Tag Archives: Lauren Holstner

A&E

Otaku Club gathers various local teens

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By Lauren Holstner

The New Albany/Floyd County Public Library hosted an Otaku (Japanese culture) club on Oct. 20.  From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. the library’s main meeting room was full of teens of all ages.  Some were cos-playing (dressing up as characters from animes or manga) as they were invited to, while others came simply as themselves.

Over 30 local teens from sixth grade and up appeared to make new friends and discuss anime, manga, and other Japanese entertainment forms.

Over the course of two hours people showed off their costumes, played anime trivia, and gathered in groups to talk.

Next month on Nov. 30, the club will meet again from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the bottom floor of the library.

Next month readers can also bring their favorite manga with them.  Many readers who love Japanese anime but do not know anything about manga could learn a lot.

“My favorite part is hanging out with people, making friends, and playing games,” said New Albany High School student Zelda Early.

Teens from NAHS and FC get together and make friends.  If readers are looking for a place to discuss all things Japanese then they can go to the Otaku Club, where all anime dreams can be voiced and no one is left out.

A&E

Hoban’s ‘Willow’ cuts to the chase

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By Lauren Holstner

“It’s hard to keep a secret when it’s written all over your body.”

This quote lives on the cover of Willow by Julia Hoban. It adds suspense and makes you want to read it. Willow by Hoban is a dark and serious book with a hint of romance and humor.  It is about a girl named Willow who believes she is a murderer and killed her parents.

She can no longer go back to her home and lives with her brother, his wife and their child.  She is also a cutter.  This has caused her to lead a secret life no one knows about, until he comes along.  He is Guy, who finds out about Willow’s cutting and turns her world upside down by trying to save her from cutting and making her fall in love with him.
Readers who like stories where nothing seems to go right with a hint of romance and a pinch of pain will enjoy this novel.
Willow lives in a world of pain and sorrow that many readers might relate to. Those who do not connect may see what friends could be going through because we never know everything and this book just shows how little we know about each other.
This story helps readers view the world in an entirely new perspective, often overlooked.  Willow could relate to a number of lives and show us how some people live.

Willow helps us learn things readers never thought we would.  Willow is a great story for readers wanting to experience something new and realistic, and sometimes horrifyingly real.

A&E, Allison Werner, Alyssa Book, Weekly Playlist

Weekly Playlist: Country Songs

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By Marah Harbison, Chase Gosman, Allison Werner, Lauren Holstner, Nathan Hemminger, and Alyssa Book

Get out your cowboy boots and that southern twang. It is time to sing along to the best current country
 songs. Let’s get this hoe-down started. 

1. “Red Light” by David Nail

2. “Love Like Crazy” by Lee Brice

3. “SSS” by Avett Brothers

4. “Shame” by Avett Brothers

5. “Crazy Girl” by Eli Young Band

6. “Tattoos On This Town” by Jason Aldean

5. “Remind Me” by Brad Paisley ft. Carrie Underwood

6. “Going Through Hell” by Rodney Atkins

7. “She’s Going Places” by Rascal Flatts

8. “Dirt Road Anthem” by Jason Aldean

9. “Country Girl” by Luke Bryan

10. “We Owned The Night” by Lady Antebellum

11. “All Your Life” by The Band Perry

A&E

Theatre arts prepares for ‘A Christmas Carol’

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By Lauren Holstner

A Christmas Carol has gone from the book to the silver screen and will now to be seen on the stage at FC this November. Theatre director Chris Bundy has chosen this play because it is well known by people and is one of their favorites.

Bundy has a lot of confidence that his students will complete this play to their best ability.

“I think they’ll do amazingly and it’s also New Albany students; it’s a joint production,” he said.

Among the NA students who received leads is David Kane, who will be playing the role of Bob Cratchit. There will also be many students from the elementary schools participating in this production.

“It’s always fun working with New Albany. I think it’s great working with other schools, to see them work together and get new friends,” said Bundy.

Freshman Caitlin Fien will be the youngest member of the production’s tap chorus. Fien is looking forward to the various numbers she will be performing in.

“I’m looking forward to the Ghost of Christmas Present dance the most. We wear these hats with food on them, and have green velvet dresses,” said Fien. “Imagine me tap dancing with a pie on my head!”

Senior Erica Mohler was cast as Mrs. Fezziwig, but worries that she may display characteristics of her Drowsy Chaperone role.

“The hardest part about performing my character would probably be not falling back into previous characters. As an actor it’s really easy, when you have two characters that are really similar, to repeat their personalities on stage,” said Mohler.

Show dates to see A Christmas Carol are on Nov. 4, 5, 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m., or Nov. 6 and 13 at 2 p.m.

Freshmen Melissa Renfrow said her favorite part of the play is the dancing, since she was in Oliver and that was her favorite part of that play. These students all have different reasons for being theatre and acting.

This play also has special meaning for Bundy.

“Well, yes, it does since this is my year I’m going to retire and it was one of my favorite stories. We did it so it’s a perfect ending,” he said.

A&E, Allison Werner, Alyssa Book, Nathan Hemminger, Weekly Playlist

Weekly Playlist: R&R songs

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By Marah Harbison, Allison Werner, Nathan Hemminger, Chase Gosman, Lauren Holstner and Alyssa Book

In the midst of the constant stress of high school we all need to relax. There songs are guaranteed to help you chill out.

1. “Safe” by Britt Nicole

2. “Realize” by Colbie Callait

3. “Skinny Love” by Bon Iver

4. “Walking After You” by  Foo Fighters

5. “June Hymn” by The Decemberists

6. “Diplomat’s Son” by Vampire Weekend

7. “It’ll All Work Out” by Jam Petty

8. “Naked As We Came” by Iron & Wine

9. “Life Left To Go” by Safety Suit

10. “Details in the Fabric” by Jason Mraz

11. “This Bay” by James Morrison

12. “Zelda’s Lullaby” by Hyrule Symphony

13. “Saria’s Song” by Koji Kondo