Student Fashion

IN FASHION

Students at FHN use fashion as a unique way to express themselves

Picture this: rolling out of bed to that 6 a.m. alarm clock, pairing white washed jeans with that vintage t-shirt of yours and the black converse high tops that may have been worn one too many times. That might just be any ordinary outfit to someone, but it’s your favorite.

One of the many perks of picking that t-shirt or those jeans, is that it’s a unique style all your own. Fashion has been around for centuries, but each person’s style is like their DNA, what they’re made of. Junior Kyle Helton is one of many with a style all his own.

“I’m not really a social person, and I don’t like talking to people,” Helton said. “So, my way of showing people who I am is expressing that through my clothes.”

Helton describes his style as inspired, mainly by music artists and influencers that he follows, and a good amount of his wardrobe are brands made by not-so-famous designers.

“I’m the only one that wears the brands that I wear [FTP, Ransom, Gnarcotic, Foulplay], and I think that it’s cool,” Helton said. “It makes me feel comfortable in public.”

On the topic of more unique styles, sophomore Cierra Brown thinks that being fashionable is influential.

“I think it’s important because it touches on personality,” Brown said. “If I wore what everyone else wears, then I feel like I’m following a crowd.” Brown likes stepping out of norms and dressing her own way.

“If you line people up and put me next to someone wearing a hoodie and sweatpants, I’d definitely stand out.” Brown said.

While others are looking for the latest trends, Brandon Bridgeman likes to incorporate sentimental pieces into his outfits. Bridgeman incorporates his dad’s hat into his outfits. Bridgeman holds his hat close as a reminder of his father and the bond they shared. Bridgeman is fond of the current day fashion.

“Everyone gets a chance to have their own style and it’s pretty unique.”

Fashion can be defined in numerous ways. It is interpreted differently by many people. Whether that is using it as a way to express yourself, embodying something sentimental in an outfit, or looking outside of the box because fitting in is boring, you create your own style. What sets you apart from the latest fashion trends? by Liv Engle OEngle158@g.fhsdschools.org

“The only consideration I make when buying clothes is ‘do I think that looks cool?’ Half of my clothes were stolen out of my dad’s boxes of old military stuff anyways. Colton Conley, 11

“Instead of copying trends, I like to take bits and pieces of them and make them my own.” Emma Osterloh, 12

“I like being comfortable because I don’t care what people think and I like doing what makes me happy.” Haley Hall, 10

“I try to do what is considered ‘Not the norm’. I like standing out, rather than looking like everyone else.” Anthony McDonald, 12

“I feel like I combine different elements of different fashion styles, rather than sticking to one style.” Ash Swift, 10

“I just do my own style. I don’t follow any of the trends going on.” Hadi Syed, 9

She walks into the office/studio at Enchanted Events with her hair in a tight wig cap and makeup already done, ready to transform herself into a princess. She warms up her singing voice and gets the party bag together, including the props and the coronation poem along with the certificate attached to the tiara. Then, it’s time for the party to begin.

Senior Leann Smyth works to make little girls’ dreams come true as a party host at Enchanted Events.

“I mostly dress up as Jasmine, Moana, Belle or Anna from Frozen,” Smyth says. “There is also mascots from Paw Patrol. Those are really popular at parties right now.”

When Smyth arrives to the parties, after greeting the parents and kids, the kids have ecstatic smiles and jump up and down at first sight of the princess. The kids gather around saying hello. The kids and the princess talk for a while about the princess’ movie. After they sing happy birthday, the coronation begins.

“During the party and coronation, we turn the birthday girl into a princess,” owner of Enchanted Events Kelly Scheider said. “She repeats a magical poem and the princess waves the magical wand and then places the tiara on her head. The princess now presents the new princess to her guest as a real princess.”

