January 8, 2026

NORTH STAR THE STORY OF OUR LIVES

This issue’s in-depth features FHN staff and students who have chosen their own path.

Pages 18-23

FHNTODAY.COM • FRANCIS HOWELL NORTH • ST. CHARLES, MO 63303 • VOL. 40 ISSUE 04 • 01.08.2026

CONTENTS

01 • MISSOURI ADJUSTS TO THE SENIOR PROPERTY TAX CREDIT PROGRAM

28 • BUSINESS BRINGS FAMILY TOGETHER

FHSD NAMES NEW SUPERINTENDENT News, Page 1

67: THE TWO NUMBERS THAT TOOK THE WORLD BY STORM Entertainment, Page 11

36 • TEAM OF ALL AGES

HOWELL NORTH GRADUATE BECOMES SPORTS BROADCASTER

COLUMN: CONTENT OF CHARACTER

THE IMPACT OF A FAMILY

BLENDED LEARNING NEEDS IMPROVEMENTS

Features, Page 28

Sports, Page 39

Opinions, Page 42

Editorial, Page 44-45

City of Saint Charles McClay Library, another building that depends on funding in order to continue quality services. (Photo by Abby Dunbar)

TAX MEASURE HITS BALLOTS

by Nadia Okilee

nokilee160@g.fhsdschools.org

Mark Delaney smiles at the people behind him at his first official BOE meeting as superintendent. (Photo by Nadia Okilee)

FHSD NAMES NEW SUPERINTENDENT

The long-term interim makes the official step into his role as permanent superintendent and hopes to bring positive change to the district as a whole

by Haley Beffa

hbeffa397@g.fhsdschools.org

in different schools in the City of St. Charles School District or months, students and parents in FHSD have “I think he’s a good choice for our district,” principal been left in the dark about what’s going on Jon Schultz said. “I’m just really looking forward to a with the missing space for a superintendent. In stabilizing force.” early 2025, Mike Dominguez was announced as the One of Delaney’s plans is to implement better district’s new superintendent, but had resigned the day policies with the money that the district makes. He before his official start date, causing a controversial plans to focus more on where tax money is going and buzz between parents and administrators. Questions encourage parents to continue in the district surfaced, speaking up on their concerns with students and parents “He’s a Francis Howell person regarding finances. wondering what happened through and through.”

“It’s about being good stewards and what the plans were - Brett Bevill, principal of taxpayers’ money,” Delaney moving forward without said. “It’s about the physical an official superintendent structure, data privacy of students filling the role. After and staff, and kids and staff feeling a connectedness months of waiting and wondering without answers, with their district.”

FHSD welcomes the new official superintendent, Mark Being a part of the FHSD community for so long, Delaney.

Delaney being selected as superintendent has made “I’m definitely excited,” Delaney said. “I’m excited administrators in the district feel comfortable with that the board had confidence in me to continue in the decision. Delaney plans to continuously visit all the role.”

23 schools in the district to continue building trust, Delaney was named the permanent superintendent community and relationships. He is excited to see on Dec. 12. With over 30 years of experience in the what the future holds for FHSD and the better, educational field and 21 years in the district, Delaney stronger community he hopes to build. is ready to take the next step in serving FHSD. “He’s similar to all the families and people that go Delaney worked as a principal at Bryan Middle School here already,” Principal Brett Bevill said. “He’s a Francis for 10 years before joining the PR team. He also Howell person through and through.” worked at Mehlville School District, and has taught

F

A new measure has been passed for the April 2026 ballot. The senior Property Tax Cut program, also known as Bill 5413, takes the current principle and applies it to all residential owners within Saint Charles County. The current program allows senior citizens to apply for a property tax freeze and receive an annual credit check.

If the new bill is passed, the limitations will expand to all homeowners within the county.

“For us, it potentially represents a loss of annual revenue, as the years go on, should there not be a change, that amount would continue to grow,” FHSD Superintendent Mark Delaney said. “Something you buy today isn’t going to cost the same in three years. Salaries continue to rise; that’s what I think is a potential challenge for the district.”

For Bill 5413 to be implemented, a much larger cut from publicly funded buildings would be required. FHSD alone would lose a projected $4 million within the first year and another estimated amount of $20 million over the next five years. In addition to public schools, the Saint Charles CityCounty Libraries would face a little over $310,000 being cut from the program.

“Many people don’t know the work we do; we welcome 1.2 million visitors, we host 5,000 programs for children, teens, and senior adults,” CEO of Saint Charles City-County Libraries John Greifzu, said.

“We reach out to our local daycare, childcare, and early learning centers, we visit senior homes, we have a supportive early literacy program along with the senior program, and we even were able to offer 1,600 meals last year to kids during the summer programs. So what are we going to do with such a change to our budget?”

Though in defense of the cut, those receiving freezes would only be property owners. Various lawmakers advocated strongly to make sure the bill would be on the ballot this April. According to an interview conducted by First Alert 4, GOP lawmaker Joe Nicola argued for the right of pure home ownership as a supporter of the bill.

“Our home ownership is the American dream,” Nicola said.

Along with Nicola, Saint Charles County Executive Steve Ehlman is also in favor of the new bill and its possibility of enactment, going as far as shutting down lawsuits that multiple districts have come together and voted upon. Ehlman says the people of this county deserve, and have demanded, a tax

PAGE DESIGNED BY NADIA OKILEE & NAOMI VANDYNE • 01.08.2026 • NEWS • 01

Winter guard pratices after school outside of the main gym. (Photo by Madalyn Bridgewater)

WINTER GUARD STARTS A NEW SEASON

by Katie Paul

kpaul371@g.fhsdschools.org

As fall sports wind down and winter approaches, winter guard shifts into competition season at FHN. Similar to the fall season, winter guard combines choreographed routines involving flag work and sabre tossing with indoor performances at competitions throughout the winter.

Practices are held several times a week to learn and memorize routines, but despite the long rehearsals and demanding schedule, the team stays determined.

“It can be very hard, especially in the winter, but once you have a good team that you like being around, it’s so much easier,” senior Melanie Breen said.

The team has doubled in size since last season, which has allowed the members to grow closer as they work together.

“It’s a fun experience, you make a lot of friends and meet new people,” freshman Brendan Hoegemeier said.

This season, the team is

presenting two different shows, one called “The First Snow,” a joyful and exciting routine, and the other called “Porcelain,” a deep and renewing performance.

Guiding the members through two different shows can be challenging, but the coaching staff helps them master each part.

“It makes my day that I can be able to teach them something that I know makes them better as a performer,” assistant coach Lauren Willerton said.

With their first competition on Feb. 7 and more in the months ahead, winter guard is about teamwork, growth, and building a community where everyone is welcome.

“Just go for it,” Breen said.

“This is a hard sport, but all it takes is your effort. You don’t have to be good. You just have to want to try.”

02 • NEWS • 01.08.2026 • PAGE DESIGNED BY CLAIRA PRICE

The ensemble of Hadestown poses during the performance. (Photo by Eashaan Patel)

FHN THEATER BUILDS MOMENTUM WITH MUSICAL AND STATE COMPETITION

by Abby Dunbar

adunbar938@g.fhsdschools.org

Most school activities in the winter are focused around sports, but theater’s winter season comes with updates on more than the musicals they put on for the school.

Since the production of the well-recieved musical Hadestown, theater students have been hard at work in preperation for Battle of the Howells on Dec. 19.

But the winter musical is not the star of the show for winter theater. Students have also been preparing for the state competition since December. “[Theater students have] prepared on their own time as well as prepared for the

musical,” Taylor Doverspike, drama director for FHN said.

This competition and musical season comes with changes Doverspike implemented when she took over as theater director at the beginning of the school year.

“I have changed some structuring of how things are structured, like at auditions, scheduling, and adding fundraisers, things like that, but they are all good changes,” Doverspike said. “[I have enjoyed] making connections with the kids and seeing their excitement for the shows we have and what they are doing.”

FRENCHTOWN STREET CLOSURE CREATES CHANGES

by Ashlyn Thies

athies277@g.fhsdschools.org

In April 2024, Missouri voters passed Prop C, allowing the construction of the City Centre Complex to start at the American Car Foundry property. This will include things like a city hall, recreation center, senior center and a four seasons farmers market. The construction has affected the Academy of the Sacred Heart, located on Second street.

“As soon as City Hall notified us that they were going to start construction and shut down second street in front of our school, we had to kind of brainstorm together and think about a new route for our arrival and dismissal of our students,” principal Mary Reepmeyer said.

This not only alters the students at Sacred Heart’s daily routine, but it affects many people, such as those who work on Main Street or people who go to the Steel Shop for sports or events. Many athletes who practice at the Steel Shop are impacted by the road closure.

“It’s not really more different,” sophomore Makenzi Foley said. “It’s just I have to go a different way than what I’m used to.”

Construction continues on the streets of Frenchtown as the completion is estimated to be between 2027 and 2028.

(Photo by Kira Pierce)

THOUGHTS ON NEW POLICY

(Photo by Layla Williams)

(Photo by Tia Soar)

(Photo by Emma Simmons)

FUN FACTS CREATE DECA AND FLBA CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

MATH MAKES TEST RETAKE POLICY

ivassoller054@g.fhsdschools.org

raathreya505@g.fhsdschools.org

by Isabella Vassoller

by Samantha Hall

FHN algebra teacher Anne Ledbetter often hosts trivia nights for her friends and family separate from her day-to-day teaching job.

Three years ago, she decided to overlap this passion with her teaching job, and she became the sponsor for the Scholar Bowl club at FHN. During meetings, students work to learn new questions that they could be exposed to when tournament day comes around.

“I just really like that Scholar Bowl teaches you things that you wouldn’t learn anywhere else, I think a lot of people would have fun if they joined,” junior Ryan Neukomm said.

The club is also done by many other high schools in the area. Five-week-long tournaments are held on Tuesdays by a different school each week.

Scholar Bowl provides the opportunity to create new connections with people who have similar interests, such as knowledge of random facts.

“My favorite thing is when kids start talking to each other and I see the collaboration of how excited they get sharing their information,” Ledbetter said. “One of my favorite things has always been to just know random fun facts, and it’s fun to be around other people who also love random facts.”

FBLA and DECA clubs help prepare students who are interested in business or marketing careers. Students compete against peers in various forms of competitions, consisting of role plays, presentations and tests over specific business areas. The clubs continue to grow in popularity, with DECA at almost 100 members.

“We’re just continuing to get more members, where we can go and compete at district, state and international level,” business Mike Freedline said. “They compete in topics for business, it could be computers, it could be anything in business law, and DECA has marketing competitions.”

The clubs stay busy with gatherings and sponsors. Recently FBLA and DECA held an ice cream making gathering at school before the first home basketball game to bring people together. They also sponsor a DECA cookie giveaway during the halftime contest at basketball games. A friendsgiving was also held in the cafeteria between these clubs.

“I’d say there’s a lot more opportunities now for anyone that’s wanting to join,” DECA President Dania Ferreyra said. “We have events for everyone, varying from sports, entertainment, apparel, and accessories.”

shall102@g.fhsdschools.org

by Rayna Aathreya

In the hopes of promoting student learning while maintaining accountability, the math department has adjusted its retake policy.

“For all of my classes, kids are allowed to retake,” math department head Stacey Bevill said. “But the policy will depend on the class.

For my AP Statistics class, there is a retake policy of two per semester, whereas my Algebra One class might have a little more lenience, as it sometimes requires a little bit of re-teaching and re-assessing.”

Setting a limit became necessary for the higher-level courses after some students began relying too heavily on test retakes.

“Students would always work on the previous chapter rather than focusing on the next chapter because they would bank on their retake,” Bevill said. “It turns into this vicious cycle that students get into.”

Senior Sammy Shi mostly agrees with this new policy.

“The majority of students who take test retakes use them for their intended purposes, and actually learn more in the process,” Shi said. “While I don’t necessarily think they should be limited for everyone, I do think this will prevent people from taking advantage of them.”

“That’s stupid. I feel like you should be able to retake your math test no matter what.”

Gracie Bitter, 11

“That’s good, because some classes are bad and some classes are better than other classes.”

Kris Roper, 9

“I think [the new test policy is] kind of stupid.”

Joey Biondo, 12

PAGE DESIGNED BY SIENNA RANDLE • 01.08.2026 • NEWS • 03

REGISTRATION 2026-2027

Take a look at a few of the many elective classes available to take next school year

CERAMICS

Students in a Ceramics class will create three-dimensional artworks entirely in clay. The prerequisite for Ceramics is Introduction to Art. (Photo by Rion Fleming)

INTERNATIONAL CUISINE

Students in International Cuisine will develop an understanding of other cultures, such as Latin America, South America, regions of the United States, various countries of Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa, Asia and the Middle East through projects. The prerequisite for International Cuisine is Foods and Nutrition I. (Photo by Jordyn Hollis)

DRAWING

Students in a drawing class will create two-dimensional artworks and draw from observation, perspective and personal communication of an idea. The prerequisite for Drawing I is Introduction to Art. (Photo by Tasia Lowe)

04 • REGISTRATION • 01.08.2026 • PAGE DESIGNED BY PEYTON THIES

INFINITE CAMPUS

STEPS TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES

Scan the QR code to access the platform used by the district to register for classes.

REQUIRED CLASSES 4 Language Arts 3 Social Sciences 3 Math 1 Practical Art 1 Fine Art 1 Physical Education 0.5 Personal Finance 0.5 Health

ELECTIVES 7 Electives It is easy to acquire all the electives needed for graduation by gradually incorporating them into your schedule.

The photos below show some of the many options for electives at North.

STUDY HALLS, TA HOURS AND A+ TUTOR Take a study hall to catch up on work, or be a Teachers' Assistant for a class you did well in. A+ tutors get two free years of school at a local community college.

BECOME AN A+ TUTOR Scan the QR code for the A+ Tutor enrollment form.

WHAT IS THE BEST COURSE?

THE NOVEL

Students in The Novel will read, discuss and analyze literature of their choosing. Each Friday, English teacher Lindsey Scheller provides hot chocolate to her Novel students as a reward for hard work.

(Photo by Claire Brightwell)

WOODWORKING

Students give their favorite elective courses that they've taken during their time at North.

“I really liked Child Development 1 with Mrs. White, it was really fun and I loved being able to take the robot baby home."

Sophia Caples, 12

Students in woodworking will use hand tools, power tools and machines to complete projects. Mathematical and problem-solving skills will be used in a non-traditional classroom setting.

There is no prerequisite and this course counts as one practical art credit.

(Photo by Piper Bill) "My favorite was probably Marketing 1 and 2, the group of people is just so fun. And I think it's really helpful because business is such a large major people choose."

Parker Frankland, 12

"I really liked AP Art, I think if you enjoy art you should take it, you can do whatever type of art you like for almost the whole year."

