Spotlight: Vol. 41, Issue 4

Francis Howell High 7001 S. Hwy 94 St. Charles, MO 63304 Vol. 41, Issue 4 March 7, 2012 www.fhhstoday.com

In Brief School Board approves new fields: With a 6-1

vote, the school board voted Feb. 16 to spend $2.4 million for a new athletic complex which includes two baseball fields, a softball field and a football practice field on campus. Completion will end the relationship Howell has had with C&H since the 1960s.

Construction of the new gym should be done by mid-October.

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Cafeteria offers healthier choices

Thin Fries (2oz)

100 Calories 4 grams Trans fat 0.67 grams Saturated fat

Mayra Garcia Hernandez: staff writer

Ken Benson returns: After a

year in Afghanistan, math teacher Ken Benson returned to the classroom, Jan. 31. Currently he is taking over for math teacher Kelli Griebenow, who is on medical leave.

Teacher of the Year: Math teacher

Jim Clark found himself surprised, Feb. 8 during the pep assembly, when the parent clubs gave him $1,000 for his selection as Howell’s teacher of the year.

Prom changes:

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Variety Sandwich

448 Calories 22.01 grams Trans fat 6.67 grams Saturated fat

Grilled Cheese with Tator Tots 516 Calories 20.6.8 grams Trans fat 7.36 grams Saturated fat

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has set new standards for school lunches aimed to improve nutrition and to reduce obesity; these standards will be phased in over the next three years, starting in the fall.

Some of these new regulations, such as providing fruit and vegetables and only low-fat milk, are already being met at Howell.

“We are no longer able to serve fried food, so everything we serve is baked. It gives it a different texture and a different look, but it’s healthier,” cafeteria manager Debbie Nelson said.

Some of the baked items include the pizza, french fries, and tater tots. Other popular items include the chicken tenders and cheeseburgers. Nelson said that these items have been made healthy.

“All our lunches have to meet the government guidelines. This includes things like portion sizes, calories, fat, and especially carbs,” Nelson said.

The nutritional information for food items for the whole month is in the nurse’s office for anyone who wants to keep track of calories and other information. Nelson is looking into the possibility of making it available online as well.

A lunch of a grilled cheese sandwich and tater tots has 516 calories. It also contains 20.6 grams of trans fat and 7.36 grams of saturated fat.

The calories and fat intake from school lunches do not phase some students.

“I buy my lunch three times a week and bring my lunch from home the other two days,” junior Alexis Atherton said. “I don’t really care about the calories count of my lunch. It’s not healthy but it’s healthier than it was before.”

For junior Kerri Husa, the concern for her food extends much farther then calorie count. She has done some reading about about the food industry and has decided to bring her own lunch to school everyday.

“I read Fast Food Nation and it talked about the low standards for fast food restaurants and I just don’t trust the school’s standards. They also serve lots of processed food at school,” Husa said. “I’d rather bring my lunch and eat healthier food. I sometimes pack things from my own garden.”

Although there are salads and fruit in the cafeteria, students can choose to eat more than the recommended portions, or snack on things from the vending machines.

“We offer many healthy choices and there is always fruits and salads, but it’s up to the students to make the choice of what they’ll eat,” Nelson said. “We can’t control what they eat otherwise.”

Instead of occurring Friday, May 11, the administration moved prom by one day, changing the date to Saturday, May 12.

Snow day: Because of the snow day, the last day of school has been pushed back to Thursday, May 24.

Upcoming March 11

Don’t forget to spring your clocks forward at 2 a.m.

March 12

Spring break begins. See you Monday, March 26.

March 30 Report cards go home.

April 6 Good Friday–No school.

April 9

Easter Monday–No school.

Alex Martin: staff writer

Sharing a simple homework answer, texting someone what is going to be on the test not yet taken, and giving someone actual answers. Cheating is acting dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage, or to deceive or trick. But the definition of cheating seems to have changed. The lines defining cheating have blurred.

“Cheating is always wrong. You’re taking someone else’s ideas and making them your own.

Students don’t consider sharing few answers anymore to be considered cheating because other kids do it all the time,” sophomore Nikki Ayers said.

“Kids think that now if you cheat on a homework assignment it’s not that big of a deal, but if they cheat on a test, it becomes serious,” junior Marissa Rogers said.

The week of finals, Dec. 19-23, a group of students shared answers on the final for their science class.

“The answers were sent to me through a picture. I used them, the answers were there, so I just took them. Why not?” a participant said.

One student received answers but didn’t use them on his exam.

“I didn’t cheat, I just got the answers and passed them on, but didn’t use them for myself,” he said.

Other students were involved in the situation as well.

