November 20, 2018 - The Difference Two Years Can Make

| FHN STORE PAGE 6 | COMMUNITY ART PAGE 18 | FHN DIVER WINS STATE PAGE 41 |

NORTH | STAR FRANCIS HOWELL NORTH | ST. CHARLES, MO 63303 | 11.20.18 | VOL 33 ISSUE 03

TheDifference TwoYears canMake

A short amount of time had a large impact on the Nahed Chapman New American Academy | PAGE 22

FHNToday.com

CONTENTS

15

Zach Zimmerman focuses on the fun side of fencing rather than the competition. He developed his love for fencing by watching Star Wars and other sword fighting movies. (Photo by Kamryn Bell)

ENTERTAINMENT 1 Christmas Quiz Add up Christmas movies you have seen to find out what decoration you are

3

Survive Black Friday Read a survival guide to learn some tips on how to survive Black Friday shopping

NEWS 8 Rebuilding the School Find out the possibility of FHN getting rebuilt within the next five years

10 New Additions to FHN Learn about the new tables, plaques and signs throughout the school

FEATURES 14 Alumna on The Voice

Alumna Audri Bartholomew’s experience on singing competition The Voice

17 Prep for College

Use this checklist to prepare for applying to colleges, scholarships and financial aid

SPORTS 38 Fall Season Recap

Learn how fall sports went. Including girls’ golf, boys’ cross country and football

40 Girls’ Wrestling

Girls’ wrestling is introduced as an official winter sport at FHN

OPINIONS 42 Innocent Until Proven Comparing due process in “To Kill a Mockingbird” and the Kavanaugh hearing

43 Societal Bubble Fix a hostile community to create a more tolerant society

ON THE COVER

NCNAA students from this issue and the North Star story from two years ago are portrayed through line are over a watercolor hallway.

(Cover by Rebekah Myers and Kylah Woods)

break Joe Brocksmith and members of the Ecology 6 Over Club cleaned up the front courtyard. (Photo by Addy Bradbury)

FHNTODAY.COM | 11.20.18 | ENTERTAINMENT

a look inside the Girls Basketball team as they 35 Take prepare for the long season ahead. (Photo by Ella Manthey)

PAGE BY SAMMIE HERR

WHAT CHRISTMAS DECORATION ARE YOU?

Mark the Christmas movies you have seen, add them up and find out what decoration you are! (Content by Grace Harding) HOME ALONE

THE POLAR EXPRESS

ELF

JINGLE ALL THE WAY

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE

CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRANKS

A CHRISTMAS STORY

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN

NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

RUDOLF THE RED NOSED REINDEER

THE SANTA CLAUSE

THE FAMILY MAN

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

DIE HARD

FRED CLAUSE

0-5:

ARTIFICIAL TREE

You barely participate. You put up a tree just to have something to put the presents under and don’t really see the big deal about the Christmas ordeal.

You get annoyed when stores start selling Christmas decor before Halloween passes.

11-15:

A CANDY CANE

You are the type of person who thinks about Christmas once a month. When the holiday comes around, you get really festive and decorate the outside of the house, You go all out on the holiday and love watching people open the presents you have given.

FAIRY LIGHTS “I am totally fairy lights. I had lights in my room till they burned out.”

-Emma Jones, 9

PAGE BY GRACE HARDING

A CANDY CANE “I would say this is me, I look forward to Christmas and when the season comes around my family goes all out.”

-Emma Oetting, 10

AN ORNAMENT

6-10:

You enjoy the holiday and love the Christmas environment, however, it is not at the top of your priority list. You would rather be doing something else. Things like decorating, caroling and building snowmen don’t sound appealing to you until after Thanksgiving, then the holiday cheer kicks in.

FAIRY LIGHTS

16+:

Christmas is your favorite time of year. You have fairy lights around your room all year round and love the Christmas cheer. When it comes to decorating, you’re the go to. Your house is the most festive on the block every year, and the inside of the house matches the outside.

A CANDY CANE “Christmas is the only time I get to see my family so I look forward to going all out when I can.”

-Joshua Robinson, 11

A CANDY CANE “I’m one of those people who once Halloween passes I skip Thanksgiving and go all out for Christmas.”

-Devun Pecher, 12

ENTERTAINMENT | 11.20.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

01

PIXAR THROUGH THE AGES

With the 20 anniversary of the Pixar movie, A Bug’s Life on Nov. 14, we take a look back at some of Pixar’s well-known films.

The films below are a few of the films students grew up on and some interesting facts about them (Content by Kylah Woods)

FUN FACT The lamp pictured in the Pixar logo before their films is called Luxo Jr, after Pixar’s second short film.

2001 Monsters Inc. was released on Nov. 2, 2001. It made $577,425,734 at the box office worldwide. Fun fact, there are over 2.3 million individual strands of hair on Sulley.

1998

Toy Story was released on Nov. 22, 1995. This was Pixar’s very first full feature movie.

Worldwide, Toy Story made $373,554,033 at the box office. In the original film, Woody was a ventriloquist doll. Since those were associated with horror films at the time, he was changed to a cowboy.

A Bugs Life was released on Nov. 14, 1998. It was Pixar’s second feature film. It made $363,398,565 at the box office worldwide.

The trailer for A Bug’s Life featured animation that wasn’t actually included in the film. This was a first for Pixar and now it is one of their trademarks.

2003

2004

The Incredibles was released on Nov. 5, 2004. Worldwide, it made $633,019,734 at the box office.

In the Incredibles, it contained 35 explosions, 189 buttons being pressed and about 640 gunshots.

It was also the first Pixar movie to be rated PG.

Pixar released 3 short films before they did full feature films The Adventures of Andre & Wally B This was the first short film created but the animation studio. It is about a boy named Andre being woken by a bee named Wally B.

Luxo Jr. This was the first 3D computer animated film to be nominated for an Oscar.

It is about a small lamp and a large lamp playing with a ball.

Red’s Dream

1995

Finding Nemo was released on May 30, 2003. Worldwide, Nemo made $940,335,536 at the box office.

The shells of the kid turtles in Nemo are meant to look like Hawaiian shirts. Another fun fact, the tiki heads in the tank at the dentist office are caricatures of Pixar employees.

In the beginning...

2006

It was Pixar’s third short film. Red’s Dream is about a little unicycle’s dream to be in a circus act.

Other short films

These short films were released with each full feature film except Toy Story Geri’s Game

Geri’s game was released with A Bug’s life. It is about an elderly man that plays chess with himself.

For the Birds

For the Birds was released with Monsters Inc. It is about a group of small birds on a wire imitating a different, larger bird.

Knick Knack

Cars was released on March 14, 2006. It made $462,216,280 at the box office worldwide. In all of the sky scenes of the movie, the jet trails are actually tire marks. You can visit the area that Radiator Springs is based on. It’s a place called Cadillac Ranch, located outside of Armarillo, Texas.

(Sources: boxofficemojo.com, mentalfloss.com, pixar.com, uselessdaily.com, ohmy.disney.com) (Illustrations by Kylah Woods and Rebekah Myers)

Knick Knack was rereleased before Finding Nemo. It was the fourth short film Pixar ever made. This one is about a snowman in a snow globe that wishes to get to another globe that has a girl in it.

Boundin’

Boundin’ was released with the Incredibles. It is a musically narrated story about a dancing sheep.

One Man Band

One Man Band was released with Cars. One Man Band is about a street performer trying to make tips.

What’s Your Favorite Pixar Movie?

“Finding Nemo because it’s my favorite childhood movie, and I grew up watching it.”

-Autumn Brengle, 11

02

“Up because it was always my favorite as a kid, and I still love watching it to this day. It brings out my emotions every time.”

Sydney Wise, 12

FHNTODAY.COM | 11.20.18 | ENTERTAINMENT

“Monsters Inc. because the animation is so awesome. Not only that but the idea that monsters in the closet are nice? So cool.”

-Koen Schaffer, 9

“Toy story because it reminds me a lot of my family” -Alex Wood, 11

PAGE BY KYLAH WOODS

BLACK FRIDAY SURVIVAL GUIDE

WHAT WAS YOUR CRAZIEST BLACK FRIDAY EXPERIENCE?

Black Friday is an event where many items are, according to Walmart’s Black Friday Ad, listed as much as 60 percent off. Learn how to better prepare yourself for a chaotic shopping spree with these tips

“I had to wait in line forever just to get a few items I wanted.”

-CALVIN CASWELL, 9

(Content by Justin Christensen)

1. LOOK AT WHAT YOU WANT If you don’t have an idea what you want to buy, look at the Black Friday ads published by many stores. These ads will list the items that are being sold and the price they are being sold at. Once you know what you want, know where it is inside the store so when Black Friday hits you, you know where the item is. Blackfriday.com has many ads you can compare.

“I saw people fighting over who got to have a cart at Black Friday.”

2. FIGURE OUT WHEN TO GO 5. HIDE YOUR RICHES

-CARSON WEINSTOCK, 10

(Illustration by Kat Sellers)

Find out when the store you want to go to opens. Many stores can open as early as Thursday evening. Many other stores still open on Friday morning. Opening times can usually be found with the Black Friday ads or they can be found on the store’s website.

After you buy your PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and other expensive items, hide them in unmarked bags and make them out of sight from the outside of your car. Many items can be stolen when unattended items are left in full view, so hide your items out of view if you decide to go to a second store.

3. ARRIVE EARLY

6. BRING A FRIEND

4. CLAIM THE GOLD

7. GO ONLINE

Arrive about an hour or two before the store opens to get a parking spot and a good place in line. Arriving early will ensure you a parking spot closer to the store so you don’t have to find parking far from the store.

Once the store opens, quickly find what you want the most first. The store can run out of stock of many popular items within minutes. After you have your primary item, you can look for anything else that is on sale. Some stores may have indicators to where the most popular items are.

PAGE BY JUSTIN CHRISTENSEN

Friends can help you navigate through the chaotic nature of Black Friday. Friends can make every part of Black Friday more enjoyable, even standing in the big line beforehand. Bringing a friend can also protect you from anybody who wants to steal the items you just bought.

Nov. 26, 2018, is Cyber Monday, an internet version of Black Friday. If you didn’t get what you want, or you don’t feel like going out to all the chaos, you can shop online and still get good deals on products.

“I went to many stores after midnight to get a bunch of stuff.”

-LEAH FARNER, 10

“I had to stay in line for hours at 1 a.m. outside a Target one year.”

-JACK PARKS, 12

ENTERTAINMENT | 11.20.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

03

comic central SPREAD POSITIVITY

CURIOUS THOUGHTS

(Illustration by Lily Sontheimer)

NO HATE NOVEMBER (Illustration by Jena Pae)

DOOR BLOCKERS

04

FHNTODAY.COM | 11.20.18 | ENTERTAINMENT

(llustration by Sophie Schmidt)

PAGE BY REBEKAH MYERS

@birthrightsthcarles

UPCOMING EVENTS

November

21-23

November Thanksgiving Break

Wed.-Fri.

28

Wednesday

Curriculum Information Night Time: 6 p.m.

Where: FHN Auditorium

Senior Gabby Reid sings alongside the FHN Choir as they practice for their annual Winter Concert. The choir program is directed by Jennifer Crane, making it her second year at FHN. Knightsound has practiced new songs and will showcase them during the concert on Nov. 20 in the auditorium. (Photo by Ella Manthey)

Since August, new apartments have been in the making on Hackmann Road. These new apartments are being made for single families in the St. Charles area. This could lead to more students attending FHN in the near future. (Photo by Kaili Martin)

Choir’s annual winter concert will be held on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. The concert consists of four different choirs: Treble Choir, Concert Choir, Bella Voce and Knightsound. The four groups all will perform individually, and then do a song or two together at the end of the concert. Before they may start, FHN’s Choir Director, Jennifer Crane, must decide upon their music for this year.

“I think the hardest part for me is picking the music,” Crane said. “I find that choosing the right pieces of music must fulfill many different aspects. I’m finding music that musically is going to showcase them as well as have an appropriate level of difficulty.”

With that chosen music then comes the preparation. For the students, the rehearsal is inside as well as outside of the choir room. To Essence Green, current senior and member of Bella Voce and Knightsound, the rehearsal time pays off for the overall performance. Within the performance, the audience can expect about three

There are noticeable changes being made on the corner of Old Highway 94 South and Hackmann Road. The construction underway is a new residential subdivision. Bruce Evans, the Director of Community Development for St. Charles, has details on the neighborhood under construction.

“It’s a single family residential subdivision,” Evans said.

“There’s 20 acres of land stretching from the road all the way to behind the library on McClay Rd.” The neighborhood is classified as “moderately dense,” meaning that each house is built to accommodate one family with the average size of three people and with a square footage of anywhere between 1347-square-feet and 2250-squarefeet. Evans hopes that the placement of the new neighborhood will not

WINTER CHOIR CONCERT PLANNED

06

to five pieces from each individual choral group as well as all choirs coming together at the end to sing “A Christmas Festival” by Leroy Anderson.

That song being a new tradition for years to come in the program.

“I want it to be really good, and I want us to be prepared for [the concert],” Green said. “We will because we have most of our music down. We are more prepared than we have been in previous years.”

With the time spent by the students in the choir room, focused on their music, they are working on their goals for the pieces. Crane has also set goals for the concert with the emphasis falling upon the students pride in their work.

“I want the audience to laugh and cry and connect and feel something,” Crane said. “I want the students to feel so wonderful about themselves and what they have created, and I want them to be able to have a magical moment on stage.” (Brief by Patty O’Leary)

FHNTODAY.COM | 11.20.18 | NEWS

HOUSES SET TO FILL SITE ON HACKMANN impact the road conditions around FHN. “I wish they would build something other than houses,” junior Keara Murrel said. “I’m a little worried about traffic after school.”

The neighborhood is being constructed by a Chesterfield based real estate company called Fischer and Frichtel. One neighborhood that they have built is Ehlmann Farms in Weldon springs.

Students who live there also go to the FHSD and attend FHHS. The neighborhood will also feature many accommodations upon completion.

“The neighborhood is being built by the McClay library so that will be a close resource,” Evans said. “There’s also going to be a small system of trails that will link up with the city’s trails and that will make it easy for anyone without cars to get around town.” (Brief

by Jack Cleaveland)

PAGE BY JACK CLEAVELAND

November

29

District Board Meeting Time: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: District Office

Thursday

November

30

Saturday Knight Live Time: 7 p.m.

Where: FHN Auditorium

Saturday

December

6

Thursday

Winter Band Concert Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Where: Band rooms and Small Gym

Students in Ecology Club get together on Oct 30 to clean up the main courtyard at FHN. The Ecology Club wanted to make the courtyard feel like an area where students could go to enjoy nature. The idea of a new courtyard was created by Mr. Brocksmith. (Photo by Addy Bradbury)

The Stuco store is a brand new addition to the FHN commons this year. Stuco has been selling shirts provided by various clubs here at FHN. Students have the ability to purchase these shirts during lunches and passing periods. (Photo by Sarah Williams)

Walking into the FHN courtyard by the school entrance, most were met with worn cement benches, empty flower gardens and tires placed among the tables. The courtyard is able to be seen into by many classrooms, and what students and staff saw, according to Ecology Club and StuCo, could have been improved.

