Bailee Leathers – Website Editor – I’m really gonna miss starting my day out with Warner and Tedrow- especially when Warner is mad and Tedrow has coffee. These past three years I feel I’ve grown as a leader, a writer and a person because of Publications. I’ve made some of my best friends through publications, and memories that will last a lifetime. I’m going to miss the website. It kind of feels like handing your two-year-old to a stranger, watching them fill the editor positions for next year. I am so thankful for my co-editor Jessica, even when she makes me feel bad because she gets so much work done. I’m so proud to have been a part of the excellent work we put together every year, this is truly a room of special people.
Olivia Rassel – Yearbook Editor – Wow. It’s hard to believe that this batty, bumpy road we call high school is finally coming to an end for my classmates and I. I’m proud of us for sticking it out and making it through the highs and the lows of high school, and I’m so thankful for everyone who’s had my back through the good, the bad, and the ugly. The tail end of senior year has brought insanity into my life with with a recent spinal surgery and graduation planning, on top of the usual track, school, and yearbook agenda. In spite of this, I’ve had a lot of time to think back on the people I’ve met, the friends I’ve made, and the individuals that have touched my life. Thank you to my best friends. Without you I would’ve found myself lost more times than I could handle and I would’ve spent significantly less time laughing and having fun. Thank you to my family. Your unconditional love and support has kept me sane and reminded my that I’m never alone when things get tough. To Ms. Warner and Mrs. Tedrow, thank you for teaching me to pursue the things I love, for keeping me laughing at midnight, yearbook work nights, and for always believing in me. To all my coaches past and present, thank you for pushing me to be better and for having confidence in my ability even when I didn’t. And to the class of 2017, thank you for making the past 13 years so much fun and for giving me a countless number of priceless memories.
Kara Nussbaum – Yearbook Editor – Goodbye. I’m leaving and I’m not coming back. It’s nothing personal, but it’s moving past my four years of high school into a new season of life. It’s time to confront the memories spent in these gray halls, and to teach ourselves to move on. First and foremost, thank you to all of the friends I’ve had throughout high school. Thank you for committing to walk beside me for the time you have. It’s been great. Thank you Mr. Blackburn, for teaching me how to treat people with respect. Thank you for teaching that merely “existing” doesn’t get you anywhere. Thank you Mrs. Dodson, for teaching me that reading isn’t just for nerds, and that amidst the hardest times, there’s always someone around to talk to. Thank you Mr. Gaff, for teaching me that you don’t have to be the best at something to enjoy it. Thank you for never discouraging me from getting my pink Cadillac one day. Thank you Mr. Surface, for teaching me how to become a better leader, how to become the person I want to be, but most of all, how to play Coup. Mark my words, I will beat you. Thank you Mrs. Gill, for teaching me to add my personal flair in what I’m doing. Thank you for teaching me that “red flower, green stem” should always help me create my own path. Thank you Mr. Dodson, for teaching me that tough love is necessary. Thank you for teaching me that dry humor has its place in absolutely every aspect of life, and that regular Mountain Dew is ten times better than diet. Thank you Mrs. Tedrow, for teaching me that gentleness and kindness help in all situations. Thank you for teaching me that chocolate chip cookies go a long way, and that working at midnight is sometimes when you’re the most productive (and most hysterical). Lastly, thank you Ms. Warner, for teaching me that it’s okay to be stressed as long as you get your work done. Thank you for teaching me that caffeine is never an option, and that sometimes a nap will help, too. Thank you for teaching me that life isn’t all about me all of the time, and for teaching me how to put others before myself. Center Grove grew me for thirteen years (if you include the year of half day kindergarten), and it’s time for my farewell. A little advice: you don’t really know what senioritis is, or really what you had during high school, until fourth nine weeks of your senior year. Congratulations to the rest of the class of 2017, we made it.
Ellie Dunlop – Staff Writer – Firstly, I want to thank Mr. Surface for opening my mind to the bigger picture of life and truly showing me what’s really important. Thanks to Mrs. Fowler for always giving me the tough love that I need (and always deserve). I want to recognize Mr. Dodson for making the absolute worst class in the school a little less horrible with his ridiculous humor. Lastly, thank you Mrs. Dodson for always giving me a reason to smile in the hallway (and gossip about your husband). Due to these amazing teachers and my small knit circle of two friends, my motivation to get through high school was a little bit higher. You guys rock, much love!
Tyler Smith – Staff Writer – For what now feels like a lifetime ago, I walked into Center Grove High School as a typical naive freshman. Coming in, I did not have much interest in any of my classes, and had no plan for what I would do after high school. However, one decision I do feel like I got right during high school was joining the Early College program. During this time period of high school, my english skills have improved, and it has fueled my passion to study journalism at Ball State University in college. I probably would never be able to achieve this if it were not for my Early College english teachers (Mrs. DeArmitt, Mrs. Warner, Mrs. McDougal, and Mrs. Hensley). I also would like to give a special thanks to my journalism teacher, Mrs. Tedrow, for continuing to excite my interest in the field of journalism.
Morgan Weaver – Photo and Club Editor – I would like to thank Mrs. Tedrow for always having kind words to lift me up. There were times when I was feeling stressed or frustrated and Tedrow was the one I turned to for guidance. I would also like to thank Ms. Warner for being a motivating teacher and a great friend. I will miss those ridiculous study hall conversations. Throughout high school there were many ups and downs but these wonderful women made it a little easier. Publications was the best class choice I ever made!!
