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FEATURED ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Helen Eaglin, South Putnam
Helen Eaglin is a senior at South Putnam and participates in softball while also serving as a girls’ basketball team manager.
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Banner Graphic: How long have you played softball, and what do you think you have learned from it?
Helen Eaglin: “I have played for as long as I can remember. Our high school team has been improving every year. As a freshman, I played a lot of different positions but I wound up in center field and batting leadoff. I love center field. It’s interesting, and it’s different. Last year I was one of the team captains, and I was able to set a stolen base record last year [25].”
BG: What is the key to being a good base stealer?
HE: “I watch the pitcher intensely. Whenever I run, I act like I’m pitching the ball and I go as soon as she releases it. If I can do that, nine times out of 10 I will be there before the catcher can twist and throw.”
BG: You also bunt well. How did you develop that skill?
HE: “I’m small, and I’ll never be a power hitter. I’m not Drew Bratcher. I can place the ball pretty well and I have pretty good speed. It was pretty easy to pick that up.”
BG: Have you played any other sports?
HE: “I have focused on softball, because I have a skin disease that prevents me from playing a lot of sports. I played basketball for about two weeks a couple of years ago when we were low on players. I have tried out for volleyball, but that wasn’t my thing. I like being a basketball manager because it keeps me on my toes.”
BG: What have you learned from sports?
HE: “I have learned how to be a leader, and the importance of a team. It allows me to be more social and make more friends. I like being a leader, and I like doing that.”
BG: You were the sectional runnerup last year and have your whole team back. How is this year looking?
HE: “It’s looking pretty good. We had a lot of freshmen who played big roles, and they are now more experienced and more comfortable. I think we can win the sectional.”
BG: You are one of the finalists for the Lilly Community Endowment Scholarship. What does that mean to you, and how hard was that process?
HE: “The interview and application process was definitely tough. Just getting my application correct was difficult, and I wanted them to make sure they knew me first through my words before meeting me. I had to prepare myself to interview well, and to know my passions and what I truly care about. It has helped me to decide what I want my life and my future plans to be. I feel confident, and I think I did a pretty good job. All of the candidates are qualified and we are all excited. Even if I don’t win, it has been a great experience. It has taught me how to fill out applications and I have had interviews with important people in the community.”
BG: Does being an athlete help you in your academics?
HE: “Being an athlete, and being involved in Future Farmers of America, have both helped me to attain my voice. You have to be likable and sociable. Some people may have the best application, but may be quiet. Being an athlete has taught me to stand out from the rest of the crowd.”
BG: Was this scholarship a goal for you?
HE: “I have always looked in the Banner Graphic and seen the finalists every year, and thought about how cool it would be to be a finalist. I honestly didn’t know it was a possibility, but I am really thrilled to be one of the finalists.”
BG: How high in your class are you ranked?
HE: “I am currently the salutatorian. If I don’t wind up as the valedictorian, that’s OK. I’m satisfied with my accomplishments. Learning is more important than grades to me. Getting an A+ doesn’t always mean that you have learned the material.”
BG: What else do you do at school?
HE: “I am involved in National Honor Society, Student Council, Spanish Club, FFA [as chapter reporter] and Yearbook. At the beginning doing all those things was overwhelming, but I slowly introduced myself to them and I have figured out a good system. I may not be a three-sport athlete, but that has given me some time to relax and that’s good.”
BG: Do you have any pets?
HE: “We have three dogs, Pup Pup, Chuckie and Bella. Bella is a wiener dog, and the other two are mixed breeds.”
BG: How has FFA helped you?
HE: “It’s a good program. The speaking competitions I have competed in have really helped me, as well as demonstrations and science projects. My current favorite topic is agriscience. I have won the state title two years and been to nationals.”
BG: What your favorites in movies, TV and music?
HE: “I watch movies when I can. My favorite is ‘The Greatest Showman’. My music is also very broad. I loved the musical ‘Hamilton’. It is so great. In March, Mr. [Brady] Rhodes took our APUSH kids to see it in Chicago. I love to listen to all different kinds of music. When I watch TV shows, I watch what my family watches. My grandma likes to watch ‘The Voice’ and ‘Dancing with the Stars’. My favorite is ‘Impractical Jokers’.”
BG: What is something that you have never done before that you would like to do someday?
HE: “I would like to meet Justin Timberlake. That would be cool. I would like to visit the redwoods in California.”
BG: What is your greatest fear?
HE: “Jump scares, when people jump out and scare you. I hate that, but I like doing it to other people though. I don’t go to haunted houses. I would cry. I have tried, but I start crying.”
BG: What are your favorite and least favorite foods?
HE: “My favorite is cheeseburgers, and my least favorite is any kind of soup. It’s hot, and I don’t like hot foods that much.
BG: If you were to describe your personality in one word, what would that word be and why?
HE: “Crazy. If you get to know the ‘real’ me, I’m very talkative and I won’t shut up, but I’m serious at the same time. I like to have fun.”
BG: What are your plans for after high school?
HE: “I hope to go to Butler or Purdue and major in agricultural education. I would like to teach middle school, and maybe high school.”
BG: Describe your South Putnam career.
HE: “My family has very deep roots with South Putnam. I went to Reelsville through fifth grade, and went to Central after that. I’ve had really good teachers, and I love small how close our school is. I believe the one class that has changed my life has been agriculture [with Amanda King]. She’s the reason I have a voice to speak with. I used to be very shy, and she forced me to do a speech for the whole class. Miss [Jenny] Perrin has also been helpful.”