“We intended to take out the wooden fences, old flower pots and maybe plant some native flowers and trees,” Ecology Club sponsor Joseph Brocksmith said.

The spaces where no trees were, StuCo and Ecology Club are planning to plant trees native to Missouri like Dogwoods and Eastern Redbuds in the spring. The importance of planting native fauna is to preserve the species in Missouri and prevent new ones from taking over.

“A district cleaning crew came in and basically cleaned up what we were going to clean, like the old leaves and limbs from trees,” Brocksmith said.

“But we can still beautify it with flowers and native things.”

StuCo is gearing up for the new school store they plan to open in the Commons before the end of the first semester, hopefully early December, called the Armory. They anticipate for the store to be open before and after school and have many pieces of merchandise for students to buy such as shirts, hats, and all kinds of other FHN gear from various FHN clubs. StuCo got the idea from other schools in the area who have a store.

“The armory is essentially a school store that showcases school spirit, not just black and gold but other clubs and activities merchandise,” StuCo Vice President Juan Alega said. “[StuCo] have actually been wanting to put up the school store for a while now, and we’re so glad that we are finally going through with it.”

Not only is this going to add to students’ FHN merchandise, but StuCo

CLUBS CLEAN UP COURTYARD

PAGE BY JACK CLEAVELAND

This cleanup is part of StuCo and Ecology Club’s multi-phase plan, which StuCo is heading. The plan includes removing debris in the courtyard, adding new plants and upkeep of the space over the 2018-19 school year.

“StuCo was the one who initially suggested it,” Ecology Club member Autumn Schrader says. “They basically came to us to help.”

Brocksmith was the person that stood up to research native plants to add and figure out where to recycle the old things on the grounds. In August, the idea was originally put forth as a suggestion. From there, Head Principal Nathan Hostetler encouraged the idea and it has been expanded into a makeover of the grounds. The estimated finishing date of the first phase is still in the works, as soon as the cornhole project is completed.

“We really just want to make it a place where kids actually want to hang out when it’s nice and warm,” Brocksmith says. “We want them to make use of the nice spaces FHN offers them.” (Brief by Sophia Schmidt)

SCHOOL STORE PLANNED TO OPEN

hopes that it will add to the school’s overall culture as well.

“I think this will improve the community by making all club and school spirit inclusive and spreading that,” Alega said. “That increase of school spirit will also increase the sense of community because everyone has a passion toward that one entity which is FHN.” StuCo doesn’t want to just open a store. They want the store to flourish for years to come and allow students to not only wear the school spirit but feel the school spirit.

“In the future, we are definitely hoping that the Armory will thrive and be more than what it is now and be a bigger entity in this school so that more people are passionate about it and more people want to be included in its growth and purchasing items from it,” Alega said. (Brief by Patty O’Leary)

NEWS| 11.20.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

07

IMAGINING A NEW NORTH

(Illustration by Rebekah Myers)

District speculates the construction of a new FHN building

by Leann Smyth

“It would actually be cheaper to build a new building, with all the stuff we’re doing now, like keeping the building up with repairs, but in the long run it would First established as Henderson Junior High, then expanded and renamed FHN be cheaper,” Robertson said. “The more money we put in this building, it gets in 1986, the building has struggled to keep up with the growing St. Charles and more expensive because it’s older. They could start a new building, and I think St. Peters population. Now it’s age is showing with the necessary and constant they would see a big difference. The money they would spend on this one versus upkeep. With the building fully matured, and practically outgrown, intentions for a new one would pay for itself.” the construction of a new building are beginning to take root.

The critical linchpin in determining a new school is the district’s Master Plan.

“FHN is very likely of the highest need,” said Head Principal Nathan Hostetler.

A procedure which would evaluate current issues and decide whether or not “We have roofs that are leaky, we have HVAC issues, the building is old, it is what construction is a better alternative to perpetual repairs. The completion of the it is. There is some significant discussion about potentially taking on the task plan is expected within the next couple months. of building a new building if the bond issue were to pass. We’re doing our best “We are working with an outside provider to complete a Master Plan to look to dress up this building, but the truth of the matter is: it’s not new, it’s an aging at all the facilities all across the district, somebody with expertise in building building, a lot of different ages, sort of a Frankenstein’s monster.” structures and systems.” Superintendent of the district Mary Hendricks Harris said.

One of the most outstanding issues is the uneven roofing according to Hostetler.

“They will identify the projects that need to be done and help us prioritize those.”

Noticeable leaks complimented with trash cans to collect Funding is a major obstacle in getting this plan off the excess water are common in the southern end of the Butterfly ground. The main source of this would be a bond issued by the Hall and around the front entrance, despite the roof being county to subsidize capital projects. The bond size is estimated Read more about the less than a year old. Those areas are scheduled to be patched

by The Master Plan, then the board would be able to put it on history of FHN’s building up in the summer of 2019. The HVAC(Heating Ventilation the ballot. After, the public would have to approve it. There complications here: and Air Conditioning) system has the biggest need for an would be no added expense to taxpayers, their bonds would https://bit.ly/2T5ARVg upgrade. It utilizes a boiling system that’s just over 40 years only be paid back slower. old. It’s frequent repairs require outdated hardware and sparse “We would have to pass a no tax increase bond issue to make expertise. Though these efforts are only to extend the school’s life on its last legs. that happen,” Hostetler said. “I believe that would be a possibility in two to three “It’s hard to find parts for them,” resident Head of Maintenance Stan Robertson years. We haven’t passed out last three tax levies which is why our operating funds said. “We have a boiler system here, which is heating the building and cooling the aren’t where we’d like them to be, but a bond issue is different. If we were to pass building by water. They don’t do that a lot anymore, that’s a dying breed there. one, then there wouldn’t be any increase in taxes.”

You have just a few older guys that can still do that. To change that, you would Going forward efforts are looking to improve the quality of education for have to remap and redo this whole building, get rid of the boiler, ductwork would students district wide, and making the most of the future. have to go everywhere. It would be almost impossible.”

“We want to have safe and equitable buildings that address the needs The crucial changes needed to conserve the building would require extensive of today’s learning.” Chief Operating Officer Kevin Supple said. “If we were renovations, which is especially difficult due to obstacles like the already existing constructing from the ground up, I’m sure there would be major differences firewalls and at least six other additions from previous attempts at expanding the because we would have a blank slate, we would be able to think about what school. It’s estimated by Robertson that the structure will only last about five to 10 education is like in the next 10, 15 years and build towards that.” years without dramatic and unlikely changes. leannsmyth@gmail.com

MORE INFO

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FHNTODAY.COM | 11.20.18 | NEWS

PAGE BY LEANN SMYTH

Senior Alex Roark plays his clarinet during the halftime performance in the football game against FHHS. Alex has been in marching band for four years. The Marching Band recently placed eighth in their competition in Arkansas, beating Howell by .1 points. (Photo by Jordan Milewczik)

Two workers hang lights at Provenance Soapworks during the annual holiday light awards last year. Provenance Soapworks is one of the stores on Main Street that participate in the contest.

This is the 15th year that the light awards have been going on.

(Photo submitted)

TISATHE NEWSEASON AND IMPROVED PLAN

Junior Emilee Statzer stands at attention while performing during halftime of the football game against FHHS. The Marching band was performing their new show Wired, while also preparing for their competition in Arkansas.

(Photo by Jordan Milewczik)

Sophomore Grace Varvera spins her flags during a marching band halftime performance on Oct. 5. Varvera has been a member of color guard for four seasons. “My favorite part about guard is the feeling of learning a new skill,” said Varvera. (Photo by Jordan Milewczik)

KNIGHTPRIDE ENDS SEASON STRONG FHN’s KnightPride Marching Band finished their 2018 season on Oct. 27 after having participated in six competitions. The regular season runs from their commitment night on May 1 to the last competition in the end of October.

“This season was very rewarding and we all had a lot of fun,” said Junior Aakruthi Pasuparthi The last competition KnightPride went to was the Band of America Super Regionals at the America Center in Saint Louis. They placed 42nd out of the 73 bands competing in the two-day competition.

“We were one of the highest-ranked bands in

PAGE BY LEANN SMYTH

our area,” said Band Director Robert Stegeman The show name for the season was ‘Wired’.

The show focused on electricity, connection and the spark that exists between people.

According to Stegeman, this show was much harder than shows in the past and the band was attending much harder competitions this season.

“Were trying to grow the program from an excellence stand point,” said Stegeman. “If we want to be one of those bands that are really big and powerful and have lots of money, we have to start putting ourselves up against those bands and learning from what they’re doing.” (Brief by Sophie Carite)

• The City of St. Charles is holding their 15 Annual City Lights • business owners can enter their Contest on Dec. 6. Home and • decorated homes or buildings until Nov. 30 by printing and • filling out a form available on the St. Charles City website. The • buildings are categorized into • lit and non-lit displays.

“Around the holidays, a lot• of people get excited to decorate,” Chuck Lovlace, Geographical Information System • Coordinator of St. Charles, said.

“If you want to show off your • property that you put a lot of time, money and effort into, it’s one way to get people to drive by your house.”

Provence Soap Works on Main Street has been participating in the competition for nine years. The shop does two specialty window displays and decorates the outside with fresh greenery, lights and bows. The shop hasn’t won yet, but the employees are hoping to soon.

“It’s something we all look forward to,” Provence Soap Works owner Carolyn Holden said. “We have a staff potluck party where we all help out and decorate.”

After the decorating, on Dec. 6, the Human Relations Commission and their families judge the displays of each building. The commission and their families board a bus where they visit each entry that night and use score sheets to rate the display one to 10. According to Lovlace, the bus ride can take up to three hours when there are a lot of entries. Last year, there were about 20 different entries, a lot of them being repeating competitors.

“A lot of the entries are people who enter every year,” Lovlace said. “They enjoy the competition and the rewards that come from it.”

During the last city council meeting before Christmas on Dec. 18, the council presents the award winners. There are 11 awards given out. The top 10 are each awarded and then Mayor Sally Faith picks her favorite. The winner of the mayor’s award receives an ornament made by a local artist, Serena Boschert. The winners’ addresses get put on a virtual map online, available to everyone who wants to see the decorated buildings. According to Lovlace, whether you want to compete in a friendly competition or beautify the city, entering the contest is a lot of fun.

“It makes the street look better,” Holden said. “It brings a sense of holiday spirit. It’s a team effort to make things brighter and prettier.” (Brief by Gracie Bowman)

NEWS | 11.20.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

09

Dr. Hostetler has been making various changes around the school. When students returned from fall break there were new tables in the lunchroom and new signs hung up. Each of the new signs say welcome in a different language so that every student can read at least one sign in their native language. (Photo by Paige Westermann)

NEW ADDITIONS TO FHN When students returned from fall break this year, they most likely noticed some changes around the school. Over the week that students had off of school, the staff at FHN introduced many things that move toward Head Principal Nathan Hostetler’s goal of bringing a stronger sense of community to FHN. Students returned to a redesigned cafeteria with new tables and many new banners and plaques around the school.

“I do realize that other schools in the district are nicer than ours,” Hostetler said. “I want to get rid of the stigma that people are having where they feel like the ‘stepsister’ of the district or like they’re not cared for as much. We’re trying to make small improvements here and there like the paint on the walls, the tables and the banners.”

The new tables’ main goal is to create a better sense of community at lunches. One of the big reasons the old tables were recalled is because students would try to fit more people on the benches than intended, and they would end up falling and getting hurt. The new tables have individual seats for students to prevent that from happening again.

“I like the tables because I can find a seat easily,” freshman Ryleigh O’Donnell. “I can see the individual seats from far away.”

Another new change that came with the tables and banners at FHN is the plaques with different languages on them hanging around on the walls of the school. All of the languages on these plaques are the native languages of people at this school.

The new plaques helped build upon Hostetler’s goal of building community by making more kids feel welcomed and accepted.

“FHN is actually the E.L.L. (English Language Learner) center of the entire district,” Hostetler said.

“At this school we have more native speakers than at FHHS and FHC. That means we need to work harder to help our foreign native speakers feel at home.” (Brief by Jack Cleaveland)

10

FHNTODAY.COM | 11.20.18 | NEWS

Buses line the parking lot of Henderson as students await to leave for the day. Henderson Elementary has reached capacity this year with their new and incoming students. They have worked to accommodate the incoming students to the best of their abilities. (Photo by Isabella Schneider)

HENDERSON AT CAPACITY Students and staff at Henderson are limited with space within the school, so they refurbished areas to better fit student needs

by Sophia Schmidt

the boundaries between Henderson and Fairmount Elementary.

Henderson Elementary sits just behind FHN “We had some parents [out of Henderson’s grounds. Kids around the St. Charles area go there new boundary] request to stay,” Barker said. “But to get an education, enjoy themselves at recess, take unfortunately it was a request we couldn’t follow tests and learn through FHSD. But in the past years through with.” there was a major concern. Too many students and Besides the split gym, Henderson created other not enough space to learn. useful spaces within the school that are utilized by “Six years ago we had a boundary change,” students and teachers, such as the art wall by the Principal Jennette Barker said. “In the first year, we front lobby and other places made from storage surpassed what the district thought we spaces.

HOW MANY would. We ended up having about six “My kids definitely make use of kindergarten classes, which means we the spaces,” Katie Stokes, parent of KIDS, AGAIN? would have had to have six first grade current Henderson students said.

2018-19: 724 rooms and so on.”

Stokes also teaches an English The situation called for interference For Learners of other Languages 2017-18: 676 from the district due to numbers. The (ESLL) class in Henderson, within 2016-17: 679 space per classroom began to shrink a refurbished supply closet. Stokes 2015-16: 693 as student numbers grew. Old teachers stated that it comfortably seats up to questioned where new teachers would 12 kids.

2014-15: 739 go to help with the students.

Other spaces include a wall 2013-14: 666 “We didn’t have enough classrooms separating the library from the main to go forward at that point,” Barker said. hallway. It is used to display art from 2012-13: 555 “We could look at our numbers and Henderson’s art classes. Walking up easily see that it wouldn’t work.” the path, creatures made of yarn and At that point, the district Facility Services were paint smile back at you. These spaces are being contacted. They had to come up with ways to add continually added to Henderson. space for classrooms within the school, which ended “Each summer we have worked with our facilities up being adding new walls and converting old department to see how we can refurbish space,” spaces into smaller more intimate classrooms.

Barker said. “It’s an ongoing thing.”

“We had to do a lot of creative thinking with our Currently, Henderson is at its maximum capacity spaces,” PE teacher Gail Anderson said. for students, which is a tall 724 for the 2018-19 school Anderson’s classroom is split in half. One half year. If they were to go over their capacity numbers, of her room is Henderson’s gym, the other serves 725 students, immediate action would be taken from as the cafeteria from 10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Along the district to alleviate the strain on the school. with refurbishing their current spaces, FHSD also “We’re in constant communication with the changed the boundaries, these limits show which district,” Barker said. “If it were to ever happen again, students can attend Henderson. The district altered similar actions would be taken.”

