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Francis Howell Central High School

CENTRAL

FOCUS Volume 20, Issue 2 Nov. 11, 2016

GUNS 45 percent of households in Missouri have a gun. A look into our state’s relationship with firearms.

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STAFF

DEAR READERS,

STAFF MEMBERS

On Sept. 14, the state legislature overrode Governor Jay Nixon’s veto of Senate Bill 656 by 13 votes. Senate Bill 656 is a 49-paged bill making gun laws more unrestricted. Emily Mann Print Executive Editor This means citizens of Missouri are able to buy a gun at 18, and conceal it anywhere, anytime. This update from previous gun laws means a whole new fear for some, and a whole new comfort for others. It brings possible hazards, and possible rescues. Looking into our school and our students, we discuss gun violence, usage, and culture, and look at both sides of the issue.

In doing so, we question whether or not we feel safe or protected; whether it is essential or unnecessary; and whether or not we need guns in our everyday lives.

Where guns are appropriate, where they are not. What safety they provide, and what harm they cause. We look at not only our state, but shootings across the nation, in different schools and communities. We address gun violence, and ask ourselves, what is truly the issue?

Print Executive Editor Emily Mann

Multimedia Executive Editor Elisa Swanson

Move Editor

Elizabeth Gerger

ON THE COVER Owning firearms are a way of life in Missouri, as evidenced by the override of Governor Jay Nixon’s veto of Bill 656 earlier this year, which allows almost unfettered gun possession. We examine the culture of our home state to explore why guns are such a big part of life.

ILLUSTRATRION BY HUNTER RODGERS

Feature Editor Skylar Laird

Voice Editor

Mackenzie Morris

Discover Editor Elaine Mallon

Staff Reporters

Liz Baker, Abbie Bartell, Juliet Fuhrmann, Jessica Fults, Caleb Harmon, Whitney Klein, Bryce Lee, Reese McLaughlin, Lukas Mendel, Conor Ruffin, Millenia Simmons, Hailey Stewart, Kalani West

THOUGHTS?

Have a letter for the editor or a question for us?

If something we wrote demands your voice, please e-mail us at fhcpub@gmail.com or drop your handwritten letter off with Mr. Schott in Room 139.

The Central Focus staff will print the entirety of your letter, providing it meets the standards of publication laid out in the FHC Publications editorial policy, which is available in Room 139 or at www.fhctoday.com for your perusal.

Online

CONNECT

FHCtoday.com is the online home of FHC Publications and serves as a hub for all of our breaking news, photography and video work. For all you need to know about the FHC community, head to FHCtoday.com francis howell central publications @fhcpublications @fhcpublications fhcpublications

Visit FHCtoday.com by scanning this QR code

ON THE DEFENSIVE Junior Juliet Fuhrmann demonstrates the bear naked hold, which is very beneficial for those who are on the short side of situations. A victim would take their arm across the attackers neck and lean back to choke them so they do not hurt them. Fuhrmann learned these techniques while taking UFC Gym’s self-defense class. PHOTO TAKEN BY VICKI FUHRMANN

Why tech school? ... 4-5

Lewis & Clark offers students experience, information about their career path.

Support staff... 6-7

In the grind of high school its easy to forget to give thanks to people who make our school a better place.

The price of knowledge ... 8

Different scholarships provided that students should use to their advantage

Eight years of Obama ... 9

President Obama’s achievements, and failures throughout his eight years.

Art and stuff ... 10

The creation process behind the artwork hung in the hallways.

Maine’s stars ... 12-13

Meet the 18 actors portraying the couples in “Almost Maine.”

Shooting you straight ... 14-15 Clear cut facts about the new gun law legislations and statistics.

MAINE EVENT Junior Abram Cutshall and freshman Bella Jones rehearse a scene from “Almost, Maine” which The Spotlight Players will begin performing on Nov. 17 in the auditorium. The play focuses on nine couples in various stages of relationships. PHOTO BY EMILY HALL

Why I am against guns ... 16-17 The prevalence of fast food and first hand experience from fast food fans.

Why I am for guns ... 18-19

As told to narrative from a student who’s family upbringing has lead him to support gun ownage.

Advertising is overused ... 20

The role that advertising has both on the consumer, and the gun community

Guns are everywhere ... 21

Just because mass shootings aren’t right next door, doesn’t mean they aren’t real.

On the fefensive ... 22

Taking a self-defense class at UFC Gym was a life changer for Juliet Fuhrmann.

ERRONEOUS ENGLISH EVALUATIONS Skylar Laird really loves to read and write, so she should love her English classes. However, because of how students are evaluated in these classes, more often than not, she finds herself frustrated. PHOTO BY EMILY MANN

Shak-ing things up ... 23

Former star Shakara Jones returns to aid girls hoops team

A historic season ... 24-25 Girls tennis team volleyed its way to best season ever.

BEFORE I GRADUATE...

A bucket list to complete before you graduate highschool. A list of crucial life experiences, thrilling activities, and whacky ideas that will make your highschool years memorable.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ELISA SWANSON

Application blues ... 27 The process of applying to college needs to be mended, according to Lukas Mendel.

Literal language ... 28 BUILDING A FUTURE Junior Brittany Hughes focuses on welding practice at Lewis & Clark Technical School on Oct. 13. Making a stand as being one of few female students in the Welding program. PHOTO BY WHITNEY KLEIN

Nov. 11, 2016

Skylar Laird loves English classes, but how they’re evaluated ... not so much.

An issue of life or death ... 29 Our staff editorial argues that guns are the issue, not people.

