North Star February 2014 Edition

NORTH STAR 02.19.14 • volume 28 • issue 6 Francis Howell North St. Charles, Missouri

FINDING BALANCE

The benefits and harms of marijuana leave many people wondering whether the drug should be legalized

HOTTEST Prom Fashion Walking Fitness Replaced by New Class Juniors Dive into a New Hobby

Daredevil Dirt Biker

The Death of Facebook?

CONTENTS 01

NEWS

29

SPORTS

MOTOCROSS

01

PROM FASHION

29

02

AMEIS RETIRING

32

COURSE CHANGES

33

PAINTBALLIN’

35

TEAM SPORT VS P.E.

After 38 years of working in education, Jack Ameis is ready to retire.

04

A senior continues to race dirt bikes because of the adrenaline rush he feels.

The annual fashion show takes place today at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.

The 2014-15 school year introduces a new gym class to replace fitness walking.

SPORTY SCHOLARS These staff members participate in interesting athletic activities.

More than just a hobby, some students paintball competitively.

Students who play sports at FHN should not have to take another P.E. credit.

08 FEATURES 08

GRINGO JONES

41 OPINIONS

An eclectic shop with global items gives shoppers a unique experience.

10

FITTING IN

40

MONUMENTS MEN

41

DELICIOUS DINER

Check out the latest styles in fitness fashion from Nike and Adidas.

12

PRASINO

Allin’s Diner has great food and a welcoming environment.

This upscale restaurant works to stay green and serve organic food.

43 14

UNDER THE SEA

Two juniors dive into earning certifications in scuba diving.

SMOKING OPTIONS Electronic cigarettes are better alternatives than traditional smoking.

MILES OF SMILES

This small, growing organization is dedicated to motivating runners.

15

Though intriguing, this movie falls short with its inconsistencies.

44

FACEBOOK PHASE

Students debate whether this social site is dying as users switch to other sites.

ON THE COVER

After seeing marijuana legalized in Colorado, some Missourians advocate for legislators to weigh the benefits and risks of this substance being legal in Missouri. (photo illustration by cameron mccarty)

2549 Hackmann Rd. St. Charles, MO 63303

DISTRIBUTED FOR FREE TO FHN BY THE NORTH STAR STAFF / PROVIDING AN OPEN FORUM FOR FHN SINCE 1986

PAGE BY SOPHIE GORDON

BRIEFLY SPEAKING

COFFEEHOUSE Coffeehouse will be held Feb. 27 and 28 in the Learning Commons. The event showcases talents such as singing and poetry.

Thirty-two performers and three emcees will participate. The emcees were added to the show last year to keep the acts running smoothly. (brief by alexis tainter)

Students gather around a fire pit to try to stay warm while at the annual Winter Warm-Up that is put on by StuCo. Last year the radio hosts of 93.7 The Bull, Mason and Remy, attended the event to help support the school. Mason and Remy also broadcast on their radio show about the Winter Warm-up to help give the event extra publicity and receive the maximum donations for the clothes drive. (file photo)

I

like Winter Warm-Up because it’s for a good cause and it’s always fun hanging out with friends before the game.

- Emma Cleaveland , 11

SPRING

WINTER WARM-UP

TRYOUTS

This year’s annual Winter Warm-Up will be this Friday, Feb. 21 at 5 p.m. outside the gym. Before the Boys’ Basketball game against FHHS, StuCo members will “freeze for the need” outside in shorts and T-shirts until people donate clothes. The items are given to various charities throughout the area.

Those who contribute get $1 off their ticket to the game. Donations from last year almost exceeded the space to fill two cars. Radio hosts from 93.7 The Bull, Mason and Remy, attended last year’s event, and StuCo is hoping for them to come out again this year. There will also be a bonfire for students to make s’mores and hot chocolate.

“It’s a lot of fun for everyone, and at the same time, we’re doing something charitable and giving back to our community,” StuCo Vice President Krista Burris said. “We’re hoping to make it bigger and better than before.” (brief by alexis tainter)

Tryouts for spring sports begin after school on March 3. ImPACT testing must be completed as well as a physical before the first day of tryouts to participate.

The sports include Track and Field, Girls’ Soccer, Boys’ Tennis, Boys’ Volleyball and Baseball. (brief by alexis tainter)

FHN SHOWCASES UNIQUE STYLES

SNOW DAYS

Today, the annual Prom Fashion Show will take place in the auditorium at 7 p.m. The Prom Fashion Show is an annual event for local tuxedo and dress shops, like Savvi and David’s Bridal, to donate their items and showcase what is available for students to wear to Prom.

To participate in the fashion show, the student must be a junior or senior and must sell at least five tickets for the show. All of the proceeds made from selling the fashion show tickets will go towards all of the Prom preparations. According to senior Collin Toedtmann, the fashion show is a really amazing experience and helps students know what is appropriate to wear for Prom.

“It’s a lot of fun, and it definitely helps you know how to dress for Prom,” Toedtmann said. “I modeled last year, and I didn’t know how to dress before I went to the Prom Fashion Show. Also, the suits are really cool.”

The Prom Fashion Show begins with the introduction of the models and their escorts, followed by the modeling of the attire, and there is also entertainment like musical acts and Prom invitations from students. Raffle tickets are available to buy for a chance to win a free Prom ticket or a free tuxedo.

“I love seeing the students dress up,” junior class sponsor Marissa Cohen said. “I love planning for it, and I hope a lot of juniors and seniors participate.” (brief by claire carr)

FHSD has been out of school for seven days because of inclement weather. The District’s policy for snow day make-ups is, after the 10th day, any day beyond that doesn’t need to be made up. If needed, the last make up days will take place on May 30 and June 2-3. The snow days also affect the lessons planned by teachers.

“When we had snow days a lot of scheduling was messed up and it was very confusing,” Media Specialist Angie Davis said. “And whenever I fixed all the rescheduling we had another snow day and it was all messed up again.” (brief by claire carr)

PAGE BY EMMA PURSLEY

EOC TESTING EOC testing will take place from April 14-May 1.

According to Assistant Principal Nancy Wade, Geometry is being added to the testing roster. American History, English I and II, Biology, and American Government are the other subjects students are tested on. (brief by claire carr)

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Tag tweets about school with

TWEETS #FHNnews

FLAT AMEIS What adventures will you have with Mr. Ameis during his final months at FHN?

Cut around the dotted line and take pictures of your adventures with Flat Ameis. Tweet your picture, Instagram photos and Facebook photos with #FlatAmeis to be featured online at FHNtoday.com.

02 FHNTODAY.COM 02.19.14

PAGE BY ASHLEY EUBANKS

@SierraTeuscher

@FHNFootball4

the floor is always the comfiest during seventh hour

Sierra Teuscher

Coach Gregory

BY ELISABETH CONDON econdon2014

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ssociate Principal Jack Ameis has worked in education for 38 years now, 19 of which have been at FHN. After spending time this year assisting Andy Downs with his transition to Head Principal, as well as helping new administrators Erin Steep and Chris Birch adjust to their recent positions, Ameis has decided that now is the time for him to retire.

The North Star asked Mr. Ameis about his time at North and his memories of working at FHN.

Q&A with Mr. Ameis Q: How do you feel about retiring?

A: I feel kind of— some of it’s good, some of it’s not good. Obviously, I have worked a long time and spent 38 years in this business and that’s enough. I just want to have some time where I can do what I want and not have to get up at five o’clock in the morning. On the other hand, it’s hard because I have a lot of friends here. I love this school. It’s a great school, great kids, and I’ll miss the relationships that I have here with people. That will be the hardest part.

Q: Is there anything you won’t miss about FHN? A: I will not miss night time supervision. I will not miss, especially in the fall, football. My day is, I would say, 14 or 15 hours long when we have football on Fridays. I won’t miss that at all.

Q: What’s the most memorable moment of your career here?

A: There’s so many crazy things that have happened around here. They almost happen every day. I think that the good thing about this school is the people. I’m talking about the staff as well.

People know how to laugh and have fun. They work hard, but they’re fun and they’re an amazing group of people. I couldn’t really say there was one thing because there’s been just crazy things that happen every week, every year.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

A: I just hope everybody realizes here what a great school it is and how lucky-- I know a lot of times kids think that they hate this school, but I think a lot of kids do realize that they’re pretty fortunate to have great teachers and great friends here. I would just like for people to realize what a good thing they have here. It really is a special school.

PAGE BY ASHLEY EUBANKS

@KSquared_95

Just caught Mrs Jane Greiner jamming to “single ladies” in her office. #GetitGirl

@adickinson23

As much as I love high school, I am so ready for Rolla!!! #FHNtoday Kendra Kelch

The worst part about getting snow is having school and having to walk home in it..

Alex Dickinson

NORMANDY RUNNING OUT OF TIME As Normandy School District approaches bankruptcy, it asks the State for $5 million in order to stay open past April

BY DANIEL BODDEN Normandy School District is projected to be bankrupt by April 1 due to the strain the transfer program has put on the district’s budget. Normandy has asked the State legislature for $5 million in supplemental funds to keep the district funded through the end of the school year, but, as of press time, no action has been taken.

“Right now, we are operating on reserves, but we need help,” Normandy Public Relations Representative Daphne Dorsey said. “We have saved $3.5 million by closing a school and laying off 100 employees in December, but we still need the support from Missouri to provide supplemental funds.”

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) originally submitted a supplemental budget request for $6.8 million for Normandy last October, but Normandy

is only asking for $5 million after its recent cuts.

“We have advocated and they [Normandy] have advocated for that, but it’s really up to the lawmakers whether or not they decide to appropriate those funds,” DESE Communications Coordinator Sarah Potter said. “We don’t know at this point whether it’s going to happen, but it doesn’t seem to be gaining a lot of traction with the lawmakers.”

If Normandy goes bankrupt, a State statute indicates that the district would lapse; however, there is still some question of what exactly this would mean or if the students could finish the school year. According to Dorsey, the district shutting down would have a serious impact on the community.

“The district is the glue to keep the community together,” Dorsey said. “On Feb. 1, 300 people came to hear our reformation plan. There was an outpouring of support to say ‘You can’t let Normandy fail or lapse.’”

WAITING FOR FRAUFEST

Because of snow days, the annual music night is postponed until March in order to allow performers more time to prepare

BY ASHLEY EUBANKS Performers will hit the stage at 6 p.m. the night of March 7 to entertain the crowd for Fraufest. Tickets to attend the show will be sold for $5. The date of Fraufest was officially moved because German Club needed more time to hire a sound engineer. During the next month, they plan to make up for all the snow days and promote the event to students who would like to attend or be in the show.

“Since we didn’t have the days right after break it kind of set a lot of our preparation behind, like organizing the groups, and the banners and promotions were really slow,” German Club Sponsor Anne McPartland, who made the final decision to move Fraufest, said. “I feared that maybe we weren’t going to have the best turn out if we tried to squeeze it in now.”

In the past, Fraufest was scheduled in February because of dead time in the calendar due

Vanessa Taylor sings a solo act during Frau Fest 2013.

Taylor performed in two other acts that night. (file photo)

to fewer clubs planning events. However, by moving Fraufest to March this year, the extra downtime will provide performers with more time to prepare their pieces.

“I like that Fraufest was moved, because it gives Vanessa [Taylor] and me more time to practice, which we need,” Performer Addison Eaker said.

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Senior Trevor Dames-Bolte works on his sqats in his weight training class. Coach Brown teaches all of the weight training classes this year. The class offers various different types of weights for the students to exercise with. (amanda eckhard)

MORE THAN WALKING The fitness walking class will be replaced by a healthier alternative which places more emphasis on teaching students the key components for a healthier lifestyle

BY BRITTANY STECK brittany14steck • @LitleMsBritt

D

uring the 2014-15 school year, a few new classes will be offered to students. One of these classes is Fitness For Life, which will be offered as a replacement for the current fitness walking class. It will feature curriculum from the current weight training, aerobics, and walking fitness classes, as well as implementing new curriculum. This new class, which will feature both hands-on and paper work learning, is designed to keep students’ bodies and minds active.

“The original classes just didn’t seem to be pushing students hard enough,” physical education teacher Kim Krieger said. “We wanted to create a stronger class that kept students interested.”

Krieger will be teaching the class next year and is the one responsible for the creation of the new curriculum. In Fitness For Life, students will be required to dress into gym clothes in order to participate in class. The class will also teach students how to create a personalized fitness plan and will put these plans into action with weight training activities, aerobic material, and walking fitness. The class will also focus on maintaining a healthy diet and the impact of media on body image.

Fitness for Life will be a semester long class and can be taken as a physical education requirement for any student in grades 10 through 12.

“I am looking forward to this class because I need the gym credit,” junior Alex PAGE BY AUSTIN FERGUSON

Haegele,who plans on taking the class next year, said. “I also would like to have a class where I can just get up and move around. It will be a nice break during the day.”

The class will be implemented at all three FHSD high schools for the 2014-15 school year. Helping with the process is Angela Syron, the practical arts contents leader for the district.

“I really hope students walk away from this class knowing they don’t have to be a bodybuilder to lead a healthy lifestyle,” Syron said.

Retiring gym teacher Greg Hennenfent is excited to hear that this class is finally being put into action. Hennenfent has been teaching gym classes at North for 23 years, including fitness walking.

“Walking isn’t enough activity,” Hennenfent said. “Students need more than just walking around in circles once a day. I’m thrilled that this class is being offered because it’s going to provide more outlets for kids to be exercising.”

Both Hennenfent and Krieger believe that daily physical activity is important because it keeps the body moving. According to the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), about 215 thousand young people under the age of 20 have diabetes.

“People underestimate the importance of a healthy lifestyle,” Kreiger said.

“When it comes to healthy eating and keeping your body active, people just don’t want to bother. It’s vital that we teach high school students and younger students how to lead a healthy lifestyle and how to make smart choices for their bodies.”

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A GLOBAL MARKET A local home decor store with an eclectic atmosphere and quirky furnishings showcases pieces from across the globe

BY LAUREN PIKE laurenpike14@gmail.com • @pike_n_ike

A

light mist of rain sprays through the hazy sky. Water droplets cling inside of the etched crevices of stone statues and gather on the twisted iron arch which frames the narrow path leading through a garden of metal work, fountains, and statues to the store’s chipped-painted facade. Various metal lawn ornaments creak lazily in the slight breeze. Welcome to Gringo Jones Imports: a wonderland for eclectic garden and home decor fanatics from across the country.

