Feb. 21, 2018- What's Going on in There?

north | star FRANCIS HOWELL NORTH | ST. CHARLES, MO | 02.21.18 | VOL 32 ISSUE 05

What’s going

on in

there?

PAGE 26

has become a new trend and has affected students and staff at FHN. In response, the administration has taken action to try 24-29 Vaping to put a stop to juuling and vaping during school.

ENTERTAINMENT 3 Would You Rather?

Find out how you really study and what it says about you.

4

“Peter Rabbit” Review This new animated film is fun, but it lacks sophistication.

NEWS 6 The Love Project A new program at FHN engages girls of color in discussions about their lives.

8

Normandy Decisions

Students have been faced with the choice to stay in FHSD or return to Normandy.

WE’RE SOCIAL,

ARE YOU?

34-35 team, like Coach Dawn Hahn and freshman Cate Hahn. (Photo by Allie Moore)

Girls’ basketball focuses on a family atmosphere and has family members on the

FEATURES 18 Dance for Culture

TWITTER @fhntoday

Michaela Mihova participates in dance to connect to her Bulgarian heritage.

20

SNAPCHAT

Art Club Revived

Students express their passion for art in an unofficial art club after school.

fhntoday

INSTAGRAM @fhntoday

SPORTS 31 Dominate the Dive

FACEBOOK

Kamryn Bell stepped up as a diver, making fourth at GACs this year.

@fhntodayfan

37

YOUTUBE fhntoday

SMUGMUG

OPINIONS 42 Net Neutrality

fhntoday

ON THE COVER

Two people pose in a bathroom stall at FHN to represent the frequent use of e-cigarettes in school bathrooms.

(Cover by Alex Rowe & Carolynn Gonzalez)

Miller to Nationals

Junior Abby Miller’s club soccer team is seeded first going into Nationals.

Repealing net neutrality gives too much power to internet service providers.

22-23

43 Marvel Movies The second annual Women’s March was held in St. Louis on Jan. 20.

Thousands of people marched in support of different social issues.

FHNTODAY.COM | 02.21.18 | CONTENTS

The cinematic universe has become too predictable and boring.

PAGE BY ASHYA ROBERSON

TOP 3

PHOTO EDITING APPS (Content by McKayla Bogda)

Facetune 2 (Free)

Adobe Photoshop Express (Free)

VSCO (Free)

This is one of the best apps for the perfect selfie or for some touch-ups on photos. From whitening smiles to fixing blemishes to changing the lighting, this is great for editing photos of people.

For people who want a quick way to fix photos without purchasing the Adobe Suite, this is the perfect stepping stone. It has similar capabilities as the program and can help take a basic photo to the next level.

This app has the option of using free filters or purchasing filters for categories that can make photos look more cohesive.

There is also a wide array of adjustment tools. Once edited, users can publish their work.

Procrastination

Chilly or Tropical

(Comic by Rebekah Myers)

Burgertown What can I get for you today?

Can I have a cheeseburger... but with no cheese?

So, a hamburger?

Um...?

(Comic by Daniel Xiang)

PAGE BY heeral patel

No! I said I want a cheeseburger without the cheese! Why is that hard to understand ?!

(Comic by Jake Price)

ENTERTAINMENT | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

1

LATE NIGHT BITES

Students who are night owls can’t miss these St. Charles and St. Louis restaurants

GINGHAM’S

Gingham’s is a wonderful place to go if people are looking for a good, all-American meal that will fill anyone up at 3 a.m. They’re open 24 hours, and customers can order anything on the menu at any time, from waffles to a buffalo chicken sandwich. The restaurant is located just off Old Highway 94, a mile down from Marcus Theater 18.

The prices are low without sacrificing the quality or quantity of food: customers can eat there for under $13. The breakfast special - two eggs any style, two strips of bacon or two sausage links and three buttermilk pancakes - only costs a little under $6.

(Content and illustrations by Sophia Schmidt)

PEACOCK DINER

Peacock Diner is located in St. Louis’ Loop. It’s open 24 hours with a pastel modern interior and neon lights and its signature milkshakes, malts and pies.

They also have a “Peacock Carousel of Love” that costumers can reserve for private dates or parties. The Carousel is an elevated round seat with privacy curtains if customers would like to use them.

All its menu items are served all day, and besides shakes and desserts, they serve burgers and other diner fare. The prices generally range from $4-9.

“Gingham’s is super affordable for the size of the meals they give you.”

-Emily Butler, 11

SHAKE SHACK

MISSION TACO

Shake Shack is a diner on Euclid Avenue in St. Louis. The company started when a hot dog stand in Manhattan built up into a restaurant.

Now the small chain has locations in Texas, Florida, St. Louis and more. It serves burgers, shakes and even menu items for dogs. They serve items such as their “Pooch-ini,” dog biscuits in peanut butter custard, or the “Bag o’ Bones,” a bag of locally-made dog biscuits. It’s a very casual dining environment, and the prices are average for a higher-end fast food restaurant. Customers can get a signature Shack Burger with fries and a drink for $9. The restaurant is open until 10 p.m.

“I had duck tacos there. They tasted really fresh, so that was nice.”

-Adam Seals, 9

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FHNTODAY.COM | 02.21.18 | ENTERTAINMENT

Mission Taco is located on First Capitol Drive, adjacent to St. Charles’ AMC Theaters. It’s a quirky restaurant that serves signature tacos and churros for low prices. The price is usually $4 per taco. They offer a casual dining environment with barstools and a mural painting inside made by a local St. Charles artist. The mural features things that make St. Charles and Missouri unique: people like Mark Twain and Lewis and Clark. The restaurant is open until midnight.

PAGE BY SOPHIA SCHMIDT

WOULD YOU RATHER?

Study Habits

Choose the side that you prefer and whichever side you choose most often will show what your study habits are like Take a nap after school.

OR

Hang out with friends after school.

Always be slightly hungry.

OR

Always feel stuffed.

Always feel the need to sneeze but cannot.

OR

Perpetually have the hiccups.

Not be able to talk.

OR

Not be able to hear.

Wear socks with sandals the rest of your life.

OR

Never wear shoes again.

Get homework done early, but forget it at home when it is due.

OR

Procrastinate and barely get it done in time.

Be late and have everything.

OR

Be early, but forget something.

Only drink water the rest of your life.

OR

Only drink soda or other caffeinated drinks the rest of your life.

Only see the ends of movies.

OR

Only see the beginning of movies.

Only have a phone.

OR

Have everything but a phone (laptop, television, smart watch).

Only wear sweatpants and hoodies.

OR

Only wear dress clothes.

Read a paperback book.

OR

Read a book on a tablet.

Have a cracked phone screen.

OR

Have a phone that loses battery easily.

Skip lunch.

OR

Skip breakfast.

Travel by plane, but have layovers.

OR

Travel by car, but take breaks often.

Mostly side 1

“This perfectly reflects me because I always get my work down. When I work I feel like my grades were well earned.”

-Robert Fairless, 9

You are a very logical and organized studier. Everything you do has thought behind it and there is an end goal in mind. You have a tendency to be over-prepared and can easily get stressed out. The only thing you procrastinate is choosing which song to listen to while doing homework.

PAGE BY MCKAYLA BOGDA

Mostly side 2

FHN CAPTURE

Enter in FHNtoday’s weekly photo challenge. The theme is announced on @fhntoday on Instagram. To enter, message the photo to the account with your name and grade

Week 1 Theme: Colors Winner: Addy Bradbury, 10

Week 2 Theme: Focus Winner: Ariana Burnham, 11

“I definitely feel like it fits my study habits almost perfectly. I’ll definitely get my stuff done, but only after I hang with friends.”

-Amanda Denno, 12

You are a little more relaxed when it comes to studying.

Friends and fun take your attention and homework takes the back seat. Generally you will get it done, but it is probably the night before or the day of. You enjoy life to its fullest and get what you need to get done eventually.

Week 3 Theme: Black & white Winner: Corynn Argent, 10

ENTERTAINMENT | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

3

THE RASCAL REBEL RABBIT The newest film “Peter Rabbit” is charming, fun, but lacks sophistication

by Jake Price

japrice024@gmail.com | @japrice024

If one were to see the film “Peter Rabbit” with their sibling or a kid their babysitting, they would enjoy it.

They would need to turn their brain off, and just go with the flow.

“Peter Rabbit” is a movie based off the famous children’s book written by Beatrix Potter. The is a movie that tells the misadventures of a rabbit named Peter and his family. As a game the rabbits steal food from a garden that belongs to nasty old man. However, when a new guy moves into the house, they can no longer steal food from the garden, so they all try exterminate the human from their home away from home.

I honestly had low expectations for this film. I was expecting it to be a waste of time, but it turned to be an extremely good film… to an extent.

The film above all else is just charming. It’s definitely a family movie and not an Oscar worthy movie. When seeing the movie, someone can’t think too much about it; they would just have to go with flow. They would have to turn off, or get rid of their brain, and just have fun because the movie really is so much fun.

The fun mainly comes from

voice cast. James Corden, who plays Peter, is so adorable as his character. Even though you only see a rabbit with his voice coming out, you can still emotionally connect with the character which is important when it comes to voice acting. All of the actresses who played Peter’s sisters gave dorky, humorous performances that kept the audience engaged while Domhnall Gleeson and Rose Byrne gave average, but effective performances as the only two human characters in the film.

A wonderfully heartwarming story takes place in the film, due to the message. The message was simply: be nice to others. It really is such a overused message in other films and TV shows, but it works so well in this movie in particular due to the fact that it’s a film targeted at children.

However, the script at times can seem immature.

Some of the humor and gags can seem a little out of place RATING and random, and it 4 out 5 stars can sometimes feel unnecessary. For example, there are multiple times where the movie will just Follow this link to stray off the path it’s watch the movie trailer: been taking to cut to goo.gl/MnxjqX a really obnoxious rooster gag that becomes less and less funny. The good thing is though, this doesn’t take the audience out of the movie if they’re not thinking too much about it.

I would be genuinely surprised if a kid didn’t laugh at this movie. “Peter Rabbit” its such a goofy, family film. Throughout the movie, I found myself laughing and even almost crying at some parts. “Peter Rabbit” is not a work of art, but I couldn’t help myself from enjoying it.

WATCH

FACTS ABOUT THE MOVIE GENRE: Animation,

adventure, comedy, family, fantasy

RATING: PG for rude humor and action

CAST: James Corden (Peter

Rabbit), Fayssal Bazzi (Mr. Tod), Domhnall Gleeson (Mr. Jeremy Fisher), and Sia (Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle)

RUNTIME: 93 minutes DIRECTOR: Will Gluck BUDGET: 50,000,000 (estimated)

FUN FACT:

This is the first of three animated films of 2018 to star James Corden. The other two are “Smallfoot” and “Wreck It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks The Internet.”

RELEASE DATE: Feb 9, 2018

(Source imdb.com)

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FHNTODAY.COM | 02.21.18 | ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE BY JAKE PRICE

Dawn Hahn, teacher of the year, poses with Principal Andy Downs and her award. Hahn teaches two of the Biomedical courses FHN offers: Principles of Biomedical Sciences and Human Body Systems. (Photo by Alex Rowe)

RECOGNIZING THE WELL-DESERVED Wednesday faculty meetings are typical for staff members. However, the faculty meeting that took place Jan. 10 was anything but typical for PLTW Biomedical Science teacher Dawn Hahn and maintenance man Stan Robertson. During this meeting, they were announced as teacher and support staff of the year, respectively.

After 25 years of teaching, with 16 of those years at FHN, Hahn was recognized with one of the biggest honors a staff member can receive.

“I wasn’t expecting it,” Hahn said. “When you have all of the great people around you like we have here at North, you see the talent and the passion that are sitting around you.

It’s crazy to see yourself as viewed in the top group of what they would consider their professional class. It was humbling, but it was a really cool experience to be up there knowing that sitting up in the seats of the tables are so many incredible teachers.”

The process to select the teacher of the year took place all throughout November.

During this time, FHN staff and administration nominated and voted on deserving teachers until there was only one teacher left: Hahn. In the mean time, Hahn continued to teach her students, striving to become a better teacher each day.

“Ms. Hahn is an absolutely amazing teacher,” senior Caty Arnold said. “She balances a lot with teaching all of her classes as well as being the head girls’ basketball coach. She cares about the students’ grades and wants to make sure we get as much as we can out of the class. She really deserved that award.”

As well as the Teacher of the Year award, during the faculty meeting on Jan. 10, the Support Staff of the Year award was presented to Robertson.

“It was a high honor,” Robertson said. “It shows me that people appreciate what I do, and it helps to make me want to keep working as hard as I can. I am thankful that they recognized me and thankful that they appreciate what we do here.”(Brief by Heidi Hauptman)

NEW PROGRAM BEGINS TO BRING LOVE TO FHN Every Monday during school, of the year. Each meeting lasts a Shante Duncan comes to FHN class period, and the meetings and speaks to girls of color are held in weekly rotations so through a program called The the girls don’t miss the same Love Project. The program class all the time. Duncan is a offers sessions on etiquette, transformational personality financial literacy, healthy and dynamic speaker. She is relationships, healthy eating, the founder and chief executive self-love, team building and of S.H.E.R.A.H. (Sisters Helping community engagement. As Each Other Reach A Higher well as being Height). Through implemented at this program, she FHN, The Love has started The Love Project also serves Project.

Follow this link to over 300 girls “The Love Project watch more about in five different is a program the Love Project: school districts designed to provide goo.gl/wWA1q9 around the St. girls of color with Louis region. a safe and sacred “I think the Love place to learn more Project has been very beneficial about themselves,” Duncan to our school so far,” Kennedy said. “I wanted to start this Evans, junior and member of project and bring it to schools the program, said. “We have to try and help young girls all grown a ton. It is a nice build confidence in themselves atmosphere to be able to talk that they will need for the rest about things that we can’t talk of their lives.” (Brief by Heidi about all the time.”