“The students that were involved were disciplined according to the code of conduct. It was all taken care of,” Principal Chris Greiner said.

According to the disciplinary referrals documented as cheating, there were 16 referrals directly involved with cheating first semester.

“These referrals are only the documented accounts of cheating. There could be more that a student and teacher worked out separately and it was never written up,” Greiner said.

More and more surveys report the increasing amount of academic dishonesty both in college and in high school.

In the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Josephine Ethics survey stated that, in a survey of 24,763 students, 62 percent cheated on a test in the past year. Following up with the cheating, 62 percent lied to their teacher about it, but then, 82 percent lied to their parents about it. The survey concluded that, along with the cheating, comes lying. The question the survey raised as a variable to the experiment was, “What factors increase students’ ability to cheat with ease?”

“I haven’t really seen a kid cheating with their phone or sharing answers but I’m completely sure it’s a problem,” sophomore Lauren Carlson said.

Technology now has given students a new form of access to cheat in a different way than it used to be.

“I haven’t seen a ‘spike’ in cheating due to the new existence and forms of technology, but I would say that it gives students more access, which leads to temptation to cheat with technology,” Greiner said.

“Looking off someone’s paper, texting and sharing answers on a test is, to me, considered

cheating. But with technology now, kids use it to their advantage and cheat with ease. I have watched kids do it,” senior Michael Holmes said.

Even though statistics show frequent activity of cheating, Howell holds students to a high standard.

“We have great students here at Howell, but teachers still are taking precautions to help limit situations that can come up with cheating on exams, and tests,” Greiner said.

Teachers in the English department use a popular growing website called “turnitin.com” to limit the plagiarism of students.

“Turnitin.com is a website that helps prevent the acts of cheating. The website runs an electronic check on every single paper. The system also checks other students work as well to prevent copying,” English teacher Marti Buchanan said.

The website has just recently started to be used by more and more teachers. It keeps track of every single paper ever turned in.

“Even if a sibling of yours turned in something in 2005, and you resubmitted it, the system would pick it up, and you’d receive no credit,” Buchanan said.

Once the work is submitted it’s there forever, but by using this method, teachers expect to help limit plagiarism as much as possible.

“What amazes me, is that I explain how the system works, yet kids still choose to cheat anyway,” Buchanan said.

By using certain websites now to help limit cheating, teachers are able to keep track of it more easily, but are other ways of cheating still possible?

“I think teachers can take precautions to help stop cheating, but either way it’s somehow going to happen, but the school does everything they can to help prevent it,” Carlson said.

Along with being more aware and by using websites, teachers also have redone tests to make cheating more of a challenge.

“Multiple forms of tests are now created. That way students can’t look over at their neighbor’s work. Teachers are becoming more aware of the classroom during tests and exams, and also, the teachers clear all calculators before tests and force students to only use the school’s provided calculators on exams,” Greiner said Teachers are doing everything they can to take the right precautions to limit cheating to a minimum.

“Schools adjusting with technology just as much as students are. Cheating can helped be limited to a minimum once taking the right precautions,” Greiner said.

Even though the corruption of the definition of cheating has impact the actions of students, others still view it as still unacceptable.

“Of course cheating is wrong. I think it’s kind of rude too. You’re basically taking someone else’s thoughts and placing them as your own,” freshman Chase Harper said.

Respecting elders a thing of the past

OPINION

Francis Howell High School http://www.fhhstoday.com Vol. 41, Issue 4 March 7, 2012

Back in the day, students used to be afraid of teachers. Afraid to talk back or even forget to do homework.

These days, students try to get away with anything they please and not have any regret it afterwards.

Most of the disrespect has to do with the teachers trying to give students a break. They try to be more of a friend to students than an elder, which is where the respect is lost.

Students take advantage of these opportunities because teachers constantly give them second chances to change their ways and try harder, but the students know that they can get away with being rude again.

According to Publicagenda.org, teachers feel that 85 percent of the issue is because new teachers do not know how to handle the behavioral problems.

At Howell, the only thing students really have to worry about is getting a detention, which is not even a punishment for most. Detention is only 45 minutes long and in detention students can do homework, read or even sleep.

Students at this school are not afraid to do anything. They will pull out their phones in the middle of class and make a phone call or interrupt a teacher’s lecture to make a rude comment. They do this simply for attention or to look cool for their friends, when it is actually rude and immature.

The teachers that actually stand up to the students and try to reprimand them have a bad reputation and students do not like to go to those teachers’ classes. The teachers that let this kind of behavior slide are often seen as the “cool” teachers and students even go to those teachers to skip class.

