October 3, 2018- Finding Your Way

NORTH | STAR FRANCIS HOWELL HOWELL NORTH NORTH || ST. ST. CHARLES, CHARLES, MO MO || 10.03.18 10.03.18 || VOL VOL 33 33 ISSUE ISSUE 02 02 FRANCIS

WAY

FINDING YOUR

How being in the right state of mind helps when facing challenges in our lives.

STORIES ON PAGES 24-31

CONTENTS

35

Joshua Simmons has found a home here at FHN, and decided to stay for his senior year rather than move back to Normandy. He’s become part of the FHN family as a student, an athlete and a person.

ENTERTAINMENT 1 Burn Book Take a look into FHN’s version of a popular movie’s staple book

2

Fortnite at FHN How has the popular online video game impacted FHN?

NEWS 8 Strategic Planning The Board of Education plans to implement their new plan for the district

11 Heart Fundraisers Several different clubs have raised money for the American Heart Association

FEATURES 16 L.A. Models

Emilie Miller auditions for a huge modeling job in Hollywood

17 Forever in Ink

Senior Jake Miller has tattoos remembering his late sister, Dannielle

SPORTS 38 Varsity Softball

The varsity softball team is pulling younger players up to varsity

39

Varsity Tennis

Bella Schneider and Olivia Fetsch go undefeated for the season

OPINIONS 42 AmeriCorps The program is beneficial yet neglected and you might not know about it

43 Candy Controversy FHN is divided with its views on candy corn. Which side are you on?

ON THE COVER

The brightly colored arrows symbolize overcomming obstacles and moving forward using a positive mindset and optimistic outlook. (Cover by Rebekah Myers)

10-11

FHN Knightpride marching band is preparing for a competition in Arkansas, where they will face 11 other schools from all across the nation.

FHNTODAY.COM | 10.03.18 | ENTERTAINMENT

Parks won the highest honor among teachers in 20 Shelly the state of Missouri: State Teacher of the Year. She’ll now be advocating for students all across the state.

PAGE BY COLIN ST. AUBIN

c O T O s B ' E T I R T H IR D

Most students grew up quoting famous lines from the movie, Mean Girls, including “It’s October third.” Learn some more about the characters, the movie and some students at FHN (Content by Gracie Bowman)

MEET THE PLASTICS After being home schooled her whole life, teenager Cady Heron, transfers to North Shore High School. She soon meets a group calls “The Plastics.” Her new found friends convince her to infiltrate the group, so that they can sabotage the ringleader, Regina George and derail the group. After a humorous adventure, full of heartbreak and heartfelt life lessons, Cady learns how to conquer high school and friendship.

THE BURN BOOK

In the movie, the Plastics made a book with a comment about each student. Each page had a photo with a description of one of their classmates. FHN Students shared some cool facts about themselves to create the North Star’s nicer version of the “Burn Book”

Regina George Regina George is the most popular girl at North Shore High School. She’s manipulative, spoiled and will do anything in her power to get what she wants. When Cady Heron starts to out rule Regina, she needs to find a way to make sure her crown isn’t taken.

“I like Regina because she knows how to stir the pot and she’s creative about it.”

- Anna Pardo, 12

Senior Sam Cary is graduating a semester early to go play soccer at the University of Iowa.

Soon she won’t even go here!

Freshman Anthony Torpea is hoping to make the JV baseball team. He has been playing the sport since he was three years old.

You go Anthony Torpea!

SophomoreKolton KoltonKehoe Kehoehas hasbeen been Sophomore playing pianosince sincehehewas waseleven eleven playing piano yearsold. old. years That’s so fetch!

That’s so fetch!

October marks the second year that junior Grace Bales has been vegan.

She can sit with us!

Gretchen Weiners Gretchen Wieners is one of Regina’s sidekicks. She knows everything about everyone at North Shore High School. She has trouble keeping secrets to herself at times, but always tries to stay loyal.

“Gretchen is hilariously dumb and sassy.”

- Gavin Schroeder, 9

Karen Smith Karen Smith isn’t the smartest in her group of friends, but that makes it easier for Regina to manipulate her for her bidding. Though she takes longer than her friends to think, she is one of the most friendly.

“Karen is my favorite character because she’s hilarious. I like how she can’t catch a football.”

- Justin Bowman, 11

PAGE BY GRACIE BOWMAN

ENTERTAINMENT| 10.03.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

01

1 #

!

N H F t a ite

n t r Fo

by Sydney Ellison

sydney.ellison55@gmail.com

The game Fortnite has swept across the world and has quickly become one of the most played games in America. This craze has definitely not skipped over FHN, as it is a popular topic of conversation around the school. When Fortnite first came out, it seemed there were students playing it everywhere: in the hall, in classrooms, in the cafeteria. People couldn’t seem to get enough of it. After a few months, the game’s player amount decreased a little, but it is still very popular here at FHN. The game starts with 100 players in something called the battle bus. The players then sky dive down to an island where there are many different locations to land. At these locations, players collect building materials and weapons. During the game, players are trying to kill one another in the mission in order to be the last one standing, also known as the winner.

While doing all of this, the available land gets smaller and smaller because of a storm that closes in around the island. To stay alive, players must remain in the eye of the storm, which

TOP5

As Fortnite continues to be a growing trend throughout the country, take a look at some statistics based on poles taken by students here at FHN decreases in size, as the storm grows while trying not to die at the hands of another players character. Sounds easy, right?

Fortnite first came out on July 25, 2017 and hit the ground running. Developed by Epic Games, Fortnite is a game where strategy, luck and quick reflexes are needed to become the winner. In the first few months of release, the game already had millions of players. Because of how popular the game has become, certain aspects of it has been overflowing into everyday life.

People attempting emotes, A.K.A Fortnite’s This neighborhood has plenty of unique dance moves, have become a viral loot to score if you’re willing to face sensation. There are even Youtubers who get the crowded space. paid just for posting videos of themselves “I personally don’t drop there playing Fortnite. Ninja, Muselk, Myth and because it’s overpopulated. A lot Dakotaz are just some of the most popular of people drop there, so you have Fortnite Youtubers. Also, Fortnite is constantly a higher chance of getting killed changing because of new updates, including quickly.” different game modes. So, there’s always -Paige Westermann, 12 something new and exciting being put into the game.

Pleasant Park

#4

WEAPONS

SCAR (assault rifle)

#1

This is can be one of the most powerful weapons in the game if used correctly. It’s accurate, powerful and causes a good amount of damage if used correctly.

Damage: 35-36

Bolt Action Sniper Rifle

#2

This weapon is so powerful that it has the potential to kill a player in one shot. It can blow away all kinds of walls and protections.

Damage: 105-116

The Clinger

This bomb is a very controllable weapon and a powerful explosive. It can easily be thrown directly onto an enemy, but the special aspect of this weapon is that it can be stuck on walls or any solid surface. Damage: 200

#3

Assault Rifle (M16)

#4

Although on the much more common side, this weapon can still give knock a character down, and it can be easily found. Damage: 30-33

Hand Cannon

#5

If you want a smaller weapon that can still cause some damage, this is it! It’s not too powerful long range, if you can get close enough to use it then the weapon will do its job. Damage: 75-78 (All content by Sydney Ellison)

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FHNTODAY.COM | 10.03.18 | ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE BY MACKENZIE PUGH

“ ““ ““ ““ “ TOP5 “[Fortnite] is fun, and it’s a way I can hang out with my brother since he’s away at college.”

“I play [Fortnite] with my friends and family, and it’s really fun.”

-Brayden Riggs, 11

-Catherine Connolly, 9

Haunted Hill

#3

“All my friends play [Fortnite] and it’s just a good way to waste time.”

“Honestly I’m just a big fan of battle type games, it’s just one of those things I’m in to.”

-David Lopez, 10

- Eleanor Goldsmith, 10

LANDING ZONES

The graveyard of buildings holds many valuable supplies that can be used to build walls and kill enemies.

“No one usually goes here.”

-Zayne Balleydier, 11

#5 Snobby Shores

Filled with fancy houses on the edge of the island this is a great place. It has plenty of supplies, and it’s typically not very crowded.

“If you’re the only one who goes there, there are a lot of looting opportunities.”

- Braden Riggs, 11

#1 Tilted Towers

This is the most common landing spot. It’s rich in supplies and weapons.

“It’s just the place to be. It might sound basic, but if you’re an expert like me, you can kill the newbies like I do.”

Retail Row

#2

Modeled after a shopping mall, this landing spot is popular and can become crowded and dangerous very quickly.

“Retail Row has good loot.”

-David Lopez, 10

-Hannah DeGraw, 12

PAGE BY MACKENZIE PUGH

ENTERTAINMENT| 10.03.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

03

30 years of

Impact

One short-lived rap group’s music changed the past 30 years of American culture, music and entertainment

by Jack Cleaveland

their lives and experiences.

“Before Straight Outta Compton was released, rap music was more funky, light and happy,” Coil said. “There was strong speech ap is one of the most popular genres of music today. that wasn’t seen in music prior to the album being released.”

When students walk around FHN, you see most kids with This album even influenced more controversial topics outside headphones in listening to all sorts of different music, of the music industry. If this album didn’t shed light on the acts whether it be their favorite albums or the new hit singles. The of police brutality and racial profiling that members of the group chances are that if it weren’t for one important album 30 years ago, endured, several movements and events in later years wouldn’t a lot of the rap music you or your friends listen to might not be the have happened. The biggest of those being the 1992 L.A. riots. same or might not even exist at all.

The riots were sparked as a reaction of four policemen that were On Aug. 8 1988, the rap group N.W.A from Compton, California found innocent after beating Rodney King, a local taxi driver from released the Hip-Hop album that changed the genre forever. That the area, and the killing of Latasha Harlins, a 15-year-old who was album is Straight Outta Compton. MC Ren, Ice Cube, DJ shot by a convenience store worker. If four years earlier, Yella, Dr. Dre, Arabian Prince and Eazy-E. These six men N.W.A hadn’t released their views on events like this, changed rap music from being a genre that was riding there might not have been such an explosive reaction Listen to this off of the Funk and Disco genres of the 70s. Then it into of anger and a yearning for justice. monumental album a genre about venting frustration, exposing injustices, “N.W.A spearheaded a movement in the early 90s here: storytelling and bringing the hardships of growing up in because they brought such emotion and anger to the bit.ly/2R2y0vy the South-Central area of Los Angeles to light. forefront of rap music when they released Straight ”It was a revolutionary album,” Modern American Outta Compton,” Coil said.

Culture teacher Kim Coil said. “It brought forth a sort of Today, people still appreciate the influence that the untold view of growing up during hard times that the rappers grew album holds. Rap music today sounds drastically different than up in.” it did in 1988. For example, the more acoustic sampling of older N.W.A. can be seen as a more “experimental” group in the sense music has been replaced by synthesized 808s and drum machines that they took their outlook and attitude from the earlier days of that old-school producers used have been recently replaced by punk rock. From the era of groups like Minor Threat, Adolescents programs like FL Studio or Ableton. Despite the differences in and Suicidal Tendencies, N.W.A. brought forth a whole new style: overall sound, the topics that modern day rappers talk about are gangsta rap. Gangsta rap is a genre that was created from rappers more like N.W.A’s lyrics about cars, money and drugs than other like Eazy-E of N.W.A. talking about their lives and lifestyles. They acts from that era such as Sir Mix-A lot or DJ Jazzy-Jeff. More rapped more about being in gangs and everything that came with rappers today have roots in the attitude that N.W.A portrayed years it rather than rapping about dances or parties that other rappers at before such as JPEGMAFIA, Playboi Carti and Comethazine. the time would often reference. The style and movement that these “You can see how the release of this album has changed the rappers created with this album is the biggest breakthrough that course of not only music, but American culture,” Coil said. “It’s easy paved the way for groups like Wu-Tang Clan and artists like Tupac to see that a lot of rap music you hear today was inspired from the to have an outlet or place to express their feelings about hardships, ideas that were put on Straight Outta Compton.”

Jack.cleaveland@gmail.com | @braackn

R

LISTEN

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FHNTODAY.COM | 10.03.18 | ENTERTAINMENT

WHY DO YOU

LISTEN TO RAP MUSIC?

“I listen to rap music because it’s the easiest way to convey emotion or express myself.”

ETHAN SEECK, 10 “Rap music is just fun to listen to when I want to chill or be hype and crazy.”

AVA CHRISTENSEN, 10 “I like all types of rap music. I listen to everything including rap.”

ABAGAYLE JOHNSON, 11 “[Rap] gets me hyped.

It gets me pumped up. It’s relatable to situations I’ve been through.”

KENNEDY EVANS, 12

PAGE BY JACK CLEAVELAND

HELPING KIDS WITH CANCER...

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DAVID KESSLER 636-462-4670

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92 Professional Parkway Troy, MO 63379

CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2019 PURCHASE AN FHN YEARBOOK AD TODAY PARENTS AND FAMILY: Don’t miss this chance to applaud your child’s achievements and send them your love with this special opportunity.

Celebrate with photos and words of congratulation, praise and encouragement.

STUDENTS: Recognize and celebrate the relationships you’ve formed on teams, in classes, in clubs and in the hallways.

PRICES AND DETAILS: The ads will be produced in full color and designed by the trained FHN Yearbook advertising staff. You will be provided with a proof of your ad before printing. All you have to do is provide the photo(s) and message.

