October's Edition of Spotlight

Breaking records Pg. 4

What happens if you’re pulled over? Pg. 6

Quarterback Brett Graves Pg. 7

Spotlight Francis Howell High School

Vol. 40 Issue 2

www.fhhstoday.com

7001 S. Highway 94, St. Charles, MO 63304

Construction moving ahead:

On schedule under budget

Kassie King:web editor

From the highway, one can see the exterior construction of the new campus winding down.

What used to be the band practice field now plays host to a massive building, complete with Viking figure heads.

With winter on its way, construction workers plan to get the building enclosed and the heating turned on before harsh weather kicks in gear.

“By the end of October the new building will be sealed off, and the interior is about 80 percent done. Dry wall, of course, is ongoing,” construction manager Jeremy Boettler said.

The bottom floor of the new building houses the art, FACS, industrial technology, social studies, and communication arts classrooms. The kitchens implemented in the new building will require a professional duct system.

“It requires a very expensive type of ventilation. The fire marshall doesn’t see any difference between the FACS room and the BC’s Kitchen in the Meadows, to him it’s the same thing,” Boettler said.

Prior to the school year, officials apprised the furniture in the school and rated it on a one to five scale. Furniture rated lower will be disposed of or placed into storage. All other pieces of storage will be transported to the new building.

“The status of the furniture was turned over to the district and they’re using the information to identify the needs for new furniture to be purchased by the district,” Principal Chris Greiner said.

Teachers will not be responsible for the transportation of furniture pieces, though they will be required to move personal items to their new rooms during the beginning of June.

Upcoming Oct. 28-30 Fall Play: As It Is In Heaven at 7 p.m.

Nov. 2 Club Photo Day Election Day Nov. 4 Early Release @ 11:25 a.m.

Nov. 5 No School Nov. 6 Senior Photo Deadline

Principal Chris Greiner leads a tour group of teachers through the nee building, Sept. 27. The new building is expected to be completed in April, with demolition of the existing campus starting June 15. Photo by Ann Molina.

“Every piece of furniture must be moved out of here in two weeks. They have two weeks to get out and then we start wrecking the next day,” Boettler said.

Wednesday, June 15, will be the first day of demolition.

Currently, Phase IV is coming in $10 million under budget. If this continues, the district will discuss the prospect of new baseball fields.

“Nothing is definite, but the district will be considering the possibility of new fields, down the line, when we have the budget. Once the district reviews it, we’ll be happy to work with them,”

Greiner said.

All of the construction was organized into “packages.” The process is currently focused on Package Four, which is coming along as scheduled.

The flooring will be laid down within the next few weeks. By January, half of the building will be complete.

“January 1 we should have what we call areas A and B completed, which is about half of the building. The other half of the building, parts C and D will be finished mid-April,” Boettler said.

“After that, we’ll just be doing touch ups and transitioning.”

School board discusses hockey club affliations Shelby Steingraeber: staff writer

Oct. 27, 2010

Varsity teams. There are currently no hockey Three ice hockey rivals have come together: lawsuits pending against the district from Howell, Howell North, and Howell Central. The FHHS, and there has never been a hockey meeting was not for a special occasion pep rally related lawsuit against the district from FHHS. or an intense hockey tournament.

“The real question is if the district is On Wednesday, Sept. 15, at Howell Central, looking out for the general well being of the Superintendent Pam Sloan led a meeting with the children. I think the board needs to review hockey club boards and coaches. She presented the priorities of the children involved-many of the district position regarding the non-school which who have played hockey since age four sponsored sport of high school hockey, and its with a dream of playing for the high school affiliation with the district high schools. in which they are associated,” FHHS hockey Several actions were discussed during this board president Joseph Steingraeber said. meeting, all regarding the district attorney’s Ice Hockey is not governed by MSHSAA. advice to disassociate this non-school sponsored Howell Hockey is governed by the Midstates sport from the school district in order to avoid Hockey Association, which is governed by the liability exposure that is related to this sport. the Missouri Hockey Association. The USA Several possible actions were discussed, including Hockey Association governs these programs removing the ice hockey trophy cabinets from and handles all insurances for players and schools, removing ice hockey from FHSD teams.

“E-News,” removing ice hockey from daily school “Protection of an entity (FH District) announcements, and the ban of school pep rally has taken priority over the children that exist participation. within its boundaries. The position of the At the current time, hockey club trophies remain in the trophy school board appears fatalistic and fortunately “The FHSD BOE is currently reviewing cases by the large gym. The school board is discussing whether the District’s relationship with hockey teams they should be removed. “I think they show our team’s success the school board is now reviewing the high associated with the high schools because hockey and how our team’s been doing. I think more people go to levels of structure that regulate our program is not a sanctioned sport by the Missouri State hockey games than many other sports combined,” varsity and we hope they also consider the number hockey player Seth Cooper said.

High School Activities Association (MSHSAA). of families involved in the hockey program Photo by Olivia Cassidy Also, hockey doesn’t meet the definition of a relative to the good natured spirit they bring to student sponsored extracurricular activity or club. our high schools,” Steingraeber said Student sponsored clubs are student initiated and run,” Sloan said.

