April Articles
Varsity Girls Tennis Preview
By: Jacob Thomas
News Editor
The Richmond girls’ varsity tennis team is back in action as the spring sports seasons quickly approaches. The team is looking to improve off a successful season last year.
Coach Pearson is expecting good things from a team that returns eight members from a year ago.
“I expect us to finish in the top three in the league this year. Armada and Yale will be tough again like last year. They both have returners on their teams that made it to states,” said Pearson.
Although returning eight members, the Blue Devils lost some key parts of their success from last year to graduation.
“We lost our first, second and third singles players from a year ago and our first doubles team. Our doubles team will be strong because most of our seniors are on doubles. Kaitlin Niebauer will be the one senior on the singles lineup,” said Pearson.
A set lineup has not been determined yet due to the inability of practicing outdoors.
“I don’t really have a clue for who will play where or a lineup yet. Practicing indoors has been bad because there are no lines in the gym and the atmosphere is different. It’s going to be tougher this year because we don’t have a set lineup. Last year we already had our first through third singles players set. Someone is going to have to step up,” said Pearson.
Coach Pearson is very pleased, however, with the team’s chemistry thus far.
“Overall it is a good group of girls. The new girls are going to be helpful to us and we should have a lot of talent. Their play is going to take care of their action on the court,” said Pearson.
The team returns four seniors from last year after coming off a loss to Armada in the BWAC finals.
One of these seniors, Natasha Woodruff, is looking to improve upon last season’s finish.
“This will be my fourth year playing tennis. I am a doubles player but I have played both singles and doubles in the past. I like doubles more because there is more strategy involved when you play with a partner. You need to have good chemistry,” said Woodruff.
Woodruff enjoys many aspects of tennis but one she enjoys the most is the laid back approach of tennis compared to other sports.
“I think it’s really laid back compared to most sports. You get to enjoy being outdoors. I like how there isn’t a clock or time limit. You just get to play at your own pace,” said Woodruff.
Woodruff and the rest of the team have their minds set on one goal: a BWAC championship.
“As a team, our goal is to win the BWAC this year. Last year, we lost to Armada in the BWAC. Individually I would like to earn all Macomb for a second straight year,” said Woodruff.
Woodruff’s doubles partner Katie Szczesniak is also looking forward to her senior season of tennis.
Szcezesniak is looking to build off of a successful season last year with her partner.
“We had a winning record last season. I am hoping to earn All-BWAC and All-Macomb again this year. I really enjoy playing together with Natasha because she is my best friend and we have good chemistry together when we play,” said Szcezesniak.
With such a young team, Szcezesniak is looking to provide leadership to others.
“We have a good team but this should be a building year as well. Being a senior on the team is different because I have to help take charge and lead the team along with the other three seniors,” said Szcezesniak.
Senior and doubles player Callie Kitowski said the key to the team’s success is going to be teamwork and experience.
“We just need to try to win as many matches as we can. We need to work together. We have a good doubles lineup and good singles players. I like how tennis is different from other sports because it’s more individual,” said Kitowski.
Kitowski likes the added pressure of being a leader on the team now as a senior.
“I like being a senior because I am a leader at practice and a lot of the team looks up to me. I like being looked up to and helping others on the team,” said Kitowski.
Although this is Kitowski’s last season playing tennis, it is something she will carry into her future as well.
“I enjoy playing the sport and being outdoors and it is a sport I will always be able to play after high school,” said Kitowski.
Overall, it should be an exciting and competitive year for the girls’ varsity tennis team.
By: Jacob Thomas
News Editor
The Richmond girls’ varsity tennis team is back in action as the spring sports seasons quickly approaches. The team is looking to improve off a successful season last year.
Coach Pearson is expecting good things from a team that returns eight members from a year ago.
“I expect us to finish in the top three in the league this year. Armada and Yale will be tough again like last year. They both have returners on their teams that made it to states,” said Pearson.
