May 8, 2024 - Senior Edition

Page 1

LOOKING BACK

Take a trip down memory lane and reminisce on the past four years

Page 6-13 GRADUATION INFORMATION

Page 1

GUESS THAT PUB SENIOR Page 5

FHNtoday.com Francis Howell North St. Charles, MO 63303 Vol. 38 Issue 06 05.08.2024
NORTHSTAR

GRADUATION

Learn more information about graduation and what procedures are for the day. (Pg. 1)

GUESS THAT PUB BABY

Guess which senior baby photo is a member of the FHN publications program. (Pg. 5)

Take a look at senior photographers’ favorite photos. (Pg. 14-15)

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

As the last class in the building, we have the honor of leaving the final mark on the building and on the North community. It hasn’t always been easy, but we always found a way to persevere. We started off our high school career smack dab in the middle of a global pandemic, where a good chunk of us studied from the luxury of our own home while the others had to navigate a whole new environment, while also maintaining a six foot social distance. We had a rocky start, but through the face of adversity, we pulled through and were able to all come together for the first time

In sophomore year, we had events opening back up and we started to rebuild the community we had lost during COVID. Pep assemblies returned, sports games were more highly attended and we could finally see each other face-to-face, instead of mask-to-mask.

Junior year was a year of wins for the class of 2024. Powderpuff was a landmark moment in our four years and symbolized the resilience that we had built up so far. Hoisting the

trophy not only showed what a superior class we are, but of how we could come together and leave our mark.

Our senior year has been a momentous occasion that we have looked forward to all throughout school. It seems as though it’s flown by in a flash, and soon we’ll be walking across the stage and moving on to bigger and better things.

As we look onto what the future holds, it’s important to hold onto the memories we made at North. No other class in history will be able to say they overcame the setbacks of a pandemic, construction delays and a building on its last leg.

We’ve learned that everyone has a story. Whether it’s having a deep obsession with reality TV, or watching “The Dark Knight” 50 times, everyone has a story just waiting to be revealed. As Bruce Wayne once said, “A reporter’s lot is not easy, making exciting stories out of plain, average ordinary people like Robin and me.”

- Chase Pray, Editor-inChief, FHNtoday.com, McKenna Hudson, Editor-in-Chief, North Star

(Photo by Payton Johnston)
FAVORITE PHOTOS
(File Photo) (Photo Submitted) (Photo by Kylie Taliaferro)

GRADUATION INFORMATION

Before the All-Knighter, graduation will take place at the Family Arena on Saturday, June 1 at 4:30 p.m. Seniors are required to arrive between 3:30 and 3:45 p.m. Jennifer Stutzer is the senior class representative and it’s her first year helping with graduation.

“Graduation is always really exciting,” Stutzer said. “It’s really nice to see everybody celebrating and happy and just realizing that this is the last time everybody will be together in the same room. So it’s just fun to see everybody kind of realized that and say goodbye.”

When students arrive at the arena, they will be put in alphabetical order and instructed to sit in the correct sections. Dr. Kenneth Roumpos will be giving a speech at graduation alongside Principal Jeffrey Fletcher, senior Class President Grant Kilen, the selected grand marshall and senior Jana Rawashdeh.

“What I’m going to talk about is we have one of the best districts in the state,” Kilen said. “Since we’re still blessed to have gone to this school, we have a duty to use our reputation to help society and it’s our duty to use this education,” Kilen said.

Graduation practice will take place on May 21, the seniors last day of school. The day will also include a senior breakfast after their last final. At graduation practice, students will receive more graduation information, tickets and will take the class photo. Students are allowed 10 tickets for friends and family but may talk to secretary Cara McHaffie for more tickets. Students who have also not picked up their cap and gown may pick them at graduation practice or see McHaffie in the main office.

“If anybody has any questions, they’re welcome to contact me in the main office,” McHaffie said. “I’d love to be able to help anybody that needs any help.”

Seniors must attend graduation practice and at graduation, students are not allowed to their decorate caps and must follow the code of conduct. Students may wear medals, cords or other honors as long as they are FHN affiliated. This includes medals from senior sports nights, activity medals such as band or choir and other honors won through school activities.

“I’m interested to see how it feels to speak to my classmates for one last time and get my diploma,” Kilen said.

ALL-KNIGHTER TO FOLLOW GRAD

On the night of June 1, the All-Knighter Parent Committee will be hosting the 2024 All Knighter. The All Knighter is an annual event held the night of graduation. The purpose of the All Knighter is to provide students with a safe environment to celebrate and encourage students to celebrate in a responsible manner. Unlike previous years, this year’s AllKnighter will be held at Kokomo Joe’s Family Fun Center of St. Peters. Many students are uncertain of what to expect at the All Knighter.