Hauptman) Duncan brought The Love Project to FHN at the beginning

WATCH

Spokesperson of the Love Project, Shante Duncan, reads a poem on Jan. 29 collectively written by the students. She starts every meeting by having each girl say something positive that happened during the week and by giving a compliment to the person in front of them. This is a way to help girls find a safe place and gain more self confidence. (Photo by Kaitlyn Snyder)

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FHNTODAY.COM | 02.21.18 | NEWS

PAGE BY SAMMIE HERR

UPCOMING EVENTS February

23

Pep Assembly Time: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Where: Large gym

Thursday

February

24

February

FHSD Community Resource Fair Time: 9 a.m. - noon Where: FHC Cafeteria

Saturday

Saturday

March

7

Wednesday

March

8-10 ThursdaySaturday

Mock Trial Regionals Time: 6 p.m.

Where: Clayton Courthouse

Sophomore NHS Induction Ceremony Time: 7 p.m.

Where: Large gym

StuCo State Where: Lebanon High School

March

February

26

27

Tuesday

Snowcoming Time: 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Where: Commons

24

February

Senior Krista Avants sings during Knightsound rehearsal.

Knightsound has been practicing two different pieces for their trip to Orlando. (Photo by Kaili Martin)

Spring Sports Tryouts Time: 2:20 p.m.

Monday

11-13

DECA State Where: Kansas City

SundayTuesday

Sophomore Jena Pae poses in the Learning Commons as she wears a shirt with the winning logo she designed for Coffeehouse. Pae entered the Coffeehouse contest with a drawing that took her over four hours. She studied different fonts, chose her favorite and then practiced that style. (Photo by Josie Santel)

SPILLING OUT DESIGNS

Sophomore Jena Pae’s design was chosen as this year’s 2018 North Street Coffeehouse Logo. Coffeehouse took place all day during school on Feb. 14 and 15. The logo was featured on the red and silver Coffeehouse shirts and the programs handed out to the audience.

“When the contest was announced, I already had an idea of what I wanted to make,” Pae said. “I did look up old photos from past years of Coffeehouse logos for some inspiration, but I didn’t take much from them. I feel proud and happy that I was picked because this is the first time something I’ve created is actually being used for an event.”

PAGE BY SAMMIE HERR

There are three main elements to Coffeehouse and all were included in the logo design. At the top, there’s coffee spilling out of a cup, off to the side of the cup there are music notes and at the bottom there’s a book representing spoken word. Pae worked for around four hours on the website Paint Tool Sai, using her drawing tablet to create the logo.

“As soon as I saw it, I loved it,” Angie Davis, Learning Commons media specialist, said. “To me, it encompasses everything Coffeehouse is about. It includes all of the elements of Coffeehouse: the spoken word, music and coffee.” (Brief by Sammie Herr)

STL TO ORLANDO Knightsound will head to Orlando on March 22 for Festival Disney, a singing competition held at Walt Disney World Resort, and will stay until March 27.

“It is a great trip for the kids,” former vocal instructor Lorraine Smith said. “It is fun to see what other schools are doing around the country. It is nice to get away from school and have an experience like that.”

The choir will participate in the competition with other schools and choirs from all over the U.S. During the competition, FHN will sing “Veterum Oratio,” “The Stars Stand Up in the Air” and “Gloria.” Schools will attend Festival Disney to perform, receive feedback from judges and possibly win trophies. Performances will take place at different places around the park.

Awards include Best in Class and Festival Disney Medal as well as gold, silver and bronze awards.

“We have put a lot of time and effort into our performance at this competition,” Maddy Wood, senior and president of Knightsound, said. “Last year, we had a lot of great success and I think that will continue on to this year as well.”

Previously, Knightsound has traveled to places like Nashville, Atlanta and Dallas, but this year it will be their third time traveling to Disney World for Nationals. Last year, the Knightsound choir won Best in Class in the Show Choir category, and they took home silver in the Specialty Choirs category. When not performing in Orlando, Knightsound will get to visit Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom Disney parks as well as Universal Studios. Knightsound has been preparing for their trip to Orlando in many ways. They have had fundraisers, including a couple karaoke nights, to help raise money for their trip.

“We have done a lot of things to prepare for this trip,” choir teacher Jennifer Crane said. “Our fundraisers have done well and the kids are putting in good work with practicing. I am excited to see what the results will be.” (Brief by Heidi Hauptman)

NEWS | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

7

“CHO

Stay with friends or get a better education?

Meet new people or be consistent?

Drive half an hour to school or go somewhere closer?

Keep with familiar teachers or get back to a new start?

Give my old school a second chance or remain stable?

Play funded sports or play sports that might not be?

FADING

BACK TO

NORMANDY

Normandy Schools Collaborative created a transition program for students after receiving provisional accreditation, leaving students with the decision to stay in FHSD or go back home 8

FHNTODAY.COM | 02.21.18 | NEWS

by Sarah Zimmerman

sarahzimmerman8@gmail.com

F

or junior Joshua Simmons, what was once a new district, full of different people, foreign buildings, unusual transportation and an unexplored atmosphere, has now become a familiar community, full of opportunity, friends and family. After transferring from the Normandy School District in seventh grade, Simmons has become a part of the FHN family and community. Now in eleventh grade, he has been faced once more with the decision to stay or go. To continue attending FHN or to return to Normandy.

From Phasing In to Phasing Out

During the 2013-14 school year, the Normandy School District lost accreditation, and now, four years later, the Normandy Schools Collaborative received provisional accreditation. A school can receive provisional accreditation when they have established the structures and processes necessary, but have not yet achieved the outcomes to apply for accreditation.

Because Normandy Schools Collaborative met provisional accreditation standards, students from Normandy will now begin transitioning back.

PAGE BY REBEKAH MYERS

ICES”

Finish high school where I’ve grown up or leave?

See my family more or move out?

Go to a more established school or a newly-remade one?

Trust an approved district or one that just was?

Go to school with my younger siblings or not?

Use my time for a job or spend that time driving home?

“I am excited about the group and we’ve been able to cover,” Charles Pearson, Normandy Schools Collaborative superintendent, said. “I’m excited about the fact that we’ve been able to move into the provisionally accredited range in two years. You pause, and you celebrate that, and then you get really busy again.

Because the Normandy Schools Collaborative is now provisionally accredited, Normandy students must begin a new transition program to assimilate back into Normandy. Under this program, Normandy students will have the chance to finish their level of schooling or three years of schooling in FHSD. However, after the completion of the 2017-18 school year, Normandy Schools Collaborative will no longer provide bus transportation.

“I would be devastated honestly because for me, I’m getting prepared to go into the medical field, and this school has prepared me tremendously to get to that, and I feel honored just to do that,” senior Marissa Hunt said. “In Normandy, we couldn’t really even pick our classes or pick a career path. Everyone was on one path.”

The lack of transportation has put many Normandy

PAGE BY REBEKAH MYERS

students in a situation where they have to determine not only whether or not to attend FHN next year, but also how they will get to school. For Simmons, it means moving out or staying home. He chose to move out. Rather than returning to Normandy for his senior year, Simmons will stay with his friend, junior Zeke Alexander, in order to continue school, football and wrestling at FHN until graduation.

“I’m glad I switched because I got a lot more opportunities out here than I would’ve there,” Simmons said. “I got the opportunity to do stuff like football and wrestling and running and Students for FHN.”

The Understanding

While some students may be devastated, Normandy Schools Collaborative has reinstated and added new programs and activities to reach that higher level of education. Not only that, but because Normandy is now provisionally accredited, Normandy students no longer have the legal right to transfer to other schools, including FHN, unless they pay tuition and adhere to specific district policies.

For the shift back to Normandy, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Transfer Student Transition

Program was created.

The MOU clearly lies out the new plan, stating that after a Normandy student completes the 2017-18 school year, qualified students will be allowed to continue enrolling and attending school in FHSD for three subsequent academic years or until the student reaches a natural shift to the next grade span. Shifting to the next grade span would include moving from elementary school to middle school or going from middle school to high school.

“I think it will affect all of us,” Assistant Principal Jeff Blankenship said. “We’ve had students in our building that have been part of our FHN family, and some of them may not be here next year. It’s just like if a best friend moves away or something like that.

There’s a piece missing if those students do choose to go elsewhere.”

Regardless, after the completion of this school year, while Normandy will still pay tuition for students attending FHSD schools for a few years, they will no longer provide buses, meaning any Normandy student wishing to attend FHSD schools will have to find transportation on their own, forcing some students to go back to Normandy next year due to

NEWS | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

9

lack of transportation. because I had a lot of friends. I knew a lot of Principal Andy Downs said. “For you to be people. I knew a lot of teachers because they able to go to school near your house is what had my past sisters, so I had connections we want for kids. I want Normandy schools there, but then I moved here and came here and all school districts to do well and service for the remaining three years. I’m glad [I came kids well, but you do get emotionally tied to here]. I got a lot of opportunities and met a lot kids that go to your school and you get sad to of teachers. I learned a lot of things I would’ve see them go.” never learned there Normandy students When I switched schools, it and met a lot of will now be able to go people that I’m glad was scary. I wanted to stay to a school nearby, and I met. We’re glad for at Normandy because I had those who go back to the opportunities.” a lot of friends I’m glad [I attending Normandy may After losing came here]. I got a lot of find a “new” school, as accreditation, as there are new programs upheld by Missouri opportunities and met a lot and opportunities they state law, students of teachers. I learned a lot hadn’t previously had at could choose to of things I would’ve never Normandy. For example, stay at Normandy or learned there and met a they not only restored transfer to any other lot of people that I’m glad and added AP classes, but accredited school they also created reading district in the same I met. We’re glad for the and math interventions. or an adjoining opportunities.

Among other things, now county. The Normandy also utilizes Normandy School professional development and works with District also had to provide free transportation their principals on their leadership. to another accredited district in an adjoining “We are focusing on changing lives today county in which their students could attend if through services and instruction, and we are they chose to do so. Normandy chose FHSD. educating for the future to be sure that when “It was my parents’ decision,” Hunt said. our children graduate,” Pearson said. “You “They were like, ‘We don’t want this for you. have to problem solve, you’ve got to be able We want you to have a good education to communicate with diverse people through and have opportunities and be able to do diverse measures and you have to be a whatever you want to do in life.’ They were creative thinker, so that’s what our work is for like, ‘Well, since this is a new opportunity and and that’s what our goal is for our students.” it’s a free opportunity, take it.’”

The Beginning of the End for the Once Normandy chose FHSD, families began Normandy School District the application process, where they had to The Normandy district originally lost prove residence in Normandy. The students accreditation due to their performance on the who wished to go to FHSD were placed into annual performance report (APR) that the the different buildings based upon how much state gives every district. APR scores are based space was available in each grade level. on a variety of material including attendance, Meanwhile, the cost of transferring graduation rate and achievement scores. students, now reaching $34.9 million, led While FHSD reached 135.5/140 APR standards to the dissolution of the Normandy School in 2014, the Normandy School District scored District. In its place, the Normandy Schools significantly lower, with only 10/140 APR Collaborative was created and run by a new points. This led the Missouri State Board board, appointed by the Missouri Board of of Education to rate the Normandy School Education.

District as unaccredited, giving Normandy A District Reborn students the option to transfer schools.

Since the first year, the number of “When I switched schools, it was scary,” Normandy students attending FHSD schools Hunt said. “I wanted to stay at Normandy has decreased from 457 to 157, in part due

“

”

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FHNTODAY.COM | 02.21.18 | NEWS

to fewer students enrolling in the transfer program after the first year. According to Missouri law, a student is entitled to go to school within the area they live. An exception to this law is for students who participate in a district transfer program, Because Normandy received provisional accreditation, the statute no longer applies to Normandy students. However, the Normandy administration is optimistic for the future due to their new programs and improving scores. For example, they created a new strategic planning model to improve and implement better professional development, counseling, student services, food services, technology, building facilities, school leadership and class opportunities.

Through their work, only three years later, the Normandy Schools Collaborative has brought their APR score up to 87.5/140, which is 77.5 APR points higher. This led to the Normandy Schools Collaborative receiving provisional accreditation, and, in turn, the Normandy students attending FHSD schools entering the phase out program.

“I think [Normandy Schools Collaborative] is a good place to go to school because there are some kids who want to work hard and make their school better than it was, so that’s why it’d be good for some kids to go back,” Simmons said. “They know that their school can become better and become a better community.”

While Simmons will stay at FHN, other Normandy students may leave. Similarly, while FHSD administration is excited for the strides Normandy Schools Collaborative made, Normandy students became a part of the FHSD family and those who return to Normandy Schools Collaborative will be missed.

“We will miss the students, but I’m happy that Normandy has raised their level of student achievement such that they can be provisionally accredited and that with those dollars they can continue their efforts to have a fully accredited school district and that student can attend school in their own community and get the same quality of education of what they were in Francis Howell,” Patterson said.

PAGE BY REBEKAH MYERS

Students pass the trash cans that sit near the butterfly hallway. The hallway is notorious for constantly having trash cans sitting out to catch the water from the leaks. Leaks have been less frequent since the skylights in the butterfly hallway were removed. (Photo by Savannah Wandzel)

LEAK, REPAIR AND REPEAT The District works to combat recurring water infiltration problems throughout FHN

by Noah Slaughter

straight down. It can take twisted paths that make finding the source of the leaks difficult.

“When you have facilities that are 30 years old, you’re going to have infiltration HN is aging. problems,” Boettler said. “Unfortunately, it’s just the reality for buildings that are It has made it through six expansions over its 30-plus years, and in that getting older.” time its students and staff have been confronted with a common problem FHSD has funnelled about $1.5 million in total capital expenditures into FHN made worse by its age and its size: leaks. To halt some of the infiltration, the facilities in the last two years, which includes updates to the HVAC system and District replaced parts of FHN’s roof in the fall and plans to replace even more of it floor tiles, among other projects. Boettler estimates that in this same time period, this summer. water infiltration has been cut in half, but that the District needs substantial “Francis Howell North is kind of like an old house,” Jeremy Boettler, FHSD amounts of capital to make any lasting, large-scale fixes to the building. Just director of facilities and operations, said. “It’s got problems, and all you can do is replacing the HVAC system, for example, would cost about $8 million. In the try to fix them, but the problems don’t go away. It’s a very challenging meantime, leaks persist. building.”

