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December 2009

Hawk Nation
by Brooklyn Frost

The Hawk Nation has a minor league celebrity on our hands. One of our own, senior Jeremy Bost, is playing for the Knights, a minor league hockey team in Atlanta. “I started playing when I was four years old. I grew up in an area that was not big into hockey and now I’m playing in the minor leagues,” said Bost about his early hockey days. “I lived in Raleigh, North Carolina and I moved down here to play hockey for the Knights.” While some children were eating glue or finger painting, Jeremy was out preparing for his future. At four, he took the streets by storm learning this strange new sport that he would one day cross the country to play.

“My neighbor was a member of the Carolina Hurricanes, and we would go out and play street hockey,” said Bost. “The Knights scouted me. I signed a contract with them and moved down here. I’m the only kid [on the team] that’s still in high school,” said Bost. Although it seems like a dream to be asked to play for a minor league team in your senior year, Bost gave up a lot to follow his dream. He packed up, left his home and his high school in North Carolina. “Moving on my senior year was a bummer. I had to leave my family in North Carolina which also stunk,” said Bost.

Although playing for a minor league hockey team can be time consuming, Bost is also a teenager and full-time student. With rigorous practice schedules, it can put a damper in his social life. “Practice starts at four, and we usually do an hour and a half practice and then work out for an hour and a half,” said Bost, “It’s hard to balance [schoolwork and trying to be a teenager] but hockey has turned into a lifestyle.” Jeremy has big aspirations for his career. He plans to attend college with a scholarship to play hockey. “It’s what I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to end up playing in college, wherever a scholarship takes me, and then go play pro,” said Bost.

October 2009

Homecoming 2009
by Kristen Marlatt • Photography by Chalk Line Media

Spirit, friendship, and character. These are the themes that color Hillgrove High School and unify us as a student body. Homecoming week exemplifies the heart of what represents our school. Each student expresses his/her individuality through five themed days from Pajama Day to Super Spirit Day. Dressing up for these days brings each grade together while also showing everyone’s individual flair.

Every morning held the surprise of what would be seen as you walked through the doors of Hillgrove, but my personal favorite was Super Spirit Day. Friday morning was kicked off with a pep rally to pump up the students and show our school spirit. From crimson to silver, our school was represented by ribbons and curls, homemade shirts and high socks, and face paint and cheers. After a spirited week filled with activity, we topped it all off with the annual homecoming game. The student section overflowed on game day with dedicated fans as Hillgrove smashed the Decatur Bulldogs and took the win.

But homecoming week couldn’t end without the dance. So on Saturday night, everyone gathered for one last celebration. Whether you were accompanied by a date or a close group of friends, everyone had a blast as we danced the night away. Hillgrove homecoming week surpasses any other week of the year at Hillgrove High School in school unity, passion, and spirit.

Hillgrove Volleyball
by Mackenzie Metcalfe

Whether it is a kill by Kayla Henderson, an amazing dig by Morgan Orvino, or an assist by Dea Barker, the Hillgrove High School varsity volleyball team has come a long way since their first season four years ago.  Although only three of the eleven athletes on the team are seniors − Jasmine Leigh, Paige Malandro, and Olivia Steen − they take leadership very seriously and often encourage not only the rest of the team, but themselves as well.  “Teamwork” is the theme this year and is often what the girls cheer on and off the court.   Because of this theme the team seems to be a more tightly united and connected unit than ever before.  The logic behind why the girls seem to be working extremely well together could be related to the Tuesday morning devotionals they have every week sponsored by Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  

The Hillgrove Hawks went to Lithia Springs on September 15 scheduled to play South Paulding and Lithia Springs.  After defeating South Paulding, the girls began a match against rival Lithia Springs. The Lithia Springs team knocked Hillgrove out of the playoffs last year and the Hawks were ready to seek revenge.  Coming out strong, the Hawks won the first match but still had to win two out of three matches.  As the second match geared up, the girls struggled to get ahead, lacking a few points.  The score became 24-21 Lithia Springs, and Lithia Springs needed only one more point to win that match. Mackenzie Metcalfe was up to serve for the Hawks.  If the Hawks lost one serve or dropped one point, the game would go into sudden death by means of a third match.   After the Hawks tied the score 24-24 (a team has to win by 2 points) the ball was spiked at the Hawks, but landed out of bounds.  The score was now 25-24 Hawks with only one point to go.  Metcalfe went up to serve again and the Hawks won with an ace!  This game was said to be the highlight of the season so far, and everyone on the team played with intensity and teamwork.

Excellent covering and digs by India Hester and Morgan Orvino, superior sets from Emily Allen and Mackenzie Metcalfe, top-notch hits by Kelly Arnold and Kate Gaffney, and great coaching from Dana Hall and assistant Shannon Mabrey all helped to contribute to this victory.  Through their hard work, determination, and perseverance, the Hillgrove varsity team is currently ranked as No. 1 in their region.