January 13, 2021 - North Star

| BAKING FOR STRESS PAGE 01 | INSTAGRAM ART PAGE 11 | SOCCER SIBLINGS PAGE 19 |

north STAR FRANCIS HOWELL NORTH | ST. CHARLES, MO 63303 | 01.13.21 | VOL 35 ISSUE 03

HUMANS OF FHN

This issue of the North Star takes a look at the individuals who make up our community. These are the stories of some of FHN’s students.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Make videos.

CONTENTS HUMANS OF FHN 2

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Climb to the Top

2021 has begun. The past is the past and we can go forth into the new year slow and steady.

Lets take this year step by step and see where we end up on the other side. The possibilities are endless. 2021 could turn out to be the worst continuation of 2020 or the greatest rebound the world has ever seen.

I for one am hopeful for the latter. The world probably owes it to us but we will have to wait and see.

To start off the year the newspaper staff decided to dedicate this issue to writing stories about the most important part of FHN, the students. Every student in this building has a story to tell and we want this issue to highlight that.

This issue aims to help you reflect on yourself

Senior Hayley Moulden enjoys to rock climb as a way to exercise.

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Onto the Road Charles Kulage has a passion for motorcycles.

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to find a way to tell your story. Often we find ourself skipping over what makes us special.

There’s is no need to have this deep search for something monumental about yourself to be special. It’s the combination of the small things that can make you shine. Something as simple as knowing how to sew up a hole in a shirt can be something amazing to the person sitting next to you.

Give your small talents and more credit, they are crucial to your story. Discover what makes up your story and share with others. Learn from each others talents and hobbies. Find special people to share your story.

Tell stories you want to tell.

Spirit Superstar Chloe Averbeck tries her hardest on every spirit day.

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A collage of sillouttes are placed on colored boxes. This edition of the North Star talks about the students that make up the FHN community. (Design by Ryleigh O’Donnell)

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Freshman Om Nair poses for a photo in the school hallway. . (Photo submission)

Elizabeth Pundmann holds her pasta in a photo. She hopes to keep baking and cooking in the future (Photo submission)

PURPOSEFUL BAKING Senior Elizabeth Pundmann uses baking and cooking as a way to help ease her stress and anxiety

by Justin Brewer

justinbrewer15@gmail.com

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any people find joy in their hobbies.

These include things like playing a sport, reading or working on their cars. For FHN senior Elizabeth Pundmann, it is baking. Only she doesn’t just bake for fun, she also bakes for a purpose.

“For me cooking and baking is just kind of an escape from all of the deadlines and priorities that you have to face in reality,” Elizabeth said.

“It’s just a time to be able to express myself through my work and enjoy what I’m doing.”

Elizabeth began baking in middle school as more of a hobby than a stress reliever. She got her inspiration to take up this hobby from her grandpa who was a chef. She says that when she was a child, she was always in the kitchen with him. She learned a lot of her skills from him and attributes her finding of this hobby to him.

“He showed me a lot of his cooking techniques,” Elizabeth said. “So I just branched

Page by Justin Brewer

off and started doing that on my own and it has been consistent ever since then.”

As of more recently, Elizabeth has found more uses for this hobby. She started more frequently baking in March of this year. She found that her baking was actually a great stress and anxiety reliever. Baking provided an escape from the trying times that are occurring and it gave her an outlet to be creative and utilize her skills.

“Around quarantine time I really started to pick up on my baking and do it a few times a week,” Elizabeth said. “I found it was a really helpful way to stay calm during stressful times.”

As for the effect baking has on her, it doesn’t go unnoticed. Her sister, Catherine, said that she sees the good effects baking has on her both while baking and after. She says that baking has definitely helped her in a positive way.

“I think that she has changed for the better because she’s spending so much time doing what she loves and it’s really good for her,” Catherine said.

WORKING FOR CHANGE Om Nair is a freshman at Francis Howell North. He swam and played soccer in the fall.

Some of his passions are the sports that he plays and working towards making the world a better place. Om cares a lot about his and others future, and wants to have a role in making that future better.

“Global warming is Read more about how you real and it is a can help the environment: major problem bit.ly/FNenvironment for everyone,” Om said.

He says there are many easy things for people to do that can help.

“Using drive through lines less or not at all… and start recycling instead of putting everything in the trash,” Om said.

He and his family are currently making those efforts to try to make a change for the better and you should too. (Content by Samuel Wilson)

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CLIMBING TO THE TOP

Senior Shahed Abdallah glances at the camera for a photo. Abdallah enjoys baking and has been doing it for many years. (Photo submission)

Senior Hayley Moulden poses for a photo. She is a certified rock climber and climbs often (Photo submission)

Senior Hayley Moulden pushes herself in her passion for rock climbing physically and even mentally,” Hayley said.

“Some of those walls are like a puzzle and you have to figure it out. Each time I go, I feel he hooks herself into the harness and like I have gotten stronger.” prepares for the strenuous ascent as Every day that Hayley comes to the gym, her partner holds the rope steady. She she pushes herself to reach her goals of knows that the climb may exhaust all of her being able to scale the walls without taking physical strength as she strains her muscles breaks and to try harder levels. Aside from to cling to the handles, but senior Hayley prompting her to excel when she is drained, Moulden pulls herself up to the next ledge, rock climbing has also taught her to be climbing closer to the top of the rock wall. patient with herself.

