Francis Howell Central High School
CENTRAL
FOCUS Volume 20, Issue 2 Nov. 11, 2016
Guns 45 percent of households in Missouri have a gun. A look into our state’s relationship with firearms.
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DEAR READERS,
STAFF MEMBERS
On Sept. 14, the state legislature overrode Governor Jay Nixon’s veto of Senate Bill 656 by 13 votes. Senate Bill 656 is a 49-paged bill making gun laws more unrestricted. Emily Mann Print Executive Editor This means citizens of Missouri are able to buy a gun at 18, and conceal it anywhere, anytime. This update from previous gun laws means a whole new fear for some, and a whole new comfort for others. It brings possible hazards, and possible rescues. Looking into our school and our students, we discuss gun violence, usage, and culture, and look at both sides of the issue. In doing so, we question whether or not we feel safe or protected; whether it is essential or unnecessary; and whether or not we need guns in our everyday lives. Where guns are appropriate, where they are not. What safety they provide, and what harm they cause. We look at not only our state, but shootings across the nation, in different schools and communities. We address gun violence, and ask ourselves, what is truly the issue?
Print Executive Editor Emily Mann
Multimedia Executive Editor Elisa Swanson
Move Editor
Elizabeth Gerger
Why tech school? ... 4-5
Lewis & Clark offers students experience, information about their career path.
ON THE COVER Owning firearms are a way of life in Missouri, as evidenced by the override of Governor Jay Nixon’s veto of Bill 656 earlier this year, which allows almost unfettered gun possession. We examine the culture of our home state to explore why guns are such a big part of life. illustratrion by hunter rodgers
Support staff... 6-7
In the grind of high school its easy to forget to give thanks to people who make our school a better place.
The price of knowledge ... 8
Different scholarships provided that students should use to their advantage
Eight years of Obama ... 9
Feature Editor
President Obama’s achievements, and failures throughout his eight years.
Voice Editor
Art and stuff ... 10
Skylar Laird
Mackenzie Morris
The creation process behind the artwork hung in the hallways.
Discover Editor Elaine Mallon
Maine’s stars ... 12-13
Staff Reporters
Liz Baker, Abbie Bartell, Juliet Fuhrmann, Jessica Fults, Caleb Harmon, Whitney Klein, Bryce Lee, Reese McLaughlin, Lukas Mendel, Conor Ruffin, Millenia Simmons, Hailey Stewart, Kalani West
Meet the 18 actors portraying the couples in “Almost Maine.”
Shooting you straight ... 14-15 Clear cut facts about the new gun law legislations and statistics. MAINE EVENT Junior Abram Cutshall and freshman Bella Jones rehearse a scene from “Almost, Maine” which The Spotlight Players will begin performing on Nov. 17 in the auditorium. The play focuses on nine couples in various stages of relationships. PHOTO BY EMILY HALL
As told to narrative from a student who’s family upbringing has lead him to support gun ownage.
Advertising is overused ... 20
The role that advertising has both on the consumer, and the gun community
Have a letter for the editor or a question for us?
Guns are everywhere ... 21
Just because mass shootings aren’t right next door, doesn’t mean they aren’t real.
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.
On the fefensive ... 22
Taking a self-defense class at UFC Gym was a life changer for Juliet Fuhrmann.
erroneous english evaluations Skylar Laird really loves to read and write, so she should love her English classes. However, because of how students are evaluated in these classes, more often than not, she finds herself frustrated. PHOTO BY EMILY MANN
Shak-ing things up ... 23
Former star Shakara Jones returns to aid girls hoops team
A historic season ... 24-25
CONNECT
Girls tennis team volleyed its way to best season ever.
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
Before i graduate... A bucket list to complete before you graduate highschool. A list of crucial life experiences, thrilling activities, and whacky ideas that will make your highschool years memorable. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ELISA SWANSON
francis howell central publications @fhcpublications @fhcpublications fhcpublications
Visit FHCtoday.com by scanning this QR code
The prevalence of fast food and first hand experience from fast food fans.
Why I am for guns ... 18-19
THOUGHTS?
Online
Why I am against guns ... 16-17
On the defensive Junior Juliet Fuhrmann demonstrates the bear naked hold, which is very beneficial for those who are on the short side of situations. A victim would take their arm across the attackers neck and lean back to choke them so they do not hurt them. Fuhrmann learned these techniques while taking UFC Gym’s self-defense class. PHOTO TAKEN BY VICKI FUHRMANN
Application blues ... 27 The process of applying to college needs to be mended, according to Lukas Mendel.
Literal language ... 28 Building a future Junior Brittany Hughes focuses on welding practice at Lewis & Clark Technical School on Oct. 13. Making a stand as being one of few female students in the Welding program. PHOTO BY WHITNEY KLEIN
Nov. 11, 2016
Skylar Laird loves English classes, but how they’re evaluated ... not so much.
An issue of life or death ... 29 Our staff editorial argues that guns are the issue, not people.
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BUILDING A FUTURE: Students from the brick & stone/masonry program work on laying brick. Each year they build a house which is sold to actual people by a realtor.
BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN: Brittany Hughes, junior, participates in the welding program at Lewis & Clark. She is one of few girls enrolled in this program.
“If you’re into anything at Lewis & Clark, like if you like doing anything different, job-wise, something that makes you happy, you can learn about it and you can improve your chances at the future you want.” Phil Faul, senior auto service technology student
NEED A DOCTOR? Rebecca Cooper practices taking blood pressure on Kayla Luetkenhaus while she talks with Brooke Winkler. All participate in the Health Occupations program at Lewis & Clark. Photos by Whitney KLein.
Expedition to success Lewis and Clark Career Center provides hands-on learning
By Whitney Klein
Staff reporter Junior Triniti Johnson wakes up in the morning in hopes of teaching a kindergarten class. She heads to FHC only to leave right away and go to the Lewis & Clark Career Center where she learns all about teaching kids in the Early Childhood Careers program. Johnson learns the best ways to care for children; she’s optimistic as she learns everything she wants to know about her future career in the field of Childcare. “It’s a great opportunity. It helps in many different careers whether you want to be a counselor or a nurse. You learn a lot about kids and teenagers because, believe it or not, teenagers are a lot like children. They act exactly the same,” Johnson said. The Lewis & Clark Career Center is a place for students who wish
to better their about your dream future, they job. The teachers have programs and staff at Lewis that cover a and Clark expect wide variety of a certain level careers from of maturity and childcare to respect from their carpentry. The students. Students mission of who act out can Lewis & Clark TEACHER! TEACHER! : Junior Triniti be kicked from the Career Center Johnson, left, and a classmate create a program. Behavior is to provide birthday cake project in the preschool area. and Attendance Both girls are in the Early Childhood Care a positive program. are very important l e a r n i n g especially during environment the application for students, complement their project. Don’t make a small academic skills with career mistake that can ruin it. training and promote character “It’s a really big opportunity. I’m development and leadership pretty blessed to be in this program. skills which lead to measurable It’s just a really big opportunity, future success. Most programs and if somebody wanted to join, I at Lewis and Clark are two year would really encourage them to,” programs, but there are some Johnson said. one year programs that you can Johnson believes it is a great take again to learn even more opportunity for anyone wanting
work with children in their future. “What we work on is teaching, but it goes way beyond that. It sets you up to work with kids. It shows you how to talk to them, communication with them, how to control their behavior, how to fix their behavior, the different stages of childhood. Any career that involves early childhood, this program could help you towards that career,” Johnson said. The Early Childhood program is one of many great programs like Auto Service Technology. This course is open to individuals who have an interest in auto service trades or auto mechanics as a career goal. It provides students with the basic theory and skills needed for an entry-level position as an auto technician and service modern cars. Senior Phil Faul explained what it’s like being in this program where they get to
learn what they love: fixing cars. “It offers me extra certifications for when I go to work on cars in the real world. Already having these certifications gives me a general knowledge of the practice. You get to hang out with kids that have the same interests as you. I don’t think there’s a downside, I love it,” Faul said. Junior Joseph Cammarata believes the program is a big step toward a future he wants. “It’s a technical program to learn a trade and better yourself, so you can get somewhere in life.You go in knowing little about something and come out knowing so much more. I know so much than I did before about what I want to do,” Cammarata said. “I like just learning about what I want to do.” While Cammarata and Faul are on the road to a great future, junior Brooke Winkler heads to the Lewis & Clark daily for the Health Occupations program. Students learn the basic skills, terminology, and procedures needed for an entry-level job and further education in the medical field. They have a chance to visit real hospitals and work with real patients. Winkler encourages other students with an interest
in becoming a doctor to join this program. “We go to hospitals and get a first-hand experience with what we’ve learned and see real doctors doing what we hope to do,” Winkler said. “I love it, but you should be 100 percent for the program. You don’t want to walk in there then realize that is not what you want to do.” Junior Rebecca Cooper also takes part in the Health Occupations program. She hopes to one day be a nurse practitioner. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s definitely worth it,” Cooper said. “You learn a lot like time management. You graduate with license and are
LETS TAKE A DRIVE: Robert Rodamaker and friend participate in the auto service program at L & C. In the above picture, they’re working on a car engine.
