February 2023: Family First

Families come in a variety of dynamics because they are not uniform

[ From the Editors ]

For the third issue of the year, we have decided to present the many forms of family, as well as the unique challenges and comforts that come with them. Each student’s life, both in and outside of school, is shaped by the people they surround themselves with, whether it be by choice through the friends or “found families” they may develop, or through the inherent connection of parent or sibling. These connections, the ties we form and hold most dear (or for others, at a wise arms-length away), are a key part of what shapes our lives as we grow and change. Through these stories, we will address the many forms of familial relationships seen within the student body, how we connect with the people closest to us, and how we manage when things aren’t as they should be. We hope you enjoy this issue, and that you might be able to find some comfort in the joys and trials that come with the complexities of family, chosen or otherwise.

SINCERELY, Lorelai Finoch and Reilly Scobey

CENTRAL FOCUS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Lorelai Finoch

FHCTODAY.COM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Emily Sirtak

ASSIGNMENTS EDITORS

Reilly Scobey, Sarah Schmidt

PHOTO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Aniya Sparrow

PHOTO ASSIGNMENTS EDITORS

Samantha Castille

VIDEO EDITOR

Raina Straughter

STAFF REPORTERS

Emme Bernard, Rachel Blanchard, Birdie Brereton, Amber Davis, Anabel Gundersen, Nolan Haberstroh, Ana Hollowood, Amity Ianiri, Colin Nichols, Kailey Pallares, Moth Payne, Cadence Rulo, Matthew Rupp, Ian Spencer, Aly Wittig

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

Gavin Bearup, Bryce Cash, MaryGrace Cummings, Kyly Jacobs, Rocco

Muich, Avah Pauck, Amelia Raziq, Ava Reyes, Brock Slinkard, Bella Smith, Makenzie Solis, Caroline Tarleton, Magi Temelkova, Isabella Totra, Andy Waliszewski

ADVISER: Matthew Schott

Photo by Magi Temelkova

FOCUS: FAMILY ties ]

11 political potpourri

Mix of beliefs keeps talks about politics fresh, exciting.

12 COMPLEX DYNAMICS

Many Spartan families aren’t at all typical.

14 a belief in belief

Religion helps knit families together.

16 foundation found at home

Family members provide students with strength.

4 DISPLAYING THEIR DIVERSITY

Culture, gender, religion allow a chance to share beliefs.

6 big changes

Support systems important for transgender students.

8 outward bound

Seniors increasingly looking out-of-state for college.

8 not just a band

A-Band sets the mood at winter basketball games, playing uptempo songs to get the cheerleaders and crowd into the game.

10 club life

Finding the right club means finding new friends, family.

move ]

18 getting ready

Spring teams prep for season with winter workouts.

19 not at central

Not practicing or playing at FHC creates extra challenges.

20 TWO cute

Kendra Horton’s guinea pigs draw a lot of attention.

21 keeping those resolutions

Mindset key to helping keep resolutions for the new year.

voice ]

22 adopting a new mindset

Seeing varying examples in media matters to teens.

24 tales of addiction

Two writers share family stories of addiction

26 a coming out journey

Amity Ianiri shares her transition story.

Instagram: @FHC_Today

Twitter: @FHCToday

TikTok: @FHCPublications

Photo by Caroline Tarleton

Photo courtesy of Shubham Sonavane

Truth Be Told

Students from diverse backgrounds detail the challeges they have faced and how they have learned to overcome them

By Anabel Gundersen Staff Reporter

Imagine every human as a snowflake and every snowflake is unique. They are made from the same material, yet each have their own prisms, facets, and branches, determining what they look like, how and when they fall, and where they land. The wind, a system of prejudice categorization, divides all snowflakes into common labels. The powerful gusts of wind act as a limiting factor for those snowflakes which cannot fit inside these predisposed categories. Thus, these individuals end up isolated amongst the whirlwind of other snowflakes.

Education systems are a primary example of this phenomenon. Many culturally diverse students are excluded from the accepted mainstream ideas people carry, leaving these students abandoned at an institution that is meant to socialize, include, and teach them. But, how can they

learn when they are isolated?

Per the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in 2021, “The diversity score of Francis Howell Central High School is 0.32, which is less than the diversity score at a state average of 0.49. The school’s diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.” With a school community where their diversity score is below average, students of differing identities are likely to struggle fitting in and finding acceptance, and are most often subject to discrimination, and evidently become isolated from the majority.

The isolation they have felt has forced them to come to affirm aspects of their identity as their authentic selves, alone. Namely, sexual orientation plays into a student’s everyday life. Despite its primarily private aspects in a teens life, sexual orientation is commonly expressed publicly.

Senior Nate David, who identifies as

a gay man has found struggles between expressing his identity openly and the way students around him receive it.

“I feel like if I came in the outfits that I would actually want to wear and want to be different [in]...I’d get judged,” David said.

David, navigating his way through this adversity has learned how challenging it is to be his genuine self in an environment where he feels like an outlier. Moreover, David has faced prejudice in his own learning environment, by the actions of others that choose to avoid him, or avoid his presence altogether.

“If I don’t align with the same people or same beliefs, they don’t like me on a personal level,” David said.

While this rejection is difficult to handle initially, David has come to understand that if the students around him choose to discriminate against him based on his sexuality, there’s no need for concern for their acceptance. Similarly, senior Chinecherum (Cherie) Okechukwu, a

Working in class among her peers on a whiteboard, sophomore Jessica Ayres has experienced backlash at school from her choice to veil, but she finds sanctuary in veiling. “I find it very liberating actually, [veiling] makes me feel better about myself,” Ayres said. Photo by Andy Waliszewski.

black student from Nigeria, has faced animosity from others due to the way that she and others choose to wear their hair.

“A lot of black people do not like having [their] natural hair out. It’s just looked down upon, and I think that it shouldn’t; [white people have their] natural hair out. We should be able to love our hair and that’s what I do. I either have braids or an afro and I think that is a big part of my race and my culture,” Okechukwu said.

Ridiculing a student on the way they choose to express themselves by means of a hairstyle is trivial. Being an outlier to the perceived norm, Okechukwu mentioned she would be willing to go as far as to forgo her cultural identity to end the insults.

“A lot of people talk about my accent. Some people say it’s difficult for them to understand what I’m saying [and] some people say it’s beautiful. Just a lot of comments about my accent and sometimes I wish I [didn’t] have an accent.”

Furthermore, NCES cites Central as having “minority enrollment [as] 18% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is lower than the Missouri state average of 30% (majority Black)” (2021). Still, Central is below the median for the state, thus failing to encourage inclusivity of diverse races and culture. Despite facing harsh treatment of her race and ethnicity, Okechkwu has learned that others’ opinions don’t determine her pride in her nationality.

“I’m proud of being a Nigerian and any questions people ask, I’m gonna bring it out more. I want to be able to let people know [who] I am,” Okechukwu said.

When culturally diverse students are given the space to educate others about their race, ethnicity, and nationality, the boundaries dividing them fade away, and new opportunities to discuss other aspects of identity arise.

Junior Rabeea Bari follows the Islamic faith and chooses to veil, meaning she covers her head and neck with a scarf, as a way for women to be protected in every way.

“It’s not just physical. It’s also spiritual, emotional, so it means watching how you talk and watching how you behave,” Bari said. “I’m in control of my body. You don’t get to sexualize me, you don’t get to look at me. I only show you what I choose to show you.”

Veiling is mindful and intentional to women following the Islamic faith, but unfortunately, uneducated students associate it with negative beliefs and misconceptions about a peaceful religion. Sophomore Jessica Ayres is another Muslim student who chooses to veil and she has faced bigotry while trying to receive an education.

“People [go] around taking pictures of me and [post] them on Snapchat,” Ayres said. “I’ve had a lot of people yell things at me in the hallway. Like, you know, one of them said ‘She’s a terrorist, she has a bomb in her backpack.’ There are just people

who don’t understand, it’s just society. I’ve had kids yell ‘Allahu Akbar’ at me in the hallway.”

In light of the hostility received, Ayers sees her veiling as liberating, in that it makes her feel better about herself by giving her the confidence to express her faith.

“It means a lot to me because I like [to be obedient] to my faith, so for me to not be able to do that would make me very unhappy. I’m happy that I’m able to [veil], that I’m able to wear [my veil] and express myself the way I do,” Ayers said.

With the multitude of different cultures present at Central, but also an overwhelming opposing amount of identical racial and ethnic people, there arises a need for diverse cultures to bond together. MAC Scholars, the Multicultural Achievement Committee, fills that need as diverse students can collaborate together over common experiences with a shared perspective. Sponsor Devon Thomas, oversees the club and upholds its purpose.

“To allow the minorities in the school, the cultures who are underrepresented, a more equitable program to make sure that everybody has a place that not only they can call home, [but] that they can feel valued, supported, and have the resources that they need,” Thomas said.

