TERRE HAUTE —
In August, members of Team Xcel attended a formal dinner at Clabber Girl where they learned about dining etiquette.
Earlier in the summer, they participated in a mother-daughter bowling event.
Other monthly enrichment programs are planned, said Team Xcel organizer Pete Jones, who started the club in June.
He served as a volunteer track coach at Terre Haute North Vigo High School last year, and several of those female athletes are part of Team Xcel, which now has 18 members.
“We had a really good group of kids and we decided we were going to do something this summer,” he said.
The program focuses on student-athlete development, in which the students work out and lift weights; on personal development, and on careers.
Most of the members are North Vigo students, and while they don’t have to be in organized sports, they do have to work out with the group, Jones said.
The group tries to do monthly enrichment programs that involve a student’s mother or a female guardian.
The goal is to encourage bonding “and to get more of the mothers and families to come out” to track or other athletic events the girls are involved with, Jones said.
Jones is in charge of out-of-school events, while North teacher Cheryl Lough sponsors club events in school.
Team Xcel strives to provide the girls with experiences they might not otherwise have and “to develop them into well-rounded individuals,” Lough said.
Jones also wants Team Xcel members “to bond more and support each other, which they do,” and set a good example for freshmen entering high school.
For many years, Jones has worked with people to help them value individual differences; people might come from vastly different backgrounds, but they can still work together and get along.
Lough noted that enrichment activities such as the etiquette dinner will help prepare the girls for things they may experience in the future.
DaShana Johnson, a North junior and Team Xcel member, was one who attended the dinner at Clabber Girl.
“We learned a lot about being more proper when we eat. We learned how to introduce ourselves, how to talk to each other … and how to move around and talk to others,” Johnson said.
Another club member, Christian Robinson, said one of her goals in joining was “to learn how to connect with other people better.”
Julia Fears, who has already graduated from North, said those who join want to show “we all support each other in a positive way,” whether in athletics or other efforts.
“It’s a way to be social and healthy and just a support group overall,” she said.
Breanna Tryon, a North junior, said that joining Team Xcel has helped her get closer to everyone, make more friends and set goals for herself.
For more information about Team Xcel, contact Jones by e-mail at track345@aol.com.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at 812-231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis As a team: Members of Team Xcel work out together at Terre Haute North Vigo High School.
-
Team Xcel leader Pete Jones
-
Tribune-Star/Bob Poynter Team photo: DaShana Johnson, Breanna Tryon, Christian Robinson, Keirra Porter, Sarah Fears and Julia Fears pose for their "team" photo at Terre Haute North Vigo High School.
-
Pete Jones (seated center) and the members of Team Xcel pose for a photo at Clabber Girl in August. The group enjoyed a formal dinner where they learned about dining etiquette.
Discussion
Team Xcel an effort to give girls skills they need to grow, succeed
- Local & Bistate
-
-
For Piper: Annual ‘Rush the Punter’ event dedicated to Dixie Bee student who died Wednesday after a short illness
Steve Weatherford’s “Rush the Punter” fundraiser at Fairbanks Park on Saturday was dedicated to a little girl who lost her life unexpectedly to pneumonia.
-
Vigo schools prepare to tighten belts
State funding for the Vigo County School Corp. will remain “pretty flat” for the next two years, said Donna Wilson, chief financial officer.
-
Veterans take to the trees
Cristal Bednar took photos of her husband, Justin, as he laboriously climbed his way up a “Dangle-Duo” to get to a zipline at Indiana State University’s Sycamore Outdoor Center.
-
Property owner seeks halt to Hulman Lake dam project
A Terre Haute property owner is seeking an injunction that would at least temporarily halt the city’s work on the Hulman Lake dam project.
-
Tornado veterans balance preparedness, practicality
Few things in nature are less predictable than a tornado. They can form quickly. They strike weirdly, leveling one building while leaving its neighbor untouched. They can fling a car a half-mile and turn a piece of lumber into a wall-piercing missile.
-
ISU unveils interactive Bayh Family Legacy Wall at school
A who’s who of Indiana Democrats paid tribute to Evan Bayh and several generations of the Bayh family Friday during a dedication of a new interactive display at Indiana State University.
-
Can you smell me now?
A contraband cell phone has been discovered by the Vigo County Jail’s youngest and most unique officer.
-
GIVING BACK: Steve Weatherford buys shoes for kids day before charity run
Terre Haute’s Steve Weatherford, punter for the 2012 Super Bowl champion New York Giants, showed once again his generosity Friday by donating new athletic shoes to more than two dozen Vigo County kids.
