North Star April 2013

FHNTODAY.COM - FRANCIS HOWELL NORTH HIGH SCHOOL - ST. CHARLES, MO.

Is there really

? ? y t e f a s r o f l a cal TS DRIVE RECENT EVEN UP THEIR SCHOOLS TO SAFETY pg 20

april 17, 2013 volume 27 issue 7

NORTHSTAR f

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contents NORTH STAR / APRIL 17, 2013

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Sophomore Jordin Graham’s pet hedgehog gives new meaning to “man’s best friend.” She received the hedge hog as a gift last Christmas. (megan tanksley)

This month, the North Star takes an in-depth look at school safety. After recent shootings around the country, some schools set out to change their safety policies. (Illustration by nick bussell)

DISTRIBUTED FOR FREE TO FHN BY THE NORTH STAR STAFF / PROVIDING AN OPEN FORUM FOR FHN SINCE 1986

45

News

FEATURES

2 get up and go! This St.Louis

12 coveted convertibles Teachers

Tracy Wuertenberg and Bridgett Myers and both believe their cars are the best.

32 budget breakdown Find out

marathon that starts near the Arch sets an example for living a healthy lifestyle.

3 Expedition trails FHN students

12 taste of brazil Tucanos

36-37 Springing into action Spring

Brazilian Grill brings South American flavor to St. Charles.

sports heat up at FHN, bringing new competition.

13 get your green on Learn how to

OPINIONS

from Lewis and Clark Tech school are working on building a house.

4-5 new principal Learn more

on the cover

32-33

3

about Andy Downs, FHN’s future principal.

reduce your carbon footprint in preparation for Earth Day.

SPORTS the process of the FHN sports budget is and who the heavy spenders are.

41 wolf Tyler, the Creator’s

FEATURES

SPORTS

8-9 Venture crew This group

29-29

offers activities for students who have outgrown Boy Scouts.

fhsd rivalry The rivalry between FHSD high schools is shown through students.

43 musial bridge The rebuilt

10-11 past proms Take a look at past

30-31 SPRING

43 forever young? Students

prom fashion as FHN teachers remember their prom.

sports update Spring sports teams seek an improved and successful season.

newest album is a step in the right direction for Odd Future.

Blanchette bridge should be renamed to tribute “The Man.” realize that youth isn’t forever as the year comes to a close.

2549 Hackmann Rd. St. Charles, MO 63303

PAGE BY LAUREN PIKE

news

briefs

Briefs by Cynthia Cahall, Sophie Gordon, Priscilla Joel and Amanda Stallings

pre-prom assembly

Last year’s Pre-Prom assembly was held on April 13. Speaker Ashley Matthews shares her story about her personal experience with drunk driving. Students were also shown a video about the effects of drunk driving. This year’s assembly will take place on April 19. (file photo)

bLOCK SCHEDULING EXTENDED FOR EOc TESTING

zOO FIELD TRIP

End-of-Course (EOC) block scheduling will last three weeks rather than two this year, taking place April 15-May 3. FHN is now required to give the American History EOC, causing the testing period to be extended. For some, this comes as good news.

“I think block scheduling benefits me because I get plenty of time to finish my tests and classes aren’t interrupted as much,” junior Deanna Hyde, who will be taking the Government EOC, said.

According to Assistant Principal Nancy Wade, some teachers like block scheduling while other teachers find it difficult to adjust their lesson plans because of the longer periods.

“We hope that it runs as smoothly as possible for the students and that teachers get some advantages with the block scheduling,” Wade said.

SCAN HERE Each test must be completed in a specific To see the exact block time frame, so the school tries to get all of scheduling for the EOC’s.

Or use this link: its students tested within the given week. http://goo.gl/2IIMX Testing lasts from Monday to Thursday and Fridays are on a regular day schedule.

PAGE BY CYNTHIA CAHALL

a

s the date for Prom approaches, the Pre-Prom Assembly will take place the day before on April 19. The assembly will be held for all the juniors and seniors during the students’ seventh hour and is organized by the members of Teens Advocating for Smart Choices (TASC).

During this year’s assembly, there will be a speech given by Joe Richardson.

He will share his personal story about his son Billy Richardson, who was a 2010 North graduate.

He passed away during the fall from a heroin overdose.

“This assembly is significant because at this time of year, the students are ready for summer break and sometimes stop making smart choices. This helps them to stop and think.” TASC sponsor Dawn Jones said.

In the past, TASC gave out letters for seniors that were written by family members and friends for seniors during the assembly. However, due to the lack of TASC members this year, the senior letters would not have been sent out in time, so they will not be doing them.

MU ALPHA THETA

The Mu Alpha Theta Induction ceremony is tonight at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.

Principal Darlene Jones will speak about mathematics and its importance. As of press time, there are an estimated 75-100 inductees. The inductees must have a 3.0 math average, passed Algebra I and Honors Geometry and completed or currently be enrolled in Algebra II. “My favorite part about the ceremony is when the officers give the speech about what Mu Alpha Theta is,” sponsor Val VanDerBeck said.

Thirty-five Biology II students took a bus to the St. Louis Zoo on April 12 with science teachers Joe Brocksmith and Lawrence Sheller.

“I haven’t been to the zoo since I was seven,” senior Aurianah Jones said. “[I was] excited to see all the animals.”

During the trip, students were able enhance what they already learned in their science classes.

“The zoo field trip gives the kids a chance to apply a lot of the things they learn in class and construct a research paper based on the behaviors they observed,” Brocksmith said.

Mr. fHN PLANNING Mr. FHN, the annual male beauty pageant, will be held on May 3 in the auditorium at 6 p.m. The Easy Breezy Cover Boy themed pageant will raise money for Relay For Life, the same organization as last year which focuses on raising money for cancer victims. Last year, Mr. FHN raised more than $1,000 for math teacher and cancer survivor Patty Bartel.

“It’s a lot of fun,” senior and competitor for two years Zach Ksiazek said. “I like raising money for a good cause.”

Knights crusade

The FHN Athletic Booster Club is holding a new Knights Crusade online Raffle.

Tickets can be purchased at FHNToday.com until April 19.

Money raised will help pay for the FHN shield logo that will go on the new turf field and will also go towards clubs and organizations. If 3,000 tickets are sold, there will be a $10,000 prize given.

“The raffle is a great way for the whole FHN community to raise money for our new field and our clubs,” Athletic Booster Club President Chris Braudis said.

04.17.13 FHNTODAY.COM 01

news

Students from various schools including FHN, Duchesne, FHC, Troy are working on a home that is located in the Expedition Trails neighborhood. Various classes from the Lewish and Clark Tech program are working on the house. The program that the students are in is a two-year learning process, so each student will build two houses by the time they graduate. (cameron mccarty)

go! marathon promotes health

50%

Runner Aaron Braun crosses the finish line at the GO! St. Louis Marathon on April 7. Braun set a new GO! half-marathon record with a time of 1:03:13. (photo courtesy of go! st. louis marathon)

02 FHNTODAY.COM

04.17.13

On April 7, participants competed in the annual GO! St. Louis full and half Marathon that promoted an example for a healthy lifestyle

BY LAUREN PIKE

laurenpike14@gmail.com | @pike_n_ike

Fifteen thousand people participated in the GO! St. Louis marathon and half-marathon on April 7. The race kicked off at 7 a.m. in downtown St. Louis and ended around 2 p.m. Proceeds from the race went to the GO! St. Louis youth programs to end child obesity. ”It was very successful,” Director of Marketing and Communications Jeff Trammel said.

“The weather was beautiful and there were lots of happy faces.”

On April 6, participants attended a pre-race expo at Chaifetz Arena to sign in and get their race shirts, bibs, and informational packets.

The expo also included vendor booths from companies and organizations that promote the healthy lifestyle that GO! St. Louis stands for.

“I think it’s good to set the example for the world to get out there,” senior and marathon participant Marissa Finkbiener said.

Planning for the event began in August and lasted about eight months. The process started by spreading the word about the race and promoting registration for the event. Street permits

were obtained in order to block the roads as the race was going on. Due to the limited full-time GO! St. Louis staff, a force of 2,800 volunteers were also required to make the event a success.

“The volunteers are great,” Trammel said.

“They love what they’re doing, are very encouraging, and seem very happy to be there.”

The race started near the Gateway Arch and weaved through the city passing landmarks like Busch Stadium and Anheuser Busch brewery.

The course then continues through Forest Park and ended on Olive Street.

Shollar said. “It decides your dedication and outcome. You run two miles up a hill.” with medals, food, and drink after completing the 13.1 or 26.2 mile run. Finishers also get the opportunity to participate in the post-race celebration with St. Louis staples: Ted Drewes frozen custard and toasted ravioli.

“The most rewarding thing is seeing people “It’s just a special feeling for them and knowing that you made that happen.”

PAGE BY LAUREN PIKE & AMANDA STALLINGS

career

come together during their morning or afternoon classes to work on the two-story home.

The majority of the house is built by the Carpentry and Masonry classes. The Carpentry and Brick and Stone trades do most of their

building

Lewis and Clark Students work together to construct a house

BY ABIGAIL GRIFFIN

I

of Old Muegge Road in O’Fallon, multiple Lewis and Clark Tech classes are in the process of completing their annual house building project. The classes involved include the Brick and Stone Masonry, Building Trades the house will be the best in the subdivision.

The project takes place from the beginning of the school year to the end, following the St. Charles School District calendar. Brick and Stone Masonry instructor Josh Blattner believes the project prepares kids for a successful future.

“I want them to get a creative side to them,” themselves that they can do anything they want.

And I want them to develop good leadership skills, so even if they don’t become brick and stone masons, they are still leaders in the community.”

-

learning.

The teachers supervise and help when needed, but most of the building is done by the students. A few companies are also contracted to do things like laying cement.

“If we don’t work hard, we aren’t going to get it done,” junior and Masonry student Brandon Chac said. “I know we have a lot of good seniors and juniors this year, so hopefully we can make it all work.”

This year’s house is unique from the others in the neighborhood owned by Lewis and Clark.

This house is stone with brick accents, while last year’s was brick with stone accents. The house has archways, an illuminated mailbox, plus many other characteristics that make it different from previous years.

“This year, we put a lot of thought into it at the beginning and thought of something we really wanted to stand out in the neighborthroughout school is really wondering what we are going to do because of what we did last year because they know it’s going to be better.

It’s just really going to stand out; everything on it is going to pop.”

SCAN HERE

Scan this QR code to be taken to a video about the construction of the Expedition Trails house.

OR use this link: http://goo.gl/ayO9g

leave is denied

BY AMANDA STALLINGS

amandastallings13@gmail.com | @astall13

ns TOP TWEETS @fhndowns proud to announce that Dr. Katie Greer and Dr. Chris Birch are our two, new APs. Our school is very excited.

Andy Downs

@ DJfromtheNJ was beyond amazing.

Great job guys.

Dajah Lasenberry

@fhnactivites Freshmen soccer earns a 6-0 win over #brightfuture

Mike Janes

@andybardles Saint louis Cardinals?

More like Saint Louis Doubles. #BIRDS

Andy Bartell

@abrinovec3 Less than two months..

I can do this.

obtained through the Sunshine Law, during a closed meetmiss him. Spencer asked for an unpaid leave of absence while he’s serving his term as a state legislator. Spencer options to look at and we’re not ruling out any of them,” Spencer said.

Alex Brinovec

@JordanBetch You’re life is what you make it. Make it the best you can, because you only live it once. Live life to the fullest.

Jordan Boettcher

legislator. The decision about the requests were deterdecision about granting or denying the leave.

Bryan Spencer helps a student during the 2011-12 school year. Spencer worked for FHN since 1997. He is currently a state representative for Missouri District 63. (file photo)

PAGE BY LAUREN PIKE & AMANDA STALLINGS

developments and advances in education because of the extended amount of time requested in his leave.

“We want to be able to deliver teachers to the classroom that can give the best that we can afford to the kids,”

@ktoeniskoetter So excited to start our 2013-2014 Knightline season with 28 dancers!

Kristi Toeniskoetter

Want to see your tweet here?

