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FOCUS VOLUME 21, ISSUE 4, FEBRUARY 2018 FRANCIS HOWELL CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
A LOOK BACK
Filled with big moments, first semester is over, providing us an opportunity to reflect on what we’ve done. Page 14
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FEBRUARY 2018
ABOUT
STAFF
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
PHOTO BY SYDNEY ROBBINS
DEAR READERS,
With the end of 2017 and beginning of 2018, we as a staff wanted to address the topics we felt were most prevalent from last year as well as what’s happened thus far. While we covered timeless topics like the use of the N-word to the brand new ban on blankets to tips on how to be single on Valentine’s Day, this issue centers around a recap of what happened last semester told through the lens of our photographers. We wanted to give students an opportunity to look back on what happened at the beginning of the school year as well as what’s going on now. From all of us here at the Central Focus, thanks for a great first semester and welcome to 2018.
Skylar Laird & Emily Mann & Belen Herrera WEB EDITOR: Liz Baker DISCOVER EDITOR: Garrett Allen FEATURE EDITOR: Lanie Sanders MOVE EDITOR: Juliet Fuhrmann VOICE EDITOR: Whitney Klein ENTERTAIN EDITOR: Millennia Simmons PHOTO EDITOR: Sydney Robbins VIDEO EDITOR: Connor Crites LIVESTREAM EDITOR: Zach Jones SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR: Tyler Summers STAFF REPORTERS: Catherine Analla, Craig Eddy, Carlin Bippen, Chloe Bockhorst, Kana Chung, Marcus Falcomata, Jennifer Ferry, Jessica Fults, Justin Hedrick, Bryce Lee, Annalise Davis, Gillian Pendel, Megan Percy, Lanie Sanders, PJ Sheehan,
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Alura Berry, Mackenzie Craven, Jordan Dusenberg, Kierston Fisher, Olivia Fong, Emily Hall, Brynlee Hendricks, Liv Hritzkowin, Grace James, Gracie Kruep, Gillian Lee, Zoe Lentz, Josie Prince, Ethan Wagman, Doug West.
THOUGHTS?
Have a letter for the editor or a question for us?
If something we wrote demands your voice, please e-mail us at fhcpub@gmail.com or drop your handwritten letter off with Mr. Schott in Room 139. The Central Focus staff will print the entirety of your letter, providing it meets the standards of publication laid out in the FHC Publications editorial policy, which is available in Room 139 or at www.fhctoday.com for your perusal.
CONNECT
FHCtoday.com is the online home of FHC Publications and serves as a hub for all of our breaking news, photography and video work. For all you need to know about the FHC community, head to FHCtoday.com
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RELAXED: With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, single people find unconventional plans. This “treat yourself” mentality can be great for those without dates this year. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY WHITNEY KLEIN
content
FEBRUARY 2018
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DISCOVER
Blanket ban ... 4
Students are no longer allowed their beloved blankets and they’re not happy.
Net neutrality ... 5
Everything anyone needs to know about net neutrality following the recent repeal.
Around the world ... 6-7
Faces of students with roots from around the world at FHC. FEATURE
Stepping it up ... 9
A look inside one of the school’s most recent and least well-known clubs.
Therapeutic arts ... 10-11
Music and art can impact students and be used in therapeutic ways.
Universal language ... 12-13
A guide to music through different cultures besides what’s on the radio. FOCUS
Year in review ... 14-15 SQUEEZED OUT: With the repeal of net neutrality, speculation has arisen over how businesses will change. This repeal could cause new constrictions in the way people use the internet. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR CRITES
Following the end of 2017, photography takes students back through first semester.
A look back ... 16-17
Last semester included major events, successful seasons for athletes, and more. MOVE
Basketball bonding ... 18-19
Girls basketball team shares a unique bond between players and with coach.
Starting young ... 20
Freshmen on varsity teams recount their experiences thus far.
Breathe in, and out ... 21
A how-to guide for meditation, which can be important in stress relief. WORDS HURT: For decades, the n-word has been used as a slur against black people. Now, its use still inserts itself in society despite its ignorance and hurtful impact. ILLUSTRATION BY WHITNEY KLEIN
VOICE
Cheater, cheater ... 22
As students find more ways to cheat, they begin to lose their integrity.
“Just get over it” ... 23
The importance of understanding mental illness which allows kids to get help.
The n-word ... 24
Millennia Simmons expresses the ignorance behind using the n-word.
ENTERTAIN
Treat yourself ... 25 SHOOTING HER SHOT: Coach Leaks looks on as Hannah Currant makes a shot. Coach Leake helps the girls bond by creating a family within the team. PHOTO BY OLIVIA FONG INSTRUMENTAL: Aspiring music therapist Mariah Skelly demonstrates a music therapy session to a band class. Music therapy can be instrumental in the future of psychology. PHOTO BY AMY WILKERSON
No Valentine’s Day date? No problem. Pamper yourself with these tips
Pick-up lines ... 26
Find out how you would react to someone shooting their shot
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FEBRUARY 2018
DISCOVER
Out in the
COLD
Blankets vanish from halls with new blanket ban in place By Bella Davis
Staff reporter Comfort is something we all crave no matter where we are or what we are doing. For the past couple of years, students have been carrying around blankets for various reasons. Aleks Kisseloff, a senior, uses his blanket as an accessory to his outfit. “I started bringing them on a regular basis and it started to become a trademark, so I continued to do it,” Kisseloff said. “I started getting newer ones, flashier ones, ones that were more like my personality.” While Kisseloff’s blanket serves as a fashion statement, many other students turn to their blankets for comfort within the school. Many students are cold and are troubled with the uncomfortable seats in the school; for this reason, junior Gabe Alden thinks blankets are acceptable for comfort. “It gets very uncomfortable and sometimes I can’t focus on my schoolwork. I don’t use it as a distractor in class and it’s not like I’m trying to distract anybody else,” Alden said. “I just use it to be comfortable.” Whatever the student’s reason behind their blanket, most feel they should be able to have their blanket, and most feel their voices are not heard when it comes to what they wear and why they wear blankets. Principal Dr. Sonny Arnel argues school is a place of learning and it is more appropriate to have a jacket than a blanket to keep warm. “Do we really need a blanket at a school where we should be academically focused?” Dr. Arnel said. “Looking for the best academic environment and making sure all students have support and access to true academic learning is important. And if you’re chilly, you can wear a jacket or a sweater.” Wearing a blanket is not school appropriate to many teachers in the building. Ms. Elisabeth Baird, director of
the vocal department, weighed in on the blanket debate, falling on the anti-blanket side. Baird believes wearing blankets is not suitable for a place meant to prepare you for a professional work environment. “A blanket is not an article of clothing,” Ms. Baird said. “If you are cold, then wear an article of clothing, like a jacket.” Jackets are an obvious choice when needing something to use when you are cold. However, students feel like blankets are more fun and much more comfortable. “I would rather use a blanket because they’re so comfortable,” Alden said. “It’s a lot easier to use a blanket all day than trying to shove a giant jacket inside your backpack so many times throughout the day.” Many students seem to support what is more convenient rather than what is socially acceptable. Dr. Arnel’s decision to ban blankets was based on the safety and health of all of his students. Overall, though, one of the biggest influences on the ban was his wish to prepare students for their futures. “As an adult, you can’t take your blanket to work. I doubt you see any blankets on a college campus. Is that a real world transfer?” Dr. Arnel said. The concern of many teachers is to prepare us for our real world transfer. They want to make sure we are worried about how we train ourselves now. To Dr. Arnel, if banning blankets is what is needed, that is the action he will take. For now, the ban on blankets is permanent for the obvious safety and health reasons, as well as the appropriateness of the campus. The ban on blankets will not be repealed. Dr. Arnel and other staff at FHC came to this conclusion. “I think the more we talked through that with the staff, the more conclusion came to the fact that we will never bring them back,” Dr. Arnel said.
