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May 16, 2011 - If you followed the North Technical Golden Eagle Track Team this season, you will understand some of the enthusiasm that the coaches have for the future of their squad. The familiar standouts from the past, like scholar athlete Shakira Thomas and track standout Marquis White, who made their mark in the Missouri High School Track & Field scene, have graduated and moved on to successfully contribute to their respective college athletic programs.  But this year’s Golden Eagle Track and Field Team proved that it can carry the baton that has been passed to it by the previous Golden Eagle stars. In fact, the 2011 Golden Eagle Team has progressed in a number of ways. First, the team has more athletes, giving coaches Richard Sanders and Drew Huston more options when strategizing and organizing for track meets. Secondly, the team has a broader range of talent, allowing the Eagle’s to compete in a greater number of events. Past teams, which were predominantly composed of sprinters, lacked the personnel to compete in other major track and field categories.  Today, the assortment of skills among the athletes allows the team to compete in formerly untouched events like shot put, discus throw, and high Jump, as well as mid to long distance races like the 800 meters and the mile.
          Boy’s coach Richard Sanders says the 2011 Golden Eagle Boys Team is a well balanced group anchored by solid performing seniors and talented underclassmen. This year they proved to be especially strong in the relays (4×100 and the 4×200), hurdles, and jumps. Lady Eagle coach Drew Huston, is fielding an especially young team which is predominantly composed of sophomores and juniors. But Huston’s young team performed admirably throughout the year, pointing to a bright and successful future for this Lady Eagle squad.  He strongly feels that his young talent can develop into a very formidable force in the years ahead. He is especially happy with the strength of his 4×100 and 4×200 meter relay teams.
          The development of the 2011 team over the course of the season was especially evident at the final track meet held at Lutheran North. The Golden Eagles consistently crossed the finish line in first place throughout much of the meet, sometimes taking both 1st and 2nd place and a couple of 1-2-3 finishes in the same event.  Unlike many other track teams they face, the Golden Eagles do not have the modern facilities found in other schools. This lack of track and field facilities has made the Eagle runners train on everything from concrete to grass, nevertheless their dedication has translated to success on the track. Last year, the Golden Eagles were even recognized by KPLR 11 as the Sports Team of the Week because of their ability to overcome these obstacles and developed into a significant contender. Many of the outgoing seniors (Kimisha Robinson, Ryan Williams, Sheron Thomas, Shaquille Smith, DeAngelo Hudson, Thaddeus Pinkins, Ahmad Johnson, and John Kennedy) will no doubt continue their athletic careers as they graduate and move on to college. But in their wake will be a young squad of underclassmen ready to step up and continue the tradition of fielding a competitive and formidable Golden Eagle Track Team. Congratulations to the North Technical Track Team and coaches on a strong and sucessful year, and good luck to the outgoing Golden Eagle seniors as they continue to pursue their goals on and off the track.

May 11, 2011 - On Monday, Golden Eagle Basketball player Brandi Riddle signed a Letter of Intent to play for Kaskaskia College in Centralia, IL. The Golden Eagle's Riddle has been a solid scorer for North Technical with 268 points on the year (9.6 ave). Brandi owns the second best scoring percentage on the team (50.56%) and is second in team assists. Eagle basketball fans know she has been a key part of a very successful Golden Eagle squad that has achieved two winning seasons, a handful of tournament victories, a Class 3 district basketball championship, and a trip to the MSHSAA playoffs.
          Coach Merritt says Kaskaskia College has been interested in acquiring Brandi’s basketball talents for some time now. Brandi’s National Letter of Intent (NLI) with Kaskaskia indicates her desire to play for the Blue Devils Basketball Team next season. The Kaskaskia Blue Devils belong to the Great Rivers Athletic Conference (GRAC) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Head coach Leslie Olajimbiti is in just her second season with the Kaskaskia Women’s team. The new coach is looking forward to 11 newcomers in the upcoming season, which includes North Technical’s Riddle. Brandi, a Business and Financial Service program senior, was also a part of the Golden Eagle Volleyball team. Next year, the Kaskaskia Blue Devils will acquire the talents of this freshman guard to help the basketball team mount a successful season for head coach Olajimbiti. Congratulations to Brandi Riddle, North Technical’s senior point guard and future Blue Devil basketball player.