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certified in CPR and all the other things. You learn new things, and you’re able to go to real hospitals and work with actual nurses and patients. I think everyone can learn from it. It will help them in the long run if they want to work in the medical field.” Hospitals always need computer technicians and technical support which is where junior Dimitry Robertson comes in. He participates in the Computer Maintenance and Networking program. This program prepares students to work as an entry level help desk technician, a computer repair technician, or a computer support technician in all kinds of businesses and industries, and it also prepares you for future study in the hardware, operating systems or networking fields. Robertson says Lewis and Clark is more enjoyable since you are able to do what you love. “You do something you want to do instead of being forced to do something like in regular school and you get a lot more freedom,” Robertson said. Lewis and Clark is a great opportunity that students should take if interested. It could be the first step to a great future.
Success rates Of Lewis & Clark students 91%
of the students earned their certificates last year.
50%
of students are employed in their field after completing L&C — 124 employed — 62 in the field they studied at L&C..
84%
students who went on to continue their education in the field that they started learning here are at a four-year school, a total of 31 students.
45%
students who went on to continue their education in the field that they started learning here at a two-year school — 73 students at twoyear school — 33 in related field.
50%
military students — 18 went to the military — 9 of them in a related field.
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“I like the fact that I get evenings and weekends off.”
discover
Leanne Lowell, salsa server (lunch lady) Leanne Lowell has been working at the “School’s Taco Bell’ for a year now. She prepares foods for the taco and salad bars and serves students during lunchtime. Her interest in food is present outside her job as she hosts food parties, travels, and gardens.
“The biggest thing I like about my job is being here to help students and make sure sure that as community that we can help provide nursing services to all the students and staff.”
Supporting stars By Millenia Simmons
Staff reporter They are the people working behind the scenes. These friendly faces keep the school running while students listen to teachers and principals sit in meetings. Whether one is sick, hungry, happy or hopeless, teen or adult, they are here to help. They are the support staff and it’s time they are recognized. This dream team is dedicated Keri Prest, nurse to helping the halls while we Keri Prest has been working work towards our future. Each job alongside Christy Gerling in the nurse’s office for almost two years. is different but everyone works together one with one common Their jobs include filing health goal, to keep us safe, and to get records and immunizations, treating both students and faculty paid, but mainly keep us safe. SRO officer Terrance Thompson with illness and supplying everyday dedicates his days at FHC medication and the occasional protecting us and making sure cough drops and ice packs. When everything runs smoothly, along she’s not at work, Prest enjoys spending time and break dancing with other officers like Troy Inserra and Lakiesha DeSha. with her kids. “My job here [as] head of security is to maintain control throughout the school to make sure you young
people are safe at all times,” Officer Thompson said. School nurse Keri Prest comes to work everyday excited and ready to improve the wellbeing of all staff and students. “Me and the other nurse here are here to make sure all students and staff are safe, we organize all the health care plans and provide daily medication and procedures, things for kiddos if they’re not feeling well,” Mrs. Prest said. Everyday they work to make our school a better place whether that task is as small as giving out cough drops or as large as stopping an intruder. Either way, each worker has a passion for their job that is beyond what we see. “Salsa gal” Leanne Lowell shows her passion for food by trying to be an encouragement to students each day to try new things while serving. “I’d like to see the kids eat more of a variety of food. I think they’re pretty standard in their taste and
food is so much more … Life is too short not to eat fun food,” Ms. Lowell said. Jobs belonging to the janitorial staff may seem like they only consist of cleaning up after us, but according to head custodian Debbie Mitchell, there is excitement that comes with her job each day. “It’s always exciting, there’s always something that comes up, it’s never a dull moment … every day there’s no certain routine,” Mrs. Mitchell said. Aside from keeping the halls safe another highlight of these workers’ jobs are the students. When asked about her favorite part of her job, the students were the first thing that popped into secretary Mary Duncan’s head. “We get to meet a lot of different students and we have a lot of interaction in the office it’s a busy place and Spartan spirit here is pretty high ... Everybody is very happy and upbeat,” Mrs. Duncan said.
“I look forward to coming to work because I know I’m going to have fun and you all are gonna have fun and I do the best I can to try to make your day.”
Terrance Thompson, head of security Thompson has been the head of security AT FHC for three years. Each day he makes his rounds, making sure all students are safe and following the school rules, and securing entrances throughout the building and ticket patrol. On his off days, Thompson enjoying hiking and fishing.
“We get to meet a lot of different students and we have a lot of interaction in the office it’s a busy place and Spartan spirit here is pretty high.”
Mary Duncan, administrative assistant Duncan has been a secretary for assistant principals David Stofer and Marletha Davis for 2 years. She is in charge of issuing discipline reports, helping with administrative work, and setting up meetings.
“Most of the kids help pick up stuff after themselves I haven’t found a bad kid yet ... I guess I’m pretty lucky.” Debbie Mitchell, head custodian Mitchell has been working as head custodian for about 4 years. She starts her day with a meeting with the other custodians including Mike Peters and Dave Kemma to go over cleaning duties for that day, each having a different sector of the building to maintain. They are also keep the school in shape after hours and during school events. After work, Mitchell spends time with her grandson; going to soccer games, swimming and to the park.
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Financing college Three scholarship recipients discuss how to pay for college By Hailey Stewart
Staff reporter Financing college is a different kind of experience for everyone. Whether it’s signing up for the A+ program like Paige Pendleton, or receiving merit based scholarships like Lauren Coleman and Emma Hoffmann, paying for college without drowning in student loans is a challenge every college bound student faces. The average college tuition for a university in Missouri is $14,448 a year, not including room and board. Whether qualifying for financial aid from FAFSA or earning a merit based scholarship, financing college is just as important as getting accepted into college Since Freshman year of high school, students have been informed about a program called the A+ program. This program provides scholarship funds to students who are eligible and will be continuing their education at a public community college. If the criteria is met in the four years of high school, students will be provided with two full years of free college tuition at any Missouri community college. Pendleton describes the process as a great opportunity to get started on her future. “Whenever I was a freshman, my mom
heard about it from her friends and they all said good things about it, like a lot of people have done it in the past and now people are taking more exception into the A+ program,” said Pendleton. Although there are multiple steps in the process of being eligible, having the opportunity of only paying for half of her four year degree is what drew Pendleton to this program. “I feel good about doing this program because having those two free years, that’s a huge stress reliever on money,” said Pendleton. The thought of college can be exciting, especially when receiving a $12,000 scholarship to the school of one’s dreams. For Hoffman, her four years of working hard on every assignment and studying for every test finally paid off. Emma received a $12,000 scholarship from Maryville University for getting a GPA of 3.8 and a 26 on the ACT. When asked what the process was like, she explained it as hectic. “I didn’t realize how much work it would take to chose the right school,” says Hoffman. “However, after the process is finished and you find the perfect school for yourself, it’s all worth it.”
Getting a scholarship for one’s athletics endeavors can be one of the most complimentary things. For Coleman, a four-year varsity cross country runner, has peaked the interests of three universities. As a recipient of the All-Conference Academic Award all four years of high school, Coleman was offered a $14,000 scholarship from Webster University, as well as a position on the cross country team. “Earning that scholarship, I felt good. All the hard work and effort I put into my academics and into my running finally paid off, and I feel really good about it,” said Coleman. With so many college cross country coaches vying for her, Coleman has many options to choose from. “I’m not really sure what college I’m wanting to attend yet, I’m considering a few like Webster, Lindenwood, North Park University which is in Chicago which I think would be pretty cool,” said Coleman. Finding the right college is a big decision to make. It’s the foundation on which a person’s life is built upon. Finding a way to pay for college can be draining, but working hard in order to earn scholarships will pay off in the long run.
Farewell, President Obama A look back on Barack Obama’s eight years in the Oval Office
By Jessica Fults and Elaine Mallon sStaff reporter and Discover Editor Eight years ago, a freshman senator from Illinois charmed the majority of American citizens with his vision of change. Now, with only 72 days until the Presidential inauguration, President Barack Obama’s time in the White House is quickly coming to an end. From instating theAffordable Care Act, to appointing two Supreme Court justices, love him or hate him, there’s no denying the fact that President Obama spent his time in office doing more than playing golf. For the students of Francis Howell Central, President Barack Obama’s exit from the oval offices marks an end of an era, an end of childhood. Other than being the first black president, how else will Barack Obama be remembered in history? What will his legacy be? While it is impossible to tell what exactly from his presidency will be engraved in the history textbooks, we, the Discover staff, have devised our own list of the top five definable moments of the Obama administration.
“A+ is basically where you do tutoring hours, there are certain ones you do. There’s ones for mentoring which I’m in now. There’s also ones where you go to schools during spring break or after school tutoring.” - Paige Pendleton
“Without this scholarship, I would have no chance of attending Maryville. It makes the last 4 years of high school worth it, and makes me even more excited for what’s ahead in my future.” - Emma Hoffman
“Webster, gave me $14,000, but it’s more of an academic scholarship. They wanted me more for my running, but because they are Division III, they can’t offer one for athletics.”
1. Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan were nominated and confirmed by President Obama. On June 26 2015, both justices voted in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage in all 50 states in the historic 5-4 Supreme Court decision of Obergefell v. Hodges. President Obama’s appointments of ideologically liberal leaning judges replaced two conservative judges. Due to President Obama’s nominations, the Supreme Court has shifted in a liberal direction, and since Supreme Court justices serve on the bench for life, their impact on the American legal system will last long after Obama’s end of term. 2. On May 1, 2011 the Navy Seals killed Bin Laden, President Obama called it in the next day and made sure to let people know that this was not an attack against Islam, but an attempt to fight back at Al Qaeda forces and liberate not only Americans, but everyone who was affected by this terrorist group. Many Americans were finally able to reach some closure after the attacks of 9/11.
