North Star January 2012

FHNTODAY.COM - FRANCIS HOWELL NORTH HIGH SCHOOL - ST. CHARLES, MO.

January18, 2012 volume 026 issue5

NORTHSTAR

contents NORTH STAR / JANUARY 18, 2012

features

news

SPORTS

8-9 compare the gadgets Overwhelmed

3 New Snow Day Schedule In

32 hockey away from home

by all of the technologies out there? Want to figure out which to buy? Check out our gadget guide to help you.

spite of the many snow days last school year, the District added more built-in days to prevent reducing breaks.

12 Gateway car cruises Founded by two 90s

4-5 Announcements It’s

car buffs, this 400 member club tries to keep alive the 90s era car scene in St. Louis.

16 snow day traditions While some students

stay in the warmth of their houses on snow days, others are out carrying on their snow day traditions and superstitions.

20 Job of the month Senior Katelyn Stoews-

and breaks the mold of typical high school jobs by having a position in St. Peter’s City Hall.

half-way through the year with the new announcement system, and many have an opinion about it.

OPINIONS 42 shift the focus Gordon

expresses her view on how America should focus on the European economy.

43 treatment of veterans

Seay talks of his distaste toward limited opportunities when veterans come home.

Former FHN student Trevor Gorsuch left home to play in the USHL. 34 High School Dunker Junior Kyle Lemons is the only player who dunks on Varsity boys Basketball. See how his talent aids the team.

36 cheerleading success

Varsity Cheerleader Miata Walker received the opportunity of a lifetime in NYC.

In-depth 22-30 the mission continues

Military veterans struggle with the transition back home and battle with PTSD.

22 The In-Depth section this month explores the pain that veterans go through when they have PTSD. (kaitlyn williams)

on the cover As some soldiers return home from their service in the military, they battle with PTSD. They struggle to find the same happiness they had before leaving. (photo illustration by kaitlyn williams)

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news increased

success

Speech and Debate clubs have seen a very successful season due to multiple factors

BY JORDAN BRYSON

jordan.bryson90@gmail.com | @jordan_bryson

The Speech and Debate teams are experiencing a better season this year than last. In their competition against 35 schools at Pattonville on Dec. 9-10, sophomore Sophie Gordon placed sixth in Radio. At the Clayton/Ladue competition on Nov. 18-19, members placed first and third in Duet Improv, second in PoFHNTODAY.COM etry and second in Radio.

Then, at the FHN Invitational on Nov. 29, eight members qualified for the Greater St. Scan this QR Louis (GSL) finals that take place Jan. 20-21 code to be taken to a video interat Ritenour High School. viewing Speech “We’ve got a lot of team spirit which turns and debate students. into good work ethic,” sponsor Theresa Maher said. “It’s just a really good spirit all of us OR use this link: http://goo.gl/Gbptb have together.”

The Speech and Debate teams’ overall success is taken from the many individual victories and the fact that the club has tripled in size to a total of 25 members.

“We’ve been doing exceptionally well this year,” junior Smitha Milli said. “I think I’ve done pretty well. I placed in Parkway, qualified for GSL.” Maher hopes for the rest of the season that Varsity members take on leadership roles and enjoy their time in the Speech and Debate clubs.

“I really like doing it,” sophomore Matt Schneider said. “I think it’s good activities to do because they’re Junior Smitha Milli and junior Jonah Elliot participate in a debate demonstration for English good skills to have for the rest of your life, and it’s a fun classes on Jan. 6. They debatied the resolution of what leads to a better quality of life. (brandon way to get those skills.” neer)

SCAN HERE

the briefs PAGE BY SOPHIE GORDON

Speech & Debate Finals “I think finals will go pretty well because we have been practicing a lot, and it’s gone well so far,” Smitha Milli, 11

registration night “In case kids are on the fence about scheduling, they can come and ask questions,” Lisa Woodrum, guidance counselor

Snowcoming plans “We will have techno bubbles and blacklights, and the DJ plays a really good variety of music,” Austin Wiedner, 11

prom production “We still have to pick out centerpieces and decorations for the entrances and stage,” Alex Brinovec, 11

1.18.12

FHNTODAY.COM 01

news

Striking a

new beat Drumline prepares for first competition with the biggest line in nine years

BY SIDNEY SHELTON shelton2012@gmail.com

North’s largest Drumline since 2003 will head to Indianapolis on Feb. 18 to compete against 15 other drumlines in a Regional competition. The the 28 member team is performing a three-piece show entitled “A picture’s worth...”

“We are trying to give the students the best opportunity to make semis, which is the top 20,” band leader Jeff Morman said. “We are trying to give our students the experience of performing nationally and not only to perform but succeed through our design.”

With seven new members, most of which are underclassmen, Drumline has turned to the upperclassman to take the lead.

“We have very strong leaders, but we also have very new players,” Moorman said. “Getting them all to play at the same level, whether they are freshman or a senior, and ready for Nationals will be difficult.”

Senior Erin Long is one of the new leaders and heads the Marimba Pit section. Another senior leader is Nick Reuther, who is the Student Section leader.

“The seniors really help,” sophomore Jacob Lesinski said. “They always give you advice if you if you need it.”

The new members have also made the atmosphere of Drumline practices different.

“Last year the practices were more laid back, and we had a lot more of them, allowing us to get a lot of things done,” senior Taryn Lenke said. “This year having three practices a week puts the pressure on us to actually learning everything.”

In past years, Drumline members have not made it to semifinals. With this year’s large team and focused practices, Drumline members have high hopes to make it to semifinals this year.

“We’re trying to be a better line, trying to get up and start winning,” Long said. “It makes us try harder to win because the feeling of not winning or not doing as well as you want is a really awful feeling. Winning is a really good feeling or knowing you had a good performance.”

02 FHNTODAY.COM

01.18.12

Eric Craven practices along-side his fellow Drumline members. Drumline prepares to get ready for their big competition in Indianapolis on Feb. 18. (i’esha boll)

PAGE BY ABBY WEST

ns TOP TWEETS @abbeygrone In the 2010-2012 school year, FHSD had eight snow days. Even though many students and faculty enjoyed getting out for a day and playing the snow, other were upset knowing that days were going to be taken out of their summer break. This year there will be built in snow days to avoid summer break being taken away. (file photo)

new calendar plan for snow days

In the new calendar, make-up snow days have been added to save later revisions

BY AMANDA STALLINGS

amandastallings13@gmail.com | @Astall13

The 2011-12 school calender includes four additional snow make-up days when compared to last year’s calendar.

In past years, the school calendar only consisted of six snow make-up days. Now, there are 10 make-up snow days. According to Chief Human Resources Officer Steve Griggs, the extra snow days were added to the calendar so later calendar revisions won’t be needed.

“The reason we added the days is because we found out last year

was a very unusual year, and we had to make up days that we had to add to the calendar late,“ Griggs said. “It caused lots of problems for everyone because we were making up days that weren’t originally on the calendar.”

In the past, spring break has only been one week long. Now, because of the revised calendar, spring break is two weeks long to allow time for three of the last make-up days.

“We do have one full week of spring break that doesn’t have any make-up days included in it, so for students at the high school level, their break is guaranteed to be what

they’ve always experienced which is a one week break,” Griggs said.

The last three make-up days are scheduled on April 12, 13 and 14, which are the first three days of spring break.

The changes in the revised calendar are something that haven’t been done in the past, and cause the possibility of cutting not just summer break short but spring break as well.

“I think the built-in snow days are a good idea,” junior Austin Wiedner said. “I just have a lot planned for spring break, and I hope they don’t cut into the days we have off.”

Coffeehouse canceled

BY PAIGE YUNGERMANN

plyungermann@gmail.com | @plyungermann

Junior Melanie Tennyson plays guitar and sings alongside Julia Carney at the North Street Coffeehouse last year. The library will not be hosting the event this year to spend time and money on other projects. (file photo)

PAGE BY MATT HILLIS

The North Street Coffeehouse, which usually takes place in February, is not happening this year. The librarians decided not to host the Coffeehouse in order to spend time and money on other library projects, including a new website, eBooks and charging stations. These changes are part of FHSD’s five-year plan to update the libraries.

“I’m excited because I’m looking forward to some exciting new changes around here,” Gunnell said. “I think the students are going to like what we are doing.”

However, some students, including senior Darryenne Small, reacted negatively to the Coffeehouse being canceled. In last year’s Coffeehouse, Small read her own poetry. This year, she was already practicing a musical routine with junior Laura Tran when she heard Coffeehouse isn’t happening.

“I died a little on the inside because I was looking forward to doing it,” Small said. “I feel slightly angry.”

#FHNGirlsSwimming snags another W! Keep it up ladies #FHNnews Abbey Grone

@Ashlynnlaspe13 Hah knowing i’m a trader when FHCToday follows me on twitter #FHN? Ashlynn Laspe

@JacquelineJorel Singing in the car realizing you have the voice of an angel Jacqueline Jorel

@samcrapo School is a joke Two gym classes, two lunches, and a TA hour #winning Sam Crapo

@DavidHitch93 Can’t wait for fhn vs fh tonight. Gonna be another good game David Hitchcock

@catieblake @Em_Nothing FHN had a twitter page wayyyy before yallz zumwalts schools had um Catie Blake

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Tag tweets about school with

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FHNTODAY.COM 03

fhN

NEW

THE announcement

SYSTEM AND ITS

success Students and staff have been able to experience the new announcement system for a semester now and have their opinions on what should or shouldn’t be done KEVIN BEERMAN | KEVINBEERMAN2@GMAIL.COM | @k_beerman

04 FHNTODAY.COM

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T

he class that Student Council President Ashlynn Laspe sits in is focused on the teaching that Shelley Parks (previously Grimshaw) is doing in her English II class last year. The first hour students listen attentively, engaged in the classroom experience. With just five minutes left in first hour, the intercom starts to make noise; the class soon follows.