Emily Thomas, 11 PAGE DESIGNED BY PEYTON THIES • 01.08.2026 • REGISTRATION • 05

HAVE YOU PURCHASED YOUR 2026 YEARBOOK YET?

If you see your name below, it means that you have purchased yours! If you haven’t, you’re not too late...but don’t delay. The price is currently $65 and will increase to $70 in on Feb. 27. You can purchase online at FHNtoday.com/yearbook or by bringing a $65 check made out to FHN or cash to Mrs. Kiel in room 1230. Don’t miss your chance at this irreplaceable student created keepsake featuring YOU and the story of FHN this year. Questions? Email adviser Jordyn Kiel at jckiel@g.fhsdschools.org.

James Abeln Luke Abeln Olivia Abeln Amir Abunaemeh Zain Abusoud Aiden Ackenhausen Evan Adams Christian Adkisson Oliver Adkisson Sofia Agram Zachary Ahmad Jacob Albertson Avery Albrecht David Alford Yashas Andavolu Avery Anderson Harper Anderson Megan Archer Evan Arnold Alyssandra Atkins Connor Atkinson Addison Aylward Nora Babbitt Graham Bachelier James Barnett Harrison Barnum Benjamin Bartels Katherine Bass Anna Bauer Nora Bauer Joseph Baur Turner Baustian Caden Beabout Ryan Bechard Grady Beckmann Taylor Bell Olivia Belonog David Bentley Ella Bentley Evan Bentley Cooper Berriman Jackson Berriman Landon Beyer Hen Bischof Isabel Bisges Isabel Bisges Nathan Bitter Shaun Black Madison Blake Diesel Blanton Lennon Bleyenberg Myca Bleyenberg Nicholas Blum Kailynn Bockerstette Ayda Boerner Paul Boock Ava Borton Amaya Bose Tristian Bosley Brendan Bowers Maclin Brady Elaina Brand Sean Brand Carissa Brand Sylcox Christopher Brandt Laurel Bratcher Maddoc Bray Konnor Breden Addyson Brenner Coulter Brenner Madalyn Bridgewater Claire Brightwell Breanna Brinkman William Broadstone Kayden Brooks Noah Brown Conner Brunner Austin Bruns Jackson Bruns Noah Bruns Cameron Burris Jyla Bustos

Kelsey Button Noah Button Hailey Cage Sophia Caples Eileen Cheung Cameron Christie Collin Christie Kamdyn Clark Emily Clausner Kaitlin Clayton Allison Coffman Caleb Cole Logan Collins Nadiyah Collins Patrick Comer Nicholas Corum Bailey Cosby Lincoln Cosby Dylan Cosper Sydney Cotton Caleb Couch Nakumbae Coulibaly Cody Cox Emma Cox Noah Cox Carter Cracraft-Howe Theodore Craver Theodore Craver Winston Creaghan Skyler Crets Abigail Crume Brithanny Cruz Ashlyn Cunningham Graiden Cunningham Malorie Cureton Kailyn Curtis Ali Dabrowski Nate Dannegger Amelia Devine Lily Devine Tucker DeVries olivia diekemper Donation Donation Canyon Dubis Jersey Dubis Bryce Dulaney Abby Dunbar Olivia Dunn Tristan Dunn Alyssa Dupske Moira Dustin Daniel Dwyer Sara Echeverria Lola Egea Toettcher Aaron Eggering Ma’lai Ellis Kiersten Emert Desmond Endres Courtney Epplin Natalie Epplin Ethan Espinosa Alivia Estes John Evans Aleia Evola Tysen Ewing Leigha Faber Leah Fajatin Elana Farrar Annabelle Farrow Colin Fartashpour Luna Ferris Emma Fingers Allyssa Flieger Brady Forbes Jacob Foster Ava Frankland Parker Frankland Amelija Fredricks Kara Frey Audrey Friedman Adam Frisby Alex Frisby

Mackenzie Fritsche Danica Fugina Christopher Fujinaka Grace Gaghen Korbin Galeski Jackson Gamby Nathan Gamby Maddon Garner Katie Gaynor Benedine Gentile Stefania Gentile Madelyn Gerber Mason Gerber Elle Gerhardt Kaia Getz Sierra Getz Josephine Gibson Margaret Gibson Connor Gill Jaiden Gleason Lainey Gleason Sophia Glenn Johan Gonzalez Garcia Yocelyn Gonzalez-Ortiz Nicklas Grabowski Isabella Grace Dylan Graham Caleb Grashoff Logan Grashoff Dakota Gray Holly Greenwood Rocio Grille Alvarez Dylan Groves Samantha Hall Jumana Hamad Silas Hamelin Addelyn Hamilton Brooke Hanson Lucas Hanson Nathan Hanson Isaiah Harris Makayla Harris Vegas Harry Ryan harshbarger Calvin Hart Samuel Hasanov Kori Hathcock Razariah Hatten Gabriel Hatton Lauren Hazen Corrine Henry Leah Hewlett Savannah Hill Charlotte Hillier Addison Hoard Kingston Hoch Colin Hodges Evie Hoffman Erin Hogg Cameron Holland Luke Hollinger Liam Hood Lilian Hoormann Grayson Hopkins Scarlett Horstman Michael Houdeshell Addison Howard Brooklyn Howard Carson Howard MADDY Howell Trenton Hummel Emily Hunsaker Alexis Hunter Evan Hunter Trace Hunter Elijah Huxel Dean Hyatt Joseph Ingracia Pearce Ingram Marissa Inman

Izabella Jackson Omar Jalamna Presley Jaques Hayleigh Jaramillo Jackson Jaramillo Moya Jefferson Lucas Jenkins William Jennings Scar Johll Aja Johnson Nathan Johnson Sop Johnson Joanna Jolly Anthony Jones Caelyn Jones Colden Jones Kylie Jones Cortlan Jordan Kimora Jordan Alex Joslin Braelyn Kashmerick Rylee Kennedy Miles Kepple Celina Kim Grace Kirn Preston Kisler Melanie Kistner Jadyn Kitchens Dean Klein Charley Klestinski Matthias Klestinski Thomas Knecht Olivia Knehr Nicole Knop Sophie Kraemer Julia Kreifels Isaac Kuntorovskiy Joel Kwarta Noah Kwarta Gavin LaBeau Logan LaBeau Kyra Landers Anthony Landry Addison Lane Ethan Lang Ariana Larsen Austin Larson Ayden Larson Jenna Lauer Quinn Layton Valentin Ledezma Tiffany Lee Hayley Leible Charlotte Leighton Esther Lin Claire Locke Alexis Lohnes Hayden Long Tasia Lowe Noah Luechtefeld Sophia Lumetta Lauren Luster Iain Lyle Ava Maag Leah Maag Liam Mahaffy Kane Manfull Evelyn Manning Dominic Manzella Donna Marquez Nava Alexander Martensen Avery Martensen Lindsey Maurer Zoey Mazuranic Doyle McCandless Adam McCoy Ellie McCoy Stella McCoy Adelie McDonald Katelyn McDowell Brice McFall Eleanor McFarland

Harrison McGowen Colin McGuire Gwyneth McGuire Rebecca McGuire Ryan McGuire Laila McKindles Brett McNail Anne McPartland Kylie Meeker Christina Mehr Ella Melton Kaili Melton Madison Meyer Camron Miller Brock Mills Gabrielle Ming Jaiden Minnella Kaylin Minnella Molly Montgomery Jasmyne Moody Aiden Morgan Kaylin Mort Wesley Mueller Dane Mullins Charlotte Mumma Christopher Murillo William Murphy Hussain Mushtaq Brayden Mussmann Dylan Mussmann Mia Myers Sumi Myung Aiyla Neals Rayhan Nepal Ryan Neukomm Wyatt Newton Vanessa Ng Vanessa Ng Mia Nickelson Teagan Nies Andyn Nodland Reece Nordman Barret Nussbaum Miranda Oberlin Brady OConnor Cristiano Oestereich Mia Oldani Charleigh Olshwanger Isabella Ott Hannah Palmer Jason Pate Kaleb Peachee Camden Peck Evie Peck Victoria Petot Madelyn Petty Brenna Pham Charles Phillips Jada Phillips Isaac Piant Amelia Pierce Kira Pierce Riley Pierce Jonathan Pijor Josephine Pingel Maxxwell Pingel Lucas Pirtle Joshua Place Camryn Portell Hailey Portell Ryann Portis London Postier Andrew Powell Madeline Powell Claira Price Evelynn Prinster Olivia Prinster Mason Prosser Kaeden Prost Brayden Prouhet Sienna Randle

Yazan Rawashdeh Cailyn Rector Lincoln Rector Elijah Reed Noah Reed Ashlyn Reid Molly Reilly Madilyn Reynolds Kyla Richter Noah Ridling Daniel Riggs Rylee Riggs Logan Rivera Ruby Roedell Avery Roever Autumn Roth Seth Rubio Alexander Rudolphi Nicholas Rudolphi Elizabeth Russell Shelby Russell Isaiahs Salas Jacquelyn Sander Maxamillion Sanders Joseph Santry Thomas Santry Callum Scales Keaton Scarbrough Aaron Schack Maggie Schaffrin Addyson Scharf Avagail Schaule Nicholas Schepker Greta Scheuermann Lucy Schmid Averie Schmidt Emerson Schmidt Alyssa Schmitz Brandon Schnarre Harper Schneider Jackson Schneider Tyler Schweitzer Agatha Scorfina Caleb Scott Grace Scott Mason Scott Kaycen Scott-Hutton Luke Seals Kamron Seibert Kayla Seibert Jaiden Shah Madison Shah Lennon Sharp John Shifflett alexis shinn Aubrey Shollar Brooke Sholtz Samantha Shoulta Emma Shrout Ella Sitarski Colton Sivia Kayla Slunaker Samantha Slunaker Jaden Slusser Adalyn Smith Jenna Smith Nathan Smith Madison Snyder Tia Soar Kayla Spoors Kelsey Spoors Ethan St. Pierre Kaitlyn Stebe Cheyenne Steed Kate Stelzer Kris Stelzer Landon Stirrett Nikola Stojanovic Peter Swoboda Samuel Tackett Brianna Taliaferro Eric Taylor

Kiley Tebeau Parker Terry Anna Teschendorf Christian Thakadiyil Ashlyn Thies Braden Thies Peyton Thies Lily Thompson Ophelia Thrash Austin Tiemann Macie Tierney William Tomlin Nicholas Trimpe Vinc Trji Kaasya Turcotte Logan Upchurch Haleigh Van Dyne Tanner Van Dyne Vivien Van Meter Ezekiel VanDyne Naomi VanDyne Caleb Vaughn Victor Vivas Guevara Wyatt Voelkerding Charly Vogel Alexis Volz Eleanor Voth Emma Wakeland Emmet Walgate Ryleigh Walgate Jake Walker Mason Walker Ryan Walker Zidian Walker Emily Wampler Marena Weatherspoon Rani Weidner Austin Westbrook Olivia White Jacey Whitworth Jovie Whitworth Isabelle Wilkie Riley Willen Tyler Willen Alexander Williams Kierra Williams Marissa Williams Roman Williams Addison Wilson Reagan Wilson Joseph Witte Aaron Wohlberg Brooklyn Woods Ember Yale Evan Yale Yuanfeng Yang Madison Zangraft Scott Zangraft Caden Ziha James Zimmerman

*Make sure your name is on this list by ordering your 2026 yearbook today at FHNtoday.com/ yearbook*

SAVE THE DATE

JULY

7-10 2026 JOURNALISM CAMP

REGISTRATION

OPEN NOW

MEDIANOW.PRESS @medianowbuzz

CAN YOU FIND THE ITEMS BELOW?

Each Life piece below is hidden somewhere in the large image

FIND THE HIDDEN GAME OF LIFE PIECES

by Nadia Okilee

nokilee160@g.fhsdschools.org

08 • INTERACTIVE • 01.08.2026 • PAGE DESIGNED BY NAOMI VANDYNE & NADIA OKILEE

ENTERTAINMENT

ALT COVER

CATCH UP ON POP CULTURE

View our entertainment stories from the overwhelming 6-7 trend to the future of arcades.

Pages 10-13

Illustration by Lennon Sharp Designed by Bri Taliaferro

01.08.2025 • ENTERTAINMENT • 9

6-7 BECOMES WORD OF YEAR

BEST ANIMATED MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

by Mahdi Abdallah

mabdallah396@g.fhsdschools.org

Seniors Cannon Morris, Damariah Woodson, and Kiley Harris do the 6-7 hand motion as Peyton Thies writes the numbers on the whiteboard. (Photo illustration by Eashaan Patel)

The same chaotic phrase has been repeated constantly: 6-7. Despite its popularity, not everyone knows where these numbers came from. It all began when an artist named Skilla released the song “Doot Doot”, and in that song comes the iconic 6-7.

This meme was popularized when a kid known as “the 6-7 kid” did the famous hand gesture at a basketball game while screaming “six seven.” Memes flooded in as people started copying him and doing the 6-7 motion every time the number six and seven are mentioned. This trend has taken over the internet and spread into schools.

“It’s definitely affected productivity because anytime you’re in a math class, or when the teacher is saying something about their sixth and seventh period have done whatever, the response is immediate,” senior Cristiano Oestereich said.

USA Today named 6-7 the word of the year. This makes sense to those who recognize the long-lasting effects of the meme popularized by internet trends but continuing to spread into everyday society.

“No other word came even close to the year long dominance of 6-7,” sophomore Akhil Kadali said.

(Illustration by Zoe Lobato)

(Illustration by Zoe Lobato)

(Photo by Shutterstock)

by Canyon Dubis

by Claira Price

by Aerilyn Ide

(Photos by Shutterstock) Zootopia 2 A movie about a rabbit police officer who teams up with a fox to solve cases of missing animals.

Elio A movie about an 11-year-old boy who gets sent to space mistakenly, and learns how to navigate the crisis.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle The story of Tanjiro Kamado in Japan, whose little sister is turned into a demon.

To honor his family, he joins the Demon Slayer Corps

A GOLDEN YEAR FOR MOVIES cdubis608@g.fhsdschools.org

Little Amélie or the Character of Rain A little girl born in Belgium thinks she’s a God until the age of three. When family tragedy and an earthquake shatter her perspective, she’s forced to face the reality of being human.

Some of the greatest movies and TV shows came out in 2025. These included “Stranger Things” season five, “A Minecraft Movie,” “Wicked: For Good” and so many more.

“I like the character development [in ‘Wicked: For Good’] a lot more,” senior Lily Devine said. “And I feel like they kept us on our toes. The play and the book have different endings, and no one knew what the movie’s ending was gonna do. So I really liked that.”

The Golden Globe Awards highlight these amazing movies. Happening on Jan. 11, at 7 p.m., the Golden Globes will give awards in many different topics including lead actors, directors and screen writing.

“A lot of my friends say that Cynthia Erivo’s voice needs to be studied, in a good way, because her voice is awesome,” Devine said. “And I feel like their [Erivo’s and Ariana Grande’s] voices mix very well together.