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PAGE BY SOPHIE SCHMIDT

A film covering your classmates, clubs, sports, events, awards, dances, assemblies, ideas, opinions, and stories.

Purchase yours at lunch:

November 26, 27 December 17, 18, 19

$12

through winter break everyday in room 105* Freshmens’ first steps down the hall at FHN. Seniors’ last steps down the isle at graduation.

Memories that you will want to look back on.

All showcased in one film.

Available for pick up at the 2019-20 schedule pick-up

HELPING KIDS WITH CANCER...

big dreams, big stars, big opportunities FHN alumna Audri Bartholomew performed on “The Voice,” a national televised singing contest, and was chosen to be on Jennifer Hudson’s team

by Sam Cary and Enrico Spadachinni

Levine and Kelly Clarkson. Bartholomew saw this as a chance to show off her personality.

“You never know who is watching,” Bartholomew said. “When I was a kid, I was very shy. I think it took s she walked onto the stage, filled with nerves, opportunities away from myself, so I was making sure the only thing in her head was how she that I was being myself to show America who I am. needed to get a chair turn. Then everything This was not the stage to clam up on.” went black.

Because of Bartholomew’s outgoing personality, she For many young performers, making it on national had the confidence to invite Hudson on stage to join television is nothing but a mere fantasy, but for FHN her in singing ‘Never Enough’ after Hudson expressed alumna Audri Bartholomew, it is a reality. how much she would love to perform that song.

Bartholomew, now 20 years old, attended FHN, a “I was so nervous to sing with her,” Bartholomew school where she was able to leave a mark on the fine said. “I grew up listening to her, and to be singing on arts program, as she was a leader in KnightSound as stage with her was just such a surreal moment.” well as playing Reno in FHN’s production of “Anything Although she was voted off the second round, Goes”.

Bartholomew hopes that being on “The Voice” has “She [Audri] had a big personality,” Lorraine Smith, helped her grow a future in performing wherever that former Choir Director, said. “She was a lot of fun. might take her. But other students at FHN are seeing When I watched her on TV interacting with the judges, her example and using it to inspire them as well. that is exactly how I remember her. She was always “I have been part of the choir for just committed to the program and is so two months now,” Sofiya Melnychuk, talented.”

Ukrainian senior exchange student, On Oct. 1, Bartholomew made her said. “But I am sure her performance debut on NBC’s “The Voice.” While brought a lot of pride and especially performing the song “Never Enough,” hope in the FHN community, which is originally sung by Loren encouraging young people following Allred, Bartholomew was able to their dreams.” capture the attention of a judge Want to watch Audri’s For Bartholomew, being on “The Jennifer Hudson. She was also audition? Follow this link to Voice” is a huge step that she has been the only one who turned her seat, watch the full video: striving to reach since she was three and for this reason, Bartholomew bit.ly/2PeEPg0 years old and first started singing. automatically joined the singer’s Besides just the thrill of performing, team.

Bartholomew claims that being in “I remember going to the performing arts not only gave her a passion, but also movies with my grandma to see ‘The Greatest a home.

Showman,’ and I was like crying because of “I found so many friends that I still talk to today how good the music was,” Bartholomew said. from FHN,” Bartholomew said. “Mrs. Smith was an “As soon as I heard ‘Never Enough,’ I had so incredible teacher and she believed in me so much. many chills in my body. I knew I wanted to Then ‘Anything Goes’ was a life changing for me perform this song on stage, and what better because it really proved that no matter how many stage than ‘The Voice?’” times you move or where you go you can always find a After Bartholomew’s performance on stage, place in what you love, and that for me was choir and she was able to interact with the other coaches drama.” on “The Voice” including Blake Shelton, Adam sam.soccerstl@gmail.com | @samcaryy enrico.spdn01@gmail.com

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PAGE BY HANNAH WILSON

FINDING FENCING

Freshman Zach Zimmerman holds his foil blade out towards his opponent with one hand. Zimmerman has been fencing for around a year and practices every Saturday at the St. Peter’s Rec-Plex. He doesn’t compete competitively as this is a hobby he enjoys doing in his free time. (Photo by Kamryn Bell)

Freshman Zach Zimmerman believes he’s found a passion of his in the form of a unique sport

by Sydney Ellison

weren’t very surprised when he came to them with this wish. The Zimmermans knew of his fascination with sword fighting so his family was very happy that he would finally get the chance to fulfill his wish. weat drips down freshman Zach Zimmerman’s face as he swings the “My family has helped because they support me trying new things,” Zach said. heavy foil takes its toll. The crashes of metal on metal can be heard all “If I want to do something, I do it and if I don’t, then I don’t. They just support me, throughout the room. Out of the corner of his eyes, he sees fencing they pay for everything and they encourage me along the way to practice.” students elegantly dodging and attacking their own opponents. None of these To Zach, fencing is a release. He gets to let all the stress built up from school factors influence Zimmerman as he makes the match winning move. and volleyball just roll of his shoulders. He claims that’s his favorite element of “The feeling of being able to defend yourself and knowing that you can fencing. Zach mentions a moment where his coach told Zach he was one of the improve is just amazing,” Zach said. best beginners he’d ever seen. Brenda was very proud of him Seeing epic lightsaber fights in the Star Wars movies and in that moment. growing up influenced by sword fighting is what got Zach FENCING TERMS “I’m happy for him to continue doing it because it’s an interested in fencing. His mother and one of his sisters unusual sport for someone to be doing and they have to have Foil- A popular weapon in fencing both recall him being obsessed with the idea of sword strategic thoughts with what they are doing so that gives fighting. Zach finally found time around volleyball and En Garde- Position taken before fencing him a mental aspect,” said Brenda. “It also gives him exercise school so his mom, Brenda Zimmerman, suggested he try commences and his instructor says it’s a type of martial art and so it’s fencing out.

Advance- Taking a step towards one’s something different and unique.”

“It makes me happy that he’s able to do this since he opponent Unfortunately, fencing isn’t completely perfect. According had wanted to do it for so long and it’s something he’s Attack- Movement or series of to Zach, the gear is heavy and gets hot very quickly. The really good at,” Brenda said. movements by which a fencer tries to weapon, professionally known as the foil, is heavier than Zach first started fencing in 2017 after years of dreaming score a point expected so it usually causes some trouble with beginners. about getting the chance. Through the program, The For more information visit: A perseverer, Zach has never let these down sides slow him Baited Blade, Zach has been able to improve his skills bit.ly/2qxbwGW down. He is improving at every practice. and discover how much the activity really means to him.

“He listens very well and he responds well to the often The program is led by Robert A. McPherson and holds its difficult and demanding art that is classical fencing,” practices at the St. Peters Rec-Plex. According to Zach, McPherson said. fencing is a really great activity to be involved in. He claims it can be very relaxing Going into the future, Zach hopes to further improve upon his skills in fencing and laid back but it’s still something to put effort in to become good at it. and venture into more competitive fencing. His family is so excited to see him “Besides an excellent aptitude for this art, Zach demonstrates something excel in this activity. that I find even more important in a good student, dedication and hard work,” “I could very much see myself doing fencing in college just because it’s a fun McPherson said. activity that I can do outside of school and work,” Zach said.

Throughout everything, Zach’s family has supported all of his decisions. They sydney.ellison55@gmail.com

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PAGE BY SYDNEY ELLISON

FEATURES | 11.20.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

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Tiny handcrafted instruments sit in a display case at the Miniature Museum located in St. Louis. This museum contains an array of miniature items as simple as a chair to as complex as a train. Many visitors come to admire the small delicate handy work of artists from around the country. (Photo by Alexis Wade)

A BIG MUSEUM FOR THE ITTY-BITTY A wonderland of minuscule proportions awaits downtown in Bevo Mill. There lies the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis, a place that showcases creations that were no small feat to make, despite their little size. The museum itself is run by a council of women who make miniatures themselves.

“It feels fabulous to have a place like the museum dedicated to my work,” miniature artist and museum president Joanne Martin said.

The museum itself has 125 cases just on the bottom two floors, each containing either a collection of miniature dolls and items or a collection of fully furnished and populated rooms and SEE MORE houses. No matter the shape and size, each piece Follow this link to see is its own art installation more photos of the with its own personal museum: bit.ly/2OG0gBN lighting. The sources of these structures range from currently working artists, endowments from late artists, or even other museums.

“I don’t think we’d come down if we didn’t enjoy playing with the little miniatures, enjoying them and seeing what other people have created,” museum volunteer and member Beverly Boyer said.

The museum was funded by 10 years worth of savings from the members of its committee, and took a year, four months and seven days to launch from the time the building space was bought. Every person who works in the museum is a volunteer, and all profits from the gift shop and $6 entrance fee go to a fund to install an elevator to the second floor. The museum has been open since 2001 and continues to host miniature shows to this day.

“When you’re working on a budget like that, there’s just so much to do, and we all have worked very hard and tirelessly to get where we are,” Martin said. (Brief

by Rebekah Myers)

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FHNTODAY.COM | 11.20.18 | FEATURES

Juan Alega sits in the library researching Washington University college information. Alega hopes to attend a high level college in the future. He has made many visits to colleges and one of them was Washington University. (Photo by Jordyn Sgroi)

EXPLORING THE ENVIRONMENT Juan Alega has an apprenticeship at the Tyson Research Center and studies biodiversity during his free time

by Gracie Bowman

graciebowman310@gmail.com | @_gracie__b_

While other students are sitting at home or on the beach during their summer vacation, senior Juan Alega is googling different programs and camps to spend his time at. With an open mind and an interest in trying something new, he found something other than a summer camp. Last summer, he applied for the Tyson Environmental Research Fellowship (TERF) Program at Washington University. Since then, he’s been using things like his calculator and ruler to learn more about the biodiversity of the forests.

The TERF Program is an apprenticeship where high school students learn how to do environmental research with scientists. The students work in teams where they study environmental science, like biodiversity. Alega has been working on the projection of forest biodiversity on mortality rates due to invasive species.

“It’s helping me grow as a person,” Alega said. “It’s growing my interests. The actual environmental science part of it is immersing me into a different part of science that I don’t usually dive into.”

Over the summer, Alega’s work consisted of helping a post doctorate with his research. Alega then got the opportunity to conduct his own research for a research poster. He’s working on seeing what species of native trees are

most impacted by invasive species. Using the information, he is projecting where the biodiversity will be at in the future.

“I feel like it gives me a step ahead,” Alega said.

“It gives me that insight on research that I could potentially be doing in the future. Going into environmental research helps me with my future because I am able to immerse myself into that research setting.”

The program is beneficial in many ways.

According to the Director of TERF, Susan Flowers, students can use their experience for resumes, learn to interact in a college setting and speak intelligibly in front of others.

“I feel like this is a really good jump start,” Flowers said. “It gets them thinking about their future and gives them valuable information before college. It’s also a ton of fun.”

Alega presented his research project on Oct. 27 at Washington University’s Undergraduate Symposium in Olin Library. He presented his finished poster in front of the public, like a science fair. According to Alega, it went amazingly and he was able to network with others and talk about his research. He can continue to talk about his research and present it elsewhere. According to Alega, he has different plans of what he wants to do in the future, but he wanted to explore environmental science.

“It’s so eye opening,” Alega said. “No matter how tedious the work is, it pays off in the end.”

PAGE BY REBEKAH MYERS

LIGHTING THE WAY

Senior Connor Hodgkins works on the soundboard during a drama club dress rehersal. Hodgkins has been the head of the lights and sounds crew since his freshman year. He has run seven shows as a crew head at FHN. (Photos by Riley WItherbee)

Senior Connor Hodgkins has been a vital part of the lights and sound crew for four years

by Ashlynn Perez

ashlynnkaeperez@gmail.com

I

Hodgkins adjusts a slider on the audio board during a rehersal. Hodgkins plans to continue working on lights and sound in a theatre role in college. “In the last couple of years he has taken on a leadership role and started training those that will replace him,” Drama teacher Kim Sulzner said.

PAGE BY GRACIE BOWMAN

n any play or production, the audience first notices the actors: the people who are on the stage before their very eyes. Yet, even before the actors step onto the stage, senior Connor Hodgkins is at work. He sits in a booth behind the audience, surrounded by panels of knobs and racks of equipment. As the head of lights and sound crew, he works to make the actors audible and visible: an unsung hero of the play, lighting the way for the actors.

“I like that lights and sound is very involved,” Hodgkins said. “Other crews are backstage. They don’t get to watch the shows, but I get to see it all.”

Hodgkins has done lights and sound since seventh grade. He participated in several of the middle school plays at Barnwell. In freshman year, when the previous technician quit, Hodgekins stepped up to the challenge and began to establish leadership. Over the years he has broadened his horizons by learning new tricks.

“He has so much knowledge about lights and sound,” drama teacher Kim Sulzner said. “He has a great understanding of it, more than I do.”

Hodgkins has shared his knowledge of lights and sound with others, and is currently training three technicians: juniors Adam Hogan, Faith Kasper and Jena Pae. He has done this by working with Sulzner to create a training program that includes videos and a way of certification.

“He taught us because he has the most experience,” Kasper said. “He’s

fun and he jokes around, but when it comes down to it, he can be serious.

He always makes sure we know what we’re doing. He shows us how to do stuff and then he makes us do it. We’re actually being taught, not just shown.”

Still, the inevitable happens and Hodgkins will graduate. The drama program loses their head technician, but a new group of well-trained technicians rise in his place. According to Hodgkins, what was once a group of nervous freshmen are now comfortable in their role. He believes they are ready to take on the lights and sound crew by themselves next school year.

“It’s going to be different without him here, but I’ve been doing this for awhile,” Kasper said. “I know where I’m at, and he taught us well, so I’m not really worried about next year.”

Six years of working with lights and sound has been very beneficial for his future. After working with all the tech, Hodgkins has a knowledge of electronics and programming.

He plans to take the tech aspects of drama and use them for his future in computer science, particularly cyber-security. The panels, knobs and buttons involved with lights and sound translates into the computer science field because of the technicalities.

Even as he will soon depart from the FHN drama program, he can continue to use what it has taught him.

“I’ll miss all my friends from drama,” Hodgkins said. “I’ll miss the underclassmen I have worked with.

I will just miss the all of the people a lot.”

FEATURES | 11.20.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

17

This is one of Jan Groenemann’s paintings.

Groenemann paints with every type of paint in every kind of way. Groenemann made a safe place for everyone with a taste for art. (Photos by Francisco Jimenez)

Art teacher Jan Groenemann assists a student with her water color portrait piece. She was an artist that decided to help younger artists grow their creativity in a safe space by working with several forms of art. Groenemann has classes in the morning and the afternoon, Monday through Wednesday, for different age groups. (Photo by Francisco Jiminez)

TEACHING CREATIVITY Jan Groenemann’s passion for art has led her to pursue it as her career and her lifestyle

by Kylah Woods

than art. However, after one semester, she switched her major to art and minored in business. She has been teaching art since 1968. She started teaching at a high eople file into the room one by one, each carrying art supplies and a school level before she started Groenemann Studios; her home classes. sketchbook filled with sketches, paintings and drawings. Each person “I was very passionate about drawing and painting even as a child, and that works on their own project whether it be a portrait, a cat or the Eiffel never really went away,” Groenemann said. “I feel it’s such an important way of Tower. Every student is at their own level and using their own mediums. They all learning to see things. When you start to draw something, you have to really see work on their own while Jan Groenemann is a silent observer unless someone it. Not just what you think it is, but what it really is.” needs help.

