Lanista this year so…

S: Good luck! I bet you’d make a great lanista.

G: You know who has two thumbs and would make an amazing lanista? This guy!

S: Nah, Logan’s got you beat by far.

G: Whatever. Ok Logan, did you do anything fun over the summer?

L: Nope G: Dang.

S: Did you go anywhere at all?

L: Oh, I went to Red River Gorge.

S: Wait, that’s fun!

What’d you do there?

L: We canoed and hiked.

That’s about it.

G: I like kayaking better.

S: Gus, be nice! Ok, so Logan, are you playing any sports for HLS this year?

L: Yep. Basketball, Baseball, and Soccer.

only one right answer to this.

S: Nice, you’re covering all the bases.

L: Definitely in person is better.

G: HAHAHA, get it, bases...like baseball...ya know, the sport, hahah.

G: He got it right.I have a question for the end.

It’s a very important question.

S: Gus calm down.

What’s your favorite sport from those 3?

G: Baseball…say Baseball.

L: Um, either Basketball or Baseball.

S: Oh really?

L: I like playing catcher in baseball, and I also just like basketball and playing with my teammates.

G: And Baseball’s just the best sport.

S: You can just ask it now.

G: Oh right, ok Logan who’s your favorite Disney princess?

S: That’s a good question! Way to pull through.

L: Probably, I don’t know what her name is, What’s the one from Beauty and the Beast?

S: Belle? She’s the best.

Great answer.

L: Ok, sure.

G: Yeah, she’s a good one.

G: Ok, because of Covid, we should probably ask a Covid question.

S: Ok, well I guess that wraps it up for us this time! Thanks for talking to us, Logan!

S: Go for it.

G: No, I don’t have a question.

S: OK, I got you. Do you prefer Zoom or in person better? There’s

L: Thanks.

G: Alright, adios everyone, have a great year and stay safe!

Page 4

Senioritis

By: Sam Birkholz and Jonathan Lasoi SB: Hey folks! Welcome to this year’s Senioritis column.

It’s going to be an exciting year of challenging questions and mixed personalities. This month we delve into the lives of Elijah Montgomery, Maggie Hunsucker, Leslie Monhollen, Samuel Haddow, and Abi Bitner.

JL: Time to let the fun begin.

SB: We’ll start with a question to match the season. What is your favorite upper school advance memory?

SH: So my first year, we did a skit of a newscast and Tanner Petrie was in charge, and all we did was laugh the entire time.

LM: Probably watching the house meetings crash and burn.

EM: Definitely being inducted into the House of Andrew and the joy I felt when it happened.

MH: I always liked playing capture the flag; the whole school playing together is really cool.

AB: I like the induction ceremony when we go crazy for the newbies.

JL: Ok, I’m a food junkie so I have to ask, what’s your favorite restaurant you’ve ever been to?

SH: It’s a place in Virginia Beach right on the coast with the best Mac’n cheese ever.

LM: Pizza Parlor and their big cheesy calzones.

EM: Brazeiros Brazillian Steakhouse-all you can eat is so good.

MH: Ruth’s Chris, I got a steak lobster Mac’n Cheese which was amazing.

AB: Olive Garden easy, I love my Italian.

JL: What is one piece of advice you want to give to the readers?

SH: I know it is cliché, but be nice to others.

LM: Make sure to have good friends to lean on.

EM: Make the most of your high school experience.

MH: Spend time with your friends and enjoy it.

AB: Think more of others and less of yourself.

SB: And to finish us off, if I bought you a ticket to anywhere in the world where are you going?

SH: Probably something boring sounding like Europe.

LM: Oh, I love Europe, I think I’d pick Paris. Always wanted to see the Louvre.

EM: Either Game 7 of the of the NBA Finals or New Zealand.

MH: Maybe Europe, but also Hawaii if we are gonna be beachy.

AB: Definitely a Steelers game.

SB: Thanks guys for answering our questions today. I hope you all enjoyed this month’s Senioritis questions. These are your hosts Sam and Jonathan saying see you next time!

Review of Advance: Perspective of a House Leader By: Lilly Luse

This year’s retreat was certainly different, but it maintained the usual spirit and unity that every year brings. Going into this year’s event, we were cautiously optimistic, but we knew that it had so much potential to be fun and exciting. The administration and leadership worked tirelessly to make the retreat special but safe, and that dedication and hard work was prominent on retreat day.