People chat about this or that, struggling to be heard over the noise of morning announcements. A dull roar builds, drowning out the announcements. Laspe tries, to no avail, to hear the dates and meeting times over the babble of other students. Today, like every day, she misses information, catching bits and pieces of announcements.

“It was frustrating,” Laspe said. “I cared about announcements and I wanted people to respect that.”

With this in mind, the FHN administration, as well as a small group of student representatives (including Laspe), set out to devise a new system to disseminate the integral information of the school to the student body. Over the summer, North administrators pushed to keep class times exactly equal, so morning announcements were eliminated to maintain equilibrium.

The task force also sought to identify and address faults with the old system. One of the downfalls of the old system, in the panel’s opinion, was students couldn’t hear the announcements over other students and would miss information they cared about.

The goal of the task force was to make announcements more accessible to students.

From access online to texts sent directly to students’ phones to TVs in the commons, there is no lack of accessibility to announcements, some panel members feel.

“Students have constant reminders of what is going on,” Laspe said. “There is better access to the announcements.”

Many students and organizations around North feel the new system undermines the effectiveness of the old system.

Smitha Milli, also a member of the special announcement task force, says many clubs are seeing lower numbers in meetings. She sites the lack of “in-your-face” announcements as the cause for the lack of knowledge of what is going on around school.

“I think a lot of people are missing things,” Milli said.

There isn’t hard evidence that clubs school-wide are seeing lower participation.

Clubs like StuCo and DECA have seen expected or even higher numbers this year

PAGE BY JORDAN BRYSON

FHN changed the way announcements would be distributed for the student body by taking away morning announcements over the intercom and replaced them with video, text, email, and slideshow reminders in various areas of the school. Even though there are various ways to get information, students are dissatisfied. (photo illustration by kaitlyn williams and jessica strieler)

panel members. compared with last year. However, several “I had teachers who would teach right smaller clubs have seen a decline in the through announcements,” Laspe said. number of students showing up to meetStill, some of the panel was concerned this ings. The Library has seen the greatest placed too much burden on smaller decrease in club participation. clubs. Other members raised conTheir book club has seen parcerns that some of the techniques ticipation of only a half--and utilized in getting information in some cases only a third--of out were not productive for stuwhat they saw last year. Lidents. brarian Angie Gunnell, has no “I think the TVs are useless,” doubt that the announcements Milli said. “People are eating. They are the cause of decreased parStudent opinions on both systems don’t have time to read.” ticipation.

Some of these concerns have been While only 24% “I think it’s 100 percent beof students vindicated, as only 24 percent of stucause there are no announcethink the new dents feel the new announcements ments,” Gunnell said. “The announcement are better than last year’s system. In way it is now, students have to system is working, 48% are spite of this, some members of the go out and do it; the informaneutral about panel now acknowledge that there is tion wasn’t in their face. Kids which sytem they no need to bring back intercom anwon’t seek people out.” think works best. nouncements. Laspe says that while Members of the panel raised the system isn’t perfect, it’s a step these issues in one of the task forward from systems in the past. force’s meetings before winter “Look at all the good that comes break. They also made a push from this,” Laspe said. “Don’t not like the to bring back intercom announcements, change solely because it’s change.” a suggestion that was opposed by some

TIME

OUT

PAGE BY JORDAN BRYSON

OWN D K A E R B E H T NTS ANNOUNCEM

E

Over 1500 FHN students were blindly surveyed on the effeciency of the new announcemens system.

61% of students say they do not use the TVs around school to stay updated.

SIGN UP FOR TEXT UPDATES: Send aText text message saying ‘Follow FHNtodaynews to the phone number 40404 and you will begin to recieve announcement updates via text.

FHNTODAY.COM

SCAN HERE

Scan this QR code to be taken to the page where video announcements are posted.

OR use this link: http://goo.gl/TtNBa

01.18.12 FHNTODAY.COM 05

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Gadget Guide

The holiday season left many FHN students decked out in new technology, this guide highlights the best features of all the latest gadgets.

1

ipad

Apple’s version of the tablet, which features apps, music, wi-fi or a 3G plan and dual cameras. Great for multi-tasking, has a 10 hour battery life and has one of the fastest operating systems.

2

Kindle

Amazon’s tablet is half the price of the iPad and features apps, music, books, wi-fi and free cloud storage. It has a 7 inch touch screen with a 1024x600 pixel resolution.

3

Flip

Camera that holds 8GB of video and a two hour battery life.

It has its own built in USB for easy hook-up to your computer. You can view your videos right on this video camera.

6

ipod

Apple’s newest iPod, the iPod nano, features a touch screen, built-in radio, clock and a fitness app. This little 1.5 inch iPod holds up to 16GB with a 24 hour battery life. Apple currently has three other iPods.

7

Camera

Casio’s exilim cameras have up to 16.1 megapixels with a 2.7 inch LCD screen and 12.5 times optical zoom. These cameras not only take pictures but can be used for videos.

8

laptop

Apple’s MacBook Pro, in 13, 15, and 17-inch. Each with a built-in HD camera and multitouch trackpad. It is two times faster than any of Apple’s previous laptops.

4

iphone

Apple’s phone available at ATT&T, Sprint and Verizon Wireless. This phone has up to 64 GB to hold all of your favorite apps and music. The plan requires the purchase of a 3G or 4G plan. This phone has a camera and video capabilities. You can FaceTime with all of your friends.

Texting glOVES

accessories

08 FHNTODAY.COM

1.18.12

Allowing you to use your smartphone without taking off your gloves Starts at $7.99 at Amazon.com

5

android

Google’s android platform is Apple’s biggest mobile rival. They feature the Andriod Market and quickly connect with Google Maps, Each phone has voice typing to ensure your safety while driving and for your own convenience. These phones support flash player.

bose headphones Ear buds providing the same quality sound of full sized Bose speakers Starts at $99.99 at Bestbuy.com

PAGE BY TAYLOR BARTRAM

kindle vs. ipad

Top Apps Out of hundreds of smart phone apps that are popular lately, we consider this to be a list of the best.

Angry Birds kindle pros:

Scrabble

$300 less than an iPad With the Kindle Library you can share books with other kindlers Download music from Amazon to any device

cons:

Slower internet speed Smaller battery life

photo by Murphy Riley

6

SCAN HERE Scan this QR code for a video by Jon Doty about this seasons top gadgets and their accessories.

goo.gl/50UJ7

Larger display screen Larger memory space for more storage Purchase a 3G plan for guaranteed internet

cons:

iHeart radio Qr code Reader Pandora Netflix

Ipad pros:

Hey Tell

Almost double the weight of the kindle Lower screen resolution

Facebook Twitter Foursquare monopoly Hoote suite

SMART COVER

Locks & unlocks your iPad by simply opening and closing the cover Starts at $39 at apple.com

PAGE BY TAYLOR BARTRAM

IPHONE CASE Protect your phone in style with a gelly iPhone case that’s easily removable.

Prices vary at skinit.com

Find friends Tiny wings Google earth

1.18.12

FHNTODAY.COM 09

FEATURES

Fhn’s

WHAT NOT TO WEAR 1 4 (photos by Ashley Brophy)

10 FHNTODAY.COM

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PAGE BY KATIE DOZIER & AUSTIN SEAY

AKE T R U O Y S U E IV G ur favorite voteon yo

1. “People who wear matching color sweats are

trying to bring retro back.” Ryan Jeppesen, 12.

2. “Mixing prints makes an outfit too crazy with clashing patterns.” Alex Oppenborn, 12.

3. “Sometimes I think fuzzy boots look like a

4. “Ties with short sleeve shirts bring down the nice factor.” Chris Quenelle, 12.

Vote on the tacky photo you think is the best. goo.gl/Z9s75

5. “Over accessorizing clashes too much with your outfit.” Kaitlyn Jennings, 9.

6. “Why would you want an animal on

your head.” Marissa Finkbeiner, 11.

dog is eating their foot.” Julia Carney, 11.

PAGE BY KATIE DOZIER & AUSTIN SEAY

scan here

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3

5

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Features

Ride of

the month An old station wagon holds the memories of the Teuscher family

BY BRITTANY STECK brittany14steck@gmail.com

Sisters Savannah and Sierra Teuscher drive to school in a rolling family treasure box- a 1999 Ford Taurus station.

“We all make jokes about the car,” Sierra said. “The good and bad times have brought us together because we can relate to what happened.”

Clunker doesn’t even begin to describe TWag. In order to play the stereo, the rear defroster has to be on after Savannah forgot to roll up the windows during rain.

“My friends and I like to play sweet and sour,” Savannah said. Sweet and sour is a game where players wave at people in other cars while sitting in the rear-facing back seats.

Even though he may not be Sports Car of the Year, TWag is a big part of the Teuscher family.

“You gotta love him,” Savannah said, “because he’s a piece of crap.”

SCAN HERE To watch a video about Savannah and her car.

OR use this link: goo.gl/CfdU0

12 FHNTODAY.COM

1.18.12

Cars are parked to show off for one of the many Gateway Car Club car cruises held throughout the year where members can get together with other members to display cars and converse with others with the same passion for cars. (areli lara)

GATEWAY CAR CLUB Gateway Car Cruises brings over 400 members together through activities and a common interest

BY AUSTIN ANDREWS Gateway Car Cruises (GCC) is St Louis’ premiere car club with over 400 members, all of whom are car enthusiast. The members have meetings, organize cruises and attend car shows. At each of these events, members get the opportunity to hang out with people who have the same interest in cars. It is the only car club in the St. Louis area that accepts any make or model of car. “[We are] dedicated to cruising, but we’re also friends,” founder Mike Perez said.

Perez created the club with Eric Cheatham in April 2011. This club has a “mega” cruise every couple of months and several smaller cruises and meets throughout the month.

“I met Eric at Cars and Coffee in April 2011, and we started talking about how the car scene was in the 90s, and we wanted to recapture those years of STL’s car scene,” Perez said.