Given the experiences diverse students at Central have gone through, MAC Scholars is necessary to connect students with unique identities together. As students with varied identities come together, they can begin to expand their cultures outwardly, enlightening uneducated students around them.

“I think Central and America as a whole [are] like mixing pot[s]. So I think when we take our own cultural values that came from our home countr[ies], and we put those into Central we diversify the space and we bring attention to things that aren’t always paid attention to,” Bari said.

Junior Rabeea Bari interacts with other students in her Spanish IV class. Bari noticed a major difference between herself and her classmates is the holidays they recieve off. “Christians [and] Jewish people tend to get their holidays off they get Hanukkah off, they get Christmas off, whereas I’m still going to school my [religious] holidays.”

Senior Nate David focuses on his work in front of him. David mentioned that students should use school to express themselves. “Be yourself, some people come to school, [with] piercings [and] crop tops, things that just make them happy.” Photo by Gavin Bearup.

“I’ve had a lot of people yell things at me in the hallway. Like, you know, one of them said ‘She’s a terrorist, she has a bomb in her backpack.’”

- Jessica Ayres

Photo by Bella Smith.

Gender in the New Generation

Modern teens thrive in a place of understanding self-acceptance

By Lorelai Finoch Central Focus Editor-in-Cheif

Senior Max Heckencamp is no stranger to the demanding pull between finding a sense of belonging and being yourself. Even from middle school, the now out and proud nonbinary student had always found themself incapable of finding the balance between who they are and who others want them to be. With the constant game of tug of war a teen plays with their parents and peers, trying desperately to determine their identity, the best people they can turn to are their friends, a support system Heckencamp has relied heavily on since they can remember.

“I’ve always kind of gravitated toward people who are accepting,” Heckencamp said. “[My friends] were very, very accepting, even from the second I started questioning everything. They were so determined to stick with [all these changes].”

While questioning your gender identity can be an incredibly confusing time, having a strong support system of friends and family is incredibly important. Unfortunately, however, even those with supportive friends might still be a ways off from gaining the approval of their family. While Heckencamp’s immediate family has grown to support them, their mom was the most notable adversary.

“I want to preface this by saying my mom is the most understanding, beautiful, amazing person now, but it took her a second to get

Pictured above in ascending order are the nonbinary flag, the transgender flag, the genderqueer flag, and the genderfluid flag. Each of these pride flags represent or encompass the terminology used for how to identify the modern concepts of gender.

Illustration by Lorelai Finoch

there,” Heckencamp said. “There was one day that we were in the car and we were just going to go get lunch together. And we don’t know how it started. We got into this fight about [my gender] because I was telling her that sometimes she doesn’t… use the correct name for me or the correct pronouns. I told her that. I need to correct her sometimes. And [she] did not like me using the word ‘correct’. She was like: ‘I am your mother. You do not correct me…where’s your license? Where’s your permit? …look at it. It says that you are a female and it says your name is this and you cannot change that.’”

Heckencamp isn’t the only teen struggling with disapproving parents. Junior Oliver

Seibert has faced the scrutiny of his parent’s since coming out as transgender.

“My coming out journey started by… coming out as bi[sexual]. And she was just kind of like, ‘Oh, okay,’ and that’s not the reaction I really expected…But when I finally told her, ‘Hey, I’m trans,’ she and my dad were not happy, at all. And my dad told me straight to my face: ‘I don’t believe in that and I will not support you,’” Seibert said.

Thankfully, Seibert has also been able to find comfort in the acceptance of his close friends, who all showed immense understanding when he was trying to figure out his pronouns and find a new name, an aspect of questioning your gender identity that varies from person to person.

“I changed my name three times, I think, and it was definitely a process of going through gender identity as well…first, I just changed my name to just plain and simple: Sookie. I was still going by she/her, but then I didn’t feel comfortable with that. So I started going by Ash. And then I flipped to [Oliver],” Seibert said.

For those who question their gender or who don’t identify with their assigned sex and gender, finding a new name is almost always a process, and people may choose to change their name for any variety of reasons, as illustrated by the sophomore Toby Kelly

“My deadname is a combination of my parents’ names,” Kelly said. “And I wanted…to have my own name, and the name I had before, it was very much a girls name. So I was just like, ‘I need something different.’ And it helps me express myself.”

Many use excersize as a form of stress relief, and those who live outside of the gender binary or don’t identify with their assigned gender may employ physical excersize as a way to affirm themselves in their gender. Photo by Aniya Sparrow

From exploring the world of pronouns, finding the name that fits just right, and tackling the disconnects with family, the way you identify is yours to decide, to explore. It’s an aspect of self-discovery that, like the many other ways people explore themselves, cannot and should not be determined by others.

“[Coming to terms with my gender identity] was very, very gradual it took…a very, very long time. But it was kind of just… One day I woke up and I was just like: ‘Why do I care so much about how other people think about me?’” Heckencamp said. “I’m going to go away to college. I’m never going to see them again. And even if I were to see them, why do I care so much what they think about me? It’s not good for me. And I want people to like me for who I really am.”

Clothing is a common form of self-expression sought out by many types of people that may not be able to openly be themselves, while others use it as a signifier of exactly who they are and how proud they are to be themself. Photo by MaryGrace Cummings

MOving Out

Class of 2023 shares why they choose to go out of state for college

By Analiesa Hollowood Staff Reporter

As the last year of seniors’ high school careers comes to a close, many have decided to pursue a collegiate education. As they pursue their options for the 2023-2024 school year, they are met with a crucial question. In state? Or out of state? Surprising even themselves, many students are yearning for a life outside their home state’s boundaries.

There are several reasons to consider in and out of state schooling. Economics, scholarships, career programs, and prestige are all notable factors. The need for a change, especially, resides deeper than the rest within the hearts of the class of 2023. Seniors are sick of the culture and “vibe” of suburban Missouri. Senior Sarah Henderson is attending Central Michigan University after graduation, and has known her calling to leave the Show-Me State ever since fifth grade.

“I’ve always wanted to go out of state and just live a little differently. This just feels kind of natural for me now and I’m really excited to just get out there. It’s kind of fun to make my own way,” Henderson said.. Henderson also found throughout her college search that Central Michigan University had a friendliness that many Missoui schools lacked. Instead of the uptight nature she was used to from previous tours, she was blown away by just how accepting Michigan was. Instead of throwing statistics of how superior the school was in comparison to others, Henderson’s tour guide smiled and welcomed her kindly to her future home.

“Whenever I went on the campus tour, you know, it’s like, all the other ones that I went to were kind of uptight, you know, but this one was way more friendly. You know, everybody was open,” said Henderson.

Other seniors, such as Lane Harris, are leaving simply to pursue a better fit school. Sports scholarships and athletic opportunities are a huge reason to leave Missouri. University of Charleston, Harris’s soon to be source of education, has offered an extensive baseball scholarship and a prestigious program, something no Missouri school could offer. Harris is excited and passionate about where his future schooling will lead him and

his plans for his career.

“I will be studying exercise science and playing baseball there. I’m going there with a sport’s scholarship and I really want to do something with athletics in general. I want to help people understand the body so they can better come back from injury or something like that. I’m very excited,” Harris said.

Senior Madi Valenti, attending Illinois State this fall, was also enticed towards the out of state experience. She loved the community, athletic opportunity, and most of all the distance. Only an hour-and-a-half drive, Valenti felt as though she was far enough away to gain her independence and have her own life, while still being able to return home if needed.

“I wanted to be a reasonable distance away, but still could still drive home in a day and it’d be fine. So Illinois State is like an hour-anda-half, two hours away. And it’s not that far, but it’s still not here. So I was like, sounds good,” said Valenti.

As she strolled through the streets of her soon to be home’s campus, she was enamored by the atmosphere. She knew quickly, this was where she was meant to be. It was refreshing yet familiar at the same time. It had the charm of the midwest which she had grown used to, while also having the spark of something new.

“I’m getting a new experience in a new state because like, honestly, once you see one town in Missouri, you’ve seen it all. It’s all gonna be the same. So just like new, new communities, new people, new, even new stores,” said Valenti.

The same old routine of life in Missouri has gotten to these seniors as well as many others. Some desperate to leave cannot for a magnitude of reasons. It is a difficult time for seniors, especially those moving a great distance, but the freedom for the Show Me State they will gain in exchange is well worth the trouble in their eyes. Missouri has just gotten old, and members of the class of 2023 can’t wait to break free.

The Map outside of the guidance office shows where in the US students are attending college next year. More than ever, Seniors are going or want to go out of state for college. Photo By: Kyly Jacobs.