Although returning eight members, the Blue Devils lost some key parts of their success from last year to graduation.
“We lost our first, second and third singles players from a year ago and our first doubles team. Our doubles team will be strong because most of our seniors are on doubles. Kaitlin Niebauer will be the one senior on the singles lineup,” said Pearson.
A set lineup has not been determined yet due to the inability of practicing outdoors.
“I don’t really have a clue for who will play where or a lineup yet. Practicing indoors has been bad because there are no lines in the gym and the atmosphere is different. It’s going to be tougher this year because we don’t have a set lineup. Last year we already had our first through third singles players set. Someone is going to have to step up,” said Pearson.
Coach Pearson is very pleased, however, with the team’s chemistry thus far.
“Overall it is a good group of girls. The new girls are going to be helpful to us and we should have a lot of talent. Their play is going to take care of their action on the court,” said Pearson.
The team returns four seniors from last year after coming off a loss to Armada in the BWAC finals.
One of these seniors, Natasha Woodruff, is looking to improve upon last season’s finish.
“This will be my fourth year playing tennis. I am a doubles player but I have played both singles and doubles in the past. I like doubles more because there is more strategy involved when you play with a partner. You need to have good chemistry,” said Woodruff.
Woodruff enjoys many aspects of tennis but one she enjoys the most is the laid back approach of tennis compared to other sports.
“I think it’s really laid back compared to most sports. You get to enjoy being outdoors. I like how there isn’t a clock or time limit. You just get to play at your own pace,” said Woodruff.
Woodruff and the rest of the team have their minds set on one goal: a BWAC championship.
“As a team, our goal is to win the BWAC this year. Last year, we lost to Armada in the BWAC. Individually I would like to earn all Macomb for a second straight year,” said Woodruff.
Woodruff’s doubles partner Katie Szczesniak is also looking forward to her senior season of tennis.
Szcezesniak is looking to build off of a successful season last year with her partner.
“We had a winning record last season. I am hoping to earn All-BWAC and All-Macomb again this year. I really enjoy playing together with Natasha because she is my best friend and we have good chemistry together when we play,” said Szcezesniak.
With such a young team, Szcezesniak is looking to provide leadership to others.
“We have a good team but this should be a building year as well. Being a senior on the team is different because I have to help take charge and lead the team along with the other three seniors,” said Szcezesniak.
Senior and doubles player Callie Kitowski said the key to the team’s success is going to be teamwork and experience.
“We just need to try to win as many matches as we can. We need to work together. We have a good doubles lineup and good singles players. I like how tennis is different from other sports because it’s more individual,” said Kitowski.
Kitowski likes the added pressure of being a leader on the team now as a senior.
“I like being a senior because I am a leader at practice and a lot of the team looks up to me. I like being looked up to and helping others on the team,” said Kitowski.
Although this is Kitowski’s last season playing tennis, it is something she will carry into her future as well.
“I enjoy playing the sport and being outdoors and it is a sport I will always be able to play after high school,” said Kitowski.
Overall, it should be an exciting and competitive year for the girls’ varsity tennis team.
Kristen Skoryanc Alumni Article
By: Jacob Thomas
News Editor
Traveling the world and preparing to be a future teacher.
This is what former RHS and current Central Michigan University student Kristen Skoryanc is doing.
Skroyanc is visiting Australia from March 13 to April 18 as a student teacher.
“There's over 150 study abroad programs offered at Central and there are way less options for those that wish to student teach abroad,” said Skroyanc.
Student teaching in Australia was attractive for many reasons. One of these was the language spoken in Australia is English.
“I was too afraid to travel to Africa. While Australia has their own unique culture, there isn't much of a language barrier. I had a family friend participate in the exact same program several years ago, and she had nothing but good things to say, so I just couldn't resist,” said Skoryanc.
Skoryanc is visiting Australia along with 14 other colleagues from Central Michigan.
