Off to The Circus

Sophomore Adelle Gertsch balances on a rock to test her flexibility. Gertsch has been recently been training to join the circus after high school. “I’ve always loved watching people preform in the circus, but at the same time I would be a little sad.” Gertsch said, “Then one day I decided to try aerial silks and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.” A BIG BENDY DREAM

Sophomore Adelle Gertsch is training to become an acrobatic circus performer at Circus Harmony

Doctors, lawyers, firefighters; the common answers to “What do you want to be when you grow up?” But sophomore Adelle Gertsch doesn’t want to be common. She wants to live in a unique way, and for her, that means as a circus performer.

As a child, Adelle was very active, even doing gymnastics at the age of five. She showed a clear inclination towards the performing arts.

“I mean, Adelle has always been a monkey basically,” Adelle’s mom Carolyn Gertsch said. “She was always climbing on things, hanging on things, always been a kind of a daredevil not afraid to try stuff. So yeah, it wasn’t surprising to me at all that she wanted to do [the circus].”

Circus Harmony, the program Adelle uses to learn circus skills has multiple levels. Seeing the highest levels of their classes, Circus Flora, perform was what inspired her to join. “I always went to the Circus Flora, and I always was enjoying the show,” Adelle said. “But I always thought like, man, I just wish I could do that. I always wanted to be able to do those amazing tricks. When I quit softball my parents were like let’s harness this energy, and I was like, maybe aerial silks?”

Every performer at Circus Harmony has to take basic classes covering the usual skills of juggling and plate spinning. Adelle, however, focuses specifically on contortion and aerial silks.

“In my contortion class, we get all bendy,” Adelle said. “Sometimes we’ll do a bridge and then someone will do like a chin stand on the person doing a bridge, stuff like that. In my aerial classes we work on trapeze skills and Aerial silk tricks.”

The path to a career in the circus is paved the same way as many other careers. She studies hard, applies for colleges, and after going to the colleges, she can be hired for the best gigs. The only difference is in the content of the classes.

“You don’t have to take science or math classes because it focuses on what your actual career is,” Adelle said. “It’s more of your art form and trying to master it.”

Deanna Massie is a college professor, educator and researcher. She’s known Adelle since Adelle was about five years old and was ecstatic to hear that Adelle wanted to be a part of the circus.

“We have become a society that’s too focused on stuff that won’t make everyone happy,” Massie said. “Adelle has always been bored in school and she’s always had higher goals. I was super excited that she found a track she wanted to do that would make her happy.” For Adelle, it’s not just a place that she can expend her energy but, it’s also a place where she feels like she truly belongs.

“Circus was originally where all the weird people went, the outcasts, where they could be outcasts together,” Adelle said. “And so it’s just nice that the circus community is very inviting and appreciates everyone. I love everything about it.” by Evan Becker ebecker066@g.fhsdschools.org

MORE INFO Check out the Circus Harmony website here: bit.ly/36JraTq

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PULLING VAPING OUT OF TEENS

After seeing the hold Juul and vaping has on students, FHSD is making choices for change. Vaping has become more prevalent in teens in recent years. More and more studies are showing the possible harmful effects.

JUUL VS FHSD

by Sydney Ellison sydney.ellison55@gmail.com On Oct. 7, FHSD filed a lawsuit against the e-cigarette company Juul A fter seeing the effects vaping and Juuls have had on teens and paying for the damages FHSD has experienced because of this, FHSD has filed a lawsuit against the e-cigarette company Juul. The lawsuit was filed on Monday, Oct. 7. It follows the actions taken by two Kansas city school districts Goddard and Olathe. More and more districts are now filing lawsuits against Juul including school systems in Long Island, New York and La Conner, Washington.

“Juul improperly advertised to individuals that were too young to legally purchase their products without informing the individuals of the dangers of vaping,” District Attorney Cindy Ormbsy said.