“Francis Howell North has so many opportunities for FHSD addressed water infiltration issues at FHN this fall by replacing water infiltration, it’s mind-boggling,” Boettler said. “If we parts of the roof over the band hallway, the commons and the weight had a solution and we knew where it was leaking, if we Check out some details room. The District also plans to redo about half of the school’s roof could just go up on the roof and put a piece of rubber down of previous roof repairs: goo.gl/6LCkiB this summer as part of an insurance claim. Even with these fixes, and fix it, we would do that. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work however, stopping all the leaks in a building as large and as old as that way.”

FHN is nearly impossible.

Without a way to stop all of the leaks permanently, FHN “I think you’re always going to have roofing issues,” Activities Director Mike Janes and other schools in the district respond to water infiltration problems as they said. “When you have that much square footage, you’re going to have something happen. Administrators put in a work order to the District as soon as they notice going on. We try to fix those problems as soon as possible and repair the issue and a leak. The District then dispatches a representative to inspect the roof, make also work within the budget.” repairs if possible or else contact a contractor. They follow up the next time it Water infiltration at FHN is frequent, but its causes can be complex. In fact, rains. This process can sometimes seem slow, however, because the district has Boettler estimates that at least half of the leaks have nothing to do with holes 23 schools and just one individual from the facilities department who inspects all in the roof. Water drips down HVAC units. It seeps past bricks. It enters through 23 roofs. While they wait, schools put out trash cans or buckets to catch the water 30-year-old mechanical units on the roof. FHN’s age makes the school even more and avoid slips. The process likely repeats the next rainy day. vulnerable, and its six additions add lots of chinks in its armor, leaving FHN as one “If there were 10 roof leaks, we could fix all 10 in the next year, but then 10 more of the district’s leakiest schools. could pop up,” Boettler said. “That’s the challenge with roof leaks. There is no end.

The problem can be even more complicated because water doesn’t always leak It just keeps going in circles.” reader524@gmail.com | @noahslaughterr

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MORE INFO

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NEWS | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

11

Mary Lange speaks at the volunteer committee meeting on Jan. 23. Lange is a canvassing consultant and is leading fundraising with Kevin Supple for the volunteer committee for Prop Learn. She talked about a social media push for educating people on Prop Learn. (Photo by Carolynn Gonzalez)

A NEW APPROACH TO A NEW PROPOSITION

After two failed tax levies, the District will attempt to implement one more this April called Proposition Learn

by Carolynn Gonzalez

easier for our stakeholders to vote ‘Yes.’ The political pendulum is swinging, so last April all school districts that went out for a levy passed.” carolynnnn.182@gmail.com | @carolynng0 According to Hendricks-Harris, the District is looking to build on the momentum After the failure of both Proposition Y in 2015 and Proposition Howell in 2016, they gained in November 2016, when Proposition Howell was on the ballot. Unlike the District will introduce Proposition Learn on the April 3 ballot this year. past levies, the District is asking for a smaller amount, with Proposition Y being a Proposition Learn is a 48 cent operating tax levy that will assist the district in 90 cent levy and Proposition Howell being a 60 cent levy. remaining a leader in the county. The last tax levy passed was 14 years ago.

“We’ve asked for a smaller amount, we’re hoping that will be more palatable to “Our community wants us to remain the top-achieving district in the county,” our voters,” Hendricks-Harris said. “Our Board of Education is not only united in Matt Deichmann, chief communications and community their vote, but they’re all advocating the passage of the levy.” relations officer, said. “In order to give stakeholders what they The District is only able to release factual information on want, we need this levy.”

Proposition Learn, which appears on the district website and is The levy will help update technology in the district, increase sent to stakeholders via eNews and postcards. Information also For further details about STEM-related classes, reinstate the full freshman sports appears in press releases in local publications as well as in paid Prop Learn, go to goo.gl/L24Na5 schedule and provide assistance for the social and emotional advertising by the District. needs of students. The District is also looking to end the twoIn addition to the release of information by the District, a year salary freeze for its employees, provide more competitive volunteer committee, composed of parents and teachers in the salaries for its support staff and end the activity fee that was implemented earlier community, has been established to rally for Proposition Learn. Volunteer groups this school year. In order for Proposition Learn to pass, the district needs a simple have promoted previous levies, but the committee for Proposition Learn is taking majority of 51 percent voting “Yes.” a new approach to persuade the community. This year, the committee plans to “I think this time we have a few things working for us,” superintendent Mary make more personal connections, target parents and encourage people to vote, Hendricks-Harris said. “The economy is better, so we’re hoping that will make it along with the traditional canvassing they have done in the past.

MORE INFO

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FHNTODAY.COM | 02.21.18 | NEWS

PAGE BY NOAH SLAUGHTER

HOW TO

REGISTER TO VOTE

Haley Geer and Autumn Davis dance at last year’s Prom on May 6 in New Town. The theme for the dance was a Knight in Hollywood. (File Photo)

To be eligible to vote, you must be...

- A U.S. citizen - A Missouri resident - At least 17.5 years old by the registration deadline (March 7) - At least 18 years old by Election Day (April 3)

To register by mail...

-Fill out a Missouri Voter Registration Application. This can be found at goo.gl/TXHUW3 -Mail the application to your local election authority.

For residents of St. Charles County, this is located at 397 Turner Blvd.

To register in person...

- Visit your local DMV -Submit your Missouri Voter Registration Application -This can be done when apply for or renewing a driver’s license

“We have done some research; we have reached out to different districts on how they’ve passed their levies,” Mary Lange, fundraising and canvassing consultant for the volunteer committee, said at a Jan. 23 volunteer meeting. “One of the biggest items that was returned back to what they did was they targeted their parents, so that is why we’re taking this campaign and we’re going to target our parents.”

Another goal of the District and the volunteer committee is to get stakeholders to register to vote in time for the April 3 election. The last day to register to vote in time for the election is March 7. It is the hope of the District that, with their encouragement, 18-year-old students and alumni of the district will be present at the polls to show their support. According to Deichmann, the district has approximately 44,000 households in its boundaries, and over 8,600 of those homes have at least one parent who is a registered voter.

“The strategy is to more fully engage our school community and why is this is important for us,” Kevin Supple, chief operations officer for FHSD, said.

In the past, the volunteer committee has focused on garnering the support of all the district’s voters and worked to persuade those not in favor of the levies. This time, though, they’ve decided to focus their efforts on those they know are in favor of the levy by getting them to the polls on April 3.

“I know people in our district think taxes shouldn’t raise anywhere for anything, but I hope voters see the wisdom of the passage of Prop Learn,” Deichmann said.

The District believes this levy will be successful due to the smaller amount requested. It is also believed that a better economy and strain due to previous reductions will lend to the levy passing.

“The district can continue to function with the right cuts, we can continue to have school, but what we want to do is to be a great district and to lead,” Hendricks-Harris said at a volunteer meeting Jan. 23.

PAGE BY NOAH SLAUGHTER

DANCE DECISIONS The “Enchanted Night” themed Prom will be Friday, May 4, at New Town Events Center this year instead of its usual Saturday date.

The other option would have been May 5, Cinco de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo usually leads to intoxicated drivers on the road, so Junior Delegates chose May 4 in an effort to keep students safe. This, and the lower cost of Prom on Friday, led to the change.

“Based upon the day and connotation of Cinco de Mayo, we can’t knowingly put you guys in extra risk on a day like that,” Marissa Heyer, family and consumer sciences teacher and junior class sponsor, said. “So, we had to think of safety first.”

The event space for Prom is usually booked a year in advance, so changing the date of Prom to a Saturday was not an option, because the process would start over with no guarantee of an event space. Heyer, with consultation from the FHN administration, had a list of dates and locations she could choose from. One of the reasons to have Prom on a Friday was to keep the cost reasonable for students. They also reduce costs by having Prom in the tent instead of the convention center and by having appetizers instead of a full dinner. “[The decision] came about based upon discussions we’ve had with different venues, the options that were available and also with the administration,” Heyer said.

Heyer and Junior Class President Juan Alega say that, despite the date change, Prom will still be just as fun as last year.

“To everyone that is deciding whether or not to go to Prom just because it is at the tent, or just because it’s on a Friday, I extremely encourage everyone to still attend Prom, even if they have those issues,” Alega said. “It will still be a fun time.” (Story by Madison Abanathie)

NEWS | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

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Senior Aaliyeh Habibi and junior Alex Connolly play Uno. Habibi helps the Teen Club every day after school. They participate in activities such as baking, board games and crafts. Teen Club is a branch of Community Living. Community Living offers different social opportunities, employment opportunities and support services for kids and adults with special needs.

Junior Alex Connolly tells a joke at Teen Club. Teen Club is every day after school in room 161. In Teen Club they play Uno, play video games, go on different field trips and many different activities.

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FHNTODAY.COM | 02.21.18 | FEATURES

Seniors Devyn Meyer and Aaliyeh Habibi work at Teen Club. Along with working at Teen Club, both are Student Council Cabinet members and are heavily involved in extracurricular activities. (Photos by Isabella Schneider)

PAGE BY GRACE BOWMAN

There’s No “I” in Teen Club

Senior Ian Perry plays his trumpet. Perry was accepted into a drum corps in January. “My first thought when I saw I was accepted was just wow,” Perry said. (Photo by Te’a Tonnsen)

Seniors Devyn Meyer and Aaliyeh Habibi work with kids who have special needs every day after school

by Hannah Wilson

the kids, do arts and crafts, go on field trips and build relationships with the kids. The kids hannahmae691@gmail.com | @hannahwilson30 also set goals for the day, so it is Meyer’s and s the shrill bell rings at the end of the Habibi’s job to help the kids reach those goals. school day, senior Aaliyeh Habibi “It’s become more than just a job,” Meyer heads to the school lobby. There, said. “It’s nice to get paid for it, but it’s kind of she finds a group of people waiting patiently my social life, too. I love all the people I work for her to arrive. These students are part of with, and it’s fun to share our experiences. The an organization called Teen Club. This is a kids just put you in such a good mood, unless program for individuals ages 12-21 with special it’s a bad day, but it’s really rewarding and I needs enrolled in middle or high school. Habibi look forward to it every day.” and senior Devyn Meyer have worked for Teen Before they were able to start working, they Club ever since October, when they heard had to undergo orientation and training to get about this possibility through another friend more comfortable with some situations that who worked there at the time. might occur. Now, they attend trainings as they “It sounded like a cool opportunity because work, further developing their skills. Because I was looking for a job,” Meyer said. “I’d rather of their training and understanding of how to do something that is helpful and a good handle different scenarios, Meyer and Habibi experience than work at a restaurant.” have grown closer with the kids. Every day, they Teen Club is a have different activities. program out of They are able to laugh, I love all the people I work Community Living, a play games, watch local organization that movies and enjoy the with, and it’s fun to share works to help people company. our experiences. The kids with special needs “I like hanging out thrive in the community. and just getting to know just put you in such a good They have several the kids because mood, unless it’s a bad day, allthey’re different locations in so cute,” Meyer but it’s really rewarding and said. “It’s just fun to school districts like Fort Zumwalt, Wentzville get closer to them. I’ve I look forward to it every and St. Charles. They learned how to interact day. work to assist parents and be with kids -Devyn Meyer with maintaining their with developmental employment by offering disabilities because care for their kids while there’s not very much family members work. Meyer works at the exposure to that in real life. It’s nice to become Hollenbeck location while Habibi works at FHN. more comfortable with it and know what to They meet at the main lobby at 2 p.m. every expect.” day to get started, then head to room 161 for Although Meyer and Habibi were hired to the rest of the day. impact the lives of the kids, the kids have also “The program builds confidence and affected them and their future. Both have socialization skills in a safe and supportive learned many important lessons from this job, environment at various sites throughout St. but Habibi has decided that she may want to Charles County,” Kristen Paez, program director further her experience. of Teen Club, said. “[Teen Club] has given the “I’ve learned a lot of patience working with kids a sense of belonging and the opportunity these kids,” Habibi said. “I feel like the kids have to develop friendships. Also, the parents taught me a lot, even though I’m there to teach love that their kids get to have so many new them. They’re all just so happy all the time and experiences.” it’s so fun working with them. Now that I’ve Every week day from 2-6 p.m., Meyer and learned so much, I’m actually thinking about Habibi work with kids with special needs going into special education. [This job] helped ranging from autism to epilepsy. They play with me figure out what I love to do.”

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MARCHING INTO SUCCESS Ian Perry stands in a gym, the fluorescent lights creating a glare on the floor below him. He takes a deep breath as his eyes dart around, seeing people scattered, holding instruments and sheet music. His ears fill with the familiar tune that he’s been practicing for weeks now. He pulls his trumpet up to his lips with a smile, and he joins in with the rest of the drums and brass instruments around him.

Band member Ian Perry was accepted into The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps on Jan. 7. A drum corps is a nonprofit, professional marching band. The organization tours during the summer and regularly broadcasts live performances and events.

“When you’re standing in the gym, playing together, it’s almost difficult to put it in words,” Perry said. “It’s an amazing feeling being around so many people with so much talent.”

Perry attended a camp in Tempe, Arizona, in January to audition. At the camp, the musicians were treated as if they were on the team already. Musicians learned the music, and the instructors sometimes pulled them out of rooms and asked them to perform for them, noting how the musicians reacted to the staff’s criticism. Staff members pulled Perry and other trumpeters from a group and offered them contracts.

“I was really excited,” Perry said. “I was jumping up and down with a bunch of people I met just this week.

It’s an amazing feeling because you’re surrounded by talented people who all have the same goal.”

Perry will move to Arizona on May 25 for two months to prepare. After spring training, he will live on tour buses and get to know the other people in the band.

They will perform and compete around the U.S. and even compete in the drum corps championships in Indianapolis. Perry will attend finals, return home and start college soon after at Missouri S&T. “I think it’s a really great achievement,” band director Robert Stegeman said. “My biggest goal is that these kids continue with their musical careers past high school and that they pass on that drive to inspire kids.

