North Star April 2014 Edition

NORTH STAR 04.09.14 • volume 28 • issue 7 Francis Howell North St. Charles, Missouri

Caught in a Bad Bromance FHSD Turns 100

‘Divergent’ Disappoints Senior Signs College Baseball Contract

North Korea’s Holocaust

Popular Promposals

More Than You Know Many students and staff are known for a specific role; however not everyone is as they seem

CONTENTS 02

NEWS

02

30

SPORTS

INVISIBLE FRIEND

30

03

DECA COMPETES

33

FHSD TURNS 100

35

After competing so well at State, DECA prepares for Nationals in May. 04

BASEBALL FOR LIFE One player signs to play the Great American Pastime through college.

This year’s spring play features a man and his imaginary rabbit.

READY TO REPEAT

Boys’ Tennis plans to repeat last year’s win at the Holt Invitational.

SPORT DIETS

For students participating in sports, most must watch what they eat.

The District gets ready to celebrate a centennial of teaching others.

36

NEW TRACK COACH Jumpers learn from an athlete who ran in the Olympic timed trials.

17

FEATURES

08

ONE AND THE SAME

40

OPINIONS

Students in special services are working toward the same goal.

13

PROMPOSALS

40

15

TRICKY TECH

41

BROMANCES

43

CROSSWORD QUIZ

Fill out this crossword with answers from stories to enter to win an iTunes gift card.

44

10

Junior Katelyn Kennedy poses in a floor-length, floral dress on Main Street.

This strapless dress is perfect for spring and warm weather. The floral print is in style this season. Also in season are pastels. (cameron mccarty)

ANOTHER HITLER

The situation in North Korea is similar to that of the Holocaust.

Students and teachers alike have tight friendships with their guy friends.

19

CRASH COURSE

Brothers Hank and John Green use YouTube to educate in a fun way.

Teachers devise creative ways to use the new webcam grading system.

17

DIVERGENT

This movie does not stand out among similar films in the same genre.

Some students asked their dates to the dance in a special way.

COOL CATHOLIC

While some disagree with Pope Francis’ ways, he is revolutional and modern.

ON THE COVER

While some students are known for being involved in a certain sport or activity, there is a little known story behind their recognizable faces. (photo illustration by matt krieg)

2549 Hackmann Rd. St. Charles, MO 63303

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

PAGE BY SOPHIE GORDON

EOC SCHEDULE Week Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

Friday

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April 14

2: 7:20-8:55 Hr: 9:00-10:30 4: 10:35-12:35 6: 12:40-2:20

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ACT and Compass testing

2: 7:20-8:55 Hr: 9:00-9:45 4: 9:50-11:50 6: 11:55-1:35

2: 7:20-8:55 1: 9:00-9:45 3: 9:50-10:30 4: 10:35-12:35 6:12:40-2:20 1: 3: 5: 7:

7:20-8:55 9:00-10:30 10:35-12:35 12:40-2:20

1: 3: 5: 7:

BRIEFLY SPEAKING BOE

ELECTIONS The FHSD Board of Education elections took place last night, The candidates were Gary Stevenson, Mark Lafata, Rene Cope, Chad Lange, Cory Simek, Dr. Kimberly Granger, Mike Sommer, Mike Hoehn, and Ralph Moore.

Check FHNtoday.com for the results.

7:20-8:55 9:00-10:30 10:35-12:35 12:40-2:20

Regular schedule EOC Make-Up KOE Picnic

(brief by austin ferguson)

HALL MONITORS

Cut this EOC schedule out along the dotted lines to have the schedule for the next three weeks, beginning on Monday, testing will start.

E

OCs have always been built on showing improvement and growth and if they take it for one year, then we can’t do that.

- Assistant Principal Nancy Wade

ADDING A NEW EOC

A new addition to the EOC testing roster this year, geometry, is currently scheduled to take place the last week of testing. Testing lasts from April 14 May 1. However, due to indecision by the State, it is uncertain as to whether or not this EOC will happen this year or in years to come. After deciding that the ratio of testing to instruction was significantly greater for testing, the State has proposed changes the number of EOC tests scheduled. Next year, only the basic tests, English II, Algebra I, biology, and American government will be taken and the State will fund for all juniors to take the ACT, placing more emphasis on those scores. Currently, FHSD is waiting on a decision from the State before proceeding with the geometry EOC. “We have this one year wonder with geometry,” Assistant Principal Nancy Wade said. “It’s brand new. We don’t know what it will encompass and how our kids will do. And as a result, most school districts, ours included, hope that we don’t have to take it.” (brief by lauren pike)

FREE ACT TO BE GIVEN TO JUNIORS For the first time, all FHSD juniors will be taking the ACT for free in April. Last year, the FHSD school board decided to purchase the ACT for all of this year’s juniors to take on Wednesday, April 23. While this happens, sophomores and seniors will be going to an assembly, and the freshmen will be taking a practice ACT. The District decided to do this because they wanted to see where the current juniors are academically compared to other schools. Missouri will also soon require all schools, like FHSD, to have juniors take the ACT. “I think it’s great that I am able to take it during school than having to come in during the weekend and work on it then, instead of already being in a school mind set,” junior Patrick Cradick said.

FHSD hopes that this will help improve test scores since students won’t be coming in on a Saturday when they’re less prepared than when they’ve already been at school all week. Seniors are not as happy with the change, wishing they had this instead of paying for it again in hopes to get a better score. Now; juniors will be able to take the ACT at the District’s expense, which was estimated to be about $16,000, or about $36 per test.

But in the long run, with the coming State law change, the District believes this will be great for the school and for having a better look at it’s student’s academic grades. (brief by austin ferguson)

PAGE BY AUSTIN FERGUSON

NATIONALS The Speech and Debate team is going to Nationals on June 14 in Overland Park, Kansas. Seniors Matt Schneider and Brittany Steck qualified with their Duo Interpretation, and sophomore Caleb Black qualified in Humorous Interpretation.

“Qualifying for Nationals alone is such a huge honor, as well as for the members.

I hope our teams have fun, do their best, and learn from others’ performances,” Coach Jordyn Klackner said. (matt schneider,12)

(brief by austin ferguson)

FHSD hired on hall supervisors at all secondary schools last month. At FHN, there are two hall supervisors, Kevin Wollbrinck and Kristina Aggugelo, who are also District substitute teachers.

Wollbrinck was contacted by the District, which said it was creating these positions through the end of the year.

“We’ve had great feedback and positive responses,” Wollbrinck said. “So far, so good.”

The hall monitors have been supervising the halls during passing periods, ensuring visitors have signed in and students are on time to classes.

“It’s been nice to have our hall monitors,” Head Principal Andy Downs said. “It’s made a good impact on our halls, and people have been getting where they need to be on time.” (brief by jake chiarelli)

04.09.14 FHNTODAY.COM 01

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ns

@RoloffEmily

TOP

@mayaking17

Sleep. School. Eat. Soccer. Eat. Sleep. Homework. Sleep. Repeat.

Want to see your tweet here?

Tag tweets about school with

TWEETS #FHNnews

Emily Roloff , 9

I should probably attempt to actually look decent tomorrow since I haven’t the entire week..

Maya King, 10

ACTING UP This year’s spring play will be a “hare”-raising production

BY ASHLEY EUBANKS AshleyEubanks95@gmail.com • @AMEhigher95

Curtains go up at 7 p.m. tomorrow night for the Spring Play. Tickets are on sale during lunch for $5 or at the door tomorrow night for $6. The show, “Harvey,” is set in the 1940s and is about Elwood P. Dowd, a man with an imaginary best friend: Harvey, a six-foot, one-and-a-half-inch white rabbit. Elwood’s sister and niece think he’s insane, and when the situation becomes out of control, they commit Elwood to a sanitarium.

“Honestly, my favorite part of ‘Harvey’ is how serious the other characters become when the issue of a giant, invisible rabbit comes up,” senior Mike Kuhl, who plays Elwood P. Dowd, said.

“I love how oblivious Elwood is, and how he is overly friendly to anyone he meets.”

“Harvey” is unlike other Drama Club shows.

Normally, the show choices are slapstick comedies or completely serious. “Harvey” is a comedy that deals with bigger issues in today’s society. So, the meaning behind the play may be different to everyone in the audience. According to Student Director Jessica Olsen, “Harvey” has a maturity to its humor.

“We have one of the most talented casts in Drama Club history,” Olsen said. “I’m so excited to see all of these levels of talent come to life with ‘Harvey.’ I have so much faith in my cast.”

The cast members have been preparing for the play in many different ways, such as watching old movies from the 1940s and 1950s and trying to imitate their character in real life. This preparation helps the actors bring their own personalities into a more comfortable balance with the personalities of their characters.

“My character isn’t really that loveable and my favorite part is the challenge she gives me as an actor,” Mallory Echelmeyer, who plays Elwood’s sister Veta, said. “Veta and I are complete opposites. She bottles up her emotions to save face while I say how I feel; and since Veta is very sophisticated, I have to keep my movements and gestures controlled.”

Other than the unique characters, “Harvey’s” ending isn’t clear-cut, but said to be a cliffhanger.

“I think, because it’s a classic, the audience will be comparing it to the James Stewart film version they know,” Drama Club Sponsor Jeffrey Tandler said. “All in all, I think they will like the show.”

02 FHNTODAY.COM 04.09.14

The spring play will be the last play for Seniors Joe Henke, Brock Birkner, Alexis Happe, Mallory Echlemeyer, Mike Kuhl, and Rain Northrop. “Harvey” will be showing April 10-12 at 7 p.m., the original version of the play was performed in 1944. (paige martinez)

ELWOOD P. DOWD

VETA LOUISE

Michael Kuhl

Mallory Echelmeyer

Character Description: A man who sees, and is friends with a giant rabbit that no one else can see.

Character Description: The prim and proper, uptight sister of Elwood P. Dowd. She is worried about people judging her rich family because of her brother’s craziness.

Performance Favorites: Kuhl loves that his character entails altering the way his voice sounds, but he’s most excited to have the set built, put his costume together, and to bring the show to life.

Performance Favorites: Echelmeyer stated that, since Veta is a straight-laced character, it’s a challenge to play a role so opposite from herself.

PAGE BY ASHLEY EUBANKS

@Just_DatDempski

@erikawinning14

How the heck do I go through 30% of my phone battery in one class period!!!! Oh wait... there was a sub.

Matthew Dempski, 11

@taywertot

Just wanna leave Missouri & not come back for awhile

Erika Allen, 12

That awkward moment when your headphones aren’t plugged in all the way and everyone can hear your music.. Oops

Taylor Bennett, 11

NORMANDY RUNNING OUT OF TIME

As Normandy School District approaches bankruptcy, it asks the State for $5 million in order to stay open past April

BY LAUREN PIKE

laurenpike14@gmail.com • @pike_n_ike

After the Senate decided the Normandy School District needed $1.5 million to remain operational through the rest of the school year, the bill moved to the House but was rejected.

Currently, lawmakers are attempting to reach an agreement as to the amount of funding Normandy will receive, causing the financial situation of the District to remain unstable.

“We’re kind of in a holding pattern because right now our finances are pretty fragile,” Normandy Public Relations representative Daphne Dorsey said. “The supplemental funding is needed so we can ensure that we remain fiscally viable until the end of the school year and that we’re able to meet our financial obligations.”

According to State Representative Bryan Spencer, the House originally passed a $5 million supplemental budget bill which included funds that would last Normandy through the end of the school year, but the Senate decided that the District only needed $1.5 million to

MYRTLE MAE

remain open. Currently, a conference committee is working to agree on an appropriate amount of funding, but hasn’t yet come to a compromise.

“The issue should have never happened in the first place,” Spencer said. “We have MSIP5, which is an accreditation program that’s designed for school districts to stay open and I believe they said that there will be 23 school districts under MSIP5 that will be unaccredited next year, so we’re going to have 23 school districts like Normandy. So there’s something wrong with the accreditation program.”

Despite the uncertainty of the future of the Normandy School District, members of the Normandy community hope that the school district will remain intact.

“Our goal is to continue operating until the end of the school year,” Dorsey said. “Beyond June 30, we don’t know. I guess that’s a question that DESE would have to answer and respond to because they have not told us what their plans are regarding our future. We’re very optimistic that we’ll get the funding, but again, it’s wait and see what that final amount is going to be.”

ADVANCING TO ATLANTA Over Spring Break, DECA students applied their marketing skills at State; eight qualified to move on to Nationals

BY EMILY HAMPSON

TheEmilyHampson@gmail.com • @EmilyJHampson

Rain Northrop Character Description: The snobbish stuck-up niece of Elwood P. Dowd. She is the daughter of Veta Louise.

Performance Favorites: Northrop feels that this role is an exciting challenge, since she doesn’t usually play such an unlikeable character, and she can’t wait to see how people react to the ending of “Harvey.”

PAGE BY ALEXIS TAINTER

On March 16, 24 students from FHN traveled to Lake of the Ozarks to compete in DECA State. In order to qualify, students must be a member of DECA, attend Districts, take a 100 question exam, and compete in one to two role plays of a given marketing scenario, as well as place in an individual event within the top six or in a team event within the top three “When I do a role play it’s kind of like a performance, it just takes off,” senior Joe Henke, who qualified for Nationals by placing first in his category, said. “I was getting on a role and doing my role play just making sure I hit all my performance indicators, so I really wasn’t thinking about too much, just making sure I gave a good performance.”

Along with Henke, seven other students at FHN qualified to move on to Nationals which will be held in Atlanta, Georgia May 2-7.

Kelly D’Amico receives her award in Principles of Hospitality and Tourism event at DECA state. (submitted photo)

“My favorite part is at competition when you see students who were so nervous come out and say ‘Hey, it wasn’t that bad’ or ‘I think I did really good,’” Head DECA advisor Lori Moore said.

“Seeing the delight on their faces when they get called on stage and they win is just something that, as a teacher, you’ll never really forget.”

04.09.14 FHNTODAY.COM 03

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Three Cheers For

100 Years

As the District’s 100th school year approaches, big plans are underway to celebrate the centennial starting with an upcoming parade with floats from each school

BY ALEXIS TAINTER

alexistainter@gmail.com • @lexis_taint

D

uring the 2014-15 school year, FHSD will be celebrating its 100th year as a district. While the centennial is still months away, plans are already being made to celebrate this accomplishment. The District will have a parade on Saturday, May 10, in Cottleville starting at Warren Elementary and ending at Central. Each high school will have a float in the parade. Activities Director Mike Janes has been working with North’s Student Advisory Group (SAG) to brainstorm ideas for the float.

“We want to do something to bring everyone together and portray our school well,” Janes said. “The group has lots of ideas. I like that each school gets to come up with their own ideas and make their own decisions.”

