The Hometown Treasure September 2012 | Page 9

Senior Spotlight Sports photos by Abby Wenger Nate Raber Senior Nate Raber races against a Goshen player to reach the ball first in the game against Goshen on Tuesday, Aug. 21. There are some students at Westview high school that love to speak their minds. If these students were required to wear clothing representing their willingness to say whatever they feel, Raber would be required to wear a crown. Luckily for the students of Westview, Raber is a great guy that aims to build his peers’ confidence. During his time at Westview, Raber, has done just about everything you can do. He has been on the soccer team for all four years and will be pole vaulting for his fourth consecutive year this spring as well. He has played on the basketball team for the past three years with his twin brother Nic. Nate has been a part of the National Honor Society for his entire high school career. He has also been active in the PLUS program for two years, the Spanish club, and is a part of the Future Farmers of American (FFA). Playing for the soccer team at Westview isn’t easy. It starts out with the two-a-days in the summer, continues with hard practices during the season, and finishes with post-season play as tough as it gets. Raber however has stuck with it for obvious reasons according to him. “I like to wreck people. Playing physical is my game. Soccer is a fun team sport where everyone comes together to be a family.” The Westview sports experience is very different than what you would go through at any other high school. Raber is very much aware of this. “The tradition at Westview is awesome. When you know that the teams before you have succeeded, you are trying to live up to them.” Shanti Etchason spikes the ball as her teammates Sierra Kimmell, Hailey Cramer, and Taylor Eash look on ready to assist in the 8th grade game against Lakeland Christian Academy on Tuesday, Aug. 28. His favorite high school sports moments have been making it to state twice for his pole vaulting, as well as scoring the winning goal last season against Lakeland. “I’m really going to miss bonding with my teammates,” he said. Raber has not always been excited to get up in the morning for school, but he wouldn’t trade his favorite teacher for the world. Mrs. Cowley or “C-Dogg” as he so endearingly calls her, has made high school a very enjoyable time for him. Another thing, besides an alarm clock, which Raber wakes up to in the morning, is the chance that one of his close friends, Austin Borg, may be hit with another flying trash can. His favorite high school memory will forever be the day when a fight broke out in the hallway, and the only damage done was to Austin Borg’s pride as his leg was struck by a trash can mid-flight. Westview 7th grade Junior High soccer player Michael Hostetler prepares to kick the ball down the field to his teammates in the game against Hamilton on Friday, Aug. 24. Raber is going to miss many things about high school such as his friends and all of his cool teachers, but no one more than another fellow senior Brooke Schwartz. Raber was very adamant during the interview that Schwartz’s name get mentioned in his story. After high school, Raber plans on attending Indiana Wesleyan University where he hopes to pole vault. He wants to study education or business management. After college, getting married and starting a family with his “smoking hot wife” are in his sights. Raber wanted to give advice that he believes his fellow underclassmen should live by; “Don’t take high school too seriously. You’re only here for four years so do what you want.” If underclassmen take his advice to heart, Raber will be remembered at Westview for years to come. The Hometown Treasure · September ‘12 · pg 7