ALUMNI OF THE MONTH

Ben McHenry mchenben000@hsestudents.org

Environmental conservation frequents the news almost daily, with wildfi res in Australia to fracking water contamination in the United States. While Indiana may not be a hotbed for these extreme concerns, there are countless environmental dangers present in Indiana. 2012 alumni David Cohen is one of those working towards a cleaner Indiana, as he is a permit writer for the 7ffi ce of )ir 9uality. Cohen examines the processes and equipment of various businesses and determines the potential air pollution, as well as which state and federal laws apply to that business. “I have permitted for sources ranging from landfi lls and engine manufacturing facilities to cabinet shops and Panko breadcrumb factories,” Cohen said. “The aspect of my job I enjoy most is knowing I make a diff erence. ?e prevent a lot of nasty pollutants from entering the air and work to hold those who violate the law accountable.” Cohen has been passionate about the natural sciences since he was a child, as he would often play with bugs, tend to his garden or wake up early before school to watch Animal Planet. It was at FHS that Cohen realized this passion could be made into a career after taking AP Environmental Science. Cohen was also a very spirited student, owning the renowned Tiger Claus frequently seen at football games. “FHS was fairly new, but there was already a deep sense of tradition when I started as a freshman in 2008 that inspired my school spirit, which led to me becoming a student spirit leader for the football team my senior year,” Cohen said. “It was also very rewarding to attend FHS in an era of fi rsts such as our football state championship win in 2010.” While FHS sparked Cohen’s environmental

career interest, it was at Indiana University where this passion blossomed, as he earned a bachelor of science in public aff airs with a concentration in environmental management through the School of 8ublic and Environmental )ff airs. +ohen also forged many relationships at IU that have made him who he is today. “College allowed me to discover my ‘tribe’ of friends who I will carry with me for the rest of time, and for that I am truly thankful,” Cohen said. “There were also a lot of sleepless nights fi lled with too much caff eine, but those nights were always followed by accomplishment that was always worth the sleep deprivation. Bloomington will always have a special place in my heart.” As Cohen has grown through both FHS and IU, he has taken many lessons with him from beyond a curriculum, fi rst and foremost ensuring that you are passionate about whatever it is one chooses to pursue. “It can be intimidating to try and lock down your path now, but you shouldn’t let it stress you out,” Cohen said. “You have an entire life ahead of you, and it isn’t supposed to be fi gured out in your twenties. If you do fi nd a career path you love, pursue it and don’t look back. What matters is that you enjoy what you do.”

David Cohen smiles as he sits on a bench in downtown Indianapolis for a photoshoot. Photo used with permission of David Cohen.

John Yun yunjoh000@hsestudents.org

With limited submissions and help, the school’s literary magazine, the Montage, seeks students who are willing to submit their artwork and writings or help publish the magazine. The magazine can be an outlet to share their own thoughts or ideas. “As an underclassman who often felt lost in this school, submitting my work to literary magazine and getting it published made me feel seen and heard,” leader of the Montage senior Melanie Hamon said. “It made me feel as if I was valid, even when there were no specific classes that validated the career choice that I wanted.” In the past, the Montage has only published writings and art such as photography, drawings and paintings. However, this year, the magazine hopes to expand its range to art created by computer science programs, musical performances, speeches and dramas. They hope to add QR codes that students would be able to scan and watch these art forms. Students can submit their work through a Dropbox on the FHS Library Canvas page. They need to give the Montage permission to submit their works, which have to be original. All submissions are due by Feb. 21 by 11:59 p.m. For writing, students should submit a Word document; for artwork, students should submit a 28E/ or 86/ file# for music performance, they should submit a YouTube link. After receiving the submissions, the Montage will work to create the issue. “We value the printed copies of the literary magazine because that is the way it has been done in the past, and we want to keep that tradition going,” English teacher Leann Dixon said. “We have copies at the Media Center where people can go and see past magazines, as well.” Not only can students submit their artworks but they can also help publish the Montage. With only three staff members, the literary magabine is looking for interested students. Students who excel in design and copy-editing may contact Dixon on how to get involved. “Working on editing the Montage has made me a lot better at talking to other people,” Hamon said. “It has made me better at time management, at planning, problem-solving and all kinds of administrative stuff you use in the real world.” Through their love for writing and different art forms, the staff members hope to be able to revive the literary magazine, an aspect of high school they believe is vital. “Art is not something that can really be ranked but rather appreciated, for the most part,” leader of the Montage junior Drew Sperry said. “The literary magazine is not about who is the best, but about sharing the work of others.” The Montage was created by former English teacher 2anet McKinney during the first years of FHS. Over the years, the literary magazine has been passed from teacher to teacher. Last year, an issue was never printed because of administrative issues and the lack of submissions, according to Hamon. This year, the literary magazine is asking for help from other clubs and students. “Literary magazine is meant to give a voice to students and is an outlet for students to express themselves,” Sperry said. “I think it is really important in our community for people to express themselves freely in different styles and forms.”

The past issues of the Montage show its evolution over the years. Photo used with permission of Leann Dixon.