The group has talked about including Knightline, the cheerleaders, and Norm the Knight to help do this. Nicole Morse is a part of SAG and has many ideas already when it comes to the set up of the float.

“We’re thinking about adding a castle since we’re the Knights,” Morse said. “I also like the idea of having a huge banner with all the school’s clubs.”

SAG is still in the planning stages of the float and is working with the clubs at North to get their logos to add to the float. The group plans to build the float in the next few weeks.

“We’re trying to build it all ahead of time to get it done as early as possible,” Morse said. “I like that I’m involved in this to be able to make an impact and have student voice. I’m just excited to see how it all turns out.”

The District

over the years

1915

After the parade concludes, the celebration will continue in Legacy Park, where there will be food trucks, inflatables, and a DJ for entertainment. FHSD Communications Director Jennifer Henry has been in charge of helping plan this event and is getting more excited as the date approaches.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to bring the community together and learn about the districts heritage and get involved,” Henry said. “We want as many people involved as possible so I’m excited to see everyone come out and have fun.”

While the parade will be the kickoff for the centennial school year, FHSD will also be doing other things to celebrate how far the district has come. The district is plans on having 100 events next year, where each high school will be in charge of four. North also plans on doing its own individual celebrations. These will take place periodically throughout the school year.

“It’s really neat to do this sort of thing with the district’s history,” Janes said. “ I’m interested in learning more about it.”

Many things have changed in the district since it first opened in 1914 and changes continue to be made daily to help improve the district. Recently, Howell has seen a few renovation changes, with a new building including a cafeteria and media center and North and Central both got new turf football fields. When it comes to comparing FHSD to other school districts, administrators believe that we are ahead of the game when it comes to technology and academics.

“The district has grown,” Janes said. “With Howell’s renovations and added middle schools, we keep getting bigger. I think that we’re so far ahead compared to other districts and that FHSD is really a good example for others.”

On May 8, 1915, Voters of five contiguous rural school districts (grades 1-8) of southern St. Charles County voted to unite their districts and form a public high school district, which became known as Consolidated School District No. 2 of St. Charles County.

The District was renamed to

Francis Howell Reorganized 1951 the School District #3, or FHSD-R3,

info from: goo.gl/Naswns goo.gl/jLNM9W

as it is known today.

1915

1940

1916 04 FHNTODAY.COM 04.09.14

1965

The six original schools of Consolidated School District No. 2 of St. Charles County opened on September 6, 1915. At the time enrollment was less than 100. At the time the Howell family ran 12 one room private and public schools. As well as a two year free “higher school” or institute.

PAGE BY BRENDA ALVARADO

May 8, 1915 was the official opening day for the district. The district is celebrating the first day 100 year anniversary of the opening day. Citizens are invited to 4545 Central School road to celebrate the event. (jordan mertens)

1983

Henderson Junior High School was built.

1987

2006

After nearly 90 years of being built, Francis Howell High School begins remodelling.

2015

Henderson Junior High School expanded and became Francis Howell North High School. It began taking high school students in 1987.

The parade for the District’s centennial will take place May 10. The following school year will be FHSD’s 100th year, in which other centennial celebrations will take place in.

2015

1990

1997

After both North and Howell both could not sustain the growing population of high schoolers in the district, a third high school, Francis Howell Central was built.

PAGE BY BRENDA ALVARADO

2014

Today, the district encompasses about 150 square miles and has three high schools, five middle schools, 10 elementary schools, three early childhood centers and two alternative schools. During the 2013-14 school year enrollment was at 18,000.

THE

ORIGINAL SCHOOLS When FHSD opened nearly 100 years ago it opened with six schools

Howell Grammar School Hamburg Grammar School Enterprise Grammar School Weldon Spring Grammar School Junction Grammar School Francis Howell High School

04.09.14 FHNTODAY.COM 05

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DIFFERENT PATH,

SAME GOAL FINDING HIS VOICE

One senior has a unique way of communicating with peers and teachers

BY SOPHIE GORDON

In the beginning, he could only communicate by raising or lowering his head, but now, senior Greg Portilla can use his Dynavox to talk with others. This new technology has opened up opportunities for Greg, such as participating in plays.

“I think he’s gained self-confidence,” FHN Speech Pathologist Karen Nolte said. “It’s given him a sense of belonging.

It helps with his independence skills.”

In order to communicate, prewritten answers and phrases must be programmed into the Dynavox by Nolte. This machine has allowed Greg to participate in classes and answer questions with more than just a yes or no. However, of all of his classes, Nolte believes Greg has found his place with the drama kids.

“My favorite class is Intensified Theater,” Greg said, piecing together his answer by using his Dynavox. “I like participating in plays. Last year, I was in three skits. They were pretty funny.

I played a Mob Boss to a couple of employees I called knuckleheads.”

After taking Actor’s Studio, Greg decided he enjoys acting. Greg looks forward to participating in the Intensified Theater’s children’s show this spring.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for Greg,” theater teacher Jeffrey Tandler said. “He loved being in Actor’s Studio.

He’s told me several times that the theater classes are his favorite. The coolest part is that everyone wants him down here. They want him to be a part of things. They always include him.”

WATCH Use the link goo.gl/8pqVjB to see a clip showing Greg using his Dynavox.

08 FHNTODAY.COM 04.09.14

Just like every regular education student, students in special services work toward preparing for life; and the department at FHSD integrates its students as much as possible often do not understand what having educational disabilities means. While some identify students with special needs by their physical differences, Assistant Principal Katie Greer emphasizes that the spectrum of he follows the paraprofessionals (paras) onto need has a wide range of mild and severe cases. the bus, talking about where she’d like to work “If you thought of special education, typically a some day in the future. student would think of somebody in a wheelchair or “I was thinking about the movie theater,” sophosomebody with a physical disability of some sort,” more Ali Butler says. “I might work there sometime Greer said, “but there are students all across the for a job. I might be a ticket person.” spectrum. We have students that are in honors and She ponders working at Walmart or Best Buy AP classes that fall under the special education or Target, stocking items or organizing umbrella. There’s just a variety of reasons and merchandise. identifications for special education, not just “I like to organize, so it’s not too what one might typically think of as messy,” Ali says. “I like to be ‘those kids.’” neat.”

Just like students in regular She’s on her way to work education courses, Ali receives a welltoday, not at any of the places rounded education. Her favorite class she named, but Gordmans. She, is keyboarding because she believes it along with other students, goes HOW YOU CAN HELP: is important to know how to type. on Career-Based Instruction Here are four things Life Skills teacher “I’m very good at keyboarding,” (CBI) trips each Thursday to Lisa Pentecost says students can do to Ali said. “I have a Facebook, and I’m build skills she will use in the further break down the barrier between regular classes and special services: typing. I type [my friend] Kendyl all future. Many students in regular the time.” education classes assume the 1.

Watch what you say.

At FHN, students with educational buses are for a fun field trip, “Students with disabilities are absolutely aware of what disabilities are integrated into regular but these students know better. others think and say and feel.” education classrooms as much as posThey are going to work various sible. This idea of inclusion is unique jobs that will help them in 2.

Let students know when you because many schools still don’t their future careers. These jobs feel uncomfortable. integrate their students in special range anywhere from checking “Help them understand social norms.” services with their students in regular expiration dates on food items education classes. According to Lisa to hanging clothes.

3.

Treat all students alike.

Pentecost who has also worked in the “I like to stock clothes,” Ali “See them as individuals, Special School District, inclusion is says. realize that they are more the best learning environment.

Today, Ali isn’t hanging shirts, similar to you than they are different.”

“In the Francis Howell School though. She follows the paras District, all students...[are] part of the accompanying her group to the 4.

Don’t use the R-word same students,” Pentecost said. “I’m back of Gordmans, entering the (retarded), even in casual paid by the same people who pay the Associates Only door. In the conversation.

English teacher down the hallway, cement room, her para explains “Anybody who thinks that and I’m part of that group and that a student with a disability what the group will be working doesn’t feel [the impact] when family. Having students be a part of on today, labeling items. Ali it’s said is just crazy.” that family and having their teachers spends an hour sticking prices be part of that family, they excel. They on products. She peels the labels can reach higher goals.... By keeping them separate, it from the boxes and carefully places them on the packjust keeps them down.” ages where they can easily be seen and scanned.

According to Pentecost, some families move to the “I like it,” Ali says as she sticks a price label on a bag District because they are aware that FHSD gives all of of Lemonheads. She shows the bag to one of the paits students equal treatment. ras, who nods and moves on to help another student.

“They want the school to be responsible for a student with a disability as much as they are for a student LEARNING LIFE SKILLS who’s an honors student,” Pentecost said. “And they When students in regular education classes do not should be. They definitely should be.” have a connection to the special services system, they

BY SOPHIE GORDON

S

PAGE BY EMILY HAMPSON

Sophomore Ali Butler prepares to label a bag of cookies. While at Gordmans, Butler labeled candy, sauces and other items for the store. These CBI trips prepare students for life beyond high school. (sophie gordon)

For most core classes, these students learn with special services teachers like Pentecost, an Essential Skills teacher. These classes differ a bit from regular education classes because they don’t have stepby-step curriculums, and the students do not use textbooks. However, like any class, the ultimate goal is to prepare students for life after high school.

PREPARING FOR WORK Other misconceptions that paras and teachers have heard include whether students in special services can make a living by working. As seen from the CBI trips, these students are capable of holding a job because they can learn jobs skills just like everyone else.

“They can work; they can learn; they can help out,” para Brian Schene said. “Just because you saw them one time have a meltdown, doesn’t mean that’s what they are.... They just have a little bit of something they’re dealing with—and I don’t even like saying dealing with—but they’re handling it. Most of them are handling it. They’re getting a lot more today than they ever did before. They’ve got so many more resources to help them. There’s so much more to these individuals that people don’t know. [Others] just need to take the time to kind of find out.”

Life Skills teacher Pentecost works on soft skills with her students to help them prepare for jobs. Soft skills are personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people. These skills include things like communication, decision making and teamwork. These things come more easily to students in regular education classes, but every person must work on soft skills in order to be appealing to employers.

“All of our work is focused on helping the

PAGE BY EMILY HAMPSON

Sophomore Ali Butler labels items for Gordmans, practicing job skills. (sophie gordon)

Senior Greg Portilla compares prices of items with his paras by using his Dynavox. (sophie gordon)

student to transition from high school to adult life,” Pentecost said. “That’s kind of everybody’s goal, I mean that’s what [everyone’s] teachers are working on, the same thing, but we may not be working on social studies very much in order to work on being able to go to a job.”

abilities, there’s just a wide spectrum of wonderful strengths that you find in our students in our special ed program.”

Paras like Schene help students get from class to class and understand the material. They love seeing the students improve and like knowing that they are making an impact.

“I really love to see when students make progress,” Schene said. “When you see a student start to make the progress, and they start to get it and understand it--and they become more independent, and they start doing things on their own without you having to even say something--whenever you see that, that just makes you kind of cheer inside.”

Para Rita Brannan, who helps students who cannot communicate verbally with their machines, enjoys seeing each student’s personality.

“When they do what they’re supposed to do it’s really great, but when they do something that’s unexpected, that makes you laugh or just makes you smile, [that’s the best part],” Brannan said. “It’s the unexpected, funny things that these kids do.”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE In the end, the special services staff loves seeing the students learn and improve each day.

Head Principal Andy Downs oversaw special services for four years before stepping into the head principal position. Like everyone else in the department, Downs loves watching the students grow.

The most important thing about students in special services, according to Downs, is to realize that they are great people with great strengths.

“I think that sometimes we define intelligence and ability too narrowly, and that you will find that there is great intelligence and ability in so many different arenas,” Downs said. “Ranging from really strong academic ability to extremely strong social

04.09.14 FHNTODAY.COM 09

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n o i h fas

PHOTOS BY CAMERON MCCARTY

Spring is in session which means it’s time to break out your florals and pastels. Join senior Austin Knott and sophomores Hannah Freitas and Megan Horner in rocking the newest trends for the season.

ON HANNAH

Floral Shirt: American Eagle, $24 Sandals: Target, $10 Shorts: American Eagle, $25

ON MEGAN

Floral Scarf: Charlotte Russe, $10 Shorts: Forever 21, $20 Shirt: Charlotte Russe, $10 Sandals: TJ Maxx, $15

ON AUSTIN

Pastel Shirt: Target, $13 Shorts: JCPenny $15 Shoes: Foot Locker, $60

DRESS

Whether you are going to walk around on Main Street on a sunny day or you are just going to hang out with your friends, wearing a floral dress can brighten your day. Stores like Forever 21, Charlotte Russe and H&M have many different styles of floral dresses this season. They range from one shoulder to full length dresses. Also, there are many different floral patterns so you’ll have a variety to choose from.

Florals may seem like the obvious choice from Spring but each year florals change. Wearing florals in spring is the first sign that the weather is changing and summer is around the corner.

I

bought this dress because it was simple and cute to wear on a sunny day.

Katelyn Kennedy, 11

Necklace: Claire’s, $16

ACCESSORIES

Floral accessories are the perfect way to make any outfit ready for spring. Wearing bracelets is a subtle way to take your outfit to the next level as well as following the current trends. The key is to not overdo it with the accessories.

A simple necklace and some flower earrings are fine. You want the floral jewelry to add a little something extra to your outfit of pastels. Wearing a few floral bracelets and a simple floral headband can be exactly what your outfit needs.

Many stores are now carrying floral accessories. There are headbands, necklaces, earrings and bracelets that are available. Accessories doesn’t have to be just jewelry. Floral backpacks and lanyards are making a comeback. Floral accessories are definitely in style now and will be for a while.

I

wear floral jewelry because I really like flowers and enjoy spring time.

Bracelets: Claires, $6

Sarah Jackovich, 11

SHOES

Try adding some spring in your step with floral shoes. Floral shoes are available for both guys and girls at many stores. Wearing shoes like this will bring a little extra something to your outfit. Whether the shoes have a few flowers on them or they are covered, floral shoes are the newest thing for spring.

Girls Shoes: Target, $15 Guys Shoes: PacSun, $90

SPREAD BY MADDIE HIATT

04.09.14 FHNTODAY.COM 11

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POPPING THE QUESTION With Prom quickly approaching, the newest trend is to ask someone to Prom with a “promposal,” and these seniors kicked off the season with some creative and unique promposals for their dates

Missy Cloward and Raymond Che

Josh Carpenter and Madison Gillam

Kelsey Mcllory and Daniel Ingle

BEARY SWEET

PICTURE PERFECT

GIVE ME A SIGN

One weekend was all it took for senior Raymond Che to figure out how he was going to ask senior Missy Cloward to Prom. When he was at the mall, he walked by Build-A-Bear and got the idea to create one for Missy. He then proceeded to build the bear and dress it up in a tuxedo. Inside the bear’s paw was a voice recording of Raymond asking Missy to Prom. It also had a sign around its neck that read “press my paw.”