Regardless of who wins what awards, there were many amazing films that 2026 productions will have to be ranked against.

“I really liked ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters,’” freshman Isabelle Wordle said. “ I didn’t know it’s up for an award, but I hope it wins.”

10 • ENTERTAINMENT • 01.08.2026 • PAGE DESIGNED BY KATIE PAUL

GTA 6 RELEASE PUSHED BACK cprice948@g.fhsdschools.org

GTA 6 has been pushed back in development by years by now, and fans are left wondering if it will even be released at all. The game has been delayed again, and the new release date is in November 2026, which many are disappointed by. “[It seems] like a finished game, all these delays make it seem like they’re pushing it back just on their own terms and they don’t wanna release this game,” senior Adam Williams said.

People aren’t surprised by this delay.

Some expected it, and hope Rockstar Games is really taking advantage of this time to make the game the best it can be.

“I lowkey just hope they make the driving experience more realistic,” sophomore Zaniyah Howard said.

Regardless of the far off release date and the frustrations that follow, fans are excited for when the game eventually releases and they can relive the fun they had when playing past GTA titles.

“It’s just a game I can play with my friends, and every time I would ever hop on the game […] it wouldn’t be any question,” senior Benjamin Bartels said.

SUPER BOWL LX PREDICTIONS aide261@g.fhsdschools.org

The 60th annual Super Bowl will be on Feb. 8. Students are excited to see who will compete for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

“I think the Bills have a good shot,” sophomore Ethan Espinosa said. “The Eagles, maybe the Chiefs if they decide to come up.”

The game will take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Most students predict teams that have won before.

“I think that Kansas [city] will most likely be up there, a few other really good teams, maybe the Eagles,” junior Mileigh Gibbs said. “They won last year.”

The Eagles won against the Chiefs at the 2025 Super Bowl, but over the last six years, the Chiefs have appeared in five Super Bowls and won three.

This year, the Chiefs will not have the opportunity to win as they were eliminated from playoff contention when they lost to the Chargers in week 15.

“I was disappointed that they were dropped,” senior Jacob Foster said.

“They’re my favorite team and I’ve watched them for years.”

SPOTIFY SHOWS USERS BOTH A YEAR IN MUSIC AND A MONTH AT A TIME

by Lily Thompson

lthompson080@g.fhsdschools.org

Every winter, social media explodes with screenshots of people’s Spotify Wrapped, the highly anticipated summary of a year’s music. Released in November of 2025, Spotify introduced a monthly recap for premium users to give them an extra benefit.

The monthly recap gives a shorter, more frequent overview of the month for users, but often gets overshadowed by the highly anticipated Spotify Wrapped.

“You wait all year, and then it finally comes, so it’s like this moment of excitement,” senior Evie Hoffman said.

Hoffman’s anticipation helps show a common trend in student’s favor for Spotify Wrapped over Spotify monthly recap.

Spotify Wrapped is released to over 700 million users worldwide a year, and over 200 million users review it in the first hour of it being released.

“With Spotify Wrapped I get to see how

much I listen to a person or a song overall each year,” freshman Charlotte Grene said.

While students admit that Spotify Wrapped is the more anticipated, big picture overview, students also find the benefits that Spotify monthly recap brings to the table.

“I think it’s [monthly recap] also pretty cool because sometimes I can just look each month at my recap to see how one month I’m listening to one genre and the next month I’m listening to another, and I completely switched up genres,” senior Charlie Kennedy said.

For many, the monthly recap doesn’t replace Wrapped, instead, students say the two additions to Spotify work together to create a bigger picture of students’ listening patterns through the months of the year.

“I listen to music a lot and like to know everything I’m listening to,” junior David (Illustration by Julianna De Los Reyes) Keen said.

MARTY SUPREME CHRISTMAS DAY TAKES OVER TIKTOK

by Nadia Okilee

nokilee160@g.fhsdschools.org

A handsome, well loved, neurotic man exercising his speech on large blimps and painting the statue of liberty orange might just be the wave of social media marketing.

In today’s world, social media marketing is arguably the most effective system to bring attention to any creative. Recently, a mock Zoom call took storm over TikTok when a film production agency A24 posted a 20 minute mock meeting to YouTube, featuring Marty Supreme star, Timothee Chalamet and his team discussing the release of his upcoming film. The story is a retelling of Marty Riesman, a witty and humorous hustler who took ping pong from his basement to the USA championship.

“The zoom call was so funny, it was a great marketing tactic and it made me really want to watch the movie,” junior Lucy Haar said.

“I’ve watched the trailer but I think the Zoom call made me more excited,”

Throughout the video, Chalamet shares his screen while opening disorganized files that hold his own ideas to boost the movie, like using the dominant color within their marketing campaign, neon orange, and coating it on blimps or the statue of liberty, as well as the grass and trees around. The files continue to repeat “Marty Supreme Christmas Day,” as the movie is Marty Supreme and was being released on Christmas Day. “It looks fire, we might have to make the statue of liberty orange now,” junior Maggie McDevitte said.

Since A24 posted the video, TikTok quickly ran with it, with fan or meme accounts taking snippets of the video and reposting it. Chalamet’s witty humor and wide fan base quickly created a new niche for Gen Z. “I definitely think the target audience was Gen Z or younger people, we all think it’s Sofia Hall watches the Marty Supreme Zoom call on her phone before pretty funny,” Haar said. school. (Photo by Ananthu Vedaanvitha)

FROM PRESS PLAY TO GAME OVER

by Bri Taliaferro

btaliaferro365@g.fhsdschools.org

A quarter slips its way into the cogs of a Ms. Pac-Man arcade machine. After a frenzy of competition begins, a group of 3-4 college friends in the 2000’s scrawl scores onto scrap paper and receipts. If they were lucky, they would see the score appear on the top score screen.

“We knew who had what score, and knew who could beat it,” Barry Morrison, Education Support counselor, said.

Arcades have started declining since the 2000’s, but there’s no denying the value they once had.

For Morrison and his friends, arcades were once the thing to do back when hours of fun only required change and a 10 minute drive.

“All friends would get dropped off by their parents, and everybody would meet because a lot were in the mall, or the bowling alley… It

was a good time,” Morrison said.

8bit characters started moving away from arcade machines to Gameboys in 1989 and eventually the Switch in 2017.

On Dec 8, Sofia Hall watches the Marty supreme zoom call on her iphone.

“It has changed the whole need of an (Photo by Samantha Garcia) arcade. You can have the XBox, a PS5, a computer, a phone and play 90% of those games,” Morrison said.

Despite this, arcades haven’t completely died out. In fact, junior Ben Brinkman returns to the Mid Rivers Mall arcade every six months with a friend he had once met at that very place.

Arcades may not be around as much, but it is clear there’s still something special in the social entertainment.

“I suspect they’re going to become small businesses… but just being in an arcade brings me joy,” Brinkman said.

(Illustration by Zoe Lobato)

PAGE DESIGNED BY CARLY HEDRICH • 01.08.2026 • ENTERTAINMENT • 11

Learn Adobe Premiere.

SIGN UP FOR THESE GREAT CLASSES NEXT YEAR! Tell stories you want to tell.

• Write Memorable Stories • Design Cool Pages

Sign up to take

JOURNALISM Sign up to take

BROADCAST JOURNALISM

Sign up to take

DIGITAL PHOTOJ

• Make Videos • Learn Adobe Premiere

• Learn Adobe Indesign • Get Work Published

COMM ARTS CREDIT

• Try your • Create hand at Videos podcasting for Social • Get Work Media Earn Comm Arts credit.

Published

COMM ARTS CREDIT

• Get better at interviews • Earn Dual Credit

Create video for social media.

• Take great Work with Sign up to• take photos Adobe

• Work with Photoshop

PRACTICAL ARTS CREDIT

BROADCAST JOURNALISMWe’re social, are you?

OMG,

you're glowing!

• Use Fancy DSLR cameras

Lightroom • Get Published

next year at FHN.

Find out more.

FHN media www.FHNtoday.com/TellMeMore

INSTAGRAM: @FHNtoday and @FHNgameday

YOUTUBE: youtube.com/FHNtoday

Capture your light with Okilee's Photos, scan the QR code, or follow okilees.photos on Instagram to book today!

SNAPCHAT: @FHNtoday & @FHNgameday

FACEBOOK: facebook.com/FHNtodayFan & @FHNgameday TWITTER: @FHNtoday & @FHNgameday

TIKTOK: @FHNtoday & @FHNgameday

As always, we have lots of updates week as well on FHNtoday.com.

@paigeakershair

Reed + Willow Salon Studios 1090 Wolfrum Rd. St. Charles, MO 63304 314.779.7721 paigeakershair.glossgenius.com PaigeAkersHair@yahoo.com

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT HARRY POTTER?

TOP10

Students at North describe their favorite aspect of the famous series.

(Illustration by Zoe Lobato)

“It’s my comfort series, I used to read it when I was in second grade, and I fell in love with it.”

Riley Kruse, 10

These top 10 childhood books are favorites to read, bringing back many fun memories.

(Content by Kalynne Massman)

4

(Photo by Shutterstock)

1

2

Pinkalicious

The Pinkalicious books are all about a girl who loves pink and has all sorts of imaginative adventures. People love the book Pinkalicious because it shows creativity, the power of imagination and being yourself.

Goodnight Moon

Goodnight Moon is a classic book in which a bunny is getting ready to sleep and says goodnight to everything around him. People love it because it’s a simple and soothing bedtime story.

“My favorite part about this book is not the book itself, but the memories I have tied to it.”

Miranda Oberlin, 10

3

5 6

If You Give A Mouse a Cookie If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is always a book that at least one teacher has shown, it’s about a mouse who asks for more things after already asking for a cookie. People love it because it shows how one small thing can lead to a whole bunch of different things.

“This books was something my mom read to me when I was little.”

Jaiden Shah, 12

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

This is a very fun book for kids, it’s imaginative, creative and silly. People love the part in the book when the pigeon wants to drive the bus and the reader has to say no. This part is interactive and keeps kids occupied.

A Bad Case Of Stripes

A Bad Case of Stripes is about a girl who worries about what others think when she breaks out in stripes.

People love it because it teaches kids to be themselves and not to worry about fitting in with others. The story is also very imaginative, creative, and colorful, which kids like to see.

“I liked this book because of all the colors in this book, I love when she turned into the rainbow.”

Maddy Cooper, 11

8 9

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a nostalgic story. It’s a rhythmic book about alphabet letters racing to climb the coconut tree. People love it because it’s catchy, keeps kids entertained, and helps them learn the ABCs.

Dr. Suess

Dr. Suess books are awesome because they’re filled with crazy and fun characters and fun stories that can teach a lot of stuff. Both kids and adults love these books because they are super imaginative.

Pete the Cat

Knuffle Bunny is a classic childhood book that many people read when they were younger. As she grows up with her stuffed bunny, there are multiple different Knuffle Bunny books.

(Photo by Shutterstock)

“I like how it’s able to be really comical, but also educational in some way as well.

I feel like the writing and the characters are better.”

Isaiah Moore, 9

Kids adore Pete the Cat because he teaches them to take life’s problems and have a good attitude. Pete has very catchy songs and simple stories, which a lot of kids love.

10

Knuffle Bunny

“I love this book because as a kid it was easy to read and my teachers read it a lot so now when I read it, it feels nostalgic.”

Stella McCoy, 10

7

(Photo by Shutterstock)

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

“The books are just really complex in the way as you grow in your reading levels, the author works with you to get into detail based off of where you’re at in your reading so she starts off with a simple storyline and gets into more complex themes.”

Marissa Inman, 12

Llama Llama Red Pajamas Llama Llama Red Pajamas is a childhood book that lots of kids have read. Baby Llama always gets tucked in by Mama Llama, but when Mama Llama goes downstairs, Baby Llama starts to get into his head with imagination.

Mama Llama comes to Baby Llama’s room to reassure Baby Llama is okay. Kids like this book because of the rhymes in it.

“The time is more modern and up to date.They also deal with real world problems the young readers may also face.”

Tatem Chrismer, 12

PAGE DESIGNED BY CANYON DUBIS & OLIVIA ABELN • 01.08.2026 • ENTERTAINMENT • 13

COMICS

Check out comics done by illustrators of the North Star

ADVENTURES OF HENRY AND FRANK PART 1 HENRY THE CASTLE IS ON FIRE!

Carly Hedrich

We have to leave now, hurry!

What??

...

What do we do now?

... ...

KINGSLY

Lennon Sharp oing!

B

Hey man, what’re you up to?

Trying tO beat my slinky record of 4.

I think the problem is there’s only 4 steps.

Oh, nice.

BENEFITS OF MAGIC Did you just finish fencing with Amanda?

Yeah, she kicked my butt, I hurt!

Put this on.

Claira Price Don’t those swords have tips?

Let me get my foil.

It’s still a sword!

Poke!

...Yeah, that doesn’t hurt.

Toss

What?!

14 • ENTERTAINMENT • 01.08.2026 • PAGE DESIGNED BY BRI TALIAFERRO

...?

Missing Project: Tim? Scan the portal to see Tim and Billy and other comic friends on FHNToday.com

Hey UH, where’s TIm and Billy?

OHHH, They COuldn’t Make it TODAY. SOmething about going to A... WEEB? Web??

I think they went through that portal up there

PAGE DESIGNED BY BRI TALIAFERRO • 01.08.2026• ENTERTAINMENT • 15

Cox Auto Body

1887 Old Highway 94 South Saint Charles, MO 63303 Phone 636.949.9649 Fax 636.949.5269 Email coxautobody64@yahoo.com OWNER JEFF COX

Check out more content on

NEWSMAGAZINES NEWS UPDATES PHOTO GALLERIES WEEKLY GAMES FEATURE STORIES VIDEO STORIES

HYPE VIDEOS WINTER SPORTS FALL SPORTS SPRING SPORTS PHOTO GALLERIES

Follow sports on PAGE DESIGNED BY PEYTON THIES • 01.08.2026 • TEASER • 17

THE STORY OF OUR LIVES Humans aren’t linear. Each experience is just one small part of what makes a person who they are. Our life’s tales, made up of these experiences, become guiding lights for those who follow. Here at FHN, each and every person has their own hidden tale. Whether these stories are lighthearted, serious or somewhere in between, they’re all integral parts of the students and staff that make up the school we love.

CONTENT BY: CLAIRE BRIGHTWELL, RILEY JENSEN, EASHAAN PATEL, BRI TALIAFERRO, & NAOMI VANDYNE

18 • IN-DEPTH • 1.08.2026 • PAGE DESIGNED BY RILEY JENSEN & BRI TALIAFERRO

SECRET ARY

RAISED ON DANCE

FHN secretary Brittany Kreifels reevalutes her childhood experience with dance and how it led her to where she is today

by Zoe Lobato

zlobato998@g.fhsdschools.org

I

n the living room, two-year-old Brittany Kreifels rounds the corner wearing shoes ten times too big.