Staff Editorial

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 designated public 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 going to www.fhhstoday.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 physical disruption of school activities and/or implies libel. The editorial board has the right to have letters edited for length, grammar, 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

Ann Molina, EIC; Alison Dunaway, web editor; Emily Phelps, photo ed.; staff writers: T.J. Bartosch, Alyssa Crawford, Lauren Crider, Samantha Fleschner, Mayra Garcia, Larry Guessfeld, Alex Martin, Erica Nolan, Andrew Odle, Waverly Odle, Katie Roberts, Shelby Steingraeber; Michele Dunaway, MJE, adviser.

Face the

Spotlight

in

Crowd

–sophomore Madeline Spencer

I will probably stay at home and try to catch up on sleep.

–freshman Sean Sanders I’m planning on going back to Texas to visit my family and friends.

–junior Cerina Ball

I think I’ll go to Chicago and just chill.

–senior Charlie Carr

I’m going to LA for the first time. I’m planning on going to the beach and shopping with my mom.

–senior Mackenzie Paull

College stress in finding the “one”

Andrew Odle: staff writer College, who isn’t talking about In My it?

It’s certainly Opinion been a popular topic of discussion throughout high school. Freshman year, it’s teachers and parents warning students to keep their GPA high so they don’t have to work to repair it.

Sophomore year, the comments shift towards taking the classes that might lead a student to their major. Things really pick up junior year with ACT test dates, college visits, and really hammering out those initial decisions.

But it all comes to a peak during senior year, when its time to finalize the grades, search out the scholarships, and make the big decision.

There’s finances, scholarships, location, campus life, majors, the town, and an endless barrage of things to consider. While one school is cheap and close, the other has a better program for my major. While another has a great campus and town, it lacks in cost and distance from home.

And it’s not something that I can just change on a whim either. This

Publicagenda.org also says that, one in three teachers have quit because of behavioral problems from students. Teachers felt that instead of being at school to teach, they were there to control the students.

Students need to learn to respect their elders. Teachers come to school to teach, not act as unofficial babysitters.

What are your plans for Spring Break?

I’m celebrating my sixteenth birthday. I’m having a party.

is potentially the place where I’m going to be spending the next four years of my life.

So with that in mind, here’s my advice to those who are, or will be, in the same predicament as me. First off, relax. While there are important dates to remember, most colleges give students plenty of time to think and figure out their decision. Second, I’m focusing on the most important things I want out of a college. Obviously cost and major rank rather high on the list, but I can’t forget the smaller things. Whatever it is, just try and find the college that feels like the best. Which brings me to my final and most important point.

While it may sound cliche, it really is about finding the college that just feels the best. While it may take some time, just let everything that’s been considered sink in, and hopefully, the answer will slowly make itself known.

For now, that’s certainly what I plan to do. In short, whether someone’s known where they’re going, or they’re just now figuring it out, just do what feels best and will benefit them the most.

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and

[a quick Howell about the good and bad]

hits Longer break

Spring break is now two whole weeks.

Break starts March 12 and goes all the way until March 23. What to do with all the time away from school?

State Champ

Junior Jarrett Franklin wins first place in the state wrestling competition, Feb. 19. Good job to all of the wrestlers that qualified for state.

Pinterest Craze

Pining the way through school, students use pinterest as a new creativity outlet.

FBLA state

misses

Gates closing before school

School starts at 7:20 a.m., but the gates close at 7:18. Those two minutes could be helpful in getting to class on time.

Senior handprints

The seniors finally get to leave their mark on the new school, but a little late in the game. What about the students who graduated early?

Out after one game

The boys and girls varsity basketball teams both lost their first game of districts.

Warm weather won’t stay

FBLA had 18 students qualify for the state competition by competing in the district competition Feb. 14.

Every few weeks, the temperature comes up into the 50’s and 60’s and then the next day there is a chance of snow. Spring just needs to come and stay here.

Recycling video

Cracking down on tardies

The school comes up with an interesting way to ask students to recycle. Juniors Jesse Bader and Joel Jennings made a video to get students to recycle.

Teachers are now documenting every student that is tardy, even if they do not want to do so.

Ignorance, after all, is not bliss

Alison Dunaway: web editor We have a serious problem, Howell. And In My Opinion we’re not talking about it.

We’re blocking it on the Internet. We’re changing the subject. We’re joking about it. We’re ignoring and blaming the victims, when we’re the ones who are most at risk.

Every two minutes someone in the United States is sexually assaulted, according to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) and no one is safe.

Discussion of sexual assault in Howell is lacking. The topic is barely touched on in health classes. The districts blocks the word ‘rape’ from being Googled.

Even though 44 percent of assault victims are under the age of 18, the lack of open discussion on the subject has allowed for blame to set in.