“It was his own idea, which was really good and now I’m just really excited to go to Prom,” Cloward said. “It’s going to be really fun.”

Looking back, Raymond is glad that he asked Missy before anyone else had the chance.

“If you want to ask someone to Prom, do it right away otherwise some other guy will snatch your girl,” Che said.

Senior Josh Carpenter knew he wanted to ask his girlfriend Madison Gillam to Prom in a unique way since Homecoming, but put the idea aside for awhile. When the middle of February came along, Josh put his plan into action.

Using a picture frame that he had purchased with the word “Prom?” that framed the photos, he picked out and arranged pictures of the two of them in the frame and placed it in Madison’s room for her to discover when she got home.

“I got the idea because of the pictures in picture frames that she gives me,” Carpenter said.

After basketball practice, Madison went home to find the surprise that Josh had left for her.

“My heart just stopped and I didn’t know what to say because I was so happy all I could do was smile,” Gillam said.

Out of the blue, senior Kelsey McIlroy got a call to go outside. As she stepped out the door, she saw Daniel Ingle standing at the end of her driveway with a bouquet of flowers and a sign saying “Prom?” hanging from his car’s hood.

“I was really surprised,” Mcllory said. “I wasn’t expecting it. I was hoping for it, but I wasn’t expecting it.”

Daniel and Kelsey have been friends for a long time. He’d wanted to ask her three weeks earlier, but decided to wait so he could ask her in a cute way.

“If you have a girl you’re thinking of asking, just go ask her. If you ask her in a cute and creative way, odds are she is going to say yes,” Ingle said. “That tiny moment of embarrassment and nervousness is worth having an amazing Prom night.” (stories by sarai esparza and photos by jessica allison)

RIDE OF THE MONTH: LOWRIDING LONG BED This Silverado is hard to miss due to its color and 80s-looking exterior

BY CARLY VOSSMEYER

WATCH Use the link goo.gl/Xxz4nS to see Lindsay Grzeskowiak show off her truck.

carlyvoss95@gmail.com

Junior Lindsay Grzeskowiak’s 1985 Chevy Silverado may attract a lot of attention mainly because of its bright butterscotch-yellow color, but the outdated square body also adds to the truck’s character.

“The best part about Lindsay’s truck is the color,” senior Christian Waldow said. “I’ve never seen a brighter yellow truck than hers.”

Lindsay’s long bed Chevy has been in her family for years and was given to her by her grandfather last summer. The truck can only reach up to about 85 mph and only gets about 11 miles to the gallon.

“It’s older and it’s different,” Lindsay said. “It’s really hard to miss.”

What Lindsay really loves about her unique ride is how great it is for her to PAGE BY SARAI ESPARZA

go hunting and fishing in on the weekends and in the summer. Her truck is the perfect way for her to drive up to Babler State Park and see her horse Kristen, or to go fishing at the river on her uncle’s property.

“I remember as a little girl going fishing and camping in it, so it’s got some sentimental value,” Lindsay said.

Lindsay’s favorite thing about her truck is the dial-up radio. Every time Lindsay wants to change the radio station, she has to tune into the station, making it a little more difficult to use and more staticy than normal radios.

“It’s kind of like when you step into my truck, you step back in time almost,” Lindsay said. “I like having a truck that stands out from everyone else’s. It’s kind of nice.”

04.09.14 FHNTODAY.COM 13

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A DIFFERENT RAINBOW C STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

SOCK SAVVY

Junior spices up his wardrobe with an overlooked clothing item

BY CLAIRE CARR

olor blind. When those words are heard together, most people imagine living in a world of grey, void of color. The term is misleading; people who are “color blind” are actually just color deficient. The colors they see are on a different spectrum from the majority. Ishihara plates are tools used by eye doctors to check to see if someone’s color deficient. The Ishihara test can only check for red/green color deficiency. Anyone with normal eyesight would clearly be able to see the numbers embedded in the circles. To anyone with red/green color blindness, it appears to be a circle composed of all of the same colors.

clrcarr@gmail.com

Junior Troy Ostermann walks over to his sock drawer. But this is no ordinary drawer. As opposed to the basic black and white style, the drawer is full of exuberantly colored and patterned socks. Troy has been collecting since his sophomore year and owns 70 pairs of socks.

“I got started because my brother was the first to start buying unique socks, and I liked how they looked,” Troy said.

“I picked socks because I feel like they offer a way to express individuality. I’ve always liked keeping my feet comfortable, and plain socks got boring, so I set out to find comfortable socks that were unique.”

In general, socks do not have any significance to Troy. However, he says that since family and friends have bought socks for him, some pairs do. One friend is really impressed with the variety that Troy has obtained.

“The coolest part of Troy’s sock collection is probably that most people think of socks in a very boring white and black way,” fellow sock collector Barkley Elgin said, “But his collection shows how much fun you can have with socks to stand out from the crowd. Socks are the perfect accent to an outfit. It’s the hidden part of the socks that are usually the best part.”

WATCH Use the link goo.gl/rFJePGto see a video of Troy’s unique sock collection.

14 FHNTODAY.COM 04.09.14

Students and a teacher share how the colors they see are of a different spectrum because of a color deficiency

BY MEGAN GRANNEMANN mgrannemann@gmail.com • @MGrannemann

History teacher Mike Parker was diagnosed with color deficiency at the age of 10. He struggles with differentiating shades of brown, red and green. As a kid, he used to label the colors of his clothes on his hangers to avoid mismatched outfits. Another challenge he faces is distinguishing different colors that his students shade in on maps.

“I mean, I’m color blind,” Parker said. “There’s not a whole lot I can do about it so I just go with it.”

The chances of a girl being color deficient are very slim. According to colourblindawarness.org 0.5 percent of women are born with a color deficiency.

Junior Breanna Relleke is apart of that percentile.

This condition is so rare in women because the mother of the child has to be a carrier of the Xlinked recessive trait and the father needs to be color deficient. Breanna has a mild case of color weakness.

She has trouble with varying shades of green, blue, brown and purple.

“One really common misconception is that a lot of people think color blind people only see in black and white and that’s not the case,” Breanna said.

“Except for really rare situations.”

It is nearly impossible for a person to be color deficient without it running in their family. Junior Tyler Ayers is color deficient just like his uncle and grandfather. Ayers mistakes the color purple with blue and has trouble distinguishing between different shades of yellow and orange. The biggest difficulty Tyler faces with his condition is when he is working on his artwork. The colors he uses may look right to him, but to people with unaffected vision, his art may not appear the same colors as Tyler sees it himself.

“It makes my art unique,” Tyler said. “But it sucks when I run through a red light because I thought it was yellow.”

Junior Ryan Fargo also has color deficiency. He has issues with different shades of orange and green as well as the colors blue and purple. According to colourblindawarness.org 8 percent of all males are color deficient, making them much easier to come by. If a mother is a carrier, she has a 50 percent chance of passing it on to her son. The father does not have to be color blind or a carrier of the gene for this transition to happen, making people more likely to have a color deficient son than having a color deficient daughter.

“If I could have normal eyesight I wouldn’t because I’m happy with the way I am now,” Fargo said.

PAGE BY MEGAN GRANNEMANN

WEBCAM MASTERS Teachers devise creative ways to make the best of FHSD’s new camera-based grading system, Mastery Connect

WILLOTT’S WAYS

BY THE NUMBERS Scantron

1.3¢ per Scantron sheet

$30,000 per year on Scantrons

1

Mastery Connect

22

Originally, Math teacher Steve Willott held the webcam above his desk and slid papers by.

criteria considered for new system

$8 per webcam

1000 webcams purchased

T

his year, FHSD switched to the Mastery Connect grading system after using the Mastery Manager pink scantron system for years.

Spanish teacher Brian Santos, who was on the committee that decided on the change, says that the webcams set Mastery Connect apart when it came time to choose a company.

“The number one selling point was the webcams,” Santos said. “Teachers can grade tests anywhere instantaneously and collaborate with teachers around the country.”

FRAMED

Science teacher Dawn Hahn attaches her webcam to a picture frame with a mesh metal background in order to stabilize it.

Originally, she used a ring stand.

“With the new system, looking at data is easier, but the test entering portion is a pain in the butt,” Hahn said.

PAGE BY DANIEL BODDEN

Last year, Director of Student Learning Bryan Williams sent out a bid to companies explaining the District’s need for a cost effective and quick system for the following school year. The assessment committee reviewed several different systems and narrowed it down to two systems -- Mastery Connect and Mastery Manager.

“The committee placed a big value on having webcam scanners,” Williams said. “With Mastery Manager, it may have been a week before grades got back to students.

The biggest factor was giving students immediate feedback.” (story by daniel bodden and photos by ashton stegman)

BOXED

Because of the webcam’s lack of auto-focus, Government teacher William Crow duct taped a box to his desk so that when he places tests in it they are aligned.

“People tell me I’m pretty resourceful,” Crow said. “I can get through a whole classroom’s tests in about two minutes.”

2

Willott then worked with Technician Ben Ra to devise a system where his camera was hooked onto his document scanner.

SCANNED

FHC Computer Technician Ryan Kelly helped devise a system for Administrative Assistant Darlene Arms where she scans all the answer sheets, saves them as a PDF file, and opens it on her computer. She then attaches a webcam to a laptop and scans the documents. (photo submitted)

3

Now, Willott has the camera taped onto a ruler that extends from his cabinet to hold it still. He has boxes over it to shade it from the florescent lights that cause problems.

04.09.14 FHNTODAY.COM 15

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BROTHERLY LOVE

The men of this generation have taken their friendships to a new level; students and faculty explain their affectionate ways with their closest friends and what makes their bromances special

THE BROPOSAL

Larry Scheller, Matt Riffee, Joe Brocksmith, Zach Fettig, and Mark Olwig exaggerate their personalities. The five often visit each others classes. (mckenzie shea)

A LOVE PENTAGON

BY JESSICA OLSEN jessicaolsen144@gmail.com • @jesicuhhh9

S

cience teachers Larry Scheller, Joe Brocksmith and Matt Riffee and history teachers Zach Fettig and Mark Olwig all have a lot in common. Not only do they share a love of sports, but they have similar senses of humor and outgoing personalities. Putting these five teachers’ classrooms in one school hallway has called for lots of mayhem and memories for not only them but students as well.

“We call ourselves the ‘West Wing’,” Olwig said. “It’s like the U.S Capitol. The West Wing is the most important wing.”

Over the years, harmless pranks have sprouted between the five, and Scheller is generally the teacher that’s targeted.

“When the Cubs were actually somewhat decent at baseball, I hung a sign outside of Mr. Scheller’s door that said, ‘Every time the Cubs win, God kills a puppy,’” Riffee said.

In the past, Brocksmith has stolen Scheller’s bearded dragon, Cheeto, from his classroom, as well as other interesting possessions of his. The teachers also like to have competitions, like who can throw stress balls closest to students’ heads without coming in contact with them.

“Being down here, it makes it easier to come to work every day,” Riffee said.

The five teachers see each other outside of the building on occasion.

Fettig, Olwig and Scheller all take part in coaching soccer. Some enjoy going hunting, and others used to attend Brocksmith’s shows when he was in a band. Brocksmith believes that over the years, the men have formed a bond where each teacher plays a significant role in their “group.”

“Olwig is like the fatherly figure,” Brocksmith said. “Fettig is the laidback, kind of chill guy. Sometimes he’s involved, sometimes he sits and watches. I think Scheller and I are probably on very similar terms as far as our roles, and Ms. Hahn would be like our motherly figure. And then Mr. Riffee is like the good brother. He likes to play every now and then but a lot of times he stops himself because he thinks, ‘Oh, I might get in trouble for this.’ So then he doesn’t participate.”

TAKE THE QUIZ Are you and your bro in a brolationship?

Go to goo.gl/uczKlM to find out how serious your bromance is.

PAGE BY BRIANNA MORGAN

The friendship between juniors Joey Henry and Stone Birkner extends past the two boys. Over the years after Joey and Stone met in the third grade, their families have become close as well. The Henrys and the Birkners get together every Christmas and Easter. However, this relationship always goes back to where it started: Joey and Stone.

“It’ll be me and Joey and another friend,” Stone said. “Or, me and Joey and another new friend, or me and Joey and a different friend, but it’s always me and Joey.”

The pair even plans on extending their relationship in the future.

Although the two already like to pretend they’re married, Stone plans on “broposing” in the future once they graduate high school as a way to secure their friendship.

“Some people think we’re actually together,” Joey said. “For real, some people think Stone and I are dating. The magical thing is, people don’t really know... Or do they?”

UNBREAKABLE

Seniors Luke Mayerhoefer and Andrew Scherff became friends when they met in their freshman English class. Now, they’ve built their friendship to an unbreakable bond. Aside from just hanging out and playing video games all the time, they have a schedule of days they see each other outside of school. Every Friday night, they have a sleep over at their friend Mike’s house.

“Mike has three playstations and three TVs,” Andrew said. “We set them all up in the same room and play video games for the night until at least seven in the morning.”

It seems as though nothing could tear this friendship apart-- not even a broken leg. In the summer of 2011, Luke was driving an ATV while Andrew sat behind him. When Luke made a sudden sharp turn, he tipped the ATV over, breaking Andrew’s leg in the process. And to this day, their friendship stands to tell the story.

“It was really funny,” Luke said. “I mean, it wasn’t at the time, but it’s really funny now.”

MUST BE FATE

Transferring schools may have been the best thing to happen to junior Conner McDermott.

Without it, he would’ve never met Noor Hashash freshman year.

“He was really quiet and he didn’t talk to anyone,“ Noor said. “He started opening up and I found he was actually pretty funny.”

Today, Conner and Noor hang out constantly. Not only do they work together at Water Way Car Wash, but Noor has his own key to Conner’s house. Conner’s relatives treat Noor like part of the family.

“When my grandpa died, literally the next day right after the funeral, my grandma said ‘I want to see Noor. Have him come over,’” Conner said.

Noor knows the date Conner and him started hanging out more than two years ago. They went to Six Flags together on March 20, 2012, and since then the boys have been joined at the hip.

“We pretty much do everything together,” Conner said. “We’re like those twin brothers that never get separated.”

04.09.14 FHNTODAY.COM 17

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CROSSWORD QUIZ Test your memory and complete this crossword puzzle based on the stories in this month’s paper. Tweet a picture of the finished puzzle with your name on it using #FHNcrossword by the end of the school day to get entered into a drawing for a $10 iTunes gift card.