“The terms I’ve heard most are ‘sensory overload’ and ‘eclectic’ if you like it, and ‘junk shop’ if you don’t,” Owner Leon Jones said.

After a short trip through the garden of metalwork, the 10,000 square foot store opens up into a maze of shelves stacked to the ceiling and teeming with the vibrant reds and oranges of Talavera pottery from Mexico. Furniture pieces from as early as the 18th century are packed with person-sized ceramic pots, old books, and other knick-knacks. Vintage chairs, more pottery, and other items are hung from the ceiling.

“I really like all of the chairs that are hanging from the ceiling,” junior Emma Cleaveland said. “I think it’s an interesting way to store them.”

But before customers can explore the store, they must make it past Jones’ four security systems: the dogs. Brownie, a 13-month-old Labrador-Collie mix who belongs to one of Jones’s employees, playfully greets the customers by jumping up on their legs and chewing shoelaces, plastic containers, and pretty much everything else. Jones’ boxers Lola Mae and Sugar Rae lounge lazily on their personal chairs at the front of the store; and, Baby, a three and a half-year-old Shi Tzu owned by another employee, evades Brownie’s attempts at play. All of the dogs have called Gringo Jones their home since they were puppies.

“I like dogs better than people and dogs always bring in people [to the store],” Jones joked. “And if they don’t like dogs, I don’t let them in the store. It just makes the store appear more friendly, and I really don’t trust people who don’t like dogs.”

From there, customers are led through the store’s 12 rooms by friendly note cards scattered around the store and taped on doors or merchandise. Jones is responsible for these crafty phases and often thinks of them prior to buying the items which they describe.

In Sharpied block letters an index card on a nearby door reads: “No room is off limits- the basement’s open- there are seven rooms upstairs- ask if we can help.”

Taped to a piano, another index card jokes: “If you’re a good pianist feel free to play, if you’re a little pecker, don’t.”

“We’re different than anybody else,” nine-year employee and friend of Jones, Kim Chandler said.

“We sell to people who make a dollar or people who make six million dollars. So everybody in between.

My philosophy that I have is treat everybody like they have a tuxedo on because you don’t know who has money and who doesn’t have money. I just want to serve everybody the same and give them the customer service.”

Stemming from a Spanish slang term for Americans, the name of the store was a creative way for Jones to display the jocular personality of the store as well as reflect his fondness for Mexican culture and products which the store boasts.

“I wanted something that people wouldn’t take too seriously,” Jones said. “People in Mexico call us gringos and my last name is Jones.”

Among the many various items that Gringo Jones sells, some of the most popular items are the Mexican Talavera, or brightly-colored glazed ceramics, which are displayed through every room in the store. In addition to the Talavera, Jones imports other Mexican products ranging from furniture to blown glass.

“It’s really interesting and kind of like a homey feel,” Cleaveland said. “It’s just a fun place to look around, and it seems like you’d always be seeing new stuff.”

WATCH

Use the link RUMMAGING FOR RARE FINDS DISTINCTIVE DECOR goo.gl/uDbu6T to see In order to bring these items into the store, Jones Since opening 18 years ago, Gringo Jones Imports has been a video of the many organizes several buying trips to Mexico each year where he unique items the selling a variety of goods for the home and garden. Straying store has to offer. and other employees travel throughout the different regions of from typical furniture and lawn ornaments, Jones, who has also Mexico to purchase goods to bring back to the store. According to worked as a hairdresser for 40 years, and his staff have made it Chandler, almost 70 percent of the store merchandise comes from their mission to seek out unique items that reflect the interests of their customthese buying trips. Often, Jones and his staff travel to a market in Guadalajara ers. These items come from auctions and antique shows from cities in the United where vendors from all over Mexico gather. That way, he and Chandler can States, like Chicago and Atlanta, to countries across the globe such as Mexico, choose items for Gringo Jones from all over Mexico without having to traverse Guatemala, and Indonesia.

08 FHNTODAY.COM 02.19.14

PAGE BY EMILY HAMPSON

the country. Occasionally, Jones will travel outside of these markets in an attempt to find lower prices, but the markets are a typical stop on buying trips. On these trips, Jones usually purchases around $30,000 worth of merchandise and can fill two semitrailers with these purchased goods.

“I wanted something different and I’ve always enjoyed the folk art and gardens [of Mexico],” Jones said. “I’ve sort of tailored it to what I like. Originally, I would fly to Mexico and spend a week at a time and fill two 53-foot semitrailers. When the economy changed, business went down and I started driving down and bringing stuff up in my trailers.”

According to Jones, Talavera and types of furniture are common throughout the country, but other items are particular to different regions of the country. For blown glass, Jones purchases from various dealers in Guadalajara. For silver products, Jones used to purchase from the silver mines of Taxco, but recently had to end visits to the area due to the danger of kidnappings.

“It’s merchandise that most people can’t find outside of the St. Louis area,” Jones said. “It’s a bunch of products that aren’t made in China.”

Adding to the cast of characters at Gringo Jones, Chandler plays a large role in the buying of goods for the store. Formally an employee of Famous Barr, with a background in retail fashion and interior decorating, Chandler spends a majority of her time, when she’s not in the store, at auctions and antique shows across the country in search of items for the store. She has also gone with Jones on two buying trips to Mexico.

“I have a list,” Chandler said. “When people want something, I compile a list of what they want, and then that list we go out and buy. If it’s one person who wants it, I figure at least five or six may want it, so we might buy three of them.

We don’t always buy the same stuff because we don’t want it to be repetition, and we don’t want everyone GRINGO JONES IMPORTS to have the same thing, 4470 Shaw Ave St. Louis, MO 63110 so some things we may repeat, like our concrete Forest Park Pkwy and stuff like that, so Fores basically everything t Park Ave inside. We just have 64 64 fun.”

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44 AN EVOLVING Gringo DREAM Jones Gringo Jones e Av originally began as a Chippewa ios St av r G part-time job for Jones.

When he opened the 55 store, he still had several hair clients and for about a year and a half after the store opened, Jones continued cutting hair while running the store. Currently, Jones takes one to two clients per week in a barber chair that resides in one of Gringo Jones’ many rooms.

“If you work here, you get free haircuts,”Jones said. “Some customers have been coming for 30 years.”

Jones found out about a space available for a store through one of his hair clients. In the 1920s and 30s, the building was a German bakery and it had been vacant for five years by the time Jones acquired the space. The location was also a key factor in choosing a place for the store. Because the building was located near the Missouri Botanical Garden and right off of Highway 44, Jones thought that this location would be ideal.

“It just seemed to work,” Jones said. “Plus it was a reasonable price. I also looked for a place in Chesterfield and if I had bought there, we wouldn’t have had enough money for inventory.”

After purchasing the store, Jones began buying in order to fill the store’s 12 rooms. Over time, he bought a warehouse located near Barnes Jewish Hospital in order to house the overflow of merchandise.

“It just evolved,” Jones said. “No master plan, I was just cutting hair and running this. I just thought it was going to be a part time job.”

Gringo Jones continues to bring new items into the store to satisfy the unique tastes of their customers.

“I just like working here because it’s fun, and we’re open every day from ten to six,” Chandler said. “You cannot beat that.”

PAGE BY EMILY HAMPSON

Gringo Jones sells an assortment of of Mexican trinkets such as “Day of the Dead” skeletons.

Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday in which families celebrate their deceased relatives and decorate with painted sugar skulls and skeletons. (paige martinez)

One of the many rooms in the house that makes up Gringo Jones is filled with giant ceramic pots that have been imported from Mexico. Other ceramic goods such as tiles, statues, and hangable art pieces are sold as home decoration items. (paige martinez)

Chairs, along with bird and sun decorations, hang from the ceiling in a furniture-filled room. Gringo Jones sells large home furnishings such as grandfather clocks, dressers, and armoires that have been imported.

Many of the items sold from Gringo Jones are imported and considered antiques. (paige martinez)

02.19.14 FHNTODAY.COM 09

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FITNESS FASHION

With many different brands of athletic clothes to work out in or wear casually, one brand tends to trend more among FHN students than any other brand PHOTOS BY SAMMIE SAVALA & MCKENZIE SHEA

VOTE

Text 347870 to 37607 if you prefer Nike or text 347877 to 37607 if you prefer Adidas.

VS.

“I like Nike better because their running shorts have a thinner material and they’re really comfortable.”

“Nike’s comfortable and it looks good. It has a lot of different varieties and there’s Nike stuff for everything.”

“I like Adidas because the clothes tend to fit better than other brands. I’m an Adidas girl at heart.”

Mady Vanek, 10

Bailey North, 11

10 FHNTODAY.COM 02.19.14

“I like Adidas because they tend to be cheaper than Nike and I’ve had a lot better luck with Adidas quality than Nike.”

Seth Gauerke, 9

Jimmy Gianopulos, 9

PAGE BY ALEXIS TAINTER & KYLEIGH KRISTENSEN

ADIDAS

NIKE

“I’ve liked Nike since I first got a pair of shoes that were Nike. It’s the best brand. They have the hottest sports gear.”

Devion Johnson, 12

“Adidas is cool and goes with anything. I like Adidas backpacks better than the Nike ones. They just look better.”

Miles Sommer, 10

Adidas Logo T-shirt: $22.00 Where to buy: Kohls

Nike shirt: $29.99 Where to buy: Dick’s Sporting Goods

Nike Embarca Medium Backpack: $50.00 Where to buy: Kohls Adidas original iconic backpack: $55.00 Where to buy: Macy’s

Nike woven pants: $27.00 Where to buy: JcPenney’s

Adidas Mens original high tops: $90.00 Where to buy: Journey’s Nike Darts: $54.00 Where to buy: Dick’s Sporting Goods

OTHER BRANDS

Cost: $50.00

Cost: $15.00

Cost: $38.00

Cost: $13.00

“Under Armour is comfortable and warm. Everything about it looks good.”

“Champion is cheaper but still looks good at the same time. I work at Target and you can get them there so it’s easy for me.”

“I think Fila is better than Nike and Adidas because they have memory foam and they’re a lot cheaper than most brands. ”

“I like Reebok because it’s high quality and it’s cheaper than Nike and Adidas.”

Nic Savala, 9

Austin Bowen, 9 PAGE BY ALEXIS TAINTER & KYLEIGH KRISTENSEN

Kathy Perry, 11

Nick Studdard, 10 02.19.14 FHNTODAY.COM 11

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BRACELET MAKER A junior learns a pastime from camp that everyone reaps the benefits from

BY MADDIE HIATT

maddiehiatt@gmail.com • @maddiehiatt

Local restaurant strives to be organic and upscaled

Prasino

1520 S 5th St Ste 110 St. Charles, MO 63303

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saraiesparza.se@gmail.com • @SaraiEsparza

Prasino welcomes guests with its eclectically ecofriendly decor and spacious layout.

Windows open up to an outside sitting area and private rooms, that are used for parties and meetings, are closed in by the glimmering vibrancy of various wines stored in wine refrigerators that line the back of the restaurant. Inside, people are seated at tables, chatting or simply sharing a meal together, many not imagining that the seats they’re sitting on are made out of recycled car seat belts, or that the glasses they’re drinking out of are made from recycled wine bottles.

“I think it looked really elegant for a place that has things made out of recycled materials,” customer Nanci Lopez said.

Prasino, which means “green” in Greek, is an ecofriendly chain of restaurants owned by the Maglaris family. The Maglaris family opened its first Missouri location in April of 2013 in St. Charles. The restaurant is committed to the family’s philosophy of being as sustainable and as natural as possible with farm-totable ready food. Prasino stays organic while still being chic and upscale. All of their ingredients are purchased from local farms and they strive to serve hormone-free meat and organic produce.

“I think it’s really great that they use such fresh ingredients,” Lopez said. “It’s good to know that the food you’re eating is the best and healthiest that it can be.”

Some of their popular dishes include the signature Prasino Burger that is filled with smoked gouda and

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BY SARAI ESPARZA

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WATCH Use the short link goo.gl/3eb4hw to watch this video to see Caitlyn’s bracelets.

GOING GREEN ra Vete

Sitting in class with a few minutes of free time, junior Caitlyn Chandler takes out her clipboard and begins tying knots in string that, before long, will transform into a bracelet.

“It really brings a lot of people together,” Caitlyn said. “Like, at camp, it’s just kind of just what we do. We’ll just sit around and trade bracelets. So it’s really fun.”

About nine years ago, Caitlyn learned to make simple bracelets at a Girl Scout Camp. She can make several different sizes of bracelets and patterns, from very simple to very intricate designs.

“I really like writing words on bracelets,” Caitlyn said. “Usually, I’ll put people’s names or people have asked me to put colleges.”

Caitlyn makes bracelets for herself and her friends. She made a bracelet for junior Marissa Hume, but kept the design a surprise until she gave it to Marissa. It had a reference to a web comic that they are both fans of.

“She just said she was going to base it off of our friendship and that’s how she was making it,” Marissa said.

Caitlyn plans to continue making bracelets through high school and into college because of the happiness she feels when making them.

“It makes me happy when I make them since I know whoever I’m giving it to will have it on their wrist for quite a long time,” Caitlyn said.

Prasino is an urban and eco-friendly new restaurant. The spacious loft style layout is dominated by the wrap around bar filled with an assortment of bottles. “It’s a fresh look that will bring new life to the area,” said patron Ana Hie. (jessica allison)

tomato jam and served with seasoned potato wedges, the short ribs, and the lobster avocado, which is made by stuffing an avocado with lobster and drizzling mango salsa on top. Many customers enjoy these dishes because they are made with healthier food options, but still taste delicious.

Staying true to their philosophy, Prasino also doesn’t sell soft drinks like Coke products, but rather a variety of organic soda, fresh juice and wines.

“The soda is always something that people have a hard time with when they come in here because we don’t have Diet Coke and stuff like that,” Manager Jessica Martin said. “But it’s something that probably won’t change because we are committed to being all natural.”

St. Charles was chosen as a location for the newest Prasino because one of the very first farmer’s markets in the country is thought to have roots in the area.

“I love working here because I love the environment,” Christine Kick, an employee of five months, said. “It is very specific to here and I really love and appreciate that and it’s also very open.”

PAGE BY CLAIRE CARR

FLAP TO DEATH Recently the game“Flappy Bird” was taken down, here is what FHN thought about Flappy Bird while it lasted FHN gave Flappy Bird 4.5/5 stars, worldwide Flappy Bird had a ranking of 4/5 stars.