The first cruise was in July, in which Gateway met up in Chesterfield and cruised the back roads all the way to Columbia, MO to attend a car show. The cruise was around four hours long and over 60 cars showed up. Since that first event, GCC has had regular events where they will go on long or short cruises or just hangout and get to know everyone in the club.

“The members of this group are pretty darn close,” member Jake Carlson said.

The club’s most recent cruise was Dec. 10.

The club met up at Hooters on Lindbergh then cruised to view Christmas lights and then to Eckert’s Farm for a Christmas dinner. Many other car clubs attended the cruise, including STL Redline.

“We wanted a cruise that overlaps our down period to keep people interested in the club,” Perez said.

Perez’s future plan for GCC is to to see how big it can get and restore what he considers St. Louis’ lost car scene.

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Features

featured collector

Sophomore Lauren LeMaster has a collection of fuzzy socks

BY MADDIE HIATT

maddiehiatt@gmail.com | @maddiehiatt

With over 40 pairs of fuzzy socks, sophomore Lauren LeMaster has quite a collection.

Receiving her first pair around five years ago, LeMaster has never bought a pair for herself; she receives each pair as a gift from family or friends.

“I think it is creative, fun, and original,” friend, Tiffany Metts said. “I don’t know anyone else who collects them.”

LeMaster wears her fuzzy socks everyday during the winter season.

“My favorite part about winter is having my fuzzy socks,” LeMaster said. “They are comfy and fun.”

LeMaster has a specific drawer devoted to her fuzzy socks. She loves to wear every pair of fuzzy socks she owns, even though she doesn’t have a pair that are her favorite.

“It’s never my plan to get more,” LeMaster said “My friends and family just know that I love them, and I will continue to collect them until they stop giving them to me.”

14 FHNTODAY.COM

1.18.12

Micheal West carries a sign on his bike advertizing his name, business, and phone number. West’s business includes house painting and other odd handy man jobs. (Michelle Spencer)

Life on two wheels 50 year-old Michael West chooses an alternative mode of transportation for his everyday commute

BY AURORA BLANCHARD

auroradblanchard@gmail.com | @auroradbee

Michael West cannot be summed up in a few words. He fits no paradigm, but fits many different hats. He is a handyman with a law degree. He has few remaining relatives but has found a family at a church. He travels five to ten miles per day but does so without a car. Michael West is an anamoly.

When he injured his back two years ago in a car accident, Michael decided: no more cars; just bikes.

“To me, it’s a no-brainer,” Michael said. “It’s economically friendly, it’s cost-effective, and I don’t have any extra liabilities or any extra overhead expenses on a vehicle.”

Rain or shine, Michael rides his bike to and from jobs, church, the grocery store and home no matter the weather.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s freezing cold, ice, snow, he’s [at church],” Harvester Christian Church facilities coordinator Audrey Hicks said. “He rides that bike in all seasons, all

weather.”

A sign hangs on his Schwinn with his name and business, a couple plastic bags hold his supplies for the day; there’s a light that helps him see in the dark. In the winter he sports a lime green jacket, polyester face mask, and possibly even rain gear from his army days. But, rain doesn’t bother him.

“Tomorrow if it rains, I’ve got a rain suit,” Michael said. “ I’m here local so it’s not really a factor. And it’s not the first time I’ve ever gotten wet.”

Michael has thought of getting a truck again, but right now not being a lawyer or driving a car makes sense for Michael because he’s already doing two things he loves: riding his bike and working on houses.

“Based on his constitution, determination, and survival skills, I believe that he will be just fine because he’s willing to do what it takes in the way of finding and securing work,” Audrey said. “It takes a lot of effort to live his lifestyle and he puts forth that effort.”

PAGE BY BRIANNA MORGAN

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Put a wooden spoon under your pillow .

16 FHNTODAY.COM

01.18.12

Wear your pajamas inside out.

Flush some ice cubes down your toilet.

Place a white crayon in your freezer.

Light a green candle the night before.

PAGE BY AMANDA CORNETT AND KAYLYN SHINAULT

9 OUTSIDE GEAR

Bundle up with your best snow gear. Grab some of the new tech touch gloves so you can stay connected.

10 LOCAL SPOT

If you don’t want to drive very far, stay close and try out the hill at Blanchet Park.

It has been a traditional hangout for FHN students.

11

SNACKAGE

Cookies, popcorn and chicken noodle soup are all great foods to snack on while enjoying your snow day.

SNOW DAY MUST-LIST Don’t skip out on these popular and exciting snow day traditions 5 A WARM FIRE 1 PERFECT SLED The perfect sled is something that evGet some logs and clean out the eryone needs and it’s a definite must for all of your snow fun. The simple tube sleds are the best.

2

HOT CHOCOLATE

This is the perfect way to warm you from the inside out. The Nestle Instant Hot Cocoa is an easy and affordable drink mix.

3 A FUN GAME

If you and your friends are looking for another way to spend your day off, pull out a board game and get competitive.

4 SNOW WAR

Gather up your friends and neighbors and build a fort. An epic snow ball fight is a fun way to make memories and indulge in the snow.

PAGE BY AMANDA CORNETT AND KAYLYN SHINAULT

ashes. Heat up your house with a blazing fire. It sets the mood for any wintery day.

6 COZY CUDDLE-UPS

Curl up with the softest blankets in the house. You can even break out the snuggie. Nothing says snow day like relaxation.

7 SLEDDING BIG

Get some of your best buds and head to Forest Park and sled down Art Hill.

It is something everyone must do on their snow day.

8 SNOOZE AWAY

After discovering the news, curl back up in bed and take advantage of the much needed beauty sleep.

12 DISNEY MOVIE

Break out those old childhood reminisced movies that will bring you back to the good ole’ days.

13 LEFT-OVER WORK

We all have unfinished homework and untouched chores we didn’t complete. This is the perfect opportunity to finish them.

14

GET ACTIVE

Keep up with your New Years resolution by playing games that get your blood pumpin’ on your motion game system.

ipe c e r y a D w o n S ow ice cream real sn

scan here Check out this link to a learn how to make your own snow ice cream.

01.18.12 FHNTODAY.COM 17

2012 APPS

Another 8,760 hours to work with. It’s the start of a new year and a new semester at school. If you resolved this new year to waste less time, here’s what you’re up against.

FACEBOOK

The average smartphone/mobile device user spends 81 min. per day using mobile apps.

IN A YEAR: 492 hours and 45 min.

IN THAT TIME: You could cook 109 20pound Thanksgiving turkeys.

The average Facebook user is on 7 hours and 46 min. per month.

IN A YEAR: 94 hours and 17 min.

IN THAT TIME: You could read “War and Peace” 2.5 times.

MUSIC

The average student with an mp3 spends two hours and 31 min. daily listening to music.

IN A YEAR: 918 hours and 35 minutes.

IN THAT TIME: You could listen to the song “American Pie” by Don McLean 6446 times.

KOOBECAF TELEVISION TEXTING Students spend an average 1 hour and 35 min. texting per day.

The average student spends 4 hours and 29 min. daily consuming TV content.

IN A YEAR: 1636 hours and 25 min.

IN THAT TIME: You could watch the entire 2011 MLB World Series 88 times.

IN A YEAR: 578 hours IN THAT TIME: You could play the game RISK 97 to 578 times.

IN A YEAR TOTAL

INTERNET

If each of these things were done separately over one year, the combined total time would be 4588 hours and 26 min.

Student spend 2 hours and 24 min. daily online.

IN A YEAR: 868 hours and 24 min.

IN THAT TIME: You could fly from New York to Los Angeles and back 74 times or around the world 1.29 times.

IN THAT TIME: You and 6 friends could paint the ceiling of the Sistene Chapel.

How to deal with this problem? Here are some suggestions that add up.

RISE AND

SHINE

Wake up earlier. As little as ten min. can make a difference.

LESS GLOWING

SCREENS

Cut down on TV and Internet time by half an hour each.

APPS SPEED! APPLE A DAY

WHEN DRIVING, Okay, don’t actually do this one. That’s kind of illegal.

NO MORE

Keep your iPod and phone off or in your locker during school.

All it takes is some small changes and you’ll have plenty of time on your hands each day. How you use it is up to you.

10 min. + 60 min. + 0 min. + 15 min. = 85 min.

12 FHNTODAY.COM

01.18.12

PAGE BY NICK PONCHE

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Earn a degree that allows you to benefit individuals and the community. Become an integral part of a close-knit campus with more than 50 student organizations.

Awards Join the top fhntoday.com Take advantagejournalism ofone theofprograms North Star Newsmagazine in the West country. The surrounding Central Excalibur Yearbook publications consistently rank among the Endfhntoday medicalTVcommunity, nation’s elite at national conventions and the expertise of faculty, and contests. The staff has all St. Louis has to offer. earned Pacemaker, write Crown, Gallup and design Best of Show honors photo numerous times. Win video awards as part of a team and individually. edit In the past 10 years web we have had two of social Missouri’s High School Journalist’s of the Year create and staffers have won draw numerous scholarships animate for their work.

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beyond the classroom to cover community and national events.

They attend a local conference at Webster University and the state conference at Mizzou. Staff members also attend national conventions each year in places ranging from Anaheim and Minneapolis to Washington D.C. and Boston.

sports team captains and Student Council members to artists and those in band. You’ll also have the chance to meet and talk with famous people. Staffers have interviewed and/ or photographed everyone from Barack Obama and Sarah Palin to boxing great

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If you have any questions feel free to stop by room 26 and talk to Manfull

If you’re into writing or designing, there’s a place for you.

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Like Facebook and Twitter? We even have jobs for that. Learn skills that matter now and help later.

Looking to get an Honors Point?

Publications can get you that too.

