Rockettes:
Kick lines, pirouettes, and countless practices; yeah, it’s the Rockettes! South Central’s half-time entertainment is nothing short of a favorite at the sporting events! This team of eight girls practices day after day to perfect self-made routines for football and basketball games.
Coaches MacKenzee Biggs and Skylar Ruwersma were former South Central Rockettes themselves and instruct girls to keep the amazing tradition alive. Crowds go wild once they see the kick lines included in almost every dance that is performed.
The Rockettes don’t just dance! The girls perform in parades, assist the cheerleaders in the school song, perform self-made hand routines to warm-up music, and perform in the school’s pep rallies.
One crowd member claims, “This is the Rockettes’ best year yet! They continue to get better year after year! I could never do what they do!”
Every girl on the Rockettes team is involved in other activities, clubs, and jobs. This can cause difficulties in practices, so the girls devote themselves to practicing for hours at home. Each girl could remember every single they dance they’ve every performed and that’s just amazing! Good luck with the rest of the season girls! You definitely provide some wonderful entertainment!
Drama Follow-Up:
Most people can't bear to speak publically. They choke up, they stutter, they freak out.
South Central Drama Club’s most recent cast has no problem with it at all! November 5,6, and 7 all had wonderful performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The biblical story was presented by over 40 junior high and high school students as well as a dozen fifth and sixth graders. The cast consisted of 8 girls wearing beards and mustaches as well as 20 girls wearing wigs that resemble Uma Thurman.
The twist of comedy was the perfect addition to the school’s performance. Huge crowds piled in each of the nights to be entertained by the talented cast! Joseph brought in just as much, if not more, attendees as last year's performance of Grease!
With all the success, local newspapers and people from all over the area raved on social media.
Reviews were amazing, claiming, “Joseph was SC’s best performance yet!” The all-star group is lead by English teacher Courtney Barnes who puts her all into every single show. The cast would like to thank her for everything she did and everything she will do for them.
The next South Central production will be The Musical Comedy Murders of the 1940’s which will take place on March 11 at 7 pm, March 12 and 3 and 7 pm, and March 13 at 3 pm. Make sure to come out and support this amazing group of kids!
Student Spotlight:
Graduating is a stressful time for almost everyone. Seniors spend their hours stressing over GPA, extracurriculars, and endless homework. Rachael Bailey understands this, and she can't even drive yet!
Rachael will be graduating from South Central High School at only 16 years old. She would currently be the baby of the Junior class, but decided she would get her credits early and graduate with the class of 2015. Not only is she getting her regular diploma, she will still obtain all of the credits needed for an academic honors diploma!
This diploma requires multiple years of foreign language, math, science, history, and dual credit classes.
Rachael is a member of the South Central Cheerleaders, Rockettes, Drama Club, National Honors Society, Prom Committee, Spanish Club, and many more school activities and clubs.
Outside of school, she enjoys baking cupcakes, going to Ponderosa, doing the wop, and spending time with her really close friends! Somehow, Rachael finds the time to balance all of these and the responsibilities of being a senior. Her decision to graduate was a struggle between staying another year with her friends or moving her life along faster. Her ultimate decision is one that she doesn't regret and is looking forward to every day! She has yet to decide her future goals, but will figure it out soon enough! We all wish you all the luck for your senior year and your life ahead, Rachael!
Teacher Spotlight:
Since the start of the school year, we’ve had to spend five days a week with about eight different teachers. A lot of the educators were familiar faces to the students, but one, in particular, stood out to all.
Mr. Mahar is a student at Valpo University and has been a student teacher for the Junior World History class. Mahar got the amazing opportunity from our principal, Miss Wood, who allowed him to get real-world experience at South Central High School.
Many teachers such as Miss T and Mr. Miller offer him support and help as he takes on the challenge of teaching classes of crazy teenagers!
That isn’t really a problem for Mahar. The college student is in his early twenties which makes it easier for him to relate with his class. His ability to relate and challenge students is something unique that’s rare to find in some teachers.
One of his students said, “Mr. Mahar is someone completely different than we’ve had here. He makes us laugh, he gets our attention, and he lets us talk about real-world issues which are really awesome!”
It’s obvious that students admire Mahar for his teaching methods and of course, ‘current event debates’ where everyone has the ability to speak their mind. As we all admire him, Mahar told me that he admires us all as his students.
He said, “The students here have taught me. They show me how different teaching is then they tell you. It’s like every rule and standard they explained was thrown out the window. I’m going to miss the students at South Central and all of the challenges they’ve provided me.”
Unfortunately, Mr. Mahar will be leaving us at South Central and won’t be back for 2016. While this is the case, he has promised to do everything he can to find a spot here at South Central one day. He will then go on to graduate from Valpo University, find a teaching job, and hopefully help coach baseball at the school he's employed to.
Mr. Mahar, you deserve being this month’s Teacher Spotlight for so many reasons! Thank you for all of the efforts you’ve put into our classes. Thank you for not treating us like just a grade to you, but as individuals who’ve helped make an impact on your life. We hope that your future helps you end up back at South Central one day, but until then, good luck with everything! We’re going to miss your constant movie recommendations and requests for baby names!