App Creator: Dong Nguyen Also by Dong Nguyen: Super Ball Juggling and Shuriken Block Other apps by the same company: Smashing Kitty, Dr. Plet Shuffle, Ninjas Assault

“I think Flappy Bird getting taken down is a good thing because now I get to sell my phone for a lot of money.”

Valeria Udovenko, 11 “Why did I not get the message that it was gonna be deleted because I would have kept mine because I deleted it two days before they took it down; my soul is crying.”

-Risa Takenaka, 11

How To Play: Tap the screen to fly and avoid hitting the green pipes.

Similar Apps: WAS FREE Was Available on iOS & Android

Splashy Fish Rating: 2.5 stars Price: Free Available on iOS only

78%

of students have downloaded Flappy Bird onto their phone or tablet.

students surveyed have heard of 99.5 % of Flappy Bird before.

120 100 80 60

Students who think Flappy Bird is a fun, challenging game Students who think Flappy Bird is a fun, easy game

Flappy Bee Rating: 2.5 stars Price: Free Available on iOS only

Fly Birdie

Students who think Flappy Bird is not a fun game.

Rating: 3 stars Price: Free Available on iOS only

40 20

“It’s stupid I’ve never even had it on my phone; I could care less because it’s a bird jumping through pipes, it’s pointless.”

-Luke Guerdan, 11 “I wish I would have downloaded it because I would’ve known what people were talking about when they would talk about Flappy Bird and I could’ve sold my phone for a lot of money.”

-Morgan Hopping, 12 “The death of Flappy Bird was horrible. That was literally all that I played. It was an addiction. I’m just glad that I didn’t delete it.”

-Shannon Mahaffey, 10 “It’s a good thing it’s not available anymore because people would get mad and break their phones. It would take up a lot of their time because that’s all they would do.”

-Drew McMichael, 10 “I’m just glad that I got it before it was taken off the app store because I have something other people have anymore. It’s kind of like a limited edition kind of thing.”

-Lauren Wolosyk, 9

PAGE BY BRIANNA MORGAN & EMILY HAMPSON

0

Students with a high score between 01-15.

Iron Pants Rating: 3 stars Price: Free Available on iOS and Android

Students with a high score between 16-40.

Students with a high score between 41-100.

Students with a high score between 101-199.

Students with a high score over 200.

Flappy Jellyfish

Rating: 3.5 stars Price: $0.99 Available on iOS only

90.5% of students surveyed have played Flappy Bird before.

81.5 % of students have played Flappy Bird before in class.

Flappy Tappy

The average student spends between 11 and 20 minutes a day playing Flappy Bird.

These results are based off a survey of 200 students at FHN.

Rating: 3.1 stars Price: Free Available on Android only

Flappy Bat

Rating: 3.5 stars Price: Free Available on Android only

02.19.14 FHNTODAY.COM 13

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

SNOW GLOBES

What started as a Christmas gift from loved ones grew into a collection

BY MELISSA LUKES

lukes.melissa@gmail.com • @randomhypeness

Sitting inside a little glass ball, snowflakes fall around Santa. This is just one of the many snow globes in senior Maddie Corrao’s collection. Maddie has been collecting snow globes her whole life, starting when she was a baby. Her grandparents got her a little snow globe with Santa sitting on a rocking chair inside of it.

“At Christmas time, the last present I would open would always be a snow globe from my grandparents,” Maddie said. “So I just started to do it for them in a way.”

Over the last 18 years, this tradition has grown into a collection containing more than 15 snow globes, all of which are displayed for people to see on a shelf above Maddie’s desk in her room.

“They’re wonderful, and I like to shake them all,” senior Sarah Shepard said.

“They remind me of Christmas.”

Although many of Maddie’s snow globes are Christmas themed, the favorite among Maddie and her friends is a snow globe with a cat sitting on top trying to get a fish inside.

“It’s my favorite because it reminds me of when my brother and dad used to go hunting,” Maddie said.

Many of Maddie’s friends seem intrigued by her collection and just enjoy seeing all the different types of snow globes she’s collected throughout the years. They feel as though her collection stands out compared to other things one might collect.

“Maddie’s collection is unique,” senior Allison Lewis said. “You don’t hear of a lot of people collecting snow globes.”

14 FHNTODAY.COM 02.19.14

RUN FOR FUN

Senior Brandon Chac surfs the More Miles More Smiles website. The website includes a blog written by Chac himself, t-shirts to buy at a price of $20, and an ‘about us’ tab that gives information about the company. (alyssa savage)

Senior Brandon Chac interns for More Miles More Smiles, a new company designed to inspire and motivate running

BY HANNAH ROSEN

“The purpose is motivating people maybe who wouldn’t necessarily think of running or outdoor activities as a way to get fit,” graphic designer Stephanie Passionate runner Brandon Chac, a senior at FHN, Hussman said. “So I think the more people we can get has the seemingly perfect job. Chac is an intern for a excited about running, the better everybody will be.” new company, More Miles More Smiles, where he foCurrently, the company resides on the Internet with cuses on the business side of operations. Chac enjoys a website while also making appearances on several working for a company that is native to St. Louis and social media sites. Although the company currently focuses on encouraging more people to run. sells only T-shirts, they are planning on bringing out a Chac’s main jobs include producing educational few extra products. One product they will be coming blogs that benefits runners, marketing, out with soon, and selling for a limited advertising, selling the company’s Ttime, is a moisture dry T-shirt as well as a shirts, and organizing, scheduling, and headband. contacting connectors for events.

“The goal is that I can bring out some Chac got involved with More Miles kind of running moist-wicking shirt soon More Smiles when he purchased the that has the More Miles More Smiles logo company’s shirt. Owner Mark Spewak on it,” Spewak said. saw Chac’s excitement and passion This goal ties into one of the long-term which made him the perfect candidate goals that Spewak has for the company, Check this link goo.gl/yxst0p to hear and that is the goal to launch a line of for an internship with the company. from Brandon Chac “Brandon was really excited for the apparel for runners. But becoming an apabout More Miles T-shirt, and he really liked the meaning parel store with its own line is not the only More Smiles. behind the company,” Spewak said. goal that Spewak has. One day he hopes In January of 2014, Spewak hired that not only will the company become a Chac as a intern for More Miles More Smiles. charitable company, but also be able to be a company “I enjoy working for [More Miles More Smiles],” recognized for recognizing the everyday runner.

Chac said. “Running is my passion. It’s what I love to “On my website I do a lot of blogs and posts that do, and I love helping other runners out.” feature other runners and other people,” Spewak said.

More Miles More Smiles is an organization that “The goal for me is to share everybody’s story. I don’t originated when Spewak asked himself “Why do I want it to be just about mine. I want it to be about run?” Spewak answered his own question, realizing everybody having their voice, everybody being able to that the more he ran, the more he smiled. From there, tell why they run, why they walk, why they workout. a company designed to motivate and inspire runners, And that’s kinda my goal, to link everybody together joggers, and walkers alike was born. that way.” ms.hannahrosen@gmail.com • @immaconch

WATCH

PAGE BY MELISSA LUKES

DIVING IN FLIPPER-FIRST

A friendship, an interest in water, and a passion for exploring the unknown; scuba diving simultaneously unites all three for juniors Matt Richart and Zak Davlin

BY MATT SCHNEIDER mschneider1996@gmail.com • @HeyYoMateo

Dark.

The blackness is everywhere.

Cold.

The rare wave of heat ripples visibly through its frigid surroundings.

Deep.

The rules governing the human body become practically meaningless.

Extreme.

One false move could result in death. These are the realities every scuba diver must face.

Zak Davlin and Matt Richart understand, but they aren’t phased by the darkness, coldness, depth, or extremity.

Friends since first grade, the pair of juniors started scuba diving nearly four years ago. Richart had dived in the Bahamas with his father when he was younger and, years later, wanted to give scuba diving another try. Davlin noticed scuba gear in the trunk of Richart’s family’s car, asked him about it, and soon both enrolled in an entry-level scuba certification course.

Scuba certification may sound daunting to some, but prospective divers can attain basic certification in only a few weeks. Davlin and Richart have earned the bulk of their certifications�which include advanced open water, rescue, night diving, and underwater pumpkin carving�through Midwest Scuba, a scuba equipment store and training center located in St. Charles.

“Matt and Zak were both phenomenal,” Marty Knight, the veteran instructor at Midwest Scuba who has taught most of Davlin and Richart’s certification classes, said. “They were very quick learners.”

Most scuba courses include three parts: classroom, confined water, and open water. Around half of the preparation happens above water in the classroom, reviewing necessary skills to ensure the diver has the knowledge to handle any unforeseen situation.

Then, time spent first in a confined pool and finally in nature allows the diver to become more comfortable with the scuba process. Usually very safe, scuba diving can, on extremely rare occasions, result in popped lungs and even death without proper care, technique and training. Due to the low risk, neither Richart nor Davlin fear death, but they are both aware of the dangers.

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Juniors Zak Davlin, Matt Richart, Austin Ferguson, and senior Brock Birkner return to the surface after going on a dive at Mermet Springs in southern Illinois. (photo submitted)

In order to avoid these very real dangers, diving is a buddy sport�everyone must dive with another person. Richart and Davlin came in with a “built-in buddy”, according to their instructor Knight. While each has dived many times with other people, they prefer to dive with one another.

“It is a lot better to dive with someone you know,” Davlin said.

“You can’t talk underwater with a [pressure] regulator in your mouth, so you can only communicate with signs. [Diving with Richart] makes it easier because we know each other’s signs.”

The friends dive most frequently at Quail Run Quarry in Rolla, Mo. and Mermet Springs in southern Illinois, destinations featuring local wildlife and special underwater attractions. Mermet Springs even includes a sunken Boeing 747, which divers can explore at will. Additionally, Richart has dived under the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean, and Davlin has explored the coral reefs off the coast of the Philippines.

“The planet is two-thirds covered with water,” Knight said.

“Scuba divers can see more than just the one-third of land, they can see the whole rest of the world.”

Richart agreed, “It’s cool to be able to go places not many people can go and get a new perspective.”

RIDE OF THE MONTH: SWEET SWEDISH SEDAN

This junior’s Swedish-made four-door catches the eye of any BMW fan; not only unique from being discontinued, but a big bumper crack also distinguishes this ride from the rest

BY CARLY VOSSMEYER carlyvoss95@gmail.com

Turbo gauge. White leather interior. Cup holders that automatically pop open with just a push of a button. These are just a few unique features of junior Hayden Jensen’s 2005 Saab 9-3 2.0T. “Other Saab drivers appreciate it because you don’t see many people driving it around,” Hayden said. “Whenever you see another [Saab driver], it’s kind of like ‘Hey, they drive a cool car too.’”

One of the most distinct features of Hayden’s Saab is the PAGE BY SARAI ESPARZA

Instagram

car’s boost gauge because of its rarity. It can reach a top speed of up to 190 mph.

“It’s really fast when I’m in his car,” sophomore Lauren Use the link Wood said. “I feel like goo.gl/9MMmEV to see I’m in a race car.”

Hayden Jensen show off his Sab. The most noticeable feature of Hayden’s car is the large crack in the bumper; however, Hayden still loves his car.

“It’s really comfy, really smooth, and it goes fast,” Hayden said.

Text the number above your favorite photo to 37607 to vote. The winner will be featured on the next paper and in FHNtoday.com.

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02.19.14 FHNTODAY.COM 15

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TEACHER SPOTLIGHT

HELPING HOUNDS A customer at the Green Shag Market flips through pages of an antique book. In addition to books, the market also has antique furniture, clothing and collectable items. Items are also sold on consignment, and are brought to the store by people from all over the St. Louis area. The store is located at 5733 Manchester Ave, St Louis. (ashton stegman)

VAULT OF ERAS

BY MEGAN GRANNEMANN

mgrannemann@gmail.com • @MGrannemann

The bell rings. Another customer has arrived at the Green Shag Market, owned by Karen Tipton. People prowl through the aisles of the store, looking into the nooks of the different vendors. This small vintage store in downtown St. Louis features everything from furniture to relics from the 1800s.

“All the stuff was old and antique-type stuff,” sophomore Maya King, a customer of the market, said. “It was different, it had a lot of cool stuff.”

There are no limits to what can be found in the shop. From old kitchen sets to vintage bridal wear, the Green Shag Market has it all. Because they consider themselves to be a vintage shop, they try not to sell anything that was produced after the 1980s.

“A lot of people come in and find the store to be pretty nostalgic seeing stuff they grew up with,” Daniel Tipton, the store’s manager, said.

All of the items in the store come from a specific vendor. The owner rents out a total of 60 different booths to people that have antiques that they wish to sell. They have their own sections throughout the store where they set prices for, and sell merchandise.

“Our vendors all get along,” Samuel Phillips, Daniel’s friend and fellow employee, said. “I don’t think there’s many antique stores where the vendors communicate to each other.”

The 7,200 square foot store is set up as one main room with an extra room set off to the left of the entrance. In the extra room the staff decorates it to display pieces from certain eras. For example, a bar set, complete with old chairs and crystal glasses, is the first thing to be seen when walking into the extra room.

“The front room is my favorite because we can make it our own,” Samuel said .

PAGE BY HANNAH ROSEN

GREEN SHAG MARKET

5733 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110 St.Louis Zoo

64

Clayton Ave Hampton Ave

A unique vintage shop opened up two years ago

44

Oakland Ave 64 The Green Shag Market r Ave Mancheste

44

The Green Shag Market opened up two years ago, and is a family-owned and run business. Karen needed help running the store so she hired her son, Daniel, as a manager. A cousin of Daniel’s works there as well.

“She’s familiar with antiques,” Daniel said. “She’s been around them for a long time, most of her life.

It’s something she’s always wanted to do and it was a time in her life where she was looking to do something financially, so she kind of came up with this idea.”

Daniel’s wife came up with the peculiar name for the store because they wanted a name that seemed “vintage”. The name refers to the green shag carpets that were wildly popular in the 1970s.

“The idea that we were coming up with kind of revolved around that era of the 70s and before, so my wife came up with green shag carpet,” Daniel said. ”That’s pretty specific to that era. We just changed the last word to market. A lot of people seem to like it; it draws attention.”