After moving several times across the “I just really wanted to country and landing complete this wall without any in St. Louis, Hayley breaks or anything,” Hayley began homeschooling Check out where Moulden said. “But when I do take a her junior year in order break I get very frustrated. climbs: to be on track for her I think one of the struggles bit.ly/NSclimbing senior year at her next I’ve overcome is to become school: FHN. However, very patient with myself, and she needed a physical just tell myself it’s okay. And then once I education credit, so she and her dad, Bill overcame that, I was just flying through the Moulden, looked up gyms within their area walls, I got up there all the way instead of and chose to venture back into the world of going back down.” rock climbing at Upper Limits in Maryland When she leaves the gym, she is relieved Heights. Now, rock climbing is no longer a of pent up stress and the workout puts her in requirement for Hayley, but a passion she a good mood. Her father believes that rock devotes hours after school to improving in. climbing has become a source of confidence “It started off as just us needing to find for Hayley, as she continues to improve, and a way for Hayley to meet the physical he thinks that she fits into the supportive education requirement,” Bill said. “It really atmosphere of climbing seamlessly. turned into something that she has deeply, “When you see success in one area of your deeply fallen in love with.” life, it gives you the hope and the trust that Hayley and her father became certified you’re going to see success in other areas,” to belay, a type of rock climbing in which Bill said. “Even if you’re starting a new school, the climber is attached to a rope that their even if you’re coming into a situation where partner holds to keep them from falling, it’s your senior year and you don’t know through a course at the gym. Since the class, anyone, where do you get your confidence Hayley has continued to improve in her from? I think rock climbing helped her to say techniques and increased in strength.

‘Well I might not know a lot, I might not have “The one thing I love about rock climbing a lot of friends, but I have something that I is that it’s so evident where you grew at, just know I’m getting better at.”

by Chloe Horstman

clshorstman@@gmail.com

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BAKING AS A PASSION Shahed Abdalla is a senior at FHN. One of her passions is baking. She has been baking for nine years and some of her favorite things to bake are croissants and cookies. Shahed got into baking through her mom and her aunt. Her aunt baked professionally and sold her goods to people. Her mom and aunt got inspiration from her grandma.

“I got a lot of inspiration from my aunt,” Shahed said.

One of her favorite memories baking is when she baked her first cake. It was in fourth grade and it was a marbled chocolate and vanille cake. She also has a fond memory of a chocolate crinkle cookie making competition she had with her cousin.

“I ended up winning because my cousin quit when the process got too messy,” Shahed said.

She expresses herself by making her own recipes. She will look at the ingredients needed and basic proportions, then do the measurements and baking on her own. This makes things much harder but even more rewarding when she makes them successfully.

“Baking allows me to express myself through the goods that I bake,” Shahed said.

(Content by Samuel Wilson)

Page by Sydney Ellison

Freshman basketball player Trenton Leuthauser stands in the FHN hallway. (Photo submission)

BASKETBALL FOR LIFE

Senior April Heien poses for a photo in her Mizzou merchandise. (Photo submission)

BECOMING A TIGER Senior April Heien was accepted to Mizzous honors program which is a very prestigious program to be accepted into

program. Heien is expected to maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher to be able to stay in Mizzou’s honors program. Luckily for Heien, she received ith over half the school year nearly the Chancellor award which means she receives over, the seniors of FHN have some $6,500 per year. Mizzou has really helped thinking to do if they haven’t already ease Heiens stress by reaching out to her and started considering what college they want to explaining what classes she should take in go to. Luckily for April Heien, she shouldn’t have depth. much to worry about as in Sept. 2020 she was “So far I’ve received $6,500 a year and a lot accepted into Mizzou’s honors of pressure as well because program. At the very least, Hein I applied to their honors is able to experience college program,” Heien said. with her fellow senior Kane August 2021 will be a Find out more about Cruise. big step into adulthood for Mizzou’s honors program: “I’m excited because Mizzou Heien.

With Heien planning bit.ly/NShonorsprogram is a prestigious place for to get a dorm freshman year students to go to from North, and hopefully an apartment and I know a lot of people sophomore year college is going to Mizzou,” Cruise states. “The amount of shaping up to be a whole new chapter in her life. people I know going into Mizzou like April makes With a mix of emotions and FHN’s support, 2021 this move to a new school less harsh than may even be crazier than 2020 for Heien. previous moves.”

“I’m both excited and scared,” Heien said.

Even though Heien was accepted into Mizzou “Going to college and getting more freedom is the expectations are still very high. She was something I’ve been looking forward to in the required to send her resume, grades, classes past few years. However, I haven’t stayed away she was taking and general information about from home for long periods of time and it’s herself. She even went above and beyond and definitely something I’ll have to get used to.” wrote an essay to apply for Mizzou’s honors

by Chase Pray

cpray812@g.fhsdschools.org

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Trenton Leuthauser is a freshman at Francis Howell North. He played soccer in the fall.

Some of his passions are basketball and video games. Trenton started playing basketball when he was five years old after watching Duke play in the finals in 2010. Trenton has played with the Junior Knights for years and is currently on the FHN basketball team.

“Basketball has helped me get through some tough times and it’s a way out of just the day to day life and even playing outside calms me and helps me get my mind off of school,” Leuthaser said. Trenton sees himself playing basketball in the future and is looking forward to it. (Content by Samuel Wilson)

Freshman Trenton Leuthauser attempts to block another students basketball shot during gym. (Photo submission)

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Page by Chase Pray

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Senior Rumesa Qualbani smiles at the camera.

Qualbani is invloved in many clubs at FHN which are helping on her college applications. (Photo submission)

Senior Ben Ell is Missouri’s HOSA president and works hard to adapt the program to COVID-19.. (Photo submission)

HOSTING HOSA

Missouri’s Health Occupation Students of America organization elected senior Ben Ell as president as he works towards adapting to change In March 2020, Ell was named Missouri HOSA state president, and shortly after was also named president of the FHN HOSA chapter. he Missouri State HOSA organization has “I was excited for him wanting to do it,” said taken on a vast number of alterations Christopher Dalton, the FHN HOSA adviser. “I this year, resulting from the COVID-19 thought it was a great opportunity for him.” pandemic. Elected as Missouri HOSA president Ell’s role as president looks quite different in March 2020, Ben Ell has taken on the from previous years. In addition to the regular responsibility of innovating the workings of planning and execution of events, Ben has also HOSA to fit the current environment. been given the task of altering the workings of “As president, I have to reimagine many of HOSA in response to COVID-19. the events we’re doing,” Ell said.

