North Star - May 2021 Issue - Senior Edition

north STAR

FRANCIS HOWELL NORTH | ST. CHARLES, MO 63303 | 05.19.21 | VOL 35 ISSUE 05

CONTENTS Senior Edition 2

Movie Moments

Students recall moments in high school that made them feel like they were in a movie.

5

A New Path

Senior Holly Winkle is going to beauty school to pursue her passion.

8

Off to College

A few tips to help seniors confidently go on their way.

10 Then To Now

Seniors compare their younger self to now through pictures.

ON THE COVER

A ticket is handed over to another person. The 2021 senior class has gone through many major world events during their last year of high school. (Photo Illustration

by Sydney Ellison and Anna Hollinger)

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

The end credits are rolling. The year is over and the camera pans out ending our movie.

Some would say it’s a tragedy, the events that were canceled never to be experienced with this specific group of people. We never got the last opportunity to be a blue crowd at pep assemblies screaming “two, one” over and over again. We never got dances with friends, no making memories of cheering when a good song came on.

Others could say it was an adventure.

The new trials we had to face with strength, learning as we go. Getting through learning a completly new education system and learning experience.

Feeling the panic and determination when hit with a two week qurantine but the homework continues to pile up.

Overcoming challenges by relying on yourself and the people around you.

Whatever it was, it’s over and it’s time for all of us to move on to our sequel.

So, when graduation rolls around, take one final bow and move on. Let the events of this year roll off your back and push forward into a new opening scene.

It’s almost regrettable how many moments and events we just unknowingly passed through. Maybe if we got some forewarning on everything that would take place during our senior year we would’ve paused and appreciated the moment a little more.

Yet, there is no rewind button for life.

Instead it’s our duty to keep pushing forward with all the lessons we have learned in our back pocket.

When you move on to the next scene of your movie, enjoy it like it’s the last. Don’t let it pass by thinking of the future. Grasp on to the adventure, tragedy, romance that is life.

On June 5, when our movie ends, take a step into the sequel. Create new moments, learn new lessons, make new friends.

Enjoy every scene.

Editor-in-Chief, Sydney Ellison

Page by Sydney Ellison

A Bite of Information: The Graduation Timeline May 21: 4.0 Luncheon May 28: Seniors’ Last Day. June 3 & 4: Diploma and grad ticket pickup from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

June 5: Graduation at 7:00 p.m.

Seniors Brandi Stover, Alli Vernon, Iris Lee, Ben Ell, Rayan Amir and Justin Caringale jump to recreate the High School Musical jump scene. With the school year coming to an end, and graduation approaching quickly, seniors have started to get more information on the event. Graduation is set for Saturday June 5, with guests limited to six people per graduate. (Photo Illustration by Shahed Abdallah and Anna Hollinger) Williams)

SAFETY AT GRADUATION Graduation will have COVID-19 safety measures to ensure the well being of students and guests

by Sydney Ellison

sydney.ellison55@gmail.com

G

raduation for the class of 2021 will take place on June 5 at 7 p.m. at the Family Arena. It is recommended for students to arrive on the site at 6 p.m. The ceremony will take approximately an hour and a half.

“I am truly grateful we get to have this in-person though, it’s a big deal, it was a huge deal last year,” Head Principal Nathanael Hostetler said. “Last year there was a lot of fear associated with it, nobody really understood what the virus looked like, what it did, nobody had been vaccinated so that was kind of a rough deal.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, students are only allowed to bring six guests. Mask will be required and speakers have their speech recorded. There won’t be a procession or recession.

“The differences are really just about maintaining social distance, making sure we have our space,” Hostetler said.

“We’re ordering custom masks again which we have done in the past, it’s just things along those lines.”

Cap and gown pick up was from 9:13-10:04 in third hour on May 17. Graduation practice is virtual. Hostetler hopes the class of 2021 is successful in their future endeavors “Every path is different just because yours doesn’t look like somebody elses doesn’t mean that yours isn’t valid,” Hostetler said.