She started as a realist painter. She did portraits of people and animals. But “The creative part is what I love most [about teaching] because I believe we all over time, she felt that she understood how to paint realistically, but she felt there have a deeply creative spiritual core,” Groenemann said. “It’s the creation of art was so much more to it than that. Groenemann started painting not only what that really helps us come to know who we are, and I think that helps up share she saw, but she started incorporating her emotions. She noticed that one she ourselves.” starting doing this, her paintings became more colorful.

Groenemann is a woman that teaches from her home on “There’s so much more that I feel about something than what it Mill Bridge Court. From the outside, her house looks like any looks like,” Groenemann said. “So, that’s where I feel I really found Follow this link to normal house. But on the inside, every Monday, Tuesday myself as an artist. I started to paint not just what I physically contact Jan Groenemann and Wednesday, it’s filled with people of all ages, drawing, experienced or saw, but all the emotions and feelings that were about classes painting and creating. She offers art classes for children, stirred up.” goo.gl/h2cNA1 teenagers and adults, all of which have different levels of Her biggest piece of advice for young artists would be to see and artistic experience. experience everything. To paint everything in their life. Groenemann “This class has really helped me learn to express who I am and make new says that to be an artist, you must also be a business person if you want art to be friends,” Keira Colby, an eighth grade student at Saeger Middle said. She started a career. She says that you have to make money to start out. Groenemann found taking Groenemann’s classes since she was seven. “It’s also kind of a stress herself creating logos and creating models of display homes for information reliever from school.” packets.

From a very young age, Groenemann had a passion for drawing and painting.

“It’s [creating art] so exciting and fun, I love it,” Groenemann said. “I’m the Her mother would hang her art on the walls and refrigerator and her grandfather, mother of three sons. So of course, I feel my greatest creative endeavor was my who is also a teacher, would bring her different materials. In college, Groenemann sons, but writing a book or creating a painting that you feel is significant to you, started out majoring in business because her father felt that it was more practical those are like a labor of love. It is something you are compelled to do.”

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PAGE BY KYLAH WOODS

COMPOSING COLLEGE PLANS

To some students, high school is a preparation stage for college and to others, the college life isn’t for them. With all the classes, clubs and personal lives students have, it’s easy for those who plan to go back to school to get caught behind. Here’s a checklist to follow for all four years of high school to better prepare students and remind them of things they might forget while getting caught up in everyday life (Content by Sammie Herr)

FRESHMAN Start off your high school career with good grades and work on building your GPA up. If grades start out low here, it’ll be hard to improve your GPA later.

Get involved in clubs that will help you find what you’re interested in. Clubs like HOSA, DECA, Publications, TSA and FBLA can be good places to start.

Do a couple of interest inventories to see what you might want to go into.

The better students do and the more they pay attention in their classes, the more prepared for the ACT they’ll be. Consider grabbing an ACT prep book and reading through it. It provides sample tests on certain sections of the ACT that can benefit you later on.

Start looking around for businesses you can job shadow at. It looks good on college applications and you can get some experience in before applying for a real job.

Explore some electives that you might be interested in. Whether that be a foreign language class, a business class or an art class, pack your schedule up to find out what you like.

Look for jobs related to what you want to do in the future. Visit the counselor’s office if you need help looking or applying. Think about attending a job fair so you can see what’s available at the time you’re looking to apply for jobs.

Take the Pre-ACT. This isn’t going to be the real test or your real score. Don’t stress out too much over this because it’s going to give you an idea of what you need to work and improve on.

Start going on college visits to places that seem interesting to you or that could fit your needs. When you think about what your needs are, consider location, size and budget. SCOIR is a good place to get started.

Consider looking at tech schools Lewis and Clark and CAPS. Lewis and Clark can offer classes ranging from business trade classes, early childhood career classes and health career classes.

Take the ASVAB test. It will be a new requirement for students next school year. The test is a 200 question multiple choice test that will determine your potential for an enlistment in the military.

SOPHOMORE

Consider getting an ACT prep book and doing practice tests

Keep good grades and work on building GPA.

JUNIOR

Get involved in clubs, take electives and continue to job shadow; these three factors look good on college applications. Job shadow a lot this year, it gives you the best idea of what you want to go into.

Consider looking at tech schools Lewis and Clark and CAPS. Lewis and Clark can offer classes ranging from business trade classes, early childhood career classes and health career classes.

The better you do in your classes the more prepared you’ll be for the ACT. Grab an ACT prep book to see what the test looks like, or even take an ACT prep class to get extra help. You take the ACT this year so prepare yourself as much as possible.

Start going on college visits to places that seem interesting to you or that fit your needs. Think about budget, location and size of college you’re looking for.

Do some more interest inventories. Your gears may have switched between years, so take some time to see what you’re interested in.

Make sure you do your best on the ACT. The grades you get at the end of junior year will most likely be the grades and scores you send off in college applications.

Get involved in extracurriculars.

“I really haven’t been doing much to prepare. I’m just making sure I’m taking all the classes I need to, and I’ve been planning what things I need to do to prepare for my future.”

-Sean Wilson, 10

By the end of your junior year, ideally you should have a plan on what you want to go into. College and career counselor Brooke Prestidge or any other counselor can help you create that plan.

Keep good grades and work on building GPA.

“I don’t know what major or any specifics I want to do.

I’m spending my junior year to search for my passions.”

-Ashlynn Bozich, 11

SENIOR Apply to your top colleges in the fall of senior year. Most deadlines in the early fall are scholarship related, but the latest you can apply for most colleges are around Jan. 1. If you need helping filling out applications or fee waivers to cover the cost, talk to your guidance counselor.

A lot of applications also require letters of recommendations. Choose a staff member you’re close to. Make sure to give them notice, and don’t wait till the last minute. Be respectful of their time. Prestidge has a paper you can fill out about yourself to help teachers when writing your letter.

Most applications require college essays. Spend some time planning and mapping out what you want to do with your essays before writing them, and when you’re done have someone check it over for mistakes before sending it off.

Spend a lot of time searching for scholarships to apply to. That being said, apply to as many as you can, and take time to research colleges you’ve applied to for their scholarship opportunities.

Some colleges also require students to have a CSS profile. The CSS, College Scholarship Service, is a college financial aid profile run by the College Board.

You don’t need to make a final decision until May 1. Narrow your choices down throughout the year, but don’t rush yourself.

PAGE BY KYLAH WOODS

Finalize your decisions and go on more visits to your top colleges. Look around their campus and the other surrounding area to get a real feel of the campus.

Keep good grades and work on building GPA. Get involved in extracurriculars.

“I play football, so I plan on going to college for that.

I’ve been receiving different offers, and I’m waiting to see what schools offer me the most.”

-Ronald Woods, 12

FEATURES | 11.20.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

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TheDifference TwoYears cAnMake Two years ago, the North Star published a story about the Nahed Chapman New American Academy, inspiring the formation of a connection between the two schools. This issue revisits the Nahed Chapman New American Academy at Roosevelt (NCNAA) showing the impact two years has on the school, its teachers and its students.

(Design by Heeral Patel; Art by Rebekha Myers and Kylah Woods)

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FHNTODAY.COM | 11.20.18 | IN-DEPTH

PAGE BY HEERAL PATEL

Two YEars Due changes to national policy, the NCNAA student population has shifted over the last two years

by Sarah Zimmerman

sarahezimmerman8@gmail.com

An Afghani student sits silently in the back of the classroom. She hasn’t spoken a word. Only silence. Only the fear of getting beaten if she gives the wrong answer. She was just a young woman. She was supposed to be submissive. There was only fear.

Her brother, though, sits in a full pod in middle of the classroom, eager to speak up. He was the man, though a young man.

A Congolese student sits at the front of the classroom, excited to be learning. She had never attended school. She stays for tutoring, she asks for help, she loves school. She still struggles.

The School

Each student described is student sitting in a classroom at the NCNAA at Roosevelt High School. Though they have endured different struggles, they each still face the same challenge: learning English. Yet, at this school for newcomer Americans, teachers have only two years to teach their students English, American culture and every other subject needed to catch their students up to the average American high schooler.

Yet, these are not average students.

Many of them are refugees, which are people who are forced to leave their home country and are unable or unwilling to return due to persecution, war or natural disaster. This means the schooling, lifestyle and background of each student can vary greatly, bringing lots of culture and diversity to St. Louis. A city full of refugee resettlement, meaning refugees are moved from one asylum location to St. Louis. Here, the refugees are given help to begin their new lives, getting help with housing, schooling, language

PAGE BY HEERAL PATEL

services, etc. new immigration policies have been “If you look nationally, a lot of implemented and have had an effect newcomer programs are only one on the school. The larger impacts to year, and I literally don’t have any the school could be attributed to both idea how those kids survive,” ESOL the travel ban and the decrease in the teacher Keary Ritchie said. “Imagine numbers of refugees allowed to enter learning [a Persian language] Farsi the US per year to 45,000 refugees for one year and then being put into —65,000 fewer refugees than before the mainstream high school to take the Trump administration, according physics and biology and whatever, like to the Refugee Processing Center. This, what? So, we do two years at Nahed. in part, diminished the enrollment Two years is really good for us because at the NCNAA at Roosevelt, where we are a refugee resettlement city, enrollment has dropped from 140 high and when you take a lot of schoolers in 2016-17 to 79 kids that are coming from students now. pretty hard places, and “We’ve seen a decrease they need time to just-as in the number of students Follow this link learn Kelly [Moore] puts it- [have] since President Trump’s more about NCNAA: a soft place to land.’” administration reduced bit.ly/2OGjaIv In 2017, two years ago, the number of refugees however, the scene looked allowed into the country,” a bit different. To start, the ESOL teacher Bertha NCNAA program at Roosevelt didn’t Martinez said. “As a consequence, I exist. There was, simply, the Nahed think that the number reflects in our Chapman New American Academy. school, so now we’re working with One school housing grades K-12. At smaller groups, smaller numbers. the time, enrollment was exploding.

Nevertheless, we are doing the same Students ate lunch in the auditorium, job, providing information, services, some classes had over 50 students, whatever the students need. I think enrollment had doubled to over 600 having the smaller numbers of students over a year. This encouraged students is beneficial in many ways. the NCNAA to split, with the high For example, I have an opportunity to school division of the NCNAA moving work with some students more one on into an empty wing of Roosevelt High one, I’m able to do group work more School. often, I’m able to do remedial reading “There was a need to justify keeping with some of my fundamentals of ELA a neighborhood school open,” Kelly classes, so that more personalized Moore, Director of the NCNAA at attention. As far as the big picture Roosevelt, said. “So, Roosevelt being a [goes], though, many teenagers are neighborhood school, their enrollment lacking or they’re not getting this was down, and they didn’t necessarily opportunity to come to the United have the numbers to justify keeping States and have better opportunities their school open. So, moving us here as far as education or a better life helped justify keeping Roosevelt open, overall.” while also solving our space issues.”

Fewer students has not been the only shift, though. People groups The Shift have also shifted. For example, the Since the 2016 election, many NCNAA at Roosevelt was once filled

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with Syrian students, but now only two remain. Now, many Afghani students take their place, in part because many Afghan families have new opportunities to obtain special visas now.

The Lasting Goal

Regardless of the shifts, the students and faculty are still doing the same thing as they always would: learning and teaching.

“I want to learn,” 15-year-old Divine said. “I want to know about different cultures because it can help me help someone from another country not from the United States. I can show them how things work.”

Although students will still continue to learn, the changes in enrollment have left the future of the program unclear. With a decreasing number of students, it becomes a question among teachers of whether the district will justify maintaining the program, which could force the refugees to become part of the mainstream ESOL classes, taking away their ‘soft place to land.’ Or, instead, there may simply be fewer class options. Or teachers will just take on more classes if staff gets relocated out of the school. There has only been speculation among the faculty, and the St. Louis Public School District declined to comment, leaving no sure answer.

“I think our big concern right now is that we have more students leaving us than that, then are coming in, so I guess we’re just sort of waiting to see what the future is going to hold,” Moore said.

That said, the school’s enrollment will always sway as immigration policies change. Therefore, when comparing enrollment to numbers prior to the large influx of students in 2015 and 2016, the enrollment is really returning to what was once normal.

“It’s always changing, you know,” Moore said. “A couple years from now, assuming that we’re still getting students in, we’ll be seeing kids from a different part of the world because there’s always different things going on depending on what’s happening.

We will see different kids from different places, and, you know, that’s just something that I think that’s one of the beautiful things about this work is that it’s always different.

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UNDERSTANDING THE FACTS

According to the UN Refugee Agency, 68.5 million people were forcibly displaced from their homes at the end of 2017. Let’s take a look into what it means to be a refugee (Infographic by Heeral Patel; Source: UN Refugee Agency)

How many are there?

Refugees (25.4 million) Stateless People (Unknown statistic)

Internally Displaced People (40 million) Asylum Seekers (3.1 million)

Types of People Fleeing Crisis

Refugees

These are people who have been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence. They are typically unable to or afraid to go back home. Many are from fleeing tribal, ethnic or religious violence or war. They have a “well-founded fear” of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group.

Stateless People

These people are not a citizen of any country. People can become stateless for many different reasons such as sovereign, legal, technical or administrative decisions or governmental oversights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states nationality as a right, making statelessness a human rights violation.

Internally Displaced People

This is someone who has been forced to flee their home but never cross an international border. They are legally under the protection of their own government, making them ineligible for aid, and they are not protected by international law.

Asylum Seeker

A person waiting to be recognized as a refugee and receive legal protection and material assistance. They must prove that their fear of persecution is “well-founded.”

Why did they leave?

According to the UN Refugee Agency’s report, last year, people were displaced at record numbers —an average of person displaced every two seconds. Two-thirds of the worlds refugees come from Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar and Somalia; Most refugees come from developing countries. Knowing where are these people from and why did had to leave is an important part of understanding why they are the worlds most vulnerable population. Here are some countries that refugees come from and why they had to flee.

Gang Violence

FHNTODAY.COM | 11.20.18 | IN-DEPTH

Increased Violence

Civil War

War

Persecution

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REMEMBERING THE PAST; TEACHING FOR THE Future

Teachers Rekha Shivaprasad and Fatine Bourkadi provide hope and positivity in the classroom for their students by providing a different perspective

by Hannah Wilson

how to use a notebook and how to participate in cooperative learning.

Shivaprasad finds joy in her work and helping her students.

What was once a 42-student science lab class has slowly dwindled to 23 “I see happy faces, learning children,” Shviaprasad said. “I see their refugee students. Now, these newcomer refugee students are able to get improvement, their positiveness. How they interact with each other, so the one-on-one help that they need to learn the English and curriculum positively even though they are from so many different countries. How necessary to go into mainstream high schools after their two years at happy they are together, and even though there is still a barrier, they are NCNAA. still nice to each other and respect each other.”