Tag tweets about school with

#FHNnews 04.17.13

FHNTODAY.COM 03

fhsd NEW

Principal During the 2013-14 school year, Andy Downs will become FHN’S new principal

BY JORDAN BRYSON

jordan.bryson90@gmail.com | @jordan_bryson

Approval for Assistant Principal Andy Downs to be next year’s principal was announced by the Board of Education on Feb. 18. This was due to Principal Darlene Jones announcement of retirement on Dec. 20, 2012, after 42 years of working in education.

“I wanted to pass the torch when I was still doing a good job,” Jones said. “I wanted to leave so I could be remembered as a good principal the whole time I was here.”

During mid-January. principal applicants had to apply and take the Principal Insight Assessment and go through three different interviews.

“I think he’s going to do a great job,” President of the Board of Education Marty Hodits said.

“Hopefully he will make his improvements to combine his philosophy and Doc Jones’ philosophy to make the best school for the students.” principal on July 1 but will continue his duties as assistant principal for the rest of the year.

He will also attend principal meetings with Jones and collaborate with her.

“He was the person that I hoped would get the position,” Jones said. “Not only is he bright, he’s articulate, he understands instruction, he knows our school, students and parents, and he cares about the school.”

04 FHNTODAY.COM

04.17.13

road to Administration

After Darlene Jones’ retirement was announced, the search for a new principal started. Andy Downs applied and will be FHN’s new principal.

ups and "downs" of a new principal “I was really excited to find out that Mr. Downs is going to be our new principal, I think he’s going to do a really good job.”

Marissa Cohen, FACS teacher “Mr. Downs will do good as our new principal because he’s been at FHN for a while and he knows how our school operates.”

Rachel Rosse, 12 “‘l’ll miss working for Dr. Jones but I’m glad they hired Downs because he has experience working in the building.”

Joe Breen, Science teacher “I am curious to see how Mr. Downs will do as our new principal and how things might change.”

Kaylin Stewart, 10 “I think Mr. Downs will be a good new principal, it’s always good to have a change of pace.”

Corey Bruns, 11 “Mr. Downs makes me feel really good about the culture at North staying the same.”

Shelley Parks, English teacher “Mr. Downs seems like a really nice guy so I think he will do really good as our new principal next year.”

Hellen Yi, 11

PAGE BY AMANDA STALLINGS

Top and bottom left: Andy Downs escorts FHN’S current principal, Darlene Jones at the Prom Fashion show on Feb. 27 (cameron mccarty) Bottom middle: Downs is currently one of FHN’S assistant principal and had worked at FHN for five years. Bottom right: On Feb. 18, Downs was announced at the new principal. He will begin as principal at the beginning of the 2013-14 school year. (murphy riley)

These are the steps that Andy Downs took to eventually become FHN’s head principal.

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1

In 1994, Downs graduated high school from St. Louis University High school.

After graduating, Downs attended college at Truman University in Missouri, where he majored in English and graduated in 1998.

2

After he graduated, Downs became a student teacher at Fort Zumwalt North in 2000.

He then got his teaching certification from UMS in 2000 and then earned his Education specialist degree from Missouri Baptist in 2012.

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3

5

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Downs became an English teacher at FHHS and taught there from 2005 until 2007.

Down’s then became FHC’s dean in 2007 and was there until 2009. In 2009, Downs joined the FHN administration staff as the assistant principal.

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When Darlene Jones announced her retirement, the process for finding FHN’S new head principal began. Downs went through the interview process and took the Principal Insight Assessment from Gallup Assessments

PAGE BY AMANDA STALLINGS

Downs was an English teacher at McCluer High School between 2001 and 2005. He continued teaching while working on his masters in education administration from Lindenwood, and then graduated in 2005.

On Feb. 18, Downs was announced as FHN’s new head principal. Downs will take his place as FHN’s new head principal for the 2013-14 school year on July 1. Downs is planning to finish his doctorate at Missouri Baptist within the next two years.

04.17.13 FHNTODAY.COM 05

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Features venturing

to new

heights

Boy Scouts of America gives teens a new way to explore and challenge themselves photos by murphy riley

BY BRIANNA MORGAN 1006briannamorgan@gmail.com| @BriMarie1006

“Shoe size?” The young man behind the counter asks with a smile on his face.

“6,” Marissa replies.

“11,” Chris says.

They make sure to get a size smaller than what they actually wear to make sure their shoes are tight fitting.

They are at Upper Limits Indoor Rock Gym & Pro Shop in Maryland Heights where they will be rock climbing with their Venture Crew, Crew 9211.

The man goes behind the counter and pulls out the pairs of shoes from their designated cubbies and hands them over.

They give their thanks and step to the side so that everyone else can get their equipment.

Sophomore Marissa Watkins and junior Chris Steimel are very active members of Venture Crew. Venture Crew is a group that originated in 1998 to give boys who had outgrown Boy Scouts an opportunity to participate in age and ability appropriate activities. Venture Crew became co-ed in 1969 in the midst of the Women’s Rights movements. “[I like] the activities and that it’s co-ed,” Chris says.

“With guys they can get stubborn, but with girls involved there’s usually a lighter mood.”

It’s time for the two climbers to properly secure themselves. They slip their legs through their one-size-fits-all harnesses and pull to fit them tightly. Next, they hook on the belay device. The belay device serves as a friction brake so that when the climber falls the fall is brought to a stop by controlling the rope. Once secured, they head to their rock climbing platforms.

Chris heads for the easier rocks while Marissa heads for

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04.17.13

PAGE BY BRIANNA MORGAN & TAYLOR SHELTON

the harder rocks.

Chris jokes that he likes to be lazy.

Marissa likes to be challenged.

“The harder they are, the worse the blisters,” Marissa says.

“That’s how I know it’s been a challenge.”

Once they’ve approached the rocks, both Venturers make sure they are secure: Check.

Marissa makes a plan. What will be the easiest way to get up the wall without using too much energy?

“It’s all about what move I should make next,” Marissa says. “Sometimes I’m really determined to finish so I tell myself that I don’t care how tired or sore I am, I’m determined to get to the top and finish.”

For Marissa, quitting is not an option. Once she starts up a rock wall, she has to make it to the top, and so far she has never failed to do so. She always pushes herself to go above and beyond what she has done the last time.

Chris uses his height of 5 feet 9 inches to his advantage and uses his legs to push him up the wall while using his arms to reach for the next notch.

Rock climbing isn’t the only thing that Venture Crew does. According to their Crew leader, Dave Mayherhoeffer, they try to do at least three activities a month, generally one major activity and two smaller ones. Activities can be things such as swimming, kayaking, camping, and hiking.

But Marissa likes climbing the best. She describes climbing as being like a puzzle; she has to take everything into consideration. How far apart are the notches are, how far can she swing her arm up.

Chris and Marissa start their journeys up the rock walls while every so often giving commands to the belayer, the person who is anchored to the rock climber. They will each shout things such as “belay on” indicating that the climber has begun climbing or “belay off” indicating that they are no longer climbing.

As they venture higher up, the wall begins to slant and the gravity begins to take its course. The weight of their bodies are pulling them down. Both Chris and Marissa pull themselves close to the wall to remain in control and not fall off. This requires them to remain strong and focused for the 20 to 30 minutes it takes them to get to the top.

Marissa makes it to the top of the rock and the only thoughts on her mind are rest and food.

Chris, on the other hand, is more concerned about his journey back down the cliff once he sees how high up he is.

Both climbers shout to the belayer “ready to repel” and wait for the response signaling whether or not they are able to proceed. They use their legs and arms to push off the wall and bounce off of the side of the wall until they both reach the ground once again.

The crew is done for today, but this summer they have an event that will require a lot of their time. This summer, their crew is planning a trip to Philmont, New Mexico on a 10 day backpacking trip where all of the things they need will be in their backpacks and they will spend that time hiking and away from all of civilization.

PAGE BY BRIANNA MORGAN & TAYLOR SHELTON

what to do without a venture crew

If you’re not involved in any kind of crew, check out these places you can venture to with friends

1.

2.

3.

4.

Explore Johnson Shut-Ins Walk the waterways in this park full of creeks, waterfalls, and pools to swim in.

Climb the Elephant Rocks These enormous rocks create narrow ridge ways to crawl though, and make for a good climb.

Raft at Creve Couer Lake

Spend the day kayaking, canoeing, or paddle boarding. For more information on where to get rentals go to http://goo.gl/qFdQX

Camp at Maremec State Park Pitch a tent, roast some marshmallows and spend the weekend relaxing and enjoying the great outdoors.

04.17.13

FHNTODAY.COM 09

FEATURES

PASTFASHIONS PROM PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Anelise mossinghoff What was your prom experience?

“Outside they had a booth for pictures. My date and I ended up standing in the long line all night instead of dancing.”

What was the atmosphere like?

“It was held in a nice hotel with decorations in a kind of weddingreception like fashion. We had dinner and danced to popular 80s music.”

What was the basic dress code?

“Girls wore dresses with giant puffy sleeves and poofy dresses. The dresses were much more modest than they are now.”

Katie Greer

What was the cost of prom?

“All together with tickets and dresses, prom prices was $60-$70. It was uncommon to spend them amount of money students do now.”

What was your favorite part of prom?

“My favorite part of prom was being around friends. My date was mad that I kept taking pictures with them all night.”

How was prom different than it is now?

“Girls back then wore really plain dresses and dates danced farther apart from each other.”

the 1890s

prom through the

Decades Info from: http://goo.gl/6e5zd http://goo.gl/7mHhX

10 FHNTODAY.COM

04.17.13

the 1960s

Prom (short for Promenade) originated as a college function for students to drink tea and socialize.

It wasn’t until the 1920s that they became a High School function.

Proms were relocated to more elegant venues such as hotel ballrooms, where girls danced in wraps and calf-length dresses.

the 1950s Crepe paper and streamers decorated school gyms for proms.

The tradition of Prom King and Queen was formed in this era.

PAGE BY JESSICA OLSEN & BRITTANY STECK

Shelbi Dillon What was your least favorite part?

“I don’t really have a least favorite part. I enjoyed all of it.”

What type of dances were popular?

“I think that’s when the Macarena grew popular.”

Where did you get your dress from?

“It was at one of the retail shops, like Famous Barr.”

yle t s r u o y d n i f est on pinter

Heather box

Matthew riffee

What were your plans before or after prom?

What fashions were popular?

Who was your prom date?

“The matching-the-socks-to-thedress thing. You can see that.”

“She’s my best friend’s wife (now).

We weren’t dating.

“Dinner wasn’t included in the prom ticket cost, so we went to dinner and pictures before prom.

What was the style like?

“The fashion wasn’t much different then it was now. Girls wore long dresses, girls had their hair and nails professionally done.”

What music was played?

Did anything go wrong that night?

“ She (his date) said she remembered Nelly.”

“Oh no, nothing went wrong. We had a fun time.”

Scan here to get to a pin board full of last minute finishingtouches for Prom 2013. It includes hair styles, shoes, nails and other things to spice up your dress.

There is something out there to fit styles for everyone.

scan here

OR go to: goo.gl/pSDzii

the 1990s

the 1970s

Students showed up in rental limos to Prom; girls in floor length dresses with professional makeup and hair while boys wore pastel tuxes.

Corsages grew into a must between Prom dates. Most boys wore a black tux, with a band at the waist to match his dates’ gown color.

#FHNstyle

the 1980s

Pop culture influenced Prom themes and music choices. Movies such as “Footloose” and “Sixteen Candles” romanticized Prom.

PAGE BY JESSICA OLSEN & BRITTANY STECK

04.17.13 FHNTODAY.COM 11

Features

RIDE OF THE MONTH

rIVALRY

A love of dark blue convertibles sparks a rivalry between two enthusiastic teachers

Tucanos Brazilian Grill, a Utah-based chain, had its opening on Feb 27. The restaurant can seat about 255 people including the outdoor patio. Servers specialize in serving large groups. (paige martinez)

BY ASHLEY EUBANKS ashleyeubanks95@gmail.com | @AMEhigher95

Both English teacher Tracy Wuertenberg and math teacher Bridgett Myers think they drive the best convertible in the world.

Myers has a 2006 Mustang GT Ragtop Convertible, and Wuertenberg drives a 2007 Volkswagen EOS with a hard top.

“My car’s not a muscle car; it’s supposed to be fun,” Wuertenberg said. “I think it’s cooler than a Mustang because not everyone has one.”