1

3

2

4 5

6

7

8 10

9 11 12

13 14

15 16 17 18

ACROSS

4. David Prost is what position for the FHN Baseball team?

6. What is the topic for the Fashion Page this month?

7. Where will FHSD will have a parade to celebrate 100 years as a district?

8. Joey Henry and Stone Birkner met in what grade?

11. What is the first word of the satirical comedy Alex Groenweghe and Tyler Ludwig created?

12. In 2014, MLB Officials announced what kind of system for the league?

13. What kind of factory was Mr. Downs’ first job in?

14. Zoe Lawson likes to read what kind of novels?

16. Bailey O’Neal volunteers for what food pantry?

17. Missouri will require schools to have juniors take what test?

18. Max Dattilo participated in gymnastics for how many years?

DOWN

1. A leader with a mind ruthlessly intent on power is an element of what kind of dictatorship?

2. The FHSD Board of Education elections will be taking place in what month?

3. What month did Alex Bohnert start her vegetarian diet in?

5. Which FHN sports team practices at Matteson Square Garden?

7. Erin Kelly eats one cup of what for breakfast?

9. What color is the Ride of the Month?

10. Some Catholics would say that Pope Francis is straying from what kind of Catholic values?

15. What is the first name of the girl Raymond Che asked to Prom with a Build-A-Bear?

Find the answers on FHNtoday.com/fhncrossword

PAGE BY MADDIE HIATT & ERIKA PAAR

04.09.14 FHNTODAY.COM 19

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HELLO MY

MORE THAN YOU KNOW Downs

Tyler and Alex

Tanner

Bailey

Alex

Zoe

Krista

Montgomery

Max

Everyone has something unique about them. This month, the North Star takes a look at some of these stories and reintroduces you to the people you thought you knew. From shoe-making to dragon-slaying, the students and staff of FHN are more than they appear on the outside PHOTOS BY MATT KRIEG AND PAIGE MARTINEZ

20 FHNTODAY.COM 04.09.14

PAGE BY LAUREN PIKE

N A M E IS The former shoemaker He may be head principal now, but Andy Downs started at humble beginnings, working as an employee at his family-owned shoe factory while he was a teenager

BY MATT SCHNEIDER mschneider1996@gmail.com

Sitting in his new office, the largest in the school, FHN’s Head Principal Andy Downs reflects on his path to this spot. His journey started in a rather unlikely place.

“My first job was working in a shoe factory,” Downs said. “It was my first job and also the worst job I ever had. There was no air conditioning, and I was literally working in a 450 degree oven.”

The Downs family has owned Hoy Shoe Company, the makers of “Sun-San Salt-Water Sandals,” for over 60 years. Downs worked in his family’s sandal factory for a few summers as a teenager. Even though his father is president of the factory, Downs received no special treatment; in fact, his father made sure Downs was the lowest-paid employee.

“My dad taught me that in order to get a better wage, you need to show that you’ve earned it,” Downs said. “You only get what you earn, so you need to really do everything that you do intently and honestly. Working there inspired my work ethic.”

His duties included sanding the leather material, stitching together the pieces of the sandals, and baking the soles in the 450 degree oven.

“It was hard work, and I didn’t really like it,” Downs said, “but it was also very valuable. Jobs like that show you the value of hard work and also what you do and don’t want in a life-long career.

That knowledge is incredibly beneficial in the long-run.”

Sandal assembly is a complicated process; the various styles all require different components, materials, and techniques. Such an intricate system requires high levels of teamwork and cooperation.

“When you make a sandal,” Downs said, “if somebody doesn’t do one piece right, the whole sandal doesn’t work well, so the other thing [my experience] really taught me was collaboration, working together. The lessons I learned from the people that worked there really have shaped who I am and how I go about doing things on a daily basis.”

Though he ultimately discovered that his passions lay far outside shoe production, Downs’ time in the sweltering ovens was not wasted--it even proved useful in his eventual career in education.

Using his passions as a compass, Downs set out to become an English teacher, carrying with him the lessons from the factory. “[Working at the factory] taught me to do everything to the best of your ability and to really find things you’re passionate about,” Downs said. “Those are things that are present in every line of work, and I have tried to foster these ideals when working with kids.”

Theresa Maher, an English and Speech/Debate teacher at FHN, worked with Downs when they were both English teachers at Francis Howell High School, before Downs came to North as a principal.

“My classroom was actually right next to Mr. Downs’,” Maher said. “I know his students really loved him, and they were really

PAGE BY LAUREN PIKE

Started from the Sole After getting his start in the family shoe company, Downs pursued several different career paths before becoming FHN’s Head Principal After volunteering at Ackerman School, Downs decided to pursue a career in education

Because of his passion for art, Downs took art classes in college to pursue a career as an art teacher Making a complete turnaround, Downs considered being a lawyer after his roommates went to law school

Feeling that he was meant to be an educator, Downs set out to become an English teacher FHHS After teaching English for seven years, Downs became a principal at FHN

sad to see him leave. But he has also been a great principal, so it’s really a win-win for everyone. I’m glad he’s been able to follow his passions.”

Sitting in his new office, the largest in the school, Downs reflects on his path to this spot. His journey started in a rather unlikely place, but it has ended up exactly where it was meant to be.

“I looked at what I liked and what I could support myself doing,” Downs said. “But I always knew I needed to follow what I was passionate about, and that’s how I ended up here.”

04.09.14 FHNTODAY.COM 21

VOLUNTEER cheerleader Instead of cheering for the football team, one cheerleader spreads her pep by volunteering at a local food pantry whenever she has free time

BY BRENDA ALVARADO brenduhalvarado@gmail.com

Bailey O’Neal was a cheerleader.

She cheered for Spirit Elite and went to several National competitions for it. She cheered for North and was on Varsity for two years. Although it was a huge part of her life, she decided to quit.

“I didn’t really like high school [cheerleading],” Bailey said. “Competitive just took up too much time.”

But in a way, Bailey O’Neal is still a cheerleader.

Instead of the uniform, routines and the football games, this time, she cheers for people. She motivates them.

She welcomes them. She helps them. She does this by volunteering at the Outreach Assisting Serving Individuals in Saint Charles County (OASIS) food pantry.

Every third Thursday, when Bailey doesn’t have to work at Abercrombie and Fitch, she heads to the OASIS food pantry near Lindenwood. The type of people that come usually varies: regulars, newbies, and ones that really are in desperate need of help. After the families are all checked in, their food needs are listed.

Bailey takes these lists and gets as much as she can from them. She grocery shops for them.

“You get to take the food out to them, it’s kinda like being a personal grocery shopper,” Bailey said. “It’s fun to go grocery shopping for other people, and it’s nice to help them out when they need it.”

The pantry is run solely by volunteers from churches.

OASIS gets most of its food donations from these churches, and volunteers like Bailey sort and distribute them to people. She keeps coming back because she knows what effect this has on the community.

“A mom came in one time with two little girls,” Bailey said. “And I don’t know, it made me sad; I wanted to hug them. They had a home but you just could tell that they didn’t have a whole lot.”

Bailey’s dedication for volunteering started at FHN when she joined Volunteer Knights and National Honor Society (NHS). Both clubs frequently help the community, and hold service projects. NHS requires 80 service hours, while Volunteer Knights just volunteers

22 FHNTODAY.COM 04.09.14

Fields where people Volunteer Education 27.2 % Civic 5.9 % Sports/Art 2.4 % Social Services 14.4 % Religious 39.7 % Other 3.2 % (Information from the Corporation for National and Community Service)

Health 7.3 %

for fun. Two years later, she completed her NHS service hours nearly a year early and is the activities coordinator for Volunteer Knights.

“I like NHS because there’s always something to do, and it’s fun to give back,” Bailey said.

Because of her involvement with these clubs at FHN, Bailey decided to take it one step further with OASIS. She already thought volunteering was fun and fulfilling with NHS, so she went to OASIS. “Bailey is one of those people who goes out of her way to make sure everything is right and everyone is happy,” former co-sponsor of Volunteer Knights Jeanelle Louis said. “She puts others first and strives to do her best.”

Next year, Bailey will attend Mizzou to study biology.

She wants to be a physician’s assistant. She wants to keep cheering for others. She wants to keep helping.

“I want to be a physician’s assistant because I really love biology and anatomy,” Bailey said. “I think it’s really cool because you get to see how the body works and how it’s all inside of someone else, and you get to help others.”

Brittany Mathis, 10

Lauren Bartram, 10

Evan Miller, 11

Known for: Playing video games

Known for: Playing volleyball

Known for: Running track

Hidden Trait: Having a short toe

Hidden Trait: Fourwheeling

Hidden Trait: Tae kwon do

“I have a short toe and not a lot of people know that, I guess.”

“I like to go four-wheeling. It’s kind of just relaxing to do and get away from the city life.”

“I do tae kwon do. I think it’s cool because I can defend myself and not many people do it.”

PAGE BY LAUREN PIKE

Healthy hipster

Student screenwriters

The desire for a well-balanced diet inspires a career in nutrition

A pair of friends spend their free time writing movie and TV show scripts

BY LAUREN PIKE

BY BRIANNA MORGAN

laurenpike14@gmail.com

1006briannamorgan@gmail.com

Junior Alex Bohnert sits in the back of her AP Language and Composition class drinking from a bottle filled with murky, greenish liquid. The atypical breakfast smoothie sloshes against the sides of the container while classmates stare in a mixture of disgust and shock. Since July, this known “hipster” has made a not-sowell-known change in her eating habits.

Since her healthy change, “I haven’t always [eaten healthily],” almonds have been one of Alex’s favorites.

Alex said. “I realized that whenever I ate bad, I didn’t feel good. I didn’t move, “I wanted to make macaroons over summer, didn’t work out. Once I realized that, I so I got obsessed with wanted to eat better.” almonds. I made my mom Alex’s vegetarian diet began in July get a 2-pound bag and I go through one a week.” after she came to the realization of the importance of healthy eating. She sticks to a diet mostly composed of fruits, vegetables, and grains, while eating beans and nuts to supplement the protein meat would provide.

“A typical meal -- well sometimes one meal will be fruit,” Alex said. “So either fruit and veggies, or veggies and grains, or fruit and oatmeal. And water. Water is important.”

Stemming from her lifestyle change, Alex became interested in a career in dietetics or as a nutritionist. The idea of being able to change people’s unhealthy eating and encouraging them to eat nourishing, natural foods intrigued her and she wanted to be a part of a positive change in people’s lives.

“I think Alex is very smart and would be good at anything she set her mind too,” sister Lindsay Downey said. “I think she would be great at [being a nutritionist] since she likes nurturing and helping others.”

Along with her healthy eating habits, Alex also tries to stay active. She used to participate in track and cheerleading, but she now bikes in the summer and is looking to try yoga and high intensity training in the future.

“I just think you should nourish yourself with natural foods,” Alex said. “This is your one body. I also just see putting food together as a way of art.”

Alex Groenweghe is the man with the pen, and his ever-present straw, while Tyler Ludwig is the man who voices the characters. These two seniors have written a full-length pilot episode for a satirical comedy called “Sugar Hill”, as well as two unfinished movies. Right now, none of the scripts have gone anywhere.

“I like writing these scripts because it’s a fun way to sit down and joke around and write stuff that’s funny,” Alex said. “It’s just fun.”

Sugar Hill has been their most successful collaboration being as it is their only completely written piece so far. The show is about four unique individuals with eccentric personalities that under normal circumstances wouldn’t interact with one another, but are forced into a group setting. The two have shown off the “Sugar Hill” script to friends and family for feedback and have gotten mixed reviews.

“To talk about both of them as writers, they’re really creative and interesting,” English teacher Jani Wilkens said, “They’re pretty in tune with what’s popular, but they kind of take a twist on that so they don’t really write what you would expect, so it’s more what’s popular but twisted up a little.”

After graduation, the two friends plan to look into finding someone to sell their script for “Sugar Hill” to in order for it to run on television. According to Alex, they plan on finding and making connections through his aunt who works for a production company.

“I think if they meet the right people and get into the right places then I would say yeah, they definitely have a chance of doing something with their work,” Wilkens said.

Not only have they worked together to create films, but they have also done separate work. Alex, who has been writing since his freshman year, has written two complete movies along with five unfinished ones and Tyler has begun writing his first full-length film.

“I think writing is a good way to poke fun at things in society and also work with your creative ideas,” Tyler said.

A healthy snack

Madison Kelly, 11

Angie Barlos, 11

Olivia Williams, 10

Known for: Playing basketball

Known for: Drawing

Known for: Unique music taste

Hidden Trait: Long boarding “It’s a fun way to get around and it’s cool when you go down a big hill into the wind.”

PAGE BY LAUREN PIKE

Hidden Trait: Playing bass guitar “Most people know me for my drawings, but what they don’t know is that I play the bass guitar. ”

Hidden Trait: Playing the Saxophone “On the saxophone I do more jazz type stuff, but I listen to rock ‘n’ roll.”

04.09.14 FHNTODAY.COM 23

Debating detective

Sharpshooter

When not debating on the weekends, one girl sits down to read a good book

This girl relaxes by taking to the woods with a bow in her hand

BY EMMA PURSLEY

BY PRISCILLA JOEL

Sophomore Zoe Lawson is known for her successes with the Speech and Debate team, but when she has time, she sits down with a detective novel and tries to crack the case.

“When I can figure them out it makes me feel smart, and when I can’t, it makes me really surprised,” Zoe said.

Not many people know about Zoe’s love of detective novels. Her interest began in middle school.

More from Agatha Christie “For Spectra, we did a thing called Cougar Cast, and then the “Murder on the Orient portable that had our equipment Express” caught on fire, so our teacher gave us packets of forensic things,” Zoe “Death on the Nile” said, “So that got me interested in “Five Little Pigs” detective novels.”

Zoe estimates that she’s read “The Mystery of the 100 detective novels and can usuBlue Train” ally read one a week depending “Sleeping Murder” on how much free time she has.

“Appointment with Her favorite novel is “The A.B.C. Death” Murders” by Agatha Christie.

“I like the way it’s plotted,” Zoe “Evil Under the Sun” said. “It’s funny without being overbearing. Like most Agatha Christie novels, it has a spectacular ending.”

Although Zoe usually keeps her love for detective novels to herself, it has been a way that she has made friends.

“One of the things that we bonded on was ‘Sherlock Holmes,’” sophomore Sammy Teson said. “I’ve always known that she loved to research stuff and now she introduced me to it too.”

From reading these novels, Zoe has learned to be more observant and to look closer at situations. She tries to apply these skills to her life. Despite these new skills, Zoe doesn’t think being a detective is in her future.

“As much as I love reading about detectives and detective stories, there are other things I like doing more, like being a lawyer or teacher,” Zoe said.

