North Star April 1 Edition

North Star

Francis Howell North St. Charles, MO 04.01.15 Vol. 29, Issue 10

Doc Update • This Day In History • Anything Goes • Trap Shooting

E-cigs While some see this new device as a healthier alternative to cigarettes, others are concerned of potential danger caused by electronic cigarettes.

pages 17-18

CONTENTS NEWS 05

TESTING 1,2,3...

As ACT, EOC and AP tests approach, view this year’s schedules and changes.

FEATURES WHAT’S UP, DOC?

11

Doc is spending the retired life relaxing in Disney World.

PICTURE PERFECT

12

Frame the perfect shot with these photo editing apps.

Members of Raven Robotics pose with their banner. The team is made of up members from all three FHSD high schools. (photo submitted)

COMPETING ACROSS MISSOURI QUEEN BEY

15

A junior collects albums, t-shirts, and other merchandise from a pop icon.

SPORTS 22

GREAT EXPECTATIONS The Girls Soccer team gears up for another season, hoping to return to State.

25

SAVE THE DATE

Mark your calendar for upcoming spring sports events.

OPINIONS 29

MENTAL HEALTH

The editorial staff shares their thoughts on discussing mental health in school.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Have an opinion on something in this month’s paper? Send us a letter about it to room 026 or an email to yourfhn@fhntoday.com.

ON THE COVER As electronic cigarettes grow in popularity, questions remain on the potential danger. The “mod” pictured is one of three types of e-cigs. (photo by lauren price)

1

FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY NICK WYER 04.01.15

Francis Howell North’s Robotics team was formed into an alliance with Francis Howell Central and Francis Howell for their Kansas City regional competition on March 12-14.

Days later, they had their St. Louis competition, hosted at SLU, on March 19-21. Each school has one robot to use in the competition with each team having three robots. Each robot weighs somewhere around 120 pounds. The goal is to use the robots to stack up a tower with six crates, with a trash can on top. Each school has approximately six weeks to build their robot.

“There are several motor ports on our central processing

system,” junior Alex Warhover said. “We use python code to send commands through the wires to different motors to do different things.”

The Francis Howell Robotics teams placed 29 out of 50 at the Kansas city regional competition. They then improved the next weekend at the St. Louis competition. In this competition, the team made it to semi-finals.

“Kansas City was more of a practice competition for us,” senior Corey Plattenburg said. “We weren’t too upset about the Kansas City competition because we still had St. Louis.” (brief by alex brice)

DECA heads to internationals Over spring break, approximately 20 DECA members went to State in the Lake of the Ozarks. Out of the 20 that went, 10 are now eligible to go to Internationals.

“I’ve heard the Canadians are pretty good,” junior David Hood said. “So it’ll be interesting to see what they are like.”

At State, DECA members are judged on how well they present different items. They pretend they are businessmen and women who have different ideas for prospective business. The “businesses” they present to are judges who grade them on their performance.

“If I hadn’t joined DECA, I wouldn’t have the experiences that I currently have in the business world,” Hood said.

Internationals will begin April 18 in Orlando. (brief by jacob lintner)

DECA members take a group picture at the State competition. Half of the members who competed advanced to Internationals. (photo submitted)

FBLA Takes on the big apple From March 8-11, students from FBLA took a trip to New York City. The students combined with the FBLA club at FHHS for a total of about 40 members on the trip.

“We got to go as a group to have an experience in a place that has a lot of business opportunities,” FBLA President Elise Gertsch said. “I think, if anything, it was important to see what the atmosphere was like and open up interest.”

The club’s next major event will be the State competition in Springfield, MO from April 12-14. The club had 17 people qualify in Districts to move to the next level, and members will compete in events ranging from public speaking to website design.

“This year, we have twice as many people who qualified as last year,” Gertsch said. “It’ll be a lot of fun for people to go and experience the time there.” (brief by daniel bodden)

Members of FBLA pose for a picture in New York. FBLA goes to New York City every year. (photo submitted)

Department of the Treasury—Internal Revenue Service

Income Tax Return for Single and Joint Filers With No Dependents (99)

Form

1040EZ

For the number 1, get all of the information from the W-2.

OMB No. 1545-0074

Last name

Your social security number

If a joint return, spouse’s first name and initial

Last name

Spouse’s social security number Apt. no.

Home address (number and street). If you have a P.O. box, see instructions.

City, town or post office, state, and ZIP code. If you have a foreign address, also complete spaces below (see instructions).

Foreign country name

1

Attach Form(s) W-2 here.

Enclose, but do not attach, any payment.

Wages, salaries, and tips. This should be shown in box 1 of your Form(s) W-2.

Attach your Form(s) W-2.

1

2

Taxable interest. If the total is over $1,500, you cannot use Form 1040EZ.

2

3

Unemployment compensation and Alaska Permanent Fund dividends (see instructions).

3

4 5

Add lines 1, 2, and 3. This is your adjusted gross income.

If someone can claim you (or your spouse if a joint return) as a dependent, check the applicable box(es) below and enter the amount from the worksheet on back.

4

6 7 8a b 9 10

Payments, Credits, and Tax

11 12 13a

Refund Have it directly deposited! See instructions and fill in 13b, 13c, and 13d, or Form 8888.

You Spouse If no one can claim you (or your spouse if a joint return), enter $10,150 if single; $20,300 if married filing jointly. See back for explanation.

Subtract line 5 from line 4. If line 5 is larger than line 4, enter -0-.

This is your taxable income.

Federal income tax withheld from Form(s) W-2 and 1099.

Earned income credit (EIC) (see instructions) Nontaxable combat pay election.

8b Add lines 7 and 8a. These are your total payments and credits.

Tax. Use the amount on line 6 above to find your tax in the tax table in the instructions. Then, enter the tax from the table on this line.

b

Routing number

▶

d

Account number

▶c

Type:

Make sure the SSN(s) above are correct.

Make sure to only file as single and don’t fill in any lines specific to spousal information .

5 ▶

▶

6 7 8a 9 10 11 12

Health care: individual responsibility (see instructions) Full-year coverage Add lines 10 and 11. This is your total tax.

If line 9 is larger than line 12, subtract line 12 from line 9. This is your refund.

If Form 8888 is attached, check here ▶

▶

14

Amount You Owe

▲

Presidential Election Campaign Check here if you, or your spouse if filing jointly, want $3 to go to this fund. Checking Foreign postal code a box below will not change your tax or refund.

You Spouse

Foreign province/state/county

Income

DON’T check yourself as a dependent because you’re a dependent for your parents until you graduate from college.

2014

Your first name and initial

13a

Checking

Savings

If line 12 is larger than line 9, subtract line 9 from line 12. This is the amount you owe. For details on how to pay, see instructions.

▶

14 Yes. Complete below.

Third Party Designee

Do you want to allow another person to discuss this return with the IRS (see instructions)?

Sign Here

Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct, and accurately lists all amounts and sources of income I received during the tax year. Declaration of preparer (other than the taxpayer) is based on all information of which the preparer has any knowledge.

Daytime phone number Your occupation Your signature Date

Keep a copy for your records.

Paid Preparer Use Only

▲

Joint return? See instructions.

Designee’s ▶ name

Phone no.

Spouse’s signature. If a joint return, both must sign.

Print/Type preparer’s name

Firm’s name

Date

Preparer’s signature

▶

Firm’s address ▶

For Disclosure, Privacy Act, and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see instructions.

No

Personal identification ▶ number (PIN)

▶

Spouse’s occupation

If the IRS sent you an Identity Protection PIN, enter it here (see inst.)

PTIN Check if self-employed

Date

Firm’s EIN

Remember: a 1040EZ is all you need to fill out as a student since you do not have any dependents.

▶

Phone no.

Cat. No. 11329W

Form 1040EZ (2014)

FILIng without frustration

With tax season approaching, an accountant and business teacher give advice to students preparing to do their taxes

BY DAN BORRELLI

danielborrelli1@gmail.com • @danboreallycool

“Money, Money, Money!” That is one of the songs teenagers all across America will be singing after getting their tax refund. Although taxes can seem difficult and confusing, the (literal) payoff is the money that can be refunded back. Here are some tips to help get the most money back possible.

“Why would you want to give away your money and not collect it?”

Sederburg & Associates accountant Daniel Byrd said. “You earned it.”

For starters, high school students should receive a W-2 form, which is a workplace issued report of income to the government. Information put on the W-2 includes a person’s social security number, a report of the amount of money the employee made and a report of the money taken out by taxes.

The W-2 can be filled out with the help of parents, programs like TurboTax, or professional accountants like Byrd. While the process for adults can get complicated, it’s much simpler for most students who file.

“Follow directions and double check your math,” personal finance teacher Mike Freedline said. “Make sure all the information is correct.”

While filling out his taxes, senior Jack Boden says he fills out all the easy things first, like his social security number, and then uses his earnings statement from his work to fill out the rest. According to Byrd, the best thing to remember when filling out the W-2 form is to double check the work and ask for help if needed.

“The worst thing in the world is a letter from the IRS,” Byrd said. “It’s not a race. Everybody wants their money back right away, but when you rush to prepare or rush yourself, it’s much easier to make mistakes. Just like writing a paper; proofread it. Check it twice.”

The deadline for taxes is April 15. After that teenagers can sit back, relax, and dream of all the money, money, money they’re going to receive.

JUNIOR AND SENIOR FILING PLANS After surveying 70 juniors and seniors it was determined how many had filed before, were filing for the first time or didn’t have a job

FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY DAN BORRELLI 04.01.15

2

TOP TWEETS

@oliviaarchibald

@beccajackovich

I can’t remember if I had homework or not.đ&#x;˜Š

every friday morning i think about how good my nap will be after school

4 FAVORITES

10 FAVORITES Olivia Archibald, 9

Becca Jackovich, 12

Taking Over The Dance Floor FHN welcomes new choreographer Megan Maier to choreograph the dances in the spring musical “Anything Goes�

BY ALY DOTY

alydoty02@gmail.com • @alydoty2

The spring musical “Anything Goes� will be held at FHN from April 9-11 and features new props, new music and a new choreographer, Megan Maier. Maier recently graduated with her teaching degree from Lindenwood University and is excited to work with students. “Maier is an awesome dancer, so she’s able to to do things that I could never do, and just another adult here helps,� Director and drama teacher Kim Sulzner said. “Anything Goes� takes place in the 1940s and is set aboard an ocean liner. It follows four different characters and their complicated love stories en route from New York to England. “I really like it because it has a huge cast, it has lots of tap dancing routines, and it’s considered a classic,� Sulzner said.

