In early fall, Friday nights were known as the chilly nights spent with friends in a section of the metal bleachers overlooking an army of football players dressed in black battling another team for the win; also known as “Friday Night Lights”. However, about 3 weeks ago, the season came to an end and Redwing players and students are left trying to find something to fill up the start to their weekends. So what are they doing now? Freshman football player Phillip Clavelle says, “I hangout with friends, watch movies, and play Madden.” Many other students fill their time almost the same way, and others find something completely different and just as fun. Senior Melanie Anderson fills her Friday night by doing something not in the ordinary, but she gets a kick out of it. “I do parkour at the Y every Friday, when I’m not working or doing pep band,” says Anderson. Parkour, by definition, is the activity or sport of moving rapidly through an area, typically in an urban environment, negotiating obstacles by running, jumping, and climbing. Anderson says, “The different kind of tricks depend on how adventurous/brave you’re feeling. I just started a few weeks ago, so I mostly just keep to basic front flips, back flips, websters, wall flips, palm flips, vaults, kongs, kip-ups, and other pretty easy stuff. Other people who are more creative and have been doing it longer can do more creative flips, spins, double-kongs, side-flips, aerials, and things like that.” Other Redwings choose, or don’t choose, to earn a little extra cash on their Fridays. Junior Noeli Madrigal spends her free time working at her parents’ restaurant, El Camino in Kiel. “I like to make money by wasting some extra time”, says Madrigal. “I work as a hostess and a busser, and I like to interact with the customers.” Having a job is a good opportunity to earn money if you want to save up for something, like a new phone or college, or if you just want to have some extra money in your pocket. Some students don’t have a job or are too young to have one may be a little more free than those who do. Working or not, a popular option on a Friday night is to snuggle up and to watch a couple episodes (or seasons) on Netflix. Sophomore Kyle Alvarez likes to lie down low on his Friday nights. “I just watch Netflix, do some homework, and hang out.” As you’re now aware, Redwings are enjoying their fall Friday nights in many different ways, with activities ranging just watching TV to participating extreme sports. Well, some are already transitioned into winter. Junior Jared Splittgerber is already putting in the hard work for the winter basketball season to pay off. “We just play some 5 on 5 for a couple hours at open gym. I’m jacked for the greatest season of my life.” Whether you’re working or whether you’re just hanging out at home, Friday nights are a great start to the weekend and are spent many different ways.
Story & Photos by: Caitlyn Cobb