3. On Dec. 18, 2011, Barack Obama declared the end of the United States involvement in the Iraq war, a nine year war that resulted in the deaths of over 4,500 U.S. troops. President Obama announced the Iraq war as a success, however, removing the US troops left the Middle East in shambles, allowing for terrorists organizations to consolidate power.
4. President Obama passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009, or the stimulus bill, to bring America out of the biggest recession since the Great Depression. It was created to induce economic growth, and 23 months later, 3.7 million more jobs were created in the private sector. Simply put, more people would have been unemployed if it wasn’t for the passage of the stimulus bill. 5. The Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, denied insurance companies the ability to refuse coverage for a person based upon their pre-existing medical conditions, gender or race and ethnicity. The Affordable Care was signed into law on March 23 2010. According to a 2015 study conducted by the CDC, the implementation of Obama Care decreased the percentage of uninsured Americans from 15.7 percent to 9.2 percent.
- Lauren Coleman
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2016-17 YEARBOOK ORDER FORM
BUY IT! The 2016-17 yearbook will be FHC’s 20th. Celebrate our school’s 20th anniversary by giving us some information and $50 and you’ll have your name put down for one copy of FHC’s award-winning yearbook, the Odyssey. What we need from you (please write clearly): Your name:____________________________ Year in school:_________________________ Cash or check:_________________________ Date:______________ (ALL CHECKS MUST BE MADE OUT TO FHC PUBLICATIONS)
If you prefer to use a credit card, you can do so at this registration or at this address: www.jostensyearbook.com Once you are there, type in Francis Howell Central and follow the directions IMPORTANT DEADLINES: $50 price: from the start of school until Dec. 25, 2016 $65 price: from Jan. 1 until end of school year $75 price: at pick-up, no extra copies guaranteed
RECEIPT
Thanks for ordering your copy of the 2016-17 Odyssey. Books will be available at registration in the summer of 2017 (typically, late July). If you have questions, please contact Matthew Schott at matthew.schott@fhsdschools.org Order date:_______________
Staff signature
Amount paid:_____________
__________________
Dates to know FHC Publications has partnered with Club’s Choice to give students a chance to earn a free yearbook. Sell 15 tubs of cookie dough and you’ll earn a copy of the 2016-17 Odyssey for free! Get order forms at schedule pickup Collect all money and checks (made out to FHC Publications) at the time of order. Money is due when you submit order forms. IMPORTANT DATES:
Order forms submitted to Rm. 139 by: Monday, Aug. 22 Cookie pick-up: Tuesday, Sept. 20 in school cafeteria (2:30-5p) All orders MUST be picked up, as FHC Publications has no way to store your cookie dough if it is not picked up Questions? Ask Mr. Schott at matthew.schott@ fhsdschools.org
Movies
Show us your skills! ReplayIt is an app from our yearbook publisher, Jostens, which allows amazing student photographers like you the chance to share photos you take from the events and classes you attend so we can use them in FHC Publications! Just download the app from the Apple App Store or Android App Store and find our school in there. Upload your photos and the app does the rest!
For romance
These are the 10 perfect movies for anyone in the mood for romance before going to see this year’s fall play, “Almost, Maine.”
1. “Wall-E”
Sent from the spacecraft humanity has moves to after the collapse of humanity, a sleek new robot discovers and falls for the last robot on Earth.
2. “Comet”
A story of parallel universes, this movie splices together the most influential moments of a couple’s relationship as they fall in and out of love.
3. “Paper Towns”
After the adventurous girl he’s been in love with for years runs away, an ordinary boy uses the clues she left behind to try and find her.
Displayed pieces rewards artists hard work
In a universe in which everyone has timers on their wrists counting down to when they meet their soulmates, a woman searches for love.
5. “Shrek”
A twist on a classic love story, an ugly ogre sets out to rescue a beautiful princess from her tower in exchange for the return of his swamp.
6. “You’ve Got Mail”
The owner of a small bookshop falls in love with a man online without realizing that he runs the big corporation attempting to buy her out.
7. “High School Musical”
A basketball player falls for a mathlete, leading them both to audition for the fall musical despite being from two completely different worlds.
8. “Up”
9. “Tangled”
A take on Rapunzel, a princess is trapped in a tower before a thief promises to take her to see the world and ends up seeing it too in a whole new light.
10. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”
android app
masterpieces
4. “Timer”
After the love of his life dies, an old man attempts to fulfill their dream of adventure by taking their house to halfway across the world by balloon.
Apple app
Spartan
A lost and confused freshman, Charlie, falls in with a group of seniors one of whom he’s been in love with over the course of the year.
A HANDFUL: Berganne Walton’s intricate drawing was inspired byt he the quote “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
By Reese McLaughlin
Staff reporter Walking around in the upstairs hallway students may have noticed the art pieces hanging up on the walls or in the display cases. These art pieces are done by the students in art classes, picked by the teachers to be on display. Having their art picked and put on display can mean a lot to a student like sophomore Berganne Walton, who has always had a special place in her heart for art. “My aunt is an art teacher and that has impacted me growing up; she has instilled an appreciation of art into me and
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I’m really grateful for that. Art is an escape for me,” Walton said. Walton regularly draws in her free time, and even though she has already fulfilled her fine arts credit, she continues taking art classes for the fun of it. Her drawing of hands holding an eye was inspired by the quote “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” It takes a lot of dedication for someone to really get their art where they want it to be, which is what art teachers look for when selecting which pieces to put up. Senior Faith Prather’s piece, two multicolored fists, certainly took a lot of effort with its multiple step process.
“I water-colored it, then I printed it and took water colored crayons and colored crayons and colored the insides of the fists then printed it again. I felt proud when the piece got put up since I put a lot of effort into it,” Prather said. Art, like most things in life, does not always go the way the artists want it to. Senior Cailyn Jones’s piece didn’t turn out as she was planning it to, but she still loves it all the same, “It was supposed to be more straight up layers, but it turned out like the sunset, which I ended up liking better. I was really happy when I saw it put in the hallway,” Jones said.
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Making Maine Nine couples tell their unique stories in “Almost, Maine” By Liz Baker
Staff reporter In this year’s fall play “Almost, Maine,” directed by Mrs. Cori Nelson, the audience follows nine different couples. Each couple has one scene that has a main theme such as love, pain or hope. The couples are unique and portray a wide variety of relationships and the ways they can start and end. The play debuts on Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. and runs at 7 p.m. through Nov. 19; VIP night for parents and teachers is on the Nov. 16.
“Scene 2: Sad And Glad” Jimmy Played by: Jay Orr, junior Love Interest: Marvalyn
Sandrine Played by: Mackenzie Morris, senior Love Interest: Jimmy Jimmy and Sandrine definitely aren’t a couple, although Jimmy wishes they could be. They used to know each other and Jimmy liked Sandrine even then, but now that he has a second chance, he is determined to win her over. However, Sandrine is just trying to get back to her life and is trying to let him down easy. “She isn’t all that into [my character] and less wanting to talk to me and more wanting to get away, but my character thinks she’s the greatest thing in the world,” Orr said.
“Prologue” Ginette Pete Played by: Remy Terbrock, junior Played by: Isaiah Henry, freshman Love Interest: Pete Loved Interest: Ginette The best way to describe Pete and Ginette is awkward. They’re awkward and nervous around each other. They have a hard time expressing themselves, especially considering the feelings they’re trying to convey. “It’s really hard because I’m expressing my feelings to him and he’s trying to express his feelings but the characters take it in a weird way,” Terbrock said.
“Scene 1: Her Heart”
REHEARSAL TIME .Remy Terbrock and Isaiah Henry rehearsing their scene in the theater. Their’s is the only couple to appear more than once and are the couple featured on the cover. PHOTOS BY EMILY HALL
“Scene 4: Getting It Back”
“Scene 6: Where It Went”
Gayle Played by: Rachel Fortney, senior Love Interest: Lendall Lendall Played by: Gage Ratterman, junior Love Interest: Gayle Lendall and Gayle are a couple that tug a few heart strings. “It can be very emotional at times to certain people,” Ratterman said, Lendall. The couple is in a long distance relationship and they’re in love. Lendall is very nervous about their whole relationship but he gets some courage, calms down, and figures things out. When he asks Gayle to marry him some of that pressure is relieved, but her answer is unknown.
Glory Played by: Olivia Hritzkrowin, sophomore Love Interest: East
Phil Played by: Sam Cole, freshman Love Interest: Marci Marci Played by: Mackenzie Morris, senior Love Interest: Phil Marci remembers everything, which makes her marriage hard because Phil, her husband, forgets things easily. The couple are ice-skating for their anniversary when they get into a huge arguement. Phil has again forgotten the anniversary, and thinks Marci is lying about things. “When I first looked at the script I thought it was all anger, but Mrs. Nelson said you gotta have a little bit of love in there and mix it up so you can see they still have a relationship,” Cole said. Marci and Phil’s marriage is made of arguments and this might be the one to end it.