Students are attending collleges across the country. They are happy as they enter their new journey in life. From Kansas, to New York, Spartans are attending a vast variety of colleges. Illustration By: Analiesa Hollowood

In the Stands With A-Band

Basketball band keeps spirits of fans, players up during winter games

By Matthew Rupp Staff Reporter

On Jan. 12. the girls basketball team was at halftime during a close game with St. Dominic, Mr. Nathan Griffin standing in front of the Spartan A-Band. He holds up a number 31 and the students immediately know that they are about to play Journey’s classic song “Don’t Stop Believing.” This process continues through the entire game as Mr. Griffin leads the band through iconic songs that pump up the crowd.

The idea of a basketball band was sparked in Mr. Griffin’s interview when he was hired. Mr. Griffin has always grown up around basketball and basketball bands, it seemed natural to him for FHC to have a basketball band.

“It was important to me to get something started, and I’m just glad the students latched on,” Griffin said.

The A-Band started in the winter of 2009 with only 50 members, but it caught on so well that by the next year the group had 100 members and regularly attracts around 100 members every year. The band gets lots of support from the school.

“Everybody was like, Whoa, what is this? This is awesome. And were offering to get us t-shirts and all kinds of stuff,” Griffin said.

The energy brought by the A-Band can really change the atmosphere of the game. The band doesn’t just play to entertain the crowd but to support the basketball team as well. After the girl’s basketball game on December 19, 2022, Coach Leake thanked Mr. Griffin for

the band’s energy helping give the girls a boost that allows them to win.

“It’s helpful, especially when you’re just not having the greatest game, or you’re just not feeling it, maybe a little tired, as a player to have that energy coming out of the crowd does really help,” Mr. Griffin said.

The band plays many hits from over the years. The band will play the “Hey Song,” also known as “Rock and Roll, Part 2” by Gary Glitter, and the cheerleaders and students dance and sing along to the song. But most of the songs are jazz inspired.

“We do a lot of jazz charts that are in there because they’re great, they’re upbeat, they’re fun. And also the funk and R&B stuff actually fits really well into a basketball band and then even though they’re older songs, a lot of the audience knows them. And so they can latch on right away,” Griffin said.

Senior Izzy Hoffeditz has been in A-Band since her freshman year and has made many connections and friendships through the A-Band.

“A-Band isn’t just about the music and basketball, but it’s the people that make those moments so special and worth joining. I would have never been the person I am today without the people in the band,” Hoffeditz said. Throughout the game the band works in tandem with the cheerleaders. Mr. Griffin always makes sure that the cheerleaders aren’t about to play before conducting the band.

“They’re very gracious and just let us play. It ends up being us playing a lot with them doing their stunts. But then when they want to cheer we try to allow them to do that and try not to step on their toes,” Mr. Griffin said.

The A-Band has been growing steadily since its inception and shows no signs of slowing down. The future looks bright for the A-Band.

“I think there’s some cool things that we can do even in the future where we can start to expose a band in some different areas,” Griffin said.

The A-Band plays a familiar song during a break in the action at the boys basketball game on Dec. 19. The band’s goal is to pump up the crowd and the players. “I show up for the connections and moments that we make together,” Izzy Hoffeditz said. Photo by Aniya Sparrow

Band Director Nathan Griffin cheers on the basketball team. Mr. Griffin sees the A-Band as a great way to support the teams. Photo by Aniya Sparrow

Tightly Knit

By Reilly Scobey Assignment Editor

Every Monday afternoon cheerful sounds can be heard from room 246. From 2:30-4:30 young artist’s gather to create and socialize with fellow artists. Among them is senior Olivia McCary. McCary is an avid meeting attender and tries to get there as quickly as possible as to not to miss out on the delicious goodies Mrs. Michelle McCune, sponsor of National Art Honor Society (NAHS) has set out.

Walking into the room, McCary sees her group of friends she usually sits with and begins to make her way over to them. On her way, she picks up some snacks for her table and pulls out her sketchbook ready to create. During the meetings, McCary enjoys open studio time, preps for the Fine Arts Festival, and laughs and jokes with her friends. For McCary, NAHS has given her an opportunity to form connections with people she would have never thought she would have.

“Being in [a] club allows you to get to know people you never [would] have thought had similar interests to you,” McCary said. “[Overall], It’s just a great way to connect with the community around you”.

McCary isn’t the only one passionate about the arts, senior Abigail Money found her calling through our school’s theatre troupe, The Spotlight Players. Money has always been passionate about theatre, even a part of it in middle school, but nothing could have prepared her for the joy of being able to pick up something she once loved.

“Being a part of theatre makes me really happy,” Money said. “It gives me something to look forward to and gives me a purpose. Once I got back into it, it was like I never left.”

While pursuing her passion was Money’s main reason for joining theatre, along the way she has formed some deep relationships with everyone in the cast and crew.

“[Theatre] has been such an amazing part of my life,” Money said. “I don’t regret it and I want to continue it. The relationships I have formed

are honestly some of the best I’ve ever formed, some of the best people I have ever met are in theatre and I don’t think I ever felt that in the sports community.”

Money isn’t the only one who has felt the immense feeling of joy being surrounded by your community brings, McCary too enjoys starting her school week surrounded by her friends and passion.

“[NAHS] is time I can take [for myself] every Monday to just sit down and focus on my drawings and talk with my friends [who] are interested in art,” McCary said. “It’s a really cool experience to be surrounded by people who [care] about the same things you do.”

While many clubs offer students the opportunity to explore their artistic passions, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) allows students who are passionate about healthcare an opportunity to bond with those who too want to pursue a career in healthcare. Being a part of HOSA has been a tremendously helped junior Avery Kolkmeier decide her career path after highschool and make connections with her peers she never would have thought were possible.

“[HOSA] gives me lots of opportunities to [experience] different career paths and understand different ways people can come together as a community to support others, not just in a ‘medical way’,” Kolkmeir said. “Being able to make connections which can help me find support when deciding what I want to do has been really impactful.”

Being a part of a club means spending a lot of time with others, but when the people you are spending time with also share your passion, you tend to form a very tight-knit bond. This reigns true for Money who would go as far to call theatre her family.

“[With] the amount of time you spend with people on set, It’s truly magical to [be able to] build that relationship and still look forward to it,” Money said. “It makes [production] easier when everybody is working together, gets along and looks out for each other.”

Senior Kate Voges shows Mrs. Michelle McCune something interesting on her phone after grabbing one of the snacks she has laid out. Many students see NAHS as a safe place because of how warm, welcoming, and supportive Mrs. McCune is. Photo by Ava Reyes

Students find comfort within the found families their chosen clubs provide

Family feuds

By Sarah Schmidt Web Assignments Editor

Sitting around the table, conversation flows back and forth between family members until the inevitable pops up. Politics. One slip of a word and a once rumbling chatter turns into deafening noise as members fight back and forth on their political views.

Many families share ideologies with at least one other member, but in some cases a person is the black sheep of the family, their voice drowned out by the countless other members who want their majority to stay that way. Junior Kaylee Young knows this feeling all too well as she is a liberal amongst her conservative leaning family.

Young’s views were not shaped by her family, but by her own research that she had done. Climbing into the rabbit hole that is politics, Young found herself tending to align her opinions with the left.

“[My parents] don’t necessarily agree with

it, but I’m also one of them. It definitely causes a lot of arguments and I tend to stay quiet, but when stuff gets out of hand, I try to stick up to them, but it gets hard,” Young said.

Unlike Young, sophomore Jeremy Woelfel and his family share the same political beliefs. Even with his family’s influence, Woelfel tried to find his own way in politics.

“My parents didn’t make any moral decisions for me, but I’m sure that I’ve been influenced by them,” Woelfel said, “ I’m sure most people get influenced by their family but I’ve made my decision separately from them.”

Clearly all families have their own dynamics, especially in the world of politics. For senior Rachel McAfee, that couldn’t be any more true. As a former homeschooler, her political experience has been a unique one. Even though its only her aunt and a few of her cousins sharing the same view, that hasn’t stopped her opposing parents from supporting her.

Peeking behind the curtain of political drama within families

“If I ever need to rant about politics, my parents will push aside their own bias to simply listen because they know I need it,” McAfee said.

While her family tries to be supportive, there have been certain political issues that can’t be ignored. After the overturning of Roe V. Wade, McAfee’s aunt and cousins began posting on social media about the negative effects which caused a conversation amongst the entended family. The real concern was surprisingly focused more on why they believed certain things rather than the belief themselves.

“We’re worried that each other’s beliefs come from someone taking advantage of them rather than their own way of thinking,” McAfee said, “ I know the right likes to use misinformation tactics but I also know the left likes to reject people. We normally talk about why the other person feels that way rather than instantly bashing each other.”

