Ella Chastain

I go to Indiana University and I am studying journalism with concentration in sports personal relations and minoring in sports media



Projects by Ella Chastain

From Hoops to Faith

By: Anna Bryson, Olivia Glasgow, Ella Chastain

Bloomington, Ind. (April 3, 2025)

The gym at Bedford North Lawrence High School hums with the familiar squeak of sneakers on polished wood and the thud of basketballs bouncing on the court. But recently, something else has been stirring among the players, a quiet movement that began with one athlete and spread throughout the team like wildfire.

Jacob Ritter, a senior basketball player, stands at the heart of it. He leads his teammates in prayer before every game. Once just a personal ritual shared with his best friend and teammate Colton Taylor, the prayer circle has grown to include the entire team, an unplanned but powerful evolution that Ritter never expected.

Jacob playing basketball
Jacob Ritter, a senior basketball player at Bedford North Lawrence, is busy practicing for the start of the sectional tournament. He believes his team can go all the way to the championship this 2024-25 season.

For Ritter, the story goes much deeper than basketball. Just a year ago, he was in a dark place, distanced from his faith and living a life he now describes as filled with mistakes and regret. “I was doing things I shouldn’t have been doing and getting far away from God,” Ritter admits, reflecting on a time when he felt lost and disconnected. But one night, while playing video games at home, everything changed.

Jacob’s mother, Summer Ritter, approached him unexpectedly and began talking about Christianity. Initially, he was angry, brushing her off as he had done before. But something was different this time. As his mother continued to speak, Ritter felt his muscles relax and an overwhelming sense of peace wash over him. Then, as Summer prayed and began speaking in tongues, Ritter felt something break inside of him.

Summer praying for a teen
Summer Ritter, Jacob’s mother, prays for Abigail Martin, a local at their church. She has influenced her son’s friends as they join hands with Christ.

It was a turning point that Ritter could not ignore. The next day, his friend Colton asked if he could take him to church. Ritter shared his encounter with his closest friends, and that Wednesday night, they all went together, not for God, but to support their coach, Brayden Tidd, who was preaching. To everyone’s surprise, by the end of the night, Ritter’s friends had also dedicated their lives to Christ.

From that moment, everything changed. Not only did Ritter renew his faith, but he also found himself guiding his friends on their own spiritual journeys. What started as a private transformation soon became a community of belief and support, bound by their love for basketball and God. “God moved through me first to reach them,” Ritter says, still humbled by the impact of his journey.

Summer, who has been a youth leader at their church for several years, saw the difference in her son immediately. Once angry and distant, Ritter had become joyful, open, and compassionate again. “When he walks into a room, he brings God with him,” Summer says proudly. “There are no words to watch your son minister to other people and save their lives.”

As Ritter’s faith grew stronger, his influence stretched beyond his inner circle. Teammates who had once watched from a distance began joining the prayer circle. Ritter found himself leading his team, sharing faith and purpose. The circle expanded game by game until, at their final game, every player joined hands in prayer, a moment that brought Ritter’s journey full circle.

Ritter acknowledges that giving up old habits and friends was one of the most challenging aspects of his transformation. He knew that rededicating his life to Christ would mean leaving behind things he once clung to. “It was the best decision of my life,” he says. “But it wasn’t easy.”

Now, Ritter’s passion for faith and basketball are intertwined. His performance on the court has improved since his rededication, and injuries seem less frequent. “I used to pray before games like it was nothing,” he recalls, admitting that his heart wasn’t in it. But now, every prayer carries weight and purpose, reminding him that God’s light is meant to shine through his actions.

Off the court, Ritter hosts Bible studies at his family’s home, an idea he proposed to his parents, Summer and Jeff Ritter. What began as a small gathering has since grown, with friends inviting more people and church leaders joining to guide the discussions. Ritter knows that a church is more than a building, it’s the people who make up the community.

As the team prepares for sectionals, where they’ll face the number six team in the state, Ritter’s perspective remains clear. It’s not just about winning games but about fulfilling his purpose. “God put us on this earth for a reason,” he says. “We just have to dig deep and follow our paths.”

