North Star December Edition

FRANCIS HOWELL NORTH Vol.23 Issue 4 2549 Hackmann Rd. St. Charles MO, 63303

Cats and Dogs and...

Snakes?

Oh My!

JOURNALISM JOURNALISM JOURNALISM xcitement?

WHAT is journalism?

2009

2009 Francis Howell North St. Charles, Missouri Excalibur volume 23

Journalism class is the introductory course that helps students become knowledgable of basic journalistic writing and design concepts and prepares them to become members of FHN’s newspaper, yearbook, web, or podcast staffs.

Join the North Star as a writer, a designer, or as a photgrapher.

Broaden your horizons and pursue a career in the journalism feild.

KNIGHT

YOU

E

WANT MORE

Already took Journalism?

For any of these great opportunities, talk to Mr. Manfull in Room 026 or download an application for next year at FHNtoday.com.

Like a more permanent production?

Record life long memories? Join the Excalibur Yearbook.

vol. 23

DID YOU KNOW students who work on the high school newspaper & yearbooks:*

* * *

Get better grades in high school.

Earn higher scores in the ACT Get better grades as a college freshman

*According to a national NAA Foundation study done in 2008. The study can be found at FHNtoday.com.

Like the idea of broadcasting?

Working with camera’s & video footage, maybe be in front of the camera reporting?

Join the NS Podcast!

Do you spend countless hours online on your website making it awesome? Is the web where it’s at?

Join the award winning FHNtoday.com!

MAGAZINE

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HIGHLIGHT

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Dec. 12 will mark North’s fourth annual Mock Rock, in which the theme will be “Mock Rock Hero.”

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Now that the elections are over, the Howell District will finally be using their Prop. B funds.

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2549 Hackmann Road St. Charles, MO 63303

PLAYHARD

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In order to further breast cancer research, girls’ Varsity basketball will be going pink on Jan. 9.

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Senior takes to the ice with females after playing hockey with the opposite sex for 10 years.

V

LIFESTYLE

VOICE

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Christmas traditions from around the world come together in historic downtown St. Charles.

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It’s time for everyone, especially those at North, to unclench their fists and let the world be.

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Local shelter houses homeless pregnant women and helps them get their lives back in order.

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Junior Allison Sheffler has found her hero in the form of an unknown soldier.

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THEWEB

Come visit us at FHNtoday.com, your #1 place for Knightly news.

“Providing an open forum for Francis Howell North since 1986.”

Freely distributed to FHN by the North Star staff.

Co-Editors-in-Chief: Cami Wade, Tyler Kirk & Jordyn Klackner Editors News Editor: Barbara Jean Palmer Features Editor: Brittany Schulze Opinions Editor: Chelsea Kaufman Dir. of Photography: Sarah Semmel Digital Media Dir.: Andrew Hairlson Copy Editor: Betsy Blanchard Marketing Director: Luke Christisen Business Manager: Nathan Bryant Ad Design Editor: Xenia Klimenova Podcast Editors: Tori Bowden and Kaila Kamp Online Editors: Katie Siebuhr, Jon Henderson and Katie O’Neil General Staff Josh Ahrens Gabrielle Moore Fareeha Amir Kieran Myers Bethany Brady Lydia Ness Jessica Bremer Jessica Payne Nicole Cuneo Logan Ponche Elizabeth Diggs Lauren Reiche Sam Dulaney Katie Robertson Ryan Firle Taylor Robinson Kaitlyn Fouch Allison Sheffler Pat Flynn Hanna Sherman Julia Gabbert Lauren Skinner Rachel Hunt Lauren Smith Joe Jacobi Krissy Torkelson Miranda Lindquist Vicki Viehman Monica Martinez Nicki Wittman Adviser Aaron Manfull

The online competition, “Default Image Contest,” ended on Dec. 5, so if you didn’t hear who’s picture came in first, check on FHNtoday.com to find out who received the grand prize.

Yesterday there was a speech and debate competition. Go to the news tab on the Web site to see which students from North went and how the faired.

page design cami wade and tyler kirk

THECOVER

Joe Brocksmith holds one of his many snakes. This month the North Star takes a look at the zoo that is FHN and its students.

www.FHNtoday.com

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THEBRIEFS

STUCO hosts food drive betsy blanchard

Junior Soo Yang signs up to bring a gift for the family. Junior NHS has adopted.

This year for Christmas they are to provide the family with dinner and presents for all the family members. Each NHS member is responsible to provide a gift. (fareeha amir)

JNHS adopts families bethany brady

Junior National Honor Society has adopted a family for Christmas. This year it’s a family with seven people, ages ranging from one to 28. Junior NHS will be providing them with presents, a Christmas dinner, and stockings filled with stuffers.

“It will feel good to give them presents when they can’t do it on their own,” junior NHS president Rukhaiya Amir said.

The Saints Joachim and Anne Care Service assigns the families that are up for adoption. All year, the service helps the less fortunate, and once a year they assign organizations to help adopt them

for Christmas. Families are adopted for various reasons, such as a lack of income or shelter.

Once all the items have been collected, NHS students will wrap shoe boxes and put the items for each family member in separate boxes. Junior NHS sponsor Donna Malkmus filled out all the necessary paperwork to make this adoption happen.

“I think a lot of people feel lucky for what they already have and aren’t in that situation,” Malkmus said.

Members involved in NHS are required to help. If the students don’t participate, points will be deducted.

Annual dance will not return this year elizabeth diggs

This year, FHN will not be hosting its annual Winter Wonderland dance. The dance was created specifically for North’s special education students. In past years, Volunteer Knights have assisted sponsor Kellie Hausner in planning the dance; however, they voted to have a “Parents Night Out” instead.

“We’re hoping to raise a lot of money to donate and we hope the kids had fun,” senior Maggie Officer said.

The Parents Night Out was held on Friday, Dec. 5 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Children from Francis Howell elementary and preschools could come while their parents finished holiday shopping. Volunteer Knights accepted donations from the parents which they will use for future events. They will also be donating a portion of it to a charity. Mother Kara Villhard looked forward to the event.

“The malls are crowded and she doesn’t always want to be dragged from store to store in search of a present.”

Villhard said, “So, the opportunity for her to spend time with other kids in a safe environment like the school is wonderful.”

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Last week, on Dec. 1-5, STUCO held their annual canned food drive.

Cans and non-perishable food items were collected during first hours. As announced, the first hour class with the greatest amount of cans won a breakfast of their choice. Second and third place classes won donuts for breakfast.

“Instead of just focusing on those at North, we’re really trying to reach out to the community,” STUCO sponsor Shelly Grimshaw said.

The cans were donated to Fish Food Pantry, a local pantry located on Cave Springs Rd. “Putting it together made me feel really good,” Chief-of-Staff senior Lauren Cooke said. “It feels really good to give to the community, but we don’t have a set number of cans we want. My Comm. Arts teacher put it best: ‘You give till you feel it.’”

Student Council held its annual food drive on Dec. 1-5. This year it was a first hour competition. All proceeds went to Fish Food Pantry of St. Charles. (sarah semmel)

To see the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of the canned food drive go to FHNtoday.com on Dec. 10

Winterguard clocks in...

With a smaller team, winterguard begins training for their 2009 program. The team set a school record last year by being the first winterguard in FHN history to make semi-finals at Winterguard International World Championships in Dayton Ohio. The guard hopes to push even further setting their sights on finals.

Then and Now The 2009 program of the Howell North winterguard will see many differences from years past.

2008 Last years program title: “Happiness is...”

Directors: Duane Williams and Trisha Marcus Number of performing members: 17 Music: “Alive,” by Jennifer Lopez Competitive class: Scholastic B then promoted to Scholastic A Shows theme: The things in life that make us most happy.

Infographic luke christisen

2009

This years program title: “As she waits...”

Directors: Duane Williams, Trisha Ostmann, and Emma Heideman Number of performing members: 10 Music: “Hometown Glory,” by Adele Competitive class: Scholastic A Shows theme: A girl waits throughout the night with a clock ticking away.

First performance: Parent and friend preview on Jan. 29 at 8:30 p.m. in the small gym.

For pictures of the guard during the ‘08 marching band season check out FHNtoday.com today

page design luke christisen

Coffee house set to make return in Feb. elizabeth diggs

The librarians will be hosting the sixth annual North Street Coffee house on Feb. 12 and 13. At the coffee house, students will witness some of the talent FHN has to offer in the form of poetry, singing, guitar playing, two-person scenes, and monologues. The students will go down to the library during their communication arts classes on one of the two days. As always, the librarians will be giving out cookies and hot chocolate for free.

Sherri Pogue, one of the three librarians, looks forward to the talent this year has to offer.

“We look forward to our sixth coffee house,” Pogue said. “It is an incredible amount of work, but we love doing it.”

Shakin’ things up...

Tuesday Dec. 16

1st Period Study Tim e 7:25-7:40

s Period 1-3: Regular e Schedul

Thursday Dec. 18

Wednesday Dec. 17

iod 2nd Per e Tim Study 0 :5 -7 7:25

Final Exam 7:40-9:10

Periods 4 5: Regular Schedule Normal Lunc

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6th Period Study Time 12:35-12:50

am Final Ex :20 7:50-9

d 2nd Perio 9:15-9:40 3rd Period 9:45-10:10 Normal schedule &5 Periods 4

3rd Period Study Time 9:30-9:55 Final Exam 9:55-11:25

7th Period Study Time 12:35- 12:50

Final Exam 12:50- 2:20 lease

Regular Re 2:20

Final Exam 12:50-2:20

1/2 Day Release

Friday Dec. 19 4th Period Study Tim e 7:25-7:50 Final Exam 7:50-9:20

5th Period e Study Tim 9:30-9:55 Final Exam 9:55-11:25

1/2 Day Release

Regular Release 2:20

Students who have attended the Coffee House in the past agree that this is an event to look forward to.

“It was good because we got out of class and the kids were very talented,” sophomore Sam Stubblefield said.

The librarians offer gift cards from actual coffee houses and bookstores to the student who creates the best logo each year. The students can expect a great experience from this event.

“It is wonderful,” Pogue said. “I am always incredibly impressed by what our students can do.

Sometimes I tear up. I am just moved by the talent.”

ONLINE Go to FHNtoday.com for your Knightly news.

1.

For a quick recap on how the first few days of finals went, with the new exam schedule check out FHNtody.com on Dec. 15

Infographic luke christisen

This year’s final exam schedule may seem a bit different from the past. FHN has implemented new rules to help keep the district uniform in its finals procedures.

Testing is now 90 minutes for final exams so students have enough time to complete their tests. Other schools in the district have already been using this 90 minute model so this change will help unify the schools in the district.

Morning classes will be taken in the morning and afternoon classes will be taken in the afternoon. Lunches however, will remain the same. Before classes there will now be a study time for students to review over what they learned over the semester.

Passing periods during final periods will be 10 minutes long to help teachers if they need to trade any exam material with another teacher.

To see the full schedule check out FHNtoday.com tomorrow

2.

To see a Q & A with some of the students who plan to perform at the North Street coffee house go to FHNtoday.com on Jan. 30

Winter drumline returns to North taylor robinson and luke christisen

During the winter months, a constant banging of drums ringing through the halls can be heard. It’s the new sound of the FHN winter drumline.