The 2020 Missouri presidential demographic based on county. Map courtests of Wikimedia Commons

Dynamically Different

Students and staff share what makes their families special

By Analiesa Hollowood Staff Reporter

It’s been a long week. Guidance counselor, Mr. Dustin Bailey finally gets home after the Jan. 5 academic night ready to collapse into bed, but unfortunately his four-year-old has other plans. Xander Bailey, Mr. Bailey’s adopted son wants nothing more than to wrestle and play with his dad. As they spend time having fun with one another, Mr. Bailey is overcome by the love he has for his youngest and newest member of his family.

Mr. Bailey is just one example of the family dynamics present at FHC. The variety of backgrounds and experiences lead to an overwhelming abundance of diversity within the families of Spartan Nation. Mr. Bailey had what many would consider a “typical” American family. His wife is a stay-at-home mom, who enjoyed more traditional maternal activities such as cooking and cleaning, while he worked full-time and performed tasks such as wood-cutting and maintenance. This wasn’t intentional, the Bailey family just naturally enjoyed what many would consider stereotypical roles. As the years went by and most of their children moved out, Mr. and Mrs. Bailey fell in love with Alexander, a beautiful baby boy, just 13 years younger than the rest of his children. This created a drastic change in the norm and their family had to quickly adjust to their newest addition.

“It’s going to be different for him, being so much younger than his siblings and being adopted so that’s going to be part of his experience in life and I don’t know what that’s gonna look like. I kind of wonder sometimes how things will look and how it will be different and stuff? But I know that part of life will change our families for the better, but yeah, it will definitely change our family for the next 18 years,” Bailey explained.

Much like the Bailey family, senior Macy Pearson is also adjusting to

life with new additions to her family. Her parents, who were divorced when she was 5, have long since remarried and last school year, welcomed new additions to their new families. Macy’s dad and stepmom had a little boy named Oliver, and her mom and stepdad welcomed Wyatt, coincidentally within a month of each other. Now Macy is learning how to be a good big sister with a large age gap with her younger siblings.

“My two little brothers that are 16 years younger than me. So that’s absolutely something and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love them so much. They’re my little best friends, and it’s kind of like a free trial on my own. I get my baby fever satiated by having babies in my house all the time, but I don’t have to be responsible for them all the time, which is really lit,” Pearson said.

It’s fun for Pearson to speak about her family without revealing the full story. Her family is complex and she knows it. So why not use that as a prime source for entertainment?

“It’s kind of interesting that I have two little brothers that are a month apart that are not related to each other. Yeah, they’re not twins. I

The Bailey family poses after a day packed with family fun. Mr. Bailey adopted his youngest son, Alexander, a few years ago. His family loves welcoming him to their family traditions. Photo courtesy of Dustin Bailey.

56% of global teens feel loved in their home.

Facts Sourced from the US Census Bureau.

There are 14 divorces for every 1,000 women.

Two out of three people have a step-relative.

think it’s really fun watching people unravel that. Yeah, when I just tell them like just with a little less context than I should. I just let them figure it out. It’s kind of fun,” said Pearson.

While Pearson’s family is well interconnected with one another, other families do not share that luxury. Senior Evana Vrhovac’s family emigrated from Croatia, so meeting for family gatherings can be really difficult. While many other students have extended family at arms reach, the Vrhovac’s don’t have that resource.

“It’s really weird, because we’ll sometimes go visit but not often, and they are still your grandparents, but I can’t help thinking that, I don’t really know them. It was hard in elementary school when we’d have Grandparents Day and I had no one because they don’t live here,” Vrhovac said.

Sophomore Leymar Canales is a student who has had to adjust to a life with family overseas as well. Canales’s family emigrated from Puerto Rico when she was young, and have been a tight nit unit ever since. With extended family, aunts, uncles, and cousins, staying for a while in the Canales’s home, all from Puerto Rico, their Hispanic culture is a key part of their daily life.

“ We’re pretty different from the stereotypical American families. For example [traditional American families] live with their immediate families, right?” Canales said.

Well we have a full house. Our cousin actually came to live with us for a while, and then he moved out like, like four days ago. Our family is really flexible when it comes to stuff like that, and we don’t do traditional American things. We just don’t know what they are. So we don’t do them. We have our own traditions,” Canales said.

Freshman Elena Weidig’s family is also very nontraditional; the Weidig clan is infamous among their friends for being ‘a little out there.’ Loving all things Dungeons and Dragons and theater, Elena has broken from her family’s preferred hobbies by pursuing cheerleading and dance. She loves how her family jumps from one hyperfixation to another, and just goes with their own wacky flow.

“I think other people’s families are normal. My family is weird. [The Weidgs] are a bunch of nerds and they’re all so loud. They all have huge personalities too. My family is just really ‘out there’ and super confident.”

Family is always complex with several experiences and layers to peel back. Most people can agree, there is no ‘normal’ family. Different traditions and dynamics are everywhere. All family is important and plays a crucial role in life, no matter what the definition of family is used, according to Canales.

‘Your family is part of your life and family can also mean like chosen people that you’ve known for who knows how long. Family is about a home, even if you’re related or not. All families are different, there is really no stereotypical American family, not even like a stereotypical Hispanic family, or any stereotypical family. We’re all different, so you can’t expect family to be the same,” Canales said.

The Weidig family after their traditional Easter service, take a family picture. Elena Weidg (center) loves her wacky family and its numerous traditions such as dungeons and dragons and weeks of hyperfixation. Photo courtesy of Joseph Weidig.

The divorce rate that involves marriages with children is 62-74%.

The average family size has shrunk from 3.20 in 2007 to 3.15 in 2021.

There are 7,284 families that live below the poverty line in the U.S.

Illustration by Analiesa Hollowood.

Reframing Religion

By Emme Bernard Staff Reporter

On Christmas Eve, hundreds of candles light the dark night at Harvester Nazarene. Junior Katelyn Guth stands among the many holding candles in unison. On this day, they light candles to enter the Light of God. They stand together under a strengthening value and religious ideology.

Inside the mass, people break down into friends and families. Groups that have become stronger because of their religion. Outside the mass, society finds its own source of religion and spirituality whether in the similar format or none at all. More specifically, families can be divided by their religious upbringing (sharing religious beliefs, differing beliefs, or none at all).

Guth, like many of those around us, was brought up in a family that had ties to a specific religion. And although nurture may play a prominent role in many people’s religious beliefs, one is able to explore their own path

independently.

“When I was younger it was always my parents who took my sister and me to church, so it definitely started with my family,” Guth said. “But as we got older, it became more of an individual decision to go to church every week and to build my own relationship.”

Religion bleeds into aspects of her life outside church or other services. The art of religion is how it affects almost every aspect of how you live your life and how you plan your future.

“Our faith helps to guide our lifestyle because of certain things we prioritize, like going to church, tithing, and fellowship with each other and our church family.” Guth said. For Guth and many others who follow a family-based religion, religion has made a major impact on how close knit the family is and the way they think.

“It affects the way we view the world and each other, the beliefs we share and the opinions we hold.” Guth said.

On a similar note, Sophomore Shubham Sonavane shares the same religion with his family, Hinduism. As a minority religion to this area, Hinduism believes in the cycle of samsara (life, death, reincarnation) and that all living beings have a soul. They also worship a god that takes the form of millions of deities.

“The best part of sharing my religion with my family is that we get to enjoy many Hindu traditions together such as Diwali, Holi, Sankranti, and more,” Sonavane said.

Hinduism comes with many different traditions. St. Louis even hosts an event called garba that many attend.

“My favorite memory is when me and my family went to garba, a dance event during october that almost every Hindu in St. Louis attends,” Sonavane said.

Overall, Sonavane has experienced the wonders of Hinduism since his family introduced it to him around the age of three. Although it

Katelyn Guth and her family come together for a photo. The family of four are close knit and have are consistent with family time. Photo courtesy of Katelyn Guth

Religion’s connection with family can take many forms and can reframe itself to fit the complex views of others

is not common in our community, we have events that allow those that are Hindu to come together.

“I [am] very happy my parents [introduced me to religion] because it allowed me to share a culture with many of my friends and establish a community even though we are obviously minorities in this area” Sonavane said.

Family comes in all types of different dynamics especially when it comes to religion. While religion can bring family together, it can also be an undisclosed topic, for their views differ. Junior Natalee Shipley has experienced the partition of parental religious views and the views of their children. While she was raised in a Catholic household, she finds her views have diverged from those of her parents mostly because of how Catholicism takes stances on certain political topics.

“I realized I always tried to convince myself I fully believed in everything when I actually had some doubts,” Shipley said. “I think that when I actually realized I disagreed with the church’s political stances, I realized I couldn’t follow a religion that I didn’t fully align with.”

Although Natalee grew up in a single religon household, her views on religion still shifted regardless of her parent’s views.

“I think they definitely shaped my religious views in the beginning of my life, but now I feel free to make my own decisions on how I want to live my life,” Shipley said.

Additionally, some families are religiously tolerant and never had one religion they identified with. Junior Sam Dobbins, though they attended Parish School Religion(PSR), has never felt their family was identified by one religion.