Known for rising early to work on Student Council activities, senior Krista Burris keeps a busy schedule.

However, this well-known girl has a little-known hobby.

Burris likes to go bow hunting to escape her hectic schedule.

“It’s nice to be outside in the outdoors and being able to appreciate nature and everything surrounding you,” Burris said.

Rather than sleeping in, Burris wakes up at 3:30 a.m., even earlier than she usually would on a school day. Then she and her father head out for the woods. Once they reach their spot, Burris and her dad move to their separate stands on opposite sides of the area. The waiting game begins.

“It’s really cool to see the forest wake up around you,” Burris said. “You’re sitting there in the dark, and then the birds start chirping and the sun starts peeking out and the squirrels start running around.”

Burris first started hunting about two years ago and usually goes during the hunting season in September when the best times to bow hunt are early in the morning or later in the evening.

However, animals don’t just show up when a hunter arrives. Hunting requires patience and time. After Burris finds a spot to shoot from, she sits down and waits.

Sometimes it takes a long time for any action to occur, so Burris pulls out a book to pass the time. While reading, she is still aware of the world around her. If Burris hears a shuffle or a breaking branch, she looks up and searches for the source of the noise.

Generally, Burris waits for an animal such as a deer.

When she spots one, she takes a shot, hoping her bow lands at its target. Whether she kills the deer or not, Burris enjoys the experience.

“It’s a good way to bond with my dad,” Burris. “It’s one of the main things we do together.”

emma1996ecp@gmail.com

24 FHNTODAY.COM 04.09.14

Adriene Davidson, 11

Mia Elliot, 10

Jaylen Bolden, 9

Known for: Cheerleading

Known for: Having a loud voice

Known for: Sports fan

Hidden Trait: Can’t ride a bike

Hidden Trait: Mystery Writing

“I’m a cheerleader, but most people don’t know that I can’t ride a bike.”

“I write stuff that makes people think and you have to read between the lines.”

Hidden Trait: Singing “I’m a sports person, but most people don’t know that I like to sing.”

PAGE BY LAUREN PIKE

The dragon slayers A group of guys gets together to play a unique role-playing game

BY BRIANNA MORGAN 1006briannamorgan@gmail.com

Many people may look at senior Tanner Gunnet and immediately think, “Hey, that’s the kid from band.” But what they don’t know is that he and his group of friends are now six months into a game, also called a campaign, of Dungeons & Dragons.

“Some people think it’s nerdy but I’m not ashamed of it,” Tanner said. “It can be nerdy, but it’s something that I enjoy doing.”

Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy table-top role-playing game that is designed to let players complete missions using their custom made adventurers. The players control every aspect of the game and every detail; even the characteristics of their adventurer can have an effect on the outcome of the game. By completing missions, the players gain experience points (XP) in order to level up.

“A lot of people think it’s some sort of satanic ritual or guys dressing up like fairies,” senior Connor Jansen said. “But it’s really mostly dice rolls and just hanging out with your friends.

It’s very unusual for people to dress up, so when someone does, it’s kind of a surprise.”

The game is controlled by a Dungeon Master (DM) who, in this group, is Connor. The Dungeon Master decides what events will take place in the game and the adventurers must find a way to complete the missions.

“After a long time of being the DM, you kind of miss playing in the story,” Connor said. “But at the same time you get to tell the your story.”

The group’s goal is to reach level 20 in order to end the game. Right now, the furthest adventurer is at a level 10, so they don’t expect to be finished with the campaign for another six months, depending on how often they meet together to play.

“My favorite part is probably the social aspect,” Connor said. “You get to stay in with your friends all night and socialize. It’s a lot of fun because we’re all really close friends so it makes the arguments short and the game long.”

The Background: In D&D, the dungeon master creates a world for players to explore and each player makes a character by rolling attributes and then creating a backstory for role-playing purposes.

The DM then introduces the world and then the playing begins. Once the roll is determined then the attribute of you character for the specific role is added to determine the outcome.

How to Play: The Dungeon Master is chosen and creates a campaign (a purpose for the characters and the world that they exist in.)

Each player chooses a character for the world and fabricates its background and key statistics.

A 20-sided die, or d20, is used to determine the actions of players

Player Point of View: “The unique thing about dungeons and dragons is that anything can happen; your group can be the heroes who save the world for the brink of annihilation, or you all could be the villains that bring about such doom.”

-Jacob Gordon, former FHN student “Playing D&D gives you the freedom to be whatever you want. You have the ability to be things you wouldn’t be in real life.”

-Simon Hart, 12

Nick Gehricke, 10

Ausitn Knott, 12

Amanda Orlando, 9

Known for: Being a ginger

Known for: Creating the “Grape Drank” fan club

Known for: Playing soccer

Hidden Trait: Bowling “I don’t tell people. It’s not like football where you play in front of people and it’s a low key sport.”

PAGE BY LAUREN PIKE

Dungeons and Dragons basics

Hidden Trait: Enjoys quarters “I always check the vending machine for quarters.”

Hidden Trait: Enjoys brushing teeth “I have an obsession with brushing my teeth.”

04.09.14 FHNTODAY.COM 25

the barnyard biologist This atypical farm girl balances her full-time job as well as taking care of her animals; Laura Montgomery is dedicated to educating students and running her own farm

BY MATT SCHNEIDER mschneider1996@gmail.com

At precisely 4:24 a.m. every weekday morning, Laura Montgomery’s alarm clock clangs, noisily ending her peaceful slumber. She pulls the bed covers back, sits up, yawns.

She puts on some new clothes, a jacket and shoes, grabs a flashlight and walks out the door. Hours before school starts at FHN, Montgomery is already hard at work.

“Mornings go by kinda fast,” Montgomery said. “I try to get all my chores done as quickly as possible.”

Nugget Best known as an Advanced Placement and Honors Biology teacher at North, Montgomery, affectionately called “Monty” by many of her students, does much more than just plan lessons, grade assignments and write tests. A large portion of her time outside of school is spent running her very own “farm.”

“I have two horses, two dogs, and a cat on about an acre of land,” Montgomery said. “It’s not even big enough to be called a farm, but it’s the perfect Nova size for me.”

Her land may be small, but it still requires large amounts of work. Montgomery’s daily chores include letting her dogs out of the house, checking that the horses are in the barn and then feeding them. And these are only the tasks that must be done before the sun comes up.

“Every morning, I leave and it’s still dark outside,” Montgomery said. “I’m out the door between 5 and 5:30 a.m. Then it’s on to my other job, my main job, at school.”

Some of Montgomery’s responsibilities remain consistent throughout the year, but many vary by the season. In the spring and summer, she spends the majority of her free time

on her tractor, mowing her yard. But even in the sweltering heat, she prefers her summer chores to the challenges of owning large animals in the winter.

“The worst part is getting [the horses] water in the winter,” Montgomery said. “You just can’t do it without getting wet.

And even if it’s freezing outside, you still have to do it. You have to take your gloves off, so your hands get all wet and cold, and it just isn’t pleasant at all.”

Montgomery lives in Elsberry, Missouri, a town with fewer residents than the total number of students and staff at Francis Howell North. Elsberry is located about 35 miles from St. Charles and St. Peters, and Montgomery says her daily commute is usually around one hour and 40 minutes round-trip. “[The commute] is long, but it actually doesn’t bother me,” Montgomery said. “I get to listen to NPR both ways, and I even get ideas for my classes.”

Students often seem to forget that their teachers have lives outside of school, but Montgomery’s life is different from those of most other teachers.

Donna Malkmus, chemistry teacher at FHN, is a friend of Montgomery’s and has visited her farm before, seeing first hand all of the responsibilities and joys of Montgomery’s life outside of school.

“I don’t know how she does it all,” Malkmus said. “But she has such a love for her animals that all this work doesn’t make much of a difference. [Her responsibilities] are worth it because she really loves her animals.”

Although the tasks can be strenuous and repetitive, Montgomery finds her routine very rewarding.

“I don’t like the chores, but I don’t really mind them either,” Montgomery said. “When I go home everyday, I see two magnificent horses run to greet me. Who else can say that?”

Meet the horses Nugget Nova

26 FHNTODAY.COM 04.09.14

This Palomino was adopted from a friend of Monty and was meant to be a “friend” for Monty’s wild mustang

Age: 18

Age: 30 Monty adopted this dark red Soral from the Humane Society after he was rescued from a horse-breeding operation

Quirks: “Nugget is the boss mare, so she’s in charge.”

Quirks: “She’s very distrustful of anyone she’s never seen before, whether it’s a human or other animals.

Reason for Adoption: “I wanted a smaller horse that was well broke for riding and that anyone could ride.”

Reason for Adoption: “Nova’s not really for riding. She’s more of a companion

PAGE BY MADDIE LAUREN HIATT PIKE

The amazing acrobatic anomaly In a mostly female dominated sport, one guy takes on the challenge of gymnastics and applies the lessons he has learned to the other sports he plays now ing,” Max said. “ But I knew it was the right decision because I felt freedom.”

Without gymnastics taking up so much of his week, Max Dattilo takes a deep breath. “You have to scare Max feels free to pursue other interests. Even though Max yourself if you want to be the best,” he thinks as he begins misses gymnastics, he doesn’t believe he will go back. He his routine. High bar is Max’s favorite event to compete believes it would be too hard to get back into such a gruelin gymnastics, and as he completes his final dismount, he ing schedule. releases his grip and flips through the air, defying gravity “I do miss it, but I don’t ever think I will go back,” Max until he sticks his landing. said. “It would be very hard to get back in the swing of But those days are over now. This year, Max has gone things, but not impossible. If I ever did, I think it would be from the gymnastics star to the outgoing because I missed the people more than social butterfly. Max ended his 12-year the sport.” gymnastics career to move on to new finding out about Max’s decision Max’s Gymnastics stats toAfter things when he started high school, but quit, his family was surprised but supleaving gymnastics was not an easy deciAccording to Max, gymnastics ported his decision, and were proud that scores are based on diffision. he was brave enough to try something culty and can range from 1.00“The people were so supportive, and I new.

16.00 based on deductions. loved the adrenaline rush and nerves,” “When Max quit I was very upset 2013: Max was ranked first in Max said. but proud,” Max’s sister Sydney Dattilo the region which is composed Originally Max began gymnastics besaid. “It was what I had always known, of six states: Texas, Missouri, cause his parents were looking for a way going to watch him at his many meets Oklahoma, Arkansas, and to help him get rid of his energy, but it and enjoying his accomplishments. I Louisiana turned into one of his greatest passions. was so proud, though, because he made “[Gymnastics] wasn’t my decision,” Max a very tough decision for himself that I Medals won: over 100 said. “My parents put me in it because I wouldn’t have been able to make.” was super hyper as a kid, and they wanted Gymnastics may be over for Max, to burn off my energy, then I fell in love but he has still reaped its benefits—not with it.” only in sports but in his life outside of Although it was a love of his, Max still had a fear of beathletics. ing judged, and he was teased because gymnastics is not “It taught me so much,” Max said. “I learned to be something most people think of as a male sport. dedicated, committed, and focused on my goals. I was also “I wasn’t playing the same sports as everyone else, so physically ready for anything a sport had to throw at me. some people judged me for being different,” Max said.

But honestly it taught me to be who I am today.”

When Max started at FHN, he decided that gymnastics Max has lived by one motto since he quit gymnastics, was taking up too much time in his life. The 24 hour a and he has his coach to thank for that. week practices didn’t let him try new things. So he gave it “The last thing my coach ever told me before I walked up in pursuit of things like football and baseball, but it was out of the gym forever was ‘Don’t be ordinary,’” Max said. hard to make the adjustment.

“And that is the one thing that I live by each and every “I was really sad, and it felt like a part of me was missday.”

BY EMMA PURSLEY emma1996ecp@gmail.com

read more stories on fhntoday.com Gabe Grote, 11 Known for: Playing Basketball Hidden Trait: Avid Reader

PAGE BY LAUREN MADDIE HIATT PIKE

Maria Michalski, 10 Known for: Being from Russia Hidden Trait: Drawing

Marissa Meyers, 10 Known for: Being in High School Musical Hidden Trait: Babysitting

04.09.14 FHNTODAY.COM 27

5/31/14

Senior David Prost catches a ball on home plate during a practice. This is Prost’s third and final year on Varsity. Varsity Baseball’s next home game is against Wentzville and Timberland on April 15. (matt krieg)

30 FHNTODAY.COM 04.09.14

PAGE BY MAGGIE TORBECK

BEHIND HOME

Beginning baseball at a young age set up David Prost for success as a player in college

BY EMMA PURSLEY emma1996ecp@gmail.com

D

avid Prost crouches behind home plate, glove open, ready for the pitcher to throw the ball. The snap of the leather rings through the air as David’s hand closes: strike one. This year will mark David’s third and final year on FHN’s Varsity Baseball team. He believes baseball is one of the most important things in his life, and it’s what he spends most of his time doing.

“It’s what I love to do,” David said. “When I get out on the field, everything else goes away; it’s just me and baseball.”

David accepted a full-ride scholarship to Meramec St. Louis Community College in St. Louis where he hopes to continue to improve until he can move on to the next step.

“Hopefully, I’ll move on to the next level after a year of junior college, and then I’ll Senior David Prost removes his helmet as he runs to homeplate to celebrate with teameither get drafted or go to play for a four-year school,” David said. mates after hitting a two run home run to left center field on March 21, at Fort Zumwalt Not only was David offered a scholarship for his athletic abilities, he received a full South in the Troy Tournament. Prost was 2-3 in the game with three RBIs, a walk, and was ride due to academics as well. hit by a pitch. The Knights beat the Bulldogs with the score of 13-12. (matt krieg) “I work really hard,” David said. “I got a full ride academically and for athletics. I work hard on the field and in the classroom.”

“He’s a good teammate; he doesn’t like to lose and is willing to work harder in order Usually athletes have to contact scouts, or the scouts find the players by a happy accito win,” David’s teammate for six years senior Andrew Curran said. dent, but in this case Meramec College found David and then came to scout his games.

Andrew doesn’t just think that David’s mindset will be helpful, he also believes in the “There were other scouts at a couple of my games but Meramec came and found me potential of his athletic talents as well. Andrew knows that David’s talent is what so we could schedule a college visit,” David said. will help contribute to the winning of games and will help the team excel as a David finds inspiration for baseball in MLB players Dustin Pedroia and Evan whole.