I think Ian fits that group. The fact that he continued to work at it, and got it, is really cool.” (Story by Grace Bowman)

FEATURES | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

17

DANCING FOR CULTURE Junior Michaela Mihova carries on her family traditions through Bulgarian dancing

by Claire Huss

clm1huss@gmail.com | @claire_huss

A

s the pounding beat of the music plays, junior Michaela Mihova reaches out to link with her neighbors, joining in a circle and beginning one of the many dances she performs in her class.

Whether it’s within a school or within a family, everyone has a community that they are a part of.

For Michaela, her community is formed through Bulgarian dancing.

“Bulgarian dancing personally makes me feel connected with my roots,” Michaela said. “We live in a modern society where it’s easy to lose touch with your culture sometimes, but dancing reminds me that I come from a really unique and really rich culture and that I have something meaningful to share with the world.”

Being of Bulgarian descent, Michaela was invited to dance class since she was little, but she was never fully interested until one of her friends joined. Michaela has now been dancing for four years for a group called Bulgarian Spirit. The dance group has about 25-30 people, ranging from ages 4-50.

“My dad loves this stuff, the dancing and Bulgarian music,” Assia Mihova, Michaela’s mother, said.

“He’s very involved in the culture and traditions of Bulgaria. He used to teach me when I was young. When Michaela was growing up, she saw this and knew she wanted to do the dancing when she got older.”

Many Bulgarian dances are line dances, in which dancers move in straight or curved lines while holding hands. There are six regions of Bulgaria, and each of the regions has its own style of dancing. For

example, the Sofia region dances are usually fast-paced and intricate.

The northern region dances are more melodious, but the music can range from slow to fast. After each performance, Michaela’s class learns a new dance from one of the six regions.

“What I like about learning new dances is the fact we can learn new things and present them to an audience,” Michaela said.

Bulgarian culture is very familybased, and there are about 3,000 Bulgarians in the St. Louis and Illinois area. They gather on every major holiday to celebrate and dance. One of Bulgaria’s traditional holidays is Orthodox Easter. This is celebrated a week before Easter. Bulgarian groups come together on this day to celebrate and dance together.

“I love Bulgarian dancing because it brings me to meeting new people who are Bulgarian and who have the same interests as me,” Mariya Vasileva, Michaela’s dance friend who goes to Parkway North, said. “It connects me with my heritage and culture.”

Michaela practices every Sunday with her dance class. Bulgarian Spirit does not perform competitively.

However, they receive money from each event they perform at. They dance at different facilities in the St. Louis and Illinois area. They have also performed in Chicago, at the Tower Groves Festival of Nations and at a wedding in Arkansas. Michaela loves performing because it is a way to show others how unique her culture is.

“I love how Bulgarian dancing is so different from any other style of dancing I’ve seen,” Mihova said. “It brings me closer to my Bulgarian friends.”

Junior Michaela Mihova performs with her Bulgarian dance team. Mihova has been doing Bulgarian dance for almost four years and was encouraged by her family to join. The group practices on Sundays at a variety of local dance studios. “My favorite part is having that small but significant part of Bulgaria with me, being here in America,” Mihova said. (Photo submitted)

18 FHNTODAY.COM | 02.21.18 | FEATURES

PAGE BY CLAIRE HUSS

Students from Harvester Christian Church pose for a picture while at a church confrence in Nebraska. (Photo Submitted)

TEENS AND THEIR FAITH

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING INVOLVED IN YOUR RELIGION? AUDREY FORTH

Nondenominational - Grace Community Chapel

A lot of students choose to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, drama club or band. Others choose to devote their free time into a youth group

“I love how everyone is fun and inviting.

For me, it’s a place where I can be myself and meet other people, but it’s also a place where I can learn more about my faith.”

by Michael Zull

JAKOB CLAYTON

themichaelzull@gmail.com

Many students are involved in youth groups. According to freshman Jakob Clayton, it’s a way of bringing teens of the same age together to practice their faith and to spend time with other teens of the same religion. It’s also a way for students to bond outside of school.

“As students, I believe they have two main jobs to juggle,” counselor Lisa Woodrum said. “One being the seven hours of school during the week and the second being work, sports, family, and friends. And some participate in faith based groups and that fulfills the need for faith and fellowship.”

Most youth groups meet one to two times per week for a few hours. Throughout the time, teens play games, go through small lessons, sing songs and worship. Some youth groups even go on retreats and getaways, and the teens get chances to build stronger relationships with others, and most importantly, according to Clayton, become closer with their God. “I like that I can be able to have fun as well

PAGE BY ANNA LINDQUIST

as praising Jesus,” Clayton said. “Another thing is new friendships I wasn’t the best of friends with a few people there but after a while, the bonding and being together made us closer.”

Teens face some inconveniences to be able to commit themselves to a youth group, such as work or other activities. They push through it so that they can practice their faith, and build a stronger relationship with their church.

“Sometimes it’s hard to balance going because of school, clubs, sports, family, and friends, but I always try to make my faith a big priority,” senior Audrey Forth said.

Students like Clayton and Forth both feel passionate about their faith and love for God. “I think that everyone should have something they believe in. I also feel that everyone should understand why they believe it,” Forth said. “Everyone has the right to decide who and what they worship.

For me, I like knowing who I’m putting my faith in, and I encourage everyone to ask questions and figure out where they stand and why.”

Baptist - Ridgecrest Baptist Church

“I really enjoy my youth group. It’s a great place that I get to go to on a weekly and I like how I get to chill with my friends. Overall, the best part is that I’m having a good time while being close to Jesus.”

MARIAM HAMDAN

Muslim - Dar Al Jalal Mosque

“I enjoy how everyone’s together and were all on the same page. We have fun together and were free to talk about whatever we want and people are open to talking about anything”

COONG TRAN

Buddhist - Fo Chang Shan St. Louis Buddhist Center

“You can do anything you want. You don’t even have to be Buddhist to come to our churches. It’s very open, so I can always bring a friend to show them what it’s like. There’s a lot of celebrations and a lot of events which are also fun to be a part of.”

FEATURES | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

19

No Place Like the Stage

Senior Alex Rowe and junior Karen Pete work on their mural in the art hallway. They meet after school once a week. The third member of the group, Eve Abuazza said, “My favorite part about art club is that it’s just us three and over a semester we became friends and found common interests and wanted to hang out more.” (Photo by Paige Westermann)

Delaney Echelmeyer performs with the YPT in a main role for her 11th play with the organization

by Ashlynn Perez

ashlynnkaeperez@gmail.com

Senior Delaney Echelmeyer is playing the Wicked Witch of the West: arguably one of the biggest bad guys in film history. Dressed in black with green skin and an army of flying monkeys to back her, she was a frightening villain in the 1939 movie “The Wizard of Oz.” Over the years, the movie has been adapted into several plays, and Echelmeyer performs the part of the infamous villain in the new production by the Young People’s Theater (YPT), an organization for teen actors.

“I’ve actually played the Wicked Witch before,” Echelmeyer said.

“It was a Barnwell Middle School play called ‘OZ!’ Hopefully, this time it will be less high-pitched.”

Despite playing the evil villain, people who know Echelmeyer describe her as kind and big-hearted. Her skill as an actress allows her to play roles that aren’t her, like the Wicked Witch of the West.

“Delaney is very versatile,” junior Riley Lawson, vice president of FHN Drama Club, said. “She plays lots of roles that aren’t her.

She can turn herself into different people completely.”

Echelmeyer was inspired to act by her older sister’s involvement in theater. Echelmeyer’s first production with the YPT was “It’s a Wonderful Life” in sixth grade, where she was a proud member of the ensemble.

Now, as a senior, she is playing the main antagonist in the late March productions of “The Wizard of Oz” after performing 10 plays with the YPT. Her acting abilities have improved through taking classes and getting feedback from her family. She has devoted endless time and commitment to drama, and it has landed her a big role in this classic play.

“She’s expanded her ability to perform in different roles,” FHN drama teacher Kim Sulzner said. “Everyone looks at her like this shy, quiet girl until they see her on stage. She’s phenomenal.”

Echelmeyer hopes to continue acting in the future. This performance of “The Wizard of Oz” will be one of her last plays while in high school, but she and those who know her believe that her curtain has not come down yet.

“She’s a great actress and a great person,” Lawson said. “Often, some actors have to become a little egotistical. That’s never happened with Delaney. She’s very good at acting, but she always stays Delaney.”

Senior Delaney Echelmeyer poses on the FHN stage in her witch hat. She has been involved in theatre for seven years. “My favorite part about performing is how a whole ensemble of people from such different lives can come together and create something incredible,” Echelmeyer said.

(Photo by Mackenzi Durrett)

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FHNTODAY.COM | 02.21.18 | FEATURES

BACK WITH A PASSION Art teacher Mandy Knight donates a little bit of her time after school so that students can work on art together. Because of school funding cutbacks, they are not able to support a functioning art club. Still, Knight hopes to inspire her kids in the same way that she was inspired as an art student.

“Art is so important,” Knight said. “It helps people think creatively and helps with problem solving.”

Two years ago, there was an art club that had been running for 20 years until it was cut due to budget cuts. Due to this, students didn’t have the option to participate in an official school art club.

Students like juniors Eve Abuazza and Karen Pete, who both have a very strong passion about art, did not have the same opportunity that previous students in past years had recieved. So, after school they, along with other students started working on murals in the art hallway with Knight.

“Art is an expression of myself,” Abuazza said. “I do art to relax.”

Even though they are able to stay after, they still don’t get the benefits of what being in an art club would be able to provide. However, Knight is still optimistic that an official art club will return in the future. She has a lot of ideas for what this future art club could look like. They could go see other people’s art at galleries and do community showings to display student artwork. She has also thought about bringing back the memory project.

This project involved drawing pictures of kids from third-world countries.

“Everyone should try art because I feel like it’s not really appreciated in our day and age, but it’s a really good way to express yourself,” Abuazza said. (Story by Anthony Adams)

PAGE BY MICHAEL ZULL

Q&A

MISSOURI POLITICIANS

Senator Bill Eigel and Representative Phil Christofanelli answer questions about their roles in politics and recent bills introduced in the Missouri Senate and the Missouri House of Representatives (Content by Sophie Carite) program.”

Can you explain the bill being looked at by the General Law Committee that relates to hourly wage and how that bill will affect people?

BILL EIGEL

Republican Senator Missouri Senate District 23 What have you accomplished so far as the vice chairman on the Board of Education?

“Well, probably the biggest accomplishment in education so far is that last year we fully funded the education formula for the first time in Missouri history.”

You’re on the General Law Committee, and they are considering a bill to repeal the death penalty. Can you tell me a bit about that?

“I have heard and resonated with the message on both sides of this issue. There’s one side that believes that in order to enforce equal justice, if someone takes a life the only equal penalty they can face is the loss of their own life. On the other hand, folks that don’t believe in the death penalty point out very correctly, I think, that the death penalty is actually not the worst penalty one can suffer.”

How will the bill you sponsor that modifies provisions relating to charter schools affect your district?

“For a number of different reasons, there are laws like my proposal with charter schools to allow for additional choice, for parents to choose whether or not they think the traditional public schools like Francis Howell are good or if they’d like to have a more targeted educational experience like a charter school or some other type of choice

PAGE BY SOPHIE CARITE

“Generally I’ve been a proponent of free market and to have a more free market, if you don’t want government going in and mandating what employers have to pay employees. That should generally be the responsibility of a negotiation between employers and their employees. And generally, the market rate will be determined by the demand level and skill sets that the employee brings to the table. So, there are several bills here that will actually fully repeal the prevailing wage laws so we wouldn’t have a prevailing wage. We would just have the minimum wage.

There are laws that modify the prevailing wage and scale back the extent to which prevailing wage is used in Missouri. I support each of those particular efforts because I don’t like the idea of government setting wage levels.”

There’s a bill to make the second Saturday in October “Buy Missouri Week.” Can you explain what that is and why it should be established?

“This is the initiative that Lieutenant Governor [Mike] Parson is working on, and it’s basically an initiative to encourage folks around the state to buy goods and services from Missouri businesses.

So, the stronger that we can make the small businesses and the big businesses that are based out of Missouri, we want to do that. It keeps revenue, profits. It keeps economic growth right here in the Show-Me state.”

What bill are you currently working on that you feel will be most beneficial to your district?

“The Missouri Economic Relief Act. That is major tax cut legislation that I proposed back on Dec. 1.

It would cut taxes for working and middle class households by eliminating the bottom bracket of the income tax code, and it would bring down the top rate of our income tax code from 5.9 percent, which is where it’s at now, all the way down to 5.2 percent.”

What are some of your long term plans for your district?

“We’re very fortunate here in St. Charles that we are one of the fastest growing areas in the state. So, one of the long-term goals I have is infrastructure here in St. Charles.”

PHIL CHRISTOFANELLI Republican member Missouri House of Representatives District 105

Can you describe the role that you play in the House of Representatives?

“I’m a state representative. I represent the 105 district, which includes Francis Howell North and about 37,000 other constituents.”

Describe your experience being the youngest member of the House of Representatives.

“I was 26 when I started, so sometimes I have a different perspective than my colleagues. Lots of them are at the ends of their careers, so I often have a different outlook on technology and similar matters.”

You’re sponsoring a bill relating to funding going to public schools. If it’s passed, how will this affect schools in the area?

“That bill was filed last year and it’ll be filed again this year. The foundations formula is somewhat complicated. It’s like a math equation that will affect which schools get certain funding and where the money will go. My version of the funding formula goes back and eliminates some past provisions put in place, like the money that is payed to small schools to keep them small.

It would take that money and give it to kids in schools that really need the extra funding, for students with disabilities, for example.”

FEATURES | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

21

women’s march

On Jan. 20, thousands gathered in front of Saint Louis Union Station for the second Women’s March

A crowd of people gather on Market Street in front of Union Station as the march begins. Crowds had been forming in front of Union Station in the hours leading up to the march. Several groups had set up tables for people signing petitions and registering to vote. (Photo by Sam Cary)

Mariah Brown jumps into the crowd during the Women’s March for Truth in Saint Louis.

