My hope is by the end of reading this portfolio, the reader can pick up an

accurate image of me through the shared events and interests that filled

these last four years. It is without a doubt that my time spent at Fishers

High School will help me pursue goals and future endeavors. Enjoy.

TABLE OF CONTENTS REQUIRED Inside this issue:

What is the Meaning of Life?

2

People 3

Top 10 4

Achievements 5

Memories 6

Pop Culture 7

World Events Time Capsule

8 9

Looking back through my high school years, I realize how little my peers and I have accomplished in the grand scheme of things. That isn’t to downplay any of the good things we’ve done, but when you think about it, the Class of 2013 has done little as a group and as individuals to help bring change on a broad scale. You have an excuse as a high school student because the resources aren’t really there to go out and innovate something extraordinary that will change the world. But now we have that opportunity. Over a decade ago, Allen Iverson went on one of the most famous rants of all time. It had to do with, as you may know, practice. He went on to tell reporters that he shouldn’t be criticized over his practicing habits but for his play in an actual game, the part of basketball that counts. This can relate to the world outside of the basketball court. The four years I have spent in high school have been preparing me for what the real world will bring. After June 8th, any thing related to high school won’t matter anymore. Those four years will be my launching pad, just as the hours of practicing Allen Iverson referred to. I will finally have entered and accepted the responsibility of the game of life.

Austin Moore’s Senior Val Project

“We talkin’ bout’ practice. Not a game, practice.” -Allen Iverson

Throughout sixteen years on this planet, I

don’t think I could answer this question. To me,

life was about going with the flow and just follow-

ing a routine. All of that changed on the morning

of August 2nd, 2011 when I learned that Jake

Brown, a close family friend, died from an acci-

dental drug overdose. It was the first time in my

life that someone close to me, someone who was

like an older sibling, had passed away. Two days

following Jake’s passing, hundreds of his closest

friends, family, and acquaintances joined in a me-

morial service in honor of him. For nearly three

hours, people talked about the times spent with

Jake and how much he made people laugh. They

talked about his smile and how contagious it was.

It was after this service that I found the meaning

of life. Jake showed me along with everyone else

that the time spent on earth should be spent by

impacting others and bringing smiles their faces.

There isn’t a better feeling than helping somebody

else or knowing that you’re the reason behind

their happiness. I think the reason God gave us

Jake was to teach us this. We get so caught up in

our own lives that we forget that we’re living. It’s

only in the times we affect others where we really

understand our purpose. (193)

What is the Meaning of Life?

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Page 3 Aust in Moore ’s Port fo l io

Personal Relflection: People

Described as a friend

Every now and then, I wonder how good of a friend I am to my

friends. I’d like to believe that I’m a great person to the people I hold so dearly.

Considering how much my friends laugh around me, an advantage of befriending

me would be my sense of humor. Any subject imaginable can be turned into

buffoonery around me. Caring is also what I tend to be known for. I can make

people laugh anytime of day but when a serious situation comes up, I’m typically

the first person my friends go to for advice. That’s something I view as unique

about myself because you don’t often see people embrace the roll of being there

for someone when times get rough.

As awesome as I may sound, there are a few disadvantages that comes

along with my friendship. The limited time I have between school work, working

out, and sports may take away from hangout time. Also, competitiveness is

something that runs in my blood so if my friends and I ever play something like a

pick up game of basketball together, I might make it much more seriously than I

should. (210)

Brothers

Growing up in a household with three brothers is an experience you can’t really

describe in words. It’s an experience you must actually live through to understand. Justin,

my oldest brother, was the one that usually beat me up simply because he could. He was

about fifty pounds heavier and four inches taller than me throughout my child hood. There

didn’t need to be justification behind the beat downs, he would just do it.

My two younger brothers, Tyler and Ryan, were the ones I would usually get along

with. Tyler typically kept to himself while Ryan held the title of the family clown. As I enter

this stage of my life, I realize how much the experiences I had with my brothers throughout

my childhood have shaped me into the person I am today. I don’t think I’d have any type

of edge or sense of humor without them. I look forward to the years I get to spend with

them and the experiences that lie ahead. (206)

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Top 10 NBA Players of All Time

10 - Isaiah Thomas

The greatest “small guard” ever and there

isn’t a close second. Once scored 28 points

in one quarter on a broken leg in the Finals.

7 - Oscar Robertson

9 - Kobe Bryant

Best Shooting guard in the post-Jordan era

by a landslide. Had opportunities to sur-

pass Jordan but didn’t seize them.

8 - Tim Duncan

Duncan has quietly dominated the league

for the past decade. His jumper is just as

good as his inside game and he is a mon-

ster defender.

Averaged a triple double one year. Dominated the

paint in an era where some of the greats played

6 - Larry Bird

Best pure shooter of all time. One of the

great clutch players to play basketball as

well.

5 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

He holds the NBA scoring record and had a sky

hook that was unstoppable for 20 years.