FULL PAGE: $360 2/3 PAGE: $250 1/3 PAGE: $140

2/9 PAGE: $95 1/9 PAGE: $60

DEADLINE: NOV. 20 QUESTIONS? 1. Visit Balfour.com and find Francis Howell North 2. Click “yearbooks,” then “yearbook ads” 2. Select the ad size you’d like to purchase 3. Click “add to cart” and Checkout 4. Send the info, photos and message via the instructions in the Balfour email after ad purchase

Contact Yearbook Adviser Jordyn Kiel: 636-851-5048 jordyn.kiel@fhsdschools.org

FHSD board members and students stand with their awards as AP Scholars. David Yang, Michael Yu, Rishith Mishra and Riley Lawson all received a superintendent certificate for being AP Scholars in their classes. The board recognizes students in order to achieve an engaging learning environment. (Photo by Isabella Schneider)

PROCEED with THE PLANNING

While the Board of Education spends time to arrange for the addition of the new strategic plan, which was created during the 2017-18 school year, changes are already occuring in FHSD

by Sammie Herr

sammieherr17@gmail.com | @ouchthatherrt

L

ast year, the Board of Education put together a strategic planning team that consisted of chosen FHSD community school board members, students, parents and business partners. They spent five months mending together a strategic plan that held the goals, ethics, morals and values for the next five years in the district. The plan started this year and will last until 2023.

“The strategic planning team talked about the embody, uniqueness and culture of each school in the district,” Sam Cary , senior and strategic planning member, said. “It made me excited because I was hoping we can bring back the spirit and energy to FHN.” Together, the team decided on five ultimatums. The first focuses on student academics and how prepared students are for their life out of high school. The second focuses on the students’ learning environment and how interactive and collaborative learning is for them. The third is to improve employee leadership in the district, and the fourth goal is to improve community and parent communication, along with including “real-world” learning opportunities like the CAPS program or Lewis and Clark. The fifth and final plan is for the district to be responsible of people, time, and financial resources to achieve these goals.

“This plan the Board of Education created is about taking our district to the next level,” Board President Rene Cope said. “We are recognized in the state and district as one of the best school districts around. It’s about

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FHNTODAY.COM | 10.03.18 | NEWS

making this district better and helping students get prepared for life after high school.”

While the board is still figuring out how to implement the whole strategic plan, Superintendent Mary Hendricks-Harris believes that they will figure it out. So far, the Board of Education has used the first and second goals of the strategic plan. By using the CAPS program, they helped students who go straight to a career when they graduate high school. The program expanded their classes with new IT, health and entrepreneur strands as well as expanding to all St. Charles County Districts. The board wants students to have more job experience by the time they graduate.

“I think our plan is going to better prepare students for the world they are about to go live in,” Hendricks-Harris said. “The world is changing so fast.

The jobs that we know of right now are going to be very different than from when our students graduate two years from now. They need to be taught the things that the workforce is looking for.”

Along with planning for the district, the Board of Education took time to plan for FHN over the summer. The board made some aesthetic changes like painting the walls and adding new branding throughout the school.

When escorts were decided to not be implemented, they hired a new hall monitor so there is one monitor for each floor of the school to insure safety of students and staff. “[The Board of Education] knew last year was a difficult time for FHN,” Hendricks-Harris said. “We were very happy Hostetler took the position because we know he would be a good fit. With the visual changes, we really wanted to characterize that it’s a new day for FHN.”

PAGE BY SAMMIE HERR

Model UN members pose together with their awards. The team traveled to Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, KS. It was the teams first conference together as a group. Each member represented a different country and had to debate about topics common to that country. (Photo submitted)

MODEL UN’S FIRST A NEW AND IMPROVED PLAN CONFERENCE

THE FIVE KEY GOALS TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN

1

LIFE COLLEGE CAREER AND SUCCESS Prepare students academically, leading to life, college, career and success.

2

ENGAGING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

3

STAFF LEADERS AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE

4

ENGAGED FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

5

RESOURCE EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCIES

Cultivate a learning environment that is inclusive, innovative, collaborative and engaging.

Attract, develop and retain highly qualified employees to continuously improve students, school and district performance.

Extend student learning opportunities through partnerships between school, home and the community.

Be responsible stewards of people, time and financial resources to achieve the district’s mission, vision and goals.

PAGE BY SAMMIE HERR

Model UN will attend their first conference of the year at Washington University in St. Louis. The conference will run from Oct. 12 to 14, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. The FHN students in attendance will have the opportunity to participate in one of 16 crisis committees.

“It’s super different than the one we went to last year,” Club Vice President Uma Upamaka said. “Instead of acting as countries in the United Nations, we are delegates on a council in different crisis situations.”

At the upcoming conference, participants will choose a fictional situation to be put in. The scenarios range from solving the crime problem in Gotham city to saving a floundering Learn more about the future Walt Disney conference and committees at: World. Once they wumuns.com are sorted, students from different schools will work together in committees to solve the problem they are faced with from the viewpoint of the fictitious council they are acting as.

“Typically students would have to write a position paper in preparation for a conference, but for this they have just been researching what the viewpoint of their council would be,” sponsor Mike Parker said.

To ensure everyone is prepared, the students will also receive an hour of crisis committee training before the opening ceremony on the day of their arrival to Washington University. After their 11 hour day of meeting in crisis committees, all the FHN students will spend some quality time together walking around the Washington University area and getting dinner.

“I’m excited to go and meet students from other schools,” sophomore Ben Ell said. “Interacting with them and getting to spend time with the other FHN members is going to be a lot of fun.” (Brief by Sophie Carite)

MORE INFO

NEWS | 10.03.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

09

UPCOMING EVENTS

October

9

Hat Day Time: All Day Where: FHN

Tuesday

Junior Maggie McNevin and senior Carson Hackney started the Hiking Club with sponsor Matthew Howard to give other students the ability to share the exploration experience. The club meets on Thursday mornings and decides on what day to hike during the weekend. (Photo submitted)

TREKKING TOWARDS A NEW CLUB Hiking Club makes its debut at FHN this year. The group has received a good turnout of approximately 20 students. They look forward to exploring and enjoying the outdoors together on periodic hikes.

“It’s great, it’s a positive use of time,” junior and Co-Founder Maggie McNevin said. “It’s good exercise, good for your mental health, it’s nice because it connects you with the outdoors and you really grow to appreciate nature.”

The club offers a chance to get outdoors and away from everyday routines. Founders Carson Hackney and McNevin built on student interest and a common hobby to initiate the beginnings of the group. As well as hiking, activities like rock climbing, herping, hunting for reptiles and amphibians and trash pick ups are also part of excursions.

“The goal is getting kids out into nature,” sponsor Matthew Howard

10

said. “Getting them out of the grasp of technology and opening their eyes to what’s really out there and the beauty of nature.”

Informational meetings are usually held every other Thursday morning in Howard’s room. Everyone is invited to come out and participate in the exploration and camaraderie.

“I like the environment of Hiking Club already,” McNevin said. “It’s lots of people loving the same thing.

There’s no competition in hiking club. We’re all just there to have a good time, everyone is positive and encouraging.”

In the spring, the group is planning on overnight camping trips and possible collaborations with the ecology club.

“If you can only come out to one hike, do it, because it’s better than nothing,” McNevin said. “It’ll be worth your time, and super fun, you’ll enjoy yourself.” (Brief by Leann Smyth)

FHNTODAY.COM | 10.03.18 | NEWS

October

10

Wednesday

Parent Teacher Conferences Time: 4 - 7:30 p.m.

Where: Large Gym

Sophomore Carolyn Green paints a portion of the set for the upcoming play “You Can’t Take it With You”. The play highlights two families, one proper and the other disfunctional, and the struggle of love and acceptance. “You Can’t Take it With You” is scheduled for Oct. 25-27 from 7pm to 9:30pm. (Photo by Kaili Martin)

DRAMA CLUB HOSTS TRIVIA NIGHT Drama Club will be hosting a trivia night on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. in the Commons at FHN. Both students and faculty are invited to join.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Kim Sulzner club sponsor said. “Everybody thinks it’ll be easy since it’s made by students, but it’s really not.”

The cost is $50 per table and tables can have up to eight people of their choice.

Students and faculty can turn in money to the drama room until Oct. 5. Forms to sign up can be found on the school website and outside of the drama room. There will be 10 rounds of trivia.

“I love to see people coming together,” Drama Club President and senior Riley Lawson said. “People

get so competitive and it’s so fun to watch.”

Although Sulzner will be reading out the questions at trivia night, the cabinet of student officers have done the majority of planning and members of Drama Club will be running the event. All of the money that is made will be split evenly between each of the students working and those funds go towards their Missouri State Thespians trip. State will be in Kansas City from Jan. 10-12 and the cost will be about $400-$450. At previous trivia nights, students have raised about $1,000.

“It’s an easy way for students to make money,” Sulzner said. “But not only that, they have so much fun running the trivia night that it’s not just about the money.” (Brief by Kylah Woods)

PAGE BY LEANN SMYTH

October

11

District Board Meeting Time: 6:30 p.m.

Where: District Office

Thursday

October

15-22

October

Fall Break

Mon. - Mon.

Seniors Riley Lawson and Sarah Zimmerman jump together to raise money for the American Heart Association on Sept. 12 during the Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser.

NHS students made donations by pledging to jump a certain amount during the half hour time period. (Photo by Jordyn Sgroi)

COMING TOGETHER FOR A CAUSE FHN has hosted multiple events and fundraisers this homecoming season to contribute to the American Heart Association in honor of the new principal, Dr. Nathan Hostetler, who sustains the effects of a heart condition himself.

The community’s strong support and efforts have paid off in the amounts raised. Red out shirts alone sold for the Fort Zumwalt South football game raised over $700. In total the school has raised upwards of $2,000. Many groups and clubs collaborated to make an impact.

“I think all clubs and organizations did very well,” Juan Alega, Vice President of Student Council said.

“Combining all those proceeds that are going to the American Heart Association is a significant and large amount which I think will truly benefit the American Heart Association.”

The National Honor Society helped with red out shirt sales and held a

PAGE BY LEANN SMYTH

Jump Rope for Heart event on Sept 12 to boost donations. Members were sponsored by those who pledged donations.

“Just raising money and getting us high schoolers involved in a cause in a fun way, it’s not just raising money,” Grace Sickendick, President of NHS for juniors said. “We get to do it for our principal too.”

Other groups like Technology Student Association, Distributive Education Clubs of America, Health Occupations Students of America and French Club worked towards their common fundraising goal.

“The new FHN community that we feel this year, even at the start of the year is super beneficial,” Alega said.

“Because I think it really brings FHN, and whether its FHN students, teachers, staff and whomever they may be that is apart of FHN together, to help fundraise for this amazing cause.” (Brief by Leann Smyth)

25-27

Fall Play Time: 7:00 p.m.

Where: Auditorium

Fri.-Sat.

Before the Homecoming Football game on Sept.. 14 Knightpride did a pregame performance. The FHN Marching Band debuted their new choreography for their show, Wired. New props were added to the performance like an electric tower and wires. (Photo by Francisco Jimenez)

MARCHING INTO ARKANSAS KnightPride will compete at a competition in Bentonville, Arkansas on Oct. 6. The band will perform at Bentonville High School and will be judged against 11 other bands.

“Most sports teams go up against one group a night,” Band Director Robert Stegeman said. “What’s impressive about band is that every weekend we go up against a fresh load of 20 something groups. It’s pretty cool.”

KnightPride practices daily after school, rehearsing the same show each day.

They practice choreography, coordination, and music. The band evaluates each football game they perform at to improve and change things in the show that they need to.

“It’s amazing how much time seven minutes on a field takes,” Stegeman

said. “It takes a lot of time. There is a lot of music and coordination and movement.”

Marching Band will perform their show, “Wired.” Stegeman creates the show from the ground up. He makes it his own, relating it to himself, his generation and his students.

According to Stegeman, the show portrays energy and electricity.

The show is about the human connection and Stegeman’s frustration about everyone wanting to be an individual. It’s about bringing people together and being unified.

“We’re playing more dark music with bigger impacts than our band has had in a while, but I think we’re tackling it well,” junior Andrew Reese said. “It’s been written for non-stop movement too which makes it more fun to watch and a lot harder to do.“ (Brief by Grace Bowman)

NEWS| 10.03.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

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3

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE THE MIDTERMS

The election for the open Senate seat in Missouri will be taking place on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Here are three things students at FHN should know before the big date (Content by Sophie Carite)

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH VOTING?

How to register to vote: To register to vote in Missouri, you have to be 17 and a half years old and a legal resident of America. You can register to vote in person or by mail. Here are the steps you need to take to register one of those two ways:

Where to vote: Check out this link to find your polling place: bit.ly/2QSmi6C

What to bring with you: In Missouri voters are required to bring one form of valid ID which could be:

1) Fill out a completed Missouri Voter Registration Application which can be found at: s1.sos.mo.gov/

Enter your home address an zip code into the website to find your district and the exact location of your polling place.

1) Missouri driver’s license or non-driver ID card 2) U.S. passport 3) Copy of your current utility bill, bank statement or paycheck

2) Mail or bring the printed out form to this address before Oct. 10: 397 Turner Blvd.

