College Tips by Abby Cox

For most seniors at Mooresville High School, college is coming up fast.

The overwhelming feeling of childhood coming to a close can spread like wildfire around the school when someone announces the number of days till graduation. Then seniors could stop and think, “Am I prepared of college.”

There are numerous checklists all over the web to print off or download as a safety net when moving out. There may be a few things forgotten until a few weeks into school, however these lists may prevent that.

Preparing for college could mean downloading lists and making sure dorms are more home like. Having friends to go through the change with could help. Here is some advice for MHS graduates.

“Connect with people and create social groups because it’ll make {college} easier to bear,” Mooresville High School graduate Aundreya White said.

“If you know someone and want to share text books, it saves money,” Mooresville High School graduate Lacey Watt said.

“Sleep is super important. Yeah you can do the all nighters and drink coffee but it will eventually catch up to you. I’ve accidentally fallen asleep and missing morning classes because of it,” Watt said.

“Office hours are made for you! Don’t be afraid to visit the professor, they like it when you ask for help,” Watt said.

“School is important but so is mental health. I have personally found myself so busy from schools and work and just trying to keep up with it all, I’d forget to eat or shower for the day. It’s important to do your best but also know that doing your best in one category doesn’t mean completely sacrifice the other,” Watt said.

“Don’t overload with extracurricular activities. It can get very hectic if you do,” Watt said.

“College is a place to start over ultimately if you think about it . you can change all bad habits from high school and start fresh. Everything you do is going to build you and your career in the future ,” Watt said.

“Don’t drop out {of college} because of a boy, you’ll owe {the college} a lot of money,” MHS graduate Allison Birkla.

Athlete of the Year Finalists by Peighton Noel

  Students were given the opportunity to nominate their peers they believed were deserving of the title of “Pulse Athlete of the Year.” The nominations were open for athletes of any age. There will be one male winner and one female winner.

This title is not associated with the Athlete of the Year named by Mooresville High School.

Robbie Gentry 

  Junior Robbie Gentry has been a name circulating throughout the community in recent seasons.

  Gentry played alongside his teammates as a Defensive Lineman, participating in the sectional championship.  

  More recently, Gentry came out of the wrestling season with a successful record. In the 285 pound weight class, he ended with 27 victorious matches out of 33 total. Gentry also won the title of sectional champ and semi-state finalist in his weight class.

  Gentry can be seen as a coachable player with a good work ethic.

  “I believe in the coaches and do what they say, and put in a lot of off season work,” Gentry said.

  As a junior, Gentry is working to progress in preparation for his senior seasons.

Jon Eineman

  Senior Jon Eineman has created a reputation for himself as a three sport athlete, succeeding in football, basketball, and baseball.

  Eineman also played a part in the success of the Pioneer football team. He took part in the sectional championship win, and was a strong leader for his teammates to look up to.

  As a senior, Eineman has held a lot of personal awards as well. For the football season, he has been awarded AP All State, IFCA All State, All Conference, Conference Player of the Year, and All City Super Team. He is the record holder for career receptions, season receptions, career touchdowns, season touchdowns, career yards, and season yards. In basketball, Eineman holds the All Conference title, and a position in the 1000 Point Club.

  “I work harder than anyone so I can be the best at what I do,” Eineman said.

  Eineman has committed to play football at the University of Indianapolis.

Megan Greenwell

  Senior Megan Greenwell is a four year member of the Pioneer cheer team.

  Greenwell served as a co-captain for the varsity football and basketball seasons. She also served as a senior leader on the competition squad, and influenced her teammates as they were sent to Orlando for UCA Cheer Nationals.

  “I enjoy setting and being an example for others around me, and helping them learn as I learn myself,” Greenwell said.

  Greenwell has been named UCA All American on two occasions, MVP, Top 10 for Mid State Individual, and was invited to tryout for a position as a UCA staff member.

Jacelyn Smith 

  Senior Jacelyn Smith has an extensive list of achievements she has made in her soccer career.

  Some of these awards include Mid-State All Conference, 2nd Team All-District, 1st Team All-District, Academic All-State, Varsity Team Captain, Offensive Player of the Year, Top Goal Scorer, Top Assists for the Year, Athlete of The Week, MaxPreps Player of the Game Award, MaxPreps/United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Week, Top Team Player Award, 3x Notable Mention, All-Area Team Selection, MVP Gold Award, Selected to Mid-State leadership conference, All-State Selection, breaking the school record for most goals scored in a game, regular season ranked #1 in the state for goals and points, regular season ranked #2 in the nation for points, regular season ranked #4 in the nation for goals, 2nd in school history for most goals in a single season, Mid-State conference champions, ECNL national playoffs qualifier, ECNL mid-atlantic conference champions, ECNL Sanford Day 1 Standout, being selected for Indiana Elite North-South Game, and being selected for Indiana Elite North-South Game.