“It’s really about adapting to “Whether that means having them these changes,” Ell said. “One virtually, trying to combine things, of the core values of HOSA is Check out Ben Ell’s MO or create new opportunities for innovation, and this year is HOSA state office people.” really about innovation because candidate speech: Ell’s journey through HOSA, the nothing is what we thought it bit.ly/NSspeech organization for aspiring medical would be.” students, began his freshman COVID-19 has posed many year. He decided to join the club after his initial challenges to HOSA, most of which Ell has exposure to the biomedical sciences in some of overcome by his implementation of innovative his classes. ideas. For example, this year’s Missouri HOSA “I was in the Principles of Biomedical Science Fall Leadership Conference was reorganized into Class, and I became interested in that kind of a completely virtual event. science stuff,” Ell said. “I thought HOSA would be “This year’s Fall Leadership Conference a good way to explore my future career goals.” went really well,” Stover said. “Although it After holding an active position in the club was completely reinvented through a virtual for a few years and holding a cabinet position platform, all the state officers, including Ben, for the FHN chapter of HOSA his junior year, found ways of making the event a real success.”

Ell decided to pursue a position of higher Throughout the uncertainty of the pandemic, importance within the organization.

Ell has thrived under the conditions through “Whenever we would go to state conferences hard work and a positive mentality. he was always very interested in the cabinet “Ben is so driven,” Dalton said. “He is positions,” said senior HOSA member Brandi determined, goal oriented, and he always knows Stover. “He would always pay close attention to what he wants to get done.” what kinds of things they were doing.”

by Alli Vernon

GETTING INVOLVED Rumesa Qualbani is a current senior at FHN she has leadership in the drama club, she’s also in the speech & debate club, DECA, business trial and many more.

“My dream college would be WASHU because it’s close to home. And it has the perfect majors. I want to major in business specifically in organizational & strategic management.” Qualbani said. “Family pressure has always played a role in my decisions because I come from a family of doctors, but never the less my inspiration has always been my dad, he owns a business in subway, but doesn’t get much from it. But he always supported me in my career interests, and he’s the reason I act the way I do today, I also get my intelligence from him.”

She applied for a scholarship at Questbridge, it’s for people with low income and good grades.

“It has a selective, and very long process, only a couple of people get accepted as finalists for a full-ride scholarship,” Qualbani said. “And I was one of the finalists that got accepted, and I’m the only one that is doing it from this school.” (Content by Shahed Abdallah)

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Having been riding his motorcycle for over a year, senior Charles Kulage poses on his 2012 Harley Sportster 1200 custom. Kulage rides his motorcycle to and from school enjoys doing so. (Photo Submitted)

RIDING IT OUT

Senior Charles Kulage drives a motorcycle to and from school and shares his interest in the culture of bikers dad is a motorcycle driver and enrolled him in a class to learn how to drive one in the event he would need to. After taking aving been on the road the class, Kulage decided to go to the for four days, senior dealership with his dad and check out Charles Kulage rode his the prices. Here he found the 2012 Harley motorcycle from his home in Sportster 1200 custom that he’s been St. Charles, Missouri to Lawton, driving for over a year now.

Oklahoma to visit his dad.

“Charlie’s motorcycle is more an During the 1,300 mile trip, he extension of himself than experienced an actual thing,” senior all types of and friend of Kulage Jon weather and Fitch said. had to get used While motorcycles to riding in the Check out FHN alumni are very dangerous to cold. Over who also rode bikes to drive, they’re cheaper the hours of school: bit.ly/NSmotor insurance and gas riding he did, wise. This is one reason he learned a Kulage enjoys riding his lot about how motorcycle rather than a car. to drive in all conditions and “You get more connected to the road stay safe when driving because you have to be more concerned the least safe vehicle about every little pothole or driver that’s allowed on the road. about to swerve out,” Kulage said.

“It’s more After being on the road for so long, fun to drive [a Kulage has learned about biker culture. motorcycle Bikers are able to communicate on the instead of a road by using hand gestures as well car],” Kulage as recognizing each other based off of said. “I will ride one until patches on their jackets.

“It’s kind of like a brotherhood,” Kulage the day I can said. “It’s like being in a club or sport and no longer there’s little things that only those people operate know that allow them to communicate one.” better.”

Kulage’s

by Karsyn Williams

karsyn.williams15@gmail.com

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LOVE FOR MUSIC Sophomore Emma Landwehr speaks about her passion for band

by Alex Thomas

and practicing her instrument.

“I decided to create that account because eing a part of band since her first of the 100 Days of Music Challenge where we year at Barnwell Middle School, are supposed to share something that we sophomore Emma Landwehr is very practiced every day,” Landwehr said, “I play passionate about her involvement in FHN’s concert material, Metro-8 or anything that my marching and basketball band. teacher assigns.”

“My favorite subject in 2020 has been a rough year school is band because for many people and has also it’s what I love,” Landwehr brought many changes to the said.

FHN band. One of these changes She plans to stay in band Take a look at is the introduction of online for as long as she can.

Landwehr’s instagram: learning. Students learning “I play the flute because bit.ly/NSlandwehr online that are in band are I fell in love with it and encouraged to practice their that’s what I stuck with,” instrument every day. Another Landwehr said. change in this school year is that students like Landwehr is also one of the many students Landwehr are separated depending on the in band participating in the ‘100 Days of Music instrument they play. challenge’ where students are encouraged to “In basketball band, we have less players Sophomore Emma Landwehr plays the flute along with practice their instrument at least once a day and during regular class we are separated by instruments such as the piccolo and trombone (Photo for one hundred days. Landwehr created an instrument,” Landwehr said, “This virus has submitted) Instagram account to record and share the ultimately pushed me to become a better progress she has made while playing music musician.”

athomas492@g.fhsdschools.org

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NATURE LOVER Freshman Kalyn Bond expresses her love for hunting alongside her dad and explains her typical day of hunting

by Shivani Bondada

shivanibondada@gmail.com

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aking up at 6 a.m. with her father, freshman Kalyn Bond gets ready for a day of hunting.