In 2013, the Green Shag Market was voted the best vintage shop in St. Louis by the Riverfront Times. The store won this award because of the store’s ability to take people back into the different eras.

“We have a little bit of everything, really just a wide range of items from vintage furniture to 18th century art and anything in between,” Daniel said.

The Travises help rescued German Shepherds find the perfect, loving homes

BY SOPHIE GORDON

smgordon14@gmail.com • @sophgordon

Though many teachers own dogs, teacher Jon Travis and his wife Ann, a Learning Commons Media Specialist, work to make sure that dogs are placed with the right families. The Travises adopted two of their German Shepherds through Missouri German Shepherd Rescue (MoGS), a breed-specific rescue based in Kansas City, MO. Over the summer of 2013, Jon and Ann began conducting home visits for MoGS in order to match up the perfect dog for each prospective pet owner.

“Every dog that we can get out of foster care and into its own home is going to do two things,” Jon said.

“One, it’s going to allow MoGS to pick up another dog; and two, it’s going to give a home an awesome experience and an awesome animal.”

The Travises travel to the homes of applicants to verify the honesty of their applications. After making a home visit, Jon calls Nancy Campbell, the “pack leader” for MoGS, and describes the conditions that he and Ann observed.

Then, MoGS uses this information to place a dog they believe will best fit the applicant—though sometimes it is not always the same dog the applicant intended on adopting.

“That’s one of the reasons that we do what we do, so that we can make sure that the home is good because they [MoGS] don’t want the dog back,” Ann said. “They’ll take the dog back, but they go through all of the steps they go through to give the dogs to good homes for a lifetime.”

02.19.14 FHNTODAY.COM 17

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(graphics by cameron mccarty)

A

s Colorado’s marijuana legalization becomes a reality, states across the nation wait in anticipation to see what will happen, and officials weigh in on whether or not the benefits legalization brings are worth the risks it poses. information complied by priscilla joel

18 FHNTODAY.COM 02.19.14

PAGE BY MADDIE HIATT & MEGAN GRANNEMANN

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER Before thinking you know about marijuana, check out these facts

Names- Marijuana is also known as pot, weed, Mary Jane, ganja, dope, hash and grass, as well as many other names.

Compostition- Marijuana is composed of the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. Marijuana contains more than 400 chemicals, some of which have unknown effects.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)- the chemical that acts on cannabinoid receptors, over activates these receptors, causing a person to become “high.” It also causes addiction.

Cannabidiol (CBD)- Another chemical in marijuana which is thought to have therapeutic potential.

PAGE BY MADDIE HIATT & MEGAN GRANNEMANN

Control- Marijuana is a schedule one controlled substance.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), it has no therapeutic application and there are more risks than benefits.

Long Term Effects- Marijuana can become addictive, and daily or nearly daily usage can cause alterations to the brain.

“Marijuana is considered by some to be a gateway drug, leading to the use of other drugs.”

-President and Managing Editor of procon.org, Kamy Akhavan

information complied by priscilla joel and sources goo.gl/aiOrYz

02.19.14 FHNTODAY.COM 19

THE IMPACTS

Contrary to popular belief, marijuana does have quite a few dangerous effects Mind- Marijuana can interfere with a person’s learning and memory when taking it. This will result in a poorer performance in academics, a lower IQ, and even sports.

Lungs- Marijuana also damages the lungs and can cause paranoia.

Drive- Like alcohol, marijuana can also impair one’s ability to drive no matter a person’s age.

Eyes- Marijuana causes a person’s eyes to dialate and usually also causes the eyes to become bloodshot.

Adults- The effects of intaking marijuana can last up to 30 days, but these effects appear to reverse after this time period.

Addiction- Addiction to the drug depends on how much of it is consumed, a person’s age, family history, genetics, and even the environment a person lives in.

“Children can access marijuana more readily than they can alcohol, tobacco, and pharmaceutical products because you have to show I.D. There’s a system in place that keeps those products largely away from youth.”

-Executive Director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws Foundation Allen St. Pierre information complied by priscilla joel and source goo.gl/MBdNGD

20 FHNTODAY.COM 02.19.14

SHOW-ME LEGALIZATION An advocacy group, a narcotics officer, a criminal defense lawyer, and a state rep speak out about marijuana legalization in MO

BY LEXI WILKINSON

lexiwilkinson25@gmail.com • @loupy0925

The subject of marijuana is a blazing one, causing controversy among states and voters alike for nearly 80 years, since its official prohibition through the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. Whether or not to legalize it, or decriminalize in some cases, has become such a widespread topic of conversation that it has spurred multiple advocacy groups into existence, and provoked many an argument. Show-Me Cannabis, a locally-based advocacy group, has been spreading their pro-legalization message through debates, town hall meetings, and media campaigns since 2011.

“We really feel that it [marijuana legalization] has always been an important issue to address due to the fact that we’re wasting law enforcement resources on this,” Executive Director of ShowMe Cannabis John Payne said. “You know, we’re using those forces to make arrests for nonviolent marijuana offenses when we could be, and should be, making arrests for violent crimes elsewhere.”

To bring his group’s views directly to the people, Payne participated in a public debate with Sgt. Jason Grellner, who is also the Vice President of the National Narcotics Officers Association, on Dec. 18, 2013 at the Ethical Society of St. Louis. Being vehemently opposed to the legalization of marijuana, Grellner felt

PAGE BY MADDIE HIATT & MEGAN GRANNEMANN

that it was important to participate in the debate so that another point of view be presented as well.

“While their efforts are certainly appreciated, Missouri is very conservative,” Grellner said. “Missouri is known as the ‘ShowMe state’ for a reason, you know, we like to see things in practice in other places for quite some time before we adopt it here and see that it works, and have other people work the kinks out of it before we do things.”

Payne believes that the policy in place now to prohibit marijuana use, possession, and/or distribution in either Missouri or the United States is ineffective, and that the next step is to either put into effect a new, stronger policy, or to go ahead and legalize it. He also believes that the prohibition of marijuana is extremely similar to the prohibition of alcohol, and that since the similar policy was proven ineffective in the past, it is time for a change.

“When it’s legalized it can be taxed and regulated, similarly to alcohol or tobacco, and you can monitor it a whole lot better,” Payne said. “About half of our population is in favor of legalization and the 40 percent that oppose, with the remaining 10 percent being somewhat indifferent, aren’t really even that opposed. They’re starting to see the need for a change in policy, and that’s where groups like Show-Me Cannabis come in. We’re working to get that change-ball rolling for Missouri.”

Grellner, however, believes that to legalize marijuana would be detrimental to society. He believes that the public’s perception of the harm caused by a substance is directly related to the use of said substance, meaning that the increase of teenage use of alcohol or tobacco is due to their legality and therefore being perceived as “safe.”

“I think what you’re going to see, in the months and years to come, out of Colorado and Washington, is an ill-fated plan that doesn’t work, that causes a lot more social harms than it does good,” Grellner said. “You know, when you look at the social harms of cigarettes and the social harms of alcohol, I really don’t understand why you would add another substance to that list.”

State Representative Rory Ellinger agrees with Grellner in that he opposes legalization, but agrees with Show-Me Cannabis that something must be changed. During the 2013 session, Ellinger introduced a bill that would decriminalize small amounts of marijuana for adults, but the bill died in committee. He has since then filed two new bills on Jan. 13, one that would legalize medical marijuana and one that would decriminalize marijuana for adults; “adults” referring to individuals 21 years of age and older. Decriminalization is when a substance is still technically illegal, but the consequences are not nearly as intense for small amounts. The decriminalization of marijuana would allow for a misdemeanor charge to be expunged from an individual’s record, meaning that it could be removed by a judge for a small fine or community service. Ellinger feels that to decriminalize would be more fair than prohibition, but to fully legalize marijuana would be impractical due to Missouri’s conservative nature.

“In my opinion, one mistake shouldn’t have to stay on a person’s record the rest of their life,” Ellinger said. “I’m a lawyer,

PAGE BY MADDIE HIATT & MEGAN GRANNEMANN

John Payne debates the decriminalization of cannabis with Sgt. Jason Grellner. The debate was held at the Ethical Society of St. Louis, reporter Mandy Murphey moderated. (ashleigh jenkins)

I’ve been a criminal lawyer for 25 years in St. Charles County and I see it all the time -- kids coming to me because they can’t get a job as a teacher, or get into medical school because of one mistake they made in high school. It’s very unfair, especially considering that marijuana isn’t as dangerous as tobacco or alcohol, which are both legal substances, that one tiny mistake could ruin someone’s entire career.”

Ellinger first got the idea to seek decriminalization instead of legalization from Criminal Defense Lawyer Dan Viets, who had worked to pass a local ordinance back in 2004 that decriminalizes the possession of up to 35 grams of marijuana, and another that effectively eliminates punishment for possession of up to 35 grams. Viets is also the Missouri coordinator for NORML (National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws) and the Chairman of the Board for Show-Me Cannabis. He feels that it is long past time for Missouri to address the issue of marijuana legalization.

“I deal with people everyday who have been threatened with prison for nonviolent victimless activity,” Viets said. “It’s insane that we even think about putting people in prison for marijuana; we treat people who possess or sell or grow marijuana just like we treat people who commit rape and murder and robbery. We treat people exactly the same for nonviolent victimless marijuana offenses. It’s absolutely irrational. People will look back in a few years and say, ‘What the hell were we thinking?’ They’ll say, ‘How in the world could we ever have done such a stupid thing?’ And they’d be right.”

Though there are definitely efforts being made to change how Missouri approaches marijuana, whether through legalization or decriminalization, the future is still a bit uncertain for the Show-Me State.

“Things are changing very quickly,” Grellner said. “Things are happening that no one really thought would ever happen in such a short span of time. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens within the next few months.”

02.19.14 FHNTODAY.COM 21

LEGALIZING THE HIGH

Colorado citizens’ lives change after becoming the first state to legalize recreational marijuana

BY EMMA PURSLEY

emma1996ecp@gmail.com

Over the years, several states have worked toward the legalization of medical marijuana, but now two states have taken it even further. Colorado and Washington have legalized the use of recreational marijuana and, as of Jan. 1, all previous medical marijuana dispensaries could also begin selling recreationally in Colorado as long as they were approved. This change in law has brought about many changes in crime, marijuana sales and the lives of the citizens.

“There seems to be a lot of confusion about what the laws actually are,” Colorado resident Sandy Buxton said. “There are a lot of kinks that need to be worked out.”

Laws have been put in place to regulate the consumption of recreational marijuana, including an age restriction of 21 and limiting the amount that can be purchased to one ounce, which can make up to 56 joints.

In addition, there were requirements before a dispensary could open its doors recreationally.

“We had to be an existing medical marijuana dispensary licensed in the state of Colorado and the city of Denver,” Timberline Health Clinic owner Yvette Williams said.

Since marijuana will be available to those over 21, there is a question of whether or not its use in those under 21 will increase as a result.

“I think it would be reasonable to believe that there will possibly be more marijuana drug offenses in the schools based on the ‘availability factor’ changing,” Colo. Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Vance Fleet said. “Like alcohol, many juveniles engage in underage drinking after they have got a hold of alcohol they have stolen from their parent’s cabinets. The easier an illegal substance is to obtain, the number of criminal offenses related to the substance may very well increase.”

Marijuana is the cause of many arrests and imprisonments every year, but now that it has been legalized in Colorado those numbers are expected to decrease. Fleet believes the bad in the situation may outway the good, though.

“I personally do not see any benefits from legalizing marijuana,” Fleet said. “From a law enforcement perspective, I guess one could say that it is a ‘benefit’ because there will now be fewer criminal offenses related to marijuana use, which in turn will free up the already cluttered court system. Casualties to legalizing marijuana is a huge controversial topic, and I think defining ‘casualty’ in this matter is very important, and can have a broad meaning. There continues to be concerns regarding the effects of marijuana on the developing brain.”

Now that people can come from all over the world to purchase marijuana, dispensaries have to be ready for the new customers. One way to meet the increase of customers is to plant as many marijuana plants as possible, which, for Williams, means maintaining more than 3,000 plants

PAGE BY MADDIE HIATT & MEGAN GRANNEMANN

for her one store. There are currently 24 dispensaries in the state that sell marijuana recreationally, which will help manage the new customers.

“We are allotted a certain number of plants that we are allowed to grow and hopefully we can sustain with that source,” Williams said. “I think that there are many recreational users coming from all over the world. I see it [other stores] as helping each other.”

Many people have high hopes for the effect legalization will have, and they hope that it will provide users with a safer way to have fun.

“I feel that it is a safer choice,” Williams said. “Society pushes users to recreate with alcohol, but this is a safer choice.”

But there are two sides to every story, and some citizens believe the legalization will only be harmful.

“It’ll be detrimental,” Buxton said. “Right now, you have to be 21, but even with alcohol, there’s underage consumption.”

According to NBC News, in the first month alone, the sale of marijuana brought in over $1 million in tax revenue. The first $40 million that marijuana produces will be used to build schools. In spite of the money going towards schools, some citizens see the legalization of marijuana as a comment on the people of Colorado and what they think is best for their state.

“I think it’s disappointing that the citizens of Colorado think that the only way we can improve our state is by taxing something that is generally considered, up until recently, an illegal drug,” Colorado citizen Tom O’Keefe said. “Once the government starts getting the revenue from marijuana sales, they’re not going to want to give it up.”

Recreational marijuana is only legal in 19 cities, and there are multiple laws regarding its use in public, but it’s hard to control everyone’s actions in a state so large.

“My husband and I were at a restaurant and people were smoking,” Buxton said. “That’s actually against the law, but the police aren’t going to go out of their way to make an example out of anyone.”

Marijuana is almost always talked about as a “gateway” drug, meaning that its use often leads to the use of more dangerous drugs. But whether or not its easier accessibility will increase or decrease the use of other illegal substances is still up in the air.

“From a law enforcement perspective, I guess one could say that legalization of marijuana will result in fewer criminal offenses, which in turn will free up the already cluttered court system,” Fleet said. “However, maybe the amount of other crimes may increase due to it’s legalization? I guess only time will tell.”

COPING WITH THE PAIN

Some patients with chronic pain want the option to use medical marijuana; however, there is much controversy about whether this will be beneficial

BY ALEXIS TAINTER

job. But if there were another option like medical marijuana, I’d like that to be something that I could choose, but it just isn’t right now.”

