The Central Trend Staff Q&As

Name: Lynlee Derrick Grade: 11 Position: Managing Editor of Assignments Semesters spent on TCT: 5 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "Going into freshman year, I didn't want to take gym. Instead, while looking through the course guide, I found a writing class, and I love to write. So I took the chance—why not—by taking the intro class to TCT. I adored it. I adored the people too, s...

Name: Natalie Mix Grade: 10 Position: Marketing Manager Semesters spent on TCT: 3 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "I remember the moment I decided to take Writing for Publication, but if I have to be honest, I don't really remember any of the thoughts I was having at the time. It was the new student orientation, and I saw the class on the list, and I guess I just decided to take it....

Name: Dana Kistler Grade: 12 Position: Staff writer Semesters spent on TCT: 3 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "My initial interest in TCT [came from] just knowing about interesting features and reviews. They were all from our very own website, and I thought that was so cool. I also wanted to improve my writing, so I thought 'why not?'" 2. How has TCT helped you grow as a writ...

Name: Kyle Basher Grade: 10 Position: Staff Writer Semesters spent on TCT: 1 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "I had done my own writing project for about a year and developed a love for writing. One day, Mr. George came into my English class to talk about Honors English 10 and TCT. I put two and two together and decided to join TCT." 2. How has TCT helped you grow as a write...

Name: Allie Beaumont Grade: 9 Position: Staff Writer Semesters spent on TCT: 1 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "Growing up, I would write a lot of short stories just for myself and my family, and writing has always been something I would do for fun to express my thoughts. Along with that, I really wanted to grow my writing and grammar knowledge."  2. How has TCT helped you ...

Name: Courtney Collar Grade: 12 Position: Editor  in Chief Semesters spent on  TCT: 4 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "Ever since seventh grade, I've been interested in journalism in one form another. Until freshman year, I always thought that I would be a news anchor. However, I took Media Comm. that year and realized that making videos wasn't my strength. I liked using words...

Name: Grace Pennington Grade: 11 Position: Staff Writer Semesters spent on TCT: 1 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "I decided to join TCT because Mr.George spoke very highly of, not only the class, but the people in the class frequently during my Honors English class last year." 2. How has TCT helped you grow as a writer and person? "TCT has helped me grow as a writer bec...

Name: Veronica Vincent Grade: 9 Position: Staff Writer Semesters as a part of TCT: 1 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "I always liked writing just short little things for fun, and [I] usually was pretty good at it. I joined to push myself and my writing abilities. TCT was a place a little out of my comfort zone, but it was the push I needed to extend my writing skills." 2. How...

Name: Meredith VanSkiver Grade: 12 Position: Public Relations Manager Semesters spent on TCT: 3 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "I had always been intrigued by the idea of writing for the school newspaper, but it wasn't until I had Mr. George as a teacher sophomore year that I became really compelled to enroll in the class." 2. How has TCT helped you grow as a writer and perso...

Name: Emma Hansen Grade: 11 Position: Staff writer Semesters spent on TCT: 3 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "I decided to join TCT because I have always loved to write, and I thought it would be a good way to improve my writing skills." 2. How has TCT helped you grow as a writer and person? "TCT has taught me how to express my feelings and emotions through written words. I...

Name: Jordan Helmbrecht Grade: 12 Position: Staff Writer Semesters spent on TCT: 3 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "I joined TCT because Mr. George encouraged me to take the class and because I found that, most of the time, I actually enjoyed writing." 2. How has TCT helped you grow as a writer and person? "TCT has helped me grow as a writer and a person in a lot of differen...

Name: Abby Wright  Grade: 11 Position: Editor in Chief Semesters spent on TCT: 5 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "It was advertised in the course catalog for the high school, and it seemed like something super interesting. In addition to that initial interest, I've always had a passion for writing and wanted to try out a more journalistic style." 2. How has TCT helped you g...

Name: Hailee Sincerbeaux Grade: 12 Position: Staff Writer Semesters spent on TCT: 1 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "I decided to join TCT because I have always had a passion for writing and I wanted to take a class in which I could have the opportunity to write about topics that I care about. I also decided to take the class due to the feedback that I heard from others who had ...