Maier choreographs the numbers in the musical which each reflect the setting of the 1940s by including Charleston dance moves and excluding hip-hop and jazz. One of the largest routines in the musical is a tap number, which Maier is excited about because of the hard work the dancers are putting in. “This play is very special to me, as it was the last high school play I did before I graduated,� Maier said. “The music is great, and the show gives you a peek at what the 1940s were all about.�

Maier started dancing when she was two years old, and within the 22 years of classes she’s taken, she discovered that she enjoyed choreographing because she also loves teaching. She then went and taught dance for eight years at Sherry’s School of Dance and JAM Academy of Dance, both in Illinois.

Megan Maier helps coordinate dancers Emily Henry and Lauren Tenenbaum for the spring musical “Anything Goes�. Maier attends most rehersals for the play, helping out with choreography. “Anything Goes� will be perfomed on April 9-11. (alex lane)

“I love teaching dance and enjoying musical theater, so choreographing is the best of both worlds,� Maier said.

Sulzner is happy that Maier is helping out with the musical and that she’s bringing her dance skills to the stage. The cast enjoys working with Maier because of her teaching skills, and is excited to perform her unique 1940s choreography. “She’s really great because she customizes the choreography for everyone in the play so everybody’s able to do it, which makes it a lot more fun,� freshman Kayliani Sood said.

meet the cast Zac Cary, 10 Character: Moonface Martin

Emily Henry, 10 Character: Chastity Taylor

Lauren Tenenbaum, 12 Character: Angel Virtue Williams

Uncomplicated and loveable gangster, wily and quick-witted.

and motivated, wants to go to veterinary school.

Charming and clueless, excellent showgirl.

What their character is like:

Why they like playing their character: “Moon is a role known for its physical comedy and dry humor, much like myself.�

3

FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY ALY DOTY 04.01.15

What their character is like: Determined Why they like playing their character: “I’ve never played a character like her before, so I’m excited to see how the audience will react.�

ONLINE

What their character is like:

Follow the link goo.gl/K5Xz2h to find out more about FHN’s new choreographer.

Why they like playing their character: “I like playing her because the Angels are our own little brand of awesomeness.�

Go to FHNtoday.com/2015castlist to see the full cast list.

@Kristen_Metts the day I find someone who

Favorite weather of the year

10 FAVORITES Kristen Metts, 11

@MadiOestreich

@E_Grone

loves criminal minds as much as I do is the day I get married

I’ll literally pay someone to write my 5 paragraph essay

4 FAVORITES

2 FAVORITES Ethan Grone, 11

6 Transition Day for Sixth Graders and Freshmen 11 First Day of School - All Schools 28 Teacher Professional Development Day - No school

Madi Oestreich, 9

A SHORTENED SPRING BREAK The FHSD Calendar Task Force makes changes to next year’s calendar including a shorter spring break

BY SAMI SCHMID

saminicole102@gmail.com • @sami_nicole101

4 Early Release Day - Elementary 21-28 Spring Break 28 Teacher Professional Development Day - No school

16 Early Release Day - Secondary 17 Early Release Day - Secondary Last Day of School 18-27 Possible Snow Make-Up Days 31 Possible Snow Make-Up Day

The FHSD Calendar Task Force created a calendar for the 2015-16 school year last fall in order to improve attendance rates. The task force decided to shorten spring break to one week, push back the school start date to August 11 and let school out May 17.

“I don’t foresee any huge changes or anything feeling really different, but I do think the changes that we made are going to be positive,” Erin Steep, assistant principal and member of the Calendar Task Force, said.

The task force cut spring break in order to get out of school earlier, start school later and improve attendance rates. With the current schedule, spring break is typically two weeks so families tend to plan vacations for that time; however, the problem with that results when snow days come and vacations are already planned and paid for, so students end up missing school.

“I think it’s a calendar that has the students’ best interests up front, getting rid of that extra week of spring break,” Steep said.

COMPETING FOR THE BOARD While Board of Education elections are quickly approaching, candidates prepare for the election and take a look at what it takes to be a member of the board

BY SAMI SCHMID

saminicole102@gmail.com • @sami_nicole101

The elections for FHSD’s Board of Education are scheduled to take place on April 7. Results will be in by the end of that night. Director Marty Hodits and Board President Eric Seiders’ terms are up leaving two open spaces for candidacy on the Board of Education. Seider plans to run for another term while Hodits is retiring. The candidates are Kimberlyann Granger, Chad Lange, Sandra L. Ferguson, Mike Hoehn and Eric Seider.

“There’s five of us and I would say all five of us are competitive,” Lange said. “It’s a volunteer position, there’s no pay involved and we’re really not running against a particular person. Everybody’s vying for two seats so I think everybody’s competition.”

Lange ran for election last year and plans on continuing his efforts to get on the Board.

“I ran last year and I lost, so instead of running away with my tail between my legs, this just proves how much I want it, how much I want

to give back by running again,” Lange said. “You know it’s easy to quit but I’m pretty determined and committed to at least give it another shot.”

Board terms are three-year non-paid positions and the members participate in activities such as attending meetings about the fiscal budget. They develop the policies and procedures for running the school district in order to improve the curriculum. The Board of Education is made up of parents, teachers and administrators who meet once a month to discuss issues of the district.

“You have to have a passion for education to put in as much time as we do for the board,” Rene Cope, a member of the Board, said.

“Everything we do is for the students.”

Board of Education meetings are open to all members of the community, including students. There is time set aside at every meeting for parents and citizens to voice concerns. They meet at the FHSD administration building.

“No one person can change the board,” Lange said. “It takes people working together to get stuff accomplished.”

FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY SAMI SCHMID 04.01.15

4

‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE TESTING With AP Exams, EOC’s, standardized tests and finals right around the corner, students start studying for these tests weeks before the test date. Many students take different combinations of these tests each school year.

EOC TESTING

4/13 - 4/24

EOC tests are test taken near the end of the year and encompass an entire year’s worth of material.

EOC tests are required by the state. This year, the subjects that will have an EOC are English II, Algebra I, Algebra II, Government, and Biology.

Cut out the EOC schedule along the dotted lines to have the bell times on block schedule days.

WEEK ONE

WEEK TWO

Monday, April 13 2: 7:20-9:00 HR: 9:05-10:35 4: 10:35-12:35 6: 12:40-2:20

Monday, April 20

Tuesday, April 14 1: 7:20-9:00 3: 9:05-10:35 5: 10:35-12:35 7: 12:40-2:20

Tuesday, April 21

Wednesday, April 15 2: 7:20-9:00 HR: 9:05-9:40 4: 9:45-11:50 6: 11:55-1:35

Wednesday, April 22 2: 7:20-9:00 HR: 9:05-9:40 4: 9:45-11:50 6: 11:55-1:35

Thursday, April 16 1: 7:20-9:00 3: 9:05-10:35 5: 10:35-12:35 7: 12:40-2:20

Thursday, April 23 1: 7:20-9:00 3: 9:05-10:35 5: 10:35-12:35 7: 12:40-2:20

Friday, April 17

Friday, April 24

Normal schedule

Normal schedule

5

FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY PRISCILLA JOEL

04.01.15

2: 7:20-9:00 HR: 9:05-10:35 4: 10:35-12:35 6: 12:40-2:20

1: 3: 5: 7:

7:20-9:00 9:05-10:35 10:35-12:35 12:40-2:20

ACT TESTING

4/29

The ACT will be given to all juniors for free on Tuesday, April 29. Juniors will be with their homerooms in classrooms on the top floor taking the test from 7:20-11:30 a.m., and they will eat after 5B lunch before returning to class. All other grades will follow a regular schedule with classes on the top floor being held in alternate locations. There will be no bells during the day. This will be the second year the ACT is offered to juniors for free.

“The time restriction, that’s probably the most stressful part. It’s important because it makes me feel good that I scored well.”

- Jordan Ganble, 10

“I’ll probably review all of the materials I’ve had this year from my classes. It shows the colleges that you’re serious about getting into their college and it looks good on your resume.”

- Jose Alega, 10

“I always go and look at the questions first and then I’ll work backwards from there. It gives me an idea of what I need to look for when I’m reading or looking at the problem.”

- Anne Wells, 11

“I’m most nervous about not having enough time to finish it. I’ll just skip over the questions that I don’t know how to do and then go back to the more difficult ones later.”

“To me it’s very important so that you can get into good colleges and because it definitely is a big thing that colleges look for.

“I read over the questions multiple times and then use process of elimination to find an answer.

- Amy Wedewer, 10

- Amira Abuazza, 11

- Caitlind Walker, 9

FOLLOW US ON PINTEREST

AP TESTING

5/4 - 5/15

• Each AP Exam is graded on a scale of 1-5 based on the Bell Curve Grading Scale

•

There are a total of 35 AP Exams that are offered by the AP Program

• Many four-year colleges in the U.S. offer students

credit or advanced placement when a certain score is achieved

• Students are not required to take an AP Course in

Study Tips - This board will provide you with tips to help you study for tests and quizzes, and ideas to help you stay ahead in your classes.

order to be eligible for the exam

AP Exams Up Ahead Senior Emily Coonrod, among some other students, prepares to take five AP Exams for each of the AP classes she’s currently taking

BY PRISCILLA JOEL

pjchristo16@gmail.com • @JCPjchristo

With AP Exams just around the corner, some students, including senior Emily Coonrod has not one, not two, not even three or four, but five AP Exams to prepare for.

“I think it’s definitely manageable, especially if you’re used to taking a lot of honors classes and that’s what I’ve been doing so it wasn’t hard to adjust to,” Emily said.

Emily is taking AP Calculus BC, AP Literature and Composition, AP Statistics, AP Psychology and AP Biology.

While looking over the AP Exam schedule, Emily realized that she has each exam on a different day of the two testing weeks. Over the course of the two AP testing weeks, Emily will spend 14 hours and 15 minutes testing. Her longest exam is the AP Calculus exam which takes more than three hours.

