THE PILOT FLASHES Franklin Central High School 6215 S. Franklin Rd.
VOLUME 99, ISSUE 2
Indianapolis, Indiana
OCTOBER 28, 2016
The History of... Pages 5-14
Table of Contents
Editorial
Letter From the Editor’s Desk / 2
News
Pilot Flashes Patrons
We R Franklin Township The History of WRFT / 6
Albert & Julie Brashear Laura Dodson Alphonse & Candace Ducre Jennifer Jackson-Harr The Hart Family Mandy Hazlett Brian & Beth Ann Heilers Alex Hutton Kellsey James Mr. & Mrs. Thomas James Holly Knoop Rebecca Knoop Lisa Laker Thomas Mathews Greg McDermott Kathleen Roberts Porsche Young Delores Whittler Dan & Michelle Wolfe
Time to Play the Music The History of FC’s Choir / 7
Special thanks to Franklin Township Historical Society.
Flashes Radio Station Down / 3 Flipping out Over New Gyms / 3 Aisle Be Back. Better Than Ever / 4 Student Council Plans Big Events / 4
FeaExtra Extra Read All About it! The History of the Pilot Flashes / 5
On Air, The History of FCTV / 8 McCormick’s Cafe / 10 A Teacher Through Time / 11 & 12 FC Remembers / 13 Kroger from 1883 to 2017: Kroger’s History and Development / 14
Sports Winter Sports Season Outlook / 15 & 16 Frankin Township Sports Traditions / 17 Meet Cathy Wong, Athletic Trainer / 18
Entertainment Pilot Flashes Extras / 19 & 20 Flashes Flashbacks / 21 & 22
Staff List Editor-In-Chief Lindsey Brashear Business Manager Sally Knoop Editors Sally Knoop Molly Wolfe Reporters Alexis Baker Alyssa Cooper Jarrett Dodson Dorian Ducre Ethan Gerling Lauren Milligan
Guest Writers Kaylee Archer Audrianna DeWitt Hanna Rauworth Guest Photographer Tucker Knoop
Mission Statement Our mission statement is to provide accurate and timely content that is relevant to the Franklin Central student body. We encourage you to respond to articles and submit suggestions through e-mail. Each reporter’s contact information will be listed at the beginning of his or her article Your feedback is appreciated and will help improve The Pilot Flashes.
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK Dear Reader, Hello there! My name is Lindsey Brasher and I am the editor-in-chief of The Pilot Flashes. This issue looks a little different so let me explain. Franklin Township is always growing and changing. In 2000, the township population was 32,080. That number spiked to 54,594 in 2010. Franklin Township is no longer a small farm town. Farmland is constantly being sold and turned into housing developments. This year is the 99th volume of The Pilot Flashes. When the paper was first started, it was typed on typewriters and the photos were produced in a darkroom. We have come along way from then, thanks to changes in technology and an increase in staff size. We decided to go back to our roots for this issue. We’re keeping this theme throughout the entire issue with a majority of the articles centered around the rich history of Franklin Township. It is important to learn about where you are from. When we took a trip as a staff to the Franklin Township historical Society to do research for this issue, I realized how little I really know about Franklin Township-- and I’ve lived here my entire life! We hope you enjoy this special edition of The Pilot Flashes!
Sincerely,
Lindsey Brashear Editor-In-Chief 2016-2017
NEWS • PAGE 2
In the News: Flashes Radio Station Down Audrianna DeWitt Junior The flashes went full auto-pilot last month. Lightning struck the radio tower and our very own WRFT was down due to the damage. Kayla Kaps, head supervisor of WRFT, stated that the radio going down definitely effected how everything worked, but they made some adjustments and were still able to play music and updates on air. “Here at WRFT, unlike a lot of professional stations, we’re still very live,” Kaps says. “Our DJ’s are live every day. We do live shows and we read news live, so going from a work flow where every thing’s done immediately to having to go back and record things and upload them and then insert them where they need to go has definitely changed the work flow a lot.” Kaps was unsure when everything would be up and running again, but Kaps and the school board connected with radio systems to fix station. Luckily, WRFT was fixed in early October, allowing FC students to listen to their favorite radio station again.
PAGE 3 • NEWS
The new gym under construction.
