Photos by Leah Ellis
Editor’s Note: These are additional photos from a story published in the print publication.
Category Archives: News
NJROTC celebrates annual Military Ball
By McKenna Click
On Saturday March 16 NJROTC held their annual Military Ball. The Military Ball was held at The Grand in New Albany and lasted from 7-11 p.m. Military Ball was a formal event in which attendees had to dress up in order to attend.
NHS hosts annual blood drive
By Sidney Reynolds
Seniors Abby Marguet and Joe Wolf wait patiently to sign people in for the annual blood drive that is held at FC.
“I’m glad we are it doing it because it benefits our school and the people that receive the blood,” said Marguet.
Monday’s blood drive was hosted by The American Red Cross and the National Honor Society and helps raise scholarship money for NHS.
Students who donated had to pass some basic requirements such a being given a mini physical and having their health history checked. Once the test is passed a person was able to donate one pint of blood or two units of red cells, which is the same amount of blood.
“Some kids do it just to get out of class but they are still doing it. Holding it here gets people to donate who normally wouldn’t,” said senior Carmen Keehn.
Once a person donated, a NHS member helped them get a snack and a drink.
“I give them snacks and drinks. Then I patrol to make sure no one else passes out,” said Keehn.
The red cells people donate can only last 42 days, and The American Red Cross is always in need of donations.
“There’s always such a need for blood because of people with illnesses or car accidents,” said Lt. Col. Ben Gipe.
The students that donated blood on Monday received community service hours, along with the satisfaction of help saving lives.
“My dad had to get blood donated to him a few years ago and I think that’s why he donates. He got me into wanting to do it. Last year but I wasn’t old enough. I got to donate this year,” said Keehn.
Students were not the only ones to donate blood; teachers and staff members also did.
“It’s good for the kids to see, even if they aren’t only enough to donate yet,” said assistant principal Rob Willman.
“I’m proud of FC for hosting it, and it’s cool all the students helped out,” said Gipe.
Orchestra prepares for New York trip
By McKenna Click
Tuesday during seventh period orchestra students who will be in attendance during the New York trip had one of their final rehearsals until they play in New York. This is the orchestra’s second year playing in New York. Students attending left right after school today and will return Sunday night. Orchestra teacher and chaperon for the trip Doug Elmore is excited for the trip. “[I’m excited] to see the looks on my students’ faces when they see New York.” When asked about his fears about playing in New York, Elmore responded with faith in his students. “Nothing [about this trip] scares me. These students are mature, organized, and well prepared.”
Dance Marathon changes students’ outlooks on life
By Blake Dykes
Last Saturday, Feb. 16, FC held the third annual Dance Marathon. This year a whopping $45,003.62 was raised for Riley’s Children’s Hospital. Aside from the tremendous amount of money raised and regular activities, there was a new addition to the schedule of the Dance Marathon this year.
At the end of Saturday night, every student present formed a circle around the entire gym, linking hands. In this circle, students cut off one of the two bracelets they were given at the beginning of the night. The bracelet that was cut off was put into a wagon. All of these bracelets will be stapled linked together, and hung up in the spine of the school, reminding us of the children that have gotten to leave Riley’s and those who are still there.
Towards the end of Dance Marathon a story was told. This story was told by a mother affiliated with Riley’s. Her story informed participants and visitors of how Riley’s helped take care of her twin sons, Alex and Brett, during their infancy, since they were very sick. Neither of the twins lived, but their mother proceeded to tell how Riley’s was to her. This is where the remaining bracelet came into play. Everyone was told to then keep the other bracelet on until it falls off, in remembrance of Alex and Brett, who would have been seniors at FC this year.
“My favorite part of Dance Marathon was when everybody held hands in a circle, or the bracelet ceremony. It would be easy to say that the reveal or Ultimate Frisbee was my favorite, but that moment when hundreds of students were holding hands, united for a common purpose, trumped all the others,” said sophomore Grant Vellinger.
Many students agreed with Vellinger and favored the bracelet ceremony over everything else that took place at Dance Marathon.
“My favorite part was the circling, because for once it allowed us to be close and to share a very important time together,” said senior Tonya Truong.
Senior Alyssa Moore also enjoyed the bracelet ceremony.
“My favorite part of the Dance Marathon this year was the bracelet ceremony. The time of reflection was so moving and powerful, and I feel that it truly brought us together as a student body. It was a serious moment during our night of fun when all us dancers truly realized why it is that we do what we do for Riley’s Hospital.”
Dance Marathon brought forth lots of emotion, and left many students with a different outlook on life.
“Dance Marathon really gave me a new perspective on how I can have an impact on my community by donating to a big cause,” said junior Varun Alse.
Junior Tyler Grooms walked away with a new inspiration.
“I took away many things, but the main thing was that anything is possible. It really opened up my eyes as well as everyone else’s to the hardships and the struggles people go through. It also showed me how blessed a fortunate that I am.”
For Moore she feels that Dance Marathon had more of a permanent effect on her.
“I have been so blessed to be a part of FCDM all three years now and each has been very special to me. However, this year’s literally changed my life. Seeing so many students at our school join together so passionately for such a great cause really moved me. This Dance Marathon was about more than just the numbers. It was about coming together as a school and working towards a cause bigger and greater than ourselves.”
Not only did the bracelet ceremony mark a time of reflection upon the student body, but it also made students feel that the school became closer together.
“We all grew much closer as classmates that night because we realized that there’s more to life than ourselves,” said Vellinger.
Grooms also took notice of how the student body became united.
“It affected me so much, to see your whole school come together for such a good cause was so awesome and I will remember it forever.”
Despite all of the positive things students had to say about the bracelet ceremony, some students’ favorite part were the different activities Dance Marathon had to offer.
“My favorite part was probably the basketball tournament. I would describe Dance Marathon as a fun event where you can hang out with friends, play cool games, and help other people,” said senior Codie Endris.
Freshmen Brady Miles’s favorite part was the dance taught throughout the day.
While anyone who attended this year’s Dance Marathon received a great time and for some a life changing experience, there were still others who were not able to make it.
“Those who didn’t go this year should make it a priority to go next year,” said Vellinger.
Moore expressed that it is impossible to explain the experience to someone who was not able to go.
According to students, the Dance Marathon was the place to be last Saturday night.
Beyond just a fun evening and a place to be, Alse realized the Dance Marathon had a much larger purpose.
“Helping kids that aren’t as blessed as us can really make you feel good about yourself.”
Below is a video taken from Dance Marathon at the end, during the morale dance.
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvF9md6PbZM]