James Baron

Tennis player, James George Baron, 16. He was at the age of 6 when he first got interested in tennis. So, he has been playing tennis for 10 years. He has lived in Roanoke, Virginia since he was born and lives with a family of five, mom, dad, and his two brothers, 12 and 15. James’s parents got him interested in tennis to begin with.

You may think tennis is an easy sport, right?  Well not for everyone, James Baron broke his arm when he was playing a long match on clay. “I’ve played for 7 hours straight before, it’s interesting, because it gets harder and harder the further you go up in the matches,” said James. One day he had a very complicated match. It was a normal day until he looked up and realized the sky was darkening up, he didn’t panic even though he knew it was going to rain. Next thing he knew it was raining and it wasn’t his first match in the rain, so he kept playing like nothing was going to happen. It was already his fifth hour playing and he was a little exhausted, but he didn’t let that phase him. The other person hit the ball to him and he went to hit it and he slipped, landed on his arm in an awkward position. James went to move his arm and it wouldn’t move, while he was trying not to cry. “Tennis takes a strong mental game and a lot of dedication, although it can be an easy sport to learn,” said Baron.

James plans on playing tennis for the rest of his life, he wishes to pursue a career with playing it. “You can always improve, no matter what. There is no getting worse, improvement,” said Baron. James wants to go to college that has a really good tennis team. “It’s so much more fun when you play with your friends, but you always need to concentrate,” said James. Every sport is important to pay attention too so you know the proper techniques to do.

                                                                                                            By: Alexis Peggins

Hannah Childress

Angelie Aboujaoude

Angelie Aboujaoude is 16 and her hobbies include singing, dancing, and shopping. She lives with her parents, and her younger brother (12), and little sister (6). She finds the most interesting part of high school being band. She wants to have a nice career, but she doesn’t know what that career with be yet. 

She has traveled from Los Angeles to Apple Valley to Anaheim and many other places in California. She was born in Los Angeles and has lived in Apple Valley and Ontario, California. “There are so many beautiful cities, Anaheim is where Disneyland is at and that whole area is gorgeous,” said Aboujaoude. “One time, one of my best friends and I went to Vidcon which is a video convention for all of the YouTubers at the Hilton hotel in Anaheim. There’s this guy that we’re huge fans of named Chester and he was walking around signing autographs and such. So when he went to his room a few people got into the elevator with him including us. We got to have a conversation with him and everything,” said Aboujaoude.

                  “Hollywood is crowded and dangerous, but it’s still really cool.” Said Aboujaoude. So whether it’s Los Angeles, Anaheim, or Apple Valley she has seen and extensive portion of California. “I am definitely a California city girl”, said Aboujaoude

Alex Brogan

Zach Farmer

For many people, a vacation is a time for relaxation and recreation, but three years ago, Zach Farmer, 16, took a unforgettable trip to New Mexico. In 2012, a thirteen year old Zach Farmer took a trip to hike the Sangre De Cristo mountains in New Mexico. “It was rough, but it was worth it,” said Farmer.

The varsity lacrosse player traveled to New Mexico with 8 others including 5 friends, two older brothers of one of his friends, and a friend’s dad. The hike was a total of 2,000 miles and about 12,500 feet in elevation, and the hike took Farmer and his group about three weeks to complete. “The hardest part was Mount Baldy. …. The trail up to the top was almost vertical,” Farmer explained. During the duration of the trip, Farmer had no access to a shower, and the only food the group was given access to was a bag given to them at the beginning of the trip. For the three weeks, Farmer and his group ate only nonperishable food items such as: spam and squeeze cheese. After a long grueling hike, the group finally reached the end! “When we reached the end besides feeling super tired and hungry, I felt a sense accomplishment, and I was actually sad to leave.” said Farmer.

            Farmer has plans for future hikes, but right now, he is focusing on school. Farmer also has a job as a Kroger employee, and he currently lives with his parents and his two younger siblings, Zoey and Zane. He has thought about hiking Mount Katahdin in Maine. Farmer wants to travel again for more hikes, but he has hopes of becoming a physical therapist and opening his own branch of physical therapy clinics. “I would like to go back out west and hike in Colorado or Arizona,” Farmer said.

                                                           

                                                                                                            By: Kerri Smith

Tyanna McKinney

            For most girls its fashion, beauty, and trying to fit in. For Tyanna McKinney, 17, it’s about grades, college and finally on to life at law school.  She wants to attend a college like Virginia Tech or UVA to major in Pre-Law to get some experience before entering 3 years of law school. “I have always been pretty good at arguing my cases, causing me to want to be a lawyer”, said McKinney.

            Growing up with two parents, three older brothers, and one younger sister, McKinney has had many opportunities to develop her argumentative skills.  She was born in Galax, VA, then moved to Roanoke, VA, in second grade, so it has become easy for her to live closely with her siblings. McKinney also has two older relatives that went through law school and were lawyers also. “I want to follow in the footsteps of my great aunt and older cousin”, said McKinney.

            “At the end of three years in law school, you have to take a bar test, which is one of the hardest tests”, said McKinney. Passing the bar has always been one of her biggest goals, and for McKinney, college has always been a dream. She knows exactly what she wants to do and what to major in to get her into law school. After law school, it’s off to being a lawyer just like her relatives.   So for now, she is currently working on grades to pursue the Career she’s been hoping for.

By: Nathan Schmidt

Rachael Lumpkin

            If you’ve ever wanted to go to England, than you might get along well with Rachael Lumpkin. Rachael, 16, born in Roanoke Virginia, has always seen herself living in the UK. She lives with her Mom, Dad, and older sister Taylor. “There are so many places to visit, and I love the music there.” said Lumpkin.

            Lumpkin has gone to Cave Spring Elementary, Hidden Valley Middle, and is now in Hidden Valley High. “I’ve always wanted to live in London” (Need more quote). Her exotic pet of choosing is a Koala Bear. “They’re just so calm, not to mention they’re soft and huggable.”  Said Lumpkin. Her favorite sport is softball, which she has been playing for 5 years.

            She currently works at Annie Moor’s Pub, and is also currently working on a book! Her favorite school year was her freshman year/1^st grade. Her favorite song is the man who sold the world, her favorite artist is Nirvana, and her favorite genre of music is 90’s rock. She has been in Virginia her entire life, and still looks towards her future in London!