The induction process was the centerpiece of the retreat, and although it was certainly different, I think that the changes made could stick around even during better times. Families of new seventh graders were able to witness the entire induction process and see their student welcomed into their house. It elevated the whole experience, and it was so refreshing to be outside the whole morning instead of crammed into Cooke Hall. Leadership drove decorated cars around the loop, sang along to the stereo very badly, danced all around the lawn, popped balloons and ripped streamers, and got the campus ready for new house members. Welcoming the new members as they ran down our handmade streamer paths, screaming and shouting, it felt like nothing had really changed. Same excited faces of new seventh graders, the same shouts and cheers from leaders, same blaring music and

announcements; the spirit of the retreat was undeniably there. Even the virtual portions of the day carried the same sense of unity and excitement.

The virtual get-to-know-you games were a huge success, and it was great to see all the members of the house and interact with them, even when I couldn’t be with them face to face. Having the retreat on a smaller scale made the whole experience feel more intimate.

The house leader induction ceremony felt more personal with a smaller crowd. I severely missed the deafening applause and cheers of the entire upper school packed into bleachers, but there was something special about seeing my senior classmates sitting at lunch tables under the warm lights of Cooke Hall, smiling and listening attentively around us.

It was less intimidating than speaking to an entire gym full of students, and I felt comfortable delivering my speech to friends and classmates. As house leader, putting on an all-school retreat during a pandemic certainly seemed like an insurmountable challenge. But despite the obstacles, I think the experience forced me and the other members of leadership to learn to work together.

In the end, I think it brought us all closer together, and it was a day I and HLS will never forget.

Page 5

Sports

Nova Roma Staff

Continued from Page 1 finishes.

Highlands field hockey has also proved very capable in the face of challenges. Though this is only the team’s second official season, they have improved greatly. They gained many new players this year. Senior, Isabella Helms, said, “the new players are killing it! I did not expect to see them so aggressive, but they are, and they have been amazing.”

This year, HLS fielded both a JV and Varsity Field Hockey team.

The Varsity team is currently undefeated and the JV team’s record stands 2-1. Covid-19 has also made game play different for the field hockey team. Senior Captain, Elizabeth Bramer, said, “We have less games, but that

also means that we are not able to come together with the team after the game or beforehand so that is a weird part of the game because we just get to wave to them (the other team), and we cannot tell them good game personally. Overall it has impacted it in a way that there are less people who attend, but at least our families can still come and I am thankful to the school for that.” The first ever field hockey Senior Night was on October 6, 2020. Be sure to congratulate Elizabeth and Isabella on an incredible season.

Make sure to thank all our senior athletes for their years of dedication representing HLS and congratulate them on their season.

Sydney Windhorst Sophie Harris Samantha Kang Steve Gus Justin Gilbert Lilly Luse Abi Bitner Lilly Pottlitzer Leili Popejoy Carly Wheat Kara Moran Elliana Bitner Sam Birkholz Jonathan Lasoi Devin Moore George Hall Grant McGill Sophie Krumhansl Marissa Mudd Caleb Kang

Editor-In-Chief Junior Editor Format Editor Student Spotlight Student Spotlight Sports Writer Features Writer Features Writer Sports Writer Book Review Sports Writer Advice Columnist Photographer Senioritis Writer Senioritis Writer Features Writer Poll Conductor Poll Conductor Head of Art, Poems, and Puzzels Features Writer Sports Writer

Book Review and Recommendation By: Leili Popejoy

Rebecca, a Gothic suspense novel written by Daphne du Maurier, takes readers on a thrilling journey with a young woman who is whisked away from her simple life by a mysterious acquaintance.

A wealthy widower, Maxim de Winter, meets our unnamed heroine and quickly proposes marriage, to which she accepts. However, their marriage is haunted by the memory of his late wife, Rebecca, who died tragically at sea. Convinced that he is still in love with his deceased wife, she struggles to adapt to her new life. Their story soon takes a dramatic turn and readers can only watch it unfold in awe.

On the surface it seems like a sappy romance, but it takes a distant backseat to the mystery and allure of the plot, which is the real star of the book. I really enjoyed seeing the protagonist’s progression throughout the story and how her failures shape and mature her.