“ I think nowadays my family and I don’t really talk about religion or really bring it up because I think we’ve all drifted away from it,” Dobbins said.

While identifying with a more atheist ideology, Sam hasn’t faced backlash from their parents and is able to find their own path when it comes to the topic of religion and/or spirituality. This freedom does come with its benefits and detriments.

“One of the best parts is that I can feel there’s not a religion necessarily holding me down,” Dobbins said. “But the bad part is that sometimes I feel outcasted because I don’t have a religion and society sometimes makes it seems like everyone should belong to a religion,” Dobbins said.

Religion is a major part of our society and has been for a long time, yet not everyone has the same level or interest in

this type of belief and worship. Religion has become widely social because it brings people together, and many religions take stances on many social issues. One of Sam’s reasons for drifting away from Catholicism is because of the religion’s stances on social issues.

“I think that if I was still Catholic I’d feel very very out of place and would be uncomfortable. Especially with the way that the LGBTQ+ is sometimes portrayed or treated,” Dobbins said.

Because Sam wasn’t nurtured in a religious family, they found their own path and were greatly influenced by society. Together Katelyn, Natalee, and Sam represent types of family dynamics around the idea of religion.

“Religion can bring families together or tear them apart, but in the end it is just a way to view life and what comes beyond,” Shipley said.

Above: Sam Dobbins stands among their family for Christmas. Their brother and his wife, sister, and parents all wore their traditional Christmas gear.

Photo courtesy of Sam Dobbins

Natalee Shipley takes a family photo with her parents for Christmas. They have taken a family photo there every year for 15 years. Photo courtesy of Natalee Shipley

Left: Shubham Sonavane takes a selfie with his friends. They were at a hindu event called garba that involves dance. Photo courtesy of Shubham Sonavane

Functioning Family

By Cadence Rulo Staff Reporter

The ringing 5:45 morning alarm wakes senior Jack Patton up for school. He meets with his girlfriend in the parking lot, walks to class, and goes about his school day. He heads to Salvatore’s Italian Restaurant where he is shift leader at 18, goes home, and does his homework. While others tend to fall into the senior slump, he works hard everyday after being accepted into Washington University to be the best student, brother, and son that he can be.

When families split, bonds can be broken. That was not the case for senior Jack Patton. Being a child of divorce his world was opened up to a bigger family. Amongst his mom, dad, step-dad, sister, and step-sister, Patton had many supportive influences. However, there is one who stands out amongst the rest.

“My mom is always supporting me and [standing] behind me,” Patton said. “When

my parents got divorced, all the relationships got a little shaky. It seemed there was some resentment towards my mom, but I was so young and thought, well it’s my mom and she’s amazing. She mostly always has been to me.”

Patton strives to be the best worker, student, person that he can be. He owes that to his mother and his love for her.

“She’s the reason I work hard so I can support her like she supports me,” Patton said. “She never has a doubt that I won’t get things done and [she] trusts me with all my responsibilities. She loves me unconditionally and will do anything for me.”

While the bond between parent and child is unlike any other, the bond between siblings is one Sophomore Aubrey Simpson has come to cherish. As her and her brother share a fiveyear age difference they also share a friendship.

“We really started becoming friends and actually talking,” Simpson said. “He’s always been there [for me] to talk to, he’s always been

Influence of family helps Spartans find their passions, fight through difficult times

Senior Jack Patton smiles with his mom. They stand together to capture the moment at a family dinner. Photo courtesy of Jack Patton

very willing to include me in things and talk me through a lot of issues I’ve had over the years.”

Simpson now finds herself alone in the house she shared with her brother. As he went away to college she lost her comfort and had to find a new way to cherish their bond.

“I had been with him for a year, stuck in our house together. And then when he left I was so heartbroken,” Simpson said. “It was so obvious he wasn’t there, but … it’s gotten better. [With] him being gone, we still talk and he’ll call me and text me…and when he’s home, it just makes it extra nice to have them there.”

While sibling relationships may seem an instant connection, Senior Macie Ryan stands the youngest daughter of three and didn’t find the connection with her older sister until later on.

“My sister and I were not close until I was in seventh grade,” Ryan said. “Now we tell each other everything.”

The two had a shared love for dance. They grew up dancing together on a competitive studio dance team before Ryan joined FHC’s dance team.

“I wanted so hard to make varsity my freshman year so I could be with

her,” Ryan said. “My freshman year was her senior year so when I found out I made varsity with her it was a huge weight off my chest. I found a lot of comfort in her throughout the year, she helped me be myself and confident enough to make friends on the team.”

As she depended on her sister her freshman year, it made it harder for Ryan to stay on the team while she watched her sister graduate and leave. The relationship between the two brought comfort, but also prepared Ryan for the years to come.

“Now that she’s gone it’s kind of lonely without her, but I find myself able to express who I am because of her,” Ryan said. “I want to be a leader for my team and for myself because my sister made me confident enough to believe that I could be.”

The love families share is unlike any other. It is a special bond many people are lucky to have. Brothers, sisters, parents. They are our blood, our family. They are the people we share a name and love with. Family inspires us to be the best versions of ourselves we can imagine. They guide us through the inevitable rough patches in life. Family can be a bond that stands unforgettable.

Senior Macie Ryan and her older sister Mackenzie Ryan smiling together before preforming their routine for a dance competition. They stand together at one of Macies first high school State performances. Photo courtesy of Macie Ryan.

Aubrey Simpson takes a selfie with her brother while on a hike. Although he moved away, they make time for each other. Photo courtesy of Aubrey Simpson.

“She never has a doubt I won’t get things done and [she] trusts me with all my responsibilities. She loves me unconditionally and will do anything for me.”

Jack Patton, senior

Springing Ahead

Winter

By Anabel Gundersen Staff Reporter

Beginning in November, junior Ava Lunders double checked her bag to make sure she had everything. Tennis shoes, check. Cleats, check. Water bottle, check. After school, she heads to the weight room to prepare for her upcoming soccer season. Gathering with her teammates, they begin to lift and the sound of clanking weights quickly fills the room and chatter follows as the players catch up with each other. Sipping from her bottle, Lunders looks around the room at her fellow players and excitement for the season begins to rise within her.

“It’s good to see everyone and see the [incoming] freshmen and get to know everyone,” Lunders said. Additionally, Lunders mentioned, “[winter workouts] help me be more fit, ready for the fitness tests, and [be] able to play the whole game.”

Coaches of spring sports such as girls soccer and baseball hold winter workouts in order to meet players and prepare their athletes for the upcoming season, while players attend to connect with new and old teammates, rehab from injuries, but most importantly, improve their skills.

The start of second semester is when athletes can find themselves readying on their home turf, up to three days a week after school. During the hour-and-a-half training, athletes are conditioning, strength training and doing technical work. The workouts vary from soccer to baseball, but athletes need to come prepared with gear for any weather and situation. Senior varsity girls soccer player Delaynie Brown makes sure she has everything she would need for her workouts.

“We’re supposed to bring clothes to lift in and then clothes for indoor and outdoor just depending on what we’ll be doing that day, as well as cleats and our soccer attire,” Brown said.

Primarily, pre-season workouts are held to prevent injury in players that start abruptly

at tryouts, so, winter workouts offer a way for players to gradually build up strength and techniques again. Athletes readying themselves by going to winter workouts can also expect to see improvements in their all-around abilities. Senior varsity baseball player Bryan Forbes has noticed the impact of winter workouts on his playing abilities and time on the field.

“I noticed that going to winter workouts before [tryouts] improves my season, even getting more playing time at the beginning,” Forbes said. “I’ll hit better [and] especially throwing, [I]’ll notice that I can throw further, if [I’m] staying on top of it.”

Every athlete should be looking to improve their game, and pre-season workouts are a great opportunity to do so. However, for some athletes, winter workouts are used more for rehabilitation, as Brown got her appendix removed and attends the pre-season workouts to get back to the strength she used to have.

“Last year, I got my appendix taken out the night before the last game of our season,” Brown said. “Getting your appendix taken out, you have to rebuild your core a lot, so I’m definitely getting better during winter workouts.”

With consistency, athletes attending these workouts can reap benefits aside from strengthening their physical abilities. Getting out there ahead of time at winter workouts offers the chance for coaches to get to know you before the season begins, and additional playing time could be in your future.

Additionally, being given the space to connect with other athletes of the same sport offers the chance to get to know each other and see how your team will come together during the season in hopes for success.

“[Winter workouts] are useful to see the team, see how people get together, and kind of build [a] relationship early before the season starts. It really helps to bring the entire program together to kind of see where people are at, how we want to improve, where we need to improve when the season starts. Overall [they] help [to] blend the team and really helps to get everyone ready for the season,” Forbes said.