“She was asking for it.” “They deserved it if they were dressed like a slut.” “They were drunk.”

Blaming the victim often leads to them blaming oneself, which is why an estimated 60 percent of sexual assaults go unreported and 15 of 16 assailants will never spend a day in jail.

The argument is, of course, “Well,

the victim shouldn’t have...” Well the assailant shouldn’t have, either.

Lack of conversation has also allowed for dangerous stereotypes.

The idea of a masked stranger in a dark alley, while a possible scenario, is unlikely. Ninety-three percent of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker. When it comes to the entire pool of reported assaults, 73 percent were committed by someone the victim knew, with half of the attacks occurring within a mile of the victim’s home.

Not walking alone at night, keeping your doors locked, and staying sober doesn’t make one “immune” to sexual assault.

Howell has a duty to inform its students. Victims, according to the World Health Organization, are three times more likely to suffer from depression, 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol, 26 times more likely to abuse drugs and four times more likely to contemplate suicide.

Opening the dialogue will crush destructive stereotypes and create a safer environment for victims.

However, nothing will get better until someone finally decides it’s time to talk.

Francis Howell High School http://www.fhhstoday.com Vol. 41, Issue 4 March 7, 2012

NEWS

effects The secrets of gossip: Gossip more than news

Erica Nolan: staff writer

Social sites like Facebook and Twitter have broadened the world’s ability to spread breaking news in merely seconds, even when the stories are not true.

A recent example of how quickly false news spreads on these sites occurred with the announcement of Bon Jovi’s death Dec. 12. A fake press release reported Bon Jovi’s death and spread quickly on Twitter.

In this day and age, gossip spreads quicker than it ever has before. People have fallen prey to believing the false rumors often spread through the internet, and the gossip spread through the school hallways isn’t any different.

“It’s ridiculous how quickly gossip spreads. It spreads like an infection,” senior Haley Parker said.

The reliability of the school rumors becomes equally as reliable as the rumors spread on Twitter or Facebook. There’s a very small chance the stories being told in the halls are true.

“Just like the game telephone that we played when we were kids, words get changed,” senior Claire Tracy said.

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Even though gossip seems like must know information and, it can emotionally harm students involved.

“Gossip is a small act that has a huge impact.

It can really hurt the confidence and security of an individual. Gossiping is selfish and can be downright mean,” junior Mollie Whiting said.

The harassment that can result from gossip can do more harm than help and the United States has taken action to prevent gossip from being taken too far by creating laws to prevent harassment online.

“These laws are a good idea. Cyberbullying can hurt a lot of people really fast and Facebook can definitely be a hazardous environment,” Tracy said.

While some students can take gossip too far, most students have realized that the gossip in the hallway is far from reliable.

“Gossip is not reliable at all. There’s too much miscommunication going on,” Whiting said.

cracks down Hanging in the halls: Faculty on hall passes and tardies Alyssa Crawford: staff writer

The difference between being on time to first hour and a tardy could be one little white pass.

When the long line of traffic stops some students from being on time, a pass could be the only way out.

“Sometimes I’m late for school and I think it’s unfair that they close the gates at 7:20 because it causes people to be later than they would have if the gates were open,” senior Brooke Wuest said. “If I’m really late, I have to get called in to get a pass.”

While some students take advantage of a pass, others use it for the purpose it serves.

“I have meetings three times a week before school, so I end up getting passes a lot to go to first hour, but I have a legitimate reason for one,” senior Samm Melton said. “I don’t think it’s fair that some students who are late take advantage of the passes in the morning because a lot of the other students are able to get here on time.”

Some teachers set a limit on their hall passes.

“We get two passes per semester that you can use for the bathroom or for extra credit at the end of the semester, which can be annoying, but in another way it’s nice because it keeps everyone in control since no one interrupts class,” freshman Monica Evans said. “I think it’s fair to have a limit because it gives everyone an equal chance to boost up their grade at the end of the semester if you save them and it stops people from skipping class.”

On the other hand some teachers allow their students to leave the class freely.

“I don’t usually go to the bathroom during the day, so I use the bathroom once or twice in one of my hours because my teacher doesn’t really mind,” freshman Steven Crider said. “I think that it’s unfair if a teacher doesn’t let you use the rest room during class because some people really have to go and it should be their choice if they want to miss class time.”

Tardy Rules: -Students who are late to school will report directly to first hour.

-Three or more tardies results in a detention.

-If students arrive to class over five minutes, but under 20 minutes, it’s considered a truancy and the student will receive an immediate detention.

-After a fourth tardy referral, students will have to see their principal to be placed on a tardy contract.

-If a student comes in late three times after the gate has closed their parking pass will be suspended for a week , after the second occurrence it will result in a two week pass suspension, and after the third occurrence their parking pass will be taken away for good.