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Do we really need a blanket at a school where we should be academically focused? Looking for the best academic environment and making sure all students have support and access to true academic learning is important.” - Dr. Sonny Arnel, principal
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SYDNEY ROBBINS
FEBRUARY 2018
DISCOVER
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“I feel, as a student, it could negatively affect the way the school is able to afford the internet.” - junior George Schlotzhauer
No longer neutral An inside look on net neutrality: the situation and the potential problems arising TIGHT SQUEEZE: Internet providers use everything in their power to squeeze out as much money as they can from consumers. Without net neutrality, this will be all the more reality. ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR CRITES
By Craig Eddy and Marcus Falcomata
Staff reporters In 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established the internet’s guiding principle, net neutrality. This meant major internet providers like Comcast and AT&T could not speed up or throttle the user’s internet service, or block certain websites. It also put extra regulations on these businesses, which has hampered their profits since, making the idea of net neutrality less desired. To the user’s, however, a free internet allows them to do whatever they want and they feel as if this is what the internet is supposed to be. On Nov 21, FCC chairman Ajit Pai unveiled his plan to repeal net neutrality, and on Dec. 14, the 3-2 vote was approved in favor of the repeal. Many Republicans and small businesses believe this repeal to be positive for the economy. In their opinion, net neutrality made the internet much less free for the two years it was in place. According to junior George Schlotzhauer, net neutrality is for the consumers more than the big organizations. “I support net neutrality because
it stops big corporations that have screwed us over in the past from continuing to do that and taking advantage of consumers,” Schlotzhauer said. As junior Nick Cummings explains, it’s all about competition. “The repeal allows a free market system to take place between internet service providers so there can be more competition between providers,” Cummings said. “It would upset their customers, forcing them to choose a different internet service.” With this problem and thought in mind, people believe providers might not do as much as everyone thinks. “I don’t think the internet service providers will do [anything]; it will remain the same as it was,” Cummings added. As the implementation of the repeal still processes, people are taking time to reflect on what lies ahead and, as junior Baylee Jennings believes, the process will take some time. “I’m not really sure what will come from it because it still has to go through the courts,” Baylee explained. “So I have a feeling that since there is such a large outcry of people against it, it probably won’t make it through the court.” The customers and protesters of
the repeal, around 83 percent of Americans according to a poll by the University of Maryland’s Program for Public Consultation and Voice of the People, went as far as setting up multiple petitions to get re-votes and overturning the vote to repeal. Most have the same reasons for protesting the repeal. “I support net neutrality because I think people should be able to access whatever they want without having to pay extra money to have their internet work faster,” Jennings said. On the consumer side of things, net neutrality being repealed could be a life-changing problem for some. The fact that soon internet providers may exploit certain websites in order to squeeze out extra cash is devastating not only for social situations, but also education. “I feel, as a student, it could negatively affect the way the school is able afford internet,” Schlotzhauer said. “And we could be cut off from a lot of technology that we use for school.” From the conservative point of view, allowing the free market room to breathe by decreasing regulation will keep this from happening and give providers more rights and freedom.
“Prices won’t hike. I don’t think the internet service providers want to upset their customers,” Cummings said. “If people like it the way it is now the companies will see that and realize what’s gonna happen if they hike up their prices.” Jennings adds to this thought with her own. “[The repeal] will definitely affect my schooling because I won’t be able to get on certain websites to do research [at home],” Jennings said. While the everyday consumer may be bombarded with some upcoming troubles, others are taking action and looking into fighting back against this situation. Senator Ed Markey acquired the ability to force a vote on the decision to repeal net neutrality. With just 30 sponsors, Markey has the power to make the Senate vote on whether to overturn the new rules regarding net neutrality. Although the vote could be won, it would still have to go through the House along with the president, who seems unkeen on approving it, though some people still stay hopeful in the return. “It’s a shame that the FCC has voted to repeal it,” Schlotzhauer said. “But I have confidence that net neutrality will come back through the court of appeals.”
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DISCOVER
The melting pot Multiculturalism at FHC: effects, experiences, contributions By Garrett Allen
PHOTOS BY BELÉN HERRERA
Discover eeditor
The city of St. Charles and its surrounding areas are composed almost exclusively of Englishspeaking Caucasian and African-American populations. Yet, though relatively homogenous, the city and FHC are also host to families of widely varying nations from around the globe, from Mexico to Pakistan, and their children work and study here as multicultural students. They are Americans, citizens or permanent residents, but retain the unique characteristics of their culture and bring them here. Their experiences in getting to where they are now, students of FHC, vary just as widely, with challenges along the way of each of their paths. For senior Christopher Carrillo’s father, it started with snowsuits. “When my dad first came to the U.S., he lived in Texas; when he moved [there], he was scared at first,” Carrillo said. “In his closet he had a few of these huge snowsuits that he brought in anticipation of how cold it was.” For his family, as with many, learning English after being thrown into the States was difficult. “My mother didn’t learn English real fast. She was working her way around and there were a lot of complications, like trying to get into a storage locker facility — that was hard,” Carrillo said. “[She would be] yelling at people. Here you have to have a different attitude about everything; my mother would just yell and bark at people for the littlest things, but here people are more reserved and she needed to learn that.” Sophomore Tony Belonog had similar challenges, but doubly so. He was born in America, but left to live with his grandmother in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he was pushed to pick up Russian. Upon his return to the states three years later, he learned English again. “When I came back to America I was mute for three months,” Belonog said. “I would only talk to
my Mom in Russian, and they almost put me in a class for deaf and mute people. I eventually picked it up and started to speak both.” Belonog’s mother grew up in the small village of Omutninsk, a few hours outside of St. Petersburg. Through constant work, she eventually made her way to a nursing degree at Lomonosov Moscow University, one of Russia’s finest institutions, and now imparts the same attitude to her son. “Whenever my mom talks to me about my grades, she always talks about how hard she worked to get where she did in Moscow,” he said. “There’s a saying: ‘Your eyes are scared but your hands are doing it,’ and it means just because you don’t want to do it, it has to be done.” Seniors Siyi Wang and Hamad Khan, from Liuzhou, China and Lahore, Pakistan, respectively, have both been equally as pushed by their parents to attain prosperity in the nation they’ve grown to call home. “[The work week] is way over 40 hours [in China], and [Chinese people] are wanting to work more compared to here where parents are more focused on staying home with the children,” Wang said. “I have few family members here, but the work ethic that they inherit from the Chinese culture hasn’t changed, and I carry that work ethic with me.” Khan agreed. “[Pakistanis] are also very passionate about success,” Khan said. “My parents push me to go out and seek higher education, study, and try to make a difference in the world.” For each of the four students, and for all bilingual immigrant students at FHC, studying as a multicultural student came with challenges, but novel benefits as well. Wang moved to the United States from the People’s Republic of China six years ago, when she was in the seventh grade. Making it through school years at first revolved largely around learning
English. The Chinese emphasis on a relentless work ethic, though, drove her to succeed throughout her high school career, and pushed her to view problems from different perspectives. “The most rewarding aspect of being a multicultural student is that I’m able to absorb American ideology, while still being able to keep my Chinese ideologies,” Wang said. Carrillo has found similar benefits in studying here with a diverse background. “[The greatest benefit] is knowing I’m not restricted to stay to one language or one culture, that I know I can switch things up if I need to, [giving] me opportunities for work or travel without needing to have a translator,” he said. With the political atmosphere in some parts of Capitol Hill shifting largely in the direction of nationalism and xenophobia, and with Missouri’s number five title in CNBC’s “America’s [Ten] Worst States to Live in 2017” partially due to a “lack of inclusiveness,” some new immigrant families fear the lack of diverse communities in the area. Historically, however, FHC has been largely known for accommodating students of all nationalities. Khan, after moving into and across the nation, believes it to be true. “I would say it’s no big deal [to study as a minority nationality],” Khan said. “I’ve never been called out [at FHC] for being brown or Muslim or anything; it has generally been okay. FHC is pretty good, from my perspective, about things relating to ethnicity.” “Foreigners and immigrants don’t just take up space where we live, we participate in events and with our communities,” he added. Belonog concurred “I don’t want to live anywhere else but America,” he said. “I follow Russian culture more, but at the same time I want to live and contribute here. [We] value what [we] do no matter what we have.”