“Plie!” Kreifel screams. A simple ballet movement.

“Guess it’s time to get some of your own dance shoes,” Jane Ditch, Kreifel’s mom, who is a dance teacher, responds.

Ditch watched her daughter fall in love with her passion, and the tradition of dance was passed down from mother to daughter.

“My mom danced, and I danced, so it’s in the family,” said Ditch. “It was just so fun to watch her in the very beginning stages: putting on her leotard and tights, fixing her hair, and sending her into class. All the things that come along with it were truly special.”

Dancing followed Kreifels from early childhood to college. It was a constant in her life and a reliable friend, allowing her to let all other worries go as she freely engaged in all styles of dance: tap, ballet, jazz and lyrical.

“Everything else could be crazy, hectic and busy, but when I went to dance class, I could just focus in and dance,” Kreifels said.

“It made me able to put everything else aside and was a great stress relief.”

Friendships formed in the dance class are valued outside of it. Long hours and days spent with one’s teammates lead to easy connections and bonds; friendships are inevitable.

“We would spend time together during the week and on weekends,” Lindsay Plato, a long-time friend of Kreifles, said. “After

dancing, we would have sleepovers, and then we followed each other into college.”

A lasting impression was made on Kreifel: a reliable support system that she carries with her even today.

“The friendships that it gave me really formed who I am,” Kreifels said. “I still talk to quite a few of those people today. When you spend that much time, and you dedicate that much energy to something, it really helps you build really great relationships.”

Years of dancing instill more than just how to plie; advancing within the industry requires the skill of balance, both literally and figuratively.

“Dance gave me a really good work ethic and time management,” said Kreifels. “If you are dancing as much as I danced, you have to learn how to fit everything in quickly.

I also think that it taught me a lot about relationships and how to collaborate.”

Challenges are a natural part of any sport, with dance demanding equal parts physical exertion and persistence.

Dancers must be able to move on from past criticisms.

“I think it’s hard to understand the rejection,” said Kreifels. “Especially because it’s not always based on skill.

It’s sometimes based on a particular hole that the team needs to fill, and just learning how to rebound from that.”

For Kreifels, dance is something that has always been in her life: a steadfast friend who has evolved

to fit into her life through every stage of life, her daughters carrying the torch.

“I have three daughters who all dance, and I love watching them,” said Kreifels. “I love witnessing their journey with dance and watching them grow. I also just started coaching this year for the JV team here at North, so I get to share my experiences and learn from the girls as well.”

PAGE DESIGNED BY RILEY JENSEN & BRI TALIAFERRO • 1.08.2026 • IN-DEPTH • 19

SENIOR BALANCES SCHOOL AND BUSINESS THROUGH DETAILING STARTUP Senior Avee Patel balances multiple jobs and future preparations with his personal life, all while still in high school

by Peyton Thies

pthies629@g.fhsdsdchools.org

Many teens are content working a minimum wage job in retail or fast food. Senior Avee Patel decided to take a different path, combining his interest in business and entrepreneurship with his desire for self-employment.

“I came up with business entrepreneurship through the CAPS program,” Patel said. “It all started as a project where we had $10 and our goal was to turn it into $100. We saw that the market for [interior detailing] around here, the St. Charles area was very needed.”

Him and his co-founder, Sukhman Singh, quickly realized that they couldn’t do it on their own. After adding marketing and sales managers from other schools, the group was fully formed. Diamond Shine Detailing provided an opportunity for each of them to gain experience in their desired career path. However, between school, working on his business, his job at

Fresh Thyme where he was recently promoted as a manager and his religion, it was difficult for Patel to balance his time.

“It’s quite the challenge, and you definitely have to have a calendar,” Patel said. “Especially if my school falls behind, that’s the thing I want to prioritize most.

After school, I am also very involved at my religious Hindu temple, and so that’s second. So I just form all my values, and what I prioritize.”

Having his priorities in line gives Patel time to maintain relationships with friends and family. “[Avee] detailed my car, and he did it for really cheap because I’m his friend,” senior Landon Stirrett said. “It was really nice of him to do it and he did a good job. He’s a great friend, he makes time to hang out with his friends and family.”

Even though the company is still new, the team is already thinking of future plans including detailing the interior of a police car or reaching out to a local fire station in hopes of gaining new customers.

“At the end of the day, we’re doing this not for the money, but for the experience as it provides great entrepreneurial skills such as communicating, marketing, branding yourself, learning how to promote, learning effective ways to negotiate, learning how to keep clients happy customer service and keep these clients coming back,” Patel said.

I wanted to be able to help students enjoy being in school and learning. And I just love the subject of science, so that’s why I chose to pass along that science knowledge.”

ENTREPR

ENEUR

20 • IN-DEPTH • 01.08.2026 • PAGE DESIGNED BY RILEY JENSEN AND BRI TALIAFERRO

ENT

STUD

LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

In Juli Smith’s career readiness program, students take on responsibilities that prepare them for life after high school

by Nadia Okilee

nokilee160@g.fhsdschools.org

The minute following the ring of the bell, students flow into Juli Smith’s classroom. Jordan Schmidt, a special education para, and a student named AJ Norman take turns spinning an orange foam dice, showcasing the unique learning style of students in Smith’s classes. Students build relationships, are challenged with assignments, and learn life long skills.

A group of students lead themselves to the dish room, which is typically seen as staff-exclusive, as paras follow behind. AJ and Cruise Leon are the first to put on their hair nets, excited to get to work. They immediately know where to go and what their role is.

“I love the apples [and] grapes,” AJ says while working on preparing the fruit for school lunches later that day. “I always do the apples and the grapes.”

Juli Smith’s special education classes contribute daily to FHN, whether it be cleaning up after students or helping prepare meals.

AJ slides on his gloves, and begins his job, which is to de-stem the grapes and organize them into their respective container. When asked, he admits that he doesn’t have a favorite between purple or green, he just likes grapes.

Beside him, Cruise stands, also getting to work on some produce. The lunch lady on the other side

STUD

ENT

of the counter engages in some small talk with the students as they work.

In the front end of the cafe, another small group of students work to prepare the check out stations and beverage fridge.

“My job is stacking[drinks and snacks], it’s pretty cool,” Cruise said. “I’m pretty good at it too. I put it all in one space and they face the same spot.”

For Smith’s students, these hours spent pouring sweet and sour sauce over chicken heavily contribute to their future. Smith’s first, second and fourth hour classes are career readiness classes. Students take on different jobs around the school to gain experience and replicate a typical job outside of school.

“The students are just the best,” Smith said. “I’ve been doing this for 30 years and I love the population that I work with. I love that every moment I’m with my students. It’s a learning opportunity for them.”

Upon entering Smith’s room, it is clear that these students are treated with the utmost respect. The space that the Department of Special Education has cultivated is built on trust, respect, and appreciation for all students. Beyond that, they are preparing their students for a future in the workforce and helping them to gain real-world skills and experience.

ENT

STUD

PAGE DESIGNED BY RILEY JENSEN AND BRI TALIAFERRO • 01.08.2026 • IN-DEPTH • 21

FROM NAVY DREAMS TO LUNCH LINES

Beloved lunch lady Patricia Meers worked several jobs before returning to North’s kitchen

by Sienna Randle

srandle854@g.fhsdschools.org

It’s 2006. Starting work as a lunch lady at FHN is now 72-year-old Patricia Ann Meers, or Pat for short. Pat skipped college, growing up a housewife and helping run a family owned grocery store before working for a few years at FHN. She then worked at Ashley Furniture up until 2019, when she started to miss cooking and seeing the kids from her prior work. She began working as a lunch lady at different schools like Independence Elementary and Bryan Middle before eventually coming back to FHN. “I love the high schoolers here, they’re all nice and polite and really good kids,” Meers said.

Meers’ job consists of baking tater tots, making pizzas, cashiering and taking care of the condiments table every day. “[Working with Pat] is a ball of joy, in all honesty it really is,” FHN head cook Kari

Cruzen said. “If she’s not here, the morale and the mood around the kitchen is kind of sober and very quiet. She’s the life of the party. She would give you the shirt off of her back if you had nothing.”

As a kid, Meers never thought she would work a job like this. She had always dreamed of joining the Navy and going to Africa. Though Meers never got to join the Navy, she did end up going to Botswana Africa in 2022, going on a seventeen day camping trip and jumping from hotel to hotel, seeing all of the wildlife with her family.

“Growing up, my goal in my senior memory book was to join the Navy and go to Africa,” Meers said.

“I never joined the Navy, but I went to Africa three years ago and totally enjoyed it.”

LUNC H

LADY

KELLY FINDS JOY IN NURSING After starting her professional life in banking, Amy Kelly discovered the quiet joy that led her to a life of care

by Carly Dyson

cdyson683@g.fhsdschools.org

NURSE

Nursing is often thought of as medical emergencies in hospitals and overnight shifts.

But for Amy Kelly, her passion has landed her a meaningful position at FHN as a school nurse. Kelly has been working at FHN since May 2021. She went to Purdue University and earned her degree in management and leadership, then went on to get her first job in banking after graduating.

“My work-life balance has always been a goal,” Kelly said. “I loved my job in banking–it was interesting, it was challenging, people looked up to me and respected my opinions, and I enjoyed what I did. But, it was requiring so much more work than life… I just saw that I had this opportunity to enter nursing and be able to continue that better work-life balance.”

Kelly’s older sister, Michelle Claravall, described her sister as being very calm and collected even in intense situations, which she believed made her a good fit for a nursing role. She went back to school as an adult and graduated in 2016. She has worked as a nurse at multiple schools since then.

22 • IN-DEPTH • 01.08.2026 • PAGE DESIGNED BY RILEY JENSEN & BRI TALIAFERRO

“She did an amazing job in her role in banking, and I think what she was missing was just the human interaction aspect that I know she gets from her nursing role,” Claravall said. “And I also think my nephew’s health played into it. I mentioned that she’s nine years younger, and although we had kids around the same time, her kids struggled with asthma and certain illnesses, and at their young ages, a lot of toddlers do.

So, I think she always wanted to learn more about the sciences, and I really think maybe that’s what drove her to want to pursue nursing as a second career.”

Kelly’s work-life balance did have a large part in her ultimate decision to study nursing, but her genuine desire to care for others was also very important to her.

During her time as a school nurse, she has worked to achieve her goal of helping others and she hopes she has made a lasting impact on many students.

“I hope people see just the happiness and joy that they added to my life and that I added to their life and pick out moments where we were laughing and happy together,” Kelly said.

FAITH LEADS SCHOTT BACK HOME FHN paraprofessional Jordan Schott resumes his teaching journey after strengthening his connection with God

by Olivia Abeln

oabeln067@g.fhsdschools.org

It was Sunday, May 18, 2025. Harvester Christian Church was having one of its last high school nights (HSN). The stage hosts run on stage.

“What’s up High School Night?” the stage host Jordan Schott asks. “I’m Jordan, and this is my co-host…”

Then, they start picking people to play a game. The game was chaotic but fun. The students were ready to engage and learn about the teaching that was to come. After the message was over, Schott came back on stage.

“I’m going to get real with you guys here for just a second. I recently lost my job, and I had been at this job for a little bit, and it was really helping me and my family. If you guys could just send prayers for me and my family, that would be amazing.” Schott said.

After he is done speaking, he goes right into announcements and dismisses the students.

Jordan graduated from Lindenwood University in May 2013 with a degree in elementary education. A few years later, Schott started working at a Christian school– Veritas Christian Academy– in

2016, where he taught 4th and 10th grade World History, and middle school PE and health. Schott worked there for six years, but he felt like it wasn’t where he needed to be in his life.

“The private school really wasn’t helping meet my family financially, so I prayed about that and just said, ‘Hey, I’ll try something different,’” Schott said. “God provided. And it helped in the season of life that we were in.”

In July 2022, Schott started a corporate job, working to help train adults how to use software and how to use their products. But after working there for three years, Jordan was unexpectedly let go. “[It was] kind of a blessing in disguise, because it had been very strenuous and stressful and just not what I wanted to do at the time,” Schott said. “It was helping pay the bills and provide for my family. But it honestly was a relief when I did lose my job, because it allowed me to look for something I really cared about or was passionate about, and that was teaching and coaching.”

And now, back on that Sunday night, Jordan is back on stage. He is trying to figure out what his next move is.

A few months later, Jordan is at Harvester Christian church for a Sunday service. Still worried about his financial situation. Little did he know that Assistant Principal Shelly

Parks was right around the corner.

“On the same day that I prayed about that, it was, about an hour later, I talked to someone at church, and they connected me with Mrs. Parks,” Jordan said. “I desired to be a teacher again, and I wanted to be a coach again.

God knows the desires of our hearts, and I expressed that with him over and over and over, it was just kind of crazy. It all happened on the same day.”

During September, Schott got a job at FHN as a paraprofessional, helping students in the SPED department. Schott wished people at FHN would see him in a new way. He wants people to see that he likes to be silly, but also that he can be serious. That he loves to talk to people and know their story.

“I would like them to know that I do love God and I love his people,” Schott said. “I like to connect with people. I like to talk about their lives. I like to have fun.”

Jordan’s coworkers think he’s perfect for the job.

“His temperament is just really calm,” paraprofessional Sierra Porrit said. “He doesn’t get upset or worked up about anything, which is really important in a role like this.”

PARA

COLLEGE CHOICE CHANGES HERMAN’S CAREER PATH Counselor Ann Herman details the impact her choice of career has had on her life

by Riley Jensen

rjensen810@g.fhsdschools.org

Many people consider their college years to be the “best years of their lives.” What a lot of people don’t recognize is the weight of the decisions they make during those years. For FHN counselor Ann Herman, a key decision she made during her sophomore year of college changed the trajectory of her entire life.

“I started out as a biology major in college, I thought I wanted to go into the medical field,” Herman said. “I took a psychology class and fell in love with it. Immediately, at that point, I changed my major from biology to psychology. I think that’s really just where my passion

was.”

Herman has always been a “caretaker.” The oldest of two, she found herself taking on a nurturing role in her younger sister’s life. Today, she still finds herself helping everyone around her.

“She has a natural ability to just be very calming and welcoming,” FHN counselor Stephanie Johnson said.

“Students just feel very comfortable with her. I feel comfortable with her myself.”

Although Herman knew switching majors would mean taking extra classes, it ultimately made her college experience much more enjoyable.

“The biology courses felt a little bit more like a grind,” Herman said. “My

psychology classes were much more satisfying…When you realize that you are making a difference where you are positively affecting somebody or helping them in some way, I think that’s probably just the most satisfying thing.”

Switching her major ended up being one of the most positive decisions Herman has made. “[Psychology] has been an honor— it’s a privilege to work with so many people and hopefully bring some positivity to their life,” Herman said.