May 9, 2011 – Friday afternoon was an eventful and exciting day for North Technical athletics, as the Lady Golden Eagles Soccer team and the Boy Eagles Volleyball team simultaneously played their final home games of the season. For the graduating seniors on both squads, it would not only be their final home game in an Eagle uniform, but their last opportunity to be triumphant on their home turf.
          On the North Technical field, the Lady Golden Eagles battled the feisty Riverview Garden Rams who were looking to upset the Eagles in their final home game. In the first half, the Rams seem to control and dictate the tempo and flow of the game with aggressive play, causing senior goalie Audrey Christopher to make numerous saves at the net. But the Rams would not be denied, eventually scoring first to take a 1-0 lead. Although junior Hyleen Molina scored to help the Lady Eagles battle back to a 1-1 tie, it didn’t take long for the Rams to roar back putting the Eagles in a 2-1 deficit at the half. Coach Hanneken used the half to motivate his team to play more aggressively for control of the ball and ultimately the tempo of the game. For the outgoing seniors and team captains, it was their final opportunity to make an impact on their home field, and they did not disappoint. In the second half, the Lady Eagles heeded the call of their coach and responded by changing the tempo of the game in their favor. Although the Rams would score one more time, the Lady Eagles kept Rams goalie Bria Taylor much busier than they had in the first half as Hyleen Molina, Tranee Williams, and Chelsea Minor (penalty kick) helped the Eagles score three goals in the second half to edge Riverview Gardens by a score of 4-3. The comeback win gave the Lady Eagles a 5-5-1 record, but more importantly, handed seniors Audrey Christopher (8), Malyssa Jones (13), Chelsea Minor (4), Alecia Morris (11), Cara Patterson (17), Toni Shumpert (15), and Tranee Williams (3) a victory in their final home game. Each senior received a card and a special game ball signed by all team members. The Lady Eagles have three games left on their schedule, including games against Hazelwood East, McCluer S-Berkeley, and a tough Lutheran North squad.
          On the other side of the North Technical campus, the Boy Eagles Volleyball team was in a closely contested match against the University City Lions. The U-City Lions came out strong and secured the first match. But the Eagles, determined to make their senior night victorious, took the second match, setting up what would be a very thrilling third and final match for the game. In the third, the teams battled back and forth, serving, digging, passing, setting, and spiking to a 23-23 tie score, and bringing the Eagles just two points from a senior night victory. But it was the Lions who rallied for two points and the game (2-1), putting a damper on the senior’s attempt to go out on a winning note. Nevertheless, the Eagles provided an exciting contest for their fans that came out on senior night to cheer on the squad and the outgoing senior class of Jordan McBride, Benard Reed, Brian Franz, Deavin Bowers, Jonathan Morris, Michael Franz, and Donovan Thornton. The team now has 5 games left on its schedule including matches against Granite City, Parkway North, Webster Groves, DuBourg, and St. Mary's. Webster Groves, which currently boasts an impressive 22-3 record, may be North Technical’s most formidable opponent it as faced all year.
          As the athletic season draws closer to an end, we wish to thank all the athletes and the coaches for their hard work and dedication which gave their North Technical fans much to cheer about.  For the departing seniors, may the efforts both on the field, on the court, and in the classroom translate to success in the years following graduation. Good luck to the athletes of the 2011 graduating senior class.

May 5, 2011 – The month of May signals that the final days of the school year are drawing near. It is typically one of the busiest months as schools attempt to bring the year to a close with end of course testing, final grades, student projects, class activities, and graduation. It is also the month when outstanding students are recognized for their many accomplishments during the course of the year.
          In early May, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch released its 44th annual listing of top area high school scholar athletes. Among the list of seniors who have excelled in the classroom and on the playing field is North Technical Geospatial Technology student Sheron Thomas. During the school year, Sheron participated as a member of the Boys’ Golden Eagle Basketball team. He currently is on the Golden Eagle Track team where he was named “Most Dedicated Member” on the track squad and is an AAU national qualifier. Academically, Sheron ranks 5th in a graduating senior class of almost 200. He belongs to the National Technical Honor Society and was named Northwest Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month. He and the other outstanding Post-Dispatch high school athletes will be honored in a Scholar Athlete ceremony at Busch Stadium in a May St. Louis Cardinals Baseball game. After graduation, the North Technical senior plans to attend the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla. He looks to major in civil engineering. Sheron says "As a civil engineer, I plan to change the way roads and bridges are constructed to make them safer and longer lasting." When asked who his role model is, Sheron states “My father, because of his humbleness and how he puts others' needs before his own." Congratulations to Sheron for being chosen as North Technical’s outstanding St. Louis Post-Dispatch scholar athlete in 2011.
          The month of May is also when the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) names the recipients of its “Award of Excellence”. This year, MSHSAA gave the “Award of Excellence” to North Technical High School athletes Brittany McNutt (basketball, volleyball) and Rodney Marable (basketball). This honor is given by the MSHSAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations to student athletes to “promote citizenship, integrity and positive sportsmanship through the interscholastic athletic programs.” It is awarded to one male athlete and one female athlete from each school who best exemplifies these MSHSAA values of positive role modeling and sportsmanship. The selection process includes votes from coaches, administrators, directors, and students from the high school. Congratulations to these two senior North Technical athletes for winning this MSHSAA honorable distinction for 2011.         

April 27, 2011 - The North Technical Graphic Design and Graphic Production & Printing programs formally achieved their Dual Credit Agreement with the St. Louis Community College (SLCC) Graphic Communication Programs. This agreement, which took two years to complete, means that SLCC will grant college credit for the successful completion of the North Technical Graphic Design and Graphic Production & Printing programs. This collaborative partnership will assist students in gaining college level course credit while completing their high school diploma requirements. Earning college credits in high school can also help students save on needed college tuition costs.
          The Dual Credit Articulation Agreement is a testament to the quality of education received at North Technical High School. In the April advisory meeting, Jim Gormley, Professor of Art and Graphic Communications at Florissant Valley said “the North Technical Graphics Design program sends us students that are well prepared for our curriculum.” The SLCC Dual Credit Agreement is the second such agreement reached with a college.  The two Graphics programs also have a Dual Credit Agreement with the University of Central Missouri. The implementation of these agreements will ensure that a high quality college level course experience continues to be delivered in the Graphic Design and Graphic Production & Printing programs.
          Dual Credit Articulation Agreements with post-secondary institutions are not new on the North Technical campus. Other technical programs that have achieved such agreements include the Cisco Networking Academy program, the Health Sciences program, and the Law Enforcement program. Congratulations to instructors Dave Bohannan (Graphic Design) and Joyce Dent (Graphic Production & Printing) for this monumental achievement. .