NEW PATH

The FHN All-Knighter will take place at six flags this year

by Sydney Ellison

sydney.ellison55@gmail.com

Seniors Angela Cuccio, Scotty Penning, David Lopez and Becka Brissette pose recreating a scene from “The Goonies”. This year the traditional All Knighter FHN usually holds for seniors had to get canceled and was replaced with a Six Flags trip. (Photo by Anna Hollinger)

Page by Sydney Ellison

The FHN All-Knighter will be on Friday, June 4 lasting the whole day while Six Flags is open. The tickets cost $130. Students will need to abide by all Six Flags COVID-19 protocols during the day.

“We just didn’t feel that it would be safe to lock 300+ students in the building overnight so we tried to brainstorm an idea that

would still allow the seniors to get together,” Chair of the All-Knighter committee Cynthia Brewer said.

The cost of the ticket covers entry, parking, free unlimited soft drinks, lunch, and more.

“We decided on Six Flags because it is an outdoor venue so that helps deter the spread of the virus being that it’s outside and people can be a little more distanced,” Brewer said.

1

A FINAL PARTY PICNIC FOR 4.0 Senior week is underway having started on Monday A spirit week started on Monday, May 17 and lasting until Friday May 21, there will be a senior spirit week to finish out the seniors’ school year.

Monday was “Blue Out” to show senior class spirit.

Tuesday was “City vs Country” when seniors can pick a side to dress up as. Wednesday is “Where you going” to show seniors plans after

high school. For example, wearing college gear. On Thursday, seniors can wear their togas to school, and on Friday, seniors’ last day of school, seniors can get all dressed up for “Formal Friday.”

“I am so excited that seniors can have a senior week just for them,” Class sponsor Kristen Jobgen said. (Brief

by Ashlynn Perez)

Knights of Excellence invites seniors with a 4.0 or higher GPA to a picnic In order to congratulate and celebrate the seniors who have managed good academic scores throughout high school, Knights of Excellence (KOE) is putting on their annual 4.0 luncheon on May 21. Although KOE has put on this celebration annually for over 10 years, due to COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines, it’s structured differently for this year.

“This year it looks a lot different. We’re having taco and ice cream trucks come

to the tennis courts.

Seniors get to leave after third hour and meet us out there for some lunch,” KOE sponsor Kristen Johnson said.

KOE and invited seniors alike are looking forward to the event.

“I feel like it’s one of the one things we were actually able to do since we can be outside and it will be socially distanced,” Johnson said. “I’m just excited to celebrate these kids who have obviously put in a lot of work.” (Brief

by Karsyn Williams)

PARENT PROM

Parents organized a prom for FHN seniors and juniors

A parent organized prom will take place from 7-11 p.m. on June 8 at the Piazza Messina. Tickets were available for purchase and opened to seniors and juniors and were $60. The deadline for buying them was April 30. Attendance is limited and masks will be required at the event.

FHN parents decided to come together to organize a prom for students after FHSD made the decision for no high school in the district

to have a prom.

Parents wanted to give this opportunity to students after a year of cancelations.

“There was a lot of chatter on facebook, the neighborhood app and some other online outlets that the parents were disappointed that this particular class didn’t get to have any type of prom experience because it was canceled,” Cynthia Brewer, one parent organizing the prom, said. (Brief

by Sydney Ellison)

STRAIGHT FROM THE SCREEN

Here are some standout moments in seniors’ high school life that seemed straight out of a movie (Content by Chloe Horstman and Abigail Keathley) “There was one game, our volleyball senior night. It was after a loss to Francis Howell Central, where we lost to them really bad.

We started playing really good and we were playing really well together.”

Samuel Poertner

“During the football games, everybody would be together and we’d do the roller coaster. It was really cool having everybody participate in one giant wave of excitement. The seats were rumbling, and it was something that was so chaotic, but so fun.”

Ella Walther “Every time I was in a play I felt like I was in a movie. Being on stage with all the lights on you, everybody’s watching you, just like they do in a movie theater.

Except I’m not behind a screen.

It’s like a live action of a live action.”

Megan Miller

2

“Last year school ended really abruptly. It was really kind of sad because we were all working towards all the end of school things and looking forward to them. That kind of reminds me of Fear the Walking Dead, the world just kind of ended because there was a zombie outbreak. It kind of felt like that here too. It wasn’t the end of the world, but it was definitely a distinct pause.”

