E-vision

The freshman and sophomore Providence Players are preparing for this weekend’s children’s show, A Hairy Tale, a play by Charlie Lovett. The fast-paced comedy is a modern spin off of several well known fairy tales, including “Rapunzel,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” and others, in which characters learn the meaning of true love and sacrifice. (For a cast list, click here.)

Freshman Margaret Gahagen plays Rapunzel, who is quite unlike the well known princess with very long hair. Instead, she is “a spoiled girl who is over dramatic,” she said. Her character screams a lot and can’t be taken seriously.

“She’s a lot of fun to play,” Margaret said. “She’s very lighthearted.”

Sophomore Jackson Bettler portrays Burt, the father of a peasant family. The “loud and disrespectful” character is fun to play because Jackson gets “to be somebody I’m not. He’s kind of the polar opposite of me.”

Freshman Sawyer Elias also is enjoying her role as Narrator 1. Her modern character is a foil to the Elizabethan Narrator 2, and the two characters are often at odds. Sawyer’s character is usually taking a phone call and has a sarcastic attitude.

For Sawyer, being on stage with each of the characters in their different scenes is the best part, she said.

“I like seeing how people play their characters and make it their own,” Sawyer said. “It’s always fun to see.”

Sophomore Aidan Singleton plays two characters, the old-fashioned King Edwin and the UPS delivery guy, Lou. He gets to have fun playing Lou, who “hides in bushes and delivers messages” and then make a quick character change into the more serious king.

Aidan said it’s been challenging to study so many lines and to switch quickly between characters, but he’s enjoyed it, especially playing Lou, who is “an alternate ego running around like a stalker.”

Because of social distancing restrictions, the show will be performed before limited audiences on Friday and Saturday evening only. Not having a full audience, especially the group of Deanery grade school students who typically come to watch the play during school, is disappointing, the cast said. Yet they were grateful to be able to put on the play at all.

“I’m glad we get to do it through all this,” Jackson said. “It’s a pick me up through hard times.”

For Margaret and Sawyer in their first play as high school students, it’s an opportunity they’ve looked forward to for years. Margaret has performed in the Deanery musicals at Providence since fifth grade, and Sawyer started her acting career as one of the Von Trapp children in Sound of Music when she was in second grade.

“I’ve wanted to do this since fifth grade,” Margaret said. “It kind of feels like home.”

Sawyer agreed.

“It’s like a small community,” Sawyer said. “I really like it.”

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The fall show Walk Two Moons debuts this weekend, with showings to exclusive audiences on Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. The audiences are limited to family and close friends of the cast in order to maintain social distancing in the Robinson Auditorium. Click here for a cast list. Read More.

Walk Two Moons by Tom Arvetis is based on the book of the same name by Sharon Creech. The title refers to the Native American saying, “Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked two moons in his moccasins.” The play delves into the memories of 13-year-old Sal as she tells the story of the disappearance of her best friend Phoebe’s mother, with the characters exploring conspiracy theories, painful realities, and light-hearted moments.

Despite the restrictions, the cast members say they are excited about and grateful for the opportunity to perform, especially after having had the second weekend of the spring musical canceled in March.

Senior Rosie Kempf, who portrays Salamanca ‘Sal’ Hiddle, the play’s narrator, said she is not taking the chance to be on stage again for granted.

“I’m just looking forward to being able to perform while we still have the chance,” Rosie said.

She said she is enjoying her role because she gets to portray someone with a greater imagination than her own. She primarily relates to the character through Sal’s close relationships with her family and friends and likes that the character overcomes a difficult childhood by using her experience to help her friend go through a rough patch.

“It’s made her tough,” Rosie said.

For senior Mara Holifield, who plays Phoebe Winterbottom, her role is meaningful because it closely relates to her real life.

“I get to be best friends with my real best friend,” Mara said.

Senior Victor Beeler, who plays Phoebe’s father, Mr. Winterbottom, as well as the Sheriff, said he likes his role as Phoebe’s father, even though it’s a more serious role than ones he has played in the past. His character has “a lot of intense moments” as he tries to deal with various crises, so Victor has to imagine himself as an adult and how he himself would handle those situations.

Senior Kieran Kelly also plays two roles, both very different. Mr. Birkway is Sal’s energetic English teacher, while John Hiddle is Sal’s dad, who is dealing with the death of his wife. In the fast-paced show, there isn’t much time between his characters’ appearances, so he needs to get into each one without much lead time.