The idea of the lawsuit was first brought up within FHSD when Ormbsy was asked by a Kansas City law firm, already in the process of suing Juul, to bring the proposition to the school districts she represents. According to Ormbsy, the FHSD school board then decided that suing Juul was the correct decision for the district.

“We see teachers having to take time out of class to deal with student vaping,” Ormbsy said. “[FHSD needs] additional hallway monitors because students are vaping in the hallway and in the bathrooms.”

From 54 nicotine related infractions five years ago in FHSD, to 248 last year, there has been increased disruptions throughout the school district. According to Ormbsy, FHSD doesn’t have the resources to deal with this. Money is being spent on more programs and resources to help stop students from vaping. In the 81 page lawsuit against Juul, it lays out the groundwork for the case. It provides detailed examples of how Juul is marketing towards teens. FHSD wants reimbursement for the costs and damages Juul use has had on the district.

“The number of nicotine related discipline incidents is going up and that is probably not going to reduce anytime soon, so the goal is to get funding to deal with and pay for all of these programs and education and time spent by employees for past, present and the future until this problem is resolved and that way taxpayers money is not having to be spent to deal with these issues,” Ormbsy said.

The lawsuit has gotten mixed responses from the public. Many are concerned about how it was being paid for, but the lawsuit is not using taxpayer money and any settlement from Juul will be used to pay for the cost of legal fees. This lawsuit also was under some controversy from parents, many commenting on FHSD’s Facebook statement about the lawsuit saying that it wasn’t the school district’s right to sue on behalf of the students. Others commended the district, saying they are proud that FHSD is doing something to stop nicotine addiction in students.

“The school district’s still going to hold students accountable for violating school policy, it’s not letting students off the hook, it’s just they [FHSD] decided to also not let Juul off the hook,” Ormbsy said.

At FHN, assistant principal Jeff Blankinship has noticed the effect vaping has had on the school. He believes the biggest problem vaping has caused is disruption in classrooms. Teachers are spending more time disciplining students and getting less time to actually teach, according to Blankinship. “It’s just taking away from a learning environment and kids are trying to get away with something that they shouldn’t be doing,” Blankinship said. FHN changed their policy on vaping for the 2019-2020 school year to hopefully cut down on the vaping infractions. Now both vaping and having possession of a vape will earn three days on in school suspension. Blankenship hopes for students to realize the potential damages one can get from vaping.

“I guess the biggest thing is just understanding that it’s not healthy and it’s not something that you may not feel the effects of today or tomorrow or even this year but you are doing things to your body that are not healthy and are not natural,” Blankinship said.

Ormsby hopes for more schools to join the fight against Juul. She claims to confident going forward.

“We are just dealing with an issue that the district didn’t create but they are having to deal with,” Ormbsy said.

Hazardous to health

Within the past 20 years, vaping has become more and more prevalent across the U.S. and with it, the reports of respiratory issues and lung disease from those using vape products have increased dramatically.

“Vaping is almost like smoking cigarettes on steroids,” FHN nurse Brooke Magilligan said. “You’re actually smoking and inhaling more than if you were to smoke a pack of cigarettes.”

Unlike cigarettes, which have had hundreds of studies throughout the century that demonstrated the dangers of smoking, vape products haven’t been studied nearly as much since it’s a newer product. Due to this, no one is entirely sure of the long term health effects of vaping. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported that over 1,500 vape users have been shown to have respiratory issues and the majority of them are under the age of 35. Also according to the CDC, 34 deaths caused from respiratory diseases have been linked to vape use.

“There has just not been enough studies on it to even rule that it’s safe, there’s been tons of people going to the hospital,” Magilligan said. “The more you do it the more you increase your chances of developing problems.”