Ben Ell “Sophomore year, me and a bunch of guys, we called ourselves the dadline, like the Knightline, but we’re dads. One night, we go to Walmart, and we’re looking for a uniform, an outfit to represent who we are. We find the most beautiful pink polo and matching shorts, so we all buy them.

Next Monday, we all put on our lavish pink polos and shirts and belts, we go out there and we look like dads, and it was pretty hot. We just walked out there to… some song, it was probably Sweet Home Alabama or something. But no, it was a fun time.

It was great. It felt epic.”

Robert Fairless

“If you beat your rival [sports] team, I feel like that always feels like it could be part of a movie. I remember, specifically, watching the Varsity girls basketball beat Howell. Everyone ran onto the court. It was really cool. It was an away game too.”

Ella Pardo “I got a concussion [during a lacrosse game this season]. I slammed my chin into a girl’s back. I went out, and they were checking my jaw to make sure I didn’t fracture it at all, and then I ended up going back in the game.”

Angela Cuccio “Last year, [during the Gold Cup game against FHHS] they threw all the bouncy balls on the ice and we all got kicked out. That was pretty funny, pretty movie-worthy, if you ask me. It was our whole student section, we all got kicked out.”

Alli Vernon

Page by Chloe Horstman

WHAT DO WE KNOW?

The class of 2021 was surveyed to find out more about them and what they experienced during their four years of high school (20% of senior class surveyed) Have you ever gone to a sporting event during your time at North?

88% YES Jazz

Have you ever cheated on school work?

74% YES

12% NO

Have you enjoyed your time at North?

Rock Pop

Jazz

op

Did a teacher impact you during high school?

10th

Pop

your favorite AltWhats KPop

70% YES

26% NO 3% NO

Have you been to a school dance?

85% YES

9th

10th

CountryOther Alt Alt.Other terrifiedKpop Rock Jazz

Rap Country

12th grade

11th 12th

Rap

terrified

10th grade

social

Other

to Country Other Ready Country graduate mostly terrified terrified ready

mostly mostly ready Nervous, Page byready Sydney Ellison and Shivani Bondada but Nervous,

12th

What is your favorite math 12th social subject?

math

Math

Ready to graduate

enReady to glish graduate

but

11th grade

9th grade

What are your feelings on graduation?

Ready to graduate Nervous but excited Mostly ready Terrified

“Because they are always covering up a lot of their face so in one word it would be ninja’s.”

Joseph Brocksmith

Haven’t peaked yet Haven’t Haven’t peake peaked yet

12th 11th

Country

9th When did you peak in high school?

Pop Rap

“Let’s say resilient.

Because it seems like everybody has bounced back from the past 14 months pretty well.”

Steven Willott

15% NO Haven’t peaked yet

10th 9th Haven’t peaked yet

10th 11th

Pop Rap

genre of music?

30% NO

9th

Pop 97% 7% KPop 93% Jazz NO Jazz11th YES Rock YES Rock

Rap

Have you had a relationship in high school?

What word would FHN staff use to describe the class of 2021?

“I would say diverse.

Not necessarily in ethnicity but in personality. I’ve had students who have an amazing sense of humor, students who are hard-working, students who are serious about their academics and students who didn’t take themselves too seriously.”

Jani Wilkens

Science

social

English

social

Social Studies

math

Ready to engraduate glish science

3

science

mat

AZRH: VOLUME ONE

Senior Azariah Anderson speaks about his book and his love for writing poetry hands he has been dealt, it’s inspiring to me. He is hands-down one of the emories of life thus far filled hardest workers I’ve ever met.” in his head, senior Azariah His family and peers were shocked Anderson transformed those because he kept his book a secret from memories into poetic words by putting them. Anderson revealed his book on pen to paper and composed a book Jan. 6, 2021, the publication date, but filled with touching poems. due to some issues with Amazon, the With his unforgettable experiences book was officially released as a print and issues going on in the world, version and digital on Feb. 23, 2021.

Anderson expressing his feelings toward Seeing what Anderson accomplished, them through poetry. his family were very proud of him and in “Poetry truly encompasses emotions awe of Anderson. and feelings the best,” Anderson said.