Ray may wish medical marijuana was an option for him, but he also has The pain starts subtly in his left thigh. It burns slightly, but he ignores other reasons why he believes it should be legalized. it. The burning sensation continues and worsens. He stops what he’s “It gives doctors the freedom to prescribe medication that would work doing and waits for the pain to subside. This has been a part of Missouri well for different types of patients with chronic pain, like cancer patients, resident Ray Antonacci’s life every day for the past four-and-a-half years. rather than the government regulating the types of drugs we can and On Sept. 11, 2009, Ray was involved in a motorcycle accident resulting can’t use,” Ray said. “Senators and governors and representatives and all in him staying seven-and-a -half weeks in the ICU at the University of those people, they don’t have medical degrees, and they don’t know what Tennessee Trauma Center. He was treated drugs are best used for pain control.”

Map of the United States for internal bleeding and spinal injuries.

Ray’s wife, Becky, currently works in an onThe accident left him unable to use his left cology department where she deals with canleg, for it was paralyzed. Years later, he still cer patients and believes medical marijuana has extreme chronic pain. He uses a clear could help solve some of their problems. pain patch that he attaches to his arms or “It’s beneficial for some people,” Becky said. shoulders. Ray also takes other medications “I see people on heavy doses of pain medicaincluding morphine to help reduce his pain. tion and they still come into the hospital “It’s hard to explain,” Ray said. “But it struggling with their pain and it could be very comes and goes. It’s not always the same. beneficial for people like that.”

Sometimes I’ll have pain in my left foot or While some believe medical marijuana I’ll feel it in my left thigh. It’s kind of like a legalization is beneficial, others disagree. Dr. burning sensation. On a scale of one to 10, Dharma Varapu has worked at St. Anthony’s typically it’s about a two. I can kind of feel hospital as a pain doctor for the past 10 years it there, but it doesn’t mess up my day. But and thinks legalizing medical marijuana may Legal medical marijuana states every now and then, it’ll come in a wave and end up doing more harm than good.

Illegal medical marijuana states go from a two to almost a 10. It’s really kind “It’s not a drug that everyone should use,” info from goo.gl/fpzQPK of hard to deal with.”

Dharma said. “I mean yeah, it’s good for While the pain may be difficult to manage, Ray refuses to let it affect patients undergoing chemotherapy to help with their nausea and some of his life. In other states, people in a situation similar to Ray’s may be their pain. The drug is already being abused now while it’s illegal in Missuggested by their doctor to use medical marijuana. Marijuana is often souri altogether and I think if we legalize it medically, it can lead to more used for medical purposes by cancer patients, or people with conditions abuse. It’s not something that’s meant for every day use.” with chronic or severe pain. However, it is still illegal in Missouri for Currently 20 states allow marijuana to be used medically, which helps marijuana to be used for medical purposes. patients cope with chronic pain. With more states passing laws permit“I’d like it to be an option,” Ray said. “I’ve never used it so I wouldn’t ting the usage of it, Ray is sure Missouri will join the ranks. know if it would relieve my pain. Right now, the pain patch and the other “I believe legalization is approaching,” Ray said. “Missouri isn’t going to medications that I take don’t really cut it. They’re not really doing the be a frontrunner in that and it’ll be slow, but it’s coming.” alexistainter@gmail.com • @Lexis_Taint

PAGE BY MADDIE HIATT & MEGAN GRANNEMANN

02.19.14 FHNTODAY.COM 23

FINDING A WAY OUT Behavioral health centers step in and help to change the path of a former FHN student struggling with the grip of marijuana abuse and addiction

BY DANIEL BODDEN

daniel.bodden@gmail.com • @danbodden

Justin can’t remember where he thought he was going the day he was dropped off at Bridgeway, but that isn’t where he ended up. His first visit, one of many to Bridgeway Behavioral Health Center, was a surprise.

“My parents just dropped me off there one day,” FHN graduate Justin Tainter said. “I didn’t think anything was up until I got there. I was like ‘What the heck, I don’t want to do this crap.’”

Justin’s mother Chrisi Tainter made the choice to send him to Bridgeway during Justin’s freshman year because of a difference she had noticed in Justin’s behavior. She found out about Bridgeway from a friend who had used the program for their daughter and felt it was in Justin’s best interest to get support to stop using marijuana.

“Before he went to Bridgeway, we noticed personality changes,” Chrisi said. “When asked a question, he would get real short, he would have more of an attitude right away. His younger siblings � he wouldn’t have any patience with them and he wouldn’t want to spend any time with them.”

But, it took some time before Justin admitted he had a problem and could take full advantage of the help being offered to him.

“You’re in what they call denial, which is the first stage,” Justin said. “You compare yourself with other people. Like, I’d compare myself with people who are doing coke or heroin. I thought, ‘I can smoke weed all day and still be better than them’, but the reality was that I wasn’t the person I used to be and I needed to change.”

BRIDGEWAY According to Scott Snodgrass, Bridgeway’s Director of Adolescent Services, this is the most crucial step in treatment. One of the first questions a Bridgeway therapist asks a client is ‘Is this drug helping you achieve your goals and dreams?’ The answer to this question can give huge implications to how successful or unsuccessful the treatment will be.

“A lot of kids come in very resistant,” Snodgrass said. “For the kids, it’s not a problem. And if it’s not a problem, there’s no need to ask for help. Many of these kids don’t have an adult in their life

FACTS ABOUT GETTING ADDICTED According to a 2009 national survey, more than

104 million Americans over

9% or 1 out of every 11 people who use marijuana become addicted to it

25-50% people who use marijuana every day become addicted

the age of 12 had tried marijuana at least once, and almost

17 million had used the

drug in the month before the survey. info from goo.gl/O4A0Kl

who even misses them. Once they see that the adults are consistent and the therapists care about them, things change.”

Sometimes, though, things don’t change. Snodgrass says that many teens feel like using marijuana isn’t a problem for them and aren’t thinking about some of the consequences it can cause, especially legally.

“If you’re 17 or 18 and you get a felony for possession, do you know how hard it is to get a job?” Snodgrass said. “We see it all the time. Somebody wants to get into nursing school; they can’t because they have a felony. Or they want to be a cop; they can’t, they have a felony. Those aren’t things that high school students are thinking about. That felony changes the direction of their life forever, and that’s unfortunate because there’s a lot of smart and talented kids who can’t do what they hoped and dreamed to do because of that.”

Justin began to become more aware of these types of consequences during the time he spent at Bridgeway. During the two days a week he spent there, he participated in two group meetings and one individual meeting with his counselor where they discussed topics like recognizing addiction and signs of relapse. Bridgeway also provides resources and services for the parents of clients in their adolescent program.

“They have a really great support system for parents and not just that, but the counselors are very open,” Chrisi said. “I could go and discuss different things. When you have a child that does marijuana, it doesn’t just affect the child; it affects the whole family. It changes the whole dynamic for the family. Going through it with the parents actively engaged, it helps

PAGE BY MADDIE HIATT & MEGAN GRANNEMANN

55

Columbia Troy Brideway

70

Effingham 70

St.Charles

Columbia Warrenton St.Louis Pathways Brideway St.Charles Bridgeway

Belleville

Jefferson City

El Dorado Springs Pathways Rolla

Salem

44

55

Pathways Health SpringfiCommunity eld

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R pi ip

PAGE BY MADDIE HIATT & MEGAN GRANNEMANN

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PATHWAYS If you ask Justin, he can tell you the exact dates he was at Pathways Community Health, an in-patient program in Columbia, MO, even though it was a year ago. January 3 through March 1, 2013.

“It was hell and heaven,” Justin said. “One day is the most amazing day of your life and the next day is the worst, but you can’t do anything about it.

You are in a very secluded area with 12 other drug addicts, some of them are heroin addicts, some meth addicts, and you are being told what to do every minute of the day. You can only go to the bathroom when you’re told. Strict rules. No one has their fix, and they want their drugs. Sometimes the house gets really mad and then sometimes we are all connected. There’s a few days where everyone just wanted to cry because they were so happy. It was the most amazing place I’ve been to in my life, but it was the most terrible at the same time.”

According to Virginia Intelisano, a therapist for the adolescent program at Pathways called Navig8, clients in the residential program are given an initial assessment called a CHAT, a comprehensive health assessment, that goes over various parts of their lives. From there, they are given an individual therapist who they meet with one to two times a week. They participate in group education hourly, as well as group therapy twice a day five days a week.

“We have a very holistic approach to our residential program,” Intelisano said. “We have really good wrap-around services. We work on the eight dimensions of wellness -- emotional, financial, social, spiritual, occupational, physical, intellectual, environmental -- it’s something that Pathways truly stands by.”

Chrisi struggled with the decision to send Justin to Pathways, but, in the end, she feels she made the right choice.

“It was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever made to send him to that place,” Chrisi said. “It was very tough. Just because no parent wants to see their child go through that. But, I knew, in order for him to survive and in order for him to move on with his life, it was absolutely necessary.”

The Pathways residential program lasts for 60 days; however, Justin was released early because of good behavior. Justin returned home and began to work on finishing high school in the three months that were left before the rest of his class would graduate. Justin participated in FHN’s Credit Assistance Program (CAP), which allows credit deficient students to earn credits by taking online courses during the school year, to finish all the credits he needed to graduate.

“I wasn’t worried about what people would think while I was at Pathways; I mainly just missed being at school,” Justin said. “I missed talking to people in the hallway and talking to people while going from class to class. I was just ready to focus on my grades for the last semester of my high school career.

They put me in all CAP classes when I got out. I finished all of those in about a month, so I actually graduated in early or mid April.”

BRIDGEWAY AND PATHWAYS LOCATIONS

iss M

the child get through it.”

But, after being at Bridgeway on and off during his first three and a half years of high school, things began to change. Justin began blowing off going to Bridgeway and Chrisi noticed his behavior changing and escalating even more than in the past. Justin’s friend Kali Farrell also noticed this change in behavior at school.

“He would change friends due to weed and how it could get him some,” Kali said. “He would dump some of his friends in order to smoke with other people and have that environment instead. He was mean and aggressive and you could tell he didn’t care about anything. You could see on his face that he wasn’t the same.”

As high school continued, Justin began using other drugs, including cough syrup sophomore year and synthetic marijuana junior year. Chrisi, worried about the changes she was seeing in Justin, decided it was time to try something more drastic and turned to his counselor to discuss different options.

“It had gotten to the point where he was on the marijuana and he wasn’t my child anymore,” Chrisi said. “This wasn’t the child that I knew. You always love your child, but this wasn’t the child I knew. He was a totally different person. He was going to be turning 18 soon, so I talked to his counselor at Bridgeway, and she helped guide me toward residential treatment. She’s the one that recommended Pathways.”

Brideway Behavioral Health

Salem Pathways

Pathways Community Health

Brigdeway Behavioral Health

Columbia Center 403 Dysart St. Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 449-4770

St. Charles Center 1570 S. Main Street St. Charles, MO 63303

Jefferson City Center 1905 Stadium Boulevard Jefferson City, MO 65110 (573) 634-3000

57

Men’s Residential ……………………………………….636.224.1110

Bridges to Success Pathways Community Health Adolescent Substance Abuse

Brideway Behaviora

……………………………………….636.224.1051

Pathways is a non-profit mental and behavioral health center with many locations in both Missouri and Louisiana. It has both residential and out-patient services, including a Navig8 program specifically for teens struggling with substance abuse.

Bridgeway helps clients with substance abuse, addiction, and other co-curring mental health problems. Bridgeway has several Missouri locations, including a local one on Main Street in St. Charles.

LESSONS LEARNED When Justin started using marijuana, he never realized how difficult it would be to stop or the extent of the impact it would have on his life.

“It’s all you think about,” Justin said. “Everything you think about in your whole entire life gets shifted and changed in a negative way. It seems like everything isn’t as valued as it was before you did drugs. Drugs were what I needed just like sleep and food, and I put that before everything else because I needed it.”

Justin believes that the time he spent in these programs was absolutely necessary for the changes he’s made. He recommends them to anyone struggling with the same types of issues he was.

“Getting in a program is definitely a necessity,” Justin said. “It’s not like you’re going somewhere and people are telling you to do this and that. You’re there with a bunch of people who are doing the same thing you’re doing and are in the same situation. They are there in the same place at the same time getting the same help, so you have that support. And it’s all about willpower.

If you want help, you can get it.”

In the end, Chrisi is satisfied with her decisions to send Justin to these programs and looks forward to what she believes will be a much brighter future for him.

“I got my child back,” Chrisi said. “I got the son that I’ve always known, who is friendly, who has an electric smile, and is polite and willing to help people. I got that person back. He’s a bright and talented boy who has a future that, without drugs, is so much brighter.”

02.19.14 FHNTODAY.COM 25

Last Chance toSave $5 Order your yearbook now before the price goes up from $60 to $65 on March 12th!

Where can I order?

-Room 026 -Main office -Online at goo.gl/VUOSz1

Q&A What is your most favorite thing you’ve made?

My favorite thing that I’ve made has probably been this headband because I put a little felt flower on it, and I also made another one but I gave it to my friend for Christmas. It was kind of the same concept except it was pink yarn with a pink and purple four-layered flower on it so it was really cute.

Do you prefer knitting over sewing, why or why not?

I do prefer knitting over sewing. I’m not much of a sewer. I can do a little needle and thread work but sewing machines, I don’t even know how to work them. Knitting, you can pick it up and do it anywhere.

You don’t need much equipment, just your two needles and yarn and scissors when you’re done.

What do your friends say about knitting and the things you make?

My friends think that knitting is pretty cool. We do it together when we hang out and I have given some knitted products as presents before and everyone thinks they’re pretty cool.

WATCH Check out the link goo.gl/HhX7AR to hear from Sofia on how she likes to knit as a hobby.

SOFIA

QUINTANA

Senior Dillon Runnels performs a jump on his dirt bike. He has been competitively dirt bike racing since he was six years old and competes in multiple competitions a year. (photo submitted)

Senior Dillon Runnels rides his dirt bike around the corner in a race at St. Joe’s Park. (photo submitted)

Dillion Runnels rides his dirt bike over a hill. (photo submitted)

DARE TO DIRT BIKE

The danger and adrenaline of motocross has addicted one senior to the sport, and he continues to race even after 12 years

BY ERIKA PAAR

erikakristine101@gmail.com

•

@curliegirlie101

The priceless feeling of being on top of the world is one of the best feelings to a dirt bike racer. The adrenaline rush one gets while speeding through dirt is something senior Dillon Runnels never wants to give up.

