Sept. 25, 2015 issue

Prop Y’s failure leaves FHSD students and faculty

2

SEPT. 25, 2015

SEPT. 25, 2015

staff members

letters to the editor

digital media

Editor-In-Chief

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

Online

Eden Gundersen

Web Editor

Jared McClellan

Design Editor Morgan Brader

Discover Editor

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Contents

staff

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.

Cadence Bippen

Feature Editor

September

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 @fhcpublications francis howell central publications @fhcpublications

Olivia Biondo

Voice/Entertain Editor

fhcpublications

20

Becca Abrams

Photo Editor Taylor Tinnes

Video Editor

Quentin Webert

Staff Reporters

Elizabeth Gerger, Dulci Hedges, Jack Hiegel, Skylar Laird, Elaine Mallon, Emily Mann, Bri Shatto, Will Sills, Leslie Sutton, Elisa Swanson, Kaleigh Zehnle, Stacey Zika

Photographers

Adviser/for advertising inquiries Matthew Schott matthew.schott@fhsdschools.com

t’s the start of something new in Room 139 this year. We’ve changed almost everything about our paper and we’re proud to introduce to you, our dear readers, the new and improved Central Focus. You’ll notice a HUGE change this year: color. We here at the Central Focus staff are now able to provide to you a beautifully designed more “magazine-like” newspaper, which was our ultimate goal with the redesign. Our staff, myself

especially, truly hope you enjoy our bright, shiny and new technicolor paper. And don’t forget, now you, too, can have a voice in the Central Focus! Just send in your comments or story ideas to fhcpub@gmail. com and we’ll definitely take everything you say into personal account. We all hope you enjoy our new and improved newspaper.

Eden Gundersen editor-in-chief

online

Fall sports teams have been filled not only with new players, but coaches, as five teams are under the guidance of new leaders.

Depp transforms for new gangster film

4 Still here

Check out Will Sills’ review of ‘Black Mass’ starring Johnny Depp on his review blog at FHCtoday.com

Two years ago, more than 50 Normandy students came to FHC in a highly controversial decision. Now, 26 students still make the daily trek from the Normandy district.

Belle Herrera, Josephene Julien, Morgan West, Deairra Williams, Dakota Wisdom

letter from the editor I

Fall fields filled with new coaches

12 “Curious” beginnings The Spotlight Players begin production of “The Curious Savage” the first main stage play for the troupe’s 2015-16 season.

En route to Head Coach Pete Eberhardt’s first victory as the football coach, junior quarterback Jackson Berck evades Troy’s Chad Brunnert as he scrambles downfield. The Spartans gave their new coach his first win Sept. 11, defeating Troy 31-14.

Belen Herrera

4 SEPT. 25, 2015

DISCOVER

discover

Twenty-six students make the 22-mile trek from the Normandy School District to FHC each school day, two years after students from the Normandy district were allowed to transfer due to their district losing state accreditation.

Sophomores Jasmine Brooks and Dominic Meriwether, freshman Mariah Hampton, sophomore Jordan Harris, D’Andre Perkins, juniors Kyzarreon Riggins and Skylr Smith and sophomores Markita Fields and Jada Brooks are a few of the 26 students from Normandy.

The struggle for a good education

Photo illustration

by Taylor Tinnes

Normandy students who still attend FHC are thankful for learning opportunities they receive

by Kaleigh Zehnle staff reporter When students from the Normandy school district transferred to Francis Howell School District two years ago, no one knew exactly what to expect or how FHSD schools would be impacted. According to guidance counselor Tim Holmes, after two years, 26 Normandy students still come to school at Francis Howell Central.

Junior Skylr Smith and sophomore Jordan Harris both had mixed feelings about transferring schools. Being the “new kid” certainly comes with its anxieties: wondering if they will make friends, where they will sit at lunch, and what their new teachers will be like. In addition, the transfer students had to worry about being accepted by the parents of FHSD, as some were angry about the thought of other students taking time away from their kids.

“At first I was nervous because I was starting

DISCOVER’S MUST READ

8

Learn what’s on the cutting block for Prop Y.

high school,” Smith said. “I didn’t know how things were going to be because I was used to what I was [involved] in at my old school district, so I didn’t know how things were gonna work out here.”

Having similar apprehensions, Harris was worried at the thought of being thrown into a strange, new environment. After becoming accustomed to the rules of her old school, it would be hard to adjust to the rules at a different school.

“I was excited and nervous at the same time because it was my first time switching schools, and I didn’t know what to expect,” Harris said.

Although some students may have been wary about the change between districts, sophomore Markita Fields was excited to transfer from Normandy and discover the possible opportunities at FHC, and she wasn’t disappointed.

“It’s more organized, and I like the environment better,” Fields said. She is satisfied with the way

her teachers approach their jobs, and she feels they have given her better chances to learn.

Both Smith and Harris have grown accustomed to FHC, just as Fields has. All three girls agree that going to FHC has given them a more wellrounded high school experience.

“I’m more comfortable and everything,” Harris said. “They have more opportunities and everything than my other school. Like, they have more sports, more clubs.”

Harris has enjoyed having teachers who truly care about their students and who will answer any questions, even ones she thinks are dumb. Fields and Smith agree that the learning experience provided at FHC outweighs that of the Normandy district.

For Smith, the quality of her high school education ranks high on her lists of values. She has aspirations for her future, and she wanted to

Entertain Questions: We asked FHC’s best actors and actresses their opinions on shows, scripts, and what it’s like under the spotlight. Learn more about their experiences on Page 30.

What is your favorite character you have played?

My favorite character I have played so far was Mal, the normal stickler of a father from Addams Family.

5 SEPT. 25, 2015

What is your favorite line from a play?

This line from The Curious Savage. “Do you light up when you’re mating, Lily Belle? Lord knows you’re flighty.”

It’s so savage, I love it!

If you weren’t an actor what crew would you be on?

Definitely set crew.

There is something truly amazing about watching a drawing of a house come to life full-scale.

have the greatest chance at accomplishing those goals.

“It was more important [for me to stay at FHC] because the things I wanna do when I grow up, it requires a lot of stuff to challenge me,” Smith said. “I really didn’t have challenge at Normandy.”

On the other hand, according to Smith, there are students who transferred to FHC who decided to return to school at Normandy because they either didn’t like the school or wanted to be back with the friends and environment they had grown up with.

The students who remain at FHC agree the opportunities and experience provided at FHC surpass anything they could be given back in the Normandy school district.

Though the operation now runs pretty smoothly, according to Principal Sonny Arnel, there have been some bumps along the way. One year ago, after Normandy students had attended school in FHSD for a year, problems arose revolving around accreditation, which is the combined score for a school district based on the average of three years of testing. Two years ago, Normandy was unaccredited, which is what allowed their students to attend whichever school they preferred in a neighboring district.

“When the state testing changed last year, the state tried to give Normandy reaccreditation. Normandy also changed the name of their school district,” Dr. Arnel said. “As a result, they tried to get different accreditation.”

Essentially, the state granted Normandy a grace period to increase its test and accreditation scores. The courts found this action illegal and declared the Normandy district

would remain unaccredited.

“That’s why at first it came out that we weren’t gonna receive any students from Normandy,” Dr. Arnel said. “Then kids, individually, started challenging that in court cases, and kids were granted permission to return to Central last year.”

The Normandy students returned to FHC a few at a time, gradually working up to the current number of 26 throughout the 2014-2015 school year. Since the grace period for Normandy to reclaim accreditation was invalidated, its students were able to attend FHC by the same rule that allowed them to come here two years ago, according to Dr. Arnel.

“That’s why that was just carried over this year without any question,” Dr. Arnel said. “So students were allowed to return here, and should be allowed to return here indefinitely, until Normandy gains a different accreditation status.”

Now, the bumps have been resolved, and the Normandy School District has been cooperative in the operation.

Normandy provides transportation to FHC, although students can go to various districts, as long as they can get themselves there.

For the students who still attend FHC, they are thankful that the court overruled the grace period, allowing them to gain the knowledge and experiences that they would not have been able to obtain otherwise.

“At the end of the day, I didn’t really feel like I was learning anything [at Normandy],” Smith said. “It’s a good experience [attending FHC]. It gives me more opportunities and it’s helping me to prepare for college.”

Timeline June 2013 - The Missouri Supreme Court upheld the transfer law, which says students in a district without accreditation can choose another school to attend.

July 2013 - Normandy School District decides to provide transportation to Francis Howell schools.

