Education Magazine

Excellence In Education Lincoln Daily News January 25, 2023 Page 45 Tori Geriets “My parents are Mike Geriets and Christy Fruge and my stepfather is Michael Fruge. I have two brothers, Jackson and Ryan and I have two older sisters, Christina Whitaker and Megan Turley. I have been playing basketball since second grade. When I joined basketball in second grade, I had no idea how much basketball would change my life. I have made so many lifelong friendships and learned endless amounts of lessons through this sport. Between school, family and basketball, balancing it all can be tricky. It is hard work, but I know that it will all pay off.” Taryn Stoltzenburg “My parents are Matthew and Jamie Stoltzenburg. I have one sister, Ryen, who also played basketball at Lincoln Community High School. I play basketball because I love the sport and I love playing with my best friends. I also enjoy learning the new lessons that basketball teaches me. I started playing basketball at the YMCA when I was around seven years old. The players I admire most are my sister and dad. In the future, I hope to continue playing basketball for fun with family and friends. Balancing school and sports can feel like a lot sometimes so I just have to make sure I‘m using my time wisely and getting done what I need to.” Destinee Harper “My mom and stepdad are Karla and Jeremy Hamblen. They always push me to do my best. I have seven siblings. I have a sister and a brother, and their names are Trinidee and Darrian Harper. I also have five stepbrothers: Dalton, Donovan, Deitrick, Dax, and Dominic. I actually just started playing organized basketball two years ago, but I have always loved basketball and enjoy playing for fun. I never really thought that I was or could be good enough to play for a team but then I moved close to Lincoln (from Bloomington), and I had so much support from family and friends to make me wanna play. During my first year playing basketball, I would say I looked up to Grace Bossingham the most. She was my coach, and she always pushed me to do my best, and she always made me feel like I was good enough. In the future, I plan to be an athletic trainer for a professional basketball team or college team, so being around basketball and other sports allows me to be in the sort of environment I will be in. It gets a little hard balancing school, basketball, family and friends, but somehow I do it. I am very proud to be a part of this amazing team and program. I am so happy that I get to be a part of all this.” ***** Now let’s meet the rest of the 2022-23 Varsity team: SOPHOMORES Piper Whiteman “My parents are Kirk and Angie Whiteman and I have three brothers: Kameron, Brody and Maddox, who also play basketball just like me. I grew up in basketball gyms, so the love of the game came very natural to me. I started playing around third grade, which consisted of playing against my brothers and practicing with my friends. My brothers were the players that I also looked up to. When it comes to balancing school, friends, family and other Continued --