Welcoming Back An Old Friend

by Tim Childers FulCom Principal

It is with great pleasure that we announce the return of The Falcon Quill, our school magazine, after an extended hiatus. And not just any return, but a grand one at that, as we celebrate over 70 years since its beginnings.

The Quill is a magazine that serves as a platform for our students to express themselves creatively and share their unique perspectives on a variety of topics. It is a space where the students of the Academy of Communications can showcase their talents and share their experiences with one another.

The fact that the Quill has been around for over

70 years is a testament to its importance and relevance to our school community. Throughout the years, it has served as a voice for students, allowing them to share their thoughts, feelings, and ideas with their peers and the public.

The magazine has undergone several transformations over the years, starting in print and later moving to digital.. This latest transformation is especially exciting because it allows for even more accessibility and reach. Our students can now share their stories with a wider audience, both within and outside our school community.

Of course, we cannot talk about this important return without mentioning the challenges that we faced along the way. The pandemic has disrupted our lives in ways that we never could have imagined, and it certainly impacted our ability to produce the magazine. But despite these challenges, Mrs. Campbell and her students have persevered and found new ways to create and share our content.

It is our hope that this magazine will continue to serve as a platform for students to express themselves and share their stories. We hope that it will continue to foster a sense of community and provide a space for dialogue and exchange.

To our readers, we want to say thank you for your support and encouragement throughout the years. We hope that you will continue to read and engage with our content, and that you will find inspiration and meaning in the stories that we share.

To our contributors, both past and present, and this year’s editor, Casper Balch, we want to say thank you for your hard work and dedication. You are the backbone of the Quill, and we are grateful for your creativity, passion, and commitment to this magazine.

As we move forward, we have big plans for the Quill. We want to expand our reach, collaborate with various organizations and universities, and continue to innovate and experiment with new formats and styles. We are excited to see where this journey takes us, and we hope that you will join us for the ride.

Dear Reader, Welcome to the Falcon Quill: a magazine making a comeback. Initially a crucial part of the communications magnet program at Fulton High School (FHS), the magazine lost its momentum over time. However, Fulton Alumni and Digital Arts and Design teacher Mrs. Campbell, along with students from the Academy of Communications at FHS, have recently revived the magazine. The Falcon Quill, like all Fulcom programs, strives to deliver the best to everyone. Whether you are a part of the Fulton community or simply enjoy a good reading, the Falcon Quill has something for you. The magazine’s staff would like to express their hope that you enjoy their work and extend their gratitude for your readership.

Sincerely,

Casper E. Balch, Editor-in-Chief

The Falcon Quill has played an integral part in the storied history of Fulton High School. I am proud of the work that has been done to revive this student magazine.

Welcome back, Falcon Quill, we have missed you and can’t wait to read. A huge shout-out to Sandi Campbell and the Digital Arts & Design III class, Casper Balch, and all who contributed.

by Sandra Campbell

Every Wednesday Balch signs on to his afternoon show Ghost Hits on WKCS 91.1. Listeners may be soothed with a mix of jazz, contemporary and vintage one show and invigorated by the next filled with an upbeat mix. Balch is driven to share what inspires him and his love of music. This show gives him the opportunity to highlight obscure musical styles and artists.

Starting a favorite song list in middle school, Balch named it The Ghost’s Hits. Playing upon his first name and the fact that most of the songs were ethereal and rare. After settling into high school and taking Mr. Mayes’ radio class, Balch pitched the show. Teachers are always happy to allow eager students the opportunity to learn and grow within the course. It was agreed this was a winning show that had potential to grow and evolve as Casper’s skills increased. The decision was a good one.

We sat down with Balch for answers to our spirited questions beginning with the show’s unique name.

“The show’s title originated from a playlist that I crafted in middle school, called “The Ghost’s Hits.” When I pitched the title to my dad during the creation of the show, he found the possessive to be redundant when pronouncing the title, so to make things less confusing and easier to pronounce, the possessive was removed. Additionally, my name’s “friendly” counterpart influenced the title.

Casper had the idea for the show while he was still a freshman playing stuff he liked. He wanted a way to become more involved in his sophomore year. So what started out as The Ghost’s Hits became Ghost Hits and a show was born. We were curious about his favorite albums and artists.

“Interestingly, I don’t have a single favorite writer, composer, or musician. Instead, I favor multiple artists, including Herbie Hancock, The Grateful Dead, ACDC, Stereo Lab, Fania All Stars, Stan Getz, Mongo Santamaria, Czarface, Sly and the Family Stone, and many others. Often, I listen to a wide variety of artists throughout the year, which influence the show’s themes and overall feeling.” Casper replies.

The show has been a hit on the Wednesday afternoon timeslot. The radio show isn’t Casper’s only interest in high school. He is a dedicated member of the marching band. In the spring you will find him on the tennis courts playing for Fulton’s tennis team, all while maintaining a healthy grade point average.

Stepping in to work on school videos for the Senior video and other projects keeps him busy in FulCom’s Academy of Communications as he prepares for his post-secondary education at UTK.

As graduation day i s close we wondered about where he hopes to land after UTK, Casper is keeping his pathway open for now and not declaring a major or definite career just yet. He has interests in communication, architecture, engineering , and a few more.

What began with a favorite song list in ninth grade has given him another creative outlet and great opportunities to learn more about writing and producing a radio show. We expect to hear him on the air in the future. WUTK and UTK’s Vol Network,we are sending him your way.

WKCS-FM 91.1

@WKCSradio wkcs@knoxschools.org wkcsradio.org