FEBRUARY 2018
DISCOVER PHOTOS BY BELEN HERERA
Name: Christopher Carrillo Grade: Senior Culture: Méxican (Northeastern) Languages: Spanish, English Year parent(s) immigrated: 1998 City, state/province: Monterrey, state of Nuevo León Times moved: Four, across three states Activities: Varsity Speech and Debate CoPresident, clerk for municipal government, Life Scout Dream occupation: D.E.A. agent
Name: Antony “Tony” Belonog Grade: Sophomore Culture: Russian (Western) Languages: Russian, Ukranian, English Year parent(s) immigrated: 2003 City, state/province: St. Petersburg, Leningrad Oblast, Northwestern Federal District Times moved: Two, between nations Activities: FBLA; Trap, House, and EDM music producer Dream occupation: Music producer
Name: Siyi Wang Grade: Senior Culture: Chinese (Southwestern) Languages: Liuzhou-dialect Chinese, Mandarin Chinese, French (classes), English Year parent(s) immigrated: 2012 City, state/province: Liuzhou, north central Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Times moved: One Activities: Band (percussion), HOSA, International Club, NHS, Class Officer, Medical Mission to Ghana Summer ‘17 Dream occupation: Physician
Name: Hamad Khan Grade: Senior Culture: Pakistani (Southern) Languages: Urdu, English Year parent(s) immigrated: 2005 City, state/province: Lahore, Punjab province Times moved: Three Activities: Varsity Speech and Debate (Congressional Debate), FBLA, Quiz Bowl, Ranch Football Club Dream occupation: Computer scientist at Tesla
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Pride is a really big thing, in family name and family history. Whenever I talk to my great-grandmother, she always brings up the fact that her great grandfather fought for Emiliano Zapata, one of the Méxican revolutionaries. She has a picture of him on her wall. It gives her pride that she’s lived on the same street her entire life, that she’s around her family, that her family’s big. People are proud. ” It’s all about history and overcoming hardship. Everything that happens [to them] in history is what makes the Russian people feel like they’re Russian. All the tsars and revolutions, where we’ve started to where we’ve gotten. When the Germans invaded Russia, Russian soldiers hid artifacts that were relatively worthless just so the Nazis couldn’t destroy them. People died protecting those items.” In China, people work very intensely; they try to do as much as they can. In America you have 40 hours maximum per week, but it’s way over that [in China]. People want a better life, education, socioeconomic status, so they work their way out. My mom works 12 hours per day on weekdays, and take[s] leftover work to the weekends. I carry that Chinese work ethic.”
A part of Pakistani influence from my parents has been to be a good human being. Those values have been instilled from their parents and their parents; it’s something Pakistanis generally have, that will to be a good human being.”
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FEBRUARY 2018
DISCOVER
WHAT?!?!?!
You haven’t bought your yearbook yet? Well, this is what the cover looks like. Buy your copy (using the order form on the back page) before the second semester ends to reserve the 21st edition of the Odyssey.
FEBRUARY 2018
feature
Stepping stars A new team has stepped into the spotlight
STEPPING IT UP: The step team performs at the “Coaches vs Cancer” assembly for the school. The team did not exist two years ago and now has regular schoolwide performances, a growing fanbase, and has students on the edge of their seats during assemblies. PHOTO BY ZOE LENTZ
By Chloe Bockhorst
Staff reporter Stepping is an ancient technique started in African culture centuries ago, but just now has it come to the students of FHC. Led by Ms. Shannon Harting, the step team showed the school just what they can do at the fall and winter pep assemblies. They’ve shown what they can do, but some students still ask the question — what exactly is stepping? Junior Jada Waters, tells of what it takes to be an adept stepper on the school team. “You have to have rhythm, some kind of technique, and you have to be loud and energetic,” she said. Despite just becoming a school club this year, the team members have shown just that. They have learned from several references - the invigorating sport has a rich history. Stepping was started long ago in African tribes, then brought back by African-American fraternities in the 1950’s, and continues to be a tradition today. Heaven Loggins and Ta’Niya Williams wanted to give it a try with the help of counselor Ms. Shannon Harting, who sponsors and coordinates the team. “Ta’Niya and Heaven wanted an inclusive group that would represent step at FHC,” Ms. Harting said. Since the team has been founded, they’ve performed in two pep assemblies and during the Pink Out game — the team has over 20 members, continuing to grow and improve while showcasing their talents at school events. The team hopes to perform in many more games, pep assemblies, and possibly
even competitions in the future. “The steppers are dynamic performers. They love to learn new steps and really hope to perform in competitions in the near future,” Ms. Harting said. Many sports need the team to work together well - but in stepping, the whole performance would fall apart without complete coordination. Sophomore choreographer Mariah Javier is proud of how they have managed to maintain their unshakable unity. “I like how we’re not really a ‘team,’ we’ve grown together as a family. In the beginning, I didn’t really know a lot of the people, and since then we’ve gotten closer,” Javier said. Her choreography skills are integral to the team’s success, but she notes how their
FOOTWORK: The step team performs at pep assemblies, and relies on coordination to perform. PHOTO BY GRANT BOEHNE
closeness is just as important. Even with their considerable growth, many of the steppers still consider themselves a family. In this diverse family, individuality also plays a part in their motivation to become better steppers. All of the team members step because they love it, but why they love it differentiates between them all. “I like [stepping] because it’s fun and when everything’s put together, it sounds really satisfying,” Javier said. As a choreographer, she works hard with other choreographers to piece together the performances the school sees. For Waters, it’s the performance as well; but what truly makes a step team to her is its separation from stress the world presents. “It gets my mind off things, and you get to be around your friends; it’s just something to do,” Waters said. Whatever the reason for being on the step team, every member is working to improve and better themselves. Choreographers find inspiration from any source they can. “Sometimes we’ll put our ideas together into one step, and then ideas from a lot of different people on the team. We make videos, we have a group chat, and we’ll watch videos for ideas,” Javier said. The whole team puts everything into their practices, doing extensive research and tweaking every detail until the team is satisfied. The whole school will continue to get to see their hard work turned excited routine at game and pep assemblies - and hopefully more in the rehearsals to come.
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FEBRUARY 2018
feature
Sounds of the Earth An incomplete list of the international superstars you’ve never heard of By Garrett Allen
Discover Editor From towering Lady Liberty to the gleaming minicity of Hollywood, the culture of the United States is widely regarded as the most influential on Earth. In the worldwide music trade, American music plays the same role, dominating charts across the world with superstar artists like Kendrick Lamar and The Killers. It established the foundations of rock n’ roll, modern pop, rap, grunge, metal, and others. Yet, internationally, non-English artists from a variety of other cultures also share an enormous amount of stardom, and are largely neglected by English-only listeners in the States and United Kingdom. The language classrooms of FHC incorporate music of taught cultures into daily routines, and have inspired some, like junior JD Salser, to put international music into their daily playlists. Salser, a four-year Spanish student who serves as a member of the International Club “UN Small Council,” uses the experience of nonEnglish music to further his understanding of other cultures
Spanish-language music is, alongside South Korean, one of the biggest musical cultures on Earth. Its influence has had a massive impact on pop, rock, hip-hop, and alternative culture. Hundreds of millions listen to Hispanic songs each year. Some popular Spanish artists include: 1) Juan Luis Guerra combines bachata, merengue, and Afro-Latino styles to make a unique sound that vibrates with passion. Song: “Todo Tiene Su Hora” (Everything has its time)
“I listen to Spanish mainly,” Salser said. “But I also enjoy listening to French music, Italian music, and Russian music. It’s become a part of me to listen to the music of all these different cultures.” Although he’s been listening to non-English music for years, Salser still often finds vibrant new routes of music from different corners of the world “I try, everyday, to listen to a new song or introduce myself into a new genre that I don’t necessarily understand; it’s always something new and fresh,” he said. “It’s definitely beyond my ability to explain; there’s still so many genres of music that I’ve never heard of, let alone listen to. I don’t know anybody who completely understands how vast the world of music really is. The music, while not in native tongues, still speaks volumes by rising and falling with the individual melodies and emotions. For Salser, it allows for vivid imagery even in the absence of understandable language “It gives me a better iunderstanding of the culture on a deeper level, and it paints a picture inside [my] head,” he said. “I can almost envision the culture behind the music.”