“There are 14 student teachers from CMU that I'm traveling with, are living and teaching in Canberra, a few hours south of Sydney. We've spent most of our time here,” said Skoryanc.
Although the majority of their time has been spent in the capital of Australia, the group made time to visit the most popular city: Sydney.
“We did so much there. We climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, saw the famous Bondi Beach, got a gorgeous bird's eye view of the city at nighttime from the Sydney Tower Eye, watched fireworks at Darling Harbor, and took a boat trip out onto the bay, driving right up next to the Opera House. It's such a gorgeous city! I loved it,” said Skoryanc.
While studying abroad, Skoryanc has been able to experience a different culture and learn more about the classroom atmosphere outside of the United States.
“Studying abroad can teach you so many things that you can't learn in a regular classroom. You learn so much about yourself and your own culture from immersing yourself in another one. You develop confidence, self-reliance, appreciation, independence and universal ‘people skills.’ I wanted to study abroad to increase my global awareness, too. Learn of perspectives on history, Science, and English that differ from those that we have in the States. I want to bring all of my knowledge and experiences to my future classrooms in order to teach students to be critical thinkers and better citizens,” said Skoryanc.
Although excited about her future, there is one major hope Skoryanc has.
“Get a job! Well, that's the hope anyways. The goal is to achieve a full-time teaching position somewhere in the metro-Detroit area. I would love to teach Science to middle-schoolers, but I'll take anything I can get. If I have to substitute for a little bit to get my feet wet, I will. I will do whatever it takes to get a full-time job so I'll be able to support myself, and get my own dog,” said Skoryanc, who also student taught at a middle school in Michigan before leaving for the land down under.
From an outsider’s view, the way of life in Australia does not differ from America.
“The majority of Australians that we've came into contact with are very active. We see bike-riders constantly. There were so many people enjoying the weather outside or going for a run when we were in Sydney the past weekend. They're a lot more "greener" over here, too. Outlets can be turned on and off to save energy. There are always two garbage cans: one for waste and one for things that can be recycled,” said Skoryanc.
Even though the way of life is fairly similar, the classroom has a different atmosphere in Australia.
“In the schools that I've visited, it's also very laid-back compared to America. The teachers I've worked with seem to tolerate a lot more and manage their classrooms differently than we do in the U.S. They're not as dependent on their technology as us Americans are. They don't seem to value it as much. Their kids are just as glued to their cell phones as our students are, but wi-fi isn't available everywhere and technology isn't utilized a lot,” said Skoryanc.
Skoryanc said the best part of the trip so far has been getting to know her other colleagues better.
“Probably just getting to know the people that I traveled with. I've had a couple of classes with a few, but other than that, none of us really knew each other before we came here. We now all have a special bond and I've formed some relationships that will last a lifetime. All of us are different in our own way and bring something unique to the field of education. As future teachers, they're also my colleagues. I would love to work alongside one of them one day. And who knows! It may actually happen,” said Skoryanc.
While the weather here in Michigan has been below average, Australia has been like a vacation in itself.
“The weather is fantastic! They're transitioning over to fall here, so daily temperatures usually average somewhere from high 60's to high 70's. It's a little chilly in the morning and at night it’s around the 40’s, but I can't complain,” said Skoryanc.
The wildlife in Australia is unlike many regions of the world. And of course the symbol of Australia, the Kangaroo, can be found all over.
Skoryanc said, “Kangaroos are everywhere here. They are just as common as white-tailed deer are back in Michigan. They like to come out at sunrise and at dusk. I think one morning we probably saw 30 in one field.”
By: Jacob Thomas
News Editor
Traveling the world and preparing to be a future teacher.
This is what former RHS and current Central Michigan University student Kristen Skoryanc is doing.
Skroyanc is visiting Australia from March 13 to April 18 as a student teacher.
“There's over 150 study abroad programs offered at Central and there are way less options for those that wish to student teach abroad,” said Skroyanc.