Paxton Welton – Coverage Editor – As cheesy as it sounds, high school was truly a roller coaster for me. For those of you that know me well, you know I’ve truly experienced many ups and downs throughout these four years. For those of you that don’t know me, just take my word for it. Thank you to Ms. Warner and Mrs. Tedrow, for making the school days a little less dreadful and always laughing with me about the absurd things that go on in this world. Wishing the best to the entire class of 2017, may you all be able to successfully turn the page. Lastly, shoutout to my haters, sorry that you couldn’t phase me.
Harrison Sutton – News Magazine Editor – I could fill my space here with complaints about high school, teachers, fellow students, but I think that at this point in my life, it’s sort of become banal to whine. So I just want to thank the people at this school that have shaped me into the person I am today. Thank you Tedrow and Warner for giving me the opportunity and experience of being a News Mag editor. Through this I have found that my real passion is to read, write and edit. Thank you Jerry Maguire for being the mentor I’ve always needed. I wouldn’t post-it note entire books for anyone else, you wag. Thank you to my friends who have thrown hardback books at my eyes and then brought cookie cakes for retribution. I will never forget any of you. And finally, thank you to any and all teachers that I have had here that have pushed me towards my future. Whether it be Mr. K who made it very apparent that no chemistry would be involved in my later years, or Mr. Surface who pushed me to my first honors English course. I accredit you all equally for making me the person I am. There is no amount of thanks I can give to you all for this.
Julia Dahl – News Magazine Editor – Yesterday, I was panicking because my navigation skills are nonexistent, getting lost in the hallway was inevitable. When people claim that your high school years fly by, they were being as honest as saying the sky is blue. I was not panicking about finding my way around the halls yesterday but years ago. Yesterday, I was probably panicking because senioritis got the best of me. When I look back on the past four years of my high school career, the word that comes to mind is growth. I grew spiritually, mentally, academically, and emotionally. I have my teachers to thank for that. I want to thank all of the Early College teachers, including the legend Mr. Lamb, for teaching me not only to love learning but also to be a better person. A special thank you to Ms. Warner and Mrs. Tedrow for challenging me in my role as a leader in publications as well as making me laugh during the stressful times. Thank you to Mr. Howe for teaching me that what you learn in a classroom can be applied to the present, which is why learning is so cool. Thank you to Mrs. McDougal for believing in me even when I did not believe in myself, shoving me outside my comfort zone, and showing me the importance of following my passions. Thank you to Ms. Hensley for opening my eyes to so much more than I had ever thought about our society and the world, encouraging me in the difficult times, and showing me that I should be proud of my empathy. Thank you to Mr. Buckmaster and Mrs. DeArmitt for teaching me the importance of honesty and showing me that sarcasm is crucial in making it through life. Thank you to Mr. Garrison for coaxing me away from the ledge when it came to math, showing me an example of a caring teacher, and your sarcastic sense of humor. Finally, I would like to thank Mrs. Carroll for showing me the teacher I hope to be one day, the unwavering support in whatever I chose to do, and the wise advice that you always seemed to have. Because of these teachers, I am excited to pursue a career in education; I want to impact students the way my teachers did for me.
Jessica Kelly – Website Editor – “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” “It was a pleasure to burn.” “All this happened, more or less.” Man, those are some great beginnings. Unfortunately, unlike these great men, I am terrible at beginnings. Need proof? I had so much trouble beginning this farewell that I stole one of Dickens’ beginnings. More proof? The first word that was mine was “Man.” I began high school much the same way. Confused, unsure of how to start because I was unsure of where I was going. Not too long ago, I was worrying about college. I did not want to go through all of the work that a new beginning requires. Then, instead of looking ahead to the unknown, I reflected back on my high school years. I remembered how self-conscious and confused that freshman was. Then I remembered how she grew. It was painful at times, but so ultimately fulfilling. Forget Dickens and Orwell; neither Bradbury nor Vonnegut honestly had a huge impact on my growth. I learned from the greats: Mr. Lamb, Mrs. Wingler, Mrs. Davis, Mr. Kominowski, Mrs. Coyne, Mr. Frank, Coach Todd, Ms. Hensley, Mr. Lawson, Mrs. Tedrow and Ms. Warner. To them and all the others, thank you for getting me where I am today. I am excited to continue growing.
Maddie Weeks – Sports Editor – Without my two favorite teachers, Mrs. Fowler and Miss. Warner, my high school experience would have been a dull one. Throughout my three years in photography my mind was always being probed by Fowler’s intuitive thinking; she made me believe in the existence of hip teachers again! As for Warner, her room was always filled with laughter and ridiculous conversations; I’m thankful she made school something to look forward to. Thanks for the mems CG.
Isabella Brownlee – Staff Writer- This past year I’ve been “planning” my future but I can’t help but keep my truest desires hidden to myself. If there was anyone in this school that believed in my wildest impossibilities… it was Mr. Surface. He never failed to always assure me that I can do anything I have ever imagined. My mind is quite a fluster when it comes to being happy or excited for life. Yet, I can’t help but be hopeful for what is to come. My imagination runs me wild, it projects my deepest wants for my true self. I believe that if I try hard enough, if I want it enough…they just might come true. If they were to barely exist in reality, I think I’d faint. They’re out of the box…like the box is in Chicago and my imagination is soaring somewhere in Jupiter. Yes, I’m only one person and making a change in the world is impossible. However, if I can make the postal man smile then my job is complete. Ps: Thank you Mr. Surface for always caring. Now, go enjoy a cup of coffee.