“The main thing is to give a fun place where kids can have a good time,” All-Knighter Committee member Lynn Warren said. “It’s a safe environment and also one last hurrah to be with their classmates.”

Seniors can anticipate all sorts of fun and games at the All Knighter, many of which have been communicated to them by past graduates.

“We’re still going to have the karaoke. We’re going to have the magician. We’re going to have a hypnotist,”

Warren said.

This year’s All-Knighter will bring with it a historic change. For the first time ever, the All-Knighter will be held off campus at Kokomo Joe’s. This change was supposed to take place before this year, but was hindered by principal turnover at FHN. Because of this, the All-Knighter will feature everything from past years and more.

“We’re excited to have it at Kokomo Joe’s because there’s going to be bowling, the trampoline, the laser tag,” Warren said. “There will also be entertainment there, all the games as well, food, that kind of thing too.”

There will also be an opportunity to walk away with additional attendance prizes.

“I know, they always get a senior gift, so that is already in the works to happen. We will also still have the raffle basket,” Warren said. “So, a good number of people who attend walk away with even extra little prizes that are available to them.”

ADVICE

FIND YOUR HEALTHY BALANCE

High school is supposed to be one of the most fun times of your life. However, it’s hard to have fun when your grades actually matter for the first time, you’re slowly reaching adulthood and you have roughly four years to figure out what the heck you want to do for the rest of your life. So how in the world are you supposed to find time to still have a thriving social life? Well, it’s all about balance. When you think about it, high school really is just one big balancing beam.

During my four years I’ve tipped that beam over way more times than I can count. I have five assignments due tomorrow? Well, that seems like a problem for tomorrow Chase. Please don’t think you can knock out all of your assignments during school the day they’re due. Trust me, it’s a fast and easy way to live your life assignment by assignment. I had ‘senioritis’ about two months before I should’ve and I ended up doing the easiest of assignments five minutes before they were due. In turn, I barely met deadlines and I skated by in each of my classes. I was Zach Morris minus the great hair.

Finding my healthy balance wasn’t easy. I realized my sleep schedule was quite possibly the worst in the entire school. I was tired 24/7 and lacked motivation to do anything. It was super difficult at first, but I forced myself to shut down at a certain time so I wasn’t pulling all-nighters multiple times a week. Eventually, it got to a point where I wasn’t drowsy throughout the school day and I noticed significant improvements in how well I was understanding my classes. My grades slowly got back to how they were and I just felt happier.

While your grades are super important, you also need to have a healthy social life. Everyone will look back on their time in high school and reflect on the memories they made with their friends. Nobody will remember that one bad grade they got on an AP Euro test. Make time for your friends. Don’t try to focus so much on school that your friendships suffer from it. Ensuring you get your work done, while also having time dedicated to just having fun is super important for your mental health. You deserve that break from time to time. You’re only in high school once so make the most of the short four years you have.

NORTH STAR • FHNtoday.com • @FHNtoday • 05.08.2024 • Pages Designed by Mckenna Hudson (Contents) Alex Wheadon (1) 01
(File Photo) Chase Pray
A

group of self-described outcasts band together as metal musicians to form the band Throwaways (Content by

Named for their commonality of being social rejects, the garage band

‘Throwaways’ was created within the past couple of years as a way to ‘appeal to the underdog’ through their music. Gabriel Cook, the singer and guitarist of Throwaways, came up with the name during high school when he felt like he wasn’t respected as a person.

“It’s like all the emotions I have to like as a singer, and a guitarist,” Cook said. It’s like you’re Melody Maker, you’re the emotion maker. And I just kind of use it as therapy to let out what I need to or what am I playing

for is to give people empathy who have also experienced the same sort of thing.”

The Diamond Music Hall is known as a hole-in-the-wall venue that the band discovered from a mutual of theirs who was interested in the same music. The Diamond has live music played there frequently, and now the Throwaways play there every Thursday night. Senior Moses Metheny, the Manager of Throwaways’ social media, described it as a ‘relaxed rock ‘n’ roll environment.’

“My favorite part of being their manager is seeing what inspired the band and being able to see behind the scenes of how the music is created and perfected,” Metheny said. “I also take pride in putting a small

“It takes you away, all that matters while you’re on stage is now, don’t mess up.”

Midwest band out into the world to one day be discovered.”

The youngest and most recent musician to join is senior Zach Smith, who is the bassist that also can play the guitar, which is not very common to see. Ever since playing with the band, he’s opened up more when performing.

“I feel a bit more confident,” Smith said. “It’s kind of grounding. Sometimes instead of thinking, it takes you away from your thoughts. You just like to present instead of having anxiety over the past or depression about the future.”