St. Peters, MO 63376

WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES? Claire McCaskill

Josh Hawley

Claire McCaskill is the Democratic candidate. She is running for reelection after serving in the MO Senate for the past 12 years. McCaskill has focused on cutting wasteful spending, expanding job opportunities and combating sexual violence while in office.

Josh Hawley is the Republican party candidate.

Currently, he is serving as the MO Attorney General. If elected, Hawley will focus on advocating for religious liberty, ending the opioid crisis and limiting Washington overreach into family businesses.

(Photo from Wikimedia Commons)

(Photo from joshhawley.com)

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

“I care about politics “[Politics] is the foundation “[Politics] affects how other “Government influences because it can change that we base what’s nations see us and politics virtually every aspect of everything about our lives rights and wrong on. It’s a are supposed to portray our lives and if we aren’t from school to who picks reflection on what we value my personal values and my involved we’re letting other up our trash.” as a community.” opinions.” people control us.”

BEN ELL, 10

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ALEX ORTIZ, 11

FHNTODAY.COM | 10.03.18 | NEWS

ELISE GORDON, 12

WILLIAM CROW, TEACHER

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ILIANA WONG, 10

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Senior Jake Miller stands with the memories of his sister, Dannielle, hanging around his neck and designed into his skin. Miller wears a chain with a cross and Dannielle’s fingerprint and has a quote tattooed across his chest so he can contain the precious moments with her from the thirteen years they had together. Miller has consistently worn this necklace everyday for the past six months even though his sister passed four years before. (Photos by Riley Witherbee)

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FHNTODAY.COM | 10.03.18 | FEATURES

PAGE BY MICHAEL ZULL

In Memory of boogie

Senior Jake Miller has two tattoos in memory of his sister, Dannielle, who died in 2014

by Gracie Bowman

graciebowman310@gmail.com | @_gracie__b_

Needles never used to scared Jake Miller. Even as the needle pokes through his skin on his forearm repeatedly, he doesn’t mind it. He has a lump in his throat, but not because his arm feels like a point of a hot knife dragging through his skin like soft butter. That was a tolerable pain. The tattoo shop’s LED lights let out a small hum, and the buzz of the tattoo gun echos in Jake’s ears. The artist breaks his concentration, telling him he’s finished with his work. He looks at the ink on his arm. Boogie 19902014. The tattoo costs $150, but it was priceless. He was sitting in the chair for two hours, but it would remain on his skin forever. Needles never scared Jake until his 24 year old sister died of an overdose in 2014.

Dannielle “Boogie” Durborow, who is Jake’s half sister died on May 18, 2014. In memory of her, Jake had a tattoo done on his forearm Feb. 2, 2017. He recently got a second one on his chest on Aug. 1, 2018.

“She was awesome,” Jake, a senior at FHN said.

“She was my best friend. I didn’t have that many friends when she was alive, so it was just me and her against the world.”

According to Jake, Dannielle was battling with drug addiction since she was 11 years old. She was in and out of rehabilitation centers that only worked for a couple of weeks. She argued with her mother, Gina Miller, and Jake. She slowly lost herself to the drug. It was driving a wedge between her and her mother, father and Jake.

“Addiction is a disease that affects the entire family,” Director of Public Affairs from Partnership for Drug-Free Kids Denise Farrell said. “These families are frequently fighting a silent battle, fought alone, too often rattled with guilt, confusion and judgment from other parents and society as a whole.”

Unaware that she was using the drug again, Gina heard from Durborow’s father, Glen Durborow, that morning. He had come to the house to tell the family that she had overdosed that night, leaving this world a friend, a daughter and a mother to two daughters. Full of shock, sadness, and anger, Jake was overcome with grief.

“I was angry with God,” Jake said. “It was a shocker. I wanted to know if she overdosed on purpose or if she did it on accident.”

PAGE BY MICHAEL ZULL

The family had to not only deal with the harsh amount of grief over their lost loved one, but they had to balance out the feel of blame they all had on their shoulders. According to Jake, he feels as if he should have done more to protect her while she was alive.

“You blame yourself all the time,” Gina said. “You think about what you could have done differently everyday.”

Dannielle’s passing left such an impact on Jake that he believes in living a sober life. He strays away from drug use, wanting to stay healthy, not only for his benefit, but for his parent’s well being as well.

“Kids today think they will do drugs just once to be cool,” Jake said. “They don’t realize once you do it, you’re going to keep doing it. You’re going to keep ruining your life.

You’re going to put your parents through what mine went through.

It’s not worth it.”

Gina and Jake have had a hard time healing over the death. They find it most difficult around holidays or her death day (Photos by Riley Witherbee) to cope with the loss. Although Jake has never accepted that his sister is gone, he finds comfort when he talks to his grandma.

“My grandma helped me,” Jake said.

“She’s really religious, so she tells me she’s with God now. She’s in a better place than she was because she’s away from all the drugs.”

Although the healing process is hard, according to Farrell, healing is always possible and there is hope for recovery for every family. Jake hopes to reach acceptance soon. Jake uses the tattoos to remind him of her and that she is still in his heart with him.

Gina knows that Dannielle is always with her, and she believes that she is watching over Jake all the time.

“It’s hard because you want them with you again,” Jake said. “You just want to talk with them again, you want to hold them again. You have to know they’re in a better place. They’re going to be waiting for you.”

FEATURES | 10.03.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

17

JAMMIN' WITH BROCKSMITH

Science teacher Joe Brocksmith's love for music led to him forming a band in 2010 called That’s What She Said (Photo Illustration

by Rebekah Myers)

by Mackenzie Pugh

kenzie2019@gmail.com | @mackenzie.pugh_

Strolling down the PLTW wing of school, people encounter many fun and exciting things. Soccer balls kicked at their feet, teachers hiding around the corner to scare them and they may often hear science teacher Joe Brocksmith singing loudly for his audience of passers by.

They might think to themselves, “Wow! He should really join a band.”

However, a little known fact about Brocksmith is that he used to play in a rock band.

“They were simply amazing,” FHN alumnus, Kyle Irwin said. “I wish they were still together.”

Although he wasn’t the lead singer, Brocksmith played guitar in a 90s alternative rock cover band called That's What She Said which he formed in 2010 and lasted for about two years.

“We would make all kinds of corny jokes during band practice saying ‘that’s what she said,’ and then having a female singer we thought that would be an amazing name for the band,” Brocksmith said.

Brocksmith has been involved with music since a young age when a friend of his started

learning to play guitar at 11 years old, and Brocksmith decided he wanted to learn as well. The two continued with their interest in music, playing the saxophone in their middle school and high school band. As they got older, his friend learned to play the drums.

Over time, their jam sessions turned into band practice. They then welcomed a bassist and singer into the crew.

“Brocksmith’s great guitar skills combined with his goofball personality made it a very amazing show,” Irwin said.

After about three months of practice, the band learned about 45 songs which was enough for three sets. They then began booking gigs and performing in taverns or bars, including Brew House in Maryland Heights where Irwin attended.

“Sometimes we wouldn’t get home until 3 a.m. after taking everything down,” Brocksmith said. “It made for some very late nights, but it was fun. The energy of the crowd and seeing people really getting into it and singing along with us and dancing was fun.”

Eventually, though, their glory days came to an end. Due to time restraints and personal conflicts, That’s What She Said ended in 2012.

“It was a lot of work and a lot of effort, but it something to check off of my bucket list and something cool to do,” Brocksmith said.

Pop-Rock band That's What She Said plays at Double Deuce Saloon in March 2011 with Joe Brocksmith as their guiatrist. The band had a total of 12 gigs at six different locations, and released their first single "When You Smile" the following May. (Photos Submitted)

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FHNTODAY.COM | 10.03.18 | FEATURES

PAGE BY REBEKAH MYERS

Sophomore Emilie Miller poses in the FHN courtyard.

Miller talks about her positive experiences with modeling in St. Louis and how she got the chance to model in L.A. She hopes that all of these opportunities will lead to a full time modeling career in the future. (Photos

by Ella Manthey)

City of Angels Gets Another Angel

Emilie Miller travels to Los Angeles, California for a contract to model for a major organization

by Grace Harding

During her time in Los Angeles, she did a lot of photo shoots for Two Management, to see what she was capable of. But her favorite part was shooting for the cover of Shutter Magazine. However, modeling was not the only thing odeling, a passion, a dream, an opportunity of a lifetime, a reality for Emilie was doing in California. During her time off the camera, she spent most sophomore Emilie Miller. But even though juggling school, friends, of her time on the beach watching the waves and soaking up the sun, but also modeling and volleyball seems like a lot, for Emilie, it’s no reason to stop. visiting family who lives there.

“It’s definitely stressful but the opportunity and experiences I have make it “My favorite part was the beach,” Emilie said. “I loved just sitting in the sand and worthwhile,” Emilie said. hearing the waves roll in.”

According to Emilie, modeling for less than Having to be available to fly to L.A. whenever Two a year and getting an opportunity to go to Los Management needs her is a big concern for Emilie. Being Angeles is amazing, but getting signed by an on JV girls’ volleyball, hanging out with her friends, agency there is extremely difficult because there managing school work, thinking of college, having is so much competition. Some try their whole To see more of downtime for herself and working for two modeling Emilie Miller visit the life for this type of experience and never get it. agencies, is a lot for a 15-year-old to handle. following link: Now Emilie is signed to two agencies, one here “I’m not really worried about falling behind in my https://goo.gl/kRM7nk in St. Louis, Missouri, West Model Management, education because they said if I get too far behind that I and one in L.A. called Two Management. can get a tutor,” Emilie said. “However, I am really worried “I really love modeling,” Emilie said. “I’ve met that I will miss my friends and not being able to play so many amazing people and had so many crazy volleyball.” experiences.”

In the future, she sees herself modeling full time. She wants to move to L.A. for Emilie and her mother, Mendi Miller, went to an open call for Two Management more opportunities, but she is still unsure. She loves volleyball and seeing all her here in Missouri, then about two weeks later they got the news. They were asked friends at school, also hanging out with them on weekends. Flying to and from L.A. to go to L.A. for a couple photo shoots and officially get signed to the company. will test her willingness to drop whatever she is doing and go without question.

Emilie was so excited, she couldn’t believe she got the call.

She could potentially miss out on big school events such as Homecoming or “I was so excited for her, I can’t wait to see what she does in the future with the Prom, but according to Emilie, it’s all worth it. company,” Mendi said.

“I love it,” Emilie said. “There is nothing I would rather be doing with my time.” graceharding2727@gmail.com | @grace_harding27

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PAGE BY GRACE HARDING

FEATURES | 10.03.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

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(Photo from St.Louis Arch photo gallery)

THE NEW ARCH The Gateway Arch finished its renovations and reopened its doors to the public on June 13, just in time for its 50th anniversary.

Now with updated park grounds, museum and more, the National Park gives a newer, enhanced experience. $380 million went into the project, from the park to the outside reconstruction to the museum restructuring.

“The primary purpose was to make the Arch a part of the city,” Destination Specialist Jan Mueth said.

The most noticeable change to the Arch is the park around it. Before, an interstate separated the Arch from the city. Since then, more park space has been added over the interstate, making the interstate a tunnel and the park a direct connection between the Arch and the Old Courthouse. This has made for a better view for photographers and sightseers alike. The entrance to the Arch has been moved closer to the city as well, as it used to be in the two legs of the Arch, but is now a tunnel opening in the middle of the park.

“What we did was basically a 50 year facelift,” Park Ranger Doug Harding said. “The Arch is definitely a lot better now.”

Taking the first steps into the Arch gives an extravagant view of what five years of work really looks like. The museum, free to the public, is now the first thing a visitor sees. Rather than a maze of various exhibits, every exhibit branches off the main corridor.

Showcased are events reaching back before the Louisiana Purchase, as well as the building of the Arch, all of which weren’t displayed before. There are also interactive exhibits that allow the visitor to simulate the Great Fire of 1849 and preparation for travel on the Oregon Trail, among others. After years of never being fully open to the public, the entire Gateway Arch National Park can provide a variety of experiences for a variety of people.

“I think it’s cool that more people can experience the Arch and its new features,” senior Sarah Maye said. “They added a lot to the whole park and made it a lot more glitzy.”

(Brief by Rebekah Myers)

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Shelly Parks was announced as the Missouri State Teacher of the Year in a surprise assembly during the school day on Aug. 28. The assembly was held between second and third hour in the large gym. The whole student body, staff, and many board members were in attendance to congratulate Parks. (Photo by Phoebe Primeau)

POWER OF PARKS

English teacher Shelly Parks wins the Missouri Teacher of the Year Award

by Hannah Wilson

32, seven teachers were chosen to interview with a panel in Jefferson City. From those, one teacher was he gym is abuzz with expectant murmuring. chosen as the Missouri Teacher of the Year.

Hundreds of eyes are watching, waiting for “[The interview] was just intimidating,” Parks the lady of the hour. Suddenly, the gym is said. “It was a teaching interview, but I didn’t talk a filled with yells and cheers as English teacher Shelly lot about teaching. I talked a lot about education Parks steps through the doors. The Missouri State advocacy, policy and legislation. Not really my Teacher of the Year has arrived. classroom and my kids, which is what I’m used “I cannot even possibly put into words what it to. So, it definitely threw me for a loop with the was like walking into that gym,” Parks said. “I still questions they asked.” feel like that isn’t real. I would not believe that really As Teacher of the Year, Parks has more happened except for there’s video proof. It just responsibilities and duties. She’ll go on multiple seems so surreal.” speaking engagements around the state, talking Throughout this process, Parks was supported to different teachers and classes about her values by her school community. According to Parks, she and ideals. She will also take part in education has received lots of encouragement committees and even travel to the White from her colleagues. She is House and meet with Betsy DeVos and especially thankful for the support MORE INFO President Trump with the other Teacher of she’s received from the English the Year winners throughout the country.

