8O Feature Articles

Dear Reader,

Everyone has a story. Every person on this planet has gone through unique experiences and witnessed things that only they can retell. We often get caught up in our own lives, in our own troubles, successes, and unique experiences, and we forget to think about and marvel at the stories of others. It is through these stories that we find inspiration, selfless acts of kindness, and sacrifice. These stories are what help us discover the beauty and goodness around us.

Whether it is the story of a healthcare worker or a first responder who puts their health and safety at risk for the well-being of another, or the story of a teacher or a parent who devotes their life to bettering the lives of children, it is important and worth telling. These are the people who change the world and are constantly working to improve it not for themselves, but for others. Unfortunately, these acts of kindness usually go unnoticed and unappreciated, and these stories are never told. Mrs. O’Dowd’s eighth grade class took the opportunity to tell the story of someone in their lives that they see bettering the world with their actions every day.

Students were asked to select an individual to interview about a certain aspect of their life. After the face-to-face interview took place, they composed a feature article about their chosen individual. This article was meant to highlight an everyday person’s unique quality, hobby, lifestyle, career, or ability in a way that flatters their interviewee and emphasizes their claim. The students worked to incorporate important details, anecdotes, and quotes, and use strong and meaningful word choices that gave their article a formal tone.

After much hard work, Mrs. O’Dowd’s eighth graders are ready to publish their articles and share with you the qualities and experiences of an amazing person in their lives. They are prepared and excited to share the stories of these people who are constantly motivating them to do good for this world. Be inspired not only by the work of these students, but by the stories and good deeds of the people they chose to interview.

Sincerely,
Isabella Monachello

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1. Cover Art designed by Will Book
2. "Dear Reader" Letter by Isabella Monachello
3. Table of Contents designed by Jude Wunder
4. Avery Boltz
8. Connor Skahan
10. Tommy Barnes
12. Jacob Kolich
16. Nicholas May
20. Matthew Kucenic
24. Max Burns
28. Charlotte Cindrich
32. Megan Prendergast
34. Grady Herrington
38. Abby Fay
42. Kendall Potter
46. Jordan Boone
50. Felicity Koehler
54. Isabella Monachello
58. Addison Burke
62. Clare Steinlage
66. Nathan Reiter
70. Grace Kissell
74. Katie Donnelly
78. Jude Wunder
82. Dylan Zeller
84. Lucy Hacker
88. Will Book
92. Chris Rocha

The High School Football Experience

Ethan Boltz

How can playing a sport impact your life in the most beautiful way? That is something I ask myself after interviewing my brother Ethan Boltz. Ethan is a 16 year old sophomore from Shawnee, Kansas. He plays football and attends St. James Academy. Ethan, wearing his crimson or bright white uniform with the big number 20 on it, has a great story to tell. He is a hardworking and dedicated athlete, who has not only learned how to be a better player, but how to be a better person and strive in life. Ethan says he plays because he likes, “hittin' people,” but he also stated that, “there’s more of a family and brotherhood aspect.” Those few words really speak to who Ethan Boltz is as a player, but also a person.

Typical Practice and Game Days

Middle School VS High School

Ethan’s days are full of diligence and assiduousness. His practice days usually start off with position warm-ups. Position warm-ups are when you are separated from offense and defense, and you go to your offensive or defensive position. Next, his team does live drilling. Live drilling is when you play the ball out, offense versus defense. On game days they first start off with chapel talk, which is where they talk about the Gospel for the day. Then they have a team meal, which leads into them getting ready to head to the place where they will be playing. Next, after they have made it to the field, they do warm-ups. The warm-ups usually consist of throwing the ball around, position warm-ups, and live drilling. Finally, it’s game time!

I learned that Ethan has enjoyed the competitiveness and brotherhood of high school football, whereas in middle school there weren’t really those same aspects. Middle school was friends playing football together. There wasn’t really a family type feel to it, just guys going out and having a good time. Despite their differences in fellowship and aggressiveness, he got to play the sport he loves. To go along with that, in both, the team huddled together and said a prayer before the game started. Although they have their differences, they also have their similarities.

The High School Football Experience

Middle School VS High School

Avery Boltz
2-22-21

Brotherhood

Ethan enjoys getting to “go get bigger” and be around the people he’s formed a family with. In fact, he is always happy and ready to play. Ethan stated that the hardest part was having to work hard, but he knows that by doing that you can grow and start winning. He has also grown a strong bond with his teammates, which has made the whole high school experience way more enjoyable. Ethan said that they, "make fun of each other," and are always having a blast. Ethan knows that football can be rigorous, but with his teammates by his side, he can have the time of his life.

In Conclusion

The Impact

Football has impacted Ethan in many ways, and he’s rarely had a dull moment in his experience. He made way more friends and has learned an eminent amount. Football taught Ethan that,

Ethan definitely has his tough days, but at the end of the day he comes back, works harder, and gets stronger. One of Ethan's accomplishments was winning state this year. His high school, St. James Academy, has never won state. By doing this, Ethan's team made history for the school. He stated that his goal was to, "win state three times," by the time he graduates. Ethan's advice he would give to incoming freshmen or somebody joining the team is to be kind, respect everybody, and try to make many friends.

As you can see Ethan Boltz is a diligent and assiduous athlete, whose life has been greatly impacted by playing high school football. I have never learned so much about a person in just under ten minutes. Ethan truly inspired me and I know he will do the same for others. His two years in high school have truly been eventful, and I have no doubt that that will change for the upcoming two years. Ethan has made new friends, gotten stronger, learned how to face adversity, and has grown a deeper connection with God. He is a one of a kind kid, and anybody who gets the chance to meet him would be extremely lucky.

¨Not everything goes how you want¨