The school board has not voted on any decisions regarding hockey’s FHHS hockey began around 1982, and has since flourished into a association with the high schools, and are still considering their position on program with over 40 ice hockey players among the C-Team, JV, and the matter. A final decision on the matter has yet to be reached.

Nov. 8-12 STUCO Food Drive Nov. 19 Jazz Band concert at 7 p.m.

Nov. 19 Progress Reports out Nov. 24-26 No School Dec. 3 Early release at 11:25 a.m.

Dec. 6-10 STUCO Holiday Grams sold

Worth Mention Yearbook receives All-American and Gold Medalist ratings.

For the first time in school history, boys cross country wins GAC title.

Varsity Football wins the GAC South conference title for the second year.

OPINION

Francis Howell High www.fhhstoday.com Vol. 40 Issue 2 Oct 27, 2010

Spotlight Purpose

“Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press...”

––The First Amendment The Francis Howell Spotlight is the official student newspaper at Francis Howell High School. The Spotlight began as a Francis Howell publication in 1971. The Spotlight believes it is essential to preserve the freedom of the press in order to preserve a free society and its purpose is to inform, interpret, and entertain through accurate and factual reports.

Therefore, this school newspaper will serve the best interest of the students of Francis Howell and keep itself free from any other obligation; the staff of the school newspaper will accept guidance from its adviser, but will make its own editorial decision; only the editorial board may veto any material intended for publication, judged to be in violation of the Spotlight editorial policy; and this school newspaper will vigorously resist all attempts at censorship, particularly prepublication censorship; the school newspaper will serve as an educational laboratory experience for those on staff.; the school newspaper will run as a limited open forum; the goal of the school newspaper is to cover the total school population as effectively and the staff will strive to be impartial and responsible in its coverage of issues.

Advertising

All ads must be approved. Ad rate schedules and policies are available by calling 636-851-4820 or email evan102110@yahoo.com

Policies

All letters to the editor should be sent to Mrs. Dunaway in room A115 or emailed to spotlight letters@gmail.com. Letters will be printed in the op-ed section. All letters must be signed, be under 400 words, and contain appropriate material. Material will not be printed if content is obscene, invasive of others’ privacy, encouraging physcial disruption of school activites and/or implies libel. The editorial board has the right to have letters edited for length, grammer, punctuation, clarity, etc. The school newspaper will only publish one letter per author per issue and all letters become the property of the school newspaper upon receipt and will not be returned.

Staff

Samantha Gibson, EIC; Kassie King, web editor; Olivia Cassidy, photo ed.; Michele Dunaway, MJE, adviser. Staff Writers: Christian Adams, Madelyn Brandt, Alyssa Crawford, Lauren Crider, Alison Dunaway, Emily Fernandez, Leah Garrett, Stephen Gerst, Austin Hayes, Carrie Haupt, Kaci Jolly, Ann Molina, Andrew Odle, Katie Roberts, Nina Rosenberg, Sara Shabany, Haley Shave, Savannah Shine, Gabrielle Soto, Shelby Steingraeber, Samantha Strange, Alex Timpone

“Now who left this petition for more caffeine in the vending machines?”

“Oh...”

Sugar!

Coffee!

Coffee!

Coffee!

Brennan Riley

Emergency drills require serious attitudes Sept. 11, 2001, a terrorist attack on New York’s World Trade Center occurred. During this attack, many people had to know exactly how to react. They did not have time to figure out an escape route, something they needed to know the second the building was hit. If it were not for businesses conducting emergency drills, there would have been many more casualties on that heartbreaking day.

Yet as proven by the multitude of real alarms and drills this year, emergencies have become a social time for students. During tornado drills, students do not get into the correct position in the halls; they instead sit on their knees and talk with friends. In the process of an earthquake drill, students spend more time talking about the gum under the desks than trying to fit underneath. After leaving the building for a fire drill, students wander from their class to socialize with other students. Likewise, students talk so loudly during an intruder drill, that it is simple to hear their voices in the halls, defeating the purpose of hiding. Students do not take emergency drills as serious as they should.

Although not every alarm refers to a real threat to safety, the pretend drills provide students with the knowledge to protect themselves when there is a real threat. On Sept.16 the school had a real intruder alert. The students assumed it was a false alarm, and behaved poorly. They were loud and obnoxious. Even after students realized it was real, many still broke procedure. People were looking out windows and taking pictures of the trespassers with their camera phones. If students are not going to take emergencies seriously, there is no point in practicing them.

It is understandable for students to feel annoyed by the constant

Staff Editorial

practices of emergency drills; however, when put into a real life-threatening situation, the redundant practices save lives. Statistics and research prove that people who pay attention to safety drills on airplanes have a higher chance of surviving a crash. Socializing with friends is obviously more fun than lying in the fetal position of a quiet hallway, standing quietly in uncomfortable weather, squeezing under gum-infested desks, or hiding in a dark corner. There is plenty of time to socialize with friends; there is no need to use time dedicated to safety procedures to talk with friends.