After the coronation, the princess gives the child an autograph card signed by the princess and fun children’s games are played like hot potato or freeze dance with songs from the princess movies. When singing and performing, Smyth uses her choir voice to add strength to her performance. “I think that my experience in choir has really helped me,” Smyth said. “I don’t think I would have excelled in choir as much as I do now without this job.” (Story by Anna Besancenez) PRETTY PRECIOUS PRINCESSES

Reading song lyrics, junior Zoe Meier sings Ne Poy, Krasavitsa Pri mne by Rachmaninoff. Meier started getting involved with opera singing when she was going into seventh grade. Meier is apart of Union Avenue Opera Theatre and has been in three productions with the company. “I just happened to audition and in the midst found my passion,” Meier said. (Photo by Anna Hollinger) BIG VOICE, BIGger STEPS

Junior Zoe Meier was selected out of many to participate in the AIT program for opera singing

There are people who know in their childhood who they are going to be. One of them was 8-year-old Zoe Meier when she was standing on stage one day, realizing that in the future she would like to be a singer. That dream came true when Zoe decided to take part in the auditions to Opera Theatre Saint Louis Artist in Training (AIT) Program.

“I heard about the auditions from a lady at my church,” Zoe said. “Then, I went to see the performance from that program, where I got all information and dates about auditions.”

AIT has set out to coach and encourage talented students from high schools across the St. Louis area since it was established in 1990. In AIT, participants work to improve voice skills with professionals, performing with major opera companies and symphonies across the United States and Europe. Graduates of the AIT program have gone on to study at the nation’s top music schools like Juilliard School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, Northwestern’s Bienen School of Music and New England Conservatory.

Only 25 students from Saint Louis have been selected to participate in the 2019-20 AIT program. Meier is one of them. “We don’t get involved in what she earns or accomplishes,” Angela Meier, Zoe’s mother said. “Auditions were all on her. She gets what she earns and we stay out of all that, for sure.”

Zoe worked hard and prepared for auditions, attending choir class and taking private lessons with a voice coach. Her first artistic experiences had with St. Charles Community College, performing as a kid. After a few years, when she came to FHN and took choir class, she started improving her voice in a big group of singers. To participate in auditions, Zoe had to pick a piece of classical music and perform it in front of a panel of judges. It was a good opportunity to test her stage presence.

“I was very excited about the opportunity for Zoe,” Angela said. “She was very nervous, way more than me. My job was to keep her encouraged and redirect her energy to be excited instead of nervous.”

Zoe likes to listen to some music genres, mainly jazz and classical music. Everyone probably would ask her why opera? Why does she sing such a beautiful, but hard type of music?

“Our FHN’s concert choir teacher, Ms. Jennifer Onken was the first one who produced the idea of me being involved in classical voice,” Zoe said. “She definitely influenced that decision and helped me to meet up with my voice coach.”

Being a participant of this opera program gives lots of experiences. Zoe is most excited for watching artistic performances, talking with famous opera singers and performing in The Sheldon Concert Hall. This is a big step in her early career. Despite previous experience, the young artist still discovers more and more about her artistic soul.

“Zoe’s bent towards theater and singing has been evident since she was a toddler,” Angela said. “When she made a conscious decision that she wanted to do this professionally her father and I have done everything we can with our schedule and our finances to get her the training she needs. We have done all we could.”

Support from family and friends certainly helped Zoe spread her wings and achieve this success.

“In 10 years, hopefully I’ll have my masters and I’ll be somewhere in Europe or in a big city in the USA performing,” Zoe said. by Julia Sampolska j.sampolska@gmail.com

MORE INFO Check out the AIT Program here: bit.ly/32jt6pT

Walk in. Sit in an assigned seat. Listen to the teacher talk. Take notes. Many times, the learning environment looks the same, but that’s not the case for science teacher Joe Brocksmiths’ class at FHN. Brocksmith teaches both biology as well as environmental science. Brocksmith owns five snakes that he keeps in his classroom. Just as he is going into his 16th year teaching, the snakes are going into their 16th year living at North.

“I got them when I was in college,” Brocksmith said. “I mostly got them so I can breed them.”

Brocksmith loves the snakes, but some of his students do not seem to feel the same way.

“Many of my students are curious about them and ask a lot of questions, but I always get a large group of students who walk into my room and say ‘Oh Hell no,’” Brocksmith said.

One of his students, junior Isabel Granjeno, is currently in Brocksmith’s Biology Two class.

“When I first walked in I was terrified, I literally hate snakes,” Granjeno said.