“I’m probably most nervous about the week of, there’s not much time in between them to study so I’m gonna have to be prepared for all of them at once.”

Emily thinks that staying focused each and every single day is crucial to doing well on her exams.

“I think it’s just stressful and trying to get yourself to focus for that long, especially when the subjects are so different,”

senior Kristen Potter said.

Emily also realized that the week of AP testing starts the Monday after Prom. However, since she has a day in between, she isn’t too worried.

“I wish it wasn’t, but it probably won’t affect me that much,” Emily said. “I will still have Sunday to do any last minute studying, but I am going to try to be finished before then.”

Emily has been reviewing for the exams all year. She studies for each individual test, then reviews over the material over the course of the school year. She also uses study books to help her prepare for the upcoming exams.

“The classes themself aren’t that hard, but you really have to study if you want to do well on the AP Exam,” senior Allison Miller said.

By doing well on the AP Exams, Emily hopes to graduate college earlier and skip over the general education classes that are required by them. Emily believes that starting to study early on will help her be fully prepared to perform well on her exams.

“I’m more nervous about studying for all of them than the exams themselves because once you get into the exam, you know that you’ve done all you can,” Emily said.

Finals Week - This board will provide you with suggestions to having as leaststressful of a week as possible.

Motivational Quotes This board has quotes and sayings that will help you stay motivated through the last few weeks of school.

FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY PRISCILLA JOEL

04.01.15

6

when the world won’t wait After being diagnosed with depression and experiencing the tragic death of a close friend, an FHN graduate shares the story of how she received treatment for her illness and became a role model to many

BY LEXI WILKINSON

lexiwilkinson25@gmail.com • @lexiwilkinson2

ooks can be deceiving, to say the least. Looking at FHN graduate Elisabeth Condon, you might not guess that she’s been living with a mental illness since middle school.

Hearing her talk about political science or songs she can play on the guitar, you’d never know about her struggle with darkness since the tragedy that landed her in the hospital for six days. Seeing her smile and laugh, red lipstick like a bright beacon, you might never guess that she once gave up on enjoying life, only to pull herself back together and become a role model to many. *** It began in middle school, towards the end of her eighth grade year. She would have thoughts of harming herself to cope with the stress of her life and it was a struggle to suppress them. After having dealt with the thoughts and the impulses that came with her undiagnosed depression for some time, she realized she couldn’t handle it on her own and told her parents, Kevin and Jennifer Condon, in the beginning of her freshman year of high school. They were shocked that their daughter had been struggling with her demons for so long, but immediately found her a therapist to help. She was diagnosed with mild depression and therapy began. Things might have continued looking up for Elisabeth if tragedy hadn’t struck just a week later.

“I was holding his hand on Nov. 8 and he passed away on Nov. 9,” Elisabeth said.

Elisabeth went to school on Nov. 9, 2010, expecting to see her friend just like any other day, when Darlene Jones, Head Principal at the time, came over the PA system to make an announcement that would change Elisabeth’s life forever.

“She [Jones] said, ‘I have some unfortunate news,’ and my brain just knew...,” Elisabeth said.

One of her good friends had committed suicide.

“It was immensely difficult to process. I was screaming and crying, it was just a whirlwind flurry of rage and grief,” Elisabeth said. “It was like my whole body was just there and I was somewhere else completely.”

According to Elisabeth, the world went silent. She could see people getting upset and she could see her teacher and other students rushing to calm her down, but she was too far gone to process what had happened. Her first hour teacher then escorted her to the Learning Commons, where grief counselors from all over the district had gathered to help students.

“I remember I was looking out the back corner of the library where you can see the North sign, and it was a beautiful day - blue sky, it was warm, beautiful white clouds - and I was so amazed that it wasn’t raining or something like that,” Elisabeth said. “It was a beautiful day, but this horrible thing had happened, and I think that’s when I realized the world’s not going to stop for this.”

When Elisabeth got home from school that day, her parents took her to see her therapist.

He recommended that she be taken to CenterPointe Hospital for evaluation, since everyone, including Elisabeth herself, was concerned about her safety given her emotional state. After being evaluated, Elisabeth was admitted into the hospital, where she would spend six days receiving intensive therapy and medication to stabilize her mood. The admittance came as a shock to the Condon family, who was not expecting such a drastic measure to be taken, but they understood that Elisabeth would be the safest under constant surveillance.

“By effectively removing her from our family, and removing the control we felt like we should

L

7

FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY LEXI WILKINSON 04.01.15

Facts about Depression have had, and kind of taking it out of our hands and putting her in a locked psych ward was traumatic for everyone,” Jennifer said. “We had another child at home, you know, that was two years younger and I think she, too, was kind of traumatized by the ‘what ifs’. It was very scary. I think we were still scared, but we were at least somewhat relieved that she would have no choice but to be safe there because she was so heavily monitored.”

The adjustment inside the hospital was difficult for Elisabeth to make, especially considering that she was not released to attend [her friend’s] funeral, and the struggle to adapt continued after her release.

The tragic event took what had been mild depression and accelerated it.

According to Elisabeth, she walked around in a constant fog from the medication she was put on- not feeling happy, not feeling sad, just not feeling anything.

She began to care less and less about what was happening to her, and her relationships and grades suffered as a result. Eventually, the right combination of a fitting therapist, the correct medication and a strong support system gave her the motivation to pick herself back up.

“You get to a point where you’re just like, ‘I have to stop giving up,’” Elisabeth said. “I got to that point where I was like, ‘I have to start caring about me. No one else is gonna do this for me,’ and that’s when I kinda think I turned my stuff around.”

The therapy and medication continued, and with her elevated mood also came an elevation of energy and motivation to do well in school, get past her struggles and move towards success.

“It’s not always easy when you suffer from depression to move yourself into a positive space, but she, at least with the help of the medication and the therapy, began to see the light at the end of the tunnel and she moved toward that,” Jennifer said. “And that made a huge difference.”

After trying multiple therapists, the Condons decided to try Dr. Craig Voorhees, who happened to be her friend’s therapist at the time of his passing. He helped Elisabeth to move past some of the guilt and responsibility she felt for what happened to her friend, and know that she didn’t have to shoulder that burden alone.

“I think it helped Elisabeth to be able to talk to someone who knew [her friend] and for her to be able to see someone else who might have also felt responsible for not seeing signs...,” Jennifer said. “I think it helped for her to see Dr. Voorhees to help her understand that [her friend’s] death was not her responsibility, and it also wasn’t her responsibility to help everyone else in the world at her own expense.”

Another important aspect of Elisabeth’s recovery was getting involved in school activities. She became a Freshmen Mentor her junior and senior years, and grew close to her mentees, who still contact her for advice today. Her junior year, she joined StuCo and enjoyed it enough to become a cabinet member her senior year.

“In StuCo, she was always very concerned about the well-being of others,” StuCo sponsor Jani Wilkens said. “When she was running a committee, she would make sure that all the people that were a part of her committee felt like they were important and needed. She’s like a cheerleader for other people who struggle, because she’s been down that road herself. She’s so supportive of her friends and classmates, and even people she doesn’t even know.”

Since her recovery, Elisabeth has been passionate about removing the negative stigma often associated with mental illnesses like depression, which she still has to manage for the rest of her life.

“I think it’s important to realize that with some people, their brains are sick,” Elisabeth said. “There’s this big stigma surrounding mental illness, but really it’s the same thing as anyone else who’s physically sick getting treatment. My brain’s part of my body, just like my legs are, so just because it’s in my head doesn’t make it any different from a physical illness. I still have to treat it, I still have to take care of it, because it’s my body.”

Although Elisabeth’s experiences were on the extreme side, she feels grateful for them because she feels they’ve made her a stronger person. A part of her healing process has been to share her story with others in hopes of helping someone realize that what they’re going through isn’t abnormal and that they shouldn’t feel that they are alone.

“The first person that told me that my story made them feel better about themselves made every crappy thing that I went through in high school and in my freshman year- through losing [my friend], through going to the hospital, everything- it made it all worth it,” Elisabeth said. “That one person.”

out of

young adults will suffer an episode of depression before age 24.

Women are twice as likely to suffer from depression than men.

Even though only one out of three people receive treatment for their depression, over 80 percent of people who do receive treatment report significant improvement in their lives.

Do Something: goo.gl/eQiZu8 Washington University: goo.gl/jNNx6h

Signs and symptoms Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness Irritability, restlessness Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable Fatigue and decreased energy Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping Overeating, or appetite loss Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment.

NIMH: goo.gl/XuN2nu

where to get help National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1(800) 273-8255 KUTO (Kids Under Twenty One): (314) 644-5886 kuto.org Behavioral Health Response: (314) 469-4908 bhrstl.org

FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY LEXI WILKINSON 04.01.15

8

The frame of the soccerer’s hat remains in Hollywood Studios. The hat was removed in January. (submitted photo)

Doc stands in front of Spaceship Earth in Disney World. Doc moved to Solvita, Florida so he would be closer to Disney World. Inside Spaceship Earth visitors travel through time, from the time of prehistoric man to the present. Spaceship Earth is part of the Epcot park. (submitted photo)

Doc poses with his wife Mary in front of Disney World. Doc and Mary have been doing to Disney for over 30 years. (submitted photo)

IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE IN DISNEY WORLD A catch up with former teacher Greg Hennenfent who now lives near Disney World, and goes to the parks Frequently, he claims he is living his American Dream

“The first time my wife and I went we had to bring all of our food because we barely had enough money,” Doc said. “We thought it was so cool the first erikakristine101@gmail.com • @curliegirlie time we went to a restaurant and we got to where we could go multiple times a year.”

Living in Solivita, Florida, approximately 20 minutes from the pearly gates of According to junior Kat Cadigan, students really appreciated what a kind and Walt Disney World, is the dream that has become a reality for former teacher caring person Doc is. Kat said he always talked about Disney, and how much Greg “Doc” Hennenfent. Doc feels living that close to Disney is the best thing he loves it, especially how he was going to move there after he retired. that could happen to him.

“He was a super friendly person who always wanted to make sure everyone “I am truly blessed,” Doc said. “Sometimes I can’t believe how lucky I am to was okay,” Kat said. “If he ever saw a kid who was down he wanted to make be here.” them feel better.”