Wuertenberg bought her first Volkswagen EOS in October of 2007. Myers has owned a 1974 and 1989 Mustang, but bought the 2006 GT most recently.

“In the summertime I love the convertible top; it just feels good with the wind blowing through your hair,” Myers said.

“Mustangs do not go in the snow though. They get stuck.”

While Wuertenberg’s EOS is not customized, Myers’ Mustang has a performance chip and 3” Flowmaster pipes to make it “faster and more fun.”

“I think it’s awesome that they both have convertibles. I mean, girls just want to have fun,” junior Halie Rickermann said.

SCAN HERE

To watch a video of Myers and Wuertenberg in action.

OR use: goo.gl/BsFlE

12 FHNTODAY.COM

04.17.13

Welcome to the jungle Restaurant creates a unique atmosphere and serves up an authentic Brazilian cuisine while valuing customer service

BY TAYLOR SHELTON sct1241@gmail.com

Upbeat Brazilian music flows throughout the restaurant. Brightly colored lights shine like fireflies from above. The walls are decorated with contemporary, jungle-themed art as if it is foliage.

Dressed in bright yellow, red, and blue, hostesses and meat-servers welcome guests with warm smiles. The structures of wood, walls of stone and patterns of leaves create a tropical rainforest atmosphere. Here, customers are made to feel like guests invited to a party on the Amazon. The seventh Tucanos Brazilian Grill has come to the Midwest.

“We wanted to bring a little taste of Brazil to St. Charles,” General Manager Tony Poole said.

Top sirloin, cheese rolls, grilled veggies, Brazilian Lemonade, chicken hearts. These are only some of the popular items on the Tucanos menu. Other Brazilian churrascarias, places where Portuguese “barbecue” is prepared, may charge $40 or more for the churrasco dining experience.

For Tucanos, it is $13.95 for lunch and $20.95 for dinner. With that, guests are welcome to the unlimited salad festival--featuring more than 100 hot and cold items--and are presented with a rotation of 15 plus types of churrasco. Guests may also order appetizers, specialty skewers,

traditional Brazilian beverages, and desserts if their stomachs still aren’t stuffed.

“I liked how different it was, how you had so many choices rather than just having to choose just one thing,” senior Kayla Welch said.

Located at 1520 South 5th Street, Tucanos replaces former restaurant and hotel Noah’s Ark and borders Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Having opened in late February, the new restaurant is receiving a lot of guests. The managers want everyone to have the best experience possible.

“Our ability to satisfy the guests has been extremely noticeable since we opened,” Poole said.

Not only do the staffers have to smile a lot and radiate positive energy, they need to learn and be able to sing the Happy Birthday song in Portuguese. They also are urged to greet and bid every guest a good-night. Hostesses make friendly conversation with their guests on their way to their table. Meat servers monitor more than 50 tables in order to make sure that everyone sitting at them is satisfied. For efficient and speedy service, bussers have to have tables cleared and reset in under a minute. “[The managers] are all about customer satisfaction,” senior Hostess Brianna Lipinski said. “That’s the number one thing they are crazy about.”

PAGE BY ASHLEY EUBANKS

GOT GREEN? In honor of Earth Day on April 22, learn how to reduce your carbon footprint and creative ways to create a better future for our planet

GREEN YOUR ROUTINE Here are some different ways to bring green into your life

Less than 35% of households in the U.S. recycle.

RECYCLING

1.

Americans throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour.

WHAT IS OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT? The amount of Carbon Dioxide or other Carbon compounds released into the atmosphere by the activities of an individual, company or country. Carbon Dioxide is also the primary gas responsible for Global warming and the alarming changes in our climate.

GET INVOLVED! Join Ecology Club after school on Earth Day at Creve Coeur park for a picnic, activities, and help pick up trash. The club will also be selling Earth Day t-shirts for $10.

PAGE BY ALEXIS CHRISTO

“We all live in the same world, so it’s well-being is something that each and every person should value and protect,” senior Tyler Lavin said.

ORGANIC COSMETICS http://www.burtsbees.com

“I think people should get involved [with Earth Day] because Earth is our home and only home,” President of Ecology Club Hannah Rosen said.

Recycling one ton of cardboard saves 46 gallons of oil.

Info from: http://goo.gl/WfkGJ

http://www.wearpact.com

2.

Recycling a single aluminum can saves enough energy to power a television for three hours.

More than 28 billion glass jars are thrown away each year. That’s enough to fill up the Empire State Building every three weeks.

ORGANIC CLOTHING

3.

ORGANIC SUPPLIES http://goo.gl/08EHt

“Don’t waste water and turn off lights when you leave a room,” senior Sara Elder said.

4.

REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES

“We recycle paper and plastics,” junior Olivia Asaro said. “It’s just as easy to recycle things as it is to throw them away.”

5.

CARPOOL WITH FRIENDS to reduce pollution

“I try to recycle and either carpool or walk to places instead of driving,” junior Melissa Lukes said.

04.17.13 FHNTODAY.COM 13

Features

JOB OF THE MONTH

Shi

Student falls head over heels for her job and falls even harder for the shoes themselves

Jordin Graham makes Hedgie a small guard so that he wouldn’t crawl off their table. Hedgie sticks his tongue out attempting to lick his nose. This is a “salt and pepper” hedgehog. (megan tanksley)

BY ASHLEY FLERLAGE ashleypaytonn@gmail.com | @ashley_flerlage

About two and a half years ago, senior Sydney Swing’s step-dad, a hairstylist, mentioned to a client that Sydney would soon be 16 and looking for a job. That client was a manager at Shi by Journeys who landed her a job.

“Sydney is good at her job because she is friendly and unique and because she loves shoes so much,” co-worker and senior Jackie Jorel said.

Sydney works as a sales associate, meaning she helps customers find and buy the shoes they want in order to meet monthly sale quotas. For working an average of 20 hours per week, Sydney receives one practical art credit through the work program.

“Sydney ‘The Legend’ Swing has incredible knowledge of sales. She’s incredibly good at her job,” manager Dustin Owens said. “She’s bright and cheery and can change the entire mood of the store just by coming to work.”

When Sydney first started working at Shi, she preferred to spend the money on clothes.

Over time though, she has developed a passion for shoes.

“I was never a shoe freak before I started working there,” Sydney said. “I used to think shoes were a waste of money, but now I spend all my money on them.”

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over the hedge

A sophomore makes an unlikely bond with an animal that is native to forests rather than households

“I think it’s a cool pet to have because not a lot of people have it,” sophomore Tana Davenport said.

According to Katlind his cage doesn’t leave a Sophomore Jordin Graham has a hedgehog named smell like a hamster typically would. Though bathHedgie Boo Boo. Her sister, Katlind, got him from ing is optional, Hedgie has been cleaned with a spean exotic pet store called Pet Connection. Jordin got cial soap and toothbrush a few times. Jordin used him when he was a few weeks old; he is now five the toothbrush to remove the dirt off of his quills. months old.

“He’s a pretty easy-going pet like they’re pretty “One of my favorite things about having a hedge- clean, they kinda clean themselves, and they really hog is the reaction I get when I tell people I have don’t smell,” Katlind said. one; most of them don’t even know what it is,” JorAccording to Jordin, Hedgie has a few quirks. din said.

He is known to bite someone after they FHNTODAY.COM wash their hands because he likes the They call him Hedgie for short.

Katlind said she picked him because smell of soap. When he gets scared he he was cuter than the other hedgespikes up the quills on his head. He also hogs. Katlind recalls he was so shy likes to roll up into a ball and pop his To see a closer when she first got him for her sister head out playfully. look at Hegie Boo Boo’s backthat he stayed curled up in a ball “Hedgie does really weird things, but ground story with his quills spiked. to me it makes him 10 times cuter and it from his family.

“When I first got my hedgehog I OR use this link: goo.gl/bMxkT makes me like him more,” Jordin said. was honestly a little disappointed Katlind recalls how well Jordin looks because he didn’t come out or like to out for Hedgie. Katlind remembers play at all at first,” Jordin said. when a few quills of Hedgie’s fell out a couple of There are only three or four breeders in the area months after they got him. That was normal, but according to Jordin. She called around to breeders Jordin called to a St. Louis exotic pet veterinarian, in the area, before Christmas, but they said they and brought him in that night anyway. didn’t have any available. Her sister got in touch “One thing is that Jordin loves animals, like really with a breeder in downtown St. Louis and surprised all animals,” Katlind said. “She’s really good with Jordin with the hedgehog on Christmas.

Hedgie.”

BY MEGAN GRANNEMANN mgrannemann@gmail.com |

@MGrannemann

SCAN HERE

PAGE BY MEGAN GRANNEMANN

Features

COLLECTOR OF THE MONTH

Hats

FHNTODAY.COM

SCAN HERE

A senior takes it upon himself to carry on a family tradition

BY RODNEY MALONE malonerodney97@gmail.com

Picking up where his dad left off, senior Jon Curran spends time collecting a variety of hats to add to his collection of about 80.

“I like getting hats that nobody really has; I like the challenge of finding specific hats,” Jon said When Jon was eight he took it upon himself to carry on his dad’s hat collection. He collects hats when he goes to sporting events, out of town, or to local hat stores. Jon’s collection goes from any type of hat from professional teams to hats like his “Goofy” hat.

“I feel accomplished knowing I have collected this many hats,” Jon said, “My dad had a lot to begin with and it feels good to know I have added to the collection.”

Senior Sam Kuntz has added to the collection by helping Jon pick out hats at stores like Lids.

“I think Jon’s collection is pretty cool, and it’s cool how many hats he’s collected,” Kuntz said.

Jon’s dad, Steve, feels pride in Jon for carrying on the collection.

“I like that he is carrying on the family tradition and being a part and contributing to the collection,” Steve said.

SCAN HERE To watch a video of Jon and his collection.

OR use: goo.gl/pHVPV

16 FHNTODAY.COM

04.17.13

To hear samples of a few sounds freshman Catherine Cleary can make.

OR use this link: goo.gl/XmeLC

New student Catherine Cleary makes an impression on her new school by showcasing her unique talent of making all sorts of animal noises and calls. Cleary’s talents range from Perry the Platypus to a variety of dogs and even a wild cougar. (photo illustration by murphy riley)

calls of the wild

A student finds belonging in a new school by impressing fellow students with her extraordinary talent

BY BRITTANY STECK

brittany14steck@gmail.com| @LittleMsBritt

Freshman Catherine Cleary sits in Mike Parker’s fourth hour history class during her second week at FHN. The class is abuzz with small talk until someone mentions Catherine’s unusual talent: being able to imitate animals.

Recently a new student at North, Catherine found making the transition from a small school to a larger school easier because she could break the ice with her talent. Catherine smiles to herself, imagining the reactions of her fellow classmates.

She hesitates, but then cups her mouth and lets out a surprisingly realistic dog noise. The class is stunned. Some smile, some laugh, and others nod their heads in confusion.

“The first time I heard Catherine make an animal noise I didn’t realize it was her,” junior Jeremy Noble said. “I thought it was an actual animal or an electronic device.”

Catherine switched from Churchill School in St. Louis to North at the beginning of third quarter.

“Because she came from a small school, Catherine wasn’t surrounded by extra curricular opportunities that much,” mother Claudia Cleary said. “North has given Catherine a chance to shine

as herself and be around kids of different talents and backgrounds.”

Catherine has been able to imitate animal noises since she was a few years old when she scared a few car burglars away by imitating a dog. The noises are made by using tactics, such as forming her mouth, vocal cords, or diaphragm certain ways. Catherine, an only child, found companionship and inspiration in any pets such as cats, birds, and a horse. After many years of practice, research, and being surrounded by a variety of pets, Catherine’s list of noises has grown to include over 15 imitations, including bears, mountain lions, and chickens.

“It’s a chance for me to be able to make people laugh and share my passion for animals with them,” Catherine said. “It’s funny to watch people’s reactions.”

In the future, Catherine hopes to work with either animals or pursue a voice-over acting career. She believes that her talent will make her stand out from the crowd and is something different she can bring to the career tables.

“When I was little I thought everyone could do it, but then I realized that I have a special talent that not a lot of people have,” Catherine said. “It’s just another thing that makes me unique.”