“In two years, how much they are learning, whatever they are learning Even though teachers like Shivaprasad and Bourkadi are able to help is their wealth for the next school,” science teacher Rekha their students more in the classrooms, they are not able Shivaprasad said. “I teach a lot of different skills, like graphing to have the biggest impact possible due to decreasing and each and every conversion of units, which is so hard for attendance. them. [Those skills] take time to learn. So, if I can give one on “I don’t have the opportunity to help more students,” one help, it’s so helpful to them, and they can learn more.”

Bourkadi said, “It’s affecting my students, and in part, it’s With recent crackdown on immigration, attendance at affecting me too. A lot of my students have family back home NCNAA has decreased within the past two years. Because of that were planning to come, but unfortunately, they don’t get the decrease, worry among teachers about the closing of the to come. They cannot. And that’s affecting them every day.”

The teachers at NCNAA school has started to rise.

While the future of NCNAA and the teachers it employs have close bonds with “I am scared that they are going to close the school because may be uncertain, the teachers are standing strong for their their students. Learn of the attendance,” first-year math teacher Fatine Bourkadi students. more about it here: bit.ly/2z5JJSu said. “Just imagine that you are in a house, and you’re thrown “It’s just daily life with those kiddos that suffered every day,” out of your house. That’s exactly how [closing the school] will Bourkadi said. “It’s a second house for them here and the affect the students. They’re lost, they don’t know the language, thing is that we cannot do anything. Our hands are cuffed, and they’re in a world where they don’t know anybody and they don’t know we cannot do anything about it. I hope I can do more and all of us hope how to face that.” the same, but we cannot do anything. You’re seeing it in their eyes every Despite that fear, teachers at NCNAA are responsible for teaching the day. You’re seeing every hurt, every pain. But I hope that it’s going to be refugee children as much as they can in two years before they are sent better. If we don’t have the night, we can’t see the stars, that’s what I tell off to mainstream high schools. This includes a variety of tasks, such as them. And there will be stars there.”

hannahmae691@gmail.com | @hannahwilson30

WATCH

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IN-DEPTH| 11.20.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

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Learninganother life Afghan refugee and NCNAA student, Nabila, came to America in 2016. The school has paved the path for her to learn English, learn in a better environment and study to become a doctor

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by Sammie Herr

sammieherr17@gmail.com | @ouchthatherrt

S

itting toward the front of her class, Nabila types on a Chromebook, adding more information to an assignment. The classroom she’s sitting in is silent besides the echo of her fellow classmates typing on their laptops and the soft murmur of her teacher helping a student put together his Powerpoint. Long strings of colorful flags hang across the ceiling, an ample sized television hangs on the wall and a lot of labeled flashcards taped to random objects spread themselves throughout the room. This classroom is nothing like the old one she came from in Afghanistan.

Nabila moved to the U.S. when she was 12 years old, currently she is 14 years old and enrolled the NCNAA. According to Nabila, it was hard for her to adjust to a school that was so different from her old setting. At her old school in Afghanistan, the boys and girls were separated into two different schools, there was no lunch provided in the school day, there was no bus to take the students to school. Students had to walk, and, according to Nabila, the teachers wouldn’t help students, rather they would hit them and publicly shame them if the student didn’t know an answer.

“The teachers were not helpful,” Nabila said. “[Students] would come to class and the teachers would tell us to do work. They were not helping us.”

In Nabila’s new school, she receives educational help from her teachers and fellow students. Nabila says ESOL teacher Keary Ritchie has helped her to learn English in the best way she knows possible: with patience. One of the ways Ritchie helps is if a student doesn’t know a word that Ritchie is explaining, she will search for a photo to show the students to help them understand what the word means. Once she gets through schooling in America, she plans to go back to work as a doctor in Afghanistan. “[Ritchie] helps a lot,” Nabila said. “[English] is hard to understand. We don’t speak English very well, so she helps us when we don’t understand something.”

According to Ritchie, Nabila makes a concerted effort to understand what’s in front of her while working. She helps other students in the room, starting with a girl who comes from the same area as her. She goes around to other tables of students and Ritchie considers her one of the leaders in the room.

“She goes the extra mile,” Ritchie said. “She’s completely engaged, socially responsible and she’s inquisitive. She’s an organizer and a leader. Not

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everybody has those skills.” wanted the formatting to look clear. She was talking One of Nabila’s best projects she has made is a through that stuff with me in the process.”

Powerpoint on the child activist Malala Yousafzai.

A current project she’s working on is a presentation Nabila chose Malala because she comes from the on a certain type of animal. She chose the Orca same area as she’s from. The point of the project whale as her animal. Students find facts, specific was to test to see what knowledge the students details and comparisons about the animals and write could take and interpret. She included various structured sentences about them. They then will photos, detailed charts and take a manila folder and a clean layout. She looked color their habitat, making When I finish high school, I at discrepancies with girls a small visual presentation. can go to college and have the in the education system Ritchie’s goal is for her to ability to be a doctor. When I and wanted to get a grasp write good sentences and on what that problem was. speak clearly to the class. grow up, I want to help people.

One of the bigger problems “It’s a challenging task - Nabila she talked about was how for students here to create the majority of girls in parts good sentences,” Ritchie of Southeast Asia aren’t said. “It’s good practice for attending school anymore because of poverty, war them to make these sentences and to work on their and gender discrimination. The students gave an English.” oral presentation and, according to Ritchie, Nabila Nabila will graduate in December 2018. From was genuine and confident. She paused during her there, she will pick a high school to go to in the St. presentation while explaining something and asked Louis area, but before she makes any decisions, students if they understood exactly what she was she wants to discuss it with her family. While she is trying to convey. still in the process of deciding, she wants to choose “She poised herself well,” Ritchie said. “I liked one that will assist her the most with achieving her that she was interacting with the students and she dream: becoming a doctor. At NCNAA, she learns

“”

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about anatomy, which helped peak her interest in becoming a doctor. Five years from now, she wants to be in college in the St. Louis area, studying and preparing for her future outside of school.

“I wanted to come to America so I could go to college,” Nabila said. “In my country, some families don’t let their girls go to college. When I finish high school, I can go to college and have the ability to be a doctor. When I grow up, I want to help people.”

Nabila wants to become a doctor in the OBGYN field because in Afghanistan there aren’t many women doctors. A lot of girls don’t go to school, so they don’t get the chance to become doctors when they get older. This results in a lot of women giving birth in unsuitable locations.

“I want to be a doctor and go back to my country,” Nabila said. “They need my help.”

Overall, Nabila is thankful for the opportunities in education she has received in the U.S. She believes she has gotten the chance to learn in more efficient ways.

“I’ll keep a lot of information I’ve learned with me for the rest of my life,” Nabila said. “The most important subject I’ll keep with me is science. Things like oceans, planets and humans.”

IN-DEPTH| 11.20.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

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A shift in policy

In the past two years, immigration policy in the U.S. has greatly changed in many aspects that have come to affect refugees and new Americans

by Sophie Carite

svcarite@gmail.com | @iovefromsoph

Sherwan likes gym class.

He likes playing soccer with his friends, learning from his teachers at NCNAA and he likes living in America.

To get these simple pleasures though, he had to first flee his home in Northern Syria. After leaving his country due to war and political turmoil, Sherwan lived in Turkey, working full time starting at age 12 until he was 16. After years of waiting, Sherwan and his family, with everyone except his brother, were finally able to make the indirect flight from Germany to the U.S. Sherwan was one of 3,024 Syrian refugees let into the United States in 2017, and he has seen first hand the dramatic changes to immigration, refugee and border control policy over the past two years.

Before leaving office, former President Barack Obama set a cap of 110,000 refugees to enter the country for the fiscal year of 2017. This would have been the highest number let in since 1995. However, within his first weeks in office, President Donald Trump cut the number in more than half, changing the annual ceiling to 45,000, which is the lowest the number has been since the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s inception in 1980. Out of this 45,000 cap, only 33,000 made it into the country, which, according to the Washington Post, made 2017 the first year in nearly four decades that the United States accepted fewer refugees than the rest of the world.

“I felt that the prior administration was more welcoming to people,” NCNAA teacher Keary Ritchie said. “I think they really tried to be sensitive to the circumstances of these people.”

Trump has also introduced a travel ban on seven countries including Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Venezuela, Yemen and North Korea. There were two versions of the ban proposed before the third and final version was fully upheld by the Supreme Court.

This most recent ban placed different restrictions on each country. In some cases, like that of Venezuela, it only applies to certain government officials. But in other cases, like that of Syria, it indefinitely ends entry into the United States for refugees like Sherwan and his family. This particular policy of not welcoming the Syrian people is a large change from the previous administration two years ago. Under Obama’s presidency in 2016, the U.S. had resettled 15,479 Syrian refugees. As of October in 2018, the U.S. had only let in 31. According to Richie, this ban and its repercussions have had a damaging effect on NCNAA students and their mindset.

“I thought I would never get to the USA,” Sherwan said.

Changes have also been made to H1-B and H4 visas.

The H1-B visa allowed skilled foreign workers who had been hired by U.S. companies to live in America

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for three years. The changes include additional documentation requirements and new compliance rules. Businesses now must be able to provide proof that the individual hired is “more likely than not” required for the full three years of employment.

H4 visas allowed the spouses of H1-B visa holders to work in the U.S. while they are waiting for a green card, a process that can take anywhere from a few months up to 10 years. The Trump administration has proposed doing away with this Obama era rule, leaning more towards President Trump’s policy of “Buy American, Hire American.”

“In general, there is a sense of disbelief that the government would actually revoke this work authorization for high-skilled professionals who are well on their path to permanent residence,” said immigration attorney Sandra Feist in an interview with CNBC. “This will cause major personal and corporate disruption.”

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a protection given to individuals from countries suffering from civil unrest, natural disasters and violence who would be unable to safely return. They are able to stay in the country for a period of six to 18 months before it must be decided by the Secretary of Homeland Security if the TPS is to be renewed or not. The U.S. is providing TPS to approximately 437,000 foreign individuals from 10 countries. Since September of 2017, it has been announced that TPS is being revoked for six countries including Haiti, El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, Sudan and Nicaragua.

“TPS will still be on the books, but will have been virtually emptied of beneficiaries at a time of the greatest number of forcibly displaced in recent history and an unprecedented number of complex crises giving rise to displacement.” Donald Kerwin, executive director of the Center for Migration Studies said in an interview with the New York Times.

In a November interview with Axios, Trump revealed that he is planning to end birthright citizenship for those born in America to noncitizens. Doing this would require a change to the 14th Amendment, which states “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

Trump believes he can make this alteration with an executive order instead of going through the normal procedural steps. Currently, there are more than 4 million children living in the U.S who have citizenship but their parent does not, this executive order would take citizenship away from all of them.

“I wonder how the world looks at America now,” Ritchie said. “We have a history of welcoming refugees and immigrants and now they must be wondering ‘Is that true?.”

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TWO YEARS, THREE SCHOOLS

As opposed to his previous schools, at NCNAA, Isaac finds an atmosphere that helps him understand the material and learn more effectively

by Heeral Patel

heeral.patel03@gmail.com | @Heeral12

Isaac walks on the Ugandan road to school.

His uniform can’t get dirty.

He can’t be late.

He needs to have his homework done.

Sloppy dress is reprimanded by suspension or beatings, tardiness by making the student pick up trash around the school and missing assignments by a trip to the principal’s office.

While that school is halfway across the world —and its practices are very different— Isaac’s first seven years of education had the same goal as his last two years of schooling: to teach the students.

“In Uganda, in one class [the] student [count] would get to like a hundred, and it’s hard to listen to the teacher when they put you in a seat in the back,” Isaac said. “[If] the teacher, said something and you missed it, you missed it.”

WATCH

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Isaac’s last months of seventh grade were spent in Georgia. He was put directly into the ESOL class and was tested for English proficiency.

Within the next four days, his ESOL class was replaced by a higher level English class. Isaac recalls a fast paced environment, with tests every Friday with —what felt like— little preparation.

“It was harder to understand because every time we would move onto something new,” Isaac said. “Every Friday we would have tests, and it was kind of hard for me to understand.”

Isaac started his eighth grade year at NCNAA. He found that Learn more about they taught at a slower NCNAA’s goal to place, allowing the help immigrant children here: students to understand bit.ly/2qJqAkY the material being given to them for those same core classes, but now in a sheltered environment. Isaac finds that there are more opportunities to get help from his teachers at NCNAA. For example, students have the option to come in for help during their lunch

time. This time is supplemental to time spent in class. Teachers build trust and relationships with the students, creating a family-like atmosphere —one where students can comfortably be themselves. “[It makes the students] more open to asking questions,” Health teacher Shanta Rasheed said. ”When you’re more open and relaxed, you can then share with the teacher and tell them to tell them ‘I didn’t understand that can you say that again?’ or ‘Could you reword that?’”

Issac finds that the different teaching style works well for him. In addition to a more openness between teachers and students, Isaac feels that the students here are on the same level with their English. They’re in a place where they can help each other with school work. At NCNAA the teachers can tailor their lessons to their students’ needs.

“The teachers they all treat all of us the same way and we all learn the same way,” Isaac said.

“Here, [at NCNAA] there isn’t classes that don’t speak English and classes that do. Here it’s all the same.”

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Different CulturesClose Friends For the past year, FHN has worked to reach out to NCNAA in various different ways. One of these ways is by continuing the pen-pal program that was instituted last year, which was spearheaded by senior Sarah Zimmerman. Through the program, students at FHN are matched up with students at NCNAA to write letters to one another. The students at NCNAA are given the opportunity to practice their English skills and experience what American students are like, while students at FHN have the opportunity to enrich their knowledge of other cultures. (Content by Mackenzie Pugh)

FINDING CAROLINE

FINDING PALWASHA

(Story from Palwasha’s experience)

(Story from Caroline’s experience)

When her teacher tells the class their pen pal letters are in, 15-year-old Palwasha feels excited. She looks forward to seeing what her pen pal wrote.

This is her first time talking to a student from America.

“I was excited to talk to an American student and learn about her hobbies and her life,” Palwasha said.

Since many students at NCNAA have little experience speaking English when they arrive to the school, the class writes their responses together and uses them as a teaching opportunity to better the students’ English.

According to Palwasha, American slang can be hard to understand.

“Sometimes there would be one or two words I didn’t understand, so my teacher would help me,” Palwasha said.

Palwasha moved to St. Louis with her mom, dad and three siblings. They decided to leave their home in Afghanistan due to increasing danger where they lived. They came to St. Louis

When she finds out the letters are in, sophomore Caroline Blanke is eager to see what her pen-pal Palwasha has written her. As the two have grown closer through their writing, they have confided in each other about many things. They began getting to know each others’ hobbies and interests, which opened the door for deeper conversations about their lives and cultures.

“It’s a bond you can’t break,” Blanke said. “We got so close. We never saw each other face to face until the end, but it felt like I saw her every day.”

According to Blanke, having a pen-pal is a great experience to step outside of your norm and meet new people, while gaining more experiences with people from other cultures and increase your knowledge of diversity.