Newspaper, Yearbook and FHNtoday.com staffs are all cocurricular classes that meet during the school day. You get Practical Arts credit for being a member of staff and even have the option to take the publication courses for an Honors Point. Inquire about your options.

check out FHNtoday.com

JOB OF THE MONTH:

city hall secretary

Every January or February since the ‘80s Barnwell eighth graders have been given the opportunity to take a trip Chicago. Students usually get to go to Gino’s Pizza, Shedd Aquarium, Willis Tower, and Navy Pier. (photo submitted)

a trip to remember

North students reflect on Barnwell’s annual trip to Chicago, and the memories they shared

BY JAKE CHIARELLI jacquelinejorel@gmail.com

As the students run to the large glass windows that line the observation deck, the clouds begin to clear. In an almost picture perfect moment, the crowded Chicago skyline becomes clear and the room is filled with awe. After the students have their short look at the view, they begin to slowly file down the elevators. Then, as the last few kids are heading out, getting their last minute pictures, they catch a glance of the thin white clouds racing off of Lake Michigan, swirling around the city as the sun lights the room. This memory is one they will never forget.

“It’s a great opportunity to go do something outside of school with friends,” senior Cole Kinnard said. ​Every year at Barnwell Middle School, the eighth grade students and teachers get an amazing opportunity that creates lifelong memories. The school teachers came together in the ‘80s to devise a reward for well behaved students, and came up with an annual trip to Chicago. All they needed was a good record in order to attend.

“My favorite part of the trip was getting

20 FHNTODAY.COM

1.18.12

stuck in the hotel room with Kevin Beerman and all my other roommates while the bus was waiting,” senior Heather Hale said. ​Later, the trip became so well known that Brian Middle School’s teachers requested to send students and teachers on the trip. From then on, students from Brian and Barnwell went on the non-school sanctioned trip. Kids on the trip went to the Willis (previously Sears) Tower “Sky deck”, where they could enjoy the beautiful Birdseye view of downtown Chicago. They also visited the science museum, the Navy Pier, the Shedd Aquarium and the famous Gino’s East Pizza.

This year, the trip will likely take place in January or February. Just like the twenty years the trip has been tradition. In the past, it has always been filled with unique events that create memories for the years to come. This year is expected to be no different: a memory filled, and exciting as ever before, and another class will get to stand far above the clouds, standing in the same spot at the Sears Tower sky deck that so many others have before.

“I had never gone on a school sanctioned trip before, and I had to save up my own money to go,” said junior Christina Desalvo. “It was just an overall good experience.”

Katelyn Stoewsand aids in the governmental process by performing clerical duties at the St. Peters City Hall.

BY LISA SAVILLE lksaville12@gmail.com | @savvysaville

The position of Resident Youth Clerical (RYC) is one of many positions at St.Peters City Hall that contribute to its recognition by Money Magazine as one of America’s Best Places to Live. Senior Katelyn Stoewsand is an RYC at City Hall Citizen Action Center.

Stoewsand’s duties as RYC include sorting and distributing mail, answering the phones and directing calls to their appropriate departments, taking concerns from residents and general clerical duties.

“She does a great job,” Staff Support Services Office Manager, Robbie Kimes said. “She’s quick learning, very efficient, (and) always willing to be of assistance.”

Although Stoewsand does not plan to pursue a career in politics or government, both she and Kimes agree the experience of working as a RYC is very beneficial to any potential career choice.

“I really enjoy my job, I like the people I work with, the same hours, and it looks good on an application,” Stoewsand said. “I think anyone who looks at my resume and sees that I contributed to my city will see that as a positive thing.”

PAGE BY EMILY FORST

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the

Mission

CONTINUES Even as combat soldiers return home from the War in Iraq, the battle with PTSD, the transition into civilian life, and the fight to regain purpose wages on.

PHOTOS ILLUSTRATIONS BY: KAITLYN WILLIAMS

From

hell to home

24 FHNTODAY.COM

1.18.12

PAGE BY EMILY FORST & MADDIE HIATT

As soldiers return home, the struggle to cope with the traumas of war weighs on families SOPHIE GORDON smgordon14@gmail.com

It’s a freezing cold December day at Fort Stewart.

Families stand on bleachers, waiting for the soldiers of the Third Infantry Division to arrive. Among these military families is senior Jade Shinn. Her father is coming home after fighting in Iraq for the past year. She grips a sign that says, “Welcome home, Brewster,” and stares across the open field. As she watches, soldiers walk out from the trees and line up in front of the families.

A voice announces for the families to find their soldier, and Shinn takes off.

“It was like a scene out of a movie,” Shinn said.

“The soldiers ran to the families, and the families ran to them.”

Intuition sends Shinn running towards the left. She is the first one in her family to spot her dad. She basically pushes two soldiers out of the way to get to him.

“We were both crying,” Shinn recalls.

Her father, Danny Brewster, is home from his second tour in Iraq. After reaching his Expiration of Term of Service with an honorable discharge, Brewster is finally home with his family. This time for good.

“Stepping off that plane and marching across that field—seeing families and friends clapping and cheering—it’s one of the best moments of my life,” said Brewster. “It’s one of the greatest feelings in the world knowing you made it through hell to come home to your family.”

The transition home hasn’t been easy for Brewster.

He is one of the 20 percent of returning soldiers that suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can affect a person who has been through a traumatic event. The events of war often leave soldiers at a loss because of what they experienced. Like many soldiers suffering from PTSD, Brewster was angry and couldn’t sleep very well. He relived his battle experiences in his nightmares.

“You couldn’t wake him up because he would swing at you,” Shinn said. “It seemed like a part of him was gone because he had seen what he had seen.”

Many returning soldiers have these same problems.

In addition to nightmares and flashbacks, they feel disconnected from the “normal” world. Sometimes it is difficult for them to communicate with civilians.

Brewster struggles the most with large crowds.

Going out for groceries isn’t as easy as it once was.

Even mundane and ordinary tasks have become more complicated. When Brewster walks into Walmart, his anxiety level soars. Veterans are constantly, automatically on alert for an enemy. Even in the safety of

PAGE BY EMILY FORST & MADDIE HIATT

Walmart, Bruster never lets his guard down. After about 15 minutes, he can’t stand the crowds any longer. He has to leave.

“If I go somewhere, I get what I need, and I go home,” Brewster said. “I don’t get out much. I haven’t for three or four months now.”

This irregular behavior is typical with victims of PTSD. The transition home from war, for many troops, is a transition back to a normal life. Television shows, domestic activities, civilian jobs--these can all be triggers for anxiety and dysfunction. Irritability spurs and tensions in households rise. Doctors with the John Conchran Veteran’s Clinic in St. Louis have found that, in many ways, PTSD makes the transition harder.

“I’m relieved that he’s not in the war because I don’t have to constantly worry about him being on leave,” Shinn said, “but it’s also harder on him.”

Brewster has spent most of his time home looking for work. Recently, he has applied to work with a railroad company, Walmart and a resort hotel. However, with the Jade Shinn talks about what life is like with a return of thousands of father who has PTSD and how she personally deals with his struggles. other veterans, finding work has been difficult.

Not to mention, his struggle with PTSD makes it difficult for Brewster to find a job. The struggle isn’t only with himself, or go to: but also with employers goo.gl/Z9uwM who doubt his ability to hold himself together.

Although he applied at many places, he remains unemployed.

“It’s like as soon as they find out it’s a mental issue, they’re like, ‘Oh, sorry. I don’t have a job for you at the moment,’” he said.

In spite of the current obstacles that stand in his way, Brewster is hopeful. He started the enrollment process for a trade school that allows him to gain work as a truck driver. Brewster is seeking aid in his battle with PTSD, and hopes that it eventually get better. While his transition hasn’t been a glamour story, he is slowly working back to normal. Even with the burdens he bears, he and his family know he is better off at home than where he was a year ago.

“At first, when he joined the army, I was angry at him for leaving me,” Shinn said. “Now, I realize that what he did was something to be proud of. It was something to support his family even though he had to sacrifice time

life with ptsd SCAN

HERE

1.18.12

FHNTODAY.COM 25

the

things they

Carry The load that a battle with PTSD carries inhibits a vet’s transition home KEVIN BEERMAN & EMILY KATSIANIS kevinbeerman2@gmail.com | katsianisemily@gmail.com

It’s been a month since the troops left their bases in Iraq to head home. They came back with a lot of baggage. They came back with stories. They came back with souvenirs.

They came back with tattoos of brotherhood.

They came back for good after eight years of battle in Iraq. And one in five of them came back to fight with their own minds.

There have been more than a million veterans of the war in Iraq, which means that more than 200,000 of them have been 26 FHNTODAY.COM

1.18.12

estimated to be struggling with an internal conflict that can hardly be dealt with alone.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is dehumanizing. It takes the color from the world; it turns it gray. It makes a dream into a nightmare. It makes a transition a struggle, and a struggle that many veterans are seeking aid for, to the point that many veteran’s hospitals across the country are being bogged down with patients.

“We have been doing it thus far,” Shawn O’connor, a pyschologist with the John Cochran Veteran’s Center, said. “Our staff is well trained to deal with the various types

of PTSD. Luckily, we have different types of treatment in various areas, otherwise we would be in trouble.”

Help comes in many different forms.

Sometimes through the VA; sometimes it comes in other ways. Jerry Marks is a private practice social worker who served in Vietnam for 13 years as a major. He was a captain in active duty and chief of the mental health clinic on base who has seen his fair share of soldiers with PTSD, even from that era.

“I’ve seen really about eight pretty severely traumatized soldiers,” Marks said.

“For a lot of these guys, they’re not going to come in and start talking about something until it gets to be a problem in their family.”

The problems within families can grow quickly. Families are exposed to the pitfalls PAGE BY EMILY FORST & MADDIE HIATT

of PTSD more than anyone. Still, experts say that the family dynamic is incredibly beneficial to the transition of a soldier, even though it can be emotionally taxing on every member.