Kalyn’s father, Darren Bond, gets coffee and she puts her hunting gear on.

They four-wheel ride to the hunting stands and sit in silence like a waiting game. They wait for a deer to pass so Kalyn can take a shot.

“I really like the adrenaline that I get before taking a shot,” Kalyn said. “The adrenaline is crazy.”

Kalyn has been hunting since early October of 2019. Using a rifle, she has hunted two does and a buck. She hunts Freshman Kalyn Bond and her father Darren Bond enjoy a day of on a property in Montgomery County. The hunting while they have take a deer home on their four wheeler best part of hunting for her is the reactions

she receives once getting back to camp “I like getting back to everybody and they’re all congratulating me because they’re proud of me,” Kalyn said. “ It’s a great feeling.”

Her interest in hunting arose from her father as he is a hunter and her friend.

Kalyn’s father taught her to respect the environment and shooting safety regarding using a rifle. Her proudest moment was when she caught a buck on Oct. 31, 2019.

In the future, she hopes to get a bigger buck and even hunt in Colorado for the elks they have there.

“She loves the outdoors and has a respect for nature,” said Darren. “She likes to leave the land cleaner than it was when she got there.”

(Photo submitted)

Page by Shivani Bondada

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Junior Dylan Crites poses with a lighter in hand, dressed in one of his signature outfits. (Photo submitted)

FASHION FOWARD Junior Kameron Williams lifts weights while wearing a blue Gymshark stringer, a popular athletic clothing brand.

Williams has very focused fitness goals and works towards them by attending the gym. (Photo submitted)

ONLY GOING UP

How a junior dedicates every day to exercise and eating right

by Andrew Powell

and training partner.

He has lately been focusing on cutting down and losing weight so he’s eating on a ameron Williams has been working out slight caloric deficit. Meaning a little below his since May of 2019 recommended amount to maintain his current Kameron’s effort and dedication for weight. He intakes about 170 grams of protein a fitness is unlike most high schoolers.

“The worst you can be is the same as everyone day, most of that comes from his favorite Whey Fruity Pebbles protein powder. else,” Kameron said.

Kameron has an app called ‘My Fitness Pal,’ an Ever since he walked downstairs to his step app made by Under Armor used to track calories, dad’s home gym and completed his first ever macros, steps and water intake among other workout, he’s been in the gym almost every day things. The app calculated him to have 2700 despite a few exceptions. calories per day.

“I thought I’d try it and fell in love,” Kameron “I’ve seen his progress since the beginning said. and you can really see the amount of effort and Between Youtube and a dedication he’s put forth to few tips from his dad, Aaron be where he is now,” Hughes Williams, he found out about a said. “The way he finds a way lot of different unique exercises to be at the gym every single Find out more about the and great dieting plans. He day is something I’ll never splits his week into three program to track food goals: understand.” different workouts: push, pull, bit.ly/NSfitness Kameron’s goal weight is legs. Push is chest, shoulders a lean 225 pounds. It looks and triceps. Pull is back and like that goal is in reach for biceps, and legs is just legs, someone who trains as hard as he does. He of course. His favorite day is definitely pull day, looks up to many people like Just Merk, Ryan especially when he meets his caloric intake and Humiston, Larry Wheels and Anthony Mantello. macros goal.

As he continues to train, he learns more and “Whenever I go out to eat with him I feel like more about it and wants to further his career in I’m on the show ‘The Biggest Loser’ because of personal training on the side. the way he calculates all his calories, protein, fat, buzz.powell2011@gmail.com

K

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and carbs,” said Dominic Hughes, a close friend

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Clothes can be an important part of selfexpression. This rings true for junior Dylan Crites. He describes his style as a mix of different aesthetics that are most prominently punk and alternative. He began working on his style around sophomore year.

His interest in improving his style was in part influenced by musicians he follows. Some of his favorites include City Morgue, ZillaKami and Tyler, the Creator.

“I try to get inspiration from them. I try to make it my own instead of copying them,” Crites said. “I just take what they have and make it into something else.”

One aspect of his style that particularly stands out from the norm is the patches he puts on his clothes. They are mostly for aesthetic purposes and he usually buys them from Amazon. He tends to gravitate towards cool design or band logos. The price range is usually around $15.

“They also have patch pants so that’s where I really got the inspiration to make my own,” Crites said.

He gets quite a few positive comments on his Instagram posts about the clothes he is wearing.

“I think it’s a way to stand out a little bit, and just kind of express what he’s into,” friend Nick Schanks said.

Crites plans to continue wearing the clothes he feels most confident in and wants to let his style evolve freely. He views style as an integral part of self expression and urges others to not pass by wearing the clothes they enjoy.

“Let’s just say somebody hates your style because it’s not what everyone else is doing or it’s different,” Crites said. “You wanna be different. Don’t let other people steer you away from what you want to do, do what makes you happy.” (Story by Sydney Ellison)

Page by Sydney Ellison

Dedicated artist, junior Ash Swift enjoys the creativity of her hobby. They use both traditional and digital forms of art while also attending art classes here at FHN. (Photo submitted)

BRINGING ART TO LIFE Junior Ash Swift has been an artist for years and aspires to be a tattoo artist

by Morgan Chairs

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mchairs303@g.fhsdschools.org

people can relate to and enjoy art. Overall, Swift’s rt is junior Ash Swifts’s main way of favorite part about art is how universal it is. expressing herself. It has been one of her “My favorite part about art is that no matter talents since she was very young. Swift has what you do, or who you are, or whatever achieved many things due to her passion for art, background you come from, you can just make and hopes to achieve more. One of those future anything, and it’s something that people can take achievements is becoming a tattoo artist. inspiration from. It’s kind of a melting pot of all “I think it just came naturally to me, as both of kinds of different ideas and different styles. And my parents were artists,” Swift it’s something that everyone said. “So, I just started drawing. can appreciate,” Swift said.