Consistent and frequent vaping has also been shown to cause acute lung injury and fills up one’s lungs with inflammatory cells rapidly. The inflammatory cells can block and fill the air sacs in the lungs, preventing the flow of oxygen. This snowballs into critical lung illness and diseases, such as emphysema, a disease that prevents the body from getting the proper amount of oxygen, and can pose a potential threat of death. “We shouldn’t think that vaping is safer [than smoking] in anyway,” pulmonologist Gary R. Goldstein said. “It is, plain and simple, not safe. You are putting something into your lungs and you don’t know what it is.”

Within the past decade, vape products have become more widespread as more brands and flavors are released. The compelling flavors of vape are believed to be part of what’s causing a rise in teenage vaping, despite the laws preventing anyone under the age of 18 from purchasing vape products. To combat this, the FDA has recently been working towards banning the flavors targeting younger audiences. Adolescents and teenagers are more affected by the use of vape and nicotine than adults, as they are more likely to develop an addiction due to the brain not being fully developed.

“The flavoring is being targeted towards high schoolers and younger persons because adults aren’t interested in flavors like that,” Goldstein said. “They are being used by the market to enhance their sales.” Since vape products primarily contain nicotine, an addictive chemical, it’s hard to stop once one starts. The best way to prevent vaping from becoming a habit is to never start in the first place. A younger addict should let their parents, a counselor or doctor know about their addiction to help start taking steps towards recovery together. Recovering from addiction will remove a major stressor in one’s life and help them live a healthier future.

“First thing is the realisation that you don’t want to vape anymore, and once you reach that conclusion, to stop and set yourself up for success,” Goldstein said. “Get rid of all the vaping you have available, because the withdrawal symptoms and temptations can be very strong. Once you get over the first few days it should hopefully snowball into success.” by Karsyn Williams karsyn.williams15@gmail.com Reports show a link between vape use and illnesses within the lungs and the effects may be more drastic in adolescents

Learn about the mechanics of the average vaping device (Content by Karsyn Williams) COMPONENTS OF A VAPE

Mouthpiece After the e-liquid is converted into vapor, the gas is inhaled through the mouthpiece and into one’s lungs, allowing for the chemicals, nicotine, and water in the e-liquid to go into the lungs and body, before being exhaled.

E-Liquid Cartridges of e-liquid contain a mixture of nicotine, flavoring, water, and other chemicals. The FDA has only recently began regulating the ingredients in e-liquids and many vapes and cartridges are sold without prior approval from the FDA. Atomizer After receiving energy and heat from the battery, the atomizer boils the e-liquid, converting it into a vapor, then traveling up into the mouthpiece.

Battery The battery of a vape requires charging, as is the element that provides the heat and energy to the atomizer and fuels the vapor. Using a charger that wasn’t designed for the battery can be dangerous and cause electrical problems. There have been multiple reports of the batteries from vapes overheating or even exploding during use.

FHN graduate Tyler Crook admits to struggling with a nicotine addiction from vaping in high school by Sydney Ellison sydney.ellison55@gmail.com

It’s almost always on his mind. It’s inescapable. The urge to vape is a never ending cycle, one where picking up a Juul is the only way to decrease stress. FHN alumni Tyler Crook started vaping in high school and hasn’t stopped since. “Whenever I’m really stressed out, all I can think about is hitting my nicotine,” Crook said. “It sucks though, it would be so much better to find healthier coping mechanisms.”

Graduate of class 2019, Tyler Crook is now taking a year off and saving up money for college. His journey with vaping began in high school when his senior friends offered him a hit off their Juul. According to Crook, the smoke tricks and having friends who vape is what influenced him to take that first hit. “I started off with no nicotine, it was just cool to do the tricks and practice the tricks,” Crook said. “Then I started hitting Juuls and liked the nicotine buzz and kept going, kept buying it.” Soon after vaping, the road to addiction became clear. That need for the buzz of nicotine took over his life. Crook remembers leaving classes to vape in the bathroom. Even now, Crook vapes frequently throughout the day.