The drumline had their first informational meeting on Friday, Dec. 5 after a flurry of signatures appeared on the sign up sheet from drumline hopefuls.

This year is an important one for the line because after their successful 2007 program “Performing their program...” which made WGI world championship semi-finals, there was not a drumline at North last school year. As a result, many performers went to Howell and Central to take part in their programs.

The newly-reformed line will have the chance to show what they’ve got on their home turf performing in the first Howell North sponsored MCCGA competition “Art in Motion” on March 14.

“Competitions are by far my favorite part of drumline,” senior Taylor Stanton said. “They’re fun. You get to perform and it’s just entertaining.”

page design luke christisen

3.

Planning for Mock Rock has begun. For a recap story on how Mock Rock turns out, go to FHNtoday.com on Dec. 13.

Senior Jessica Winkle and sophomore Kate Jehle show their skills on the marimba during a band performance last year. The marimbas are a part of winter drumline. (file photo)

www.FHNtoday.com

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Mock Rock Second place winners Zach Clark and Eric Peters scream the words to the Pokemon theme song to each other during last year’s Mock Rock performance. (file photo)

StuCo will hold fourth annual Mock Rock

This year’s theme will be Mock Rock Hero, appropriately based off the popular video game allison sheffler

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he fourth annual Mock Rock, hosted by StuCo, will be held on Dec. 12. The cost to attend will be $5 and it starts at 6 p.m. Mock Rock is a lip-syncing contest that students participate in. The winner is determined by about ten judges picked from the administrators with a scoring sheet. Each judge will write down a score for each contestant after they are finished “singing.” In addition to the administrators, students are drawn from a raffle for their chance to be a judge.

“The raffle determines which student will be a judge at Mock Rock,” StuCo sponsor Jani Wilkens said.

The theme for this year’s Mock Rock will be Mock Rock Hero, based off of the popular video game Guitar Hero. The theme helps decide what decorations will be used and what t-shirt design will look like. This year the design will be made by senior Molly Jasper.

“The shirts are always really cool,” junior Rachel Lute said. “I can’t wait to see what they come up with this year.”

The whole idea of Mock Rock came about because Wilkens had done it in

her high school.

“They thought it was a good idea so we went with it,” Wilkens said.

“The first year it was good but the second year it was packed.”

Although the event may seem far away, StuCo is beginning to prepare for it now. They are working to gather anyone interested. They are also getting the news out by word of mouth and flyers.

“Right now we’re just gathering people interested,” Wilkens said.

“We’re holding meetings and starting all the planning.”

Tomorrow StuCo will hold a man-

datory dress rehearsal. Performers will practice in the auditorium and must be ready to go.

“This is probably my least favorite part,” Wilkens said. “If they aren’t ready to go they could get cut.”

Mock Rock has consistently been a bit the past few years.

“A lot of students come,” Wilkens said. “It’s just really fun.”

For pictures from Mock Rock go to FHNtoday.com on Dec. 13.

For a podcast recap story on Mock Rock go to FHNtoday.com on Dec. 15.

Frau Fest gives students the opportunity to show talent Musicians, bands are preparing for their Jan. 8 auditions for the this year’s annual Frau Fest Tryouts are held a month before the event. The bands perform before Frau and her panel of German rau Fest, one of the most highly-anticipated Club Officers who then determine who has made the events of the school year, is having tryouts cut. The panel looks for stage presence, school approsoon. In fact, tryouts are on the first day priate lyrics and musicality. Results are often phoned back from winter break on Jan. 8. It is sponsored the next day to the band members to announce if they

by German Club, and more specifically Frau Anne can play for their fellow students in the auditorium.

McPartland, the namesake. Frau Fest showcases Sophomore and Frau Fest hopeful Alec Broeker is several FHN bands every year to give them a chance planning on trying out with his band “Calamity” with to show what they’re made of. fellow members Dylan Barrow, Derek Humphrey and “In the past we have had about five bands RJ Portilla. They are a metal band and have never played because of time,” McPartland said. “This year we are at FHN before. hoping to get seven bands into the show.” “[I’m looking forward to] exposing the fans and the sam dulaney

F

04 www.FHNtoday.com

haters to my music,” Broeker said.

Frau Fest has been an FHN tradition for eight years. Any band with a connection to the school can audition, whether it be a staffer or student. However, Frau looks forward to one in particular each year.

“Each year I do my zoo song,” McPartland said.

“It’s pretty fabulous.”

Frau Fest this year will be held on Feb. 5. Anyone interested in trying out should submit a form found

by Frau McPartland’s door to reserve a time slot in the audition.

page design elizabeth diggs

Proposition B changes schools for the better Three schools will be majorly affected by many changes in the Francis Howell school district infographic luke christisen

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riving down Jungs Station Road, just past the fire station, Barnwell Middle School’s marquis read “Prop. B has passed.” Since the bond issue passed during the Nov. 4 election, the district has been busy working with contractors at Howell. They are starting the bidding for construction companies and banks to start off the construction projects the proposition was made to help. The reach of this bond even extends to FHN, where the $78,500,000 will be used to help build four new science rooms with updated features such as sinks, lab tables, and lecture space.

There will also be new storage/prep rooms, a new set of student restrooms, and one new standard classroom to replace one that will be displaced by the construction.

“We’re going to take full advantage of this opportunity,” Assistant Principal Nancy Wade said. “We want the best rooms possible for our students.”

By updating the science rooms, the district hopes to improve the overall quality of learning, providing teachers with the means they need for more indepth experiments. This will allow for teachers to better vary their lesson plans. Students are excited to know that they will be able to take this opportunity and use it to its fullest potential.

“I can’t wait to see what they will look like,” sophomore Sarah Sutton said. “This will make our school look more modern.”

By updating the schools in the area, the district hopes to maintain and even raise the level of education given to its students. The money will also be headed towards Francis Howell High School and Daniel Boone Elementary for major renovations while the rest will be used for general upkeep of the district as a whole. The money from the bond will be used strictly for the schools renovation and upkeep helping the district stay as up-to-date as possible. The goal for the construction projects is to break ground in the summer of 2009 and to have it wrapped up as quickly as possible.

To see a Q & A with students and how they feel about North getting new science rooms go to FHNtoday.com on Friday.

illustration

bethany brady jon henderson

Francis Howell North • Construct four new science lab/lecture classrooms • Construct two new storage/prep rooms • Construct one new standard classroom to replace one displaced by the new construction • Construct additional set of student restrooms

Daniel Daniel Boone Boone

• Construct a new cafeteria • Add a set of restrooms

• Renovate existing cafeteria and food service area into multi-purpose room • Construct four new primary classrooms, with restrooms • Renovate and expand existing library • Construct new food service and support spaces

Francis Howell

• Construct new classroom to replace one displaced by the library renovation

• Construct new library/media center • Construct new academic building (classrooms, guidance offices, administration and support areas) • Construct new commons/cafeteria with new kitchen and food service • Renovate existing gymnasium to accommodate multi-purpose space • Construct new multi-function gymnasium and related areas

Masque players to attend conference in Jan. Students will get an opportunity to learn more about theater careers luke christisen

A

fter braving the successful fall musical “Little Shop of Horrors” members of FHN’s Masque Players will have the opportunity to hone their skills. On Jan. 8-10 the Education Theatre Association will be sponsoring the Missouri Thespian Conference at the University of Missouri Saint Louis.

“They get to go to classes with professionals and have the chance to see and talk to people working in the field to see what it’s like,” Masque Players sponsor Kathy Carpage design

bethany brady

ron said. “They also get the chance to audition for scholarships and get the chance to see main stage plays performed.”

The conference trip was extended exclusively to members of the Masque Players to give them a chance to feel what it would be like in various areas of a career in theatre by taking classes ranging from stage combat to puppetry. Fifteen members are attending this year, much less than the usual 23. The trip costs $200 but those attending feel it’s well worth it.

“I love it. I’ve gone every year,” Masque Players president senior

Rachel Dismukes said. “You learn a lot of new things and experience a lot of drama-oriented things.”

With the spring play on its way, this will serve the drama program as a whole in many ways.

“It gives us the chance to see what other schools are doing and shows that we can do it too,” Carron said.

“By going we have gotten stronger as a whole because kids come back so fired up.”

For pictures from Thespian Conference go to FHNtoday.com on Jan. 9

Senior Josiah Carney sits in on the Masque Players meeting. Carney is one of the many students attending the conference in Jan. (file photo)

www.FHNtoday.com

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what’s your brain up to?

FRONTAL

This part of the brain controls your ability to speak and is also responsible for emotion, behavior and movement.

PARIETAL This part of the brain allows us to process pain and pressure. It is also the area that controls the sense of touch and how you use your hands to do things.

illustration cami wade

OCCIPITAL

why are you insane in the

teen brain?

How lack of sleep affects today’s youth miranda lindquist

W

ith the many activities that high schoolers are involved in, getting sleep each night is growing more and more difficult. Day after day, teens are asked to do numerous different things in a certain time span, which causes sleep deprivation.

“It’s really hard for me to find anytime to sleep with school and everything [I do after school],” junior Kassi Hylton said.

High school students, on average, get five to six hours of sleep. However, according to WebMD. com, high schoolers are supposed to get at least eight hours of sleep every night.

There are a lot of places in the brain that are affected when sleep is lost. Sleep deprivation causes the frontal lobe, which controls speech, reading compatibility and creative thinking and is located in the anterior portion of the cerebral cortex, to not be as active as it should be. Sleep deprivation also affects the parietal lobes. The parietal lobes, which are located behind the frontal lobe, control reaction

06 www.FHNtoday.com

time and how well a person can associate with numbers, affecting accuracy. Lastly, loss of sleep affects the pre-frontal cortex, which controls judgment, impulse control, attention span, and what is registered when seeing objects.

Sleep deprivation also effects the amount of new brain cells our brain creates every day. It can also effect the .0, which is the part of the brain that controls your memory. Due to lack of activity in the hippocampus, teens are more likely to do bad on tests.

Doing simple things to fix sleep deprivation, including taking power naps in the middle of the day or, obviously, going to bed earlier, allow teens to succeed in their day-to-day activities. “[High schoolers] could try organizing time to get homework done and not stay up all night on the computer,” school nurse Sally Polley said.

“They have to want to go to sleep to get up and go to school in the morning. I don’t think there is that ‘want’ anymore.”

This part of the brain processes what your eyes see. It also allows the brain to process light.

TEMPORAL This part of the brain controls memory, personality and language and allows us to distinguish smells and sounds.

CEREBELLUM This part of the brain passes all the bodycontrolling messages from the brain to the rest of the body. It also controls breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and alertness.

BRAIN STEM This part of the brain controls fine motor movement and balance. It automatically coordinates all of your limb and muscle movements to help you sit, walk and balance.

Information from: stroke-information.com and worsleyschool.net

page design tyler kirk

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Jim Viehman is a professional videographer for the Channel 5 News. In one of his assignments, he and a cohorts had to visit a man who owned a haunted house that a customer could get a scare and at the end, if they so choose, buy flowers or pumpkins. (andrew hairlson)

5

NEWS CHANNEL

The world of journalism is a constantly changing environment. The old days of cameraman and reporter going out together to shoot a story is on its way out, and “backpack journalists� are taking their place.