PAGE BY RODNEY MALONE

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E T A G Y T E F A THE S

D PAST RECENT AN F O T H G LI IN OOLS , MANY SCH SHOOTINGS EVALUATE E R TO HT OUT HAVE SOUG LS TY PROTOCO THEIR SAFE

18 FHNTODAY.COM

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PAGE BY MADDIE HIATT & NICK BUSSELL

stumbling past sandy hook THE TRAGEDY LAST DECEMBER BROUGHT GUNS AND SCHOOL SAFETY TO THE CENTER OF DISCUSSION AND LEFT EVERYONE WONDERING HOW TO FIGHT BACK by daniel bodden

shots heard ‘round the world Sandy Hook Elementary School 2012

After killing his mother, a 20-year-old male headed to Sandy Hook and ended the lives of 26 children and teachers.

EpIscopal High School 2012 A 28-year-old teacher who was previously fired returned to Episcopal High School and shot and killed the headmistress.

virginia polytech institute 2007 A 23-year-old male student killed 32 students before taking his own life.

columbine high school 1999 Two male seniors ended the lives of 12 of their high school peers and one teacher when they planned a massacre for their school.

PAGE BY MADDIE HIATT & NICK BUSSELL

daniel.bodden21@gmail.com | @danbodden

s

The Tragedy tudents and staff showed up to Sandy Hook Elementary on Dec. 14, 2012, just like any other morning. What was supposed to be a normal day of school turned into the second-deadliest school shooting in the nation.

Shots were fired. Twenty-six victims passed away. Families were forced to face the worst day of their lives.

FHN teacher Theresa Maher knew none of this until she received an email in seventh hour from a friend who teaches at FHHS. Her friend asked if she had seen anything on the news about what happened in Connecticut. This peaked her curiosity, so she went to CNN.com and saw it.

“Initially, I thought I misread,” Maher said.

“I just couldn’t believe it. I was in shock. I felt just a big mix of shock and anger, confusion, and even ashamed that that’s the society we live in.”

She didn’t have any students in class at the time, but after school ended, juniors Sophie Gordon and Nathan Mills came to her classroom. Together they discussed what had happened and let out their anger and disbelief.

“They were in agreement about how disgusting it was and they were in shock at how sad I was,” Maher said. “I was thinking about how the parents must feel. That’s the age of my son.

He’s four, so the concept of someone hurting someone that small-- I just don’t understand it.”

When Maher went to pick her son up from preschool at the normal time, she found that most parents had already picked up their kids and barely anyone was still there. The parents

had seen the headlines. Words like ‘horror,’ ‘evil’ and ‘tragedy’ tried to describe the event in Newtown.

Later on, the initial headlines would become a more concrete story of what happened that morning. According to the New York Times and CNN, Sandy Hook Elementary’s doors locked at 9:30 a.m. When the 20-year-old gunman, Adam Lanza, arrived at the school around that time after killing his mother at their home, the doors were already locked. He forced his way in. As the morning announcements were being read, shots were heard over the intercom.

Teachers ushered their kids into closets and hid them. As Lanza made his way through the school, he fired 154 rounds in five minutes and took the lives of 20 children and six educators before he killed himself. It has since been found that his mother Nancy Lanza was a gun enthusiast and there were several firearms, all owned by Nancy, and more than 1,600 rounds of ammunition among other weapons in the house. No motive has been concluded, however, records of Lanza’s attendance at Sandy Hook Elementary were found in the home along with various articles about mass shootings.

“I was most shocked about the age difference of the shooter and the children,” Maher said. “I think that Sandy Hook was different [than other shootings] because we didn’t know anything about the shooter because of the age of the victims, and the victims had nothing to do with his problem.”

The Aftermath In the months since the shooting, legislators in Missouri have debated over what the best response is to ensure safer schools. One of the bills that would impact schools the most is House Bill 70, a bill that would allow teachers with concealed gun permits to have concealed weapons in schools without local approval.

04.17.13 FHNTODAY.COM 19

Currently, concealed weapons can only be brought into schools by people 21 and older who meet certain requirements and have approval from the school board or a school official.

Even if a bill passed that allowed teachers to do this without approval, it may not result in any increase in firearms in schools.

A survey done by the National Education Association in January found that 68 percent of its members opposed a proposal to arm teachers, meaning that many teachers still may not carry a firearm if allowed.

Democratic State Representative Bill Otto believes that more guns in school without authorization may make schools more dangerous rather than safer.

“I am vehemently against that,” Otto, representative for St. Charles and St. Louis counties, said. “I don’t think there should be a gun in school that the school board or somebody in some sort of authority doesn’t know is there. I think most of the time these issues should be left to the school board.

I believe we have laws in place that allow them to do what they believe is best for their students and their district.”

Republican State Representative Mark Parkinson believes that teachers having firearms could be a way to make schools safer, but only if they are in the hands of people who are trained and responsible.

“That’s a pretty contentious issue,” Parkinson, representative for St. Charles county, said. “It takes a lot of responsibility for a teacher to take on the role, but if they have gone through a very thorough training, and there’s a lot of rules such as that the firearm must remain on the teacher and never put anywhere where it can be picked up by a student, I’m in favor of that.”

As of press time, this bill has been referred to the House of Representatives General Laws Committee and is waiting for a hearing to be scheduled.

Parkinson’s argument against other bills like an assault weapons ban or laws that limit the availability of guns in general is that criminals will not follow the laws anyway, so the laws will not be very effective.

“Unfortunately, a lot of people that have the propensity to commit these sort of crimes, they know for a fact that they can go in and commit shootings in schools because they know for a fact that they will not be met with equal force,” Parkinson said. “So, it’s easy to say, ‘Let’s go commit a crime.

Where are the easiest targets going to be?’ the gun free zones created by politicians.”

Otto agrees that legislation limiting guns won’t necessarily make schools safer; however, he isn’t convinced that legislation expanding gun freedoms will affect school safety either. He believes the focus should be on who has the guns.

“I think the best way to deal [with this] 20 FHNTODAY.COM

04.17.13

“Unfortunately, a lot of people that have the propensity to commit these sort of crimes, they know for a fact that they can go in and commit shootings in schools because they know for a fact that they will not be met with equal force.”

38%

-Mark parkinson

is to ensure that guns aren’t in the hands of people that shouldn’t have them,” Otto said. “We can do that by background checks when they purchase guns and frankly, we need to increase the amount of money we are spending on mental help in Missouri to ensure that those who might need help get it prior to ending up in a situation that might turn into something worse.”

The Solution Schools are implementing different measures across the country to try to combat shootings and be prepared if there is an intruder. School districts like District 303 in Illinois are installing panic buttons that people could press to immediately alert the police in an emergency. Many school districts like Santa Maria-Bonita in California are also installing locks on the inside of classrooms, sometimes called “columbine locks” after the Columbine shooting. FHSD already has these push-and-twist locks installed in all classrooms, but after the Sandy Hook shooting, the District assembled a Safety Task Force to determine what else

of Americans believe that, in the aftermath of the shootings in Newtown, CT, there should be stricter gun laws.

This has increased from 25% in 2012 and is the highest since 2001.

Info from: http://goo.gl/kOZc3

could be done to make schools safer.

“We did take a look at the best information as to what actually happened at Sandy Hook, and there are some things that just aren’t preventable,” FHSD Chief Financial Officer Kevin Supple said. “When you have a determined person with a high powered automatic rifle willing to lose his life, it’s very difficult to completely protect against that, but we know that there are going to be some extensive studies done about Sandy Hook, and just as with Columbine, there will be some best practices that will come out as a result of that.”

The Task Force has finished its research and proposals, and now Supple is working with the Board of Education to decide what action steps to take based on the recommendations.

“I think this work is going to be ongoing,” Supple said. “We have been working at improving security measures in our schools for a number of years and we’ll continue to do that. This work about safety and security will be ongoing work for years to come. It’s probably a job that will never be finished.”

PAGE BY MADDIE HIATT & NICK BUSSELL

how the gun would move into the classroom Decided on the home base Right now individual school districts have the choice on whether or not they want to have guns in the classroom.

the need to know on guns Info from: http://goo.gl/2dnTU

The ecomonic impact of the firearms industry increased by

Between

270 & 300 $12 billion between 2008 and 2011

million guns are owned & nearly 80 million Americans are owners of guns

8.5 million in 2002 to 16.8 million in 2012 Background checks for gun sales have risen from

shooting in a new question

Need to be certified Teachers would then need to be given a background check and trained on how to use a gun.

A NEW LAW HAS BEEN CONSIDERED WHERE TEACHERS WOULD CARRY GUNS by alexis christo

R

acchristo15@gmail.com | @alexis_christo

Keep it locked The gun would have to be kept in a secure place with a lock, unknown to all students, but at the same time it would need to be easy enough to get to in an emergency.

The main question If guns are introduced into the school they could possibly break the safety gate that schools have put up. Scan here to voice your opinion on whether or not guns should be brought into schools. http://goo.gl/h2zwz

PAGE BY MADDIE HIATT & NICK BUSSELL

egarding a possible policy allowing teachers to carry guns, some teachers feel the District wouldn’t pass a policy.

Math teacher Steve Willott points out that it would add more responsibility for teachers to become a ‘personal defender’ on top of having to remember everyday items, like keys. He’d also be against carrying a gun if it was required. Similarly, social studies teacher Sean Fowler believes carrying guns would create a false solution. If it was implemented, he’d recommend a climate survey to see how safe kids feel.

“School safety here at North is not a concern of mine,” senior Jeremy Warden said. “I have not once in four years felt threatened in any way, shape or form. I feel teachers carrying guns at this school would be completely unnecessary based upon the past but would be a good way of making sure to continue our safety.”

On the other side of the spectrum, teachers who are familiar with guns, have a different point of view. While science teacher Joe Brocksmith has seen from the recent shootings that even the safest of schools will have problems, he feels FHN has a relatively safe environment compared to other schools. If it did come down to a gun policy being passed, he would carry a gun. As long as teachers had special training, junior Brett Magilligan would feel safe with teachers having guns.

“I feel school safety is very poor in schools such as ours with one resource officer,” Magilligan said. “Even worse in colleges that are gun-free zones. In high school, I believe some teachers should be able to go through some type of training to be able to be concealed carriers.”

04.17.13 FHNTODAY.COM 21

tracing safety in schools A COMPARISON OF THE SAFETY PROCEDURES IN DIFFERENT SCHOOLS by alexis tainter

e

school protocols

alexistainter@gmail.com | @lexis_taint

very school has a safety policy. Every school has procedures for students and teachers to follow and different things put in place to ensure that the school is safe. Ritenour High School in Breckenridge Hills has recently reevaluated and changed their policies regarding safety, which many districts are doing in response to school shootings, like Sandy Hook, being covered so much in the media.

“We completely changed the structure of the front of our building,” Ritenour’s Assistant Principal Katey Gray said. “We added the “buzz in” system, a new welcome desk to assure that visitors really are going where they say they are, and we added cameras in the building.”

All safety changes in Ritenour were made within the last year. The “buzz in” system refers to how visitors enter the school each day. Someone wanting to enter the building during school hours must “buzz in” and an administrator would get more information about this visitor through a speaker system and then decide if they should be allowed into the building. This process is all monitored by surveillance cameras.

Elementary and middle schools in FHSD have also taken up the idea of having visitors “buzz in”, including Harvest Ridge Elementary and Barnwell Middle.

At FHN, visitors enter through the one and only unlocked door by the main office, where there should be a security guard waiting inside.

Another change at Ritenour is the installation of cameras. Ritenour first added cameras into their building this year, while FHN has had cameras in the school long before this year.

“The guy installing the cameras even mentioned to me that we have the most cameras in our school now than any other school that he has worked with,” Gray said.

The number of cameras and the “buzz in” system makes Ritenour slightly unique, but one thing that sets them apart is their backpack policy. Students wishing to carry one must have a clear or transparent backpack.

“There was an incident involving a weapon four or five years ago that it wasn’t actually used in a threatening manner, but was just in the building,” Gray said. “So in response to that, the board of the district decided to implement the clear backpack policy just to ensure the students safety.”

