Daily Content

October 7, 2019

Issue 20: Making Memories and Crossing Cultural Divides

Written by Quincey Hess

Photos by Helen Chen, Edited by Harlie Mast

On Sunday, September 22nd members of Chinese Club and Chinese students from both the high school and junior high attended the 2019 Friendship Lasts Forever Great Lakes Music Festival at the Chicago Symphony Center. This is the third year that the concert has taken place, and the third year the Chinese Club and Chinese students have been in attendance. The concert is meant to celebrate U.S. and Chinese relations through something that transcends language and cultural barriers; music.

According to the website of the American Confucian Arts, one of many organizers of the event, “This concert signifies what it means to be unified, not only in the enjoyment of performing arts, but also in cultural sharing. It demonstrates the greatness we can create in cooperation across cultures.”

The Chicago trip was an all day event, composed of a variety of activities in addition to the concert. First, students ate at a traditional Chinese restaurant. At such restaurants, it’s common practice for large platters to be served, from which each individual takes a serving.

Remarking on this custom, Senior and Chinese Club President Scarlet Gibson said, “I really enjoy eating in traditional Chinese restaurants, because I like that you all have to share things. I feel like you have to make sure everyone is taken care of before you take care of yourself, and you don’t want to get more than you need.”

After eating, students briefly shopped in Chinatown, before visiting the Chinese American Museum of Chicago. The museum depicts the lives and hardships of early Chinese Americans, particularly those from the Midwest.

According to the Chinese American Museum of Chicago website, “Our mission is to advance the appreciation of Chinese American culture through exhibitions, education, and research and to preserve the past, present, and future of Chinese Americans primarily in the Midwest.”

Finally, after visiting the museum, the students went to the concert, which consisted of a variety of both Chinese and American choirs and orchestras. Additionally, the concert featured dancers in traditional Chinese garb.

Junior and Chinese Club Member Kassady Collins said, “Yeah, I really enjoyed it. I liked the opera, it was really pretty. I thought it was a great experience.”

The field trip was popular among students in the past, and it was equally well received this year.

Collins said, “It was fun, it’s always fun to go on the trips and learn new things about Chinese culture.”

For the seniors, the trip was bittersweet, since this would be their final year exploring Chinatown and experiencing Chinese culture with friends.

Gibson said, “It’s our last year, senior year together. I wanted this to be another experience I could share with my friends.”

October 4, 2019

Issue 19: end of the first 9 weeks

Written by Jayson Metcalf

Photos by Bo Meadors

Today is the end of the first quarter, and it is time to view the results of students’ hard work on report cards.

Over fall break, there will be intercessions at PHS. Intercessions will take place from October 14th-18th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Intercession forms should have been handed out to students who were recommended by teachers to attend intercessions on Wednesday. These forms should be turned in no later than Wednesday, October 9th if students are attending. For more information on intercessions, please contact Mr. Olson.

Night school will be taking place Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in room 109. Students are placed into Night School through counselor recommendation. Usually these are students who are struggling in a “core” course, or can’t attend the traditional school days. Typical core subjects include English, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, Biology, Earth Space Science, Health, World History, U.S History, Government, and Economics. Night School is also a chance for students to get credit recovery to get back on track for graduation. Teachers who support students during Night School include Ms. Betz, Mrs. McClellan, and Mr. Wilson. For more information on night school, please contact Mr. Martin.

Here’s what some of the freshmen had to say about their first nine weeks of high school.

Freshman Byron Jimenez said, “It was a great first quarter. It was a good experience getting to learn everything, and after a while you get used to it.”

Freshman Marilla Shafer said, “Being here was like having a fresh start, to be who you want to be.”

Freshman Landon Harness said, “This quarter went great. I made new friends, while staying in touch with old ones.”

Teachers also reflected on the first quarter of classes.

Mrs. Jane Faulstich said, “It went extremely fast. I love all my classes, and time has been flying.”

Mr. David McKenzie said, “It went quickly. When you get old, time flies.”

Remember, a new quarter means a new start. Always do your best and keep those grades up! Have a safe fall break PHS!

October 3, 2019

Issue 18: Smith talks tennis

Written by Cristian Quintana

Photos by Alexa Orozco

The first sectional game for the boys tennis team is tomorrow, and it should be interesting. Leading the team are seniors Adam Hunter (#1 Doubles), Grant Houin (#1 Singles), Hugh Smith (#2 Doubles), and Nicholas Bagley (#2 Singles). The team will be playing for their 21st straight sectional title. Considering the season the boys have had, it seems to be in sight.