Student teaching in Australia was attractive for many reasons. One of these was the language spoken in Australia is English.
“I was too afraid to travel to Africa. While Australia has their own unique culture, there isn't much of a language barrier. I had a family friend participate in the exact same program several years ago, and she had nothing but good things to say, so I just couldn't resist,” said Skoryanc.
Skoryanc is visiting Australia along with 14 other colleagues from Central Michigan.
“There are 14 student teachers from CMU that I'm traveling with, are living and teaching in Canberra, a few hours south of Sydney. We've spent most of our time here,” said Skoryanc.
Although the majority of their time has been spent in the capital of Australia, the group made time to visit the most popular city: Sydney.
“We did so much there. We climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, saw the famous Bondi Beach, got a gorgeous bird's eye view of the city at nighttime from the Sydney Tower Eye, watched fireworks at Darling Harbor, and took a boat trip out onto the bay, driving right up next to the Opera House. It's such a gorgeous city! I loved it,” said Skoryanc.
While studying abroad, Skoryanc has been able to experience a different culture and learn more about the classroom atmosphere outside of the United States.
“Studying abroad can teach you so many things that you can't learn in a regular classroom. You learn so much about yourself and your own culture from immersing yourself in another one. You develop confidence, self-reliance, appreciation, independence and universal ‘people skills.’ I wanted to study abroad to increase my global awareness, too. Learn of perspectives on history, Science, and English that differ from those that we have in the States. I want to bring all of my knowledge and experiences to my future classrooms in order to teach students to be critical thinkers and better citizens,” said Skoryanc.
Although excited about her future, there is one major hope Skoryanc has.
“Get a job! Well, that's the hope anyways. The goal is to achieve a full-time teaching position somewhere in the metro-Detroit area. I would love to teach Science to middle-schoolers, but I'll take anything I can get. If I have to substitute for a little bit to get my feet wet, I will. I will do whatever it takes to get a full-time job so I'll be able to support myself, and get my own dog,” said Skoryanc, who also student taught at a middle school in Michigan before leaving for the land down under.
From an outsider’s view, the way of life in Australia does not differ from America.
“The majority of Australians that we've came into contact with are very active. We see bike-riders constantly. There were so many people enjoying the weather outside or going for a run when we were in Sydney the past weekend. They're a lot more "greener" over here, too. Outlets can be turned on and off to save energy. There are always two garbage cans: one for waste and one for things that can be recycled,” said Skoryanc.
Even though the way of life is fairly similar, the classroom has a different atmosphere in Australia.
“In the schools that I've visited, it's also very laid-back compared to America. The teachers I've worked with seem to tolerate a lot more and manage their classrooms differently than we do in the U.S. They're not as dependent on their technology as us Americans are. They don't seem to value it as much. Their kids are just as glued to their cell phones as our students are, but wi-fi isn't available everywhere and technology isn't utilized a lot,” said Skoryanc.
Skoryanc said the best part of the trip so far has been getting to know her other colleagues better.
“Probably just getting to know the people that I traveled with. I've had a couple of classes with a few, but other than that, none of us really knew each other before we came here. We now all have a special bond and I've formed some relationships that will last a lifetime. All of us are different in our own way and bring something unique to the field of education. As future teachers, they're also my colleagues. I would love to work alongside one of them one day. And who knows! It may actually happen,” said Skoryanc.
While the weather here in Michigan has been below average, Australia has been like a vacation in itself.
“The weather is fantastic! They're transitioning over to fall here, so daily temperatures usually average somewhere from high 60's to high 70's. It's a little chilly in the morning and at night it’s around the 40’s, but I can't complain,” said Skoryanc.
The wildlife in Australia is unlike many regions of the world. And of course the symbol of Australia, the Kangaroo, can be found all over.
Skoryanc said, “Kangaroos are everywhere here. They are just as common as white-tailed deer are back in Michigan. They like to come out at sunrise and at dusk. I think one morning we probably saw 30 in one field.”