And it’s a great way for me to do Drawing has been Swift’s all kinds of ideas I have, so it just talent and something she’s Check out more of always stuck.” been very passionate about .

Ash’s work on her Swift’s inspiration for her art She believes she would have a Instagram: comes from different artists very good future in pursuing art to even cartoon characters. as a profession. Actually, Swift However, her main source of intends to pursue the artistic inspiration is in fact herself. career of being a tattoo artist.

“I think her inspiration comes from personal “I want to be a tattoo artist because I love self interests,”Swift’s former art teacher Courtney expression, and I think people think it’s a great Flamm said. “A lot of times, just how she’s feeling way to help other people express themselves because sometimes her artwork can be kind of through just whatever kind of art they want to dark and then sometimes it’s like, in your face and put on their body for everyone to see,” Swift said. colorful.”

“I could help someone be able to be more open There are many reasons why Swift loves art about themselves and express themselves to the so much. She feels that art can help someone world without any kind of shame and be confident express and find themselves, not to mention most in themselves.”

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Junior Ash Swift displays some of her art on instagram and has used it as a way to share her art with her friends and family. (Photos submitted)

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Posing in front of one, senior Nathan Vo is a skilled competitve piano player. Vo would like to continue playing in the future but has no solid plans as of yet. (Photo submitted)

THE PATH FOR PIANO Senior Nathan Vo has played piano since he was a child and competes in multiple competitions

had an influence on the kids at school especially those that hear him play,” Nathan’s mother Regina Digar said.

The piano can take a while to learn, many who attempt to learn s he sits down getting ready to perform, his mind flows with eventually just give up because either it is too challenging or they get constant thoughts of how he will do. He stretches out his bored of doing the basics and want to go straight into playing actual fingers in preparation to play his selected piece for the M.A.M.A music which is virtually impossible because most songs require a certain performance. As he plays, his fingers flow so elegantly across the board, knowledge of specific techniques. Nathan has some advice though. hitting every note precisely in the middle of the key. The tune is majestic, “Don’t let the exercises or fundamentals bore you because it does get something you would expect to hear very faintly in the background at a better when you get to start playing the actual music,” Nathan said. fancy restaurant.

Regina thinks the benefits Nathan has gained from It all started when Nathan Vo, a current senior at FHN, was his time with the piano are numerous.. in 3rd grade.

“I think that playing is like an outlet for him,” “I saw someone and thought it was cool,” Vo said. “My Regina said. “I think it’s something that comes to first keyboard was a non-full sized Yamaha.”

Take a look at some him naturally, even if he doesn’t think so and it’s Nathan would go on to become very skilled in the art videos of Vo playing: been like a creative outlet for him because if he’s not of playing the piano, competing in competitions such as bit.ly/NSpiano studying or watching a movie or something else, he M.A.M.A and performing various recitals. is probably practicing.”

Nathan usually does very well in the M.A.M.A competition Nathan plans to keep playing the piano even if it is placing within the top three and getting a superior rating, the highest one not professionally, but is not sure what the future holds for him. can get.

“Always be open to what your child brings to you,” Regina said. “He “After recitals, when he is done performing, parents always ask how he came to us, asking to play the piano, and I had no idea where it was does so well and how can they get their kids to do good,” Nathan’s father going to take him. So, luckily we found a teacher from a friend and we Thai Vo said. bought a $100 keyboard because we didn’t know if this was going to Nathan playing has had a huge impact on his family and those around go anywhere and he was just going to use it to practice. He was in third him.

“He’s had quite an influence on his siblings, but then also he’s probably grade. And look at where we are now.”

by Max Brewer

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Jada Keller smiles for the camera in her volleyball uniform. (Photo submitted)

SETTING UP FOR SUCCESS

Chloe Averbeck smiles for the camera. (Photo submitted)

STRIVING SPIRIT Chloe Averbeck goes above and beyond for FHN’s Spirit Week

by Tayler Ross

“I think Chloe is very fashionable,” Clubbs said.

Both of Averbeck’s friends agree she has great style even when it’s not a spirit week. Clubbs lthough most people don’t like getting would describe Averbeck’s everyday style as stared at, spirit day fanatic Chloe Averbeck strives for it. One of her favorite very bright and fangirly. Kolkmeier, on the other hand, describes it as if “the 80’s and Elvis Presley things since elementary school has been had a baby.” dressing up for spirit days.

“She tends to go a little above and beyond,” Averbeck’s spirit day efforts are known by Clubbs said. many people at school. One of her friends, Mike Kolkmeier doesn’t like dressing up much.

Kolkmeier, says his favorite outfit of Averbeck’s However, when he does, it’s is her Christmas outfit by far. usually a PJ day because it She is Christmas from top to is easy. bottom, he says.

“I don’t want to be the For example, in 2019, on the only guy wearing neon,” last day before winter break, Find out more about the Kolkmeier said.

Averbeck wore a huge green and most recent spirit week: Averbeck is most proud of red bow as a headband, a black bit.ly/NSspirit her 80s costumes and her Christmas sweater with lights famous class color outfit and a polar bear on it. She also because, as she says, the had a green tutu with red lining amount of purple during class color day is crazy. and candy cane really tall socks. For shoes, she She is purple from head to toe. She also likes wore red Christmas slippers that looked like a dressing up on 80s days because she thinks it’s Santa outfit. fun.

“It’s personally really fun being extra and “[I like] to show my school spirit because I love showing my school spirit,” Averbeck, a junior, my school and it’s fun,” Averbeck said. said.

Averbeck gets lots of stares walking down the Within some of those looks are her two best halls on spirit days. However, she hopes that friends, Kolkmeier, who she met last year in within those stares, she inspires at least one child development and MJ Clubbs. Clubbs and person to dress up and show their own school Averbeck have known each other since middle spirit right along with her. school and currently sit together at lunch.