“She always talked about Afghanistan and all of her culture through that, and how she wore her hijab, and she talked about how it was very special to her,”

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because it was their best financial option. This lead her to attend NCNAA, participate in the pen pal program with FHN and meet (then freshman) Caroline Blanke.

“I have kept all of her letters in my room at home,” Palwasha said. “I will never forget Caroline.”

The two have been pen pals for about a year now and according to Palwasha, she enjoyed building a relationship with Caroline because she liked making a friend from America.

She will be transferring to a public school in December and thinks that talking to Caroline has helped her gain skills and experiences she needs to make friends with other American students at her new school such as how to act and how to introduce herself.

“Talking with Caroline helped me feel more comfortable,” Palwasha said. “At first I was nervous, but now I’m very comfortable sharing about myself with other American students.”

FHNTODAY.COM | 11.20.18 | IN-DEPTH

Blanke said.

The two became so close that they would even give each other small gifts and gestures of kindness.

“I remember one time she colored me a picture, I still have it in my room,” Blanke said. “It was the sweetest thing. The time that she took to make that and say ‘Hey, I’m going to give this to you’ was a symbol of being friends.”

As the letters offered a learning opportunity to the students at NCNAA, it also gave students at FHN much to learn about as well.

“I definitely gained new knowledge on her perspective on coming to America and meeting American students but also gaining knowledge on how to make a friend even though I didn’t think we would have a lot in common,” Blanke said. “From talking with her, I learned that we actually had a lot of similarities. Getting to know her better just made me really happy.”

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A TWO YEAR OLD BOND

Over two years, FHN and NCNAA have built a sister-school type of relationship. This timeline shows the two schools’ interactions over the past couple years March 8, 2017 FHN first hears about NCNAA in the North Star story “One Incredible Goal.”

March 9 - 16, 2017 FHN holds its first supply drive for NCNAA. Together students collected a grand total of 2471 supplies for NCNAA students.

Dec. 15, 2017 FHN hosts a Winter Warm Up coat drive. 163 items, about 2000 dollars worth of coats, were collected for NCNAA families.

Nov. 7 - 9, 2018 Lori Miller’s Documentary “Day One” is shown in the FHN auditorium after school. Teachers were given the 80-minute film and had the option to watch it in class.

PAGE BY HEERAL PATEL

FHN and Nahed Chapman grew a connection through the showing of the documentary Day One

by Hunter Turpin

hunterdturpin@gmail.com | @hunterdturpin

September 2017 The Pen Pal program between NCNAA and FHN starts. A total of 80 students participated this year.

April 29, 2018 The Pen Pal program holds a field trip to Tower Grove Park.

Many students opportunity to meet their pen pal. Students from both schools spend the afternoon together.

GROWING A CONNECTION

March 19 - 23, 2017 FHN holds another supply drive for NCNAA. Together students collected a grand total of 1563 supplies for NCNAA students.

November 2018 The Pen Pal program between NCNAA and FHN starts. A total of 94 students are currently participating.

Nov. 26 - 30, 2018 FHN will be holding a hygine drive for NCNAA.

Nestled in the west wing of Roosevelt High School, the NCNAA often goes unnoticed by those outside. In the current day and age in which immigrants and refugees can be seen as an area of controversy, Los Angeles, filmmaker Lori Miller took on the task of creating a documentary on the school. A documentary to do more than just inform those who watch it of a pressing issue, but motivate them to make a change.

“After I had heard about Nahed Chapman from a local friend of mine, I knew there were great stories inside,” Miller said. “We were very moved by the kids’ stories and the passion of the educators. Even though we were at a crunch for both time and money, we felt really strong about making it and knew we just needed to go with it.”

Filmed over the span of two years, the documentary, titled “Day One” features various students and their stories, as well as showcases the school and its operations. ESOL (English for speakers of other language) teacher Keary Ritchie works hard to build a connection with her students and hopes the documentary leaves a lasting impact on those that watch it.

“I really hope it opens eyes to youth that are in our community,” Ritchie said. “A lot of people have mixed feelings about Check out the “Day refugees. It will be interesting how people One” trailer here: respond. I hope some will be motivated bit.ly/2DinuvI to help.”

Due to the connections FHN has built with Nahed Chapman through various drives and organizations, FHN showed the documentary on Nov. 7 to 9. Senior Michaela Mihova is involved with the pen pals program and attended a viewing to get more familiar with the students she was building a relationship with. “[The documentary] made me realize a lot of things,” Mihova said. “I was opened up to a different environment than what I’m used to and I realized that we really take a lot of things for granted, especially education which is something we often dismiss.”

Likewise, Miller believes all this will show in the film as her and her team worked hard to portray a powerful message to those who view it.

“I think [the documentary] will break down stereotypes and show how just being a neighbor to these kids can make a difference,” Miller said. “Getting to know these kids, even though they’ve gone through so much trauma and overcome so much adversity, they are just like us.”

WATCH

IN-DEPTH| 11.20.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

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FHNtoday.com & FHNgameday.com Jeff Strickland, Agent

Relive homecoming

We’ve got videos

Photo galleries galore

got them on FHNtoday.com. Check out our

We’ve got lots of videos on the site, from stories about things going on at school to people and places all around St. Louis.

We put up new photo galleries almost daily. From big events going on at school to sporting events of all levels.

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FHNTodayTV Featured Videos NORTHSIDE NEWS

Audrey Dickherber looks at the top events going on around FHN and showcases the Iron Chef Competition.

THE NEW HIKING CLUB STEPS INTO THE NEW YEAR Founded by Carson Hackney and Maggie McNevin, the new hiking club hopes to be a small club that helps students of all ages have a good time and enjoy the wonders of the outdoors. Club sponsor Matt

Howard hopes the club will inspire its members to take a break from technology and appreciate the environment, and students enjoy the club’s laidback atmosphere. (Video by Lily Sontheimer and Emily Zhang)

THE HOOD REPORT Emily Hood discusses important events from across the country, including the results from the 2018 Midterm Elections.

HOW AN AIRSHOW IMPACTS A COMMUNITY The Spirit of Saint Louis Airshow is a 2 year airshow that showcases aviation. It has a lot of activities and festivities for families to enjoy.

(Video by Gavin Anderson and Franco Romano)

HUMANS OF FHN | TOMMASO ROGANTE Tommaso Rogante is a senior Italian foreign exchange student. This past season, he played as a kicker for the FHN football team. While in America, he wants to learn more English and he enjoys being in an American public school system. (Video by Jena Pae and Sandy Han)

100 YARDS

Cole Sherman interviews State Champion diver Logan Schelfaut on his diving career and his journey to state.

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HOUR WITH LAUER

Dillon Lauer talks about FHN sports, including a look at the Boys Varsity Basketball team.

34

FHNTODAY.COM | 11.20.18 | FHNTODAYTV

PAGE BY EMILY HOOD

Senior Brett Wells looks to pass while he controls the puck and skates towards the opposing team net. Wells has been on the varsity team for three of his four years at north.. Wells got into hockey and reffing because his father was a ref when he was younger. (Photo by Kamryn Bell)

HOCKEY

Q&A WITH BRETT WELLS

What are you looking forward to most for your senior year?

Sophomore Marcus Otto prepares to push off of the starting block during a practice match on Nov. 8. Otto is the lead on the boys’ curling team. He is in charge of throwing the first stones for the team. (Photo Submitted)

CURLING TO VICTORY

The FHN curling team started as a joke between some friends and now has become an undefeated sport at FHN

by Michael Zull

their first league season. The team also has weekly meetings on Thursdays held in team sponsor Donna It all started back in late February of 2018, in a Malkmus’ room. During the meetings, the team goes group message between some friends in the Speech over strategy and tactics. The team is helped with and Debate Club. A simple message from junior coaching from Malkmus and other adults at the ice Rejat Nepal had other students in the group chat arena. messaging back agreeing, believing it was all a fun “Practicing with adults helped us a lot because joke, according to sophomore Emma Rohrbach. they’ve been doing it a long time,” Rohrbach said.

“We were all messaging and [Nepal] mentioned “Besides, we’re kids and so they’re not afraid to starting a curling team, and we tell us what to do. They give us lots of laughed about it because we helpful hints.” thought it was a joke,” Rohrbach With no practice on the ice as a team, UPCOMING said. “But he made a whole other the time has come to their first official CURLING EVENTS game of the league season which took group chat for curling, and it led from there.” place on April 7. The team won their Learn to Curl Dec. 1 Once the team started building, first game and continued to win every Learn to Curl Dec. 15 two students and team creators, one of their games, going undefeated Regionals Dec. 27-28 with a record of 8-0. With exhibition Nepal and senior Colin St. Aubin, League starts April 6 went to their first curling meet, games starting for the team, the team which was an intro class to help were forced off the ice on July 6 with learn how to play, on March 17. no practice due to repairs to the ice, The second intro class meet took place on March leaving them iceless until July 24. After finishing 31, which the rest of the team attended. Due to the up their exhibition games, the team had their first lack of access to an ice rink to practice on, the team championship on Aug. 10, which they won. plays through exhibition games that don’t count “I was kind of nervous at the beginning because we towards their league scores at Creve Coeur Ice Arena were initially competing just for fun and other teams as an alternative to practice. However, the exhibition seemed pretty serious,” Nepal said. “After the first games didn’t start until after their first season, game where we won 10-3, I felt more confident and leaving the team with no way to practice during hopeful that we would actually be good.” themichaelzull@gmail.com

PAGE BY MICHAEL ZULL

“I look forward to helping the team get better so they won’t yell at the refs now. I’m also a hockey referee, so I know how to talk to the refs to where the team won’t get unnecessary penalties.”

What do you enjoy most about hockey?

“The teamwork I get with my teammates.”

How long have you been playing hockey and how long at Francis Howell North?

“10 years overall and four years at FHN.”

How will this season be different from last season?

“I feel like our freshmen this year are actually wanting to win games, and last year there was a lack of wanting to win.”

What are you and the team’s goals for this season?

“My goal is to win the Wickenheiser Cup which is the second best award in the state, and the goal for the team is to win a few games and have fun.”

What players are you most confident in this season?

“My brother Matt Wells, he has shown that he can work hard at the varsity level and has scored in a few of our preseason games. I’m also looking forward to seeing how Blaine Longmore will play this year because last year he was out with an injury, so I’m glad he’s back. I’m wanting to see how the freshmen coming into this year will do.”

What is the team’s biggest strength coming into the season?

“Teamwork, we have shown through practices and team bondings that we show a lot of teamwork.”

What games will be the toughest this season?

“The games against Howell and Duchesne, because they are two of the toughest teams in the region.”

(Content by Parker Kilen)

SPORTS | 11.20.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

35

Patty O’Leary

#00

Mackenzie Pugh

#02

Q: What is your favorite pre-game

Q: What’s your favorite pregame

always slap the top of the A: Igym entrance. And I’ve always

A:

ritual?

been #00 because that was my grandpa’s number in high school.

Q: What got you into basketball? always been taller so it came A: I’ve naturally. I played soccer and was athletic when I was little.

Q: A:

ritual?

When we jam out before games in the locker room.

Who is your favorite basketball moment?

Our team bonding when we each shared something we were struggling with. We built a deeper connection and really became a family.

Corinne Stevens

#24

Q: What got you into basketball? parents introduced me to it A: My and I really liked it.

Q: A:

What’s your favorite basketball moment?

With my summer club teammates, traveling all over the Midwest and experiencing different things.

#12

Payton Stephenson

Q: Whose the rowdiest teammate? would say myself, I just really A: Ilike to have fun even when other people don’t feel like it.

Q: A:

What’s your favorite basketball moment?

Last season we went into double overtime against Howell, it was something that we never thought was going to happen.

(Photo by Ella Manthy)

MEET YOUR SENIORS Q&A’s with the seniors on the girls varsity basketball team

Gabby Delarue

#05

Q: What is your favorite pre-game ritual?

always yell at the top of my A: Ilungs, it gets my energy going.

Q: Whose the rowdiest teammate?

Wilson, she’s just always A: Hannah about the energy.

36

2FHNTODAY.COM | 11.20.18 | SPORTS

Maddie Stock

#32

Q: Whose the rowdiest teammate? she’s always either A: Payton, singing, dancing or yelling.

Q: Who’s the most inspiring teammate?

A:

Hannah, she is always there for everyone and there to lift us up.

Hannah Wilson

#42

Q: Who’s the most inspiring A: Q: A:

teammate?

Maddie Stock. She has been through a lot and still puts 100% effort into everything, on and off the court.

What are your future plans with basketball?

I’m still on the fence if I want to play or not.

PAGE BY MACKENZIE PUGH

Persevering Through defeat

Senior Josh Daughtery has been cut from the basketball team three years in a row. His senior year, he tried out one last time

by Claire Huss

clm1huss@gmail.com | @claire_huss

S

enior Josh Daughtery heads toward the door of his coach’s office.

He’s nervous.

The basketball coaches are letting the players know if they have made the team or not and he’s been cut the last three years.

With defeat in his mind, thinking he will get cut once again, Josh walks in the office, thanks the coaches for everything and prepares to leave.

“He was the second person brought in,” Head Coach Darrell Davis said. “He comes in and says ‘Coach Davis, I know I didn’t make it and that I am going to get cut, but I appreciate you letting me try out these past four years.’”

Josh has always had a strong love for this sport. He has played basketball ever since he was little. He would play in little leagues and he played in a feeder team his sixth grade year.

When high school came around, he was looking forward to be a part of the basketball team from the start.

However, when he found out that first year he didn’t make the team, he knew he wasn’t going to give up.

“Whenever I got cut my freshman year, I just told myself I would come back next year even better and even stronger,” Daughtery said.

The time in between freshman and sophomore years, Josh practiced by himself everyday in hopes to finally prove to the coaches he deserved to be on the team.

But once again, he was cut from the team.

“After his sophomore year, you could tell he was still motivated and he was very polite about getting cut,” Davis said. “He was close, but [with] the team we had, he just didn’t quite fit in yet.”

Josh knew he shouldn’t give up. He spent the whole next year working hard and practicing every day he could leading up to junior year tryouts hoping the third time was a charm.

It wasn’t.

“After we cut him his junior year, he just came up to us and said ‘What do I have to do to get better?’” Davis said. “I told him that right now it is basketball season so go to the YMCA or somewhere and just play a lot of basketball.”

Taking that advice, Josh continued to practice even more. June came around and the team started to have open gyms and Josh was there.

The coaches noticed too.

“He really didn’t miss anything,” Davis said. “Josh had

PAGE BY MACKENZIE PUGH

perfect attendance with every practice we had before tryouts.”

The walk into the coach’s office was a big one Nov. 2. It was his last chance.

So, it was with a sense of defeat in his mind when he thanked his coaches that day, only to be shocked moments later when the unexpected happened -Davis told him he made the team.

A tear formed in Josh’s eyes and a look of shock washed over his face.

The coaches usually try and keep around the top 12 players. According to coach Davis, he has always been the top 14 or 15 player, so he has always been close to making the team.

