Tag Archives: A look into the past

Alyssa Book, Blake Dykes, Features

A look into the past: Hurricane Katrina hits close to home

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By Blake Dykes and Alyssa Book 
Record breaking winds snap trees in half like toothpicks, houses are waterlogged and families are forced onto rooftops for their only chance at survival.

Unfortunately, this nightmare was the reality for many people on August, 23, 2005 because of Hurricane Katrina.

For junior Chelsea Donnelly, who was living in New Orleans at the time, this event was not just a segment on the news, but a real life experience.

“I was really scared because I knew all my family was getting hit by the storm. It was really devastating and really sad knowing my family was going through that.”

Donnelly’s home was spared while her grandmother, grandfather, aunts and uncles lost their homes to the hurricane.

“We had 10 family members who had to live with us for a month without electricity. Our house was ran off of a generator.”

Although this experience was close to home for Donnelly, most FC students did not take away the extremity of this storm.

“I wasn’t affected by Hurricane Katrina. I do however remember seeing all the destruction on the news and hearing about all  the families that were affected. I also remember my dad actually going down there to help rebuild. He was able to see the destruction first hand and saw how devastating it was,” said senior Jordan Marcum.

As tragic as this event was, many people believe that if the necessary precautions were taken many lives would of been saved.

“I think people forget how devastating it was because they had enough warnings, which would of saved lives,” said 66-year-old Judy Youngs.

However, the devastation of this day has lead to an understanding of the importance of taking warnings seriously.

“I think that our generation can take away the knowledge of how to better prepare for storms,”said Marcum.

Alyssa Book, Blake Dykes, Features

A look into the past: 2008 election retains relevance through social media and historical factors

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By: Alyssa Book and Blake Dykes

November 4, 2008 was a day that went down in history. This day, the very first African-American was elected president. During this political time much controversy was taking place. Whether voting for Barack Obama or not, everyone was involved in some way or another.

“I remember the bitter competition, not only in the general election but in the primaries as well. I supported Barack Obama throughout the entire campaign. I also remember when John McCain announced Sarah Palin as his running mate and the controversy surrounding her and her family,” said senior Austin Wirth.

However some were greatly affected by this November day; younger children did not realize the importance of the election and what it meant for their future.

Highand Hills sixth grader Kamryn Plaiss was barely seven on the day of election and does not feel that it has impacted her personally.

Despite her young age, her memories still included feelings of the election.

  “I think maybe people were mad at first but gave Obama a chance and found out everything is for the best,” said Plaiss.

Beyond the fierce competition to run the country, there were many reasons Americans thought of this as one of the most important days.

“It was big because our country was facing a recession and war, so we needed a leader who could change our country’s direction,” said junior Gordon Heltzel.

As the election is now four years behind us, the issue of the first African American president is still being made relevant through social media.

Wirth agreed social media has a profound effect on the election.

“I think we found what a huge impact the internet can have on an election. Websites like YouTube made presidential debates available to be watched by anyone at any time. The Internet was a massive resource for candidates to spread their messages.”