Doc and his wife Mary had a house built in Solivita to move into once they Not only did he become close with the students, but Doc was close with retired. Doc moved to Florida last June right teachers too. Doc started a Facebook after graduation, and Mary is joining him in June “IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE AN AMERICAN. IF THERE page before his last school year of when she retires from teaching this year. Ever teaching started, so he could keep IS AN AMERICAN DREAM I AM LIVING IT. THERE IS since he moved, he has loved how relaxed and in touch with people after he moved NO WAY SOMETHING LIKE THIS CAN HAPPEN TO unplanned his days have been. He can wake up to Florida. He now does daily Disney in the morning and decide that he doesn’t want SOMEONE LIKE ME.” updates on this page, including updates to go to the parks until 11 a.m., or go at 9 a.m. on Mickey’s Sorcerer’s hat being taken when they open. Doc goes to the parks every week, sometimes only three down. The hat is the former icon of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the hat times a week, and other weeks five times. One of his favorite things to do is closed on Jan. 7. Even while documenting his adventures down in Disney, Doc what he calls a “walkabout,” where he parks at Downtown Disney, then goes thinks about FHN. He and Mary are especially close with chemistry teacher around to Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Magic Kingdom until close and then Donna Malkmus, who helped him move his things to Florida. goes home.

“Doc said I have an open invitation to visit,” Malkmus said. “I’m excited to “Now I get my walking done in the parks instead of walking fitness,” Doc be able to go down and see them when I help Mary move down there this said. “The walkabout days are my favorite days, also the most exhausting.” summer.”

Doc and Mary have been going on trips to Disney together since they got Although Doc loves living in Disney, he misses FHN every day. He misses married in 1982. Doc has been a Disney fanatic ever since his first time to the athletic events and being able to see all the kids do what they love. The Disney World in 1978, his freshman year of college when he went there with seniors this year really got to him at Homecoming with the “#WeMissDoc” some friends while on a trip to Florida offered through a program at their sign. After graduation, Doc said it was one of the hardest things he has ever school. Since then, Doc said he has been in love with Disney, going on trips had to do to say goodbye to everyone, and it made him cry. There is not a day every year with his wife and daughter, Samantha, for Christmas since 1992, when he wakes up that he doesn’t think of everyone here at FHN. two or three weeks during the summer and spring break when the schedule “I wasn’t good to North, North was good to me,” Doc said. “That school made works out. me what I am today.”

BY ERIKA PAAR

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FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY ERIKA PAAR 04.01.15

Instagram

there’s an

app for that There are several different photo editing apps that are free and popular among teens

InstaFit

simple B&W

VSCOcam

This app gives the option to edit with Aviary which has features that allow the user to correct red eyes, fix blemishes, and whiten teeth. Different filters and frames are also available along with the option to upload full size photos onto Instagram. This app is available for both Apple and Android.

This app is used to get the perfect black and white picture, it lets the user play with the brightness, contrast and grain.

When the picture is to its desired color it can be saved onto the phone’s camera roll or uploaded to the users Snapchat.

This apps is available for both Apple and Android.

Before

Before

After

This app can be used to post a full size photo on Instagram, it also allows the user to apply borders around their photos as well as filters, text, stickers, and photo overlays. Instasize can also be used to adjust the brightness, sharpness and tint of a photo. Available for Apple and Android.

53 likes anna_ford11 “ This is my heartbeat song and I’m gonna play it!!!!!”

Like

Before

Photo Grid

64 likes hannahruthian Woke up this morning missing these girls and Haiti like no other

After

Allows the user to mess with different effects such as sharpness, temperature and tint of photos. Along with these features this app gives the users the ability to share photos through a social network called VSCO Grid. This app is available for Apple and Android.

This app allows the user to edit individual photos or make different types of collages with up to 15 photos per collage, it contains features like stickers, text, borders and different backgrounds. This app id available for Apple and Android.

Like

Like

Before

InstaSize

After

40 likes maleya_schmidt We had rap battles

After

63 likes Meg__Mitch

“Hiking sucks” Like

FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY SARAI ESPARZA 04.01.15

12

OH NA NA, WHAT’S THE NAME Students and staff share their thoughts on having similar names as celebrities such as Katy Perry, Chris Brown, and Jack Skellington Jack Skillington, Freshman Celebrity Name; Jack Skellington, cartoon character

Actual Name: Jack Skillington Their Take: “It happens once a month or so, someone realizes what my name sounds like. There’s even a song that’s the same as my name.”

Kathy Perry, Graduated early Celebrity Name; Katy Perry, singer

Actual Name: Kathy Elizabeth Perry Their Take: “It’s kind of annoying to be honest.

People comment on it constantly, especially when teachers or subs say my name. My friends used to joke that they were my managers and that they helped me write all of ‘my’ songs.”

The dining room is lined with bikes and repair equipment as cafe owners Jodi Devonshire and Tony Caruso hope to promote a healthy lifestyle for their community. Along with their eco-friendly diner, the Bike Stop Cafe offers a healthy pit stop on the Katy Trail. (jessica allison)

Go Green or Ride a bike home Bike Stop Cafe strives to make a difference in the community by serving healthy foods and providing bike service and repair

BY MIA ELLIOTT

Journalistmimi26@gmail.com

The Bike Stop Cafe on Main Street is a bike repair shop with a healthy cafe. The owners, married couple Jodi Devonshire and Tony Caruso, are vegetarians, so they decided to have vegetarian options in their cafe to promote a healthy lifestyle that they thought was missing in St. Charles.

According to senior Lexie Biggs, Follow the link the shop is a great spot to hang goo.gl/AU2uAP to see the Bike Stop Cafe. out.

“I like it because I can go there with a friend or two and just hang out and talk or I can go up there and just do homework,” Lexie said. “So it’s kind of just like a real environment where you can pretty much get done what you need to get done.”

Jodi and Tony grow most of their own organic vegetables and herbs, such as parsley, romaine and tomatoes in the garden located in the back of the shop. During the winter the shop gets its products from produce centers. A customer favorite is the Lewis and Clark Wrap which includes feta, organic field greens and olives in a

WATCH

Christopher Brown, Coach Celebrity Name; Chris Brown, singer

Actual Name: Christopher Brown Their Take: “Most people just laugh when they hear my name, especially since they associate it with someone who is so different than me. I think it makes it easier to remember.”

13

FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY MIA ELLIOTT 04.01.15

wheat wrap.

“I think that it was a great idea that they came up with,” Head Cook Lisa Devonshire said.

“Not all bike riders are vegetarian and not all vegetarians are bike riders, but there are a lot of the combination and we don’t just appeal to them, but we give enough of variety.”

Employees also get the inspiration to be active through their jobs. Jodi and Tony frequently bike and they encourage their employees to join bike races.

“I feel like it’s really promoting me to reflect on myself and be healthier with what I eat and how active I am in my day-to-day life,” Shift Leader Alexandria Roe said.

According to Tony, within five years of being open, the shop has tripled in business. In the future, they hope to create a sustainable business that is a hub of community activity.

“It’s just a lifestyle that we’ve lived for the past 20 years, and we think it’s important for our community because it’s not just what you’re eating, it’s also getting out there with alternative transportation,” Devonshire said.

featured collector: beyonce fan A student collects items from a popular music icon

BY KYLEIGH KRISTENSEN kyleigh1318@gmail.com

Since junior Megan Horner was a small child, she collected things she liked.

First it was Hello Kitty, but now it’s Beyoncé. Megan has everything Beyoncé: t-shirts, posters and CDs. The only thing missing Megan feels she is missing from her expansive Queen Bey collection is Beyoncé’s autograph, which she hopes to someday obtain by meeting her.

“I am excited for her to start another tour,” Megan said. “I’m hoping that she comes to St. Louis because I would love to see her live again. I’ve never met Beyoncé.

I’d love to meet her someday; if I did it would be absolutely amazing.”

Megan first got into Beyoncé while she was watching MTV. Megan was instantly hooked by Beyoncé’s song “Ego” off of her third studio album. After that, Megan decided to do some YouTube searching of Beyonce and only fell more in love with Beyoncé’s singing capabilities. It was freshman year Megan started her collection after seeing Beyoncé’s I Am World tour. Megan doesn’t consider this hobby weird because she says it’s not an obsession, but an admiration for her talent.

“I collect One Direction stuff. I think it’s great that Megan collects Beyoncé stuff, it shows that she’s a fan,” friend of Megan, Emily Magana said. “I like Beyonce because she has an amazing voice, she’s a great dancer and she can even act. When she’s on stage you can tell how much effort she puts into her performance.”

Another person close to Megan that supports her hobby of collecting Beyoncé stuff is Megan’s mother, Jennifer Brooks.

“I think it’s a cool way to express herself,” Jennifer said. “It makes her different. I love how Beyoncé has inspired her to be confident in who she is.”

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FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY ALEX SHANNON 04.01.15

Carolyn Gevers (right) and her co-worker Geri Bruns (left) work the sandwich station during lunches. During lunches, one places meat on the sandwich and the other offers condiments. Gevers also offers to grill the sandwich. (ashleigh jenkins)

five-second CONnectION The cafeteria workers and students may only see each other for seconds each day, but sometimes in these brief moments, a bond is formed

BY ALEX SHANNON

alexshannon96@gmail.com • @therealtwin96

Every day they come in at times as late as 8:30 a.m., much later than the rest of the students and staff and can leave some days as early as 1:30 p.m., but when they’re here, they stay on their feet. Every day they come in with their classic blue shirts with red letters saying “Sodexo”, a smile on their face and a spirit of eagerness to help. Every day, students and staff are served by the cafeteria workers, like Carolyn Gevers who works the sandwich line.

“They know you, they often remember what you like and what you don’t like, even though they deal with hundreds of people a day,” AP Psychology and U.S. History teacher Sean Fowler said.

Gevers had worked in the grocery business for 27 years prior to coming to FHN. She worked for three different companies during her career. After retiring from the grocery business she put an application in to work at FHN part time so she could continue working with people.

“This is more fun,” Gevers said. “I enjoy working with the kids because they’re more open.”

Gevers enjoys talking with the students. She finds that even in the five second window it is not hard to crack the occasional joke or have a quick

conversations. She even believes it to be necessary to her job.