While FHN does not require students to carry

22 FHNTODAY.COM

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SCHOOLS ACROSS MISSOURI HAVE MAJORLY DIFFERENT SAFETY MEASURES THAT THEY TAKE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE SAFETY TO THEIR STUDENTS

Ritenour High School requires that all students use a clear or mesh backpack or purse. The school sells clear backpacks to students. (photos submitted by nikki baker from Ritenour)

any certain type of backpack, they do have a policy regarding school IDs. North’s current stance on school IDs is that students must carry their IDs with them at all times, but it hasn’t always been this way. Students had to visibly wear their IDs on their clothing while at school up until a few years ago. North changed this because administrators say it was a hard rule to enforce.

“A lot of students didn’t have their IDs on them all the time and we just kept punishing students for not having it, and it just became you got to pick your battles and what’s important,” Tony Grippi, FHN’s assistant principal, said. “So we decided students should have them available at request.”

North’s safety policy has been successful with keeping intruders out of the building and making sure the students and staff are safe. Changes can still be expected in the future.

“We will continue to work to make sure that as best as possible, within the resources available to us, to provide an environment for our students that is safe and secure,” Chief Financial Officer Kevin Supple, member of FHSD’s Safety Task Force, said.

At the same time, the new changes at Ritenour and older procedures that are still in use seem to be working for them. Gray agrees that the different safety policies benefit the students and they have more knowledge of what goes on around the school.

“In the time that I’ve been here we haven’t had a real issue at all,” Gray, who has worked at Ritenour for three years, said. “With all of those changes and that in place, it makes us more safe and makes us more aware of what’s happening and we can respond more quickly if we have to go into a lockdown process.”

1

Fort Zumwalt

2

FergusonFlorissant

3

Ritenour

4

*

Visitors are required to enter through the one and only unlocked door, and sign in at the front desk.

Students are required to wear their IDs at all times during the school day.

Students are required to wear clear backpacks and visitors check in through a “buzz in” system.

West Plains Their district’s board recently approved teachers to carry concealed weapons, and they are paying for teachers to undergo training.

FHN upholds a visitor check in system where only one door is umlocked for them to enter in

PAGE BY MADDIE HIATT & NICK BUSSELL

One new change that came out of the safety task force was the move of the guard stand at the end of the FHN parking lot. During the day when students leave or visitors come in, the guard can more easily stop them and assess what they’re doing. (matt krieg)

Reassessing safety A COMMITTEE WAS INSTILLED TO ADDRESS AND COME UP WITH QUICK SOLUTIONS FOR SAFETY ISSUES IN SCHOOLS by alexis christo

c

acchristo15@gmail.com | @alexis_christo

hief Financial Officer and head of the Safety Task Force, Kevin Supple showed a presentation made up of information and recommendations from the STF to the Board of Education at the meeting on April 4. They also posted the presentation online through FHSD BoardDocs for parents and others to view. Recommendations were made regarding four areas: facilities, personnel, procedures and

communications.

A specific facility recommendation pertaining to FHN was to relocate the guard shed; this was completed upon returning from spring break. According to Assistant Principal Tony Grippi, before it was easier for people to enter and exit without stopping because the guard shed was off to the side. Now in the middle it is more confined and it gives the guards more control over who comes in and leaves.

Other recommendations include hiring additional education support counselors, enforcing ID badges, and placing a poster with emergency and hotline numbers in a central location of the school, such as the cafeteria, so students are aware they can make reports from the privacy of their own home.

“We took a look at current procedures-- our current procedures are very good,” Supple said. “Many of the things we are doing were the same things that are similarly in place at Sandy Hook-- the front doors

PAGE BY MADDIE HIATT & NICK BUSSELL

to our buildings are locked, the front doors to Sandy Hook were locked. So our procedures are in pretty good shape. There are some things we are going to consider doing differently, but we haven’t made any specific determinations on what we would do.”

After the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on Dec. 14, 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut, FHSD came up with the idea of the STF. The main idea behind the group was to act as an additional immediate response group and to make sure that every procedure that could be in place, was in place for students and staff throughout the district.

The force held a couple meetings, one at Warren Elementary and one at Sager Middle School. Meetings involved board members, school staff and any community member that wanted to be a part and have their issues heard and addressed.

“I feel safe but not as safe as I did before all the shootings happened,” junior Annelise Arger said. “I think schools should have more protection for their staff and students because anyone can walk into a school carrying a weapon of some sort.”

Main topics of the STF meetings included emergency plans, current plans and additional school safety that could be in place.

Five year BOE Director Mike Hoehn joined the STF because of his prior knowledge with the My Strategic Committee that he serves on for the Board of Facilities and because of his involvement with the design of high schools.

“It interested me because safety is the number one priority, I think that goes without saying,” Hoehn said.

“With a good report member and our administration, the 04.17.13 FHNTODAY.COM 23

student safety always ranks right up there.”

After their last meeting this year, the STF will no longer be a functioning group since they accomplished their job as an immediate safety response team. According to Supple, after the April meeting he plans on proposing that the District holds a separate work session with the Board to examine in detail the recommendations of the committee to determine what they want to implement.

With these extensive efforts, some parents believe that the District is doing the best it can to secure students’ safety.

“Of course [school safety is a concern]. But I don’t think there is a way to make the school completely safe,” Holly Gannon, mother of senior Kelly Gannon, said. “I appreciate their efforts, including guards at the entrances of the parking lot and a police officer on staff at school and the diligence of the staff at school to keep my children safe.”

student climate survey

PERCENT OF STUDENTS WHO SAID “YES” TO FEELING SAFE IN SCHOOL FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS

95% 94% 93% 92% 91%

*

90% 89% 88%

Data missing for the 11-12 school year

87% 86% 9

08-0

0

09-1

1

10-1

2

11-1

3

12-1

Preparing for the Unexpected LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE SCHOOL’S STAFF TRAIN ON PROCEDURES TO BE PREPARED IN CASE OF AN INTRUSION by emily hampson

t

Charles County Sheriff’s Department for almost 27 years, believes it is hard to get adequate training in just one eight-hour session a year and thinks police should he sun rises as weary students trickle train more often. inside the building welcomed by a “You do the best you can with the budget you have,” gush of warm air. Around 1,840 Krieg said. students roam the hallways of FHN Although the length of the session hasn’t with their friends, not changed, there have been other changes paying any attention to made to how the departments train. One the man with the gun in of those changes, is that all of the different his holster. police departments now train together so He wears a faded, sky that they go about the same way of doing blue uniform and holds a things and can work together better in a real walkie-talkie in his right hand. situation.

Static escapes the dark, black box.

“As we learn to do things, we also learn It’s no emergency, just a call that somebetter ways to do things so our training is one is needed in the main office. not stagnant,” Fitzgerald said. “It evolves Patrick Fitzgerald has been working on a yearly basis to create a more efficient as a resource officer for 14 years, five of response.” which have been in the maze-like buildThe yearly training session is supposed to ing of FHN. His familiar uniform makes for a video on students keep Fitzgerald prepared for things that may him stand out from the overwhelming around school voicing never happen. Along with being prepared, masses, for he is the only law enforcetheir opinion on school Fitzgerald has to be aware of what’s going ment officer at FHN. His job seems safety. on in the school in order to keep it safe. simple: to keep the school safe. But to be “Students are going to know--are going to able to do so requires special training. hear--other students. There’s so many ways Multiple departments, including they can talk back and forth with Twitter, text, and Fitzgerald’s, get together once a year and complete an everything,” Krieg said. “Don’t take any tread lightly.” eight-hour training session. In the session, they work Three years ago, a student from McCluer High through what to do in an intruder situation.

School in Ferguson, intruded FHN. Nobody realized Brad Krieg, who has been working for the St. TheEmilyHampson@gmail.com | @EmilyJHampson

24 FHNTODAY.COM

04.17.13

scan here

PAGE BY MADDIE HIATT & NICK BUSSELL

While math teacher Steve Willott is teaching he is prepared at any time for a warning to come on the intercom that would annouce an intruder is in the building. He would then act by turning off all lights, and moving the students out of sight. The resource officers would work to clear the halls and send students into nearby classrooms. Then THEY would potentially start to track down the intruder. (matt krieg)

he did not belong to North besides some students who knew he was coming. Fitzgerald did not find out about the intruder until after the student had left the building. Word got around that the student was intending to fight someone but left when he could not find who he was searching for.

The next day, Fitzgerald went to the student’s school and arrested him for trespassing.

The school’s staff also has to be prepared to handle an intruder situation. At the beginning of every school year, the staff has a meeting where they review procedures. In the meetings, the staff has the opportunity to ask questions or make suggestions for the procedures. In each classroom, there is a binder that contains all of the steps of safety procedures for different situations such as fires, tornados, earthquakes and lockdowns.

Each staff member has an assigned job they have been trained to do in order to keep the school safe. Along with that, the staff has been cross-trained so they can step in and fill the spot of anyone absent. Substitutes are given information on safety procedures as well. Throughout the school year, the school practices intruder drills so that everyone knows how to handle a real one if it were to ever happen.

“Right now, I think we have worked very hard to keep the procedures simple, easy to follow, and promote the utmost safety for our kids,” Tony Grippi, the assistant principal at North who has been in charge of the safety procedures for 13 years, said. “At this particular point, I don’t really think there is anything we can do to improve it.”

According to Grippi, it has proven more effective to announce that an intruder is in the building instead of using a code word to announce it like they have in the past. This is because an intruder is more likely to leave if they know the school is aware of their presence.

“If you think about it, if there was a person with a gun, PAGE BY MADDIE HIATT & NICK BUSSELL

what we do is exactly what you should be doing,” Michael Leistner, who has been a teacher at FHN for 24 years, said.

“I think it’s what you would do anyway. Even if no one told me that that’s what I had to do, that’s what I would do anyway. It makes perfect sense.”

If an intruder were to break in, both staff and law enforcement would work together to ensure the school’s safety. An announcement would be made over the intercom system that there is an intruder in the building. Fitzgerald would call on the radio for assistance while a staff member would call the police along with the central offices to give more information. Someone would be in charge of sending a mutual aid report out to all of the emergency response departments.

Police from all over St. Charles County, who are already on the road, would race to the school. According to Grippi, the response would take around five minutes or less. Teachers would be preparing the classrooms for lockdown and quickly pulling students inside from the nearby hallways and restrooms.

Law enforcement would seek to end the situation with the intruder. They’d have to determine if they are to try and make the intruder give up, isolate him, or remove him from the scenario.

If the intruder made it into a classroom where he was holding people hostage, the room would be secured and the area cleared, the SWAT team would come in, and negotiators would try to negotiate a peaceful ending. If the intruder began shooting, Fitzgerald along with other law enforcement would sweep in to terminate the situation.

“If something like that would happen, every teacher would know what to do because when you practice something and do it over and over again--just like anything else--it becomes instinctual,” Leistner said.

04.17.13 FHNTODAY.COM 25

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SPORTS

ONLY

Right: The Knight’s Varsity football team lines up for a play at North’s annual Homecoming game.

The Knights played Central and suffered a loss of 0-34 on Sept. 21. (matt krieg) Below: On April 4th, Allie McDonell dribbles the ball to score on FHC. The Knights defeated the Spartans with a score of 1-0. (ashleigh jenkins)

Rivalry between all three Francis Howell schools spans through all sports played during the school year

Above: JV right side hitter Lana Scherff spikes the ball at an opponent from Howell. (zack eaton) Left: Junior Callen Hall makes his way up the court to score against Howell Central in a Varsity basketball home game. (cameron mccarty)

FHSD smack talk North knights

Central spartans

Howell vikings

FOOTBALL “Howell has usually won in the past. More joy comes out of playing rough.”

-Trevor Dames-Bolte

“FHHS and FHC are always pretty close to each other in sports. FHN is usually behind 90% of the time.”

-Joe McDevitt

“We are kind of cocky when we play Central and North because we work a lot harder and we all know it”

-Josh Parker

BASEBALL “It should be interesting playing FHC, considering they lost to SCW first round of Districts.”

-Brandon DeClue

“Most of the rivalry is between FHHS and FHC. FHN is almost non existent.

They are looked at like the minor leagues.”

“We always want to show that we are the best Howell, because face it we are, and deep down we all know it.”

“I think the biggest rivalry is between FHHS and FHC. If they can’t pick a winner after a fight they just thank god we don’t go to FHN”

“I think FHN is a school that will never win at anything, and we just play Central for practice games.”