SCAN THE QR CODE

Scan the code below to view the Throwaways Instagram.

“I’m here right now and I’m playing bass and I’m having a good time so nothing else really matters.”

“No emotions, all adrenaline, all the emotions go away. It’s just adrenaline and what you’re doing. You can’t see anything else over the kit. Nobody else is there.”

02
Ray Hathcock)
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04 ALTERNATE COVER Photos Submitted by the Senior Class Designed by McKenna Hudson FHNtoday.com Francis Howell North St. Charles, MO 63303 Vol. 38 Issue 06 05.08.2024 STAR LOOKING BACK Take a trip down memory lane and reminisce on the past four years Page 6-13 GRADUATION INFORMATION Page 1 GUESS THAT PUB SENIOR Page 5 NORTH

GUESS THAT PUB SENIOR

Match each baby picture with the correct senior in publications. (Photos submitted)

NORTH STAR • FHNtoday.com • @FHNtoday • 05.08.24 • Pages Designed by McKenna Hudson 05
1. I did basketball pep band for FHN while in the eighth grade. Answers: 1. Grant Kilen, 2. Hannah Anderson, 3. Max Ramirez, 4. Payton Johnston, 5. Rhea Patel, 6. Victoria Montgomery, 7. Taylor Saale, 8. Lauren Harmon, 9. Parker Smith 2. I used to wear red rain boots every day in kindergarten. 3. I have a scar from running into a corner of a counter. 4. I am terrified of ladybugs. 5. I broke my arm in first grade. 6. My first concert was a One Direction concert. 7. I was almost named Nemesis Storm. 8. I used to be obsessed with cheetahs. 9. I used to be a theater kid.

Freshman Year

north star • 05.08.24

OURCOVID YEAR

During the peak of the COVID outbreak, the 2020-2021 school year gave this year’s seniors an original freshman-year experience. The people that were able to attend school were forced to separate and wear masks and the ones that were virtual had a lack of interaction.

Amelia Lamb, a senior who is immunosuppressed, is one of the people who had to take her freshman year virtual since she is more at risk than the average person to become ill.

“Socially, I kind of felt isolated from my friends as a whole,” Lamb said. “I kind of was just trying to make online friendships that didn’t really last to fill that hole in my life. I kind of felt like I missed out on engaging with my friends at the start of high school.”

Students and staff alike all were affected by COVID, both mentally and physically. Senior class principal Jeff Blankenship had been with the seniors since they were freshmen, and had spent less time making connections than he wanted to when COVID was at its prime, but

the of ‘20

Here are some trends and fads that took the year by storm during the 20202021 school year.

(Content by Alex Wheadon, Photos by Payton Johnston)

rather sending students home or doing other tasks that added onto his job. He wished that he would have been able to interact with the senior class more closely.

“It was a frustrating time for me as an educator,” Blankenship said. “Sadly, I think that we can sort of blame COVID for many things in education now.”

COVID changed so much for the education system, especially from a community standpoint. Rather it be from distrust from the schools to lack of motivation, this epidemic affected many in countless ways.

“I feel like it really hurt my work ethic,” Lamb said. ”There was no one there to physically hold me accountable or whatnot. I just kind of just pushed everything back in the sophomore year. That didn’t really always work. That wasn’t always the end of the world, but it just kind of made everything worse in some regards.”

Among Us Hades

Among Us is a social deduction game that was released in 2018 by Innersloth but gained massive popularity in 2020 partially due to lock down from COVID.

Fall Guys is a party game that was initially released in 2020 on Steam and PlayStation but later went free to play releasing on all current gen consoles.

Hades is a rogue-like that was released in 2020 where you play as Zagrius, the son of Hades, who wants to escape the Underworld.

Raya and the Last Dragon

This movie was released early 2021 simultaneously on Disney+ and theaters.

Animal Crossing New Horizons

Animal Crossing New Horizons was the next game in the Animal Crossing series. In this game, you can explore the island and even have the power to terraform the island any way you want.

44
6 page design Abby Feil and Kaitlin Howard (2006) McKenna Hudson (2024)
Fall Guys
(Photo by Heidi Huff)

The Last of Us Part II

This game is a sequel to “The Last of Us” where the player plays as Ellie and Joel as they make their way through the United States and try to ward off the infection.

Live-Streaming

Podcasts grew in popularity during lock down as they were an easy way to hear from others in a new format.

Podcasts Godzilla vs Kong

This movie released early 2021 and showed the face off between Godzilla and Kong.

2020 was a crazy year with COVID and amidst a lock down, people needed something to watch and streamers were one of those things people watched. Platforms like Twitch got popular for their live streamers who got popular.