East Played by: Dominic Scaggs, sophomore Love Interest: Glory Glory is a widow hiking through Maine to go see the northern lights and say goodbye to her dead husband. She carries her broken heart in her bag, and during her hike she meets East, the man who wants to fix her heart and take down the walls she’s built up. Despite her tragic background Glory is a happy character and Hritzkrowin, Glory, expressed the difficulty that this poses. “Probably trying to stay really happy while saying really sad lines [is the hardest part],” Hritzkrowin said. Scan this QR code to check out the extended story on our webpage FHCtoday.com!
“Scene 5: They Fell” “Scene 3: This Hurts”
Steve Played by: Abram Cutshall, junior Love Interest: Marvalyn
Marvalyn Played by: Laura Weiss, senior Love Interest: Steve
Steve and Marvalyn are opposites on an unusual level. Marvalyn has known pain for most of her life, while Dave can’t feel physical or emotional pain. This presents communication problems between the two. “They almost envy each other because the grass is greener on the other side,” Cutshall said. For the actors playing as if you’ve never met someone is no easy task, neither is pretending to learn everything about someone you’re already good friends with. These actors definitely have their work cut out for them.
Shelly Played by: Sage Russell, sophomore Love Interest: Deena Deena Played by: Catherine Analla, freshman Love Interest: Shelly Deena and Shelly have been best friends all their lives, but their friendly love may have been something else this entire time. Deena and Shelly both literally and figuratively fall for each other in this scene about two girls realizing their true feelings for each other. “It’s an important scene because it’s the gay scene and it shows that it’s love like anything else; it’s not ostracized in any way,” Russell said.
“Scene 8: Seeing the Thing”
Dave Played by: Abram Cutshall, junior Love Interest: Rhonda Rhonda Played by: Bella Davis, freshman Love Interest: Dave Dave and Rhonda are best friends but that might change. Dave is in love with her and he isn’t afraid to tell her. “One of them feels differently than just friends and they kinda let them know, they put their heart out there and aren’t afraid if it gets smashed,” Cutshall said. The characters move around a lot and their interactions are ones expressed through motions mainly. “It’s hard to portray the best friend vibe when you don’t really know the person that well, I’ve gotten to know her a lot better though so it’s definitely improved,” Cutshall said.
“Scene7: Story of Hope”
Daniel Hope Played by: Max Orr, freshman Played by: Gea Henry, senior Love Interest: Hope Love Interest: Daniel Daniel and Hope were highschool sweethearts when he proposed to her. Hope wasn’t sure though and left him waiting while she went on an adventure for 10 years. When Hope comes back, she professes her love to him, even though she can’t recognize him; he knows the entire time that it’s Hope but to her she’s confessing her love to a stranger- a stranger who is married and has made a life for himself in Hope’s absence. “I feel like that’s something that a lot of people can relate to, especially in high school because we like so many people, and then realize we had a chance with them and it might be too late and they’ve moved on,” Henry said
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he by tmbers nu
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By Elaine Mallon
G
Discover Editor uns. This four letter word does not evoke an apathetic response. The Washington Post reports that 36 percent of the United States population either own or live in a household with guns. Backed by the Second Amendment, ownership of firearms elicits a sense of security. For owners, guns are key for independence, as one’s safety is not fully dependent on law enforcement. However, for some Americans, guns incite fear and despair. Everytown Research.org reports that 12,000 Americans fall victim to gun homicides a year. On an average day 91 people die from guns, and seven of those victims are under the age of 18. From the release of statistics like these to the countless mass shootings that have occurred, some Americans see guns as a menace and threat to their safety. Some proponents suggest greater restrictive gun laws. However, with 79 percent of criminals committing crimes with guns not in their legal possession according to researched published by Socialmedicine.info, greater restrictive gun laws won’t prevent criminals from breaking the law.
Lawmakers have been at odds for decades on how to best alleviate the epidemic of gun deaths. 41.7 percent of Missouri’s population owns guns, according to the Washington Post. To put that into perspective, approximately 750 of Francis Howell Central’s 1,800 students would live in households with rifles and handguns. Missouri’s gun laws are a reflection of conservative values, especially with the recent passage of Missouri State Bill 656.
Along with the implementation of constitutional carry, Bill 656 also includes the “stand your ground” clause, and extends “castle doctrine.” Under Bill 656, the “stand your ground” clause will no longer require citizens to retreat from a scene while a crime is committed. The “castle doctrine,” permitting the owners of a home to exert deadly force on trespassers, has now been extended to guests of the homeowners. In other terms, if a burglar intrudes upon one’s home while grandma is babysitting, by law grandma is permitted to use deadly force. For the past 13 years, the Republican party has held majority control of the Missouri state assembly. From lowering the concealed carry permit age to 21 to prohibiting a higher sales tax on weapons in a 2011 bill, the Missouri state assembly has passed many gun laws focused on protecting the Second Amendment rights of citizens. While the city of St. Louis has experienced 2,092 shootings alone in 2015, the question remains on how to effectively keep guns out of criminal’s hands while still maintaining the Second Amendment rights of law abiding citizens.
“To put that in perspective, approximately 750 of Francis Howell Central’s 1,800 students would live in households with rifles and handguns.” On Sept. 14, the state legislature overrode Governor Jay Nixon’s veto of Senate Bill 656, a 49-paged bill increasing citizen’s self-defense rights and more lenient regulations concerning concealed carry permits. Starting Jan. 1 2017, “constitutional carry” will go into effect, meaning citizens of Missouri can freely carry a concealed weapon in the state without a permit. However, municipal (city) laws trump “constitutional carry,” so CCW permits can still be required for certain cities.
the U.S everyday
100,000 , Every year in the U.S an average of more than100,000
people are shot
Source: The Brady Campaign To Prevent Gun Violence, The Washington Examiner, Mother Jones
in Missouri
on average are shot in
46,000,000
Guns produced in total during
President Obama’s terms, which is
about 21,000 produced per day
300,000,000 There are roughly 300 million guns in the U.S, nearly enough for each
citizen to own one. Graphic
ily by Em
Mann
*125 students were surveyed at random
30 18
56
61
51
percent of percent of students percent of students percent of students percent of students said they would said that guns have students said guns said that there is a feel safer knowing are appropriate in gun in their home. those in society have voted to pass a place in society. schools. the law. can obtain a gun.
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Could you walk me through what happened to your cousin Tasha? “As I understand it, she her and her little sister got money because they got good grades and so they went to the store to buy candy and snacks and all that for their little siblings and then a person rode by and shot into the store and my cousin was hit in the head. It went in her nose and out her eye and then there was a lot of blood on the floor and her sister ran.”
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How old was she when this happened to her? “Well she is one year younger than me, so she would’ve been 14 at the time” How close was this to her house?
“I’m not sure ... It was within walking distance from her house. It’s in what would be considered the bad part of St. Louis area.”
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Did they know the shooter?
“No, they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.” What exactly was the medical aftermath?
“She lost her eye, she had to have surgeries, and now she has a prosthetic eye. The bullet went through her nose and out her eye and she is very lucky it was only her eye and nothing more. Her nose was damaged a little bit too; I think it might have broken a bone.”
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How long was she under medical care? “I really don’t know because in the aftermath mentally, she wasn’t really 100 percent herself, and she was really sad, and I think she was depressed for a while too.”
Print Executive
NAME: Raina Carter AGE: 18 ETHNICITY: African-American POLITICAL IDEOLOGY: Liberal
Photo by Taylor Tinnes
“Back all the way from like the time when we were both born until about eighth grade I saw her if not every weekend, every other weekend because I would always ask for her to come over, she would always ask for me to come over. We always hung out; we were like the ‘go to’, and if I wasn’t hanging out with her I was hanging out with my other cousin because we were all within the same age range. but after eighth grade we didn’t see each other as much because it’s hard to locate her, Her phone number changes all the time, but now, since it’s my senior year, my dad is going to try and get her to come over more often. “ Do you think that the gun culture [Tasha lives in] is different? “Yes, yes, originally she lived with my grandma — her great grandma — and my grandma lived in her house for my dad’s whole life and our whole life up until the moment that she died. Tasha’s dad was shot in the alley that was behind that house within the same month she was shot, either before or after, and that is how he died.” Would you say they are insensitive towards guns? How would you explain this [gun
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- Raina Carter
What was your initial reaction or emotion when you heard about your cousin? “I broke out into tears; it was the saddest, hardest thing I have ever had to hear that my first, my literal first best friend was injured and shot and could’ve died had it been who knows how much further to the left or the right.”
culture] to a person who maybe doesn’t understand it? “They are not insensitive to gun violence because when it happens, they are broken, they are hurt, they don’t like it, but it has been something they have not been able to change, so it has been something they have had to grow accustomed and learn how to avoid or survive through.”
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How does this affect your daily life?
Senior Raina Carter, who has experienced a cousin seriously wounded by a gunshot, has a strong discomfort towards guns. Raina was raised in a household where guns were not necessarily talked about, and certainly not ideal. After almost losing her cousin to an act of gun violence, her opinions have been further thrown in the direction of anti-guns. While Raina is able to see there is sometimes a place for guns in society, she is not able to fathom why someone should be able to conceal it wherever favored, and why they are needed or even how they “create more safety.”
How often do you see her?