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discover

NEED A DOCTOR? Rebecca Cooper practices taking blood pressure on Kayla Luetkenhaus while she talks with Brooke Winkler. All participate in the Health Occupations program at Lewis & Clark.

PHOTOS BY WHITNEY KLEIN.

Expedition to success Lewis and Clark Career Center provides hands-on learning

By Whitney Klein

Staff reporter Junior Triniti Johnson wakes up in the morning in hopes of teaching a kindergarten class. She heads to FHC only to leave right away and go to the Lewis & Clark Career Center where she learns all about teaching kids in the Early Childhood Careers program.

Johnson learns the best ways to care for children; she’s optimistic as she learns everything she wants to know about her future career in the field of Childcare.

“It’s a great opportunity. It helps in many different careers whether you want to be a counselor or a nurse. You learn a lot about kids and teenagers because, believe it or not, teenagers are a lot like children. They act exactly the same,” Johnson said.

The Lewis & Clark Career Center is a place for students who wish

to better their about your dream future, they job. The teachers have programs and staff at Lewis that cover a and Clark expect wide variety of a certain level careers from of maturity and childcare to respect from their carpentry. The students. Students mission of who act out can Lewis & Clark TEACHER! TEACHER! : Junior Triniti be kicked from the Career Center Johnson, left, and a classmate create a program. Behavior is to provide birthday cake project in the preschool area. and Attendance Both girls are in the Early Childhood Care a positive program. are very important l e a r n i n g especially during environment the application for students, complement their project. Don’t make a small academic skills with career mistake that can ruin it. training and promote character “It’s a really big opportunity. I’m development and leadership pretty blessed to be in this program. skills which lead to measurable It’s just a really big opportunity, future success. Most programs and if somebody wanted to join, I at Lewis and Clark are two year would really encourage them to,” programs, but there are some Johnson said. one year programs that you can Johnson believes it is a great take again to learn even more opportunity for anyone wanting

work with children in their future.

“What we work on is teaching, but it goes way beyond that. It sets you up to work with kids. It shows you how to talk to them, communication with them, how to control their behavior, how to fix their behavior, the different stages of childhood. Any career that involves early childhood, this program could help you towards that career,” Johnson said.

The Early Childhood program is one of many great programs like Auto Service Technology. This course is open to individuals who have an interest in auto service trades or auto mechanics as a career goal. It provides students with the basic theory and skills needed for an entry-level position as an auto technician and service modern cars. Senior Phil Faul explained what it’s like being in this program where they get to

BUILDING A FUTURE: Students from the brick & stone/masonry program work on laying brick. Each year they build a house which is sold to actual people by a realtor.

BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN: Brittany Hughes, junior, participates in the welding program at Lewis & Clark. She is one of few girls enrolled in this program.

“If you’re into anything at Lewis & Clark, like if you like doing anything different, job-wise, something that makes you happy, you can learn about it and you can improve your chances at the future you want.”

Phil Faul, senior auto service technology student learn what they love: fixing cars.

“It offers me extra certifications for when I go to work on cars in the real world. Already having these certifications gives me a general knowledge of the practice. You get to hang out with kids that have the same interests as you. I don’t think there’s a downside, I love it,” Faul said.

Junior Joseph Cammarata believes the program is a big step toward a future he wants.

“It’s a technical program to learn a trade and better yourself, so you can get somewhere in life.You go in knowing little about something and come out knowing so much more. I know so much than I did before about what I want to do,” Cammarata said. “I like just learning about what I want to do.”

While Cammarata and Faul are on the road to a great future, junior Brooke Winkler heads to the Lewis & Clark daily for the Health Occupations program.

Students learn the basic skills, terminology, and procedures needed for an entry-level job and further education in the medical field. They have a chance to visit real hospitals and work with real patients.

Winkler encourages other students with an interest

in becoming a doctor to join this program.

“We go to hospitals and get a first-hand experience with what we’ve learned and see real doctors doing what we hope to do,” Winkler said. “I love it, but you should be 100 percent for the program. You don’t want to walk in there then realize that is not what you want to do.”

Junior Rebecca Cooper also takes part in the Health Occupations program. She hopes to one day be a nurse practitioner.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s definitely worth it,” Cooper said. “You learn a lot like time management. You graduate with license and are

LETS TAKE A DRIVE: Robert Rodamaker and friend participate in the auto service program at L & C. In the above picture, they’re working on a car engine.

Nov. 11, 2016

certified in CPR and all the other things. You learn new things, and you’re able to go to real hospitals and work with actual nurses and patients. I think everyone can learn from it. It will help them in the long run if they want to work in the medical field.”

Hospitals always need computer technicians and technical support which is where junior Dimitry Robertson comes in.

He participates in the Computer Maintenance and Networking program. This program prepares students to work as an entry level help desk technician, a computer repair technician, or a computer support technician in all kinds of businesses and industries, and it also prepares you for future study in the hardware, operating systems or networking fields.

Robertson says Lewis and Clark is more enjoyable since you are able to do what you love.

“You do something you want to do instead of being forced to do something like in regular school and you get a lot more freedom,” Robertson said.

Lewis and Clark is a great opportunity that students should take if interested. It could be the first step to a great future.

Success rates Of Lewis & Clark students 91%

of the students earned their certificates last year.

50%

of students are employed in their field after completing L&C — 124 employed — 62 in the field they studied at L&C..

84%

students who went on to continue their education in the field that they started learning here are at a four-year school, a total of 31 students.

45%

students who went on to continue their education in the field that they started learning here at a two-year school — 73 students at twoyear school — 33 in related field.

50%

military students — 18 went to the military — 9 of them in a related field.

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