Streaming Services

As the lock down closed many things including theaters, streaming services got popular since you can watch your favorite shows or movies from the comfort of your home since the likes of Disney + or Netflix give you the movies you want to see directly to your home and let you watch it without leaving.

Elements from this page were used in the 2006 first day edition of the North Star.

page design Abby Feil and Kaitlin Howard (2006) McKenna Hudson (2024) north star • 05.08.24 7 Freshman Year
(File Photo) (File Photo) (File Photo)
BLAST FROM THE PAST

Sophomore Year

TRENDY TRENDS

This

This trend on TikTok, featured an old pug named Noodles where his owner would record him and pick him up while saying bones or no bones. The trend comes from a feature that Spotify does where it shows your most played songs that year but after people posted their Spotify Wraps.

SPOTIFY WRAPPED
(File Photo) (File Photo) (File Photo) These trends blew up during the 2021-2022 school year. (Content by John Butler) Wordle was
a word guessing game made by software engineer Josh
Wordle
but mainly picked up traction in 2022 and is still quite popular. This trend is one that most people know in which people would steal or take items from stores but mainly schools and then post it online. BeReal is a popular photo sharing app that allows its users to post photos once a day to let their followers know what they’re doing at that moment.
other
BONES OR NO BONES PUG WORDLE DEVIOUS LICK BEREAL 0.5 SELFIES TORTILLA 08 05.08.24 PAGE BY ISABELLA LANZARA & EMILY KATSIANIS (2011) CHASE PRAY (2024)
trend is an option in the camera setting where it takes a wide angle of an item, most of the time it being a person’s face. The challenge requires two friends and a set number of tortillas in each person’s hand in which they slap each
until one gives up.

A (KIND OF) RETURN TO NORMALITY

As the 2021-2022 school year began, so did massive school wide transitions.

Head principal Dr. Nathaneal Hostetler had just stepped down and Dr. Lucas Lammers was appointed as interim head principal. Class sizes increased, as many students who went virtual last year returned to in person learning. Popular school events such as homecoming made a return, even if they were held under strict COVID guidelines. The general consensus was one of skeptical optimism as staff and students didn’t know what the future would hold.

“We were adjusting to things we’ve never had to adjust to before since all of the COVID stuff was brand new for all of us,” senior class principal Jeff Blankenship said. “I know a lot of people overused this word at the time, but we were just trying to keep a sense of normalcy as much as we could.”

Prior to the school year beginning, the current school board voted on making wearing a mask optional for all faculty and students in seventh12th grade. However, students would still have to wear a mask while riding the school bus. This decision in combination with many virtual students returning, made many members of the community nervous on how ramped COVID would spread.

“I definitely was really nervous going into sophomore year that a lot of people would still be getting sick since COVID was still raging pretty hard back then with all the new strands popping up,” senior Enzo St. Gemme said. “However,

I was just happy to be back in school with my friends who were virtual the year prior.”

Due to masking and social distancing rules, relationships between students and teachers declined. Teachers found it more difficult to build relationships, as they had to teach at a distance while not being able to see the full faces of their students. Many people had different opinions on how this issue should be handled so it was a difficult process for administrators to navigate what policy changes to make as the school year progressed.

“COVID had a real impact on a lot of people from a physical and psychological standpoint,” Blankenship said. “We had people that just wanted to go back to how things were, but we also had people that were still skeptical about a lot of things. My job is to support educators and our students, while making them feel safe at school. So there were some difficult things to navigate there for a while, for sure.”

Natasha Haverly, pep assemblies are one of the biggest highlights of the entire year.

“I’d definitely say experiences like pep assemblies are some of the best times of the year since they really take you out of the school environment,” Haverly said. “It really would have been nice to have them as freshmen as a sort of introduction to what the high school experience is like.”

SCAN THE QR CODE

Scan the code below to view the original page design from 2011.

As the year progressed, more and more school events began to return to their pre-COVID ways. While homecoming had to be held on FHC’s football field due to COVID restrictions, Snowcoming was the first dance that was held at FHN since early 2020. In addition, the first pep assembly in over two years was held the day before snowcoming. For many students like senior

The craziness that arose from the initial shutdowns in early 2020, all the way to the end of the 2022 school year is unlike any that we’ve ever seen before. It brought the community closer as everyone navigated through the unforeseen times together. Students, teachers and admin alike learned lessons that they’ll carry with them well beyond the era of COVID.

“I think COVID opened the doors to some things that’s never going to be shut again,” Blankenship said. “We have far more students learning outside of our doors now than we ever did before. There’s more opportunities for students to learn in so many different ways and I just think education as a whole looks a lot different now.”

