September 28, 2023
The Landphair Rivalry
By: Hannah Simcic
Powderpuff is quickly approaching, and it’s creating tense competition between the grades.
The competition begins with Landphairs Army vs. The Herricanes, coached by the school’s favorite couple, Mr. and Mrs. Landphair. Mr. Landphair leads the upperclassmen and Mrs. Landphair leads the lowerclassmen.
The rivalry doesn’t just occur between the grade levels but between the couple as well. Mr. Landphair says “We’re both competitive and want to win,” but they don’t let it affect their home life. Mrs. Landphair says, “ It has smoothed out since the first year. The first game had lots of tension. Mr. Landphair learned his lesson though. If he’s smart, he’ll play fair.”
When asked where the kids, Mason (6) and Poppy (3), stand on who’s going to win, Mason is rooting for The Herricanes and Poppy is rooting for Landphairs’ Army. There may be a divide between the family on this but they don’t let it affect their dynamic.
56.4% of the high school student body predicts that Landphairs’ Army will take the win while 43.6% predicts that The Herricanes are going to come out on top, according to a poll. Mr. Landphair, coach of Landphairs’ Army, says that he is most excited about, “having a good game and watching the girls have fun.”
Mrs. Landphair, coach of The Herricanes, says, “The night of the game is super exciting, energy is high and I’m excited for everyone to have a good time.” Savannah Carter, one of the captains of Landphairs’ Army, is most excited about winning, playing with teammates, and the amazing atmosphere of the group.
Naomi Brannan, one of the captains for The Herricanes, is most excited for the event as a whole, but “can’t wait to be able to bond with people and create stronger friendships.”
Savannah Carter and Emmy Guldberg are the captains of Landphairs’ Army. When interviewed about how prepared they feel the team is, Carter said, “We are prepared with good plays and confidence.”
Photo Credits: Lauren Day
Naomi Brannan and Charlotte Pugh are the captains of The Herricanes. When interviewed about their preparedness, Brannan said, “It’s hard to tell if the team will be prepared for powderpuff. There are only two optional practices scheduled, so it just depends on if the girls choose to go to them. But I believe that everyone will try their hardest to be the best players they can be.”
When interviewed, the captains were asked if they had any words for the opposing teams. Carter, captain of Landphairs’ Army, said “Be ready to be sad!” Brannan, captain of The Herricanes, said “I hope the upperclassmen are ready for an intense yet civil game.” Though tensions may be high between the teams, there is still a mutual desire to win as well as good sportsmanship throughout.
As a word of encouragement, Mr. Landphair says to his girls in Landphairs’ Army, “The most important thing about the game is to have fun with your friends. Life isn’t about winning or losing but who you share your time with and how you can make the most of your time with them. If you leave it all out on the field and have fun, this will be a happy lifetime memory.”
Carter says, “Be confident in the plays and know, this is a fun experience that we can take away from our senior year.” Mrs. Landphair says to her girls in The Herricanes, “Go out and have a good time. Don’t worry about not having played. It’s not about that, it’s about the experience of a team and going out there and having a good time.” Brannan says, “ I will pump everyone up and make sure each player is having fun. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if we win or lose as long as we have a good time!”
Powderpuff is coming up quickly. Be ready to support your team on October 28th at 7 PM. Bring the support and competitiveness to the game. Be ready for a night of fun and excitement!
October 12, 2023
Falcon’s Support Breast Cancer Awareness
By: Hannah Simcic
On Wednesday October 4th, NCLA’s very own volleyball team supported breast cancer awareness month by giving Mrs.BG, a breast cancer survivor, the first serve of the volleyball game. “I welled up in tears because no one has asked me to do this before,” said Mrs.BG.
The student support encouraged an even closer bond on the team, allowing them to honor those they know suffering with breast cancer. This experience was a big moment for NCLA as a whole, being that it is the first time the athletic department has done anything like this.
The support from the whole school was amazing; “The support from both Falcon Fever and parents was beyond amazing and it was definitely the best turnout so far this season. It was nice to see the school community get together for such a good cause,” said Addy Guldberg.
Kaitlyn Taylor says, “Sharing our experiences with loved ones we know who had cancer or breast cancer and the support we gave each other was very special.”
“It’s nice that the students acknowledge the disease and the long journey it is for so many survivors,” said Mrs. BG.
Ms. BG, a tenured teacher at the NCLA and breast cancer survivor, said she was diagnosed in 2017. She received treatment and surgery the same year. She has been cancer free for 6 years now. The support of her family and friends was what kept her going throughout her struggle. Her advice to those struggling with cancer is to, “lean on friends and family as much as possible.”
Photo of Ms. BG serving the first serve at the October 4th NCLA volleyball game.
Photo Credits: Mr. Gonzalez
Emmy Guldberg says to those struggling with cancer, “You are so strong, and we aren’t playing this volleyball game for ourselves, but to honor you.”
NCLA’s support for those struggling with breast cancer meant the world to many, including Mrs. BG. October is breast cancer awareness month. If you know someone struggling with breast cancer, its an opportunity to give them your support and let them know you are there for them.
November 2, 2023
Halloween Traditions
By: Hannah Simcic
October 31st, Halloween, is the time when people of all ages dress up. The night is full of children going door to door saying “Trick or Treat” in order to receive candy in return. But how did trick or treating start?
Trick or treating became popular in the 19th century when Scottish and Irish immigrants brought some of their traditions along with them.
In Scotland and Ireland families participated in a tradition called guising, where a child would go door to door dressed up and sing a song, recite a poem, tell a joke or perform a trick before receiving a treat in exchange. This tradition created the haunting night we know as Halloween.
The haunting parts of Halloween came from Celtic cult ceremonies where followers would pay homage to the dead by dressing up in animal skins circling a fire, with sacrifices such as food, in order to keep the bad spirits away.
Today trick or treating is more of a lighthearted family friendly tradition, where children dress up, to go trick or treating for candy.
Some of the most popular costumes over the years have been superheroes such as Spiderman, Batman, and Hulk, princesses, such as Elsa and Anna, Cinderella, Belle, and Star Wars characters, Darth Vader, Storm troopers, and more.
NCLA students are getting excited about their Halloween costumes. 9th Grader Kai Holland is dressing up as a fancy vampire, 11th Grader Aiella Dorsinville is dressing up as the Queen Bee herself, Beyonce.
10th Grader Elle Moye is doing a partner costume as the Wicked Witch of the West and Dorthy.
This Halloween, are you ready for a trick or treat?