August 2013 - 475 Normandy students transfer to FHSD, and 49 come to FHC. Winter 2013 - 350 Normandy students file paperwork to return to FHSD for the next school year.

June 20, 2014 - FHSD officials announce they would no longer accept Normandy transfer students.

July 1, 2014 Normandy was supposed to become a state-run district called Normandy Schools Collaborative and have its accreditation reclassified.

August 2014 Normandy students wanting to return to FHSD went before a St. Louis County judge to obtain court orders.

Aug. 15, 2014 - St. Louis County Circuit Judge Michael Burton ruled Normandy and other districts must comply with the transfer law.

Sept. 4, 2014 - 17 Normandy students were re-enrolled in FHSD, 230 were exercising transfer rights.

2014-2015 school year - In all, 26 Normandy students return to FHC.

discover

6 discover SEPT. 25, 2015

Will you vote?

“No. I have no hope for this country.”

“Yes. If I wanna change anything then I gotta vote.”

“Probably not, because first off, I’m not really into politics on TV right now, it’s just more like a reality TV show.”

“If they don’t vote, and the person that they didn’t like won, that’s their own fault, cause they had the opportunity to say who they wanted as president.“

Welcome to CandiLand

By Cadence Bippen Discover Editor

Seniors and several juniors will be able to vote for the next LEADER OF OUR NATION (potus) (LOL). But since they are ignorant high schoolers, one has to wonder what they know and think about the hot political topics. Turns out, kids are a lot smarter than they look! This is how 16 students responded to the most important/controversial/ cray things in society.

Donald Trump “I don’t, I, no. I just, no. I don’t think he should be president.

He’s too self-centered and he’s too full of himself and he thinks that he’s entitled.

And he’s really not.”

How do you feel about abortion?

“I think that it should be banned because pretty soon, the baby has a heartbeat, and once it has a heartbeat, it’s a life and it’s just the same as murder if they kill it.”

“I think in emergency cases it’s all right, I really feel as if it’s the person’s choice. That other people shouldn’t make the choices for other people. It’s your own choice, do what you want.”

7 SEPT. 25, 2015

Bernie Sanders “That’s who I’d be voting for, because he’s got a lot of good policies like the healthcare and the college education prices. I think he has the best policies.”

Hillary Clinton “I really haven’t been paying attention to her policies. If she became president, I wouldn’t have a problem with it. It’d be cool because she’d be our first female president.”

How do you feel about gun control?

How do you feel about immigration issues?

Jeb Bush “I really have no clue about what his policies are.”

“I think there should be more gun control. In all the places where they have stricter gun laws, there’s way less crime.”

“I think those [restrictions] should not be there. I don’t think it’s the guns that kill, it’s the people.”

“I think they should have less freedom on that, people keep getting shot up and stuff. And killed.”

“You think criminals care about the law? ‘Oh now, a law was made that says people can’t use guns, that means I have to follow it now cause I’m totally lawabiding.’”

“I understand the need to regulate it because otherwise there’s gonna be too many people. “ “Immigrants should be allowed, but they should come for good reasons, like to start a life.'

The players

Seniors Race Walton Adrian Fudge Jared Tredway Gabby Bianchi Samantha Taplin Juniors Kaleigh Ammond Sophomores McKenna Starich Max Venker Tucker Jones Ryan Moore Carlin Bippen Mackenzie Spaulding Andrew Cox Freshmen Matt Mossinghoff David Hubbard Malyka Janjua

How do you feel about gay marriage?

“The thing is, my religion, they don’t support it, so I don’t support it but I’m not against it so you can do what you wanna do, that’s fine with me. You do you.”

“It’s absolutely fine. I have nothing against it, and no one should, honestly.”

“Gay marriage… I don’t like it. I think it’s stupid.”

“I’m not against it, I’m not exactly with it either. I’m not gay, so I don’t think I can really judge it.”

How do you feel about global warming?

“It’s bad and I think we should do more to slow the process as much as we can.”

“I don’t know, I hear different things from my science teachers, so. Yeah, it’s a problem, but I don’t really know what I’m supposed to do to fix it.”

illustrations courtesy of MCT Campus, photo illustration by Cadence Bippen and Morgan Brader

DISCOVER

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SEPT. 25, 2015

SEPT. 25, 2015

Cutting costs

Failed tax levy will force cuts to supplies, personnel

by Jack Hiegel staff reporter $20 million is enough money to make anybody’s head turn around whenever they hear it mentioned.

Most people would never dream of having so much money, yet this is exactly how much money Prop Y, a tax levy, would have provided for the district on a yearly basis had it passed.

However, now that this proposition has failed, the district is faced with not receiving this money as well as budget cuts of $10-$12 million for the 2016-2017 school year.

Prop Y, which entailed a 90 cent increase per $100 of assessed property value, failed on Aug. 4 with a vote of 66 percent. According to FHSD Chief Finance Officer Kevin Supple, this money would have gone into a variety of different areas.

“The three main focal areas for Prop Y were to maintain class sizes at current levels, provide access to enhanced curriculum including updated technology, and recruit and retain excellent teachers,” Mr. Supple said.

This money would have first gone directly to the district and then spread among the various schools that make up the district. Principal Sonny Arnel does not know the amount of money that FHC would have received as it was not officially determined.

“The budget for each school is determined by the district based on the number of students at each school for that year, so we didn’t have

a concrete amount of money that would go to FHC,” Dr. Arnel said.

Now that the proposition has failed, the district will not only have to cut budgets for the next school year and not receive the increase in funding, but it will also have to consider additional cuts for the 2015-2016 school year. Mr. Supple said the Board of Education already cut $8.2 million from the current school year’s budget in June.

“The Board is currently engaged in conversations about what additional budget reductions may be made for 2015 to 2016,” Mr. Supple said.

On the district-wide scale, all budget areas will be affected by these further restrictions.

Activities Director Scott Harris is not certain about what definite cuts will be made to the school budget.

“The Board is meeting right now, so they will let us know what to cut. We are expecting some severe cuts,” Mr. Harris said.

One of the main aspects of budgeting that will definitely be impacted by the cuts will be staffing.

As Mr. Supple puts it, a substantial amount of money is spent on the faculty of the schools.

“85 percent of the district budget is spent on salaries and benefits. It is not possible to make significant budget reductions without impacting personnel,” Mr. Supple said.

Due to the large amount of the budget that

goes towards staffing, Dr. Arnel is expecting to have to cut some of FHC’s staff due to the budget restrictions.

“We will definitely have less people. Last year, we cut $4.2 million from personnel for the 20152016 school year,” Dr. Arnel said. “We were forced to cut some of our staff. Due to these cuts, we will have to cut more of the faculty.”

In addition to this, Dr. Arnel is expecting some money to be cut from sports, activities, and clubs.

He also said that some activities may be cut from the budget entirely.

“Again, the board tells us what to cut, so we don’t know for certain,” Dr. Arnel said. “However, they are considering a list of areas, and freshman sports and activities are among them.”

Echoing Dr. Arnel’s statement, Mr. Harris said that FHC and its officials do not have a major say in what gets cut from their school. Most of that authority lies with the district and the Board of Education.

“Our budgets are assigned to us by the district.

They meet in February and decide what needs to be cut,” Mr. Harris said.

At this point, which clubs, activities, or sports are cut or the exact amount of money that will eliminated from the budget is uncertain. What is certain is that FHC will be seriously affected by Prop Y’s failure to pass and by losing out on $20 million.

$20 million requested in Prop Y could purchase:

33,333 iPads

44,444 Dell Latitude laptops

50 presidential yearly salaries

13.33% of Jurassic World’s $150 million budget

SENIORS! Nov. 15 is the deadline for senior photos

* Call Cilento Photography at (636) 237-2732 to schedule your appointment. * Make sure you are photographed no later than November 15, 2015 (to appear in the yearbook). Please note—a basic session (yearbook only) is available at no charge if photographed in the studio on or before September 1, 2015. * After you’ve been photographed, select your pose for the yearbook.

To ensure it meets the yearbook requirements, we ask parents or guardians to accompany seniors at the studio when selecting your pose.

Call 636.237.2732 today!

10 SEPT. 25, 2015

Feature

Staying

HOME

from coming

As the dance approaches, students not attending believe they have made the better choice

by Skylar Laird staff reporter The students are dressed up, the gym is decorated, the music is blaring; it’s tomorrow night, and the dance is in full force.

What goes unseen amongst all the chaos and dancing, however, are the students who decided to not attend, and the hassle they skipped. From the cost of dresses and tuxes to the pressure of finding a date, the classmates not at the party may not really be the ones missing out.