The 2021-2022 school year saw many FHN traditions and student favorites make a return after COVID-19 shutdowns
PAGE BY ISABELLA LANZARA & EMILY KATSIANIS (2011) CHASE PRAY (2024) 05.08.24 09
Seniors Andrew Lee, Kimi Henry and Patricia Fechter demonstrate the three methods of education students had during our sophomore year. (Photo by Victoria Montgomery)

SCAN THE QR CODE

Scan the code below to view the original page design in 2018.

A WINNING YEAR

The Powderpuff upset over the senior class catapulted the class of 2024 into a winning junior year

Junior year is often deemed as the worst year of high school. For many, that may be true. We have AP tests, we have the ACT and SAT, and it’s the time to start actually preparing for our future. But junior year was not all the doom and gloom people make it out to be. The class of 2024 had many wins, including the Powderpuff upset that took place on Oct. 18, 2022, against the senior class.

“In the last couple seconds of the game, one of the seniors was running to get a touchdown to tie it up,” safety and current senior Lucky Harry said. “But I pulled her flag at the last second and it was cool.”

The game was close and for the first time in school history, it went into double overtime. The class of 2024 pulled out a victory 112-105, and it was the first time the juniors had had an upset since 2017.

“Well, especially for senior year Powder Puff, it made us all come together even more because we won our junior year,” Harry said.

“And I think our junior year just made all of us girls feel like, ‘Oh, we’re really good, and we work really well together’.”

The game was not only a victory for the people participating in the game, but showed a larger victory for the class. After years of adversity, this was a moment that marked the beginning of a winning year and a sense of community for the class. The victory brought us together in a way that was noticed by faculty.

“I think it was really, for me, the first sense of pride I had,” Assistant Principal Jeff Blankenship said. “Like, these are my people, and we’re gonna go through this thing together.”

That victory catapulted us into other successes throughout the year including a state win by Mock Trial, and first-place victories in national competitions by the publications program. Clubs led by then-juniors like Dog Toy Club and Sun Club were notable during junior year. Sun Club even brought back the Farmers Market, which was a triumph for senior Hailey Zhang

“I felt proud to be part of such an amazing community of people,” Zhang said. “There could not have been success without the joined effort from Sun Club members, FHN students and our local community, so I’m really grateful for everyone who was involved.”

Overall, junior year was a winning year for the class and helped set us up for a senior year that was filled with memories and fun. Without the community and success we established last year, our senior year would not have been as rich as it would have been.

“I didn’t have that necessarily that same sense [connection] when they were sophomores and freshmen because I think there was so much other stuff that we were dealing with it I just didn’t get a chance to connect as well,” Blankenship said. “Last year my biggest highlight was I was kind of able to step back into that in a way that felt more normal and for me felt better about me being proud of the students that I’m in charge of.”

(File Photo)
PAGE BY SAMMIE HERR (2018) MCKENNA HUDSON (2024) FHNTODAY.COM | 05.08.24 | JUNIOR YEAR 10 (File Photo)

YEAR

(Content by Alex Wheadon)

Elden Ring

God of War Ragnarök

“God of War Ragnarök” is a loosely Nordic inspired game that follows Kratos and his son Atreus as they try to take down Odin.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3

This game is the third game in the “Xenoblade” series “Stray”. In “Stray,” you play as a cat as you explore the world.

Kirby and the Forgotten Lands

“Kirby and the Forgotten Lands” is the first fully 3D Kirby game that was released in 2022.

Claw Clips

A fashion trend that gained popularity due to its functionality and appearance.

The Last of Us

Released in January of 2023 on HBO, it was praised by many for its casting and writing, as well as the score of the show.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

This movie was released in April of 2023, and was a semi-controversial movie upon release with mixed reviews.

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

A live action movie based on Dungeons and Dragons that was released in March of 2023.

Cheese Tax TikTok trend

This trend on TikTok started in February of 2023 and showed dogs as they waited for cheese from their owner.

Cannon Event TikTok trend

An action RPG that was released in 2022 and was winner of Game of the Year for 2022. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

This trend on TikTok was based on the “Across the SpiderVerse” movie and something that happened to you is your

PAGE BY SAMMIE HERR (2018) MCKENNA HUDSON (2024) JUNIOR YEAR | 05.08.24 | FHNTODAY.COM 11
TEN TRENDS OF JUNIOR
(File Photo)

Senior Drake Morris points at the giraffes with his friends on the senior zoo field trip on March 12. (Photo by

TRENDS TREND ON

Here are some of the top 10 trends from the latest school year. (Content by McKenna

and Photos by

These cups took the school by storm and became a staple for water transportation.

