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Features

Sophomore Sarah Henry shares her experiences, beliefs as an atheist

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Editor’s note: This story is part of our print coverage of the different religions at FC. To see what ran in print check out the PDFs of pages 36 and 37 of our April 20, 2012, issue.

By Meghan Poff

Sophomore Sarah Henry

Bagpiper: How did you come to the decision to become an atheist?

Sarah Henry: I was raised in an atheist home, so I grew up with secular ideas all throughout my childhood.
BP: Even though your parents were not religious, did they allow you to form your own ideas?

SH: Even though my parents don’t have any religious beliefs, they really encourage me to explore and learn about different religions.

BP: How did you first begin to come out to people at school as being an atheist?

SH: I first declared myself as an atheist after I went to Camp Quest, which is a camp for free thinkers. I love having that because when people try to convert me, I have an entire group of people to call upon to support me.

BP: What are some of the stereotypes you have seen that people have toward atheists?

SH: A lot of people have told me that the only reason atheists don’t believe is because they don’t know anything about god. The fact of the matter is that I’ve read the bible and learned about other religions and I simply don’t agree with them.

BP: What do you think peoples general perception of atheists is?

SH: Many people believe that because atheists are not religious, that they have no morals and don’t do anything good. This is not at all the case.

BP: What are some of the principles that you live by as an atheist?

SH: Now, I just try to live honestly, and basically as a good person.  For the most part, I try to be a good person, and do what I know is right. I think that’s more important than having a specific belief.

BP: Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?

SH: If they were to wipe all of the atheists off the face of the earth, it would eliminate 95% of the National Science Board, but only 5% of the world’s prisons.

Blake Dykes, Sports

Featured Athlete: Freshman Clara Shean

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By Blake Dykes
For most people it is difficult to be involved in one sport and get schoolwork finished. However, freshman Clara Shean manages to be involved in basketball and softball while maintaining A’s and B’s.
Shean has been doing softball for the past eight years and basketball for nine. This includes travel, school, and recreational teams. Having already finished her first basketball season at FC, she is currently in the middle of the FC softball season.

“Even though the sports are different seasons, it is still difficult because they take so much time.”

With basketball conditioning starting the first week of summer and softball at the beginning of November, she does not get much of a break.

“I don’t get to condition with the softball team because basketball carries into the season.”

Once basketball season is over, Shean is allowed one week break before practicing with the softball team.

Due to her tight schedule, sacrifices have to be made.

“I don’t get to hang out with my friends as much.”

However, Shean likes both sports, but still favors basketball.

“I like both a lot, but I would have to say I like basketball more. I just enjoy playing better, even though it’s harder for me.”

Even though Shean likes basketball more, she said she is better at softball.

“I’m more talented at softball because in basketball you have to be big and it’s a physical sport, and I am small and get pushed around a lot. I try to go to the gym and lift weights, though.”

Shean shared her goals for both sports.

“I hope to maybe get maybe get a scholarship in softball,” said Shean. “And I want to play basketball all four years because it would make me stronger and I enjoy playing the sport.”


A&E, Alyssa Book

‘The Hunger Games’ franchise garners students’ approval

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By Alyssa Book
Katniss Everdeen has become a worldwide phenomenon. Not only has this character been the symbol of peace in the book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, but with the highly anticipated film still raking in millions of dollars in theaters around the world, Katniss Everdeen is the new “Bella” of  teenage pop culture. 

If you have not witnessed the movie or read the books, the plot centers around a young girl fighting for her life in the Hunger Games, held in her country Panam. This book is futuristic and takes place in the continent formerly known as North America.The book is highly suspenseful and as a reader I found myself cheering for my favorite victors to win and for the government to be taken down. FC students have also found this book to be exciting and have their opinions on how the movie held up to the high expectations from the book.

Freshman Remi Bowman liked the choice of casting as Jennifer Lawrence as the main character, Katniss.

“When I saw the movie, I thought Katniss Everdeen was cast perfect. She was the exact fit,” said Bowman.

Senior Brittany Murray said she was a little more hesitant to accept some of the characters, but she said all did a great job.

Bowman also enjoyed seeing her favorite parts from the book being interpreted on film. She said her favorite scene was Katniss and Peeta’s return home, knowing that their journey was far from over.

Murray’s favorite scene was seeing the chariots entering the arena and being announced to all of Panam as the Hunger Games are about to begin.

The movie was two and a half hours long, but similar to the book, once it was over it felt like it took just a blink of an eye to escape into another world. The ending to the movie was mirrored to the book; Katniss and Peeta returning to District 12 and a future uprising is in their midst.

With the success of the movie and the books now topping the lists of best sellers, it is evident the next two installments will be produced and released soon to keep the Hunger Games’ fire burning.

A&E, Claire DeFrancisci, Uncategorized, Weekly Playlist

Weekly Playlist: American Pride

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By Chase Gosman, Claire DeFrancisci

This week A&E isn’t taking this amazing country for granted by honoring it with the best patriotic songs.

1. “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” by Toby Keith

2. “If You’re Reading This’ by Tim McGraw

3. “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” by Alan Jackson

4. “Some Gave All” by Billy Ray Cyrus

5. “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen

6. “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood

7. “Coming to America” by Neil Diamond

8. “Star Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key

9. “American Pie” by Don McLean

News

Retiring teacher earns prestigious award

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By Chase Gosman

Education is more than just learning information. School is the place we meet our best friends in life. A best friend doesn’t have to be a peer; they can be a teacher as well. A good teacher educates a student on a subject, but a great teacher makes the student  love the subject, and The Sondheim Inspirational Teachers Award honors great educators who do just that.

The award is in honor of one of America’s greatest musical theater composers, Stephen Sondheim. Marking Sondheim’s 80th birthday, The Kennedy Center recognizes teachers who inspire new generations of artists.

Theater director Chris Bundy received the award late last month along with nine other honorees across the country. Bundy, who has been teaching at FC for 15 years, was nominated by former student Michael Chandler. Chandler graduated in 2005 and was part of the theater program.  Chandler is one of the many students greatly impacted by Bundy.

“It is very touching that Michael Chandler nominated him because he [Bundy] made such a big impact on his life,” said principal Janie Whaley.

“It makes me stop and think what teachers made an impact on me,” said Whaley.

For Bundy, the teacher that sparked his love of the arts started in junior high school with his English teacher Mrs. Nale. He was interested in literature while studying Great Expectations in her class.

“She made the story come alive, not just something to be read.  When I got to high school, I became interested in theatre and went from a solid ‘C’ student to an A & B student because I finally found something that totally turned me on to school and education and actually wanting to learn,” said Bundy.

Bundy said the most rewarding part about being a teacher is seeing his kids mature into adults.

“ I often see shy and unconfident ‘kids’ find their voice, whether that is through acting or the technical aspects of theatre and the arts, become outgoing, confident young adults who will make a difference in this world,” he said.

It is this interest in his kids that shows that while he may be leaving the FC staff, he will not fade away.

“It really doesn’t matter how old they become….they will always be ‘my kids’ and that’s a pretty great thing,” said Bundy. The award includes a check of $10,000.

“That money has been put away in what I’ll call my ‘travel fund’ to go out all over the country to enjoy seeing my ‘kids’ in their productions from college to Broadway.  Because, like I said, once you’re my kid, you’re my kid for life.”