“I think that his future is very bright,” “You don’t have to simplify anything, Wayne said. “I think that he’s a strong I could just say a word and have that young man and I really think he should word represent so many different go and speak to young people about his meanings. And journey.” that’s what I Though Anderson is love [about it], planning to major in because it truly political science and Check out Anderson’s expresses the become an attorney, he book here: complexity of our will continue working bit.ly/NSAZRH1 existence.” hard in his passion Anderson’s for writing. In this existence is influenced by his parents year he has plans to release the rest who played a significant role in the of the volumes for his books. Most person he became. Losing both parents importantly, he desires to make an at a young age, Anderson dedicates impact on people who read his poems his book to them, expressing his love and learn from them. and gratitude for them. They were both “Teaching to me is fundamental, educators, so Anderson grew up around like when I teach or express how I feel, the importance of learning and writing I get the same happiness in return,” which developed his passion for both.

Anderson said. “So I just wanted people “I’ve always encouraged AZ to write to read this and really reflect on their when he was writing before and posting lives and the things that ever occurred some on Instagram,” Anderson’s aunt in our nation.”

Vicki Wayne said. “I told him to keep it coming because even if they’re just words. The things he writes are so much healing.”

Compiling poems from his childhood to the present, Anderson built AZRH: a group of poems discussing the discrimination against people of color, the LGBTQ+, or reflecting on his parents and more. Anderson’s biggest difficulty was defining the poems using titles, but he persisted until he created something he was proud of.

“With AZ, I’m just proud of him, to be honest,” friend Jalen Fleming said. “Just to see him constantly making the most out of all the bad

by Shivani Bondada

shivanibondada@gmail.com

M

READ MORE

Senior Azariah Anderson stands on a table to recreate a powerful scene from the movie Deads Poets Society. His time during quarantine really motivated him to share his works, AZRH: Volume 1, with the world. Prior to the lockdown, he only shared his work on social media.

“I believe the main thing for young men wanting to get into poetry is being comfortable in a vulnerable space,” Anderson said.

(Photo Submitted)

4

Page by Shivani Bondada

Holding a pen up to her face, senior Rumesa Qalbani is recreating a scene from the movie Clueless. (Photo by Shahed Abdallah)

QUEST FOR SUCCESS

Senior Holly Winkle smiles while holding two photos of her next to her face, showing two different hairstyles recreating the hair scene from the movie Princess Diaries. Winkle is going into the cosmetology program at The Salon Professional Academy in St. Charles. (Photo by Sarah Williams)

STYLING HER FUTURE Senior Holly Winkle plans to study cosmetology to become a hairstylist

by Chloe Horstman clshorstman@gmail.com

O

n a free day in class, then-sophomore Holly Winkle was doing a friend’s hair when she realized her calling: she wanted to go into hairstyling.

After seeing tutorials on YouTube, she decided to make a drastic change from her long locks and get a pixie cut. She explored new hairstyles and practiced creating them, often on her color guard teammates, and has since trimmed a friend’s hair and two of her sisters’ hair.

“We would always have these difficult hairstyles to do for color guard,” Holly said.

“Since I didn’t have to do my hair I would learn to help other people with their hair. And that’s why I started exploring new things and new hairstyles and stuff like that.”

Holly has helped her friend, senior Meghan Anderson, with many intricate hairstyles for color guard performances.

“Freshman year, we had to do this elaborate hairstyle for winter where you have big curls and a poof on our head,” Anderson said. “It was very hard to do and I couldn’t do it myself, so she would help me with that.”

Holly began asking the Winkle family’s hairstylist about the profession, who recommended studying at Salon Professional Academy and beginning work at a chain store to build up clientele.

Page by Abigail Keathley

Now a senior, Holly has decided to pursue cosmetology at Salon Professional Academy.

She and her mother took a tour of the facility and learned about their 11 month program and were excited about their findings. The class sizes are small, only up to eight students, and every month a new class begins the program. Holly plans to enroll over the summer in order to start the program in late fall.

“The lady who gave me the tour was very nice,” Holly said. “Everyone there just seemed to have a really positive vibe in the air, so that’s something that really matters to me.”

Holly is excited to begin learning techniques, particularly mastering pin curls, and she plans to get licensed and begin working at a chain store after school. She later wants to build up a loyal clientele before trying to be independent.

Deborah believes that Holly has many attributes that will help her succeed once she begins in the industry.