Smith said, “This year has been interesting. As a whole, I feel like our team is a little down this year; we lost a couple of seniors, a kid moved, and some just did not come back out for the team. However, we’ve done pretty well, getting third in conference, which is the highest we’ve finished in recent years.”

The team seems to have great chemistry going into sectionals, and the seniors are looking at their last chance to compete for the title.

Smith said, “It’s kind of sad to know that my final season is coming to an end, and I’m grateful for the family I’ve made on the team.”

The first night of sectional tennis started last night. The Pilgrims had a first round by and will face Bremen tonight at 4:30 in the 2nd round of sectionals. The match will take place on the Frank DeSantis Tennis Courts at Sunnyside Park in Bremen. Make sure to come support the team tonight as they hit their way towards a sectional title.

September 26, 2019

Issue 14: iPads

Cristian Quintana

It’s a brand new year for PHS, but this year brings a huge change, iPads! For about a month now, PHS has been trying to adapt to the new technology. Previously, we had MacBooks, and that has been the trend here for quite some time. This huge switch to iPads has created mixed feelings with students and staff.

Sophomore Autumn Baird said,“...I like how small and lightweight it is so it doesn’t make my backpack super heavy.”

However, whenever there are pros, there are also cons.

Baird also said, “...It takes longer to get assignments done because there isn’t a trackpad. Also I don’t like how I have to switch back and forth between touchscreen and typing on my keyboard.”

Although this negativity is mainly coming from the students, some members of staff feel this way as well.

Teacher Nathan Wilson said,“I think the iPad doesn't always adapt to older formats as well as it could. I think it also discourages me to hear so many times how a student might give up on learning because the technology served as a stymie to them getting their assignments complete.”

The concern is not only about the actual ability of the iPad, but also how it mentally affects the student’s drive to do well in school. iPads seem to discourage students from learning.

On the other hand, Wilson also said, “I like how the iPad really aids in my ability to manage my classroom and provides students with a slew of app resources at the same time.”

He explains how the iPad still provides great resources and a new view on classroom management.

This change for PHS hasn’t been taken lightly by the teachers and especially by the students, but adapting has been smooth according to Senior Kane Howard.

He said, “[It’s] Easy, because it’s like a phone.”

Freshman Lora Butler said, “I’d say it was pretty easy. It’s not much different from the MacBooks other than typing!”

Lora also said that she actually preferred the iPad to a MacBook or other laptop.

Complications with applications and difficulty adapting create problems amongst students and staff. However, practice can help with adaptation process, and some students and teachers are doing well with it already. Change for PHS has been a bumpy ride, but time will tell if the change will hold.

September 24, 2019

Issue 12: Ray Leads the way

Bo Meadors

The PHS cross country team is deep into their season as they have already competed in a total of six meets. This past Saturday the team traveled to New Prairie to compete in the New Prairie Invite, which is one of the biggest high school cross country invitationals in the state. Senior Konnor Ray, the teams top runner, put on an impressive showing where he led the Invite for the first three miles and ended up taking fifth place individually. Juniors Max Howard and Robby Richards have had a consistent game plan for each meet. In their races, Howard and Richards team up and run together as well as finish together which showed at the invite. Richards personal record this year is a 17:42 and Howard is right behind him with a 17:45.

Richards said “Running with Max helps both of us because we’re so close in times so we’re always competing with each other, especially at the finish.”

Along with Howard and Richards, sophomore David Schadek and freshman Trey Hall scored much needed points for the Pilgrims at the invite. Hall had a great race and even ran his personal best time in his high school cross country career. He was the 5th runner to finish for the Pilgrims which was a step up for him going into the meet. Overall, the boys were able to finish and secure themselves a second place spot as a team at the end of the day.

On the topic of the New Prairie Invite, Ray said “It was one heck of a meet and I really had the urge in me to lead and hopefully win the invite. It didn’t end up happening, but it’s opened my eyes to not lose any more races this year.”

The teams opened the season when they traveled to Bremen to compete against John Glenn and the hosts. The boys were able to get the win against both John Glenn and Bremen. Ray ran a steady 17:45 to win the Bremen meet and managed to create a huge gap between him and second place that left the spectators with one final thought. This kid is good. The girls were able to get the win against Bremen but fell short to Glenn.

Ray, a key runner for the Pilgrims, said, “Our first meet against Bremen and Glenn couldn’t have gone better.”

