Stories from Scott 2
March 14, 2017
Making history: SHS senior first in state to win top honor at ISSMA state event
Scottsburg High School senior Isaak Mount is the first student in the state’s history to receive a gold rating with distinction in piano at this year’s Indiana State School Music Association State Solo and Ensemble held on Feb. 17 at Perry Meridian Middle School in Indianapolis. The “with distinction” designation is new this year at the State Solo and Ensemble event.
“I am very proud to have received the honor. It is a wonderful recognition for the hard work I put into playing the piano,” Mount said.
Since October 2017, Mount has worked on playing “Arabesque No. 1” by Claude Debussy for the Solo and Ensemble event. Debussy’s work is complicated and requires proper technique to play the sensitive touches and capture the right tone that marks the style of the classical music from the late 19th century.
Prior to receiving the gold rating with distinction, Mount has only played snare drum and marimba at other Solo and Ensemble events through the band program at SHS. He never participated in any Piano and Solo and Ensemble event until this academic year.
“Each year, the band directors encourage the students to take a solo or ensemble to the event,” Mount said.
For Mount, taking home the highest honor at the State Solo and Ensemble event speaks to the years of work he has put into becoming the pianist he is today. He has been playing piano for a decade while taking lessons for about seven years. Mount plans to keep playing piano after high school.
“I do plan to keep up my piano playing ability after high school. If I can find some sort of band to play the piano in, I would like to do that,” Mount said. “Also, I have contemplated the idea of still taking piano lessons in college.”
SHS grad finds balance as IU Division I student-athlete
One year ago, Emma Waskom never dreamed she would start her freshman year at Indiana University on the women’s rowing team.
“A year ago I never would have dreamed that I am doing what I am doing now, but I am thankful each day that I made the decision to come to Indiana University and be part of the rowing team,” said the Scottsburg High School graduate.
While at SHS, Waskom focused on playing volleyball at the collegiate level. She had a sports recruiting profile online that featured her volleyball statistics and her skills. She hoped her profile would attract the interest of college volleyball coach. Instead, it caught the attention of the IU women’s rowing team coaching staff. In May 2017, Waskom signed her letter of intent to join the IU women’s rowing team.
“For anyone wanting or thinking about playing a sport in college, I would say do it. The worst thing that can happen is you don't like it, and you have to quit. At least then you can say you tried it. Even if it is a completely new sport that you have never done before. Sometimes you just have to put yourself out there, and who knows you just might end up loving it,” Waskom said.
At IU Bloomington, Waskom quickly learned the challenge of being a Division I student-athlete.
“Studying at IU was very similar to what I expected. I knew everything would be harder than what it was in high school, but I underestimated the challenge of balancing my time between school and rowing. That has definitely been the hardest part,” said Waskom, who is a biology major.
Waskom’s day starts at 6 a.m. as she practices Monday through Saturday with the women’s rowing team. Two days each week, she has weightlifting in the gym as part of her regimen with the team. She practices on indoor rowing machines to improve her scores to prepare her for the rowing season.
“The best part about the rowing team is the people. I have been put through some of the hardest workouts of my life within these last few months, but they are the ones who help get me through,” Waskom said.
Because proper nutrition is equally important as conditioning and practicing, IU provides a specific dining cafeteria for its 650 students who participate in IU’s 24 varsity sports. There, Waskom can receive the fuel she needs for her body as a Division I athlete.
“I can't help but love the special cafeteria over at Memorial Stadium too,” Waskom said. “Dining hall food gets old very quick, and you definitely can't find steak or shrimp in any dining hall on campus!”
Through it all, Waskom said SHS helped her prepare her for the academic side of her life as a Division I student-athlete at IU. Because she took college credit classes while at SHS,
Waskom does not feel the pressure of figuring out exactly what she wants to do upon college graduation.
“Going to SHS most definitely helped prepare me for college. Most of my classes have been similar to the dual credit classes I took were like. Also, since I am not sure exactly what I want to do yet, bringing in so many credits has given me quite a bit of breathing room to not stress about figuring that out. I am way ahead for most freshmen are at this point, so that is a major relief,” Waskom said.
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