“They’re both two extremes, and I have to figure out how to switch between them quickly,” Kieran said. “I try to picture what’s going on in the heads of both characters and figure out their place in the story and apply that.

Overall, the cast is enjoying this time preparing for the show and spending time together.

“I’m looking forward to just being able to be with my friends on stage, to meet some juniors I didn’t get to be in shows with last year, and having fun time in theater,” Kieran said.

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This month began the recognition of our scholars and leaders, starting with world languages and science. The September Scholars are as follows:

• French: Freshman Margaret Gahagen, sophomore Henry Lovan, junior Tyrone Davis, and senior Rebekah Berg
• Spanish: Freshman Sawyer Elias, sophomore John Walthers, junior Allison Mercer, and senior Kieran Kelly
• Science: Freshman Kate Simmons, sophomore Avery Miiller, junior Hayden Vissing, and senior Grant Dierking

Here are Q&As with most of them:

French

Rebekah Berg, senior, French IV ACP, House of Integrity, volunteer at the Kentucky Humane Society, began taking French sporadically in second grade and more focused since seventh grade

Question: What do you like about the French language?
Rebekah Berg: I believe the French language is fairly easy to learn. It is one of the romance languages, which is similar to English. I like how some of the words are cognates, which is the same word in English.

Q: What do you like about French class?
RB: We are all a family. I’ve taken French with these girls since freshmen year, and we are all very close, and I feel like we can all get through one last year together.

Q: When did you first become interested in taking French?
RB: I first became interested in French, honestly, because I loved how the words were pronounced. They were all pronounced so beautifully with the classic French accent. Also, French is one of the most widely known languages, and if one day I possibly travelled to France, or to Europe in general, I would be able to understand and speak with some of the natives from that country.

Q: How are you making the most of this school year?
RB: I’m making the most of this school year by studying hard and trying to stay positive and open to change. With COVID, you never know what’s going to happen tomorrow, so if you are on a tight schedule and routine, it’s nearly impossible to keep it with all the changes, but I try to make the most out of what I can and stay positive through it all!

Tyrone Davis, junior, French III ACP, House of Faith, Football, started taking French as a freshman

Question: What do you like about the French language?
Tyrone Davis: What I like about the French language is how unique and different it is from English and a Spanish, but also how these languages also share history with each other and come from the same roots.

Q: What do you like about French class?
TD: What I like about French class is learning about the history and it’s culture, and comparing it to the American culture and how we do things.

Q: When did you first become interested in taking French?
TD: I first became interested in taking French when I was on the D.C. trip in the eighth grade. Mrs. Lennon was my chaperone, and she talked to me about the classes she teaches. I also did not want to take Spanish, because I knew a lot of other people were already taking it. I figured French would be something different from the normal.

Q: How are you making the most of this school year?
TD: I’m making the most of this school year by studying and touching up on all of the French verbs and conjugations. I’m really hoping I could visit France sometime.

Margaret Gahagen, freshman, House of Justice, Honors French I, Children’s Show, Girls Soccer

Question: What do you like about the French language?
Margaret Gahagen: One thing I like about the French language is how it connects back to the arts.

Q: When did you first become interested in taking French?
MG: I have wanted to take French for as long as I can remember because of my ballet background.

Q: How has taking French helped you outside of class?
MG: French has helped me understand a lot of words in ballet, things like “pas de deux” (a dance for two people) and “entrechat quatre” (a jump where you beat your legs four times) make a lot more sense because now I know that “deux” and “quatre” are numbers.

Q: How are you making the most of this school year?
MG: I am making the most of this school year by being grateful that I am able to go to school and all of my extracurriculars.

Science

Kate Simmons, freshman, House of Humility, Biology, Girls Soccer, Girls Basketball

Question: What do you like about science in general?
Kate Simmons: I like science because I feel like there is a wide variety of topics in science that you can learn about. 

Q: What has been your favorite science class?
KS: My favorite science class is biology because I like to discover new things about life.

Q: How has taking science helped you outside of class?
KS: Science helps me outside of class by understanding more about life and things that surround me.

Q: How are you making the most of this school year?
KS: I am making the most of this school year by taking nothing for granted and working hard.

Avery Miiller, sophomore, House of Faith Sophomore Delegate, Honors Chemistry and Anatomy & Physiology, Girls Soccer, Girls Tennis, Honor Council.