“It makes for a more pleasant day when you’re more friendly,” Gevers said. “It’s good for the student and uplifts them. And it builds the business. When you’re friendly and helpful they’ll come back. I know that if I was in a grocery store or I was in a restaurant I would want everybody to be friendly to me so I put myself in your position.”

Gevers and her coworkers are also well known for their acute ability to remember what students will order.

“I know faces and most students get the same thing every day,” Wedemeier said. “So if I see a face and they get chicken everyday then I automatically know that. There are a few that are special so I’ll ask them what they’d like and a lot of times they switch up.”

Gevers gets along with her coworkers and enjoys working alongside each of them. Most of them have been working together for years and some have been working as cafeteria workers for as long as 20 years.

“Everyone that works in this kitchen are our friends and coworkers because we all get along very well here,” Gevers said. “I’ll be working here until I’m 80. I’ll be here as long as I can. I’m working with my friends and I like the kids.”

Famous April fool’s pranks April Fool’s jokes are a popular pastime, and here are several pranks that have made headlines after fooling many people

THE HISTORY BEHIND THE HOLIDAY

In 1989, Richard Branson landed a UFO shaped hot air balloon on the outskirts of a London field. Many residents called the police with reports of an alien invasion.

National Public Radio announced in 1992 that Richard Nixon was running for president again after resigning.

Taco Bell stated it was going to purchase the Philidelphia Liberty Bell and rename it the Taco Liberty Bell in 1996.

In 1998, an article in the New Mexicans for Science and Reason newsletter had an article claiming that the Alabama legislature changed the value of pi to the “Biblical value” of 3.0.

BBC ran a story about Swiss farmers having a record-setting successful spaghetti crop with footage of farmers harvesting noodles from trees.

Many theories have been created to explain the origin of April Fool’s Day, including the calendar change theory.

This is the idea that the first April Fool’s Day joke was when the French changed the new year’s start from the beginning of April to the beginning of January. Those who failed to make the switch to the January new year celebration were called “fools” and were the root of pranks.

Historians have also linked the holiday to the Roman festival of Hilaria in which people dressed up in disguises.

Sports Illustrated wrote a story in 1985 about a pitcher named Sidd Finch who could throw a fast ball over 168 mph.

In 1998, Burger King announced the “Left Handed Whopper.”

While the origin of April Fool’s Day is unclear, references to this day of pranks date all the way back to 1708.

Information from Museum of Hoaxes: goo.gl/odA7QI History Channel: goo.gl/jdPnNo

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

Many historic events took places decades ago on April 1 in history, aside from friendly April Fool’s jokes that have been popularized over the years

1621 1789 1918 1946 1984 The Pilgrim-Wampanoag peace treaty is signed. This was the first treaty between Native Americans and Pilgrims.

First U.S. House of Representatives elects its first Speaker of the House, Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg.

British Royal Air Force is founded during World War I.

An Alaskan earthquake triggers a massive tsunami killing 159 people in Hawaii.

Marvin Gaye is shot and killed by his father at his home in Los Angeles after a physical altercation.

FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY ALEXIS TAINTER 04.01.15

16

How do E-Cigarettes work?

There are several different kinds of e-cigarettes. Featured on the cover is a modular, the largest of the three main varieties.

Mods are generally more customizable than other kinds of e-cigarettes. Below is an eGo-T, a mid-sized e-cigarette with interchangeable, rechargeable parts.

Cartridge: The cartridge contains a mix of flavoring, chemicals, water, and in some cases nicotine.

Atomizer: When the user inhales, the battery is pulled into contact with the atomizer. The atomizer then works to heat the contents of the cartridge, evaporating them and creating the vapor.

Battery: E-cigarettes are generally powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

Blowing smoke E-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular and many hail them as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, though some still have doubts as to whether or not they are any better than their counterparts

BY ZOE LAWSON

zkl131@gmail.com • @zkl131

ccording to a 2014 survey performed by National Institute on Drug Abuse, within one month, 13.6 percent of high school seniors said they had smoked a cigarette. During the same time, 17.4 percent said they had used an electronic cigarette, or e-cig. In the past few years, more and more teens and adults have begun using e-cigs. At the same time, fewer and fewer teens and adults are smoking traditional cigarettes.

Opinions on e-cigarettes are strongly divided. Many believe they are just as, if not more dangerous, than traditional cigarettes. MTV has been running a campaign to end teen smoking and believes that e-cigarettes are a step backwards.

“Currently, only about 8 percent of teens smoke on a regular basis,” Crystal Barnes, an MTV representative said. “That’s down 23 percent from just 15 years ago. It just doesn’t make sense to have more kids smoking, even if it is an e-cigarette.”

Still, others believe they achieve just the opposite, that e-cigarettes allow

A

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FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY ZOE LAWSON 04.01.15

individuals to quit smoking in favor of vaping. Many believe that e-cigarettes work much like a nicotine patch or nicotine gum, allowing for a smoker to receive nicotine without the harmful effects of the tobacco and carcinogens in cigarettes.

“Vaping has helped in a major way to decrease the use of cigarettes,” Daniel Redeffer, an employee of the St. Louis Vaporstore said. “A lot of smokers, a lot of older smokers who have smoked for many many years, who have tried over-the-counter nicotine supplements or who have gone to their doctors and have been prescribed medications to no avail are now vaping. I see a lot of customers above 50 who have been smoking for 30 to 40 years and it’s helped them quite a lot.”

E-cigarettes are fairly simple devices. They generally come in one of three varieties: cigalikes, which look as much like a traditional cigarette as possible, eGo-T’s, larger, and generally with a removable and refillable cartridge or tank, and modular e-cigarettes, or mods, which are much larger and more customizable.

On the base of the cigarette is the cartridge, where the flavoring, propylene glycol, and other chemicals are. Above that is the atomizer, which heats the

liquid, which is attached to the tip, and a rechargeable battery. When the user inhales, the battery and atomizer meet, and the atomizer heats up and evaporates the liquid, creating the vapor.

Individually few, if any, of the chemicals used in e-cigarettes are inherently dangerous or harmful in their liquid form. For many, problems begin to arise when the chemicals are heated and inhaled.

“When you heat a liquid, it can change the chemical makeup of that liquid and other chemicals can form like formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein which are then inhaled,” pulmonologist Avrum Spira said. “The question that plagues many is whether or not those chemicals harmful.”

In 2009, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act gave the FDA the power to regulate the sale and advertisement of tobacco products. The act allowed the FDA to curb the advertisement of tobacco products, and to require larger and more severe warning labels be posted on tobacco products. Technically, e-cigarettes have no tobacco in them, stunting many attempts at government regulation, and excluding e-cigarettes from many other measures, such as sin taxes, taxes which are placed on items considered harmful, such as tobacco or alcohol.

As it stands now, there are eight states in the U.S. that allow for minors to purchase e-cigarettes. In October, Missouri became the 41st state to outlaw their sale to minors. Missouri’s law is different from many other states’ as it explicitly forbids the regulation or taxation of e-cigarettes as tobacco products, precluding most forms of further regulation the government may have tried to impose.

“E-cigarettes don’t have anything to do with cigarettes, they don’t have anything to do with tobacco,” Redeffer said. “There’s no tobacco in any of the liquids and you’re not burning anything; you use a heating element to heat up and then vaporize the liquids. People are equating vaping and smoking a cigarette but they’re not the same.”

Generally speaking, people support age restrictions on the purchase and use of e-cigarettes but governmental organizations often run into problems when trying to enforce more stringent measures.

Because of the inability and lack of governmental regulation over e-cigarettes, many believe they cater too much to minors, with different flavors to choose from as well as the ability to advertise to youth. As such, they believe e-cigarettes encourage minors to begin smoking where traditional cigarettes would otherwise not.

For the most part, individuals tend to believe there are far fewer health risks associated with e-cigarettes than regular cigarettes. According to a study conducted by the University of Michigan, approximately 15 percent of 8th graders thought the regular use of e-cigarettes was harmful to their health as compared to 62 percent who believed smoking traditional cigarettes would be harmful.

In comparison to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes have been around, let alone been popular, for a very short time.

Many of their impacts, as well as the extent of their use, have yet to be measured. What can be said for sure is that e-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular, and that they are, whether or not they are safer, different than cigarettes.

“If teens start out by using e-cigarettes and then graduate to the real thing then that’s not helping anyone,” Barnes said. “At the same time, a lot of people have found great success in quitting smoking by using e-cigarettes, when they’re used appropriately. But the fact is, the technology is just too new to know what kind of long term effects e-cigarettes are going to have.”

smoking by the numbers Sources: Forbes, American Academy of Pediatrics, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, National High School Center, American Lung Association, US News, CDC, WebMD, American Cancer Society

E-cigarettes

Cigarettes

1.8

2.9

students say they have used an e-cigarette at some point.

students say they have smoked a cigarette at some point.

Approximately $1.9 billion was spent on advertising e-cigarettes in the U.S. last year.

Approximately $8.37 billion was spent on advertising cigarettes in the U.S. last year.

million

million

8 states

0 states

have no laws regulating the sale of e-cigarettes.

have no laws regulating the sale of cigarettes.

E-cigarette vapor contains formaldehyde at levels up to 15 times higher than regular cigarettes.

Cigarette smoking is the major single cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and tobacco use is responsible for nearly one in every five deaths in the U.S.

FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY ZOE LAWSON 04.01.15

18

PLAY WITH PRIDE

Proud supporter of

The Francis Howell North Knights!

Steve Hall, CLTC®, FICF Financial Associate 816 South Main Street Saint Charles, MO 63301 636-724-9700

For additional important information, visit Thrivent.com/disclosures.

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Francis Howell North - 3/4/15, 4/1/15, 4/15/15, 5/13/15 - $307.80 - 2.4 x 10 in Documents > Dept. Folders > MAC > Advertising > HS Ads > 2014-15 > Summer/Fall > Francis Howell North

John Luley SCC student FHN alum

SCC accepts admissions applications year-round.

Apply now for Summer or Fall 2015.