Although snakes are a unique incorporation into the classroom, they are not just meant to be any normal class pet. Brocksmith says he did not want the smell of snakes in his home, but also wanted a purpose for the snakes.

“Many kids are scared of snakes for no reason, so I like to bring them in and educate kids about them so they can get over the fear of them,” Brocksmith said.

Some students feel opposite about the snakes as Granjeno feels. Another one of his AP students, junior Adel Mountasir, enjoys having the snakes around.

“I actually like them here because they’re so cute,” Mountasir said. “They don’t bother anyone unless you aggravate one.” . With all the fun that comes along with owning snakes inside of the classroom, there has to be some educational purpose.

“The snakes come in handy when doing the reptile unit.” Brocksmith said. “We get them out and use them as a fun educational prop. They’re just so fun.” A SCALY STRATEGY by Linsey Zerbonia lzerbonia419@g.fhsdschools.org Joe Brocksmith uses snakes in his classroom to enhance learning Science teacher Joe Brocksmith handles his classroom pet that he uses to improve the learning experience for his students. “He has multiple snakes in his room,” senior Alayna Furch said. “He used to allow students to hold them, but he doesn’t anymore because they were getting out.” (Photo by Kaili Martin) WATCH Follow this link to watch Brocksmith talk about his job at FHN: bit.ly/2rELxkw

Help some families from FHN this holiday season KOE is selling bracelets with all proceeds going to the FHN Adoopt-A-Family Program. Purchase one from a member today or drop by room 130 to get yours or make a donation.

ASPIRING ARTISTS

There are plenty of AP classes for students to take at Francis Howell North, one AP class stands out more than the rest is AP Studio Art. Junior Jenna Weber is actively involved in AP Studio Art and has a deep love and passion for the class and overall art.

“My favorite thing about the class is that we have a lot of freedom,” Weber said. “The class used to be a lot more strict, but since the curriculum changed, we’re given a lot more freedom.” Weber’s love for art began at a young age and plans on continuing her love for art after high school. “I’m going to try to get into the illustration and animation field,” Weber said.

AP Studio Art is more difficult and holds the students to a higher standard than most other art classes at FHN. Before taking the class, a student has to apply with their art and the teachers analyze and decide weather or not to give them a spot within the classroom.

“To take the class, you have to make a portfolio showing your artwork to the art teachers,” Weber said.

For some people, criticism can be one’s worst enemy, but for Weber, she takes it and views it as a positive and influencing experience and uses it to help improve her art.

“I would say listen to critiques and turn it into something positive so it helps you grow.” Weber said. (Brief by Skylar Vogel) MORE INFO Take a look at the art made by FHN students : bit.ly/3774pJm

Her furry friend sits right next to her, helping her through every emotion going through her head. The smile they give to each other and all the responsibilities that come with owning a normal dog is the life of Mary Lauritzen as she prepares her pet to be a therapy dog.

“I think the best part about owning Penny is how much she has really helped out with Mary as far as helping her when she gets really upset,” Lauritzen’s mother Stephanie Combs said. “She makes Mary really happy when a lot of other things can not make her happy.”

Lauritzen and Combs, will be putting their twoyear-old Siberian Husky Penny into Therapy dog training sometime soon. Penny has yet to be put into training because of her age. Dogs being trained have to be at least two years old and Penny only turned two recently, so she has yet to start.

Just because she’s not in therapy dog training now doesn’t mean that she isn’t being trained the typical dog commands like sit, stay and down. Lauritzen’s family tries to perfect these skills everyday for around an hour, using many treats, but not forcing her if she gets stubborn and refuses to continue. “I don’t want to do an intense-intense training with her just because like, I want to give her some time to just be a dog too,” Lauritzen said. “Especially because she is just a puppy, which is something different than a lot of people would do. A lot of people when they know that they’re going to be a certain type of dog start training for that immediately. But I’m in no rush to get her to be a therapy dog.”

Getting any pet can be exciting, but getting something you have always wanted, and that is specifically for you can make you feel something more.

“There are different types of service dogs,” Lauritzen said. “There’s like personal therapy dogs but there’s also therapy dogs that are trained for others. Like at hospitals and stuff, they will bring animals into the sick kids and let them play for a bit. My therapy dog is different because she’s specialized to me, not everyone else.”