Backpack journalists are the new wave of journalism and they are responsible for shooting, interviewing, and editing their st wwries all by themselves.

08 www.FHNtoday.com

page design monica martinez

Channel 5’s journalists go behind the scenes for stories In today’s news, double-team journalists are being replaced by multi-skilled journalists vicki viehman

J

im Viehman and Julie Tristan meet at the Missouri Baptist Hospital at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 24 in order to drive together to their shoot at Zick’s Spookhouse. As soon as Jim arrives, Julie hops into the front seat and they head over to the shoot.

Dana Hendrickson loads all the equipment she will need into her car. She has her camera, her tripod, and her bag of microphones and wires. She has so much equipment, she can hardly walk.

When they arrive at the Spookhouse, Jim grabs his camera and microphones out of the trunk and he and Julie head toward the back to find the owner, Doug Zick. They find him coming out of the back carrying a cup of coffee.

“Mr. Zick? My name is Julie Tristan and this is Jim Viehman. We’re here from ‘Show Me St. Louis.’”

“Right, right. Let me go get dressed, and then I’ll give you a tour. You didn’t give me time to get my face painted!” Doug laughs.

After a few minutes of knocking on the door of Dominic’s, a restaurant located in Clayton, a bus boy finally answers the door and Dana is ushered inside. She is led to the back of the kitchen, where she finds Dominic Galati and John Ruggeri working away at the stove.

“Hi Dominic, my name is Dana Hendrickson. I’m from Show ‘Me St. Louis.’”

She extends her hand, but he pulls her in

page design monica martinez

for a hug instead.

“Come here. We’re like family here.”

Doug begins the tour. As they walk along, Julie asks him questions about the Spookhouse, which is actually a haunted path. Jim runs ahead to shoot them walking, and then lags behind to get shots of some of the scenery along the path.

Dana sets up her camera on her tripod.

She goes in front of the camera and turns the viewfinder around so she can see if she can see herself in the camera. Once she adjusts the camera just right, she lets it sit and moves to get into the shot with the chefs. But first she needs to put a microphone on one of them.

“So which one of you should I put the mic on? You, Dominic?”

“No, no John will probably do most of the talking. I’m so loud anyway, you can probably pick me up from his mic!”

As they walk down a flight of stairs, Jim takes the camera off his shoulder and holds it at his side to get a unique shot.

After the guys are done speaking, they move over to the other side of the kitchen to make the pasta. Dana takes the camera off the tripod and carries it with her to follow Dominic.

Julie asks questions, randomly, mostly about the different parts of the path. Then, they come upon a real jail cell.

“Can you really go in there?” Julie asks.

“Yeah. You want to go in?” Doug asks.

“Have you ever been in jail?”

“Ugh, no, thanks,” Julie says, laughing.

When they move back over to John, Dana sets her camera back on the tripod and gets into the shot. The camera continues to roll.

When they are done with the tour, Jim and Julie look around for a good place to do a formal interview. Jim directs the owner to stand in front of the entrance of the path, and then sets his camera on the ground, resting it on a curb. Julie takes out her questions and begins the interview.

Dana gets shots of the chefs preparing their food, asks them questions about preparation and what it is that they are making.

When they are done making their food, they bring their food out into the dining room for Dana and themselves to enjoy.

Dana runs ahead of them before they make their entrance so she can shoot them walking in. She asks them about the different parts of the meal. After they are done, Dana and the chefs toast with whine, then sit down to enjoy their meal.

After they finish, Jim takes his camera and walks around the entire establishment, getting more scenery shots so they can have more to work with when they get back to the station.

Jim and Julie thank Doug for the tour and tell him that the segment will air on Monday at 3 p.m. Jim packs his equipment back into his car and they head back to the station.

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ON MAIN 29 CHRISTMAS International traditions bring locals together in St. Charles Time and Place Start Time: Friday , November, 28 2008 at 11:00am End Time: Wednesday , December, 31 2008 at 11:00am Place: St. Charles Main Street

Description Sam Dulaney

I

t’s 11 o’ clock on a weekend. Children are running together, laughing.

Couples strolling together, window shopping. Friends sitting together, chatting. There is a wedding at the Conservatory. For the regulars of Historic Saint Charles this is a common occurrence. Everything is as it should be. But yet...something is different. It is around this time of year that people begin thinking of Santa, Sugarplum Fairies and Jack Frost. ‘Tis the season of merriment, laughter and love. And that is why these people are here.

Christmas on Main is a timehonored tradition in Saint Charles, beginning 18 years ago. Starting out with just a chestnut roaster and a single Santa, shop owners felt there was something lacking. Today it has grown into Santas from every era and country greet visitors. Scrooge is bah-humbugging anyone that will listen. Jack Frost is sneering “Season’s freezings” at passersby. Carolers gather crowds of people to hear their sweet harmonics of familiar carols.

‘Tis the season to be jolly...

Who else has reason to be jolly if not Serenity, the Christmas Angel? She walks Main Street wearing her angelic

dress and pristine white angel wings.

“Merry Christmas!” she giggles. “Do you know how God picked which angel to show the way to Mary and Joseph? He put all the angels names in a halo, and reached his great big hand in and pulled out a name. Do you know whose name he picked out? I do! He picked mine!” she says, twirling on her heel to convey her excitement. But not everybody feels as ecstatic as she does. An older man walking by shakes his head.

“What are you high on?” he asks. “Wacky tobaccy?”

“Oh no! I’m high on heaven!” she exclaims, throwing her arms in the air, earning herself a few more chuckles from shoppers.

For the actors, this is something that comes with the job description.

They don’t break character. They know how to handle downers, too-cool kids, and the occasional wary grandparents. “[Christmas on Main] brings family spirit, and a friendly atmosphere,” booking director Laura Coppinger said.

“You can’t not smile and say Merry Christmas. It might be cold but it still makes people feel Christmas spirit. You feel unity and laughter. Lots of laughter.

Even teenagers.”

Four directors and a committee of

volunteers come together to help plan the event, starting in July by figuring out which of the actors of the previous year will be returning. Once that has been determined, they hold auditions for the remaining positions by asking hopefuls to sing a carol or tell their favorite Christmas story. Any fan of the holiday season can be a part of this joyful event.

Children and adults alike share an interest in gathering the 29 collectible cards that the actors hand out with their pictures and character’s history.

But the characters won’t simply hand them over.

Julenisse begins to hand a card to a young girl, but yanks it back. “Have you been good all year?”

The girl nods.

He begins to hand it to her but takes it back again. “Were you good in February?”

“Yes,” she says, smiling now.

He starts to hand it to her yet again only to take it back, “What about February 30?”

“Of course!” she exclaims, giggling like mad.

“No you were not! There is no such thing as February 30! You just lied to Santa!”

She is confused, her eyes wide.

He hands her a card with a chuckle and a “Merry Christmas.” To the adults nearby he laughs and says “It’s very funny,” in his Scandinavian accent.

It is 1:30 p.m. The town crier can be heard ringing his bell, walking down the middle of the cobblestone street. He twirls and shouts “Merry Christmas to you all!” with his cloak billowing out behind him. He stops his movement, hands behind his ears until he hears the reply. He smiles and continues on his way.

Close behind in the “Santa Parade” comes marching the Lewis and Clark Fife and Drum corps, who have been playing for Christmas on Main for ten years. They no longer play their traditional music from 1804. They have instead switched to Christmas carols. As they march, the fife major turns to his corps members, “Deck the Halls! Drums roll off,” and begin playing as they march.

Jack Frost makes his way along behind the corps. In his hand he holds his painters brush and paints he uses to decorate windows and

Photos Displaying 6 of 300

Sound Slide Displaying 1 of 1 2008 Christmas on Main Street

by Andrew Hairlson

10 www.FHNtoday.com

page design nicki wittman

FHNtoday.com

leaves with beautiful frost designs. As he walks he looks to the crowd with his lip curled. “Chilling to see you,” he says. Behind her dutiful worker follows the Snow Queen. Wrapped in her white-as-snow coat, she walks along the Main Street cobblestones, acting as chilly as her name.

The international Santas follow suit. They march along one by one, waving their hands and their nation’s flags. Sweden. Italy. France. Britain.

Germany. America. Scandinavia. The last Santa in line points to a man along the parade route wearing a Christmas tree hat. “I like your hat,” he says from beneath his snow-white beard. “It’s a little loud but it works!”

Then comes the two loudest, most cheerful people in attendance.

Serenity the Christmas angel and the Sugarplum Fairy. They twirl, dance and wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

“Who loves Christmas? On three, say sugar! One, two, three, sugar!” she shouts. “Sugar? That’s me!” Giggling she twirls away in a flash of color. Clara and her Nutcracker prince follow behind arm in arm, laughing quietly to themselves at the antics.

The cast of “A Christmas Carol” make their way down the street to wave

and wish everyone a Happy Christmas.

Even Scrooge can be seen smiling faintly.

Some twenty Victorian carolers follow.

Hark the herald angels sing...

Finally, a horse-drawn carriage rattles forward. Pulled in the white carriage is the Victorian Mr. and Mrs. Clause along with the child that won the ride with Santa. They all wave to the onlookers, the lucky child looking slightly sheepish at all the attention.

After the parade, the shoppers go back to shopping, the kids go back to collecting and the actors go back to spreading holiday cheer. The characters will be here for the rest of the month on weekends, Wednesdays, Fridays and again on Christmas Eve - living in their created world of make-believe until it is closing time.

“It’s very fun for everybody,” Fife and Drum Corps member Dakota Rhoads said. “Kids, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, everyone enjoys music and plays along with the actors. It’s fun. It’s cold.

It’s Christmas on Main!”

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Kris Kringle

Civil War Santa

All Photos by Andrew Hairlson

Frontier Santa

To see a soundslide of christmas on main street go to FHNtoday.com on Friday Dec. 12.

Father Christmas

Nutcracker Prince

Jack Frost

Sugar Plum Fairy

Julenisse

Event Type This is an open even. Anyone can join and invite others to join. page design nicki wittman

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11

FASHION

Bundle up and look good for the winter season

There are tons of ways to dress warm for winter and look great at the same time. Here’s some things to help you get through the cold weather in style.

WAYS TO WEAR A SCARF

Short Uggs- Journeys $130.00

Wrap around once and throw it over your shoulder to be comfortable and casual

Fold in half and loop the ends through to keep your neck warm

Wrap it around all the way to make a ‘turtle neck’ effect

Simply drape it over your shoulders as an accessory

model: junior kaylie habighorst

Moccasins- Target: $16.99

Birks- Supermarket of Shoes: $40.00

Tall Uggs- Lauries: $150.00

12 www.FHNtoday.com

ea coat:

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WAYS TO WEAR A SWEATER

American Eagle Beanie: $19.50

Just a plain sweater is an easy way to be comfortable and warm

Add a scarf to your ensemble as a great accessory

model: junior zack short

Winter Cap - Kohl’s: $12.00

A zipper or button up makes for a simple, yet fashionable outfit

Wear a collared shirt under to make it look classy

American Eagle Alpine Trapper: $29.50

Columbia

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Coat: $ 1

20.00

Co

K-Mart Beanie: $10.00 photos andrew hairlson

page design taylor robinson and barbara jean palmer

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13

A Lady’s Inn resident spends a typical day with her six-year-old daughter and one-month-old son. “I hope to never be put into a situation close to this and have a stable environment for my two children. I’ve done more in this place than I have ever done out of it.” Our Lady’s Inn, a shelter for pregnant women, currently houses 15 women, seven infants and nine children. (cami wade)

Our Lady’s Inn offers support, love, hope betsy blanchard

On the outside, it’s nothing extraordinary. On the inside, it’s quite the opposite.