Registration for classes begins April 13.

stchas.edu/discoverSCC

Senior Matt Dunn readies his racquet at West James Tennis Courts, Dunn has played Varsity Tennis for FHN for four years and been to State three times. Dunn is anticipated to go to State again this season. (amanda eckhard)

Playing for the Future

Keeping up his skills and dedication, senior Matt Dunn works for the upcoming season to move forward to the state competition and for his future in college tennis

BY GARRET GRIFFIN ggriifin@gmail.com

For senior and three-year State tennis competitor Matt Dunn, this tennis season doesn’t end after high school. Instead, his season is year-round as he continues to work on the focus and determination needed to succeed in college level tennis at the University of Nebraska Omaha.

“I’m just gonna keep doing what I’m doing, keep working hard, working every day, try to get better, focus more, work harder and hopefully good things will happen,” Dunn said. “Just try and go in there and be open minded and be the best player I can be and try and help the team.”

Matt has signed with the University of Nebraska Omaha, a Division I college.

Matt had been to tournaments in Omaha before, and eventually the Nebraska tennis coach noticed his skills. Soon after that, the coach began talking to Matt about a future playing tennis for Omaha. Matt was excited about this opportunity to continue the sport he loves. A little while later, Matt was signed. His teammates are excited for him for signing with Omaha, including junior Will Stephens.

“I was happy for him, it takes a lot of dedication to meet that goal and I

21

FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY GARRET GRIFFIN 04.01.15

know how much it means to him,” Stephens said. “I’m really happy for him.”

Matt earned his athletic scholarship through year-round training. He will continue to train at Miller Tennis Academy every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday for two hours to make sure he doesn’t lose his competitive edge for college tennis. Matt works on upper body, leg strengthening or ladder work and cardio exercises. He hopes to continue getting stronger in order to improve his tennis skills so he can make an impact on his college team.

“I just hope that Matt enjoys his college experience, sticks with the program, plays all four years, has some opportunities to play some major tournaments and play some big time college tennis matches,” Head Coach Kate Kleiber said. “How far he goes beyond that is up to him, whatever you dream is your dream.”

Teammate and senior Nick Murphy expects Matt to perform well enough to win the State tennis competition and continue his excellence throughout college. The two have played tennis together since freshman year and they often practice together.

“I am excited for Matt because I believe he’ll make it to state and win because he’s that good,” Murphy said. “I think he will win all his games and bring our team to victory because that’s what he does.”

The Knights celebrate after they score on Incarnate Word to win the game 1-0. They scored off a corner kick in the last minute of the game. (alex lane)

RETURNING TO THE FIELD

Varsity Girls’ Soccer heads into the season with high expectations because of last years accomplishments

BY KEEGAN SCHUSTER keeganschuster98@gmail.com

The Varsity Girls’ Soccer team began their season last week with one of their toughest competitors of the season against Incarnate Word Academy.

The weather conditions were not in their favor; it rained off and on throughout the game.

“I think when you have weather conditions like that you have to worry about it especially with the skips and the bounces,” Assistant Coach Larry Scheller said. “Both teams weren’t that affected by it though.

We both played aggressive and went hard to the ball.

You didn’t really see any players having issues with Follow the link the ball skipping.” goo.gl/oIsPhP to see Throughout the game, the teams went back and how the team prepared forth in possession, and by the last five minutes of the during the preseason. second half, the game remained scoreless.

“The game was already intense because Incarnate has always been a tough game,” senior Bailey North said. “In the last 30 seconds we had a corner kick and we knew it was probably the last attack we had left in the game to score, so that made it all the more exciting.”

The Knights were successful in capitalizing on the corner kick. Senior Carli Bond sent the ball straight to the far post, where Bailey North was able to get the ball past Incarnate’s keeper.

“I think for the first game it was a very intense game,” Scheller said. “We

WATCH

played a very good team but we played hard and kept our heads in the game.

The goal at the end of the game made for a solid end to a good game.”

Coming off of this win, the team is going to continue to practice every day to improve their passing, kicking and shooting skills. The typical practice consists of warm up, various passing drills and followed with a scrimmage, usually against JV. “We do all different types of drills, really just anything to prepare us for whoever we’re playing,” sophomore Amanda Orlando said. “But we all play as a team and we all play to win.”

Under the direction of the coaches, Mark Olwig and Scheller, the team is inspired to perform their best and do what it takes to win. According to sophomore Samantha Donaldson, the coaches play a major role in the success of the team and are hoping to return to State this season.

“The coaches are going to push us very hard and expect us to go back to State,” Donaldson said. “They push us to be successful and are very inspiring.”

Last season the team advanced to the Final Four and finished fourth in the state. This was the first time the Girls’ Soccer team advanced this far in the state tournament since 1997 and the team hopes to advance this far again this season.

“It definitely raises expectations, but mine is to always win a district title as a team,” Olwig said. “It’s always a challenge, but we achieve it through hard work.”

boys golf TEES off

Senior Kyle Melchior lines up his ball during the Fort Zumwalt East tournament. (file photo)

The Boys Golf season started up with their first meet at Fort Zumwalt South. The team is made up of a total of 13 members: two freshmen, six sophomores, one junior and four seniors.

Following the FZS meet, the team will have eight more meets and three tournaments, including GACs, Districts and Sectionals in late April and early May. Without any state qualifiers last season, the team is gearing up for what they hope should be a much better year than last year.

“It’s fun seeing the new freshman play and making

new friends,” sophomore Ryan Hale said, “and I have to work hard everyday if I want to play on Varsity, which is a big goal for me.”

None of the players last year made State, but former seniors Cody Pingleton and TJ Burke both made sectionals.

This year, the team is trying to change that, and they are looking forward to completing a significantly better season as a team. The players also hope to have success individually over the course of the season.

“This season’s looking pretty solid,” senior AJ Porter said. “We have four seniors this year and we have been playing well as a team.” (brief by jacob lintner)

FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY KEEGAN SCHUSTER 04.01.15

22

WATCH

Follow the link goo.gl/gqeaPp to see a video of Emily in action at the shooting range.

Senior Emily Hampson uses her Baretta gun to pose at Gateway Gun Club before her practice on March 21. During Hampson’s practice she shot clay pigeons in order to improve her accuracy. (ariel kirkpatrick)

SHOOTING in the world cup

Senior Emily Hampson takes a large step in her trap shooting career by competing in an international competition MAGGIE TORBECK BY mtorbeck068@gmail.com • @ExtendedMaggs

arm breeze. Shining sun. Intermingling languages.

Senior Emily Hampson leaves the Team USA tent, heads over to her designated station, and takes a deep breath of the muggy 90 degree weather.

Put ear protection on. Adjust feet. Pull the trigger.

For Emily, this has been a long time coming. Each year, the top

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FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY MAGGIE TORBECK 04.01.15

International trap shooters of several countries are sent to the International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup in order to compete for a spot in finals.

Typically, the highest ranked junior shooters are chosen to shoot for Team USA based on results from previous competitions. Emily was not included in the top three, but in February, Emily routinely checked her email and found an invitation to shoot in the Women’s World Cup in Acapulco, Mexico. Emily was chosen to shoot for Team USA in order to achieve a minimum qualifying score (MQS), one of several requirements to qualify for the 2016 Olympics.

“When I was reading it, it was just me and my mom that were home and

Rugby team forms A new sport starts its inaugural season

BY BRIANNA GONZALEZ briannagonzalez42100@gmail.com

Emily poses with her father after a competition. She participates in local competitions as well as national ones. (photo submitted)

I screamed at the top of my lungs, ‘Mom,’ and she ran to me and she literally thought something was wrong,” Emily said. “Then I was like, ‘Mom, guess what, I’m going to Mexico,’ and she was confused.”

In Mexico, everything was high stakes. Emily competed against women of all ages from around the world. She had to check in her gun with officials when she arrived at the airport, and the gun was kept under constant surveillance. She only had one objective: shoot the MQS. “World Cup is the biggest competition I’ve ever been to,” Emily said. “It’s an international competition against other countries. It’s not an experience anyone can have; you have to be invited.”

The MQS was to shoot 58 out of 75 clay pigeons.

Emily shot a 68 out of 75, easily meeting the minimum qualifying score and tying the Team USA junior women’s all-time record. Qualifying puts her on the path to making it onto the 2016 Olympics team, a goal that during the previous Olympics was just a dream.

“During the 2012 Olympics, my Nanu called me and left me a voicemail at seven or eight in the morning,” Emily said. “I guess he had seen someone shooting on TV on the Olympics and he said, ‘I’m so proud of you and what you do and I can’t wait to see you shoot in the Olympics some day and see you on that podium.’”

He passed away last year, and he was the first one that really supported me and thought that I had the potential to do that. When I got my new phone, the voicemail didn’t transfer over and I still have that old phone just in case there’s some way I could retrieve that.”

Before Mexico, though, came years and years of training. Ever since she was in eighth grade, Emily has been involved in the world of trap shooting on her team, the Gateway Clay Busters. Emily knew she was interested in target shooting ever since her father, Todd Hampson, introduced her to it.

“I wanted all three of my daughters to know gun safety with different types of guns,” Todd said. “The other two girls liked the pistol better, but Emily just loved the shotgun.”

Emily started shooting clay pigeons on the family’s

Emily’s father coaches her during one of her competitions. Emily began shooting as a bonding experience with her dad. (photo submitted)

farm property, and eventually, Todd bought Emily her very own shotgun.

“One day we were at Cabelas and he had a lot of gift cards saved up and he was like, ‘let’s go get you a shotgun,’ and I got a little Remington 20 gauge bolt action shotgun,” Emily said. “We went out to Busch and shot every once and a while and I just fell in love. I didn’t hit very much, but it didn’t matter.”

She took the next step in her shooting career and joined the Clay Busters. She started off shooting American trap, a style of trap shooting that only has one bunker above ground that shoots targets at 40 mph. Shooters stand in a semicircle at five stations and five targets are shot at each station. In 2013, she switched over to International trap because of the larger competition. International trap contains 15 throwers in the bunker where targets are launched at 75 mph, and has six stations in a straight line where shooters have a shot at one target, then they must switch stations.

“The best way to describe the difference between American and International trap is that International is pretty much American on crack,” Emily said. “There are a lot of different schemes and difficult angles. It’s crazy.”

The support from Emily’s family is much needed. From balancing shooting with a job, her family, her social life and schoolwork, Emily often finds herself stressing for time.