Brown walked at the front of the march accompanied by local political leaders such as Lyda Krewson and the creator of the march, Johanna Jones. (Photo by Sam Cary) Daniel Sheldon holds a sign as he waits for the march to begin. Many people in the march carried homemade signs covering issues like global warming, wage gap and America’s involvement in foreign affairs. (Photo by Alex Rowe)

22

FHNTODAY.COM | 02.21.18 | FEATURES

PAGE BY ALEX ROWE

WATCH Follow this link to watch more about the Women’s March: goo.gl/1YXmb2 Video by Madi Shinault and Audrey Dickherber

Senator Jamilah Nasheed speaks on the stage in front of Saint Louis City Hall.

There were two stages where several speakers gathered and gave short speeches about many different social issues. One stage was halfway through the march and the other was at the end. (Photo by Alex Rowe)

Justin Williams leads a chant at the Women’s March in Saint Louis. Williams, as well as many others, was protesting inequalities and unfair treatment of women. “I came out here today because I wanted to be part of the eventual solution,” Williams said. (Photo by Sam Cary) A protester records a video of the crowd on Snapchat. Snapchat offered several filters for the different marches across the country. (Photo by Alex Rowe)

PAGE BY ALEX ROWE

FEATURES | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

23

Jeff Strickland, Agent

www.JeffStrickland.com

636.947.6226

Walk in, Call in, Click in

“Why doyou Care?�

(From e-cigarette survey administered by the North Star)

Vaping and juuling has become a trend among teens across the nation. Many students who vape are underage and start because of their friends. Some students choose to vape on school premises, which is grounds for punishment. FHN administrators have enforced rules, giving out detentions and ISAP, to prevent vaping in school.

(Design by Carolynn Gonzalez, photos by Alex Rowe and Phoebe Primeau)

Juuls in school

In order to keep up with juuling’s popularity among teens, FHN plans to combat the issue by raising awareness about it

by Heeral Patel

heeral.patel03@gmail.com | @HeeralPatel12

A

t the end of his sixth hour Environmental Studies class in early December, a student approached biology teacher Joe Brocksmith to report a classmate who had juuled in class. Prior to this, Brocksmith had heard of the e-cigarette trend from a KSDK story over Thanksgiving weekend.

The story gave meaning to a term he had overheard in students’ conversations: juuling.

Small and inconspicuous, Juuls look like a flash drive to the untrained eye. Students can be found secretly juuling in classrooms and bathrooms and a bit more openly on social media. Brocksmith finds this ridiculous, but he still sees it as important to make sure kids know that adults in the building are aware of Juuls. For the past few months, Brocksmith has taken to telling students to “stay off that Juul” as a way of adhering to both beliefs.

“If you’re not thinking about it, it’s very easy to [not notice kids juuling in class] since they’re so subtle and discreet,” Brocksmith said. “It’s very easy to miss. It only takes a kid a few seconds to do it, so if you’re not staring at your students for 100 percent of class, it’s pretty easy for a kid to sneak one. I would imagine almost every single teacher here has probably had some kid do it in their classroom with how popular it’s been.”

Smoking e-cigarettes in school was not unheard of before this year, but according to Assistant Principal Jeff Blankenship, juuling has made the issue more prevalent than in the past. Compared to some other schools in the area, FHN was slow to pick up juuling en

“

masse, until around halfway through second quarter, when FHN administrators saw an increase in the frequency of students juuling at school.

“We need to raise awareness,” Blankenship said. “We need to make sure [students] know that we know [about Juuls]. I think that certain students think they’re getting away with something, but they aren’t. We hear about a lot of things. [Personally], way more than doing any sort of discipline on them, which unfortunately does happen when we hear about those cases, I am much more in the boat of ‘It’s bad for you.’ I think we’re so early in this vaping thing that we don’t know that yet, but at some point we’re going to get there.”

At one point, FHN disciplined three to four students for juuling each day. ISAP was full, largely due to juuling. It has gotten to such an extent that on Dec. 15, the issue was addressed to students. Associate Principal Katie Greer delivered an announcement informing students of what will happen if they are caught juuling consequences including getting their Juuls thrown away. Assemblies that took place Jan. 8 and 9 reiterated to students that teachers and administrators are aware of juuling and that students are not to juul in school.

“This school is not unique, in that we’re not the only ones this is happening to,” School Resource Officer Travis Scherder said.

“This is more than our district. This is high schools across America.

There’s news stories on ‘Dateline’ about it. I mean, like I said, we’re not unique. [Juuling] is one of those trends that’ll come and go, and it will be something else next.”

This school is not unique, in that we’re not the only ones this is happening to. This is more than our district. This is high schools across America.

THE EVOLUTION OF E-CIGARETTES Two early versions of modern e-cigarettes were created but ultimately failed. The first one was due to lack of commercialization.

The second, worked on in the ‘70s and ‘80s, flopped due to a faulty design.

1960-80s

PAGE BY CAROLYNN GONZALEZ

”

Juuls become a popular trend with teens and young adults.

The first commercially successful e-cigarette is invented in Beijing, China.

2015

2003 E-cigarettes are introduced to the U.S.

Juuls enter the market. Their website notes the product’s compact design, variety of flavors and use of natural nicotine salts from tobacco leaves as features contributing to Juul being “the real alternative to cigarettes”.

2006

Summer 2017 Sources: (npr, casaa.org, Juulvapor.com)

IN-DEPTH | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

27

punishing the vapor FHN staff works to reduce vaping and bring it to an all-time low

by Sammie Herr

sammieherr17@gmail.com For the first time this year, ISAP was full for a total of three weeks in December. The majority of the ISAP classroom contained students who got caught vaping in hallways, classrooms and bathrooms. The small, USBshaped Juul hidden in students’ pockets has caused many disruptions throughout FHN. “I feel like students use them because of the accessibility,” Assistant Principal Chris Birch said. “It’s easy to get an e-cig from a societal standpoint, but, by no means, should a student use one illegally or in school. It causes more problems than benefits.”

There are various punishments for when students are found vaping at school. The first time students are caught vaping, they receive three days of ISAP. The second time they’re caught, students receive five days of ISAP. If students are caught with e-cigarettes on them, they get two detentions and the second time they get a Saturday detention.

While they are punished, the Juul, electronic cigarette or pod gets confiscated and thrown away.

“I think there was a need for [the principals] to stand up and say we have some expectations,” Assistant Principal Jeff Blankenship said. “I think the message that I want to get across to students is if you guys want to be proud of the school building that you’re in, the high school that you’re in and graduating from, it is just as [important] for you to follow expectations as much as it is for [the staff] to.”

All it takes for an investigation into a student to begin is for someone to report

28

that student. If suspicious behavior is reported, one of the principals will find the student and then begin a search. One of the biggest miscommunications between the staff and the students is for the ability of the staff to search students. According to Birch, most students don’t know that the staff can search students and their bags, lockers and cars. They gain that right federally from a form called “In Loco Parentis.” To sum it up, the administrators will step in the place of a parent while at school.

“I want to reiterate this message, that I know that many of our students are frustrated,” Birch said. “I would just encourage our students to do the right thing. We can and we will search students.

Students who bring these to school are taking a huge risk because all it takes is somebody saying ‘I saw this or I think I saw this’ and that is enough for us to go and search.”

The FHN administration plans to improve on this issue by communicating more with parents and students. They will do this by sending out emails and having meetings to talk about the health problems and to teach parents and students about what different types of e-cigs look like. The staff plans to start bringing more awareness of the health problems and legal issues of electronic cigarettes in health classes. They haven’t worked that out yet, but it’s a possibility for the next school year.

“The level of vaping in the school has definitely lowered,” School Resource Officer Travis Scherder said. “That number should still be set to going down with the ideas that have been circulating between the principals and the staff.”

FHNTODAY.COM | 02.21.18 | IN-DEPTH

PAGE BY CAROLYNN GONZALEZ

what does

fhn

think of juuling?

The results of this survey reflect answers given from 275 students from all grades who were polled on Jan. 19

24% 17.1%

24 percent of respondents have used an e-cig, 17.1 percent of respondents have used an e-cig, but it was only a one-time thing and 82.2 percent of respondents know someone who has used an e-cig

82.2%

82 percent of those who have used an e-cig are under 18

82% of those who have used an e-cig are under 18

.

90.1 /. .

92 /. .

73 /.

FHN

8.8 percent of respondents have used an e-cig at FHN

of all respondents believe there are health risks

of those who have used an e-cig believe there are health risks

of those who have used an e-cig believe they could become addicted 54 % of seniors

40 % of sophomore

37 % of juniors

34 % of freshmen

34%

of freshmen have used an e-cig before

PAGE BY CAROLYNN GONZALEZ

40%

of sophomores have used an e-cig before

37%

of juniors have used an e-cig before

54%

of seniors have used an e-cig before

IN-DEPTH | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

29

vaping under pressure

Teens tend to start vaping with a friend and don’t think of long-term consequences

by Anna Lindquist

alindquist709@gmail.com | @annalindquistt

L

arry Lund, a current St. Charles resident, lights a Camel cigarette at 20 years old. It’s 1987. He snuck some of his dad’s cigarettes as a teen, so the feel of the filter against his lips is familiar. He sticks the end in his mouth and inhales. He then grabs a beer, the lingering taste of the cigarette making the drink tolerable.

He is surrounded by his friends at the Heidelberg, a bar, and now restaurant, on the University of Missouri campus. Even with the knowledge of the connection between lung cancer and smoking, they let the lighters flash and the smoke float out of their mouths.

Everyone else is doing it, so why not?

Thirty years later, vaping is the new smoking. People are more conscientious of the effects of smoking now, but there is little long-term research about the effects of vaping. Although, out of the students surveyed at FHN, 37 percent of the students who vape think there are health risks.

“I think a lot of times when teenagers are in the moment if it doesn’t have an immediate effect, then they feel more likely to escape the future problems,” Sheri Anderson, drug and alcohol prevention counselor, said.

“They aren’t as concerned about it or believe it wouldn’t be that big of a deal if it does happen in the future. That’s the same with any drug. That’s the same with alcohol, cigarettes. All that. You know that there’s a risk to it, but you still choose to do it.”

According to students at FHN, they were introduced to vaping through a friend. Social and peer pressures are some of the biggest influences for substance abuse.

30

A study done by the National Institute on Drug Abuse discovered that more students participated in risky behaviors if they were around friends. In the study, teens weren’t encouraged by their friends to take part in these behaviors. Just like smoking, vaping usually starts with someone else.

“I started smoking with my friends,” Lund, who had recently quit smoking, said. “I wasn’t thinking about my own mortality at the time.”

Vape sites say that vaping is the best alternative to smoking, the main purpose being to get people to quit using traditional cigarettes. But now, teenagers have started using e-cigarettes without having been addicted to nicotine prior.

“I think a lot of the reason smoking is considered gross is because second-hand smoke smells gross and it makes you sick, but vapor smells sweet, so it seems to be better and not as dangerous when it really could be,” senior Madeline Fields said.

Even with the little research out there, the shortterm effects are evident, according to NBC news, but e-cigarettes are still advertised to be considered healthier.

“It’s marketed as feeling very safe and that there are all these flavors and that you can do tricks with it,” Anderson said. “So, for a young person, it can look fun.

They’ve been told that it’s not harmful, so they don’t see the problem with it. You’ve got your friends doing it and other people posting it on social media. It’s just very encouraging to someone to try and do something like that, especially because it seems to do very little harm.

It needs to be talked about and needs to be made aware that this isn’t safe at all.”

FHNTODAY.COM | 02.21.18 | IN-DEPTH

WHY DO TEENS VAPE? “I think a lot of people do it, and it’s so much pressure if you don’t juul.”

Alex Henson, 12

“I juul at parties because everyone has them, and I started because every one of my friends did it and I wanted to try it.”

Taylor Poirier, 12 “Everyone does it, so you just have to try it. I also wish I never started juuling because all the money I spent on it, and the pods could have gone to my college funds instead.”

Shelby Hance, 12

“I’ve never owned a Juul, but I am the plug and the people at Circle K know me and they don’t card me anymore.”

Navy Birkner, 12

“They started because of their friends, and I personally think it is stupid.”

Trevor Gillen, 11

PAGE BY CAROLYNN GONZALEZ

the health behind the vapor

JUUL facts JUUL POD FLAVORS

With the increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes among teenagers across the country, more emphasis is being put on further research on long-term health effects

by Kylah Woods

kylahwoods27592@gmail.com Electronic cigarettes were introduced in the U.S. in 2006 for the purpose of helping regular cigarette smokers quit. In many cases, people used e-cigarettes for that intended reason. However, many teenagers began to use e-cigarettes and vapes instead of traditional cigarettes altogether. In 2014, the overall use of e-cigarettes was higher than the overall use of any other tobacco product in teenagers, according to the CDC. Because of this, the FDA banned the sale of e-cigarettes to minors in August 2016.

“It seems like there’s a sort of attractiveness to [vaping],” FHN nurse Connie Robertson said.

“You see people vaping everywhere, and I guess kids see it and think it’s cool and OK.” The Brain on Nicotine Nicotine can get to the brain seconds after a puff of smoke or vapor. Nicotine especially affects an area of the brain known as the prefrontal cortex, where decision-making occurs, according to a 2012 study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information. The prefrontal cortex does not fully develop until about age 25. Nicotine targets cells in the brain, causing them to release dopamine, which makes the user feel good.

After repeated use, the cells lose the ability to produce dopamine on their own. The brain creates more receptors to handle the influx of nicotine. Since there are more receptors and the brain’s cells can’t produce dopamine on their own, the user will need more nicotine to achieve the same high. This leads to addiction.

“It’s a common misconception that they don’t contain nicotine,” primary care physician Jessica Underhill said. “Even without nicotine, they’re still dangerous. We’re finding out now that some of the chemicals affect the lungs.”

Nicotine addiction itself looks different from person to person. A general symptom is craving nicotine. Some people will go out of their way to get nicotine. After not having it for a certain period of time, some can feel irritable or sad.

PAGE BY CAROLYNN GONZALEZ

Research suggests that nicotine may bring on instances of depression and anxiety, as Science News for Students reports. This can be a problem with teens, especially in high school, because minors can’t purchase products containing tobacco, and they are unable to smoke in schools.