Longoria. David’s two favorite baseball players play on his two favorite “He’ll be a good bat to have in the middle of the lineup,” Andrew said. teams; Dustin Pedroia plays for The Boston Red Sox and Evan Longoria In addition to David’s abilities on the baseball field, he is seen as a plays for The Tampa Bay Rays. They are his favorite players because they leader as he demands the attention and respect of his teammates in are talented but aren’t known by every baseball fan and aren’t the most games and practices. popular in the MLB. “David has a good work ethic,” senior Tyler Ferguson said. “He lets “I feel like they work really hard toward their sports, but they’re not big everyone know where they need to be when he’s catching.” (this season, shots like Albert Pujols,” David said. “But they’re still studs on the field.”

David has been playing with some of his teammates, like Tyler, since as of press time) Although David has players that he looks up to in the MLB, his greatmiddle school, and he appreciates having the opportunity to lead them est inspiration is his dad, Dave Prost. David’s father has supported him and be a model for the team. David believes that his past experience Average: .444 through his entire career so far and has motivated him to work hard and with baseball is what helped him become the leader that he is now. succeed. As David moves on to baseball in college, his father will continue “I like having the leadership role,” David said. “I know what playing is Singles: 5 to support him and to push him to do well as he attempts to further his like. A lot of the guys look up to me. I don’t want to sound cocky, but a career. lot of them I’ve been playing with for a really long time, and they like me Doubles: 2 “My dad played baseball and he wants me to succeed even further than on and off the field.”

Home runs: 1 he did,” David said. “My dad has supported me my entire life and he’s But even with all of his leadership skills and athletic ability, David always pushing me through baseball.” isn’t perfect and since he tends to focus on his imperfections, he has to RBI: 7 After growing up watching his father play, baseball was one of the most work extra hard to make sure that he can fix the mistakes he makes in his important things in David’s life, which is why David’s father is his biggest practices and games. inspiration.

“I think he’s a little too hard on himself sometimes,” Tyler said. “But he “My dad played when he was younger and even made a career out of it until he had handles it by working harder in practices.” too many problems with his knee,” David said. “He motivated me to play by taking me People notice that David is too hard on himself at times and they try to make him to his practices, and by wanting me to do better than he did.” remember his talents, and although David works on not being as hard on himself, he Teammates are some of the best and most important support systems when it comes can’t help it whenever he makes a mistake or if his accomplishments aren’t up to his to being a part of a team, they even create friendships that can a last a lifetime. David’s usual standards. teammates support him and value what he brings to the team in terms of his work ethic, “I’m hard on myself because I know what I’m capable of and when I do bad I criticize and his motivation to win. myself,” David said. “People criticize me for it and I try to do better but it’s hard.”

STATS

PAGE BY MAGGIE TORBECK

04.09.14 FHNTODAY.COM 31

S

RECENT SCORES (as of press time)

Baseball

3/22 SC West 13-9 W 3/26 FZ North 7-12 L

3/26 Holt 1-6 L 4/1 Hickman 0-11 L

Boys’ Volleyball

3/29 Lindbergh 1-2 L

3/29 PW Central 0-2 L 4/1 Howell 0-2 L

4/2 De Smet 0-2 L Senior, Megan Oostendorp, kicks a ball in a game against the Fort Zumwalt West Jaguars for their second game of the season, after facing defeat against St. Dominic 4 to 0 on the 24th, and celebrated their first win. (matt krieg)

GETTING PAID TO PLAY Two seniors earn college scholarships for their impressive performances on the soccer field

BY GARRET GRIFFIN ggriifin@gmail.com

Megan Oostendorp and Erin Kelly, Varsity Girls’ Soccer players, each earned a sports college scholarship. Oostendorp will be attending Truman State University and Kelly will be attending Culver Stockton College.

“It really helps with the cost and it allows me to fulfill my dream of playing college soccer,” Oostendorp said.

After playing for most of their lives, both seniors are excited about their accomplishment, but they give credit to past players for their experience and leadership.

“The sports scholarship means the most because I really wanted to play in college and that was the final decision on which college to go to,” Kelly said.

GETTING BACK ON THE GREEN This year, the Varsity Boys’ Golf team hopes to have another good season after placing third in GAC’s and sending one player to Sectionals last season. The team is determined to meet all of their goals for this season and advance far.

“We want to make it to State as a team this year, ” Varsity Golfer AJ Porter said. “Our goals for this season are to become more unified as a team, maintain good ethics.”

The team is focusing on the basics of the game and working hard in practice.

“We are improving on our work ethic overall by trying to come up with better quality scores,” Varsity Golfer Cody Pingleton said. (brief by rodney malone)

32 FHNTODAY.COM 02.19.14

On April 15th, 2013 Junior Kyle Melchoir nearly misses a putt in a match against Fort Zumwalt West. (cameron mccarty)

Tennis

3/26 Howell 7-2

Track: 100 M DASH 1. Casie Pierce 13.62 2. Autumn Todd 13.92

3. Emma Gordon 16.07

Girls’ Soccer

3/24 St. Dominic 0-4 L 3/26 FZ West 7-1 W

Sophomore David Hood attempts to block a ball dring the first game of he season against Fort Zumwalt North. (jenna rodriguez)

TOUGH CHOICES

Sophomore David Hood played for the Freshman Basketball team last year, but did not try out this year due to volleyball and basketball having conflicting seasons.

In the winter, Hood played for a club volleyball team called High Performance. He felt that if he tried to play basketball and club volleyball it would be too much for him, so he chose High Performance Volleyball over basketball. Hood made the JV Volleyball team at FHN. “It just felt like I was continuing my first season of Volleyball,” Hood said.

2

3/27 Incarnate 1-2 L

3/31 FZ South 2-0 W 4/1 Troy 4-1 W

(brief by garret griffin)

GAMES WON

BREAKING THE STREAK After a rough start to the season, Varsity Baseball attempts to break its threegame losing streak. With a record of 2-4 as of press time, the boys are working hard during practice to improve their fielding and pitching.

“The team is working on the fundamentals and is really working our mental aspect of the game so we can hopefully go to State,” pitcher Tyler Farlow said. (brief by rodney malone)

PAGE BY RODNEY MALONE AND GARRET GRIFFIN

Senior Evan Dickherber gets ready to return a ball during last seasons match against St. Charles West. Due to the bad weather on that day, the players were allowed to leave after their match. The Knights won. (file photo)

PLAN TO WIN IT ALL

BY GARRET GRIFFIN ggriifin@gmail.com

Boys’ Tennis is expecting to win the Holt Invitational as a repeat of last season’s performance.

With the Holt Invitational coming up on April 11-12 , the JV and Varsity Coach Kate Kleiber expects nothing but the best for Boys’ Tennis. Last year, the team won the Invitational and continued the rest of the season doing well.

“The players have been working hard all winter to be

ready for the season,” Kleiber said.

The team is expecting to repeat the win from Holt last year. In the three years she has been coaching here, Kleiber has never seen players work so hard in the off season before.

“I don’t know that players in the past worked as hard during the off season; all the top players have played all winter,” Kleiber said.

WHAT

SETTING THE BAR HIGH With the excitement of getting new uniforms being switched from Class Four to Class Five next year, the Varsity Track team has high hopes for the season.

“Our biggest goal this season that Doc has set for us is to place first overall in Boys and Girls at GAC’s,” Varsity long distance runner Greg Criswell said.

Along with this goal, the team hopes to make it to Sectionals and go to State as a team. They plan to do this by competing against each other everyday in practice and giving their all in all of their upcoming meets. (brief by rodney malone)

PAGE BY RODNEY MALONE AND GARRET GRIFFIN

TO

WATCH

THURSDAY

GIRLS SOCCER V. HOWELL CENTRAL

HOME GAME AT 6:00 P.M.

FRIDAY “It feels good to be ranked 8th, but it also motivates me to work even harder and get higher in the rankings.”

Sam Ritchie, 11

“My goal for the rest of the season is to qualify for State. Hopefully, at State I place top six so my name can be on the wall with all the other great wrestlers who have wrestled at North.”

AJ Lozada, 11

BASEBALL V. FORT ZUMALT SOUTH

@ ZUMWALT SOUTH AT 4:15 P.M.

SATURDAY

BOYS VOLLEYBALL FHC TOURNAMENT @ HOWELL CENTRAL AT 9:00 A.M.

04.09.14

FHNTODAY.COM 33

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REDEFINING DIETING

Diets are commonly thought of as eating things like whole grains, fruits and vegetables, but some athletes can choose their own form of in-season dieting

Erin Kelly, 12 Soccer, 14 Years Breakfast: 1 cup of Cheerios: 100 calories ½ cup 2% milk: 61 calories

Timothy Bries, 11 Track, 2.5 Years

Collin Griffin, 10 Tennis, 1 Year

Breakfast: 1 cup of Cheerios: 100 calories

Breakfast: ½ cup of Grape Nuts: 210 calories 1 cup of 1% milk: 110 calories

Lunch: Peanut Butter and Jelly Uncrustables: 320 calories Honey Crisp Apple: 72 calories

Lunch: Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli: 260 calories Orange: 87 calories 1 cup carrots: 52 calories

Pre-game: Pepperoni Pizza: 280 calories

Pre-game: ¾ cup cereal: 100 calories

Post-game: Big Mac Meal, with Medium fries and Diet Coke: 930 calories Vanilla ice cream cone: 170 calories

Post-game: Banana: 85 calories Turkey, Ham, and cheese sandwich: 230 calories

Activity: 30 minutes of soccer: 322 calories “I love being able to eat whatever I want without feeling guilty, but sometimes it slows me down.”

-Erin Kelly, 12

TOP HEALTH APPS

Activity: 30 minutes of running: 434 calories

“Running is a sport where the little things count and eating healthy is just as important as showing up to practice every day.”

-Timothy Bries, 11

Lunch: 2 beef soft tacos: 500 calories 1 cup of 1% milk: 110 calories Dinner: Tyson Chicken Breast: 220 calories 1 cup mixed vegetables: 35 calories

MyFitnessPal FREE Track calorie intake through this free application that allows the user to access a database of the caloric content of various types of food.

Snacks: 3 Clementines: 105 calories 3 cups baby carrots: 75 calories 32 oz of Gatorade: 214 calories Activity: 30 minutes of tennis: 257 calories “It helps me have enough energy to keep playing through the match without getting tired.”

-Collin Griffin, 10

Zombies! Run! $3.99 Motivate yourself to run faster with these zombie noises. The louder they get, the faster you must move, giving you a better workout.

MLB’S NEW RULE CHANGE HITS HOME

The welcome addition of the new instant replay rule in Major League Baseball will allow officials to improve consistency and fairness during this season’s games

BY MAGGIE TORBECK

mtorbeck068@gmail.com • @MaggiexTorbeck

At the beginning of 2014, myself, along with countless other baseball fans, rejoiced when a board of MLB officials announced that a new instant replay system would be implemented into the league. The new rule states that each manager starts with one challenge per game. Managers can challenge a variety of calls in order for them to be reviewed in MLB’s New York Replay Command Center. If he uses his challenge, and it gets accepted by the umpires, he is given an extra challenge. If the umpires reject the challenge, then the manager doesn’t have any more chances to challenge a play for the remainder of the game.

PAGE BY ELISABETH CONDON

When I first heard the announcement, I was elated, but at the same time skeptical of how this massive game changer would be executed. When I watched the Cubs and Pirates game, the first game of the 2014 season where an instant replay was used, my expectations were met. Cubs manager Rick Renteria appealed an umpire’s out call at first base after a double play. The challenge was accepted for review at the Replay Command Center, and only 90 seconds later, the replay board members declared that the runner was in fact out.

I was glad to see that the board worked hard to make their call as quickly and as fairly as possible and that the mistake was corrected. I hope that I will be seeing more of that in this season of baseball.

04.09.14 FHNTODAY.COM 35

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GET TO KNOW SOME...

FIELD ATHLETES Here’s a look at some of North’s field athletes and their hopes for the season ANDREW SCHERFF, 12

“ Vaulting is a feeling like nothing else; no other sport do you stick a pole in the ground and fly. It’s like flying or skydiving, and it’s very competitive with everyone which is really fun.”

Event: Pole Vault PR: 13 feet 3 inches Years Vaulting: 4

SHERISE MELVIN, 11

“The team is going pretty well, we have a lot of new faces and it’s nice to see them.”

Events: Shot Put and Discus PR: Discus, 81 feet Years Throwing: 5

DANIEL INGLE, 12 “By the end of this season, I’m hoping to go to State by practicing hard and trying to move up the poles fast.”

Event: Pole Vault PR: 11 feet 6 inches Years Vaulting: 4

RYAN HYDE, 11

“We’re making a lot of progress and have a good future in the program.”

Events: Shot put and Discus PR: Discus, 84 feet Years Throwing: 3

36 FHNTODAY.COM 04.09.14

Jumping coach Jackie Hall runs in the GO! Saint Louis Marathon. She broke the record with a time on 33:43, which qualified her for the oppertunity to try out for the USA 2012 Summer Olympic team. (photos submitted)

JUMPING INTO SUCCESS A well acclaimed and decorated distance runner takes strays away from her traditional coaching role and takes a different kind of coaching style

BY BRENDA ALVARADO

brenduhalvarado@gmail.com • @brenduhalvarado

It’s 2:20 p.m., she’s got to go. There are girls waiting on her. Jackie Hall leaves her seventh hour English class along with her students, quickly hops in her car, leaves McCluer North and heads to FHN to coach jumps.

“She’s never jumped before but she knows track, and when you know track, you know track,” Head Track Coach Gregory Hennefent said.

Since fifth grade, Jackie has been around track. At only eight years old, she was a part of the year-round track club St. Charles Cyclones as a distance runner.

“When I started out, I wasn’t that good,” Jackie said. “I kept at it because I liked the people and the social aspect. It wasn’t until freshman year that I got good.”

Jackie’s senior year, her 4x800 meter relay team became State Champions.

“I knew all the girls from the Cyclones,” Jackie said.

“It was fun and exciting to win State with your best friends.”

She went on to run at Mizzou for two years, but because of frequent injuries, she took a break.

“After Mizzou, I transferred to Lindenwood and I ran there for a while,” Jackie said. “I liked it, but it just wasn’t the same.”

And for a while, that was Jackie Hall’s running career. She had become so focused on other things, like her daughter, Madeline, that she didn’t run for a while.

Then she got an idea.

A pretty outrageous idea.

She was going to run a marathon.

26.2 miles.

By this point in her career, the longest race Jackie had run was a 10K, 6.2 miles, in collegiate Cross Country.

All her life, she had been running with a team, and

she missed it.

So she decided to make her own.

“When I started running again, I noticed that other people had teams,”Jackie said. “They had the social aspect of the sport and I really missed that.”

Jackie created Runnababez Elite with her friend Lisa Cary for the sole reason of having a club where elite female runners could run and train together.