Huskies are dogs that have a lot of natural energy and need a lot of play time. Penny sometimes has the trouble of wanting to play during training or while Lauritzen is doing homework, but a lot of that energy gets put to use with many varieties of play time.

“Penny is definitely energetic but she also knows when something is wrong and she knows when something’s wrong with Mary,” Combs said. “And she knows what she needs to be there for.”

Therapy dogs are a real thing and people don’t just get them because they feel a little sad. People do go through things and have actual reasons to get anything that is able to help them through the bad times. Penny is that something.

“It’s something that my family thought would be a good idea, and even my doctors thought that it would be a good idea,” Lauritzen said. “It’s not like, ‘Haha I get depressed sometimes.’ It’s a lot deeper than that.” by Maya Helbig helbigmaya77@gmail.com Mary Lauritzen’s soon to be service dog, sits on her lap in her home. Lauritzen’s dog has not officially started training, yet at a specific place. Lauritzen at the moment does most of the training for her dog at her own home. (Photo Submitted) HUSKY HELPER Sophomore Mary Lauritzen is preparing to have her pet husky, Penny, trained to be a therapy dog for emotional support

Since she was 11, Senior Courtney Helmick has been performing at GT Performance Gymnastics and Cheer for seven seasons and one season at Olympia Mid Rivers. Helmick has won over 100 medals since she started competing. In her most recent match, Helmick came in second on beam. (Photo by Addy Bradburry)

Time management

is a talent

Running to her car late in the afternoon, 18-year-old Courtney Helmick is ready to begin her third activity of the day. She swings her marching band bag into the back seat of her car, checking again for her gymnastics bag. She sets off to the gym, trying to make practice on time. The only thing on her mind is how she also has to close for her job at Fazoli’s tonight. She rests her head on the wheel before walking into her gymnastics practice, she knows it’s going to be a long night.

Gymnastics and band have always been a huge part of Helmick’s life, doing gymnastics since second grade, concert band since sixth grade and marching band since ninth. Helmick can’t think of anywhere she would rather be.

“It was really hard at first, but once I learned time management and developed a routine, it wasn’t nearly as bad,” Helmick said.

After seeing her older sister do gymnastics, she started gymnastics at just seven years old and fell in love with the sport, not knowing at the time that the gym would soon become her second home.

“I was the annoying little sister who wanted to be just like her older sister,” Helmick said. “So, when Emily did gymnastics, I wanted to. I didn’t know how much I would love the sport or how big of an impact it would have on my life until I tried it.”

Her sister, Emily Helmick, had always been a huge role model to her. So when her sister took up band, it was impossible for Helmick to pass up another opportunity to be just like her older sister.

“I originally started band because of Emily,” Helmick said. “But I also wanted to be involved in a high school sport, and that’s really all I knew how to do.”

Of course, such demanding activities come with their own pros and cons. “I really like performing, which I do in both band and gymnastics. I really like the little successes along the way in gymnastics,” Helmick said. “And I really like being a part of something so much bigger than myself, which is what marching band is all about, but the physical demand in gymnastics is really rough on my body, and the time commitment in marching band gets rough, but I can manage.”

A week in Helmick’s life can be described as tiring, hectic, busy and long. She sets aside 19 hours a week for gymnastics and 15 hours a week for marching band, not including football games and competitions. She also goes to school, works at Fazoli’s, is involved in many school clubs and is very involved in her church and family.

“It’s all about time management and prioritizing,” Helmick said. “I haven’t watched a Netflix series since the beginning of August.”

Helmick has made many friends along her journey through gymnastics and marching band. Jenna Brown, her friend since kindergarten, and someone who has done both gymnastics and band with Helmick, has nothing but good things to say about her.

“She’s very kind and trustworthy, and she is always ready to help you with anything you need,” Brown said. “She manages her time really well and makes time for her friends and family.” Senior Courtney Helmick balances band, gymnastics, a job and school, along with other activities by Marina Williams mwilliams807@g.fhsdschools.org

MORE INFO Learn tips for time management here: bit.ly/2Noa7yx