Category Archives: News

Lexi Burch, News

Senior Mandy Dunlap to be awarded Outstanding NJROTC Cadet

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Senior Mandy Dunlap
Senior Mandy Dunlap

By Lexi Burch

Senior Mandy Dunlap will be awarded Outstanding NJROTC Cadet on May 16 by the Louisville Armed Forces Committee. This award is awarded to those cadets who have exceptional leadership, commitment, and skill.

“I was really surprised, and it means a lot to me to get the Outstanding NJROTC Cadet award,” said Dunlap.

The procedure in order to pick the outstanding cadet analyzed cadets on their skills, mental ability, and leadership.

“To win this award, I was chosen by my instructors to write an essay on leadership qualities,” said Dunlap. “NJROTC has prepared me on how to be a successful leader, to be committed, and how to work together, along with many other skills. The leadership qualities that I have learned and wrote about were leading by the Navy’s core values of courage, honor, and commitment.”

Dunlap plans on using her NJROTC skills by continuing her career in the national defense field. She hopes to enlist in the Navy.

 “After graduation, I am continuing in the field of national defense by serving in the U.S. Navy; I enlisted as an Aircrewman,” said Dunlap. “I believe that as a citizen I should help protect my country, and I chose the Navy because I like the Navy way of life and the opportunity to travel the world.”

Dunlap has been a member of FC’s NJROTC for four years. She said she is glad that her hard work is finally paying off.

“This wraps up my four years in NJROTC,” said Dunlap, “how I have grown as a person, and how I have been blessed for the things I have accomplished.”

Isaac Mathewson, News

Seniors cope with senioritis

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By Isaac Mathewson

The school year is drawing to a close. As the seniors prepare for the real world, many of them are currently going through a phase known as “senioritis.”

Senioritis is a colloquial term that describes decreased motivation in school work by high school or college seniors as their graduation draws near. It is very common among high school seniors and it is at its peak during the last month of the year.

As he prepares for college, senior Greg Micco gives his views on his senioritis.

“It’s really bad. I just want to graduate and get everything over with already.”

Micco plans on going to Ivy Tech for college, to be a major in mechanical engineering. He has already been accepted and wishes that he can get started now.

“High school is only your introduction to the real world. It isn’t until college that you actually enter it.”

Senioritis can affect people in many different ways. For one, it leads to lack of interest in school work and can cause failing grades. Although it is rare for senioritis to lead to failure to be accepted into college, it can happen.

Graduate Devon Carlisle said that she almost did not get into IUS because of her declining grades during her senior year two years ago.

“I just completely lost interest in everything; I thought that since I was already accepted, I didn’t really need to work hard anymore.”

Senioritis has also led many to consider dropping out. Senior Clay Byrd said that he had considered dropping out to go to a community college that does not require a high school diploma.

“I just don’t see a point on continuing something that will mean little or nothing to me 10 years from now.”

Several teachers have been willing to help people with senioritis in any way they can. Special education counselor Larry Schellenberg and math teacher Angela Klingsmith allow online courses for students who are on the verge of failing or even help them finish classes early.

“I have people with senioritis come up to me all the time expressing their concerns,” said Klingsmith, “I am willing to help in any way I can.”

Both Schellenberg and Klingsmith understand the plight of students with senioritis and know how common it is among teens, especially near the end of the year. They know that these students are not lazy, they are just too willing to leave. They both are available for anyone who is going through senioritis and will do anything to help that person finish high school successfully.

News

Students, teachers prepare for upcoming AP exams

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By Sydney Sears and Delaney Smith

As the year is coming to a close the stakes rise. AP exams begin next week and many students begin to feel stressed around this time of year. Preparation is a significant part in passing these important tests.

According to counselor Mark Clark, the AP exams are graded on a five-point scale with “5” being the highest and “1” being the lowest. If a “3” or higher is scored a student can receive three credits to any college in Indiana.

To earn these credits students typically must put forth a lot of hard work and dedication. Many teachers have been doing in-class work and before or after-school study sessions to help prepare their students to the best of their ability.

“I plan to go to the cram session. I’ve also been looking over my notes,” said Junior Bailey Smit,h who is preparing for Monday’s AP psychology exam.

Senior Scott Schuchardt has been taking a lot of time to prepare for his AP government  exam by going over old AP Government College Board tests and the writing prompts for them. He has also been going to Suzanne Moss’s after-school study sessions.

Teachers have also been working to prepare their students for the upcoming exams.

“In class I have covered all the main units, done weekend review sessions, and have given handouts and charts in class over major concepts. I have also given bell ringer questions from old AP tests to try to prepare my students,” said AP psychology teacher Chad Clunie.

Students have high hopes for their scores on these tests.

“I hope I do well on the test because if I don’t do well my mom is making me pay for the test,” said Smith.

The two-week AP exam schedule is as follows:

AP Exam Schedule 2014

Monday, May 5

8 a.m. – AP Chemistry

12 p.m. – AP Psychology

Tuesday, May 6

8 a.m. – AP Computer Science

Wednesday, May 7

8 a.m. – AP Calculus

Thursday, May 8

8 a.m. – AP English Literature

Friday, May 9

8 a.m. – English Composition

Monday,May 12

8 a.m. – AP Biology, AP Music Theory

12 p.m. – AP Physics

Tuesday, May 13

8 a.m. – AP U.S. Government

Wednesday, May 14

8 a.m. – AP U.S. History

12 p.m. – AP European History

Thursday, May 15

8 a.m. – AP Macroeconomics

News, Will Huston

Seniors talk about their worries, hopes for after high school

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By Will Huston

As students enter the final nine weeks of school at FC, many are looking forward to summer break. However, for seniors it is the last time they will be at FC, causing them to be excited about graduating.

“[I’m] very excited. I’m ready to leave,” said senior Greg Micco.

Micco shared his plans on what he is doing after high school. His plans include going to Ivy Tech, where he plans on studying electrical engineering for two years.

Other students plan on less technical careers, such as Claire Watkins, who plans on going to two different colleges — the first one, Jefferson Community College (JCC) for her general classes, and then to Western Kentucky University (WKU), where her father went and studied.

“I want to study education, and I want my minor to be English,” said Watkins.

Of course, as important as some people consider college, it is also incredibly expensive, making some students wonder how they are  going to pay for it. Micco, for example, says he plans on joining the Army or Marine reserve.

“[I’m worried] that I go to college, I get this big debt, and I don’t get anything out of it,” said Micco.

Others, such as Cody Hunter, who is going to college to study nutrition, plans to work part time.

“UPS is going to pay for half of IUS, and my parents will help me along the way,” said Hunter.

Of course, during this time of heavy unemployment, some are concerned about the post-college life.

“I’m super-duper afraid that I won’t be able to get a job,” said Watkins.

With others, it is a matter of personal preference.

“[I’m worried] if I actually like what I’m doing, if I actually like the career path I’m going with,” said Hunter.

Despite these worries, many students continue with their plans, waiting until the day school is over and they go out into the world.