Warrior Track & Field

by Aaron Bass & Chad Soucie

The Orlando Christian Prep Track and Field Teams are looking to dominate the district this season as they will be competing in multiple track meets over the coming weeks. With both the boys and girls working exceptionally hard every day after school for all their various events, we have no doubt our Warriors will be achieving some big results! Our coaches this year are Coach D and Coach Rymer, who are both determined to have a successful season. 

One event about which OCP is especially hopeful this year, is the boys 4x100 relay.  Last year's relay team was able to make it all the way to states, just missing out on winning it all! This year's relay team includes Blake Stillwell, Monroe Sanderson, Alex Ferrusco, and Jalen Carr, and we wish them all the best!

Our Girls and Boys Varsity Track Teams are each made of students from grades 7 through 12, and each team competes in several different events, from sprinting to distance running to throwing. We've seen some success already. Jalen Carr put a top-ten finish on the board at our first meet's 100m final. He did so again at our second meet, joined by the boys 4x100 relay team and Knyk Ross in the shot put. 

Our girls' best meet to date has been the Toho Invitational, where Siarah Brown, as well as the girls 4x100 relay team both finished third. Top-ten finishes were also put up by Aalyssa Gunn in the high jump and by the 4x400 relay team. The Toho Invitational proved to be a great meet for the boys, also. Jalen Carr continued with his top-ten finishes, this time in the 200m and the long jump. He was joined by top-ten performances from the 4x100 relay team, the 4x400 relay team, and Gilbert A. Garcia in the high jump.

Our Warriors have three track meets behind them, and they look forward to getting back to work now that spring break is over. Several of our students have already scored "qualifying" marks, so that they can move on to playoffs later this spring. We also have several Warriors with "Top 100" scores (state-wide). For all the stats you care to view, check out florida.tfrrs.org.

Go Warriors!

What Would You Change?

by Nick Bell

Recently, we sent out a poll that was answered by thirty Orlando Christian Prep students anonymously via Google forms. We asked students if they could change anything about OCP, what would it be? We received a variety of results, but a few stood out and repeated as themes in the answers.

Fourteen of the thirty students asked for new or updated dress code rules. Many students asked for an updated outerwear policy, such as similar rules to last year wear solid colors were allowed. Other students asked for an outerwear policy where student could wear jackets from whichever college they are planning to attend. Many also asked for boys to be allowed to wear earrings in school, as many have earrings now but have to remove them at school. Another suggested rule change is being allowed to wear spirit shirts from any year on Fridays as well as any other OCP spirit weary you may have, such as team and club shirts.

Some students asked for a larger selection of elective classes (and we understand this is something OCP has been working on over the past few years). Students also asked for more field trips, claiming they can be a beneficial break from the classroom to be able to learn in a different environment.

Another common suggestion was for high school retreat to be off campus again, as it was years ago but hasn't been lately. This could give students a more comfortable space to get to know their peers and worship the Lord. Students also had the idea for ongoing paid causal days to help raise money: where one would purchase a wrist-band in the morning and get to wear whatever they wanted -- as long as it's appropriate. 

Lastly, students asked for a limit on the amount of work teachers can give on a nightly basis to take home, because this not only stresses students, but also takes away from their social and family life. When a lot of homework is assigned, students cannot develop social and life skills as well as they would with the time they miss out on.

These are all helpful hints that the administration can use to make our school an even better learning environment. They could go a long way in helping us to be happy and functional. We as a student body understand we will not get all of these changes, but we are hoping our voices are heard. We appreciate all who took the time to share their opinions, as well as those who read this article!