Flipping Out Over New Gyms
Kaylee Archer Sophomore
As new developments and shopping centers crowd Franklin Township, Kim Dykes, owner of The Gymnastics Company, is taking advantage of the calm before the storm by building a bigger gym for her athletes. Currently, The Gymnastics Company, also known as TGC, has two locations referred to as ‘South’ and ‘East’. Dykes is merging the two gyms into one central sports facility on Franklin Road. “I just thought it was time to expand. South hasn’t been rearranged since we opened. It will be nice to start fresh at a bigger location,” justifies Dyke. TGC has recreational and competitive teams. Students are placed in levels and classes based on their skill level, occasionally age. Sydney Gallagher, a competitive gymnast who has been with the gym for nearly ten years comments “I have made so many friends over the years and am actually really happy for Kim. I think the new gym will bring in more athletes and [it] will be better practicing with everyone.” TGC welcomes gymnasts of all ages to come and make memories with them all throughout the year.
News
briefs brought to you Journalism students!
by
Aisle Be Back, Better Than Ever
Hanna Rauworth Sophomore Your neighborhood Meijer has been experiencing some major changes. This past summer, the Midwest-based retailer put forth more than 400 million dollars for improvements and renovations to more than 36 stores in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. The Meijer grocery store on Southport Road is subject to these new improvements and alterations. Work began this past summer. Improvements include cosmetic outdoor work, aisle widening and moving and department expansion to make the consumer’s experience more enjoyable and help the flow of traffic. “You have more room between more aisles [and] it’s brighter, cleaner,” describes Elsie Mitchell, grandmother of three, who shops at Meijer bi-weekly. The consensus for the renovations has been, overall, positive. Even the shoppers seem to be enjoying the remodeling. Kaylee Archer, sophomore, says “It just flows better; You just have to get used to where things are at.” Renovations are expected to conclude in Spring 2017.
Student Council Seniors FC Yearbook Photo
Hanna Rauworth
Student Council Plans Big Events
Hanna Rauworth Sophomore
Franklin Central’s student council has an exciting new year full of events and activities coming up for our students. The student council sponsors big events such as Homecoming and No-Tricks-JustTreats every year. Student council sponsor, Leslie Appleby says “I think the school environment is more positive because of [student council].” Student council plans on having a meeting to discuss ideas for a holiday celebration soon, but Mrs. Appleby explains how difficult it is to plan new events due to the sheer size of the group. “Our student council, over the past few years, has gotten a lot bigger. It’s just a matter of balancing the schools needs with the student’s. However challenging planning new events is, students who participate still enjoy the perks and fun that come along with it. Emma Coney, sophomore, who has been a member of the council for two years, says “You really see how the community comes together. You meet new people and make new connections.” Mrs. Appleby and Coney encourage all students to apply for student council. Applications will be available for all students in the main office later next year. NEWS • PAGE 4
EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!
The history of The Pilot Flashes LINDSEY BRASHEAR, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF lbrashearpf@gmail.com
The Pilot Flashes newspaper has been a staple in Franklin Township since the 1920s, even before the high school was even built. Under its original name, The Pilot, the publication was a community newspaper. Then, in November 1941, it became the Franklin Central school paper and the name was changed to The Pilot Flashes. The school records only go back to 1948 but the Franklin Township Historical Society has copies that date all the way back to 1920. Billie Hunteman was the advisor to The Pilot Flashes from 1980 until 2003, when she retired. As well as advising the newspaper, Hunteman taught English, Journalism and Speech. Hunteman described the tedious printing process that was used when she was at FC. “We had to write our copy on graph paper, writing one letter per box, leaving empty boxes for spaces, etc.,” said Hunteman. “We made headlines with rub-off letters or a label maker.” Hunteman also shared how adding photos to the paper used to be more difficult. “Because we used film, we never knew if the photos turned out until the prints came out of the dark room.” To create the issue you are currently holding, the current newspaper staff had access to InDesign, Photoshop, Microsoft
The Pilot Flashes staff from 1975. FC Yearbook
PAGE 5 • FEATURE
Word and many other computer programs. We have a Canon D3100 camera to capture the images we add to our pages. Mr. Daniel Lichtenberger, the current advisor of The Pilot Flashes, had a few things to say about the use of modern technology and how it has forced the newspaper staff to work harder than ever before. “When the newspaper has access to programs like InDesign and fancy cameras and the ability to print in color, the school expect a higher-quality product, which requires the staff to work harder to develop articles more than without modern technology.” Lichtenberger also said that the price of printing in color is a burden to the staff because they have to raise all of the money used to pay for printing each issue. With 1,500 copies, monthly issues cost over $700. This money is raised entirely by the student staff in many ways, including collecting ads, organizing fundraisers and collecting Pilot Patrons. Pilot Patrons make one, upfront donation to The Pilot Flashes and in return receive a copy of each issue mailed or delivered to them every month. The Pilot Flashes has been working hard to produce 99 volumes. Let’s hope this number continues to grow and the legacy is carried on for many more years.