Senior Jada Keller places tape on the ground in the Learning Commons to set up the dance floor for Snowcoming on Feb. 2. (Photo by Bri Dunham)

This addicting game was played by many due to its ability to be played without wifi.

This blockbuster movie came out in late July and caused North to have a Barbie inspired spirit day.

12
Seniors Aiden Manthey and Trenton Leuthauser cheer on one of their classmates during the homecoming pep assembly on Oct. 6 (Photo by Ankita Pandurangi) Payton Johnston)
STANLEYS
BARBIE
WATERMELON
A useful
to complete homework, ChatGPT represents the rise
everyday use of A.I. CHATGPT
Hudson Payton Johnston)
GAME
tool
of

SWIFT

Manys students attended the Era’s Tour and became die-hard fans of Swift.

MAKING THE MOVE FROM ONE CASTLE TO ANOTHER

As the class of 2024 plans for their post high school plans, reflecting on the memories that were made and the friendships that were formed are important factors that everyone should hold onto

The “high school experience” means something different for everyone.

However, no class in FHN’s history can say they had the experience that the class of 2024 had. While it can be easy to dwell on the negative circumstances that affected parts of those four years, the community of students that came together to make the most of the unforeseen times they faced shouldn’t be forgotten.

Due to the construction of the new building, many sports had to host their practices and games at different locations. However, the most controversial change came when it was announced all FHN football home games would be played on

our sister and rival school, FHC’s field. Despite the awkward location, the student section led by the goonies, still showed up in droves to showcase their North pride. Friday night football is one of the highlights of the entire year for students such as senior Alayna Lohaus. Hanging out with her friends every Friday to cheer on her fellow peers at North, was something Lohaus always looked forward to.

“I loved going to all of our football games,” Lohaus said. “My favorite one was when we beat Central during our junior year homecoming game. I loved how we all came together and were proud to be Knights that night.”

Logan Paul and KSI released this new type of sports/energy drink to mass consumtion

FORTNITE

Despite COVID restrictions causing the class of 24 to miss nearly two years of “normal” learning, a sense of community among students and their teachers was built as everyone powered through the uncertain times together. Teachers such as Dr. Brian Santos are very grateful for the connections they were able to build with students. “I just want the kids in the class of 2024 to know how awesome they are,” Santos said. “They overcame so much adversity and change and were able to just achieve so much during their time here.”

UGGS Fortnite released a new chapter earlier this year that spawned “Fortnite Friday.”

There are many games to choose from from Wordle to Connections and Crossword to Spelling Bee.

These are a comfy shoe that are versatile and can be worn during any season

NORTH STAR • FHNtoday.com • @FHNtoday •5.08.2024• Pages Designed by Chase Pray 13
Seniors Sara Ausbury, Matthew Gray, Sydney Staten and TJ Grygiel all hold up 2024 signs outside of the FHN lower entrance. (Photo by Kylie Taliaferro)
PRIME
TAYLOR
NYT GAMES

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

This spread showcases the six seniors on the photo staffs favorite photos they shot while being a part of the journalism program

14
Heidi Huff Senior Olivia Huff sits on the abandoned train tracks at Frontier Park for her senior photos. Payton Johnston Senior Lauren Chance laughs with friends during the walk of athletes parade at Black and Gold day on Aug. 19. Black and Gold day, an annual event, is held to help support players and their teams by raising money through various booths and carnival style games. Chance walked in the parade to celebrate the beginning of her final season on varsity tennis.
NORTH STAR • FHNtoday.com • @FHNtoday • 05.08.2024 • Pages Designed by
Chase Pray,
15
Kylie Taliaferro
and McKenna Hudson
Kylie Taliaferro Senior linebacker DJ Dillon puts on his helmet. Dillon has been playing football since third grade but joined the team his freshman year and has been playing for them ever since. Ankita Pandurangi Senior Hailey Zhang models a dress she created herself. Victoria Montgomery Senior Derrick Warren laughs with his step mom and dad at his football senior night on Oct. 12, 2023. He has been on varsity since his freshman year. He accepted his medal from his coaches and then greeted his family for hugs and pictures. Andrew Goffinet Senior Evie Kraus pitches at the mound against North Trail High during her sophomore year. Kraus had a solid set of strikeouts against North Trail High throughout the game.

HEAR FROM THE SENIORS

Seniors share some of their favorite memories and what they’ve heard in the halls (Images from Shutterstock, content by McKenna Hudson)

FAVORITE MEMORY FROM SENIOR YEAR

“Being able to be a part of FHN Choir has been such an honor. Every memory I have from those times has been a happy one, and I’ve made so many new friends. If I had to pick one memory though, it would be the grueling day that was Metro 8. Everyone bonded so much during the rehearsals and performance.”