The stress on the family is only one of the many outcomes of a battle with PTSD. The symptoms of PTSD can force veterans to act much differently than they did before heading off to war. PTSD creates a heightened state of physiological arousal. If a soldier worked in construction prior to the war, they might find it hard to deal with the noise and chaos of a work site. In this situation, it’s hard for them to do what they used to do as a civilian. The inability to leave the military life behind them is what obstructs the transition more than anything.

“This can really inhibit functioning,” PAGE BY EMILY FORST & MADDIE HIATT

O’connor said. “This make it hard to work anywhere.”

It’s this lack of normalcy that makes the transition from soldier to civilian so difficult.

Where veterans used to find comfort and familiarity, they now find danger and harm.

The popular opinion among people unfamiliar with PTSD is simply to force veterans to face these traumas head on. This idea is similar to how people deal with fears of heights or spiders.

“But trauma is more complicated than spiders,” O’connor said. “They have changes in how they think about themselves, about other people and about the world.”

And this is where PTSD separates itself from other psychological conditions. These veterans have lived through life or death situations. At the time the trauma occured, it was eat or be eaten. They had to move quickly past what happened for the good of their comrades. They didn’t have the time to sit back and have normal reactions to what was happening. That emotional reaction gets postponed, and that’s when PTSD finds its way into an already brittle psychosis.

“There are emotions that need to be felt that are not complete yet,” O’connor said.

“Those emotions need to be completed.”

Acceptance of this natural emotional complex is a difficult thing. Military culture often frowns upon this reaction to trauma; they view it as a weakness. This leaves veterans struggling to cope. Then, civilian society is just as suffocating. Finding a job is difficult, even for those who have dealt with their PTSD. Employers are misinformed about the condition and turn vets away. Often times, soldiers begin to self-medicate, using alcohol and other substances to deal with their emotional imbalance. Then, the drinking begins to drive the PTSD. “It can really complicate the situation,” O’connor said. “We can’t help them work on the trauma when they are in this medically dangerous condition.”

The things veterans carry are burdensome. They carry a load that no one else can carry for them. People around them often don’t know how to make the situation any better. The problem is isolation. Veterans rely as much on the help of people like O’connor and Marks as they do on civilians who don’t understand the condition. With nearly 200,000 soldiers struggling with PTSD, there can be no shortage of help for them.

“Vets are people having normal reactions to abnormal situations,” O’connor said.

“They need our aid and support. They need our help.”

Diagnosing and treating ptsd •

One in five U.S. combat veterans suffered or are suffering form PTSD.

•

Diagnosing PTSD is a complicated and difficult process. If PTSD goes untreated, it often gets worse.

•

Most people are most aware of what are known as re-experiencing symptoms. These symptoms can be triggered by a memory, an image, a sound or even a smell.

•

The second part of the transition process is often the most disruptive, because these symptoms are characterized by avoiding things that remind the soldier of the experience.

•

PTSD symptoms may come and go. They are often worse during stressful times.

•

Many soldiers with PTSD don’t seek help for fear that it will affect their careers. Of those who seek help, only half of them receive “minimally adequate” treatment. info from: mayoclinic.com

Drug and Alcohol abuse As veterans struggle with PTSD, some reach for comfort in drugs and alcohol. These habits make treating PTSD even more difficult and the whole problem escalates.

34%

Of men with PTSD said they’ve had issues drug abuse at some at point in their life

Of men with PTSD said they’ve had issues with alcohol abuse at some point during their life

52%

info from: bit.ly/u8zuA9

1.18.12

FHNTODAY.COM 27

Not a

charity;

a Challenge A St. Louis organization provides stuggling veterans with a purpose BRITTANY STECK brittanys14steck@gmail.com

A year and a half ago, Tiffany Garcia was lost. She felt no purpose, and her service as a Marine in Iraq had left her scarred and struggling. She worked as a waitress for a while, but that didn’t fill the void that burdened her. She needed a challenge. She needed a mission.

Upon her return home from the Marine Corps after five years of active service, Garcia found it difficult to even get out of bed in the morning. She felt disconnected from friends, family and herself. Her confidence sagged, and she was confused as to what to do with herself now that she was done serving--just like many of the soldiers who are coming home.

After hearing about Mission Continues--a non-profit organization that supports qualified post-9/11 veterans in their transition back into ‘everyday life’--Garcia applied for one of their fellowships. At the time, the Mission Continues only supplied 30 fellowships, one of which Garcia received. Now, they have the goal of giving more than 250 in 2012. When soldiers come home, they often feel they have lost their purpose. Mission Continues gives them the tools to make a change, not only for themselves, but for the community as well.

“I just think their confidence is the biggest thing that affects them coming home,” Garcia said. “I think they come home not re-

28 FHNTODAY.COM

1.18.12

ally knowing who they are anymore, or how to use these experiences in a positive way.”

Mission Continues was founded by Eric Greitens in 2007. Returning home from his military service as a Navy SEAL in Iraq, Greitens noticed that many of the returning soldiers wanted to continue their service because civilian life was not fulfilling enough for them. Wanting to strengthen the community and the ‘new generation’, Greitens, along with two friends, founded Mission Continues.

“Our veterans are searching for some kind of purpose,” Missions Continues member Emily Rodenbeck said. “When they come back home, they are wounded or struggling with PTSD, and they get stuck inside playing video games.”

The Mission Continues started when Greitens’s mission ended. After experiencing an ambush while serving in Afghanistan, his wounded and broken troop was sent back home. Fortunately for Greitens, he wasn’t wounded. While he visited his comrades at Bethesda Hospital in Maryland, he talked.

He talked with them about what their plans were. He talked with them about what they wanted. They all said the same thing.

“I just want to go back and serve with my brothers.”

Greitens realized that all his fellow soldiers just needed to be empowered. Like the thousands of soldiers who are coming home from Iraq today. Just like Garcia. In their first year, Mission Continues had a mere

four fellowships. Using the capital from their disability checks, Greitens and his two friends funded the living expenses of four retired soldiers for 26 weeks, allowing them to move back into their communities and assume leadership roles there.

“That really speaks to the sense of finding that sense of purpose,” Rodenbeck said.

This is where Garcia found herself two years ago: without purpose, trudging through her life cumbersomely, waiting for fulfillment. She finally quit her job as a waitress and applied for a fellowship with the Mission Continues. She worked with them 20 hours a week for all 26 weeks of her fellowship. More importantly, though, she found new purpose. She found her niche. She had a reason to keep fighting for her lifestyle. She had a new mission.

“It’s been terrific ever since I have been here,” Garcia said.

In her role, Garcia takes applicants through the fellowship process. Her job is to provide the stability that many of these veterans lack, so they can focus on their service. Life at home, combined with the pressure of the transition from wartime to peacetime, can distract fellows, making it hard for them to accomplish what they set out to do. Garcia works to take as much pressure off of soldiers as possible.

“A lot of them feel apprehensive about going back out into the community,” Garcia said. “It’s a hard thing for them to think about. But it’s a challenge. No one said this was going to be easy.”

With the help of others like her, Garcia finished her fellowship in September of 2010. Since then, she has worked as one of the leaders of the fellowship program at the Mission Continues. As the war comes to an end, and more soldiers come home not knowing what to expect, the organization is stepping up their game to get more veterans serving in their communities again.

They know that they aren’t going to be the solution to the shortage of veteran leaders in the community, but they know that the little help they do provide is beginning to have an impact on the area around them. They have helped more than 200 veterans to date, with expectations of doubling that by year’s end.

They just finished a 60-day-long service event that included more than 200 projects.

“Our ultimate goal is to change the way that this nation welcomes home its veterans,” Rodenbeck. “It’s not, ‘welcome home, thanks for your service.’ It’s, ‘now what are you gonna do? Now how are you gonna serve?’”

PAGE BY EMILY FORST & MADDIE HIATT

PAGE BY EMILY FORST & MADDIE HIATT

1.18.12

FHNTODAY.COM 29

N W O R B H A N N A H S ' IT the epitome of swag Scan here for a video about Hannah as she stomps the FHN yard with her rythmic combinations of pats, claps and stomps. AKA- Steppin’

OR use this link: goo.gl/sdNO5

fhntoday.com

3

2

WHAT’S NEW ONLINE AT

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@FHNtoday & @FHNtodaysports @FHNtodaynews

new blogs

Read Alex Curry-Lipka’s honest blog with witty posts named “I Saw It on Facebook” and “That weird kid in your class.”

New

podcast Watch new videos about interesting people, places and things around the school.

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do you thi nk You would make it on

american idol if you auditioned?

If you took the poll on our facebook page, here are the numbers:

22% said yes

SCAN HERE

For a video of eight groups of FHN students’ belting it on in their best auditions

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Tag your tweets with #FHNnews

SPORTS

moving up on the ice

Senior Trevor Gorsuch moved away in order to play for an amateur league ice hockey team

BY CODY HAISLIP cody.haislip@gmail.com

Putting him one step closer to the National Hockey League (NHL), senior and former FHN student Trevor Gorsuch was drafted by Omaha, a junior team in the United States Hockey League (USHL). However, before the season was set to begin he was traded to another USHL team, Tri-City Storm. After putting extensive thought into whether or not he should leave home to go play hockey with Storm, Trevor decided that it was in his best interest to leave home and move to Nebraska to play for Storm.

Since then, Trevor was drafted to the Michigan Warriors, a team in the North American Hockey League (NAHL).

“Trevor’s goal has always been to play at the highest level of hockey he can make it to,” FHN coach Bruce Racine said. “This is a major stepping stone for him and a great opportunity for him to achieve his goals.”

Trevor has been playing for the Warriorrs for about a month, and the

32 FHNTODAY.COM

1.18.12

"We WOULD PRACTICE UNTIL HE HAD BLISTERS SO BAD HE COULDN'T STAND THEM ANYMORE, AND UNTIL THEN HE WASN'T SATISFIED." team maintains a record of 16-16 as of press time. Their next game is Jan. 20 against the Kalamazoo Junior K Wings.

