Young Star Competition!

Vote for Dominque Heinrich (Austria's captain) in the young star competition! Go to the link below, click on the button beside Dominique's name and then click "abstimmen" at the bottom:

http://www.erstebankliga.at/0af5be71d7b44ff1385b773bd366bc01.html

Journalism at its Finest

Class started of like any other normal day, Mrs. Cey rushing in from a meeting that ran late, the guys beaking each other about they’re moms, and the girls trying too hard to make sure all of they’re homework is correct before class even started. Mrs. Cey grabbed the classes attention as usual then all of the sudden her face lit up and she said “I have come up with an amazing idea instead of the other major project I had planned”. She continued “We are going to be the journalism team for the Latvia vs. Austria hockey game coming up this winter. Start preparing people this is big”. You could tell it had grabbed the class’s attention because at noon hour they were all boasting about it to the other students. A couple months went by and soon it was time for us to start brain storming and learn how to use some of the online blogging tools. Preparation started off slow with the game only approaching in a couple of weeks, there wasn’t a whole lot you could do besides think of ideas, find sources to get information, and prepare interview questions. However soon enough we are one day from the arrival of the players. Everyone was in a panic to get everything done and perfect for them and make sure everything went off without a hitch. Things like sound checks, practice interviews, see that all questions are made, and the last yet most important rule is to check all of your batteries to make sure they are charged and ready for anything. At last the moment had arrived, students were being called down and the players were arriving all for the schools main event. Everyone was seated and the music started as a sign for the players to start entering the gym. The students were in awe as some of the best Austrian and Latvian players were walking right by them up to the stage where they would introduce themselves and display they’re gratitude to the community. The rest of the Pep Rally was followed with mass amounts of cheering, speeches, and even a costume contest. All of which was gathered on our digital cameras and pens to be put on the blog site. After the Pep rally it was time to start interviewing just to ask the players what they’re first response was to our community and its people. All responses were positive and they loved our enthusiasm and the effort we put into everything. Next was the autograph signing at the Credit Union. There were lots of who showed up for autographs and even talk to the players. I had the privilege to be our main photographer of this event. All of the players were enthused to do whatever they could do to help and even make a couple jokes along the way. The practices were also covered by our team. Both the journalism team and some of the citizens of Unity showed up early to see just what sort of skills these players were going to bring to the table. It was also a chance for our team to get a couple more photos and interviews in. Just following the practices six Latvian players were asked to take part in the skills competition. There were a few local players who were lucky enough to be chosen to skate with these world class Latvian players. They got to talk to the players and maybe even show off a bit. The skills that the Unity Minor Hockey wanted to test were the hardest shot, breakaway, and the ever so fast paced pylon relay. The Latvians took home gold in almost everything except for the hardest shot which was awarded to Victor Perninsky so congrats to him. At this event our team was also able to get a number of nice action shots and a chance to see some pretty intense skills. Now last but not least was the Latvia vs. Austria hockey game. Our team was going full force at this point. There wasn’t one member of the team who didn’t pay close attention to detail, make jot notes, and have a camera ready with about three extra batteries at the ready in case any died. The game had begun and so had our camera which was live streaming the whole thing onto the Internet for all to see. The arena was packed with people and the rink workers had the zambonie gassed up and ready to make the ice surface silky smooth after the first period. Everyone was giving it their all including the players until the horn rang out to signal the end of the first period with the score tied 1-1. The game resumed with the newly cleaned ice. At the end of the second period the score was tied yet again 3-3. Now it was time for the fans to get involved or have a little fun on the ice. Free car with any puck that makes it through the hole in the board said the announcer, which to Unity was a big deal to win a car. It left people on the edge of their seat. Our news team was in charge of taping to make sure the puck goes in.. There ended up being no winners however there was one winner of the 50/50 her name was Chelsea Stabbler and she became the proud owner of a cheque for $5,515. The third period had started now and ended with a score of 6-4 Austria. Now the game had ended buit I cant say the same thing about the work. Everything gathered still needed to be blogged about or uploaded onto the site. To be a journalist of the Latvian vs. Austrian game was a lot of work but a big honour. Good job

Bill Seymour follow up interview

Kyle and Dillon posted a follow up interview with Bill Seymour, the ticket sales manager for the IIHF junior tournament in Saskatoon.

Skills Competition and Autograph Signing

Pep Rally Pictures

Game Pictures

Pep Rally