Juuls Juuls were released in 2015. The official ingredients in each pod are glycerol, propylene glycol, natural oils, extracts and flavors, nicotine and benzoic acid, with some variation per pod. Glycerol and propylene glycol are both FDA-approved and safe to inhale. Benzoic acid occurs naturally in the tobacco plant, but the International Programme on Chemical Safety reports that it may degrade the central nervous system. In each pod, there is 0.7 mL of nicotine, which is equivalent to a pack of cigarettes.

Some pods don’t contain nicotine, but they still have all of the other chemicals listed.

All E-cigarettes and Vapor Pens Electronic cigarettes are still somewhat new, so further research is still being conducted.

A chemical that is found in some vape juice, called diacetyl, causes a disease known as popcorn lung, or bronchiolitis obliterans, according to the American Lung Association.

Popcorn lung is when the tiny air sacs in the lungs are scarred, which causes the airways to thicken and narrow. The disease causes coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

Another effect that vapor pens can have on the user is a decline in the effectiveness of the immune system, as discovered by a 2016 study conducted by University of North Carolina researchers. In fact, the researchers found that e-cigarettes suppress the immune response more than traditional cigarettes do. Vaping causes inflammation in the lungs, which makes the user more susceptible to bacteria and viruses.

“I’m a primary care physician, and I see people from basically birth to death and lately I’ve been seeing a shift from traditional cigarettes to vapes,” Underhill said. “Honestly, it’s concerning that kids are starting it so young.”

Fruit Medley

Cool Mint

Creme Brulee

Virginia Tobacco

BY THE NUMBERS

21+

You must be 21 to purchase Juul products online

$44.99

A Juul starter kit, which includes a Juul device, four pods and a charger

5%

Each Juul pod contains .7 ml of fluid and contains 5 percent nicotine

$15.99

Four cartridges of Juul pods cost $15.99

18

You must be 18 in St. Charles County to purchase Juul products in stores

200

Each Juul pod is equivalent to 200 puffs of a traditional cigarette, or one pack

WHAT’S IN A JUUL? Glycerol: Clear and viscous liquid, sweet tasting. Mainly used to make car enamel and outdoor house paints.

Propylene glycol: Clear and viscous liquid, sweet tasting. Often used in food processing Benzoic Acid: An acid found in many plants, such as tobacco.

DOES NOT INCLUDE: Diacetyl: Yellow/green liquid with a butter-like taste. Overexposure to diacetyl vapor can contribute to abnormal lung functioning 2,3-Pentanedione: Controversial flavoring ingredient for e-liquids.

Inhaling it can cause bronchitis-like effects.

Sources: (CDC, britannica.com, Juulvapor.com)

IN-DEPTH | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM 31

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DIVER RISES TO THE SURFACE

Junior Kamryn Bell dives into the water at a meet against FZS on Jan. 29. The meet was at 9 p.m. at the Rec-Plex. The final score at the end of the meet was 87-96.

(Photo by Savannah Wandzel)

Junior Kamryn Bell recently transitioned from swimming to diving and placed fourth at the GAC meet on Feb. 5

by Joel Boenitz

jboenitz2@gmail.com | @j_boenitz2

As the 2016-17 season approached for the girls’ swim team, they were still looking for a diver to help them win meets. Luckily, one of the swimmers decided to step up and become the diver the team needed: Kamryn Bell.

Fast forward to this year, and the junior is still diving for the team and is still the only diver. On Feb. 5, nearly a year and a half after her decision to switch from swimming to diving, Bell earned fourth place at the GAC meet, a five place jump from the previous conference meet last year. Her final score also gave her a consideration to go to state later this month. But unfortunately, she was not selected.

“I was really shocked [that I got fourth],” Bell said. “At first, I thought they skipped me, but it made me really proud of myself and made me realize that I can do these things that I really work hard for and put my mind to.”

Unlike the swimmers who usually practice every weeknight, Bell only

practices three times a week. At practice, she does diving drills, runs through dives that she’ll do at meets and tries to improve her dives to make them more visually appealing. According to her coach, Chris Pape, Bell has been able to perform dives at a higher difficulty on a consistent basis and has seemed more confident at whatever she does.

“She’s a hard worker and wants to be there and do everything she can for her team,” Pape said. “She puts in a lot of hours outside of diving, and in return she comes to practice and works just as hard.

Diving wise, she’s very strong and has very tight body positions and clean lines, so her dives look pretty.”

Bell plans to take this offseason to train for her senior season, where she hopes to earn her spot at the state meet for diving.

She plans to practice more complex dives to help raise her scores for next year.

“I’m going to take diving even more serious next year,” Bell said. “I’ll try to not be as sensitive to things and just realize that my coaches are trying to help me out as much as possible.”

BOUNCING OVER TO VARSITY BASKETBALL

Sophomore Kyle Foster stands to the side during a free throw while playing against FHHS on Jan. 19. The Knights lost 46-85. (Photo by Wil Skaggs)

PAGE BY ASHLYNN PEREZ

The varsity boys’ basketball team brought up sophomore Kyle Foster from the JV level to play alongside juniors and seniors. Mark Wright, the assistant coach, believes that he is well dedicated and has the ability to play well on the varsity level.

“He’s done a great job,” Wright said. “He’s contributed in a variety of ways, he handles the ball well, he works hard on defence and he’s also scored a little bit.”

The tempos and playing styles of both the JV and varsity games differ greatly. When it comes to Foster, however, he was able to adapt quickly to keep up with the varsity level. Based off of the commitment

from Foster, it’s proved to be worth the time for him.

“On varsity, you would be a lot more controlled,” Foster said. “You would have to pay more attention for sure.”

With the season coming to an end in the next couple of weeks, Foster hopes to improve with the varsity team for the remainder of the season as well as going forward. He also wants to keep up the hard work to give a reason as to why he deserved a spot on the varsity team.

“I want to get bigger, faster, stronger, improve on the jump shot, everything,” Foster said. (Brief by J Pae)

SPORTS | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

33

Gabby Delarue is born

2000

IT’s A

(Illustration By Jake Price)

FAMILY THING 1982 1984

Dawn Hahn starts playing basketball

Dawn begins her high school career at Troy

Dawn tranfers schools and continues her basketball career at Culver Stockton Dawn begins college at Mineral Area Community College

1987 34

FHNTODAY.COM | 02.21.18 | SPORTS

Dawn graduates college

1989

1993 PAGE BY MACKENZIE PUGH

Isabelle begins her high school career, making varsity her freshman year

Isabelle starts playing basketball

Isabelle Delarue is born

Gabby begins her high school career, making varsity her freshman year

Gabby starts playing basketball

2007

2002

2017

2015

2009

FOCUSED ON FAMILY The Lady Knights basketball team is a family on and off the court with relatives on the team

T

o the Lady Knights basketball team, family has been a theme throughout the season. Throughout practices and games, the players and coaches have had this common word in their minds.

Because of this, the team bond has been better than ever, according to junior Gabby Delarue.

“The team bond has been really great this year,” Gabby said. “There has been some low lows but followed up with some high highs.”

This relationship that has grown throughout the season has led them to improving upon last year’s record of 4-22 to a record of 4-13. The team has been spending more time with each other than in previous years. The girls drove down to senior Maggie Hillman’s farm to spend the night and have quality time together.

“While at the farm, we were able to have amazing talks about life and we learned a lot more about each other than we ever would have known and it has brought us closer as a team,” Gabby said.

The tone of family is stressed by Head Coach Dawn Hahn because this is how she feels the team will be able to play at the best of their ability. ”These four years of high school are once-in-a-lifetime experiences,” Hahn said. “The relationships you build now will be the ones you remember when you look back on high school. No matter if they are an immediate family member or a friend you think of as family, those relationships will stay strong for the rest of your life.”

Not only does the team have a bond that makes them feel like family, there are actual family members on the team. Gabby is joined on varsity this year by her sister freshman Isabelle Delarue. Also, Hahn has her daughter, Cate Hahn, on the team. Though having a relative within the program can add stress, there are also many benefits according to Isabelle Delarue.

“Though we have yelled at each other in practice many times, playing with my sister is comfortable and helps me be confident,” Isabelle said.

As for the Hahns, they feel that spending even more time together has only made their relationship closer.

“Anytime you get to coach your kid is pretty cool,” Dawn said. “I have been coaching Cate since she was in second grade, and to be next to her for not only her triumphs but her struggles has only made our mother-daughter bond grow.”

With the trend of family being pushed into every practice, the team hopes to only improve their record and build going into next year. The girls are currently 4-13 and look forward to their last regular season game against Fort Zumwalt West.

“This season we have made it a goal to mix things up from Dec. 15 to now,” Dawn said. “We have been progressing as a team and every time we step on the court we get better. We want to keep this trend as a team.”

Cate startes playing basketball

Dawn begins coaching basketball at FHN

Cate begins her high school career, making JV her freshman year

Cate Hahn is born

2002

2003

PAGE BY MACKENZIE PUGH

2010

2017 SPORTS | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

35

Senior Hunter Collins stands in a defensive position, preparing to take down his opponent on Jan. 31. It was their last home meet of the season. All three seniors were able to win their matches. (Photo by Paige Westermann)

WHAT THE PUCK IS

IN MY BAG?

Check out these hockey players as they talk about one specific item that means the most to them while they are on the ice WHO: Drake Johnston, Defender GRADE: Junior WHAT: Hockey stick

SENIORS WIN OUT ON SENIOR NIGHT On January 31, 2017, the varsity wrestling team had their senior night against Ft. Zumwalt North and Chaminade. This year’s seniors are Bon Jang, Hunter Collins, and Jacob Smith. Collins and Smith talk about the past four years and reminisce about their wrestling career.

“It was amazing. All the support we got that night from the parents, other students, family members, and my teammates was amazing and just coming out with a personal win at the end of the night was the icing on the cake for me although a team win would’ve been great too,” Collins said.

Collins won his match by outscoring his opponent even though he was wrestling up a weight class.

“I felt like it was just any other normal match that I’d wrestle but I did feel a little more pressured because it was senior night and I felt like I just had to win that match for it to be a successful senior night,” Collins said.

Smith was originally not going to have a match that night but the coach of the other team pulled up a guy from the JV team so they could have a match on his senior night.

“I was really nervous because I had a lot of family there supporting me and I wanted to do good in front of all of them,” Smith said.

Smith ended up pinning his opponent within the first period and Jang didn’t have a match so technically he won his match making it a successful senior night for the three of Collins, Smith and Jang adding to the collection of memories they’ve had throughout high school.

“I’d say my sophomore year when I came back from a month-long knee injury and wrestle at district out of shape and in pain and still managed to qualify for state,” Smith said. (Story

by Jacob Dulaney)

COST: $0 WHERE: His brother “My brother and father were the ones who got me into hockey. My stick is important to me because my brother gave it to me as a gift, and he was someone I really looked up to and got me into the sport.”

WHO: Adam Lange GRADE: Sophomore WHAT: Hockey helmet COST: $180 WHERE: Pure Hockey “The helmet protects my brain from hard hits and from concussions.”

WHO: Hannah Spain, Right Wing GRADE: Senior WHAT: Hockey skates COST: $400 WHERE: Total Hockey “These skates are the first skates that I bought that haven’t already been used. I got my first pair from Play It Again Sports three years ago, my first year playing ice hockey. I then bought these my second year.”

WHO: Charlie Jones, Goalie GRADE: Sophomore WHAT: Goalie stick COST: $200 WHERE: Online at Total Hockey “It helps me block shots and move people out of the way. I’ve had this stick for a while, since the beginning of the year. It’s my last original one, since my other two already broke.”

(Content by Hannah Wilson)

36 FHNTODAY.COM | 02.21.18 | SPORTS

PAGE BY HANNAH WILSON

THE SPORTS STRIP

STUDENT ATHLETE RECOGNITION

Junior Abbie Miller poses for a picture after a game with her soccer team. Miller has been playing Scott Gallagher Elite for four years. Miller is seated on the bottom row on the far left. (Photo submitted)

MILLER MAKES NATIONALS Junior Abbie Miller’s club soccer team is seeded first for nationals

by Mackenzie Pugh

mackenzieppugh@gmail.com | @mackenziepugh_

She has been playing soccer since she was 4 years old. She has devoted the past 13 years to the sport.

The time and effort Abbie Miller and her teammates have spent has resulted in her team, Scott Gallagher Elite, earning a first seed for their Nationals tournament, which will take place in Seattle in mid-June. They knew about the accomplishment after their season ended in January, as seeding is based on their successful record off 17-0-0 and goal differential of 60.

“We were really excited when we heard we were seeded first because last year we were seeded fourth and this just stepped it up a lot more,” Miller said.

Although Miller’s team has gone to Nationals every year since

PAGE BY HEIDI HAUPTMAN

they were 14 years old, this year Miller is expecting more than she has in the past. In the past three years they have made it into the highest of the three tiers of Nationals twice, but this is the first time any team from Scott Gallagher has ever had a perfect record, earning a first seed. The team is now made up of juniors and seniors and this year Miller believes her team can make it into the final four. As they are going up against the top 16 teams in the country, they will continue to practice until the high school season starts, although they have no games, in order to prepare. As they are one of only two teams from the Midwest, they will face teams they have never seen before.

“Getting closer as a team will really help us win, especially when it comes to working together at practice and outside of practice too,” Miller said.

“The tournament is really intense, and we just want to win.”

Miller has played on the team since it formed, which was three years ago. She plays the center mid position for both Scott Gallagher Elite and FHN’s girls’ soccer team. Junior Sam Cary is the only other girl from FHN on the Scott Gallagher team.

“Playing for Scott Gallagher helps me figure out what I need to work on specifically throughout my high school season to better myself as a player,” Miller said. “Going to Nationals helps me work harder and push my teammates to work harder.”

When you walk down the halls of FHN, do you know that you are in the presence of multiple students who are competing at some of the highest levels of their sport? Do you recognize that we have a swimmer who has made it to state every single year and another one who broke multiple school records as just a freshman? Do you know that we have multiple athletes committing to continue their athletic careers in college?

We have athletes who devote their time and their lives to their sport. The talent that is present within this school is incredible, yet it is shocking about how little people know about it.