Ray currently has a personal record of 16:46 this year for a 5k. Ray has had many personal victories and has taken the individual dub against conference teams such as Wawasee, Northwood, Elkhart Memorial, and Goshen.

The boys are 3-2 in the NLC and 5-2 on the season. Early in the year the bar was set high for the team and they have dreams of going to the state meet this year as a team.

Senior Brady Hissong, varsity runner for the Pilgrims, said, “State is the long term goal for us as a team but we don’t want to completely focus on that because we still have the whole season ahead of us. Everything we do this year is going to be stepping stones for us and hopefully will lead to the state meet.”

The boys do have quite some time until the state meet would take place in November, and still have some large meets ahead. Today, both boys and girls teams will take on huge conference opponents Warsaw and Concord at home and have another huge invitational this Saturday at Culver Academies. Be sure to come out and support the team tonight at 5 as they have their senior night and take on Warsaw and Concord at 5:30 at the Plymouth Country Club.

September 23, 2019

Issue 11: Girls Golf

Mila Cramer, Megan Crum

Last Saturday, Olivia Waymouth had an impressive sectional showing, shooting 87 at Stonehenge in Warsaw. Her score qualified her individually to advance to regionals next weekend at Noble Hawk.

In addition, Olivia is the only senior on the girls golf team. As many may know, her father, Mr. Waymouth, is the head coach. Also, he is a librarian at PHS. Her relationship with her father is close.

They are doing well in their matches. The wins and losses so far this year have been 10-10. The girls NLC record on the year is 1-6. And they have even placed 5th out of 11 teams at the tournament at Pretty Lake on August 6th. Last Saturday, the girls traveled to Stonehenge at Warsaw where they took 4th place at sectionals.

At a tourney earlier on in the season, they tried to take a picture, and got a really funny story out of it.

Freshman and member of the girls golf team, Elaina McDonald, said, “We had a tournament at Noble Hawk, and when we were done, we went on the waterfall to take a picture. In order to get up there, we had to climb up the back of the hill and on top of some rocks. The hill was really steep. When we were done taking the picture, we had to climb down. Anna Hutchingson (sophomore) decided to run down the hill to get down faster. However, when she started running, her feet slid out from under her, and she fell down laughing. There were a lot of other funny moments during the season, but that was one that stuck out to me.”

September 19, 2019

Issue 09: Project Stepping Stone: Closing the Gap

Quincey Hess

According to the 2018 Indiana College Equity Report, Hispanic students are consistently the least likely of the various ethnic groups within Indiana to enroll in college. Project Stepping Stone, a nonprofit created in 2003, seeks to end this disparity. PSS attempts to create opportunities for Indiana’s Latino population as well as better prepare them in their pursuit of a secondary education.

The PSS website says, “Our goal is to improve post-secondary enrollment and success among Indiana’s Latino high school students.”

Students who apply to participate must be in their sophomore or junior year, identify as Latino, be a high academic achiever, and have an interest in going to college.

A week-long college prep summer program is at the heart of this nonprofit. This program takes PSS students to tour various college campuses, allowing them scope out universities of interest and glimpse into college life. Over the course of the program, students receive information about financial aid, scholarship, and grant opportunities. In addition, students are taken to network with various large corporations.

The PHS students a part of Project Stepping Stone had various motivations in attending the program.

Junior Aiza Flores said, “One of the main things that motivated me to participate in PSS is the opportunity to travel to different colleges and network with fellow Hispanic high school students who aspire to do big things in life.”

Senior Fernanda Cortes said, “I thought it would be a great opportunity to see different colleges in Indiana and learn about the college process.”

Despite the varying motivations students had for participating, this program proved impactful for all.

Cortes said, “I had all these resources at my disposal which allowed for me to start thinking of what career and school I would like to have.”

Flores said, “The program was incredibly powerful and so insightful about the immense possibilities that are obtainable for minorities.”

One of the most remarkable aspects of Project Stepping Stone is that it is largely managed by volunteers and funded through donations.

Flores said, “As I keep saying, PSS was amazing, but it would NOT be possible without the Founder of PSS, Kathy Cabello, and the incredible people who volunteer for the whole week. The volunteers come from all over the country to dedicate their time to PSS students, and we are all so appreciative of the astounding job that they do to organize this great program alongside Kathy.”

September 18, 2019

Issue 08: New Season, New Beginnings

Alivia Simpson

Every year, the PHS girls soccer team works hard to win.