“In the mornings after like the first five, ten minutes after I wake up, I think about the nicotine and I think about how I need to get it,” Crook said. “I’m just in a bad mood until I hit it in the morning.” Vaping has caused other problems in Crook’s life besides struggling with addiction. Vaping caused tension between him and his parents who continually tried to stop him from vaping. According to Crook his parents would find and confiscate his Juuls back in high school but now they are more accepting of his habit.

“They don’t mind anymore because I’m 18 and they understand that I’m going to make my own choices,” Crook said. Because of multiple vaping-related infractions during high school, Crook lost out on the A+ program. This program could have given him two years of free college at SCC.

“I’ll still get there [college] but I had no idea how much that [A+ program] would have helped me now,” Crook said. “It [vaping] ruined a lot of things.”

HIT FROM THE PAST

Alumni Jake Miller got the strength to quit his vaping habit from high school by Sydney Ellison sydney.ellison55@gmail.com

The simple fact of growing up is how alumni Jake Miller got past his nicotine addiction. Miller began vaping in high school but after graduating in 2019 and going to college his vaping habit ended. Initially it was the variety of flavors that convinced Miller to vape but it was the nicotine that made him stay. “It’s just what nicotine does,” Miller said. “It just makes you addicted, you just like it. You like the feeling.” Miller said.

Though often surrounded with peers and friends who vape, Millers’ decision to vape was entirely his own, there was no peer pressure. Miller’s friends who didn’t vape often voiced their disapproval about his vaping habits.

“They would always just pressure me to stop and they would just keep telling me there’s no point in doing it,” Miller said. Vaping also made a big dent in his bank account, which is a large factor in why he regrets vaping in high school. According to Miller, he bought a pack of pods a week as a high school student. To put that in reference, the E-cigarette Juul has pods that sell for $15.99.

“I know it’s like everyone’s doing but it’s just a big waste of money,” Miller said. “Save up your money and get some stuff that is actually valuable to you.” Miller is now going to SCC pursuing a job in the medical field. Miller still sees plenty of people vaping while on campus but stays away from gaining back that habit for himself. Miller’s advice would be to go against the trend and don’t vape. “It is definitely harmful,” Miller said. “Nothing should be going into your lungs except for air.”

HERE ARE THE NUMBERS 218 FHN students were surveyed to see how many students in the school have vaped (Content by Andrew Reese)

of the freshman class have vaped at least once. 26% (20% of the freshman class was surveyed)

of the sophomore class have vaped at least once. 34% (34% of the sophomore class was surveyed)

of the junior class have vaped at least once. 56% (23% of the junior class was surveyed)

of the senior class have vaped at least once. 45% (22% of the senior class was surveyed)

HERE ARE THE 218 FHN students were surveyed to see how the rise of vaping has effected the FHN community. Displinary actions because of vaping infractions have increased by hundreds over the past three years (Content by Andrew Reese) FACTS STUDENTS’ TAKE THAN SMOKING? ISN’T VAPING BETTER

“I think it [vaping] is stupid and people who do it are throwing their lives away.” Max Brewer, 9 One Juul pod is equal to 20 cigarettes, which is one whole pack.

58% of the student body see vaping as different from smoking cigarettes.

“I think it [vaping] is pretty dumb and stupid and it’s essentially people killing themselves for pleasure.” CJ Montgomery, 10

“I think the people who are doing it [vaping] will realise it’s not healthy and stop doing it.” Anthony King, 11

IS VAPING EVEN A THING ANYMORE?

15% of the student body vape currently.

“It [vaping] is fine and it’s a better alternative than smoking. Alivia Faupel, 12

About one out of four students vaped 20+ times.

IS IT REALLY THAT BAD?

of the student body believe in the negative health aspects of vaping. 58%

of the student body believe that vaping can’t result in death. 10%

of the student body believe that more research needs to be held about vaping. 27%

of the student body believe that vaping won’t cause any harm. 5%

REPEATING

HISTORY

As vaping becomes a popular trend among youth, history may be repeating itself I n 1993, a girl smells the scent of cigarette smoke as she walks off campus to meet her friends to study. A cigarette is passed to her and she smokes with her group between classes in her first year of college. At age 19, Leslie Firebaugh began smoking, unaware that it would become an addiction that dictated her, until she battled to reclaim her life. Now in 2019, a 16 year old girl hears peers talk about vaping. Junior Allie Moore listens to them, worrying about the new trend they’ve become involved in.