-Kennedy Lowe

-Mason King

SOCCER “Howell is always a good fight, but who came out on top for districts? FHN.” -Catie Blake

28 FHNTODAY.COM

04.17.13

-Sarah O’Leary

BY ABBY WEST abbywest19@gmail.com | @abbywest19

E

ver since FHC was established in 1997, a true rivalry has existed in the FHSD between FHN, FHC and FHHS. This rivalry spans from all sports played throughout the school year. This year, with the new GAC alignment, each team is required to play each opposing school both at home and away.

“A rivalry doesn’t exist when one school beats another over and over again,” FHN Activities Director Mike Janes said. “It’s that constant back and forth.”

The beginning of this rivalry originally stemmed from the location of the three schools.

There are only 10.7 miles between FHN and FHHS, and FHC falls right in the middle.

Most students at the three schools are familiar with one another because of the boundaries of the elementary and middle schools.

“I think the rivalry is natural,” Janes said. “The kids grew up together going to the same schools before high school.

That’s where the rivalry stems from.”

The pressure is clearly present when any of

-Jordan Kiser

PAGE BY ABBY WEST

ONE VICTOR

by the numbers

State titles vikings Est. 1881 1981- Wrestling- 2nd place 1982- Wrestling- 1st place 1983- Wrestling- 1st place 1984- Wrestling- 3rd place 1985- Girls XC- 3rd place 1986 Girls XC- 3rd place 1986- Wrestling- 1st place 1987- Wrestling- 1st place 1987- Girls XC- 1st place 1991- Wrestling- 2nd place 1995- Wrestling- 3rd place 1996- Wrestling- 3rd place 1997- Wrestling- 2nd place 1997- Baseball- 2nd place 1999- Girls XC- 1st place 2001- Girls Golf- 2nd place 2001- Wrestling- 3rd place 2003- Baseball- 1st place 2010- Dance- 1st place 2011- Girls XC- 3rd place 2011- Baseball- 1st place 2011- Dance- 1st place 2012- Dance- 1st place 2012- Girls Track- 1st place 2012- Girls XC- 1st place 2012- Football- 2nd place

knights Est. 1986 photo illustration by cameron mccarty

these three schools come up on each other’s schedules. According to Janes, sportsmanship in these games are always good, but there is more pressure on the athletes during these games.

“I think you do put a lot of pressure on yourself and the team,” Janes said. “But once the game starts the rivalry goes to the back of your mind.”

With this new alignment and the rivals coming up on each others’ schedules the tension grows. Junior football player Ethan Bond has been playing since his freshman year. He feels that the older one gets the more they feel the rivalry, and it becomes their number one priority.

“It’s something that will always be there,” Bond said. “It’s unavoidable, but it’s good that it is because it brings out the best in every athlete no matter the sport.”

According to FHC Activities Director Scott Harris, these can be very tense and emotional games, and the fans only add to the excitement. All three schools have a fan base that represent the schools’ teams at different games within seasons.

“All our kids compete and are excited about every game, but when it is our sister schools there is more motivation,” Harris said. “The games mean a lot more”

PAGE BY ABBY WEST

All three athletic directors are on a common ground when it comes to keeping the games a clean, safe and fun environment for all. According to FHHS Activities Director Dave Witter, a negative atmosphere at games deters from the kids on the court “Cheer for your school and leave everything else alone,” Witter said.

Creating a positive atmosphere it makes a game enjoyable for all who are there. All three FHSD schools have large dedicated fan base. When the scores get higher and closer excitement grows within the stands, and the true feelings of the rivalry are unleashed.

“I think the rivalry between all the schools is intense,” senior Sami Ritter said. “I feel that especially our school gets very into it, cheering for their own team to win. It doesn’t matter what sporting event it is.

It is always packed with screaming fans.”

With so many supportive fans at sporting events, all athletic directors work to create the positive sportsmanship, while remaining optimistic.

“For the most part, a good kid at Howell is the same as a good kid at Central and a good kid at North,” Witter said.

1986198819911994199519951997199820002000-

Girls XC- 3rd place Softball- 3rd place Wrestling- 1st place Boys Soccer- 2nd place Boys Soccer- 4th place Girls Soccer- 1st place Girls Soccer- 4th place Boys Golf- 4th place Boys Soccer- 2nd place Boys Basketball4th place Softball- Semifinalist Baseball- 2nd place Baseball- 2nd place Boys Soccer- 4th place

2002200220012004-

spartans Est. 1997 2000200720072008200820092010201020112012-

Baseball- 3rd place Wrestling- 3rd place Baseball- 3rd place Softball- 4th place Wrestling- 4th place Boys Volleyball- 2nd place Wrestling- 3rd place Boys Volleyball- 2nd place Wrestling- 2nd place Boys Volleyball- 1st place

04.17.13

FHNTODAY.COM 29

GIRLS SOCCER

sports

Bring

On the games

Senior Jordan Stobart dribbles down the field for a scoring attempt during the FHN Varsity girls soccer game on April 4. The Knights won the game 1-0. FHN will play FHC again on May 7, at home. (ashleigh jenkins)

working with high hopes

The Varsity Lady Knights Soccer team has a record of 3-3 as of press time.

“We haven’t started out as well as I hoped, because we had two tough games right at the beginning and it is difficult to rebound from that,” senior Hali Long said.

The first two games were against St. Dominic with a 0-2 loss and Incarnate Word with a 0-1 loss. Because they have only been Season Record: 3-3 scoring a small amount of goals this season, the team (as of press time) has been working on finishing and scoring opportunities in the final third of the field.

“The weather has stopped us from not being able to practice outside as much as we could,” head coach Mark Olwig said. “This has us not playing with any intensity and has made us slow.”

Last season, the girls won Districts and are returning with 10 players from that team. This season they are hoping to continue from last season and make it to the final four in Kansas City.

Despite a slow start spring teams continue to work throughout the season as well as preparing for the end of the year STORIES BY DAVID MCFEELY, KYLEIGH KRISTENSEN, ABBY WEST, JESSICA OLSEN

TRACK

BOYS GOLF

Runners on the track team sprint for the finish line in the 200 meter dash at the time trial meet against Holt. The meet was held for only JV players. (megan tanksley)

Varsity golfer Tanner Davis watches his ball after a swing on tee box at Bogey Hills. The team, consisting of 7 members, plays off campus against other schools (file photo)

running together as a team

playing hard despite setbacks

On April 6, the Track team had the Timberland Invitational winning 13 medals.

“I think we are pretty good considering it was our first real meet, but there is still room for improvement,” freshTimberland Invitational: man Maci May said.

13 medals won According to freshman Kristen Metts, the team works really well together.

“At the meet, we cheer each other on a lot and we are always there for each other if someone needs help,” Metts said.

spring Stats

CHRISTINA CONLEY Games Played: 6 Goals Scored: 0

GIRLS SOCCER

Varsity and JV boys Golf won their first tournament on April 4, placing 11th out of 20 teams. The team began preparing for upcoming matches and tournaments at the beginning of March, using a two week spring break in the mix to their advantage.

First Tournament: 11th “The team is doing really well. Over Spring Break, out of 20 teams we played eighteen holes every day,” junior Tanner Davis said. “Everyone is shooting well.”

Coach Mark Wright is confident in the team as well and is eager to get the boys out to compare them to other players.

Brandon declue Average: 500 OB%- 750 SLG: 500

BASEBALL

ScottOppenborn

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Game Points: 3 Assists: 1 Digs: 3

as of 4/11/13

30 FHNTODAY.COM

04.17.13

PAGE BY DAVID MCFEELY

ROLLER HOCKEY

BASEBALL

Senior Brendan Johnson battles to gain control of the puck in a game against Wentzville last March. Johnson has played roller hockey with the school for all of his years in high school. (file photo)

Senior Brandon DeClue dives for a fly ball late in a game on April 5th.

DeClue received a bloody nose after the play, but stayed in the game. The Knights lost 7-0 to Fort Zumwalt South. (matt krieg)

beating expectations remaining persistent After having only one loss last season, the FHN boys Roller-Hockey team currently holds a record of 4-3 as of press time. The team is working to stay focused and do the best that they can.

“We are doing better than Season Record: 4-3 expected since we have two (as of press time) new kids who have never played Roller-Hockey before,” junior Kyle Kateman said.

After playing ice hockey, seniors Brain Gierer and Mark Jones decided to join the Roller-Hockey team for their last year in high school.

“We’ve had a fairly good season so far,” senior Mark Jones said. “We just lose really close games by one or two goals.”

FIELD

This baseball season the Varsity team consists of all upperclassmen besides sophomore Steven Deckard, sophomore swing player Ryan Mullarkey and freshman swing player Johnny Hurayt.

Season Record: 3-10-1 According to senior Jeremy Warden, Varsity has been play(as of press time) ing with confidence “I think our program will continue to do what we have done in the past which means winning,” Warden said.

Under Head Coach Bob Donahue, who has been around since the beginning, the team has never had a losing season.

“In order to win Districts, we need to play more consistent baseball,” Donahue said.

VOLLEYBALL

John Haug vaults during FHN’s track meet vs. Holt on March 19. This was the track team’s first meet of the season and was held for just the JV players who do pole vault and time trials. (ashleigh jenkins)

Varsity players Lewis Stein and Logan Bergman defend against FHHS on March 26. The Knights lost with a score of 2-0. The Knight’s next game is a home game tonight against FZS. (murphy riley)

breaking obstacles pursuit FOR redemption On April 6, the field team had the Timberland invitational, winning one medal.

“I thought the team adjusted really well to the ridiculous wind conditions,” junior Andrew Scherff said. “The throwers and Timberland Invitational jumpers had the wind in 1 medal won their favor.”

According to head coach Greg Hennenfent, the whole team had a great meet.

“We did well, because we went into the meet with hope of getting personal record” Hennenfent said.

Joel Payne

BOYS TENNIS

Doubles: 5-0 Singles: 4-1 Lets: 4

PAGE BY KYLEIGH KRISTENSEN

Varsity boys Volleyball currently have a record of 4-3-0, as of press time.

“The losses we’ve had were against very good teams,” Coach Ryan VonFeldt said, “but we could have played better.”

Last year’s Districts didn’t go Season Record :5-3 (as of press time) as well as hoped, but this year they plan to redeem themselves.

“This year we need to work as a team because we have the talent, we just need to put it together,” sophomore Adam Rogan said.

Courtney vishy

GIRLS TRACK

Mile Time: 6 minutes 47 seconds 800 meters: 2 minutes 43 seconds

FHNTODAY.COM

SCAN HERE

To find out all of the other personal statistics for players.

continuing the

drive case Senior returns for last season, with high hopes for the team and himself

BY BRENDA ALVARADO brenduhalvarado@gmail.com

Having played tennis for six years, senior Robbie Nicolli has been the Varsity boys Tennis team’s number one player since his freshman year.

“I feel like I can lead,” Nicolli said. “I can teach the new guys and help them a lot.”

Currently standing at a record of 4-0 in singles and doubles, Nicolli hopes to make it past the quarterfinals in State this year, and hopefully medal. This would exceed how far he’s gone the last two years that he’s participated in the State competition. To do this, he’ll practice more and improve his technique as well as defend his GAC champion title.

“He works hard year round,” Coach Katie Kleiber said. “This is gonna be a good year for Robbie and the team, as well.”

Nicolli believes the team is strong this year, and expects them to win a lot throughout the season.

Coach Kate Kleiber also believes the team will do well this year due to their undefeated record as of press time.

“I feel like we’re really strong this year,” Nicolli said. “We didn’t really lose any talent, and most of our good players are back this year.”

OR use this link: http://goo.gl/CImgx

04.17.13 FHNTODAY.COM 31

budget

SPORTS TALK:

above

the process:

In January, activities directors send out a spreadsheet, so coaches or directors of activities can request items they need for the season.

the rest MAGIC DANCE case Rivalries don’t just include sports games but the whole school

BY ANDREW CLINE

andrewcline18@gmail.com

2

4 They meet with the Chief of Finance (CFO) to review the potential budget for the season, make necessary adjustments, and approve it.