Between dresses, shoes, makeup, hair, tuxes, tickets, and all the other Homecoming necessities, money can become a serious issue. Junior Rachel Harvey is no exception; after her spending last year, attending was out of her mind.

“Girls spend a lot on makeup and dresses and all of that. Last year, I spent more than a hundred dollars on my dress, and my brother’s girlfriend is a makeup artist, so I got my makeup done for free, but if I had paid for that, and with hair, it probably would’ve cost me two hundred-something dollars,” Harvey says. “That did [impact my decision

feature’S MUST READ

12

Theatre troupe opens its season with a dramatic comedy.

to not go].”

Junior Keegan Stray agreed that the need to spend hundreds of dollars was a deterrent from attending. Although girls seem to spend more, it’s no cheap night for boys, either.

“Guys spend probably a max of 140 dollars, which is crazy just for one night,” Stray said. “Girls definitely spend more than guys, too.”

However, the cost isn’t the only reason for students to remain at home. As Homecoming proposals become more abundant, the expectation of having someone to go with becomes another reason to just skip altogether.

“I went the past two years and really didn’t have that much fun, but then again, I never really had a date, so I think that might contribute to it. If I had a date, I’d probably go,” Stray said.

Stray wasn’t the only student who had a negative Homecoming experience because of his date, or lack thereof. According to Harvey, a bad date can make or break the homecoming experience.

“I had a bad date last year, so that’s part of the reason (I’m not going this year),” Harvey said, laughing at the memory. “Some people don’t want to go because they don’t have dates or groups to go in.”

These students aren’t necessarily missing out on the party; they just side-stepped the cost and planned more casual events with friends who share in their decision to not go.

“I’ll probably get a few friends together who aren’t going either and just hang out,” Stray said. Harvey had the same idea.

“I might just hang out with a bunch of friends, maybe go somewhere,” she said.

Restaurants, main street, and simply meeting at a friend’s house were all valid options.

Although getting together with friends is an option, Homecoming is an experience students may not want to miss. Freshman Eric Wickenhauser deemed the stress and spending worth it to have a good night with friends.

“It sounds like fun,” Wickenhauser said, shrugging. “I figured it would kind of suck to miss out on.”

Entertain Questions: We asked FHC’s best actors and actresses their opinions on shows, scripts, and what it’s like under the spotlight. Learn more about their experiences on Page 30.

What has been your favorite scene?

My favorite scene is from Addams Family, my song with Esther Davis where I prove that I too could be cool and crazy.

11

feature

What sets theatre apart from other clubs?

We all became a family so quickly. I don’t think I have ever seen any other club have the power to do that.

What is your dream character to play?

It’s always been a dream to portray Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” He’s just a big ball of sequined fun.

The real cost

SEPT. 25, 2015

A typical hair-do costs about $65 Men’s ties are normally priced around $30

Professional make-up applications usually cost about $50

Boutonnieres are conventionally $15

Dresses from a standard boutique are normally priced around $100

A men’s dress shirt is usually priced around $30

Generally, a corsage costs roughly $15

Dress pants are typically $25

Men’s dress shoes are usually about $40

Shoes usually are $50 at a boutique

Total for girls: about $280 graphic by Morgan Brader and Eden Gundersen

Total for boys: about $140

feature

12 feature

‘

SEPT. 25, 2015

“We had about 150 students at our kick off meeting. Other schools, it can be like pulling teeth to get people to participate, here we have so many that there is an overabundance of talent.” -Mrs. Cori Nelson, theatre director

Jazz Ensemble earns huge opportunity with state performance

by Jared McClellan

Showtime!

The Spotlight Players begin production on “The Curious Savage,” “The Wizard of Oz” Deairra Williams

Senior Jack Roither, freshman Olivia Hritzkowin, sophomore Abram Cutshall and junior Laura Weiss participate in a read through of “The Curious Savage” on stage in the auditorium on Sept. 1.

Production and rehearsals have already begun for the play, which will open Thursday, Nov. 19.

“The Curious Savage” Nov. 19-21 Thursday show begins at 6:30 p.m.

Friday & Saturday shows begin at 7 p.m.

“The Wizard of Oz” April 21-23 Thursday show begins at 6:30 p.m.

Friday & Saturday shows begin at 7 p.m.

Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time.

Nervous notes

13 SEPT. 25, 2015

by Olivia Biondo feature editor The school year is in full swing, and the theatre department is ready to take on whatever comes next. This year, the department is putting on productions of “The Curious Savage” in the fall and “The Wizard of Oz” in the spring.

“The Curious Savage” is a dramatic comedy that takes a wild turn when issues over an inheritance take place, leaving a widowed woman inside a mental institution.

“The Wizard of Oz” in the spring closely resembles that of the 1939 movie with Judy Garland. Dorothy gets whisked away into Oz, where she meets friends that help her complete the journey and get back home.

Being involved in the department requires a lot of effort out of everyone; the crews, the actors and even the parents. The key is to be organized with a production, and that is what Mrs. Cori Nelson, the theater director and manager, strives for.

“Organization is a huge factor along

with hard work. Of course you want to be creative and make things interesting, but if there are not strong structures in place it will all fall down,” said Mrs. Nelson. “I have worked really hard to bring structure and organization to our department, and I feel it really makes a positive difference.”

The hard work that has to be put in for a production takes place requires a lot of time. The theatre department spends, on average, about 70 hours together for each production.

Senior stage manager Emily Eastman has seen firsthand all of the work that needs to be completed and she has quite a bit of her own work to do in order for a production to be pulled off.

“As the stage manager for this show I organize and coordinate the production.

I have the overall responsibility to make sure the show goes smoothly and try to problem solve when it doesn’t,” Eastman said.

There are several components to a production, not only are there the actors and directors, but there are multiple

different crews as well.

There are ten different crews, which all have different jobs that help to pull a show together. One member of a crew is junior Samantha Houmes, and she knows firsthand how lengthy it is for a production to be created.

“I don’t think that the crews get as much credit as they deserve. Many days those of us on costumes crew are there as long as the actors, sometimes even later,” Houmes said.

Each crew has its own responsibilities, and all the members help to make the production come together. There is more than meets the eye in the theater department, and without the hard work from everyone, it would not be anywhere close to how it is now.

“I am really amazed by how many students want to be in theatre! We had about 150 students at our kick off meeting,” Nelson said. “Other schools it can be like pulling teeth to get people to participate, here we have so many that there is an overabundance of talent in our department.”

Returning Jazz Ensemble member Steven Haarmann plays his saxophone during class. “The fact that I helped [Mr. Griffin] get there now, it is kind of a pride booster,” Haarmann said.

multimedia executive editor Jazz Ensemble has a lot of fresh faces due to the fact it lost many seniors last year. This new era has to live up to that of the old with their performance at the state convention at TanTar-A, a resort placed down at the Lake of the Ozarks, this coming January.

The loss of seniors from last year in Jazz Ensemble has made the atmosphere of the band different. Senior Cameron Lundberg, plays the trumpet for the group.

“The seniors were a huge part,” Lundberg said. “They were most of the rhythm section. We have a pretty fresh rhythm section, we have a sophomore on drums. Pretty new saxophone section because pretty much all of them were seniors last year, there is only two returning trumpet players.”

Seniors within Jazz Ensemble have a large responsibility within the group. This responsibility is already at a set standard coming in, but increases senior year.

“A little bit more responsibility Other than that nothing has really changed. Being in ensemble you already have a standard set high that you have to achieve,” Lundberg said. “Seniors tend

to take more solos and they end up becoming section leaders, so they have to make sure that everyone in their section makes sure they are all doing the same articulation, practicing and on the same page.”

The seniors not only made a big part of the band, they also were friends with many of the people in Jazz Ensemble, one of whom is senior Steven Haarmann.

“I was close with them so it was losing a lot of friends,” Haarmann said. ““The atmosphere is a little different because I knew all of them.”

This change caused a difference to occur in how well the band played together due to a shift in the atmosphere of the classroom.

“I knew how they played, and they knew how I played,” Haarmann said. “It made it more fun.”

The lossage of seniors within the jazz band is quite a blow because the ensemble from last year had submitted the recording that put the Jazz Ensemble from this year into the state conference.

Senior Natalie Ficht has mixed emotions about this statewide conference due to changes within the band.

“I was super happy, then I was super sad because all of our seniors left,” Ficht said. “Now we don’t have the same group as we did before.”