“She is high energy, so I think she’ll have the stamina to do this,” Deborah said. “She’s very sociable, so I think she will easily connect with her customers. She follows directions very well, so I think she’ll be good at understanding what they want done, and being able to provide that for them. She’s really excited about this, so I’m looking forward to her getting in the program [and learning] what it is she’s been wanting to learn how to do.”

Senior Rumesa Qalbani received a full ride scholarship to Grinnell College for her high achievement in high school.

Questbridge is a scholarship program that exclusively accepts high achieving low income students, and matches them to top colleges where they receive full tuition.

Qalbani was the only student at FHN to apply for this program this year.

“Usually, there’s about 14,000 applicants.

I think this year, there was 15,000, maybe 18,000,” said Qalbani. “Only 1,000 got selected to be matched.”

Qalbani first heard of the QuestBridge scholarship through her college advisor, Christie Price. The process began in August of 2020. The applicants went through several stages of essay writing and short answer questions. Students who become finalists ranked the top 12 schools they wanted to attend that are offered by the scholarship, and they were bound to the school they were matched with. Qalbani found out she matched with Grinnell College in Iowa in early December.

“I could not be more proud of her,” said Price. “It’s not one of those scholarships that you apply for and you’re guaranteed to get it.”

Qalbani hopes that more low income students will learn about this scholarship, because she thinks it is a wonderful opportunity for those who are capable of getting into top schools but may not be financially able. She wants to be an advocate for QuestBridge at FHN. “I really want people to know about this, because I know there are so many students who are low income and high achieving,” said Qalbani. “I want them to understand that there’s a chance, and they don’t have to settle for target schools. They can reach for something higher.” (Story by Abigail Keathley)

5

Senior Avery Ward has been playing volleyball for almost 8 years. He plans to play volleyball in college, just not competitively. (Photo by Sam Watkins)

VOLLEYBALL STAR Senior Avery Ward started playing volleyball when he was four years old. Both of Avery’s parents played volleyball back when they were young, they then inspired both Avery and his sister and FHN alumni Kira Ward to play volleyball in which they both started to play and then made it into the high school level.

“I started with CYC. I did that for two years. Then I moved down to doing club volleyball, and I’ve been doing that since I was about 11 or 12,” Avery said. “I then started highschool, I started 15 all the way through 18, so I’ve been pretty much doing it year ‘round for about three years now, almost four.”

According to fellow teammate junior Grogan Kraus, Avery has really shined as a player and leader throughout the FHN boys volleyball program.

“I think he’s funny and he’s got a nice personality, and he pushes everyone to work harder,” Kraus said. “He’s been best at setting and defense, so that means he sets the ball to the other hitters and he can defend our back row from attackers that send the ball over.”

Avery does not plan to play team volleyball at Toledo University, but does plan to continue playing club volleyball. Overall, Ward has thoroughly enjoyed all of his years playing volleyball inside and outside of FHN. “I like the social aspect. You have all these kids that are in different classes, and I don’t really ever see them during the day. And then I come out and play volleyball with all these guys that I don’t see, so it’s just a lot of fun,” Avery said. (Story by Parker Kilen)

06

Senior Isabelle Delarue poses in the gym with a basketball. Delarue recently broke the FHN girls basketball score record, previously held by alumni Lisa Kowalewski, 20 years ago. (Photo by Jordayn York)

A MEMORABLE LEGACY

Senior Isabelle Delarue shares her experience of playing basketball for 12 years

by Parker Kilen

A

pkilen0503@gmail.com

lot of basketball athletes aren’t able to score 1000 points in their high school career, whereas senior Isabelle delarue reached 1000 points during her junior year. She also broke the all time FHN girls basketball scoring record set 20 years ago by FHN alumni Lisa Kowalewski at 1367 points, and now holds the record at 1469. Isabelle also now holds the FHN girls basketball record for most rebounds and most steals.

Isabelle has played basketball since second grade. She started out as a cheerleader for boys basketball in first grade, but then decided to start playing basketball and that was when Isabelle fell in love with the sport.

“I started out playing club basketball for Missouri Impact, and then I played for the St. Louis Lynx,” Isabelle said. “In high school, I played for Blue Stars St. Louis.”