Our Lady’s Inn is an emergency shelter for pregnant women, all coming from differing circumstances – rape, abuse, abandonment, etc. Some suffer from mental illnesses.

“Somebody saw a need, and they wanted to fulfill it,” Child Advocate Jodi Schulte said. “We want to love the girls because a lot of them haven’t been loved.”

In the front yard of the “Inn” lies a playground.

On the swing, sits a little girl with a polka-dotted pink tank-top. Her dark, braided hair moves back and forth as she moves up and down. A woman stands behind her, forcing her swing higher and higher.

“I can push myself. Push yourself, Mom. Push yourself. Push yourself!”

While many of the residents are pregnant, many are not. Some have already had their children, and some have already had multiple. As long as they come to the shelter pregnant – whether at eight months or two – they are allowed to stay for up to a year. This past October, there were nine children, seven infants, and 15 ladies.

The program encourages the ladies to find employment and enroll in col-

14 www.FHNtoday.com

page design allison sheffler

lege. Many girls staying there currently attend the Saint Charles Community College and work at local fast food chains, such as McDonald’s and Taco Bell.

“Push yourself Mom!” Her mother sits on the swing next to her, pushes off the ground and begins to sway.

With two Missouri locations, one in St. Charles and one in St. Louis, funding can often become an issue. Both buildings rely on grants and donations to stay in operation.

“It’s really crazy how God provides,” Schulte said. “The other day this lady came in and just handed us a check.”

The ladies have to follow strict guidelines while living at the Inn. They have curfews, required classes, and meals they must eat together as a family. The ladies often struggle with the rules, especially their 9 p.m. weekday and 10 p.m. weekend curfews.

“Mom, if the swing goes forward, you got to push your legs forward. If the swing goes back, you got to push your legs back!”

Classes range from budgeting and parenting to sexuality and internet safety. Volunteers, employees, and the ladies alike reap the rewards the Inn provides.

“Seeing the outcome and the progress of the girls, seeing that we made a difference, it’s a great feeling,” House Monitor Karen Benscoter said.

The two continue to swing, gradually flying higher and higher.

“We’re gonna make it to the sky, baby! You ready?”

page design allison sheffler

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15

Get your

a h C Cha On

Texting becomes even more addicting for teens ChaCha texting services answer unusual questions from all around the world vicki viehman

T

here seems to be so many questions that no one knows the answer to: How many ounces are in a gallon?

Why are flamingos pink?

How many countries are there in the world?

ChaCha has the answers. The new program launched earlier this year by Scott A. Jones and Brad Bostic provides directions, jokes, definitions, and more to its customers.

With over 35,000 guides ready to answer questions at any time, a response is sent within minutes.

“I use it mostly for definitions,” senior Sara Wilburn said. “The other day I asked it how to spell onomatopoeia and I know how to spell it now.”

To ask ChaCha a question, either text 242242 (spells ChaCha) or call 1-800-2cha-

cha. ChaCha is a unique service because it answers any question asked and it isn’t a computer who answers the questions; it’s a real person.

“I just get them on my computer at home or at Starbuck’s or anywhere with an internet connection,” ChaCha guide Lydia Miller said.

“The most common question I get is ‘What’s in a hotdog?’”

ChaCha got its name for a couple of reasons. One, the ChaCha is a type of fast-paced dance and ChaCha is a fast answer service.

Two, ‘cha’ is a Chinese word meaning search, and ChaCha is a search engine for questions.

“It’s nice to use when someone doesn’t believe you about something,” junior Josh Matyi said. “It’s also fun when you have nothing else to do.”

To become a guide, simply log on to their Web site and submit an application. There are several different levels of employees with

ChaCha texting services.

First is the expediter who sends the questions to the appropriate categories.

Expediters get paid 3 cents for every message.

Next there are transcribers who listen to the voice mails people leave and convert them to text messages. They get paid 4 cents for every message. The next level is a specialist.

They are given questions that they are experts on so they can answer questions quickly and efficiently.

Specialists are paid 10 cents per question.

The top role in ChaCha is the top guide.

Top guides have to have 95% quality in their answers and answer questions quickly. Top guides are paid 20 cents per message.

“You work as you want to,” Miller said.

“It’s like instant messenger. You can say when your available to answer questions or not.”

How do you ChaCha?

What are some of ChaCha’s most unusually asked questions from North students?

Q

“Who is the richest man in the world?” freshman Katie Stepanek asked.

Warren Buffett is the richest man on the planet. ChaCha again!

A

Q

“Are there really chocolate cows that make chocolate milk?” senior Brandon Lewis asked.

A

Why yes, but not what you’re thinking! A Glasgow artist made her own body weight of chocolate to bring attention to industrial farming methods.

16 www.FHNtoday.com

Q

“Should I go to sleep right now?” senior Izzy Boyer asked from her stats class.

Well, . . . if you know the material, and make sure you study, then why not?!

A

Q

“How many calories are in a banana?” junior Ellen Ransom asked.

A

A medium banana has 110 calories and 0 grams of fat. It also has 4 grams of fiber. ChaCha for now!

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This month the North Star’s photo pages look into the lives of four of our school’s students and teachers with their unique pets

Senior David Frazier prepares to pick up his blue and gold Macaw named Levi. Levi likes to make screeching sounds and use his strong beak to warp the bars on the cage when he moves around.

Frazier also has another bird, which is an African Gray, and can be trained to talk. (katie robertson)

Junior Kayla Femmer sits with her two pets.

Femmer has a chinchilla, Bumpkins, and a bearded dragon, Sydney. Sydney has been her pet for six years and she has had Bumpkins for two months. (kaitlyn fouch)

Biology teacher Joe Brocksmith plays with one of his pet snakes. “I don’t name them,” Brocksmith said.

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A family devoted rachel hunt

H

e wakes up on Dec. 25 to snow outside his window, no school for winter break.

He walks downstairs towards the kitchen for breakfast, then sits in the living room and eats. Across the room, nothing is wrapped of decorated paper and bows, nothing smells of pine and sap, nothing hangs on the mantle of the chimney. There are no half-eaten cookies on the table and no pies cooking in the oven either. Sound unusual? Not to junior Jordan Williams.

“Pretend you have a Jewish neighbor and see them celebrating Hanukkah,” mother Rachel Williams said. “Would you want to be a Jew just so you can celebrate Hanukkah?”

Just as Christians abide by their values and devotion towards God, such as His resurrection or the season of Lent, Jehovah’s Witnesses are just as parallel with their beliefs.

As a Jehovah’s Witness, Jordan and his family do not celebrate holidays. While fellow classmates ask about his plans for Christmas, Jordan casually replies “no comment” or says nothing at all.

“I’ve been a Jehovah’s Witness my whole life,” Jordan said. “I’ve grown up this way. I know why I’m not celebrating [Christmas]. It’s not that I’m being forced to not celebrate holidays. Christmas will be just like another day off of school.”

Some ask, why would someone want to skip out on all the Christmas cheer? The basis of Jehovah’s Witnesses values rely on the Bible, and as Jehovah’s Witnesses believe, the Bible never clearly states the exact date of this celebration of Jesus’s birthday.

“If the Bible doesn’t say anything about [Jesus’s] birthday and really doesn’t encourage celebrating birthdays, then why should we?”

Jordan said. “I’m not saying that I don’t like presents, though.”

As a branch of Christianity, in the sense that citizens abide by laws, do not believe in sex before marriage, do not abuse drugs, etc., Jehovah’s Witnesses also are well-known for spending time preaching to others the teachings of their religion outside of their place of worship, called Kingdom Hall. Their religion’s name and beliefs originate from God, called ‘Jehovah.’

“It is our job as ‘witnesses’ of Jehovah to show people of Satan’s wrongdoings,” Rachel said.

Recently returning from Managua, Nicaragua from Aug. 6 until Nov. 11, older brother Caleb Williams has spent time with his religious group, like a missionary, while speaking publicly to natives. Helping groups of English-speaking natives learn more about the Bible, Caleb’s daily life consisted of early mornings, long bus rides, and often times, lots of walking.

“We called ourselves the Need-Greaters,” Caleb said. “By going to where there wasn’t a lot of support for learning the Bible, we went to where there was greater need.”

Caleb’s trip was collectively funded by the help of his parents, his recent graduation money, and his own earnings.

For the Williams family, the absence of presents under a tree and stockings hung above the fireplace are not unusual, and by no means disappointing. Jordan and Caleb both grew up with the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses, as did their parents. Even as children, Jordan and his family fully followed the Bible and abided by its readings, always believing in its lack of clear explanation of traditions such as Christmas.

“I understand and dedicate my life to God,” Jordan said.

“There’s not really a time when I’m not fully believing in my religion as a Jehovah’s Witness.”

Even though the Williams family room floor will be bare of presents this Christmas morning, they do not fully disbelieve in gift giving. Sporadically throughout the year, they share gifts with one another.

“Every family is different,” Rachel said.

“We, personally, celebrate mine and my husband’s anniversary with the kids as a family day. We have been taking swing dancing classes over at S.C.C.C. as a family. It’s our gift to one another.”

For Jordan, this time of year is more about that he knows and chooses not to take part in the present packaging and stocking stuffing for his own religious reasons.

“I live by the standards of God as a Jehovah’s Witness everyday of my life, 24-7,” Jordan said. “I don’t just go out, carelessly not thinking of my beliefs. It’s a way of life.”

“Would you want to be a Jew just so you can celebrate Hanukkah?”

Junior Jordan Williams sits with his brother Caleb Williams, mother Rachel and father Shawn. Jehovahs Witnesses their whole lives, they strive to live their lives according to the bibles principles, and refrain from partaking in traditions of the world such as holidays.(cami wade)

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27

College senior Jenny Randall holds up one of the children books she frequently reads to the kids she helps take care of. Randall is one of many who volunteer their time at the Crisis Nursery Center in St. Charles.

Struggling families receive a lot of support from the Crisis Center, who will take care of their kids for a few days.(sarah semmel)

Providing love proves rewarding jordyn klackner

P

ink coat. Old shoes. Puffy eyes.

Tears stream down her little red cheeks while she stands, staring out the door at her mother leaving once again. She’s been from home to home, each time not knowing whether or not “mommy” was coming back.

This time it’s different. She’s not alone.

From St. Charles, a 10-minute drive to 315 First Capital Drive, a home that holds a different kind of family.

Sandra Price, mother of two and Crisis Nursery program coordinator, devotes her time this season to bringing something special to this family.

“I love that I work in one of few places that you get lots of hugs when you walk in the door,” Price said. “It’s a safe place. I work every day knowing that if we weren’t here, these kids would be in bad situations.”

The Crisis Nursery is a place of hope for many in St. Charles. Completely funded by donations, this emergency shelter for children offers care for children up to the age of 12 and gives struggling families a safe haven. A child’s stay can range from a few hours to four days, and after that they are given more long-term care. But even this amount of time can make a big a difference to

28 www.fhntoday.com

page design cami wade

homeless families, families without money, families living in an abusive home, families with struggling single parents or just families in rough situations.