Billie Hunteman The Pilot Flashes advisor 1980- 2003
W
We R Franklin Township The History of WRFT
MOLLY WOLFE, TEAM EDITOR mwolfepf@gmail.com Today, Franklin Central’s radio station, 91.5 WRFT, is a legacy. Hundreds of students, siblings and families have worked broadcasting news, sports and music for Franklin Township. However, that’s not always how it has been; the idea for the school radio didn’t even begin until early in the 1970’s. WRFT was started by James H. Johnson, who was a new English teacher for FC at the time. Johnson was approached by the school superintendent Robert L. Mason and the school board, with the plans to include a radio station in the new high school building, which would open in 1976 on the corner Edgewood Avenue and Franklin Road moved from its previous location in Wanamaker. With four years until the opening of the new building, the school radio first began as a club. Each week a few students recorded a 15 minute spot, including news from all over the township. The students’ spot was aired on WSMJ 99.5, a station in Greenwood. Due to budget constraints, it was a year after the opening of the new high school that real work began on setting up a radio station for the students. With the building of the physical station in full swing, the application process for the radio began and would take over 18 months. It was finally determined by the Federal Communications Commission that FC’s radio would be a non-commercial station broadcast at 91.5 megahertz. As for the station’s call letters, the original idea was WAFT, standing for “We Are Franklin Township.” However, those call
WRFT control room from 1990
WRFT control room from 1978 to 1990 letters were already taken; instead, it was decided the radio would be WRFT standing for “We R Franklin Township” or “Radio Franklin Township”. In January of 1978, six years after the original idea for the radio, a 161 foot tall transmission tower was built outside the school, allowing for WRFT to officially broadcast. By the beginning of the following school year WRFT had its own class open to students called WRFT Broadcast Operations. This class is still open to students today: roughly 40 students take the class every year. The best and brightest of each class work hard to produce radio shows, news, features, promotions, sports play-byplay and dramas to help connect and inform the township. Since its beginning, WRFT has also seen several changes in leadership. James Johnson resigned from his position leading the radio to return to being a full time English teacher, leaving the station to subsequent teachers, Lori Schlabach, John Easter and Steve George. Mr. George retired last year, leaving the station to the current teacher, Mrs. Kayla Kaps, a former student of Mr. George. Even though many of WRFT’s shows, programs, technology and people may have changed, the radio still considers itself “The Voice of the Flashes.” Today’s students still pride themselves on working hard to connect the township and the people who call it home. WRFT.org FEATURE • PAGE 6
TIME to play the music The history of FC’s choirs ALYSSA COOPER REPORTER acooperpf@gmail.com FC has astounding talent that can be heard echoing through its halls. Our school’s choirs have put forth hard work to deliver their intricate performances and stunning vocals over the past several decades. Let’s flashback and think about Choirs’ beginnings. With the help of Mr. Andrew Knaup, Director of Choral Music and Mrs. Rebecca Noot, a past director, we can piece together some of the choirs past. For a start, the choir has grown from 70 students to 250 in the past ten years. Over the years, their performances have been good enough to become state champions for multiple years. High Voltage became state champions in Women’s Show Choir in 2009, and 2010. High Voltage also awarded in 2010 with Women’s Concert Show Choir the same award going to Accents. Chamber choir and FC Singers made their way to Mixed Concert Choir State 2012 through 2014 and again in 2016. The FC singers found themselves Mixed Show Choir state champions in 2014. In the 80s and 90s students would perform smaller plays with songs during the Madrigal feast. A night for performances and food allowed the audience to sit on the stage transformed into a castle and eat while the performances went on. Now the school has the ever popular Sounds of the Season. “Nearly 3,000 people saw the show last year at the three sold out performances,”said Knaup. With contests and Hoosier Show Choir
Andrew Knaup PAGE 7 • FEATURE
Classic being yearly ordeals, the choirs are always preparing for something. According to FC Singers website the choirs have been competing since 1996. This particular instance being Mixed Choir as Concert Choir State Finalist. According to Noot, who became a FC director in 1986, the Chamber Singers went to their first state finals in 1997. There were only three choirs when she began and five when she left in 2000. The school grew close to 1500 students. “One of my own goals for the FC Singers show choir, at least, was that they get out in the community and perform locally,” says Noot. With all the change over the years she reminds everyone what remains the same. She shared that a director’s largest focus is in helping kids in becoming responsible adults. This being made possible by teamwork, overcoming challenges and work demands, and receiving rewards for performances. “It’s a family not just a group, (sure) its competitive but even when we don’t win we suppport eachother,” says Sarah Beckwith, FC Singer. The Choral department is split into over nine choirs now. With Accents, Chamber Choir, FC Singers, Encores, Harmonia, High Voltage, Varsity, and Vocal Majority. With so much devotion and work put into each performance FCHS has some real talent behind its doors.