- Senior, Morgan Gritz

“My favorite memory is when Austin asked me to Homecoming at a football game. It was so sweet and so perfect. I got to be with my favorite girls ever and have such a sweet thing happen. I was really happy and loved every moment; it was so cool!

- Senior, Lucky Harry

FAVORITE MEMORY FROM A SPORTING EVENT

“Junior year Homecoming game. 42-21 just in case y’all forgot the score.”

- Senior, Alex Guyton

“When I won softball districts 2022 and 2023.”

- Senior, Gianna Grapenthin

“Going to the lake over Spring Break with all of my friends.”

- Senior, Lauren Robnett

A TEACHER YOU’RE GOING TO MISS

“I’m gonna miss Mr. Fowler for his endless support and his coaching.”

- Senior, Chris Orozco

“The senior night football game because I like football and the crowd was all wild and it’s nice to see everybody support everybody.”

- Senior, Keyana Godfrey

“I’d say the soccer season as a whole was my favorite part. Going to practices and games was my favorite part.”

- Senior, Sam Wilson

“Beating Central and everyone being super hype.”

- Senior, Megan Steutermann

“Coach Yuede because she helped me a lot academically and helped me stay focused on school.”

- Senior, Walter Hammond

“I’ll miss Mrs. White because I’ve always enjoyed having her classes.”

- Senior, Thomas Forth

“Roungon because he’s so smart and he’s very straightforward and to the point.”

- Senior, Jayati Karre

16

SENIOR AWARDS NIGHT ON MAY 1

Senior Awards Night took place on May 1, from 6:30 to 8:30 in the large gym. Senior Awards Night is an annual event put on by the guidance counselors’ office. It is meant to recognize and announce awards that seniors have earned throughout their time at FHN. Senior Awards Night also will see several students recognized for receiving scholarships from various organizations. FHN’s jazz band will also be playing before and after the event.

“Senior Awards is mostly an academic celebration of our seniors,” College and Career Counselor Brooke Prestidge said. “There’s certain awards that they can qualify for based on courses they’re taking, GPA and ACT; so that would be like your college prep certificate, presidential academic excellence treatment, and then the national award that’s based on academic achievement. We also recognized students who have earned Bright Flight, and those students who have earned a national merit [scholarship or award]. So that’s a big part of it.”

While there are many academic awards which are available to all and usually based on metrics such as standardized testing scores and grade point average,

there are also awards which relate to membership or achievement in a particular club or organization.

“There’s certain clubs that seniors have been a part of which have an academic requirement,”

Prestidge said. “So National Honor Society, Quill and Scroll, Mac Scholars, and if a student’s earned Seal of Bi-literacy.”

Senior Awards Night didn’t just play host to the recognition of awards, but many students were also recognized for scholarships as well. Most excitingly, some students won’t know about scholarships they’ve earned until their name is read during Senior Awards Night.

“[They were recognized] if they’ve won some scholarships from our school or our community that we are made aware of,” Prestidge said. “We don’t always hear about who is winning scholarships. But if they contact us to tell us ‘your student won a scholarship,’ we will recognize that at Senior Awards. It’s always a fun night and it’s a chance to celebrate all that we’ve done for four years.”

FHN TEACHERS TO RETIRE

Some longtime teachers will not be coming over to the new building. Jon Travis has taught at North for the past 25 years and he has taught a multitude of classes such as physical science and AP seminar and research. After being in the building for so long, he has made connections with many students.

“I really love the daily interactions we have with the students,” Travis said.

After retirement, Travis plans on traveling, subbing, working on his home and catching up on well-deserved sleep.

Business teacher Mim Eaton has been teaching for 23 years, and has taught every class in the business department, including personal finance and marketing. She was also the DECA and FBLA sponsor. She plans on going to the Isle of Man to watch competitive motorcycle racing after she retires.

Emily West has been in education for 25 years, and has taught biology, environmental science and health. She also works as a special education teacher. After

she retires, she plans on volunteering at the animal shelters at Longmeadow Ranch.

“I really love seeing former students out and about, it’s nice to see people I taught a decade ago at Walmart with their kid,” West said.

Brian Stemmermann has been the FHN shop teacher since 2003. He has taught nearly all of the industrial technology and engineering courses at one point in his career. After his retirement, he plans on playing in an adult ice-hockey league, traveling and doing construction work on the side.

“It has been absolutely amazing here. I love teaching woodworking,” Stemmermann said.

Special education teacher Erica Gittemeier has been at North for 27 years. She has taught nearly every subject at one point or another, and wants to spend her retirement subbing and spending time with her family.