Furthermore, while it is not up to authorities to convince the students of the importance involved in the drills, they can punish the immature students in order to make them understand. Administrators should hold emergency drill seminars once a month for those who misbehave.

This seminar could consist of a principal reviewing the procedures and importance of each drill. Then each procedure would be conducted, and the students would break into groups based on the drill during which they misbehaved. Each time a student is caught continuously talking the teacher would sign the student up for the next emergency seminar where the student will conduct the drill again. After attending a few of these seminars, students would not misbehave during emergency drills any longer.

Authorities should be able to count on their high school students to take these drills seriously. These drills have been same since the students started school. The procedures are simple and the practices are hardly time consuming. If students were to take these drills more seriously, then, when there is a real emergency, students will be able to react in an effective way, saving lives.

Hit or Miss

Shout at us!

for October

[a quick Howell about the good and bad]

hits

misses

Zombie Prom set for Limelight stage

College application deadlines

DECA and FBLA helping graduates

Freshman fights

For the first time in four years, a musical will hit Howell’s stage.

Although it is coming to a close, it’s worth mentioning these clubs’ hard work to raise money for two Howell graduates who have recently been diagnosed with cancer.

Sports seasons turn out well

Overall, the fall sports teams did well. With so many records broken and a multitude of winning streaks, who knows what the winter season will bring?

Fall fashions emerge

Break out the gloves and scarves. Luckily, this also means girls get to put away the booty shorts.

Part one of Harry Potter

After waiting over three years, the first part of the final installment will hit theaters, Nov. 19. Die hard Harry Potter fans rejoice.

FHHSToday upgrades

You can now order your yearbook online, as well as check your grades. No more having to hunt down the Infinite Campus link on the district website.

Senior handprint day

On Nov. 4, the 2011 seniors will be the last to leave their mark in the C Building.

They’re sneaking up faster than seniors would like to admit. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

We’re all big kids now. Play nice.

New towel dispensers

Let’s hope that we’re taking those to the new school when the old buildings gets torn down.

Math teacher Ken Benson deployed

Although the war in Iraq may be over, the fight in Afghanistan is still ongoing. On top of being deployed, he leaves right before the holiday season.

Halloween falling on a Sunday

Sure there’s still going to be Halloween parties, but it’s just not the same as dressing up for the day.

Road construction disrupts mornings It’s already hard enough to get to school on time, but with all the construction on Highway 94 it makes the morning commute even more unbearable.

Political Bashing

It comes around every two years or so. Isn’t everyone tired of hearing all this negativity?

Send comments and letters to spotlightletters@gmail.com or drop them in room A115 The fine print: all letters must be signed, be under 400 words, and contain appropriate material. Material will not be printed if content is obscene, invasive of others’ privacy, encouraging physcial disruption of school activites and/or implies libel.

Op-ed Vol. 40 Issue 2

Francis Howell High www.fhhstoday.com

Oct 27, 2010

Face in

the

Spotlight

Crowd

What are your plans for the Halloween weekend? senior

Breanna Fleschner

>>I’ll be playing softball. My uniform is actually Halloween colors.

sophomore

Noel Young

>>I’m not really doing anything.

Just hanging with friends.

freshman

Rebecca Turney

junior

Zach Orlando

>>I’ll probably just hang out with friends and go to a bonfire.

>>I’m going to a Halloween party, where you have to dress up.

>>I’m having a costume party. It’s a big family and friends event.

Keith Looten

math teacher

senior

Zack Dutton

>> My wife and I are going to dress my little boy up and go to Trunk or Treat.

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If old enough to vote, old enough to drink soda Alex Timpone: staff writer

Gone are the candy bars at the snack tables. Gone are non-diet sodas. Obesity is at an all-time high in America, so it is understandable that the state would institute healthier food and drink requirements.

Then again, are these requirements actually healthier?

Fewer calories. Better for the body. That seems logical. Unfortunately, that is not true in the case of diet versus regular soda.

Diet sodas may contain aspartame, saccharin, or sucralose, the most common artificial sweeteners, while regular soda contains just regular sugar or high fructose corn syrup. According to the Mayo Clinic, these artificial sweeteners are many times sweeter than regular sugar, giving soda a sweet flavor while virtually adding no calories, which is why many manufacturers use these products.

However, recent studies performed at the University of Texas Health Science Center by Sharon P. Fowler, MPH, and fellow colleagues proved that drinking diet soda excessively increased the risk of obesity. In fact, the increase was even higher than drinking regular soda excessively.

In my opinion

It begs one question: why they even call it diet soda?

Soda in general is not healthy; one can’t argue that fact. It does have harmful effects if consumed in excess, but drinking it every once in a while will hardly have any negative effect.

It is puzzling because at lunch, foods with high fat content, juices and other drinks that have just as much, if not more, sugar than a regular soda are still offered.

If the school officials really wanted to improve food options, they should remove all drinks, snacks, and meals that are unhealthy, not just a few. A decision needs to be made: either allow these unhealthy items or completely ban them all together in all areas of campus, including teacher lounges.