“I was nervous whenever I walked into the coaches office,” Daughtery said. “But at tryouts this year, I just worked hard and played to my strengths and finally all of my hard work and perseverance paid off.”

As he walked out of the coach’s office, his teammates were waiting to hear the exciting news.

“I was happy for him,” teammate and junior Ben Oster said. “I am happy he is a part of the squad this year.

I think he puts in a lot of hard work and sometimes he didn’t get a lot of recognition or credit for it the past few years, but he definitely got his recognition this year.”

This year the coaches made eight cuts, but this time, Josh was one of the top best seven players. He improved on many skills such as his ball handling, his jump shots and his speed. According to Davis, Josh will be playing a lot this year.

“I just told myself that if I keep putting in that work then one day I would make it, and I did,” Daughtery said.

(Photo by Francisco Jimenez)

SPORTS | 11.20.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

37

FALL SPORTS: A LOOK BACK Junior Adria Schmidt attempts to tag out FHHS player who was sliding to second base. Before the game started, the team celebrated teacher appreciation night. The Knights won in the top of the seventh inning. (Photo by Kamryn Bell)

BATTING INTO THE FUTURE

With a younger group of girls this season, the FHN varsity softball team focused on rebuilding . The team won five games and lost 21.

“We did okay this year,” sophomore, third baseman and catcher Becka Brissette said. “It was a building year, so we can do better in the future.”

Setting out at the beginning of the season, Head Coach Bob Dunahue and Assistant Coach Mike Freedline intended to focus on the fundamental skills of softball. Practices were spent going through the basics of the sport and committing them to muscle memory.

“Practice allows us to work on things we could improve on in the game,” senior and first baseman Julia Hanan said. “It allows us to continually get better and better as the season goes on.”

While the team worked hard, they played only one game at the district tournament before they were eliminated by FZE. Next year, players have plans to improve so they are ready for the next season.

“I’m going to practice and play with my select team to get better on the off-season,” Brissette said.

(Brief by Ashlynn Perez)

38

FHNTODAY.COM | 11.20.18 | SPORTS

As the Fall sports season comes to a close, take a peek back at all the feats they’ve accomplished and the obstacles they overcame

Senior Summer Cline places her putter next to the ball as she prepares to take her shot at the hole.

The Knights hosted the Knight Cup Golf Tournament where they competed against other regional schools.

The tournament was held at the Links of Dardenne Golf Course in O’Fallon on Sept. 24. (Photo by Jordan Milewczik)

Sophomore Gabbi Ladevito performs a back-hand swing to hit the ball back to the opposing side. Some of the Knights JV players had to double up their matches as Holt had a large team. FHN fell short and lost to the score 4-5. (Photo by Paige Westermann)

PUTTING FOR A FINAL PR

HAVING THE ADVANTAGE

The varsity girls’ golf team competed at the district championships to wrap up their season on Oct. 1. Senior Summer Cline’s lowest 18-hole score for the season was a 115. Senior Sarah LaLonde’s lowest score was a 121. The lowest score all year belongs to Evelyn Randall with a score of 98, just 21 strokes above a par.

“I think we tried our hardest throughout the season, and I think we ended on a good note,” LaLonde said.

The varsity team competed against many schools around the St. Charles region including FHC and Marquette. The varsity team usually participated in meets against just one team. However, at district championships, there were nine total schools competing, in which FHN got ninth. At the beginning of the season, the team collectively shot for 267 at a nine hole course. The lowest nine hole score they got was a 225 against FHHS. “I really enjoyed seeing the girls grow all throughout the year and get better at what they love to do,” Assistant Coach Matthew Howard said.

(Brief by Justin Christensen)

Exiting the season, the varsity girls’ tennis team ended with a 3-7 record.

“I think the season went as well as it could have,” Head Coach Samantha Soltysiak said. “Varsity silver went undefeated this season and did a really good job. I think varsity gold has a really tough job because they are competing against the top players from other schools.”

They put in hard work and many players improved throughout the season.

“We are losing a lot of players because 10 of the girls are seniors. I am really looking forward to seeing those JV girls step it up,” Soltysiak said.

At GACs, seniors Bella Schneider and Olivia Fetsch, placed second for doubles. Seniors Maggie Majeski and Audrey Dickerheber, placed third for doubles. Sophomore Allie Moore placed third at number two singles. Senior Katie Prinkey placed third in individual singles districts. Senior Sophie Eimer placed fourth in individual districts singles.

“I think I played fairly well,” Eimer said. “I got fourth, after playing Katie Prinkey for third place so it was a great last match playing my friend.” (Brief by Claire Huss)

PAGE BY PATTY O’LEARY

RACING TO STATE Sophomore Natalia Salazar runs the 5k JV race a Sioux Park on Sept. 15. Salazar transferred to North after moving from Nebraska. She was injured about halfway through the cross girls country season and was not able to finish the remaining of the races this year.

(Photo by Jordyn Sgroi)

The FHN cross country’s season concluded on Sept.

29 with the girls varsity team qualifying for sectionals as a team with 117 points. Prior to sectionals, in districts senior Mackenzie Pugh placed fourth overall, crossing the finish line with a time of 20:47.

Senior Hannah DeGraw was the next FHN runner to make it across the finish line at 13 place followed by sophomore Alli Vernon in 24 place. Pugh was the only FHN girl to finish sectionals in the top 30 with a time of 20:45.

Pugh was the only runner for FHN to advance and qualify for state. The run took place on Nov. 4 at Oak Hills Golf Course in Jefferson City. Pugh ran a 21:36 on what Pugh considers a challenging course.

“I definitely feel like I could have done better,” Pugh said. “I’m not disappointed though because I always knew that there would be that last race of my high school cross country career. I’m really glad that mine got to be on the state course with some of the best runners in Missouri.” (Brief by Michael Zull)

Senior Payton Hebert runs the 5k race against many other rival schools at McNair Park. Hebert and senior Joel Boenitz both qualified in the top 10. Hebert placed fifth and Boenitz placed seventh at the GAC race on Oct. 4. (Photo by Francisco Jimenez)

Sophomore Austin Patterson runs down the sideline against the Ritenour Huskies. Patterson came into the game after Patrick Koester and Scott Pauley were injured earlier in the game. The Knights lost to the Huskies 38-6. (Photo by Jordan Milewczik)

Junior Oliver Palmer makes a move by kicking the ball away from the opponent approaching him.

The Knights played their rivals FHHS and lost with the score 0-3. The team wore pink socks in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. (Photo by Madi Shinault)

STEPPING UP TO THE CHALLENGE

FOOTBALL’S FUTURE

THROUGH UPS AND DOWNS

The FHN boys’ cross country team had a similar season to their last season. The seasons were successful, especially with the help of select runners that stepped up and helped the team.

Seniors Joel Boenitz, Peyton Hebert, Hunter Turpin, Evan Lichtenegger and sophomore Lewis Tucker were the five varsity runners on the team at the end of the season. Boenitz and Hebert both made sectionals. Herbert finished 48th, and Boenitz finished 53rd.

“I felt like I had a strong season,” Hebert said. “I was very proud of the upper JV boys who stepped up and worked to get their varsity spot.”

Throughout the season JV runners moved up to help the small varsity team.

“We started out having two or three boys on the varsity level, so it was nice to see some of those JV runners step up and fill up those varsity positions toward the end of the season,” Assistant Coach Joe Brocksmith said. (Brief by Parker Kilen)

The Knights varsity football team was left with big holes to fill after many of the members of the team left last year due to moving high schools or graduating. As a result, the team went into a rebuild mode. While the Knights finished 0-10 this season, their worst record since 2012, they still have a fairly young team. With returning members such as junior Cameron Lewis, who lead the team in rushing and receiving yards, along with tackles made and passes intercepted. If the returning varsity members next year are able to step up, FHN might become a force to reckon with.

“There are a lot of guys that are playing now that are going to be around for a while, so they’re getting some valuable game time experience,” Head Coach Brett Bevill said. “We hope that they can take some of that into next season and not be as green and ready to play.” (Brief by Joel Boenitz)

As fall sports wrap up, the boys’ varsity soccer team finished their season with a record of 6-12. The year had its ups and downs, such as winning 4-0 against Parkway North High School and losing 6-0 against Holt High School. The main goal of the team was to improve for the post-season. The team has hopes to focus on winning big picture games and districts in the future.

“The season went well, of course it could’ve gone a little better,” junior Connor Murray said. “We dropped a few points in some close games or in games. We didn’t really play to our full potential, but I’m happy with how we played most of the season. Throughout the year, I think we went uphill.

It was definitely a bit of a roller coaster at times, but overall I think we’ve ended up in better shape than we started.” (Brief by Julia Kristensen)

PAGE BY PATTY O’LEARY

SPORTS | 11.20.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

39

Nikki Mcintosh and Abbie Carpenter spar during wrestling tryouts. This year the FHN wrestling team expanded to include girls on the team as well as guys. Five girls joined the team this year after head coach Mr. Fowler announced that girls can now be on the team. (Photo by Riley Witherbee)

STARTING SOMETHING NEW

Girls’ wrestling is introduced as an official high school sport at FHN

by Joel Boenitz

include girls and let them compete with each other.”

One of the things that Brown is interested to see as the season progresses is he FHN boys’ wrestling program is one of the most prized sports teams in how most of the boys’ wrestling team will act with wrestlers of a different gender the entire high school. Holding home to 10 individual state champions, sharing the mats with them for the first time, as well as how the girls would adapt there’s not much they can do to further enrich their program. That was to the culture. When the season began on Oct. 29, some of the seniors on the until March of 2018, when MSHSAA listed girls’ wrestling as an official high school team have been working to try and help build the bond between the boys and sport. When FHN announced that they would follow suit and include a girls’ girls on the team. One of these seniors include Thadeus Meneses. Meneses, who wrestling team for winter sports, six girls, including junior Erin Fleming headed for is one of the only members of the team that has wrestled with girls back when he the mats to practice. lived in New York, was working with the other seniors to help the “I wrestled in sixth and seventh grade when I lived up in Fenton, girls feel more welcome to the team.

UPCOMING so I was so excited when they announced that there was a girls “I think the girls’ wrestling team will help bring diversity to the WRESTLING wrestling team,” Fleming said. “I just want to really try my best and team,” Meneses said. “I think it’s good to have that to expand place in certain tournaments. But for now, I want to just try my wrestling as a whole because it isn’t very known right now.”

MATCHES hardest in practice.”

While the girls are currently learning the basic moves and Nov. 29 5 p.m.

Home While this is the first official season in which FHN will have a wrestling techniques in order to prepare for their first wrestling Dec. 1 11 a.m.

Home Dec. 5 5 p.m.

Away girls’ wrestling team, this will not be the first time that a girl has match on Nov. 29 at FHN, they’ve also been able to bond through Dec. 6 6 p.m.

Away suited up and went to the wrestling mats. According to head their interest for wrestling. Fleming hopes that in the future, more Dec. 12 6 p.m.

Away coach Chris Brown, who has been coaching wrestling for the past and more girls will grow interest in the sport and eventually join Find the full schedule at: 18 years, there have been five years in which girls have been a them. But more importantly, Fleming hopes that she will get the bit.ly/2z8K334 part of the wrestling team, with only two of the girls those years opportunity to wrestle some guys from different schools. making it through the entire year, both of them competing in “I would absolutely love to wrestle a guy this year,” Fleming 2001. However, Brown is still excited to see how the girls’ wrestling team impacts said. “They [MSHSAA] have segregated boys and girls sports for so long just not just the team, but also how the FHN community views the wrestling team. because of the differences between us, and I think it would be cool to especially “I think that with girls’ wrestling, I believe more people will be interested to wrestle a guy, instead of playing something like baseball, where you get to give a see what it’s all about,” Brown said. “I think it’s great for the sport of wrestling to physical challenge.”

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FHNTODAY.COM | 11.20.18 | SPORTS

PAGE BY CLAIRE HUSS

TWO FRIENDS. TWO SPORTS. ONE INFLUENCE.

This is Schelfaut’s first year diving for FHN, and he is the only diver. He is a diver for FHN’s team and his competitive team at the same time. Schelfaut qualified for state at his first meet and went to win state. (Photo

by Paige Westermann)

Kamryn Bell and Taylor Hill have been doing silks for over three years. Bell dives for the girls FHN swim team and has influenced freshman Hill to join her

by Claire Huss

Having two divers this year will be a big impact on the swim team’s score. The more divers, the higher the impact on the teams score there is because enior Kamryn Bell has a passion for silks they are bringing in extra points. It has been two but also diving. This will be Bell’s third years since there has been more than one diver year diving and she has been doing silks on the team. for over three years. She has influenced freshman “Diving knocks up the team score a ton,” Bell Taylor Hill, who has also been doing silks for said. “There has been times where our whole over three years, to join the diving team as well. team has won just by the diving points adding on Bell and Hill met at to it. I don’t really think people their gym, FlipSide notice that when they think Gymnastics. They have about swimming.” been friends for almost Bell and Hill were at their two years now. gym and Bell was talking to Hill “Silks really built up about diving for the girls’ team that bravery that I didn’t because she thought that she have back when I first would be very good at it. started diving,“ Bell said.

“Kamryn and I were at Bell’s freshman year, silks one day and Kamryn she swam for the girls’ approached me and told me swim team. At the end that diving season was starting,” of her season, however, Hill said. “She thought I would she realized that she be really good at diving and that wanted to dive.

I should really give it a try.”

“Our team was really Hill is looking forward to struggling because we learning the new skills when it didn’t have those extra comes to diving. She has never points,” Bell said. “I been on a team sport before so also decided to start she is happy to be able to be diving because I felt apart of a team for the first time. like I would personally “Diving has been very enjoy it a little more enjoyable,” Hill said. “It is what than swimming. Having I expected because I knew how a giant background in diving was going to work and gymnastics and silks how long practices were going Senior Kamryn Bell dives into the pool at took a part in that to be. Kamryn also ran me the St. Peters Rec-Plex. Bell has dove for interest.” the FHN swim team for two years. (Photo by through some things so that I Silks and diving have Anna Hollinger) knew what to do and why.” some similarities, Bell and Hill see each other according to Bell. Diving at school almost everyday, and focuses a lot on core strength and silks focuses a they also see each other at their gym a few times lot on flexibility and arm strength, but you need a week. both skills for diving.

“Kamryn has a big influence on me, especially “Silks really keeps me in shape for the diving since she is older than me, so I look up to her a season,” Bell said. “I quit gymnastics a few years lot,” Hill said. “In a way, I kind of want to be like ago, but I still get that ab and arm workout that her because she pushes herself everyday to do you need for diving from silks.” whatever she wants to do. I also see her almost Last year, Bell was the only diver for FHN’s team. everyday so she is a big influence.” clm1huss@gmail.com | @claire_huss

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PAGE BY CLAIRE HUSS

WINNING IT ALL On Thursday Nov. 8, Schelfaut joined an elite group of FHN athletes when he won the state championship for diving at the St. Peters Rec-Plex. He becomes the second diver in the past three years to win the state championship, with alumnus Peter Lucido earning the honors back in 2016. Along with this, Schelfaut becomes the youngest state champion from FHN in history. According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, at state, Schelfaut was able to win a tough battle, ending with a 15 point gap over the defending state champion Alex Burt of Blue Springs South after nailing his final two dives to secure the win.

