By MIA LENZI – The IHS class of 2018 gathered together with their old elementary schools for one last chance to enjoy the innocence of childhood. Students that attended East Pike, Eisenhower, Horace Mann, and Ben Franklin faced off against each other in a friendly, yet competitive, game of kickball.
The night started out with all of the participating seniors gathering in the Upper Commons area of the senior high to enjoy a dinner of only the best picnic foods, donated by faculty and students. After filling up, everyone migrated to the football field to participate in the very prestigious kickball games. Each school had the chance to play each other. Eisenhower ended up taking first place in the tournament, with Ben Franklin in second, East Pike in third, and Horace Mann in fourth. As a result of their big win, Eisenhower will have its name engraved on the senior class picnic kickball tournament plaque that is currently being held in math teacher and senior class adviser Tracy Sexton’s room.
Senior Class Vice President Keegan Ryan says, “[The picnic] was definitely one of the coolest things I’ve done with the class. It was really amazing to see everyone from elementary school, and how we’ve transformed. I got to flip through an elementary yearbook which blew me away. The funniest thing was that some of us haven’t changed much.”
The night would have not been a success without the help of many faculty members and students in the senior class office. A special thanks to Sexton, Senior Class Secretary Jill Black, and many senior class representatives for organizing the event, as well as the high ranked referee’s SGA adviser Michael Bertig, Science teacher Heather Walton, and Physical Education teacher Larry Cadile. Thanks also goes out to science teacher Jamie Edmonds who helped serve dinner, and science teacher Dr. Richard Wilhemy, who was the grill master of the night. “The picnic was an overall very good experience,” Black comments, “It was a night to reminisce and laugh as we enjoy our last year together.”
Every senior was allowed to participate in the tournament and dinner, and the night allowed for many seniors to have one last reunion with their fellow elementary school classmates before graduation.
“This is one of the last things we do as a group and I’m glad it was an enjoyable one!” comments Senior Class President and this year’s Homecoming King, Trajan Jones.
Reminiscing can always provide happiness, but there is nothing like reliving old times with the closest of friends.
[Photo by Carlie Glavach]
[Caption: Senior Noah Finegan prepares to throw the game winning pitch.]