Struggle. Hurt. Pain.

“Being a mother, it hurts to see any kids suffer,” Price said. “Even if you’re not a mother, it hurts. We just want them to be safe. We care about the parents and families, too. Especially this time of year when we see families who don’t have money to make their kids happy, we just want to let them be kids.”

Tricycles and bicycles line the cozy brick house. That alone is a welcoming sight. And as the door opens, friendly faces welcome and it becomes clear the true purpose of this home: to give children a place to be loved when their families are in need. Just like children in an average home, a boy smiling from ear to ear happily puts together a puzzle, and a tiny infant bounces on the knee of intake counselor Jenny Randall. “[The children are] fun all the time,” Randall said. “They get to be kids. The best part is when you see their families actually find what they are looking for.

They set goals. And to know that we helped them make it is awesome.”

Warmth. Love. Happiness.

Feelings that consume most this season, no matter the race or religion, are feelings that abandon some children in the hardest of times. But still, an infant has a sparkle in her eye and a smile so wide you can see the ridges in her gum that will someday hold teeth.

“It’s so important to make them feel comfortable,” Family Empowerment counselor Jo Stahl said. “We let them have a good time and be kids, because so many times they have to be the adults in the family.”

Children tend to have high expectations this time of year. Whether it’s going caroling and building snowmen with their families, it’s a joyful time. Yet, there

page design cami wade

are children out there that have to sneak quietly into a bedroom to bandage their abused mother with the fear of being abused themselves. There are children that escape from a home of meth. There are children that find change on the sidewalk and store it in a tin box to save for rent.

“We don’t expect a ‘thank you’ for the things we do for kids in rough times,” Price said. “Coming back is a thank you in itself. Some we see once and then never again, but when they come we know we have their trust, and the children and family alike get very close to direct staff because of the times they spend with them.”

Commitment. Big hearts. Devotion like no other.

Even with families of their own, Price, Randall, and Stahl are three of many who make helping children their tradition. To them, holidays are a time to tuck a child in, knowing they’re sleeping in a bed and not on the street. To hug a child, knowing they’re not alone. To feed and bathe a child, knowing they’re taken care of and safe.

Because of all they do, it can’t always be done alone. They work with the community, who are depended upon to adopt families this season. They do what’s in their power to leave no family alone who comes for help.

“We become their extended family,” Price said. “We give them meals, have some quiet time, they meet with therapists, and really we just give them the TLC they’re missing.”

It’s the end of the day and they leave the house to return to their real homes.

They open the door, walk out into the cold, and look back at the little one in the pink coat, now smiling back.

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Senior Jose Pegan and family stand. Both his mother and father are in the Army. Jose and his sister grew up with in a military and Jose wishes to join the Airforce in the near future. (cami wade)

Family lives military life jessica payne

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magine being told that in just a few weeks, both yourself and family are moving.

Not for the first time either. It happens whenever least expected. While this may not be completely unheard of, here’s the catch: it wasn’t your family’s decision.

Junior Jose and freshman Ariana Pagan have not one, but two parents enlisted in the military, and this type of information is nothing new to them.

Both parents are currently at home working in human resources, where they focus on the career management of full-timers in the reserve. This wasn’t always the case. In 1990, both parents were stationed in the Gulf War, where they met.

Jose and Ariana weren’t born yet, but their sisters, Nikki, Ivy, and Imani, had to stay elsewhere during that time.

The family has been moved to multiple places, including Puerto Rico, Michigan, and Illinois. They moved here to St. Louis about three years ago.

“When they’re little, it’s easier to move around,” mother Diane Pagan said.

“When they’re older, it becomes a hardship.”

Years ago, when the family moved to Michigan, Imani was forced to change schools during her junior year. Something similar will be happening to Ariana in 2010. During this year, the agency here is moving to Fort Knox Kentucky, the Pagan family included.

“She’s moving in the middle of high school, so she will have to make all new friends and everything,” Jose Jr.. said. “It will be hard on her.”

The military isn’t all about changing cities and switching schools though.

“The best part is that you meet all types of different people, and you get to travel a lot,” father Jose Pagan Sr. said.

Just a few weeks ago, Diane was sent to Hawaii to escort the remains of soldiers from World War II. One week trips like these are usually the longest that either parent has to leave.

As a military family, both parents and kids have learned to live up to certain conditions that most haven’t.

“We have a strict lifestyle because we’re always expected to act professionally and not goof around a lot,” Jose Jr. said.

In the off chance that both parents would be sent into a war, the family is required to have a plan for their children. The Pagans plan to have older sister Imani stay with

30 www.fhntoday.com

her siblings until their grandmother can be flown down from Puerto Rico to live with them.

“As a soldier, you do what you are told,” Jose Sr. said. “I would go [to war], but would probably not be very happy about it.”

When one parent is sent away into the war, often the spouse will join a “family readiness group.” Through these, the members make care packages for the troops. While these readiness groups are helpful, the family hopes that this will not happen to them.

“If my mom was gone, my dad would take us to McDonald’s all of the time,” Jose Jr. said.

“If my dad was gone, my mom would be a lot stricter.”

Both parents try their hardest to make sure their children don’t get the wrong idea of what the job entitles.

“The media only shows the bad things and [if we were gone] it would probably scare my children on a daily basis,” Diane said. “We’re the reliable source for our children, not the media.”

They encourage their children, and others, to understand what they believe to be the truth about the military.

“What our soldiers are doing is not shooting at people, but they are building schools and developing structures for other countries,” Jose Sr. said. “People aren’t happy because our money is being spent building structures for other countries, but as Americans, that’s what we’re about.”

After knowing what he knows about military life, Jose Jr. still hopes to join the service after completing his college degree.

“I hope that if my children join, they are in for a bit before a war breaks out,” Jose Sr. said. “We have a great army and we train our soldiers well.”

Jose Sr. plans to stay in the military until his son graduates high school, for he has already reached the highest enlisted rank. Diane is one rank beneath and plans to stay for five years longer.

Through all of this, the family stays optimistic. They are happy to be living where the are, with the lives that they have.

“I am a soldier, but as a citizen, I’m so glad that we have people who do what they do,” Jose Sr. said. “That way the rest of the Americans can enjoy our freedom. I encourage everyone to pray for their troops and their families.”

page design cami wade

Junior Jessica Maddux lays with several postcards that she picked up during her numerous stays in England.

Maddux usually travels to London over winter break to spend time with her grandparents who like to travel a lot. Due to the rise in prices and a death in the family, however, Maddux won’t be able to travel to England this coming break. (sarah semmel)

X-mas in the USA barbra jean palmer

“S

anta Claus” is the symbol for Christmas here in the United States, where junior Jessica Maddux lives, but where she spends Christmas with her family, “Father Christmas” is what she has come to know.

For the past six years, Jessica has been going to Coventry, England for Christmas to visit her mom’s side of the family. But this year, things will be different. Due to her greatgrandmother’s death, Jessica will be spending her Christmas in Mo. Though Jessica is not able to spend Christmas with her grandmother, she will get to spend it with her mother, Sharon, for the time in six years. While they both enjoy going to England, Sharon’s work obligations have prevented her from going to her homeland during the past holiday seasons.

England has become like another home to the Madduxes. In a way they wish they could both go together, but they are glad to finally get to spend quality time together as mother and daughter.

“I am just glad she’s staying home,” Sharon said. “I never really got into the Christmas mood before. I usually don’t even put up a Christmas tree and everything, but this year I will since she’s home.”

Now that she’s finally staying home, Jessica and her mother will get to enjoy activities they haven’t been able to

page design cami wade

enjoy in quite a long time. Together, they will go Christmas shopping.

Together, they will go see Christmas lights. Together, they will spend time with Jessica’s grandparents. They will also get to spend New Year’s together, which is something else the British vacation took away from them.

And not only will Jessica have time to spend time with her mother, but she’ll get to see her friends, too.

“Since she is not going to England, she will be home on my birthday,” Jessica’s best friend, junior Ali Vernier, said, “so I might actually get to see her.”

Though Jessica will miss England, she plans to make this Christmas just as memorable as her previous ones. In the past, some of her family members have come to the United States for the summer, and Jessica hopes they will do the same this year so that they can keep in touch.

Although Jessica is getting to spend more time with her mom, she still misses spending time with her other relatives. Jessica will especially miss her cousin, Emily, who she spends a lot of the time with when in England.

Jessica usually goes shopping and sees movies with Emily and her cousin’s friends. Jessica says she and her cousin are like sisters.

“My family will go on a Web cam and talk to each other to keep in touch,” Jessica said. “It will be hard not seeing them because I’m so used to seeing them. It has become a tradition and [not going to England] is a break from the normal.”

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StartingOut Right

Big team, big goals Girls basketball works to form bonds miranda lindquist

brittany schulze

The FHN bowling team is growing, causing more bowlers to have to sit out. Because of their size, the team has been split into ten different groups. However, most bowling alleys only have nine lanes, which causes one of the groups to be forced to sit out a game.

“Right now we have the largest amount of kids that are participating,” coach Denise Lupo said. “They’re all great bowlers.”

Last year there were only nine groups, so sitting out was not a problem. But even with the added group, bowlers are still enjoying their time.

“It’s hard having a bunch of people on the team, but [because of that] it’s that much more fun,” senior Jamie Bassman said.

The team practices at Cave Springs Lanes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3-5 p.m.

They also practice with the Central team or Howell team on Tuesdays from 3-5 p.m. or Saturdays from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. if they can’t make it on any other day.

“Even though we have a lot of people and it’s hard to work with, I can tell were getting better,” junior Ashley Dent said.

Check out FHNtoday.com to see the bowling teams highest averages so far

Junior Kelsey Rutledge, sophomore Rachel Pauley, and Junior Aramis Owens play together at basketball practice on Nov. 25. Varsity and JV practiced together playing against each other to improve their game. The teams anticipate a great season and hope to become better athletes. (fareeha amir)

Wrestlers prepare for season despite injuries pat flynn

Since Nov. 1, the first day of wrestling practice, the team had been preparing for their first match on Dec. 3 against Wentzville-Holt.

However they will had to wrestle without one of their varsity wrestlers, senior Kevin Gill.

Gill had been out for two weeks with a knee injury and the day before he was scheduled to return, he injured his shoulder while playing football with the team.

“I was really mad,” Gill said. “I was ready to wrestle again and now I have to watch for another three to four weeks.”

34 www.FHNtoday.com

Gill, in his third year of wrestling, would have been competing at the varsity level at the 189 weight class.

“Well he hasn’t wrestled much this year due to injuries,” coach Harold Ritchie said. “He is missing out on valuable time. It’s definitely going to hurt things.”

Although the loss of Gill is a setback, the team continues to move forward in practice.

“We had been working on Wentzville-specific stuff,” Ritchie said, “And trying to get mentally tough and ready for the match.”

On Dec. 2, the Varsity girls basketball team played their first Marquette Tournament game against Webster groves losing 65-56. The day after, the team played Kennedy and won 40 -28.

Coach Dawn Hahn has been holding practices six days a week but now that their tournament is over, the team will return to Monday through Friday practices.

“Before try outs, the girls were lifting weights after school,” Hahn said.

