Table of Contents
Sports
Beyond the Scoreboard: Reflecting on the Huntsville Game
By: Seanna Kennamer
As the football season kicked off, one of our early games pitted us against our rivals, the Huntsville Panthers, where Grissom had a history of 2 wins and 14 losses in past encounters. Having a “good mindset” and having “high energy no matter what” throughout the game were some of the things Coach Dutton had to say prior to the matchup. Despite some varsity players having injuries and past numbers not looking amazing, Dutton has good faith in Leebern, the starting quarterback, and has good faith in the starting lineup of the 2024-2025 season.
After the game, we talked to starting wide receiver Isaiah Spencer about how he felt coming out of it.
Interviewer: “Where is your mind at after this game?”
Spencer: “It’s in a good space, I feel like even though we lost there was a lot of good that came
out of that game. We have a lot to improve on.”
Interviewer: “How do you feel like y’all handled the pressure, with this being the biggest rivalry
game?”
Spencer: “We handled the pressure really good. Last year we didn’t score at all, this year we got a lot of points on the board.”
Interviewer: “Last question, how do y’all plan to bounce back after this?”
Spencer: “Go right back to work, working harder this week with Bob Jones.”
After the game, we also talked to Coach Dutton about how he felt about the outcome.
Interviewer: “What do you see as the key factors to the outcome of this game?”
Dutton: “Discipline. We had a lot of flags and things we can clean up and we gotta focus on that this week to make sure that doesn’t get in the way.”
Interviewer: “How do you plan to keep the team motivated after this?”
Dutton: “I think the accomplishments they’re retaining, such as a lot of guys are getting major stats, major reps and major plays. That in itself is motivating and for them to do it on a big stage like last Friday night should be reassuring and keep the energy up.”
Interviewer: “Looking back, is there anything about the game plan from this past game that you
would change?”
Dutton: “I thought we did a very good job at exploiting our secondary and getting our passing game going. But, we could have done more in the run game.”
Interviewer: “What are some key takeaways from this game and how do you think the players
will grow from this game?”
Dutton: “They have to understand how to keep their emotions in check, so after a big play not celebrating too much. But again I go back to: we had major success and it was a major opponent. So hopefully, that
builds confidence.”
Interviewer: “Was there a player/position that impressed you on Friday?”
Dutton: “Our left tackle had the most difficult assignment of the night. Victor Bond had to take on number 8 which is their best defensive linemen and I thought he had a phenomenal night. It was a matchup we were worried about for the game, and I thought he played amazing.”
Mid-Season Spotlight: Senior Volleyball Player Reflects on the Season So Far
By: Seanna Kennamer
We spoke with Varsity Volleyball player Fletcher Chua about the current state of their season, which is now halfway through. She offered some valuable insights into their progress.
Interviewer: “How have y’all been playing overall so far this season?”
Chua: “I think we are really scrappy because we do not have a lot of tall people. We play teams
that have these 6’0 girls; we do have Brooke Reeves who is around 5’11, but everyone else is
around 5’7. But I also feel like we do a good job at adjusting to all the tall people and hustling to get balls that are really hard to get without tall people blocking up at the net. We also have players with really good verticals; Gabby Morris jumps like 40 inches, she flies.”
Interviewer: “What is y’alls main goal as a team this year?”
Chua: “Our main goal is to be a strong, consistent, scrappy team that will make it out of the area. We have a new area this year with harder teams, but we’re still going to really try to get out of there. And even if we don’t, we’re going to play this season the best we can and put 110% effort and passion in.”
Behind the Scenes Look at Grissom Musical Theatre
By: Lisa Beth Coble and Ava Cahue
Grissom Musical Theatre is brewing up a storm! The auditions for the spring musical, Little Shop of Horrors, were an extensive 3-day process held from September 23rd to 25th. Eager to be involved in the production, students dedicated up to three extra hours after school each day!
Day 1 featured the dance call, where all auditionees were required to learn and perform a 30-second dance combination choreographed by Grissom’s own dance teacher, Ms. Randolph. Afterward, the students performed in groups of six, each group performing twice and switching periodically to ensure equal opportunity for all. This process took place within a two-and-a-half-hour window, and though tedious, it proved to be exhilarating!
Day 2 focused on vocal performance. Students independently took the stage to sing a 45-second excerpt of a song they had chosen and rehearsed on their own time. Onstage, a live accompanist sight-read their sheet music and followed their tempo as they were graded by Grissom’s theatre and choir teachers, Ms. Skillern and Mr. Ratcliff. This portion of the audition process is often the most challenging, but the talented and beautiful voices of our very own Grissom students made it look effortless!