2) Maná, widely regarded as the best Latin American rock band in history, have been awarded four Grammys and eight Latin Grammys. They have 50 number one hits globally and have sold 40 million records worldwide. Song: “En el Muelle de San Blas” (On the Dock of San Blas)
4) Daddy Yankee, “The King of Reggaetón,” rose to superstardom with his 2004 album “Barro Fino.” Reggaetón is a blend of Jamaican dancehall reggae and Latin tropical beats, mixed with merengue and bomba. He is the biggest Spanishlanguage rap artist of all time. Song: “Lo Que Pasó, Pasó” (What Happens, Happens)
3) Celia Cruz, “The Queen of Salsa,” was a powerful singer from Cuba. Her perfection of salsa and the clave rhythm has not been paralleled. She has ten Grammy nominations. Song: “La Vida Es Un Carnaval”
5) Juanes is the biggest Latin American artist of the 21st century. He has won two Grammys and been awarded twenty Latin Grammys. He is one of the most recognized voices in the Hispanic world. Song: “Juntos” (Together)
Although France was known for classical music, it is now a powerhouse for pop and innovative alternative/indie music. Some popular French artists include: 1) Stromae, who is known for his creative blending of Congalese, Cuban son, and ‘50s French pop: Song: “Alors on Danse”
2) Christine and the Queens, or Héloïse Letissier, takes inspiration from drag queen culture and theatrical music and is known for creative & artistic music videos Song: “iT”
3) Charles Aznavour, “The Frank Sinatra of France,” is known for being a singer, songwriter, actor, diplomat, and activist. He has sold over 200 million records worldwide. Song: “Emmenez-moi” (Take me)
FEBRUARY2018
feature 1) Utada Hikaru, the Multiplatinum artist from New York City, has sold over 52 million records worldwide. She was called by The Japan Times in 2009 as “the most influential [Japanese] artist of the decade.” Song: “Passion”
2) Ayumi Hamasaaki, “The Empress of J-Pop,” is the best selling Japanese solo artist of all time. Going beyond her beautiful singing voice, she has a clothing line, a restaurant, and an anime about her Song: “BLUE BIRD”
Japanese pop music, or “J-Pop,” has swept the world alongside South Korean K-Pop as one of the most dominant music cultures worldwide. Japanese artists maintain the energy and flair of the pop style, but include darker, harder elements from metal as well.
Germany has been credited largely, in conjunction with the States, as the birthplace for worldwide heavy metal rock. The biggest German bands across the world are dark, hard, and play largely power chordheavy guitar progressions. Expect headbanging.
South Korean pop music, “K-Pop,” is one of the single most popular music cultures in history, with hundreds of millions of listeners per year. K-Pop is flashy, creative, and extremely elegant - stars are chosen at a young age and train relentlessly for years before they are allowed to hit the stage.
Russia, home to the legendary classical composers Tchicovsky and Stravinsky, today has a growing rock/alternative scene. Following the Russian spirit of overcoming adversity and oppression, artists sing shameless, powerful lyrics that often include vulgarity
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Cheesy rmance to laugh or cry at, depending on how happy you are with your relationship status. By Lanie Sanders
1. “A Cinderella Story”
Sam Montgomery, whose parents sadly perished, is constantly harassed by her step mother, and step sisters. Suddenly, it seems her life is looking up when she meets Austin Ames at the Halloween Dance.
2. “How To Lose a Guy in Ten Days”
1) Tokio Hotel, initially teenagers, rose to stardom with their elegant instrumental work and daring androgenous fashion. Their alternative-pop rock has led them to go platinum in Germany and other nations worldwide. Song: “Durch den Monsun” (Through the Monsoon)
2) Rammstein is the reigning champion of the German hard rock-metal scene. The New York Times reported in 2005 that they “give off an air of brute masculinity and barely contained violence.” Song: “Du Hast” (You Have)
Benjamin Berry, a guy who is known for getting around, meets Andie Anderson at a bar. Little does he know, Andie is a reporter and writing an article about how to lose a guy in ten days. Much to his dismay, his friend had bet him that he cannot keep a girl for ten days. .3. “10 Things I Hate About You” Bianca Stratford, a popular girl, falls for Cameron James, the new kid. But, she can’t date until her uptight older sister does. Cameron and Bianca then hire Patrick Verona to go out with her. However, Patrick and Kat have completely clashing personalities.
4. “Grease”
Rydell High School, 1950’s California. Danny Zuko, leader of the T Bird’s, comes back to school after meeting Sandy Olsson. Surprised to see her there, they begin their love as she joins the Pink Ladies. Problems arise when she doesn’t match the image Danny wants her to.
5. “The Notebook” 1) BoA (Kwon Bo-Ah), or “The Queen of K-Pop,” was chosen for training when she was only 11 years of age. She has won MTV Asia awards for Favorite Korean Artist, Most Influential Asian Artist, and is widely known for her eccentricity, even among other K-Pop artists. Song: “Jazzclub”
2) BIGBANG, “The Kings of K-Pop,” are the highest selling boyband of all time, beating out the Backstreet Boys by a large margin. They propelled the Korean Wave across the world with their outrageous music videos and excitement-filled, innovative pop beats Song: “Fantastic Baby”
Noah, a poor man with passion falls for Allie Hamilton, a very rich young woman. Allie gains a sense of freedom and they fall passionately in love, only to be torn apart by their social differences.
6. “Safe Haven”
Katie Feldman, abused by her husband, runs away to Newport with an attempt to conceal her identity. She meets Alex Wheatley and finds his wife had died, making him raise his two kids alone. When her husband strangely appears, Alex’s new love for Katie is tested.
7. “The Best of Me”
Many years after a high school break up, lovers Dawson Cole and Amanda Collier, see each other again. After realizing breaking up was a mistake, they both want to face all of the problems that begin to arise, abusive fathers, kids, and the reason they broke up.
1) Mumiy Troll, an extremely popular Russian alternative-pop rock group, blends acousticelectric sound along with cryptic vocals from songwriter and singer Ilya Lagutenko. They won the Legend of MTV Russia award in 2006 and continue to compose. Song: “S Chistogo Lista” (From Scratch)
2) Leningrad is one of most popular Russian music groups out of St. Petersburg. A 14-member band, they create energetic, brassy, percussion-heavy rockpop often including vulgar lyrics (in Russian) and celebrating aspects of Russian culture. Song: “Eksponat” (Exhibit)
8. “The Vow”
After a car accident, Paige wakes up with severe memory loss. Her husband, Leo, has to work to win her over yet again.
9. “Dirty Dancing”
while spending the summer at a resort with her family, Baby falls for the camp dance instructor.
10. “A Walk to Remember”
Landon Carter, a popular, rebellious teenager, is forced to be a part of the spring play as a punishment for partaking in an incident. He falls in love with Jamie Sullivan, the nerdy lead. Because of this, he begins to lose friends, and they realize how much they love each other.
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feature
Art as assurance
Art serves as an outlet for stressed high school students PHOTO BY SYDNEY ROBBINS
EXPRESS YOURSELF: Janelle Klos works on a painting during AP Art Studio. She was enveloped in her art during the class channeling her energy and focus into her masterpiece.
By Kana Chung
“I would encourage [embracing your] inner child; be creative and just have fun,” Switzer said.
Staff reporter High schools students have an endless list of things to worry about including, but not limited to, grades, social presence, home responsibilities, jobs, and extracurricular activities. Along with music, art is a major outlet for teens to express themselves and relieve some of their stress. From something as simple as doodling in the margin of a notebook, to something as extravagant as painting a stunning landscape; they all qualify as art, and whether it be a passion, or a pastime, it can help in more ways than one might imagine. In a study published in the journal “Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association”, this claim is put to the test. Girija Kaimal, Drexel University’s assistant professor of creative arts therapies, Kendra Rey, one of Kaimal’s doctoral students, and Juan Muniz, an assistant teaching professor of nutrition sciences, venture further into the topic of stress-relieving art and organize their findings in an article titled “Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants’ Responses Following Art Making”. In the study, a group of 39 individuals were provided with various art materials and allowed to create whatever they desired. Before the session, the cortisol level of each participant was measured, a higher level suggest a higher stress level. After letting their creativity flow for 45 minutes, the adults’ cortisol levels were measured once again. Roughly 75% saw a decrease in cortisol. The data had seemingly no association to previous art experience, suggesting that even those who were not necessarily gifted at the arts would benefit from creating artwork. Not only has generating art been scientifically proven to relieve stress, many people have experienced firsthand the calming effects of taking to a canvas.