On Air
The History of Franklin Central Television ETHAN GERLING, COPY EDITOR egerlingpf@gmail.com
Founded in 1989 as FC Up Front by teacher Linda Hayward, FCTV was originally a half hour news show that would run live during the school day. It wasn’t until 2005 when FC Up Front was shortened from 30 minutes to around five, and began to run as a daily program. The name was also changed to FCTV, to better fit this new format. In 2009, after Hayward’s retirement, Franklin Central’s news program was briefly handed to Kim Thurston. In 2010, Thurston retired and the torch was passed once again to Ms Andrea McKeeman, who has run the program ever since. When asked what the biggest changes she has seen in FCTV, McKeeman mentioned many things. She first mentioned that the number of students has drastically increased. When she first started, there were typically around two students per class, but now FCTV has six to eight students per class. McKeeman also mentioned the obvious change in technology and equipment, and the implementation of social media as a platform to host the announcements. Garrison Carr, who graduated from FC in 2008, first took FCTV in 2006. Carr joined FCTV because he was also in radio at the
time, and there was a major overlap between the programs. Carr also worked on producing FC’s monthly television show, Franklin Township Community Ties, which explored more of the “hard news” of the local area. “My class was pretty instrumental in updating the studio,” Carr said, when asked about the changes in the class. “My friend Michael and I did a lot of work trying to fully bring the studio and the FCTV process into the digital age. I think the new cameras came a year or two before us, but we got new editing software, and changed the way announcements were broadcast (it used to be on a close circuit TV channel). We made the transition from tape to CD for a lot of things, which is probably nearly impossible to even imagine now.” Carr’s senior year was the first year FCTV was offered as a legitimate class, rather than a club that ran before and after school. It has been a class ever since. Despite the many changes over the years, since FCTV was founded as FC Up Front in ’89, it still remains a reliable source of news for the students, teachers, and everyone at FC.
FCTV’s current recording studio FEATURE • PAGE 8
THE PILOT FLASHES 1/8
.984375 in x .6640625 in
1/4
1.96875 in x 2.65625 in
REGULAR ADVERTISING RATES 1/8 page......$75 1/4 page........$100 1/2 page........$125 Full page.......$280 Inserts...........$85 Note: Advertiser must provide 2000 copies of inserts.
Full Page
7.875 in x 10.625 in
1/2
3.9125 in x 5.3125 in
Franklin Central High School
Faculty adviser: Daniel Lichtenberger Phone: (317)803-5559 Email: dwlitchenberger@ftcsc.k12.in.us PAGE 9 • ADS
ISSUES
Fresh Start... Sept. 16 Fall... Oct. 28 Holidays... Dec. 9 Valentine’s... Feb. 3 Spring/Prom... Mar. 24 Senior/ May 19 Township Times.
Contact the Pilot Flashes today to place an ad!
Call Sally Knoop, Business Manager
Phone: (317) 803-5559 Email: sknooppf@gmail.com
McCormick’s Cafe The history of coffee and FC’s cafe
SALLY KNOOP, TEAM EDITOR sknooppf@gmail.com
LAUREN MILLIGAN, REPORTER lmilliganpf@gmail.com
FC Yearbook
Fall is here and in order to battle the cold mornings some students and faculty here at Franklin Central turn to warm beverages. But this didn’t just happen overnight. Coffee has been around for hundreds of years, slowly being developed and brought into our modern societal norms. In the 1900s, coffee became all the rage and remains a staple today. FC even has their own coffee shop, McCormick’s Café, formerly known as Coffee in a Flash. The cafe is a student-run club that has been taken over by Mr. Edward Berry, after the passing of the clubs founder, Mr. McCormick. The café was renamed in his honor. The coffee shop is projected to open back up in late October or early November. This year the shop has made some big changes. “This year’s coffee will be like last year’s but improved and hopefully, better tasting [for] a lower price,” said
John McCormick the founder of McCormick’s Cafe, formerly Coffee in a Flash
McCormick Cafe’s staff members point towards the new logo for the opening of the coffee shop.
senior and staff member, Dennis Lin. Cold brewed and hot brewed coffee will stay the same but there will be more options. The club is hoping to develop a peppermint flavor along with a favorite; the pumpkin spice latte. For those that don’t enjoy coffee, have no fear: the café is going to dabble in the area of tea. McCormick’s Cafe will also begin serving breakfast items in the morning, such as muffins and fruit. Delivery may even be an option for teacher soon too, according to Lin. The club needs more staff members. The café employs staff and a group of interns. The staff members rotate jobs: from procurement to business management and even the ever important job of actually making the drinks. Give McCormick’s Café a try this autumn!