“I think it’s huge that he won as a freshman,” Activities Director Michael Janes said. “I don’t know how much pressure there was on him now or in years to come, but being a freshman state champion, you have all eyes on you now and in lots of sports. It’s almost unheard of.

To come out and have three more chances, he can be a pretty elite athlete to come out of FHN.” (Brief by Joel Boenitz) TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF LOGAN SCHELFAUT’S SCORES AT DIFFERENT CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 2017 AND 2018 Boys 1m J.O AT 2018 USA Diving Junior Region 7 Championships: Second Place, 328.90 Boys 1m J.o AT 2017 USA Diving National Preliminary Zone D Championships: Second Place, 351.30 Boys 3m J.O AT 2017 USA Diving National Preliminary Zone D Championships: First Place, 378.80

SPORTS | 11.20.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

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(Illustration by Sophie Schmidt)

BURSTING THE BUBBLE

Filtered views of society have increased intolerance within this divisive American society, but an uplifting story about kindness and friendship may help us understand how to solve this problem

by Colin St. Aubin

ingrained in him from birth, including the belief of White Supremacy and support of racially charged hroughout history, intolerance has shown its anti-immigration policy. These beliefs are inherently face, but it hasn’t always looked us directly in racist, but it wasn’t until Black experienced the the eye. Intolerance acts in the background kindness and tolerance of his college friend, an as a result of the inability for people to accept things Orthodox Jew, when he began to doubt his most that come from outside their own personal bubble. basic beliefs. Following repeated acts of kindness In order to progress to a more tolerant atmosphere, by his friend, Black’s doubt became truth, and he these bubbles have to be burst. This may seem like disavowed all his beliefs and the movement he was a simple solution to a complex problem, but one slated to lead. story really captures the essence of how this simple This movement is based on racist beliefs solution can make all the difference. and conveys a message of The White Nationalist movement intolerance, yet it is gaining has not only grown in popularity popularity. This should trigger in recent years, but it has grown in a warning for Americans that Buy the book here: volatility. After violence erupted due to while tolerance has been at the https://goo.gl/L4aDy2 the removal of a confederate statue in forefront of American social Charlottesville, Virginia, two years ago, activist organizations, it does not there has been an increase in both size and voice seem to possess the momentum of movements like of the White Nationalist movement. While there is that of the White Nationalists. Without action and a sizable resistance to the movement, the story of efforts to restore a tolerant climate, this country will Derek Black seems to cut through all the noise. be left at the mercy of intolerance and it’s aimless Reporter for the Washington Post Eli Saslow has direction. written a series of articles and a new book titled Our inactivity, however, has not destroyed all “Rising out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former hope, but it is quickly diminishing. Social activists White Nationalist.” Saslow’s new book tells Black’s have been preaching tolerance for decades, yet here remarkably true story. Black is the co-creator of the we are. We are witnessing one of the most divisive largest White Nationalist website which saw a surge times in American history. This nation has overcome of users during the 2016 Presidential Election and religious persecution, slavery and segregation, the Godson of notorious Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard and here we are, yet again, stuck in a stalemate of David Duke. These connections had set Black up intolerance. This divisiveness has led to a remarkable for a life that would one day include leading the amount of intolerance with the growing popularity White Nationalist movement. Black’s beliefs were of white nationalist groups, Anti-Fascist groups and

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42 FHNTODAY.COM | 11.20.18 | OPINIONS

similar organizations all across political spectrum.

This is a common theme in modern America, and it is our job to prevent it from taking hold of our daily lives.

Too often people are literally and figuratively pushed around because of their personal beliefs or the choices they’ve made. Seeing that there is a clear and evident divide in society based on political loyalties, racial prejudices or personal biases is the only first step in the direction of change.

Some people may say the problem doesn’t exist, and this is due to the formation of a societal bubble.

Within this bubble is a filtered sense of society which offers peace of mind. With that peace of mind, however, comes ignorance. The bubble acts as a factor of division by shielding its owner from ideas or people beyond the scope of their belief system. People are inherently apprehensive towards anything outside their bubble, this is how biases form.

The important lesson that needs to be taken from Black’s story is not the stance on White Nationalism or Neo-Nazism, but the way in which Black’s bubble had been burst. Through the kindness and friendship of his college friend, Derek Black was able to realize the existence of his bubble and find his way out.

This is what needs to happen throughout society in order to create a more positive and tolerant climate.

What it takes to burst these bubbles does vary, however. This change happens person by person, and the true way to become a tolerant society is to determine what it takes to burst your own bubble.

PAGE BY COLIN ST.AUBIN

ATTICUS FINCH SHOULD'VE JUST GONE HOME "To Kill a Mockingbird" teaches us the importance of the Presumption of Innocence in the American justice system. Justice Brett Kavanaugh's trial neglects it

by Connor Peper

officialconnorpeper@gmail.com

A

tticus Finch’s conduct during the trial in "To Kill a Mockingbird" was appalling.

His constant insistence on discussing the alleged events brought the victim to tears. Mayella Ewell’s credible and authentic testimony was touching.

Finch should have been more considerate and done what’s sensible: apologize on behalf of his client. After all, no one can ever prove Tom Robinson didn’t do it. Isn’t it better to let 10 innocents suffer than let one guilty man go free?

The United States is struggling to balance two concepts: The presumption of innocence and the empowerment of women, especially empowerment brought by the MeToo movement.

One is the entire foundation for a fair justice system and the other is an extension of our egalitarian ideals; however, the recent circus surrounding Justice Kavanaugh proves that egalitarianism can quickly turn into a disregard of moral principles and cause injustice. The presumption of innocence legal term.

It’s the manifestation that people are inherently good, instead of inherently evil. It is a display of humanity and compassion towards the accused. The MeToo movement, despite the good it's done, is capable of harm. America can’t let MeToo’s momentum crash through the pillar of the presumption of innocence and thus collapse

PAGE BY CONNOR PEPER

western society. As they say: “Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”

One common argument is Justice Kavanaugh was undergoing a “job interview” and not a criminal trial, and thus not subjected to the same rights given to defendants. Would you go through the trouble of hiring someone if they came with uninvestigated sexual assault allegations? That’s essentially the reasoning; however, this comparison is not made entirely in good faith. Kavanaugh was undoubtedly on trial. He was a defendant in the court of public opinion, presumed guilty by many senators and media personalities who are tripping over themselves to be the next hero of the MeToo movement.

One such example is Senator Mazie Hirono.

“I put his denial in the context of everything that I know about him in terms of how he approaches his cases,” Hirono said on CNN’s “State of the Union”. “When I say that he is very outcome driven, he has an ideological agenda.”

Hirono sends a clear message: Not all people deserve the presumption of innocence. She’s not alone in that belief. In "To Kill a Mockingbird", Tom was presumed guilty because of his race; Hirono presumes Kavanaugh most likely guilty because of his beliefs, or at least, how he’s ruled in previous cases. Presumably, rulings Hirono doesn’t agree with. Justice is supposed to be blind. In the eyes of the law, it shouldn’t matter what Kavanaugh thinks about certain issues.

Can you imagine, in a time of hyper political divisions, a justice system modeled around convicting people based on the accused’s opinions?

It is a common belief that those who have power and those who have

(Illustrations by Jena Pae)

privilege abuse it. This was reflected in the MeToo movement with a number of powerful men who abused their positions getting exposed; however, it is critical to treat each case as its own. Justice Kavanaugh is someone who was privileged: He went to a nice school, he’s wealthy and he was a federal judge, but in a moral justice system that shouldn’t matter.

Americans don’t assign guilt on the basis of group characteristics. An African-American man isn’t more inherently guilty than a Caucasian man, a wealthy man isn’t more inherently guilty than a poor man. A more conservative judge isn’t more inherently likely to have sexually assaulted someone than a more liberal judge. "To Kill a Mockingbird" shows us that not only should unpopular people get a presumption of innocence but also need it the most. It is needed for their protection whether that be from literal lynch parties, as was Tom’s case, or just angry protesters.

Every case should be treated with a presumption of innocence, especially since not every accusation is true.

People lie. Mayella Ewell was lying.

Ford could be too. It’s impossible to know sometimes, and accusations have severe consequences. Kavanaugh lost his reputation, both personal and professional. Robinson lost his life, shot in the back, as a result of the accusation levied against him.

If the presumption of innocence was maintained in To Kill a Mockingbird, and prejudices were pushed aside, Robinson would never have died. The lack of the presumption of innocence killed Tom Robinson just like a lack of food or water would’ve. To avoid poisoning the MeToo movement, activists need to stop the approach that all accusers are truthful, and all those accused, guilty. If the MeToo movement is about equality, there should be equality where it's most important: On both sides.

OPINIONS| 11.20.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

43

STUDENT TAKE: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON KNIGHT TIME?

“I don’t really like it, I don’t like that I’m with a bunch of people I don’t know. I’d want some more people from my grade.”

DAVID LOPEZ, 10

“I don’t see a whole lot of involvement between grades. It was a good attempt to unify all the grade levels, but there are different ways to do that.”

TANAY PARWAL, 11

“It’s cool. It helps us build a better community by forcing us to talk to each other.”

VICTOR ESCOBAR, 11

“I don’t like it. The lessons are pointless. If your class doesn’t have people that talk, you just sit there.”

BRIA HAMILTON, 12

“I don’t like the fact that we’re required to participate, I like being able to travel. I like the idea behind it. I appreciate the effort.”

KIRA WARD, 12

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FHNTODAY.COM | 11.20.18 | OPINIONS

NORTH STAR TAKE:

KNIGHT TIME IS A GOOD TIME

With the new creation of a hybrid homeroom, there are many positives that can come from it On Behalf of the Editorial Staff yourfhn@fhntoday.com | @FHNtoday

Students at FHN may have noticed a significant change in schedule. A new homeroom plan, Knight Time, has upended the old ways of life at FHN as we know it. Decided by a homeroom committee, which consisted of teachers and administration, in the 2017-18 school year, Knight Time was meant to shake things up at FHN and focus on bringing the school together.

According to Assistant Principal Chris Birch, a major proponent for the system, Knight Time is built upon four pillars: improve relationships, which impacts behavior, create a feeling of being wanted, welcome and part of

a community, which encourages and improves attendance. That then encourages students to be their best and try their hardest, which impacts achievement and to help students feel safe and connected. All of these changes help increase the positive climate at school.

Life at FHN was a little rough last year. With multiple fights and general safety issues, it was hard to feel safe and productive at school.

The creation of Knight Time gives students an outlet to learn and grow with others in different grades, unifying our school once again and working to solve the problems that we have faced in the past. Knight Time is crucial to the bettering of our school community.

The one problem that can go against everything that Knight Time stands

PAGE BY SAMMIE HERR

north | star

Editors-in-Chief: Hannah Wilson Heeral Patel Managing Editors: Sammie Herr Rebekah Myers Copy Editor: Patty O’Leary Entertainment/Opinions Editor: Grace Bowman News Editor: Sophie Carite Features Editor: Kylah Woods Sports Editor: Ashlynn Perez General Staff: Justin Christensen Connor Peper Jack Cleveland Mackenzie Pugh Sydney Ellison Sophia Schmidt Grace Harding Leann Smyth Claire Huss Colin St Aubin Michael Zull Editor-in-Chief of Photography: Jordan Milewczik Newspaper Photo Editor: Phoebe Primeau Sports Photo Editor: Kamryn Bell Yearbook Photo Editor: Paige Westermann Photographers: Addalynn Bradbury Isabella Schneider Anna Hollinger Jordyn Sgroi Francisco Jimenez-Juarez Alexis Wade Isabella Manthey Sarah Williams Kaili Martin Riley Witherbee Business: Brandon Brophy Kimberlin Sargent Jadon Herrman Katherine Sellers

FHNTODAY STAFF

(Illustration by Rebekah Myers)

for is attitude. There have been some cases where students don’t want to participate in the circles or they have a bad attitude when included in the circles. By being negative, those students are instilling a dark cloud of judgment, ridicule and harassment into their Knight Time. The restorative circle, made for an inclusive environment, is now a hostile environment for those involved. They are providing bad examples to their classmates, who may end up following along until it spirals out of control. In order to make Knight Time work, FHN has to go all in. While you make think that it’s a “waste of time” or that you’re “too cool for school,” the new adaption to the schedule goes to show how much the administrators and teachers care about the well-being of the students at FHN. The least you could do is keep your opinions to yourself and participate in the circle.

Another problem is the fact that students could potentially be putting their academics at risk. By not being able to travel, students aren’t able to go to teachers and get help with homework or take tests they missed. This puts them, and their grades, at a disadvantage. That can lead to unnecessary stress on the students in trying to find a way to get that help and teachers for working around their schedule to help the student.

PAGE BY SAMMIE HERR

In order to make sure that students’ grades aren’t suffering, there should only be one Black Day a month, led by Mentors. This would allow more time for students to seek the help that they need.

In order to continue fostering this new ideal community while also considering academic success, some students should be given the opportunity to go to a teacher and get help instead of participating in Knight Time. With that being said, there should be parameters set up for that occasion that a student has to meet. They would need to have a signed note from the teacher they are visiting, explaining the reason for the visit and it must be approved by an administrator. Also, the student is only able to use one of these passes per semester. That would make them accountable to participate in Knight Time for the rest of the semester and improve their academics on their own time.

When students put the school ahead of themselves, that’s when real change happens.

So, even though it may be “uncool” and a new adjustment, students need to fully commit to wanting to better their classmates, their school and themselves. By doing so, they’re creating that wholesome environment that everyone can thrive on.

Editor-in-Chief: Madi Shinault Managing Editor: Madison Abanathie FHNtoday Editor: Madison Abanathie Sports Editor: Joel Boenitz Web Staff: Alexis Davis Tyler Rodgers Grace Humphres Cole Sherman Parker Kilen Michael Willmann Julia Kristensen Ethan Winchester Sam Cary Enrico Spadachinni Executive Producer of Video: Emily Hood Video Editor: Reide Pearson Podcast Editor: Audrey Dickherber Video Staff: Gavin Anderson Francis Romano Sandy Han Lily Sontheimer Dillon Lauer Hunter Turpin Reinita Lee Jake Willmann Jena Pae Emily Zhang Carson Ramirez Sarah Zimmerman Advisers: Aaron Manfull Jordyn Kiel

Want to write a Letter to the Editor?

Follow the parameters under section O of the Editorial Policy, and you just might see your letter in the next edition! https://fhntoday.com/editorialpolicy/

OPINIONS | 11.20.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

45

Make friends.

Make cool stuff.

Make a difference.

Dec. 14 - Priority Application Deadline for 2019-20 Staff Jan. 16 - General Staff Application Deadline for 2019-2020 Jan. 21 - 2019-20 Staff List Posted on FHNtoday.com

Applications can be found on FHNtoday.com/SignMeUp See Mr. Manfull or Mrs. Kiel in Room 105 for more details.

Find out more.

FHN media www.FHNtoday.com/TellMeMore