-
N.Y. Giants honor Weatherford as ‘Man of the Year’
Dan Tanoos, superintendent of Vigo County schools, remembers the first time he saw Steve Weatherford as a freshman at Terre Haute North Vigo High School.
-
Sunday recital at The Woods
A recital featuring songs from well-known composers is at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
-
Police investigating rash of car window shootings
Terre Haute Police are investigating a rash of shootings that have shattered car windows throughout the city.
-
City hospitals get passing grades for patient safety
Two Terre Haute hospitals have been ranked for patient safety by an independent organization that assesses safety, quality and affordability of healthcare for Americans.
-
Three from Operation Turn and Burn sentenced in federal court
Three co-conspirators in a Wabash Valley methamphetamine trafficking ring were sentenced this week to several years in federal prison.
-
Illinois Senate approves medical marijuana bill
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn must decide if he will sign a measure allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes after the state Senate approved legislation today.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 17, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Thursday, based on jail records.
-
I-70 resurfacing project will close westbound exit ramp
PUTNAM COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces the resurfacing project on Interstate 70 will close the westbound exit ramp at Indiana 243 beginning Wednesday May, 22 at about 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. that same day to mill and resurface the ramp.
-
UPDATE: Fire damages buildings in downtown Greencastle
GREENCASTLE, Ind. — Fire badly damaged several buildings today near the courthouse square in Greencastle, with flames shooting through the roofs as firefighters from several communities were called in to the central Indiana city to help.
-
Get outside this Memorial Day weekend
Although DNR campgrounds and cabins at state parks, state reservoirs and recreation areas are booked to capacity for Memorial Day weekend, some shelters remain available for picnics and other day-use gatherings.
-
Skateboarders, BMX bike riders working to improve area of city park they use
The sound of small wheels rolling across smooth concrete fills the air, accented by the clacking noise of a wooden skateboard coming to an instant stop on a metal edge before rolling on again.
-
Indiana State to host 2014 MVC baseball tourney
Build it… and they will come. The Missouri Valley Conference and Indiana State University made that famous line from the movie “Fields Of Dreams” reality Thursday.
-
Overlay recommended for 812 area code
The state agency that represents Hoosier utility customers is calling for a ten-digit solution to southern Indiana’s vanishing supply of 812 area code telephone numbers.
-
Elementary school saddened by student’s death
A 9-year-old Dixie Bee Elementary student died unexpectedly Wednesday evening as the result of pneumonia, said Vigo County Coroner Susan Amos on Thursday.
-
Vermillion CSX crossings undergoing maintenance
CSX maintenance crews are working on railroad crossings between Dana and Chrisman, Ill. this week and next, a CSX official said Thursday.
-
Beware of scams everywhere
Ever get a phone call in the middle of the night from a person claiming to be your grandchild, who unfortunately has been jailed in Canada and needs bail money?
-
INDOT to start work on Indiana 163 in Vermillion County
Maintenance crews will begin a pavement preservation project Monday on Indiana 163, between Indiana 63 and the Illinois state line west of Clinton.
-
Union Hospital community garden spots now available
Community gardening spots are now available at the Union Hospital Community Garden for Wabash Valley residents interested in planting and maintaining a garden but may not have the space. The garden is located west of the intersection of North Sixth Street and Seventh Avenue in Terre Haute at 1430 N. Sixth St.
-
Correctional officer remembered at memorial
Greene County native and Wabash Valley Correctional Facility Officer Timothy Betts was honored during a memorial ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
-
Money donated for Dresser sculpture
100+ Women Who Care of Vigo County on Thursday awarded a $20,200 grant to Art Spaces that will help make the Paul Dresser sculpture, “A Song for Indiana,” a reality.
-
Powerball jackpot quickly jumps to $550 million
The Powerball jackpot jumped to $550 million on Thursday — the third largest lottery in history — as dreamers in all but the seven states where the game isn’t played snatched up tickets for the minuscule chance at a life on easy street.
-
School bus carrying special-needs kids rolls over
INDIANAPOLIS — A school bus carrying special-needs students rolled over today on a highway near Indianapolis, injuring a dozen people including five children, state police said.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Gun Scare Mars Cannes Film Festival
Raw: Suicide Bomber Kills 2 Americans, 13 Others
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
Raw: Texas Gov. Flies Over Tornado Damage
China, Others Want What's Under the Arctic Ice
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
Music Therapy Bonds Parents and Preemies
Raw: 6 Die in Russian Ship Fire
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Raw: Germany Protestors Picket Barbie House
Twiggy, the Water Skiing Squirrel
Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony
Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch
See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion
Woman tricked into taking abortion pill
Emma Watson Goes Pantless
IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes
Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety
Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos
Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths
Cindy Crawford Stuns At Cannes
