What’s recently happened?
Spring sports season has just kicked off at New Prairie High School (NPHS) and Cougar baseball is already off to a fiery start. 10 games in, the Cougars have achieved a 70% achievement record and are only rising higher.
Over NPHS’s spring break, the Cougars had the opportunity to play a large tournament in Bloomington, Indiana. The Cougars won all the three games they played. While the record is impressive, the bond the team has formed is the most cherished quality of the team.
“My favorite part about this team is the chemistry. The bulk of us have been playing with each other for close to a decade, so we all have fun and have a really good relationship with one another,” said Joseph Kinney, NPHS varsity third baseman and pitcher.
This past week, the Cougars took on John Adams High School at Four Winds Field to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day. Although the team was not able to come out on top, the experience was more than a win.
“My favorite part about this team is our ability to overcome difficult situations,” said Tyson Greenwood, varsity first baseman and pitcher.
In South Bend, Four Winds Field is a special field that is home to the South Bend Cubs. Many players of the NPHS baseball team growing up had the opportunity to watch the team play, making the experience extra special.
“Playing on the South Bend Cubs field was amazing. As a kid, you dream of sharing that field with your best friends, so being able to actually do it was pretty awesome,” said Carson Young, NPHS outfielder.
Carson Young was also awarded the Jackie Robinson Leadership Award.
With the season progressing quickly but steadily, the Cougars are preparing to continue their hard work in prepping for the upcoming tournaments.
What’s coming up?
Similar to baseball, NPHS Girls Tennis (NPGT) is just starting its season and is ready to work hard. While there are only four regular season matches under NPGT’s belt, splitting record of 2-2, NPGT still has a lot to be proud of.
Recently, NPGT had a practice tournament, or a scramble, to have a low-stress but fun start to the season. Put up against three different teams, NPGT fought hard to come out victorious. The wins and losses the team has accumulated over the years have changed the team as a whole.
“Being a part of this team has brought me friendships that I never would’ve had otherwise. It’s a great group of girls that know how to uplift one another,” said Varsity Number Three Singles Player Ava Hojnacki.
NPGT has had many good seasons in the past. However, NPGT has not had a Sectional win. In the Indiana High School Athletic Association, Sectionals are the first tournament step on the road to the state championship.
“This year, we are looking to win a sectional title as NPGT has never won one in school history, so that would be pretty amazing for our team to make history at New Prairie,” said Varsity Number Two Singles Player Reghan Romstadt.
NPGT has the Northern Indiana Conference tournament next week which is a big tournament consisting of 10 or so teams that can take all day, leading to the championship. It may be difficult at this long tournament for the ladies, but with the rest of NPHS’ community behind them, they have nothing to fear.
Staff spotlight:
Hayden Young is currently the Family and Consumer Science teacher at NPHS and although this is only her second year, she has already made a lasting impact on the curriculum and community at NPHS.
Young was a student at NPHS herself, a graduate of the Class of 2018, and later returned to teach after graduating from Purdue University in 2022. Young teaches Human Development and Wellness, Child and Adolescent Development, Principles of Teaching, and Teaching and Learning.
“I enjoy building relationships and connections with my students over the course of the year, it’s also a joy that since I teach a pathway, many of the same students stay with me for the next year,” said Young.
At NPHS, there is a preschool called Cougar Cubs Preschool (CCP) that has been around for multiple years. However, at the end of this school year, CCP is no longer going to be a part of the curriculum in the teaching pathway. After numerous conversations with students who have been a part of the pathway for some time and participated in the CCP, Young decided to disband the preschool but not without an alternative.
“I am sad to see the preschool go because I don’t typically get to interact with that age range, but I know that the field experience will be more beneficial for the students,” said Young.
Starting this past semester, Young has created a new hands-on learning opportunity called field experience. In this experience, students part of the Teaching and Learning class go to a school within the New Prairie United School Corporation for pure classroom experience with one teacher. With the ranges of current placement going from kindergarten to eighth grade, students get more of a realistic experience in the classroom.
“Even if all of my students don’t plan on going into the education field, these placements open up so many new learning opportunities, especially employability skills and learning how to build their portfolios,” said Young.
Outside of teaching, Young is also passionate about giving back to her community. Last year Young started to make period packs in her classes during the reproduction unit for students and families that struggle with period poverty.
As a new teacher, there are always obstacles to overcome but there is no doubt that Young will continue to thrive and make a lasting impact at NPHS.
Student spotlight:
NPHS Softball has had a great past year, winning all of the tournaments leading up to its massive win in the State championship. While the team had strengths in both defense and offense that contributed to their win, it’s undeniable that Junior Ava Geyer was a key factor in their win.
Geyer has been playing softball for 13 years, three at NPHS, and despite being a junior, Geyer has been a consistent force on the team since the start of her time in high school.
“I am mainly a pitcher. Sometimes, I play first base and shortstop, but I primarily am a pitcher,” said Geyer.
Geyer has a deep love and connection with her teammates, enjoying the energy around the team.
“I am looking forward to making new memories this season with new teammates. I also can’t wait to go for another State run,” said Geyer.
Geyer has already announced her commitment to Indiana State University for softball, and although it is incredible for her softball career, it also means a lot for her academic career. Geyer is equally if not more skilled in the classroom as she is on the field, having great grades and constantly being kind to those around her. Geyer has also been named the National Honor Society Treasurer for the 2024-25 school year.
“Outside of school, I love hanging out with my friends, reading, and working,” said Geyer.
Geyer is very impressive in all of her areas of work and NPHS can’t wait to see where her future takes her.