Question: What has been your favorite science class?
Avery Miiller: My favorite science class thus far has been Anatomy because Mr. Purichia makes it a very interesting course and learning about the body is interesting to me.

Q: What do you like about science in general?
AM: What I like about science in general is how it’s a tool to understand the world around me.

Q: Do you plan to pursue science as a college major or career?
AM: I’m not sure if I will pursue a degree in science, but this year I have taken an interest in anatomy, which has broadened my view on science. With this being said, I might consider a degree in life science.

Q: How are you making the most of this school year?
AM: I am making the most of this school year by trying to stay optimistic about the future. I’m looking forward to resuming to normal life, but proceeding with caution. We are all doing our best to get through this time with the help of each other.

Hayden Vissing, junior, House of Truth, AP Chemistry, Baseball

Q: What do you like about science in general?
Hayden Vissing: I like science because it allows me to learn the reasoning behind many of the processes in our lives and it is very interesting.

Q: What has been your favorite science class?
HV: My favorite science class that I have taken has been chemistry because I like working with the specific elements and using them in formulas.

Q: What has been your favorite assignment, project, or lab in science class?
HV: My favorite lab that I have done so far was the titration lab that I did in Chemistry class last year. I liked being able to handle the reaction myself and to see the reaction and results form right in front of me.

Q: How are you making the most of this school year?
HV: I am making the most of this school year by doing the best work that I can while at home and by continuing to work hard when we are in the classroom.

William “Grant” Dierking, senior, House of Integrity senior executive delegate, AP Physics, Honor Council, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Student Ambassador, Drawing Club, ProLife Club, Math Team, Quick Recall team, Providence Singers, Spring Musical, and Boys Golf.

Question: What has been your favorite science class?
William Grant Dierking: Physics has been my favorite science class because I enjoy applying math to real life phenomena.

Q: Do you plan to pursue science as a college major or career?
WGD: I plan to major in engineering because of the joy I have experienced in my physics courses.

Q: How are you making the most of this school year?
WGD: I am making the most of this year by trying to maintain academic excellence while also being very active in the Providence culture through game attendance, extracurriculars, and student leadership. I am also branching out to make new friendships in addition to the close ones I already have.

Q: How has taking science helped you outside of class?
WGD: Science has helped me outside the classroom by improving my problem-solving abilities and by giving me a better understanding of the world around me.

Spanish

Sawyer Elias, freshman, House of Justice, Honors Spanish I, theatre, Volleyball, has taken Spanish since first grade

Q: What do you like about the Spanish language?
Sawyer Elias: To me, Spanish is a really intriguing language. I love how it has different and more respectful versions of words. I find it really cool that there are different ways to say the same word.

Q: When did you first become interested in taking Spanish?
SE: I first became interested when I started taking it in first grade. We played Spanish bingo a lot, and I loved learning new words.

Q: What has been your favorite assignment in Spanish class?
SE: My favorite assignment so far has been when we had to have a conversation with our partner in full Spanish. It was a fun challenge.

Q: What do you like about Spanish class?
SE: What I like about the class is how fluid it moves from one lesson to another. When we start a new lesson, we don’t start from scratch on a new subject but instead build upon what we already know.

John Walthers, sophomore, House of Justice sophomore class delegate, Honors Spanish II, Boys Golf, started taking Spanish in junior high at OLPH.

Q: What do you like about Spanish class?
John Walthers: I like Spanish class because Mrs. Belmonte is really nice and very patient as we learn.

Q: When did you first become interested in taking Spanish?
JW: I decided to take Spanish because my sister really liked the language when she was here, so I thought I’d try it as well.

Q: How are you making the most of this school year?
JW: I am making the most of this school year by trying to attend a lot of BLUE Days when we are in session in the building. This helps to keep me keep current with all of my classes and teachers.

Allison Mercer, junior, House of Courage, Spanish IV ACP, Volleyball previous two years, has taken Spanish since sixth grade

Question: When did you first become interested in taking Spanish?
Allison Mercer: I first became interested in taking Spanish in high school in seventh grade because I had already taken it before and knew I liked it.

Q: How has taking Spanish helped you outside of class?
AM: I want to have the skill of being bilingual going forward in life so that I can speak to more people and be able to know the language of popular travel destinations. It will also help me later in life when I am applying to jobs.

Q: How are you making the most of this school year?
AM: I am making the most of this year by focusing on my grades and school work more than anything. Even though tickets are scarce this year for games, I still want to enjoy that aspect of high school every chance I get.