Isabelle’s sister and former FHN alumni Gabby Delarue has also played basketball for a very long time and has even played alongside Isabelle and both Delarues have enjoyed playing with each other very much, especially at the high school level.

“I just enjoy [my sister and I’s] ability to understand each other’s emotions and how we play on the court. We’re really good at

understanding our strengths and weaknesses, so it works well for us,” Isabelle said. “I played with her from seventh grade, until when she was a senior in high school in 2019, and I wish I could do it again because it was fun.”

According to fellow teammate senior Ella Pardo, Isabelle has really shined as a player and leader throughout the FHN girls basketball program.

She’s always kept everyone involved and hyped up before and after games, and has been really good at talking and giving insight to what she sees and just communicating really well with the team.

“She’s really good at reading the floor, and just kind of handing the ball and taking it where she needs to go, making good cuts through, that kind of stuff,” Pardo said. “Just doing her thing, listening, dishing the ball out if she needs to but she can also drive and take it through the lane.”

Next year, Isabelle will be continuing her basketball career at Missouri State University and looks to work hard and be the best player and teammate she can be.

“My goals for my first year is to be supportive, you can’t walk into a school expecting to play, so I know [I’ll] have to play my role and it’s not going to be what I’m used to,” Isabelle said. “I’m looking forward to that, and I’m hoping that [my team will] make me a stronger and better player, and in the future I’m ready to get down there and make a difference.”

Page by Parker Kilen

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BREAK A LEG: COLLEGE TIPS Leaving high school and heading to college can be a scary transition, but it doesn’t have to be. Check out these five tips to a great freshman year and, as always, break a leg (Content by Karsyn Williams) STUDY HABITS Find study habits that work best for you and begin studying early on to avoid rushing and cramming information the night before.

Don’t be afraid to get help from peers or professors.

TIME MANAGEMENT During your freshman year, it’s important to be sure to manage time wisely and consistently. Organize your schedule not only around classes but also including study time, work, extracurriculars and free time. Use a planner or set reminders on your phone of upcoming deadlines and tests.

MAJORS Research careers and occupations that interest you and figure out what majors they require. Narrow down your choices based on your experiences in different classes. If you’re having troubles, contact your advisors or professors to get help on finding the right path for you.

Seniors Brandi Stover, Rayan Amir and Ben Ell pose in their college merch, recreating a scene from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Stover will be attending Michigan State University, doing a double major in political theory and constitutional democracy/social relations and policy. Amir will attend the University of Minnesota majoring in computer science, and Ell plans to attend Washington University with a major in biomedical/biochem. (Photos By Shahed Abdallah)

BEING HOMESICK Adapting to life away from home will take some time, but one way to avoid being homesick is calling and contacting friends and family often. Make time to allow yourself to visit home and see your loved ones when possible.

GET INVOLVED AND HAVE FUN Universities have a wide variety of clubs so don’t be afraid to join a few. Stay active with a club sport, connect to others with similar interests and get involved in your community. Most importantly, enjoy your time at college and have fun.

THE NEXT CHAPTER

As their time at FHN comes to a close, seniors look to their post-high school plans (Content by Ashlynn Perez) “I’m going to the University of Colorado at Boulder and I’m majoring in physics, economics and mathematics. I like to understand how things function and work.

Physics explains how the natural world works and economics explains how our society functions. Mathematics is the backbone of both of those fields.”

Luke Coffman

“I’m going to become a flight attendant and attend Lindenwood this coming fall. I’ve traveled a lot in my life and want to see the rest of the world before settling somewhere.”

Larisa Petro

“I’m planning on attending St. Louis Community College and plan to complete the physical therapy assistant program. I’ve been shadowing at Axes Physical Therapy and have enjoyed seeing the progress patients make through physical therapy.”

Medjine Gibson

“I am going to Southwest Baptist University and will be majoring in biology. I’m excited to meet new people and participate in campus activities.”

Jordyn Inman

“I’m going to Louisiana State University and majoring in sports administration and commerce. I plan to attend law school after that and then become an agent that works with professional athletes.”

Jacob Skwira

“I’m going to Ohio State University for finance. I’m very excited because it’s a big school, meaning I’ll be able to meet lots of people from different backgrounds, and they’re a top-ranked business school, so I can excel.”

Will Pundmann

8

Page by Ashlynn Perez

Take Two: What was one of your most embarrassing moments?