“I assumed that it wasn’t going to be a huge part of my life,” Firebaugh, mother of Moore, said. “I just thought it was not going to happen to me, little did I know that I wouldn’t be able to quit. The worst is when you realize that you’re addicted because you’re by yourself and you’re not in control of it like you think you are.” Now at age 44, Firebaugh had attempted to quit smoking multiple times throughout her life, and defeated the habit once she found out she was going to have a baby. Quitting proved to be an immense struggle, but Firebaugh prayed for help to avoid hurting her unborn child. “I wasn’t even able to on my own,” Firebaugh said. “One day I was like ‘Okay God, I’m pregnant, I don’t want to hurt the baby that you’ve graced me with. You’re gonna have to stop this for me. There’s no way I can quit on my own.’ The next time I went to light up a cigarette, it tasted like I had been chewing tin foil. It was like ever since I prayed for him to stop it, it stopped. I couldn’t physically smoke another cigarette.”

After defeating smoking, Firebaugh sees the vaping trend that engulfs teenagers similar to how her experience with getting into cigarettes was. Her daughter, Moore, believes that vaping poses a lot of potential danger, even though it wears a mask of safety.

“If you say ‘I can drive recklessly, I won’t get in an accident,’ and you continue to drive recklessly, one day you’re going to get in an accident,” Moore said. “Same with vaping. It might not hurt you in the beginning, but it’s going to catch up to you and something bad is going to happen.”

As vaping related health issues become increasingly prominent, it’s as if the history of smoking is repeating itself, but this time it smells like strawberries, or nothing at all.

“The struggle that people our parents’ ages went through with nicotine addictions is the exact same thing that we’re going through, but with Juuls,” Moore said. “We’re just repeating history rather than avoiding it, it’s just come in a new form. People are attracted to it and don’t realize that it’s literally the same idea.” by Chloe Horstman clshorstman@gmail.com MORE INFO Check out part one of The New York Times vaping podcast here: http://bit.ly/33NpJmB

MORE INFO Check out part two of The New York Times vaping podcast here: nyti.ms/2qgyfdA

Teens vaping has become the new norm over the last decade. All of America is coming to an agreement- to end illness and death due to vaping among teens (Content by Ivy Lowery) VAPING IN AMERICA; HOW TO STOP THE EPIDEMIC The Federal Government is Keeping an Eye on Vaping. The National Government has become aware of the new teen crisis. President Donald Trump delivered a speech at the White House earlier this fall, declaring that he is moving to ban flavored vaping products in an effort to stop the teen vaping epidemic in America The FDA and CDC have recently been looking into vaping, to see what has been causing deaths among vape users. The FDA regulates legal vapes by lab testing them and giving them legal approval to sell. The issue with vapes that aren’t tested by the FDA is that they are what has been causing recent deaths and illness. While Federal and Health officials look into these illegal vaping products, the FDA has been keeping the public informed on these legal and illegal vapes, and how to stay safe.

Missouri is Taking Action. After noticing the new trend America is in action to prevent, Misssouri took the nation’s lead. Gov. Mike Parson of Missouri signed an executive order on Oct 15, 2019 stating that research and education discouraging from the use of vaping products must be done. The campaign is set to use current assets to launch within 30 days. Over 20 health cases in Missouri alone are due to illness or death of vaping-related products. The order states that Elementary and Secondary Education, Public Safety and The Departments of Health and Senior Services must develop a statewide campaign to educate and inform youth about the dangers of vaping. Updated Policy For FHN. The Francis Howell School District introduced a new policy for students struggling with drug abuse of all kinds earlier this year. The old policy stated that students must be suspended for 10 days with a Code of Conduct hearing, which then would be decided their punishment. FHSD has updated this policy, students who are caught with any substance or paraphernalia for any reason will be suspended for three days and go to 9 mandatory days in the Alternative Intervention Program (AIP). AIP offers counseling and support for victims of addiction instead of punishing them for their actions. HOW TO STOP AN ADDICTION Vaping has become a very relevant thing in teens, and at FHN. If you or a friend has a vaping addiction, this is how to make quitting easier (Content by Ivy Lowery)

