Understanding the Zika virus and honoring WC Boys Basketball team manager, Tyler Meeks

Understanding the Zika Virus:

The Zika virus has recently been declared an international public health emergency by The World Health Organization last Monday as the virus outbreaks have been detected in more than 20 countries.  The Zika virus is most serious for pregnant women and their growing babies, but for most of us, it is not a life-threatening illness according to The Columbus Dispatch. Public health officials attribute the rapid spread of this virus in the Americas to undeveloped immunity to this virus according to The Associated Press.  Worthington Christian High School's nurse, Lisa Cunningham, helped WC understand this virus while preparing for the Spring and Summer months and give practical tips for the seniors preparing for the trip to the Dominican Republic in March.

 According to Cunningham, the Zika virus is spread through a certain type of Mosquito, that is typically found in the southern hemisphere. Typically, the virus is transmitted when this "type of mosquito bites you, and you have the virus, so when another mosquito bites you, you give the mosquito the virus and it spreads."  Symptoms for the virus are similar to a mild Flu, which includes:   fever, rash, joint pain and reddened eyes. Most people should not be worried; it rarely results in anything too serious.  Use normal precautions: Avoid traveling outdoors in early morning and dusk, wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and use mosquito repellent containing 30% deet.  There have been a few confirmed cases in the Dominican Republic, so Mrs. Cunningham has given the students and parents enough information about preventing the Zika virus via email  and recently visited all the Bible classes to help the students prepare.

`Collin Kimbrough

Honoring WC Boys Basketball team manager, Tyler Meeks:

Winter can mean a lot of things including cold weather and irritable driving conditions.  But for Worthington Christian, Winter means basketball.  What is a better way to spend this time of year than at a WC Varsity Basketball Game? The boys basketball team has had a great season so far, with a (16-3) record.  Part of the secret to the team's success, includes WC senior, Tyler Meeks, who serves as the team's manager.  On January 12^th, the team honored Tyler and showed their appreciation by dedicating the game to Meeks by giving him the opportunity to suit up and put some points on the board for the team.

As team manager, Meeks helps run the clock in practice and sometimes he gets asked to play with the team because they may need an extra player. He also sits at the end of the bench during the game while he keeps the team hydrated and cleans the uniforms.  Most importantly, Meeks serves as a "coach" figure by encouraging the players with a verse from the Bible and provides some words of wisdom after each game back in locker room. Meeks is a highly appreciated member of the WC basketball program not just as the team manager, but as a person as well. He has influenced each and ever player in a positive way and everyone loves to have him around.  When asked about his position as team manager for the past three seasons and the recent honoring, Meeks responded, "At first, I was caught off guard, but  was very excited to have that experience with the coaching staff and teammates." Scoring his first and only points in a varsity basketball game is something that will stick with him for the rest of his life.

~Jack Peterman