The state convention is very exclusive and the selection process is very tough because it is all jazz bands within the state of Missouri sending in recordings. For Mr. Nathan Griffin this is a careerdefining moment that he is very excited for.

“To say this is a big deal is understating the performance. For me personally, this is a careerdefining moment. Many try for this event but only few get the privilege,” Mr. Griffin said. “I am extremely humbled and so excited for our students to be a part. Only the best jazz groups in the state get invited and I am happy to say that we are now a part of that honor.”

“Seniors tend to take more solos and they end up becoming section leaders, so they have to make sure that everyone in their section make sure they are all doing the same articulation, practicing and on the same page.” - Cameron Lundberg, senior

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SEPT. 25, 2015

2015-16 YEARBOOK ORDER FORM

BUY IT! $50 is a pretty affordable price for 300 pages of memories.

Give us your information below (and 50 bucks) and you’ll have your name put down for one copy of FHC’s awardwinning yearbook, the Odyssey.

What we need from you (please write clearly): Your name:____________________________ Year in school:_________________________ Cash or check:_________________________ Date:______________ (ALL CHECKS MUST BE MADE OUT TO FHC PUBLICATIONS)

If you prefer to use a credit card, you can do so at this address: https://ybstore.friesens.com/stores/422005

IMPORTANT DEADLINES: $50 price: from the start of school until Dec. 18, 2015 $65 price: from Dec. 19 until end of school year $75 price: at pick-up, no extra copies guaranteed

RECEIPT

Thanks for ordering your copy of the 2015-16 Odyssey.

Books will be available at registration in the summer of 2016. If you have questions, please contact Matthew Schott at matthew.schott@fhsdschools.org Order date:_______________

Staff signature

Amount paid:_____________

__________________

Dates to know FHC Publications has partnered with Club’s Choice to give students a chance to earn a free yearbook.

Sell 15 tubs of cookie dough and you’ll earn a copy of the 2015-16 Odyssey for free! Get order forms at schedule pickup Collect all money and checks (made out to FHC Publications) at the time of order.

Money is due when you submit order forms.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Order forms submitted to Rm. 139 by: Tuesday, Aug. 25 Cookie pick-up: Monday, Sept. 17 in school cafeteria (2:30-5p) All orders MUST be picked up, as FHC Publications has no way to store your cookie dough if it is not picked up Questions?

Ask Mr. Schott at matthew.schott@ fhsdschools.or

focus

15 SEPT. 25, 2015

Measuring the impact Now that Prop Y has come to naught, students, faculty and parents are all in a gray zone with information and details of the future of FHSD and its budget.

by Elisa Swanson

O

staff reporter ver the summer, voters turned down Prop Y 66 percent to 34 percent. The failed vote does not mean no change within our school.

Students, parents and staff are awaiting official decisions from the board of education. For now, it is blurry what could happen and what is going to happen due to cuts needed.

Staff members prepare to make cuts and brace for when the board of education makes cuts, not knowing if it will be jobs or supplies, no matter what the cut is it will limit opportunities for students. Library specialist, Kelly Hauquitz, already feels the effects of cutting one of their department members hours back. n See MEASURING, on page 18

16

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Predictions of restrictions

“We absolutely are going to have to make reductions in order for us to be able to have the balances that we need to run the school district. So we absolutely will have to make the reductions, we have to make them,” - Dr. Pam Sloan, district superintendent

Prop Y’s failure leaves people wondering where the remaining money in the district will come from

By Emily Mann

T

staff reporter here are numerous factors that go into the budget allowed for our school, such as tax levies, and the amount of money we get from local property taxes. We have been in a recession since about 2008; therefore, property values have been decreasing, limiting the amount of money the school district receives in revenue. As expenses continue to increase, the district has seen no substantial increase in revenue, so covering these costs has become more and more of a struggle.

“We see things go up [but], we haven’t had that increase in revenue to be commensurate with that,” Superintendent Pam Sloan said.

There was a 20 cent cut off of the tax levy, which at first seems like a minuscule cut, but has resulted in the district being out $4 million. With all of these complications it left the district with little choice but to ask voters in the district for the money with Proposition Y (which was voted down 66 percent to 34 percent in the Aug. 4 election), and without this money, restrictions and cuts are necessary and can not be avoided.

“We absolutely are going to have to make reductions in order for us to be able to have the balances that we need to run the school district. So we absolutely will have to make the reductions, we have to make them,” Dr. Sloan said.

The district has not had an operating increase in 25 years, so it was to be expected that eventually the district would need more funds, and if they weren’t given, cuts would need to be made. Although the 2015-2016 budget was already in place prior to Prop Y not passing, the board has already begun making reductions.

The current 2015-2016 district budget anticipates $174.5 million in revenue, and $188.7 million in expenditures. This budget was reduced by $8.2 million — $4.2 of that was staff reductions — and the remaining $4 million was reduced from non-personnel items, according to Kevin Supple, Chief Financial Officer of the Francis Howell School District.

“Once we have direction from the Board we will know the

17 SEPT. 25, 2015

SEPT. 25, 2015

depth of budget reductions necessary. It is possible that some or all of the items mentioned [in the question] will be included in the budget reductions for next year,” Mr. Supple said.

FHC’s budget for the 2015-2016 school year is $229,341, but with the 10 percent cut it will be $206,407. Mrs. Melissa Halloran, the financial secretary, knows how these cuts will affect the separate departments.

“This is an already tight budget so to have to trim 10 percent from that is a lot...we will do as best as we can to find money elsewhere to help cover that,” Mrs. Melissa Halloran said. “We have to be very mindful and only buy what is an absolute must.”

As further reductions are made there comes restrictions and limitations, and an increased number of cuts. The cutting of busing for students who live within three-and-a-half miles of the school starting second semester has been heavily discussed, but at the Sept. 17 board meeting, a motion to bus students who lived 3.5 miles or further away lost 4-3.

The board also decided at the same meeting to place a new tax initiative on the April 2016 ballot, though it was not announced the amount the initiative will be seek from taxpayers.

Also, the current budget does not include any funds for upgrading technology, and severely limits the funds available for writing curriculum and purchasing instructional materials.

In the Budget Reduction Considerations FY16 document, cuts are proposed that would result in $1 million. On this list, curriculum step/cycle work is estimated to have $187,200 in value. However, although cutting curriculum will be beneficial to the budget, it will not be beneficial to the students. Seniors will not be affected by this as heavily as underclassmen, and future students will, because as the years progress the material will become more and more outdated.

“Being able to have the right curriculum for students to learn that is a big ticket item. Not that kids would immediately feel that in the classroom, but they will not have the most up-to-date curriculum moving forward,” Dr. Sloan said.

In addition to this hindrance in academic excellence, tutoring programs have already been cut, and this could potentially hurt children’s academic performances, according to Mr. Supple.

“It would be difficult to maintain our current level of academic progress were these types of cuts to remain in place for the long term,” Mr. Supple said. “The level of staffing available in prior years provided...the opportunity to address the needs of struggling learners; the budget reductions currently in place, and those contemplated for next year, will make it more difficult to meet these students’ needs.”

Pertaining to FHC, each department has been asked to cut its budget by 10 percent, and many of them have already seen and felt these constraints.

Fine Arts department chair Michelle McCune is concerned with the quality of their classes being maintained, considering the 10 percent cut.

Although all the departments will be affected, those who seem to be experiencing, or will experience, the most limitations are the Family and Consumer Sciences, Art, and Science; as these classes highly depend on hands-on activities and require lots of material.

The art classes will be able to continue, but supplies students are provided will be limited and the quality of that supplies will be jeopardized. In the future due to the budget cuts the quality of the materials provided by the school will decline, therefore the responsibility of having higher quality materials will fall on the students and parents.

“Any way you slice, art supplies are just expensive and unless we just did things with paper and pencil everything is going to cost,” Mrs. McCune said.

According to Mrs. Luanne Scott, department chair of the science classes, most of the money is spent on consumable lab products; so, the science department will have to be more selective with which labs they chose to do in the future, as the budget will not allow them to do as many as they do now.

“Administrators have always tried to help science out, so we have the money to get what we need … but in the future I would say students will see less and less labs … for example they might see dissections go away” according Mrs. Scott.

The FACS classes are not only suffering from the 10 percent budget decrease, but also the constant increase of consumer

goods. Like the science department, they rely on a lot of hands on activities and labs to teach their students.