“In sophomore year, my flip-flop fell off while walking down the stairs but there was a girl walking in front of me.

So when I tried to get it back on, I ended up falling down the stairs and taking her with me on my butt and I had a bruised tail bone for like two weeks.”

Zoë Meier

Seniors Robert Fairless (left) and Anthony Davidson (right) recreate the Men In Black sequel Back In Black using their instruments. (Photo

by Sam Watkins)

THE PURSUIT OF MUSIC Two high school friends are going off to college together to study music

by Maddy Brewer

mbrewer040@g.fhsdschools.org

S

eniors Robert Fairless and Anthony Davidson are planning on pursuing music alongside each other starting this fall semester at Missouri State University.

“Both of them are very passionate about music,” Director of Bands Rob Stegeman said. “They are very strong-willed individuals and they approach music that way. They’re not afraid to make mistakes and they not only do everything that is asked of them, they make musical decisions on their own.”

Throughout Fairless and Davidson’s four year friendship, they have both been heavily involved in music. Whether it be band or choir, these two have had a love for music since before they can remember. Both Fairless and Davidson can recall what first got them to fall in love with music. For Davidson, he’s always had a love for music, because he grew up watching his sister play the flute. A piano was Fairless first experience.

“I was three years old and I was at my grandma’s house, she had a piano and I went up to her and said ‘Grandma, how do I play the piano?’ and then she sat me down and started teaching me and the rest is history,” Fairless said.

The boys have been heavily involved in music during their high school careers, So much so that now, it almost takes up their entire senior year schedules. The two of them have been in Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Marchings Band and Jazz Band one throughout high school. In addition, Davidson has also been involved

in Jazz Band. As for Fairless, he has also taken part in Concert Choir and Knight Sound.

“I really enjoy the emotion that goes into it [music],” Davidson said.

Music has had a great impact on the boys, so much so that they are now looking to pursue music in college.

Davidson is hoping to get a degree in Music Education and Fairless, a degree in Jazz Studies with a possibility of another degree in Computer Science.

“Whatever they do they are going to be successful,” Stegeman said. “Whether they stay on the routes they are on or now, I know these two young men are going to be successful.”

Many younger students in the music programs have learned to look up to Fairless and Davidson as mentors.

Now more than ever, more students are wanting to go into a profession involving music.

“It’s a lot, mentally prepare yourself. You’ll have to really put in the work, but if you have the talent you should use it,” Davidson said.

In the future, Fairless hopes to be traveling the world making music. As for Davidson, he hopes to be settled down with a house and family working a job as a music educator. In going to college together, the boys hope that their friendship will last beyond high school and allow them to become better musicians alongside one another.

“He’s a homie and we are going into the same things, so what more could I ask for?” Fairless said.

“It was the first round of the play-offs of junior football season, I was running off the field and as I was running off the field, my foot completely busted out of my cleat and I just ate it in front of everybody in the stands.”

Aaron O’Kello

“A friend of mine drove his bike [motorcycle] to school and I went to go start it and I dumped the clutch and almost crashed his bike.”

Charles Kulage

“Probably when I came to school late, and we were having an assembly and I had to walk into the gym with everyone staring at me.”

Maggie Barber

“Me and a couple friends went up to the baseball field for a couple hours after school with a coach, because we were trying to get our accuracy down. I accidentally threw the ball through the coach’s windshield.”

Austin Carlson

Page by Maddy Brewer

9

NOW SHOWING: 2020-21 Seniors were asked to title this year as a movie, and here’s what they said (Content Shivani Bondada)

THEN & NOW

Seniors show how they’ve grown over the years with their childhood photos (Photos Submitted)

“‘High School Musical (Except The Opposite of High School Musical)’, because this year just kind of sucked.”

Anthony King

“‘Disaster’ because it feels like a stereotypical disaster movie but in the end, it gave us meaning and a new experience.”

Ashleigh Lowery

PHILIP LINARASI 2004

2021

“‘Uncharted’ because this entire year has been us basically wandering into unknown territory.”

Karim Khdeer

JENNA WEBER

“‘The Always Changing Day’ because every day is different.”

Brandi Stover

“‘The One Where Nothing Happened’ because everything was canceled once you got quarantined and then lots of restrictions on the club meetings.”