The best solution to this problem would be to simply allow the students to decide for themselves. A percentage of the students are considered legal adults. Therefore, it would not be a stretch to conclude that they could easily decide which option is best for them. In a situation where some students are of the age where they can vote and enlist in the army, it would seem plausible that they would be more than capable of deciding something as trivial as what they want to drink.

Web cams open doors to internet relationships Kassie King: web editor

Once upon a time “Skype” was a foreign concept to people outside of tech geeks (like myself) and Oprah.

I’ve noticed this is no longer the case.

Skype is a free web service that allows people to make calls from their computers. If users have a web cam, the calls can be made face to face, if not, it works like a telephone. Similar to AOL Instant messenger or Facebook chat, Skype also has a text chat service. Applications for Skype have become popular on higher end phones like the iPhone and the Droid.

The reason why I mention Skype is that it is becoming very important to the way we relate to each other.

I’m planning on going away for college.

I’m hopping on a plane, out of Missouri. The problem is that my sister is only six years old.

My first clear memory is from when I was five.

Everything before that is a bit hazy. Who’s to say that my sister won’t forget what I look like when I’m gone for months on end?

That’s where Skype comes in. Sure, I could call my parents every few days and check in, tell them I’m doing fine, but there’s now a better alternative. I can web chat with them, face to face, and I can talk to my little sister, and actually see how much she’s growing up.

Long distance relationships have become dependent on web cams and applications like Skype. I hold a lot of personal friendships with people across the world, because I can

see what they are doing and read their body language.

People say that relationships that are started on the Internet are dangerous and dodgy. This was true when personal relationships began through AOL Instant Messenger, or other chat services that didn’t offer ways of communication other than textual based.

However, I venture to say that in my five years of having Internet friendships, I’ve never once felt threatened, assaulted or at risk. While it is still not 100 percent safe, being able to see the person at the other end of the computer screen gives a sense of security that previous chat services couldn’t offer.

It used to be true that the friends that you have on the Internet were people that you didn’t really know. But, in a web cam you can’t hide everything you’d like to hide. Through my web cam, my Internet friends know my facial expressions, and they know that my room is always a mess. Internet relationships are no longer safe havens of hiding the realities of your situation.

I consider the Internet to be a public place, but it’s possible to be private within that world. It’s not scary to have a web cam. It’s not detrimental to make common friends on the Internet.

I’m not saying fly across the country to meet someone by yourself, but denying yourself opportunities because of an old world fear, isn’t progress; it’s regression.

If there’s one thing I want to impress upon you over the next year, it is the necessity to use your resources. Never forget what they can do for you.

Corrections to the Sept. 22 issue: On page one, the Spotlight misspelled exchange student Andruis Sakalauskas’s last name. On page five, the Volunteer Hours story incorrectly stated that students who did not finish their volunteer hours in one semester had to start over. According to Assistant Principal Brian Thompson, it is the expectation that students do finish their hours; however, if they do not, they can carry over their hours. Spotlight regrets these errors.

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Features

Spotlight

Francis Howell High www.fhhstoday.com

Vol. 40 Issue 2

Oct. 27, 2010

License to drive

Not following the rules can be costly Kaci Jolly: staff writer

G

If you are pulled over...

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Keep hands in plain sight at all times, preferably on the steering wheel Be polite even if the cop is being rude Use “yes, sir” and “no, sir” Be patient Let them search the vehicle, no matter what According to Deputy Jeff Warner

Alex Timpone

Photo illustrations by Alex Timpone

etting a license for the first time is thrilling, as is the first time a teen takes his first drive by himself. Yet, with that license comes following the rules of the road.

“I got pulled over for speeding on (hwy) DD,” senior Merle Thompson said. “I was only trying to catch up with the person in front of me so it’s not fair, they should have been pulled over too.”

Depending on the situation and the circumstances, cops can be friendly or unforgiving.

“The cop was was pretty positive, but he scolded me,” Thompson said.

“I treat everyone the same unless I get attitude, but that’s just human nature,” Deputy Jeff Warner said.

Drinking and driving is also an issue. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s statistics, binge drinking is on the rise. The CDC states that more than 50 percent of teens who drink and drive participated in binge drinking. In addition, if a teen is killed in a car crash 60 percent of the time that car crash was related to alcohol.

“I got a DWI and I’m going to have to go to court. I was pulled over because I was driving 35 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour and I was swerving,” a sophomore boy said. “(The cop) came up to the window and asked me to turn off the car. Then he asked where I was going and what I had done. I told him I was driving home from a party.”

“There is an increase of teen drinking and driving.

Also marijuana and prescription drugs,” Warner said.

Sometimes the reason for being pulled over isn’t always the fault of the person who is driving.

“I was pulled over because I was driving my uncle’s car whose windows are illegally tinted,” junior AJ Bowman said. “I tried to explain it wasn’t my car and (the cop) told me he didn’t care.”

Sometimes it is hard to remember to be respectful.