“It’s not easy, but it’s worth it,” Emily said. “I’m blessed that I have a lot of support from friends and family that push me to get everything done. I’ve had to sacrifice a lot for this sport but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

Her next competition will take place in Fort Benning, Georgia for Spring Selection where Emily plans on working on improving her skills. Emily plans on continuing shooting with the Clay Busters when she goes away for school at SIUE in the fall.

“In 10 years, I hope I’ll have gone to the Olympics and hopefully have gotten a medal for our country,” Emily said. “It’s something I never even knew about until eighth grade, but I couldn’t see my life without it now.”

Rugby has become a new sport at FHN. Run by Head Coach Trevor Locke, the team of 30 practices and works to hone their athletic abilities. Based on Locke’s strong desire to be a part of a high school rugby team from his own experience playing, he’s taken his first step into bringing rugby into the lives of students at FHN. Rugby is a 70 minute game that is played with 15 versus 15 players on a soccer-sized field. The main objective of the game is to get the ball down the field by either running or kicking to advance the ball. The team scores points by making a “try” (similar to a touchdown in football) in the end zone for five points and the team with the most points wins.

“I like managing rugby because I feel like I’m a part of the team,” freshman Emma Eckert said. “They include me in a lot of the things they do.”

Being a part of the rugby team requires fitness and skill in order to keep up with the 70 minute duration of the game. Rugby is also seen as difficult because of the lack of protective gear used. Throughout the four weeks since the sport was started, the team has practiced after school to build the athletes’ physical abilities. Players from all grades participate in this new school sport and there has been a lot of positive feedback from the athletes who enjoy this new sport. Most of that feedback contains statements such as how fun the athletes think rugby is.

“I joined the rugby team because it’s something new and it’s something people were talking about every day,” senior Robbie Corcoran said.

The team’s next match is a friendly scrimmage against Marquette tomorrow and they will play their next league match against De Smet on April 9.

“I’m very excited for kids to get the opportunity to play rugby early on in their athletic careers,” Locke said.

“I think rugby can definitely be an avenue to make you a better athlete at whatever sport you’re playing.”

FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY MAGGIE TORBECK 04.01.15

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Jake Oppenborn chants with the rest of the Varsity Boys Volleyball team before the Fort Zumwalt North game. (sam alexander)

AIMING FOR STATE The Varsity Boys Volleyball team started their season on March 24 against Fort Zumwalt North. This year’s team is led by seniors Gabe Grote and Adam Rogan. The team also features six juniors and two sophomores. Last year, the team went 24-9 and finished second in the Athletic South Conference. They then went on to districts where they qualified for Sectionals. In Sectionals they lost to SLU High School. The team practices every day in hopes to advance that far again. The team’s current overall record is 1-0.

“I just want to have a winning season and hopefully win Districts, and maybe make a run at State. I think this team can accomplish that,” junior Jacob Drum said. (brief by zach mills)

Jarret O’Brien throws a pitch during the game against Francis Howell Central last year. (file photo)

strong start The Varsity Baseball team started the season on March 20 against Fort Zumwalt South in the Troy tournament.

The Knights won that game by a score of 6-3. The Knights dropped the next game against Desmet and then beat the hosts. Then, they beat Fort Zumwalt East on Monday, March 23.

This is promising sign from a team that won six out of 27 games last season.

Their current record as of press time is 4-1.

“Our team has been doing a lot of bonding over spring break,” Varsity catcher Jacob Kalusniak said. We don’t play as individuals; we play as a team.” (brief by zach mills)

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FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY JAMIE HETLAGE 04.01.15

next two weeks in sports Wednesday

Thursday

1

8

Baseball V 4 p.m. @ FHN C-Team 4 p.m. @ Troy Boys Tennis V 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. @ SCW Girls Soccer C-Team 4:15 p.m.@ FHN

Baseball V 4 p.m. @ FHN JV 4 p.m. @ Troy C-Team 4 p.m. @ Central Boys Tennis V 3:30 p.m. @ FZW

Monday

Tuesday

2

Friday/ Saturday 3&4

6

7

9

10 & 11

13

14

Boys Golf V 3:30 p.m. @ Troy Baseball V 2 p.m. @FHN Boys Volleyball V 5 p.m. @ FZE JV 4 p.m. @ FZE C-Team 4 p.m. @ FZE Boys/Girls Track V 3:30 p.m. @ FHN Boys Tennis V 3:30 p.m. @ FHC Roller Hockey JV 7:30 @ Fenton

Boys Volleyball V 6 p.m. @ FHN JV 5 p.m.

C-Team 5 p.m. @ FHN Boys Golf V 3:30 p.m. FHC Girls Soccer V 6 p.m. @ Central JV 4 p.m. @ Central C-Team 4 p.m. @ FHN Rugby 4:00 p.m. @ De Smet Jesuit Roller Hockey 9:30 p.m. @ Fenton

Girls Soccer V 3:30 p.m. & 11 a.m.

Parkway Showcase Varsity Boys Tennis 10 a.m. (Day 1 & 2) Mid-MO Invitational Roller Hockey V 7:00 p.m. @ MSG Jv 6:00 p.m. @ MSG

Boys Tennis TBA (Day 1 & 2) Holt Team Tournament Boys/Girls Track V 4 p.m. @ St.Dominic JV 3:30 @ St. Dominic Boys Volleyball JV 9 a.m. @ FHC Girls Soccer V 7 p.m. @ FZS JV 5 p.m. @ FZS Baseball V 4 p.m. @ FHN JV 4 p.m. @ FZS JV Francis Howell Tournament TBA Roller Hockey JV 4:00 p.m. @ Fenton JV 8:00 p.m. @ Fenton

Boys Golf 8 a.m.

Challenge at Lake Forest

Baseball V 4 p.m. @ Vianney JV 4 p.m. @ FHN C-Team 4 p.m. @ Howell Boys Tennis V 3:30 @ FHN

Girls Soccer C-Team 4 p.m. @ Timberland JV 4 p.m. @ FHN V 6 p.m. @ FHN Boys Volleyball JV 5 p.m. @ FHN V 6 p.m. @ FHN Baseball V 4 p.m, @ Troy C-Team 4 p.m. @ FHN Boys Golf 3:30 p.m.@ Lakes of Dardenne Roller Hockey V 7:30 p.m. @ Fenton

Varsity Boys Tennis V 4 p.m. @ FHN JV 4 p.m. @ Timberland Boys Volleyball V 6 p.m. @ Central JV 5 p.m. @ Central C-Team 5 p.m. @ Central Girls Soccer V 6 p.m. @ FHN JV 4 p.m. @ Howell C-Team 4 p.m. @ Howell Boys/Girls Track JV 4 p.m. @ Holt Roller Hockey V 8:30 p.m. @ Fenton

Adjusting to a new district With a new head coach and a new District, the Track and Field team looks to compete against some of the top schools in the State throughout this season.

“The team is looking forward to competing against the Howell schools like every year,” senior distance runner Justin Levins said. “We are also looking to compete against the best in the State this year.”

This year, the Track and Field team has been taken over by first year head coach Jenelle LouisBauer. Last year, Louis-Bauer coached the girls

sprints team. She leads the Knights in the new District which consists of Desmet, Hazelwood West, Hazelwood Central, Hazelwood East, Parkway North, Ritenour, Pattonville, and McCluer North.

The challenging new District still doesn’t keep the runners from looking forward to some important meets in the year. Friday Knight Relays will take place on Thursday, April 2 at 3:30 p.m. at home.

“The 4x400 meter relay is the best at Friday Knight Relays,” Levins said. “I can’t wait to run in it.” (brief by alex weinstock)

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APP REVIEW: KAHOOT Kahoot is a free website where teachers can create fun review games to better engage students

BY LEXI WILKINSON lexiwilkinson25@gmail.com

The clock counts down from 10.

Students around the classroom frantically wrack their brains for the answer, staring at the four colored rectangles on the screen of their smart phones for the answer. Five, four, three, two, one. Time’s up. The correct answer is revealed, and some students whoop with delight, others sigh with frustration. This is Kahoot, a website where studying becomes a competition.

By connecting their smart phones to the quiz their teacher has created with a simple code, students are able to actively employ what they’ve learned into a fun, competitive game.

It’s free to create an account on Kahoot, and easy to make quizzes. There are quizzes made by people from all around the world, from Star Wars trivia in Dutch to applications of statistics in English. To create a quiz, one simply has to come up with the questions and answers, mark the correct one, add a picture if they wish, and publish. That’s where the student comes in. By going to Kahoot.it on their smart phone’s web browser, they are directed to the home screen of Kahoot, where they put the code in for their quiz. Then the fun commences, and the competition begins. The question will pop up on the SMARTboard, and students will have four answers to choose from. In the end, only one will win.

Teachers should take advantage of Kahoot to engage students in learning.

It’s a good way to see where students are at with the material without resorting to PowerPoint notes. A fast paced game that teachers can use to review material, Kahoot is a new way to bring fun to the classroom.

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FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY ALEXIS TAINTER 04.01.15

Teach us through twitter Many teachers are condemned for following students on social media when in reality it could be used a good learning tool

BY KARIS SKAGGS karisskaggs@gmail.com

With the social media world booming and constantly growing, the question is raised: should teachers and students be allowed to follow each other on social media accounts? The answer should be yes.

Currently, teachers are prohibited from using their personal accounts to communicate with students and electrontic communication is limited to school-related matters. However, one benefit of this being allowed would be the extended communication. In addition to teachers reminding students of assignments

due and what to bring to class through an online realm of connection where students already are, students can also look to teachers to see how they maintain their social media presence, whether personal or professional and model their behavior.

According to Patrick Larkin of Educational Leadership, it’s important for leaders to use social media both to model good use for students and to take advantage of unprecedented opportunities to reach out.

Teachers can be an example for students.

Educational Leadership also makes the point that if schools want to prepare students for life after high school, they should inform them how to properly and safely use online media. Aside from teaching how to use social media smartly, teachers and students can connect in a public way but aren’t required to. Knowing about my teachers and getting along with them increases my desire to learn in their class and actively participate.

Some people don’t think that students should be allowed to follow teachers on social media and vice versa because it violates personal space or it changes their opinion of each other in class.

Although this may be true in some instances, it’s up to the person whether they want the other individual to connect with them or not and follow request can always be denied or ignored.