Jordyn Inman

ROBERT KYLE

“I would probably name this year ‘The Year That Never Ends’. It just kept dragging on and on.

With COVID and with the pandemic and just other various things, it felt a lot longer than it should have been.”

Justin Caringal

“‘Unfortunate Circumstances’. Many things happened this year, some bad and maybe some good, but I believe it has been a learning experience for everyone, even if it is not what we had imagined.”

Makenna Jansing

2004

2021

ELLA WALTHER

“‘Monty Python and the Coronavirus Epidemic’.

The year has been strange and eventful. It’s been unpleasant but in a comedic way.”

Drew Basford

2008 10

2021

2003

2021 Page by Karsyn Williams

PRESENTING: THE PUB HUB Name: Sydney Ellison Staff: Editor-in-Chief of the North Star Newspaper “I want to be a rock in the next life,” - Min Yoongi of BTS

Name: Ashlynn Perez Staff: Editor-in-Chief of the FHNtoday “Time to be a pub kid again, just this time at Mizzou.” - Me

Name: Karsyn Williams Staff: Newspaper Design Editor “I can’t go to hell. I’m all out of vacation days.” Burgerpants, Undertale

Name: Parker Kilen Staff: Newspaper Sports Editor “At the end of the day, let there be no explanations, no excuses, no regrets.” Steve Maraboli

Name: Shivani Bondada Staff: News Staffer “Just be happy, you deserve it” - Kim Taehyung of BTS

Name: Chloe Horstman Staff: News Staffer “Wouldn’t you like to know, weather boy.”

- Fox 5 News

Name: Maddy Brewer Staff: News Staffer “If I drink a Capri Sun and eat Corn Flakes for breakfast... does that make me a Capricorn?” Ms. Glenn

Name: Abigail Keathley Staff: News Staffer “Life ain’t nothin’ but a funny funny riddle,” John Denver

Page by Sydney Ellison

11

Name: Anna Hollinger Staff: Editor-in-Chief of the Photo Staff “This right here is my swag.” - Soulja Boy

Name: Samuel Watkins Staff: Photo Personal Choice Editor “It was pretty good, it was alright, it wasn’t great... but it was fine.” Dennis Reynolds

Name: Sarah Williams Staff: Photo Social Media Editor “I’m kinda scared of graduation, ‘cause who am I when this is done?”

- AJR

Name: Shahed Abdallah Staff: Building Photos Editor “I secured this diploma like I secure my hijab.”

- Me

Name: Jordayn York Staff: Photo Staffer “I don’t always graduate, but when I do, I barely graduate.” - Me

Name: Gabriel Lobato Staff: Editor-In-Chief of Video and Podcasts “Life is a gift. We must celebrate it. We have to dance to show God we are grateful to be alive.” Jojo Rabbit

Name: Emily Zhang Staff: Editor-in-Chief of Video and Social Media “Laugh Now, Cry Later.”

- Drake

Name: Nadia Abusoud Staff: Video Storytelling Editor “And here we are living despite it all.” - Rupi Kaur

Name: Jon Fitch Staff: Livestream Editor “I’m not a vegetarian because I like animals, I’m a vegetarian because I hate plants.” - Whitney Brown

Name: Samuel Adams Staff: Video Staffer “Enjoy Responsibly.” Advertisements

Name: Daniel Bridgeman Staff: Video Staffer “What came first, the music or the misery?” Rob Gorden

Name: Minnie Adams Staff: Video Staffer “It’s hard to stay mad when there’s so much beauty in the world.” Alan Ball

12

Page by Sydney Ellison

Name: Caroline Blanke Staff: Video Staffer “Pimpin, never simpin.”

- Me

Name: Ray Shea Staff: Video Staffer “We’re all in this together.” - High School Musical

Name: Caleb Kruse Staff: Video Staffer “When I die, I want to be taxidermied. And I want people to shake my hand as they walk into my funeral.” - Me

Name: Mollie Roberts Staff: Yearbook Staffer “The Holy Trinity: ChickFil-A, caffeine, and crystals.” - Me

Name: Emma Oetting Staff: Yearbook Staffer “High School Musical lied to us.” - Me

Page by Sydney Ellison

13

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