“We are just trying to build a team bond right now.”

With four girls returning to the team, only one is a senior: Lauren Cooke.

“I am most excited about returning and playing in the pink ribbon game,” Cooke said.

Even though Cooke is the only returning senior, senior Kendall Blanzy will be joining the varsity team for the first time.

“I feel really good about playing with Kendall,” Cooke said. “She’ll be a strong post and leader that the team really needs.”

Senior Eric Voyles and Kevin Gill run up the hill doing piggybacks on the first day of wrestling practice.

Wrestlers find themselves working more each day due to many injuries within the team. (katie robertson)

Check out FHNtoday.com for a recap of the dec. 3 match and North’s top wrestlers so far

page design vicki viehman

ONLINE Boys push for successful season lauren skinner

The boys basketball team is hoping to improve their record this season. With only one returning starter, senior Josh Cane, the team’s new faces bring with them a new look on how they want the season to play out.

“Right now all I am hoping for, is to improve the team and cut down on the mistakes that are most commonly made,” Varsity coach Bill Moyer said.

With the season fast approaching, the team is spending more and more time in the gym working hard to get where they want to be. They practice every day after school for at least three hours.

Moyer has been the Varsity coach since his first year at North, and is looking forward to coaching his team once again.

“The success depends on three things: we have to get in on open court, be very active on defense, and get steals whenever we can,” Moyer said. “If we can do that then we have a good chance

Sophomore Andre Wooten guards senior Josh Kane at practice on Nov 25.

Wooten is the only sophomore on the Varsity team. (lydia ness)

at having a good team.”

The team plans to keep working hard to improve their plays and their skill as well.

“I think we are coming together as a team really well,” junior Sam Baker said. “I am hoping we win districts.”

Varsity Knightline prepares for their competition in Dec. Practice has greatly intensified due to the competition.

The dance group will compete in Nationals at the end of Jan. (fareeha amir)

Go to FHNtoday.com for your Knightly news

1.

Check out the results from the girls’ swim FZN relays on Dec. 9.

The relays are at 3:30 p.m.

2.

Wrestlers face off in their first home match, a tri-match, today at 5 p.m. against FZW and Timberland.

See results and pics on FHNtoday.com

3.

Knightline dances their way to nationals sam dulaney

FHN Knightline members had the opportunity to compete at Regionals this month. It was held at Lindbergh High School on Dec. 6. The team did not make it to Regionals last year. Regionals is a local competition between high school dance teams in the St. Louis area where any dance team can compete. State competitions are more prestigious and if the teams place in the top three, they qualify for Nationals and can compete against other Nationally ranked teams in the Nation. State competitions take place in January.

The dancers performed two dances, one of which, the team’s hip-hop routine, was choreographed by Knightline member Rachel Hunt. Hunt also choreographed another routine earlier this year. Knightline will perform the same two dances at State and Nationals in the next few months.

Earlier this year, the team also attended Universal Dance Association Camp and received numerous blue ribbons.

As a result they will be able to compete later this year at

page design vicki viehman

Disneyworld.

“I love the spirit of competition because everyone is so pumped up and ready to show what they have worked so hard on,” sophomore Cat Pherigo said. “But I don’t like it when girls have bad sportsmanship and dis the losing (or winning) teams.” Pherigo has competed with Knightline for two years.

Four alternate dancers tried out again to see which dances they could compete in with the team. Junior Holly Edmondson was the only one to qualify to perform the jazz routine; however, Edmondson, along with alternates sophomore Nita Stein, freshman Sarah Cole and senior Rachel Dismukes all qualified to perform the hip hop dance with the team. “[I like that] it gives the squad an opportunity to see other squads and show off their moves to others,” Knightline coach Heather Box said.

Check out FHNtoday.com for a recap of Knightline’s regional competition

Check out results from the girls’ basketball Rockwood Summit tournament on Dec. 27-30 on FHNtoday.com

4.

Check out a recap on the first home boys’ basketball game against Pattonville.

www.FHNtoday.com

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photo illustration sarah semmel

Girls’ basketball goes pink in Jan. Team dedicates game to breast cancer jordyn klackner

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he fans pile in, just as they would at any ordinary Friday night home game.

They pay their $2 as they walk through the lobby and find their seats in the large gym. The players warm up and the fans get ready for an intense game, only this time instead of black and gold, the players will be wearing pink.

Pink is the color of breast cancer awareness and on Jan. 9 that is exactly what the Lady Knights will

be playing for.

“I wanted to give the girls something they can look back on and know they’ve made a difference and done something for more than just the game,” coach Dawn Hahn said.

On Jan. 9 the girls will face off against Wentzville Holt, and just after that, the Varsity boys will also be playing at home.

The idea for the game sprang from several different things, one being that a few other GAC schools have tried something similar before and have been successful in donating

money to breast cancer research.

“For me, I just wanted to do something that whether I’m here or not, would continue,” Hahn said. “My mother was very proactive. I think she would appreciate it, and we can start a tradition.”

All the donations of the night will be going to “Coaches for Cancer,” as well as a local “Relay for Life,” to raise money for cancer research, but that’s not all. The team will also be selling specially made shirts for the night that will be sold for $20 to North students and staff.

“I’m excited for everything,” junior Dianna Prost said. “It will all be pink. We’ll have special warm-ups, we’ll be wearing pink pre-wrap that we have to get approved by MSHAA, and we get to wear tall socks - which is funny because Hahn hates tall socks.”

The girls will also be bringing someone special with them that has fought through cancer or who has supported someone with cancer.

“I think we’ll play hard because there’s people there we are playing for,” sophomore Brooke Oostendorp said. “People will be excited so we have to play good. I think a lot of people will come. If we talk about it, people will be excited and hopefully want to do it again.”

Go to FHNtoday.com on Jan. 9 for live footage of the “breast cancer awareness” game

Former mentee experiences new perspective as coach betsy blanchard

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his year’s different. Not only has the girl’s swim team had more girls than it has had in many years, it has two new coaches: Chip Crow and Beth Ramach.

However, it’s not that there are two new coaches that is unusual - it’s that, six years ago, Crow was coaching Ramach and now they’re working together.

“I know that she’s going to do a great job with the girls,” Crow said. “She has a great attitude and she will help me take these girls to the next level.”

Last year, Ramach taught and coached at Hazelwood East. Once Crow discovered she had been hired at North this year, he immediately went about contacting her to ask her if she wanted to help coach this year’s girls swim team.

“I always got along with my coaches [when I was in high school],” Ramach said. “They felt like at-school parents. It’s funny to be back and be a co-worker with people who were once my teachers.”

The girls have witnessed the bond their new

36 www.FHNtoday.com

Chip Crow and Beth Ramach stand before the pools at the Rec Plex. They’ve gone from mentor and pupil, to colleagues in six short years. (fareeha amir)

coaches share.

“They work well together,” freshman Abbey Grone said. “One of them can teach you one thing, while the other can teach you something else. They each have their strengths.”

Watching can be just as good as playing tyler kirk

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sat watching Monday Night Football; the Bills narrowly defeated by Cleveland at home, 29-27. I watched the Bills’ fans - heads hung low, flaccid fists beside their body, mouths no longer spewing cheers - as they watched their kicker miss the game-winning field goal.

They reminded me of myself.

See, I’ve never played a sport, unless you count a three-month stint in football playing a sport. I’ve thought about trying out in high school, but failure is nowhere to be found in the cushion - or lack thereof - of a bleacher seat. In the safety of the stands, I cannot lose; watching my peers compete is a win enough for me.

Although I’ve never played, I know the athletes’ crafts and I know them well.

I know what they should be doing and what they shouldn’t be doing, the ins and outs, the do’s and don’ts. And just like the hapless Buffalo faithful, I go to every game I can.

I’m a fan.

I never liked playing sports competitively; I liked to have fun at my own pace.

And with my feet in the bleachers and my face covered in the colors of a knight, I can witness those who truly care about the game; they play with all the heart and intensity they have to offer. I’m just there to boost whatever they need boosting.

I’m the stereotypical fan with a foam finger covering his hand, although I prefer a clinched fist. I’m the guy who starts the cheers, making sure everyone surrounding me is following my lead. I’m the one that claps when we lose, just so the players know I care.

Teams don’t win games without fans.

Who’s ever heard of a team celebration with just a team? That’d be like an army without ammo. Fans show up for every shot fired, whether it’s hit or miss.

Athletes love their sport, and I love to witness it. I love being there for every last-second field goal, every cricketsilent free throw, every Houdini-structured penalty kick. I love to watch.

page design lauren skinner

Kick it up Kickboxing proves worthy of Neilson’s time, improving strenth and confidence her self confidence and her main goal is just to be good at what she does.

“Kickboxing is more of an individual effort rather than a team,” Lauren said. “So it makes me feel really good about myself when I do well.”

Although she hopes to gain something serious from the sport, she still enjoys some of the simple things.

“My favorite part about kickboxing is seeing people’s reactions when you hit them,” Lauren said. “I know it sounds horrible, but it’s really funny.”

Along with her family, Neilson has also received support from her friends throughout the past year. They are especially interested since not many of their peers kickbox.

“I think it’s awesome,” friend Mary Grace Grueter said. “It’s like the coolest thing ever.”

Neilson has recognizes her three main reasons for the sport as: self defense, fun, and building self-esteem.

“I really think more people should do it,” Lauren said. “It’s a lot of fun.”

Krissy Torkelson

E

veryone wants to be able to protect themselves, however some choose not to do anything about it. Sophomore Lauren Neilson decided she wasn’t going to be one of the people who only hoped to be able to defend themselves: she chose to take kickboxing. Neilson practices the sport three times a week at Kuk Sool Won. Although she isn’t interested in involving the activity with her career, she gains self defense and has a lot of fun while doing it.

“The movie “The Protector” actually influenced me to start,” Lauren said. “They used a lot of techniques from kickboxing in the movie and it seemed really cool.”

The 15-year-old has only been involved with the sport for one year. Although there are no specific tournaments or events, she has still earned a medal for her hard work and dedication.

She has also received a lot of support from her mother along the way.

“I like that she does it,” Dawn Neilson said. “It’s self defense and what parent wouldn’t want that for their child?”

The sport helps Neilson in other ways too. It helps to boost

Pro Pick Ems

Sophomore Lauren Neilson practices kickboxing at Kuk Sool Won to protect herself. She was influenced not by her friends, but by the Jackie Chan film, “The Protector.” (andrew hairlson)

Each month a random student, staffer, and administrator will go up against the North Star team and choose their professional pick of the month. At the end of the year, the team with the best record will be named the pro Pick Em champion. saints @ bears, dec. 11

Dr. Jones

6-2

Ms. Moore

7-1

Katie Stepanek

6-2

North Star

6-2

page design ryan firle and brittany schulze

suns @ lakers, dec. 10

blues @ ducks, dec. 10

tigers @ hoyas, dec. 14

www.FHNtoday.com

37

where are all the FRESHMEN? Freshmen Dan Rosas, Shane Atkins and Eyad Ihmoud are members of a dying breed.

Freshman wrestlers are few in number and without a full roster have little hope of winning any competitions. (katie robertson)

Freshman wrestling falls short our friends and people at school,” freshman Dan Rosas said. “I have been just telling them that it is hard, or the past three years the freshman team has met in the you just have to be committed, but constricted space of room 35, they say that wrestling is stupid.”