Whether it’s wanting to positively influence your siblings or wanting to avoid health issues, quitting is the right thing for you. Considering how vaping affects your life, school work, and emotions is key to start quitting. Ask a friend if they have seen any changes in your life since you started. Some people who vape also use other drugs. If you or a friend smoke other things, now would be a good time to try to quit those habits too. Find a Reason to Stop

Setting a plan and a date of when to quit. Set yourself up to be ready for the stress and health issues that come with quitting. Depending on the severity of the addiction, you may experience withdrawals. Certain situations may cause the victim of addiction to crave nicotine to the point of physical illness. Preparing strategies to help fight the addiction and resist temptations to take another puff are essential to quitting. Prepare Yourself to Quit

Gaining new friends who support your choices and who will help you to resist the urge is the most important thing. Leaving those habits behind also means leaving bad influences behind. Creating a vision in your mind of what you hope to achieve and who you want to be surrounded by will help you become who you want to be, while also staying drug-free. Create a Safe Place

55% OF STUDENTS WARNING!

HAVE NOT PURCHASED THEIR YEARBOOK FOR THIS YEAR YET.

Why is this a big deal? • The price goes up to $65 March 12 • The staff will not be ordering extras once the final numberis setatthe end of the year

CheckonFHNtoday.comtomakesureyour nameisonthelistofwhohaspurchcaseda book.Youcanfindthatlisthere:

http://fhntoday.com/yearbook-sales/

You can purchase a 2013-14 yearbook: • in room 026 • in the main office • on FHNtoday.com underthe YEARBOOKtab on the top menu

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Sophomore Logan Schelfaut dives into a pool at the RecPlex. He won state last year and worked hard this year to prepare for GACs. Schefault plans to continue swimming through high school. (File photo) Sophomore Logan Schefault takes his second win at the GAC Diving Championship DIVING INTO ANOTHER WIN

Logan Schefault has impressed many. Through his win in regionals and his state win last year, he has proved himself a great swimmer. On Nov. 5, Schefault won the GAC Diving Championships for the second year in a row.

“I go to practice and do my dives,” Schefault said. “I was happy [that I won.]”

Schefault competed at the St. Peters Rec Plex. He swam against Francis Howell, Francis Howell Central, Fort Zumwalt and Holt High school. Schefault came in first place against the other schools.

“I was very excited,” FHN swim coach Joshua Galati said. “It’s nice to see all his hard work pay off.”

According to Galati, Schefault is always the first one at practice and the last one to leave. He works extremely hard to improve his swimming and diving. He works hard along with his other teammates, who were there to cheer him on at the GACs.

“He works very hard,” Galati said. “He is a leader. He puts 100 percent effort in and does a great job.” Not only did Schefault come in first place, but he also broke his own GAC diving record from last year. He holds the point total of 582.8. “[I beat my] GAC record,” Schefault said. “It was exciting.” Schefault will continue to keep swimming in high school and hopes to continue during college. Galati also hopes that Schefault will continue to swim. He sees a lot of potential in Schefault’s swim and dive career.

“I think Logan is going to have his choice of where he wants to go [in the future] because he is that good,” Galati said. “He’s not just the best of the state, he’s one of the best in the country.” by Gracie Bowman graciebowman310@gmail.com

MORE INFO Check out the article when Schefault won state his freshman year here: bit.ly/34Z74CV