4- Wilt Chamberlin

The best talent to walk this planet. He lacked the

intangibles to become the greatest of all time, but

he still scored 100 points in a game...

3- Bill Russell

The Jackie Robinson of basketball. The man was

the anchor of a team that won 11 championships in

13 years. Enough said.

2- Magic Johnson

Best point guard ever. Would’ve had Russell like

numbers if he didn’t play in one of the toughest eras

the game has seen. There won’t be another Magic

1- Michael Jordan

Jordan single handedly conquered basketball for a

decade. He impacted the game like no one else had.

Everyone wants to be like Mike, but no one ever

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Personal Relflection: Achievements

Sectionals Against HSE

One of my most noteworthy high school experiences took place one the algid autumn

evening of October 26th, 2012. Our football team was going up against Hamilton Southeastern

in the sectional semi-final. This game was considered to us seniors as the most substantial game

of our high school football career. It meant either advancing to the sectional title, or going home

at the hand of our most hated adversary. We had a terrific week of preparation leading up to the

match up and the team was confident that we would make up for the egregious performance

back in week two of the regular season.

That memorable Friday night had finally arrived. The three buses carrying our team pulled

into the east parking lot of Hamilton Southeastern High School. Tailgating HSE students yelled pro-

fanity in our direction and banged on the windows. We entered the locker room all too familiar with

the images of disappointment and anger from past visits. The game finally got underway at 7 P.M.

Southeastern couldn’t stop our offense and our defense was playing lights out. The game was over

before the end of the first half with us up 21-0 and in control of all the momentum. As the punter, I

saw the field once with about a minute left in the fourth quarter.

This was a huge win considering the fact it was one of the only things this football program had never done in its seven year

history. We hung a state championship banner in the gym before we ever beat Southeastern on their turf. To me that’s incredible and is

why taking down the cross district rival was one of the greatest highlights in my four years at Fishers High School. (299)

Play for Trent

I knew something was wrong after seeing Robbie Peck in total breakdown

mode on my way to get a chocolate milk from the milk machine near the athletic of-

fice after fifth period. It was alarming to see the toughest kid I knew talking on the

bawling on the phone. Not knowing what was going on, I made my way to sixth peri-

od marketing class. There, Cody Moore told me the news. Matt Van Hoosen’s father,

Trent, had passed away from a heart attack no more than two hours earlier. I immedi-

ately lost all focus on school and the Sectional Championship we were to play later

that night. I was completely distraught and confused as were all of my other team-

mates and peers who gradually learned the news.

Before I knew it, 7:00 pm came around. A usually rowdy and energetic locker room was reduced to a few sobs

amongst silence. We were about to take the field for the biggest game of our lives yet we were all lost. It showed on the

field after we entered the locker room down 6-3 at halftime against a team we should be dominating. The coaches tried

all they could, but we still felt unfocused, shocked, confused, and empty.

But all this changed midway through the third quarter when Matt ran onto the field from the locker room. The

roar from the crowd was the loudest I had ever heard in my four years at Fishers. Minutes later, Matt entered the game

and everything immediately changed. The focus and energy we played with all year long finally came back to us. We went

on and won by a commanding 31-6 score. That night, we didn’t win that Sectional Championship for us as individuals,

we won it for Matt, Joe, and Trent. (295)

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Personal Relflection: Memories

My Legacy at Fishers High School

People who know me may consider my legacy at Fishers High School

consisting of what did on a football field. Even though that has been a big part

of my life the last couple of years, I would rather be recognized by the way I

treated others and how I preformed academically. Punting is a discipline that

requires patients, hard work, and consistency. These characteristics are portrayed

in dealing with others as well as making sure you’re keeping up with school work.

I have always viewed myself as a friend and student first and an athlete second.

My friends and even absolute strangers at this school have been able to

come to me for advice when they are in need. To me, that is more rewarding

than any big time punt I may have in a game. If I am ever fortunate enough to

have the opportunity to be the starting punter for Indiana University in the com-

ing years, I want my former classmates and fellow Fishers High School alumni to

see me on a television and remember me for how respectable and open I was

during my time there. (201)

My Earliest Memory

Going to Disney World in first grade was easily my fondest memory

of my childhood. It was the first time I had been to the most magical place on

earth and I was beyond geeked. My family and I went in October of 2001 so

the park was nearly empty due to scares after 9/11. We stayed in the Beach

Club which is nearly a vacation in itself. The resort had a pool with a sand floor

and had pirate themed water slides. The service was amazing and the cuisine

was terrific at the Beach Club.

In the seven days we were there, most of it was spent in the confines

of Magic Kingdom, my favorite park. My dad and I would circuit between

Thunder, Splash, and Space Mountain for hours on end and not get a bit bored.