FEATURES

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s ng c jam tti Traffi Ge

FITTING

inside

THE LINES

Traffic increases because of gate closure Ann Molina, Emily Phelps and Larry Guessfeld: staff writers Traffic. Tardies. Frustration. As more parents and students are driving to school at the

Francis Howell High School http://www.fhhstoday.com Vol. 41, Issue 4 Month 7, 2012

for tardy student drivers,” Witter said. “After three times

same time in the morning, the traffic on Highway 94 has become a serious issue. And new

pulling in late to school, the student will have his parking permit

implemented rules have added to the situation.

suspended for two weeks. Parking is a privilege, so students have to

“Beginning second semester, we decided we would improve the way we monitored the vehicles coming onto campus in the morning. The north gate was never shut until 7:40 in previous years, but it came to our attention that it was unsafe for our students and campus to not lock that gate as the school day started at 7:20 a.m.,” Principal Chris Greiner said.

comply to the new set of rules if they want to continue driving.”

“We are not making them late, we are making them more late.”

As the gates close in the morning, security is able to track who comes on and

–Activites Director Dave Witter

Even before the closed gates, Howell had a high amount of first hour tardies and absences. This new enforcement allows the school to keep tabs on who is coming in late and to make sure tardies are being enforced.

“In the first four day week of closing the gates, there were five people who were tardy three times,” Witter said. “This is meant to motivate students to get here on time. We are

punishment, they are not the only ones arriving after the morning bell and causing traffic delays.

“We are in the process of reminding the bus drivers to pull up all the way up to the main entrance and drop the students off there, and not back by the old part of the school. Also all the students and parents should be reminded to get on the road earlier, and that hopefully reduce the number of tardies to first hour,” Greiner said. not receive the same punishment as student drivers, the

“From 7:20 to 2:20, we track people minutes before school is not an exception.”

Although students are receiving the

Since students being dropped off by their parents can

off campus during the school day hours. coming onto campus for safety reasons,” Activities Director Dave Witter said. “The

administration is relying on tardies recorded by the faculty.

“Teachers are responsible for writing tardies and encouraging the students to arrive to school on time,” Witter said.

With parents dropping off their students, along with the hundreds of student drivers getting to school, the traffic on 94 has become difficult to avoid.

“We are working on new ways to cut down the traffic, but until then, students need to simply plan accordingly to the situation,” Witter said.

not making them late; we are making them more late.”

To comply with the people written up for tardies, new rules have been in place for parking permit privileges.

“To ensure students will come to school on time, we have made new consequences

u o y o d t a Wh

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after y t i r u c in by se eel like I’m a d e n g i o get s d makes me f e light on t g n i v “Ha re close lity I’m not. Th a s e t akes a m a s e y r a the g n i w y 94 al , when l field a l d i a w k b h t d g o i a o b D and H gates by the f lmost y a w h a Hig d if the a.m. I would n a , e t me la til 7:20 my Reckert n u n e p were o late.”–junior A e never b

es in the t a g e h t ey close st making u j s “When th i l o o the sch is the t I morning . s s a l c ater to e and we t a l g n us even l i e fault for b s t n getting e y d b u t d s e h s i be pun g late shouldn’t en away after bein e tak ents of th r our pass a p e h t hen s to 3 times. W en drive their kid at ssm kids th e h t s undercla e s u really ca school o t e v i r d school it ivilege to r p e senior h – t ” . s e u o t hav r It isn’t fai . e t a l e b to riquez d o R y l i m E

Francis Howell High School http://www.fhhstoday.com Vol. 41, Issue 4 Month 7, 2012

FEATURES

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Up ed er ck earli Bas even

ls

Cost of parking pass $14-30 “It makes me at 6:30 a.m sick that I have t o le .e get to sch very morning jus ave t to ool on tim e. I only l minutes iv away. I ha ve to wor e 10 getting a ry about detention because undercla of ssm by their p en getting dropp ed off arents wh ich cause traffic. It s ba is ju Josh Jenk st ridiculous.”–sen d ins ior

Average price of gas as of 2/29 $3.55 Cost of parking ticket $10 Total number of parking spaces 487

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Francis Howell High School http://www.fhhstoday.com Vol. 41, Issue 4 March 7, 2012

A’mis Italian Restaurant: bright atmosphere, bland pastas

Erica Nolan: staff writer

I don’t have an Italian grandmother, but when I walked into

A’mis Italian Restaurant, I figure that’s what her kitchen would smell like. The sweet aroma of homemade sauce and yeast-filled pizza dough made my mouth water before I even sat down. A’mis has a very laid-back atmosphere, making it a comfortable place to chill out with friends, come watch the game, have dinner with the family, or even go out for a date.