“I really love seeing kids getting ready to graduate and feeling proud about what they have done,” Gittemeier said.

Read about the seniors on sports staffs favorite graphics, videos and other projects they made throughout the year

“I

did a

- Senior, Austin Vollmer

“It

- Senior, Sam Reimer

“It looks the best out of all the graphics I’ve made.”

- Senior, Mason Mitchell

18 SPORTS SENIORS FAVORITE PROJECTS
(File Photo) “The Gold Blooded video because it’s the most sound effects I’ve ever used in a single video.” - Senior, Parker Smith never mic’d up before and cheer is an unusual sport to cover and it was fun to do.” was the first time I did a game recap and I did it in two days so I’m pretty proud of it.”

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SENIOR WORD SEARCH

(Content by John Butler, photos by Andrew Goffinet, games generated and used with permission from Discovery Education)

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5. You can never have enough of these

NORTH STAR • FHNtoday.com • @FHNtoday • 05.08.2024 • Pages Designed by Ben Henry (18) Chase Pray and John Butler (19) 19
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SIGNING OUT OF 105 and 131...

Meet the last class of seniors in our publication program to graduate from the current school (Photos by Payton Johnston)

Lauren Harmon Editor-in-Chief of Yearbook Staff

“Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you.” - Taylor Swift

Grant Kilen News Staffer

“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”- 1 Corinthians 16:13

Samuel Reimer Sports Staffer

“I tried being reasonable. I didn’t like it,” - Clint Eastwood

Ray Hathcock Managing Editor of News Staff

“Kindness is the most important quality of any person, stay true to that.”

Ben Henry News Staffer

“The first thing to know about being a racecar driver is that you don’t listen to losers.” - Reece Bobby

Luis Escobar Sports Staffer

“Erm, what the sigma!”

McKenna Hudson

Editor-in-Chief of the North Star

“I’m Batman.”- Batman

Kylie Taliaferro Creative Design Manager of Photo Staff

“My hair isn’t in your view. It is the view.”

John Butler News Staffer

“Getting out as fast as I can but wish you the best of luck!!”

Austin “Bronny” Vollmer Sports Staffer

“Don’t listen to all the talk, just do you!”

Chase Pray

Editor-in-Chief of FHNtoday.com

“You’re much stronger then you think you are, trust me.”- Superman

Hannah Anderson

Managing Editor of Yearbook Staff

“Couldn’t have done it without coffee and Gilmore Girls.”

Alex Wheadon News Staffer

“A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad.”Shigeru Miyamoto

Mason Mitchell Sports Staffer

“I’d rather have one med kit than 10 bandages.”

20

Payton Johnston

Editor-in-Chief of Photo Staff

“Harry Styles, Fine Line, @ 4:37.”

“I’ll have an iced white chocolate mocha, thanks.”

“Life is like photography, I develop from the negatives.”

“And I said, that’s why you’re no longer president! 2 Weeks! Let’s do it in 2 WEEKS! HEYYYY!!” - Gob Bluth

Parker Smith

Editor-in-Chief of Sports Staff

“Be so good that people can’t ignore you.” - Steve Martin

Sports Staff Video Storytelling Editor

“Follow nobody, create your own wave.”

“Goodbye everyone, I’ll remember you all in therapy.” -Plankton from SpongeBob

Jayda

“Don’t miss me, I’m just gonna live life through a new lens.”

Rhea Patel

Co Editor-in-Chief of Video Staff

“Can I do a medium energy with pomegranate and raspberry. What do you want Rhea?”

“It’s always darkest before the dawn” - Florence Welch

“What Lauren said.”

“I can’t see the end of the horizon HATSUNE MIKU!?” - SnapCube

Co Editor-in-Chief of Video Staff

“I’ll have the small red energy thing, Max what do you want.”

“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.“ -Vince Lombardi

“You don’t have to be sorry for leaving and growing up.” -Harry Styles

Melia Lanig Yearbook Staffer

“The most important thing we learn at school is the fact that the most important things can’t be learned at school.” - Haruki Murakami

NORTH STAR • FHNtoday.com • @FHNtoday • 05.08.2024 • Pages Designed by Chase Pray and John Butler 21
Andrew Goffinet Photo Staffer Madelyn Clark Max Ramirez Alternative Video Editor Om Nair Heidi Huff Photo Staffer Sydney Gronemeier Yearbook Staff Senior Ads Editor Sadie Cotton Yearbook Index Editor Ankita Pandurangi Photo Staffer Taylor Saale Video Staffer Nigel Bailey Video Staffer Reece Video Staffer Victoria Montgomery Photo Staffer

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