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Posts Tagged ‘Grease’

News-Times loses ace reporter

Posted in Everything changes, tagged , , , , on November 6, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Karina Andrew

Whidbey journalism has taken a hit.

After 2.5+ years of knocking it out of the park for the Whidbey News-Times, Karina Andrew is taking her byline and hitting the road.

Andrew joined the WNT in May 2021 after an internship with The Salt Lake Tribune, and quickly became indispensable.

She covered just about every subject available during her time at my old stomping grounds, and I particularly enjoyed her foray into sports coverage when she wrote a first-person account of her triathlon debut.

You can read it here:

Completing triathlon is a feat in itself

But she was more than just a fast-typing reporter, as Andrew also graced the stage at Whidbey Playhouse, taking lead roles in revivals of Grease, Barefoot in the Park, and more.

Newspapers may not be what they once were, but as long as talented young writers still wade into the pit each day, there is hope.

Dedicated, hardworking, innovative, deeply committed, and owner of a joyous personality, Andrew occupied the seat in the WNT newsroom once owned by one of my mentors, Geoff Newton.

She honored that chair, and both Sound Publishing and her readers were lucky to have her land on Whidbey.

Keep your eyes on the headlines, because this won’t be the last time we see Karina Andrew in the spotlight.

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Big hits, big growth!!

Posted in Volleyball, tagged , , , , on October 1, 2017| Leave a Comment »

Wolf freshman Catherine Lhamon. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Catherine Lhamon lives for the kill.

That moment when the volleyball pops up in front of her, just begging to be whacked, is a favorite for the Coupeville High School freshman.

“The part of volleyball I enjoy the most would be hitting, especially when it’s a good one!,” Lhamon said.

While put-aways are the most fun, it’s actually her passing skills which stand out as a calling card for the young spiker.

“I think my biggest strength is passing, although I could still use some improvement there,” Lhamon said. “The area I think I need the most work on would be serving; I am not as consistent as I would like to be.”

A three-sport athlete in middle school, where she added basketball and track to volleyball, Lhamon first started playing volleyball in seventh grade.

It was the perfect way to combine sports and friendship.

“I wanted to try it because a lot of my friends were doing it and I wanted to participate in a school sport,” she said.

Now deep into her third season of volleyball, playing for undefeated JV and C teams, Lhamon is hard at work trying to build her on-court skill-set.

“My main goal this season is to become a better server and learn to spot serve,” she said. “Although that might take a bit longer than a season.

“My goals for the future would be to become an all-around better and more experienced player,” Lhamon added. “If I had to narrow it down to one specific area I would want to get get more kills and pass right to the setter as much as possible.”

When she’s not at work in the gym, Lhamon enjoys hanging out with friends and has joined Coupeville’s ASB.

“Grease” and “Mean Girls” are her favorite films and science and language arts classes intrigue her the most.

Whether she’s busy in the classroom or on the court, or just needs a ride to practice, Lhamon knows she can always turn to one person to be her biggest cheerleader and supporter.

“I can’t think of any major events or people so far that would have dramatically changed who I am as a person,” she said. “I guess my mom (Helene), because she is the one who raised me and your childhood impacts the rest of your life.”

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New Wolf cheerleader dances into the spotlight!!

Posted in Cheer, tagged , , , , on June 19, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Alyssa Pigott (Submitted photo)

Alyssa Pigott (Submitted photo)

“I love to dance, and this is the closest thing.”

As she prepares for her junior year at Coupeville High School, Alyssa Pigott is also deep into preparation for her debut as a Wolf cheerleader.

She and her new teammates are conducting spring practices right now, with summer cheer camp still ahead as the countdown continues until the first football game Sept. 2.

Pigott’s love of dance, and the example of her cousin (“She would always show me cheers and I got into it and started liking it”) drew her to the sport.

And, regardless of whether CHS classifies it as a sport (it’s officially viewed as an activity), Pigott has seen first-hand how much blood, sweat and tears go into cheer.

“Cheer can also be a sport,” she said. “Because you work a lot and have to hold girls up using your strength.”

Pigott, who also played basketball when she was younger, has been in choir for nine years and is hopelessly devoted to the movie “Grease.”

A fan of hip hop, she likes to spend time with friends and family, hailing her mom, dad and little brother as having had a big impact on her life.

As she gets ready for her first Friday night under the lights on the sideline, Pigott is embracing the chance to let loose a bit.

“What I like about cheer is the spirit, how you can get the crowd pumped and represent your school, and the friends you make if you’re shy.”

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Lester combines hard work, fun!!

Posted in Volleyball, tagged , , , , , , , on August 22, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Nicole Lester

Nicole Lester

Lester (center) goofs off with teammates during her 8th grade basketball season. (John Fisken photo)

Lester (center) goofs off with teammates during her 8th grade basketball season. (John Fisken photo)

Sports are a perfect outlet for Nicole Lester.

The Coupeville High School freshman, who will be kicking off her school year as a member of the Wolf volleyball squad, plays multiple sports and has always been drawn in by the opportunity to spend time with friends, new and old.

“This season will be my second season playing (volleyball),” Lester said. “I started playing in eighth grade because it looked like a lot of fun and my friends played too, so I wanted to try.

“Things I love about volleyball are you make new friends and bond with the friends you already have, while working as a team.”

Lester, who also plays basketball and is trying to decide between track and softball for spring, is hard at work on fine-tuning her skill set for all of her activities.

“I don’t think there is a skill that I am the best at, but I am always motivated in working on all of my skills and not quitting when it gets hard,” Lester said. “My goal for this season is to make new friends and become a better player.

“I love to spend time working on basketball and volleyball skills,” she added. “I also love to work out.”

Away from the athletic stage, Lester enjoys country music and loves her some Sandy and Danny in “Grease.”

Family plays a big part in her life, and she knows she’ll always have fans behind her, no matter the sport.

“My mom and grandma really encourage me and help me become the person I am.”

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