“It’s unbelievable,” Trevor said in reguards to playing for Storm. “We play in a building that seats 4,400 people, and we are mostly full every night. The fans are amazing, the coaches are great, and the team is one of the greatest group of guys I’ve

ever played with. They made me feel welcome and part of the team right away.”

Trevor began skating at three-yearsold and began playing hockey a year later.

“Once I started skating I knew I wanted to be a hockey player,” Trevor said.

After Trevor started playing hockey, he sought motivation and support from his dad, Jack Gorsuch. Jack was always

PAGE BY NICK BUSSELL

how

they remember Three seniors were asked how they felt about Trevor Gorsuch leaving North to play hockey

NICOLE YUEDE

“It’s not a sport; it’s a lifestyle.”

#33 Trevor Gorsuch played for the Knight’s Hockey team for his first three years of high school but was drafted into the USHL in their 2011 entry draft by the Omaha Lancers, but was traded to the Tri-City Storm where he began the season. Since then he has been traded to the Michigan Warriors where he is currently playing. (bandon neer)

there to travel with him to away games and tournaments, cheer him on during his games and take Trevor to games an hour in advance to have some extra warm-up time before the rest of the team arrived.

“I love to see that he’s going after his dreams at the highest level possible and putting everything he’s got out on the table,” Jack said.

Trevor’s strong will and determination has played a major role in getting him to where he is today. He has pulled out all the stops practicing for hours on end and running game situations through his head time and time again to be absolutely sure he is as physically and mentally prepared as he can be for anything that can be thrown at him.

“Trevor would make a mistake in a

PAGE BY NICK BUSSELL

game or practice and come to me and ask me to shoot pucks for him to block,” Jack said. “We would practice until he had blisters so bad he couldn’t stand them anymore, and until then he wasn’t satisfied. Just so he knew he’d make the play next time the situation was presented.”

Although Trevor’s decision to leave his family for months on end, Trevor is happy with his choice. Because of the NAHL, Trevor is able to play at NHL game pace with much more competition and career opportunities. After graduating from high school, Trevor hopes to take classes at a college while continuing to play for the Warriors.

“I played because I love the game,” Trevor said, “and I just flat out love playing.”

12

“I’m happy he’s following his dreams; it’s what he wants to do. I support him 100 percent.

It sucks he had to leave.”

ANDREW SMITH

12

“I think it’s an awesome oppertunity to excel him in his hockey career.”

RYAN KRAKOSKY

12

“Trevor was deffinitely a big loss, and we could have used him this year.”

1.18.12 FHNTODAY.COM 33

sports

Teenage

Dunk Star Varsity Basketball player Kyle Lemons developed his unique skill of dunking with hard work and YouTube

BY MATT HILLIS mhillis57@gmail.com | @hillis57

S

tanding at a height of 6’3, junior Kyle Lemons is the only one on the FHN boys Varsity Basketball team who can dunk consistently. Lemons taught himself to dunk after watching various YouTube videos and training his legs. Two months later, Lemons accomplished his first dunk on April 3, 2010 when he was just 6’1.

“The hardest thing is timing your jump and knowing when to dunk, but when you do, the adrenaline goes through, and you just feel good about yourself,” Lemons said.

Fellow basketball players enjoy watching Lemons play because of his athleticism, and many of them are surprised after they see him dunk.

FHNTODAY.COM “He’s one of the hardest workers on the team,” JV player Austin Knott said, “ I couldn’t believe my eyes, I’ve never seen anyone dunk in person before.”

To check out a video interview Lemons currently has the leading stats for the with the one basketball team with a total of 238 points and avand only Kyle Lemons. erages 21 points a game as of press time.

OR use this link: http://bit.ly/o39uCB “He is very athletic,” Varsity Head Coach Bill Moyer said. “He can score in traffic, and he can shoot over people, he is a major force offensively.”

Not only does seeing Lemons dunk make the crowd go wild, it helps boost the moral of the team and pushes the team to play better.

“In this day and age the dunk gets the crowd excited,” Moyer said “As a coach it’s just two points, but it definitely gets the crowd excited.”

After high school, Lemons hopes to continue his basketball career.

“I’m trying to go to college and keep playing basJunior Kyle Lemons poses in his jersey. Lemons played on Varsity since he was a sophomore and played ketball,” Lemons said. ”I’ll just have to see where life basketball his whole life. (jessica streiler) takes me this year.”

SCAN HERE

Stats AS OF 12/1/11

34 FHNTODAY.COM

1.18.12

Kyle lemons BASKETBALL

JAMES GLEESON BASKETBALL

ryanjeppson BASKETBALL

Position: Forward Free throws: 17 for 21 Points per game: 21 Assists per game: 3

Position: Shooting Guard Free throws: 10 for 14 Points per game: 11 Assists per game: 4

Position: Center Free throws: 12 for 20 Points per game: Total points: 88

PAGE BY NICK BUSSELL & ELLICE ESTRADA & ANDREW CURRAN

Senior Emma Nicolli dribbles down the court while sophomore Annelise Arger follows close behind in hopes her team scores a basket.

Arger was one of the players brought up from JV to play with the Varsity team permanently. (ashley haywood)

injuries take their toll on the team

The team makes up for loss of players by moving others up from JV

BY NICK BUSSELL ndbrox@gmail.com | @NBussell

Injuries have hit the girls basketball team hard. With the minimal damage of three girls tearing their meniscus (several of them taking on more damage), the team found themselves short two starters from the previous year, and an all around loss of guard players.

“We’ve had to move a lot of

younger players around, they’ve had to step up earlier than expected,” head coach Matt Watson said.

Sophomore players such as Jessica Moceri had to step up from JV to fill in missing spots on Varsity. Since all three guards were injured before or at the beginning of the season, a lot of moving around has had to be made. Junior Hali Long, an original guard player, tore her ACL and meniscus at the

beginning of the season, so now she’s managing the team.

“The worst part [of the situation] is having to watch basketball and not play,” Long said. “I feel not useful because I wanna be out there, but all I can do is cheer my team on.”

Even though the team had a rough start at the beginning of the season, they’ve managed to get past the dilemmas and pull out a record of 5 and 8.

Hockey team hopes for playoffs ISABELLA LANZARA isabellalanzara@gmail.com

Kyle Kateman attempts to steal the puck from the captain of the Timberland Wolves. The Knights won the game 3-1 after both teams switched goalies. (brandon neer)

Standing at 11-4 with just a few games left as of press time, the hockey team isn’t doing quite as well as last year, when their record was 13-3-3.

“I expect the team to hopefully turn things around,” junior Mark Jones said, “so we can do good for the rest of the season.”

Last year the team didn’t make it thought the first round of playoffs, so they hope to do better this time around.

“What I hope to achieve in playoffs this year is for is to win first round unlike last year,” captain David Hitchcock said, “and I hope we go to the Challenge Cup game and win it all and become first in state.”

Kaitlin Isbell BASKETBALL

Cody pingleton ICE HOCKEY

Position: Forward Average fouls per game: 5 Average points per game: 4

Position: Forward Average fouls per game: 1 Average goals per game: 2

PAGE BY BRITTANY STECK

FHNTODAY.COM

SCAN HERE

To get stats from stltoday.com on FHN sports.

OR use this link: http://goo.gl/ck8LQ

SPORTS TALK:

Let Them Play Referees often hinder the game more than they help

BY ABBY WEST

abbywest19@gmail.com | @west_abby

A referee is supposed to be the person of authority. They are responsible for presiding over the game from a neutral point of view and making onthe-fly decisions that enforce the rules of the sport.

However, this ideal is rarely met. There seems to be two types of bad referees. The first is the ref who calls every little thing. These refs make it impossible to play the game because they stop it every ten seconds.

The second type of referee is the one that calls nothing at all.

This type of ref makes the game dangerous to play because they give the players the impression that they can play like linebackers.

A good referee lets the game continue as long as players are not endangering the safety of themselves or others. Referees should be trained to spot mistakes and call them fairly, so that neither team has the advantage. These referees are necessary for the athletes to be able to play the game the way it was meant to be.

1.18.12

FHNTODAY.COM 35

sports

chanceof a lifetime Junior Miata Walker took a once in a lifetime trip to New York City to perform in the Macy’s Day Parade

BY ABBY WEST

abbywest19@gmail.com | @west_abby

W

ith her spirit in tow, junior Miata Walker traveled to New York City over Thanksgiving break to cheer in the Macy’s Day parade. Walker was given this oppertunity after she was named All-American. In New York City, she was one of 1,200 other cheerleaders from across the country participating in the parade.

“It was a dream of mine to go to NYC,” Walker said. “It was a great opportunity, and I would love to get the award again so I could go back.”

Ever since she was little, Walker was interested in cheerleading. She remembers going to her brothers’ basketball games and watching the cheerleaders. Her parents would cheer her on while she mimicked the cheerleaders’ every moves.

Walker now cheers on FHN’s Varsity Cheerleading squad. This past summer she attended a high school cheer camp held at Southeast Missouri State University. During this camp, cheerleaders are judged on a series of jumps, motions and cheers. On the last day of camp, Walker was chosen as All-American.

“She has all the skills and the personality of an All-American cheerleader,” coach Karla Holland said.

Walker’s trip to New York City also affected her team back at FHN. Her teammates say she inspires them to reach their full potential and stresses a positive attitude.

“Miata is very spirited,” Allie Medlin said. “No one deserved it more than she did.”

the briefs 36 FHNTODAY.COM

01.18.12

girls swimming “The girls are hitting their best times recently, and that’s important because the season is drawing to a close”

-Chip Crow, Coach

Junior Miata Walker poses in the uniform she performed in during the Macy’s Day Parade. Walker was rewared the top spot this summer during the NCA All-Amercican tryouts which are held at an NCA camp at SEMO . Walker also traveled during 2010 to London with the NCA team to perform. (jessica streiler)

WRESTLING “We’re trying really hard and going at it. A bunch of people have placed first at the GACs and other tournaments .”