These athletes work hard all throughout the season and the offseason to try and accomplish their goals. Many students participate in sports all throughout the school year and don’t have an off season.

Even with this, they balance classes, athletics, social lives and extracurricular activities. They commit to living healthy lifestyles and try to get good amounts of rest even with everything else that they have. All athletes should be recognized for their accomplishments, whether big or small. None of what they do comes easily.

Student athletes go to school during the day and they put in so much time into practices and games/meets/matches that they are basically working a full-time job.

Student athletes tend to also have to miss class sometimes. It is tough having to miss class and still know what is going in. Even though high school sports are supposed to be fun and stress free, there are many situations in which sports become stressful.

Athletes have to deal with injuries and other situations that are less than ideal.

Even through this, they still show up to practice and put all of their heart into what they do. They find ways to see the positives and make the experience what they want.

Student athletes deserve the utmost respect. They are doing what they love and working hard at it all. No matter what their situation, people find ways to conquer their adversities and do outstanding things.

(Story by Heidi Hauptman)

SPORTS | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

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FHNTodayTV Featured Videos Subscribe to FHNtodayTV All February Videos https://goo.gl/sl18H3 goo.gl/S94vfS

BHR CRISIS HOTLINE

Watch here: goo.gl/vW9X5U • A center that focuses on helping citizens in eastern Missouri that are in a crisis.

• Their message is to keep everyone safe and healthy.

(Video by: Alyssa Barber)

FHNTODAYTV’S LATEST PODCAST Watch here: goo.gl/RVNGAK In this special edition of FHNtodayTV, anchors Kelsey Decker, Audrey Dickherber and Liz Wagner showcase some top Humans of FHN stories for the current school year. People featured in this video include junior Sam Cary, who found her passion for soccer

at the age of 6, senior Sahaura Pauley’s constant improvement in her high school softball career and junior Kamryn Bell and how she’s worked to perfect her aerial gymnastics skills. (Podcast Producer: Emily Hood)

HUMANS OF FHN: KATIE PRINKEY Watch here: goo.gl/stRD3w In this epsiode of Humans of FHN, Reide Pearson and Lupe Medina feature Katie Prinkey who has been playing tennis since her freshman year was t ranked number one on FHN’s Varsity tennis team this past season. She shares her background on how she got involved with tennis and what she enjoys most about the sport. (Video by: Reide Pearson and Lupe Medina)

2018 NORTH STREET COFFEEHOUSE Watch here: goo.gl/cnhKWY • Livestream of this year’s North Street Coffeehouse.

• Coffeehouse consists of vocal, spoken and musical performances.

(Livestreamed by FHNtodayTV)

SAINT LOUIS | DOWNTOWN

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Watch here: goo.gl/wpcBmk

FIVE WINTER OUTFITS

Downtown St. Louis is the region’s hub for tourism, dining and entertainment it is home to many different retro shops, restaurants and tourist attractions that all offer something different than the rest. Some of the most popular places to visit downtown are the Gateway Arch, the City Museum, Busch Stadium Ballpark and Citygarden. (Video by: Kelsey Decker)

Watch here: goo.gl/Tvr6kX

FHNTODAY.COM | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAYTV

• Model Maria Gugliano, builds her outfits around the current winter trends for the year.

• Outfits are easy to recreate and modify to your personal style.

(Video by: Kamryn Bell and Jenny Blanchard)

PAGE BY KELSEY DECKER

WAItING IN THE The current lockdown drill only prepares students for one version of an intruder, instead of giving them a wide range of knowledge for how to react

by McKayla Bogda

mckayla5bogda@gmail.com | @mbogda5

A

guest wanders the empty halls of a school, there is no one to be seen or heard. The rooms are all dark. He is greeted with an announcement of his arrival to the school, yet no one has come to see him. It is as if it is a surprise party just for him.

Into a classroom he goes and sees all the students hiding in a corner awaiting his arrival.

The guest is welcomed. Obviously, the students have prepared for this special occasion. Loud bangs liven up the party, and shrieks fill the hall. Other classrooms hear the noise and anxiously wait their turn, just sitting in the dark all together.

With the way FHN has students and staff instructed to act in a lockdown drill, this could happen. Students are taught to sit in the corner, stay silent and not go on their phones.

Teachers must lock the doors, close the blinds and keep the students calm. While it is nice to think intruders would just leave because they did not see anyone, it is very doubtful this would happen. The thought process is that law enforcement would be there in four to six minutes, but there are many problems that could arise in those few minutes.

Students sit in a corner with no knowledge of what to do if an intruder enters. This is a problem. Although many schools still choose to sit in the dark in the corner, they have taught their students what to do beyond that. Some schools, such as De Smet Jesuit, teach students to first try to escape. If that is not possible, they say to hide in a safe spot and barricade themselves. The last option is to engage with

PAGE BY MCKAYLA BOGDA

DARK

the person by either attacking to catch them off guard or to try to calmly get them to put down the weapon. FHSD needs to start implementing these ideas, as intruders are becoming more common.

According to Activities Director Mike Janes, the District is reviewing the current procedure and considering changes in the future. There have been 18 school shootings in the U.S. already this year, so the District needs to implement changes with more urgency.

Anyone in the building can put the school on lockdown, but if there is a problem in the public address system, the message cannot be communicated. Yet again, students would not be trained to know what to do if the intruder were to come into the classroom, since there was no announcement. If it were to be a student to have a weapon on campus, students also would not know what to do. There are too many situations that could happen when the plan the district has just does not work. In general, most situations lead to a need for a general knowledge of self defense.

Since all students are required to take freshman gym, that is the perfect time to teach students basic self defense. Teaching students to first impair the intruder’s vision and then take the person out by the knees is a simple lesson that could save peoples’ lives. They do not necessarily need to take karate or anything at that level, just quick moves and knowledge of how to react to basic events that could transpire. Not only would it be beneficial if there was an intruder, but it would also help in the student’s life in the future. Just taking

simple steps to prepare students more could end in students feeling more safe.

FHSD is one of the better districts that has a plan for intruders and practices that plan often, but adding minor changes like teaching self defense and how to barricade the door would be beneficial. No one wants to think of a school shooting happening at their school, but it is the sick reality of our world that we need to prepare for.

School shootings are not a joke. They happen too often. We need to prepare. Imagine being with the people in your class right now just sitting waiting in the dark all together. We do not have to be in that situation, but it takes change to keep that image from happening.

OPINIONS | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

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(Illustration by Daniel Xiang)

let information flow freely Without net neutrality, internet service providers have too much power over online accessibility

by Daniel Xiang

dxiang669@g.fhsdschools.org

T

he Federal Communications Commission voted to repeal net neutrality, deciding that massive internet service corporations who directly profit from abusing their effective monopolies over their service are the best group to regulate the internet.

That was sarcastic.

Letting entities primarily focused on profit that are willing to stretch law and morality into taffy control the internet is a terrible idea. Unless you’re an internet service provider, or ISP. Then it is a wonderful market opportunity and everyone who says otherwise is an innovation-hating socialist.

Net neutrality is the idea that all data on the internet should be treated equally when carried over the internet. It ensures that the internet is for the most part a fair and equal place for its users. It prevents censorship by making sure data from all sources is treated equally, and not blocked or slowed.

For most of its history, the internet followed the principles of net neutrality. Its ability to access any source of data without interference is the reason the internet exists as it does today.

Without net neutrality, ISPs will be able to pick and choose what data they want to carry and how quickly. ISPs could force users to pay a toll to be able to connect with the internet at currently available speeds, and slow or even block users’ connections

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if they don’t pay a premium. Many small businesses supported net neutrality. However, positions on rely on the internet to reach customers; a high toll the FCC are not elected: they are chosen by the requirement to use the internet is an obstacle to president and are not subject to the checks and small businesses and could prevent them from balances Congress is affected by. The FCC is an functioning. ISPs could line their pockets by limiting independent agency, and there is very little other the growth of the economy. They could also use this parts of the government can do to stop the FCC ability to block websites from their users, preventing once its members are in place. The Senate can vote their competition from reaching customers. to stop the repeal, at which point it would go to the According to the website House of Representatives for a vote, savetheinternet.com, “Without and then to the president. With Net Neutrality, ISPs could block a Democrat minority in Congress WANT MORE INFO? and Trump as president, though, speech and prevent dissident voices from speaking freely online,” this is extremely unlikely. Individual DECLARATORY RULING, manipulating politics by blocking states are now trying to create their REPORT AND ORDER: the sites of groups that they don’t own net neutrality laws and suing support, essentially censoring them. goo.gl/dyXFW8 the FCC for repealing net neutrality Such actions, if done by the federal regulation. However, the order JUNE 15-19 MORNING government, would be considered prevents states from making their CONSULT NATIONAL a violation of the First Amendment, own regulations, instead requiring TRACKING POLL: as it prevents citizens from all of the U.S. to use a “uniform set communicating freely. Corporations goo.gl/FEa5X6 of federal regulations.” are not part of the government, Currently, voters can either wait however, and do not have these for one of the members of the FCC legal limitations. to leave and for a new president to On Dec. 14, 2017, the Federal Communications appoint different people, or write to their senators Commission decided to abolish policies that protect to show support for repealing the FCC’s actions. net neutrality, going against public, widespread Politicians are allergic to losing voters; it causes bipartisan support. In a June 15-19 Morning Consult them intense mental and emotional distress. Please National Tracking Poll, 56 percent of voters identified threaten them with abandonment to force them to as conservative and 72 percent identified as liberal act.

FHNTODAY.COM | 02.21.18 | OPINIONS

PAGE BY DANIEL XIANG

A Formulaic Superhero universe

“The films not only set up a connection with the audience, but they’re also just really good stand-alone movies in general.”

- Riley Kampff, 12

Marvel’s films need to stray off the path they’ve taken and bring in something fresh, new to the franchise

by Jake Price

japrice024@gmail.com | @japrice024

(This story may contain spoilers from installments in the Marvel Franchise) Eighteen films. All hide behind a mask of colorful, sparkling light that blinds the audience from the ridiculous truth: every Marvel film is the same. This story may contain spoilers from installments in the Marvel Franchise.

This May, “Avengers: Infinity War” will be released, and it marks a historic event for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) since it will be the culmination of the franchise. However, there is something that needs to be said.

Marvel is guilty of giving their films a formula.

Each film introduces characters with flaws, then an event happens that causes them to rise to the occasion, then they have a half-baked climatic battle with an extremely unrealistic villain and then the hero saves the day once again with no feeling of threat or consequence. “Iron Man,” “Captain America,” “Thor,” “Doctor Strange,” “Ant Man” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” are all the same story.

Let’s start from the beginning: “Iron Man”.

The movie is about an arrogant, selfish billionaire CEO, Tony Stark. He performs a weapons test, and he gets severely injured and is held hostage by a terrorist organization.

He invents a mechanical suit that allows him to escape and become the Iron Man. He is then betrayed by his own business partner, and they both use their own technological suits to fight each other. Stark obviously wins, and everything is back to the way it was; only now he is an invincible superhero.

Unfortunately, this is a story that has become way too familiar due to Marvel’s repetitive use. Everytime a new installment is released, Marvel basically releases the same movie with a new attractive face slapped on the movie screen.

It is insane to think that a respected film

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franchise would cheat their audience like this. To be fair, however, the audience never really sees it coming. Marvel has distracted their audience by painting all of their films in an annoying, colorful, flashy substance called tone.

Marvel gives each of their movies the same tone by using bright colors, fun action and one-liner comedy to keep the audience engaged, which has helped Marvel, according to boxofficemojo, become the highestgrossing film franchise to date. However, just because something looks or sounds pretty does not mean the context is as interesting.

The tone of the movie is the main thing that separates Marvel comic book films from DC comic films. DC is, and will always be, darker, but that doesn’t mean the MCU can’t do the same. There have been plenty of dark, gritty storylines that Marvel Comics has created that could totally work in the MCU. In fact, films like “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2” and “Thor: Ragnarok” have plot devices that encompass a lot of death and killing, which are extremely dark concepts for Marvel.

However, they hid this behind screwball comedy to make it more “family-friendly” when the more box-office and critically successful comic book movies, such as DC’s “The Dark Knight” or “Wonder Woman,” have had darker thematic elements.

It’s definitely possible to make a popular yet serious superhero film, but Marvel continues to block the slightest thought of an edgy addition to the MCU. It’s an annoyingly successful formula that the laboratories at Marvel continue to use to create each “masterpiece” that resides in the Marvel franchise. It causes a lack of variety and artistic integrity for the films.

Maybe it’s the directors or the producers, or maybe it’s Disney’s fault. Who knows? The overall problem isn’t that Marvel needs a new formula. It’s that they need to throw away the whole concept of one.

“I like the films. I think Marvel is more quality and is not rushed compared to the movies in the DC cinematic universe.” - Nathan

Hurst, 12

“I like how all of the films are connected into one universe because it makes a good storyline.” - Marcus

Carpenter, 11

(Illustrations by Rebekah Meyers)

OPINIONS | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

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STUDENT TAKE: DO YOU THINK IT’S IMPORTANT TO VOTE? “Definitely. If we don’t, how are we going to have a say on what happens to our world?”

MADDY BREWER, 9

This is so dumb. Why won’t anyone do something about it?

THE COMPLAINER

“Yeah, because people need to be heard.”

JAYLA GRESHAM, 11

“I think it is important to vote because if you don’t, you might not end up with what you want or like.”

TABITHA JOHANNAS, 11

NORTH STAR TAKE: “Yes, because we are entitled to our own opinions.”

HALEIGH SCHLOGL, 11

BELIEVE IN YOUR CIVIC DUTY AND MAKE A CHANGE Students should be active in elections by registering to vote and being educated on issues in our community

“Yes. It’s important to see the values of how everybody else feels. See what other people value.”

CHARLES BROOKS, 12

“Yes. It allows us to put in our own opinions. It helps make the world a better place to live in.”