When food prices go up, the department chair, Mrs. Kathryn McGuire, ultimately spends more money per lab, resulting in fewer labs in class because the budget remains status quo or is lowered; while food prices continue to go up.

“Cutting our budget by 10 percent is definitely damaging… [but] we are going to make it work...I fear budgets being cut even more-this will cause a downhill spiral for many reasons.

Less hands on practice, less application, lower enrollment, and many more.” according to Mrs. McGuire.

Other departments such as the World Languages, Bands, Drama and Math will have to make cuts to their expenditures to accommodate for the reduction. For example, on top of the 10 percent decrease the band department had already been given a 5 percent decrease before Prop- Y. Thus causing changes in the 5 and 10 year plan created a few years ago that included replacing aging instruments and equipment.

In the World Language department they’ve had to spend a lot of money getting new teachers’ classrooms set up, they had to buy desk supplies and materials that new teachers might not have. Their department laptop carts were supposed to be replaced this year, but will not, and with failing batteries and other issues, language classes struggle to find room in building computer labs.

For all of the drama classes, the budget is spent on materials, books, and projects and the cut will only result in less supplies for the classes.

Lastly, the math department will have less money to spend on supplies, markers, and batteries for graphing calculators. Their biggest loss of funds, however, occurred last spring, when the entire math tutoring budget was cut.

According to Dr. Sloan we have not come to any definite decisions, and as board meetings continue to happen the public will be notified as these decisions are made.

“We haven’t landed, the board has not landed, because they will be the final decision makers here on what exact direction we go [from here]”, Dr. Sloan said.

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SEPT. 25, 2015

g n i r u Meas

t c a p the im

Students, parents and staff alike are all wondering what will happen now that Prop Y has failed.

n Continued from page 15 “Ms. [Kendra] King’s job hours were cut. She has to leave at two o’clock, which really affects us. On early release wednesdays, we have over 100 students in here, and she is the one that supervises our space, and she has to leave.”

Hauquitz said, “On regular academic days, Ms. King leaves at two during seventh hour. So we have 20 minutes of school time where Ms. Head or I are stuck behind the desk. We can’t collaborate with teachers, we can’t support you guys as well.”

The Learning Commons, like all departments in our school, is facing a ten percent budget cut. For the Learning Commons, it means fewer books, fewer supplies and less technology support for students. According to Mrs. Hauquitz, the budget cut is the only guarantee, everything else is waiting for the board decisions. Until then, she said people were on edge with all the speculations about less transportation and activities.

“Speculation is that they may be cutting buses for people that live 3.5 miles or close to the school.

My kids go to an elementary school, I work here.

How am I going to get my kids to school? I don’t know.” Mrs. Hauquitz said. “What will our reality be the next few years? There are things that are going to have to be cut but what are they going to be?”

Departmental opinions vary, but the overall theme is an anticipation for what could come in the future. Right now, money is not being thrown around, but exact specifics that are going to be lost due to Prop Y are hard to list.

“We have not noticed anything significant yet.

But are we anticipating things? Yes.” said Nathan Griffin, one of the band directors.

According to Principal Sonny Arnel, the Board

19

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SEPT. 25, 2015

of Education has a couple of scenarios for the next couple of years. Last year, the school had to cut three teachers and this year those empty spots meant classes with enrollment under twenty students to be dropped. Any more cuts will make the school less capable to meet the demands of every student. Dr. Arnel’s concerns included lower attendance rates if transportation cost are cut, less course options if teachers are cut, and less prepared, involved students if activities, including freshman sports, are cut.

“For most freshman that transition to high school isn’t easy. You are trying figure out where you want to be. Sports give those connections to school and possible friends. I hate that they’ll take that away,” Dr. Arnel said, “ In sports, kids find a good support system, and have an attachment to our school. They have to time manage and cope with different people and different settings outside of the classroom. Later on, all those skills you developed from being on a team will make you a successful person.”

The speculating does not end with the staff.

Students hear the whispers in the walls and are bracing for whatever could come. For freshman Caroline Schroeder, she is concerned about budget cuts for things that could’ve been avoided if Prop Y had passed. Involved in the tennis team, she felt more welcomed to high school coming out for the team.

“I guess if they cut sports, a lot of the teams will change and the overall school spirit will lessen.

Incoming freshmen won’t feel as welcomed,” Schroeder said.

Senior Bryce Sanders, heard the district is going lower transportation, then cut freshman

activities, then at least 100 staff members throughout the district are going to be let go.

As a child of someone that works in the district, Sanders cringes thinking of the future. He felt that once people felt the effects of cuts, they would agree. A list of possible, proposed cuts - some of which Sanders mentioned - can be found online from the FHSD district website, under the Board of Education tab (see link on page http://www. boarddocs.com/mo/fhsdmo/Board.nsf/Public) “I think there were a lot of people that were not thinking about the future.” Sanders said, “Later on, people are going to say ‘Oh wait, my freshman kid can’t play sports’ or ‘I’ll have to drive my kid because the transportation doesn’t go that far’ or ‘Where’s all the teachers at? Where’s all the classes?’ Things are going to turn out badly,” said Sanders.

Mason Schneider, senior, realizes things are going to be cut, but is not happy about it. He is bothered that class options could diminish, even ones proposed for the first time this year.

“I didn’t expect it to pass, but I’m a little disappointed because now classes are going to be cut, like the Mandarin class and the teaching class,” stated Schneider, “ I think that if people want to take those classes, they should be able to. I mean, if they don’t have the money for it, they should cut those classes that don’t have a lot of people in them rather then other stuff.”

Although there have been several board meetings since the decision, no official decisions have been made. While board members are strategizing, the public tensely wait for the next move. The next board meeting is Oct. 8.

Amount given to FHC deparments this year:

$206,407 $13-25

$1,480 per year

cost of materials in ceramics classes

$12-24 a pint

cost of a single tube of paint

cost of glaze

$300 average cost of repairs needed each year in ceramics classes

10%

$7.50

cost of a standard 18x24 canvas

the amount cut from all departments

$805

budget for all drama classes

$400

average cost of materials for a screen printing process

$250 linoleum for 2-3 classes

$1.50

cost of a single sheet of printmaking paper design by Eden Gundersen

20

SEPT. 25, 2015

move

SEPT. 25, 2015

Coach Jacob Froeschner

New coaches take control

Fall sports take on a bounty of new leaders

by Bri Shatto and Elizabeth Gerger staff reporters

A

s fall sports start up this new fall season, it is not hard to notice all the new faces on the sidelines at matches, games, and meets. Five teams have new coaches all ranging in different levels of experience.

Coach Pete Eberhardt points toward the field as the team trailed behind its opponent, Fox High School. The team has a record of 1-3 thus far in Coach Eberhardt’s first season.

Coach Eberhart has taken on the position of head football coach for the Spartans. He carries with him fifteen years of experience coming from Timberland, Howell, a charter school, a rural school in Illinois, and from a high school in Louisiana, he brings a lot of experience to the program. “Right now we’re working on the mental aspect of it,” Coach Eberhardt said when talking about his new team taking on this upcoming season, “we’re trying to become more mentally tough.”

Deairra Williams

Coach Jeremy Rohrbach

Assistant coach Jeremy Rohrbach gives junior Elaine Mallon and freshman Victoria Ikeda a pep-talk in between sets of their match.

The tennis team is 7-6.

Coach Rohrbach is starting his first year of coaching as the new Lady Spartan’s assistant tennis coach. Though he has no prior experience, he is passionate about coaching and has the goal of molding his players “physically and socially.” He works with his athletes by asking them what they feel they need to work on and implements his own techniques to help them become stronger tennis players. “For me it’s a chance to make connections with students outside of the classroom,” Rohrbach said, “I look forward to every practice because I believe I will help them grow on and off the court.”

Stacey Zika

22

Learn tips for eating clean

what it’s like under the spotlight. Learn more about their experiences on Page 30.

What is the best show you have been in at FHC? I have to say the best show we have ever done was “The Addams Family.”

What is your favorite song in any musical?

I recently saw Matilda the musical and their opening song “Miracle” made me shiver. I wanted to cry in amazement.

What would you be doing if you weren’t in theatre?

I would probably be in the art clubs. You can fail and still come out with something beatiful. In art, failure is encouraged.

Scott Harris

Coach Paul Otto

Coach Paul Otto guides a player of the girls JV golf team on proper swing. The girls have a record of 2-3.