- AJ Lozado, 9

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Hockey

“The season started out pretty “[The season] was a little rough at rough, but it’s gotten a lot better, points, but when we all come toand it’s a lot of fun.” gether as a team, we can achieve

anything”

-Emma Nicolli, 12

-Kenny Ruiz, 12

PAGE BY LISA SAVILLE

{Nichi, B Photography}

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sports

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

These nine athletes open up and tell us what goes through their minds and what they think about during their competitions

Lauren Kopf, 12

Summer Pauley, 12

“Usually during a game I think about what we need to do to win and how much the other team sucks.”

“During a game I think of a way to go my hardest and win.”

Girls Basketball

Girls Basketball

Up and coming athletes

Sean Small, 11

Danny goggin, 10

Varsity Wrestling

Varsity Wrestling

“I honestly don’t know what I think about.

Some parts I think about how to set up a move and others how to defend or stop a move, all just depends.”

“During a match, the only thing going through my mind is winning at all costs.”

Three underclassmen were asked what it’s like on a Varsity sports team

BY NICK BUSSELL

ndbrox@gmail.com

Freshman Jessica Allison is on the Varstity Volleyball team this year. She plays right side for the team.

“It was really exciting and nerve wracking at the same time, but everyone made me feel comfortable.”

Brandon Chac, 10

Varsity Cross Country

“It’s like an honor to run with the best of our school and our conference.”

Alexis Happe, 10

Varsity Cross Country

“I felt like a bad mamajama.”

38 FHNTODAY.COM

1.18.12

daniel rosse, 12

David Hitchcock,12

Varsity Hockey

Varsity Hockey

“What I think about during a game is to score a goal or to get assists.

That’s what I have to do to get our team going, and that’s how we win games.”

“During the game I think about what the team and I can do to have an impact on the outcome.”

ashlyn laspe, 11

aly bouquet, 12

Varsity Swim

Varsity Swim

“I usually think about how to prepare for my events, but I also think about my teammates, their events, and I try to cheer them on while they are swiming.”

“During a meet I try to stay focused and not worry to much so I don’t start to get nervous.”

Fhn girls swim Focus Susana mcfarland,12 Girls Swimming McFarland has been on North’s swim team since her sophomore year. She decided to join becasue

she quit basketball and still wanted to stay in shape.

“During a meet I just focus on exactly what I need to do and on the next wall.”

PAGE BY ISABELLA LANZARA

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Get your fix, Scan here For links to view all reviewed content, OR use this link: goo.gl/lF15P

the DEVILINSIDE

R

Paramount’s “horror“ film, following a daughter and her allegedly possessed mother, fails to actually scare audiences, but offers an interesting story-line

BY SIDNEY SHELTON shelton2012@gmail.com

“The Devil Inside” is the story of Isabella Rossi who is trying to discover what happened to her mom after she murdered three people during an exorcism. The film is supposed to be a documentary that follows Isabella through Italy as she attempts to discover, with the help of two exorcists, if her mom is possessed or criminally insane.

For a horror film, this movie was not scary--at all. The movie was more of a suspense film, and you definitely wanted to know what was going to happen next. Although this movie did not successfully scare me, it did freak me out with some of the movements and positions of people during some of the exorcism. I also liked how the film was portrayed like a documentary. It gave you a different view of the characters.

Even though this “horror” movie was not scary, I enjoyed the plot. The one major flaw in the plot of the story was the ending, the movie ended abruptly and tried to make you think that the film was actually based off of a true story. A link was even offered at the end of the movie so you could follow the case. I found the story-line interesting, and I could not predict what was going to happened solely based off of every commercial.

If you are looking for a film that will have you sleeping with the lights on, looking behind you every 20 seconds, re-locking all of the doors before you go to sleep, this is not it. This was a fun, suspenseful movie that kept my interest but it did not live up to its $34.5 million opening weekend.

tOP APPS FOR

PROCRASTINATORS Ranked by Aurora Blanchard

40 FHNTODAY.COM

1.18.12

7 LITTLE WORDS

TINY TOWER

space bubble

No joke, I didn’t do review packets or study for my finals for two days straight because of this game.

This game is insane similar to the Sims and I can spend 12 hours playing the Sims.

It reminds me of a game I had on my first Pay As You Go Phone that I would play for hours at a time after school.

PAGE BY SIDNEY SHELTON

"Work it" doesn't work at all

BY KELSEY BELL

kkbell12@gmail.com | @KB3LL

Work it, ABC’s newest sitcom that debuted on Jan. 3, will be canceled. Mark my words.

It’s about two guys who are unemployed, and the only jobs they can find are at a pharmaceutical company that is hiring only women.

The whole show is based off of how these fully grown men land jobs by dressing up like women.

Something tells me I may have seen this some-

where before, maybe around one million times.

And there’s not even a cool twist to the show.

It must have seemed like a fresh idea to the show’s writers at some point, but they were way off.

Maybe I could get passed the whole basis of the show if the episodes were at least funny.

But no. The acting is horrible and the canned laughter in the background is funnier than 90 percent of the jokes in the show- if you can call them jokes. ABC definitely missed the mark on this one.

garden of the beast

wish you were here

BY PAIGE YUNGERMANN

BY DAN STEWART

plyungermann@gmail.com | @plyungermann

As an avid reader of novels, I decided to try something different with Erik Larson’s “In the Garden of Beast.” This book tells the true story of U.S. ambassador to Germany William Dodd and his family. The Dodds arrive in Germany at the start of Hitler’s regime, and they are witnesses to the horrors that unfold.

While this book is full of compelling history seen from an unusual perspective, I was bored by it. I found the characters hard to keep track of and the climatic points far between; however, this book is perfect for someone who enjoys nonfiction.

danstewart130@gmail.com | @danstewrocks

“Wish You Were Here” is one of Pink Floyd’s most classic albums. It contains some of Floyd’s most beautiful and elaborate imagery, accompanied by great musical texture and production. The album also pays homage to Floyd’s first singer, Syd Barrett, in “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” Barrett being the “Crazy Diamond.”

The songs and album as a whole tell a lot about the band without lacking their fantastic musical genius. This remaster of the album brings it to a whole new level, and making the magic of the songs sound even better.

hanging with friends

temple run

twitter

Being a popular game at this school, you can play it with just about anyone and their grandma.

In the first five seconds of this game, you run from a heard of wild monkeys.

Already a popular procrastination tool at home, it’s even better on your phone because you can use it to procrastinate anywhere.

PAGE BY SIDNEY SHELTON

epic

MEAL TIME

A group of guys make popular home foods in the most large and ridiculous ways

BY NICK PONCHE

ngponche@gmail.com | @ngponche

A hamburger that is 50 pounds, 100,000 calories, and covered in bacon, barbecue sauce and cheese sounds either too good or too disgusting to be true. For Sterling Toth and Harley Morenstein, it’s just another day at the office of “Epic Meal Time.”

Every Tuesday this YouTube cooking show brings a classic food item such as Egg McMuffins or s’mores to “epic” proportions or simply invents its own food, like a pizza made of candy or a building made of meat. Either way, these raving Canadians always use bacon and devour the food right after making it.

Sometimes crude, often edgy and usually funny, the show captures your attention with its lucrative creations. If it isn’t too much to stomach, “Epic Meal Time” is a show you can sink your teeth into. translate When I’m looking up a word to translate for my Spanish homework I end up looking up useless words like “poop.”

1.18.12

FHNTODAY.COM 41

opinions

the euro crisis The accumulation of debt in Europe affects Americans as well

BY TANNYR SEDDON tannyrseddon@gmail.com | @TannyrNicole

Eight of the U.S. top 30 trade partners are European countries. Americans purchased approximately $478.9 billion in EU goods and services in 2010. Nevertheless, some Americans don’t realize that with our global economy, the crisis in Europe affects the U.S. market.

Our economy is closely tied to Europe’s, so it is important to recognize that their debt crisis affects us as well.

Out of 27 EU nations, 17 use the euro as their currency. However, looking at each country’s economy individually, it is obvious that the euro should have a different value in each nation. This creates a problem because wealthier EU nations must now bail the others out, and this new monetary focus could reduce the demand for U.S. products.

In addition to purchasing EU good and services, we export around $399.8 billion in U.S. goods and services to the EU. Obviously, an economic crisis in either country impacts the other. If the debt crisis became severe enough that EU nations decreased their demands for our products, then there isn’t a need to create more American jobs in our already struggling economy.

It’a important for Americans to realize that we need to pay attention to economies around the world. As we have seen with the European debt crisis, the financial status of our trading partners directly affects our own economic standing. Americans need to be aware of other countries’ economies if we wish to better our own. In our global market, we cannot afford to be selfinvolved.

Your take FHN voices their opinions on events happening around the school, country and in the world.

42 FHNTODAY.COM

1.18.12

CYNTHIA CAHALL

SMITHA MILLI

JACK AMEIS ON

on AMERICAN IDOL

ON COST OF COLLEGE

VETERA N BENEFITS

[I would not make it on American Idol if I tried out] because I’m not a talented singer. I’m just kind of average.

“The benefits outweigh the costs because in order to get a high paying salary, you have to go to college.”

“These people put their lives on the line so it’s only fair that they get something back.”

PAGE BY DELORES LAMPKIN & EMILY KATSIANIS

(sarah teson)

veterans are given the help they need

A new law pushes to give returning veterans employment opportunities

BY AUSTIN SEAY

aseay4@gmail.com | @seaytheday

In a world where technology rules our lives, it’s hard to detach ourselves. While making our lives easier, devices have built this barrier between us and the natural world. Instead of keeping nature a part of our lives, we choose to live separate.

In fact, the separation is so strong that St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley’s 2012 budget proposal included closure of 20 local parks to save $10 million annually. Fortunately, he announced last week that the parks would remain open. It’s still shocking that this would even be a

consideration. Saving money is not as important as preserving a place that provides citizens with a safe, natural environment. Thoreau said, “The civilized man has the habits of the house. His house is a prison.” Being around infrastructures all day, with no natural interjection, can be mentally exhausting. I know when I stop to appreciate natural surroundings, the exposure to trees and pure oxygen positively effects my mood. So many get caught up in everyday life and forget there’s a simple way to silence suburban chaos.