Some find it difficult to focus when they’re out on the field. Others find it easy to keep their head in the game.

Junior Raven Gritton said, “It’s like you get in the zone as soon as you hear the ref blow the whistle. It's a good feeling.”

They kicked off the season by playing Argos. The score ended up being 5-2.

Why does the team love soccer so much?

Senior Abigale Lee, “What I love most about soccer is the intricacy of the sport. It is not a sport that consists of many scoring opportunities, but that is what makes it so much fun; being able to work hard on each and every play so that when there is a scoring opportunity, we can make it count.”

Keep on pushing Lady Rockies Soccer!

Come support our PHS soccer players against South Bend St. Joseph at 5:30 tonight.

September 17, 2019

Issue 07: PHS Boys Tennis

Bo Meadors

Tennis anyone? The team has been going strong now for a couple months. Despite having a low amount of members, the team looks past adversity and continues to put their best effort into each match.

Head Coach Brad Haeck said, “We have played a lot of good competition so far this season, which will hopefully push us to improve and benefit us down the final stretch of the season.”

With a record of 4-6 overall and 2-1 in the NLC, the team is working hard to keep their sectional title of 20+ years. Seniors Adam Hunter, Grant Houin, Nic Bagley, and Hugh Smith have been playing since freshman year along with senior Zach Kellett who just picked up the racket this year. All five seniors play a pivotal role in the lineup.

Adam Hunter, who plays #1 doubles with junior Drew Harrell, believes that “our team has many struggles, but in the end it is all about overcoming these struggles and ultimately going for the win.”

For the four seniors who have been playing their whole high school career, the final season can always be bittersweet.

Senior Nic Bagley, who plays #2 singles, said, “Tennis has created a bond with my friends that’s made us into a family. It’s awesome to be able to look back on all of our years together playing tennis and all of the memories we have made.”

Number one singles Grant Houin is an example of a player who shows sportsmanship and always keeps his head up. As a #1 singles player, Houin faces many players who typically put in hours and hours on the court, so getting the win is not always easy.

Houin said, “It kicks my butt, but teaches me how to be mentally stronger for the collegiate level of tennis next year.”

Hugh Smith, who plays #2 doubles with freshman Easton Strain or sophomore Liam Fort, said his most memorable moment of the year so far was when he and Fort were able to pull off the win against Plymouth’s long time rival Warsaw.

Smith said, “Warsaw is always a competitive match, and to win at home against them meant a lot to our team. As a senior, I wanted to win that match more than ever, and to make it happen was amazing.”

Beating Warsaw is always a great accomplishment in the year for any Plymouth sports team.

Along with Smith, Coach Haeck said, “The most memorable moment so far this season was the ending of the Warsaw match. The match was tied 2-2, with our 2 doubles Liam Fort and Hugh Smith down 6-5 in the third set. They fought off a match point to get the match into the tiebreaker, and then won the tiebreaker 7-1 to secure the match. Wins over Warsaw are always extra sweet!”

Be sure to get out tonight and support the boys as they host conference opponents Elkhart Memorial Chargers at home at 5 p.m.

September 16, 2019

Issue 06: Worthy of Remembrance

Alexa Orozco

Students and staff, along with the rest of the Plymouth community, had the opportunity to view the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall in River Park Square. The Social Studies department used this opportunity to launch their Civic Engagement Week, which encourages students to fulfill their civic responsibilities. Students traveled with their graduating class to the memorial on Thursday and Friday. Seniors Angel Arroyo and Olivia Waymouth, and Social Studies teacher Mrs. Melissa Faulstich shared how visiting the wall impacted them.

Arroyo said, “What I found interesting about it was that I really didn’t know there were so many Hispanics in it. All over the wall, there were Hispanics on it, and I wasn’t really imagining that. I always thought it was Americans and African-Americans, but I never knew there were a good number of Hispanics on it as well. I couldn’t describe it. I just felt so shocked, and I felt like I could connect with it.”

Waymouth traveled to Washington D.C. to see the original memorial as part of a Lincoln Junior High field trip.

Waymouth said,“It was a while since I visited the real one in D.C. I think it was a reminder of how big it was. It was a very big wall, there were a lot of people there, and it was all very sad.”

Mrs. Faulstich said, “I liked how they had the date at the bottom of each panel, so you could see how many died in individual days, individual months. I liked seeing the students tracing the names of relatives. You just don’t know all those personal connections, and it’s easy to think that they’re, you know, just guys, but they were people’s families.”