Kieran Kelly, senior, House of Integrity, Spanish IV ACP, theatre, Swim Team, and Quick Recall, started taking Spanish in fourth grade

Question: What do you like about the Spanish language?
Kieran Kelly: What I like about the Spanish language is that it challenges you to think in a way that you normally don’t have to in English. I think learning another language is really good for your brain.

Q: What do you like about Spanish class?
KK: What I like about Spanish class is that we don’t only learn about grammar, but we also learn about words and phrases that Spanish speakers would be likely to use, and we also learn about the culture of Spanish-speaking countries in order to gain a better perspective.

Q: How has taking Spanish helped you outside of class?
KK: Spanish has helped me outside of class because I can communicate with more people effectively, and eventually will help in that it is possible for me to get a better job because of the fact that I took Spanish.

Q: How are you making the most of this school year?
KK: I am making the most of this school year by not taking anything for granted and making the most of every moment. I’m also doing this by being a part of all the extracurriculars I like.

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This issue’s Sports Spotlight features Boys Tennis seniors Michael Hamm and Landon Kruer. Coach Scott Gurgol nominated Michael because he has “played most of his career at Number 1 singles and faced the toughest competition. He’s been clutch coming through with big wins to secure 3-2 match victories (Memorial, Columbus East, Borden). His presence at the top of the lineup allows me to be creative with the lineup behind him.”

Of Landon, Coach Gurgol said: “He’s been our most consistent point scorer at Number 1 doubles his junior and senior season. He’s had four different partners, and he gets the job done. He’s also been flexible and played singles in some key spots to help the team earn victories.”

Michael Hamm, senior, fourth season/seven years overall, No. 1 singles, House of Justice

Question: What are you looking forward to in your senior season?
Answer: I am looking forward to having a great season with the team and winning this year’s sectionals. Also just getting to know the underclassmen and showing them how to act when they become seniors and how they can be a leader.

Q: How did you get started playing tennis?
A: I got started to play tennis [because of] my dad. My dad introduced it to me when I was very young, and we always watched the Grand Slams when they were on. Then I tried to play it, and I loved it.

Q: What do you enjoy about tennis?
A: The thing I most enjoy about tennis is just you’re on your own, well in singles that is. If you mess up, it’s not your team that messes up, it’s you. You make your own shots, and you have all the pressure on yourself.

Q: What do you like about playing No. 1 singles?
A: The thing I like the most playing one singles is that it is very challenging to play against people who are better than you and you’re just on the court by yourself. You have to keep composure is the most challenging thing when you’re on the court.

Q: What is your favorite part about being a Pioneer?
A: My favorite part about being a Pioneer is how close we are to each other. Covid has made it very hard this year to be with my friends, but we still manage ways to hang out while being cautious.

Q: How are you making the most of school this year?
A: I’m doing all that I can to hang out with my friends and getting used to have to wear masks in the classroom.

Q: What is your favorite school subject?
A: My favorite subject in school is Anatomy because I like learning about the human body, and I love Mr. Purichia.

Landon Kruer, senior, fourth season/fifth year overall, No. 1 doubles, House of Spirit Senior Executive Delegate, Honor Council, Baseball

Question: What are you looking forward to in your senior season?
Answer: I am looking forward to winning sectionals with my current partner, (junior) Jake Rodski.

Q: How did you get started playing tennis?
A: I started tennis in the eighth grade after some of my friends asked me to play.

Q: What do you enjoy about tennis?
A: I enjoy the competitiveness of tennis and the pressure that comes with each point. It makes you concentrate and be the best you can be in tough situations because one point can win or lose you the match.

Q: What has it been like to adjust to different partners and how has it helped you grow as a player?
A: I have had to adjust to every partner because every one of them has a different way of playing and a different level of talent. It has helped me as a player because my game has gone from one way of play to many, so I can be more versatile and use more skills on the court.

Q: What is your favorite part about being a Pioneer?
A: My favorite part of being a Pioneer is that our school has a family feel to it and that you know everyone, student and teacher alike.

Q: How are you making the most of school this year?
A: I am trying to stay positive and hope for better times in the future in order to make the most of wearing masks and social distancing.

Q: What is your favorite school subject?
A: My favorite school subject is AP Government because I enjoy learning about how our country and government were formed and how it has changed and stayed the same over time.

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