Thursday, March 21, 2024

Paul Thiergartner – Deafness is No Barrier

The Silent Strength of Teamwork By Russell O. Karr The short jog from the locker room to the practice field at the beginning of a new high school lacrosse season is usually just an insignificant event. But it can be a gauntlet of anxiety and questioning if you are the only deaf player heading into your first practice with new, …

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Michelle Mazza: When You Throw, Throw Hard

Michelle Mazza Overcomes Challenges Early in Life By Norma Palacios and Bianca Olvera Lopez Helping people is a long-term goal for Ocean Township High School (NJ) senior track and field star Michelle Mazza. Her courageous accomplishments in sports and life in the face of difficult medical challenges have focused Mazza on a medical career to help others as she has …

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Colin White: Skating to the Top

A rigorous road for Colin White, on his way to play professional hockey. By Kristen Giddings ANN ARBOR, Michigan__ Even before he was old enough to understand the depths and dedication his dream would require, Colin White dreamed of playing hockey. He dreamed of Boston College hockey, of playing for a team he idolized, and being one of the few …

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DIG IT! Kathryn Plummer — Confident, Competitive and a Flair for Fun

By Russell O. Karr “Set your goals high, and don’t stop ’til you get there.” – Bo Jackson “Honestly, I want to be the first woman to get two Olympic gold medals in volleyball; one in indoor and one in beach.” This is how Kathryn Plummer clearly and confidently explained her goals to High School Illustrated in a recent interview. …

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Living the Dream: Kendall Sheffield Looks Ahead

By Ryan Bundy | Photos by Bob Leivy Close your eyes for a minute and prepare to imagine. Imagine being a 17-year-old high school athlete, winning a state title in track. How great of a feeling would that be? Now imagine being the eighth-ranked football player in America with every college football program wanting you to play for their alma …

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Organic and Other Environmentally Friendly Foods

Understanding What It All Means Even the most casual food shoppers have probably noticed the increased quantity and variety of organic foods available in regular grocery stores. Once the specialty of health food stores, organic foods are spreading from specialty aisles to shelves throughout the big food stores. Maybe you’re wondering what all the fuss is about. Are organic foods …

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HOOPS! Jessica Shepard’s Balanced Approach Supports Basketball Success

by Norma Palacios and Russell O. Karr Dedication, solid work ethic, strong family support, and a noteworthy focus on balance in her life provide Fremont High School basketball star, Jessica Shepard, with a solid foundation for success in sports and life. Ranked third in the country by ESPN and first in her position, Jessica was also Gatorade’s 2013-14 and 2012-13 …

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Tacko Fall: The Basketball Player You Cannot Miss

Tacko Fall, a 7-foot-5 high school senior from Senegal, thrives on and off the court by Kristen Giddings   TAVARES, Florida__As young players across the country gear-up for the upcoming basketball season, Tacko Fall stands above them all. Literally. The 7’5″ high school senior currently holds the spot as the tallest player in the country, standing two inches over even …

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Dazzle, Strength, Skill and Fun: Broken Arrow Cheerleading Squad Has It All

By Madeline Stokell The new era of cheerleading has all heads turned in its direction, waiting to see what’s next. Feats of strength and coordination dazzle the eye in performances of spirit and positive energy. The sheer difficulty of the routines seen at national cheerleading competitions seem to dispel any prejudices against the sport; old ideas of pom poms waving are …

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Shoulder Mobility: Two Exercises to Improve Your Mobility

Good shoulder mobility can not only improve shoulder function, but also improve performance and limit injuries. With athletes now specializing in one sport at an early age and many of them increasing their training outside of their sport, their shoulders can lose the flexibility and strength needed to perform at their best. Since most sports primarily use the “pushing” muscles …

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Best Buddies: The True Meaning of Friendship

Millennium High School a Stellar Example of This Terrific Organization by Kristen Giddings New York, New York__The roaring booms resound through the stadium in Union City, New Jersey. New York Rumble Ultimate Frisbee fans stomp, or rumble, their feet in the bleachers, showing their enthusiasm and support for their team on the field in front of them. But off the …

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Amelia Andrilenas: Beauty in Body and Soul

By Kendall Murtha ‘Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our gardens to which our wills are gardeners. – William Shakespeare, Othello We generally think of gymnastics as a sport in which the athlete’s body is their primary instrument. Each time Amelia “Millie” Andrilenas, a junior at Juniata High School in Washington, takes to the …

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Great Greens: Eating the Right Foods to Stay Healthy

By Better Nutrition Greens aren’t just good for your health—they’re great. Green drinks, particularly, contain a healthy mix of nutrient-filled algae and grasses that offer detoxifying and alkalizing amino acids, minerals, and antioxidants. Greens are among my very favorite foods. Steamed, sautéed, raw—it doesn’t matter. Load up my plate and I’m happy. In fact, I’d eat them even if they …

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Dream Big…Always: Tommy Paul Focuses On His Dreams

To most of us, the net on a tennis court divides the physical space between the opponents; the place where they move and play, a boundary to define whether a ball is in or out. For Tommy Paul, one of the nation’s top teen tennis players, the net demarcates the psychic space of strategy, mental toughness, and a place where …

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