Faulstich, being well traveled, has been to many memorials. Specifically, she recently traveled to Omaha Memorial Park.

Faulstich said, “What I think would make it more powerful is if you could read, like for example, if they won the medal of honor. There could be a citation that says exactly what was happening in this battle when they died, and you could see their photos, and it makes it more real, when you know how he died, what he was doing, and his face.”

As students approach the future that awaits them, PHS aims to show students the importance of reflecting back on history.

September 13, 2019

Issue 05: Friday Night Lights

Alivia Simpson

Football season is here and it’s time for Friday nights under the bright lights. Time to bring out the cowbells, school colors, and Rockie Pride!

The seniors went on a trip to Michigan over the summer, and the players could not have their phones on them during this team bonding time.

Teenagers without their phones? How did that work?

Senior Korey Kopetski said, “While we were up there, the only thing we wanted our phones for was to see the time. Once I got it back, I saw all the different messages and things on my phone and just put it away. I really realized that phones aren’t worth the stress.”

The players believe they will do great this season, seeing how close each teammate is together.

The Rockies kicked off their season against East Noble on August 23rd. The Rockies played hard, but lost.

The Rockies recently played Kokomo, worked hard, and won. The final score was 41-20.

Last week, they played the Warsaw Tigers, what a cold night! The game was chilly and entertaining. The final score was 24-19! The Tigers took the L as we took home the W!

There are only three more home games left.

Come support the Rockies this weekend for the Channel 46 game of the week as we take on Northridge.

September 12, 2019

Issue 04: Band Camp: “Be the Best Version of You That You Can Be.”

Harlie Mast

The last two weeks of every summer PHS's Marching Band spends everyday from 12 PM to 9 PM practicing for the upcoming school year’s show. This year the Marching Band is performing “The Chaos Theory”.

Senior Band Member Hailey Casper explains the meaning, saying, “It’s basically about how one thing leads to another and another, like the butterfly effect.”

Band Director Bryan Ames explains it further, saying, “It’s about the concepts of Chaos Theory, the Ripple Effect, and the Butterfly Effect. All of these concepts are based on the thought that a single small act can have tremendous consequences.”

This year the Plymouth Marching Band is the smallest it’s been in 4 years, having less than 100 members, 85 underclassmen and 9 seniors. Nonetheless, every member is doing their best.

Senior Lexi Rogers said,“I will admit that some parts of the show it is really rough, but everyone is working hard.”

Junior Michael Berg also gives some input, saying, “The biggest challenge, to me, will be all of the new members who have less experience, but I am confident that they will do a fantastic job.”

The Marching Band consists of 5 divisions; color guard with 13 members, the winds with roughly 13 members, the front ensemble with around 21 members, the drum line with 8 members, and a single drum major. Each part is equally important, everyone working together is the key to a great performance.

The drum major keeps the band in time and together, conducting and keeping the show moving. The front ensemble is split into two groups, stationary percussion and keyboard percussion. The drum line is made up of battery percussion, and the winds consist of woodwinds and brass. During band camp, each section divides and conquers to learn the new show.

Senior Band Member Hailey Capser said, “We start with stretches and basics, those take up an hour of the day. Basics are just learning how to properly march and break bad habits. To learn the music, we usually break off into sections and then pull it together afterwards. To learn the choreography, when the band learns, our choreographer writes the work and teaches us.”

Numbers in the marching band are low, as 29 seniors graduated this past year. With only 85 members, 70% of them being freshmen and sophomores, the band faces a lot of challenges.

Band Director Bryan Ames said, “The biggest challenge with a younger group is retention of information. We have to constantly reinforce everything to make sure the newer members are retaining information and music memorization. That makes things very interesting sometimes, but the new members are very hard workers.”

Band camp runs from 12 Pm to 9 PM the last 2 weeks of summer, then after school Monday and Wednesday from 6 PM to 8 PM. Considering all the after school practices and the competitions every weekend from September until November, being a part of the marching band is a great experience but a busy one.

Senior Band Member and Drummer Hailey Casper said, “ I love competition days. I look forward to them even during the off season. It’s just a fun time to bond with your friends and perform your show!”

Band Director Bryan Ames said, “My goal is that they can walk off the field from their final performance knowing they truly gave all they had to give, and their final memory of the season will be a great one. That is all we can ask. Be the best version of you that you can be.”