They currently have six elite runners and are sponsored by Fleet Feet and Adidas. It was through this club that Jackie realized, like her freshman year of high school, that she might be good at this too. In April, she won, and holds the record for the GO! Saint Louis Marathon, with a time of 33:43. This qualified her for the Olympic time trials in the marathon. She trained for the time trial, which was held in Houston for months.

When the time trial finally rolled around, and she found herself standing on the line, gun about to shoot, she was nervous, but she was ready.

The top 25 qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Jackie finished 70th.

With this lifelong experience with track, Jackie hopes to coach these jumpers. When she heard about the opening at North, she was eager to become a part of North’s track program. Although Jackie herself has never been a jumper, her husband is a jumper and many of the Runnababez have had experience.

She knows jumps is a different, more power-driven and she plans on incorporating this into her coaching style. At practices they jump and work on technique, as well as sometimes doing stair workouts.

“She’s taught me how to take my steps and take flight,” sophomore Lauren Bartam said. “I like her as a coach.”

At the first meet of the season, the FZW Invitational, sophomore Autumn Todd won the JV High Jump and junior Cynthia Cahall got second in the long jump.

PAGE BY MELISSA LUKES

SENIOR SWITCH-UP Senior Jessica Walker starts pole vault for the first time, replacing her previous pastime as an FHN cheerleader

BY MELISSA LUKES

ROLLING TO THE TOP

•

Congrats to @coach_ddavis (coach of the year) @sirwhite (2nd team) and @Gleeson25 (1st team POY) on GAC end of season awards

@FHNfootball4 FHN Football

•

“Champions are made in the off season”

@DScarbrough Derrick Scarbrough

•

Senior Jessie Walker practices every day after school with the rest of the track and field team. The track team held their mock meet on March 13. The mock meet encourages athletes to practice their events in a in a competition setting for the first time of the season. (abby temper)

Roller hockey practices hard as they begin what they hope to be a successful season

BY ERIKA PAAR

erikakristine101@gmail.com • @curliegirlie101

The FHN Roller Hockey team hopes to continue last year’s streak of winning State.

The team practices for their spring season on Wednesday’s from 8-9 p.m. at Mattson Square Garden. Their first game was Friday, March 7 against FHC; they won 9-4. Since then they have won five out of their six games played, sophomore Mitchell Carlson anticipates exciting games to come.

“I think we will [have] a great season,” Carlson PAGE BY EMMA PURSLEY

FHNGameDay Tag your all of your sports posts with #FHNGameday to see your tweet, photos or video featured here

lukes.melissa@gmail.com • @randomhyperness

Since age four, Jessie Walker has spent most of her time cheering. But as her senior year comes to an end, she has decided to try something new: the extreme, adrenaline-rushing sport of pole vault.

“I wanted to switch things up for senior year,” Jessie said. “I’ve seen it done, and it looked fun. Alexis [Happe] told me to join track and one of my other friends suggested pole vaulting last year, so I did it this year.”

Pole vault consists of using a long, flexible pole to fling oneself over a bar at a set height. Vaulters will get three tries to clear the vault, and if it’s cleared, the bar is raised. The team with the highest clearance wins the competition.

“It’s a very skilled activity, so it takes some time to learn everything you need to be able to put it together,” Assistant Track Coach Dawn Hahn said.

Although keeping up in a new sport may be difficult, Jessie is hoping to keep up with returning vaulters as they progress. She plans on improving her skills by working out to build muscle and getting feedback from teammates. Despite the help she will be receiving, being a newcomer can still be nerve-racking.

“I’m definitely nervous about the fact that I’ve never done it before and most of the others have,” Walker said. “I don’t want to look like a slacker and I hope I can pick up on it easy.”

New vaulters tend to struggle with the difficulty level and intensity of the sport. Many people believe that pole vault is mainly about the ability to hold oneself up, but according to experienced vaulter Andrew Scherff, it’s all about technique.

“You have to practice a lot,” Scherff said. “You have to learn not to rely on strength but use the technique and momentum.”

Jessie plans on watching pole vault videos to help her understand how to use momentum to her advantage and to perfect her technique. She also asks for tips from other vaulters on how she can improve and fix her mistakes. Despite the work it’ll take, Jessie is looking forward to honing the skills it takes to pole vault.

“I’ve heard it’s harder than it looks but I want to pick up on a new skill,” Jessie said. “It’s good physical exercise and I enjoy being with the people on the team.”

#

WATCH Use the link http://goo.gl/FoKdFn to see a video of how the team is doing so far

said.

In practice, they have been working on power plays, penalty kills and conditioning. Power plays are where one team gets a penalty, so they have three players in the rink and the other team has four. A penalty kill is when a team is short a player. To be prepared for anything that could possibly happen, they are practicing these drills.

The team is excited for this season and hopes their hard work will pay off, similar to last year.

“The team is usually really good,” senior Brendan Christensen said. “I think we can make it really far this year.”

I seriously love soccer so much. Soccer soccer soccer #dedication

@KatyyKat Kaitlin Isbell

•

DISTRICT CHAMPS! DISTRICT CHAMPS! DISTRICT CHAMPS!!!

@TheGoonies_14 FHN Goonies

04.09.14 FHNTODAY.COM 37

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Prom ‘14

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Buy your yearbook for $65 at: Room 026 FHNtoday.com Main Office

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COMING SOON TO A THEATER NEAR YOU

RIO 2

OCULUS

DRAFT DAY

A sequel to the family-friendly musical movie about the adventures of two blue macaw birds and their three children.

After her brother was convicted of murder, a lady tries to pin the blame of the incident on a supernatural cause.

The General Manager of the Cleveland Browns struggles with the duty of having to choose the number one draft pick for his team.

April 11

April 11

HOLLYWOOD’S LACK OF

April 11

The Cast of “Divergent”

DIVERGENCE

Shailene WoodleyBeatrice “Tris” Prior Theo JamesTobias “Four” Eaton

“Divergent” has one of the most ironic titles this year, given that it definitely has its place in Hollywood

Kate WinsletJeanine Matthews Ansel ElgortCaleb Prior, Tris’ brother

BY DAN STEWART danstewart130@gmail.com • @DanStewRocks

I

Ashley Judd- Natalie Prior, Tris and Caleb’s mother

PG-13

Ray StevensonMarcus Eaton, Abnegation leader

n “Divergent,” a post-apocalyptic Chicago is divided into five factions. When teens come of age, they must take an aptitude test to help choose their faction based on their personality. Those who receive inconclusive results, or in other words are impossible to sort, are known as “Divergents.”

These days, Hollywood is also divided into factions. “Divergent” happens to fit into the category that also contains “The Hunger Games,” “Twilight,” and upcoming titles “The Giver” and “The Maze Runner.” Unfortunately, the majority of “Divergent” is derivative, particularly of “The Hunger Games.” Both films follow strong teen female leads who come from humble beginnings and ultimately rise to fight the powers that be.

This immediately discredits “Divergent,” making it appear as a complete cash-in by the studio.

It’s not that “Divergent” doesn’t make an effort, it feels, at least for the first half, like a veritable sci-fi adventure that, if not for its backdrop of Hollywood today, might actually be a lot more acceptable. The first half shows the main character, Tris (Shailene Woodley), as she chooses to leave her family’s faction, Abnegation, for the faction of the brave, Dauntless. While in Dauntless, Tris faces training exercises and battles that test her bravery and fearlessness. This portion of the film is fun and compelling entertainment. Then, when Tris becomes romantically entangled with her group’s leader, Four (Theo James), the film plunges

WHICH FACTION ARE YOU IN?

Tony GoldwynAndrew Prior, Tris and Caleb’s dad

into full teen drama territory. Romance for romance’s sake that derails the fun of the film in place of melodrama. The second half is much more focused on the “Divergents” who, for the vague reason of “they undermine the order of the faction system,” need to be destroyed by the leaders of the city. It plays out with predictability, and one particularly cheesy line: “You really are Dauntless... No, I’M DIVERGENT!” In all, this film can be filed away under the weirdly popular “disposable young adult sci-fi” section. Whether it’s a superhero flick, a cliche horror movie, or a rom-com, these days, each film seems to have it’s faction. What Hollywood needs is more “Divergents.” More films that don’t fit in, that show creativity and thought, instead of the mediocre cash-ins that are dominating theaters.

Choose the letter next to the answer that describes you best; the letter you get the most of is your faction

You spend most of your time: When in a conflict with someone you: A) Back down; you don’t like conflict and A) Volunteering B) None of the items listed would rather avoid it B) Say everything bad you know about the C) Outside D) Reading/researching person C) Try your best to come to a compromise E) Exploring new places or things D) Insult them with words they don’t You want people to see you as someone understand who is: E) Defend yourself in any way you can A) Selfless B) Honest C) Kind D) Smart E) Brave It is important to tell the truth: The main cause for corruption in our A) As long as the truth helps some society is: one A) Vanity B) Always! No exceptions.

B) Lies and deceit C) Unless it would harm someone, C) People being unkind to one another yes D) Ignorance D) When you get something out of it E) If it’s an important truth E) Cowardice

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Mostly As: Abnegation Values selflessness

Mostly Cs: Amity

Mostly Bs: Candor Values honesty

Mostly Ds: Erudite

Values peace and kindness

Values knowledge

If you got a tie for multiple factions, you are:

Values bravery and courage

Mostly Es: Dauntless

PAGE BY LEXI WILKINSON

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL

TRANSCENDENCE

BEARS

BRICK MANSIONS

Based on the novel by Todd Burpo, this movie follows the journey of a small boy to heaven and back.

Johnny Depp stars in this film, portraying a terminally ill scientist who downloads his mind into a computer.

Just in time for Earth Day, Disneynature releases its newest documentary, featuring these furry creatures.

Featuring Paul Walker, this movie highlights the crazy work on an undercover cop.

Explosives included.

April 16

April 17

NEW BAND SURPRISES LISTENERS

Listeners of alternative music can find themselves dancing along to this band of talented artists

BY KYLEIGH KRISTENSEN kyleigh1318@gmail.com • @kyleigh13_

All My Vices is a fun, talented, and upbeat alternative band that is from O’Fallon and has been active for about a year and a half. Even though I’m more of a heavy music fan, they won me over with their catchy lyrics and intricate guitar pieces.

Anyone who loves dancing and is into the alternative genre would have a really great time at one of their shows. Musically, they’re solid -- they’re a truly talented group -- but, even so, I just wouldn’t listen to them in my free time because of the kind of music I like.

The vocalist has a nice voice and the drummer is really good at keeping time and allowing the band to have a nice consistent beat in their songs. I also liked both the guitar and bass pieces.

Get to know the Band Nick Guiffrida- keyboard, bass, & backup vocals Daniel Day- lead guitar & vocals Michael Alison- drums & writer Andrew Davenport- guitar & lead vocals Click the link goo.gl/wIuy73 to view the band’s YouTube channel to watch videos and read information about performances

Although I’m not All My Vices’ biggest fan, I would recommend seeing one of their shows because of the energy they portray on stage. To find out when one of their shows are and to give the band a listen yourself, you can visit either their Facebook or Twitter page.

HOT DOGS ON THE HILL

BY ERIKA PAAR

erikakristine101@gmail.com • @curliegirlie101

Steve’s Hot Dogs on the Hill is located at 2131 Marconi Ave, St Louis, MO (ashleigh jenkins)

PAGE BY DAVID MCFEELY

Steve’s Hot Dogs on the Click the link goo.gl/PwpUJO to watch a video featuring Steve’s Hot Dogs on Hill features a variety of the Hill unique hot dogs. I had the Gorilla Mac & Cheese, which may sound weird, but it tasted amazing. There were many flavors going with the mac and cheese. The bacon and Italian roll as a bun made it an explosion in my mouth.

In addition to the food, the atmosphere of the place was welcoming. Record sleeves decorating the restaurant and a warm glow of orange walls gave the place a family feel.

They also had great service; they got orders out fast and were happy to do it. They not only have hot dogs, though. There were also bratwurst and Italian sausage, and a build-your-own hot dog option if you didn’t like any of their creations.

The downsides of limited parking and confusing roads on The Hill were outweighed by the great food, fast service and the unique, fun experience it offers.

April 18

April 25

TECH REVIEW

CRASH COURSE Vlogbrothers educate students on a variety of topics

BY SOPHIE GORDON

smgordon14@gmail.com • @sophgordon

Hank and John Green have teamed up again to create educational videos for YouTube viewers. These videos make learning fun, and I find myself wanting to learn more about U.S. history because I like how John summarizes it. Teachers ought to use these videos to supplement their lessons.

Hank teaches the sciences--biology, chemistry, ecology and psychology-while John teaches literature, world history and U.S. history. Each video lasts about 10-15 minutes and introduces a new subject in the topic. The scripts for the show are created with help from professionals in the fields of study, so I always feel as though I’m getting accurate information.

Each video includes features such as the Mystery Document, a portion of the show where John must guess the author of a document or be electrically shocked, and the Biolography, where Hank reads information about the scientist behind the theory.

These features make the videos more interesting, and I find myself actually paying attention to the information.

Teachers should take advantage of these videos. The summaries are perfect for reviewing or previewing a unit, and the Green brothers are easy to understand. With more videos like these, students will want to learn again. Two of the Crash Course series are available on DVD: Biology and World History. They can be purchased on dftba.com for $60, and the purchase is well worth it.

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NEW CENTURY, NEW HITLER Atrocities taking place in North Korea today echo those in Nazi Germany; the world needs to step up and end the horrors

BY MATT SCHNEIDER mschneider1996@gmail.com

@HeyYoMateo

A leader with a mind ruthlessly intent on power. A population deeply devoted to its ruler. A governmental system efficiently and savagely capable of eliminating any internal dissent and opposition.

These elements of totalitarian dictatorships have remained remarkably consistent throughout time, from ancient Rome to the Soviet Union. Dictators, including Adolf Hitler, Mao Zedong and Saddam Hussein, are responsible for some of the most reprehensible crimes in human history. North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un and his predecessors Kim Jong-Il (his father) and Kim Il-Sung (his grandfather) seem destined to join this evil group.

Researched for an entire year, a report from the United Nations Human Rights Councils released in March 2014 details the ongoing human rights violations in North Korea, known officially as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Over the last few decades, the UN report found, the DPRK has committed “a systematic and widespread attack against all populations that are considered to pose a threat to the political system and leadership.”

The UN estimates that 120,000 North Koreans are currently held in kwan-li-so, or political prison labor camps.

In February, Human Rights Watch (HRW), an international non-governmental organization, released a short documentary film, “North Korea: Accounts from Camp Survivors,” featuring interviews with former prisoners and guards at some of the kwan-li-so camps. The events these ex-detainees describe are horrifying: beatings, forced starvations, and public executions. The UN report also charges the North Korean government with “murder, enslavement, torture,... rape, forced abortions and other sexual violence.”

