GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Wheeler High School diving into new matters

What’s recently happened?

Wheeler High School (WHS) has recently dove back into swim season. After starting off strong with high team spirits and new coaching, the team has a promising future. 

“I’m excited about my senior year. The team is already strong and feels like a family,” said Senior Sadie Bolan. 

The first swim meet was at home against La Porte High School. Each swimmer participated in at least one event, including all new swimmers. 

“I started swimming this year, and it has been the best decision ever. I was so excited to swim in my first race. I was nervous, but I am proud of myself,” said Junior Julia Newsome. 

With a new coaching staff this season, the Bearcats are adapting well. Led by their new Coach Kaelyn Miller, along with returning Coach Jeremy Boyer, both of them are proud to be coaching the team following promising first meet results. 

“I never placed too much pressure on the first meet. Nerves are high, swimmers are still sharpening back up, and so many other factors can cause them not to swim at their best. I’m so happy with their positivity and encouragement and how each kid pushed their limits,” said Miller. 

The swim season has just begun, with many more meets in the future. The girls are pumped to see what they can accomplish. 

What’s coming up?

Finals are quickly coming up, and with the new schedule of semesters, WHS students are taking finals before Christmas break rather than before Thanksgiving break. 

“As a senior, I am so weirded out. Having fewer finals is pretty nice, though,” said Senior Luke Richardson. 

The week of December 15-19 will host finals. The new updated order for students with seven classes is, in turn, seven finals. Three finals will be held on Wednesday, and two each on Thursday and Friday. 

“I’m happy with this lineup because it separates my hard finals evenly. Having Calculus II and AP Chemistry on different days is a blessing,” said Senior Jude Richardson.

Some students are happy that they will not have to focus on homework or remember information over the long winter break. 

“I was always worried that I wouldn’t remember important information. I still might, but not for every single class, as some of them will end,” said junior Julia Pearce.

The new semester schedule has been flowing nicely. Students are thankful for the opportunity to feel relieved of their course work over winter break.

Staff spotlight:

Gianna Mortimer is a special education teacher at WHS. She starts her morning teaching at the Bearcat Cafe and continues her day by aiding students and taking extra time to teach them subjects they may be struggling with. 

“I love bonding with my students and creating an environment where they feel comfortable learning at their own pace. It secretly improves their learning speed and efficiency,” said Mortimer. 

The Bearcat Cafe teaches students how to complete real-world jobs. Mortimer heads this program and loves every minute of it. 

“Teaching students skills that they will definitely use in the future is really important to me. Watching them learn and push themselves keeps me motivated,” said Mortimer. 

Not only is Mortimer in the classroom, but she also coached softball for a few years. She hopes to continue in the future, but recently had a baby.

“Coach Mortimer has to be the best coach I’ve ever had. She was always pushing us to be the best team and the strongest players,” said Senior Bella Smith. 

Mortimer is very loved by all her students and pushes them all to be the best version of themselves. She hopes they all find their true passions and live their lives to the fullest. 

Student spotlight:

Reese Reittinger is a senior at WHS and has been part of the school system her entire life. Being a cheerleader for football and basketball, she basically bleeds green and orange. 

“Going to Wheeler for so long and being in cheer has really pushed me to realise you need to be hyped to have the most fun,” said Reittinger.

Not only is Reittinger a beam of light on the sidelines, but she also excels in other extracurricular activities. She is on the WHS Spell Bowl team, aiding the team to go to state this year. She is part of World of Wheeler (WOW), the school’s newspaper club, and has been for all four years. 

“I didn’t put the pieces together on how many English clubs I do. I love them all. Mrs. Mills has really brought me to this passion,” said Reittinger.

Reittinger is in many honors classes. She pushes herself and her classmates to be hard workers. She is always ready to explain a new topic to her peers. 

“I love to talk, and if that helps someone, I love it even more,” said Reittinger. 

Reittinger hopes that high schoolers don’t force themselves into liking a certain subject or career path. She believes that the best ones come unexpectedly and in the exact way they are supposed to.