COUN S

ELOR

PAGE DESIGNED BY RILEY JENSEN & BRI TALIAFERRO • 01.08.2026 • IN-DEPTH • 23

“

“MY FAVORITE PART ABOUT THE JOURNALISM PROGRAM IS ALL OF THE OPPORTUNITIES IT PROVIDES STUDENTS HERE AT FHN. THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT PATHS YOU CAN TAKE WHEN YOU JOIN, MAKING IT A GREAT EXPERIENCE TO BE A PART OF NO MATTER WHAT YOUR INTEREST IS.” — Nicole Knop, FHNgameday Staffer FHN Media

ENROLL IN A JOURNALISM CLASS FOR NEXT YEAR.

Journalism - (Writing & Design Focused) - 1/2 Comm Arts Credit & Dual Credit Option Broadcast Journalism - (Video Storytelling Focused) - 1/2 Comm Arts Credit Digital Photojournalism - (Photography) - 1/2 Practical Arts Credit

ALREADY TAKE AN INTRO COURSE? JOIN STAFF. Applications for 2026-27 are available now.

Find out More at www.FHNtoday.com/TellMeMore

FHN media

FEATURES

ALT COVER

BALLGOERS EMBRACE TRADITION Senior Rylee Riggs spends evenings at period balls, reliving historical moments.

Page 26-27

Photo by Aubrey Henning Designed by Canyon Dubis

01.08.2026 • FEATURES • 25

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION What Is DAR?

The DAR is a non-profit, nonpolitical volunteering organziation with around 190,000 women as members and 3,000 chapters around the country.

What Does DAR Do?

One of DAR”s main goals is to continue education on early American life. They mostly volunteer all around their chapter area, and find underserved locations or organizations that value Military service and history.

How Can Being a Member Benefit Me?

The DAR gives their members multiple opportunities for creating a community among themselves, educates them on American history, helps them grow as people through service opportunities, and guides them towards connecting with their ancestor’s background.

How do I Join?

To join the DAR, you need to be at least 18 years old. Future members need to find a DAR chapter near them, fill out a Membership Interest form, collect proof of past relatives who served in the Revolutionary War, and a current member will help you to fill out the actual appplication, and help you get connected.

Why Do You Like DAR?

“People are really cool, and DAR is like a magnet for really cool people. They might be a little weird, but they’re really cool.”

Rochelle Riggs, Rylee’s mother

BALLGOERS EMBRACE TRADITION AND BUILD COMMUNITY Senior Rylee Riggs expresses how handmade gowns, choreographed steps and a tight-knit community turn average evenings into journeys through history

by Naomi VanDyne

nvandyne312@g.fhsdschools.org

D

ancers whirl around the ballroom estimates she has at least 14 completed as the evening takes its members outfits, with more to come. back to the Victorian era of the late What started as costumes solely for 1800s. It seems as though all sense of stress Renaissance faires turned into many different and multitasking has been erased as dancers styles as the family moved from California fill out each to Missouri in late others’ cards, “It’s a very tight knit community and 2018. Once in St. like a scene Charles, the Riggs from Pride and everyone knows each other.” sought new ways Prejudice.

- Rylee Riggs, 12 to connect with Modern the same communities as they had before, onlookers who are not accustomed to these and found some success in historical and events may find it strange, but avid ballgoer heritage-based organizations.

Rylee Riggs assures us that this is something Rylee anticipates her upcoming perfectly ordinary people love to do.

12th Night-themed ball on Feb. 7 “I love the community,” senior Riggs in St. Genevieve. She encourages said. “It’s a very tight knit community and others to try the ball experience everyone knows each other.” sometime, even if the activity may Without technology, ballgoers are left to seem unusual at first. For the socialize.

Riggs family, it’s more than just Rylee has made several friends who a dance. These moments are frequent the same balls as she does, but she meaningful celebrations of also enjoys bringing friends along. She and history, community and Mackenzie Hill, another senior at FHN, enjoy merriment. both talking to people and dancing. Hill “I really strongly recounts a specific, choreographed dance believe that the they learned while at the ball. more involved you “Getting to [learn the dance] and have that are, the more that moment was really special,” Hill recalled. “It you understand was a really fun time getting to learn a whole the history and new thing in a couple of minutes, and then embrace it and actually getting to dance.” remember it Dancers sweep across the grounds. too,” Rochelle Doctor, lawyer or NASA scientist—the said.

Riggs have met them all. But they can’t tell underneath the layers of suits and silk, making everyone an equal part of the story.

Individual outfits create a cohesive and classical blend that transforms the evening.

Instead of the sweats and athletic styles of the modern day, women move in elaborate dresses with exaggerated hips and elegant wigs.

“You can tell everyone dedicated time to their outfits,” Riggs noted.

For Rylee and her mother, these are completely handmade, as though they really were from a pre-industrialized age. Some projects are quick, but most others take much longer than a day or two.

“Depending on the item or piece, it could be a day, it could be a couple days, or it could take three months,” Rylee’s mom Rochelle Riggs said. “If I’m not motivated, it could sit there in the pile for months.”

Their basement workshop overflows with pieces from every era: medieval tunics, colonial gowns, Regency dresses, Victorian corsets. Each outfit is used for a different ball or reenactment, and Rylee Senior Rylee Riggs stands in a full-length ballgown sewn by hand from her mother and holds a matching feathered fan. This gown is one of her more elegant and complicated dresses. (Photo by Aubrey Henning)

26 • FEATURES • 01.08.2026 • PAGE DESIGNED BY BELLA VASSOLLER & NAOMI VANDYNE

Rylee Riggs wears a floral print 18th century linen jacket that ties in the front as well as a mustard linen skirt and wooden shoes.

Her clothing was all made by hand and took over 30 hours to make.

The buckets were made by a cooper her family knew in California. This outfit has been warn to Rendezvous as well as the watchfire in St Charles in memory of POWs and MIA soldiers. She has not only attended the watchfires but also lit them. These watchfires have been going on for years as a way to remember the lives given to keep people safe. (Photo by Aubrey Henning)

This blue silk regency style dress was made from sari fabric Rylee’s cousin brought back from Japan when she was stationed there.

The first time she wore it was when she volunteered to help with the 200th anniversary of Missouri at Frontier Park. They did a walk-through history and she helped with that. There was an artist there who used Rylee as a model in the dress and painted her. (Photo by Aubrey Henning)

PAGE DESIGNED BY BELLA VASSOLLER & NAOMI VANDYNE • 01.08.2026 • FEATURES • 27

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH ON TV?

Amelija Fredricks uses a smoker to calm the bees in her family’s hive. The Fredricks family uses the hives to make their honey, which they later sell at their stand. (Photo submitted)

SWEET BUSINESS BRINGS FAMILY CLOSER TOGETHER

“Hockey. They’ll all of the sudden just break out into a big fight. It’s fun to watch.”

Katie Ayers, 10

by Alyssa Dupske

adupske966@g.fhsdschools.org

While some kids get standard jobs at fast food restaurants, freshman Amelija Fredericks’ job is a little more unique.

However, for Amelija, it doesn’t seem like a job. Instead, she sees it as an opportunity to come together with those around her.

“I do enjoy working on it because it’s helped me grow closer to my family and gave us things to work on together,” Amelija said.

For years, the Fredericks’ family has harvested and sold homemade honey from their free range bees.

From only selling to friends and family, to partnering with a local shop, the Fredricks’ honey has grown in demand.

“People come in and buy two or three or even four jars of honey, especially if it’s a little bit of a drive,” owner of Old Town Spice Shoppe John Loucks said.

“You know, they’ll buy 3-4 jars of honey and they come back every year and ask specifically for the Fredericks’ honey.”

Learning from her family’s example, Amelija has grown to understand how starting and running a business works.

Working with her family’s business has helped her in other ways like learning to prioritize both her time and her values, focusing on what matters most to her, and learning how to work with others, whether it’s at school, girl scouts or volleyball.

“She’s locked in,” Anne Ross-Weldy, Amelija’s Girl Scout Leader and close friend of the Fredericks said. “She’s very focused and determined. If she’s going to do something, she’s going to do it. She doesn’t complain about it, she’s really good about it, always staying very driven in whatever task is before her.”

Amelija describes working with her family’s business as one of her hobbies, using the business as an opportunity to grow closer together with her parents and her sisters.

“I have grown so much closer with my family throughout these years creating cherishable and valuable memories to last a lifetime,” Amelija said.

Dominic Hoscher broadcasts an SIU Salukis’ basketball game. (Photo submitted)

NORTH GRADUATE BECOMES SPORTS BROADCASTER

Dominic Hoscher utilizes skills he learned while a part of publications at North

by Will Jennings

wjennings192@g.fhsdschools.org

“I like watching college football. It’s entertaining and my parents have their favorite college teams and the colleges that they went to, so we always root for their alma mater.”

Nicole Knop, 11

“Soccer. We’re just a soccer family. It’s entertaining.”

Brendan Hoegemeier, 9

LEARN MORE ABOUT DOMINIC HOSCHER Scan the QR code to visit the Southern Illinois University website and view his staff profile.

28 • FEATURES • 01.08.26 • PAGE DESIGNED BY AERILYN IDE

Some people spend their time watching sports on their televisions from their sofas, listening to a voice describing the game in fine detail. Dominic Hoscher spends his time watching sports on the other side of the screen, in the booth. He is the voice some hear while watching two teams battle in fierce competition.

Hoscher, 25, a current resident of Carbondale, Illinois, went on to college at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, where he would obtain his Bachelor’s degree. While it may seem like Hoscher started pursuing sports media when he was very young, he only started as a junior in high school at FHN. “I wanted to figure out what my future was going to be,” Hoscher said. “I landed in journalism class and that’s where I wanted to be.”

Hoscher officially works in the Southern Illinois University Carbondale athletic department as sports information director.

SIU Carbondale was where he got his Master’s degree from. He also does sports broadcasting for ESPN+ on the side. His first broadcasting job was at Lindenwood with Prepcast, which covers the marquee high school and low-level college sports.

When Hoscher calls games, most of the time he is the play-by-play announcer, and one game specifically stands out as the most memorable.

“I got to broadcast SIU v. SLU (St. Louis University),” Hoscher said. “I got to interview the team that I grew up rooting for. I got to interview a coach that I watched when I was young.”

Preparing for games can be extremely difficult for some broadcasters, but for Hoscher, he has it all in a system. For basketball, he uses two Excel sheets and those house both teams’ rosters, all information and statistics, and all of the teams’ details and stories. The sheets also hold the information of the coaches, conference standings, league statistics, and information from interviews prior

to the game. Hoscher recommends that broadcasters should definitely reach out to the other team to learn about them. Hoscher has gotten a great deal of his inspiration for broadcasting from two universally wellknown names in the sports world.

“There’s a couple I always wanted to use as inspiration, Kevin Harlan and Joe Buck,” Hoscher said. “I watched how they do it, I appreciate how they do it, and it motivates me more when I watch them.”

FHN coach Will Crawford attended Lindenwood with Hoscher. Crawford originally majored in broadcast journalism, but did not like working a desk job and switched to a career in teaching. The two were first introduced to each other in a sports broadcasting class. Crawford had multiple positive things to say about Hoscher.

“There are not many people who actually do what they originally wanted to do,” Crawford said. “He rode out the storm, got his Master’s and is thriving. It’s really cool to see.”

Hoscher and Crawford both recommend practicing and asking questions to get better at broadcasting. Hoscher also recommends going up in the booth and simply having fun.

Having fun is one of the things that Hoscher likes the most about broadcasting, but his favorite thing is not having to worry about anything other than the game.

“It’s the escape from everything else,” Hoscher said. “When I go on the air for two to three hours, my main focus is on the game. I get away from everything else in the world and that makes it fun and enjoyable.”

Hoscher is working the job that he had wanted since he was in high school, but his goal is not fully accomplished. Eventually, he wants to call an NFL or an NBA game, or win an award or accolade, like many people would. However, Hoscher’s main goal is to be around a phenomenal group of people at work.

“I want to work with a group of people that I truly enjoy,” Hoscher said. “If I wake up at 5 a.m., I want to be excited to go to work.”

SHOWCASING THE

WINTER CHOIR PERFORMANCE

On Nov. 25 in the FHN auditorium, multiple choirs performed in their annual winter concert. The choirs include the Aurora Treble Choir, Contus Choir, Concert Chorale, Bella Voces and Knightsound. (Photos by Claire Locke)

Pianist Jon Garrett recives applause from audience. This was to thank him for all of his help at the FHN choir concert. At the end of the concert, alumni were invited up to the stage for a Christmas sing along.

Junior Kylie Meeker sings “Good King Kong” along side fellow Chloral ensemble members.

The Chloral concert also performed the song “Ngothando.”

Connor McNulty and senior Matthias Klestinski belt “We Sail the Ocean Blue.” This song was performed by the Cantus Choir. The allboys choir performed three songs.

Jennifer Oncken aplaudes the audience for their generous donations.

During the concert a dessert silent auction was run to raise money for the Bella Voces. The money fundraised during this event will go to their trip to New Mexico to sing at the SWAGDA conference.

Sophomore Carissa Sylcox hollers while performing the song “Fire.” This piece was sung by the Bella Voces, an all girls choir.

Bella Voces performs the piece “Spiritus Sanctus Vivificans.” The soloist during this piece was senior, Samantha Slunaker. The Bella Voces were the first high school chior to be selected from the greater St. Louis area to perform at the SWAGDA conference later in the year.

PAGE DESIGNED BY CLAIRE BRIGHTWELL • 01.08.2026 • FEATURES • 29

THE MAKING OF A DETERMINED POTTER

by Bryce Dulaney

bdulaney224@g.fhsdschools.org

As students pass through the halls of FHN, one teacher’s passion for pottery is shaping more than just clay, it’s shaping creativity.

English teacher Kelsie Lee started pottery in 2023 after a family friend who works professionally with clay recommended it to her. She had always wanted to try pottery, but when a professional offered her a session, the timing could not have been better.

“I have a family friend,” Lee said. “He’s really good friends with my parents. He is a professional potter. That’s his job. He’s retired now, but he still makes pottery. So, I had always kind of wanted to try it.”

Lee says pottery has had a big impact on her life, teaching her some of the most important life lessons.

“It impacted my life because it was a lot harder than I expected, and I wasn’t good at it right away, which usually is something that I don’t like,” Lee said. “Usually, I quit something when I’m not good at it right away, but I stuck with it. And I feel like it’s made me more patient and taught me perseverance.”

Lee has faced many challenges while learning pottery, but her biggest accomplishment so far has been creating a giant bowl, a piece that requires precision and patience and needs to be done meticulously.

“It took a lot of work, a lot of tries,” Lee said. “I had a lot of holes where they were really big, and I’d made them too big, and they just fell over.”

Lee often gives her pieces as gifts to loved ones. Among her favorite recipients is her mom, who cherishes and uses each handmade piece.