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“Before, I thought they should only be used when it’s to protect or only certain people should have them, but now I don’t really like them at all. I don’t think that any hoohah can have them because clearly someone will get hurt from gun violence. I really think it’s a shame that it’s gotten to the point where it’s so intense that students are walking into schools with guns and shooting people in movie theaters, like speaking of all the recent stuff. I don’t really like that those kind of things are happening because it’s really terrible that people are losing family members or being injured and their lives are being altered because someone owned a weapon.”
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Do you think there is a place in society for guns? Not in the household or in the grocery store, but is there still a place for guns? “I think if anyone should have guns it should be trained professionals, and in that sense it should only be for protection, where they’re protecting people in society to make sure people are being safe and no one is getting harmed by other citizens. That should be the only place. They shouldn’t be allowed for the average everyday people. “
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“I would say that trauma-wise it was in the 8-10 range ... because it was someone I grew up with that was so close to me and her life could have ended because of the actions of someone else. I don’t think I’ve ever had anything happen to me quite like that before.”
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Emily Mann
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Do you own a gun?
“Now I’m more worried of guns and that kind of deal. I don’t want to be around them, I don’t want to hear about them, I don’t like thinking about them because it was just really hard to hear that she was shot in the head.” How does this affect your cousin’s daily life?
“Oh I know she has been changed. She doesn’t even live around that area anymore, but she still goes to the same high school, I know she doesn’t go places alone or with just her little sister, she tries to go more places where she knows she’ll be safe.”
“No, I don’t own a gun. My dad used to own a gun when we lived in Illinois, but I don’t know if he still does. I hope he doesn’t.” How were you raised? What was the viewpoint in your household towards guns before Tasha was shot? “Guns were not really talked about, but I don’t think my parents would really want me to own a gun when I’m older. They got my sister pepper spray, if that’s any indication of how they would feel about it.”
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So recently our Missouri legislation has passed a law. It hasn’t changed a lot of the regulations in obtaining a gun, but it has made it possible for more people that have a gun to be able to conceal it wherever they want. What is your initial reaction? “My initial reaction is why. That’s a very scary thing that people can carry guns and others not know it, that’s a very scary thought.”
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How do you feel about people who are very pro gun? “I don’t dislike them, but I want to know why they are so for it. What benefit is it serving them to want guns? What benefits is it serving anyone to be able to carry a gun? Like who is the real winner in those situations when any random person can have a gun?”
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Do you have anything else to add?
“I really wish that didn’t happen to my cousin.”
If you were to have to talk like how traumatic of a situation was it for you? “I would say that trauma-wise it was in the 8-10 range, because I have had family members die before, and yes it sucks every time and it’s really sad every time, but the close ones to me have not died from the actions of someone else. They’ve died from old age, they’ve died from illness, but [Tasha’s situation] was really traumatic because it was someone I grew up with that was so close to me and her life could have ended because of the actions of someone else. I don’t think I’ve ever had anything happen to me quite like that before.”
What is your current opinion on gun violence and guns in general?
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Do you feel like safety is one of the most important factors, that it all comes down to safety as the major factor? “Oh yeah, safety is the biggest thing to be thinking about when handling a gun ... It’s all about who handles the gun, it can be used for good, like somebody else who had a gun could have stopped the Sandy Hook shooter, had they seen him with a gun before he got on the school ground. But he had a gun and was a bad guy, he caused a lot of death and destruction.”
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Do you find it difficult to defend your beliefs after all the constant violence recently occurring? How do you refute arguments that use recent violent occurrences as evidence to argue against guns? “I stand firm on my stance, that people should own guns, but I can definitely see where the other side is coming from ... Guns in the wrong hands are dangerous, guns are not dangerous; that is what it really comes down to. I mean it’s all about who is holding the gun, not the gun itself.”
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Has any of the recent occurrences of violence warped your perspective or strengthened your beliefs? “I understand the other side of the argument, but I just really think that a gun in the right hands is like the famous saying: ‘The only way to stop guns in bad hands is with guns in good hands too’ ... and that saying makes a lot of sense to me ... That is where the problem lies, what are the good hands and what are the bad?”
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What is a viable way then, do you believe to determine who gets and who does not get a gun? “Being a high school kid, I cannot go into much depth because I don’t know the entire working of the legal system, but obviously people with mental health problems should not be allowed to own guns, people with felonies, and stuff like that. People who can be classified as bad people, like legally or psychologically.” What about those people who don’t have felonies or any documented mental health issues, do you think there is a better way to determine who can own one because a lot of the violence occurrences happens from stolen household firearms? “I think that if you have a gun in the house, you’re child should know that this is not a toy because there is a whole bunch of cases where kids pull out guns, and think its a toy and
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Do you think it is important that we keep children away from guns when they don’t understand, but don’t exclude them from the knowledge of them? “Yeah. They will become ignorant of what a gun is. What I think a lot of the problems could be solved with is, if kids are taught, hey this is not a toy, this can kill someone, but that is what I was taught, being a child, and how to handle a gun, never to point it at someone, unloaded or loaded, the basic rules like that.”
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Are you familiar with the new Missouri bill being passed that no longer requires a concealed and carry license for citizens?
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“Yes ... since open carry is legal in Missouri, then I don’t see the reason why concealed carry shouldn’t be as to say. Because if you go back to the whole protection thing, if someone want to do harm, I don’t think their main
covered by the concealed and carry law per se, it should be something on you. No matter if the gun is concealed or its being openly carried, you should know to not do these certain things.”
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Do you think there is another way to teach these lessons to gun owners now that people no longer receive the classes required to get a concealed and carry license? “I think mandatory classes for people who own guns, first-time owners. Like I know some people grow up with guns and then they go and purchase their own guns, so the class would be easy for them. Someone just buying a gun, want protection for their house, so a course would definitely be good.”
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concern is showing or not showing the gun, eventually it is going to happen.”
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Do you feel like the repeal of the requirement to have a concealed and carry license might make Missouri safer? “Yeah, in a sense. I mean obviously there is the risk that now no one gets in trouble for just carrying around a gun, but it is sill like even if you do have a concealed and carry weapon and an officer approaches you, you should definitely tell them, hey officer I have a gun on me, that should be the first thing you do whether you have a gun just in your car or on you. Tell an officer, because I can see the legal ramifications of not having a license for concealed carry, and you could just easily hide it and pull it out and tell the cop that you no longer require the license.”
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What do you believe are the ramifications of no longer legally requiring a license to carry, do you feel like there will be a lot more ignorant and untrained people concealing a gun? “It is a very possible outcome, that a lot of more irresponsible people will have guns, but I don’t think that is an issue that should be
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Do you believe there is a negative downside to the bill being passed, or that Missouri will be experiencing any major ramifications? “I can see that we are losing safety, but I also feel like we could be gaining safety, in a sense, at the same time, so I feel like it kinda equals out.”
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Should America, adopt any new policies on gun control? “I don’t know if we should necessarily go towards a more lenient policy, I definitely feel like there should be some change because obviously all these shootings are increasing more and more as time goes on. Most European countries have pretty strict gun policies but you still see people rampaging with machete and knives, that is not going to stop terrorism.”
“Getting rid of guns completely obviously wouldn’t stop the terrorism, domestic or foreign. I think giving everyone a gun might be a little too much ... and so I think that we need to find a middle ground there. ”
Do you feel like guns have a bad reputation - Collin King now because of everything, or that guns are seen more in a negative light now? “Oh yeah for sure. Guns definitely get bad raps now because they are seen as what the media shows them, causing all this death and destruction, but they can still cause and stop the death and destruction. I don’t know if that is covered as much in the media now, but it definitely happens.”
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they can do whatever they want with it. That is what should never happen, they should be locked away in a safe place, out of the reach of a child and unloaded. I mean I’m not against ammo being stored in a different place, but I don’t know if that’s exactly practical. If someone is breaking into your house, then you cannot exactly go into two different safes.”
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Without guns, you still believe there are ways to kill and people will? “Getting rid of guns completely obviously wouldn’t stop the terrorism, domestic or foreign. I think giving everyone a gun might be a little too much, so I think that we need to find the middle ground there ... you don’t need a gun to go on a rampage and you don’t need a gun to stop a rampage, it is all about your mindset really.”
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Do you feel like America is becoming more violent with gun violence or that there is another core issue lying dormant? “I think America is probably becoming a little more violent, I don’t know what is the cause of it. I don’t know if stress is increasing because of things like school and work, workloads are getting higher and it’s harder to find a job in the economy. I don’t know if that’s causing stress that makes people crack and then they go and get a gun and shoot up a school or something, but something is probably wrong.”
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Do you feel that your argument remains valid despite all of this and what has happened in the world? “I think I’d stand pretty firm on my stance of the school shootings, like obviously if they keep increasing and increasing, something need to change ... Solving the issue is not getting rid of them.”
By Lukas Mendel Copy Editor
NAME: Collin King AGE: 17 ETHNICITY: Caucasian POLITICAL IDEOLOGY: Moderate/conservative Senior Collin King, the son of a police officer and a concealed and carry license owner, grew up in a gun-oriented environment. From day one, safety was essential, as he was instructed on the proper use and handling of firearms, and he feels as if the problem with gun violence now is all rooted in who is handling the gun. King feels that gun control can be and is a necessary thing, but guns can cause more safety than harm. Photo by Taylor Tinnes
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LEAD-IN: Nathan Smith screams as he throws a ball at his opponent during the DECA dodgeball tournament on Oct. 27 PHOTO BY LAURA WEISS ABOVE LEFT: Referee Sarah Soderstrom prepares to blow the whistle to signal the start of a match. PHOTO BY ASHLEY GAULT RIGHT: A team of seniors celebrates a victory during the Oct. 27 DECA dodgeball tournament. PHOTO BY LAURA WEISS
Flying high LEAD-IN: Sherydin Stevens, a junior, flies into the air to evade a thrown ball during the annual DECA dodgeball tournament Oct. 27. PHOTO BY LAURA WEISS
D
onning fun, themed costumes, members of business club DECA organized the club’s annual dodgeball tournament on Oct. 27, drawing students from all classes to the competition.