Name: Sophia Young Grade: 11 Position: Staff Writer Semesters spent on TCT: 1 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "I joined TCT because I wanted the chance to grow as a writer. Writing has always been something I loved doing, and now I just get to do it for a grade." 2. How has TCT helped you grow as a writer and person? "Before I joined TCT, I never really put that much thought ...

Name: Olivia Luplow Grade: 12 Position: Public Relations Manager Semesters spent on TCT: 3 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "I tell everyone that I decided to join TCT because I wanted to improve my writing, but truthfully, I just really wanted to take another class with Mr. George." 2. How has TCT helped you grow as a writer and person? "Having the privilege of being on a p...

Name: Morgan Mittlestadt Grade: 11 Position: Social Media Manager Semesters spent on TCT: 3 1. Why did you decide to join TCT?  "I decided to join TCT for a few reasons. First, I needed to get my VPAA credits, and no other elective really appealed to any of my interests besides TCT. Also, I had been hearing Courtney Collar say nothing but positive things about her experiences as a ...

Name: Lauren Batterbee Grade: 10 Position: Staff Writer Semesters spent on TCT: 1 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "I decided to join TCT because I had heard that people really liked Mr. George, and they enjoyed the class and atmosphere." 2. How has TCT helped you grow as a writer and person? "TCT has helped me grow as a writer because it has made me improve my punctuation an...

Name: Ashlyn Korpak Grade: 12 Position: Editor in Chief Semesters spent on TCT: 7 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "When I came into high school as a freshman, I was nervous—to say the least. I had known and looked up to Mr. George my entire life, and I wanted a familiar face in my schedule. I honestly didn't even know what the class was—other than it involved writing—when ...

Name: Kelsey Dantuma Grade: 10 Position: Staff Writer Semesters spent on TCT: 1 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "I decided to join TCT because I have always had an interest in writing, and the WFP class seemed to me like a really good way to improve my skills. I ended up staying because I loved the fact that I was given an outlet to express my ideas. It's really crazy to think abo...

Name: Lydia Van DeRiet Grade: 11 Position: Photographer Semesters spent on TCT: 1 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "I was in Mr. George’s Honors English class, and on our day of finals, he told me that my name was suggested to be TCT’s photographer and wondered if I was interested. It sounded like a lot of fun, so I said that I was." 2. How has TCT helped you grow as a person...

Name: Amanda Bartolovic  Grade: 12 Position: Social Media Manager Semesters spent on staff: 3 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "I almost didn't join The Central Trend, but I decided to join last minute. I was scared because I didn't consider myself much of a writer, but I decided to join because I really enjoy writing and thought it would be a fun opportunity. Also, Mr. George hig...

Name: Dylan Wilson Grade: 12 Position: Staff Writer Semesters spent on TCT: 1 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "I have wanted to join the TCT Staff since the end of my sophomore year after I had Mr. George for Honors English 10. Because I decided to take AP Chemistry my junior year, TCT simply did not fit in my schedule. After experiencing an AP class during sixth hour my junior year, I did ...

Name: Linus Kaechele Grade: 11 Position: Marketing Manager Semesters spent on TCT: 1 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "I decided to join TCT after Mr. George recommended that I do so on one of my essays when I had him for Honors English 10. I never saw myself as a great writer until that moment, but once I got that critique—or whatever you would call it—I saw being a great writer as a g...

Name: Emma Zawacki Grade: 10 Position: Staff Writer Semesters spent on TCT: 1 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "I decided to join TCT on a bit of a whim. English has always been one of my favorite classes, and I’ve always loved writing no matter what it is that I’m writing. While searching for electives to take, the Writing For Publication class stood out as something I knew...

Name: Avery Jordan Grade: 10 Position: Staff Writer Semesters spent on TCT: 1 1. Why did you decide to join TCT? "I decided to join TCT because the website caught my eye my freshman year, and I immediately wanted to be a part of it. I enjoyed writing prior to taking the class, and I’ve enjoyed it even more being on staff." 2. How has TCT helped you grow as a writer and person? "TCT has hel...