There’s just enough space between tables to get through the restaurant without elbowing the neighboring table, but being cramped is easy to overlook thanks to the friendly atmosphere.

When you first get to A’mis, the first thing set on your table is a basket filled with rolls. I was instantly hooked on those little balls of carb-filled heaven. I’m an avid pizza crust eater, and these rolls tasted exactly like the pizza crust I know and love, which makes complete sense seeing as the roll dough is an alteration of A’mis New York Style pizza dough. (I asked my waitress, this is legit). I’m almost confident that if it wasn’t for my own self control, I could have probably downed an entire basket of those things on my own, they were that addicting. Just writing about them is making my mouth water.

When it comes to your meal at A’mis, there is an array of foods to choose from. You can go as simple as a nice sandwich or salad, completely Italian with some pizza or pasta or even as succulent as a steak. Along with the variety of photo by: Shelby Steingraeber

Restaurant Review

The Fray Channels Emotion in New Album Shelby Steingraeber: staff writer

Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. From piano, to dance, to singing, it’s something that is an influential part of everything Music I do. So needless to say, along with my life long love for music, has come Review what has always appeared to be an assured opinion on almost everything I hear........that is, until I heard The Fray’s new album, released Feb. 8th.

Scars and Stories left me speechless.

I immersed myself in the 12 track album, listening to the songs over and over again; I analyzed the lyrics, isolated each and every instrumental part as I listened. And yet, somehow, I still found myself without words to describe the music. I was staring at a blank document, with no idea how to begin this review.

That’s when it hit me: this album has achieved everything that music represents.

Music isn’t something you’re supposed to talk about--it’s something you’re supposed to feel.

I can feel the meaning behind every word lead singer Isaac Slade belts out, every note band members Joe King, Dave Welsh, Ben Wysocki, and Jeremy McCoy play. Scars and Stories is an album of raw emotion, and The Fray channels the true meaning of everything that is the word “music.”

The album boasts a variety of stylistic contrast. There’s the classic, catchy, upbeat ballad “Heartbeat,” which is clearly designed to have me singing along in my car. Chances are, I might even keep belting it out at the stoplight, despite the awkward glances from the random guy in the car to my right. It’s a song worth the embarrassment. What can I say? I can feel the band’s heartbeat in every word of this song.

Tracks such as “1961” and “Turn Me On” stay true to The Fray’s distinct style, while channeling a retro feel and somewhat groovy beat. “I Can Barely Say” proves to be a deep song with complex lyrics, packaged into what is a simple and beautiful ballad. Strings are a refreshing instrumental addition to this piano driven piece as well.

Each track not only displays The Fray’s musical technique and ability, but tells a story, too. With the song “48 to Go,” Slade channels his inner pioneer as he sings from the viewpoint of a settler going West. Despite a song with lyrics focused on a historic event, surprisingly, it is still relatable to our generation. Hope, love, adversity, and commitment are emotions to which anyone of any age can relate and resonate. On the track “Munich,” the singer tells of a city that clearly has romantic meaning to the band.

My favorite track on the album, however, is “The Fighter.” Even after listening to it numerous times, I still get the chills each time I hear it. It’s the anthem of the strong willed, and a song of independence and conquering adversity. As Slade sings with passion, “ What breaks your bones is not the load you’re carrying. What breaks you down is all in how you carry,” I am inspired and empowered. Isn’t that was music is supposed to do, after all? It’s not a remixed club beat, with vocals edited to the point that the singer is just an auto-tuned product that is unrecognizable. It’s original......it’s real.

Overall, Scars and Stories is an album of raw, uncut feelings and emotions. It’s a CD worth the investment, and one I know I’ll have on re-play for quite some time.

foods, there’s a variety of prices. Meals average about $11 making it a great place for a broke teen, like myself, to go grab a bite to eat. I ended up going with cannelloni, a tubular pasta filled with meat and topped with sauce and cheese.

When it comes to eating Italian, carbs have to be your friend. Thankfully for me, carbs and I are pretty close. I really don’t think you can ever truly go wrong with meat filled noodles, tomato sauce, and cheese, but I felt this cannelloni could have been more memorable. The flavor of the dish was classically Italian with a nice sweet tomato sauce and a good smothering of Parmesan cheese. The meat filling was a unique mix of chicken, veal, and beef that was satisfactory. But in the end, I was really indifferent about the meal.

Truth be told, my mind kept going back to the rolls I had at the beginning of my night. So if you decided to go to A’mis I would suggest ordering a pizza.