As the new head coach of girls golf, Paul Otto is looking forward to the winning season he predicts. He’s been coaching the boys golf team since the school opened, and admits he has Spartan veins. He started coaching girls golf ten years ago at Howell North, he has spent his last five years coaching Howell’s girls team, finally he joins the Spartan girls with high hopes. As the team’s third coach, he feels the girls are going to be successful by pointing out their individual strengths and weaknesses. “I think that we’ve played our strongest competition early on in the season,” said Otto. “I look forward to gathering multiple wins per week over the remainder of the season.”

Coach Zack Sheets

Coach Zack Sheets talks to his players after their loss to Howell on Sept. 15. The team has a record of 4-11.

Coach Zack Sheets is the new head softball coach. He coached four years at Winfield High and two years at Central as the varsity assistant coach. He hopes to help the girls develop character as well as improve the program. He plans on coaching JV baseball in the spring and coming back next fall for another softball season.

“I am passionate about coaching because I want to help develop kids as people and players so they have the skills to live a fulfilled life,” said Sheets.

“I like the aspect

Entertain Questions: We asked FHC’s best actors and actresses their opinions on shows, scripts, and

Coach Jacob Frosechner speaks with a swimmer during the Howell tri-meet on Sept. 16.

The team finished in second place behind Francis Howell in the meet.

Coach Jacob Froeschner is the new head coach of the boys swim and dive team. With about a decade of experience coaching from his summer league in Ferguson and then Bridgeton Swim Club, he took on the boys swim and dive team for his love of the sport and hopes to help swimmers exceed their individual goals. He likes to think he has had a positive impact on the team and said he’s shown the team the importance of the basics. “I took this job because I love to coaching swimming, and I want to help swimmers succeed,” said Froeschner. “Whatever each swimmers goal is, I want to help them achieve it.”

Dakota Wisdom

Coach Pete Eberhardt

move’s MUST READ

21

move

where I can help adults overcome obstacles in life so hopefully that makes them better people in the long run.”

Coach Pete Eberhardt

Freddy Bell

“At the end of the

“Without hard work,

“By giving them the

“Helping them

season I want them to

talent won't take you as

individual attention to

develop character

have grown as a person

far as you can go.”

their game, they will

helps them be better

sense how much I care

at who they are as

about their success and

a person; softball is

how I value them as a

something that they

team member.”

do.”

as much as a student athlete.”

Coach Jeremy Rohrbach

Coach Jacob Froeschner

Coach Paul Otto

Coach Zach Sheets

22

SEPT. 25, 2015

move

move

Larissa Kite

One of four sophomores seeing playing time, Logan Morris, floats a free kick into the Timberland penalty area during the Spartans 4-1 victory Tuesday, Sept. 15. The team is off to a 5-3 start, dropping tight games to DeSmet, Francis Howell and Oakville as their only three defeats.

Still shooting for state Expectations remain same for soccer team, despite plenty of new players

by Elaine Mallon

Soccer results

DeSmet 1-0 L Zumwalt S. 4-0 W Troy 8-0 W Howell 2-1 L Zumwalt West 2-1 W Howell North 3-0 W Oakville 1-0 L Timberland 4-1 W Record as of Sept. 18: 5-3

23 SEPT. 25, 2015

staff reporter Last October, the soccer team achieved the third place state title, the best finish in the team’s history. With last year’s seniors moving on, the team fluctuates with leadership positions. Seniors Coleton Brown and Colton Schweigert have been named co-captains for this season. Through the motivation of these leaders, the team works hard to keep its streak of getting to the sectional title game alive.

Though the fans may place the team at higher standards, the expectations from Coach Nick Beckmann have never changed.

“We compete hard, and we play to the best of our ability.

Hopefully, at the end of the year the results will come, and these past few years the results have been pretty well,” Coach Beckmann said.

The team realizes the bar has been set higher, due to last year’s success. However, for senior Blaise Bachman, he won’t let the pressure faze him.

“This is my last year of playing soccer, so I want to enjoy it. I don’t want to stress over mistakes,” Bahcman said. “I won’t be dreading misses. We’re just going to go out there and play our best.”

There are a great deal of players who are waiting to

prove themselves. Junior Nathan Smith takes the position as goalie this year after Chase Webert, one of last year’s team leaders.

Eight games into the season, Smith has compiled three shutouts. According to junior Will Pierce, Smith is an invaluable member on the team.

“He’s winning shutouts just like Chase did. Even before our first game, I had confidence in his ability to perform,” Pierce said.

In addition to a new goalie, four new sophomores have been added onto the varsity squad. The team has reaped the benefits from this young blood. Caleb Mundle, a starting forward, has scored six goals so far this season.

With the new season ahead, the returning players reflect on last year’s team. Along with the success of last year, the boys remember their former teammates.

“It’s a group of guys I’ve played with my whole high school career,” third year starter Schweigert states, “It’s kinda weird not being on the field with them.”

Senior Kyle Setchfield, reveals, “ It makes me sad. I know they aren’t coming back.”

For this year’s team, the memories of their former teammates will not be forgotten. Though, every year, new friendships are formed, and bonds grow stronger.

Clean eating craze Cutting processed foods leads to a healthier lifestyle

by Leslie Sutton staff reporter Clean eating is a huge movement in today’s current society. People are ditching processed foods for ingredients that are locally grown and raised, and even ditching meats and dairy altogether. Although this may seem like a great idea, when implemented it can go a bit sour.

Clean eating itself is defined differently per person. When asked, sophomore Carly Jarus said that clean eating was “no processed foods, organic items, and things that help your body strive.” Jarus herself is a vegetarian and lives the vegetarian lifestyle.

“Clean eating is super important for your body. It’s almost like a religion,” Jarus said.

Coach Steve Cross helps the wrestling team members

GUIDE TO CLEAN EATING Cut unhealthy foods from your diet by removing them from your home and resist the urge to munch on them at school. Your environment greatly impacts your outlook on life and how you behave. By cleaning up your home diet, it changes your perspective and habits elsewhere.

“What food is in the house, what kind of food is being prepared, there’s a lot of things as a coach that I can’t control,” Coach Cross said.

By doing this, you can set up good habits for yourself, and can open up the pathway to clean eating.

Start to look for and replace unhealthy foods in your

with their diets. As their coach, besides teaching them to become wrestlers, he helps open the teammates eyes to what they’re putting into their bodies.

“Clean eating, to me, is eating a well-balanced nutritional diet where you’re including all of the different food groups,” Coach Cross said.

When something has many different definitions, one may be confused as to live a lifestyle where clean eating is their goal.

Clean eating can be extremely beneficial to those involved in a very active lifestyle, according to Coach Cross.

“Food is fuel. If you put good fuel in your body, it’s going to affect you in a positive way,” Coach Cross said. By eating a clean diet, athletes can expect to feel more energized and more motivated. Picking an apple over a bag of chips can cause a huge difference in performance.

diet with cleaner alternatives. After cutting all that food out of your diet, you may be at a loss for what to eat. Try replacing chips with fruit or water for your usual soda. “[I have] a variety in food choices, and avoid a heavy reliance on processed foods. Some replacements are lentils, tofu, chia seeds, tempeh, and quinoa,” Jarus said.

Keep yourself on a schedule. By eating on a regular schedule, you’ll be less tempted to snack on unhealthy foods.

“When you’re a vegetarian you may need to eat more often than you think you need to eat. You need to replace more food which takes more effort, but overall, it’s an amazing feeling knowing that you’re helping out the environment,” Jarus said.

Quinoa-Stuffed Red Peppers Ingredients: 4 bell peppers 1 can of black beans 1/4 cup of cilantro 1/2head of cauliflower 1/2 head of broccoli 2 carrots 3 cups of quinoa, cooked 2 tbsp of chili powder 2 tsp of cumin 2 tsp of paprika 1 tbsp of salt 1. Cook the 3 cups of quinoa with 6 cups of water 2. While cooking the quinoa, cut and steam the cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots together 3. Cut the tops off the peppers, then cut them in half and clean out the interiors 4. Drain the can of black beans 5. Once the quinoa is finished, mix the steamed vegetables, beans, and spices in together with it 6. Spoon out the mixture into the halved peppers, and serve.

publications 25

24 connect SEPT. 25, 2015

Photos. Video. Breaking news. FHCtoday.com is the place to go for anything you want to know about what’s happening at FHC.

SEPT. 25, 2015

Nine students.

Five national awards FHC Publications students earn national and state recognition each year.

Come be a part of our team. Stop by Room 139 and talk to Mr. Schott about how you can come write, shoot, edit and design for us.