FEATURE • PAGE 10
A Teacher Through Time A history of Mr. Rockey’s career at Franklin Central
ETHAN GERLING, COPY EDITOR egerlingpf@gmail.com Throughout the years, there have been many families who have remained loyal to Franklin Central since the beginning. Generation after generation, they have stayed right here in the township. These families have been witness to so many changes and developments, and to so much history. One of FC’s most loyal residents can be found in our math department. Since 1979, Mr. John Rockey has been teaching here at FC. However, the 37 years of teaching isn’t the only time Rockey has spent here. He moved to Franklin Township 54 years ago, in 1962, when he was only four years old. He even graduated from FC in 1976 after attending Franklin Township schools since the fourth grade. Mr. Rockey isn’t the only name in the Rockey legacy at Franklin Central. He has had three children, who have all attended this high school. Ben Rockey graduated in 2007, Tommy Rockey graduated in 2010, and Valerie Rockey graduated in 2012. Some students may recognize Valerie as a contestant on the dance competition reality show, So You Think You can Dance. When asked what he thought were some of the biggest changes he has seen at FC, Rockey responded with, “The size has grown tremendously over the years, and has continued to grow.” After complimenting the improvements of certain facilities, like athletics, Rockey finished by saying, “Kids are still kids, and Franklin Central is still a really good
PAGE 11 11 • SPORTS PAGE • Feature
school.” Rockey says he has always enjoyed the people he has worked with. He also added that he “was not a believer that the grass is always greener on the other side,” and he was happy where he was so there was no reason to leave and change that. Rockey’s least favorite change that FC has undergone is the massive increase of traffic. The expansion of the school and the township has caused traffic to build up, and be a large annoyance. One of Rockey’s favorite things about FC is the strong sense of pride. He says that FC has always had a team spirit, and he has noticed over the years that everyone has always been in support of each other. His favorite thing about attending high school at FC was that he felt he got a really good education. He later added, “What more can you ask for from a high school than an opportunity for a good education and good sports? It’s probably the opportunities that’s why I’ve really stayed at Franklin Central.” Rockey himself is one of the most loyal personalities at Franklin Township and Franklin Central High School, and it seems like he plans to keep things that way. Despite the many changes and developments Rockey, and many others, have stayed a part of the unity that is FC. They has allowed for a new generation to pass through, and maybe another generation will come through after that.
Rockey Through the Ages
FEATURE 12 PAGE 12• • PAGE SPORTS
FC REMEMBERS
Students killed in car accident.
SALLY KNOOP, REPORTER sknooppf@gmail.com October 2, 1961. It’s not a date that many Franklin Central students have heard about, but probably should. On that early October day, five of FC’s very own were killed in a horrible train collision. A small plaque across from the guidance office displays the names of the five students killed after their car, reportedly a 1949 Chevy, pulled in front of a train going over 70 miles per hour on East Edgewood Avenue crossing. The accident occurred at 2:49 p.m., 19 minutes after the students had been released from class. The following students named are the ones so tragically lost so long ago. Stephen Pratt, 16, was a junior. Nadine Pratt, 14, was a freshman and sister to Stephen. Robert Altemeyer, 17, was a junior. His sister, Laural, 15, was a sophomore. Robert was a varsity football player for FC. Linnie Taylor, 15, a sophomore was also killed in
the accident. Judy Wright, a sophomore and friend of Laural’s, was going to ride with the others but turned them down at the last minute. The plaque was displayed by the graduating classes of ’64 and ’65 in memory of their lost classmates and as a warning of caution to students today, saying “Please think before you get behind the wheel of a car. Do not give your family, classmates or teachers a memory like we have to carry.” How or why this tragedy occurred is still a mystery, even 55 years later. Crosses have been placed short at the railroad crossing to memorialize the students whose lives were cut far too soon. If you find yourself driving by, remember to practice caution while behind the wheel. We have so much to look forward to. Don’t lose it all in a moment of carelessness.