“The cop was a real jerk. He started pointing out random things wrong with the car and just started writing me up for stupid things like the tires were too big,” Bowman said. “I was trying to be respectful to him but then he started making comments like ‘You don’t look old enough to drive.’ so I started getting smart.”

Some parents even end up taking their kids away from friends who they think are bad influences “I have to go to Barat now. I learned my lesson,” the sophomore boy said.

During a mock traffic stop, senior Jaime Hostetler smiles at Deputy Jeff Warner in an attempt to be polite. “Follow the traffic laws and you won’t get pulled over. If you do, my advice is to start crying,” Hosetetler said.

After pulling a student over, Deputy jeff Warner fills out a ticket using their information. Warner advises students to always have license and registration with them, in case they are pulled over.

Ryan Baker swims into record book Alyssa Crawford: staff writer

200-meter free 1:51:57

100-meter fly Ryan Baker’s Record Times 00:57:09 200-meter individual medley 2:02:97

500-meter free 4:50:21

“When I broke my own record I was excited because that’s the fastest I have ever gone in the 500.” –freshman Ryan Baker

At the Howell tri-meet, Sept. 15, freshman Ryan Baker competed to qualify for state in the 100-meter breast stroke. “My mindset is to swim my own race and try to feel good during the race,” Baker said.

Alyssa Crawford

Discipline is what Baker likes about distance races, but he also has a mindset for the shorter races.

“I just try to think about my own race and making sure I feel good during it,” Baker said. “Also before the race I make sure I get in a good warm up and stretch so I am ready for my race.”

Although swimming and school take up most of his time, he still makes time for himself.

“I have time on the weekends to do what I want, like hanging out with friends,” Baker said.

Even though he already has a state time he’s, trying to get more.

“I want to try and get a state time in 100 breast (stroke) and then after that we will see which one is next,” Baker said.

Olivia Cassidy

A

s the starting gun sounds, the swimmers dive off the block. One swimmer pulls ahead, and with a record breaking time of 4:50:11 in the 500 freestyle, freshman Ryan Baker is the one of the fastest swimmers on the team.

“When I broke my own record I was excited because that’s the fastest I have ever gone in the 500,” Baker said. “I tried starting the race faster and then maintaining the pace for the rest of the race.”

Baker balances swimming six times a week and maintaining straight A’s in school.

“I take four honors classes,” Baker says. “It’s hard to manage sometimes, but I try to finish all my homework before I swim and also make sure I know what I am learning.”

Finishing homework while at practice keeps freshman Ryan Baker from falling behind in his four honors classes. “I have to do my homework at practice so I can keep up my grades and not get behind,” Baker said.

Features Vol. 40 Issue 1

Spotlight

Francis Howell High www.fhhstoday.com

Sept 22, 2010

5

Hazing vs. tradition Organizations struggle with rituals

Sara Shabany and Ann Molina: staff writers

Pledging into a group can be a time of bonding and getting to know one another. To another, the acts required to become a member of said group can be a time of humiliation and abuse.

The comparison between the two consists of one major difference: how a person reacts to the situation or event.

though in the sense that everyone has done it and we’re just passing it on.”

For new inductee, sophomore Alex Gammon, going bald has posed a problem. She is the only girl on the hockey team.

“I’ve heard they were going to dye my hair neon Traditions–beliefs or orange, that is so not going to customs taught by one happen.” Gammon said.

generation to the next.

Golden Girls “kidnap”

Hockey is not alone in Hazing–used to describe its induction rituals. The Golden Girls also have ways various ritual and other of welcoming new members activities involving to their squad. harassment, abuse or “We go to their house really early and dress them up humiliation used as a way in our old dance costumes. of initiating a person into a Then we take them out for breakfast and make them group. do silly stuff,” senior Jordan McKay said.

These girls want to bond and grow together as a team. Singing in a crowded restaurant and going into stores dressed in funny costumes are some of the events that take place in the day they perform the “kidnappings.”

“The new freshmen get to see what’s fun about the team and the girls,” sophomore Jordan Wise said.

So far the squad has not received any complaints.

“I think it is more of a tradition because they did it just for fun,” freshman Brooke Harris said.

While other teammates look on, hockey club member Austin Oliver holds clippers as he prepares to shave the heads of new members Alex Lotus, Alex Griffith and Ian Orzel. Submitted photo.

Hockey Club shaves heads

When it comes to the hockey team, this conflict is definitely the case in the welcoming of freshman players.

“We [the hockey team] shave [the new member’s] heads and put weird designs on them,” junior Brad Amato said.

For over five years, the team has shaved the heads of the freshman and other new members joining the team. Going through the hallways with less than stylish hair cuts has been either humiliating or a good joke to the inductees.

“Certain people are just more uncomfortable with it than others,” junior Andrew Gross said.

Year after year, each member of the team has gone through it willingly or unwillingly.

“If they run away, we just tackle them,” Amato said.

Senior Jake Farber found a way to save himself the humiliation.

“I just shaved my hair down before I came to school my freshman year,” Farber said.

Since not all participants liked the head shaving, the hockey organization sent a notification this season to hockey team parents. Coaches gave parents the option to exclude their child from the hair cuts.

