Category Archives: Bryce Romig

New traffic plan to be implemented next Tuesday

New Bus Stops Parking Plan MapBy Bryce Romig and Peter Hyle

Each morning outside FC, the car rider line grows longer the closer time draws to first period. Due to recent congested traffic spilling onto Vincennes Road in the mornings, students and parents arriving in cars will have a new drop-off and pick-up point beginning next Tuesday.

“It will make things much easier before and after school for everyone involved,” said principal Janie Whaley.

Currently, car-riders line up in front of the school and the buses stop on the Galena side of the school. The day after Labor Day, this will be switched around. Car-riders will turn onto Edwardsville-Galena Road and use the entrance near the football field. This will take them to the side of the building across from Galena.

“I expect there will be some people on the first day wondering where to go, but that will all be cleared up,” said Whaley.

The buses will then line up in the front of the school. This way, traffic will not build up along Old Vincennes Road each morning and afternoon.

“I had to speak with the transportation director to get it approved, and then the supervisor of facilities after that. Everyone agreed that this was the right thing to do,” said Whaley, “Now everyone will be more relaxed.”

 

Tank Top trend becoming increasingly popular

Click here to find the perfect tank top

By Bryce Romig

This year has seen more unique trends than ever before. From neon colors to darker undertones, the trends have varied greatly. Summers latest trend has seemed to have taken teenage girls by storm. Tribal tank tops have become popular with girls everywhere, and it seems like every store you go too has a multitude of them just waiting to be bought. The question is why is something so simple hitting major fashion markets everywhere?

The answer is simple; take something plain and comfortable like a tank top, add some colorful touches and designs, now fashion can be easy and flexible.

“They are more comfortable than some other shirts. I really like the bright colored ones, such as orange, pink, or purple,” said junior Hannah Andres.

Sophomore Olivia Nguyen is also up to date with today’s fashion.

“I like tank tops because they flatter most body types, and look good with shorts. I wear a lot of black, so I like to wear pastel pink colored ones because it can make your outfit look vintage and girly,” said Nguyen.

Tank tops also work as a great addition to summer because of the thin fabric and weightlessness they provide. This way, you can keep cool and look sharp all at once.

“I like wearing tank tops because they are comfortable and in summer you don’t have to wear a heavy shirt. You can just put on a tank top and not worry about being hot all day,” said freshman Colleen Fitzgerald.

Tank tops are also very wallet friendly. For fashionistas on a budget, these are calling your name.  Almost every store has them on their racks, and the prices tend to range anywhere from ten to thirty dollars. This makes for a great way to save money and add a great addition to your closet.

“I shop at many places such as American Eagle, Forever 21, and Body Central. They have great prices, and tank tops are cheap anyways,” said Andres.

School rules may interfere with your choice of tank top, so steer clear of any thin strapped ones. If you are absolutely set on a tank top that you may feel will cause a problem, trying adding a light jacket or light see through shirt over it. This way, you can look fierce and still cooperate with school dress code.

Girls, if you are looking to try out some of these tank tops yourself, try matching it with a mini skirt. These really add a glamorous effect to the outfit, and take out the lazy tank top stereotype.

For the guys, tank tops are always in. Try sticking to darker colors. These are easier to match with colored shorts, and make you look a little bit manlier. While girls have many different styles of tank tops, men don’t have very many. Try to steer clear of wearing tank tops and jeans, this combination may confuse others about what season it is, and won’t compliment your awesome fashion sense.

Tank tops seem to go with everything, so don’t be afraid to try something daring. You might surprise yourself, and come out with a rocking outfit. And before you know it, you’ll be the school trendsetter.

Highlanders have mixed feelings on new breaks

By Bryce Romig

Since the New Albany-Floyd County school board decided to implement a balanced calendar, small changes are slowly making way with each new school year. Students will now receive an additional two-week break during October, as well as an extra week added onto spring break in March.

“I like that we finally get a fall break, and finally have a longer spring break,” said senior Savannah O’Brien.

The normal breaks such as winter break and Thanksgiving break will still be in effect. Winter break will be the typical two weeks long, as well as Thanksgiving break’s normal three days off.

“I love having two weeks off, but getting started after we come back will be hard. I’m anxious to see how things will play out,” said history teacher William Russell.

Principal Janie Whaley said the school corporation moved to the new calendar for academic reasons.

“The main reason why there was a switch to a balanced calendar is to help catch kids up, offer opportunities to help kids dig themselves out of a hole, and eliminate failures,” said Whaley. “It also gives teachers time to recharge.”

Aside from the longer breaks during the school year, some students are distraught over the increasingly short summer break, which is now six weeks long. In order to implement the new schedule, the school corporation had to shorten summer vacation.

