All posts by jlang@nafcs.k12.in.us

Features

Deeper Life project empowers teens

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By Rachel Lamb

With only three weeks into a Bible study that could grant teens a free trip to Florida, some are falling behind, while others are keeping up with the fast pace. By now, students should have completed three worksheets with review questions over the daily Bible reading.

Junior Bradley Montgomery has been one the few that has been procrastinating on the project.

“I tend to push it off until the night before the questions are due every week.”

However, most students have been keeping up the quick pace that this study requires. Some started on track and have only been falling behind recently.

“I started out staying with it, but now that I have other things going on, it has been getting harder,” said freshman Lexi Richmer.

She also shared how this is the first time that she has stuck with a Bible study for this long.

Many students beileve that this project gives teens a great opportunity. This not only includes the free trip to Florida, but also growing deeper in faith.

“This opportunity has given me an insight into Bible stories that I have heard since I was young,” said junior Jacob Huntley.

Huntley also shared that knowing he is one-sixth of the way to Florida motivates him to create more opportunities for himself.

Senior Timon Stermer has a different opinion on the opportunities that it offers him.

“Getting the chance to grow my faith through serving my community has to be the best opportunity that it offers.”

Through the many opportunities  that come out of this project, students are seeking goals for the next four months that remain of this Bible study.

“I hope to stick with it afterwards because reading the Bible is majorly helpful in a way to show your faith through yourself when you are a Christian,” said Richmer.

 

A&E, Isaac Mathewson

Theatre director sets goals for next year

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By Isaac Mathewson

As the lights of this year dim down, theatre director Robbie Steiner reflects on his fourth year at FC and his second year as director.

Steiner said that he has improved greatly since last year.

“I have a much better idea how to plan things out than I did last year.”

The one aspect Steiner will miss the most about this year is the departing seniors.

“Many of these seniors have been in this program since my first year here. I’ve seen them grow throughout their years of high school. It will be hard for me to see them go.”

As the year ends, Steiner has begun making plans for next year.

First, he has seen a great increase on people joining the program since last year, especially in his tech class, which only had a mere eight joining this year.

Steiner said that not a whole lot will change in next year’s curriculum, apart from developing practical hands-on experience for techs and giving more emphasis on musical theatre.

There is no news yet on what plays will be performed next year, but Steiner said that there will be many family favorites, which might possibly include Annie.

Steiner has several goals that he wishes to set next year. For one, he hopes to improve himself by balancing his own life with his work on the program.

“This is a really stressful, albeit fun, job. I want to be able to serve this program well while still trying to support my own needs.”

Another goal he wishes to set is to provide more opportunities for actors and techs.

“I want to cultivate student leadership, not just for the seniors, but for lowerclassmen also.”

Although there are many aspects that Steiner will miss about this year, he still has a positive outlook for next year and for the years that will follow.

 

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Columnist emphasizes importance of understanding others

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By Brooke McAfee

It seems to me that people are so often caught up inside their own minds they forget to truly see other people. They may listen to the words others say and notice what is on the the exterior, but true understanding of what is going on in another’s mind frequently escapes them.This does not necessarily mean someone is uncaring– everyone has been guilty of this form of blindness. We become so entangled within the complex maze of the mind — and all the worries, excitement, and responsibilities that preoccupy us — that we forget to look for what is concealed beneath the surface of other people.

I am constantly aware of how little I truly reveal of what is going on in my mind. It is a part of my personality I have struggled with for years. When I keep my thoughts silent, misunderstanding and disinterest inevitably follow me. Yet I am equally guilty, because I often retreat too far into my mind and become distant with those around me. All it really takes is for us to listen harder and look deeper. Yet sometimes this can be the most difficult thing in the world, with all the layers of false sentiments, hidden feelings, and insecurity which often lay upon the surface.

We encounter countless numbers of people in our lives, but how many do we really get to know? Knowing a person goes beyond simply chatting with them on a daily basis. There are people I may have known on a basic level for years, but I cannot honestly say I know them. When I get to know a person, I want to learn what makes them who they are and what they think and believe, not simply the day to day events of their life, their plans for prom, or the latest gossip they have overheard. I want to understand people, rather than just be acquainted with them.

Without understanding a person, I believe we are more naturally inclined towards judgment or indifference. Perhaps the person who comes across as obnoxious only acts in such a way because they are too accustomed to being ignored, and the person with an unpleasant attitude is the victim of depression. Ignorance and misunderstanding can only lead to harm, whether intended or unintended. Compassion, which is rooted in understanding, is something we need much more of in the world.

Humans will always wish to hide their flaws and weakness, and people will always be perplexed about how to accurately express themselves. We will never fully know another’s mind, but we should certainly make efforts to do so. The people who say little often are the ones who have the most to say, and it is essential that we show interest in hearing what is on their mind, and seeing what may not be immediately obvious. If we do not make attempts to understand one another, there are many who may go through life believing they are not worth listening to. We simply need to take the time to notice what is right in front of us.

A&E, Christian DiMartino, Peter Hyle

A cappella advances onto state finals

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By Peter Hyle and Christian DiMartino

This year, FC is privileged enough to not only bring their band and orchestra to state, but their choir as well. The a cappella choir specifically is looking forward to a challenging competition against 16 other high school choirs. Since the choir has not been to state in four years, everyone currently in the choir is experiencing this for the first time.

Many students involved have their own opinions why this year has been so successful.

“I think this year is so different from any other year I’ve been in a cappella. Right when the year started we were pushed very hard to come together and learn a 50-page song, an entire mass, and two solo pieces to perform with the Louisville Chorus,” said senior Nella Cox.

There are many factors that determine who wins in this Saturday’s competition.

“There are three judges at the competition, and they mainly listen for sound quality, rhythm, emotional involvement and those sort of things. Another big factor is our vowel shapes, which is the way we shape our mouths in order to produce the right sound,” said sophomore Henry Miller.

Everyone in the choir is anxious for their competition for their own reasons.

“I know that everyone in choir will give an incredible performance this Saturday, so I’m not nervous about that. It’s all the other schools we’re competing against that makes me really anxious for the competition,” said junior Andrew Mills.

Some students credit their teacher for all of the success that they have achieved this school year. 

“It is obvious to me that we wouldn’t have gotten this far without our wonderful director Mrs. Hampton. She is an outstanding teacher and she has really pushed me and motivated me more than any other adult I have met. I know that a lot of my friends in choir feel exactly the same way,” said junior Dakota Arnold.

Hampton said that the feeling is mutual.

“They really just work extremely well both individually and collectively. They get along very well, and they try to be better with each new day. This group has worked harder than any choir I’ve had in recent history. I’m excited that they get to be a part of this elite competition,” said Hampton.