3

fund raising According to activities director, Mike Janes, sports receive most of their money through fund rasing and the Athletic Booster Club (ABC). ABC has been around for over 20 years at FHN. The club’s goal is contribute to the sports teams, by running the concession stand and selling merchandise at home games. Currently, ABC distributes the money based on teams needs. Similar to the sports budget, coaches put in requests for items they want or need.

Concession stand The concession stand plays a role in where ABC’s money goes, since they receive most of their money from it. Next year, sports who volunteer for concession stand duty will receive more funding from ABC. Participation in concession stand duty can also help seniors receive an athletic scholarship.

Along with the concession stand, seniors must have a 2.0 GPA and their parents must be members of ABC. The seniors must then write an essay on how being a student athlete has helped them. The winners are chosen by a panel of judges.

marching band The marching band takes the second largest amount from the budget. Broken instruments may need to be replaced which can cost up to $300. Entry fees into some of the competitions can range from $25 up to $100, making them more expensive than regular entry fees. Transportation to these events tends to be more expensive as well due to the location of the competition.

other spenders nAME BRAND EQUIpTMENT

New uniforms field paint

HELMET INSPECTION

04.17.13

The directors put together a list of things they need, as well as the total budget they would like for the season.

The activities directors purchase the approved items and plan out the rest of the spending money left in the budget

The football team takes the largest part of the 30 thousand dollar budget. This is because of $5-6 thousand mandatory procedure; a helmet inspection.

The inspection is mandatory due to MSSHA safety regulations. The helmets are tested to see if they have broken pieces or are a hazard to the players.

If the helmets do not pass, new ones must be purchased to replace them.

WARM UP JERSEYS

32 FHNTODAY.COM

1

football

new instruments

For me, a rivalry game is the best game of the year no matter how out matched we may be to the opponent. These types of games just have a different feel to them and a different atmosphere to them.

For me, FHSD holds the best rivalries out of any other school district or any school in Missouri.

It isn’t just two main teams that make the rivalry, all three schools make this tension possible.

In my opinion, our school district holds the top high school rivalries in the state of Missouri for so many different reasons.

The first reason is we are all within 20 miles of each other, so this allows a lot of interaction between the students from all three schools.

Our rivalry, that has been thriving for about 15 years, goes beyond just sports, and it is everything from band to choir to journalism. Kids from different schools, in a lot of cases, don’t even like each other just because of the fact that they’re from a different school.

With the proximity of all three schools, the kids grew up together, which only adds to the intensity of the rivalry.

To create the sports budget for the school year, activities directors from FHSD start the process nearly six months before the school year begins.

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Features SPORTS

SETTING HIGH GOALS Track coach Dan Lamb hopes to get runners in shape for success

TOP: Carley Mcarthy and Shannon Atkinson review the stats after games at Francis Howell North. “I really enjoyed watching the boys’ progress and get better because most of them never played volleyball before” said Mcarthy. (megan tanksley) BOTTOM: Senior track manager Jasmine Wahlbrink jots down notes during a home game. (megan tanksley) RIGHT: Maddie Eifert talks to an upref at an away game at Francis Howell Central. Eifert was a line judge for this game instead of what she normally doe; keep score. (murphy riley)

BY AUSTIN BARBER abarber1395@gmail.com | @a_barber

This is the first season Dan Lamb will be coaching distance for track; however, he is no stranger to coaching or running.

Lamb has been participating in marathons for eight years and has previous coaching experience outside of school. Junior Chris Steimel thinks that Lamb’s experience running will help get the runners in shape, reach their goals and become successful.

“He knows what we’re going through,” Steimel said. “He knows how to help and push us.”

Lamb is hoping to push each athlete to strive to beat their own personal record. However, Lamb isn’t the only one setting goals. Many of the runners set their own personal goals. Junior Jillian Fields thinks if the team can continue to get better, they can have a successful season.

“I think the team will do well,” Fields said. “Everyone is dedicated and works hard.”

Along with setting high goals for this season, Lamb thinks that there is a lot of talent on the team and that with hard work and dedication they can have a successful season.

“It’s not just about talent,” Lamb said. “We’ve got a good group of kids here and I think we’ll have some success.

34 FHNTODAY.COM

04.17.13

dedicated to the sport

The overlooked part of the team is usually the sports managers, but they’ve shown they’re just as important both manage. Also, anyone who runs track is managed by seniors Sara Elder and Lacey Norman, who are considered irreplaceable by Head Track Sports managers are generally the unspoken heCoach Gregory Hennenfent, also known as Doc. roes of the sport. Without them, practice would go Next year will be the last that Doc is the head as slow as molasses and games and meets would coach of FHN track. For his last year, he decided be as hectic as a tornado. All of the managers have that he will not have managers for the whole track their own story as to why they manage and why team because his current managers, Norman and they joined, just like the athletes.

Elder, will graduate. Doc decided that rather than “It’s fun because you’re still around everyone, trying to find managers that are as skilled as his but it’s not as stressful as playing,” current managers, he will just have junior and JV boys Volleyball manFHNTODAY.COM the individual events managers. ager Kaitlin Eifert said.

“My managers are awesome,” Managers help organize practice Distance Coach Dan Lamb said. and workouts. They also keeps stats “They do a great job, they deserve from previous games. If there are not all of the credit.

To watch a video on the role of any managers on the team, coaches Coaches aren’t the only ones managers and would have to do all of this on their who highly regard the managers. how they help out the team own, which takes their focus away The students on the team are also from the athletes. appreciative of their managers, and OR use this link: http://goo.gl/A6FPZ “At the beginning of the season, everything they do for the team. it’s a lot of work,” senior and track “They are definitely very tolerant, manager Lacey Norman said. “It takes a lot of and I respect that a lot,”sophomore track runner time, but it’s worth it. It’s a lot of fun.”

Justin Levins said.

The managers of the sports have their own indiMost managers agree that the advantages outvidual stories that relate to the sport and managing. weigh the disadvantages, and they enjoy managing For example, anyone who plays tennis is managed for the sport.

by State champion, sophomore Risa Takenaka.

“It has helped me get better and I get to hang out Then, the volleyball players have the Eifert sisters, with cool people,” senior and boys Tennis manager junior Kaitlin Eifert and senior Maddie Eifert who Jasmine Wahlbrink said.

BY ANDREW SHANNON ashannnon@gmail.com | @ashannnon

SCAN HERE

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sports

spring

cleaning

FHN sports teams kick off their spring season with intense after-school practices and high stake competitions.

Catcher Dave Prost gets hit by a pitch at a game against Fort Zumwalt West on April 4. The team lost though with a score of 7-0.

The Knights played seven games prior to this one including two tournaments. (matt krieg) Varsity player Bailey North attempts to intercept a pass by a player from Central.

The away game against the Spartans was played on April 5. The Lady Knights won the game 1-0, making it their second win of three games at this point in the season. (ashleigh jenkins)

400 meter dash competitors Jason Purley and Jacob Pardo race during a junior varsity track meet held on March 19. This first meet, played against Holt was the second meet held for this years track team. (ashleigh jenkins)

36 FHNTODAY.COM

04.17.13

PAGE BY MURPHY RILEY

Middle Lewis Stein goes up for a kill on a set by Adam Rogan in a game with Fort Zumwalt North on March 19. The Varsity boys volleyball team played to 2-0, making their first game of the season a win. (murphy riley) Pitcher Lucas McDaniel throws out a fastball at the Varsity Baseball team’s first game against St. Charles West on Mar. 15. Marking the first win of the season, the boys moved on to play a tournament. (matt krieg)

Team Captain and middle Mark Reichert rallies the varsity volleyball team after exiting the court at a game against Howell.

Although the team lost to Howell on Mar. 26, they will play them again later in the team’s season.(matt krieg) Far left: Kate Wing, forward player for the Junior Varsity team attempts to regain control of the ball at a game against Holt on March 18.

The JV team is playing a winning season under coach Zach Fettig. (michael hamilton) Left: Junior Varsity track team member Kyle Pratt vaults over the bar at the team’s first meet. At the JV meet against Holt on March 19, Pratt placed third in his event. This was one of two JV meets held at North. (megan tanksley)

PAGE BY MURPHY RILEY

04.17.13

FHNTODAY.COM 37

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@FHNtoday @FHNtodaynews

PRE-PROM assembly Missing the PreProm Assembly during school on April 19? The @FHNtoday twitter account will be tweeting out updates during the assembly as the juniors and seniors learn about the impact that certain decisions can have on their lives.

PROM

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Booster Club

raffle The FHN Athletic Booster Club is selling $20 online raffle tickets in the first Knights Crusade e-raffle to raise money for logos on the new turf field, new equipment, and other additions to FHN athletics

grand prize

For every ticket bought, the buyer gets a chance to win one of these prizes

If this raffle does not sell 3,000 tickets before the raffle drawing then it will convert to a 50/50 split after expenses

photos

Prom takes place on April 20 at the St. Charles Convention Center. The day after prom, make sure to visit the photo gallery on FHNtoday.com to see pictures from the event as the juniors and seniors check in, enjoy dinner with their friends and dance the night away.

1

There are 16 more prizes to be claimed, ranging from $50 to &500

$10,000

2nd place $2,500 3rd-5th $1000

Clubs involved in the raffle Football Boys Soccer Girls Soccer Boys Basketball Girls Basketball Band Baseball Softball Wrestling

Cheerleading Knightline Track & Field Girls Volleyball Boys Volleyball Publications Cross Country Girls Golf Boys Golf

PTO Jr. Knights Football Jr. Knights Cheerleading

scan here To but a raffle ticket.

Or use this link: http://goo.gl/IqYvv

Tag your tweets with #FHNnews 04.17.13

FHNTODAY.COM

39

entertainment

your omg moment Even though it’s cheaper and faster to use CGI in movies as gory as “The Evil Dead”, none were used. http://goo.gl/90nID

same old thing

r

On the list of movies with terrible storylines, the Evil Dead remake somehow sweeps the nation

BY NICK BUSSELL ndbrox@gmail.com | @nbussell

Take me back to a time when scary movies had a real plot, when they used to be original ideas with bone-chilling sequences. Like “Friday the 13th,” where Jason, the masked murderer, could keep you on edge for 12 movies straight, or “A Nightmare on Elm Street” in which Freddy Krueger stole countless hours of sleep from the witless. Trust me, you didn’t want him in your dreams. But alas, scary movies have turned into how many curse words and graphic massacres one can fit into a single scene. As I breathe a deep sigh, “Evil Dead” sweeps the nation with the same old story.

Here we are again, a girl gets possessed by the devil, or a demon, or a demented creature from the Lollipop Guild. She attempts to kill all of her friends, which in turn would release the demon upon the world. A catastrophic plot craved by lovers of the horror film world; I, on the other hand, do not enjoy watching the same thing over and over again. I’ve seen “The Possession” and “The Last Exorcism,” and truth be told, that was good enough for me.

Now the film wasn’t all too terrible; it featured one of my favorite actresses, Jane Levy from “Surburgatory,” as one of the main characters. She had her hands full as she started out as a drug addict, then became possessed by a demon, and eventually became the heroine.

I think my biggest upset, that really made me dislike this movie, is that I was able to sleep through the night with no problems. Of course I had my hands to protect me from some of the gorier scenes, which is funny because half of the characters lose their hand, arm, or some other ligament, but when released back into reality the excitement died down quite quickly.

So is the film scary? Yeah, but we all have a pair of hands. Is it worth the money? Well I could probably find “The Possession” on Netflix and be satisfied.

Time killer Apps

By Austin Seay

40 FHNTODAY.COM

04.17.13

scribble hero

Free Just one of those games that is all about the simple joy of using lasers to burn through enemies and time.

whats the phrase Free From the makers of Words With Friends comes another game with all the fun English literature has to offer.

Sonic dash Free Collecting rings and running through levels just like the old days of the sega can now be on your cellular device.

PAGE BY AUSTIN SEAY

Vine

how to live with parents...again

BY AMANDA STALLINGS amandastallings13@gmail.com | @astall13

How To Live With Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life), or HTLWYP (FTROYL), is another new comedy on ABC. The show is just another comedy based on single motherhood and the financial restraints in the current society. The show has a pretty basic story line.

After a divorce, the main character Polly (Sarah Chalke) is a single mom that moves back in with her parents, bringing her daughter Natalie (Rachel Eggleston) along with her.