Even though I didn’t try it, anything made with that pizza dough has to be delicious and they do take out and delivery. If you feel like having a dinner out, A’mis can be found at 3728 Monticello Plaza next to Shop n’ Save. So the next time you are up for a decent Italian meal in a laid back atmosphere, head over to A’mis Italian Restaurant.

Score: 3 out of 4 Stars Price: 6.85-23.85 Address: 3728 Monticello Plaza, O’Fallon South Phone: (636) 329-8787

Upcoming Concerts Fri. March 9

Radiohead 7:30 pm at Scottrade Center

Sat. Needtobreathe with Ben Rector March 10 8 pm at The Pageant

Mon. March 12

Boyce Avenue

7:30 pm at The Pageant

Kelly Clarkson Fri. March 16 8 pm at The Fabulous Fox Theatre

Sat. Superjam March 24 8 pm at House of Rock Sat. April 7

All American Rejects

Wed. April 11

Mac Miller

Wed. April 25

Evanescence

Fri. April 27

The Black Keys with Arctic Monkeys

Wed. May 2

M83

Tues.

May 8

The Fray

Fri. May 25

Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Tues.

May 29

Nickelback with Bush

8 pm at The Pageant

7 pm at Chaifetz Arena

8 pm at The Pageant

8 pm at Chaifetz Arena

7 pm at The Pageant

8 pm at The Pageant

8 pm at Scottrade Center

7 pm at Scottrade Center

7

SPORTS Winter sports finish Francis Howell High School http://www.fhhstoday.com Vol. 41, Issue 4 March 7, 2012

TJ Bartosch: staff writer

Jarrett Mike

Timmermann

Photo by Katie Roberts

for second, so it shows that we are actually good,“ junior Mike Timmermann said.

Desiring to bring home victories, the boys worked for every point and proved the team’s true ability. The team finished the season with a record of 9-17.

“I think overall this was a pretty good season, even though we fought with each other a lot at the beginning. We had a really good come back, going from 1-11 to 9-17 at the end,” Timmermann said.

Photo courtesy of Jarrett Franklin

Whitney

Girls Basketball

Adams

In her first season, varsity head coach Melanie Zerr turned the girls varsity basketball program in a totally different direction.

“I really liked the new coach because she pushed the entire team really hard and she helped the team get better from the start,” junior Whitney Adams said.

“We all respected and liked her a lot for everything she has done

for us this season,” Adams continued.

Zerr helped increase the girls’ confidence and this helped boost the season record; the girls finished the season at a 12-13.

“I think this season went a lot better from last year because we really improved as a team and our new coach helped us keep are heads up high so we wouldn’t fall into last year’s patterns,” Adams said.

Junior Jarrett Franklin became the Class 4 Wrestling State Champion, after defeating Chris Lattner of Blue Springs High School. This was Franklin’s second time competing at state at 170 pounds.

Franklin competed against eventual medalists Jake Hawks of Timberland High School, who placed third; and Dominic Vitale of Fox High School, who placed fourth. Franklin is Howell’s 29th state champion in wrestling. Franklin wrestled 50 matches total.

“My strategy was to take one match at a time and not to look ahead,” Franklin said. “I did not want to be content with just placing for state, but I wanted to win state. I accomplished so much more than I could have imagined by ending the entire season with first at state and a record of 47-3.”

Franklin

Boys Basketball

Starting off the season on a rough foot and a bitter losing streak, the varsity basketball team came back to tie for second in the GAC tournament.

At the beginning of the season, the stands held only a few fans, but the season ended with a crowd that rattled the gym, cheering for victory.

“Nobody expected us to win any games and everyone thought we weren’t going to do well in GACs, but we tied

Boys Wrestling

Girls Swimming

Maria

Schroeder

Photo by Kaite Roberts

Photo by TJ Bartosch

From the varsity girls swimming team, sophomore Maria Schroeder successfully took top 10 for three different state competitions.

She placed seventh in the 50-meter freestyle, second for the 100-meter fly, and fourth in the 200-meter freestyle relay.

She was the only individual girl on the

swim team to make it back to finals for state championship.

“I was freaking excited when I placed second overall because I hadn’t come that close to my time all season and to have it drop a whole second at state was pretty amazing,” Schroeder.

“I think GAC’s went just as well as state did, overall it was pretty amazing.”

Varsity hockey sweeps the ice 1. Teammates wait to skate into the rink in the game against Timberland Jan. 28. The Vikings won 7-1.

2. Junior Brandon Iverson (20) slaps the puck back

and forth to get a clean wrist shot in the Timberland game.

3. Sophomore PJ Drury (4) prepares to shoot on Timberland.

4. Junior Andy Rinck (6) puts up a fight for the puck against Duchesne player Steven Kinnison (11) Feb. 4.

The Vikings won 6-2.