Spectators observe the scene. PAGE 13 • FEATURE
Indy Star
K
Kroger from 1883 to 2017: Kroger’s history and development
ALEXIS BAKER, REPORTER Alexisbakerpf@gmail.com A new Kroger is set to open in Franklin Township in March 2017. This will cause more traffic in the area, but it will also create many opportunities. Today, Kroger ranks as one of the world’s largest retailers. However, it wasn’t always a household name. According to Kroger’s website, in 1883, a man named Barney Kroger invested his life savings of $372 to make a grocery store in Cincinnati. Mr. Kroger’s motto was “Be particular. Never sell anything you would not want yourself.” Kroger has become an innovator and pioneer in the food retail industry. In the 1930s, it was the first grocery chain to monitor product quality and scientifically test foods. Since then, there are now more than 27,000 Kroger stores in 35 states and they have annual sales of more than $109.8 billion. The Kroger platform is continuously expanding. Due to Franklin Township’s continued population growth, Indianapolis developer Douglas Realty Advisors have purchased farmland at the northwest corner of Southport and Franklin, in the heart of Franklin Township, to build a nearly 100,000-squarefoot Kroger grocery store. It seems that Kroger is dominating the south side market. According to Indianapolis Business News, Kroger has spent a total of $40 million to build a grocery in Beech Grove. How will this new addition impact Franklin Township life? Senior Allie Head said, “The new Kroger being built will bring in many jobs to our community, but it will cause a lot of traffic.” The new Kroger will bring upon many opportunities for students to get work experience or other people in Franklin Township to build a career. There are over 21 positions available. The age requirement to work there is 16; so many Franklin :Cincinnatistockexchange.us
Central students will be able to apply. It is also extremely helpful that it is near the middle of Franklin Township, so it is a convenient place to work. It isn’t just Kroger that will be built. The development plans also call for small shop space and a senior and assisted living complex. Traffic, however, will increase dramatically. There will be many people going in and out on that intersection, so a traffic light or round-about may allow for people to get through quicker. The traffic there would also increase traffic all around the township. There is already an immense amount of traffic due to students driving to and from school, rush hour, and people leaving church. So, the four-way stops need to be updated. The possibility of traffic has caused some students to doubt the project. Senior Maddy McEwen stated, “One word: traffic. There’s no way Franklin and Southport can support that much commotion with it already being chaotic after school and during rush hour. Plus, they can’t close down those roads for construction during the school year. I don’t see it working out very well besides bringing jobs closer to FC.” The new Kroger will make Franklin Township a more industrialized area. Many people like how rural, yet close to the city it is, so the whole environment will change with all these new projects popping up like the gas stations recently built on Franklin Road. This new addition will make some big changes to the community. Although Franklin Township does not have a rich history with big-shot corporations, the new Kroger will make its mark here. Hopefully this new Kroger will be a positive influence to the “Home of the Flashes.”
NEWS • PAGE 14
Winter Sports Season Outlook
DORIAN DUCRE, REPORTER dorian.ducre@yahoo.com
As the falls sports season comes to a close and many sports are gearing up for the postseason, the winter sports season is right around the corner. The boys basketball team looks to build on their successful 2015-2016 campaign when they went 18-7 overall and reached regionals, losing to Evansville Reitz 81 80. Junior Gavin Burns said, “Last season was a successful season in the eyes of many, but as players we had a much bigger goal set as a team. We won Sectionals for the fourth year in a row which was exciting, but we felt like we could’ve gone farther”, said Burns. The team will be losing four seniors from last season’s varsity team roster, but this year’s team still has goals of having another successful season trying to reach Regionals again and beyond. Burns said, “This upcoming season we have the same goals as we did last year and that is to go deeper in the state tournament and win Sectionals for a fifth year in row.” The boys’ swim team had several successful performances last season in many of their meets with other schools. The team’s overall record was 2-3. As far as other performances, the team finished first at last
PAGE 15 • SPORTS
year’s Flashes Invite, sixth at County, and fourth in sectionals at North Central. This year’s team will be without exceptional swimmer, graduate Charlie Boomershine, but definitely will be looking forward to improving on last season’s accomplishments. “We had a great season last year in which many of us reached are goals and really grew stronger as a team”, said senior Ben Mark. “This season we plan on going farther into the postseason and growing more close as team and as a family.” The girls’ basketball team will try to rebound from last year’s 6-16 overall record when they lost nine of their first ten games of the season. The team did make it to Sectionals last season losing to Greenwood 59 - 56 in a highly competitive contest from start to finish. The Flashes will only be losing one senior from last year’s varsity squad, Sam Scott; this year’s team is virtually intact and will look to get out to a faster start to the season. “Last season was rough for everyone on the girls’ basketball team. As a team we learned how to communicate and work together to get the job done. Our last game we played against Greenwood in Sectionals showed everyone what we were capable of and how much he had grown throughout the season as a team”, said senior McKenzie Mueller. “This year we have no excuses for anything and we strive to give it are all; having five seniors this year will make a huge difference too. Nothing is holding us back this year and we’re plan on playing to the best of our ability as a team and family.”