But really, the benefits of the social connections definitely outweigh the cons when it comes to interacting with educators.

ONE CENT MAKES NO SENSE Rather than being an important form of currency, pennies actually hurt the U.S. economy

BY AARON SCHULTZ aschultz5555@gmail.com

In 2006, copper prices rose catapulting the penny to cost more than one cent to make. To be exact, that was 1.23 cents per penny.

Citizens began melting pennies down since they were worth more as copper than as currency. This is where the story, in a perfect world, should end as the government would stop making pennies and let their citizens destroy this deadweight to the economy. But instead, the government made melting down U.S. coins illegal, and continues to make the worthless currency that costs the government around $50 million a year today, according to the Washington Post. Up to this point, any penny elimination bill in Congress has been shot down. People would think a government with an $18 trillion debt would try to cut some unnecessary costs, and the penny is the perfect way for the U.S. to do that.

Eliminating the penny is not new territory. Just last year, Canada got rid of its one cent piece, and many nations have eliminated coinage

Don’t Nix Nasa NASA’s future endeavors should be treated with more importance

BY NOAH SLAUGHTER reader524@gmail.com

that was unnecessary since 2000.

While there are ways to reduce the production cost, they don’t solve everything. The penny could be made out of steel and cut the price substantially, but that doesn’t make the penny any easier to use. Pennies are worth so little that it makes them difficult to use-- they wind up in jars, dead to the economy. If people took time to pay with exact change with every transaction, they would be wasting not only their time, but also the time of everyone else waiting behind them.

Some might argue against the elimination of the penny because inflation would rise and charitable donations would go down, but this has proven not to be the case. The U.S. has successfully eliminated coinage without either of these problems happening. The U.S. eliminated the half-cent coin in 1857 with no problem and serves as an example as to why eliminating the penny wouldn’t either. In fact, considering that the half-cent when it was abolished had the buying power of today’s dime, Maybe the number of coins we need to eliminate extends past the penny.

The private business Mars One is launching a $6 billion mission to send four people on a one-way mission to Mars by 2025. This is a great example of the double standard currently in the space industry.

While people continue to dream about exotic planets and meeting aliens, the practical aspects of the space industry are experiencing huge setbacks. According to USA TODAY, NASA’s budget makes up less than one percent of the nation’s annual spending. This figure is quite concerning. There are a myriad of reasons why this industry should feature more importance in our nation’s budget and affairs. We are currently attempting to sidestep an industry that contains huge untapped potential, a fact that not many Americans stop to think about.

Past forays into space have led to huge increases in innovation around the world that affect everyday life. NASA’s website cites past space missions as the reason why we have solar panels, certain biomedical technologies, implantable heart monitors and cell phone cameras, among other things. This means that each time a person takes a selfie, they should thank NASA. It isn’t just about spaceships and planets.

Americans need to start accepting that this industry actually affects their everyday lives.

Space exploration is also an investment in the economy. John Elbon, head of Boeing’s space division, predicts that after 100 years of space ship sales, the industry will equal the $70 billion business of its commercial air flight counterpart. If the space industry continues to grow, so would the economic opportunities it offers. Not harnessing such great potential when it is right before us is impractical.

According to astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, since the Industrial Revolution, investments in science and technology have proved to be reliable engines of economic growth. He believes if interest in those fields is not regenerated soon, the comfortable lifestyle Americans are accustomed to will draw to a close.

The space industry has huge potential to help every person in the world. It can lead to fantastic inventions to improve the world’s quality of life and it can provide massive economic benefits for the U.S. We shouldn’t ignore such a huge player in world affairs simply because we refuse to see the obvious benefits right before our eyes.

FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY ALEXIS TAINTER 04.01.15

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YOUR TAKE Students and faculty give their opinion on the importance of mental health being discussed in school.

“Yes, I think it is very important. Someone may have a mental disease or issue, and you may not know, so you need to know where certain things they might say or do come from.”

Andrew Stoker, 11

North star take: “I think it’s not a bad idea in the right context.It takes away the stigma that something’s wrong with somebody or they have to have some kind of problem taken care of.”

William Crow, teacher

mental mindfulness The North Star takes a look at how mental health is talked about in school and improvements that could be made to the discussion ON BEHALF OF THE EDITORIAL STAFF yourfhn@fhntoday.com • @FHNtoday

“There are pros and cons to it. Some people could be offended, but it’s also a good thing for people to know about.”

Michael Shine, 10

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FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY LEXI WILKINSON 04.01.15

We’ve all been there - failing a test you studied for, having a fight with a friend, stressing about future plans - and it can be rough to get yourself through. But when it’s a funk you can’t get out of, that may mean there’s something more serious lurking in the shadows.

Mental health is “a state of wellbeing in which the individual can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community,” as defined by the

CDC. North, it’s time to talk about mental health: what it means and its importance to teens.

Stress is one of the leading causes of depression for teens, and with the increasing pressure to succeed and get into a good college comes a lot more stress than the generations before us have had to experience. According to the College Board, the average cost per year to attend a four-year public institution- take a large university like Mizzou, for example- was around $2,810 in 1984. In 2014, the average cost per year to attend a four-year public institution is almost $19,000. That’s more than seven times what our parents had to pay for college. The stress that comes with this alone can be enough to make someone want to stay in bed all day, but when it’s only a piece of the puzzle among homework, after-school jobs, and social pressures, it can be downright crippling.

It’s completely normal to feel sad about these things and struggle with them for a short period of time, but if one struggles for a long time, it could mean that there’s a mental illness in play. Mental illnesses are health conditions that threaten or damage functionality. Depression and anxiety are the most common for teens and these can sometimes be tricky to spot and differentiate from normal sadness or minor anxiety, which is why the number one thing that the school can do about this is to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms to look out for.

Common signs of depression include decreased energy, feelings of loneliness and/or worthlessness, and thoughts of suicide. Common signs of an anxiety disorder include excessive and often obsessive worrying, fatigue, irritability, and sleep disturbance.

To raise awareness about these prevalent issues, we

Editor in Chief: Daniel Bodden Managing Editor: Lauren Pike Business Manager: Aly Jenkins Business: Brandon Macias Austin Ferguson Team Editors: Emma Pursley Alexis Tainter Design Editors: Maggie Torbeck Nick Wyer Copy Editors: Priscilla Joel Lexi Wilkinson General Staff: Alex Arger Sasha Kaganov Michal Basford Anthony Kristensen Dan Borrelli Kyleigh Kristensen Deidre Dinkins Zoe Lawson Alyssa Doty Joe Luley Mia Elliott Erika Paar Sarai Esparza Sami Schmid Timothy Godfrey Keegan Schuster Bri Gonzalez Alex Shannon Garret Griffin Bennett Smallwood Chelsi Morton-Hoskins Ryan Sparks Belle Herrera Risa Takenaka Jamie Hetlage KJ Wilson Editor in Chief of Photography: Ashleigh Jenkins

need to make a collective effort as a school to talk more about them. In freshman health class, one section of the curriculum is dedicated entirely to mental health, and KUTO (Kids Under Twenty One), an organization for suicide prevention, comes in and provides a survey to assess students’ mental state. This is an excellent way to help students who maybe don’t have to courage to speak up directly, but the problem is that it’s only given to freshmen.

As stated before, much of the pressure put on students is in direct correlation to the stress of the future, and it is for this reason that the survey should be given to upperclassmen as well. Maybe it isn’t realistic to expect KUTO to tend to every student who may be experiencing a mental illness, but that’s where our very own guidance counselors come in. A survey, similar to the one that KUTO provides but created by the counselors, could be distributed to all students to provide that opportunity to say something. Often, students don’t speak up about personal problems they’re having because they don’t know what resources are available to them within the school. The guidance counselors are one resource, and crisis counselors are another. Additionally, by law guidance counselors do not have to involve a student’s parents unless the student is planning to harm themselves or another student. This means that your meetings will be confidential unless it gets potentially harmful.

Another resource is a support group, and there are many to pick from. One thing the guidance counselors could do is make these groups more open to the public, so that students don’t have to have a referral to attend them.

In addition to more support within the school should be awareness of signs to look out for, along with a list of resources that a student could go to if they or a friend are experiencing such symptoms. One suggestion is the addition of flyers to the school in the bathrooms and hallways that students use regularly throughout their day.

Mental health isn’t something to joke about, especially for teens that are already dealing with the pressures of adulthood, and we as a school can bring more awareness to its importance by doing a few simple things. One is to collectively talk about what mental health is and signs of mental illness, and another is to utilize the resources that we have available to us through guidance counselors and support groups. These are our lives that we’re talking about here, and we cannot, as a generation, afford to lose more of us to the potentially crippling effects of mental illnesses because we didn’t talk about our mental health. Awareness is key, and with it can come a more emotionally stable future to leave a mark on the world. All it could take is a little cooperation, compassion, and care for one another during this crucial time.

Photo Editors: Newspaper: Alyssa Savage Yearbook Sports: Sammie Savala Yearbook: Ariel Kirkpatrick Web: McKenzie Shea Photographers: Samantha Alexander Alex Lane Jessica Allison Hannah Medlin Ashleigh Barlow Lauren Price Yasmeen Belakhoua Ashton Stegman Rachel Creeley Lucas Tabaka Jessie Define Tristan Tainter Amanda Eckhard Abby Temper Emily Floyd Jailan Thomas Madi Graves Ravyn Winter Editor In Chief of Digital Media: Jake Chiarelli FHNgameday Editor: Alex Weinstock Video Editor: Sam Skaggs Video Staff:

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FHNTODAY.COM PAGE BY LEXI WILKINSON 04.01.15

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home of your dreams. We have a team of buyer specialists who can find you the perfect home at the price you want.

Sell: Want to sell your home? Property values are starting to pick up and loan

money is more readily available. Let the experts at Eaton Properties do a comparative market analysis on your home. This may be the perfect time for you to make the move.

Invest: Ever thought of becoming a Real Estate investor, but were afraid to take that big step? Learn the tricks of the trade from one of the most respected real estate investment specialists in the metro area.

Manage: Best known for property management, Eaton Properties will take

away the headaches and put profit in its place. Our full service property management division will keep your investments running smoothly so you can relax.

636-939-3808