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Practice is constant for freshman Jada Keller.

Volleyball is her life and she dedicates herself to her craft and to self improvement. She gives up afternoons and weekends to play for both her teams, at North and at MOVA where she plays club volleyball.

“I like being able to hit [the ball],” said Keller.

“It’s really fun to get high and there’s just a lot of energy in volleyball.”

For six years, Keller’s life has been volleyball.

Her passion for the sport hasn’t wavered as she’s endured injuries and struggles and remained loyal to the sport she loves. Off the court, Keller worked hard to improve her skills to be able to make the JV team in August.

Keller used her time during quarantine to continue to build up her skills despite not being able to play.

“In March, I began standing on my tippy toes everyday in the shower the entire time, it sounds weird, but it improved my vertical so much,” Keller said.

Her motivation throughout quarantine shows her determination to achieve her goals. And by the time tryouts rolled around, Keller was ready to play.

“I was nervous but I was very excited when I found out I made JV,” Keller said. “It was especially exciting because it’s like an older age group so it gave me an opportunity to really grow as a player because I’m playing with people older than me.”

Keller enjoyed playing on the JV team.

Gradually, the team grew together and formed tight bonds. She continued to progress throughout the season, and varsity coach Kent Stover was impressed with her performance as a freshman on JV. “She brings a lot of energy onto the court and is always going and going and is very excited about playing,” Stover said. “She actually got a lot more comfortable playing at the faster speed of JV and by the end of the season, she was sitting on the varsity bench.” (Story by McKenna Hudson)

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Aesha Patel works on a speech and debate assignment from home (Photo Submitted)

Sophomore Sarah Korte poses on the ice with her hockey stick. (Photo submission)

DREAMS ON ICE DEBATING THE ISSUES “I joined speech and debate to help with my presentation skills and think on my feet,” said Aesha Patel. Patel is a freshman at Francis Howell North. She also plays tennis as well as being a part of the school’s speech and debate club. At speech and debate, they research a topic that is spread across two months with several debates in a two month span. The topics are moderns issues that society currently deals with. An example of one of their recent topics was the use of nuclear weapons. The speech and debate team has already had one of its many debates against Parkway West High School. Patel really enjoys the club, her favorite part is being able to change someone’s perspective based on facts and reason. Her advice to anyone looking to join speech and debate is to be assertive, but not rude, be patient with your opponents and to stay educated with your beliefs. (Photo story by Megan Stautermann)

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Member of the Lady Lions and the Francis Howell Boys Hockey team, Sophmore Sarah Korte lives her life out on the ice

time to learn, but once she learned it, she took off. Most people are taught through just their mhines406@g.fhsdschools.org coaches, but Sarah was taught by more than ophomore Sarah Korte has had a just coaches. second home in the ice rink ever since “She had one-on-one training,” said Marsha she first laid eyes on it.

Williams, grandmother of Sarah Korte. “I think “I went to a roller hockey camp when I was she started pretty much at the level that the in fifth grade and I started ice skating when I others were playing at.” was in the second grade Today, Sarah is currently and I always found a love playing for both an all boys for being out on the ice and team, the Francis Howell skating, and, as hockey as North Knights, and, for this sounds, I was always an all girls team, the Lady Check out photos of a game on good at it,” Sarah said. “But Lions.

Dec. 12: after going to that roller With multiple practices hockey camp I realized that bit.ly/NShockey a week and games or this is something that I’d tournaments every really like doing and that I’d weekend, she has a lot on her plate but she really enjoy.” enjoys every second of it.

Korte may be a girl, but that never stopped “Despite the fact that it’s very time consuming her from proving the doubters wrong and and you have to put a lot of work in to see playing. Playing for not one, but two different results, just the fact that you can be out there teams. Although she joined later in life she playing is worth it,” Sarah said. “It’s all worth it. learned the game fast.

The time it takes, the hours of practices, the late “She progressed very quickly,” said Paul Korte, night practices, it’s all worth it. Cause not only is Sarah’s father. “The coaches were amazed with it a game, it’s like a lifestyle, and the people you how quickly she progressed.” get to meet, and the places you get to go, and For Sarah, who plays left and right wing, the team members you get to have, it’s not like skating wasn’t the hard part. Stick and puck any other sport.” handling is the part that took her the most

by Marshall Hines

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A POINTE FOR DANCE Senior, Brenna Hood poses for the camera wearing a black leotard, her hair out of her face. Brenna has been dancing for years and enjoys ballet the most. (Photo submitted)

Senior, Brenna Hood has been dedicated to dancing since she was six years old and plans to weave the activity into her future through college and as her career known Brenna for a long time and enjoys watching her flourish and grow as a dancer and a person over the years.

“I think it goes back to her work ethic, the time that I’ve known her, girl steps on stage, taking a deep breath as she positions herself her hardwork has developed her as a beautiful technical dancer and an between the people next to her. Getting into her stance, she outstanding person,” Graves said. “I feel like dance has really opened looks up at the crowd with complete focus and pride. Music her up to all the things she has experienced, I think that the discipline of starts playing and she is off, moving fluidly with the other dancers, never dance and ballet has made her an excellent person overall.” missing a beat.

Although having plenty of support and encouragement from her dance “I fell in love with it, it presented a challenge, but it was also super fun, instructor, no one ever gives as much support and love because I’m learning how to do things that normal than her parents. Emily Hood, mother to Brenna and people don’t know how to do or understand,” senior, her twin siblings, has constantly been there for Brenna Brenna Hood said.

Hood started dancing at the Performing Arts Center Find out more about Brenna driving her to early practices and never failing to show up for recitals. Emily is extremely proud of Brenna and in St. Charles at the age of 6, beginning her journey Hood and her hobbies: what she has done in the time she has been dancing. towards a passion she continues to this day. She does bit.ly/NSbrenna “I think I’m most proud of her dedication to it,” Emily all sorts of different dance genres such as ballet, jazz said.