One particularly disgusting aspect of the kwan-li-so system is the policy of “guilt by association.” According to prisoners and guards interviewed for the documentary, if a person is accused of treason by the North Korean government, that individual is not the only person detained; three generations of the accused’s family are also imprisoned. Children are arbitrarily taken captive for the “treasonous” acts of their grandparents and grow up in the miserable, harrowing environment of these secluded compounds. Even worse is the perverse ritual that occurs when new prisoner-families arrive in the kwan-li-so camps.

In the HRW film, a former camp jail-guard said the initial prisoner is bound to a stake and shot at by a firing squad. “If family members or friends of the condemned cry at the execution, they are arrested on the spot and sent to the detention center to be executed,” Ahn Myung-chul, the guard, said.

The brutality in the DPRK is among the worst in the world, with the kwan-liso camps calling to mind the concentration camps of Nazi Germany and gulags of Soviet Russia. When abuses like these happened in the past, the world excused its inaction by saying these crimes were secret and unknown -- how could the global community stop the Holocaust, for instance, without knowing it was happening? This time, however, is different. “There will be no excusing a failure of action because we didn’t know,” Michael Kirby, head of the UN’s special commission, said in a February 2014 press conference. “We do know.”

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(photo illustration by cameron mccarty)

Is the world content to let another Holocaust happen under its radar?

Though the crimes against humanity perpetrated by the North Korean government haven’t yet reached the scale and scope of Hitler’s, continual global indifference to the plight of the North Korean victims only perpetuates these criminal, unjust actions.

Now that the world is no longer ignorant to the injustices in North Korea, the global community has the responsibility to do something, to attempt to end these violations of essential human rights. As Kenneth Roth, an executive director at HRW, points out, the international spotlight on North Korea focuses primarily on the threat of nuclear weapon development. It is time for governments around the world, including the U.S., to be as concerned with glaring human rights violations as potential nuclear proliferation. For every one missile test, thousands of innocent North Koreans are held captive, tortured, or killed. This time, as the UN’s Michael Kirby said, “there will be no excusing a failure of action.”

PAGE BY BRITTANY STECK

Missouri’s death penalty drug of choice may be violating the eighth amendment rights of prisoners. (ashleigh jenkins)

DEATH PENALTY LAWS RAISE SUSPICION Secrets within capital punishment laws brought into the light

BY BRITTANY STECK

lethal injection. I applaud the lawmakers who have unsheathed this shady mystery and support them in their acts to uncover the truth. The drug was Capital punishment is currently a hot topic of reported to cause the inmates pain and suffering for debate in Missouri. Within the last few months, up to 26 minutes; this violates the law against cruel many death penalty cases in Missouri have been apand unusual punishment. pealed due to a change in the lethal-injection drug By taking a second look at how the injections used for death-row inmates. The drug came from a work, we are allowing for justice to continue within non-FDA approved pharmacy in Oklahoma; this our court system. Even though they committed caused debate and suspicions on harsh and violent crimes, we do whether or not Missouri was cornot need to stoop to the level of the rectly and lawfully handling capital inmates by punishing them in harsh Text 878010 to 37607 if punishment deaths. The confusion ways. As a legal system, we need to you agree with and secrecy behind the drug is remain objective when handling Brittany’s argument or causing lawmakers to take a second text 878011 to 37607 if such cases, rather than letting emolook at their protocol for this type tions take the wheel. you disagree of event. This is a positive action The lawmakers are suggesting uswithin the field. ing gas chambers or firing squads as Before recent events, the information regarding a temporary fix. This is a good solution. It provides capital punishment and the drugs used to carry out a temporary solution, allows for the judicial process such sentences had been a web of confusing secrets. of cases to continue, and allows for the financial As reported by Politico, lawmakers are upset with burden of death row inmates to be less on state the “excess secrecy” surrounding the drugs used for taxpayers.

brittany14steck@gmail.com

@LittleMsBritt

VOTE

A CONTEMPORARY CATHOLIC

The pope has made some undeniable progress in moving the Catholic Church forward since he was elected to the position in March of 2013

BY LEXI WILKINSON lexiwilkinson25@gmail.com

@loupy0925

From calling out frivolous spending to washing the feet of Muslims, Pope Francis has certainly proven to be a breath of papal fresh air. His genuine friendliness and emphatic nature have won over even the most right-winged of Catholics while also placating the more liberal Catholics. I have to say I agree with both sides; from a moral standpoint, Pope Francis is doing an excellent job so far.

While some Catholics would say that the pope is straying from “traditional” Catholic values by acting more progressively, such as stating his approval of same-sex civil unions, I would say that it’s wonderful for such an important religious figure to take that stance. By promoting a more open-minded way of thinking, Pope Francis is instilling into a whole new generation of followers that it’s okay to accept people for who they are.

The Catholic Church has a reputation for being judgemental and close-minded, but Pope Francis is

PAGE BY CARLY VOSSMEYER

emphasizing the need for acceptance and empathy, two values that people should uphold regardless of their religion.

The pope has also done some pretty remarkable things in his first year at the helm. He’s focused his energy on helping the poor and being kind to others, even refusing to send away a little boy that ran on stage to hug him during a speech, and has also been caught sneaking out of the Vatican to feed homeless people. Pope Francis was also named TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year in 2013 for his dedication to quickly turning the Church around. The pope doesn’t have an easy job by any means, but he’s so far handled it with grace and a positive attitude. After all his progress in this first year, I can’t wait to see what he does in the years to come. (giulio napoliano)

SHADOWING A PRO:

FLORIST

Paying attention to detail and adding your own flair can improve your work

BY BRITTANY STECK

brittany14steck@gmail.com

@LittleMsBritt

Spring is upon us, and the flowers are full in bloom. Whilst visiting a local floral shop, I was able to shadow a worker who specialized in making floral arrangements for weddings, funerals and special events. This worker taught me a very important lesson about flowers and the impact of detail.

Each day, the florist would come into the shop and begin working on the day’s orders. She would make each purchase individually.

Something unique about this worker was that she would add her own unqiue touch to the arrangement.

While she would pay close attention to each customer’s requests, this worker also added her own flair to each piece of art. In addition to the bright blue and radiant red flowers, she would add special accents such as sparkling beads or bows.

This got me to thinking about my own work ethic. It always seems easier to work by the books, to just give the black and white answer. While it’s nice to stick to the status quo, it is also important to add a little bit of your own personality to every project that you do.

Be it a group assignment for school, an essay for English class, or an art project, don’t be afraid to jazz it up with a little of your own style.

Letting a little bit of yourself shine through everything you do will not only bring a smile to your face, but to the others around you.

04.09.14 FHNTODAY.COM 43

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THE HOT TOPIC OF:

ANNUAL AWARD SHOWS

Many love award shows, but other students prefer to turn off the TV REWARDING THE RICH

AWARDS ARE AWESOME

BY EMMA PURSLEY

BY BRITTANY STECK brittany14steck@gmail.com

• @LittleMsBritt

Entertainment is a part of our everyday lives. We blast music out of our stereos, we tune into our weekly TV shows, and we rewatch our favorite movies dozens of times. Award shows are a chance for these products to be recognized for their impact on the general public. Many believe these threehour programs are a waste of time, but I believe they are a wonderful thing.

For starters, award shows give viewers an opportunity to honor the exceptional works of today’s artists. It is a chance for the everyday man to thank the performers for sharing their passion through their movies, songs and music videos. It is a chance to not only recognize their end products, but to recognize their hard work and dedication in turning visions into reality for the public’s viewing pleasure.

It’s a chance to say “Hey man, nice job.”

In addition to the perks of watching your favorite celebrity take home a statue, there is the entertainment portion of the evening. Hilarious hosts, fabulous presenters, and a multitude of musical acts provide an assortment of dazzling and delightful live performances for viewers at home.

Award shows also offer a chance for people to come together. They present a topic of discussion among friends and family, especially as people post their predictions for winners on social media sites.

I will certainly be tuning into the upcoming award shows this season. I look forward to watching the talented actors, directors, and musical artists shine on stage as they are recognized for their contribution to our everyday lives and our world’s history.

emma1996ecp@gmail.com

VOTE

Text 478139 to 37607 if you agree with Brittany or text 478222 to 37607 if you agree with Emma

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The Oscars, the Golden Globes, the CMAs, and the VMAs. These all have one thing in common: they are a colossal waste of time. The only reason awards shows waste so much airtime is to put all the overpaid entertainers in a room so they can celebrate their money and inflate their egos.

The public already spends millions of dollars on movie tickets alone every year, and now they are expected to sit at home and watch a three-hour show about how these actors are so amazing, as if the actors’ paychecks don’t speak for themselves.

I’m not saying that being an actor is the easiest thing in the world, but honestly Leonardo DiCaprio just spent $5.2 million on a house. That doesn’t sound like someone who needs a small statue to remind him of the work he’s done.

The real heroes of the world, those that risk their lives everyday for the freedom of this country, don’t get their own televised award show, in fact, they’re barely acknowledged for their work. But now a movie who broke a record for the most F-words is getting recognized and worshipped publicly.

But it’s not just the movies that receive too much recognition. The VMAs are another source of exposure for the famous. If the VMAs didn’t exist, these so called entertainers wouldn’t feel the need to out-crazy each other every year. Britney Spears attempted to outdo Madonna and Miley Cyrus attempted to outdo Britney; I shudder to think about what will be done this year.

If people want to celebrate the work of these actors and singers, even though most of them are just mooching off the work of the writers, directors and set builders, that’s fine. But it shouldn’t be such an overdramatized and expensive event; a simple pat on the back should suffice.

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

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

• Letters must be signed by the author and verified.

• Letters are submitted to room 026 or Mr. Manfull’s mailbox.

• Letters must include the author’s phone number and e-mail for verification.

• Letters should not exceed 300 words.

44 FHNTODAY.COM 04.09.14

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

• Letters will not be printed if content is obscene,

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

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

PAGE BY CLAIRE CARR

Editors-in-Chief: Sophie Gordon Maddie Hiatt

Managing Editor: Daniel Bodden Business Manager: Rowan Pugh

Business: Aly Jenkins Anna Domitrz Zac Fletcher Editors: News Editor: Brianna Morgan Features Editor: Emily Hampson Sports Editor: Brenda Alvarado Opinions Editor: Brittany Steck Copy Editor: Lauren Pike

(editorial cartoon by hannah rosen)

NORTH STAR TAKE: DOWNS’ FIRST YEAR The North Star Editorial Board examines Downs’ first year as head principal and the impact he’s made on the school ON BEHALF OF THE EDITORIAL STAFF yourfhn@fhntoday.com • @fhntoday

When stepping into the position of head principal, Andy Downs had big shoes to fill. The North Star Editorial Board believes Downs succeeded in meeting all the qualities the next head principal needed to have: an ability to connect with the students, a level of trust in the staff, administration experience and a passion for the job.

Downs has done a wonderful job of dealing with problems that arise within the school. Rather than allowing things to bother him, Downs has been calm and rational about his decisions. Throughout the school year, Downs has dealt with more than his fair share of problems. From the start, Downs addressed parent concerns about the Normandy Transfer while trying to make these new students feel welcome. In order to ensure that every student had an equal opportunity to learn, he worked with teachers to implement extra tutoring hours for students. Some other problems that Downs faced in his first year include: an installation of HEPA filters due to smelly skylights, a full school evacuation due to a bomb threat and a flood due to water pipes bursting. Even after dealing with these unforeseen circumstances, Downs remains positive and continues to do what he believes to be best for the school.

Downs has also done an excellent job of communicating with the staff and students. He tries to keep teachers upto-date on information and has open communication with the staff. Many teachers feel that the working environment has not changed with the transition, which they appreciate.

Downs tries to take the time to listen to staff concerns and suggestions. Many teachers agree that Downs’ transition has been seamless and feel they have the same level of trust as they did before.

PAGE BY HANNAH ROSEN

Students also feel that their voices are heard, especially with the Student Advisory Group that Downs and Activities Director Mike Janes created this year. The Group includes members from clubs like Knights of Excellence, Student Council, National Honor Society, and allows these students to have input on what goes on in the school. A few of the topics the Group discussed include appropriate dancing at dances, building a float for the centennial and getting announcements to students. Action has been taken by the administration to address issues talked about in these meetings, such as the carpet in the bus entrance which students wanted as a safety precaution. Students like this communication with the administration, and believe that their advice is actually being taken into consideration.

Students have also noticed Downs’ active role on Twitter.

He consistently pays attention to what clubs are doing and congratulates the achievements of all teams. He also participates in educational conversations on Twitter that allow him to learn from other educators and administrators.

Students and staff alike appreciate this visibility of Downs since it shows that he cares about the well-being of the students as well as improving the school. It also shows that he embraces technology and is willing to learn new things.

Overall, Downs has had an excellent first year as head principal. He’s used the position to make improvements to the school. Downs met every quality the North Star Editorial Board listed as necessary for a head principal to have.

He connects with the students, whether it be in the halls or through Twitter. He trusts his staff, making them feel that their input is heard. He has experience in education, working as a teacher and assistant principal before stepping into the head principal position. And he obviously has a passion for the job. The North Star Editorial Board looks forward to Downs’ future years as head principal.

General Staff: Claire Carr Maggie Torbeck Sarai Esparza Elisabeth Condon Austin Ferguson Ashley Eubanks Megan Granneman Garrett Griffin Priscilla Joel Melissa Lukes Kyleigh Kristensen David McFeely Rodney Malone Jessica Olsen Erika Paar Emma Pursley Hannah Rosen Matt Schneider Alexis Tainter Lexi Wilkinson Editor-in-Chief of Photography: Matt Krieg

Photo Editors: Managing Editor of Photography: Cameron McCarty Director of Photography: Paige Martinez Photo Editor: Ashleigh Jenkins Photographers: Jessica Allison Jenna Rodriguez Amanda Eckhard Sammie Savala Ariel Kirkpatrick Alyssa Savage Jordan Mertens McKenzie Shea Lauren Price Ashton Stegman Megan Tanksley Abby Temper

FHNTODAY STAFF Editor-in-Chief of Multimedia: Zack Eaton Editors: Online Sports Editor: Mike Ebert Managing Web Editor: Jake Chiarelli Webmaster: Alex Weinstock Stats/Scores Editor: Mike Hamilton Online News Editor: Carly Vossmeyer Web Staff: Nick Wyer Hannah Dietrich

Video Staff: Aiza Bustos Tristan Chenoweth Lucy Covington Kyle Cuppy Lucas Dykes Ryan Jensen Clayton Kohler Jacob Lintner Sam Skaggs Video Editors: Hannah Stillman Dan Stewart Advisers: Aaron Manfull Beth Phillips

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