“I drink coffee out of the coffee mugs,” Kelsie’s mother Michelle Lee said. “I put candy and other things in the bowls she makes. Oh, I have a ring holder that she gifted me that I put my rings in every night.

I use all of it.”

Lee is always ready to try new things, even when they are difficult or unfamiliar.

Her determination and focus have helped her grow into a successful and skillful potter.

“She was really, really focused and interested,” John Seiz, Lee’s former pottery teacher said. “She never acted like she was bored with any of it and was just ready to go. It shows how quickly she developed her skills in that area too.”

Junior Wyatt Danneger holds opponent at a tournament Dec. 6, walking out as top finisher (Photo by Amelia Devine)

FHN WRESTLERS RECALL WYATT’S HARD WORK

DANNEGGER BUILDS TOWARD ANOTHER STATE TITLE FHN junior continues to let his work ethic speak louder than expectations

by Alexis Hunter

ahunter097@g.fhsdschools.org

“He knows what he wants and he goes after it, his weight cutting shows his dedication to wrestling.”

Cailyn Rector, 11

“Him being good not also is it entertaining to watch, but it is also a learning experience watching his matches.”

Dane Mullins, 11

Sports Stats Scan the QR code to view Wyatt Dannegger’s wrestling stats on MSHSAA.

30 • FEATURES • 01.08.2026 • PAGE DESIGNED BY SAMANTHA HALL

Missouri.”

In high school sports, every athlete dreams Dannegger has always had a strong of that ultimate goal – making that deep support group. Between his coaches and playoff run and eventually winning a state family, there are a lot of people who want to championship. It’s a rare and challenging feat, see him succeed. accomplished by only a select few. As only “I would say my dad wanted me to win the a sophomore, Wyatt Dannegger reached an most,” Dannegger said. “He pushes me every outstanding milestone by winning a Missouri day and just wants to see the best for me state wrestling title.

Now a junior, Dannegger continues to build and my future.”

Other people have also noticed how much on his early success. He has so much love for his dad has supported him. the sport and enjoys everything about it.

“I don’t think his dad ever missed a meet “My favorite thing about wrestling is and he’s always there trying to give him traveling and being with friends,” Dannegger opportunities to get better at the sport he said. “I love the people and the coaches.” loves,” Brown said.

After wrestling for 11 years, he has The road to the state championship accomplished many different things on his match was not wrestling “He’s got a good mindset going easy, he faced journey. Part of many strong that journey was into his matches, he’s cool, calm, opponents along a goal he had early on to win a collected, and he doesn’t get rattled.” the way and had stay on top state title.

- Coach Chris Brown to of his game to “Since I first started wrestling as a kid, this has been a goal get there. However, one match stands out as one of the biggest hurdles. of mine,” Dannegger said.

“The hardest moment was getting through Over the years, he has trained alongside very the semis match at state,” Dannegger said. high-level athletes. According to Dannegger, “It was a 1-0 win and I just had to stay they have always pushed him really hard, and contained the whole match to win.” they all have played a role in the success he While the physical aspect of the sport is has had as a wrestler. incredible for wrestlers, the mental aspect “By going hard and pushing me in the plays a big role as well. According to Brown, wrestling room and making sure I stayed Dannegger’s approach in this area has focused on my goals,” Dannegger said. “Even definitely helped him. if I was exhausted or overwhelmed, I had my “He’s got a good mindset going into his teammates.”

Many different coaches have played a crucial matches, he’s cool, calm, collected, and he role in Dannegger’s development as well. Chris doesn’t get rattled,” Brown said.

After winning the state title as just a Brown, the head boys wrestling coach, in his sophomore, his goal is to repeat as a junior 24th year at FHN, has guided Dannegger for and senior. Dannegger knows it isn’t going to many years. get any easier and he knows he has to work “I started coaching Wyatt when he was 6 even harder than he has in the past. years old and I knew back then that he was “I plan on keeping the same mindset that quite the athlete, and I just saw him getting I’m going to win,” Dannegger said. “Keep better and better,” Brown said. “So, pretty working hard and having that mentality, and much when I saw him in 6th grade, I knew it should be no problem.” he was going to be a hammer for the state of

“

I LOVE PUBLICATIONS BECAUSE IT’S DIFFERENT FROM YOUR REGULAR CLASSES — YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF CREATIVE FREEDOM. OUR CLASS PERIODS ARE ALSO FULL OF FUN WITH SPECIFIC DAYS BUILT IN FOR DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES. IT’S ALSO DIFFERENT FROM THE NORM BECAUSE YOU SEE YOUR CLASSMATES AS FAMILY INSTEAD OF FRIENDS.” —Canyon Dubis, News Staff Managing Editor FHN Media

ENROLL IN A JOURNALISM CLASS FOR NEXT YEAR.

Journalism - (Writing & Design Focused) - 1/2 Comm Arts Credit & Dual Credit Option Broadcast Journalism - (Video Storytelling Focused) - 1/2 Comm Arts Credit Digital Photojournalism - (Photography Focused) - 1/2 Practical Arts Credit

ALREADY TAKE AN INTRO COURSE? JOIN STAFF. Applications for 2026-27 are available now.

Find out More at www.FHNtoday.com/TellMeMore

FHN media

UP TO 36 MONTH ZERO INTEREST & SAME DAY DELIVERY

FLORISSANT FURNITURE www.FlorissantFurnitureOnline.com 11264 W. Florissant Ave • Florissant, MO 63303 314.831.5300

SPORTS

A spread of the best photos taken for the winter sports activities.

Pages 40-41

ALT COVER

WINTER SPORTS PHOTOS

Photo by Samantha Shoulta Designed by Mahdi Abdallah

01.08.2026 • SPORTS • 33

@FHNGAMEDAY CHECK SOCIALS FOR UPDATED LIVESTREAM DATES Check out the livestreams for part of the winter sports season (Photos by Alexandra Bauer, Emerson Kennedy & Charleigh Olshwanger)

34 • TEASER • 01.08.26 • PAGE DESIGNED BY NAOMI VANDYNE

01

ABOUT THE DUO No pair like Grimshaw and Files would go unnoticed by their teammates.

Every time they play together, their skills increase and continue to complement each other well. Their teammates share about the special connection the two have formed.

Madelyn Files rides on top of Audrey Grimshaw’s shoulders, representative of their close bond.

(Photo by Monica Zacarias)

FRESHMAN DUO RISES AT FHN

“They clearly work with each other, and they always look for each other when they’re passing.”

Lily Devine, 12

Basketball players Madelyn Files and Audrey Grimshaw have played basketball together for longer than the average pair and look to increase skills

by Elise Grimshaw

the middle school feeder team had kicked off, the girls slowly started bonding. As time went on, Files’s dad, Jeff, thought Grimshaw hile the transition from middle could be a great addition to the Missouri school to high school is no Phenom team, the same club team his easy task for freshmen Audrey daughter was on, and Grimshaw eventually Grimshaw and Madelyn Files, they were joined the team. quickly welcomed into the FHN Lady Knights “I saw the potential that Audrey has right basketball team. away and knew she would be a great asset to These two girls have been playing the Phenom,” Jeff said. “It took about a year basketball together for over three years for her to come over, but once she did, she now and have ultimately become more than really expanded her game. The level of speed teammates; they have become best friends. at the high AAU level is so much different, Since the beginning of time, the two have and the game is played at a very fast pace, always had a ball which prepares in their hand and “I saw the potential that Audrey has the ladies for a hoop in their yard. As they take right away, and I knew she would be school.”

AAU teams the next step into a great asset...” are competitive this new chapter, they have many - Jeff Files teams that create great supporters sitting exposure and opportunities to better prepare in the stands, some there for their whole life, the players for not only high school season, and some who have just found the pleasure but post-high school athletics if they choose. of watching.

Showcases, college events and traveling to “Me and Audrey have become really close play some of the best teams in the country in the last year,” Files said. “I would say she will be used to the girls’ advantage for the became like a sister to me.” tough competition in the GAC high school Though the two have grown so close conference. together, they aren’t your typical pairing.

“Playing on high-level teams has helped me Standing at 5’11, Grimshaw towers over the know what great players look like and how to 5’0 Files. Files is able to drive in and out compete with them,” Grimshaw said. “I know through defenders, ready to dish or shoot our high school plays in a tough conference, the three, while Grimshaw will be posted up so already being one step ahead, especially on the inside or ready for the three-point as a freshman, will pay off this season.” shot on the outside.

Not only are the two excited for their next “We make a good duo, I would say,” four years as Knights, but so are the coaches Grimshaw said. “She passes the ball to me, and players. and I can make a layup or shoot it from deep.

“The girls have built chemistry on and But I also know that if I need to pass it out, off the court as teammates and friends,” she will be ready for the pass on the outside coach Danille Rampley said. “We are looking to make the three.” forward to them becoming Lady Knights and Tracing back to the 2023-2024 basketball the experience and leadership they will bring season, the two had just begun their seventh to our program for the next four years.” grade year, but this time as a duo. When egrimshaw@g.fhsdschools.org

W

“They’re always together, even their lockers are next to each other. Both of them being freshmen on varsity really gives them a special bond.”

Olivia Gietl, 12

“They have a really good connection as friends, which allows them to really read each other and make game changing plays that benefit us in the long run.”

Jenna Smith, 11

“I think that they have really good chemistry, they really connect well when they play together.”

Addy Jones, 12

OPINION

Morgan Smith

COLLEGE SOCCER TROUBLES

Ever since I can remember, soccer has been my whole personality. What is your favorite thing to do? Soccer. What do you want to be when you grow up? A soccer player. I wanted my whole life to be soccer.

So when I turned 13, I started to get asked about college.

So many young female soccer players dream of playing in college and even make it to the TV one day. They don’t really understand that it isn’t that easy. When I was that young, all I had to do was get dressed, mom drove me to practice and then I kicked a ball into the goal. But now, you aren’t playing 7v7 and trying to impress your parents. You are trying to impress college coaches, which is when the stress starts to set in and your dream starts to become a reality.

I started going to collegiate ID camps starting in 8th grade. I would play against 5’8, 140 lb, 18-year-old girls, while only being 4’10, 85 lbs, and at the ripe age of 13.

You can only imagine how that went. But looking back, it prepared me for the physical challenge of always playing against girls bigger than me that kept growing. It also prepared me for the mental blocks that not only me, but so many athletes face, which gives me a one-up.

The countless emails, graphics and phone calls made was just the start of a very difficult process. So many athletes are trying to achieve the same dream of playing in college, and the honest truth of it is, only 10-11% of female soccer players will achieve that very dream. People start comparing themselves to others, thinking they aren’t good enough, or that they don’t deserve to play in college, which makes them rethink the whole love for their sport they have played their whole life.

My biggest accomplishment in my life has been to be a part of the 10-11% and to get the opportunity to play college soccer. Not only just college, but also at the Division l level for The University of Northern Iowa.

I made the little me proud and that’s all I could ask for. My biggest piece of advice?

As much as the process is mentally draining and confusing, it will all work out for you.

Any level, any school, just trust the process.

ABOUT THE COMMIT Morgan Smith committed to the University of Northern Iowa, a university known for its strong education programs, liberal arts focus, and over 90 degrees across various colleges.

They boast a Division I womens’ soccer program, with Morgan being one of their commits.

The university started out as the Iowa State Normal School all the way back in 1876 to train teachers. In fact, it only became known as the University of Northern Iowa in 1967.

PAGE DESIGNED BY EZANA DUBALE & ISAIAH HESTER • 01.08.2026 • SPORTS • 35

Junior Trace Hunter goes 1v1 with teammate sophomore Issac Butler. (Photo by Kylie Ramirez)

Senior Andre Stith and junior Trace Hunter lift teammate freshman Beckett Oster up for an assisted dunk. (Photo by Kylie Ramirez)

SENIOR LEADERS

The underclassmen choose who their senior role model is.

Freshman Cohen Oster, sophomore Issac Butler, junior Trace Hunter, and senior Andre Stith pose together. (Photo by Kylie Ramirez)

A TEAM OF ALL AGES

With players from every grade level, the varsity squad leans on chemistry, communication, and shared accountability

by Alexis Hunter

the court.

“We try to just make sure everybody talks to each other,” Stith said. “You could catch, his basketball season, the boys varsity like, all the seniors talking to each other, so basketball team features players just make sure that seniors that’s talking from all four grade levels, creating to the freshman too, even though they’re a well-diverse and balanced roster and a probably three, four years apart. It’s just good season of wins. Freshmen are eager to prove for everybody to talk to each other, not just themselves, and seniors are giving it their all divide in age groups.” for one last ride together.

For underclassmen, having older mentors Senior Andre Stith has been in the program on the team is a blessing. Sophomore Isaac all four years of high school - three of Butler knows who he can go to for guidance those years on varsity. Stith has taken away and advice when he needs support. valuable lessons from the program, but the “I feel like they know what the coaches most important is that including everyone, expect and so instead of the coaches yelling despite their age, is the top priority for at us, the older guys can just talk to us, and a successful season and strong team that comes across a little bit better,” Butler chemistry. said.

“We try to do everything as a team, if one Upperclassmen have been around long person can’t go, we all can’t go,” Stith said. enough to know routines and what coaches “So we try to make sure everybody’s there. want and accept from their players. The We make sure the younger guys have rides, mix of experience helps hold each other take them to all the games and practices, and accountable and strengthens the overall just things like that. chemistry of the team.

For new and even existing players, it can “It helps having them because most of us be easy to stick to familiar faces. However, don’t know what to do, but the seniors know not creating new relationships lacks trust on ahunter097@g.fhsdschools.org

T

“I look up to Eli because he leads by example.”

Charlie Mock, 10

“I look up to Andre because he always picks good places to go get food after games.”

Beckett Oster, 9

36 • SPORTS • 01.08.2026 • PAGE DESIGNED BY ELISE GRIMSHAW, MORGAN SMITH & JOCELYN KUKER

what to do, so just them talking to us is really helpful,” Butler said.

For freshman Beckett Oster, the change from middle school ball to high school ball was quite the adjustment. Meeting new people was one of the biggest challenges as he had to adapt to a larger team and a fasterpaced environment.

Oster quickly warmed up to his team and was given useful advice.

“Don’t be an idiot in class. Just focus and keep up with your stuff,” Oster said.

Oster has the opportunity to not only play with those older than him, he also plays with his older brother. Due to his brother’s seniority, Oster leans on him as a brother but also a mentor and leader on the team.

“Having my upperclassmen brother is a huge help…he shows me the ropes and makes me confident out there,” Oster said.

Junior Trace Hunter is an upperclassman, this is his first year at the varsity level. Since playing with varsity, Hunter has learned that everyone on the team plays a specific role, and equally important. Hunter relies on the seniors just as much as the underclassmen do, as they have more experience and exposure to varsity.