Follow this link to department and Associate Principal Other fun and unexpected events include watch more about how Katie Greer. Lindsey Scheller, English throwing the first pitch at a Cardinals Parks’ journey: teacher and long-time best friend of baseball game and standing out on the field http://bit.ly/2xDa61u Parks, can’t think of anyone better for at a Kansas City Chiefs football game with the award. the Kansas Teacher of the Year. With these “She will never, ever, ever cut a new duties, Parks is expecting to be out of corner in teaching at all,” Scheller said. “Like, I feel the class for 50 to 70 days. With this absence in mind, it is so tempting, when you’ve been teaching for as the district agreeed to hire a permanent substitute long as she and I have, to just be like ‘Here’s how for 2019. Parks will still be around the school for we did it last year. Last year was good enough.’ She students. never does that. She never shies from anything. She’s “I feel like there’s definitely irony in the fact that all about what’s best for kids.” you won a teaching award but now you’re not going The process started for Parks when she was to be teaching,” Parks said. “I think that I’m just going awarded Teacher of the Year for FHN in 2017, where to have to consistently remind myself that while I am she then applied to be the District Teacher of the not with my kids everyday, I am sharing their stories Year. The application consisted of answering several when I’m not with them. I’m going to be highlighting essay questions and submitting a resume. After public education through this school, which I think winning that, all the District Teachers of the Year is pretty cool. I know that people all across the state throughout Missouri apply for Regional Teacher of are going to hear about this school and I am trying to the Year. Once again, Parks won this award, along really help not only kids in my classroom but kids all with 32 other teachers from the state. From those across the state.” hannahmae691@gmail.com | @hannahwilson

FHNTODAY.COM | 10.03.18 | FEATURES

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PAGE BY KYLAH WOODS

Are you

Scared yet

?

Halloween is right around the corner and with that comes haunted houses, scary movies and corn mazes. Take a deeper look into fears and phobias, what the difference is and what happens in the brain when we are scared

WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?

“Getting called out in front of people because I get super embarrassed and self conscious.”

-Sam Weaver, 12

What Happens in the Brain There are dozens of parts of the brain that are somewhat involved when scared, but these are the parts of the brain that play central roles

2. Sensory Cortex

The sensory cortex interprets the incoming stimuli

1. Thalamus

The thalamus decides where to send incoming sensory information

4. Amygdala The amygdala decodes emotions, determines the possible threat and stores fear memories

3. Hippocampus

5. Hypothalamus

What’s the Difference?

Fear is a mechanism built in to help alert people to potentially dangerous situations. A fearful reaction happens whenever we sense danger or when we experience something unknown that is potentially dangerous. Everyone experiences fear at different levels and some even seek out that feeling.

On the other hand, a phobia by definition is an intense, unreasonable fear. The fear is far out from the actual danger presented by the person, object or situation.

What makes them different from fears is that a person with a phobia will do anything to avoid it. When someone with a phobia has to face it, they can feel intense feelings of anxiety, fear and sometimes panic. The severity of a phobia varies between person to person. Phobias are classified as an anxiety disorder and is the most common anxiety disorder.

PAGE BY KYLAH WOODS

“Probably insects because they are small and scary creatures and the second you know they’re there, you can’t get them out of your head.”

-Khalin Shah, 9

The hippocampus stores and retrieves conscious memories. It processes the stimuli and establishes context

The hypothalamus triggers the fight, flight or freeze response

Fears vs. Phobias

“Betrayal by someone you trust and them hurting you because it’s really hard to trust someone.”

-Johna Hargrove, 9

Types of Phobias 1. Specific Phobias

“Dying. I don’t want to die because there is so much out there for me to do and see.”

-Karim Khdeer, 10

They are the most common and focus on specific objects.

People with a specific phobia feel a constant fear of an object. Most recognize that their fear is irrational but will still try to avoid that object

2. Social Phobias

Social phobias bring an intense anxiety or fear of being judged or rejected in a social situation. People with a social phobia often avoid social or performance situations.

3. Agoraphobia

People with agoraphobia will avoid places that make them panic or feel trapped and embarrassed. The anxiety is caused by the fact that there may be no easy way to escape or get help.

“Elevators because I don’t like being in a steel box that can propel me to my death at any moment.”

-Anna Hackstadt, 12

FEATURES| 10.03.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

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SCHOOL MEMORIES YEARBOOK ABOUT THE BOOK

GET FEATURED IN THE YEARBOOK! Tweet #yearbook to @FHNtoday with:

• 320 pages • Full Color • Covers every month of the school year from a community, academic and in school viewpoint • Covers all major school events • Covers all clubs and sports, and as many individuals as possible • Provides an in-depth recap of the year that is, through the eyes of a diverse student body, which you won’t want to miss!

IS THE NUMBER OF TIMES Example:

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SPORTS

TRAVEL

PETS

E Show how M P 3 Other Ways to Order Available Nameplate Icons together we can C O Online H make a difference W A E Phone

Swimming 111

S O L I D A Diving 112

Hockey 113

Snowboarding 120

Skating 121

Weightlifting 122

Football 101

Basketball 102

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TIME

2018-2019 yearbook! Bring this completed form with your payment to the yearbook table at registration to buy, or follow the directions on the right to purchase another way. The yearbook will only be $55 until Oct. 12. Those puchasing at registration can make checks out to FHN.

Order online at www.balfour.com

Up to 2 activity icons available with personalization. Actual icon size is approximately ½” square.

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Baseball/Softball 104

Track 105

Cross Country 167

Soccer 106

Wrestling 107

Golf 109

Gymnastics 108

Visit www.balfour.com select your school and follow the ordering instructions

Tennis 110

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS Lacrosse 114

Field Hockey 115

Rugby 168

Cheerleading 116

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Archery 164

Dance Team 117

Band 126

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Skateboarding 119

Color Guard 127

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Drama 129

Mail

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Choir 133

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Star of David 142

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Om 144

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Butterfly 154

Grad Cap 155

Class of 2019 162

Class of 2020 163

Speech/Debate 130

Music 131

Guitar 132

Cross 140

Christian Fish 141

Smiley Face 152

Hearts 153

G E

O P E

Photography 136

Technology 137

Student Govt 138

Honors 139

Peace Symbol 146

Peace Sign 147

Yin-Yang 148

Cloverleaf 150

Fleur-de-Lis 151

Class of 2021 156

Class of 2022 157

Class of 2023 158

Class of 2024 159

Class of 2025 160

A $10 fee is applied to all canceled orders. Your check payment may be converted to an electronic payment - your account could be debited the same day as payment is received and the original check will not be returned.

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WAY

FINDING YOUR

Life is constantly throwing challenges and obstacles in our path. They are unavoidable, but not impossible to overcome. When facing these problems, a positive mindset can be a great asset. This In-depth explores its role in various challenges faced by people in the FHN Community.

(Design by Heeral Patel, Photos by Phoebe Primeau, Paige Westermann and Jordan Milewczik)

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FHNTODAY.COM | 10.03.18 | IN-DEPTH

PAGE BY HEERAL PATEL

FACING CHALLENGES AS A GROUP

MOVING TOWARDS

COMMUNITY The FHN administration uses a new sense of community and a positive mindset to create trust and move past issues the school has faced in previous years

by Colin St. Aubin

set a more positive tone in the FHN Community. Hostetler believes that optimism is a roadmap to a brighter and better future. He describes optimism as a jolt to get the school on the right path. he administration at FHN entered the new school year “If I’m going to Cincinnati, I know the direction I’m headed,” keeping a couple key virtues in mind: trust and optimism, Hostetler said. “That’s what optimism is. It’s saying ‘Okay. That way. believing that these values can bring the school together as a Things are getting better, and that’s the way we go.’ If there’s no sense more positive community. of optimism, people just kind of sit around.

Last year, FHN experienced an extreme They don’t move forward. That optimism If I’m going to Cincinnati, I know number of fights, an unexpected can go a long way toward setting a tone the direction I’m headedThat’s intruder drill and other significant and giving a sense of direction, and that what optimism is. It’s saying concerns about safety and the direction is what matters.”

‘Okay. That way. Things are school environment as a Positivity is what the administration getting better, and that’s the whole. Assistant Principal team is working towards this school year, Erin Steep believes believing that trust and optimism can help way we go.’ If there’s no sense of that all these restore a positive atmosphere. Associate optimism, people just kind of sit challenges caused Principal Katie Greer thinks that a new, around. They don’t move forward. an underlying issue to positive climate has helped the school That optimism can go a long way surface. move towards a more lively and exciting toward setting a tone and giving “Our root issue was a tone place for students to receive an education. of negativity,” Steep said. “I think “Hope has come back,” Greer said. “It’s a sense of direction, and that [Head Principal Nathan] Hostetler really easy when you’re upset to find direction is what matters. believes that everyone has good everything that’s terrible, but when you’re intentions and innate dignity, and I think happy, you’re going to find things that are - Nathan Hostetler we lost sight of that last year. The challenges positive.” that arose may not have been worse than The administrators and staff have been we have seen in past years, but the talk was just way more negative.” working since July to help improve FHN, and this new motto of “FHN In order to correct this tone of negativity, the administration focused Community” has nestled its way into the minds of students and staff. first on trust. Mutual trust is an extremely important value to the Not only is the administration team determined to continue their administration team, whether it be between staff and administration, success by hosting community movie nights and coffee with the students and staff or administration and students. They believe that principals, but they also think that this very idea of community allows trust and transparency are what will help the school move on from for widespread acceptance and progress. last year.

“A community is a place where everybody’s story matters,” Hostetler “I think the approach we have taken so far this year is very said. “Where the kid who was born and bred in St. Charles has a story transparent and very open,” Steep said. “We haven’t tried to pretend that matters. Where the kid who has been chased across the globe that everything was great last year. We’ve put it on the table, saying for geopolitical reasons has a story that matters. Where the kid who that we know we’ve struggled, and we know that there was a lack is struggling with whether or not to come out of the closet has a story of trust there, and we’re being really open about needing to rebuild that matters. Where everybody can step past male and female, white that.” and black, gay or straight, and we can say that we are all human The administration believes that optimism is an important part to beings who have stories that matter. That’s a community.” cst.aubin12@gmail.com|@cstaubin12

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PAGE BY HEERAL PATEL

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IN-DEPTH | 10.03.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

25

FACING CHALLENGES IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT

PEACE

by Sarah Zimmerman sarahezimmerman8@gmail.com

PREJUDICE & POSITIVITY Coming to America

Living in a world of prejudice, Salam and her family couldn’t stay in Saudi. At age 12, Salam, her mother and her two brothers moved to the United States, leaving their father behind. He had sent them to the U.S. for a better life, staying back to work until he could join them two years later.

Even though she lives in a new house, Salam still feels like she has no home. No The Middle East home country to identify at least; yet she could identify with many. With so many The first scream echoed through the halls of her Saudi Arabian school. She ran. cultures clashing in her history, Salam cannot choose one. However, she knows Sprinting as fast as an 8-year-old child could, she raced for any exit she could find she is a Middle Eastern woman and a Muslim. Constants within a world of shifting as the shooter entered the building. Everyone was on their own. Heart racing, cultures, identities, countries and ideals. tears streaming down her face, it was all about survival, her survival. Yet, if she While crucial to escape the injustices in the Middle East, the largest shift- moving died, she felt it’d mean nothing. She was just another Palestinian. to the the United States from Saudi- was no breeze. Moving to the U.S. meant It would only be her first school shooting of three, even with her school being leaving everything Salam knew and almost everyone she loved. To make matters one of the most prestigious in the area. That said, even with the fear and threat of more difficult, she felt invisible with Palestine still not recognized by the United violence, she was still living a life of luxury compared to her the rest of her family.

States. She began to lose her identity. She lied about not being Palestinian to fit in.

Before her, her father had endured child labor and been shot at for fun. Yet before She avoided speaking Arabic. She just wished she was a white-skinned, blondeeven him, her grandfather walked barefoot from Palestine to Jordan, as bombs haired, blue-eyed American girl. dropped around him, to escape the war and return to the family he had already Yet, she knew she had to stay positive about her situation. She still had a life saved. With such great family sacrifices and struggle, junior Salam Abouchleih beyond compare to many others, even with the hardship of her journey. knew only to be grateful for her life in Saudi Arabia.