Photos by Katie Roberts

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BACKPAGE

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Francis Howell High School http://www.fhhstoday.com Vol. 41, Issue 4 March 7, 2012

Breaking the rules After coming back from cancellation, Breaking In producer Adam Goldberg discusses the show’s second season in an exclusive interview.

Page by: Alison Dunaway

Cancellation–it’s a TV show’s death sentence. However, FOX comedy Breaking In returned after an outlash from fans on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. In this interview, Breaking In creator, producer and writer Adam Goldberg discusses the show’s second season.

Alison Dunaway (AD): In the TV Guide Winter Preview, you talk about how Breaking In has big, fun blow-out episodes and then more contained ones. For someone who has never seen the show, can you give an example or a hint?

Adam Goldberg (AG): We start out the season with a peak into what our gang does to keep the lights on – think a “Mission:Impossible” style job with lots more witty banter and fewer nuclear shenanigans.

Later episodes focus on the fireworks that ensue when Megan Mullally’s new corporate regime takes over Christian Slater’s fast and loose Contra Security crew. Their dynamic is shaping up to be one of television’s classic pairings.

AD: Could you describe the show in ten words or less?

AG: An offbeat workplace comedy about a gang of quirky geniuses.

AD: Describe the influence the fans have had on the show?

AG: The fans were a huge reason that the network brought the show back from the brink. When we got cancelled, fans flooded social networks like Facebook and Twitter offering support for the show. Fox saw that there was an excited and highly vocal audience behind us and responded in the best way possible.

AD: The concept for the show is so innovative and fresh. Can you give some behind the scenes insight into the production/writing process?

AG: We have an extremely talented team of writers who bring the full power of their geeky interests to bear. The show is just as much fun to write as it is to watch, and I think our enthusiasm shines through in the end product.

TWITTER

Cast and crew actor:

actor:

@Bret_Harrison @OdetteAnnable actor: CREATOR:

actor:

@McPhonz PRODUCER:

@ErinRRichards @AdamFGoldberg @MPBenson director: WRITER: Assistant:

@TheFredSavage @LanceKrall

@AaronKaczander

MAKEUP:

SOUND MIXER:

MAKEUP:

@WendiLynnMakeup @MKupman

@JAMixer

All photos used with permission and follow the media guidelines of FOX Broadcasting, SpoilerTV and Twitter.

oz

PLAYED_BY: Christian Slater (My Own Worst Enemy, Slipsteam) Boss and CEO of Contra Security (for now)

JOB_Title:

Cameron Bret Harrison (Reaper, V, Grounded For Life)

PLAYED_BY: JOB_Title:

Computer

hacker

BACKGROUND:

BACKGROUND: Hacked his way into college until he was forced to work for Contra.

Knowledge of random weaponry, self-defense tactics, office management

Disarming security, encryption, and hacking into things.

Unknown

SKILLS:

SKILLS:

WHAT_TO_WATCH_FOR:

Oz’s interactions with Veronica Mann.

WHAT_TO_WATCH_FOR: Everything. He’s a complex being.

MELANIE PLAYED_BY:

Odette Annable (House, You Again, Cloverfield)

PLAYED_BY:Alphonso

JOB_Title: Lock and safe picker

JOB_Title: Gadgets BACKGROUND: Genius

When younger she pulled a variety of cons (credit card fraud, forgery, identity theft, burglary, grand theft auto) with her dad.

BACKGROUND:

with an IQ of 161 and master of all things sci-fi.

SKILLS:

WHAT_TO_WATCH_FOR:

WHAT_TO_WATCH_ FOR: Cash’s innovative

Picking locks, cracking safes, and breaking into things.

Melaine’s relationship with fellow workers now that boyfriend Dutch is in jail.

ADVERTISEMENT

Left to right: Erin Richards, Megan Mullally.

McAuley (Fat Albert, Glory Road, Nim’s Island)

SKILLS: Robotics, nanotechnology, and building new devices to aid on missions.

new girls in town The new season of Breaking In also begins with new additions Megan Mullally (Will and Grace) and Erin Richards (Being Human).

After Oz sells the company to a “corporate conglomerate,” the brash Veronica “Ronnie” Mann (Mullally) and her surly assistant Molly Hughes (Richards) shake up office politics.

“Everybody is very resentful that their company has been bought out, their little world has been invaded by this big conglomerate, and they’re resisting the change,” Mullally said in a Feb. 14 interview with TVGuide. “The fact that I’m kind of a whack job doesn’t really help to relax them.”

The move is part of Breaking In’s second season creative revamp.

CASH

gadgets, catchphrases and pop culture references.