Dillon races competitively in around 23-25 races a year. He practices two to four times a week, sometimes five to seven if he is lucky. He practices at St. Joe’s Park, and also on a dirt track he made on property his family owns at Mark Twain Lake.

He travels all around the country for races and his first race of this year will take place in Florida this March. During the week before a race, many preparations are made, most regarding the bike, including tune ups and modifications. When the race is about to start, the only thing going through Dillon’s head is whether the bike is going to be okay. The bike falling apart in the middle of a race is one of the worst things that can happen, which is why Dillon makes as many preparations to the bike as possible to make sure it remains intact.

“Right before a race all that’s going through my head is that I am praying to God that the bike will be okay,” Dillon said.

After the race starts, it is just a rush of adrenaline. The adrenaline rush Dillon gets during a race is what keeps him always coming back. He is transported into his own little world during a race to a point where he is oblivious to what is going on anywhere but the track in front of him. He is able to focus completely on the race in front of him, instead of what is going on around him.

“My parents can be screaming for me as loud as they can, and I will have no clue,” Dillon said.

His parents try to attend as many races as they can. Mothers worry, and with her son competing in such a dangerous sport, Dillon’s mom, Marla Runnels, gets nervous every time he gets on the bike. She is worried when he goes around sharp turns because there are so many riders going through a small space, and she doesn’t know whether or not he is going to crash and get hurt.

Although she gets nervous, she loves watching him race. Her favorite part is the PAGE BY BRENDA ALVARADO & DANIEL BODDEN

start and watching him take off in the sea of bikes. At the end of the day, she knows that Dillon loves what he is doing and she is proud of him for working to accomplish his goals.

“I’m glad he has something he is good at and has a passion for,” Marla said. “It keeps him on the right track, and always having a goal.”

Part of racing dirt bikes is injuries, and Dillon has had his fair share of them. He has had broken bones, concussions, dislocations, pretty much all there is. However, every time Dillon is injured, he jumps right back in after recovering. His injuries have normally caused him to be out for three to six weeks, but the longest time was four months with a broken ankle and a fractured wrist. The worst injury he has ever had was a concussion and a dislocated shoulder at the same time as the result from a race.

“When I was down for four months the doctor told me I couldn’t even touch my bike for four months, let alone ride it,” Dillon said.

Dillon has wanted to race dirt bikes his entire life. When he was three years old he had a dirt bike toy that he loved and wanted to start racing. Unfortunately, he was too small and had to wait three more years. When he started at age six he was hooked, and has not stopped racing since, except for time out due to injuries. As with any sport, he has improved as he has gotten older. When he first started, he raced in the middle of the pack, but now he places from top five to top 10. When Dillon does well in a race the whole family is overjoyed. His mom jumps up and down screaming and everyone talks about it the whole way home.

Dillon’s interest in racing has created a great bond between him and his father, Lindell Runnels. Lindell is 100 percent involved in every aspect of his son’s racing.

He is Dillon’s mechanic, his money backer, and his dedicated fan. He thinks it is great to see Dillon go out there, having fun, and it’s also a nice family bonding experience.

“The first time I saw him race, he went from sixth to second, then fell around a corner,” Lindell said.”It was pretty exciting because he got back up to second.”

Dillon’s determination, dedication to his racing, and passion for the sport make what he does so special.

“I plan on racing as long as my body will let me,” Dillon said. “I want to be that 80-year-old man who can kick a 20-year-old’s butt.”

02.19.14 FHNTODAY.COM 29

S

GAC

STANDINGS (as of press time)

Boys’ Basketball

1. Howell North 12-6 2. Zumwalt West 9-9 3. Howell High 10-10 4. Troy 2-15

Girls’ Basketball

1. Zumwalt West 17-3 2. Howell High 11-7 3. Troy 9-10 4. Howell North 10-8

Forward Brennan Buerck shoots the puck back to other side of the ice. Since FHC won the previous game North had to win at Lindenwood to tie the bracket. Central won 1-4. Had the Knights won the game, they would have played a 10 minute mini-game to break the tie. (ashleigh jenkins)

SHORT OF GOAL

Despite finally finding its rhythm in the season, the hockey team falls short in the Wickenheiser Cup tournament

BY RODNEY MALONE The Varsity Hockey team had rough start at the beginning of the season but started to come together in the second half. The team ended the season with a record of 8-16-3.

The team almost made it to the semifinals of the Wickenheiser Cup but fell short with their loss to Central on Feb. 11, which knocked them out of the tournament and ended their season early. Next year, they plan to overcome their weaknesses and win the cup.

“I feel like we could’ve have played stronger in the last game against Central,” Defender Brian Fuhler said. “ But I feel a sense of pride in the team because we started to win more games the second part of the season and we fought hard until the end.”

SETTING HIGH HOPES FOR CONFERENCE

(brief by rodney malone)

30 FHNTODAY.COM 02.19.14

1. Dolores Boschert 26.7 2. Allegra Pierce 27.1 10. Alyssa Thrasher 31.2

Girls’ Swim: 200 FREE

1. Carli Buchanan 2:07 2. Megan Hampson 2:08 3. Erinn Grady 2:22

malonerodney97@gmail.com

Varsity Boys’ Basketball holds a record of 12-6 as of press time, and is currently undefeated and ranked first in GAC South.

With the help of lead scorers James Gleeson, who averages 15.6 points per game, and Terry White, who averages 13.3 points per game, the team plans to work together to win GACs. “[Being undefeated] feels great because the other teams looked at us as an underdog when the season first started,” Point Guard Derrick Scarbrough said.

Girls’ Swim: 50 FREE

Senior Terry White attempts to make a shot over his opponent during the Knights’ battle against the FHC Spartans. (matt krieg)

Wrestling

1. Howell High 3-0 2. Zumwalt West 2-0 3. Timberland 1-0 4. Howell Central 2-1 5. Howell North 2-3

Junior Maggie Torbeck swims while teammates encourage her at her swim meet against Howell. (ashleigh jenkins)

ENDING STRONG

BY EMILY HAMPSON TheEmilyHampson@gmail.com

Girl’s Swim placed sixth in the preliminaries at the St. Peters Rec Plex on Feb. 11 and advanced to finals in GACs. GAC standings are unknown as of press time.

Alyssa Thrasher, Megan Hampson, Maggie Torbeck, and Anastasia Medley swam the 400-yard free relay.

The relay team placed sixth which allow them to advance to finals. These girls were just some of the swimmers that advanced.

“They did as well as they could have with the conditions they were under,” coach William Crow said.

11 GAMES WON

BOWLING TAKES FIRST The Bowling team has achieved its goal of placing first in its division. With five weeks remaining in the season, the team is working on their next goal: getting first in their league. In order to do this, they must work on their bowling technique.

“They need to make it a goal to adjust delivery when their ball doesn’t react as desired,” Coach Bob Parson said. (brief by kyleigh kristensen)

PAGE BY DAVID MCFEELY

Senior Madison Gillam drives the ball towards the hoop in a home game against Fort Zumwalt South on Dec. 17. Gillam led the Knights in points during the game with 16. The Knights could not make the comeback, however, and lost by the score of 39-50. (matt krieg)

This evening at 6:30 p.m., the Varsity Girls’ Basketball will play away against Parkway North. FHN’s record KEEPING THE team stands at 10-8 as of press time, and the girls intend on maintaining their winning record by working as a unit and RECORD looking for their open teammate.

BY KYLEIGH KRISTENSEN kyleigh1318@gmail.com

“We need to stay focused going into the game,” junior Madison Kelly said. “If we come out and play the way I

know we can, we’ll beat them.”

Parkway North’s record is 14-5 as of press time, but the girls believe they are prepared to face the team.

“It will be a challenging game, they’re not a bad team, but I think we’ll win,” Coach Matthew Watson said. “I think we’ll get the win because the team is working well together and putting in the effort needed to get results.”

WHAT

WRESTLERS RANKED With a lot of hard work during the offseason and regular season, Varsity wrestlers and juniors AJ Lozada and Sam Ritchie have each been ranked in the top 10 of the state for their weight classes this season.

“It feels great to be ranked, and on one side, it helps my mentality knowing that I’m one of the best in the state,” Lozada said.

“But on the other hand, it gets in my head and makes me think what would happen if I were to lose a match, which makes me try harder not to lose.”

Check out FHNGameDay.com for updates about the State competition. (brief by rodney malone)

PAGE BY DAVID MCFEELY

TO

WATCH

WEDNESDAY GIRLS BASKETBALL V. PARKWAY NORTH

HOME GAME AT 6:30 P.M.

FRIDAY “It feels good to be ranked 8th, but it also motivates me to work even harder and get higher in the rankings.”

Sam Ritchie, 11

“My goal for the rest of the season is to qualify for State. Hopefully, at State I place top six so my name can be on the wall with all the other great wrestlers who have wrestled at North.”

AJ Lozada, 11

BOYS BASKETBALL V. FRANCIS HOWELL

HOME GAME AT 7:00 P.M.

THURSDAY-SATURDAY WRESTLING STATE @ JEFFERSON CITY

02.19.14

FHNTODAY.COM 31

S

GET TO KNOW SOME...

SWIMMERS

Here’s a look at some of North’s swimmers and their personal records

ALYSSA THRASHER, 12

“I think our team needs to work better as a group. We could do better cheering each other on and doing more team bonding.”

SPORTY STAFF

Many students don’t think about their educators as being athletic; however, these FHN staff members are dedicated to their sport

BY JESSICA OLSEN

jessicaolsen144@gmail.com • @Jessicuhhh9

(photos submitted)

Art teacher Michael Leistner looks forward to getting back into bike racing after a two-year hiatus due to the birth of his twins.

Leistner has been biking for 23 years and owns five different bikes. He has also participated in racing, including: road racing, cyclocross racing, and track racing.

“I can remember thinking to myself, ‘If I’m not doing 40 [miles], it’s not worth leaving the house,” Leistner said.

Leistner rides whenever he has time-- even if it’s riding circles around the furnace in his basement.

Best Event: 50 Freestyle PR: 29.22 Years Swimming: 4

LINDSAY GRZESKOWIAK, 11 “I’ve personally improved this season by working hard at practices. The team has improved by staying positive no matter what the outcome of the meet is.”

SUPER SKIER

Best Event: 100 Butterfly PR: 1:11.96 Years Swimming: 13

SAMM HEUPEL, 10 “This swim season is going really well, we are in the groove of working with the new people that came in this year, and trying to keep everyone healthy.”

Best Event: 500 Freestyle PR: 7:40.77 Years Swimming: 2

SARAH TEEMUL, 9

“I think this swim season has been amazing. I’ve had so much fun and we’re doing pretty good.”

Best Event: 50 Freestyle PR: 38.89 Years Swimming: 1 32 FHNTODAY.COM 02.19.14

ARTIST ON WHEELS

THE IRON WOMAN Physical Education teacher Kim Krieger has conquered incredible feats.

In August of 2012, she participated in a triathlon called the “Iron Man,” which is longer than the typical triathlon. It consists of a two-and a-half mile swim, 25-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run.

Krieger finished her first full-length Iron Man in 3 hours, 11 minutes.

“It was a little intimidating,” Krieger said. “It was fun though, at the beginning.”

Training wasn’t any easier. She trained hours throughout summer, rotating between exercises each day to focus on each leg of the competition.

“It was a lot of thinking,” Krieger said.

“It was just a lot of looking at your watch and when you start to feel kind of bad, seeing how much time I had until I could eat again, hoping that’d make you feel a little bit better.”

Krieger plans to compete in more Iron Mans when she fully recovers from her knee surgery performed early last year.

Mark Twain Lake is a hot spot for Assistant Principal Kathryn Greer, who’s been water-skiing since the age of five. Growing up, her family went to the lake often in the summer, and she continues that tradition with her own family. She’s already passed it down to her kids.

“It’s just about being with family,” Greer said. “And, not caring about anything except just being out there with your family and making memories.”

MAN OF THE WILD

During the summer time, Activities Director Mike Janes can be found out in the water. He participates in multiple fishing tournaments around Mark Twain Lake every year, although he’s never placed in the competition.

But his activities don’t stop there; he loves of being in the outdoors in general. He enjoys boating, golfing, and when hunting season comes around, he can be found shooting deer, turkeys, and trap.

“I have a ton of hobbies,” Janes said. “I don’t just have one. I mean, I look forward to it. I just like being outside.”

PAGE BY MAGGIE TORBECK

PAINTING THE CITY Two seniors take the extreme sport of paintball to a new level

BY MAGGIE TORBECK

mtorbeck068@gmail.com • @maggiextorbeck

Senior Raymond Che looks at his target, as he practices snap shooting. His pratices consists of snap shooting, diving, and laning which is aiming for the lower body while on the ground. (ariel kirkpatick)

WATCH Follow the link goo.gl/8ysEzb to see a video of what it takes to paintball.

He crouches behind a stack of logs, blending into his wooded surroundings. His knee rests on a blanket of dead leaves and mud. He peers into his scope. Before he can pull the trigger on his opposing players, he is shot with a ball of paint. For senior Raymond Che, this is just another day on the field, and another welt that tells a story of its own.

“I first started paintballing when I went for fun,” Che said, “It was such an adrenaline rush, I couldn’t put the marker down after that.”

Two and a half years later, he is still consumed in the sport. While most people play paintball as a hobby, Che plays for two teams, Saint Louis Prodigy and Saint Louis Spirit, that practice once a week in preparation for their monthly tournaments.

Tournaments are held in various locations across the Saint Louis area, including Wacky Warriors. Wacky Warriors’ nine fields host multiple tournaments a year, which include teams from different states.

“We have a home team called Midwest Outlaws, and several teams from as far as Kansas City and Chicago come in and practice or compete,” Wacky Warriors employee Chris Robinson said.

Senior Jordan Chilese, another member of Saint Louis Prodigy, is also absorbed in the world of paintball. He started playing as a hobby five years ago, until a group of friends invited him to join Prodigy.

“I like it so much because it’s different from other sports,” Chilese said, “Not many people I know play the sport.”

The game starts with the breakout, in which the players use a combination of skills and tactics in order to have the highest chances of winning.

“After the breakout, players should know what to do in the situation that they get themselves in,” Che said.

There is typically a front, middle, and back player which all work together to ensure the best cover for each team member on the field. Teams can contain a limitless amount of members on the field at one time, but, the opposing team must be able to match the same amount of players in order to have a game.