“I know sometimes she has challenges where and lyrical. Although she enjoys doing all, her heart lies she feels like she’s not doing something so well or in the art of ballet. not getting something quick enough and I’m proud of her for pushing “It makes me feel strong and powerful, because you have to be a beast through them and working hard and figuring it out.” on the inside but you have to make it look effortless and be a swan on Brenna doesn’t want dancing to only be a hobby but she wants it to the outside and I think that’s really cool and I wanna do that,” Brenna eventually become a career too. After high school she plans to go to said. college and major in dancing and someday become a professional ballet In order to have gotten to the high level of dancing Brenna does, she dancer. Hood doesn’t know what she would do without dance in her life, has had to have a lot of training and help, one of these people that has helped her is dance teacher Shelby Graves. Graves specializes in teaching and will never forget how it feels to do what she loves most. ballet and teaches many different levels of dance classes. Graves has

by Sarah Williams

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Ronte Townsend stands in a FHN hallway wearing a shirt from his clothing brand. (Photo by Sydney Ellison)

Trenton Booksher, a senior stands strong and with poise dressed as his character Skrybbliz, gazing out into the distance at the 2020 Renaissance Faire . (Photo by STL Photo Vision)

A NEW FAMILY BUSINESS Around four months ago Ronte Townsend and his mother began their clothing brand named Gazr clothing. Townsend uses his computer to create and edit designs for the clothing while his mother focuses on sale and management. Recently Townsend aquired a Cricket, which is machine that makes pressing on designs much faster. Townsend learning about clothing design from his aunt who would make shirts for family gatherings.

“I plan on going to college for three things.

[To be] a pharmacist, [do] criminal justice and where you can make your own designs and you can spray paint them on pants and shirts, but I’m terrible at drawing so I have to get better at drawing.” Townsend said. (Content

by Sydney Ellison)

MORE HERE Check out the company’s instagram: bit.ly/NSgazr

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LEAVING THE PALACE Senior Trenton Booksher participates in the local Renaissance Faire

family,” Booksher vocalized.

“Once you are a part of the festival your renton Booksher is a senior at Francis perspective changes,” Booksher said.

Howell North but he is also local royalty.

Being the prince of the faire, Booksher’s only Every year, St. Louis puts on the job isn’t just to sit with royalty, it also includes Renaissance Faire and Trenton Booksher, also greeting and helping out at the front gates, known as ‘Skrybbliz’, is the the annual cannon firing, and crowned prince. making sure people are enjoying “It starts with an open their time at the faire. Booksher mind,” Booksher said. described his favorite part of He’d first heard about the Check out photo’s of the most the faire, which was during the festival through a friend of last 20 minutes. The sun has recent Renaissance Faire: a friend. Then, in 2016, he reached about dusk and people, bit.ly/NSfaire went to the Spring Preview, including the patrons and staff, a two weekend period set dance at the front gate. The king to preview the festival. When there, they found sings ‘Sailors Prayer’ then after the king does a he fit the role for their prince. Booksher says toast and the day comes to an end. ever since then he hasn’t missed the fair.

“I personally will not be going into acting, “It’s a form of expression a lot of us need just filling my role has helped decide a career,” today,” Booksher said.

Booksher spoke.

Booksher before attending the fair said he In 2016, Booksher had noticed a booth “had a very closed perception of such things.” set up known as “Bagger Blades.” This was This helped him find not only a group he could a metal working and blacksmith shop that consider family but a way to give back to the sold a multitude of hand crafted goods at the community and keep this time in history alive. faire. By 2019, he finally reached out and now Finding himself in a rough spot with family, has an apprenticeship to hopefully become a Booksher found a form of escapism through the blacksmith in the future. faire.

“Just proud to say I was part of something,” “I could see who I could consider my real Booksher said.

by Rhylee Diggins

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Though young, freshman Alayna Lohaus is able to connect with people far outside her age group , an increasingly uncommon skill. (Photo submitted)

Junior Khalin Shah stands with his soccer gear next to his older sister Lauren, a FHN graduate and soccer player. (Photo submitted)

FOLLOWING FOOTSTEPS

Siblings Khalin and Lauren Shah chase a college soccer career

by Amber Winkler

because at the end of the day, that was my true love and the sport I had the most passion for,” Khalin said. “It’s the sport I wanted to aking up a defensive position on the continue and succeed in.” field for the FHN soccer team seems Alumni Lauren Shah to be a common thread currently plays for in the Shah family.

Arkansas State University, “When I was in eighth grade, but previously played we came up to North,” junior Take a look at Lauren wing back here at FHN Khalin Shah said. “I thought it Shah playing at FHN: for the varsity girls team. was so cool, to think that was Before Lauren went to bit.ly/NSshahsoccer where my future would be.” college, she would show Khalin played a wide variety up and support her of sports when he was younger, siblings at all their games and help them but decided to devote his time to soccer and join a club team in fourth grade. He now plays improve when she could.

“We encourage each other to get better and for NORCO soccer club and FHN’s varsity boys become better and we support each other at team as a center back for both. He would like to play in college, like his sister, for any school our games, and we check up on each other and see how our journeys are going,” Khalin that gives him the chance to. said.

“I chose to devote my time to soccer

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CONNECTING DESPITE AGE DIFFERENCES Alayna Lohaus is a freshman at FHN. She grew up with her parents friends always around, so they always say that she has an old soul and this has made her more comfortable around adults. It also has made many of her tastes different, like music.

She sometimes enjoys hanging out with adults more than some teenagers because they are more chill and don’t want to gossip about people or school the whole time.

Ever since she was little she has gone to Goose Creek Lake in the winter. Her friends don’t really come down because they can’t swim, so she has to hangout with her parents friends. This has taught her to respect what life throws at you and not to be afraid around adults, also to talk to them instead of just sitting there.