FHC provides several art programs including Intro to Art, Painting, Ceramics, and many more. One of the highest levels of art classes is AP Studio Art. Junior Janelle Klos, an AP Studio Art student, as well as a member of National Art Honor Society (NAHS), has been making art for years. “I got started making art when, as a kid, I would always be inspired from what I saw in books, movies, etc., and try to make something out of my ideas,” Klos said. Since then, Klos’ passion has evolved into a form of expression. She knows far too well the struggle of juggling commitments and uses art to relieve some of the stress it causes. “I definitely would consider myself stressed because of all of the AP classes I take and not having time after school,” Klos said. “Art has helped me relieve some of my stress because it gives me a sense of peace and I let out all of my stress through the paint brush. I guess that’s why a lot of my art has a very chaotic feeling to it.” Someone who can sympathize with Klos is sophomore Faith Carter. “I find myself stressed over school, and the telltale sign is when you begin to dream about not finishing homework on time or failing a test,” Carter said. Despite not taking any art classes at school, Carter makes art in her free time and uses it as a release. She uses things that she encounters daily as inspiration, and has found that drawing, painting, and photography have relieved her stress in a way different from Klos. “Art has most definitely helped me relieve s t r e s s because after finishing a piece, it feels like a huge weight has been lifted. Art and photography have always been my goto for stress relief or distraction,” Carter said. In addition to helping kids, forming art can also provide an outlet for adults. Art teacher Ms. Judy Switzer can’t remember
a time when she wasn’t creating. “My mother is an artist so I’ve been around art making my whole life,” Mrs. Switzer said. The set of stressors that come with being an adult is practically a whole other subject from those of a teen, according to Switzer. “I have a tremendous amount of stress in my personal life and I tend to add to my stress because I desperately want to do a good job for my students.” Mrs. Switzer has no doubt that art has aided in her stress relief and has allowed her to put things into perspective- one of the many reasons she suggests this form of destressor to anyone feeling the weight of life’s pressures. “I really would [recommend making art to anyone who is stressed]. I would encourage [embracing your] inner child; be creative and just have fun,” Switzer said. Klos drew a similar conclusion; however, her reasoning added a new viewpoint. “I definitely would recommend art to s o m e o n e who’s constantly stressed because it’s a very calming hobby and you get something out of it,” Klos said. Similarly, Carter also recommends artmaking to stressed students. In fact, she feels passionately on the topic, and has provided some encouraging words for beginners. “I would suggest picking up art for those who feel stressed because it’s a stress reliever. Given, most people feel anxious about art because they don’t feel ‘good enough’ or feel ‘untalented’, but everyone must start somewhere,” Carter said. “I began with no formal training, and even if your pieces don’t turn out right, keep going until you meet some of your standards. It’s a nice hobby to have and turn to when you’re feeling overwhelmed. I hope more people pick up art because there is nothing like the exhilaration of [looking down and seeing] that you made this thing in front of you.”
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Music as medicine A musical form of therapy can cure many illnesses
MARIAH’S MELODY : Mariah Skelly, a sophomore at Drury University, performs her opening “Hello” song to students at a presentation on Music Therapy to band students. The “Hello” song serves to introduce everyone in the room to one another and establish basic social interactions. PHOTO BY AMY WILKERSON
By Megan Percy
Staff Reporter When Mariah Skelly steps into a room to meet the patient she will be treating, she prepares by going through her equipment, assessing their situation and planning will help. After introducing herself, she sits, pulls out a guitar and begins to sing a “hello” song that may include introductions, hand shaking, and high-fives. It may not seem like what she is performing is an act of therapy, but just in this song she has already started helping her convalescent. When most people think of therapy, they think of sitting on a couch and telling a doctor all their issues. But music therapy is very different than just sitting down and laying out problems to discuss; it is a diverse profession that can serve many different patients for many different purposes. “Anyone can be treated with music therapy. There are a ton of different settings,” Skelly said. “We like to say that we work ‘from the cradle to the grave’; from babies to hospice, with any diagnosis, from anything on the Autism Spectrum to Alzheimer’s.” Music therapy can treat many illnesses, and thus uses many different techniques to do so. “Sometimes the music therapist will play a song and do lyric analysis, other times
a music therapist may have the client actively making music with instruments or singing along,” Skelly said. Music therapy is a fast growing profession with work in many different environments, whether it be a private practice, a hospital or even schools. However, music can be used as a therapeutic tool outside the professional realm. For some, it provides a voice when normally silence for the producer would be more comfortable. Sage Russell, a junior choir student, is one of the people who feels this way about her art. “I have extreme social anxiety and music is my way of still being a part of the world. I’m not able to even sit in the gym during an assembly, but I could sing in front of the whole world without a second thought,” Russell said . “When I sing, there’s nothing else in the world but me and the song. When I’m not singing, I just drown in the people.” Putting emotions into music is a form of self-expression often used by musicians to get out of whatever they are feeling, providing a much-needed outlet for some. Creating lyrics or chords can show others pain, love, or whatever the creator feels; even sometimes helping the author understand their own emotions, and showing them to the world. “I do use music as an outlet,” Russell said, “Music is my translator.” Music is one of the only languages that
can claim to be universal. People can find themselves or each other in the lines of a staff or in a stanza of lyrics. The different level of expression reaches people on a different plane and has the ability to become much more than a language; it brings someone’s day from their worst to their best and shows who someone truly is. Some may also find the listening experience uplifting and beneficial to processing life. Melodies can express emotion the audience has in ways words can’t. According to senior Abram Cutshall, it helps identify and let go of emotions without speech being necessary. “I feel like listening to music is like listening to someone else describe your feelings instead of you having to talk about it,” Cutshall said. “You feel the same relief and release without ever saying anything.” Cutshall also views listening to music as a way to bring people together to form bonds in sharing an experience. “A concert is kinda like a huge emotional mash,” Cutshall said. “Usually it’s a very exciting time for me.” More than communication, more than a social mixer, and more than random notes on a page, music has proven itself to be a life changer. It can move a crowd to tears or laughter. It can connect people from all over the world, and now, music has shown it can treat illnesses and provide a haven for personality.
“When I sing, there’s nothing else in the world but me and the song... Music is my translator,” Russell said.
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“[Coach Leake] expects a lot from us, so
she’s tough, but she makes it all worth it. We enjoy [being at practice] and she’s just a really great coach.” - Hannah Currant RUNNING THE COURT: (RIGHT) Senior Hannah Currant runs down the court during a vasity game. Currant attributes the teams winning season to the hard work of Coach Leake. PHOTO BY EMILY HALL.
REACHING OUT: (LEFT) Senior Ashley Roland reaches out to block the ball against the opposing team during a varsity game. Roland has been playing on the team since freshman year and joined the varsity team her junior year. PHOTO BY ALURA BERRY
“I’m extremely close with my teammates; they’re like my sisters. I think the main reason we’re so close is because of the way the program is set up; we see each other everyday after school and most weekends, too.” - Senior Ashley Roland
CONVERSATIONS WITH COACH: Coach Hayley Leake talks to a member of her varsity team during a game. Coach Leake believes that forming connections between players is essential to the wellbeing of the team. PHOTO BY ALURA BERRY
“I think [forming strong bonds between teammates] is imperative...relationships are at the core of any great team.” -Coach Hayley Leake
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Bonding through
BASKETBALL
FEBRUARY 2018
Girls’ team attributes success to bonds formed with each other
HUDDLE UP: Coach Hayley Leake and players huddle together during a girls basketball game. Coach Leake believes forming strong relationships is important to the success of the team. PHOTO BY ALURA BERRY By Jennifer Ferry
Staff reporter The word basketball means something different for each student at FHC. To some, basketball conjures up nothing more than vague memories of middle school gym class, to other students the word reminds them of Friday nights spent cheering on FHC’s basketball teams in the large gym, and to members of the FHC girls basketball team, the word basketball symbolizes the deep and lasting friendships they’ve formed with their teammates under the guidance of Coach Hayley Leake. Although Coach Leake only started teaching at FHC five years ago, she has since become an integral part of the basketball program. She started coaching four years ago because she knew how important basketball had been to her own high school experience “Like many coaches I grew up playing [basketball]. I played a lot of sports, and just naturally, I was a competitor,” Leake said, “I liked- I loved what the team dynamic brought to the table, so when I got out of
college, it was something I wanted to help other student athletes enjoy and be a part of.” Encouraging athletes to enjoy the game and each others’ company is a key part of Leake’s coaching style. “I think [forming strong bonds between teammates] is imperative,” Leake said. “I think that relationships are always at the core of any great team, and not only is it just relationships, but if you expect to have any type of leadership they have to feel interconnected.” The idea of team harmony is felt by many members of the girls basketball team, including Ashley Roland, a senior member of the basketball varsity squad. “I’m extremely close with my teammates; they’re like my sisters.” Roland said. “I think the main reason we’re so close is because of the way the program is set up; we see each other every day after school, and most weekends, too.” In addition to practices and games the team also follows yearly traditions designed to encourage bonding amongst the team.