LEFT: Laying on the floor after evading a ball, senior Trent Diener looks across the gym at his opponents. ABOVE: Holding a couple of dodgeballs, junior Mackenzie Craven looks for her next target during a match. Caption PHOTOS BY LAURA WEISS LEAD-IN: Bobby Hubbard, a sophomore, and Logan Morris, a junior, grin during a break in play at the DECA dodgeball tournament on Oct. 27. PHOTO BY ASHLEY GAULT
LEAD-IN: Grimacing in concentration, senior Cole Kreder prepares to fire a ball toward his opponent during the DECA dodgeball tournament that took place in the large gym on Oct. 27. PHOTO BY ASHLEY GAULT
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Coming home LEAD IN: Juliet Fuhrmann doing step 3 of the arms trapped defense move with Craig Chiles at UFC Gym. She puts her left leg behind his legs to take him down. Photo by Vicki Fuhrmann
The importance of self-defense Craig Chiles from UFC Gym extols virtues of learning to self defend. Entertain Editor Q: Why is it important to take this self defense class? Chiles: Because the world is an imperfect place and there are some cruel people out there that will hurt you, so you need to know how to protect yourself and others around you. Q: What are the benefits from going to the class over a certain period of time? Chiles: If you consistently do it, you’re gonna have improvements of how you use your body and you’re gonna have a instant reaction to if someone is trying to hurt you. Q: Why is it a free seminar for the public and not just for a membership? Chiles: Everyone needs the knowledge and needs to know how to protect themselves, not everyone has enough money to buy a membership, and anyone can hurt you at any time. And to show that this place isn’t just about becoming a mma fighter, it teaches you skill and strength Q: What are the basic steps to defending yourself? Chiles: Being aware of your surroundings (not having your face in your phone), keep your head up when you are out and about, trying to avoid the situation of being attacked. Q: What are the statistics of women being attacked? Chiles: One out of six women are violently attacked or abused in America
Read Juliet’s personal experience learning selfdefense techniques at FHCToday.com
Coach Leake said.. Staff reporter Many people are excited to see her rejoin the Once a Spartan, always a Spartan. This is program so many years later as a coach for the something Francis Howell Central hopes program. itsgraduates will be saying for years to come after “To see her come back to the building where graduation and a statement they hope graduates she made a name for herself, I am sure it is special can always connect to. For some graduates, for her and I think it’s great for Howell Central, something about that statement draws them because she is a role model. I think kids can only back to Howell Central. Several alumni are still here benefit by being around her,” Coach Ricker said. today teaching and coaching students and still Current players are also anxious to be able sporting that spartan pride everyday. Fortunately to work with her and share what they have for the girls basketball team, that list grows one experienced all ready. Sophomore Yani Curry, person longer with the return of Shakara Jones. member of the varsity team, has been able to Graduated in 2007, Jones was one of FHC’s work with Jones during the preseason workouts. most renowned athletes in the girls basketball “I don’t feel pressure to play better around program. Jones was a force to be reckoned with her, but I am definitely more motivated. She’s on the basketball court. Measuring at six foot really comfortable to be around because she and two inches tall, she played all four years knows where we are coming from and she’s of basketball at the varsity level with a total of been through what we are going through.” Curry 2,439 points, 849 rebounds, and 282 blocks. said. “Her coaching style is very to the point. Brian Ricker, former varsity coach for the girls She does expect good things out of us and she basketball team, had the chance to see Jones knows when we aren’t doing our best. She has play first hand. expectations and she will push us towards ours “It was a pleasure to coach her,” Coach Ricker best. Once we show her our best, she expects said. “It was probably one of the highlights of my that every single day.” career. She was great to work with and tried to Eager to get the season started Coach Jones get better every year and was a team leader. She believes she will be able to bring new information was kind of epitomized with being what a great and new skills to the girls this basketball season. player is all about.” “I think I can bring a lot of energy, a lot of fun From the beginning, Coach Ricker saw and just a lot of knowledge and experience to the potential in Jones, and girls.” Coach Jones said. he got to see her grow She is also eager to and learn throughout work alongside Coach her years playing. Leake. The two of them “She was kind of an had talked about coach around the basket Jones coming back to player when she first coach in the past. started, and as she “It’s kind of a funny developed from yearthing. Me and her have to-year, she got better talked about it before, Shakara Jones, assistant girls and better at playing about a year and a half basketball coach away from the basket ago, and I kinda waited and utilizing different around because I played skills she had not shown for my semi-pro team as a freshman,” said Coach Ricker. “Every year she and then my sister was still playing in college, so added to her game, so finally by her senior year, I couldn’t quite decide what I wanted to do, but she was a Missouri State Player of the Year.” then we got back in contact and we said that this Coach Jones success did not come easily, she year would be perfect,” Coach Jones said. had to work hard every year to earn the title of She explains how Coach Leake and herself Missouri State player of the Year. both have similar coaching styles that mesh “She got there by hard work and dedication together, something that made Coach Jones and a desire to be great,” said Coach Ricker. that much more excited to join Coach Leake and After high school, Coach Jones continued her the program this year. success at the University of Missouri and played “Both of us have an energy, a focus, and a work basketball all four years for the Tigers. Coach hard mentality. We both have played Division 1 Jones opened her career as a Tiger against Murray basketball so if kids want to go to that level we State with the most points scored by a Tiger for know what it takes to get there,” Coach Jones a debut game. said. “Our philosophies are the same.” After college, coach Jones went on to play With all of this excitement and anticipated professionally for three years in Greece, Finland, success with Coach Jones return, many people and Germany. After that she became an assistant still wonder what made Coach Jones want to coach for the USA D-2 Women’s Basketball return to the place that started her career. Coach Select Team, whom she helped coach through Jones similarities to Coach Leake’s experience the Brazil Tour in 2015, and currently Jones plays and philosophy helped fuel that decision along for a semi-professional women’s basketball team with her being a former player at Howell Central named the Midwest Flyers out of Elsberry, Mo. but most of all, it was the Spartan pride that Coach Jones has been helping with all levels brought her back to Howell Central’s court. of the program during the preseason workouts “I got to know Coach Leake, and I really liked how and once season begins, she will serve as the JV she runs her program, and I like her philosophy, girls coach. Current varsity coach Hayley Leake and it seemed like we kind of meshed on a lot of noticed a difference the second Coach Jones things basketball wise and experience wise. Also came back. I went here for high school and I played here for “Coach Jones had an impact on our program four years, so that makes me a Spartan for Life. the first day she stepped back in our gyms,” That is why I came back,” said Jones.
“I played here for four years, so that makes me a Spartan for life. That is why I came back.”
By Juliet Fuhrmann
Q: What are some other classes to take after taking the self defense seminar for so long? Chiles: There are plenty of classes you can take that they have every week. Ones that will go along great with self defense is the Brazilian ju-jitsu class and the standard boxing class.
By Abbie Bartell
Renowned girls basketball star Shakara Jones returns to the court once again, only this time in the role of coach
Nov. 11, 2016
High school record
Played all four years as a varsity player.
849 rebounds 282 shots blocked Scored 2,439 points Won
Awarded Missouri State Player of the Year
College career
Played at the University of Missouri. Played all four years as a Tiger.
27 points and had 14 rebounds. The most points scored by a Debut game scored
Tiger in their debut game
Professional career Currently
#20
Played in Europe for three years, specifically Finland
Greece and Germany
1,206 Career points Quick facts! Member of the Point Club.
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Currently there are alumni from Francis Howell Central that coach the sport they used to play at FHC.
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Top six success
Members of the girls tennis team share what they did different this year in order to have such a successful season
Haley Anderson
Maddie Gunnell Senior
“We knew that anyone could be beat including ourselves, but we kept our composure and came out with the district title.” Bryce Lee
Senior
“We won districts this year because we focused on the overall goal, and pushed each other to complete our goal.”
Staff reporter After having one of the best regular season records in girls tennis, the varsity tennis team won a district title for the first time in school history. The team won 10 of their 12 games. This season, the team also gained a new head coach. Coach Rohrbach, last year’s assistant coach and this years head coach, was very proud with the season’s outcome. “This season was probably one of the best records the school has had, we won our first district title, we finished with 14 wins and only three losses and we had a doubles team that was able to move on to the state tournament,” said Coach Rohrbach. “The girls did a tremendous job giving it all every single match.”
Giving that the team won districts, but came short in the state tournament, Rohrbach elaborated more about why the team wasn’t able to go all the way. “The girls played the best of the best, they were playing teams that spend a lot of money and time playing year round tennis, and the majority of our team play other sports which I think takes away the time from playing year round as well,” said Coach Rohrbach. “When you’re going against the best of the best, you just go out there and give it all you got and sometimes you reach your goal and sometimes you don’t.” Senior Maddie Gunnell and junior Jennifer Ferry went to state after winning districts and sectionals, but sadly lost their first and second rounds.