So far, they’ve been nothing but but this year there is plenty of room unsuccessful with their attempts to for more. recruit wrestlers.

This year’s group of freshman “A lot of people don’t like the wrestlers consist of only five freshman, while a full wrestling roster con- sport,” freshman Jeremey Shell said. “I just tell them to try it. Don’t sists of 16 different weight classes.

“It doesn’t make sense,” fresh- criticize it if you haven’t tried it.”

Although the team will have man coach Sean Fowler said. “We trouble as a whole, the size of the had a decent team last year and two team will allow the coaches to focus years ago we were GAC champs. I more on the individual. don’t teach freshmen anymore so I “We can focus on the individual lost that recruiting time, but I asked which will increase the probability my freshman homeroom what the deal is and it seems showers were the that they will be good wrestlers,” problem. They are afraid of shower- Fowler said. “As a team it will be impossible to win, even if we will ing at high school.” win all of our individual matches and With the freshman they have in a couple of years we won’t have a now, the team will simply practice after school as usual, but during the Varsity team in the future. A couple of years like this and our program day they are all on a mission: find will not sustain itself. It is really more freshmen.

“The coaches have us recruiting disappointing in my opinion because pat flynn

F

38 www.FHNtoday.com

we have a pretty successful program. I don’t think we have gone a year since this school has been opened where we didn’t have a state placer.”

Participating as a freshman is not only important to the future of the program, but it also helps prepare the participants for their future.

“First if anyone wants to join the military they are going to have to get over the whole shower thing and high school is a chance to try things you may never be able to do in your life whether it be in the way of sports or something else,” Fowler said. “I feel a good amount of people are missing out on being good at something.

“This school has produced state wrestlers that never knew anything about wrestling. I for one never knew anything about wrestling. I came out as a freshman and it’s come out as a positive influence on my life and I feel there are some people that have a chance to be good.”

Where did they go?

Since the freshman aren’t wrestling, you might be wondering where they all went. So were we!

5 12 12 13 14 5 2

Wrestling............................................

Swimming team...........................

Boys Basketball...........................

Girls Basketball............................

Hockey.........................................

Bowling..............................................

Knightline...........................................

page design sam dulaney

MEET THE TEAM PLAYER SPOTLIGHT You know them, you love them, and you support them but, you don’t always know who’s who. Each month the North Star will highlight an athlete from each team. We asked these players about their favorite part of their sport and what their season goals are.

Kendall Blanzy ,12 “Basketball helps me get in shape and I like playing as a team.” years played: sicne age 11 season goal: “I just want to become a strong team leader.”

Knightline

Cat Pherigo, 10 “I like being with the Knightline girls and just having fun. I like being able to use my talents as a dancer.” years played: since age 5 season goal: “I want to do great at nationals and have less drama the rest of the season.”

Wrestling

season goal: “I want to drop times and make memories.”

Boys Basketball

“I like swimming because it is an individual sport, but it affects the whole team. I also like that you get to bond with the other swimmers.” years played: since age 7

Alex Cassetta, 12

Cheerleading

Girl Basketball

Girls Swim

Amy Getzlow ,10

“The best part of hockey is hitting our rivals.” years played: since age 4 season goal: “I want to beat Howell everytime we play them. They are our biggest rival.”

page design vicki viehman and jordyn klackner

season goal: “I want to place in state at the end of the season.”

Daniel Kirkpatrick, 12 “My favorite part is the last five minutes of the game because they are the most intense.” years played: since age 13 season goal: “My goal is to dank during the game.”

Cori Bradley, 10 “My favorite thing about cheerleading is tumbling becuase it feels like you’re flying.” years played: since age 10 season goal: “I want the team to place better in all our competitions this season.”

Billy Rivers, 12

Bowling

Hockey

Jimmy Rueshhoff, 12

“I love wrestling, because it’s fun and different than any other.” years played: since age 11

“My favorite part of bowling is the team. For the most part we’ve all been toghether all four years.” years played: since age 10 season goal: “I want to improve my average and make it higher than any other year, which would be higher than 230.”

www.FHNtoday.com

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Senior finally gets the chance to play on girls team chelsea kaufman

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GODDARD TAKES IT TO THE RINK Senior Christine Goddard has played hockey with the boys since third grade. Now she continues to play for a AAA team, which consists of all girls. (sarah semmel)

hen she was a little girl, senior Christine Goddard didn’t play with dolls. She didn’t play dress up or pretend she was a princess. She didn’t beg her mom to wear that cherry red lipstick or sport those high heels. Even now, these kinds of things seem trivial to her.

Goddard plays hockey.

And she’s good.

“My dad and brother used to play. My dad still does,” Goddard said. “I used to love going to the rink and watching them. I thought it was really cool and at the time I was doing figure skating and dance. It just didn’t seem to fit me. I asked my parents if I could start hockey and they were just shocked. They probably thought I was joking. At first they were hesitant to let me play, but they got over it.”

Goddard started playing when she was just eight years old, while she was in the third grade.

“It was definitely hard at first, but after a while, I got better,” Goddard said.

Yet just the sport itself wasn’t the hardest part about playing.

“I used to get a lot of crap from people, since I was the only girl playing on a guys team,” Goddard said. “I’ve always played on guy’s teams. But now that I’m finally on a girl’s team, I don’t have to worry about who is going to say what about me.”

Goddard has played on North’s hockey team since her freshman year and continues to play, now on an all girls team. She spends most of her time playing at different places, such as Webster, Brentwood, the Mills Ice rink, and in South County.

This year, however, she has experienced playing out of state, such as Chicago and Detroit.

“She’s really, really good,” close friend senior Benjamin Klutenkamper said. “She could go far if she keeps it up.”

For now, Goddard’s future is still unclear. One of her main focuses, college, is still up in the air.

Head coach Dan Torgerson has no doubts about the player.

“I have no doubt she can’t go farther,” Togerson said. “She’s a great player and a big help to the team.”

Goddard has been in contact with different colleges who are wanting her to come play for their teams. As of now, she remains undecided.

“I’m thinking about Lindenwood to play there,” Goddard said. “But just the other day a coach from Nichols College in Massachusetts contacted me and is looking at me to play for him.

It’s just totally up in the air.”

One thing is for certain: Goddard will continue to play for as long as she can.

“It’s obviously really hard,” Goddard said. “Like if you’re not on the ice a lot or working out it’s going to come back and kick you in the butt. But I love it and I love the feeling I have when I play. I’m not going to give it up.”

For more in-depth footage of Goddard on ice, check out podcast minisode #5.

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Pirates have culture, too jessica bremer

I

t’s come to my attention that music is good.

But you know what’s better? Free music.

To clarify for my haters: I am not arguing the legality of free downloads. I know that it’s illegal; I’m just not convinced that it’s wrong. Maybe in the eyes of some (i.e., the law) it is, but I disagree.

I’m also not saying artist’s shouldn’t be paid for their work. But maybe profit isn’t really that big of an issue: a paper published in Feb., 2007 to the Journal of Political Economy actually found that file sharing has no negative impact on CD sales.

In today’s world, technology is fast and it’s global and it’s changing everything.

You can’t expect to run a company the same way you would ten years ago. So – as hard is it may be – the music industry has got to change. People aren’t going to stop downloading just because they might get sued, and the lawsuits aren’t doing any good. Not for the companies (who look like jerks) or the people being sued (lawsuits generally suck) or – I believe - for the music industry.

There is no quicker way to diminish the artistic integrity of music then by suggesting that it is a product. While that may be true, I’d like to imagine that when Rihanna is singing about her umbrella, money doesn’t play a factor at all. People don’t like music because it’s a product; they like it because it’s a part of culture. Musicians are literally manufacturing culture, and it’s hard to sell something that’s freely flowing, thanks to the magic that is file-sharing.

So maybe we need to start looking at music as a service instead of a product.

What I’m suggesting is not easy and it’s not quick. These are paradigm shifts. I’m talking about a consumer revolution. There is no snappy way to revamp a system that is – quite frankly – astonishingly outdated.

The labels aren’t gonna do it though; not while they can still make money off of it.

They’ll continue on, archaic and atrocious, until the last cent has been wrung from the lifeless corpses of the Big Four (Warner; EMI; Sony; Universal). If a system won’t change for you, maybe you should change for it.

Download your songs, and welcome to the future.

(Note: not that I’d do anything of that nature. Please don’t sue me.)

More than a sound jordyn klackner

A

ll of a sudden the feeling arises in your gut. It squishes through your stomach, slides right past the heart, tingles your throat as it passes and then…it bursts. Your lips open, jaw widens and you let out one giant giggle.

What’s the big deal? It’s just a laugh, right? But to me, a laugh is so much more than just a sound.

For starters, I am the number one fan of self-expression. Those simple vibrations of sound that bounce from wall to wall, commonly known as laughter, are the best way to just let go.

Close your eyes, throw your head back, laugh, and you’ll see. Whether it’s the kind of laugh that lasts for twenty minutes, continuing to replay in your head, or just a little giggle, you’re expressing yourself. Even though it might be slightly awkward to be the only one laughing in a room of silent people and people may stare, I realize I’m the one who’s not afraid to be myself.

Secondly, it’s individuality. Just listen. Not one person has the same laugh. Some are high, some low, some squeak, some rumble, some are fast, some are slow. Laughter is what makes a person unique. Everyone does it, but that sound that flows from the lips sounds even sweeter each time, because each time it’s new. It’s what makes the chuckle of a baby so magical, the giggle of a child so heartwarming, and the laughter of the world so intriguing. Don’t be afraid to let it out.

It’s what makes you, you.

Senior Jordyn Klackner expresses herself through laughter and is a firm believer in being yourself. (cami wade)

Lastly, where in the world did it come from? You can laugh in the face of evil, or over embarrassment or humor. You can laugh at awkward moments, at memories, or just because.

Whenever or wherever you are, just letting it out can set you free. I don’t know where laughter came from, but just pushing that hot air out can change so much. The sound of it from someone else can make your day turn for the better, especially during the holiday season. It’s that time of year where the slightest bit of cheer can make you

a little happier. I even find when I’m stressed, laughing takes that extra weight away. Laughter has the power to change the mood in a room. They even say laughing every day adds years to your life.

If you know me, you know I laugh a lot. Some may think too much or too loud, but as far as I’m concerned I’ll never hold back that gut feeling. Go ahead and be annoyed, but I’m going to throw my head back and laugh. It’s a gift I appreciate everyday.

illustration

42 www.FHNtoday.com

jon henderson

page design pat flynn

the

North Star Give me diversity take: or give me death

W

hen 2,000 people stand, three stay seated out of personal belief. When one dresses to cover, 2,000 dress to reveal. When everyone is even, you're the only odd.

Our country gives us this freedom, but do we appreciate this? Are we letting it ring? Are we embracing differences?

Even today, in 2008, local differences are not only noticed, but are acted upon. Earlier this year, students in Chesterfield were reprimanded for creating an unofficial spirit week with days including "Hit a Tall Person Day," and going as far as, "Hit a Jew Day." With our country entering a new era, a new presidency, and a new year, actions such as these diminish the intelligence that we have in the twenty-first century, and should be a thing of the past.

truth. Currently, we are at the brink of adulthood. Discrimination is not taught and acceptance is instilled into us at an early age.