“As a freshman, I thought it was fun,” junior Brenden Hieland said. “The team has been doing it for years. I don’t know why it’s suddenly a problem.”

Students have said that these hair cuts are considered “hazing.” Of course with this belief there is always an opposing side; the other half sees the initiation rituals as a traditional bonding experience.

“It’s hazing because the hair cuts are just brutal and we get made fun of,” Gross said. “It’s still a tradition,

“Certain people are

just more uncomfortable with it than others.”

-junior Andrew Gross

Administration aims to abolish hazing

At the time, going through the initiations may be seen as embarrassing or difficult. After the fact though, many have seen the hazing as a positive experience.

During past college experiences Principals Chris Greiner and Dave Wedlock pledged to college fraternities where they were required to take part in the hazing experience.

“They would send us out to Saint Louis on long scavenger hunts,” Greiner said. “We had to learn a lot about the history of our fraternity so we had many pop quizzes and tests.

Including some at four in the morning on top of our library’s roof.”

Although Wedlock’s experiences were different from what he hadheard about pledging, his was more a “beneficial experience.”

“Most of the things on TV are myths. It’s done as tradition but it’s also done for spirit and team building,” Wedlock said.

While some people have either grown from their initiation, others have been hurt by it. There are alternative ways to include people and by taking the difference between the two into consideration, hazing can be avoided.

“Any things that are considered traditional but can be portrayed as hazing, our intent is to immediately ban those from school sponsored activities,” athletic director Dave Witter said.

Some students agree with the ending of these rituals.

“You can bond in different ways,” Gross said.

Freshman Alex Griffith displays his newly shaved head. Shaving heads has been a hockey club ritual for over five years. Submitted photo.

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Spotlight

Francis Howell High www.fhhstoday.com

Sports Oct. 27, 2010

Vol. 40 Issue 2

Claytime

Home courts host first district playoffs Austin Hayes: Staff Writer

The tennis courts are not even a year old and yet the courts hosted districts, which is the biggest tournament in high school tennis.

“Its really a big honor to host districts on our home court, especially since the tennis courts were just being talked about at beginning of the girl’s season last year,” Coach Lee Hays said.

In high school tennis, districts is split up in two different tournaments. The first tournament is the team districts. This decides as a team where it will place in state. This event lasts a couple of days. The second tournament is the individual districts which decides what individual players get to go to the state championship in Springfield. The individual districts occurred Oct. 7.

“It was really nice to have districts here, not only to play on our home courts but also it saves all the chaos of getting buses and traveling to another school for a couple of days,” Hays said.

The ladies rolled into districts with momentum as well an undefeated record of 13-0. They placed second in the team districts.

“We had a great season and did well in districts, so I definitely think that it gave us some confidence going into the individual districts,” sophomore Emily Phelps said.

The girls finished up the tournament with the standings of sophomore Emily Salter placing third; doubles of freshman Erin Barker and Phelps placing third; and doubles of junior Emma Rexroat and junior Maria Smith losing first round. Junior Allison Barker had an extra match by making it to the finals and getting the chance to play for state. The match occurred after school at Timberland, Oct 12. Barker came up short, losing in straight sets 5-7, 4-6.

“It was disappointing of course but now I just need to let it go. So I can work hard this off season and get ready for next year,” Barker said.

Junior Alison Barker returns a serve from Timberland’s Savanah Drew, Aug. 25. “I was just focusing on hitting a good return and getting myself into the point,” Barker said. Barker won this match in three sets.

Spirit squads help benefit charity Lauren Crider: Staff Writer Giving back to the community is always a good feeling, which is why the JV cheerleaders and Varsity Golden Girls put down their poms and performed community service.

The JV cheerleaders raised money for the Alzheimer’s Association by selling breakfast foods, Sept. 13-17, in front of the auditorium before school.

“Each girl brought in a share of breakfast foods and was assigned a day to help,” sophomore Emily Kohfeld.

They also had people sponsor them to walk at the Alzheimer’s walk, Sept. 18, at T.R. Hughes stadium.

“We asked friends and family members to donate money for every mile we walked,” sophomore Courtney Hake.

The Varsity Golden Girls collected items Sept. 10 for the OASIS food pantry.

“We collected personal care items such as toothpaste and deodorant,” sophomore Jordan Wise said.

They are planning on going to Our Lady’s Inn in New Melle to help out.

“We are actually taking a few days each week over the next few months at Our Lady’s Inn,” senior Lizzy Wasiuta said.

Our Lady’s Inn is a homeless shelter for pregnant women.

“We are going to babysit and help kids with their homework after school,” Wise said.

Community service not only helps out others but helps teams bond.

“It makes you grow as a team and feel really good about ourselves and makes you realize how lucky we really are,” Wasiuta said.

Young Blues look to win Christian Adams: Staff Writer A new season is coming for the St. Louis Blues hockey team. With a whole offseason to regroup from last season’s collapse in the second half, the team looks like they are getting better and more ready for a new season of excitement Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo should have a full season with the Blues, and he has a real shot at winning NHL rookie of the year. The Blues picked up goalie Jaroslav Halak from Montreal, who has a great history of knowing how to win games. He should help this team.