Senior Ava Lunders performs an ab workout with teammate Julia Peters. Conditioning in the preseason helps build their stamina and endurance.

Photo by MaryGrace Cummings.

Senior Gianna Bruenning assists an underclassman with her squat rep. Teammate Delaynie Brown mentioned how winter workouts are a glimpse into the future of their team. “We’re ...getting a look at what our programs gonna look like like that year.”

Photo by MaryGrace Cummings.

workouts give spring athletes a head start on condtioning and strength training for their upcoming season

Untimely Teams

Struggling with odd practice times and locations

By Emily Sirtak Web Editor-In-Chief

With hair still soaking wet and goggles in hand, senior Kailey Wright makes her way to the swim locker room, finally able to go home. Exhausted and awake for almost 16 hours, Wright walks out of the Rec Plex ready to repeat the process all over again. While most students end their school experiences at the bell, some continue their school activities into the late hours of the night.

With the space availability and funding at FHC, some sports have to use outside facilities for their practices and meets, often leading to late practice times and hectic schedules for the young athletes. This means that for students like Wright, their school days don’t end at the same time or location as everyone else.

“Practices are usually 8:30-10 p.m. and meets can last anywhere from an hour to three hours depending on how fast the officials move,” Wright said. “For me, I’m usually super tired by the time I get to swim because I’ve been up super early and I’ve gone through a full day of school and theater after.”

With students that participate in both clubs and sports, the late night practices can be an exhausting continuation of their day. For senior swimmer Ximena Avila her life consists of fast homework sessions, make-shift meals and exhausted mornings.

“It’s very draining and you never really get used to it so I’m usually really tired at school,” Avila said. “I can’t have a job since I swim both club and high school at the same time but I still struggle keeping up with my school work.”

Though location has a big effect on the practice times due to venue availability and public time slots, even teams that practice at FHC have late practices and often find themselves living a hectic life, jumping back and forth from school and home. Senior Leanna Welch spends the hours of 6-8 p.m. in the Spanish stairwell, practicing ice hockey cheer routines. Welch finds the odd practice times inconvenient for balancing both

school and sport.

“I guess I just don’t understand why our practices can’t be right after school,” Welch said. “It’s very disorienting to end your school day then have to come right back a few hours later. I find it really hard to focus on my school work right after school but I have to or else I won’t have another time to do it so it just

becomes pretty annoying.”

With the combination of odd times and locations, many student athletes wish there was a policy in place to help control what time practices can start and end. Avila wishes for time caps on practices so she can feel the best during the school day.

“Without policy, they can keep us there as long as they want to and it’s not doable for the average student. There should be a policy on late practices because you can definitely feel the late practices,” Avila said. “It can be hard to focus at school with the lack of sleep and I think policies would help a lot of students create a healthier balance of school and sports.

What’s In My Swim Bag? Senior Kailey Wright shows a glimpse at her swim bag essentials. She has to pack all of her suits, goggles and caps before school in the morning to prepare for practice later in the night.

Photo by Aniya Sparrow

Dakota Lankford exits the pool area, heading to the locker rooms after her swim practice which usually goes until 10 p.m. each evening.

Photo by Kyly Jacobs.

Fuzzy friends

LEFT: Biscuits and Gravy line up waiting patiently for their daily serving of cilantro. Guidance counselor Kendra Horton keeps the two pets in her office as a way to help students who find success in physical touch therapy as a way to keep them focused during the school day.

ABOVE: Biscuits squirms over to greet Gravy who is snuggled up inside of a warm blanket that looks like a bee. Photos by Brock Slinkard.

here and it was a new school, I asked her and she said yes,” Mrs. Horton said.

With so many visitors going to see Biscuits and Gravy It’s important to be able to tell them apart. Both piggies have distinctly different personalities, and have key features that set them apart from one another. Junior Claire Pitney describes their personalities

“Well, guinea pigs are always very sweet and friendly. They’re both very kind, though Gravy is a little more calm than Biscuits. Biscuits is very active and squirmy, but they’re both adorable,” Pitney said.

Students may also wonder how to tell them apart visually. Mrs Horton details their appearances so students can tell the difference between the two.

“They’re American Shorthairs And the way I kind of remember them is that Biscuits is kind of the cover color[Golden brown], like a biscuit, gravy is like a lighter color gravy. So they’re very similar but biscuits is a little bit bigger. Gravy is the smaller one, but they’re just adorable. To me. They’re like the little potatoes of the guinea pig world. Little potatoes running around,” Mrs. Horton said.

Students have multiple times throughout the day that they are able to visit Biscuits and Gravy. Junior Auggie Jauernig details his daily visit.

“I usually see them right before my last two hours and it usually keeps me motivated enough to finish the day,” Jauernig said.

By Amity Ianiri

Staff Reporter

Walking past the guidance office this year, students may overhear squeaking, alongside the laughter of students. These noises can be attributed to Biscuits and Gravy, the two Guinea pigs currently residing in Counselor Mrs. Kendra Horton’s office. A plethora of questions have come to mind as students and staff discover that our school has guinea pigs. Their introduction has been exciting for pet lovers and has created a healthy outlet for students to decompress throughout their school day.

Many people are curious as to how they were allowed to be kept in Guidance. Kendra Horton describes the process in which she managed to seek approval from the school.

“I first checked with Mr. [Trevor] Wolfe and Dr. [Suzanne] Leake to make sure that it was okay. Because when I was in my previous district, they let me have guinea pigs in my office. But then in my middle school over on the other side of the district, they said no. So then when I came

Mrs. Horton explains why she chose to keep them at school, and how she believes they benefit the students of FHC

“I’m a huge believer in pet therapy and like physical touch therapy . A lot of times if you don’t have an animal, some people will get fabric that’s like velvet or something soft. Because it really just kind of helps to calm you down. There’s a lot of science behind it. But they’re just adorable. And I’ve had a couple of kids that have even just said, “I think this is the happiest moment I’ve ever had at school,” Mrs. Horton Said.

Both Biscuits and Gravy have done a terrific job at improving morale throughout FHC. Having them at school has really helped students who are looking for a healthy way to alleviate their stress. Mrs Horton summarizes how having them around has impacted the students who visit them on a daily basis.

“They’re a huge help. I’ve had a couple of kids really start to open up because if you can focus on something in front of you, then it kind of helps you open up more because their comfort is there,” Mrs. Horton said.

Biscuits & Gravy can be found in the office of Kendra Horton

Get the Ball

Rolling

By: Birdie Brereton Staff Reporter

5! 4! 3! 2! 1! Happy New Year! Fireworks boom in the sky, and cheers ring out. Although some people are out partying, Junior Alexis Love is staying inside and watching a Netflix show. After a small get together with a couple of family friends, Love’s way of celebrating the New Year is winding down with a good show. Many people feel a similar way, ringing in the New Year in a much more subdued manner.

However you celebrate this occasion, be it with your family as you watch the ball drop on television, to a party with your friends as you watch the fireworks go off, it’s a great time to take a deep look at yourself and see how you can improve yourself and finally going to the gym like you’ve been saying you would do. New Year’s resolutions are commonplace, but many people are vocal about their inability to keep their resolution through the entire year. It’s become a bit of a joke that no one can keep their resolutions, and many times people will be pessimistic about the prospects of sticking to them.

Love had never fully completed a resolution until last year, where she stuck to a much simpler one to make sure that it’s something she can accomplish and feel good about.

“My resolution last year was to grow my hair out because I had gotten it cut shorter and really missed my long hair,” Love said. “I have accomplished that and am still continuing to grow it.”

Although Love does occasionally participate in this tradition, she also believes they create an expectation that can actually deter people from reaching their goals. She believes in the importance of setting goals you can keep rather than focusing too much on when

A look into some of the resolutions of students

you actually decide to start working on yourself.

A student writes down goals for each day. Resolutions are a tradition at the beginning of the year, in hopes to improve oneself for the new year.

“I don’t think resolutions are too important, if you want to set a goal for yourself for the year that’s great, but I also feel like you can start doing something new for yourself at any time of year and then you won’t feel as stressed about doing it in a certain amount of time,” Love said.

Sophomore Thomas Ramos has been less successful in the attempt to complete his resolution, which was to take better care of himself. Since he tends to prioritize other things, his resolutions usually get put on the backburner. Ramos believes many people create unrealistic expectations and eventually abandon their resolution because of the time constraint they place on themselves.

