Features

Packers Land in the Nest

2024 Tailgate Tour makes stop at Indian Trail

Ava Smith, Copy Editor/Podcast Staff • April 10, 2024

Alex Green, Byran Bulaga, Mike Daniels, Rasheed Walker, Elgton Jenkins and Kenny Clark kick off the all-school assembly as part of the 2024 Tailgate Tour.

During what students were thinking was going to be a typical assembly in the gym, principal Scott Kennow gives his typical speech. He speaks on attendance, the upcoming prom and other subjects involving the school. Subtly, Kennow keeps checking the doors to the gym, looking out for what’s to come. When he’s given the go-ahead, he introduces the Green Bay Packers to the school as part of their 2024 Tailgate Tour.

This year’s tour includes current players Elgton Jenkins, Kenny Clark and Rasheed Walker, alumni Bryan Bulaga, Mike Daniels and Alex Green and President/CEO Mark Murphy. Indian Trail was the first stop on the second day of the tour.

“My entire family is a football family and I grew up always watching it,” Abby Rozzoni (9) said. “Being able to interact with them in any way possible, it was pretty cool. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity.”

Students had the chance to participate in a Q&A with the players. Corbin Burrell-Warfield (9) and Packers alumni Alex Green share a heartfelt moment together on the court.

“You know, they really opened my eyes,” Burrell-Warfield said. “I already had the ‘why’ I needed to push myself, but he really wanted to make me follow through with it more. I’m definitely going to work harder.”

Kennow had known since September about the Packers coming to school. He only told his parents and his wife, and he shared that he was struggling to keep something so big from his friends and colleagues.

“When I knew they were coming, they told me it had to be a secret,” Kennow said. “I’m not super great with secrets. I was giddy knowing that like six months later we were gonna be having this opportunity to bring them in. It ended up being really well worth it and it’s a great day.”

According to the official Packers Instagram account, the goal of their Tailgate Tour is to spread the message of overcoming adversity and the importance of hope. Players talked about the challenges that they personally faced and how they overcame them.

“Two years ago, I tore my ACL,” Elgton Jenkins said. “It took like nine months to come back from that injury and it was one of the hardest things that I had to ever endure in my life.”

The personal experiences shared by Packers players left an impact on the students.

“Those men really inspired me because they’re actually, like, up there and I want to be like them,” Burrell-Warfield said.

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About the Contributors

Ava Smith, Copy Editor/Podcast Staff

Ava Smith, senior, is in her second year of publications and is the copy editor for The Blaze yearbook. Smith found her interest for publication in her sophomore year, when she took a photojournalism class. The class led her to find her passion of being in any area of the journalism field. She is making progress towards her goals. Smith enjoys helping out at any open house nights her school has, goes to after school events to keep up with the community and is a TA for her adviser, Mrs. Michelle Corbett. In her free time, she likes to bake with her friends and spend time with The Blaze staff. She also enjoys building Legos and spending time with her family. Smith plans to become a journalism teacher. Corbett is helping Smith with her goals and has supported her since freshman year. “Having an all new staff this year is definitely going to come with some challenges,” Smith said. “I’m not worried, though. Everyone seems eager and ready to learn.”

Cameren Leipzig, Yearbook Staff

Cameren Leipzig is a junior and It is her first year on The Blaze staff, she helps by writing stories, designing spreads and photographing events. She is in the Communications Academy on the digital media track. She enjoys music and is involved in her school's audition girls choir. She also manages her school varsity girls basketball team, going to practice everyday after school and on weekends, and games 2-3 times a week.

Lizzett Barrera, Photo Editor

Lizzett Barrera, senior, is in the Communications Academy and her second year on staff and her first year in her current role of photo editor for The Blaze. Barrera takes part in the digital media pathway and doing so takes advantage of the skills that she has learned. Barrera participated in the photography community in her church which families use for baptisms, weddings and quinceañera. Barrera is set on majoring in communications and a minor is Spanish. “I'm really glad I get to be part of a family where our memories can be frozen in time,” Barrera said.

Talon Larson, Design Editor

Talon Larson, senior, is in the Communications Academy and the design editor of The Blaze. As a returning staff member, Larson is growing into a leadership role on staff, working with new staff members on different tasks and projects. He loves to hangout with his friends and his dog Ember, but sometimes likes to hang back with a good book or audiobook. As a self-proclaimed music lover, Larson explores new genres with every listen. You'll never see him without his headphones on. “Getting to know the new staff has been great, especially because I can watch them grow within their skills,” Larson said.

Dan Zalazar-Ramirez, Photo Editor

Daniel Zalazar-Ramirez, a senior, has been in The Blaze yearbook since 2021. Zalazar-Ramirez was looking for something new, and The Blaze piqued his interest. He found an interest in journalism and photography and has been pursuing that interest ever since. Zalazar-Ramirez is a photo editor for The Blaze. He is in charge of selecting the photo of the week and setting up equipment for the staff to use for coverage of events. In his free time he enjoys working out, playing video games, photography and hanging out with friends. “The best thing about being on staff is making new friends and getting close with each other. It’s like a second family,” Zalazar-Ramirez said.

Avah Rumph, Photo Editor

Avah Rumph is a Communications Senior and is a very friendly and caring individual. She is able to connect with people easily and presents herself with great responsibility. In her last year of high school, this is her second year on The Blaze yearbook staff and is one of the photo editors. Interested in the school’s yearbook team, she joined out of pure curiosity hoping to engage in the school activities. “Joining the yearbook has been a great experience for me," Rumph said. "I’ve met so many amazing people here and learned so much about hard work and dedication in a strong team”. Outside of school, Rumph utilizes her time by making music with her acoustic guitar and writi