Mountaineer Moments
Editor: Darrah Dickinson
Sorrowful endings, bright beginnings provide mixed outcomes for basketball programs
It’s that time of year. The seats in the gym are full and the pep band is playing a groovy rendition of "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes. It’s MVHS basketball season once again! With school spirit thriving and players practicing rep after rep, the outlook on MVHS’ basketball season is bright. However, what was deemed as a hopeful season has turned into a sorrowful end for one of MVHS’ basketball teams.
"With any decision like this, I'm sure there are some feelings of disappointment, as well as an understanding of why the decision was made." - Athletic Director Chris Johnston
When the Lady Mountaineers started their 2023 basketball season, the motivation to perform with heart and determination was at an all-time high. Starting the season with only ten players, the focus on being able to accurately communicate with one another was crucial for the team's performance. Harley Daniels, a senior here at MVHS, speaks on the few benefits that she and her teammates experienced with such few players. "We get more reps so that helps. It’s also easier to communicate with a little bit less players because you don’t have to figure out how to communicate with more people. But I mean it’s still pretty hard."
With the ten players who started out the season quickly dwindling down to four, Daniels, who also happens to be the only senior on the team, speaks about her ability to be a leader on the court. Though she says she doesn’t feel pressured to do it, Daniels confidently says that the position of being a sort of role model for her younger teammates "comes naturally." Starting her freshman year, Daniels holds a lot of love for the game of basketball, finding it "really fun." The thought of giving that passion up due to a scarce amount of team members or being the only upperclassman was never a consideration for the senior. "I felt like it would be wrong. I really like it and I think if I didn't stick it through I would regret it."
Unfortunately, after many games of turning their hardships into hope, the Lady Mountaineers finally had to call it quits for their 2023 season. With the combination of such few players mixed with unlucky injuries, the school board believed this decision would be best for the girls. MVHS assistant principal and athletic director Chris Johnston shares some information about the big decision. "We had multiple conversations with players, parents, and coaches during the entire process, allowing them to express their feelings and concerns about the season." He says that with "careful consideration concerning the lack of available players," everyone believed this conclusion was the right one.
"As always, our hopes and goals for any activity at MVHS is to provide a positive experience for our students, coaches, and community." - Athletic Director Chris Johnston
Even though this season might not have turned out like planned, the strive to make next year’s season better than ever is on the horizon. Mr. Johnston states that a proposal to revive the Lady Mountaineers is in the making. "The most immediate concern will be to create a situation where a larger number of girls will participate in basketball so that we can play a full season." There seems to be hope for the Lady Mountaineers, and that hope is strong!
"Our goal each day is to become better than we were the day before, to focus on being there for each other and improving our mental toughness to control what we can and to let go of the things we can't control." - Mike Ray
Switching between locker rooms, the boy’s basketball season is also on the radar of being one full of hope and hard work. Luckily, the boys have been privileged with an abundance of players this season, ranging from newbie freshmen to well-versed seniors. According to boys basketball head coach Mike Ray, the team’s goal this year is to be "the best basketball team [they] can be by the end of the year."
With a headstrong varsity team leading the way, that goal is certainly on the route of becoming attainable. Ray says that in order to be successful, the boys have been "focusing on being fundamentally sound and working together while having fun doing it." Of course, skill is always necessary in the world of sports, but for many, the foundation of supporting sportsmanship is the key to success. To Ray, the ability for his boys to become “a connected team that cares about each other and works together” is the main focus in becoming “the best team [they] can be."
Overall, MVHS’ basketball season has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. With a passionate start for the Lady Mountaineers and a hopeful journey for the boys, the court has never been so intense. The Green & White wishes only success and the best for our court dribblers. May the present be bright and the future be brighter!
Singles can also celebrate Valentine's Day
By Gabriel Converse
Valentine’s day can be a hard day for those who don’t have a significant other (S.O.) or have gone through a recent breakup. It can be discouraging to be surrounded by all the commercialism and couples, but believe it or not, there are ways to celebrate this holiday even if you are alone. Several articles give tips and advice on how to enjoy the day, and MVHS students put in their two cents.
An article from Cosmopolitan says that being single on V-day is like being single on any other day of the year. You should keep in mind that there are worse things than being single, so it’s important to appreciate what you already have. Note that it is more than possible for some people to be single by choice. Single is not synonymous with sad.
Seventeen says that being single in your teen years can be the best! You don't have to worry about spending money on your S.O. These are the years that you are supposed to find out who YOU are, being single allows you to focus more on your personal growth without feeling neglectful of your S.O. Also you are not the only person in your high school who hasn't been on a proper date and there are even those in college that haven't been on a date either, so you are not alone.
An article from Brides gives the idea of doing something nice for a senior citizen on Valentine's Day, like getting flowers for your grandparent or for an elder you know. The article also reminds you that you should use the day to do something that will make you happy and to know that you really are worthy of love whether you have a S.O. or not. It’s important to note that having a S.O. doesn’t necessarily make Valentine's Day better.
Interviews with MVHS students give some interesting insight into what it is like for those who are single during the Valentine season.
Josie Meyer said that Valentine’s Day always falls around her father’s birthday so she is usually preoccupied. Otherwise, she actually considers Valentine’s Day to be a nice holiday even though she is single. She recommended celebrating the day with friends if you don’t have a S.O. She has, at times, felt jealous of other couples, but not necessarily on the holiday.
Brandon Smith thinks Valentine’s Day is a good day if you have a S.O. Sometimes being single brings him down, but he is happy for those who are fortunate enough to have a partner.
In conclusion, even if you are single on Valentine’s Day, that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the holiday. There are several ways to celebrate on your own. You can spend the day with other single friends (holidays are even better with people to celebrate), go and splurge on yourself, or just do what makes you happy!! It’s important to know that Valentine’s day is just another holiday, and will go as soon as it arrives. Don’t let all the marketing and fluff cramp your style!
Variety show takes spotlight in lieu of spring play
By Nana Giorgidze
On Saturday, January 14, MVHS students put on a variety show at the Marc, showcasing a wide range of talents from improv and acting to singing and dancing. The annual event is an act-style show that features different talents of MVHS students and Drama Club members.
This show acts as the fundraiser for MVHS Drama Club to cover the expenses from the annual fall and spring productions. It opens with an Improv act: “The variety show is a great time for our young, local talent at the high school to get themselves in front of a crowd! It is so fun to participate in, and I’ve participated for the past 3 years in the opening improv show,” says Emma Tobey, Drama Club president.
Even students who are not in Drama Club can participate. “I love it when students who I am not familiar with audition and want to join in on the fun!” says drama teacher Brook Olinger. “Students not only participate in the acts, but they also work Tech backstage. It takes a village to put one of these on.”
According to Ms. Olinger, the show is enjoyed by the community; “I feel like MVHS Drama is making a name for themselves in the small arts community. We continually get bigger and bigger crowds each year at not only the variety show, but our Fall and Spring full length productions as well.”