The girls’ swim team showed great promise last season and really flourished with an individual team record of 5-1. The team also reached state located at IUPUI where they finished 32nd overall. Current senior Jamie Leming placed 11th in the 100yd backstroke with a time of 57.37. The girls’ varsity team will be losing two seniors from last year’s roster. With the majority of the team returning this year, the team fully intends on having another successful season. “Last season ended great I reached my personal best time a 1:00 in the 100 freestyle and five of us went to state”, said junior Emma Croxford. “I’m excited for the upcoming season and our team hopes to win Sectionals this year.” The girls varsity gymnastics team had an exceptional season last year finishing first place in five of their eleven matches, including placing first at the Lafayette Jeff Invite and defeating Roncalli 104.80 to 104.55 to conclude the regular season. The team placed fifth overall at Sectionals, but did not make Regionals. Senior Khloe Dykes placed eighth on beam and all around
and fifth on beam at Regionals, advancing to the state meet at Ball State. she also gave her take on last season and the upcoming season. “I was very proud of not just myself, but of how all the girls competed and strove to be great. We had lots of first place finishes which shows how good the team is when we’re on our A-game and I feel like that will carry on into this season coming up, I’m really excited”, said Dykes. The boys varsity wrestling team was highly competitive in every match they competed in last season. They had several 4th place finishes last season along with highlight performances such as finishing 1st place in th JV triple dual at Franklin Central and 2nd place in the six way varsity match at Decatur Central. I spoke to senior Josh Vaughn on how he felt the team performed last season and what the team’s goals are for the following season coming up. “We really fought well in many of our matches last season and coach really pushed us hard to be great. Personally I would like for our team to place higher than 4th in our matches and have better showings at Sectionals, Regionals, and hopefully advancing to the State meet”, said Vaughn.
FC Yearbook SPORTS ADS• • PAGE PAGE 16 16
Franklin Central Sports Traditions
JARRETT DODSON, REPORTER jdodsonpf@gmail.com
When you think of sports, you may think of just the game itself, but teams have their own qualities that make them unique. Almost all of Franklin Central’s sports teams have traditions and some even have de facto mascots. Several teams have brought some creative and weird traditions and mascots to the table over the years. The swim team used to have two bowling pins that were signed by seniors as their mascot. However, they were thrown out a few years ago. The current coach is Nick Stevens, who also serves as Assistant Athletic Director and he has been coaching for several years. Coach Stevens thought that the pins were symbols of the seniors showing their power, so he decided to get the team something different. So, he purchased two Thor hammers: one for the girls team and one for the boys team. Zach Kaster, junior, said that the team saying is “Being tired is a state of mind. In order to succeed you must break that state of mind.” Whenever the swim team has a difficult set, they’ll “throw down the hammer” and
swim. The FC cross country team has a very interesting mascot: St. Pete. Nobody is completely sure where he came from or who made him, but he’s been a part of the team for at least three years. Parker Millar, junior, said, “He came to us.” St. Pete is a little wooden man who is about two feet tall and was supposedly found in the woods. The team takes him to every meet, and, according to Millar “…he is the team.” St. Pete is an integral part of the morale and structure of the team and has been cherished by many athletes. Some who have even posed with him for team photos. When asked about where he thought Pete would be in ten years, Coach Tony Puckett said “…probably in a ditch somewhere after we lose a meet and Dunn throws him out of the bus window.” Coach Brian Dunn’s favorite part of St. Pete is “the beard.” St. Pete could not be reached for comment, but Parker stated “He wouldn’t talk” anyways.
The 2016 boys swim team poses in the pool with ties for their group photo. fcflashes.com
Mitchell Parrish, junior, poses for a photo with St. Pete at the October 4, 2016 North Central Invite. PAGE 17 • SPORTS
MEET CAITLIN WONG, ATHLETIC TRAINER JARRETT DODSON, REPORTER jdodsonpf@gmail.com Franklin Central welcomes a new athletic trainer, Caitlyn Wong. Ms. Wong has been busy with athletes since Aug. 1 and is helping our Flashes make an impact for the fall sports season. Ms. Wong said she “absolutely loves” her new job. Wong is 27 “years young”, as she likes to put it, and was born and raised on the Northside of Indianapolis. Ms. Wong earned her undergraduate’s degree from Indiana University and received her master’s degree from Manchester University. She is currently employed by Community Health Network. Her full title is Certified Athletic Trainer. Previous schools Ms. Wong has assisted have been Tindley Preparatory School, Irvington Preparatory Academy, and Indianapolis Lighthouse Charter School. Ms. Wong’s favorite sports are basketball, football, baseball, basketball and tennis. She says she enjoys working most with the “volleyball, football and basketball” teams; however, she also assists various other teams and athletes on a day to day basis. Ms. Wong arrives daily at 1 p.m. and settles in her office. She then documents her cases and prepares for the “rush of
athletes.” She assists athletes with anything they need and is in her office until practices begin after school. Then, she heads out to various practices and helps if there are injuries. Not only does she treat athletes involved in fall sports, Ms. Wong also said, “I have students in EPE [enhanced physical education] that I treat.” Ms. Wong must be ready at a moment’s notice: She even treated an athlete during the interview. All this work is okay with Ms. Wong, who said, “…the kids are great, the staff is great, the community is great…” Trainers Caitlyn Wong and Meghan Partenheimer are assisted by several students. Trainers: Meghan Partenheimer, MS, LAT, ATC, FMS Caitlin Wong, MAT, ATC, LAT Student Assistants: Seniors: Isaac Noel, Taytum Schaney, Ciera Stowers, Emily Walker Juniors: Mackenzie Hart, Kelsey Hyatt, Courtney Jacob, Kelsey Kendall, Sophomores: Casey Mathews Freshmen: Gretchen Young Lifetouch
SPORTS • PAGE 18
The Pilot Fl History Crossword
All the answers can be found throughout the rest of the newspaper!