“My mom left everything,” Salam said. “She sacrificed With so much movement, Salam has very culturally her life for us, and I’m so thankful. They want you to have diverse roots. She is a Palestinian girl, raised in Saudi a better life, so they leave everything behind. Immigrant Think about the people in Arabia. Her father is from Lebanon. Her mother is from parents leave everything for you. My mom left her family, the world that don’t have the Saudi Arabia. Her grandparents are from Palestine but her sister, her mom, her dad when he was sick. She left opportunity to have anything moved through Jordan, displacing her family. him to come over here for us so we could have a better This first time was in 1948 when Salam’s grandparents life. She left everything for us.” or have never had anything. fled Palestine to escape the Arab-Israeli War. This war Leaving everything behind makes for a hard transition to Be thankful for everything you resulted from the Arabs rejecting the UN Partition Plan to a new life. For Salam, it meant learning a new culture and have and be optimistic. split Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab, educational system, making new friends and connections to decrease conflict over who was to occupy specific and overcoming discrimination and prejudice. She had - Salam Abouchleih to transition from a school of 450 people who spoke the land. After the Arabs rejected the plan, riots, bombings and massacres began and escalated to a full war, leaving same language to a school of 1,700 people speaking over 720,000 Palestinian refugees. a second language. Not to mention shifting from an After decades of conflict since, there are still hundreds of thousands of environment with terror to one where she was called a terrorist. It was a new Palestinian refugees, many enduring severe poverty, racial discrimination and world in the U.S. rampant unemployment in refugee camps. Yet, while the refugees struggle on, “The first thing people think when they see me is that I’m dangerous or that the conflict is still unresolved, with Israelis and Palestinians unable to come to an I don’t like to have fun or that I’m very close-minded or don’t know what I’m agreement on the land. talking about,” Salam said. “A lot of people think that I’m dangerous, and that “[Palestinians] don’t care where you are from,” Salam said. “Just don’t treat really bothers me because I’m the opposite of that. I love peace. My name actually us like we are dogs. We are literally treated like we are animals everywhere, means peace in Arabic.” everywhere we go. The thing that hurts the most is that wherever we go, we’re False stereotyping, perceptions and terrorist “jokes” are not the only challenges never going to have a country. We are never going to fit in, and that breaks my Salam and her family face. Although they were able to immigrate to the U.S., heart. My kids, when they grow up, they are never going to have a place to call Salam’s father still helps provide for his family overseas in the Middle East, causing home, ever.” him to send half his income away. Regardless, Salam still maintains a positive

S

alam.

Five letters, one meaning: peace.

Yet, her life had been anything but.

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PAGE BY HEERAL PATEL

Junior Salam Abouchleih overcomes the hardships following immigration, discrimination and cross-culturalism

attitude and hopes to spread her enthusiastic, grateful mentality.

“Think about the people in the world that don’t have the opportunity to have anything or have never had anything. Be thankful for everything you have and be optimistic, because there are kids that have never even had the opportunity to have education in general.”

Moving Forward

Not only does Salam stay grateful, but she also focuses attention on her peers and their experiences, aspiring to negate the harsh words they hear from others by spreading hope and building connections among those with similar backgrounds. “[Her positivity] helps her personally, but I think that helped her be successful at school and hopefully also successful in life,” ESOL teacher Anne Freeman said.

“She’s caring, she’s a leader, she’s passionate and she’s very vocal in a positive way...I think other students look up to her because she’s full gold. She’s passionate. She is successful. I think others look up to her in that way.”

Whether leading by optimism or leading by example, Salam inspires not only her classmates, but her nearest friends. Willing to speak out about her stories or on injustices to Palestinian people by attending protests, Salam works to connect and bond to those around her. To further connect with others, she even helped begin the Delta Club, which is a club that embraces diversity of all kinds.

“There’s a lot of kids in our school like Salam who don’t get to share their stories for many different reasons,” fellow immigrant and friend Adriana Jimenez said. “So I think it’s very important for people to listen to her. It’s a very inspiring story that a lot of us need to listen to because a lot of things have happened to her that none of us would even think of, you know, happening to us. So the fact that she’s gone through it, we need to respect that, and we need to acknowledge it.”

Connecting with students like her in the United States, both through the Delta Club and in conversation, is how she’s able to overcome adversity and shift perspectives towards positivity and spread change.

“There’s a lot of Syrian refugees that I’ve been seeing for the past days, and it breaks my heart because I know what they feel like,” Salam said. “I know what it feels like to be Arab and Middle Eastern to be rejected… I know what they feel like, so I want to help them.”

Trying to aid other students, refugees and people by sharing her story and learning others’ stories, Salam continues to spread a positive outlook and promising initiative for change, all while remembering her roots along the way.

“I’m just so thankful that my dad had the opportunity to become an American citizen and has had the opportunity to bring us here and start a better life for us,” Salam said. “If he never did that, I would still be in Saudi Arabia, still getting discriminated against, and now that I’m older, I would have no no rights at all.

Even now [in the United States], we’re still really lucky because there’s a lot of refugees who moved here to America, and they live in really, really bad areas…

I just thank God every single day for the position that I’m in because I am so lucky compared to my family, or compared to the Palestinian refugees all over the world. I’m so so lucky.”

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IN-DEPTH| 10.03.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

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WHY DO YOU FACE CHALLENGES THAT YOU’RE FACED WITH?

“Anxiety to perform better in my choir class. I like to perform for people and I like to make friends and that helps me getting over anxiety. When I perform I’m relaxed and I relax once I get in the zone.”

“Entering a new school year under new leadership and having responsibilities for myself in activities I do makes me obligated to get stuff done.”

- Eve Abuazza, 12

- Ethan Matlack, 9

FACING CHALLENGES IN YOUR PASSIONS

MUSICALLY MOTIVATED After struggling with music sophomore Catherine Pundmann improved her skill through putting in extra time and effort It’s freshman year. Music fills the ears of sophomore Catherine Pundmann.

She looks around at everyone else, trying to mimic what they’re doing with their instruments.

Pundmann struggles to catch up with the rest of the Woodwind Choir. Her range is off, and it’s already too far into the song to try to read the music and catch up.

Overwhelmed and over it, she’s forced to sit and listen.

“I felt like everyone else around me was so good,” Pundmann said. “They could read all of the ink on the page, and I’m sitting over here barely being able to play a simple note.”

Pundmann is a clarinet player.

During her freshman year, she joined Woodwind Choir and Basketball Band.

She went through not feeling good about

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her place in band, and felt that everyone around her was on a completely different level of understanding music, especially with knowing how to read music.

“In a program like band, there’s a spectrum,” Band Director Robert Stegeman said. “Catherine came to band a little behind. I don’t think it’s anybody’s fault. But she is very determined and very focused when she’s in rehearsal. Her musical understanding got a lot better from when she started.”

By simply joining Marching Band, she bonded with a larger community of people.

She fit extra practices into her schedule and worked hard to become the clarinet player she is now. Not only has she become comfortable at playing the clarinet, but she feels she’s found a home in her section.

“The more I saw her in Woodwind Choir, the more I saw her improve,” Arianna Chaves, senior and clarinet section leader, said. “Then she joined Marching Band, and things were hard at first, but the biggest thing she did is keep working at it and practicing. We were working together on a lot of things, and she has gotten so much better.”

Currently she’s in Marching Band, Woodwind Choir and Basketball Band, where she plans to stay and hopes that she can improve even more over time with help from the resources around her.

“When you’re in band, there are so many good people near you that you’re so motivated,” Pundmann said. “Whether you realize you do it or not, you pick up little things other members do when they rehearse of perform.” (Story by Sammie Herr)

CHEERNg forward

by Heeral Patel

heeral.patel03@gmail.com|@Heeral12

I

t’s a daily procedure for Morghen Fisher and her team. Roll out the mats. Stretch. Warm up.

The time is spent practicing stunts and doing routines. They’re filling, twisting, rolling and jumping.

Perfecting their moves for performances. Now a senior, Fisher has been doing this for the past four years. She doesn’t feel it yet, but she knows the pain will come. It will feel like a pinch around those two points in her spine. Some tightness in her mid and lower back.

Fisher spends the time after cheer practice to rest and mend herself. Take ibuprofen to remove swelling. Use heating pads loosen up the muscles.

Treat her back to keep it from getting worse. It’s a daily procedure for her. “[The pain] kind of defeats you a little bit, because you know that it’s there, and you know that it’s causing you pain,” Fisher said. “But at the same time you know you have to push through for your team.

It kind of motivates you and defeats you at the same time. It didn’t hurt as much during practice, but after practice is when it would start hurting.”

Knowing she will have to go through it all again the next day demotivates her further.

Fisher began her cheering in the sixth grade at a friend’s gym. Through practicing their skills everyday, being on a competitive cheer team and helping with a program that taught girls with disabilities cheer, Fisher and the other cheerleaders in her gym grew closer. For her, friendship and cheer go hand-inhand. It’s through cheer that she’s made her best friends, and it’s through her friends’ encouragement that she gets the extra motivation to push through the pain on a daily basis.

“I see someone who has a lot of passion for what

PAGE BY HEERAL PATEL

“Sports because if you dedicate to that sport you have to put your heart into if and the challenges are the best thing because you have to aches your goal and that’s the important thing in life.“

“Dealing with rude people with bad attitudes. I personally don’t let if get to me and just stay calm. My morals [help] because it’s always good to be nice to people.”

- Jaydan Smith, 12

- Bryana Meitz, 11

While cheering, senior Morghen Fisher regularly battles back pain yet she still persists in her passion.

She stays motivated through her love for the sport and the support of her friends she did, and when times started getting hard for her, knows she needs to ease up. It will hurt to move. It I had to just keep letting her know that it’s okay and will make it hard to lift other cheerleaders sometimes. that she can force through the pain and she was Her battle with the pain is an ongoing ebb and flow. stronger than her mind would let her believe,” her Some days are worse than others, but she still pushes best friend, senior Katie Von Harz said. ”It’s definitely through. upsetting because it does cause some limits on “She won’t stop doing it even though it hurts,” her, and it does affect the things that she loves to varsity Head Coach Tracy Wuertenberg said. “She do the most. [However,] I always know that she’s won’t stop doing it because it’s something that strong enough to get she loves doing, and when through it.” there’s something you love She won’t stop doing it It was actually doing, you’re going to do it even though it hurts. She a problem in her as much as you possibly neck that led can. It’s like that with won’t stop doing it because Fisher to seeing a any other athlete.” it’s something that she loves chiropractor during At the end of the doing, and when there’s her sophomore year. day, Fisher goes something you love doing, There they took back for her you’re going to do it as much x-rays and found the team. Giving cause of the back up on the as you possibly can. It’s like pain that plagued sport would that with any other athlete.

Fisher since she be giving up started cheering: her on them.

- Tracy Wuertenberg back was curved at She helps two points. One in her team, the mid back and the other in the lower. It wasn’t so and they support her. The much that she needed surgery, but enough to cause pain in her back makes discomfort after exercise. Finally Fisher knew that the cheering a little harder for her, problems she had been experiencing had a reason. but not impossible.

She had scoliosis.

“They don’t let me get down on myself,” “[Pain] wasn’t something that stopped me before,” Fisher said. “If I don’t feel like I’m doing Fisher said. “It didn’t really faze me much that I knew something to my full capability, they help I had [scoliosis] because it didn’t affect me then. I me by letting me know that it’s okay and didn’t want to change anything because I found out a that I’m doing the best I can. I think it would name for what it was.” be little harder [without them] because I She isn’t afraid of getting a major injury. Doctors am mentally hard on myself, so without haven’t given orders that limit her abilities; the pain those people around me, it would be a big however does. Scoliosis doesn’t increase her chances challenge because I would be thinking that I of getting injured, but when it starts to hurt, Fisher can’t do things that I can.”

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IN-DEPTH | 10.03.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

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FACING CHALLENGES INTERNALLY

Powering

THROUGH

Panic

English teacher Jani Wilkens keeps a positive outlook while dealing with panic attacks and seasonal depression

by Hannah Wilson

hannahmae691@gmail.com|@hannahwilson30

S

he woke up in the morning and started to get ready for the school day. She headed to the shower, when suddenly on overwhelming sense of panic consumed her. Her heart started racing and her breath was shallow. ‘What is going on?’ She stumbled into the bathroom, crying, and threw up.

Confused and upset, English teacher Jani Wilkens wondered what’s happening and why is she not able to power through it.

During the 2016-17 school year, Wilkens took a leave of absence lasting from October through December due to debilitating panic attacks that kept her from being able to come into work.

“I’ve been able to look at it pretty clearly,” Wilkens said. “When I’m in a good place, I get a lot of clarity about it. So, I can easily say now that there were a lot of warning signs that I wasn’t paying attention to in my body. I would get stressed more easily. I wanted to sleep a lot as opposed to doing things. I would get kind of edgy and short with the people that I love like my family and kids. When it’s something that could dramatically affect me, I was pretending it wasn’t happening. I don’t think I realized how bad it was until the panic attacks started.”

Wilkens has suffered from seasonal depression since her junior year of high school. This makes it more difficult for Wilkens to cope during the darker times of the year like fall and winter. She would try to stay busy, which resulted in more stress and panic.

“I really tried to hide [my attacks] from my kids,” Wilkens said. “I didn’t want them to see that I was a mess. So I would call in sick, and it got to be a thing

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where that same feeling of tension and of my heart up to her room the first morning that she came back racing and feeling like I was being squeezed. But it got and I just sat at the desk and held her hands and to the point where I was missing enough work that prayed. I wanted her to know that we were for sure I was feeling even worse about it because it’s really supporting her but there was somebody who was important to me that I don’t let people down.” much greater than us who had her back.”