“One of my favorite memories is the pancake breakfast that we do every year,” Roland said. “We had such a great turnout and it was just a lot of fun hanging out together.” Another varsity member of the team, senior Hannah Currant, believes the reason the girls are all so close is because the girls spend time together not only on the court, but also at dinner. She also credits Coach Leake for the bond the girls feel together. “She expects a lot from us, so she’s tough, but she makes it all worth it. We enjoy [being at practice] and she’s just a really great coach.” Currant said. Coach Leake’s philosophy that friendship between players results in a more effective team is evidently a good one, as evidenced by the team’s wins against Fort Zumwalt West, Troy, Borgia, Union, and Timberland High School this January alone. They also rounded out the 2017 year with an impressive record of eight wins to only two losses. Evidently, forming great friendships off the court results in greatness on it.
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FOUR YEAR RACE: Running across the finish line, freshman Lily Chung’s passion for being in cross country has gotten her to state. Being so young has been hard, but it’s an accomplishment according to her. “It gives you a challenge. but in the end, it’s so rewarding. People are surprised when a freshman makes varsity, especially since it’s their first experience with high school level competition,” Chung said. PHOTO BY LIV HRITZKOWIN
Starting strong
Freshmen show off skills while gearing up for a high school career on varsity By Juliet Fuhrmann
the sport; none of her family members had team and is more than happy to be. Chung plans Move editor participated in it before, leaving her to practice on running cross country all throughout high It is a fact that it takes a lot of hard work to without guidance at first. Fortunately, now she has school because of the people she surrounded get into a varsity team. There are many tryouts, teammates and coaches to help her out. herself with on the team. practices, games, and tournaments to put “It was mostly just me trying to improve on my “During races, everyone is super supportive and determination towards. own,” Mason said, “I really like my coaches. they it is always very exciting to hear everyone cheering Freshman Sophie Delaney has been playing always motivate my teammates and I to do better each other on,” Chung said. basketball since she was five years old, as Being a part of any team is a once in a something to bond over with her dad and lifetime experience. Athletes get to play grandpa. They would push her to become with people who are just as passionate better and better throughout the years so that about the sport as they are. Mason feels she could be where she wanted to be: the girls as if she and her team are a family and are varsity basketball team. closer than other teams. It was not easy. The way to get better at “I love them; we are so close. It’s cool something is to keep trying; practice makes because we’re like a family, we’re always perfect. Delaney struggled at times, but she together. If we’re not at practice, we’re learned how to use her frustration to make her hanging out or going out to eat or doing a better player, earning her a spot on the varsity homework together,” Mason said. team as a freshman. It is important that if one is on varsity, “It took a lot of practice and it gets kind they have to put everything they’ve got of aggravating because it is the same stuff into it; they have to be passionate about over and over again, but if you have the right the sport they want to play and commit to mindset and want to push yourself, you can get it. Delaney plans on playing basketball in where you want. That has honestly helped me college as well. become who I am today,” Delaney said. “Make sure you are very passionate SWISH: A Spartans girls’ basketball goes head-to-head against Fort Zumwalt North’s Unlike Delaney, freshman Lindsey Mason has Panthers. Coach Leake instills an ethic of hard work in the team in all facets of the and make sure to have that mindset of been playing basketball since she was in sixth game. PHOTO BY ZACH JONES being a part of a team and being a team grade. Playing basketball makes her happy. player so everyone can do their best. If “I played basketball on a seperate team when I and to be the best players that we can be.” you work together as a team, then it all will come first started. I really like the atmosphere and being Motivation is key when being a part of a team together, no matter how much you have practice part of a team. I really love the sport,” Mason said. as well as a sport where it is all on the one athlete. or skill. As long as you have a positive attitude, Unlike Delaney, Mason lacked mentors in Freshman Lily Chung is on the varsity cross country everything will fall into place,” Delaney said.
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FOCUS: The meditation app “Calm” allows the user to relax when they are beginning to feel anxious or overwhelmed. The app contains guided meditation, relaxing music, and soothing stories.
IMAGINE: Junior Emily West practices the meditation Mrs. Julie Gronek teaches in her altered mind and conciousness unit where the students imagine they have a balloon in one hand and a book in the other. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY WHITNEY KLEIN
DREAM: “Smilling mind” is another useful tool for someone who wants to start meditating while simultaneously allowing the user to track their progress.
Mindful meditation Meditation can improve your life and positively change your mindset By Jessica Fults
Staff reporter Finding time throughout the day to relax and prioritize your mental health is one of the most beneficial things you can do for yourself. Meditating is a rewarding ways to relax when your life is hectic and the struggles seem never ending. Just ask Angie Carron, founder of OmTurtleYoga, who cured her anxiety disorders by meditating twice a day. Carron put too much pressure on herself to become her idea of the perfect mother and wife, all while focusing on going further in her career. This is when she was diagnosed with generalized anxiety, OCD, and panic disorder. She decided that it was necessary to find an alternative way of treating her anxiety disorders. “On the outside I was a strong woman but on the inside I was suffering. Medications were scary and I experienced side effects so my only option was natural healing, which led me to yoga and meditation,” Carron said. “When your brain recognizes how good calm feels, it craves more and more. Soon those thoughts that stressed you out before just don't matter as much anymore.” So where should you start? Carron has several recommendations for people starting their journey in meditation. One thing is for sure: the activity of meditation should not feel like a chore, but a learning experience. “Try five minutes upon waking and five minutes
before bed to start and end your day. Gradually build to 20 minutes, but never set expectations,” Carron said, “Sometimes the mind will behave, sometimes it doesn't. Meditation takes practice and patience. I would recommend starting with guided meditations first, then work up to quiet meditations.” Psychology teacher Julie Gronek has some of her own suggestions for people looking to meditate, and a tool online they can utilize. “There’s many different ways you can meditate; you can go on YouTube and find videos, or it can be just simply sitting or laying down while closing your eyes and drifting off to early sleep stages. People also do mantras where they just repeat a phrase over and over again to put them in a trance like state,” Ms. Gronek said. Mrs. Gronek teaches meditation as a part of the altered mind of consciousness unit, and she remembered that one of her students in the class last year, Josh McCoy, especially enjoyed the unit. McCoy defines what meditation means to him and the significance of practicing it. “Meditation is mainly just calming yourself and clearing your head of all the busy thoughts you might be thinking about. A lot of it is just relaxing your body and getting into a comfortable position,“ McCoy said, “I do meditate occasionally and the best part of it is probably a sense of clarity and being able to take your focus off of things.”
There’s a reason meditation works; it basically retrains your brain, therefore allowing you to relax more. Carron goes through the scientific reason why it works and how our brains reacts. “Start slow (1-5 min a day), don't get frustrated, keep returning the attention to your breath. I always tell my students to think of thoughts like an old time movie reel. If you focus in on a frame (thoughts) it tells a story, which can be distracting. If you don't focus and let the thoughts pass through, it’s merely impressions, which retrains your brain to relax and create 'white space,’” Carron said. While meditation helps with relaxation, Carron explains how it can also help you to focus on more positive and helpful thoughts and learn to not dwell on the negatives. “Meditation puts you front and center with your thoughts. You have choices throughout the day to engage or not engage in thoughts. Some thoughts are pleasant and some are destructive,” Carron said, “Meditation helps you to pick and choose thoughts that are healing and helpful, letting all other negative thoughts be.” Carron believes that everyone can successfully meditate, and that it can take a lot less time and effort than you think. “As I tell everyone, if you can breathe you can meditate. So if you can find a couples minutes to breathe without distractions you are meditating,” Carron said.