Across 3. This issue is based on the history of _______ central. 6. An FC family and a teacher. 7. The most famous bull in Franklin Township 8. New construction at Southport and Franklin roads 9. FC’s oldest student publication 12. Six word____stories 13. The high school’s namesake is ________ Franklin. 14. Cross Country’s team tradition 16. Typical boy Halloween costume 18. The orginal name for FCTV
Down 1. ___ Voltage. 2. Typical girl Halloween costume 3. In 1961___FC students were killed in a tragic car accident. 4. What WRFT’s call letters stand for 5. A bolt of___. 10. A shot of coffee 11. Winter sport at FC 15. Mr.___ is the new sponsor for Coffee in a Flash. 17. The Robert L. Mason ______.
PAGE 19 • EXTRAS
ashes Extras
Six Word Horror Stories! Written by Franklin Central’s Creative Writing Club.
Rushing water pounded into hallway pores… -Lisa Laker See what happens when you lie. -Emily Fiscus Burning rains brought on crimson waters. -Ellie Puletz Loneliness. A fear, sadly my reality. -Chloe Johnson Things appear when eyes are closed. -Selena Perez “Who is that?” “There’s nobody here…” -Cami Carmichael We’re all monsters behind closed doors. -Chantalle Downs The most terrifying quest: Pacer Test. -Anonymous Nooo! They forgot my other taco! -Anonymous She whispered to the animated shadow. -Alyssa Cooper I promise; he had it coming. -Ivy Beam Wake up from and to nightmares. -Carlie Castle He made me need him again. -Anonymous The blood was not her own. -Madelyn Searcy She heard the bloody footsteps appear. -Abbe Hershberger
The halls have ears! Where we publish the out-of-context bits of student conversations that we hear in the halls.
“I’m not going out on Halloween because of the insane clown posse.”
“What do the animals eat in Zootopia ?” “PEOPLE.”
“You look like a Leo!” “I AM A LEO!”
Unleash your inner artist! Design your own jack o’lantern!
EXTRAS • PAGE 20
FLASHES FLASHBACKS Thanks to all the Franklin Central students and staff who submitted their throwback Hallowen pictures! These are some of our favorites!
PAGE 21 • ENTERTAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT • PAGE 22
“Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
DRIVING ACADEMY 3015 MERIDIAN MEADOWS GREENWOOD, INDIANA 46143
(317) 534-0016
WWW.DRIVINGACADEMY.COM
DRIVER EDUCATION: ONLINE OR CLASSROOM
Support
Mathews Engineering proudly supports Franklin Central Pilot Flashes
www.mathews-engineering.com
our paper! Become Pilot Patron!
a
The Pilot Flashes newspaper is a free, monthly paper for FC students. With 1,500 copies, issues cost over $700, which is raised entirely by students. Besides creating the paper, students collect ads, volunteer at school events, and organize fundraisers. To keep our program active, your support is vitally important. According the Newspaper Association of America, journalism students get better grades in high school and as college freshmen and earn higher ACT scores. If you enjoyed this issue, please consider signing up to be a Pilot Patron. As a patron, you’ll receive issues in the mail and hear firsthand from students about news relating to our school, community, and world. To be a Pilot Patron, send this page along with a check for $35 made payable to “FCHS” with “Newspaper” on the memo line to Franklin Central High School, C/O: The Pilot Flash Newspaper, 6215 S. Franklin Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46259.
1. How would you like your name to appear on our patron list? ___________________________________________________ Flashes 2. What is your mailing address? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________
Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Staff
The
PAGE 23 • ADS
Pilot