After calling in sick multiple times, Wilkens decided With all of the love that she was feeling, she still felt to take a short-term leave of absence through guilty about taking leave. While she knows that she disability due to mental illness. She started her path had to take care of herself, it was still difficult to do so to healing by seeing a therapist through her church when she wanted to take care of others. two times a week and going “The hardest part about to a doctor. The hardest part coming back was knowing for her was admitting that that I had let people down by I’ve always bitten my she needed help. being gone and, even though fingernails. Recently, I “When you’re already my students were very kind, was listening to one of in a bad place, it takes especially when I was willing her podcasts that was an enormous amount of to share a little bit of why I about stop telling yourself strength to even make the was gone with them, I knew call to make an appointment that I had let people down,” promises that you’re not because you’re admitting,” Wilkens said. “I had to own going to keep. And so I said, Wilkens said. “You’re up to it, and I didn’t want to.

‘I want pretty nails and I admitting ‘I can’t do this by That’s still in the back of my have the power to have nice myself, and I’m going to need mind a lot, the people who nails, so stop biting them. someone to help me. I can’t were in my class that I felt like get out of this by myself,’ I really let down, like maybe It’s that simple which is really hard.”

I could’ve given more of an Two months went by effort to them. But that was - Jani Wilkens and it was the start of a all I had to give, and I have to new semester; Wilkens returned to her classroom, be okay with that.” as ready as she would ever be for the start of the While she was doing better last year, Wilkens last half of the year. She came back with a lot of learned of the unexpected passing of her brother-inencouragement from her colleagues, who even went law in Boston. So, she dropped everything at work to her room and prayed with her. and went to help her sister with anything she needed.

“When she was out, I tried my hardest to make sure Wilkens took over just about everything, resulting in a she did not have things to think about,” Shelly Parks, lot of emotional and mental stress.

English teacher and friend, said. “I remember going “I got home around midnight on Wednesday night,

“

”

PAGE BY HEERAL PATEL

and I was going to come back to work on Thursday, but I don’t think I made it back to work until Monday,” Wilkens said. “Part of it was I just slammed into the ground emotionally. I was scared, I was scared that it was all going to come back, all the panic. I had all of these great kids here in my classroom who I wanted to be there for, and I said ‘Nope, I need to get this together before I get back there.’ I feel like even last year, I want to say I was treading water, but I think I was doing better than treading water, more like a doggy paddle.”

With the help from her friend and Bible study group member Heather Brewer, Wilkens was able to express her thoughts and feelings about her trip to Boston to another person, rather than bottle it up inside.

“She is very real with it,” Brewer said. “She’s able to see that if she’s vulnerable with it, it helps others and it helps her, too. She doesn’t have to pretend.

She can be honest with her feelings. She’s very realistic and I think she’s grown so much in realizing that every person has their own individual journey.

It gives her outlook on how people struggle and just because you may or may not understand it doesn’t make it any less real.”

Wilkens learned a lot about herself from this experience. With the help of her colleagues, her family and friends, her therapist and the people at her church, Wilkens was able to grow as a mother, teacher, friend and person.

“I think I’ve come out on the other side and realize that I can’t please everyone,” Wilkens said. “And even though I want to please everyone, because I feel like I should be able to, it’s okay if I don’t. I am who I am. If people don’t love me or appreciate me for who I am, then I might be better off without those people in my

PAGE BY HEERAL PATEL

life, which has meant I’ve had to say goodbye to some things.”

She makes sure to keep up with her self-care and to keep an eye on her mental health. One of the things that she likes to do is to read different books about a variety of topics. One thing she learned from her one of her favorite authors Rachel Hollis was to set reasonable goals for herself and to stop promising herself things that she wouldn’t promise to her best friend. She found this beneficial because she was able to set smaller, more attainable goals and achieve them, without feeling as stressed. With that in mind, Wilkens was able to accomplish a life-long goal: growing out her fingernails.

“I’ve always bitten my fingernails,” Wilkens said.

“Recently, I was listening to one of her podcasts that was about stop telling yourself promises that you’re not going to keep. And so I said, ‘I want pretty nails and I have the power to have nice nails, so stop biting them.’ It’s that simple.”

Looking back, Wilkens is able to see all the ways in which she has changed for the better. Her goal is to help those who may be feeling what she felt, by listening and supporting anyone and everyone.

“I think if you’re in the middle of it, you have to reach out for help,” Wilkens said. “And that is not an easy task. Because the minute you reach out for help, or admit that something’s not going the way you would like it to be in your life, you are admitting that you can’t fix it yourself. That’s really hard. I think that after you’ve gone through something, make it

matter.

I feel like I have to make it matter that I went through that. Maybe you make it matter by telling your story. Maybe you make it matter by helping someone else through a similar situation, because you get it. Maybe you make it matter by giving to others what you wish was given to you, or what was given to you, like kindness, or something that was helpful. You have to own your experience so that you can then turn and make it matter that you went through it.”

IN-DEPTH | 10.03.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

31

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NORTHSIDE NEWS Watch here: https://goo.gl/XtqjNG

ENRICO SPADACCINI MOVES FROM ITALY TO FHN AS AN EXCHANGE STUDENT

• Audrey Dickherber recaps the top events going on around FHN, including a reminder on college applications.

(Video by: Audrey Dickherber)

Watch here: https://goo.gl/sEkTtX

Enrico Spadaccini is an Italian Foreign Exchange student who is attending Francis Howell North for the first semester of the 2018-19 school year. He describes his life in America as a dream.

“I love going downtown because of the big city and

high buildings and very technological and I also love the center of Saint Charles because I love all these ancient buildings and this English environment.”

(Video By: Jena Pae and Sandy Han)

FHN INTRODUCES NEW HOMEROOM SYSTEM Watch here: https://goo.gl/npYHJZ At the start of the new school year FHN has started a new system to replace homeroom. Knight Time is meant to help strengthen the community at FHN. In Knight Time, students form community circles to discuss different issues they face and bond with others in the school.

(Video by: Gavin Anderson and Carson Ramirez)

BOYS SWIM TEAM ADJUSTS TO CHANGES IN THE NEW SEASON Watch here: https://goo.gl/GrhJvd Last year, FHN boys swim team lacked participants to form a team. However, with a new coach, 12 swimmers, and a freshman diver, the boys were able to have a team. This season, swimmers hope to make it to state this year, like Logan Schelfaut, their freshman diver.

(Video by: Reide Pearson, Jake Willmann and Reinita Lee)

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FHNTODAY.COM | 10.03.18 | VIDEO

THE HOOD REPORT Watch here: https://goo.gl/8bjt4ja • Emily Hood discusses important events from across the country, including the first tournament win by Tiger Woods in 5 years.

(Video by: Emily Hood)

HOUR WITH LAUER Watch here: https://goo.gl/Ngcmija • Dillon Lauer talks about FHN sports as he recaps and previews notable games in the coming week, including Cross Country’s impressive medal weekend.

(Video by: Dillon Lauer)

PAGE BY EMILY HOOD

Senior Joshua Simmons, number 54, runs towards the running back and attempts to tackle him. Simmons is the starting linebacker for FHN’s Varsity Football team. Going into last Friday’s game against Francis Howell Central, Simmons has 11 tackles and 11 assists. (Photo by Jordan Milewczik)

feeling at home

Senior Joshua Simmons attends FHN instead of returning back to Normandy for his final year

by Joel Boenitz

While Simmons is highly involved with the football team, he is also involved with making an impact within the school. He currently is a member of the club oshua Simmons and his family made the difficult decision to transfer over Students for FHN and is also a varsity athlete on the school’s wrestling team. from the Normandy School District here to FHSD back in 2013. Last year, “What I like about Simmons is that he’s very involved within the school,” Bevill Simmons had to make another tough decision: either stay at FHN and drive said. “A lot of times, you have guys who are just football players, but he will do a himself everyday or go back to Normandy for his final year of high school. In the lot of stuff inside FHN to help improve it.” end, the senior linebacker made the decision to drive 30 minutes everyday to get No matter where he is within the school, there is always one feature that himself back to FHN. manages to remain the same: his undying determination. Whether it be in the “FHN is my family,” Simmons said. “This is where I belong, as middle of a tough game or at practice, Simmons is a student, as an athlete and on a personal level. This is where I usually the one to get loud and hype up the team to try wanted to end my high school career.” and inspire everybody to give it their all, all of the time.

Since his move over, Simmons has become extremely involved “He inspires the team by bringing us all together,” within FHN, most notably, within the football team. Since he joined senior and fellow linebacker Conor Cronin said. “With To learn more about Normandy, search the team back in his freshman year, the senior has been able to all the hardships on the team, not everyone is going the link below: work all the way up to a starting linebacker position on the varsity to get along. But when you yell at somebody and just bit.ly/2PQ2CPu roster. He’s also been able to gain the respect of his teammates, as get everybody together as a family the way he does, it he received the most votes among the rest of his team to become really is inspiring.” one of the team captains for the 2018 football season.

In the end, it doesn’t matter if he’s the flashiest or greatest player on the field.

“He’s been the same every year,” Head Football Coach Brett Bevill said. “He When it comes down to the love of the school and for his team, Simmons always comes to practice everyday, he works very hard, he works in the offseason. He gives 100 percent both on and off of the 100-yard football field. usually does the right stuff on the field, but at the same time he is very vocal about “I feel like with the experiences I’ve gotten here, I can only express it by being the getting everybody else ready. I can see why the team picked him to be captain.” way I am, and that’s what I like about being here,” Simmons said. jboenitz2@gmail.com | @j_boenitz2

J

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SPORTS | 10.03.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

35

GROWING IN NUMBERS As the school year begins, an opportunity has resurfaced this fall. Last year the boys swim and dive team was cut due to lack of swimmers and the coach retiring. The sport has returned a year later as they now have 12 swimmers and one diver. With much persuasion, the girls swim coach, Joshua Galati, along with an assistant, have agreed to pick up the coaching position and lead the team. (Photos and brief by Kamryn Bell)

The boys swim team get together before practice and socialize with each other. FHN was able to get the earlier time slot for practices in Aug., but now they have their regular 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. practice.

Head coach, Joshua Galati, and assistant coach, Doug Van Horn, stand together watching and giving advice to one of their teammates in the pool. Because of the girls swim team Galati coached, he has a pre-set schedule for the boys to practice. The practices usually consist of a warm up, pre-set, drill set, main set, and then finally a cool down.

Sophomore Devon Grapenthin practices his butterfly stroke. Only about three to four of the swimmers have background experience in the sport, usually from a club team or a previous season at FHN. The remaining of the swimmers have little to no experience in swimming competitively.

Sophomore Jack Ferry dives off the block into the water at the start of practice.

The boys swim team usually work on reaction time to the starting horn so they can learn to dive into the water quicker at meets.

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FHNTODAY.COM | 10.03.18 | SPORTS

Freshman Aadhi Sathishkumar walks towards the locker room with his swim bag. Once their practice ends at 10 p.m., the team gather their equipment and change out of their swim gear.

PAGE BY KAMRYN BELL

Senior Luke Davis prepares to get back into the pool as he places his “FHN SWIMMING” cap on his head. Davis is the only senior this year out of the 12 boys on the team. “I’m really excited to be a senior, and that there’s an actual swim team this year and a big one at that,” Davis said.

PAGE BY KAMRYN BELL

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37

Sophomore Audrey Sevier winds up a pitch during a game against the Fort Zumwalt West Jaguars. The Knights were behind the entire game but during the third inning they were able to make it onto the score board with two runs. The first to score was junior Adria Schmidt followed by senior Julia Hanan when they hit the softball to outfield. The main setback of the night was that multiple players were out sick, resulting in remaining players to play in unfamiliar positions. Therefore, the Knights lost to the Jaguar’s with the score 17-2. (Photo by Kamryn Bell)

VENTURING INTO VARSITY

The varsity softball team is full of underclassman this year due to open spots from last years’ graduated seniors

by Ashlynn Perez

ashlynnkaeperez@gmail.com

There was a gap. After the majority of varsity softball players graduated and moved on last year, the team was left in desperate need of players. Only two players were returning. The coaches, Bob Dunahue and Mike Freedline, turned to the sophomores: an up-and-coming bunch of young players. “[The sophomore girls] are getting better,” assistant coach Mike Freedline said.

“It was a slow process at first but they’re catching up to the varsity level.”

For the sophomore girls, varsity is a new venture. Players like sophomore Audrey Sevier, pitcher and first baseman, have never played on a varsity softball team before. It takes extra effort, extra motivation and an intense determination to perform well on a more demanding level.

“For me it was kind of scary,” Sevier said. “You show up for freshman and JV games and it’s kind of relaxed, but with varsity it’s different. I didn’t know what to

expect and that part was scary.”

Senior Lily St. John is a returning player to the varsity team. She has had a front row seat to the passing of the graduates and the development of the new players joining the team.

“Honestly, so far it’s going good,” St. John said. “A lot of the girls have played outside of high school ball so they kind of know what’s going on. We hold our own against the older teams.”

In the end, softball is a team sport. It is not only a fight for the fresh-picked sophomores, but a fight for the juniors and seniors to help them grow and succeed in their sport. To win a game, each position is necessary. To be a better player, a good community is necessary.

“Teamwork is definitely the most important part of softball,” St. John said. “If you don’t work together, all the moving parts don’t work as one. You have to look at it as a machine. Everyone is a part of the machine. Everyone keeps it running.”