The Spartan football team had its first win of the season against Troy Buchanan on 9/11. Enjoy the highlights of the game on fhctoday.com using this QR code.

The Spotlight Players are starting to rehearse for the fall play “The Curious Savage.” Read about it on fhctoday.com using this QR code.

In students own words: “I like the freedom we have to do as we wish and have responsibility.”

“I like that we get to share the memories we make with our student body and that we tell the story of our year through our pictures.”

“Everyone has a story, and every story is worth being heard. It is so fun to get to know people and then take their words, face, drawings, and turn them into a medium on a page in a book that they can look back on and remember.”

“The class gets to run itself and be responsible for their work and deadlines.”

“Nothing is better than seeing something that is in your mind come to life through the web, newspaper or yearbook.”

“I love the atmosphere of room 139, and the fact I am treated as an adult in here.”

Why you should do journalism: According to a Newspaper Association of America study, students with journalism experience: u Have higher high school GPA’s u Score higher on the ACT, specifically in English and Reading u When they get to college, their freshman GPA’s are better The study concluded: “Journalism gives them a chance to apply their natural leadership abilities, while also exercising their critical thinking, designing and writing skills.

NSPA sports reaction photo of the year finalist

NSPA feature photo of the year finalist

MJEA sports action photo of the year

Interested?

NSPA yearbook design of the year finalist

Stop by Room 139 to talk with Mr. Schott about how you can become the next great journalist at FHC.

26

ad

voice

SEPT. 25, 2015

2015-16 SENIOR AD FORM 1/8 page Color $70

AD SIZES

1/4 page Color $100

1/2 page Color $130

Full page Color $250

circle your ad size please

Student’s name: _____________________________________ Advertiser’s name:____________________________________ Advertiser’s e-mail:____________________________________ Advertiser’s phone #:__________________________________ Messages for the ad should be emailed to Mr. Schott at matthew.schott@fhsdschools.org You may email the form in the email field or attach a Microsoft Word document.

FHC Publications prefers you to send photos via email as well, but does accept hard copies of photos. We will also email a proof of your ad to the email address provided above.

PHOTO DETAILS

1/8 page = 1 photo 1/4 page = 2 photos 1/2 page = 4-6 photos Full page = 6-8 photos

Please submit photos with this form or via e-mail to: matthew.schott@ fhsdschools.org Photos e-mailed should be scanned at 300 ppi. All photos in the book must run at 300 ppi (if you need help, please e-mail us!)

Please make sure you own the copyright of the photo.

The staff of the Odyssey reserves the right to not publish any photo it deems unfit for publication or that do no adhere to guidelines

DETAILS All ads must be paid in full at the time of submission. Check should be made out to: FHC Publications.

The last day ads will be accepted is Dec. 22, 2015 (see right).

Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want your photos returned.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Matthew Schott at matthew.schott@fhsdschools.org Please mail submissions to: Matthew Schott, 5199 Hwy. N. St. Charles, Mo. 63304

SENIOR DATES TO KNOW:

All of the dates listed below are firm. No exceptions will be made.

Fundraiser forms due for free yearbook: 8/25/15 Cookie dough pickup: 9/17/15 Senior photos taken at Cilento Photography (636.237.2732 for an appointment) Yearbook price increases to $65: 12/19/15 Senior ad forms due (no late fee): 12/11/15 Last day ad forms can be accepted (with $25 late fee): 12/22/15 Questions?

Email matthew.schott@ fhsdschools.org

27 SEPT. 25, 2015

Senior-bye-tis

As high school comes to an end, seniors face hardships of deciding what they want to do once they graduate 50 seniors were surveyed to see how prepared they think they are once high school is over.

Will you miss high school?

YES NO

60% 40%

Are you prepared for college?

YES NO

38% 62%

Do you already know your major?

YES NO

58% 42%

voice’S MUST READ

28

Think before you steal another culture’s style.

by Becca Abrams

across valuable lessons in life, it’s a hard thing

and you firmly believe that the profession you

voice editor

to accept that I won’t get to see my friends

chose as a tiny human, is the profession you

and family everyday.

were going to stick with for the rest of your

Ever since the beginning of middle school, I always heard “This will prepare you for high

I won’t have my mom there to take care

life until you were ancient. Which makes me

school.” Since day one of my freshmen year

of me when I get sick, I won’t have my best

think; why couldn’t we just send our seven-

and most likely up until my very last day at FHC,

friend there to rant to when I’m having a

year-old selves to college? I can confidently

I will hear “This will prepare you for college.”

complete mental breakdown, I will be alone

say that my life was more put together then.

Although my academics and maturity have achieved a college level, I can’t help but think

and I will have to fend for myself. At least that is how it seems what it’s going to be like.

Chances are most seniors are feeling the same way. Some already know what they

I am still a 13-year-old and the hardest part

In reality, it makes me realize I have taken

want to do, which I say a huge congrats to

of my life was trying to understand factoring.

the time I have had here in high school for

them because it is very hard having to choose

Needless to say, I am not mentally ready for

granted. Don’t get me wrong, senioritis is

undecided on college applications, and others

college.

definitely in full swing, but there will always be

may be coasting until a spark sets off and you

a part of me that will miss the great memories

are finally realizing your seven-year-old self

my friends and I have created.

was right in saying you wanted to be a nurse, or

The thing about growing up and becoming an adult, rather a small portion of that demographic, is that it terrifying. I can say all

I find myself reflecting on my high school

I want that I can’t wait for the day I graduate;

career often and I have realized how much I

My advice to current seniors and those

that I’m so excited to be leaving, or that

have grown and how much I have branched

in the future is that believe it or not, you do

college is going to be fun-filled and it will be

out from my former anti-social self. I’ve met so

not have to have your life together. There are

my time to work harder than I ever have.

many great people and they have all greatly

many people who want to see you succeed

impacted my life and have always been

and there are many people who want to help

supportive in all the decisions I have made.

you reach that level of success, you just have

The truth is that I am actually terrified of what the future holds. Senior year gives

a pharmacist, or even the president.

awareness on how fast time can go by. I am

On top of coming to terms with becoming

pushing the big one-eight and I feel like I am

an adult and leaving friends and family, senior

to show the will and determination.

Unfortunately, enough you cannot cry to

a newborn baby being told to go out and get

year is stress filled on figuring out what you

your grandma and tell her you want cookies,

a job and maybe carry a briefcase for good

want to do with your life and those are the

milky, a sweater with love in the stitches. You

adult measure.

times when you wish you could go back to

can’t wear diapies, ride around in a wagon, or

I don’t really believe my life will be starting

when you were six or seven years old telling

cuddle wuddle with Mr. Snuffykins, and yes, I

soon and I will be attending college in less

your parents you want to be an astronaut or

am practically quoting a Spongebob episode.

than a year. I still feel like there is so much

the president.

Moral of the story is to grab your sideburns,

I can learn, experience, and grow from.

The beauty about being seven is thinking

your steamed coral, and enjoy the rest of high

Although college is a great place to come

that you have the capability of doing anything

school, because it will fly by before you know it.

Entertain Questions: We asked FHC’s best actors and actresses their opinions on shows, scripts, and what it’s like under the spotlight. Learn more about their experiences on Page 30.

What is your favorite character you’ve played?

My favorite part about a show is just being in the character, on a finished set, just really existing as something else and telling a story.

What was your favorite costume you have worn?

I’d say my costume from “To Burn A Witch” because I was really dirty and I got to wear makeup that made me look gross.

What is your biggest fear while onstage?

My fear is messing up a line. It throws the actor off and has the potential to pull all the emotion in the room in a different direction

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SEPT. 25, 2015

voice

voice

Can I wear this?

Do you know where the trend is from?

YES

NO

But it’s really cute and it would look good with my new boots!

YES Is the trend from your culture?

YES

Go for it!

NO

Do you know about their culture?

NO

NO

But I’m friends with someone from that culture!

InAppropriate media

Cultural appropriation destroys cultures, makes it anothers

by Leslie Sutton staff reporter The fashion world is known to have no limits.

Clothing is a form of free expression, a way of making oneself an individual, of setting yourself out from the crowd. However, can something really be limitless? Is there no way possible to cross the line into offensive or harsh?

One issue I’ve commonly seen is cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation is taking something from another culture, typically something religious or holding deep meaning to a group of people, and turning it into a fashion trend, with no regards to its history.

Often, white people tend to be at fault.

