Three freshman are making an impact on the stage, in the pool, and in the classroom

Katie Swartzer

“I was in second grade at St. Francis, my friend said she was going to be doing the up and coming play,” said Freshman Katie Swartzer. “She was saying that I should do it too.”
That first play was seven years ago. Since then Swartzer has been in about twenty three plays total.
“When I was little it was a way to release all of my energy. I like that you get to tell a story that is different every single time,” said Swartzer.
Katie would like to grow as an actress this year. Getting better as a performer is one of her missions as well.
“I hope to learn from others, especially the older kids,” said Swartzer. “Establishing myself as a performer would be great,”
Swartzer has a chorus role in the upcoming Fall Musical, The Phantom of the Opera.

Hunter Brings

Competing in the State Meet in swimming is extremely rare for middle school athletes. Freshman Hunter Brings realized that goal as an eighth grader.
“I had talked about it at the beginning of the season,” said Brings. “I thought I could do it.”
During the end of February at Sections, Hunter placed fourth. He almost failed a dive during the meet, which would have not have let him qualify.
At State he did not make it to the second day. As an eighth grader he finished his season with 20th place at state.
This year Brings has high hopes for the upcoming season.
“For diving I want to make top sixteen at State at the least,” said Brings.

Kayla Owens

When freshmen come into high school, Algebra or Geometry is usually their first math course. Not for Freshman Kayla Owens.
In math class, Owens is surrounded by upper classmen. She said that being the youngest in her Calculus class can be a bit intimidating.
“It is difficult but I get through it,” said Owens. “I’m kind of struggling right now, but I’m doing okay.”
She has been in the Quest program since the start of middle school, completing advanced or acelerated courses in English, Social Students, math, and science.
“As a fourth grader I skipped two years of math and I’ve been ahead ever since,” said Owens.