Freshman Kaeyln Gibson helps out a little girl that is attempting to shoot a basketball. Photo by Rachel Lamb.
Photos by Rachel Lamb
By Megan Johnson
On Thursday Oct. 31, Georgetown Christian Church held their annual Fall Festival. This event allowed children and their parents to walk around the church while playing games, collecting candy, socializing and enjoying the free food. A few FC students who are in the church’s youth group took time out of their Halloween to help their community with such festivities.
Freshman John Reas shared his opinion on what he believes helping does for his community.
“It means a lot to the kids and helps the parents out. It also gives teens a chance to do something with them.”
One of the major ways they can help is leading a game that children can play.
“It means a lot to the kids. When you’re a kid, everything is magical,” said junior Sam Stermer.
Stermer also shared that he believes children look up to teenagers, which makes the experience even more enjoyable for them.
Freshman Kaelyn Gibson shared that it doesn’t just affect the children, but also the teens who participate.
“I just wanted to do it because it makes me feel good. Like, I’m really doing something.”
During an arm wrestling competition, freshman John Reas plays referee. Photo by Rachel Lamb.While little boys are busy playing a carpet ball match, junior Sam Stermer acts as a referee. Photo by Rachel Lamb.Junior Jacob Huntley calls a child out for “rough-housing” on the blow up obstacle course. Photo by Rachel Lamb.Freshman Dustin Ramsey spins a wheel to win candy. Photo by Rachel Lamb.Freshman Chandler Lewis, dressed as a baseball player, calls out numbers during a bingo game. Photo by Rachel Lamb.Dressed as a football player, junior Alexa Tuell marks her card during a game of bingo. Photo by Rachel Lamb.
State Farm agent Theresa Lamb and her staff race through the quick click challenge. Photo by Delaney Smith
Photos by Delaney Smith and Rachel Lamb
By Christian DiMartino and Sidney Reynolds
In honor of National Teen Driving Safety Week, State Farm sponsored the annual Celebrate My Drive event hosted by Theresa Lamb at FC. It helps teach teens the importance of driving safely through various games and activities.
“I had so much funning playing the Chinese fire drill. I think it helps teach how easy it is to just wear your seat belt while driving and to encourage it,” said sophomore Ryan Stone.
The weather was cold, being in the 40s, but did not keep people from coming to the event. To help keep participants warm they were also treated to free pizza, soda, and popcorn.
“The food was really good and I think it helped make people want to come to the event,” said Stone.
Many students went because they received extra credit for their driver education classes.
“I think it’s good experience for students since we can’t do this in the class room and we don’t want them to experience first hand,” said drivers education instructor Joe Cerqueira.
The games were designed to help teach students what the consequences can be if they make poor decisions behind the wheel. Some of the popular games there included a simulated texting while driving video game, playing catch while wearing drunk goggles, and posing in a wrecked car with two people dressed up as car wreck victims.
“To see a car damaged really showed teens what could happen. Even though I came for extra credit I had a good time and gained a lot of important information,” said sophomore Chloe Everle.
The Greenville Fire Department and Floyd County Sheriff’s office came to help out and run some of the activities there.
“The texting and driving simulation is the newest activity here. It teaches teens how dangerous it can be. If they wrecked in the simulation I hope they will remember that next time and just put the phone down,” said Officer Mark Spurgeon.
Students are encouraged to vote for FC online at the Celebrate My Drive website for a chance to win $100,000 and a concert from Kelly Clarkson. Any money won this year will go to FC Dance Marathon.
“I hope everyone votes. It would be awesome if we won and got a concert from Kelly Clarkson. It would also be nice to help out the Riley kids through Dance Marathon,” said Stone.
Next year Lamb is hoping to continue educating people on driving safely. “Teens are more apt to get accidents due to inexperience and being distracted by such things as texting, other people, and the radio. Education is the key,” said Lamb.
Sophomores Ryan Jennings and Hunter Hampton throw a ball back and forthwhile wear drunk goggles. Photo by Delaney Smith
Fox41News camera man shoots footage of sophomore Alexis Moody beating her opponent in a race. Photo by Rachel LambSophomore Bessmah Elashawah takes the texting and drving simulator test. Photo by Rachel LambFireman from Greenville Fire Department demonstrate how they would take care of car crash victims. Photo by Rachel LambSophomore Brandon Lacy trys throwing a ball with drunk googles on. Photo by Rachel LambThe good neigh-bear shakes Floyd Conunty Sheriff Darrell Mill’s hand. Photo by Rachel LambSophomores Sarah Parker and Chloe Eberly race while texting on their phone. Photo by Delaney SmithSenior Timon Stermer plays a good role as the State Farm good neigh-bear. Photo by Delaney Smith
Every year the fourth Wednesday in the month of September is Annual Global Day of Student Prayer. On this day an event known as “See You at the Pole” is held before school nationwide.
By having this opportunity, students get the chance to pray for their nation and school with others that have the same beliefs.
“They are not the only Christians in school, so they should not be intimidated,” said Georgetown Christian Church’s youth minister Chris Cowsert.
He added that since the school is the biggest mission field available, it is important for students to show their faith through coming.
“The world is turning away from Christianity, so it’s refreshing to know that there are other teenagers like me,” said freshman Mitchell Lockhart.
He shared that he has invited friends to similar events and they would invite other people, causing fellowship to grow.
Sophomore Phoenix-Grace Lackey agreed with Cowsert and Lockhart’s statements.
“Students need to know that they are not alone in the walk with Christ.”
It has been shown that participation has affected teen fellowship greatly. Without them, this would not be possible because it requires student initiative as well as leadership and organization.
“It is very important to me to see student from area churches come together for one purpose,” said Campus Life director Kevin Becht.
However, they are not alone in the process of organizing. Staff members, such as counselor Kirk Hamsley, have participated in this event ever since he started working at FC, play a big role in ensuring that it is running smoothly.
Hamsley said that FC has participated in See You at the Pole for the past 20 years.
For more information on “See You at the Pole” please visit syatp.com.
Dozing off in class is one of the many effects of sleep deprivation for teenagers. According to the National Sleep Foundation, teens need about nine and one fourth hours of sleep each night. However, studies show that only 15 percent sleep for eight and a half on school nights.
Most students at FC that struggle with lack of sleep do not function as well as those who have regular sleep patterns.
“I only get five to six hours of sleep on an average school night,” said junior Ansley Barnes.
Barnes added that little amount of sleep she gets, is a result of how much homework she receives. This contributes to whether she pays attention in class or not.
Some students, such as sophomore Nathan Clark, do not feel quite as affected as others. Clark is able to get around eight hours of rest, which is quite the improvement compared to Barnes’s five to six.
“The way I feel and function through the school day is affected in a positive way because I’m most sleep deprived during the weekend, not during the week,” said Clark.
Teachers can often tell who is getting the recommended hours of sleep, just by observing their behavior during class. Chemistry teacher Jennifer Gohmann notices many people dozing off during class.
“Their energy levels are lower and they have a harder time focusing,” said Gohmann.
She agreed that weekends are the time to catch up on sleep. Gohmann also added that when she was in high school she suffered from lack of sleep.
“When I was a student I always felt deprived of sleep and had a lack of concentration,” said Gohmann.
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