For example, while white people are wearing their hair in dreadlocks and being praised for being “edgy” or “trendy,” people of color are being fired from jobs, being forced to shave their heads, being disrespected, and straight up spat on for being seen as “unprofessional” or “dirty” with locs. Military women aren’t allowed to have locs because it apparently isn’t seen

as clean enough for our troops. Women were fired time after time for having natural hair on the job, for dreads, for any hairstyle associated with black culture.

Typically, cultural appropriation is seen in media, specifically white media, when people trivialize the history of a major

statement, and throw respect in a trash bin.

People throw on a mix-mash of cultures to seem fashionable and to fit the aesthetic of the crowd.

Miley Cyrus making twerking popular after it was frowned upon for years, Kylie Jenner making dreads stylish for white people is so incredibly harmful to the cultures they’re commonly associated with.

When these qualities have been crushed and hidden for years after being deemed unacceptable by white culture, white people decide to bring them back, claiming them as their own. They’re racist, they’re doing black face, they’re making discrimination permittable, and even praisable, and that is something we cannot blindly accept.

I believe cultural

appropriation is a relevant issue in our society, especially among young people like us. We shape the future, and the only way to make it better is to become aware of our past. By ignoring important historical meanings in our religions and cultures, we are denying history itself.

Not only are we losing all of our heritage, but we are taking people’s physical qualities and making them a trend.

The Internet made the “Kylie Jenner Challenge” a joke, making people with large lips laughable and incredibly insecure.

In Cosmopolitan magazine, a black celebrity was shown to be “too bronzed” and was told that they should opt for a lighter foundation, lighter than her own skin tone. We are whitewashing our people, pulling into a historically white shell that people find more comfortable.

Some people are upset that, based off of statistical trends, our country will be dominated by people of color, and that is an inherently racist issue.

So, how do we prevent cultural appropriation? How do we fix the fact that we, as a nation, are removing all people of color and making them seem insignificant?

Education.

By becoming aware of our harmful treatment, by educating people on human erasure, we can make cultural appropriaton into cultural appreciation.

29 SEPT. 25, 2015

Checking out dress codes

Dress codes limit personal expression, often too restrictive

by Dulci Hedges staff reporter Almost every girl has heard the question, “Really? You’re leaving the house wearing THAT?” Some possibly because their stomach is showing, maybe their cleavage is a little more visible than other days; or if you’re like me, your mother asks you that question because you’re going to a family dinner wearing snowman pajama pants and a t-shirt three times too big. Either way, hearing those words is unbearably annoying.

More recently, it’s become more relevant that girls this age must look to a certain standard. A so called “classier” look, one that exposes little skin. “Don’t wear that shirt, it’s distracting to boys!”

Really? Because I think if a boy is in any way seduced by my shoulders, he should probably look in to professional help. While girls from FHC are not necessarily being sent home, they are given a t-shirt to wear over their dress code violation, commonly because of near to naked shoulders.

Although the district has a dress code for both boys and girls, it’s obvious that it more so pertains to the females. Mainly the only problem noticed with boys is that their pants sag too low and their boxers are out for the world to see. But with girls, the bra straps, the shoulders, the belly, the list is endless.

Recently, at a Kentucky high school, a girl wearing jeans, a tank top, and a cardigan was reportedly sent home because her collar bones were showing and honestly it was the most outrageous thing I’ve ever heard of.

If COLLARBONES are being sexualized and considered unacceptable then I give up on society. I mean really, what’s next? I should be banished because my short sleeve t-shirts shows my elbows?

Also, some schools, such as Troy Buchanan,

Photo illustration by Taylor Tinnes

Dress codes in high school, particularly for female students, have begun to become more and more excessive in both public and private schools. have banned leggings. Let me just say, if FHC banned leggings, you can bet your bottom dollar l would be transferring because I wear leggings like it’s my religion. The ban is insane because leggings already cover everything that ought to be covered. Just because my comfy pants accentuate my behind a little more doesn’t mean they should be taken away.

Granted, the “7 B’s” rule is implemented for a

reason, but I think staff should be more lenient.

Some firmly believe that their outfit is how they express themselves and taking that away from a person so passionate because their stomach shows 3/4ths of an inch is a bit excessive.

Administrators need to revisit the expectations and limitations of dress code and form a regulation that students will be more accepting and willing to follow.

Ridiculous dress code violations Examples of things students across America get sent home for in violation of their schools’ dress code “(On homecoming) Girls’ dresses and tops must have a 2” minimum strap on each shoulder.”- Lone Peak High School, Highland, Utah

“...Insists that shorts and skirts actually reach the knee.”- Clearwater High School, Clearwater, Florida

“Banned all sleepwear, including pajama pants and slippers.”

- Bennington’s Mount Anthony High School, Bennington, Vermont

entertain 31

30 entertain

SEPT. 25, 2015

In the Spotlight

Members of The Spotlight Players reveal what they are looking forward to in their upcoming productions, design by Becca Abrams particularly “The Curious Savage,” and what they enjoy most about being involved in theatre.

Spotlight Players

Emma Entner, junior

What is your role and how long have you participated in theatre?

What is the most rewarding part of being in theatre?

What are you looking forward to most in the upcoming production?

“I’ve been in theatre since my freshman year. My role this show is student tech director, which means that I am in charge of all of the crews and I help them if I need to.”

“The most rewarding part of theatre is seeing the finished product. Being able to stand in the wings on show nights and seeing all of your hard work finally come together is breathtaking.”

“The thing I’m looking forward to most is seeing all of the new crew heads excel and how the shows turn out.”

“I am makeup crew head and I’ve been in theater for all of my freshman year.”

“Probably actually doing the makeup, hair, and talking and getting to know everyone.

It’s really fun making the actors look like their character and watching them turn into their character on stage.”

“I’m looking forward to teaching the new comers in my crew how to do stage makeup and all the special effects.”

“I’m president of the department and Ive done much less theatre than some of the others. Since stepping through the doors on Transition Day, I knew I wanted to be a part of this amazing family.”

“The skills and experiences you take with you after a show, in my opinion, are valuable life skills you can’t get all in one place unless you do theatre.”

“With this show, I was lucky enough to get cast as a character named Hannibal who is a rather plain character, but has just enough quirks and loose screws to make him extremely exciting to portray.”

Sophia Calignaoan, sophomore

Tristan Ratterman, senior

“My role is Titus Savage and I’ve been a part of theatre since freshman year.”

“The most fulfilling part of theatre is just putting on such amazing shows with people I like. We take pride in being the best!”

SEPT. 25, 2015

Morning mantras Morning showers can improve your blood circulation by stimulating healing, easing pain, and decreasing inflammation.

“I like showering in the morning because it really wakes me up. Most of the time, I don’t have time to do it at night, so the morning is usually an ideal time for me to shower.”

- Connor Brown, senior

The average morning routine for getting ready on Monday is about 76 minutes while Friday drops to about 19 minutes.

“I am more inclined to do my makeup evey morning because I believe makeup should be used to acentuate natural features and that it can also be seen as a form of self expression.”

- Nadeen Ahmed, senior

“I’m looking forward to the set with finished props and paint the most!”

Jack Roither, senior

Rachel Fortney, junior

“I’ve been in theatre since the first show of my freshman year. I play Fairy May. She acts like a seven-year-old and compulsively lies because she’s obsessed with having people love her.”

“The most rewarding part is the final production. Seeing all the work that everyone put into it all come together to make amazing performance.”

“I think I’m most looking forward to learning how to fit my character. A lot of what she does is kind of outside my comfort zone, so I’m excited to branch outside of what I’m used to.”

Gea Henry, junior

“My role in the upcoming show, ‘The Curios Savage,’ is Mrs. Savage. I have participated in theatre since my freshman year.

I’ve always been very dramatic and I’ve always wanted to be an actress.”

“Every part of theatre is rewarding. It’s amazing to know you’re a part of this group of people who change your life every day and then to please audiences by simply doing what you love.”

“My character carries around a giant teddy bear for the majority of the show, so I am really excited about that! And my character also has blue hair, so I cannot wait to see myself with blue hair!”

Eating breakfast in the morning can lower cholesterol over time.

“Eating breakfast in the morning helps me focus on school throughout the day and also a rumbling tummy would be very distracting.”

Sydney Lechner, senior

Working out in the morning can boost your metabolism. You continue to burn calories after the workout is done.

“Working out in the morning wakes me up, sets me in the right mind, I’m not groggy at school for the first few hours and I am able to get a workout in in case something pops up and I can’t after school.”

Cameron Lundbergh, senior

design by Becca Abrams and Morgan Brader

32

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SEPT. 25, 2015

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