The final day, Day 3, was dedicated to acting auditions. Each auditionee performed a memorized monologue timed approximately one minute for the director of the show, Ms. Skillern, which was also graded on a scale of one to ten. Prior to the participants’ auditions, the callback list was released that night, and callbacks were held the day after.
At callbacks, the selected underwent a rigorous process of repeated vocal and acting auditions. These auditions were performed not only for the director and vocal director, but also for the rest of the students called. The cast list was subsequently released the Friday before fall break, each roll hand-selected by Grissom’s dedicated staff and awarded to the most deserving.
Mark your calendars for the spring performances of Little Shop of Horrors, running from March 20-29, 2025. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the remarkable talents of these students.
Student Spotlights
Grissom Celebrates National Merit Semifinalists
By: Anna Wheeler
In an outstanding achievement, Grissom High School is proud to announce that five of our students have been named National Merit Semifinalists for the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. This program works to recognize students for their excellent performance on the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). To advance to the finalist stage, candidates must submit a comprehensive application that highlights their academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, leadership experiences, and additional qualifications. The following students have earned the prestigious distinction of being a National Merit Semifinalist:
● Lydia Buechler
● Nicholas Cox
● Hugh Nguyen
● Emily Tran
● Andrew Wu
Some of Mrs. Hudson’s AP Literature and Composition Classes celebrated some of their classmates who were named National Merit Semifinalists. A small party filled with snacks and congratulations allowed the semifinalists to be recognized and celebrated by their classmates. The class celebrated not just their academic success, but their potential to make a significant impact in their community. Congratulations once again to our National Merit Semifinalists! We look forward to seeing all that you will achieve in the future.
Senior Spotlight: An Interview with Our Class President
By: Angela Brim
Recently, we have had the privilege of speaking with a leader and the voice of our senior class, Campbell Irmscher. Campbell will play a pivotal role in shaping our senior year experience and providing unifying experiences. Here’s what Campbell had to say:
“At Grissom High School, the culture is all about warmth and inclusivity. Our diverse student body fosters a supportive environment where everyone feels at home. Whether it’s in the classroom or at extracurricular activities, there’s a palpable sense of community that makes us stronger together.”
As president, Campbell’s primary goal is to ensure that this year is the best senior experience possible for everyone. Campbell stated, “I want to create lasting memories through engaging events and initiatives that bring us closer as a class.”
What Campbell enjoys most about being president is the opportunity to put on events that uplift our community and bring joy to our peers. Seeing everyone come together and smile is truly rewarding.
And on a lighter note, her favorite Disney princess is Princess Tiana. She embodies the “girl boss” spirit—hardworking, determined, and dedicated to her dreams, just like many of us at Grissom!
School News
Sunrise Spectacle: Senior Class Gears Up for Senior Sunrise
By: Anna Wheeler
The Class of 2025 is eagerly anticipating the upcoming Senior Sunrise! On October 11th at 6:30 AM, seniors will gather on the football field, proudly wearing their senior shirts, to witness the breathtaking sunrise. This special morning will be packed with delicious food, fun activities, and the chance to win one of three exciting door prizes. Senior Sunrise promises to be an unforgettable event, filled with camaraderie and plenty of photo opportunities. It’s a perfect moment for students to create lasting memories together as they embark on their final year of high school. This gathering offers an ideal chance to reflect, connect, and celebrate the journey ahead—one that is closer to its end than you might think. So, seniors, mark your calendars for October 11th and get ready to rise and shine alongside your fellow classmates! Let’s make this Senior Sunrise a morning to remember!
Make Waves at the Under the Sea Homecoming Dance!
By: Mia Welch
For this year’s homecoming, Mrs. Williams and Mr. Hurt have been in charge of the homecoming committee. The theme of homecoming will be “A Nautical Night” and the date set is October 19th. Tickets will be priced at $20 for singles and $30 for couples. As preparation, there will be a grade-level hallway decorating contest. We hope everyone has a good time under the sea!
Question of the Month Results
For the month of October, we surveyed 145 Grissom students about their favorite Halloween candy, and the results are in! The most popular Halloween candy is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups with a total of 35 votes. The second most popular is Twix with 15 votes followed closely by Sourpatch Kids with 14 votes. Thank you to everyone who shared your favorite candy!
Click the button below to vote on our November Question of the Month or look for QR codes posted around the school. Your vote matters! Be sure to share your opinion!
Crossword
By: Hailey Frame
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