“Whenever we don’t know what to do in a drill or something they can tell us what to

Senior Lito Ledezma takes down Saint Charles West Wrestler. (Photo by Kylie Ramirez)

“NORTH” TEAMS TO BATTLE IT OUT

Four schools with “North” in their name face off at the annual event called the North Duels

by Isaiah Hester

ihester759@g.fhsdschools.org

Freshman Beckett Oster goes in for a handshake with senior teammate Andre Stith. (Photo by Kylie Ramirez)

do. And even just talking to us about other things they have more knowledge about helps,” Hunter said.

Hunter emphasizes the team support within the group. Despite ages, winning is about putting in who will fulfill the job in the moment.

“Everyone has a place. No matter what grade, it’s about winning and if a younger player is outplaying an upperclassman, they are going to play over them,” Hunter said.

With such a wide range of ages and experiences, it’s easy for comparison or competition to creep in. Freshmen are gunning to prove themselves, upperclassmen wanting to lead, and everyone feeling pressure to get minutes on the court.

However, when the team commits to encouragement over jealousy, the team unites rather than divides.

“Telling them they’re fine and talking them up if they do something wrong just so they know we got their back,” Hunter said.

The team is at various stages. Some are just beginning their high school career and others are ending it. All have one goal to accomplish this season.

“Having a winning record that takes us all the way to the end,” Stith said.

The North Duels are an annual wrestling event where schools near Saint Louis with the word “North” in their name compete against each other. This school year, the series of duels is currently set to be held on Feb 4, 2026. The schools participating are Francis Howell North, Parkway North, McCluer North, and Fort Zumwalt North.

“The North Duels are one hundred percent competitive and intense,” varsity wrestler Dane Mullins said. “The gym is alive during the duel, and it’s like everyone is competing for the ‘North’ title in their school’s name.”

Because the North Duels are highly competitive, they allow for a seemingly tense atmosphere for the audience, coaches, and wrestlers alike.

“In the duels. It all depends, man,” coach Sean Fowler said. “It depends on the competition, it depends on the year. It’s always nerve-wracking for our coaches.”

The tense environment surrounding the North Duels affects both coaches and athletes. According to Mullins, the nerves leading up to the competition can push wrestlers to perform at a higher level.

“There is some nervousness, but it motivates the entire team to do better,” Mullins said.

Fowler characterizes the nervousness of wrestlers before games, insisting that the adrenaline before a match is misinterpreted as nervousness when it is really excitement.

“Some people are like, ‘Oh, I’m nervous,’ and I try to explain that they’re not nervous.

They’re excited,” Fowler said. “And you know, it’s really just year to year, a group of kids to a group of kids, individual to individual. It’s just how people respond to that pre-competition energy.”

Although the duels can have a tense

atmosphere, wrestlers can also view the event as energetic and rewarding. Another FHN varsity wrestler who can describe this is Noah Brown.

“Beating a rival school in the North Duels definitely has a special feel to it,” Brown said.

“There’s a lot of tension in those matches and with the benches, so when you get that win for your team, it has a more emotional toll on how you feel coming off the mat.”

Although winning at the North Duels can be a certain high point that brings coaches and athletes together, the rivalries between schools can bring feelings of stress and other challenges.

“Rivalries can bring unity, but they also can bring stress. If it’s a win over the rival team, I feel like our team gets closer, but if we lose, we definitely separate because we can get mad at each other,” Brown said.

Mullins adds to the losing experience; losing can be difficult, but it serves as a reminder to stay focused.

“I’ve worked really hard, so imagining losing is definitely scary. But you need to stay focused,” Mullins said. “When we lose it just reminds us to stay motivated and stay focused.”

Brown adds to the experience, explaining that although losing can be upsetting, it can also have a positive outlook and bring value.

“Losing to a rival team in the duels is very upsetting. It definitely has a negative effect on the team because people blame each other for the team losing the duel, but it’s also a learning experience,” Brown said.

The North Duels continue to be a significant event for those involved, offering competition, motivation, and opportunities to improve throughout the season. The event stands as a defining moment that reflects preparation, hard work, and the outcomes of close match rivalries, which highlight the participating schools’ aim to earn the “North” title.

PAGE DESIGNED BY ELISE GRIMSHAW, MORGAN SMITH & JOCELYN KUKER • 01.08.2026 • SPORTS • 37

WISDOM FROM THE WATER Senior Captain Jasmyne Moody talks about her most important tips for being a captain friendly communication with your 1 Have team.

2 Be attentive to the needs of your team. when necessary or help 3 Demonstrate those who are having trouble.

BEST OF WINTER SWIM PHOTOS

UPCOMING SWIM MEETS Jan. 10, 2026

FZN Invitational

Senior captain Jasmyne Moody high fives other team after a swim meet. (Photo by Lezeth Zacarias)

LEADING FOR A DIFFERENCE

Senior team captain Jasmyne Moody strives to make a difference for the FHN girls’ swim team one stroke at a time

by Eric Taylor

etaylor790@g.fhsdschools.org

Jan. 16, 2026

Several swimmers cheer on a teammate from the side of the pool. (Photo by Lezeth Zacarias)

Home Fort Zumwalt South

Jan. 20, 2026 Away Pattonville

Jan. 29, 2026

Away St. Charles West

Feb. 5, 2026 Junior Moira Dustin encourages a team member from the side of the pool. (Photo by Lezeth Zacarias)

GAC Diving

Feb. 10-11, 2026

GAC Championships

Feb. 14, 2026

Class 2 District 1 Tournament

Feb. 20-21, 2026 Swimmers prepare to dive into the water as they wait on the starting blocks by the pool. (Photo by Charleigh Olshwanger)

Class 2 State Tournament

F

or any sports team, quality leadership is one of the most important aspects of team success during the season.

For new senior captain Jasmyne Moody, she wants to ensure that her presence as a team captain this year for the FHN girls’ swim team does not go unnoticed, and she aspires to make a significant impact on the program’s future.

“Seeing all the previous team captains and just seeing how they get a chance to lead and really motivate the younger swimmers has always been an inspiration to me,” Moody said. “I’ve always been really excited to become team captain whenever I’m in my senior year.”

Although Moody is new to leadership for the FHN girls’ swim team, her teammates and coaches believe she possesses the qualities to make an immediate impact.

“Jasmyne really is a leader from the beginning,” swim coach Rowan Pugh said.

“She always has been. She has always been vocal. She, I think, has kind of been waiting for the moment that she’s a senior and can be a leader. She constantly asks questions to try to learn more, and then she shares that with younger girls who, maybe, are nervous about asking questions or didn’t hear or whatever the reason may be.”

Not only does Moody have the qualities of a great leader, but she is also willing to use her experience to help younger swimmers on the team feel more confident about themselves and their performance in the water. Moody is willing to assist anyone who asks for her help.

“Jasmyne is really awesome. She’s been on the team for as long as I’ve been on the team. This is her fourth year, so she’s very experienced. If you ever want to ask her anything, she’s got you,” junior swimmer Moira Dustin said. “She will take time out of practice to help you work on something,

38• SPORTS• 01.08.2026 • PAGE DESIGNED BY ERIC TAYLOR & ESTHER SAN

no matter what the coaches have planned, she’ll just ask. She’s not afraid to ask, which is really amazing, because if there’s something you’re confused about and she gets then she’ll just say ‘Hey, can we go work on this?’

And the coaches will pretty much always say yes, because they know she’s a good teacher and she’s able to teach us.”

However, Moody doesn’t just prioritize performance in the water; she also wants to make sure that there is a strong bond between the team and make sure that everyone is having fun and enjoying themselves.

“My priorities for the team are to make sure that we keep our fun, happy vibe and that, through our competitions, we stay motivated and that we don’t get discouraged.

But at the same time, we kind of built a good structure for all of our younger swimmers to continue to swim, since we have a younger team,” Moody said.

Within the team, Moody wants to make sure that everyone is included and feels welcome, as she wants the swim team to be a close group and be a valuable experience for everyone.

“Jasmyne’s good at keeping everyone included, and she is not afraid to talk to anyone, whether that will be a new freshman or someone who’s just a little bit quieter off to the side,” Dustin said. “She wants to make sure everyone’s included and always has something to talk about.”

However, Moody wants her experience as a team captain to have lasting results on the FHN girls’ swim program. She hopes that her tenure as a team captain this year will not only benefit the team this season but also instill future changes within the program and pave the way for future swimmers.

“I think that takes the whole team working together to create that culture, and Jasmyne is definitely a part of that team, and she is definitely someone who brings positivity and helps the culture,” Pugh said.

THE IMPACT OF A FAMILY

The Knop family, deeply rooted in Knightline, look to use the shared talent and community they have for dance

By Morgan Smith

With prior dance experience under her belt, her goal was to create a positive and improving environment for the girls to be a ne of the strongest bonds that part of, and just overall a place where the someone will have in their life is girls could have fun. their bond with their family. When “I just love all of the small comments and it comes to sports, they are there to support weird conversations that I have with the you and cheer you on at every event. girls,” Stacy said. “It’s just always a really good Parents have a way of supporting and group of girls.” teaching lessons when it comes to sports.

Stacy soon realized that the big team of Some kids even get lucky enough to have girls was a lot to take on her own, so an them as their own coach. For Knightline assistant coach was a necessity. With no co-captain Nicole Knop, she experiences this hesitation, Stacy reached out to sister Toni everyday with her mom Stacy Knop as the Giancola, who accepted the job on the spot. head coach of Knightline, creating a special Giancola was pregnant at the time with her connection when it comes to her mother. son, Noah, and was staying at home all the “It’s nice to have her as a resource for time so she knew that this was the perfect sure,” Nicole said.

“When there is any “The team chemistry is just awesome opportunity to spend question about more time and it’s awesome getting to coach anything it is nice to with family, be able to ask her alongside my sister.” and add her on our own time - Toni Giancola, Coach knowledge to and not take up the the sport of team’s time.” dance.

Stacy Knop, FHN’s Behavior Support “She just called me and said she was Specialist, has been coaching Knightline for coaching and asked if I wanted to do it, so of three years. She brought the program back course I said yes,” Giancola said. “The team from hiatus in 2023, when her daughter chemistry is just awesome and it’s awesome Nicole was an incoming freshman at the getting to coach alongside my sister.” school.

Giancola and Stacy being coaches and “We went to sign [Nicole] up for the dance sisters creates a relationship that many other team and I found no information except coaches cannot relate too. Some coaches for a job hiring,” Stacy said. “I didn’t know if may bicker over who is right anyone would apply so I thought why not.” and who is wrong when With no other applicants, the easy choice it comes to their ideas, for the athletic director was to but for the sisters, make Stacy Knop the Head they have a mind Coach of the new program. msmith@g.fhsdschools.org

O

like one.

“Stacy and I never feel like we are stepping on each other’s toes,” Giancola said. “We even have a good cop, bad cop situation, where if she is the mean coach I can be the good coach, and vice versa.”

The two even have a similar mind when it comes to Nicole being on the team. She is the connecting piece for Stacy and Toni when trying to connect with young high school girls, and just brings the connection between the girls to the coaches who just want the best for the team.

“Stacy is like a second mom not only to me, but I know a lot of the other girls on the team as well,” junior Julia Kreifels said. “She is always there to talk to us about literally anything with no judgment which I know a lot of players can’t do with their coaches.”

With the dance season still going on, the coaches have goals of improvement, especially with the new additional trip that the team will be making. Later in the year, Knightline will head to nationals and compete for national titles across the country. With this being the first year of this event for the team, learning what it is like will be very important for success in next years’ team as well.

Keeping next years’ team in mind, one of the additions to the team will be another member of the Knop family, Ashley Knop.

“I think I am most excited to meet new people on the team and just spend a lot of time together with everyone,” Ashley said. “I feel like I will also just bring a lot of fun and happiness to the team chemistry.”

KNOP FUN FACTS

up in 1 Growing dance

The Knop family has been involved in dance their wholes lives. Stacy taught Toni how to dance in their backyard when they were just kids.

Stacy teaching Toni at such a young age has set the stage for not only Toni but Nicole and Ashley as well.

2 Competiton Dance

Nicole does competition dance along with high school team. She and Ashley were put into competitions before they could talk.

Nicole and Ashley will have just one year of high school dance together.

3 Family Dynamic

Dance has strengthened all bonds for the Knop family and even their ages line up with other family members. Toni was just 15 years old when Nicole was born and Nicole was 15 when Toni’s son was born.

The family from left to right: Nicocle Knop, Stacy Knop, Toni Giancola and Ashley Knop PAGE DESIGNED BY ALEXIS HUNTER & NICOLE KNOP• 01.08.2026 • SPORTS • 39

BEST OF WINTER SPORTS Take a look at some of the highlighted moments from the 25-26 winter sports season

GIRLS SWIM

Swimmer Tia Soar competes in a relay during the Knights first meet on Dec. 4 against Fort Zumwalt East. The Knights won against the Lions with a final score of 81-72. (Photo by Charleigh Olshwanger)

BOYS BASKETBBALL

On Dec. 11, senior Eli Bollinger goes for a layup against the Saint Charles West Warriors in the SCW Warrior Classic Invitational Tournament. The Knights ended up falling short in a 56-52 loss. (Photo by Allie Bauer)

KNIGHTLINE

Knightline dancer, Madeline Powell, performs in the halftime show of the girls varsity basketball game on Dec. 11. (Photo by Kylie Ramirez)

40 • SPORTS • 01.08.2026 • PAGE DESIGNED BY KYLIE RAMIREZ

BOYS WRESTLING

Senior Jacob Garrison prepares to wrestle an opponent in the FHN Varsity Invitaional on Dec. 6. North’s varsity boys team ended the tournament placing second out of eight other competing high schools. (Photo by Amelia Devine)

CHEER

On Dec. 11, cheerleader Charlotte Greene performs in a routine during the halftime show of the girls varsity basketball game against the Duchesne Pioneers. (Photo by Charleigh Olshwanger)

GIRLS BASKETBALL Senior Olivia Gietl passes the ball during the girls varsity game against Duchesne on Dec. 11. Each North senior recognized one of their most influential teachers in a ceremony prior to the game. To close out the night, the Lady Knights won in a 58-27 victory. (Photo by Kylie Ramirez)

GIRLS WRESTLING Freshman Brynna Smith pins down a Saint Charles West

wrestler during the quad match on Dec. 4. FHN was victorious against every school they competed with.

(Photo by Kiley Wallace)

PAGE DESIGNED BY KYLIE RAMIREZ • 01.08.2026 • SPORTS • 41

OPINION

Naomi VanDyne

TURNING ROADBLOCKS INTO REMINISCENCE

S

tuck on the highway in a sweltering minivan full of my family sounds like the start of a horrible road trip, but we were only 15 minutes away from home.

Although I thought it would be a normal car ride back to our house, I was wrong. The rare occasion that all six of my family members were in the car together happened to occur one day, as did a major highway crash involving a semitruck and at least one other car. It caused the entire highway to be shut down, and we reached the peak of the traffic jam just after an exit. We were stranded with hundreds of other cars on the highway and no end in sight.