MAKING THE CALL UP

Underclassmen are called up to play on the varsity boys soccer team

by Julia Kristensen

kristensenjulia18@gmail.com | @juliakristense3

Three out, five in. Boys varsity soccer started off the season with only two seniors remaining and one junior quitting. With the changes that happened, players needed to be added to the varsity roster. Head Coach Larry Scheller pulled up three sophomores and two freshmen for varsity. Team unity can make or break a team, but the coaches and players think of FHN soccer as a program, not just teams.

“We started a process with the entire group and losing players effects the program more than anything else,” Scheller said. “When kids get hurt or they quit you have two other levels that you may have to get players from, but you have to bring up the next guy Freshman Cannon Murray attempts to get the ball from and hope that he does what he can to help the team.” the opponent. On Aug. 31, the FHN varsity boys’ soccer With eight overall changes to the team, the team team played against Liberty at Liberty High school. Liberty leaders help keep the team as a unit; everyone works won 1-0. (Photo by Phoebe Primeau)

38

FHNTODAY.COM | 10.03.18 | SPORTS

and plays together whether they have no varsity experience or they have been playing there for years.

Senior and team captain Corey Valleroy looks to help keep the team unity strong through passion, focusing on those who need the help and all the tough times of the season.

“Whatever happens, we’ll recover and do what we have to do, just keep playing soccer,” Valleroy said.

Sophomores Peter Moxley, Logan Johnson and Liam Levins and freshmen Jackson Houk and Ryan Dittemer were all pulled up to help build the team back up. With the end of the season approaching them and with plenty of room to improve, they plan to bring their attacking strengths to the team to help try and bring a winning culture back to the team.

“We’re not replacing, just starting something new,” Houk said. “We’re bringing up attacking players and a defender. We’re hoping to see growth from the start to the end of the season and do the best we can.”

PAGE BY ASHLYNN PEREZ

Seniors Bella Schneider and Olivia Fetsch pose with their rackets while waiting practice to begin. Fetsch and Schneider have been playing together for two years as doubles partners and are undeafeated in regular season. Both have been playing tennis for around four years. (Photo by Paige Westermann)

The road to being undefeated Doubles partners Olivia Fetsch and Bella Schneider had high hopes for being undefeated this year on the tennis team and managed to defeat all the teams they played in the regular season

by Claire Huss

clm1huss@gmail.com | @claire_huss

Seniors Bella Schneider and Olivia Fetsch step out onto the court with thoughts of how this is the last regular match of the season. Their opponents are FHHS, and last year they were defeated by them. This year, Schneider and Fetsch had a different strategy to defeat them. Schneider and Fetsch finished their final match of the season with an 8-7 win against FHHS, making them undefeated.

“Last year one of our toughest matches was FHHS,” Schneider said. “We came super close to beating them, but they ended up beating us.”

Last year, doubles partners Fetsch and Schneider were three games shy of becoming undefeated. This year they had high hopes of being an undefeated doubles team and they were.

“We practiced a lot,” Fetsch said. “During practice, we play on the sides for the match to better prepare ourselves. We also play other doubles teams and work on what we need to for the game.”

Fetsch and Schneider have had nine matches against FHC, FZE, FZW, FZS, Troy, Holt, Liberty, Timberland and FHHS. They have defeated all of those teams.

PAGE BY CLAIRE HUSS

“We talk a lot of strategy on the court,” Fetsch said. “We like to plan what our next move is going to be.”

With having such success at winning in matches, Fetsch and Schneider’s teammates look up to them.

“I think Bella and Olivia work good together because they are both strong players,” teammate and senior Audrey Dickherber said. “They have very good placement with the ball. Olivia knows how to slam the balls in the faces of the opponents.”

Fetsch and Schneider have been playing as doubles partners for two years now.

Both this year and last year they were ranked number four for doubles.

“They have been improving a lot by being able to figure out how their opponents play and hit the ball and then using that to their advantage to be able to win,” Dickerherber said.

They had high hopes for improving their game even more this season and to have fun. They worked hard in all of their practices and worked together to find the weaknesses in their game and improve on them.

“Our goal for this season was to have a complete undefeated season and we wanted to do our best,” Schneider said. “We got second place in GAC’s, and I am very happy we accomplished our goals for the season.”

SPORTS | 10.03.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

39

QA

GIRLS’ GOLF

&

WITH MATTHEW HOWARD

How do you look heading into districts?

What off season training have your players gone through to prepare for the season?

What are some of the team’s strong aspects this year?

What are some key areas that you have been focusing on in practice?

“We’ll be looking at our top five varsity members to perform well with the potential of three advancing to State.”

“Many players go to our FHN camp while others have been trained with professionals at various golf clubs.”

“Our seniors will have crucial impact. They provide comradery to everyone by making the whole team feel welcome.”

“We have been focusing on club selection, and especially chipping and putting.”

“Many players go to our

Sophomore Natalia Salazar stretches with her fellow cross country teammates at an after school practice. This is her seventh year running cross country and she has the ability to run a 7:50 minute mile. Salazar recently twisted her ankle during a practice and is unable to run for two weeks. (Photo by Jordyn Sgroi)

Peyton Hebert runs for the FHN boys varsity cross country team. During his junior year, he decided to quit football and start running Cross Country. Hebert ran one of his last races on Sept. 8 at Forest Park for the team, finishing in the top 15.

(Photo by Francisco Jimenez)

RUNNING TOWARDS A FINDING WHERE HE NEW HOME BELONGS Sophomore Natalia Salazar recently moved here to Missouri from the small town of Columbus, Nebraska.

Salazar is currently a runner for FHN’s JV cross country team, and she ran for varsity at Columbus High School back in Nebraska. According to Salazar, both teams have similarities.

“In Columbus, we were really competitive. Everything was very challenging and [at FHN] it’s kind of the same thing,” Salazar said.

“Everyone is competitive as well, maybe even more.”

Salazar was originally a little nervous to be a part of a new team in a city with almost two and a half times the population. Thoughts such as “it could be harder to make varsity,” and “it could be hard to make new friends” came through her head.

“I was nervous to be part of a new team thinking it would be hard for me to make friends but everyone was welcoming and nice,” Salazar said.

“It was really easy to make friends

40

from cross country, and I thank my teammates for that.”

However, the team welcomed and accepted her as a friend and a fellow Knight. According to fellow sophomore teammate, Alli Vernon, Salazar has made a number of friends from the start.

“I think she adapted very well here because of all the friends she has made,” Vernon said. “From the start she was outgoing and goofy and we already have some inside jokes.”

Salazar has really settled into the transition between schools and teams. She has made a lot of new friends and overall progressed in her running.

“It seems like she is settling in and she is running well,” Head Coach Kimberly Martin said. “Hopefully she is enjoying being a part of our crazy FHN cross country family. Natalia has been doing well so far. She is starting to look stronger in workouts which is great.” (Brief by Michael Zull)

FHNTODAY.COM | 10.03.18 | SPORTS

Senior Peyton Hebert didn’t feel cross country team. good about his place in the football “I plan to bring the team together as program because he felt like it wasn’t a family, and I plan to make it to state,” suitable for him anymore. He started Hebert said. off playing football his freshman year Hebert is really excited to be the and continued into his sophomore team captain for his senior year and year on the JV team. feels very accepted and However, heading appreciated on the team. into his junior year, he The coaches have a lot of realized he didn’t want confidence in him.

Check out Peyton’s to play football anymore.

“He has been doing really record times here: Before his first game of well,” Assistant Coach Joe goo.gl/xdnDcH junior year, he made the Brocksmith said. “He has decision to quit football a lot of confidence in the and run cross country. leadership role. He has “I thought cross country would be been doing great.” a better fit for me,” Hebert said. “I felt Being the captain of the boys’ cross that I would be better at cross country country team, Hebert is in charge of than football.” getting the team organized, organizing His junior year he started off on JV team bondings and being the main but eventually made it to varsity that supporter. year. Now a senior, he’s been able to “I like the leadership role, being the work his way up not only to the varsity person that can help others,” Hebert level but he also was chosen by the said. “I feel real excited. They except coaches, after meeting specific criteria, me there, and I really appreciate it.” to be the team captain for the boys’ (Brief by Parker Kilen)

MORE INFO

PAGE BY HANNAH WILSON

What are some of the challenges you have faced this year?

Is there anyone that had really good season?

What do you hope the team gains by the end of the season?

What is one goal that you have for the end of the season?

“Getting to know the strengths of each player and figuring out how can we improve individually and as a team.”

“Summer Cline and Sarah Lalonde both did extremely well throughout the season.

Evelyn Randall has surprised us and performed well at certain matches and tournaments.”

“I want the team to improve, to really continue to enjoy the game of golf and to make it a sport they will love even past college.”

“Our girls to have fun and play the best golf they can. I want to end on a high note because for some, it’s their last time playing golf.”

(Q&A by Cole Sherman)

Team captain and senior Payton Stephenson prepares to block a serve during a game against the Lady Indians of Holt on Sept. 11 at FHN. The Lady Knights won the second and last set, winning the match. Stephenson was recently named captain for the 2018 varsity season. (Photo by Ella Manthey)

Freshman Logan Schelfaut performs a back dive off the three meter board.

Schelfaut has been diving on a club team with dive coach, Greg Triefenbach, for six years. Now in high school with a new diving coach, Chris Pape, he was able to qualify for State at the beginning of the season. (Photo by Paige Westermann)

Going into their last season, seniors Payton Stephenson and Sarah Zimmerman were named captains of the girls’ varsity volleyball team. They were voted on by their teammates during one of the practices in the early part of the season. Both Stephenson and Zimmerman have been playing high school volleyball for four years.

They have shown their teammates and coaches they are leaders by staying focused and committed.

“Our main goal is to give 110 percent effort in all practices and games no matter what,” Stephenson said. “We also want to win as many games as possible but still have a bunch of fun doing it.”

The two seniors’ job roles consist of speaking on behalf of not only the coaches, but the team as well.

According to Zimmerman, they have to be leaders both on and off the court. They communicate with their teammates to make sure they are in good places.

Freshman Logan Schelfaut steps Even if he is not the best at state, it on the diving board in a meet. He is an honor to Schelfaut for making prepares to make his dive for his team it to this higher level of competition in front of many other onlookers. in diving. He is excited to go to state He takes his position and leaps this year. into the water with a small splash.

“He is very passionate about He comes out with his swimming,” sophomore team cheering for him, and teammate Jack celebrating his dive.

Ferry said. “He enjoys the Schelfaut is the diver on things we do here so far.”

Check out the other the FHN boys’ swimming Schelfaut hopes to teams competing team. At every meet, spend the rest of his high here: he dives for his team to school career diving for goo.gl/BEKfxV compete to see who gets the swim team. He plans the best dive out of all to get better every season the divers that make it to state from and have more accomplishments all the schools across Missouri. during his four years on the swim What makes it more interesting is team. When this season ends, he will that a boys swim team that didn’t be looking forward to the day which exist last year already has a diver that the season starts back up and can qualifies for State. go back to diving for his school once “I am very proud that I get to go to again. state as a freshman,” Schelfaut said.

“I’m glad I can on this swim team He will get to compete with other this year,” Schelfaut said. “I can’t wait divers across the state to see who to come back next year.” (Brief by has the greatest amount of points.

Justin Christensen)

TEAM CAPTAINS LEAD AND GIVE THEIR ALL

PAGE BY HANNAH WILSON

“We pump up the team and lead with enthusiasm,” Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman has been on varsity all four years of her high school career, and Stephenson has been on varsity for two years. Through their experiences , the two captains are able to lead by example on how things are done.

“It feels great to lead the team,” Zimmerman said. “It’s nice to help set the tone and lead by example and support everyone. I love all the girls, and it’s really nice to have their backs, just as I know they do for me.”

Stephenson had many feelings going through her mind when she was named a captain. According to Stephenson, being a captain is a big role to take on and one that many people don’t get to experience. “[Being named captain] made me feel like my teammates had trust in me to lead them in a positive direction this season,” Stephenson said. (Brief by Jalen Fleming and Sammie Herr)

FRESHMAN DIVER QUALIFIES FOR STATE

MORE INFO

SPORTS | 10.03.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

41

Senior Mariam Hamdan poses with an A+ shirt on. The A+ program is offered to juniors and seniors for an oppurtunity to get two years of community college free. Hamdan worked over the summer at Becky David middle school to get her hours done for the program. (Photo by Kamryn Bell)

Semper-Neglectus (Always Neglected) AmeriCorps is a beneficial, but neglected program that can help you, and you probably didn’t know about it

by Connor Peper

officialconnorpeper@gmail.com

S

AMERICORPS VS. A+ A+ Source: https://www.nationalservice.gov

ts

en

m ire

u

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2.5+ GPA

95% Attendence all four years

Promise to get high school diploma

Proficient on Algeba I EOC

Natural Disaster Response

n

po

s Re

s

tie

ili

sib

Infrastruture Building

50 Hours of Unpaid A+ Tutoring

300 - 1,700 Volunteer Hours

Segal Eduation Award

$333.33 - $6,000

$

Job Training

Max $170.75 per credit hour for community college tuition and common fees

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Higher chance of getting a degree

(Source: www.nationalservice.gov and The Missouri Department of Higher Education)

42

FHNTODAY.COM | 10.03.18 | OPINIONS

tudents should be exposed to as many opportunities as possible that’ll help them after high school, and one of the best options for everyone is AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps is a national program where patriotic Americans work for their country by helping with areas impacted by disasters, tutoring kids and being a help to their communities in return for educational opportunities, not unlike Missouri’s A+ Program. It’s unlike the Peace Corps since it operates exclusively in the U.S., there’s no hassle of health requirements and general unease of traveling to impoverished lands. With secondary education increasingly required for many jobs across the country, several questions remain: Where is it? Why is AmeriCorp neglected by our school despite it being a program just as good, if not better in some circumstances than the A+ program?