“I like it. However, I wish that our summers were longer,” said freshman Morgan Paul.

In previous years, students would normally be headed back to school around the Aug. 12. Summer used to be two months and two weeks long, with the exception of snow days. 

“I like that we have longer breaks, but I don’t like that we have to come back from summer earlier, because I like summer the best,” said junior Katie Tarr.

Other students approve of the upcoming extended breaks.

“I like the new breaks because they are more spread out. It doesn’t really bother me because we still get the same amount of days off so it’s not like they took away our breaks from school,” said sophomore Lexi Fennimore.

By the fall of 2014, the new balanced calendar should be in full effect.

“I think the breaks are long enough now. We get two weeks, so I kind of like the whole deal,” said Fennimore.

However, Whaley points out that the periodic break may also be beneficial to teachers.

“Teaching is draining and when you get to a certain point within the school year weekends aren’t enough. Teaching is a performance. When you are giving performances every day, you need time to recharge.”

Prom goers share hair, makeup tips prior to this weekends festivities

By Bryce Romig

Prom: The time when teenager girls fret over their hair, makeup, and apparel. Girls everywhere will be spending time arranging hair appointments, selecting dresses, and picking the perfect hairstyle to finish off their look. While hair sounds like an easy task to care of, many would be surprised how much time and effort is put in to make their hair look as though they just walked off a vogue photo shoot.

The big question each year is should I sport an updo or leave my hair down? While taking pictures before prom is the most essential time for hair and makeup to look nice, during prom leaving hair down could become a major disaster.

“I curl, and pin my hair into an updo. Last years prom, I left my hair down. After dancing, my hair was a total mess,” said senior Margo Becht.
If you absolutely must leave your hair down to compliment your dress, try buying a light hair spray such as Dove Extra Care & Shine. Hairspray will help set the hair and prolong the life of the waves and curls. Avoid any cheap hairsprays that cause flaking. These don’t hold well and give your hair a moist look. Also, many girls tend to sport a half up half down hairstyle. These type of hairstyles work well with flowing dresses, and compliment pastel colors well.
“My favorite hairstyle is half up and half down. I attended a prom a couple of weeks ago at another school, and I didn’t realize how fast it got hot,” said junior Allison Walker.
Updos tend to be the most popular hairstyle sported at prom. These simple yet sophisticated hairstyles help top off any prom dress to make you look like you just walked off the red carpet. Try to add a braid or small curls to the updo. To avoid any hairs from falling, make sure the bobby pins are tight and secure. Use a heavier hair spray to ensure the braids and curls don’t move.  Updos flatter any dress, but look fantastic when paired with a shorter dress.
“Updos are my favorite. They are the classic prom look, and don’t frizz and fall when it starts to get hot,” said junior Kayla Ashley.
Many people worry about whether they should set up an appointment with a professional, or attempt to create the hairstyle themselves. While styling the hair yourself does allow you more creative control, it can easily become a struggle and leave you wondering why you never set up an appointment with a trained professional.
“If you feel confident in your hairstyle abilities go for it, If not, I would seek a professional,” said Becht.
A professional hairstylist knows exactly how to secure the hair yet still make it look elegant. If you decide to schedule an appointment, tell the hairstylist exactly how you want your hair done. It may help to research online and find a couple examples of hair that you would like to wear.  If you are unsatisfied with the finished style, tell the hairstylist your problems with the hair. Many salons will give refunds and a free restyling if a customer is unhappy with the final look.
Makeup tends to be another big issue when deciding what to wear for prom. Girls fret over whether they should attempt the natural look, or stick with the classical prom colors.  Classical prom colors should consist of an eyeshadow with a color the same as your dress, and a light lipstick color that doesn’t stand out. When deciding which eyeshadow color fits your dress best, make sure to apply it sparingly. Its very easy to overdo eyeshadow, and a little goes a long way.
“I prefer the classical prom look. It’s prom, you should look fun,” said Ashley.
If you want to go the more natural route, try using a light foundation and a darker or flesh colored eye shadow. Apply makeup sparingly and avoid the caked makeup look. Natural makeup should match your skin tone, so avoid tan colors if you are on the paler side. Avoid heavy and darker eyeliners.
“My favorite makeup is usually going natural but I like the smokey eye look when I’m attending prom or going out,” said Walker.
If you want to be tan for prom, avoid tanning beds and try using a sunless tanning lotion. While many believe these will look orange, investing in a good self tanner is a major part of the problem.  When picking out a self tanner for prom, remember that what you pay for is what you get.  Try the St. Tropez one night tanning lotion for a dark yet temporary look.