This school year has been one of excitement and jubilation for the students of New Prairie High School. Even though the football team did get defeated, winter sports have started their action and are looking to make big statements. The Student Hunger Drive that the Food Bank of Northern Indiana holds every year is coming to a close.
With football season ending, other sports that take place in the winter feel as though it is their time to shine. Boys and girls basketball are both in full swing, along with swimming. The girls basketball team believes that each year has helped them to grow and this year, they are expecting big things out of each and every player on the roster. The same could be said for the boys team. They think that they have grown over the years, and this year is their chance to make some big waves in the sectionals and beyond.
Senior and team captain Aidan Cotter said, “I really think that this is our year. We've had some good ones in the past, but this is the year we go to state.”
The boys basketball season will be in full swing later this month. They have picked up some key players that very well could be the secret to success this season. After a disappointing end to last season, these boys are coming out hungrier than ever for a sectional title and hopefully, a trip to Indianapolis for a ring.
The Student Hunger Drive that is sponsored by the Food Bank of Northern Indiana has been in full swing for the last couple of weeks and is coming to a close. This is the fourth year that New Prairie High School has been involved in this event, and each year seems to bring better and better results.
As a matter of fact, the very first year that New Prairie participated in this event led to the forming of a new club at the high school. That club is entitled Cougar Outreach. The sole purpose of this club is to promote volunteer service around the community and help in any aspect that they can. The club has grown over their four year existence and is still growing to this day.
Some other activities that the club has participated in since their inception include painting a pavilion at a nursing home, cleaning up the community, making Christmas and other holiday cards to deliver to nursing homes, and cleaning up around the New Carlisle and Rolling Prairie community. This is a club that so many members of the community count on and care about.
The Hunger Drive has grown tremendously as well over the last couple of years. At the beginning of New Prairie’s first year of participating, food numbers were not very good for the high school. In year two, the high school saw their numbers increase in terms of students donating items. Year three was fantastic and New Prairie won most items per student.
The goal has always been to bring in more food items than Penn High School in Granger, who has so many kids it seems like an impossible goal. That does not let the club get discouraged though. They think that it is a manageable goal that can be achieved this year.
Mr. James Groendyke has been an integral part of success at New Prairie. During his time here, Mr. Groendyke has put in countless hours to make sure that the high school is continuing to move forward. As of right now, Mr. Groendyke is involved in multiple extracurricular activities. Those include Cougar Outreach, Academic Spell Bowl, Cocoa Cafe after school book club, and anime club. Mr. Groendyke is truly one of the special people at New Prairie.
Just a few weeks ago, he put in all kinds of time and effort to help organize a Trunk-or-Treat that was offered at the high school. The admission was two canned food items that went to the Cougar Outreach Club to help them in the Student Hunger Drive. Mr. Groendyke worked hard to ensure that this event was a success. He has also volunteered tireless hours trying to promote this event at home football games.
Sadly, Mr. Groendyke has announced that he will retire at the end of this semester. His time at New Prairie is coming to a close. He has meant so much to this school and community and will be sorely missed. We wish Mr. Groendyke nothing but the best in his retirement. He has worked hard and he deserves time to himself. While he will not be at school anymore, his legacy will live on for a long time to come. All of these clubs will remain intact, just with different leaders. Thanks Mr. Groendyke for all you've done and enjoy your retirement!
November has been a month that is chalked full of activities and spot in events. There has never been a better time to be a Cougar!