Looking back, Ritter sees his journey as one not only of personal redemption but as a source of hope for others. His story is a testament to how faith can redefine a life, and how one young man’s decision to let God lead has transformed a team, a community, and himself.

On and off the court, Ritter leads with himself a growing purpose. His passion for faith has drawn teammates and friends into a growing movement.

 

Apple Announces the Launch of New Apple Watch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts
Kevin Barrett
Devon Proscia
Ella Chastain

CUPERETINO, California (Sept, 9, 2014) — Today, Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the highly anticipated Apple Watch, marking the company’s entry into wearable technology. At a special event at the Flint Center in Cupertino, Cook introduced Apple Watch as a breakthrough in personal technology. Starting at $349, the device offers users the ability to stay connected, track fitness, and personalize their device, all from their wrist.

“The Apple Watch is the most personal device we’ve ever created. It’s a precise timepiece, an innovative health and fitness companion, and a whole new way to communicate,” said Cook. Available in two sizes — 38mm and 42mm — and three collections, the Apple Watch blends high-tech functionality with a sleek, customizable design.

The Apple Watch offers a range of features that set it apart in the wearable tech space. Powered by the S1 chip, Apple Watch integrates key functionalities into a single compact system, allowing for precision, power, and speed in every use. The Digital Crown offers a new way to navigate: zooming, scrolling, and selecting without blocking the display.

The watch features a Retina display shielded by sapphire crystal, making it durable enough for daily use. Users can choose from a wide array of bands to match their style, from the Sport Band to the premium leather and metal options in the Apple Watch Edition collection.

A man checking his Apple Watch to view his Activity rings, showing steps, exercise time, and hours spent standing
Jim checks his Activity rings to monitor his daily movement. The Apple Watch displays his steps, exercise time, and hours spent standing.

Apple Watch sets a new standard in fitness tracking with the Activity app, which tracks three key metrics: Move, Exercise, and Stand. Users can monitor daily activity, track workouts, and receive reminders to stand up and move during the day. The watch’s built-in heart rate sensor and accelerometer work alongside the iPhone’s GPS to offer precise tracking of workouts and overall health.

Jay Blahnik, Apple’s director of fitness and health technologies, emphasized the importance of the Activity app. “Apple Watch helps you track your progress, set goals, and stay motivated with personalized reminders. It’s like having a personal trainer on your wrist.”

The Apple Watch extends the capabilities of the iPhone, allowing users to receive calls, messages, and notifications directly on their wrist. With features like Glances and WatchKit, users can interact with their favorite apps, control music, and receive real-time notifications without needing to pull out their phones. The Digital Crown and Force Touch allow for intuitive interaction with the device, while the haptic feedback system adds a new dimension to notifications.

Apple’s Vice President Kevin Lynch demonstrated the watch’s ability to guide users with turn-by-turn directions using subtle vibrations, making it easy to navigate without looking at the screen.

A young man checks his Apple Watch home screen, displaying the temperature, date, time, compass, and activity ring."
Riley checks his Apple Watch for the temperature, date, time, compass, and his activity ring. The home screen provides him with all the information he needs at a glance.

Apple Watch offers unparalleled personalization options. With two different sizes, three collections (Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, and Apple Watch Edition), and various watch faces and bands, users can tailor the device to match their style. The device’s precision and attention to detail extend beyond its appearance. From customizable watch faces to complications that display calendar events, weather updates, and more, Apple Watch is designed to be as unique as its user.

Starting at $349, Apple Watch will be available in early 2015. Each watch comes with a magnetic charging cable, USB power adapter, and a sports band. The device is compatible with iPhone 5 and later, giving millions of users the chance to experience Apple’s latest innovation. The Apple Watch collections offer choices for every style, from the durable aluminum Apple Watch Sport to the luxury gold Apple Watch Edition.

Tim Cook introduces the Apple Watch at its launch event, showcasing its innovative design and features. This groundbreaking device promises to redefine how we stay connected and enhance our daily lives.

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