“I make them because it helps me be optimistic for the new year,” Ramos said. “I think they aren’t that important because most people make goals that they don’t intend to follow.” Senior Aqua Burton completed last year’s resolution to socially transition, and she has achieved that to the best of their abilities thus far. She believes that resolutions are important because it motivates you to have something that you are actively working to achieve. Although she doesn’t always do New Year’s resolutions, they realize that resolutions can actually be quite

“My New Year’s resolution is to do more art and work on my mental health.” Burton said. “I make resolutions because it gives me something to work towards. When things get difficult it helps to have a goal to work towards and gives you the energy to not

Photo illustration by Rocco Muich

The New Year’s Ball in New York City. An iconic tradition that is watched by millions of people every year. Illustration by Birdie Brereton

Family Matters

By Birdie Brereton Staff Reporter

The judge’s words fizzle out into nothing but white noise as I tap my foot impatiently. Despite the positive reason we were in court, the stuffy room made me want to wait outside. I held my phone up, my now half-siblings on FaceTime since they couldn’t make it to the actual courtroom. I only knew the court was finished because the sound of clapping snapped me out of my reverie. I smiled, both out of relief and the fact that I had finally received my new name and a new father.

When I got adopted by my step-dad, it was much more about cementing what I already knew than anything. To be honest, I wasn’t super ecstatic about the whole process because I already knew he was my dad, so the entire legal part of it was a bore to me. It could be misconstrued as unenthusiastic, but I was actually very thrilled about the whole idea.

My new father came into my life at a very young age, which meant I had a lot of time to bond with him. At the beginning, I didn’t really give him the time of day, and I kept to myself. Except for all of the arguing. I am a very stubborn person, which doesn’t blend well when the person you’re fighting is just as stubborn. He was much more strict than my mother, and that led to a lot of resentment on my end. I was petty and I didn’t do well with rules, which meant I would do things just to spite him. This coalesces into a predictable outcome, a strained relationship. Although the start of our relationship was rocky, after I

A portrait of the Brereton family in 2019. Family is created through important relationships rather than blood relations. Photo courtesy of Birdie Brereton

A personal experience with the concept of family and adoption.

left my more angsty persona, we got along pretty well. I like to think all of the arguments we had in the beginning led to a mostly harmonious home life since we already had our fill of fighting with each other.

My sisters were the first ones to put the adoption idea into motion, and at first I was adamantly against it. I was still close with my biological father, and I felt it as a betrayal toward him. When I began to mull it over, I realized that I shouldn’t base my decision on other people. I still have reservations about my biological father, and I didn’t want to completely cut him out of my life. I still speak to him sometimes, but there’s definitely an understandable distance which wasn’t present before. I don’t think I’ll ever feel great about leaving my biological father, but with time it’s lessened. When I finally decided to get adopted, I also decided to change my full name. There isn’t a deep reason for the whole name change. I just didn’t like my old name because it’s very common and I like my individuality, so I chose something a bit more unique. I let my parents choose my middle name because I couldn’t think of a new one, but also because I felt like it was a good way to incorporate my new identity with my new family. Thus my new name was born, Birdie Mei Brereton.

Of course, the momentous occasion was dampened since I wasn’t able to get my name officially changed in things like my passport or driver’s license until the papers came in the mail. Which took way longer than one might expect, much to my chagrin. It was about a year later when I finally received the documents that proves my new name and my new father. Before then I had to deal with having two names that I had to swap between. Then the whole long and arduous process started up again as I had to change the name on every other legal document. It was frustrating, but it worked out in the end. Moral of the story is that legal processes are the worst and you should avoid them when possible. Some people see adopted relationships as inferior to biological ones,

which births the phrase, “blood is thicker than water”. My mother was also adopted, but she was adopted as a baby. She has faced people who believed as such. Some people in her own family believed her mother couldn’t love her the same way because they weren’t blood related. Of course it’s a completely false narrative, and blood has nothing to do with the way somebody sees you. Some people hate their relatives, and some people find friends as much more familial than their actual biological family. Although I’ve never faced outward conflict thus far, I’ve faced internal dilemas based on this topic. In the beginning, when I was deliberating on my decision to get adopted, I wondered if I could love him the same way I loved my biological dad. As I searched for an answer, I had an epiphany. To love someone isn’t based on what your family tree is, but how you have been affected by their presence. I love my dad because he’s been there for me my whole life. I love him because I spent time with him and created a bond with him. It didn’t change how he’s affected my life because he’s not blood-related to me. Because in the end, it’s not about that. To limit a person’s relationships is downplaying a human’s emotional capabilities. We as a species are some of the most expressive beings on the Earth, and with that comes a great range of emotions that can’t be fully described or explained. When people try to inhibit those emotional responses, they are underestimating the human’s ability to love. By saying that only blood related relationships count as familial, it completely rejects human nature. Getting adopted will always be a moment I look fondly upon, and I couldn’t have asked for a better dad. AlthoughI’m still stubborn and we may not get along every step of the way, I really cherish the time we spend together whether it be playing video games or laughing at reality TV shows. It really goes to show that the most important relationships a person can have shouldn’t be dictated by hydrogen bonds in DNA but by our own bonds that we form with one another.

The Brereton family at the courthouse with the judge. This was the day that the adoption was finalized. Photo courtesy of Birdie Brereton

Addiction has a continuous impact on children

By Cadence Rulo Staff Reporter

Stereotypical

I remember having my first DARE class and feeling like the smartest person in the room. I would come home and tell my mom all about how I was the kid who knew everything. I also remember her face as I said it. Her smile dropped and her eyes went to worry. My mom has never hid much from me, I was always well informed of the behind the scenes activities of my family.

Growing up I was very close with my dad’s brother. He called me princess and treated me like one. I would dance, sing in his kitchen and he made me think I was going to be the biggest star this world would ever see. I never would have thought he would choose an artificial substance over his family. Heroin and fentanyl were his drugs of choice. I sometimes wonder if they made him feel more loved than we did.

I wish I could say that our past memories cover the new ones, but they don’t. I will always remember dancing in his kitchen as the house filled with laughter, but I will also always remember the night he came to my house and the street filled with screams between him and my father. I will always remember my brother running out of the house to see what was going on and my mother following shortly after. I will always remember staying in the house peeping through the living room windows watching, listening to the uncle I once knew slip away from me. The moment I saw my uncle’s bright red truck pull in front of my house, I knew two things were about to happen; I was losing my uncle and grandma. The love my dad’s mother bears for her children is unexplainable. She loved her son so much she put his addiction aside.

Substance abuse does not just pertain to the abuser. There is the abuser, the enabler, and the affected. The abuser made a decision and ended up spiraling into an addictive cycle, the enabler loves the abuser in such a strange way the addiction is almost minimized and aided, the affected has a decision to make; spend their whole lives trying to help no matter what personal cost or do what they can until they realize the abuser needs to want help before you can actually help.

As you hear some people say addiction is a cycle, it’s real. My mom’s father found comfort in beer and later cocaine and meth. My mom’s uncle found himself hospitalized, knocking on death’s door after getting into an accident while under the influence of substances, another uncle to my mom found himself living on the streets due to his substance abuse. My dad’s father rests in peace with an empty bottle, heroin, methadone, cocaine, and anything he could get to, my dad’s brother somewhat followed the familiar footsteps. There was a cycle and I was well informed.

When I was in first grade I had appendicitis, my appendix had moved and burst inside of me. I had surgery to get it removed and was hospitalized. The doctors recommended I be put on painkillers, but my parents refused. At the age of 6 my parents couldn’t risk the addictive cycle being repeated. As someone about to turn 18, the stress and worry I carry with me is not just about what college I should attend or showing up to work on time. I worry I am an extension of an abusive cycle. I feel it’s my birthright to break a wheel I was born into.

My mom’s side of the family used to have family dinners. Once a month we would all get together, taking turns at everyone’s houses. As we would sit down to eat I could only ever notice the drinks that were being poured. An outsider looking in on my family would think all I could feel was love and laughter, but I am not an outsider. As glasses filled with drinks, worry filled me. I know the cycle and I know the behaviors. I fear

each member of my family will be a tally to add to the list of abusers.

The night my uncle became just my dad’s brother to me the world that was in my head became a reality. I was well versed in the ongoing activities of my family members, but until that night I never saw it first hand. I knew of two different worlds that addiction and substance abuse had to bring. As my grandpa will hopefully celebrate a whopping 15 years sober in October, my uncle refuses the help my father tried so desperately to give.

When I think of my grandpa and his life choices I do not see him as his addiction. Yes, he made a life that will follow him forever, but he also got clean. He sought the help he needed and got better for his family and himself. When I think of my dad’s brother I see his addiction plain and simple. He doesn’t want to get better, and as much as addiction is more than just stopping, he chose this life. However, I sympathize with him. I hate to admit I still have a love for him. He had an angel, devil, and someone in between. His brother, willing to help him get out of this place, himself and drugs calling him back again and again, and his mother unknowingly helping him stay there.

My freshman year of high school I had to take a health class. When we had gotten to the substances section I knew uncomfortable conversations

Illustration by Analiesa Hollowood.