Whether it's through religion – Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslim, Jewish, Mormon, Catholic or Christian. Whether it's through success and the ways we live our lives. Whether it's through our families, our hobbies. Whatever it may be, we must respect one another enough to let happiness be possible.

on behalf of the

North Star photo illustration sarah semmel

Our country gives us the freedom for discrimination to be possible, but our country does not give us the freedom of discrimination. And because we are all different and we are all unique, our differences and our

editorial staff

uniqueness are what we should be embracing.

We are all striving for one unified purpose: to be happy.

When you're young, you tend to look past differences and see the

An ever-changing childhood proves to shape student’s life tyler kirk

I

A Lesson From The

Past

Senior Tyler Kirk holds up one of four pictures of his parents. Kirk grew up with both of them and believes he had a good childhood despite his parents splitting up and moving on. (sarah semmel)

page design miranda lindquist

grew up in a broken home – although “broken” couldn’t be a worse way of describing it.

See, my parents split-up before my brain had the capabilities of memory. The way I see it, it's better that way; I didn’t have to endure the pain of divorce like many older children do.

After they separated, my mom was given full custody of me, which meant that I got to see my dad every other weekend. Do the math and that only adds up to about 75 days out of every year. I see teachers I can’t stand more often than I see my own father.

While living with my mom, we moved more than a military family. We went from the apartment I lived in as a baby, to a house in South City, to my grandma and grandpa's house in St. Peters, to a middle-of-nowhere house in Wentzville, back to my grandparents' house, then to an apartment down the road, and, finally, to the house I currently live in. To some, seven homes in 18 years would be difficult to face, but it's made me more susceptible to change; I can handle things coming and going.

Change doesn't phase me.

When I was seven, my dad married my stepmom - a woman who I don’t remember living a

day without. When I stayed with my dad on the weekends, he would often not be there due to the long hours he worked, which meant that my step-mom was there to help raise me. Like I said, I don’t remember a day when she wasn’t in my life.

She was my second mother, always there for me.

However, my dad and step-mom split-up when I was in sixth grade, and this time around, I did feel the effects of change. This was one of the few times in my life that I cried. I couldn't believe it.

Although I was upset, my mood was soon lifted.

A year later, my mom married the man she’s married to today. Since the majority of my life was spent with only my mom and I, I didn't learn a whole lot about being a man. However, I now have a step-dad who has taught me about everything from why the referee should be fired, to how to make the steak just a little bit juicier.

Another year later, my brother Sam was born.

Although he’s a brat more than half of the time he’s around, he’s my brother. I love him. He has bestowed a sense of responsibility on me.

Although I’ve endured change in what seems like every year of my life, it’s shaped me. I am what I am today because of the changes that happened in my past.

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43

allison sheffler

M

y hero is someone I do not know and may never know.

It is someone I have never looked in the eye or given a hug. My hero is someone who may never come home. My hero is someone who has been faced with death but continues to smile. My hero could be your brother, father, uncle, son, daughter, or mother.

My hero is someone who waits for a letter from home to keep them going.

My hero stands tall and proud in their Greens. They are strong, courageous, and compassionate. They will not give up nor stop the fight. They are a world away helping me gain my freedom. My hero is someone who protects me without wrapping their arms around me.

My hero is someone who may not eat today. It is someone who may not have a tooth brush. They wait and pray that they will have the time to talk to their loved ones today. They do not have a normal seven-hour work day. In fact, their job is never complete. They have muddy boots but make sure their weapons are clean. They have seen horrors beyond what we can imagine. I stand proud of my country because of my hero.

My hero is a fighter. A lover. A solider.

Who is your hero?

A Faceless

Hero photo cami wade

Holiday season the clock is ticking Jessica and Lauren debate on whether last-minute shopping is worth the stress jessica payne

lauren skinner

B

ring on the holly and mistletoe. The holiday dinner and the holiday cheer.

But don’t forget to get those presents early! Come on, get real. Between school, studying for finals, work, etc., who really has the time to buy presents early?

Some people say that last-minute shopping is irresponsible. Does it really matter when you buy the gift? People should just be happy that someone cared enough to get them something.

It shouldn’t matter when they bought it.

Presents are always a plus to the holidays, but why are they all we talk about? Family and being with loved ones was once the only reason for the holidays.

Buying presents shows someone that you were thinking of them, it doesn’t measure how much you care for them. How is someone going to know when you bought the present anyways? It’s not like there is a time bomb that goes off when people open their gifts telling everyone when they bought it. So as long as you don’t tell them, they will never know. If they ask, tell them it’s none of their business.

People should get off their high horse about when you should buy the presents and just be happy they got something.

44 www.FHNtoday.com

C

photos by cami wade

hristmas is supposed to be a time to celebrate with the ones you love.

Putting up the tree, decorating the house, buying gifts for family and friends - these used to be annual Christmas traditions. Now, everyone thinks they’re too busy. There’s always school, jobs, extracurricular activities, etc. Yes, I know. I am a teenager too.

But what I don’t understand is how these are excuses for not shopping for Christmas gifts. I don’t know about you, but when someone buys me a gift, it’s painfully obvious if they bought it merely days before Christmas.

I would much rather receive an inexpensive present that shows a lot of thought than something with no meaning behind it bought at the last desperate second.

As teenagers, we’re all plenty busy.

Let me be the first to be a witness to that.

It’s just not a good enough reason to put before your family and friends. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t get all of my Christmas shopping done by the first of December.

One thing is for sure though: you won’t see me at the mall on Christmas Eve.

Letter Dear Editor,

to the

Editor

The article “A Tofurkey Thanksgiving” that appeared in your November issue is an abomination to the award-winning North Star Newspaper.

Thanksgiving is a time-honored tradition, and no one reserves the right to call anyone’s tradition “nonsensical” regardless of what it may be. The article had numerous flaws and historical misinformation to progress the writer’s agenda, of which we are still uncertain. Are we supposed to stop eating meat? Celebrating with our families? Are we supposed to stop being thankful? Or do you want us all to stop and observe how nonconforming you are, like everyone else? The answer is to ignore this extremist vegetarian viewpoint, and celebrate this Thanksgiving with your family and friends while reflecting on the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Can anything that brings people closer together be bad? As for the misconstrued idea about Thanksgiving that the writer holds, perhaps she will do her research next time. The pilgrims were of Angelo descent, not Aryan in the connotation the writer implied, and if anyone fed anyone, it was the natives feeding the pilgrims in order to help them survive the new harsh climate.

Ask any fifth grader and they will tell you about the helpful Native Squanto, who bridged the gap between the pilgrims and natives and taught them valuable farming and hunting techniques which helped ensure their survival. In fact, no natives were enslaved and no “hams” were “killed” as the writer would have everyone believe.

Sincerely, Josiah Carney, senior

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see

your letter in the paper?

Guidelines: -letters must be signed by the author and verified for publication -letters may be submitted to room 026 or Mr. Manfull’s mailbox -letters should include the author’s phone number and e-mail for verification -letters should not exceed 300 words -letters will not be printed if content is obscene, profane, invasive of privacy, encouraging physical disruption of school, and/or implies libel -letters will be edited for length, grammar, spelling, and content -authors will be notified if any changes are made to the letter by the editorial staff

page design julia gabbert

giving you the low-down

THEREVIEWS Watch

Quantum of Solace

tyler kirk

After 14 years, it's finally here. Ladies and gentlemen, Axl Rose and no other members of the original Guns N' Roses welcome you to Chinese Democracy. From the opening guitar riff of the title track, to the closing, ironically-named ballad "Prostitute," Axl screams in your ear. But his screaming is not that of Appetite for Destruction, it's that of Roseanne Barr belting out the national anthem. It seems that Axl's voice has taken a noticeable hit over the last decade and a half.

However, this motley crew of musicians he's assembled play great behind the screeching of their lead 'singer.' If it took so long for Axl to assemble his masterpiece, then where are songs like "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Paradise City?"

Where are tracks that stand out from the rest?

The question will remain unanswered, because each track on Democracy blends together with the next. The only thing this failure of a masterpiece has going for it is the creatively designed album booklet and the previously mentioned sound of each song. Axl, why don't you sit the next 14 years out? Again.

Massage oils lauren reiche

If you're looking for a night off, or even just some time to relax, a massage or facial from Salon de Christe is just what you need! You will fill out a survey to find your stress levels and target areas. Some questions include “Are you under excessive stress?” and “What area of your body is under the most stress?”

The massage therapist will combine scents, such as peach or Caribbean to help fit your mood, and calm your nerves. The only hang up is that you must be 18 years old. If you’re not, make sure you bring a parent to sign off for you.

page design lauren reiche

Twilight: Novel vs. Movie julia gabbert

Listen Chinese Democracy

Relax

Compare

logan ponche

I'm an action junkie, so for me to have never before seen a James Bond movie was the equivalent of a sports enthusiast having never watched ESPN; it just doesn't happen.

Needless to say, I walked into Quantum of Solace with high expectations that were from an action standpoint, more than fulfilled. In less than two hours, 007 managed to find himself in fights and chases that took place in about every type of venue imaginable. Almost every single scene in the movie had some kind of action which, no matter how small, brought you to the edge of your seat. But where the action was good, the plot was not. Because this Bond Movie is a sequel to Casino Royale, the movie was full of references to the first flick that made the story (for first time viewers) extremely difficult to follow. If you are planning to go see the movie, rent Casino Royale first. It will save you a lot of confusion.

Smell Axe cologne brittany schulze

I'm all for a guy who smells nice, and there is a ton of nice-smelling cologne out there that make me do a double take every now and then. There is one, however, that makes me wish I didn’t have a sense of smell: Axe. With its convenient little spray bottle and 11 scents to choose from, this aroma just doesn't do much for a guy. There is Phoenix which smells like old spice, Kilo with its ambery scent, Orion for the extreme sports guys and now the new chocolate flavor.

I love chocolate but I don't think I would want my man smelling like he just came out of the Willy Wonka Factory. Even though it only costs around five dollars, this investment should be made somewhere else.

Movies based off of books never do the story justice.

There's just no way to fit an entire novel into a short two-hour film.

However, the movie for Stephenie Meyer's Twilight gets pretty close to hitting the nail on the head. The film follows the book and portrays the images in your head almost perfectly. Keep an eye out for the baseball scene. It is definitely my favorite part of the whole movie. The only thing I didn't like about the movie was the scene in the meadow. I was disappointed to see that such a significant part from the book was cut down to just a short glimpse.

Overall, Twilight is a movie that die-hard fans and skeptics alike can appreciate. Plus, let's be honest, even if the movie was a total bust, it would still bring in millions because Edward is just so dreamy...

Eat

Veggie hot dogs jessica bremer

I love Morningstar Farms; however, there is one product of theirs I simply cannot stand, and that's their soy hot dogs. They're practically inedible; they don't taste quite right, the texture is off, and the outside and the inside of the hot dog feel separate and weird. Don't get me wrong, the soy corn dogs are heavenly, as is most of their food.

It's the perfect thing for us vegetarians who sometimes have secret meat cravings (chicken, you will be the death of me!) or anyone who just wants the benefit of not eating meat. But those hot dogs!

Atrocious. It made me realize why most people don't like soy and why I happily eat raw tofu.

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