“There’s so many people from all walks of life that come out to play the game, and that’s why I think it’s so special,” Robinson said.

DON’T JUDGE A TEAM BY ONE PLAYER

Teams are often stereotyped either good or bad by their most popular star player, regardless of what the rest of the team’s actions are

BY RODNEY MALONE malonerodney97@gmail.com

Often, a team’s image is based on the performance of key players on and off the field. Take, for instance, Peyton Manning and the Broncos.

Although Manning is a great player with a good attitude and work ethic, I believe people should judge each player on their own actions and beliefs rather than grouping the whole team together based off the most notable player’s behavior.

It may not seem like a bad thing to judge a team on one player, but if a player does something bad PAGE BY GARRET GRIFFIN

or is involved in some type of scandal, the team’s reputation could be damaged. A prime example would be Richie Incognito and the Miami Dolphins. Ever since the scandal involving Richie Incognito’s harassment of teammate, Jonathan Martin, the team has been viewed as immoral.

People shouldn’t judge the whole team by this one person’s behavior because his beliefs may not be the same as others on the team. This negative publicity can cause a team to perform worse and could potentially break up a team. Instead, judge the team based on the effort of all the players, not the actions of the most popular member.

#

FHNGameDay Tag your all of your sports posts with #FHNGameDay to see your tweet, photos or video featured here

•

Everyone come see KL do hip hop!!!!!!

@maddawg1297 Madison Ritter

•

FHN>>> FHC

@sanFRANZisco15 Austin Franzen

•

Central is gonna lose tonight on the court and tomorrow on the rink.

@kylekateman Kyle Kateman

•

Lady Knights finish 2nd in the warrenton tournament! Good job ladies!!!!!

@CoachBrune John Brune

02.19.14 FHNTODAY.COM 33

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#ThisCould BeUsIf YouPaying Place your order in room 26, in the main office, or online at FHNToday.com

1. Download the app Aurasma.

2. Follow FHNToday on the app. No need to make an account.

3. Point phone at the image above and watch.

Yearbook prices go up from $60 to $65 on March 12.

MAKING AN ATHLETIC EXCEPTION

As athletes, should we be required to take a gym class, when we are already involved in extracurricular physical activities, all because of district graduation requirements

BY GARRET GRIFFIN ggriifin@gmail.com •

Physical Education should be a choice, not a requirement. The state of Missouri requires students from every public school to take a physical education class, but they need to consider the athletes and their participation in the school’s sports activities.

With their participation in a sport here at FHN, the student athletes don’t need to spend their time being worried about taking a physically active class, like gym. As an athlete at FHN, I spend enough time being physically active with having tryouts, after school practices, and games. I don’t need to spend 50 minutes a day kicking a soccer ball across the gym, or walking PAGE BY RODNEY MALONE

around the track to burn off the eggs I had for breakfast, for one credit of my high school education. Athletes get more of a workout during a game than they do running around in the gym trying to get a P.E. credit.

Hilliard Ohio High School does not require students to take a physical education class as long as the students sign up for at least two sports and participate in those sports during the season. Missouri might want to consider adopting this kind of policy because the athletes from our districts could use the open class to try different classes to better themselves for the future.

Don’t get me wrong; I love sports, but when it comes to education, I’d rather have the choice of taking another science or math class than a physical education class I don’t need.

02.19.14 FHNTODAY.COM 35

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Varsity Knightline performs their jazz dance in semifinals at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Indiana Jones Theater. The team advanced placed 13th in the nation for large Varsity jazz. (photo submitted)

DANCING QUEENS

After months of training, JV and Varsity Knightline compete at Nationals in Disney World where Varsity placed 13th in the nation

BY ERIKA PAAR

erikakristine101@gmail.com

•

@curliegirlie101

The Knightline dance team competed at the Universal Dance Association (UDA) National Championship in Orlando, Florida on Feb. 1-2.

The Varsity team made it into finals for their jazz routine and ended up placing 13th in the nation.

JV did not make it to finals, but placed 10th in hip-hop, and seventh in jazz in semifinals.

“At first we were a little disappointed because we have been working so hard for nationals, but after it all we were actually really proud of ourselves for making it so far and dancing our best,” junior JV captain Madison Buniak said.

North’s Varsity team was the only FHSD team to make it to finals for the jazz category, though Howell and Central have made finals in the past.

“I did not expect that at all, but when we heard our name we all just started screaming, and were so excited,” senior Varsity captain Hannah Chowning said.

To achieve this goal, the team spent countless hours practicing for the competition. With the complication of missing practice time due to snow days, the girls had to practice at home to make sure they were prepared. They also set up a special rope where they practiced which they used to map out the exact size of the floor they would be competing on, so the team knew exactly how to space formations when the time came.

“We went in feeling just about as prepared as we could be,” Head Coach Tammy Rokita said.

Knightline is proud of how they ranked, especially since they were the only FHSD school to advance in jazz. The girls feel that this experience has been unforgetable.

“It is definitely one of those memories you can’t ever forget,” Chowning said. “It takes a lot of hard work not just yourself, but as a team. It’s just one of those trips that’s just amazing.”

36 FHNTODAY.COM 01.17.14

Freshman Rachel Ludwig performs the JV hip hop dance during the FHSD showcase on Jan. 30. Along with Knightline, the FHC Sensations and the FHHS Golden Girls also performed at the showcase. JV also competed at Nationals but did not place in finals. (mckenzie shea)

Junior Madeline Wagster performs the Varsity hip hop dance at the winter pep assembly on Jan. 31. This was the first year that the team competed in the hip hop category.

The team has prepared for this change since July by practicing new tricks such as kick ups and headsprings. (asleigh jenkins) PAGE BY MCKENZIE SHEA

JV and Varsity Knightline pose for a picture in front of the Cinderella Castle in Disney World. (photo submitted) Freshman Rachel Ludwig is lifted during JV Knightline’s performance at the FHSD showcase. The JV jazz dance placed second at the Lindbergh Invitational competition and first at St. Charles Classic. They often practice lifts for hours on end due to the difficulty and potential danger involved. (mckenzie shea)

PAGE BY MCKENZIE SHEA

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WARNING!

55% OF STUDENTS HAVE NOT PURCHASED THEIR YEARBOOK FOR THIS YEAR YET. Why is this a big deal?

• The price goes up to $65 March 12 • The staff will not be ordering extras once the final number is set at the end of the year Check on FHNtoday.com to make sure your name is on the list of who has purchcased a book. You can find that list here: http://fhntoday.com/yearbook-sales/ You can purchase a 2013-14 yearbook: • in room 026 • in the main office • on FHNtoday.com under the YEARBOOK tab on the top menu

TOP APPS PICTURE

PERFECT

Reviewed by Brittany Steck

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MONUMENTALLY

MEDIOCRE

“The Monuments Men” is an unfortunately weak and unfulfilling effort from George Clooney

BY DAN STEWART danstewart130@gmail.com

“T

@DanStewRocks

he Monuments Men” tells of the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives program, a group of Allied soldiers and art historians who sought to find and protect art stolen by the Nazis during World War II. Acting titans Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Cate Blanchett and George Clooney (who also wrote and directed the film) attempt to bring the intriguing story of these men and women to light, but they fail to do so without stumbling.

Though its heart is certainly in the right place, “The Monuments Men” suffers from a severe inconsistency in tone, plot, and writing. Many characters are established quickly, then immediately sent in different directions, diminishing the emotional investment in the characters.

The writing flip-flops between being underdeveloped, or overt and excessive. There are some scenes where nobody says much other than what’s necessary. However, at several different times during the film, George Clooney’s character, Frank Stokes, explains the importance of their mission with dramatic and poetic speeches that are all but asking for awards.

Now, while these moments are genuine and well-intentioned, they are excessive. Then, finally, when someone asks, “Was it all worth it?” at the end, Stokes simply responds with Use the link goo.gl/fXnePk to see “Yep.” Had all of the prose and emotion been a video of the trailer saved simply for this moment, it would have for the movie. been a truly powerful scene. The importance of their mission is insurmountable. Like Stokes says in defense of protecting art, “It is the exact reason we are fighting, for culture, for a way of life.” This is a truly inspiring thought. The Allies fought the Nazis to protect our freedom and culture, and to lose our art and achievements is to lose that same liberty. If that concept was condensed and allowed to be a single idea imparted through one scene instead of being smashed over the face of the audience, it could’ve been very impactive.

It’s not to say that this film is void of good elements. There are certainly some laughs, like one golden scene involving an unexploded land mine that evokes the timing and quirk of Wes Anderson. The visual style is solid, with some nice cinematography and production design. Alexandre Desplat provides another fine score. The performances are appropriate, nothing special.

Blanchett is as wonderful as ever, and Bill Murray does his combination of humor and sadness so well that his is one of the more memorable of the supporting performances. Clooney’s directing is well-guided, and the style and basic chemical composition of the film are not in question like the writing is. This is a strange fumble for him, considering his history with directing fantastic films

WATCH

PG-13

40 FHNTODAY.COM 02.19.14

like “Good Night, and Good Luck”.

The bottom line is that there are millions of stories to be told from World War II, one of the most fascinating periods of human history. Some are told with realistic grit and pain, some are told with Hollywood gloss, like this one is. When creativity and passion are poured into a great story, it can be a great work of art, much like the very things that the real Monuments Men wanted to preserve. This film just felt like an unfortunately squandered opportunity for an incredible story to be told, a chance to not only convey the importance of art and culture, but to recognize unsung heroes of the past and do so in a poetic and compelling way.

PAGE BY BRITTANY STECK

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NEW BAND SURPRISES LISTENERS

Fresh high school artists have managed to put out amazing material within their short time together

BY KYLEIGH KRISTENSEN kyleigh1318@gmail.com

@kyleigh13_

A new band from FHC, Reconcera, has been around for about seven months, yet they’ve already gained a large metal head fan base. The only member of the band that is no longer in high school is Joshua Smith. The band consists of Smith on Vocals, Jake Roach on Guitar, Edmond Berry on Bass, and Josh Roach on Drums.

The band formed and not long after they released my favorite song, “Out of Darkness.”

Understandably, the single attracted lots of people.

They have a great introduction to this song, which picks up with the guitar right at the 10th second, which instantly made me think of “Bullet for my Valentine.” However, when the vocals came in, it was just like an, ‘oh never mind moment,’ and the song switched into an “Of Mice & Men” kind of

sound, specifically reminding me of my favorite song, “The Depths.”

I was impressed by their intricate guitar pieces as well as their talented members. In addition to that, their drummer can keep time and their vocalist is skilled at alternating between screaming and clean vocals. Anyone that listened to Reconcera without knowing that they’re a brand new band would never guess based on the young artists’ musical ability. They have so much talent and it seems like they’ve been together for years.

“Out of Darkness,” is not the only material they’ve released. Anyone interested should check out not only their single, but all of their material, and watch their Facebook or Twitter to find out when they’re playing next.

Click the link goo.gl/eFIHMa to view the band’s youtube channel to watch videos and read information about performances

LET’S GO TO THE DINER

BY SARAI ESPARZA saraiesparza.se@gmail.com

Allin’s Diner is located at 130 N Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO (jessica allison)

PAGE BY BRITTANY STECK

@SaraiEsparza

When I first walked into Allin’s Diner, the first thing I noticed was its small size, which created a cozy atmosphere. The waitress that came over to take my order was very sweet and she went out of her way to make me feel welcome.

Before I knew it, my food was ready. I took my first bite out of the philly steak sandwich, anticipating something wrong since the sandwich was ready so quickly. However, I happily discovered that my expectations were wrong. The sandwich was delicious, not only was the bread toasted to perfection, but it didn’t drip the steak juices that other philly steak sandwiches tend to. The meat was cooked all the way and it had just the right amount of cheese to compliment the size of the sandwich.

The food was great, but I would have to say that my favorite part was the environment. It reminded me of the types of diners that could be seen in the movies, where one could meet with their friends after school or just go to and be alone. Overall, Allin’s Diner is a great place to go to at any time of the day, either for a place to eat or just place to hang out.

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FASHION SPOTLIGHT

PLANTLIFE

This marijuana-print clothing obesession is just an overrated fad

BY NICK WYER nickwyer23@gmail.com

The Plantlife line from Huf can be alright, but there’s no need to obsess over it or brag about it. It’s just a fad.

Plantlife, Huf ’s line of apparel that has pot leaves emblazoned all over accessories, has seriously taken off.

Huf has been making Plantlife apparel, starting with socks, since 2011.

At the time, they were the only ones doing something like this and out of nowhere the line blew up.

As someone who owns six pairs of the socks, I thoroughly enjoy them, as some of the accessories can be well designed. I rarely wear the socks in public, though, mainly for the fact that I feel like I look like an idiot if I wear socks with pot leaves on them.

It’s hard for someone to be taken seriously or professionally when they have pot leaves or anything drug related all over themselves. There’s no need for people to brag about them either by rolling up their jeans just to show them off.

The quality of their other gear has noticeably declined over time. It seems as if their focus has now shifted from their actual line, such as their T-shirts and hoodies, to the Plantlife line. While I do think that some aspects of the Plantlife collection can be interesting, such as the tie dye socks, most of it is just pointless accessories that are gimmicky, like ski masks or bucket hats.

The Plantlife line is just a fad and it’s not worth getting caught up in all of the hype.

02.19.14 FHNTODAY.COM 41

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The section of the Affordable Care Act that deals with contraception has caught attention from the masses as of late. In fact, it was taken to court by religious groups protesting the mandate early this year. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who supported the groups in court, ruled that the mandate needn’t be enforced for religious groups that apply to be exempt. (photo illustration by cameron mccarty)

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS

Some people are unclear about what Obamacare’s contraception mandate entails, and before they support companies opposing the mandate, they should understand the consequences of their actions

BY LEXI WILKINSON

lexiwilkinson25@gmail.com

• @loupy0925

By now, everyone and their mother is familiar with President Obama’s Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. It has caused controversy since even before its enactment on Jan. 1, 2014, and is currently making headlines once again because of an issue that has most people in a tabooed tizzy: contraception. Personally, I agree with the side rooting for the contraception mandate within Obamacare. I feel that freedom of choice trumps religious views when it comes to decision making; so, something that directly has to do with a person’s health, contraception included, should be covered by their insurance, regardless of their employer’s beliefs.