Jennifer Ferry Junior
“Winning districts was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. It was a feeling I don’t know that I could ever recreate.”
Tori Ikeda
Mackenzie Jones
Sophomore
Freshman
“This year being a higher ranked I felt gave me more confidence in myself but also I knew that I had to continue playing at a high level.”
“The coaches really helped us by just making sure that we were mentally prepared and that we had confidence in ourselves going into districts.”
Angel Ikeda Senior
“I felt that with the new coaches we got this year, it helped bring the team together more which increased our chemistry and that was a huge factor in winning districts.”
Left: Senior Haley Anderson serving the ball during a season match against St. Charles West. The team beat West by 7-2. PHOTO BY GEA HENRY Right: Senior Angel Ikeda returning the ball while playing Fort Zumwalt East during season. Ikeda won her match, helping the team beat FZE 7-2. PHOTO BY SYDNEY ROBBINS
Nov. 11, 2016
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Lukas Mendel Copy Editor
University of Never Getting Into
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College of Maybe, Possibly, Might Get Admitted University of Unreal Expectstions
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t finally comes to the end of another long, grueling week. I find myself just managing to keep an A in all of my classes for the however many consecutive weeks in a row, staying up every school night studying and finishing up homework at the perfect bedtime of 12 am, and spending almost my whole weekend and a couple school nights at the place I love the most, my part time job. Finally, all is done and I find myself able to enjoy some of my Sunday, the whole one hour left after completing last week’s remaining homework. But what is this, there is more to do? I tell myself that is impossible, but then I remember I am a senior, in fall, which means one thing: college applications. November of senior year, this is when colleges start to expect students to submit their applications for wherever they hope to be admitted. Applying to colleges has never been simpler now through the use of the Internet and the common app. But when it comes to some of the more competitive universities in America, their applications all share one major flaw: they expect too much. These selective schools expect students to be working their absolute hardest all throughout high school, rising over the rest in their classes. They also expect a unique personal statement, one that gives the admission officers a reason to consider the student over other applicants. If this was the only essay required, there would not be any sort of problem, but the colleges also expect applicants to complete specific responses and essays unique to each university. These universities already expect applying students to be star examples, be involved in extracurricular activities, and to find time to clone themselves so they can possibly enjoy part of high school and maybe have the occasional friend or two. Writing is an essential part of the application process because it truly shows what makes students unique. There are other students who can earn the same grades and obtain the same test scores, so the colleges want to see individually how they think, and why they want to be a student at their university. This is not an issue every single senior will or does stress about, many state universities require a college transcript and the student’s ACT or SAT scores, and that’s it. The issue with no writing though, is the student now loses their chance to stand out. Too much writing requires time that simply is not there, and no writing means losing a voice in the process. There has got to be a middle ground in between the two extremes, and that is to require writing but a more reasonable amount. Let all students voice their reason of why they wish to attend the school of their dreams, and let students trying to get into the selective universities submit recent essays they have written in class. Many times the college want to analyze not just the students grades, not just their test scores, not just why they want to attend the university, but to analyze how the student thinks. The submission of formal essays from various classes can offer a example of how a student works and thinks because it was written by the student for an actual grade. The way colleges run their application most likely will not change overnight, so it is great to dream of what it could be, but that is not what it is. They simply expect too much as these essays hold just as much as weight as grades and test scores. When finding time to finish homework seems impossible, the added on thought of college essays seem like literal gibberish. The only solution to it all is time management, make the time that is not there. Don’t procrastinate with homework or other essays, buckle down and get it done then move on. Learn to become a hermit until you’re finally done with your applications. Most importantly, write them, stressing out about writing them will not help further the progress. Finally, after you have written them and submitted them, reward yourself and sit back and relax, and try to ignore the crippling fear that no matter your hard effort you might still get rejected.
Nov. 11, 2016
What do colleges want from my personal statement?
What should I avoid in my application?
Who should write my recommendation?
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F o cal
voice
Points Each issue, the editorial staff of the Central Focus picks three issues focused on the school and gives you insight and impact in just a couple quick sentences.
Skylar: Testing
Broken English Flawed testing system has done great disservice to art of literature
“W
hat is the tone of answer. Even grammar is formulaic: the author?” There commas have rules, capitalization are four options has rules, grammar has a set of underneath, each of them similar, rules that can be followed and each of them viable, three of tested. This is not the part of English them wrong. Nervously, I circle I have a problem with; I firmly one, then erase it in believe everyone should favor of another. I move know what an Oxford on tentatively, feeling comma is or how to like I’m wrong, feeling tell the difference like there should be between “there,” “their,” no way for me to even and “they’re.” It’s the be wrong on such an interpretation aspect; interpretation-based it’s having teachers Skylar Laird question. With this tell me for years that Feature editor nervous self-doubt, I I’m wrong because move through English I feel like the author class after English class, has a different tone, or always feeling like I’m missing out because I sympathize differently on something. with a character, or because I Since I was three years old, saw a symbol differently. There learning how to read “One Fish are, of course, ways for me to be Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish,” I’ve wrong; not every analysis can been addicted to literature. As even be correct if it lacks proper I grew older, I would read every reasoning behind it, but as long book I could get my hands on. I as an interpretation makes sense, excel in English; along with my love it should be considered a valid of reading grew a love of analysis option. Literature analysis is as I dove into classics like “Little simply too subjective to be tested Women” at ages as young as 11 or standardly. 12. It seems to follow that I should This issue is already addressed love English classes, and I do, but through the use of essays and they also frustrate me to no end. class discussions, which both Our education is systematicallyallow students to form their own based: an emphasis is placed on opinions and then support them standardized testing, which is without a right or wrong answer. built to accommodate formulaic These also promote creativity and subjects, such as math and science deeper analysis than multiple - anything that can have a set choice questions, letting students
think up their own analysis and delve into it instead of simply doing a process of elimination or being forced to choose one singular option out of a list that has already been created for them. However, as long as a multiple choice section is still used in big tests like the AP exam and ACT, and as long as teachers are still using it in class as a tool to judge students’ analyses, there remains a problem. Literature should be treated as the art it is; analysis should be judged based on essays while grammar remains multiple choice. There is an obvious reason for the current system: essays are much more subjective and difficult to grade than multiple choice, which can merely be fed into a computer and have a score spit out. Essays may be more effort for both parties, but this is what literature deserves: stories are written for the purpose of in-depth analysis, not shallow and debatable questions about tone and metaphors. I have read too many fantastic works that I have been forced to change my thoughts about in order to fit the questions and answers I’m given, and I am honestly sick of it. I feel as though we as an education system could do so much more for the English program and the students who adore it without the inclusion of standardized testing. While math and science thrive
under this system, English is stifled by it; this has then allowed the teaching of maths and sciences to continue to develop while English classes feel stagnant and overdone: instead of continually learning new concepts, we are force fed the same ideas for years upon years with little variation or variety to make it exciting. I want deeper analysis, not the same statements about metaphors and similes that I have been dealing with since the second grade. I am a student who excels in little other than English, so to be provided with the same opportunities as math or scienceoriented kids would be a dream come true. And this can not be done until English is recognized more as an art form and less as a tedious task. Right now, it’s seen as just another core class or another portion of the ACT, while in reality, it should bear more similarities to the music or art programs. English is a non-standard class shoved into a standardized system, and that can make even someone as passionate about it as me hate it. And this can not be remedied until English is no longer tested through multiple choice questions. I will not stop being infuriated by English classes until I can look at a question asking me about a novel and worry more about the analysis itself than whether my answer is right or wrong.
With students taking both the ACT and PSAT, they are once again subjected to the unfairness of standardized testing, a system rigged for students with the skill of sitting still for a long period of time and against everyone else, specifically students with test anxiety, dyslexia, or ADD, all of which can make testing exponentially more difficult for a student. The fact that education is weighted so heavily towards standardized testing instead of actual merit or dedication then rewards people with the ability to take tests over students who put dedication and hard work into learning, or are even naturally intelligent, but who struggle with taking tests.
Lukas: Spartan stars
The school’s new, improved Spartan star system is essentially the new Oprah. Not only can parents reward their students with the sought after Spartan star now, but students can also award them to fellow students. Before the new system, Spartan stars were already flawed; they were commonly awarded beforehand to students, who don’t typically do what they should, for doing simple things, like turning in homework. It is important to recognize students for doing well and making improvements, but it depreciates their value even more when the students being recognized could be receiving awards from almost anybody.
Elaine: The military
Whether an airman or marine, being a member of the United States military evokes a deep sense of camaraderie and patriotism. The military creates a newfound sense of purpose for individuals from all walks of life. Many may be discouraged from entering the service, based upon their uneasiness with weapons or war. Many may believe their skill sets within the classroom possesses no relevance for military affairs, but that belief couldn’t be further from the truth. Approximately 80 percent of military occupations are noncombat related. Without the supportive roles of administrative and supply workers and nurses, the combat engineers and infantrymen could not do their jobs. Not everyone needs to pick up a rifle in order to serve our country. Heroes come in many shapes and sizes, don’t let anyone tell you differently.