The complexity of the characters is intriguing, their motives and personalities are flawed and unclear. It is fascinating how the author confronts reality and is not afraid to examine the convoluted and unsatisfactory aspects of life throughout this novel.

Editor’s Note:

Dear Reader, It is with great pleasure that we are able to bring you this year’s edition of the Nova Roma. With so many cancellations this year, it’s nice to know our fearless journalists are still able to bring you the socially-distanced news. While the world may have seemed to turn up-side-down for a bit, it has not stopped. Even though there are no guarantees this year, we look forward to keeping you informed.

Mask up and stay safe!

Sydney Windhorst

Page 6

Spell of Summer By: Emily Grace Haner

May marks the start of smiling summer months A time of enterprise and adventure.

The endless dome above to blush adjusts, The innumerable stars surrender.

How intricate each small life seems to me, Ev’ry fish and flower, insect and weed,.

Walking through the wood, past tree after tree, Leaflets on sprouts catch the gentle rain’s bead.

Ev’ning falls with droning cicadas’ hum, Promising a new day at next dawn and Rouge clouds so beautiful that one feels numb.

Elevation evoked by this day is drawn Larger more so by a confident mind, Lasting longer in two mem’ries through time.

HLS Student Poll

Conducted by: George Hall and Grant McGill To start off our first poll, George and Grant asked 97 of our upperschool students who is most likely to grow up and become principal of Highlands Latin School. The results were as follows:

1. Halen Luse (28.9%) 2. Jake Hamilton (23.7%) 3. Grant McGill (20.6%)

Dusk

By Emily Grace Haner

The Colorful sky’s greeting for night Matches the peach campfire blaze Lightly hissing on wet logs.

Smoke twirls up to heaven And crinkles lush leaves Caught in its path.

So feels the Lovely Dusk

Announcements:

If you would like to see your art pieces or poems in the Nova Roma, contact sophomore Sophie Krumhansl.

If you would like to anonymously submit a question to the advise columnist, email Kara Moran at: novaroma.advise@gmail.com

Advice Column By: Kara Moran

One of the few things almost every middle or high school student seems to have in common is stress. Whether it be from academics, extracurriculars, jobs, friends, or otherwise, we all have or will experience some level of conflict during our years in high school. Grappling with these can be especially difficult when circumstances are outside of our control. It can be hard to handle these things with only our own judgement, because it is natural for our narrow minds to have trouble seeing a bigger picture.

This year, I and everyone on the newspaper staff hope to be able to somewhat serve as an outside perspective, acting as a source of advice suited and applicable to an audience with the particular shared experience of attending HLS. This issue I want to address applies to everyone, but especially those with more time left to spend here at school. You’ll meet few upperclassmen here who would express regret over investing too much into their education and extracurriculars. Year after year, juniors and seniors urge underclassmen to make the most of their high school years. Despite this repeated exhortation, it is difficult to truly absorb until you yourself are a junior or senior.

So how can we all invest in and be bettered by our school?

“Work hard and tell the truth” is a simple and yet crucial piece of advice which Dr. Dickie has often repeated to students. Working hard applies to many various aspects of being a high school student. Everyone has something, or often very many things,

which have been given to them with the opportunity of working hard. Some of these things we prefer to work at more than others. Putting effort into academics, a sport, or an extracurricular is easy if we enjoy them. It is a good thing to hone our skills in activities we enjoy. However, the difficulty arises when we are given tasks we may be a lot less eager to see through. At some point, every student will be faced with an assignment or challenge they simply do not want to do.

Working hard becomes a lot less appealing, and yet it is just as necessary. In the moment, it may be daunting, but the advice to work hard will wholly pay off if it is carried out to the fullness of your abilities.

The second piece of wisdom, “tell the truth,” is equally as vital and acts as an important condition for the former part. Working hard loses any value if it is dishonest. Telling the truth is crucial inside the classroom, as well as in all interactions with authority and peers. This truth does not just apply to the things we say. It must be deeply rooted in how we view our academics and extracurriculars, because if we seek to cut corners or other means of alleviating our workload, the benefits we receive from them will be eventually lessened.

While there are many things to be said about using the years we have in high school well, “work hard and tell the truth” is an excellent core mindset to have and is an ideal foundation for the advice we’ll seek to impart the rest of the year.