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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @FHCToday for upcoming streams
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FEBRUARY 2018
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Cheating epidemic begun by school, normalized by students 10:30 pm. Bleary-eyed, I check my phone to find a text from the kid who sits next to me in AP Chemistry. “Hey, do you have the answers for the homework?” it reads. I roll my eyes and clear the notification. It’s not the first time I’ve gotten this message, and I’m positive it won’t be the last. Tomorrow, I’ll come up with some excuse for not replying — I was sleeping, I didn’t see it — but I won’t tell him the truth: I don’t send answers. Because Skylar Laird if I told him that, I know I’d be Co-editor in chief ridiculed for it, as ridiculous as it is. I’d be called a “goody twoshoes,” told I need to relax, told it wouldn’t actually matter. The problem, though, isn’t that I’m worried about getting caught or that I’m stuck up or a goody-goody or any of that. It’s that I spent hours pouring over this homework, so why should I let someone reap the benefits without doing even half the work? It’s different when people ask me for help, or ask me how to do a certain problem, or want to check their work against mine — that’s still conducive of learning, and it means that we both put effort into what we we’re doing. But the students who go home, do nothing else, and then ask for answers don’t deserve my or anyone else’s hard work, and vice versa — I shouldn’t get theirs either. Students brag about A’s
in classes or having no missing assignments, but these are the same students who would turn every paper in late or fail every test if it weren’t for those students who actually work hard and do their work on time. The cheaters get all the credit while the honest kids struggle to complete all their work and keep up with their peers, feeling put down, feeling less-than, even though they’re really the ones who deserve recognition — because even if they’re struggling in a class, at least they’re doing their work. At least they’re trying. What students who cheat tend to miss is this exact concept: it’s about more than just a grade. It’s about honesty and ethics and hard work. While grades aren’t that important past high school or college, real life is about so much more. There’s no cheating as a doctor or a lawyer or a journalist; at some point, every student texting each other for answers to the homework they yet again did not do are going to have to be ethical and hard working in their career field, and they’re already corrupting these values, making them more difficult to apply later in life when they’re really necessary. While an honest student’s B won’t matter in ten years, a straight-A cheater’s lack of honesty will, whether in their career or in their relationships or just in life in general. Am I overreacting? Maybe. But the point is that I value my morals a lot more than I value a grade or a test score. I care so much more about who I am than a letter or a number on a transcript. Now, while it is students who cheat, I don’t necessarily think the problem began with students. Of course, students who cheat should be
held accountable for their actions, but the root of the issue is with the school system itself. Students cheat because it’s so devastating to have anything below an A due to a perfectionist system that emphasizes that grades are the only thing that matters and that anything below an A isn’t good enough and results in nothing but failure. Students overwhelm themselves with classes and extracurriculars, not leaving enough time to finish all their homework as well as get an appropriate amount of sleep, and have to sacrifice something - and they all know it’s not going to be their classes. So they give up their integrity, resorting to cheating to make up for the time they don’t have and the bad grades they can’t afford to get. The school system is obsessed with cutting down on cheating, but it tends to only look at the students who do it instead of fixing the root of the issue: the system that makes them feel like cheating is the only option to get work done on time or to pass classes they feel obligated to take. This, of course, doesn’t excuse cheating at all. I am still part of this system and I still refuse to cheat. And that’s an unpopular opinion, which feels ridiculous to say. I should be able to say that I don’t want to send answers or cheat on a test or lie to teachers about why I didn’t do homework without getting mean looks and asked what’s wrong with me. The school system should try and fix what causes students to cheat, of course, but we as a student body should stop normalizing it, stop making it okay to copy each other’s answers, stop making those late night texts a normal occurrence.
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F O C A L
POINTS Each issue, the editorial staff picks three issues focused on the school and gives you insight and impact in a couple quick sentences.
Lanie Sanders: Nothing but talk
With social media being such a huge part of our culture, it is substantially easier to speak up about social and political hot topics. If there’s an issue you’re passionate about, do something about it; retweeting someone else’s angsty tweet isn’t going to accomplish anything. Simply complaining about an issue will not solve anything. There are real ways to help: donate, speak up, sign a petition, research real ways to make a difference. Don’t just complain about the problem, be part of the solution.
Whitney Klein: Passing period
Passing periods are the most headacheinducing parts of my day. I’m expected to get from one side of the school to another in under five minutes, which is already hard enough without having to shove and dart my way through the zombie army that trudges through the hallways. Not only is getting through the halls impractical, but I’m also expected to find time to use the bathroom in those five minutes? It’s outrageous. Passing period should be extended to at least 8 or 10 minutes to allow students time to get from one class to another without having to panic.
Millennia Simmons: Cough, cough
Cubres tu boca! Worry not if you can’t understand this phrase in Spanish because the majority of students have yet to grasp the concept of covering your mouth in English. Being a victim to the bipolar weather, I understand sometimes one can’t help but catch a cold. But if I have to endure another sickly student coughing into the already crowded halls of musty adolescents, I might explode. Please be mindful of spreading your germs when you feel the need to cough or endure the chorus of “Riiiiiiicolllaaaa” from me and my friends.
voice
“Mental illness isn’t real.” “Just be happy.” “It’ll pass.” “Just stop.” “Don’t be sad.” “There’s no reason to be anxious.” “What do you have to be sad about?” “It’s not that bad.” “You’re doing it for attention.” “You’ll get over it.” “Mental Illness isn’t real.” “Just g et over it.” “Don’t be sad.” “It’s not that bad.” “Ju st be happy.” “Yo u’re fine.” “I ca n’t see anything wr ong with you.” “St
Belittling mental illness is a sign of ignorance
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ou don’t see it on the surface; in the recesses of your mind, it lurks. It wears you down slowly, distances you from the world. It preys on your pain, loneliness and fear. It may even make you regret the breaths you take and the life you have. No, I’m not describing the boogeyman. I’m describing mental illness. According to teenmentalhealth. org, a fifth of the kids you sit next to in class or walk down the halls with suffer with it every day. That means 20% of your peers combat constant difficulty with school, relationships, or jobs, things you might do daily Megan Percy with ease. They have to live Staff reporter with an invisible disease that makes it harder to make friends, stay away from drugs and alcohol, and have the lives of people get to have without this weight. Yet according to Psychology Today in 2004, 15% percent of people believe that seeking help or therapy is a sign of weakness. Stigmas and fear surrounding mental illness have existed since long before we began acknowledging it as a disease. People who got panicked easily or had thoughts of self harm or suicide were told they had demons inside them. And even now that mental illnesses have been accepted as real conditions, many people still associate those with them as crazy. When I was diagnosed by my therapist with depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), I felt a mixture of relief and horror. I felt relief that someone could explain why I felt so empty all the time, and why sometimes the lack of motivation I had turned into indifference and sometimes hatred of being alive. I was glad I could be treated. Eventually, I would be able to breathe again, and not feel the weight of every mistake, big
or small, lay on my shoulders and push me down. But I was also terrified; partially due to the stigma surrounding mental illness, i.e. depression, which made me seem insane and the fear anyone would find out, but also due to the constant, pervading thought that I was overreacting. That the thoughts I had and the breakdowns I would get over tests were just me being overdramatic and I needed to “get over it”. I’d heard those words before, and I know many others who suffer from mental illness hear them all the time as well. “Depression? Isn’t that just a fancy word for feeling ‘bummed out’?” the great Dwight K. Schrute (Rainn Wilson) said on the comedy “The Office”. This is, unfortunately, the idea many have when depression is brought up, outside of a joking atmosphere, though in reality, it is far too real for those who experience it and suffer in silence. The outlook society has on mental illness has always been one of deferment. Hearing someone’s cry for help and telling them to “suck it up” is a purely negligent behavior that it used far too often. This negligence comes from the fear of those with mental illness, and the inability to understand their feelings. Those who don’t comprehend the situation can’t imagine how someone they love wants to give up their life or self-harm, and for their misunderstanding, I, from experiences with my own parents who had trouble grappling with my diagnosis, have learned that it’s hard to fully understand something you’ve never actually experienced. But ignorance, I think, should not be freely given into. It should be fought. Sitting in your required health course, you learn about STDs and STIs. In biology, they teach you about bacterial infections such as E. coli and streptococcal pharyngitis. Education on the topic of mental health should be a priority with equal importance to any of these other diseases. Taking the step to educate yourself is taking one more step towards ridding the world of the stigmas that still plague the mentally ill today.