I thought I might die. Stuck with all three of my annoying brothers and my exhausted parents, everyone wanted to get home. There was absolutely no way we were getting off of the highway anytime soon.

Sounds terrible. However, in the wake of such a horrible crash, the day turned out better than I expected.

Once everyone realized we weren’t going anywhere for a while, people started getting out of their cars. We did too. That’s the first and only time I’ve walked in the middle of a highway. Mostly, we just sat around and talked, took short walks, and enjoyed each other’s company (to the extent that siblings can, anyway).

Eventually, they found a way to get us to the nearest exit, and we were able to get off the highway. While this experience is definitely not one that I’d recommend, it did help my family to bond with each other in a time when we rarely get the chance to spend time together. With everyone’s lives getting more and more filled with school, clubs, friends and just general life, it was nice to be forced to take a break with all of my family, together.

Looking back, I’m grateful for the time I’ve spent with my family, whether that’s being forced into sticking by them or by choice, the moments we create together help us stay connected. Family is a big part of my life, and though it won’t look the same forever, I want to look back knowing that I made the most of every chance I got to spend with them.

CONTENT OF CHARACTER Sometimes growing up means trying to understand where different parts of yourself fit in the world, even if some parts feel like they don’t fit anywhere

OPINION Bri Taliaferro

I

f you walked into a house nestled into Heritage Landing on Lafayette Landing Drive, walked up the carpet of the stairs, headed left and opened a door on the left hand side, you’d find what appeared to be a colorful explosion that what one could only describe as “sheer free will.” The blue bed is covered in stuffed animals with mushroom printed pillows. Plastic vines line the top of the ceilings, and crude childish drawings fill the lilac colored walls, with some development of skill being seen throughout the clutter of papers. Knickknacks create little colorful specks littered on shelves and cabinets.

Your first thought might be that maybe it belongs to a younger sibling in elementary school or middle school.

But no, it doesn’t.

The room is mine, 16 year old Brianna Taliaferro’s, the junior at FHN who lives in the suburban house in Heritage and I couldn’t change it for the world. In other

42 • OPINIONS • 01.08.2026 • PAGE DESIGNED BY RAYNA AATHREYA

words, it’s what I call home.

For example, It’s the best place to watch “Steven Universe” and “Bee and Puppycat,” the best place to dance to music and play “Grow a Garden” and “Dress to Impress” on Roblox for hours. Not only that, but I can express myself with the loads of skirts, charms, dressy shirts, funky pants and cartoonish shirts stuffed in my dressers and cabinets. All without possible judgement, until I step out of the door, and leave the house on Lafayette Landing Drive.

But at this age, those things are probably not what you were expecting me to say, right? I know Bri from three years ago would probably have her head in her hands right now begging me to stop writing–but over the years I’ve learned something that has made me less afraid of walking out the house in funky pants and dressy shirts.

Some time ago, I used to leave a certain part of me at the door whenever I left my house, especially when I went to school. In my mind, it didn’t really feel like a choice. Sometimes it still doesn’t.

I sometimes think that if the things that I like and the way that I dress seem immature, people will inevitably think less of me as a whole. Before others can squash my passions, I do it to myself.

Past photo of Stella. (Photo Submitted)

OPINION Lily Thompson

MORE THAN JUST A PET

J

(Illustration by Bri Taliaferro)

And other times, I still feel that tug in my heart: the most likely automatically think a little less of me for part saying ‘Hey, this is something really special to liking a show that seems childish and cartoonish. me’ and I go and show that part of myself to other So, despite my fears, little by little, I’ve decided people. It feels the same as if I was on stage in the to bring one more piece of me at a time out of the Knight Theatre having the whole school sit in its house on Lafayette Landing Drive. Whether it’s in seats and scrutinize everything I ever loved. the colorful pants I wear, or laughing just a little I know, I know. That way of thinking is dramatic, bit harder at something than I would have the day it’s crazy and it’s obviously just anxiety talking, yet before. And maybe, eventually the people around me in my opinion I see it as the reason why sometimes will feel like they can too. it’s more comfortable to understand a certain Don’t get me wrong, I still occasionally feel the group of people more “standing-in-the-Knight “It is miserable to hide yourself, than others, and Theatre-being-scrutinized” why sometimes we feeling lingering in the back and to close yourself off from things don’t even bother to of my mind. I remind myself understand the things because it’s not expected or normal.” though, that as Martin we’re not comfortable King once said - Bri Taliaferro, 11 Luther with. (see, Mr. Fowler– I learned We (as in probably everybody who’s ever something), people should be judged by the content lived) don’t want to feel like we may possibly be of their character, and while I know I can be the type scrutinized, so we close ourselves off to things that of person that watches cartoons hours on end and would feel uncomfortable to admit to or express absolutely crushes it in Dress to Impress and quotes ourselves with. silly, brain-dead impressions back and forth to my And while I know it can be uncomfortable, I also sister, I also hope to be the type of person that can know that it’s point-blank miserable. Take it from me. love and understand with not only an open mind, but It is miserable to hide yourself, and to close yourself an open heart. off from things because it’s not expected or normal.

And if I have to play Roblox for hours and decorate And it’s agonizing to not talk to people about how I my room like a fourth grader’s to be that type of think Bee and Puppycat is one of the cutest shows person, then so be it.

I’ve ever seen even though I know some people will

ust a month ago, my dog Stella made coming home the best part of my day. Her tail pounding the floor and her body trembling with joy, as if my return was the best thing in her world. Now, although the same door opens, and the house looks the same, without my dog, everything feels empty.

I still catch myself waiting for her paws to scratch the backdoor or for her to race over to the food I dropped on the floor. In reality, the backdoor hasn’t been touched in weeks and the food lies in the trash.

Still, the memories of her joy linger, filling the silence with echoes of her love.

Everyday she reminded me that joy could be found in the smallest things.

Sitting in the grass together watching ducks walk by the neighbors yard and cuddling up in her fur whenever I wanted to.

Her absence made me realize how much happiness was built around her love.

When we first got her, my dad walked in with a dog fitting the outline of his hand perfectly. I thought she would stay that size forever, but when she outgrew me at age 4, I was proven wrong.

Because of her size, she would always block the hallways when I wanted to pass, and take up the whole bed while I slept, causing me to contort myself or curl up in a ball.

“The bigger the dog, the bigger the heart,” people always said. Now that she’s gone, I’d do anything to get back the little things that would bother me.

When I come home now, silence greets me instead of her wagging tail, but in my heart I still see and feel her rushing towards me bursting with love. Maybe the gift that she’s left me was the fact that even in her absence I can still feel her unconditional love and the impact she left on me and my family.

PAGE DESIGNED BY RAYNA AATHREYA • 01.08.2026 • OPINIONS • 43

EDITORIAL

Don’t fo do your work!

It sure would be realy nice to have an 80% right now...

BLENDED CLASSES PROVIDE FREEDOM, SPARK CONCERNS

The benefits and disadvantages of blended learning classes at FHN have caused administrative concern, but the Board believes that these classes are vital for the success of some students On Behalf of the Editorial Board

One upside of BL classes is that they give students a glimpse of what college courses may look like. The structure of BL classes can help students learn time management lended learning (BL) classes at FHN skills in order to prepare them for freelyprovide students with opportunities structured college classes. to come to school late or leave school BL classes can also aid students by early without a hit to their attendance, teaching them to keep track of their own provided they do the assigned work for workload without relying on constant teacher that class period. Although many students supervision and daily in-class reminders. and faculty members think BL classes are a This can encourage independence as well as good addition to the curriculum, others are responsibility, worried that they do more harm than This can encourage independence qualities that can students good. We believe as well as responsibility, qualities prepare for not only that BL classes are a valuable edition that can prepare students for not college, but also their future to the curriculum, only college, but also for their future for careers. and with some Another changes should be careers. benefit of BL kept long term. classes is that they accommodate all learning Why We Should Keep Them styles. Some students prefer to work at “Flex days” allow BL students to work home, whereas others prefer to work faceoutside of class. This can make school to-face with teachers and be surrounded by feel less repetitive and decrease stress for their classmates. BL classes allow students students as they do not have to worry about to choose between environments depending traffic while entering and leaving school. yourfhn@fhntoday.com

B

44 • OPINONS • 01.08.2026 • PAGE DESIGNED BY CARLY DYSON

on where they learn the most efficiently.

Even on flex days, students can still come into class to do work or ask their teachers questions. And when students are required to come in, they can still choose to do assignments in other parts of the school as long as it’s an independent assignment and their teacher gives them permission.

Teachers benefit from blended learning, too. Many teachers instruct multiple classes with difficult coursework, such as AP or honors classes. BL classes can free up time in teachers’ schedules, allowing them to get ahead on lesson plans and grades.

Furthermore, on flex days, the classroom is open for any students to come in and ask questions. This gives teachers the opportunity to help students who may need extra help with certain assignments as well as clear up any individual misunderstandings without wasting work time for students who already have a sufficient understanding of the material.

What Needs to be Changed Despite the advantages of blended classes, some students and faculty members

orget to blended

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BLENDED CLASSES AT NORTH CURRENTLY?

Yes, sir.

Have a good day!

Students’ thoughts on the current rules and requirements of blended learning currently in place at FHN.

“I love blended classes because I feel like they give us preparation for how college is actually going to be. I think it’s very useful to just send out the assignments and we don’t have to be [in class].”

Deena Ermias, 12

(Illustration by Carly Hedrich)

have noticed problems arising since their implementation. For instance, some students have been misusing the free time that BL classes offer. On flex days, students have the ability to easily ignore their classwork without having to worry about confrontation with their teacher. It can be difficult for teachers to ensure every student is doing what they need to learn the material without daily check-ins and consistent supervision.

Being a part of a BL course requires strong self-discipline. Students who struggle with procrastination could fall behind without in-person reminders and encouragement.

Students may also struggle in knowing how much time they should spend on each assignment without proper guidance from a teacher. For this reason, there should be set guidelines on who can sign up for BL classes.

Only students with a certain GPA should be able to enter into a BL class to ensure they can handle the independent workload.

Some people may consider BL classes unfair. Many students rely on the school bus or parent pickup or drop off. These students may feel isolated or embarrassed when having to sit alone in class while students who have cars can come and go as they please on flex days. Additionally, some

students don’t have access to wifi at their homes. This forces certain people to come into school to do assignments even on days when classroom meetings aren’t required. In order to prevent this, BL classes should be mainly promoted to upperclassmen, and all students should be made aware of the full impact of having a class be blended.

There is also a possibility for increased issues with attendance in classes with the BL structure. On flex days, attendance is counted depending on whether or not students check in. Students who forget to check in before leaving or in the morning will have an irreversible absence in their transcript. To prevent this, teachers should be required to list out all of the blended days on a platform that is easily accessible to everyone, such as Canvas or Remind. Beyond avoiding conflict, this method will also remind students to complete their work.

Although BL classes offer many new and engaging opportunities for students, there are still clear issues with the structure of these courses. We believe that with administrative consideration of student feedback, these classes can continue to be a beneficial learning tool that help students build necessary life skills.

“I think blended classes are good for the students. It gives more relaxation for school work.”

Emory Malone, 11

“They’re really nice because it gives me free time and I can come into school later, or just have a free hour if I’m still a school.”

Damariah Woodson, 12

NORTH STAR Editors-in-Chief of News: Peyton Thies Naomi VanDyne News Editors Haley Beffa Canyon Dubis Nadia Okilee Bri Taliaferro Riley Jensen News General Staff: Abby Dunbar Katie Paul Mahdi Abdallah Lennon Sharp Aerilyn Ide Lily Thompson Bella Vassoller Olivia Abeln Carly Dyson Rayna Aathreya Carly Hedrich Sam Hall Claira Price Sienna Randle Zoe Lobato Ashlyn Thies Editor-in-Chief of Student Life Photography: Eashaan Patel Student Life Editors: Aubrey Henning Claire Brightwell Madalyn Bridgewater Student Life General Staff: Anvitha Vedaanvitha Layla Williams Alex Frisby Kira Pierce Samantha Garcia Emma Simmons Claire Locke Tia Soar Hannah Martin Peter Swoboda Video Editors-in-Chief: Vanessa Ng Camden Blair Video Editors: Riley Aldenderfer Nicole Badra Ben Bartels General Staff: Adam Williams Makayla Howell Olive Bosanquet Laila Mckindles Cooper Berriman Mia Oldani Hunter Sanford Prakul Bhattarai Joey Ingracia Sophia Johnson Juliaus Osborne Theo Nielsen Kai Bass Yuan Yang Jakob Walker Editor-in-Chief of Sports Photography: Taylor Griffin Kiley Wallace Sports Photo Editors: Nate Carney James Kowalcyz Kylie Ramirez Sports Photo General Staff: Allie Bauer Alexa Lauer Piper Bill Tasia Lowe Chris Brandt Stella McCoy Amelia Devine Avigna Mishra Rion Fleming Kaylin Mort Mackenzie Hill Charleigh Olshwanger Jordyn Hollis Angelee Orozco Leyna Kindermann Sam Shoulta Nicole Kipper Kaydence Sneed Emerson Kennedy Monica Zacarias Lizeth Zacarias Sports Editor-in-Chief: Olivia Graseser Nathan Smith Sports Editors: Dani Fugina Kane Manfull Leslie Miller Esther San Eric Taylor Sports General Staff: Brendan Bedwell Kyndal Jacobs Ezana Dubale Mikey Jones Natalie Epplin Nicole Knop Maddie Fennell Jocelyn Kuker Elise Grimshaw Noah Ridling Isaiah Hester Jackson Schneider Matthew Hughes Morgan Smith Alexis Hunter Braden Thies Caden Ziha Advisers: Aaron Manfull Jordyn Kiel

PAGE DESIGNED BY CARLY DYSON • 01.08.2026 • OPINIONS • 45

“

“JOURNALISM HAS LED ME TO CHASE PASSIONS THAT I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW I HAD. DESPITE NOT WANTING TO PURSUE JOURNALISM AS A CAREER, THE PROGRAM HAS HELPED ME BUILD SKILLS AND FIND BOTH HOBBIES AND A COMMUNITY I WANT TO STAY IN FOR MUCH LONGER. IT’S ALLOWED ME TO VISUALIZE MY GROWTH THROUGH A SKILL AND DEDICATE MYSELF TO A CRAFT. — Eashaan Patel, EIC Student Life Photo FHN Media

ENROLL IN A JOURNALISM CLASS FOR NEXT YEAR.

Journalism - (Writing & Design Focused) - 1/2 Comm Arts Credit & Dual Credit Option Broadcast Journalism - (Video Storytelling Focused) - 1/2 Comm Arts Credit Digital Photojournalism - (Photography) - 1/2 Practical Arts Credit

ALREADY TAKE AN INTRO COURSE? JOIN STAFF. Applications for 2026-27 are available now.

Find out More at www.FHNtoday.com/TellMeMore

FHN media