Addiction

Addiction takes away control of future

By Reilly Scobey Assignments Editor

I remember groaning internally when my sophomore English teacher announced the book we would be reading in class was “The Glass Castle.” Having read the book before, I knew it would bring up some interesting discussion amongst my class, but I could have never imagined the severity of their comments. Sentiments like “Addicts only care about themselves” and “Why don’t they just quit” were expressed repeatedly throughout the quarter. While comments like these seem innocent they are extremely offensive to addicts and their family. In their defense how could they have known there was a daughter of an addict amongst them. The daughter? Me. The addict? My dad.

This is considered a miracle, but his doesn’t have to be one of the few. If we could open our eyes and try to better understand the people who suffer, maybe my dad wouldn’t be one of the few.

Biological factors weren’t considered a huge defining factor in an addict until recently. Scientists estimate a person’s genetics account for 40-60 percent of their risk of substance use disorder. These individuals carry a mix of gene variations that influence their ability to develop an addiction. One of those individuals is me.

would happen. When I was leaving the class I felt okay, the class discussion went surprisingly well. As I packed my bag and began to walk out, I heard two girls talking, “Addiction isn’t a real thing.” The rest of their conversation was a blur. I wondered how someone could say that, I was enraged at how uneducated and unaware youth, and even adults are. I have seen the things substance addiction can do, for someone to blatantly diminish the disease people I love suffer from felt insulting.

Addiction and substance abuse is real. It is a real disease that people unfortunately suffer from. My entire life it felt taboo to speak out about, I never wanted to step on toes or make anyone uncomfortable. I have come to learn that toes need to be stepped on, stories need to be heard. As lonely as I feel, I know I am not the only one dealing with the mental debate of what to do or how to feel. Addicts

Growing up, my dad was my best friend. We did everything together and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Even after my parents split, I was still drawn to my dad. Sure, me and my mom were close, but I have always felt a deep rooted connection to him. I didn’t know why I felt so connected to my dad until I was 14. When my mom finally opened up about a man I didn’t recognize as my father. For the first five years of my life my dad was an alcoholic. Being so young, I don’t have memories of him like this which is a good thing. But, I also don’t really have many memories of him at all because of this. He was present in my life, but he wasn’t really ever there. He spent a lot of his time passed out or contemplating his next drink, but this part of my life doesn’t really change my opinion on my father. Even though times were hard, I knew he still loved and cared for me. He just needed to get over this hurdle.

Within a few months of their split my father checked himself into rehab. I don’t remember anything from this time, but I can confidently say this decision has impacted the last twelve years of my life. If my dad didn’t enter recovery I fear we wouldn’t have the relationship we have today. I know his story isn’t uncommon, but his recovery is quite the opposite. About 15 million Americans are currently struggling with alcoholism, but only 18 percent of alcoholics are able to abstain from drinking for a year. This year my dad is celebrating 12 years of sobriety.

Statistics like these are what keep me up at night. Never before did I think my father’s disease would define my future. To me, this is the hardest part of being the child of an addict. Not having control over you’re own future is terrifying. My entire life I have felt trapped behind statistics, never knowing if I’ll beat the odds. I have spent almost the entirety of my teenage years constantly fearing the person I might become. While everyone else my age is going out to parties and doing “normal” teenage things, I am sitting at home fearing my own shadow. Constantly worrying about something I can’t control because of the overwhelming fear of becoming someone I am ashamed of. I don’t really understand where my thought process has come from considering I would never look at my father the way I look at myself. But then again, addiction wouldn’t be as powerful if it didn’t try to tear you to the ground.

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous defines addiction as a “threefold illness: a physical allergy, a mental obsession, and a spiritual malady.” This is the definition of addiction I choose to apply to my own life. Although I am not an addict, I too have found comfort in AA’s 12 steps. While I don’t practice everything my father does, this book has provided me with comfort. Knowing I am incharge of the outcome of my own life has become a crucial part of my own healing and growth. No longer will I spend my entire life being afraid of something I cannot control. No longer will I let addiction define my life story. I am my own person, not my father. While I applaud him for his own success, I will no longer sit by and assume I will have to do the same thing. I am more powerful than a potential disease.

A need for change

Illustration by Moth Payne

Specter of violence should spur change in FHSD

By Reilly Scobey Print Assignments Editor

Waking up Saturday morning I wasn’t expecting my usual routine to differentiate. I woke up at nine, ate breakfast, and got ready for work.

Everything played out as usual, until about noon when I sat down for my lunch break and saw an email come across my phone. Not really thinking anything of it, I was ready to send it to the trash, but something stopped me. The words FHSD Community. I decided to take a look and was shocked when I saw why the superintendent was going out of his way to contact everyone on a Saturday.

The night before a student brought a firearm to the basketball game between FHC and Francis Howell North and no one would have known if another student didn’t report it. Reading this was shocking, but for some reason I wasn’t panicking as much as someone who heard an underage student was able to get a firearm into their school should be.

Sure, reading it was horrifying because I knew friends of mine were there and I pictured what could have happened if this situation panned out differently, but I returned to school on Monday with no questions asked. Why is this? This should be a situation that alarms everyone, but walking through the halls all I hear is kids making jokes and saying the district’s three administrators from Central Office and an additional police officer at school is a bit of an overreaction since nothing really happened. Personally, I don’t agree with them, but I can’t really say I felt too different after this situation. I showed up to school two days later as if nothing happened.

Sadly my reaction isn’t uncommon. As a society when we read about school shootings or other forms of gun violence we tend to talk about it for a couple weeks, say a change needs to be made, and then never actually change anything. Why is this? This year — through mid-February — alone there have been six school shootings and more than four dozen acts of gun violence across America.

Among the most talked about is the Jan. 6 Richneck Elementary School shooting in Virginia which resulted in life threatening injury to a first grade teacher at the hands of her six year old student. While the school has notably upped security and hired a new administrator it won’t stop events like this from happening. No one wants to see something like this happen at their school, so why do we sit there and think it won’t happen again when time after time we are proven wrong?

It can’t be because these events don’t hit close enough to home because on Oct. 24, 2022, a mass shooting occurred at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in Saint Louis. A student and teacher were sadly killed as a result, but we didn’t do anything about it. We followed the usual procedure: the school was shut down for a little while and eventually reopened with more security. While this was a crucial step in creating a safer environment for students, it isn’t enough. If we want to

prevent tragic events like this from happening again we need to enact legislation to provide funding and support for schools to better combat these issues.

It’s hard for people to continually fight for something their local politicians will do nothing about, so they bend down in defeat and continue to watch it happen. What else are you supposed to do? Because of this we as a society have become accustomed to violence like this. I wish I could say I haven’t, but that would be a lie. I too have become accustomed to this being reality when it shouldn’t be.

It’s just hard to gain traction for these movements when your local news only writes a couple of short articles about what conspired at your school Friday and moves on to the next story like this one didn’t really matter. When will it matter? Will it matter when we inevitably lose more people? Or will we brush the next one off as well?

Being able to sit back and think about a situation that could have played out in your own school and not really giving it any second thoughts shows there is something wrong with society. Never in a million years did I think we as a society would become so accustomed to something that we call scares like these “not a big deal.” Never did I think people would see the district’s response to an underage student bringing a firearm into a basketball game and almost getting away with it as an overreaction, but I guess I thought better of us.

No matter the intentions of the student, this should make every Spartan question how it was able to happen in the first place. Never in a million years did I think something like this could happen here. I mean, I don’t really know why I never thought it could happen here considering they seem to be happening all over the country. I guess you never really comprehend the impacts of these events until your own community is almost impacted.

After this incident, I have decided I am no longer going to sit back and watch something like this go untalked about. As a reporter, it is my place to cover this story to the best of my ability in order to provide my community with all of the facts to hopefully make a difference, but this isn’t something I can do alone. This is something we as a community need to step up and change.

Rather than moving on, we need to continue to talk about these things. When we stop talking about similar events fall through the cracks without any of us talking about them. If we want change, we need to start with us. As a district we need to consider addressing how we stop things like this in the future. If this means invoking new policy then we need to whole-heartedly support and move forward with them. We can’t expect the rest of the world to change if we can’t even do so ourselves, so rather than sitting back and waiting for someone else to address it, we need to do something about it ourselves. Obviously, we can’t change the world on our own, but we can take the first steps in making our schools a safer space.

All out

My favorite part about this photo is how exhausted senior Sarah Layton looks after her match.

FINAL FRAME

By Samantha Castille

Photo Assignments Editor

[She had just lost her match to a Howell opponent on Dec. 14. You can tell she really put in a lot of effort and the photo really captures this well in how red and blotchy her face is and the expression of defeat. I was waiting for a while to capture a photo showing something other than action because everytime I shoot wrestling, this was something new and different for me.

[The blur behind her really captures how in the moment she was and how that match was the only thing that mattered at the point.

To see more of Central Photo’s images, check out our work at https:// fhctoday.com/category/galleries/