In September 1993, President Clinton passed the The National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993. This act established AmeriCorps as a way to help seniors afford college and experience the adventure of traveling the nation while, at the same time, helping solve the issues facing the country. Apparently, the idea of improving your community was popular that year because a few months earlier Missouri created the A+ Program. Both A+ and AmeriCorps were established in the same year, providing similar benefits and can be joined in high school, you can even join AmeriCorps after graduation, yet the promotion and awareness for each program differs wildly.

In a way, it makes sense. Schools themselves have to pass several requirements to get A+ Certified, so they’d put more effort into creating awareness for a certification they tried hard for. That’s why the program has after school meetings dedicated to it and papers available in the guidance office. Programs like AmeriCorps don’t require schools to meet any requirements, the only requirements are left on the individuals who wish to join.

AmeriCorps VISTA may ask for prior college education for more experienced rolls.

Some have no requirements beyond age.

Unlike A+, there’s no incentive to promote widespread awareness for AmeriCorps beyond wanting to help students. This lack of any promotion hurts all students.

It hurts those who wish to go to college and especially those who don’t. Why? AmeriCorps offers more opportunity for more types of people than A+.

Students aren’t ignoring AmeriCorps on purpose. It’s impossible to ignore something you didn’t know existed and those who knew of it, don’t know about it. This is due to widespread lack of awareness other programs don’t have. The people who are attracted to A+ would also be attracted to AmeriCorps and then some. For people who’re college bound, the Segal Education Award (AmeriCorps’ A+ Scholarship) is eligible for community colleges, universities and technical schools. It can even be transferred to some schools in Mexico and Canada. For those not going to college: AmeriCorps offers professional experience and will even pay for job training depending on your role. Some programs allow for a cash payment instead of the grant, but AmeriCorps is so much more than a means to pay for college. AmeriCorps allows participants connect with new friends, tackle important issues and get a feel for a professional career. Students who don’t know what to do after graduating need more options to help them find their calling, and A+ isn’t able to do that alone.

AmeriCorps and A+ aren’t mutually exclusive, they’re not competing against each other. It is perfectly okay to graduate from high school, attempt to solve poverty for a year, then use your A+ Scholarship at a community college and then use your AmeriCorps grant at another school.

Students should be exposed to as many opportunities as possible that’ll help them after high school and the school does not get an A+, FHN should take more time to expose students to a variety of programs to help them achieve. AmeriCorps doesn’t need multiple after school meetings, or an entire position dedicated to it, but a flier or a pamphlet, would be nice. Brooke Prestidge, the FHN College and Career Counselor, plans on making a Google Classroom for information about post-secondary options, so here’s hoping that’ll give AmeriCorps the attention it deserves.

PAGE BY CONNOR PEPER

TRICK OR TREAT TIE DOWN

Teens should be allowed to pick their costumes and trick or treat like everyone else, despite their age. certainly no law saying people over fifteen aren’t allowed to put on a sophschm1221@gmail.com | @Sophesizer costume, grab a grocery store’s plastic Most kids’ Halloween movies children bag and head out onto the street lampwatch seemingly always have a scene lit road with close friends to go house where the mother forces an older to house-except in Bathurst, Canada, sibling to be dragged along, kicking where no one over 16 can trick or and screaming, to take their younger treat. The holiday we all celebrate was brother or sister out trick-or-treating originally an ancient Celtic holiday when the elder of the two could called Samhain, where people of all just as easily go hang out with their kinds would make bonfires and dress friends and trick-or-treat too. But, up in ghostly costumes to ward off what happens when the older sibling specters, according to History.com. graduates from The difference in costumes may be middle school, apparent now, but the restrictions we becomes a high put on it shouldn’t be here. And why schooler and still wants do teens need to stop? Most of us to go get free candy with really enjoy the experience, and also their friends? the free candy.

People who get upset Adults also bring up the fact that with high schoolers teens tend to wear risque costumes trick-or-treating are that they wouldn’t want little children unjustified in their to see. Although teens may want to opinion. Halloween is dress up as Johnny from “The Shining,” supposed to be enjoyed Freddy Krueger from “A Nightmare on by everyone, and there is Elm Street” or even the masked killers from the newer movie, “The Purge,” and a parent may not want their little (Illustration one seeing fake blood or a grimby Sophie looking mask, they have to remember Schmidt) that teens ultimately can dress how they want on the holiday. It’s a parent’s

by Sophie Schmidt

responsibility to shield her 6-year-old in angel wings and a halo from the costumes if she is made uncomfortable by them. Would you rather them wear just a blank T-shirt and ask for candy, not putting any effort into their costumes at all? The whole point of Halloween is to make a costume you’d be proud of, and it’s taking advantage of the people handing out candy if you put no effort into it at all.

Though teens should be able to go out as old as they’d like to get candy, there should be some expectations.

They shouldn’t just walk around with a costume with no effort put into it, or cause a ruckus in the neighborhood they are trick-or-treating in. They hold responsibility into how parents, grandparents and general candygivers see senior Halloween-enjoyers.

Besides, they’re more likely to get a king-sized chocolate bar than a minisize mint if the person holding the bowl doesn’t catch them playing dingdong-ditch or knocking over a full trash can on the other side of the road.

As far as people complaining that there’s too many older kids asking “Trick-or-Treat?” There’s also the point that most kids in the latter half of their teens forgo the Halloween experience

entirely. They themselves feel they are too old or are fed up with taking their younger sibling and tell their friends and parents “I don’t think I’ll go this year.” This makes those complaints null, as for as many knee-sized angels, Ninja Turtles and Spider-mans there are running around, there are fewer Chucky dolls, grim reapers and sheriffs.

If parents are really concerned with their child’s wellbeing, there are measures they can take to prevent them from seeing these sometimesscary outfits. Alternatives include asking people trick or treating at your house to skip if they’re dressed up as a zombie, guts, blood and all, or even scouting houses ahead if their tyke is in tow to make sure there’s nothing too scream-inducing going on.

All in all, Halloween should be able to be enjoyed by anyone of any age.

Though the ghosts of Samhain may not be real, (or maybe they are), everyone still has a right to partake in what this ancient tradition has become. There shouldn’t be a limit to going trick or treating. There are people in their 60’s still doing this, every year, and they still love it just as much as any 5-year-old.

CANDY CORN CONFLICTS

FHN is divided with its views on the Halloween specialty, candy corn. Which side are you on?

by Sydney Ellison

sydney.ellison55@gmail.com

There is a major topic that divides FHN, and it needs to be talked about. Huge arguments break out whenever it is bought up. Friends and family turn on one another because of different viewpoints on the topic. There is no middle ground; no agreeing to disagree. People get heated trying to defend their position and can’t seem to grasp why others don’t agree with them.

That topic: candy corn.

There are lovers and haters of the candy. No one feels just “meh” about it. The difference in opinion about the candy has friends everywhere having full on debates over the topic. As Halloween comes around the corner those debates become more and more common. Students at FHN can be seen and heard having these disputes in classrooms and hallways all around the school.

The side that hates candy corn.

Whenever people are questioned about why they adore candy corn so much, their answers are all pretty similar, in my experience. In fact, if you’re a lover reading this, your answer will probably match. They say they love how it reminds them of Halloween and fall. How it’s a “traditional” candy and it’s special because it only comes once a year.

PAGE BY SYDNEY ELLISON

That is the candy corn lovers first defense. Half of that argument is correct, the candy does only come once a year but it is definitely not special. Candy corn is just a corn shaped piece of sugar. There is nothing defining about it to make it special. If that argument doesn’t convince the haters, they will talk about how sweet it is, but they never talk about the exact flavor of the candy. That is because it doesn’t have one. It doesn’t taste like anything. Which is why it’s so surprising that there are people out there who like candy corn. How can you stand behind this flavorless piece of sugar? Good job to those who continue to choose the “correct” side.

If a few things about candy corn were changed, maybe a few of us dislikers would give it another chance. First, candy corn needs a flavor. It needs to actually taste like something other than artificial sweetener mixed with dust.

Stronger flavors should be created so there’s something for everyone. Secondly, dislikers would very much like the texture of the candy to change. It’s always either hard as a rock or way to chewy, which in turn make them hard to eat.

The texture should be switched to something much softer.

Until these changes are made, the haters will be happy to stay far away from candy corn. We will be having a great time this Halloween eating good candy that is full of flavor and doesn’t make us gag at the mere mention of its name.

CANDY CORN HISTORY Candy Corn was created by the Wunderle Candy Co.

1880 1898

The Goelitz Confectionery Co. buys the rights to Candy Corn.

Candy corn factory caught on fire decreasing production rates.

The Goelitz Confectionery Co. is renamed the Jelly Belly Co. Variations of candy corn were released.

OPINIONS | 10.03.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

1950

2001

2011

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STUDENT TAKE: WHAT SHOULD STUDENTS DO TO MAKE TEACHERS FEEL MORE APPRECIATED? “Be respectful in the classroom, show up on time, be prepared everyday and listen to what they have to say.”

ABBIE CARPENTER, 9

“Students should build relationships with teachers so that we can feel closer.”

ANTHONY MCDONALD, 11

“I feel like students should show teachers more respect because they’re here to help us and you need to try and help yourself so they can help you.”

ALI’YA BUCHANAN, 9

NORTH STAR TAKE:

OVERWORKED AND UNDER-APPRECIATED

Students should identify how important teachers really are and recognize them for their efforts “Write them notes anonymously to make them fell special and happy.”

KAITLYN HESSKAMP, 10

“Students should do the work they assigned them, show up to class on time and don’t talk while they are talking.”

PEYTON HEBERT, 12

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FHNTODAY.COM | 10.03.18 | OPINIONS

On Behalf of the Editorial Staff yourfhn@fhntoday.com | @FHNtoday

F

rom kindergarten through senior year, we are taught. We are taught things like math, reading, writing, science and so on.

Throughout all of our classes, ranging from the courses you take as a 5-year-old to the courses you take as an 18-year-old, there are teachers behind all of the knowledge we gain. Even though these educated teachers have worked to send us on our way with the capabilities to pursue the rest of our life as intelligent, hardworking and socially-capable individuals, we do little to nothing as a student body to recognize those teachers who work relentlessly to ensure their students’ success.

With all the excitement and pride throughout FHN, attributable to our recent State Teacher of

the Year recipient Shelly Parks, it can be easy to perceive our teachers well-appreciated. Behind the astounding award was 17 years of teaching in Missouri schools, 15 of which were spent within FHN. That may seem like a very long time but within those years, most teachers, including Parks, don’t stop in the classroom. At home, they will take the time to do things such as grading assignments and tests, planning lessons and responding to student emails or text messages through Remind if need be. Our school is abundant in experienced and caring teachers who rarely, if ever, receive an award.

Awards aside, there is an underwhelming amount of appreciation or respect within the classrooms. Students have their eyes glued to their phones and music pumped into their ears through headphones as the teacher presents a lesson, blocking out every word spoken to

PAGE BY JUSTIN CHRISTENSEN

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

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(Illustration by Rebekah Myers)

them. Students whisper and giggle to one another as the teacher attempts to speak.

Students respond to teachers with an audible huff and a not-so-subtle eye roll over a task as simple as a worksheet. Not only do our FHN teachers experience this daily, but our guest substitutes are often treated with even more disrespect. Even though we may not be sitting in our favorite class, shouldn’t we have the respect to at least pay attention to the teacher standing before us? Or say it is your favorite class, how often do you thank that teacher for a lesson they gave or some extra help they gave you? Most of us are guilty of doing or not doing these simple tasks to the people that are just trying to prepare us for life outside the FHN walls. A conscious effort towards the basic respect we learned as children should still apply to our daily interactions, especially with teachers.

Besides teaching the typical day to day, many teachers offer help outside of the classroom hours for their students. For example, the math department sets aside specific times and days after school to offer tutoring to those who

PAGE BY JUSTIN CHRISTENSEN

need or would like it. Some teachers are also available to answer questions and offer help in the mornings. If teachers go the extra mile to make sure we have all the tools necessary to be successful in their class and in the future, why can’t we go the extra mile to make them feel appreciated for all their efforts?

As a student body, we should put forth effort in making our teachers feel more appreciated on a daily basis. Even the basic action of taking out your headphones when the bell rings or a simple thank you after a lesson would make a difference. Another way to help recognize the teachers in a more visible way could be a student picked teacher to allow us as students show how much we appreciate the chosen teacher. KOE will be hosting quarterly voting for a student picked teacher. Participation in these events would help recognize teachers that work hard daily to help students learn so they can successfully pursue the rest of their lives. Having attentive, respectful and caring students in the classroom along with periodical recognition would allow teachers to feel the fruits of their hard work.

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

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OPINIONS | 10.03.18 | FHNTODAY.COM

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