CHEYENNE BIVINS, 12

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FHNTODAY.COM | 02.21.18 | OPINIONS

On Behalf of the Editorial Staff yourfhn@fhntoday.com | @FHNtoday

As Proposition Learn, a 48 cent tax levy, becomes more visible in the public eye, it is important that we as members of this district form an educated opinion on the tax levy that will appear on the April 3 ballot. It is important that we do this with all legislation, but it is especially important that we vote on this matter. It’s easy to see legislation that will appear on ballots and groan about how we hate it, or rave about how we love it or speculate about how it will or won’t pass. It’s easy to complain about the state of our school, or our community or our nation. What we really need to do instead of complain, though, is vote

and take action. If we don’t, how can we expect change?

If you’ve taken Government, you’ve learned that it’s important to vote. Whether you’ve taken that to heart or not, voting is imperative to our nation, our state and our community, but a lot of people don’t vote.

With approximately 44,000 households in the district, only about 8,600 of those homes have at least one registered voter. We should not join the non-voters. We should be excited about earning our right to vote when we turn 18, and until then we should still make our opinions, concerns and voices heard. The deadline to register for this upcoming election, March 7, is approaching quickly, and if you’re eligible, you deserve to be a part of the voting process. If you

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north | star

THE VOTER

We’re gonna fix this.

I VOTED

(Illustration by Heeral Patel)

are yet to turn 18 and can’t vote, you should rally for others to vote in favor of us, the next generation.

Our school has a lot of issues that can be fixed. For example, our building is falling apart.

It’s old, it’s worn and it needs more substantial repairs than the hodgepodge ones we all see during the school year. Instead of complaining about how the roofs are leaky, or how the classrooms have mold in them, we should vote for something like Prop Learn, to get our building in working order. This principle extends beyond our school and district, though.

If you like or disagree with a politician, you vote to keep them in office or vote for someone new and better. We can’t assume the result we want will come from others voting for us. We must take it upon ourselves to create change.

Whether we’re voting for Proposition Learn, for a local election, for a presidential election,

PAGE BY ANTHONY ADAMS

they all should be equally important to us as citizens, albeit young ones. We should take it upon ourselves to educate ourselves and those around us on what legislation we’re voting for and how it could impact our community, both positively and negatively. Even though we are young, and even though one person’s vote seems miniscule in the spectrum of things, we need to be aware of the real influence we have over the changes made in our community.

In our December issue, we encouraged you to use your voice, and voting is no different.

Whether you love Proposition Learn or you disagree with it, you should take it upon yourself to cast your vote this spring, or encourage voters you know to vote if you cannot. Beyond that, we should vote in any and all elections. It’s our duty as members of this school, this district, this city, this state and this country.

Editor-in-Chief: Carolynn Gonzalez Managing Editors: McKayla Bogda Noah Slaughter Copy Editor: Anna Lindquist Entertainment/Opinions Editor: Jake Price News Editor: Sammie Herr Features Editor: Heeral Patel Sports Editors: Mackenzie Pugh Hannah Wilson Rule of Three Editor: Heidi Hauptman General Staff: Anthony Adams Ashlynn Perez Grace Bowman Ashya Roberson Sophie Carite Sophie Schmidt Claire Huss Kylah Woods Patty O’Leary Daniel Xiang Rebekah Myers Michael Zull Editor-in-Chief of Photography: Alex Rowe Newspaper Photo Editor: Kamryn Bell Sports Photo Editor: Sam Cary Yearbook Photo Editor: Savannah Wandzel Photographers: Devilyn Bedwell Allie Moore Juliet Borgschulte Phoebe Primeau Mackenzi Durrett Josie Santel Michaela Erfling Isabella Schneider Abagayle Johnson Wil Skaggs Kaili Martin Kaitlyn Snyder Jordan Milewczik Paige Westermann Te’a Tonnsen Business: Gavin Atkinson Jadon Herrman Jamie Sneed Carson Ramirez

FHNTODAY STAFF

Editor-in-Chief: Taylor Sheridan Managing Editor: Isaiah Bryant FHNtoday Editor: Madison Abanathie Sports Editor: Dominic Hoscher Web Staff: Orion Allman Riley McCrackin Stacy Beasley Tyler Rogers Joel Boenitz Fabian Schwuchow Nick Browers Uma Upamaka Jabari Cope Liz Wagner Jacob Dulaney Ethan Winchester J Pae Sarah Zimmerman Jenny Blanchard Executive Producer of Video: Alyssa Barber Podcast Editor: Emily Hood Livestream Producer: Madi Shinault Chief Editor: Lupe Medina Video Staff: Gavin Anderson Taylor Perry Kelsey Decker Kylin Reed Audrey Dickherber Franco Romano J Pae Fabian Schwuchow Reide Pearson Lily Sontheimer Nathan Williams Advisers: Aaron Manfull Jordyn Kiel

OPINIONS | 02.21.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

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Have you bought a yearbook yet? Check here: You can purchase yearbooks in the main office, in room 105, or online at FHNtoday.com.

Yearbooks are $60 and they go up in price Feb. 23 so make sure to get yours today.

If your name isn’t on the list below, it means you have not ordered your yearbook yet. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Kiel at jordyn.kiel@fhsdschools.org.

Abanathie, Madison Abusoud,Nadia Adams, Carsten Adams, Ellen Addison, Aslee Al-Saward, Emily Alega, Juan Alexander, Hanna Allison, James Allman, Orion Ammons, Katie Andavolu, Suhas Anderson, Meghan Anderson,Abby Annem, Shikha Apicello, Rebekah Archer, Natalie Argent, Grant Arnold, Catherine Arnold, Sarah Atkinson, Gavin Autumn, Lowrey Avants, Krista Azevedo, Brianna Back, Abbi Baker, Cassie Bales Morgan Bales, Grace Bales,Jadyn Baniak, Justin Bank, Pierce Barker, Austin Barlos, Elizabeth Barlow, Devyn Bascio, Kate Basford, Drew (Jonathan?)

Battles, Madison Beach, Caleb Beach, Chase Beach, Tyler Beasley, Stacey Beckmann, jessica Bedwell, Devilyn Beiner, Kiley Bell, Jeffrey Bell, Thomas Berthold, Enoch Besancenez, Breanna Beye, Emily Birk, Austin Birkner, Navy Bivins, Cheyenne Black, Jenna Black, Richard Blanchard, Jenny Blanke, Caroline Blodgett, Nick Boenitz, Joel Bogda, Mckayla Bommarito,Laini Borshulte, Juliet Bowen, Elijah Bowman, Grace Bowman, Justin Boyd, Clay Boyd, Ethan Boyko, Ivan Bozich, Ashlynn Bradbury, Delanie Brauch, Maxwell Brennan, Samarah Brewer, Madison Bright, Nina Brink, Ashley Brinkley, Sean Brisstte, Drew Broadway, Sabrina Bronbolich, Matthew Brooks, Kathryn Brooks, Kimberly Brown, Alyssa Brown, Jenna Brown, Tommy Brown,Parker Brune, Dylan

Bugajski, Jamie Bugajski, Michael Burbank, Clayton Burger, Amber Burke, Samantha Burkhalter, Lily Burris, Kelly Busby, Juliaane Bustos, Noe Butler, Andrew Butler, Emily Butteiger, Emma Cabrera, Jordan Kianu Cancel Nadal, Andres Cannon, Bryan Caring, Justin Carr, Declan Cary, Sam Casey, Jacob Cather, Hannah Catlin, Grace Caudle, Hannah Caudle, Trevor Cavato, Allison Chaney, Leah Chaney, Lucas Chankin, Ethan Chapple, Jordan Chaves, Arianna Gail Cher, Sami Christensen, Justin Chruma, Abigail Clark, Matthew Clayton, Jakob Cline, Madison Cline, Mallory Cline, Summer Clinstman, Ava Coffell, Madelin Coffman, Abigail Cole, Grant Collins, Jesse Conley, Elizabeth Connolly, Chris Contractor, Riya Cope, Jabari Cosey, Jayla Cox, Elizabeth Cox, Jeffery Crafts, Chloe Crain, Megan Crist, Tyler Cronin, Conor Crow, Kyle Cruzen, Dominic Cuccio, Angela Cunningham, Mia Curtner, Raven Dale-Derks, Thomas Danneger, Jennifer Davidson, Anthony Davis-Srp, Connor Davis, Danielle Davis, Elizabeth Davis, Hannah Davlin, Jaden Day, Austin Decker, Kelsey Dehesa, Trey Delaney, Ryan Dempski, Luke Denningmann, Nathan Denno, Amanda DeSalvo, Maria Dickherber, Audrey Diehl, Ashlee Dodds-Bradshaw, Gabrielle Donoto, Jackson Donovan, Clayton Doss, Haley Droege, Shane Dunbar, Taylor Dunscombe, Haley Dupont, Sierra

Dupske, Anna Durham, Andrew Durham, Emma Echelmeyer, Delaney Eckhard, Emma Eimer, Sophia Ell, Benjamin Ellison, Sydney Elzein, Taylor Elzein, Taylor Emerson, Mark Erfling, Micheala Falls, Kenysha Farkas, Jacob Farner, Leah Faupel, Alivia Feldman, John Ferry, Jack Fischer, Emma Fisher, Samantha Flores, Karssandra Flores, Kassandra Forth, Audrey Forth, Katherine Fox, Aubree Gabel, Jameson Gabel, Sophia Galkowski, Jenna Gallagher, Connor Gallagher, Evan Gallahan, Danielle Gannon, Brendan Gehricke, Jenna George, Jackie Georgevitch-Layne, Tyler Gerhardt, Emma Gestring, Trevor Giacomarra, Noah Giacomarra, Sydney Gibson,Medjine Gillen, Trevor Gilliam, Reece Ginn, Bryanna GledHill, Isabella Gliffelz, Dominic Goad, Alexis Golliday, Mark Gonzalez, Caitlin Gonzalez, Cami Gonzalez, Caroline Goodwin, Kathleen Gordon, Daniel Gordon, Elise Gorsich, Andrew Gorzel, Donavon Grace, Sam Grapenthin,Devon Graves, Zachary Gray, Zack Grellner, Nikki Griffin, Jamazia Gruettemeyer, Isabella Habibi, Aaliyah Habibi, Aiden Hackney, Carson Hackney, Sydney Hackstadt, Anna Hagene, Dakota Haislip, Courtney Hale, Elizabeth Hamelback, Megan (graduated) Hammond, Bret Han, Sandy Hardin, Emily Harris, Ben Harris, Holly Harris, Sam Hart, Savannah Hasenbeck, Amanda Hauptman, Heidi Hayek, Brady Heckman, Issac Heien, April Helfer, Aubrie

Hennessey, Trevor Henry, Annie Henslee, Katie Henson, Alex Herrman, Jadon Hesskamp, Kaitlyn Higgins, Adele Hillmann, Maggie Hines, Marshall Hodge, Ian Hodgkins, Connor Hoekstra, Nathan Hoelestra, Nick Hoffman, Jake Hofmann, Brandon Hogan, Adam Hohensee, Julie Holder, Chase Hollaway, Logan Hollinger, Anna Hollins, Allana Hood, Emily Hople, Anthony Hopper, Anna Hopper, Cole Hosea III, Randy Hosea, Haley Hueffmeier, Adam Hughes, Maurice Huss, Claire Hyder, Rizwan Iadevito, Gabriella Inman, Gavin Inman, Jordyn Jacks, Logan Jameson, Jett Jamison, Ben Jamison, Tom Janar, Bon Johnson, Abby Johnson, Aidan Johnson, Caleb Johnson, Logan Johnson, Riley Johnson, Shelby Jokerst, Kaleik Jones, Charlie Just, Emily Kahl, Madison Kampff, Riley Kannan, Shyam Karase, Lily Karase, Sophie Kasper, Faith Keating, Jordan Keatting, Taylor Kehoe, Kolton Kehoe, Rachel Kiel, Jermy Kientzle, Hannah Kilen, Parker Kilgore, Kellie King, Anthony King, Christopher Kirkpatrick, Kylie Koester, Patrick Kolath, Brooke Kornberger, Hunter Korte, Abigail Kruger, Floris Kuhlman, Brandon Kuhlmann, Connor Kuhlmann, Kyle Kulage, Charles Kurtner, Raven LaBarge, Hunter Lamb, Madeline Lange, Adam Langi, Yousef Lassanske, Evan Lauer, Dillon Lawson, Riley Lechner, Tristan Ledbetter, Adrian Ledbetter, Andrew Lee, Alexis Lee, Iris

Leimkuehler, Jenna Leuthauser, Brendan Levins, Colin Linchtengger, Evan Linke, Kameron Linstrom, Grace Long, Alex Long, Ryan Longmore, Blaine Longmore, Bryce Louis Primeau Love, Hailey Lowe, Tiana Lowery, Autumn Ludwig, Troy Lukitsch, Trey Lyons, Noelle Maag, Evan Malone, Bradley Manthey, Ella Markum, Jessalyn Marqueart, Austin Marshak,Max Martin, Alexander Martin, Kaili Martin, Trace Martin, Trysten Martinez, William Massman, Lauren Mathews, Lyric Matson, Cody Matthews, Seth Maye, Sarah Mayfield, Thomas Mccullough, Mary McDaniel, Aidan McDermott, Mia McIlroy, Megan Mckee, Seth Mckenzie, Cody Mclaughlin, Braeden McNevin, Margaret Meader-Boland, Jeremiah Medley, Madelyn Meers,Madison Megan Puhse Meier, Drew Meneses, Thadeus Meyer, Devyn Mikelson, Gavin Milewczik, Jordan Millburn, Angel Miller, Abbie Miller, Emilie Miller, Megan Mills, Kylie Mitchell, Jackson Montileone, Alexandria Mooney, Paige Moore, Allie Moore, Allie Moore, Josh Moore, Mackenzie Moore, Sarah Moran, Natalie Morman, Ellie Morris, Caleb Mossinghoff, Ben Moxley, Peter Murphy, Josef Murray, Shelby Murrell, Keara Myers, Tyler Myrs,Rebekah Nabzdyk, Wally Neff, Hannah Negrete, Danielle Nelson, Alex Nelson,Mackenzie Neunaber, Olivia Neunaber, Riley Neuschwander, Jordan Newberry, Alivia Newport, Madeline

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