The show starts out with Polly moving into her par-

effects of war

BY AUSTIN SEAY

aseay4@gmail.com| @seaystheday

Free

A flashback to the old toy by the same name, Tamagotchi L.I.F.E. simulates your own virtual pet.

PAGE BY AUSTIN SEAY

leader of the pack

BY NICK WYER

nickwyer23@gmail.com | @copperwyer

“Personal Effects” by E.M. Kokie isn’t typical for a war novel. The story follows Matt, a kid in an abusive home whose older brother was killed in Iraq. After finding some letters written to his brother, he discovers that he didn’t know him as well as he thought. Needless to say there was a lot going on, but it worked somehow. It was engaging, offered an interesting perspective, and I was able to sympathize with the characters. The only real issue with the book was some awkward scenes that did little to add to the plot.

Other than that I felt that the book was compelling, had some creative twists to the plot, and I would recommend giving it a read.

tamagotchi L.I.F.E.

ents’ place and then jumps six months ahead. This jump threw me off because I think character development was crucial within that time. I feel like I would have connected to the characters more if I could have seen what happened during that time period.

I believe the characters of Polly’s parents, Elaine (Elizabeth Perkins) and Max (Brad Garrett) are more developed than Polly’s character.

The scenes are funny, but I couldn’t figure out the point of this show yet. New episodes of HTLWYP (FTROYL) are on ABC every Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. So far, I will stay tuned in to see if the story plot gains any more depth.

tetris

Free

A simple game of placing blocks and racking up points is a classic that just never gets old.

“WOLF,” Tyler, the Creator’s new album is a move in the right direction for Tyler and his hip-hop collective, Odd Future. The album is more mature from its predecessors “Goblin” and “Bastard.” Rather than staying the same, Tyler brings balance between his and the fans’ wants. Fans expected the harsh, profane lyrics of before, but Tyler decided to take small steps away from the immaturity that defines Odd Future.

The old, dark and almost scary beats are mainly gone and are replaced with energetic, jazzy, and fuller sounding instrumentals. As an Odd Future fan, it was surprising to hear a mature album from Tyler, but it ended up being something that I enjoyed.

Bag it

$0.99

A simple puzzle game about bagging sentient groceries.

This game is full of levels for long hours of fun.

IS

FINE Twitter’s new app is full of originiality and entertainment

BY TANNYR SEDDON tannyrseddon@gmail.com | @teesedd

Twitter has created Vine, an app that is unsurprisingly becoming popular. Not only is it easy to use, but the creative idea of it makes it entertaining as well.

Vine allows users to take multiple short video clips which are combined to make a short “movie”. It’s a brilliant way to pass the time. There are definitely some enticing videos, such as bread magically turning into toast.

It really isn’t too different from any other social media-type app or site as far as the “big picture” goes. Follow your friends, share videos, comment on and “like” people’s masterpieces. And yes, hashtags are involved. It even connects with Twitter.

For someone who has always been big on making videos for fun, this app is the perfect boost for my creativity. However, I think it’d be great if they’d open it up for Androids and evolve into a website for the iPhone-less.

I highly recommend downloading Vine. It’s a great app for your imagination as well as passing the time.

skee-ball 2

Free

Skee-ball has eaten the world’s quarters for years, now it’s free and right there in your pocket.

04.17.13

FHNTODAY.COM 41

Opinions

Standing on

the edge Congress can’t agree long enough to do their job

BY AUSTIN SEAY aseay4@gmail.com | @seaystheday

This month was the start of furloughs for most federal employees. They will begin having unpaid days off every week until September as one of many Sequester cutbacks, all thanks to our Congress’ refusal to cooperate.

The Sequester is an across the board budget cut to bring down government spending. Instead of carefully planning what programs can be trimmed down and what should be maintained, everything from the military to education is losing funding.

As an American, I am upset that our Congress couldn’t stop arguing long enough to actually do their jobs. But as someone who appreciates comedy, I can’t help but laugh at the fact that our Congress couldn’t do their job even if their paycheck depends on it.

I don’t know if they don’t care or if they are so unwilling to compromise that they would rather just let everything suffer then actually listen to someone else’s idea, but either way that is pretty much the exact opposite of what a Congress should be.

To an extent, I get it. Different people have different are going to want to maintain welfare; others are going to want to maintain education. But instead of trying to work out those differences and trying to see what has priority, they made sure no one was happy. That is why I feel no guilt when I say this: if our Congressmen were baseball referees, they would start the game by replacing all the equipment with foam noodles and oven mitts and end the game by declaring everyone the winner.

Congress needs to be able to make tough decisions needs to let Congress know that if they don’t get around

Congress could find themselves in a tough situation if they don’t make a timely decision on the Sequester. (photo illustration by cameron mccarty)

Your take

FHN voices their opinions on topics covered in this issue of the North Star

42 FHNTODAY.COM

04.17.13

RAYNA JACOBS

The Sequester “I don’t think we should have to cut people’s jobs; We should cut government spending.”

CHIP CROW

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND “The ideas were valid, but the process left a lot to be desired.”

SAM MCKEE

NEW TRACK COACH “[Dan Lamb] is a good coach and he knows what he’s doing.”

PAGE BY CARLY VOSSMEYER

When other countries are in trouble the United States always lends a helping hand. Many people are starting to wonder if we are helping others is just hurting ourselves more by putting ourselves in even deeper debt. (photot illustration by murphy riley)

it’s time to take sheep seriously

What we can learn from Paris’ reversion to an old method of lawn mowing

BY AURORA BLANCHARD

scan here

auroradblanchard@gmail.com | @auroradblanchard

http://goo.gl/iR4rx Did you like Aurora’s opinion? Get her full report on the goat revolution at FHNtoday.com

TIME

flies BY

High school doesn’t last forever. Enjoy being young while you can

BY TANNYR SEDDON tannyrseddon@gmail.com | @teesedd

honoring “The Man”

BY CARLY VOSSMEYER

carlyvoss95@gmail.com

The St. Louis portion of the Blanchette bridge is currently being built. (drake kruep)

JORDAN GALOWSKI

FOREIGN POLICY “I think we should worry about ourselves and stay out of everyone’s business.”

PAGE BY CARLY VOSSMEYER

JESSE DAVILLA

Stan Musial bridge “I think it’s pretty cool and it shows St. Louis spirit.”

LAURA KAYSER

MR. FHN

“I think it will be fun to see the boys kind of not take things so seriously .”

ALEX WILEY

pet hedgehogs

“It’s unique because not many people have [a hedgehog] as a pet.”

04.17.13 FHNTODAY.COM 43

north star take: Staff should not be allowed firearms

(editorial cartoon by tannyr seddon)

The North Star looks at why faculty shouldn’t carry firearms in schools ON BEHALF OF THE EDITORIAL STAFF yourfhn@fhntoday.com | @fhntoday

According to an interview with the St. Louis Post Dispatch, House Speaker Tim Jones of Eureka and Majority Floor Leader John Diehl of Town and Country both signed onto legislation that would allow licensed teachers and administration faculty to carry a concealed opposed the bill.

concern of student safety in mind, the Editorial would make things worse.

Instead of allowing school faculty to carry a out ways to keep intruders out of the building instead of making plans for when a gunman is already in the school.

Taking preventative actions would make arming teachers irrelevant because all schools should have safety procedures implemented already that would not allow an intruder in the

44 FHNTODAY.COM

04.17.13

they already have concerns of lesson plans, with a loaded weapon or increasing security in the front of the building. protect the school. Another way to increase security in the front of the building could be to

and properly teaching the curriculum. having a gun in the school, then putting more

those in the school. Currently, some of the doors

gun could end up in the hands of a student or anyone who may enter school.

If a law such as this were to pass, intruders could also easily plan to overtake a school using its own weapons against them.

faculty to block the door from opening.

If all of the doors were to open inward, once the announcement is made about the intruder, a teacher can move something in front of the door blocking the intruder from getting into the classroom. This would allow teachers more time to ensure the safety of their students.

guns, it is possible for a determined student or intruder to locate the gun and learn the combination to a lock.

Even if a gun is physically on a faculty member, a group could overtake them to retrieve the gun. Then, once again, there is the wrong person with a loaded gun in the

with having a gun in their possession. Teachers are concerned about the responsibilities that would come with it.

what everyone is trying to avoid.

Allowing more guns in the school is not a

front of the building.

Something as simple as changing the ways the

are much smarter and more practical ways to accomplish the goal of keeping students safe. a gun and there was an intruder, the teacher with the gun would have to leave their classroom and look for the intruder, leaving their classroom of students utterly helpless.

better preparing schools to keep out an intruder rather than preparing faculty to react to one.

PAGE BY DELORES LAMPKIN

2012-2013

North star

staff Editor-in-Chief: Nick Bussell

Students don’t seem to be getting the necessary education to be college and career ready, and they’re given just enough to pass final exams and standardized tests to be pushed into the next grade. (photo illustration by matt krieg)

every child left behind

BY JORDAN BRYSON

good statistics, actual focused learning seemed to take more precedence in classrooms.

ger does it seem the main focus is teaching and guiding the future of America but instead mak-

requirement of every student in a public school -

-

educational act. Schools have two years to meet ment steps in and puts them in an improvement

jordan.bryson90@gmail.com | @jordan_bryson

the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 “to close the achievement gap with acenacted with good intentions, it was left up to interpretation. It seems the education system focused on spoon feeding students a basic but pass tests and say they know a little about a lot.

In years 1992, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2004 and Progress gave 12th graders reading assessments.

Looking at the data for the national average, tional average dropped three points. So when

required to close and reopen as a public charter school, replace appropriate staff, bring someone new in to run the school or give control of the school to the state education agency.

the real world: problem solving, critical thinking or basic studying skills for the years in college.

After 13 years of schooling, I have never felt that completely understanding the curriculum of whatever classes I was enrolled in was the sole member in May what we learned in January so I needs to get back to educating to the full potential rather than making politics and numbers top priority over students and their future.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR guidelines

Have an opinion on something in this month’s paper? Submit a letter, and tell us about it.

mailbox. and e-mail for verification.

PAGE BY DELORES LAMPKIN

words. is obscene, invasive, encouraging disruption of school and/or implies libel.

Letters may be edited for length, grammar, spelling and content.

Authors will be notified if any changes are made to the letter by the editorial staff.

The full version of the Editorial Policy can be found at FHNtoday.com/editorialpolicy

Managing Editor: Jordan Bryson Business Manager: Megan Hefner Business: Rowan Pugh Jordon Stobart Ean Thielbar Editors: News Editor: Amanda Stallings Features Editor: Maddie Hiatt Sports Editor: Abby West Opinions Editor: Tannyr Seddon Copy Editor: Sophie Gordon General Staff: Brenda Alvarado Kyleigh Kristenson Austin Barber Delores Lampkin Daniel Bodden Rodney Malone Cynthia Cahall David McFeely Alexis Christo Brianna Morgan Ashley Eubanks Jessica Olsen Ashley Flerlage Austin Seay Megan Granneman Andrew Shannon Taylor Shelton Emily Hampson Brittany Steck Priscilla Joel Alexis Tainter Carly Vossmeyer Photo Editor: Matthew Krieg Photographers: Logan Bergman Cameron McCarty Kendrick Gaussoin Paige Martinez Jimmy Higgins Dominic Pusateri Ashleigh Jenkins Anne Reiner Ariel Kirkpatrick Sammie Savala Alyssia Luque Megan Tanksley Andrew Wittman

FHNTODAY STAFF Editor-in-Chief of Multimedia: Murphy Riley Editors: Online Sports Editor: Andrew Cline Director of Multimedia: Christina DeSalvo Director of Live Coverage: Jon Doty Webmaster: Chandler Pentecost Web Editor: Aurora Blanchard Web News Director: Nick Ponche FHNtoday TV Director: Dan Stewart Video Editor: Zack Eaton Web Staff: Jake Chiarelli Michael Hamilton Nick Wyer Video Staff: Maddie Rictekessing Priscilla Joel Stephanie Sage Smitha Milli Sammie Savala Dominic Pusateri Hannah Stillman Megan Tanksley Advisers: Aaron Manfull Beth Phillips

04.17.13

FHNTODAY.COM 45

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