Whoever was behind building these attractions did an incredible job. The

Haunted Mansion was another repeated visit. I was really into getting auto-

graphs from my favorite Disney characters that roamed the park and collecting

pins from curb side vendors to put on a lanyard. Disney World never gets old, but my first

time was by far the best time. (209)

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Personal Relflection: Pop Culture

Django Unchained - A Masterpiece

Like millions of others last Winter, I found myself in a movie theater

seeing the season’s blockbuster, Django Unchained. I knew going in to the mov-

ie that it was going to be superb because of the fact it was a Tarantino film.

After it ended, I was far beyond blown away. It was the first time in my life

that a three hour long movie kept me laughing, paying attention, and connect-

ing the dots throughout the whole movie.

Since I’m an action guy, my favorite scene was towards the end when

Django, played to perfection by Jamie Foxx, went on a one man slaughterfest

in order to escape the plantation at which he was caught at. But it wasn’t my

favorite scene by a large margin due to the fact there are so many memorable

moments in the film.

I personally thought it edged Argo, another 2012 blockbuster put

together by the brilliant Ben Affleck. Either way, Quinten Tarantino out did

himself in Django Unchained, which is usually a norm when it comes to one of the

greatest of all time. (192)

The Return of Lupe Fiasco

If you have listened to the hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco, you’d agree that he’s

one of if not the greatest lyricists to ever spit in the game. After his third album

disappointed many fans in 2011, Lupe released Food & Liquor II The Great American

Rap Album. In the album, Fiasco gets back to rapping about real and relevant events

that have substance and meaning behind them unlike the other 95% of rappers. The

album, in a nutshell, is a history lesson wrapped in mind blowing metaphors and

sprinkled with double, triple, and even quadruple entendre.

Many of the songs inform listeners about the treatment of Native Ameri-

cans, lessons about Malcom X and MLK, and the injustice and black-lining in

American politics. All that may seem boring until you hear the addicting beats and

word play Fiasco is known for.

Because of its “non mainstream content”, Food & Liquor II The Great

American Rap Album never got the air time and recognition it deserved. It was nomi-

nated for a Grammy in the best rap/R&B album category amongst other awards in

the music industry. (153)

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Personal Relflection: World Events

Newcastle/Moore Tornado

Originally, I had Supestorm Sandy in this part of the portfolio.

But I was intrigued to restart and talk about the mile wide wedge tornado

that rammed through New Castle and Moore, Oklahoma not more than

24 hours ago. This event really hit home for me as I watched helplessly on

TV. Most of my dad’s side lived in Moore for decades up until two years

ago when they started moving elsewhere. As helicopters panned over the

unthinkable devastation, I immediately could pick up where this tornado

from Hell went through. The only thing that was left of AMF Moore

Lanes, a bowling alley I bowled at multiple times on visits, were the tat-

tered lanes and foundations. The Century theatre where my cousins and I

would see movies on Saturday nights was torn apart. My cousins’ old elementary schools were non existent. Neighborhoods where I

once spent holidays at disappeared.

My cousin, Bryan Smith, and his family are the only ones who still live in Oklahoma. Luckily, none of them were injured in

the EF-5 but their house received extensive damage. He works for the National Weather Service Headquarters in Norman, a few

miles away from the destruction. You can only imagine the images he has seen from this devastation. When all is set in done, this

could go down as the most expensive and deadliest tornado in American history. (221)

Tragedy in Connecticut

On the morning of December 14th, 2012, America witnessed the

second worse mass shooting in the history of this nation. But this time, the

carnage took place at the unthinkable, an elementary school.. Around

9:35am, Adam Lanza stormed through the front entrance of Sandy Hook

Elementary School and cut down front office faculty with a carbine assault

rifle. Lanza preceded to murder 20 first graders during his bloody rampage.

Bone chilling details emerged from the scene of Sandy Hook. Ac-

cording to the medical examiner, each victim was shot more than once in-

cluding a six year old boy who was shot 11times. Many faculty members tried

to save the lives of students but were unsuccessful.

I vividly remember watching the special reports on various news

stations. I remember thinking to myself how someone could just walk into a school and

shoot children who didn’t even have an understanding of what was going on. Anger and

disbelief filled me along with every other American on that gruesome day in December.

(186)

Page 9 Aust in Moore ’s Port fo l io

Time Capsule

1: iPhone As lame and non-sentimental as it sounds, my iPhone

is literally everything compacted into one device. All my con-

tacts, pictures, etc. are held on it and I’m one touch away from

anything the internet has to offer.

2: A Football Since I started playing football sophomore year, the

path of my life has changed completely. Not only did football

lead to my decision to go to I, but it taught me discipline and

built character that I wouldn't have picked up anywhere else.

3: Food & Liquor

Hands down the greatest album of all time. Lupe

Fiasco created a masterpiece out of his debut album. The

songs on F&L contain some of the most clever word play

ever written in rap.

4: Notebook and Pen I always find myself writing things down

whether it’s some idea or scenario. I like to plan a ton

of things out before I go through with them on paper

so I’d be lost with out it.

5: A Monkey This one is kind of random. I’ve never actually

been around a monkey but they see awesome. I feel like

having a pet monkey, minus some aspects, would be the

coolest thing ever