FEBRUARY 2018
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SHUT IT: Modern teenagers don’t understand the meaning behind their words. Words have power. Be careful how you use them. GRAPHIC BY WHITNEY KLEIN
The word everyone wants to say, but no one wants to talk about
T
he halls are flooded with conversation as I head to my next class. As I look for a new song, I catch the discussion of two students behind me: “Yeah I would have made it out but I forgot my ringer was on, I got busted by my mom,” says one boy. “Nigga, you hella stupid,” says the other. My head shoots up from my phone as if someone spat on the back of my neck. Nigger. The word rings in my ears despite the song playing in the background. Millennia There is a long pause in their Simmons conversation. “Nah, I don’t Entertain editor think she heard,” I hear one of them say continuing to laugh at his response. I am so sick and tired of students who are not black using the word “nigger”. That word floats through the air so carefree at this school, like it doesn’t represent a dark time in American history. That word is one of the reasons why I remain an outsider of the student body, even after almost three years of being a Spartan. I used to be a very social person, able to relate to everyone, but the more that word tries to become normalized, the stronger my barrier to connect with people and their beliefs become. I’d rather walk around blasting music than wrap my head around why people think it’s okay to use that word as a joking term. What upsets me the most is the majority of students won’t take me seriously. They get confused or offended when I look at them a certain way or ask them to be mindful of saying the word nigger. To them, I’m not a peer with a valid opinion, I’m just a random black chick running her mouth- just another reason to use the word again. “You (black people) use it all the time, so why does it matter,” they say, or “I don’t
use ‘-er’ so it’s not racist,” or my favorite: “My black friend says it’s okay.” As much as students in the halls would like to convince me otherwise, there is no grey area between these two words; the n-word, no matter the ending, is a discriminating term. No matter your reasoning, the n-word is not socially acceptable to say, and I believe people who weren’t a victim to that word, more specifically people who are not black, should have respect and not use it. But in case that is not enough, let me explain why your reasoning is invalid. It does not matter ‘what way’ you meant it - no matter your context, the word nigger is an insolent or insulting term for a dark skinned or black person, and the word nigga is simply a respelling. If you want to argue using it as slang makes it acceptable because “You heard black people say it” or Migos sang it in a song, understand the meaning for you does not change. Some black people say nigga to mean brother or friend, but just like how all cultures share different slang terms, if you’re not a part of that culture, that word is not at your disposal. Your “best black friend” might have given you permission to say it, but understand something: not all black people are your “best black friend.” Being allowed to say that word means you have permission to use it as a friendly term with THEM, not with your other friends who aren’t black, and especially not in front of a black person who does not know you. They have a right to get defensive because for every person who “means well,” there’s a fair amount of people who will say it to be discriminating, and sometimes you can’t tell the difference. Although I don’t have any tolerance for people who use the n-word, I don’t blame them for adopting that habit. Adolescent views start in their household, and, just like my parents taught me about civil rights and the n-word, others
taught their children to believe “separate” is better and to wear the Confederate flag. My first taste of that was in about second grade. I had moved to St. Charles and, being that was more of a white people based area, I was experiencing my second year of being the only black girl in my class. Cutting to the chase, one of my best friends in that class started bullying me without a second thought because her parents said she couldn’t hang out with black people. She spread rumors, made fun of me, called me a nigger. It hurt me to the core that my best friend would be so cruel over something her parents said, and something I can’t help. I never truly understood the impact of that word until I learned about it on my own and experienced it for myself. Students at any age can’t know the depth and impact of a word like that unless they go out and educate themselves. This goes for all races; things like oppression and discrimination aren’t taught in schools but need to be recognized as a problem. It’s a touchy subject but it shouldn’t be taboo. Students learn about general civil rights, but they aren’t even aware those problems are still present today. We touch on how we shouldn’t say the n-word but we never talk about how it cost me a friend or how it kept my mother from moving up in her job. Students ask me to have an open mind of other races saying nigger, but they don’t understand how it followed my grandmother home on her seven block walk to and from school or how it stung the backs of my great great grandparents almost everyday out in the fields. All black people, all races, have stories of hardship, and if you have any respect for them, don’t say nigga. Recognize the n-word started as a label for slaves, who were not even 3/5ths of a person until the 1700s. If you wouldn’t call a total stranger or your closest friend ignorant or less than nothing, then don’t say it.
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FEBRUARY 2018
entertain
Survival tips for singles Tips to help single people survive the holiday of love
By Whitney Klein Voice editor
Do you ever find yourself scrolling through one of those “couple goals” Instagram pages wishing you had a significant other to post cute pictures of/with? Do cute couples in the hallway at school make you uncomfortable? Does your stomach turn when the calendar changes from January to February? If so, you’re probably single! But being single on Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Think of all the money you’re saving not buying presents, not going on fancy dates, not renting horse drawn carriages, or whatever your dream date entails. Don’t let the holiday of love bum you out due to your lack thereof, and instead spend it loving yourself! Here are some ideas to help you start:
n Spa night - face masks, paint your nails, play with your hair, clean up around your eyebrows, take a long bath, etc.
n Unplug - take a ,break from all technology, read a book maybe. Just unwind, unplug, and relax.
n Start a new show - get on Netflix and start up a new show and BINGE with your favorite snacks.
n
Go for a walk/ get some fresh air.
n
Check out a new place you’ve always wanted to go.
n
Exercise! Yoga! Play basketball! Go on a run!
Go out with your friends - go to the movies, hang out at a park like kids, check out a hot spot like Picasso’s. n
n Shop! - not saying spend your entire savings or anything, but hey why not buy those jeans that make you look great or that cozy sweater that makes you feel comfy?
Makeover - try some new things with your makeup, wing that eyeliner so sharp it’ll cut a person, curl or straighten your hair, try out new outfits. n
n Play Xbox or whichever gaming device makes you happy. n Have a whole movie marathon - Marvel, Disney princesses, Star Wars, etc.
n Cuddle up with something fuzzy - whether it be a pillow, stuffed creature of your choosing, or your pet, cuddle ‘em for a comfy nap.
Try out a new hobby - paint something, color a picture, widdle? I don’t know something new. n
COMFY: Senior Steffany Hinkebein cozies up with a good book in lieu of expensive and tiresome dates. Not having a significant other on Valentine’s is not always a bad thing according to her. “Being single is the most free yet lonely thing. You can do whatever you want whenever you want. Plus you can devote all your time to yourself and your friends,” Hinkebein said. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY WHITNEY KLEIN
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Say hello and flirt and back If you are this student you are with 27% of the student body. Go get ‘em!
Stranger confronts you, introduces themselves with a cheesy pick up line. You...
Say thank you and move one If this is you, you’re with 27% of the student body. Opportunity lost? You’ll never know
Try to avoid the situation Congrats, you are just like 46% of the student body. You couldnt just give them a chance?
Use this QR code to watch our video of our staff members and students conducting their own #SHOOTYOURSHOT experiment
FEBRUARY 2017
focus
2017-18 YEARBOOK FORM
FHC, SAY WHAT?!?!
Reserve your copy of the 2017-18 yearbook at registration. Cost of the book is now $65. You can also order the book online: www.jostens.com (this goes live on July 25)
Order form for the 2017-18 yearbook
Grade: ____
Date:________
Cash: ____
Check#_____ All checks must be made payable to FHC Publications
The price of the yearbook will be $65 until THE FINAL DAY OF SCHOOL. After that date, any extra copies of the book will sell for $70 and will only be available on a first-come, first serve basis Staff signature:
RECEIPT
____________________
REMINDER: All yearbooks are delivered at summer registration.
GET YOUR YEARBOOK FOR FREE!! FHC Publications has partnered with Club’s Choice to give FHC students the chance to earn a free yearbook. Sell 15 tubs of cookie dough and you’ll get your 2017-18 copy of the Odyssey for free. Order forms are available at our table at summer registration DATES TO KNOW Last day of yearbook sales: FINAL DAY OF SCHOOL Yearbook pick-up: 2018-19 registration, usually late July
Name: _________________________________________
RECEIPT
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Questions? matthew.schott@ fhsdschools.org 636.851.5636 Room 139 @FHC