If you would like to see the Marching Band in action, they will perform at the home games on October 5th and October 12th!

September 9, 2019

Issue 01:

Adventurous Pilgrims

Chloe Garner

From July 11-23, 47 PHS students of every grade level and multiple teachers visited several of the most famous landmarks in the world, including the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Roman Coliseum, and others in London, Normandy, Dover, Paris, Florence, and Rome.

Teacher chaperones on the trip included Mr. Wolfe, Mrs. Faulstitch, Mrs. Kruyer, Ms. Church, and Mr. Nordmann.

Graci Holm ‘20 said, “I was incredibly excited to see the Eiffel Tower at night, but as we got closer to departing for Italy, I found myself excited to visit Vatican City and see the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel with my own eyeballs.” Holm explained that it was one of the most gorgeous sights she’d ever seen.

There were many hiccups along the trip, some unexpected events lead to changes in the itinerary, including when PHS was set to take an overnight train from Paris to Italy. However, at the last minute, the train broke down and instead the students were forced to take a bus instead. Many students complained about their lack of sleep that night!

The trip was considered an art-history trip, in contrast to two years before when the trip was a World War II tour. Students learned the history of Doomsday, different famous statues like the David, and the famous works of Leonardo DaVinci.

The question everyone wants to know: how was the food?

Quincey Hess ‘20 said, “I most enjoyed the food in France and Italy, which is to be expected I guess. We enjoy food we’re familiar with the most. It sounds kinda lame, but I didn’t like the new fancy food we tried, I just liked the food I was most comfortable with.”

Matthew Dobuck ‘21 said that his favorite part of the trip was, in fact, the food.

European mealtime is a huge part of the day, especially in Italy. Meals could take over two hours in Europe, which is the opposite of America, where fast food is the norm.

When asked his favorite place, Dobuck said, “All the places were fire.”

The planning process of the trip was extensive. Students signed up a year in advance with the Social Studies Department. Mr. Wolfe and Mrs. Faulstitch led the trip. There were monthly Sunday afternoon meetings, and the payment of four thousand dollars was also paid monthly.

If you’re interested in a tour like the one of Summer ‘19, sign up for the next trip in 2021!

September 9, 2019

Issue 01:

The Next Generation of Journalism

Quincey Hess

Big Red Student Media student leaders Senior Helen Chen, Senior Bohanon Meadors, Junior Harlie Mast, and Senior Quincey Hess attended Ball State’s Summer Journalism Workshop on campus in Muncie this past summer. The program took place from June 9th to June 13th. Described by Ball State as, “a five-day workshop to hone the skills necessary to hit the ground running when school resumes,” the camp provided the students with the opportunity to work with award-winning faculty, access to top notch facilities, and a chance to peek into college life. In addition, the program prioritized group bonding and recreation via a volleyball tournament and game nights.

As it turns out, Ball State University is uniquely qualified to instruct the next generation of journalists. Their Journalism Department is of a substantial size, offering both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Journalism as well as various internships. Additionally, Ball State University’s Journalism Department is regularly ranked as one of the best in Indiana and has won numerous awards.

There was a tuition fee of $425 per student to attend the program. Fortunately, the PHS students who participated in the workshop were able to have their fees paid through the Ogden Scholarship. The Ogden Scholarship is one of many administered by the Marshall County Community Foundation. The students who attended contacted Mrs. Portteus about the scholarship, who later confirmed their request. Without this scholarship, most, if not all, of the students would have found it financially challenging to attend the camp.

Writer and Photographer for Ye Pilgrim Harlie Mast said, “The Ogden scholarship really does make it so much easier and less stressful on you financially, you get to just spend your money on souvenirs and outings and focus on enjoying your time. I'm really grateful that my school was able to provide that.”

Feedback from the students who attended reveal that the experience proved productive and unexpectedly insightful.

Mast said, “ I learned a lot more than I thought I would. I took the photography workshop, and while, yes, I learned about editing and lighting and how to work with my camera better, I also learned how to talk to people more. I learned how to get to know strangers. I learned how to use my images to tell their stories. I'm naturally an extrovert, but everyday we would go out and just find someone and get to know them for the day and use our photos to tell everyone else about them.”

Yearbook Editor Helen Chen said that she largely dedicated her time to planning and fleshing out ideas for the 2020 yearbook. However, she had an additional motivation for taking part.

She said, “I thought it would be a good experience, to experience college, and explore stuff that I might be able to do in the future.”