“Don’t spend your time trying to be someone else when you can be your own person just as easy,” Lohaus. (Content by Conner Shy)

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Sophomore Charlotte Bartels holds a basketball. This is Bartels second year playing basketabll for FHN. (File photo)

FINDING THE RIGHT SPORT Sophomore Charlotte Bartels started playing competitive basketball last year during her freshman year of high school for the JV/C girls basketball team. This year she is now one of the top girls on the team.

According to head varsity girls basketball coach Danielle Rampley, Bartels has improved a lot from last year and is showing a lot of promise for future seasons.

“I think she’ll just keep growing and keep improving and hopefully next year she can move up,” Rampley said.

This year the Knights lost a lot of girls from last season and have both a smaller girls basketball team on varsity and JV. But the Knights are still looking strong and look to improve on their record from last year, grow together as a program and are striving to win districts this year.

“I think we’re more mature, we’ve grown together, this is now my second year of being the head coach, the girls have played [super well] together,” Rampley said. “I just think they’re going to be a better off group of girls all together.”

Overall, both the Knights girls junior varsity and varsity basketball teams have high goals and expectations going into this season.

Bartels herself has especially loves playing basketball at FHN and has is looking to strive as a player and leader in the program in all of her highschool years. As of now, Bartels is looking to excel this season on the JV girls basketball team and for her and her team to have a spectacular season.

“I’m equally confident in everyone and everyone’s potential and everyone’s skill level,” Bartels said. (Story by Parker Kilen)

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Senior Adel Mountassir poses with his helmet. Mountassir plays varisty football for FHN and has been on the football team all four years of high school. (Photo submitted)

NEW PATH

Senior Adel Mountassir has been offered many college scholarships to play football and he has recently chosen his top choice

system through his teammates but through one of his coaches Deric Edwards. He has been coaching for 11 years now and met enior football player Adel Mountassir Mountassir last summer in July. Edwards is has been offered an amazing a PE teacher at Francis Howell North, while opportunity of 19 scholarships for also coaching football, running the new Iron college football and recently chosen his top Knights Club, and the new after school weight choice. lifting club starting this month after school.

It all started in fourth grade recess when “Obviously, he’s a bull on Mountassir’s friend David Lopez the field and his abilities asked him to play football. Ever alone demand a level of since then the game caught his respect,” Edwards said. “But eye. Mountassir started playing Take a look at Adel’s aside from his talent, he has for a team in sixth grade and football career: a demeanor about him that learned most of his skills today bit.ly/NSfootb true leaders possess.” from the Junior Knights football Mountassir never saw team. From then on, his passion himself becoming this passionate about for football only grew. All four years of high football and has come a long way in his school football he played defensive end and football career. After receiving 19 scholarships offense guard. one school stood out to Adel.

“What made me keep playing football “I think Lindenwood was the best pick was just my determination to get better and because it was close to home and I feel proving people wrong,” Mountassir said. starting at a D2 program I can get playing time Not only did Mountassir become connected in and I just had the right feelings about the to football but he also grew to connect with lions,” Mountassir said. his teammates.

He plans to make the NFL one day and “Adel is a leader, he is the one who you’re hopes Lindenwood can take him to the next going to go to if you need help and he is the level. one who is always pumping up the team,” a “Football means everything, I would not teammate of Mountassir, Marshall Hines said. have the future and opportunity without it,” Mountassir not only has a huge support Mountassir said.

by Skylar Ramshaw

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MISSING HER FIRST SEASON Freshmen Jada Keller and Deniz Devecigil stand together for a picture. Devecigil was not able to play after making the c-team due to an injury. She has since gotten better and began easing back into volleyball. (Photo submitted)

Freshman Deniz Devecigil injured herself playing volleyball, causing her to have to sit out her first year at FHN

by Anna Scognamiglio

shoulder checked out. After the visit to the doctor, she realized that she had multiple tears in her labrum and would have to sit out of practices thletes this year were excited to play in the fall sports season and games for two weeks. As the injury got more severe, she later at North, including freshman volleyball player Deniz Devecigil. realized that she would not be able to play in the season at all.

This would have been her first high school volleyball season as a “When I realized I couldn’t play, my first reaction was like ‘Oh, it’s okay. freshman making the c- team. Everything was going great until an injury I will get back into it eventually’ but I was shocked when I found out that caused Devecigil to miss out on the entire season she was not the case,” said Devecigil. had been working hard for.

Freshman team players were all sad when they found “Volleyball was my emotional escape and it was out that they had lost a player for not just two weeks, always something I could go to and I didn’t really have but the whole season. Jada Keller, one of Devecigil’s Find out more about the this emotional outlet,” Devecigil said. best friends who played on the JV team was worried for effects of a torn labrum: Devecigil has been playing volleyball since she was her. bit.ly/NSinjury eight years old and described volleyball as her favorite “At first I thought it wasn’t something as severe, but sport. She has played volleyball at the YMCA and her when she started going to the doctor and talking to club team MOVA, but this year was her first year playing for FHN. During surgeons it became more scary for her,” said Keller. the summer, FHN held volleyball open gyms where girls could have extra Aside from Devecigil being out for the season, she was the c- team practice before tryouts and meet the other players. During open gyms cheerleader. She came to all the games to support, whether she was she noticed her shoulder was starting to bother her when she served. It taking team stats or helping them at practice. got so unbearable that she needed to have others serve for her when it “Deniz helped us with drills, showed up to our games and gave us tips hurt too bad. during the timeouts,” said freshman c- team player Grace Schnarre.

“When I would lift my arm it would send a shooting pain down my arm Devecigil has made progress over the season and even though it is not when there was an impact such as serving, and it would burn if my arm where she completely wants her shoulder to be, she is still proud of how was up for a longer amount of time than four seconds,” Devecigil said. far she’s come.

After tryouts were over and she made the team, she later realized that “Right now I’m just easing back into volleyball and working over the the pain might be more than she thought so Devecigil decided to get her summer,” said Devecigil. ascognamiglio563@g.fhsdschools.org

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