  Smith has set prime example as a leader for her team.

  “My ability is different from others because I am surrounded by amazing teammates, coaches, parents, and a community that supports me. All my accomplishments would not have been possible without everyone who has helped me get there,” Smith said.

  Smith is committed to play soccer for Indiana University.

Misconceptions About Snakes by Spencer Guffey

Fear has been taught to everyone when they were young children. ‘Don't touch that it's dangerous!’ ‘Don't go near that it will bite you!’

Most of this fear is towards animals, reptiles in specific. Snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodilians are classified as reptiles. Fear surrounding these animals can be a taught behavior. These animals are branded as dangerous, malicious, and evil even before a person meets these types of animals.

Most fears are taught at a very young age by people who are around the child. “I started fearing snakes when I was in fifth grade” Shelby Dorsett said. People who have fears in certain animals tend to project these fears onto the people around them.

Inexperience with certain exotic animals can cause a fear of them as well. “[People] don't understand how snakes act and so they’re scared of the unknown.” Blaine Yeager said. People tend to fear what is unknown to them, and having no expierence with snakes can be a big cause of fear.

Behind spiders, snakes are one of the most feared animals. A reasonable fear would be of a snake like the black mamba, which according to National Geographic, is a snake with a deadly venom that can kill within 20 minutes. The black mamba can move at 12.5 miles per hour, which makes it one of the fastest snakes in the world. But many people don't even realize that type of snake exists. Most snakes that are feared are pythons, boas, and colubrids.

People fear snakes because of experiences or maybe stories that have been told to them. “What I don't like about snakes is that they can bite and some are venomous.” Mrs. Andrea Woodson said. Many people fear the potential of a snake biting them, but anything with a mouth can bite, and hurt. A friendly family dog can feel cornered and suddenly bite, doing a lot more damage than a snake bite. A human can even bite if provoked. Normally a snakes bite is clean and quick, not causing as much harm as other animals could if they are to bite. A dog's bite can shred a human's arm to pieces, but most snake bites can just cause simple bleeding.

Snakes are some of the easiest type of animal to read, despite them not having arms or legs to help show emotion with stance. Snakes will let people know when they are not happy or want to be left alone. Normal social characteristics of a snake that is okay to be handled is usually relaxed, moving slow and in calm movements. A snake that is jerking it's head, moving in jagged or fast ways, or deadly still, are snakes that want to be left alone.

Owning a snake, you are guaranteed to be bit, whether on purpose or on accident. A snake only bits out of fear or hunger. Interacting with a snake that is showing obvious signs of fear is not advised, as the chances of getting bit is higher. Getting bit by a snake that is obviously in fear is no ones fault but the handlers. Reading a snake to know when they want to be left alone is very important when handling one. A snake could also bite on accident. Most owners of snakes hold the rodents in front of the snake with long tongs. If a snake tries to strike at the rodent and misses they may hit your hand by accident, which is no ones fault if it happens.

Snakes also will curve their head in an ‘S’ position when they are about to strike or if they are ready to at any moment. This is a huge red flag to back up and leave the snake alone. Continuing to handle a snake who is in the ‘S’ position is risky and not advised. Getting bit even after noticing the ‘S’ position and continuing to handle is the handlers fault.

Snakes do not just bite because they can. There is motive behind each bite like fear or hunger unless it's on accident. Failing to read a snakes intentions properly can result in a bite or aggressive attitude towards a person. Most animals, no matter how domesticated have survival instincts. These survival instincts can cause aggressive behavior or actions. An animal that feels threatened by a being that is bigger than themselves may become aggressive due to the fear of being hurt or killed. Knowing when to leave an animal alone is very important when handling exotic animals.   

Ask Avery Squared

What advice can you give to someone coping with the transition from high school to college or middle school to high school?

Avery H. - I guess I’m a little weird, I enjoy talking to animals and trees. That’s okay though, I have more fun than most people. What did you want again?

Avery M. - Embrace the freedom you get. Every transition comes with more liberty. Don’t take it for granted, but don’t take advantage of it