Staff editorial: Missouri conceal carry law
Hollow point
New gun law promotes dangerous culture
By The Editorial Board With the new update to our laws on guns, you are able to conceal a gun, wherever you please, without a permit. The notion that more guns are the solution to our growing gun problem, is absurd. Guns themselves are not our issue; however, bringing more of them to the party, opening up more opportunity for the wrong person to be in possession, is ludicrous. One more gun sitting in its display case at the store or in its safe in someone’s home is not the problem. Those guns are not the ones making headline news or eliciting the feelings fear, insecurity, and worry. It is the guns that cause loss of property, loss of health, and sometimes loss of life. Many people use something called the “airplane effect” to describe what our society is faced with. Thousands of airplanes take off and land safely every single day and no one turns their heads towards those planes, no one worries, there’s no headline reading “Airplane safely lands!!” but once in awhile, an airplane crashes and people are hurt, sometimes even killed and everyone goes berserk. Not that a crashed airplane is a gun but for every 2,000 guns that are safely locked away, there is a gun in the wrong hands. Sure, the average person will say guns are to protect or to kill game, but what about when that muzzle is pointed at another human being? Not a human being wielding another gun, but an innocent and defenseless human being. Allowing more wrongly motivated people to have such harmful weapons outweighs the correctly motivated people with guns. The only justifiable intention for a gun is to protect oneself and those around them, the problem is, the wrong side is winning, as we clearly see throughout the world. The argument that increased gun usage leads to preservation of lives is irrational, because even if some people have good intentions, are educated in gun safety, and plan to use it to protect, there are still those who are unsafe and uneducated. Beginning in January, it will be legal for any person in Missouri who has a gun to conceal it in any place you could formerly have a gun out in the open. Before a person would have to obtain a permit with required training to conceal their weapon, now any gun owner can conceal their weapon without the training. Missouri joins nine other states in allowing concealed weapons without training. This is outrageous because the process of getting a permit to conceal a weapon was not hard.
Nov. 11, 2016
It required a gun safety class and a criminal background check that can be done by a local sheriff. With no mental illnesses and a clean record, anyone could obtain a permit. Now, with more non-restrictive laws, any public place that stirs arguments, like say a bar, can turn a small scuffle into a fatal fight. Knowing any person that wants a gun can, should not sit right with people. Yes, there are the cases of people who are educated and who douse guns with correct intentions, but there just as many people who are not educated, and are not using guns with correct intentions. Those people, in possession of guns, have the capability to kill strangers, your family, or even you. That risk of the loss of a life is a risk we should be willing to take. There are too many people who have been affected by a trigger, making many wonder why gun laws are loosening. One too many tears have been shed, one too many people wrongfully killed, and one too many person has suffered the loss of their loved ones because too much power was put in the wrong hands. There used to be one example everyone thought of when the word guns came around: Columbine, but today there’s numerous examples from Sandy Hook, to the shootings in Colorado, to the nightclub in Orlando. With every shooting comes more memorials, more candle lightings, more tears and more people affected at the shot of a gun. Assault weapons and riffles should not be as readily available as they are. They are weapons made for war, and the purpose of war is solely to kill and harm. By having these deadly weapons so readily available we have started a war, in which the innocent are those on the other side of the dangerous, ill, and wrong, and are losing their lives, daily. Every year, more than 100,000 people are shot in America. That means on average .003% of America’s population is shot each year. This is just the number of those shot. Those who are killed by guns in America? Each day, 31 lives are lost to homicide and 56 to suicide, via gun. That is 87 lives that are taken by a gun that was used for the wrong purpose. Taking someone’s life, is in no way the “respectable or expected use of a gun.” So tell us, why, guns are portrayed as some badass item, an item of strength and courage. Tell us why advertisements and movies have made guns out to be the most masculine and empowering thing. Allowing someone to take the life of themselves or another is the furthest thing from empowering, and the closest thing to preposterous.
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Ten ways to save the planet Helping to conserve the planet goes farther than just recycling your paper and plastic
Before graduation... 10 great things to do that won’t show up on your diploma By Mackenzie Morris Voice Editor
Stand up for something you believe in. Whether it is as small as proving you have the right answer on the homework, or starting a political movement, have an opinion and defend it. Participate in a pep assembly. We only get four years here, some of us less, and even though pep assemblies seem like the lamest things right now, they are a lot of fun when you actually participate. Make a friend outside of your clique. Life is short. Do you really want to spend
By Caleb Harmon
Staff reporter How do you save the earth? If this question was asked, how would someone most likely respond? They would most likely say something about recycling because the recycling raccoon told them. But there are so many other ways to help save the earth that doesn’t involve recycling. “One thing my family does to help conserve energy is we turn off all the lights when we leave the room, and we’ve switched to using those spiral light bulbs because they conserve energy better,” senior Nathan Buchholz said. 1. Using compact fluorescent lightbulbs really does make a difference. By using this type of lightbulb, a person could save $30 or more in energy costs, over a bulb’s lifetime. The compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75 percent less energy. 2. However, one wouldn’t have to worry as much about that energy consumption if they did one simple thing. Turn off electronics when they aren’t being used. It is common sense because leaving something electrical on, such as a light when you leave the room is just nonsense. Shutting off electronic sources of energy consumption will also help decrease the cost on the electric bill. 3. It may sound a little weird, but if clothes don’t stink, don’t wash them. Standard washing machines use 40 gallons of water per load. If households nationwide were more conservative with laundry, they would save enough water to fill more than seven million swimming pools. 4. Now everyone has probably heard that the faucet should be turned off when it isn’t being used, but it is still true nonetheless. Junior Evan Goodbody has had experience with this. “Saving the earth is very important to me. When I was little, I didn’t realize how much water was wasted so when I brushed my teeth I would forget about the faucet that I left on,” Goodbody said. “Now that I realize how much water is wasted, I make it a point to shut it off when I’m not using it.”
5. Faucets are not the only worrisome object of water loss. Shower heads may also be a source of water and energy loss. Install faucet aerators and high-efficiency showerheads and in a year’s time you’ll save between 1,000 and 8,000 gallons of water. 6. Cell phones are constantly becoming better and faster, and when this happens people buy new phones. About 130 million mobile phones are thrown away each year that creates more than 65,000 tons of waste. To help prevent this problem, people can donate their phones instead of just tossing them in the trash. 7. Say someone starts to get thirsty after saving the planet all day, what do they do? Americans use over three million plastic bottles an hour, but only recycle about one in every five of those bottles. Buying a reusable water bottle and not buying a new bottle every time will help decrease the size of this problem. 8. Ever wonder whether remaining idle while a car is running how much gas is being used? Well a simple answer is more than it takes to start a car. Shut down your engine, because idling for any length of time burns more gas than it takes to restart the car. 9. Being a bad driver doesn’t pay. Speeding, fast accelerations, and hard braking waste gas, while maintaining your car saves it. Tune up your car according to your owner’s-manual and raise your car’s fuel efficiency anywhere from 4 to 40 percent. By doing this a person could increase their fuel efficiency and have another way to save on gas. “Honestly, I try to drive as safely as I can,” senior Isabella Jones said. “Not only is it a safety factor but I was aware that it could save me money. Right now money is very important to me.” 10. Something the average shopper may not think about is how many plastic bags they use. U.S. Households use about 100 billion plastic bags on average during the year. 99 percent of these bags used during the year are never even recycled. By bringing your own shopping bag to shop, the demand, and therefore the amount of use of the plastic bags lessens the problem.
all of it with the same four people? Branch out, and talk to somebody you would not normally talk to. You never know what happiness that might bring you. Go on a date. Like a real date. High school is prime time for dating, and that doesn’t mean having a person you are romantically interested in over to a family gathering and hugging when they leave (scandalous, I know). Everyone should have at least one date in high school, when you get dressed up and go do something with your significant other. Go through a breakup. It is one of the more difficult things in life, but arguably one of the most rewarding. Once you get past the sadness that comes with losing your significant other, you learn some valuable things about yourself, what you need in a relationship, and how to put your happiness first.
Go on a senior trip. Senior year is the last year before most of us are no longer living under the care of our parents. In a few short months, we will be off to college where we will stay for the next four years, so the sooner we get used to fending for ourselves, the better off we will be in college. What better way for us to get used to living on our own than taking a trip with some friends and trying out real life for a few days? Speak publicly. Everyone will have to speak in public at some point. Anything from job interviews to work presentations, being able to talk in front of people is a part of life, and an important one at that. Getting practice early on is the best way to ensure success in the future.
Challenge yourself. Do not allow yourself to relax for three years to decide to buckle down senior year before you start applying to colleges. Most universities want to see that you are taking a rigorous schedule all four years, not just the last one. Taking more difficult classes and challenging your abilities are much more rewarding to your education than classes you can glide through with no effort. Visit a college without your parents forcing you. Too many students let their parents drag them around to schools they aren’t interested in. Take responsibility for your own education. It’s your future, not your parents’. Attend a high school party. Parties don’t have to be the negative atmosphere with low lighting and questionable substances. The best parties are with a bunch of people, some music playing, good food, and a good, old fashioned game of Cards Against Humanity.
Nov. 11, 2016
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Stop by Room 139 to talk with Mr. Schott about how you can become the next great journalist at FHC. Get an application to join either the newspaper or yearbook classes at the semester. We’re looking for the following people: WRITERS. PHOTOGRAPHERS. VIDEOGRAPHERS. EDITORS. SOCIAL MEDIA MAVENS. GRAPHIC DESIGNERS. Come be a part of the best!