To sum it up, the contraception mandate means that most preventive health care methods are covered for women, and readily available with little to no copay for those that seek them. These methods include, but aren’t limited to, birth control pills and emergency contraception. The controversy over the mandate in the political and public eye has to do with certain religiously-affiliated groups that are speaking up and taking matters to the courts. These groups feel that contraception violates their religious and moral beliefs and therefore don’t want to cover it. In some cases, they don’t want to pay for contraceptive coverage because the members of their groups would never use it, and they see it as a waste of money to cover it.

I disagree with these groups. I think that contraceptive options are necessary in today’s society for one basic reason: bodily autonomy. This concept, simply

42 FHNTODAY.COM 02.19.14

put, means that a person has a basic human right to control what he or she does with their body.

The arts and crafts giant, Hobby Lobby, disagrees with the mandate. Their stores are closed on Sundays in accordance with their Christian beliefs, so naturally they find something like mandatory contraceptive coverage to go against those beliefs. The only problem is that not all of their employees share the same religious beliefs, and by saying they don’t want to cover contraception, Hobby Lobby is making a decision for someone else about what they can and cannot do with their body and their health insurance.

In addition to making a decision without consulting the person it will be affecting, the groups that protest also aren’t taking into account the financial burden they are leaving their employees with. Birth control pills are the most common method of ingested contraception, and they can run anywhere from $15 to $50 per month, and emergency contraception may cost anywhere from $35 to $65 per dosage. This can add up really quickly for someone without insurance, or without adequate coverage, but since the mandate lowers the copay and, in some cases, eliminates any costs, I can’t see why someone wouldn’t at least want to leave this option open for someone that could really use it.

I feel that Obamacare should in fact include the contraception mandate, because it makes these methods easier to obtain and a lot more affordable. I would suggest that those who oppose the use of contraception should just not use it, because whether or not something violates a moral belief or a religious belief is in my opinion, irrelevant; no one has the right to take away someone else’s decision that they make for themselves. No matter what.

PAGE BY ERIKA PAAR

McDonald’s hopes to add more to their dollar menu, but it may push prices well out of the dollar range. (ashleigh jenkins)

DOLLAR MENU CHANGES: I’M LOVING IT Fast food chains are desperate to kill the dollar menu due to low profits but settle for making changes and raising prices

BY SARAI ESPARZA

McDouble which will be staying on the menu. In addition to the food, the shakes and sodas have also been reduced in size so they can be sold for a dollar.

McDonald’s has finally said goodbye to its dollar According to an article in Time Magazine, fast menu and hello to the new “Dollar Menu and food chains have always had a love-hate relationMore.” I think it’s about time we see a change in ship with the dollar menu; on one hand, they love the menu not only because I get bored with the the customers it brings to their door, but in reality same old items on the menu, but also because they it’s been more of a loss because the sales they make needed to add new flavors to keep the customers from the dollar menu leave them with little to no coming. profit.

Fast food chains have never been fond of the The article also states that as the number of items dollar menu, but it won’t be going on the menu increase, the more anywhere anytime soon. There people they have to hire. This means are certainly some major changes that these businesses will have to Text 113696 to 37607 if hire more employees, which they being made to it now, though. you agree with Joining McDonald’s with its can’t afford to do. Along with better Sarai’s argument or text salaries, these changes to the menu changes in menu is Wendy’s with 113765 to 37607 if you will give people the opportunity to its new “Right Price, Right Size” disagree menu and Burger King’s “King think about how much they actually Deals Value Menu.” are spending on junk food.

Not only are these companies taking away some Overall, I think people need to get over the items, but they have added several new items. With fact that the price is going up, and see that these the new items also comes new prices. At McDonchanges are for the good of everyone. People will ald’s, these new items include the BBQ Ranch still be purchasing food from the dollar menu, Burger, the Grilled Onion Cheddar Burger, and even if they have to spend a couple extra bucks to the Bacon Buffalo Ranch McChicken. These items purchase their favorite items. will be joining the double cheeseburger and the

saraiesparza.se@gmail.com

• @SaraiEsparza

VOTE

TOBACCO’S NEW CHALLENGER

The new e-cigarette craze is sweeping throughout the world, starting to show an effective way for users to put down the regular cigarette

BY AUSTIN FERGUSON austin1834@gmail.com

Electronic cigarettes are starting to turn into a positive force to end smoking. If users are looking to quit, I think electronic cigarettes are one of the easiest ways to help them put down the tobacco.

Though they contain the addictive chemical nicotine, the electronic vaporizers do not have the material of burning tobacco. Because of this, e-cigs are now starting to turn into a positive force to help others quit the addicting habit of smoking.

I believe that electronic cigarettes could be a driving force to end smoking and they should be better promoted simply as a device for smokers to stop the bad habit of smoking. It’s also a way for users to

PAGE BY ERIKA PAAR

save money instead of buying a pack of cigarettes every week.

In a study from The University of Catania in Italy, researchers studied smokers using electronic cigarettes. After six months, over 50 percent of the subjects cut down their use of normal cigarettes by half, and 25 percent of the subjects completely stopped cigarette use. In my opinion, this is great evidence to show that people are starting to turn away from traditional cigarettes, hopefully for the better. I think if other smokers saw the positive outcomes of electronic cigarettes, they too would try to use the alternative outlet to help them quit smoking altogether.

SHADOWING A PRO:

FAST FOOD

Finding a new respect for quick-service food chains and their workers

BY BRITTANY STECK

brittany14steck@gmail.com

• @LittleMsBritt

I always said that I could never work at a fast food restaurant. The stereotypical crabby customers, lousy pay, and fast-paced environment was not my style. But when shadowing a worker at a local fast food restaurant, I became intrigued by the world of quick service.

I always imagined the world behind the drive-through window as one of chaos and mayhem. But during my shadowing, I was able to observe the delicate balance of teamwork. Each team member had a job, whether that was stuffing kid’s meal bags or flipping burgers.

And while these fast-paced jobs seemed challenging in themselves, the entire preparation of one customer’s meal was simpler, due to the “assembly-line” procedure. This also allowed for bonding between the crew, which seemed to relieve some of the hard work blues of the workers.

I learned to appreciate the hard work of these employees. The intensity of dinner rush kept them on their feet.

The specific making of food bags was an intense game of focus, having to make sure that each order was packed to perfection. Even the up-keeping of cleanliness in the work area seemed to be a rigorous task.

Turns out, working at a fast food restaurant takes more stamina than I thought. I now have a new appreciation for those who put a smile on their faces everyday at the drive-through window.

From now on, I’ll be making sure to say an extra thank you to these fast food workers.

02.19.14 FHNTODAY.COM 43

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THE HOT TOPIC OF:

IS FACEBOOK DEAD?

The social giant celebrated its 10th birthday on Feb. 4, and while some revelled the death of the social media matriarch, others believed that the social network’s prime still soldiers on

BY ELISABETH CONDON

BY DANIEL BODDEN

econdon2014@gmail.com

daniel.bodden21@gmail

Facebook. Parents have flocked to it and continued their embarrassing tradition of creepily commenting on everyone’s photos. People keep inviting each other to endless time-wasting games and spam all their friends with events. And businesses have finally mustered up enough courage to join the network.

But it’s too late. Facebook is already dead.

The teens who spurred the popularity of the site have now moved on to Twitter, Instagram, and other more simple sites. These sites often limit users’ abilities to compose annoying, novel-sized posts that drive their friends crazy.

New sites also have made it more acceptable to post updates more often which increases the time users spend on the sites. Most importantly, these sites use hashtags that allow users to incorporate comedy into their posts and connect with others feeling the same way about a topic. Facebook copied this and incorporated hashtags last year, but it really was #toolittletoolate.

In a study by Princeton, Facebook was compared to a disease which rapidly spreads, then suddenly dies off. As more of people’s friends join, they are likely to join and as more friends leave, more people are likely to leave. Princeton projects that Facebook will lose 80 percent of its user base in the next three years as it continues to bleed users and gradually reach the end of its lifespan. With Facebook’s continual loss of users already, it feels like a graveyard while scrolling down your bare news feed that only includes weird comments from your grandma, advertisements, and whiny friends from middle school.

Between Facebook’s outdated, complicated feel and its disease-like structure that causes it to die just as quickly as it grew, I’d say it’s time to stop trying to bring it back to life with updates. Time of death: 2013.

if you agree with Elisabeth

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

I don’t care what anyone says; Facebook isn’t dead.

I am an avid user of the famed social network and it is extremely helpful when it comes to staying up-to-date on events in my peers’ lives. The surplus of characters on Facebook makes it much easier to keep in touch with friends who are in college or who live across the country. The details of events like getting a new job or getting accepted into a choice college are lost in Twitter’s 140-character limit, the caption culture on Instagram, and the six-second limit on Vine.

Twitter limits characters even in its direct messages and requires both parties to be following one another before they can message each other. Facebook allows its users to send messages to people they may not even be friends with. This messaging function can allow people to reconnect with former acquaintances they may not have spoken to in years.

If anything is dead, it’s the willingness of human beings to communicate. I would love it if the most exciting letters in my mailbox were from friends instead of colleges, but Facebook is definitely a suitable electronic form of the open letter. I would much rather future generations learn history by reading long Facebook statuses instead of by reading tweets from Miley Cyrus or Justin Bieber or following a hyperlink to a scumbag tabloid that is considered news.

I don’t want the future generation’s grammar lessons to be the appropriate uses of hashtags or the correct format of live-tweeting. I fear that interaction will eventually be completely limited to 140 characters or less. The decade-old Facebook might be losing its appeal in the world of pop culture, but its users’ abilities to post long statuses and updates may be the only thing that keeps communication alive now and in the future.

The full version of the Editorial Policy can be found at FHNtoday.com/editorialpolicy

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Editors-in-Chief: Sophie Gordon Maddie Hiatt Managing Editor: Daniel Bodden Business Manager: Rowan Pugh Business: Aly Jenkins Anna Domitrz Zac Fletcher Editors: News Editor: Brianna Morgan Features Editor: Emily Hampson Sports Editor: Brenda Alvarado Opinions Editor: Brittany Steck Copy Editor: Lauren Pike

(editorial cartoon by hannah rosen)

NORTH STAR TAKE: SET THE PROM DATE SOONER

The North Star takes a look at the process of picking a date for Prom and suggests ways to revise the current system ON BEHALF OF THE EDITORIAL STAFF

FHN’s Prom will be on May 17 this year, nearly a month after last year’s Prom date: April 20. Traditionally, Prom is scheduled to be the third Saturday of April, but this year the third Saturday lands on Easter weekend. By the time the forms were submitted, the only dates available at the Saint Charles Convention Center were either Friday, May 2 or Saturday, May 17. Rather than trying to hold a Friday night Prom and risk students staying home from school to prepare for the dance, the administration decided that May 17 was a better date.

In order to avoid this problem in the first place, the date of Prom should have been chosen earlier. The Saint Charles Convention Center, the venue for FHN’s Prom, accepts contracts for events, a year before the event. This means that if a contract is signed by both parties and turned in with the down payment on April 20, 2014, then FHN can have their Prom any day from April 20, 2014, to April 20, 2015. Because of this, Delegates should start the process of choosing a date earlier in order to have the contract ready to reserve the date they want.

The process starts with the date being chosen by the Junior Class President and Junior Class Sponsor Marissa Cohen. This date can be determined by talking with the Convention Center to check the availability of dates.

Prom’s date, along with a backup date, needs to be sent to administration to be approved. As the date is getting approved, the Junior Delegates should prepare a contract and have the down payment for the Convention Center ready. This planning ahead would easily allow the delegates to quickly turn in their contract and get the date of their

choice. If the date, for some reason, isn’t approved, the premade contract should be filled out in such a way that the date can be easily adjusted to the chosen backup date. An outline of the contract should be kept to use in the future.

The problem with waiting too long to start the process of picking a date is that it limits the number of days available. This, in turn, creates a problem because the limit of date choices allows Prom to possibly conflict with other important events. Prom happens to fall on the same day as FHN’s Track Team’s District meet this year, which lasts from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., ending half an hour before Prom. In the past, Prom has also fallen on the same day as important Band and Winter Guard competitions. This prevents, or at least limits, students from attending what most consider an important high school event. Picking the Prom date in advance would prevent, or at least limit, conflicts like these from arising.

Planning ahead to get their date of choice is only going to benefit Delegates. Not only will it prevent Prom from conflicting with other events, but it will also allow Delegates to begin planning the next year’s Prom in advance. They have more time to plan, book the DJ, and start looking at ideas for themes. This would allow Delegates to present themes for the students to vote on sooner, which would give them more time to budget out decorations and other expenses.

Picking Prom dates early also creates a consistency. This helps students have a general idea of when Prom will be so they can plan ahead, as well as making it easier to rebook DJs for the same general date every year.

Although planning Prom is a long and difficult process, choosing the date should be simple. The date should stay within the same time frame for years to allow more time for planning and to prevent conflicts from arising.

General Staff: Claire Carr Elisabeth Condon Sarai Esparza Ashley Eubanks Megan Granneman Priscilla Joel Melissa Lukes Kyleigh Kristensen David McFeely Rodney Malone Jessica Olsen Erika Paar Emma Pursley Hannah Rosen Matt Schneider Maggie Torbeck Alexis Tainter Lexi Wilkenson Editor-in-Chief of Photography: Matt Krieg Photo Editors: Managing Editor of Photography: Cameron McCarty Director of Photography: Paige Martinez Photo Editor: Ashleigh Jenkins Photographers: Jessica Allison Jenna Rodriguez Amanda Eckhard Sammie Savala Ariel Kirkpatrick Alyssa Savage Jordan Mertens McKenzie Shea Lauren Price Ashton Stegman Megan Tanksley Abby Temper

Editor-in-Chief of Multimedia: Zack Eaton Editors: Online Sports Editor: Mike Ebert Managing Web Editor: Jake Chiarelli Webmaster: Alex Weinstock Stats/Scores Editor: Mike Hamilton Online News Editor: Carly Vossmeyer Web Staff: Nick Wyer Hannah Dietrich Video Staff: Aiza Bustos Tristan Chenoweth Lucy Covington Kyle Cuppy Lucas Dykes Ryan Jensen Clayton Kohler Jacob Lintner Sam Skaggs Video Editors: Hannah Stillman Dan Stewart Advisers: Aaron Manfull Beth Phillips

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