Passion and Competition
Rival week is an extremely exciting week in any sport. Thomas Edison Jr. Sr. High School and River Forest High School are rivals schools, and they have been since either school can remember. December 21st and 22nd hosted both the girls and boys rival basketball games, which energized the school to support their team.
The night that the ladies played at River Forest, the stands were full, and the crowd was on their feet screaming. That Thursday night, the Lady Eagles and Lady Ingots took to the court and showed amazing talent on both ends. Both teams came out strong, and the intensity was seen, including in the Junior Varsity game. When Varsity ran onto the court, the crowd went wild in support of the teams. The national anthem was played by the River Forest Pep Band before the players were announced. Shortly after, the intense game began. The game ended with the score being 65 - Eagles to 47 - Ingots.
As the girls ended with a victory, the next night was the boy’s. This game was held at Thomas Edison Jr. Sr. High School, though, giving boys the home advantage. When boys ran out and onto the court to do warm-ups, the crowd roared with excitement. After warm-ups, the Lake Station Pep Band played the national anthem. Next, the starters were called, and the game commenced. The score stayed close throughout the game. At half time the Lake Station dance team swept the floor with their moves. By the end of the night, the final score was 62 - Eagles to 66 - Ingots. The game was extremely intense and well worth the time.
Power of an Intelligent Young Woman
“A beautiful woman is a beautiful woman, but a beautiful woman with a brain is an absolutely lethal combination.” -Prabal Gurung.
Gwendolyn Caston is the middle child of three. She a highly intelligent and encouraging Junior at Thomas Edison Jr. Sr. High School. She is one of the hardest working students; everything she does proves that. Gwendolyn keeps herself busy, so she is constantly at work between school, sports, clubs, and her job.
Caston participates in both track and cross country, joined french club, works at Dairy Queen, and manages her grades at Edison. Caston has participated in cross country for one year and track for three years. For track, Caston ran the 400 meter dash along with other middle distance races. For cross country, this past year was her first time racing on a three mile course. In cross country, she lettered and received an The Most Improved Award. Caston also joined French Club which she participated in for three years.
Along with sports and clubs, she is an exceptional employee at Dairy Queen in Lake Station. She was hired as of last year, and she has shown immense growth with the machinery and made amazing progress with customer service.
Caston is also ranked fifth in her class with a grade point average of 4.0. She takes Advanced Placement classes as well as Honors classes. She has an incredible talent with her time-management skills and determination. When Caston graduates, she plans to attend college, although she is keeping an open mind as to which college she would like to attend.
What is a Closed Door?
Speaking of open-mindedness, creativity tends to hold the championship belt. Ms. Brittaney Ray is one of the most creative people within the walls of the school. She is constantly thinking outside of the box and coloring outside of the lines. She does happen to be the art teacher at Thomas Edison Jr. Sr. High School, which may influence her unique thinking.
Ray is also the Varsity Softball Coach for Edison. As a teacher, Ms. Ray is very influential within the school. She gives students the chance to express themselves through their work and channel themselves into something else. She teaches 2D Art - drawing, 3D Art -structures with depth, and Ceramics.
Along with letting student express themselves, Ms. Ray helps them build their ideal image of the project that they are in the process of designing. In Ms. Ray’s class, students are encouraged to do things differently. They are pushed and inspired to try new ideas in class. Aside from the grades, art class is a gateway from reality for most.
The Edison-River Alumni Game
For basketball players at Lake Station or River Forest, their final game of high school may not truly be the last game they play on the school court. While the jersey may be turned back in, an annual tradition brings them back to the court each year to show off their moves in the annual Edison-River Alumni Game.
The upcoming event will take place at Thomas Edison Jr. Sr. High School in January. The Edison-River Alumni Game is fundraiser conducted by the Lake Station Lady Eagles under their coach Kristy Hite. The team hires referees to keep the game composed, and the Lady Eagles work the other necessary jobs, consessions, music, and more!