Since Dave Checketts bought the Blues in 2006, the team has acquired more young talent as the seasons have gone by.

“I think they have matured and realized and will not waste time and have came out fighting more,” science teacher Cathy Gelnett said.

This will be a make or break year for the Blues; with all the draft picks in the last four or five years, it’s time for the Blues to come around.

Head Coach Davis Payne will have his first full season coaching, so it will

be interesting to see how he produces wins. The Blues spent decent money this offseason on Halak to improve the goalie position.

“I think they will do better and will pull through,” sophomore Amanda Riffee said.

If this season ends up as another collapse, then the rebuilding plan for the team set up by Blues president John Davidson will end up as failure.

“They’re going to do good this year because they have a new goalie. They have a four goalie lineup, now that Manny Legace is gone,” junior Cecilia Photinos said.

The team has gotten younger due to many trades of veterans to other teams for younger players.

“I think the Blues will make it to the postseason this year unlike last year when they finished one win out. Their offense will gradually get better as the season goes on with the young team,” Photinos said.

To help others, JV cheerleaders partcipate in the Sept. 18 Walk for Alzheimer’s. Captain Megan Goliver suggested the philanthropy. “We know a lot of people with Alzheimer’s, so we thought we should help,” sophomore Courtney Hake said.

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Sports Vol. 40

Issue 2

Spotlight Francis Howell High www.fhhstoday.com

Oct. 27, 2010

Division I next step for Brett Graves

Beyond the game...

Sportsmanship means attending more games, being there for teams

Andrew Odle: Staff Writer He’s the Vikings quarterback who has led the team to six victories. However, he’s also the talented shortstop on the varsity baseball team. For senior Brett Graves, his true passion is baseball and he is moving on to play Division I in college.

“I started playing when I was five and I loved it.

I got to go to Cooper Stadium when I was around 12 and it was a cool thing to see. It made me want to go far with baseball,” Graves said.

Many colleges have started to take notice of Graves’ baseball skills and have spoken with him.

“The recruitment process starts earlier for baseball than it does for other sports because baseball is in the summer so it’s not uncommon for early recruitment,” Graves said.

Choosing a college wasn’t easy.

“It was a very stressful decision. I talked to Kansas State, Missouri State, Wichita State, and I went to some national shows. I got contacted from a lot of places all over,” Graves said.

In the end, Graves signed with Mizzou. Until baseball season starts up again, Graves fills his time with sports such as football, despite the possible risk of injury.

“I love to play football too and I couldn’t just quit on the team. The risk of injury isn’t something I worry about,” Graves said. “Plus I’m keeping in shape a lot of ways. Football helps me a lot by running everyday and throwing strengthens my shoulder.”

While Graves has put in hard work and

years of practice, he has had some help along the way.

“My dad and Coach Darin Cissell influence me a lot. My dad really motivates me and Cissell keeps me grounded and focused,” Graves said.

Cissell saw Graves’ potential early on and is impressed with his dedication.

“With baseball you could tell he was an athlete and that he’d take his potential up to what it is now. He’s very competitive and worked hard to get to where he is,” Cissell said. “It’s just nice to see someone work hard and do the right things to become successful.”

As to where baseball will take Graves and what he expects paying Division I, Graves is prepared for the possibilities.

“Division I mostly excites me and not much else. Hopefully it will take me to the draft. I’ve dreamed about it since I was a little kid,” Graves said.

Cissell is also helping Graves try to reach his goal of professional baseball.

“I’m just telling him what will help,” Cissell said. “I’ve been where he wants to be so I pretty much just share my experiences and what I did to get to that higher level so that he can do the same.”

With one season left of high school baseball, Graves plans to enjoy it and play his best. No matter what happens Graves plans to stick with his sport.

“I love baseball and can’t imagine not playing it,” he said.

During the Sept. 10 game against Timberland, quarterback Brett Graves readies a pass. Howell won 53-21. Photo by Katie Roberts.

7

Austin Hayes: Staff Writer

Friday night, where the lights are focused on one field and My two teams. To most high school opinion students this sounds like high school football, but what about other sports?

Besides football, Howell has most other sports, but most students don’t care about watching those performances. Now I love sports. I try to attend every game possible. However recently freshman Ryan Baker just broke a school swimming record and most of the school missed it.

There are 467 athletes during the fall sports season but only 133 of those athletes play football.

That’s 28 percent, so what about the rest of the athletes and sports you have missed? It’s too late to see the cross country and tennis teams win their GAC titles. But you still have winter and spring.

Fan support is huge for athletic teams because it can change the mood of the game. I attended a home varsity softball game and there was hardly anybody there. This made me think about how Howell fans are more fans of convenience than true dedicated fans. These fans go to the games that are easy for them and support the team heavily when they’re at the game. What about the away games?

The boys basketball team only has seven home games this year. So as fans are we can provide good spirit those seven games. Or instead we can be great fans by going to those away games and showing more team spirit. We can drive to the Rec Plex for swimming and also attend wrestling matches. In the spring we can cheer on golf and track as well as baseball and soccer.