The issue of park closure may come up again. If we ever lose our parks, this chaos could never be silenced.

RACIAL ACCEPTANCE, NOT RACIAL SLURS Racial discrimination should not be a problem in our globally diverse world

BY BRIANNA MORGAN 1006briannamorgan@gmail.com | @ BriMarie1006

I woke up one morning to police officers casing my house because a few teenagers had written the “n” word and a swastika in blood on my garage door overnight. Not only was this disturbing, but it also made me feel ashamed of my skin color.

The recent increase of negative racial comments I’ve seen on Facebook, including “Act your own race,” “Stop trying to act black” and “ You’re so white” have made others feel ashamed of their race. The fact that society continues to see people as being

(jessica streiler)

BRYAN SPENCER oN EURO CRISIS “The euro is losing its value; therefore, it’s not worth anything.”

ALLY JENKINS

ON TREVOR GORSUCH “I think if I was really good at it, and if I had the chance, then I would do it because awesome chances only come every once in awhile.”

PAGE BY DELORES LAMPKIN & EMILY KATSIANIS

NIKITA MELTON-SING

on THE PLAY “I enjoy watching a comedy rather than a drama.”

inferior or different because of their race almost 50 years after the Civil Rights Act was passed is wrong. People can’t control what race they are born into so society should be accepting of every race.

Caucasian, African American, Asian, Hispanic or Native American, it doesn’t matter what your race is because in the end we are all part of the human race. It’s time that we all look at each race as being equal. Before we speak or post a comment on social media we need to think about if what we are saying could be potentially harmful to others.

TOM CAMDEN on NO COFFEEHOUSE this year “I feel mad, depressed and surprised because that was the only thing that showcased students’ talents besides Frau Fest and it’s depressing to see that art and music are kind of dying at north.”

TOO MUCH

TAN

With so many people over-tanning in the winter, North is starting to look like a pumpkin cannery

BY AMANDA CORNETT amandacornett93@gmail.com

Warning. FHN has been invaded by Oopma Loompas. I’m not talking about short, fat men with green hair; I’m talking about people that tan until their skin color is bright orange.

In case you were mistaken, it is January, which means people don’t lounge by the pool soaking up the rays. Clearly you have had a little help from our friends at the tanning salon. I don’t really understand why people think this shade looks good. Somebody needs to call Charlie Brown because I found the great pumpkin, and she wasn’t pretty.

It’s okay to go tanning and have a little color so that you don’t look like a ghost, but when people start to compare you to their favorite citrus fruits, that’s when you should draw the line. I am saying this because I care about you. Not only do you look ridiculous, you are putting yourself at risk of getting melanoma. So let’s try and stop the Oompa Loompa infestation for the good of all.

1.18.12

FHNTODAY.COM 43

north star take: ANNOUNCEMENTS

Student laziness hinders the acquisition of announcements ON BEHALF OF THE EDITORIAL STAFF yourfhn@fhntoday.com | @fhntoday

Today’s youth demands information like never before. They want it fast, accessible and, above all, they want it easy. With this in mind, FHN revamped the announcement system five months ago. Now, students have access to information in a plethora of ways created with a teenager in mind. Despite this, there has been an out cry since this change of reverting back to the old ways. Students want the traditional morning announcements back, and it is puzzling as to why this is. With school information available in more ways than ever before, it must be that teenagers are simply lazy.

Not all high school students are lazy.

Many balance classes, sports and clubs with a finesse few possess. These are the students that want to find out information, and they have adapted to the new system. However, there are a large portion of students who, when it comes to finding out information,

44 FHNTODAY.COM

1.18.12

turn into couch potatoes. School information is available in more ways than ever, and with all these different ways to find out what is going on, students shouldn’t have a problem finding information.

Yet they do. They are too lazy to look the information up. It’s not that much work to pick up a phone, sit down at a computer or watch a TV screen while eating lunch.

It does, however, take much extra time and effort to spoon-feed the information in the form of morning announcements.

And that concerted effort would be fine, except morning announcements are anything but effective. Listening to them is a challenge in the first place. When announcements begin, chatter begins as well. Then the bell rings. If it’s hard to hear the announcements over the din in one classroom, it is impossible to hear them over the roar in the hallways. Second, the announcements are not time efficient.

This year, FHSD worked to make class time equal for each class period. Announcements during first hour hamper that equilibrium.

While taking away five minutes from first hour every day may not seem like a big deal, that small chunk of time adds up. That’s 25 minutes less class time a week- enough time for a class discussion, a review game or a test.

For these reasons, announcements must be available in ways other than the intercom.

With all the new sources of information, the school has made a huge stride in that direction. If students utilize these sources, they should be able to successfully obtain the information they desire.

However, if students still feel like something is lacking, perhaps it is the the fault of specific groups. One of the best ways to provide information about a specific club or group at FHN is through social media.

Student Council and the FHN library do this with Twitter, and DECA, National Honor Soceity, Drumline and Hockey use Facebook.

Students can find out about meetings and events specific to these groups through social media. If more clubs at FHN followed in these footsteps, information will become easily accessable to those specifically seeking it.

Without the morning announcements, FHN students have to take upon themselves the burden of finding information and providing information to others.

Announcements at North are better than ever, and if students take the time to use the improved systems instead of reminiscing about the old ways, they will see everything that this new information system has to offer.

PAGE BY JAKE CHIARELLI

2011-2012

North star

staff Editor-in-Chief: Kelsey Bell

(sarah teson)

NEXT ECONOMIC DOWNFALL will be STUDENT LOAN DEBT A satirical take on the recent rising cynicism concerning the cost of a college education

BY AURORA BLANCHARD auroradblanchard@gmail.com | @auroradbee

The truth is, you shouldn’t go to college.

Unless you can afford all of it without borrowing any loans at all.

What you will ultimately get out of a college education (besides a degree, lifelong friends, study abroad opportunities, and an almost guaranteed steady job after leaving college) is insignificant compared to the $100,000 worth of debt you could carry out with you when you attend the most expensive college in the world. It’s not like there are community colleges and scholarships to take advantage of.

And for sure the $947 billion in student loan debt will be the next end to our economy.

As we count down to our last day before the Mayan Calendar ends in December 21. 2012, we may as well be counting down our last days until the next Great Depression strikes

America. With about half of America college students not paying back their loans right away, it’s going to be a massive catastrophe. Like the housing bubble of 2008 that left two senators without beach homes in Cancun.

Speculators predict 10 percent of people will be without jobs. Oh wait, I meant only 10 percent of people will have jobs. And we’ll have to all be street sweepers and servants for the upper-middle and high class citizens of Washington D.C., California and New York.

It’s not the right time in the economy to do anything. Forget even aspiring to be a teacher, musician, or zoologist. Don’t even apply for college. Nothing good can come of it. Only reach your minimal potential at an entry-level job while you mooch off your parents and live in their basement the rest of your adult life. It’s too risky to be ambitious and desire a career right now. Just trust the system, sit back, and let the government negotiate. You know how good they are at that.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR guidelines

Got an opinion on something in this month’s paper? Submit a letter, and tell us about it.

• Letters must be signed by the author and verified.

• Letters are submitted to room 026 or Mr. Manfull’s mailbox.

• Letters must include the author’s phone number and e-mail for verification.

PAGE BY JAKE CHIARELLI

• Letters should not exceed 300 words.

• Letters will not be printed if content is obscene, invasive, encouraging disruption of school and/or implies libel.

• Letters may be edited for length, grammar, spelling and content.

• Authors will be notified if any changes are made to the letter by the editorial staff.

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

Managing Editor: Emily Forst Editors: News Editor: Jordan Bryson Sports Editor: Nick Bussell Opinions Editor: Aurora Blanchard Copy Editor: Paige Yungermann

General Staff: Taylor Bartram Nick Ponche Amanda Cornett Lisa Saville Austin Seay Katie Dozier Sophie Gordon Tannyr Seddon Maddie Hiatt Kaylyn Shinault Sidney Shelton Matt Hillis Emily Katsianis Brittany Steck Delores Lampkin Amanda Stallings Jake Chiarelli Nick Wye Lauren Pike Elaina Peters Isabella Lanzara Lucy Covington Brianna Morgan Abby West Ean Thielbar Director of Photography: Jessica Streiler Photography Editor: Murphy Riley Online Photography Editor Kendrick Gaussoin Photographers:

Erin D’Amico Alexis Christo Ashley Haywood Iesha Boll Cameron McCarty Julie Schwartz Toni Wellman Areli Lara

Michelle Spencer Sarah Teson Ashley Brophy Brandon Neer Zach Eaton Luke Ellison Alyssia Luque Helen Yi

FHNTODAY STAFF Editor-in-Chief: Kaitlyn Williams Editor-in-Chief of Content: Kevin Beerman Editors:

Online Editor: Nicole Piatchek Director of Video: Jaxon Nagel Podcast Editor: Christina DeSalvo Live Video Editor: Jon Doty Web Staff

Dan Wolters Cole Kinnard Chandler Pentecost Kyle Schikore Video Staff Patrick Fountain Dan Stewart Advisers: Aaron Manfull Beth Phillips

1.18.12

FHNTODAY.COM 45

New!

CHECK IT OUT FOR:

Feature Stories Sports News Live Events Recaps and Reviews

video.fhntoday.com And Podcasts from previous years!

Sarah Creeley’s Golf Passion Junior Sarah Creeley talks with Patrick Fountain about her recent golf season and her many experiences playing golf.

New Found Love for Nascar An FHN teacher has a new found love for fast cars.

DECA Jump Off 2011 Recap A recap on the 8th annual DECA Jump Off basketball game, focusing on the Senior VS Faculty match.