Trust me it means a lot to an athlete to look up and see that support from his or her fellow peers.

“SCC has a great partnership with UMSL, which will make it

easier for me to transfer when I graduate from SCC.” ~ Caitlyn Biddle SCC student Francis Howell alum

Ask your counselor how to get started at St. Charles Community College.

Call 636-922-8000 or visit stchas.edu.

8 S

Back page

Spotlight

Francis Howell High www.fhhstoday.com

Oct. 27, 2010

Spotlight Stories

Vol. 40 Issue 2

Making face time News Feed

News Feed

Top news

Most Recent

Messages

Facebook usage leads to new trends and terms

Events (2) Photos

Shelby Steingraeber: staff writer

Friends Applications Games Groups Marketplace

(1)

Dr. Chris Greiner Brinkmann Construction Jeremy Boettler FHHStoday.com Francis Howell Schools FHHS Publications

Alison Dunaway

Spotlight Stories added new photos

1

Facebook: where it’s acceptable to talk to a wall, the word “friend” is a verb, and one can manage their very own farm, free of cost.

Since 2004, this social networking site has been captivating Internet users of all ages. But with the Facebook community growing day by day, one question remains unanswered: Why is Facebook so attractive to its users, and what drives them to “creep” on others?

If one knows where, when, and what 500 people are doing, should someone draw the line?

Many users check Facebook everyday.

“It’s just easy way to connect with people,” sophomore Richie Pohl said. “(Facebook does distract me from my studies) because if I get on the computer to do something for school I end up on Facebook.”

Pohl is not alone when it comes to being a victim of Facebook’s educational distraction.

“Instead of doing my homework I get on the computer and check my Facebook,” freshman Lukas Padilla said.

Aside from turning the word “friend” into a verb, Facebook has redefined another word: creep. “He’s a creep. She’s a creeper. They must be Facebook creeping.”

S

“(A Facebook creep is a) person that stalks me, talks to me 24/7,” sophomore Taylor Wood said.

Wood gets on Facebook often, “ to see what people are doing.”

The term “Facebook creep” has taken on a universal, nearly unanimous definition. “(A Facebook creep is) someone who comments on everything and stalks your photos,” Pohl said.

Facebook attracts everyone from middle-schoolers to retirees, and it serves a different purpose for all its users.

“Actually, the other librarians created [Facebook] for me at a conference. They said I needed to have a Facebook. I’m still feeling my way around [...] I haven’t had it very long. (I use it) to keep in touch with friends,” librarian Susan Robinson said.

Sophomore Kelly Kintz uses Facebook with a group of friends.

“I [browse] Facebook with a group of people because I like looking at hot guys,” Kintz said.

However, she doesn’t accept all Facebook friend requests. “I don’t want any creepers stalking me.”

Although Facebook has more than 70 million users, it doesn’t have everyone hooked.

“I don’t really think [Facebook

profiles] are safe,” sophomore Cheyanne Barton said. “They make you do things you really wouldn’t do in person[...]I think it’s kind of dangerous.”

A Facebook creep can be divided into two categories. There is the silent creeper, who looks at other information and profiles without commenting on photos or statuses. There is also the active creeper, who leaves a trail of comments and wall posts on every page they visit.

Of course, there’s “the hacker,” that one friend who snatches others’ iPhones, gets on others’ Facebook profiles while they are away from the computer and still logged on, and does anything from uploading unattractive photos to posting awkward statuses.

“Usually I’m sitting at my desk, and I get up and my friend makes a ridiculous status. The funniest part is when my godmother comments, [worried] about my status,” senior Arick Middeke said. “ I’m upset at first, but seeing the comments is really funny.”

So is Facebook creeping popular among all? “(Facebook creeping)...it’s a girl thing,” Padilla said.

Spotlight Stories How long do you spend on Facebook every day?

24 hours ago via TweetDeck Comment

Like

Nine People Around five minutes.

23 hours ago

Four People About ten minutes.

Shelby Steingraeber

22 hours ago

Eight People Maybe fifteen minutes.

21 hours ago

2

Nine People Thirty minutes, tops.

20 hours ago

Fifteen People At least one hour.

18 hours ago

Two People I spend around two hours on FB every day.

Alison Dunaway

17 hours ago

Two People Possibly three hours?

16 hours ago

3

1: In his seventh hour English class, Oct. 19, junior Adam Putnam stumbles across a proxy. “I think Facebook should be unblocked because people will get on it anyway,” Putnam said.

2: Sophomore Marleigh Anderson checks her Facebook on her cell phone while in the hallway between classes, Oct. 18. “I wish I wasn’t a Facebook creep, but I can’t even go a day without it,” Anderson said.

3: During her free time, Oct. 17, junior Tatianna Person uses Facebook.

“The only time I’m not on Facebook is when I’m asleep,” Person said.

Twoperson PeopleSix to eight hours every day.

One 14 hours ago

Source: An Oct. 5 random poll of 50 students