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Lexi Burch, News

Senior Mandy Dunlap to be awarded Outstanding NJROTC Cadet

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Senior Mandy Dunlap
Senior Mandy Dunlap

By Lexi Burch

Senior Mandy Dunlap will be awarded Outstanding NJROTC Cadet on May 16 by the Louisville Armed Forces Committee. This award is awarded to those cadets who have exceptional leadership, commitment, and skill.

“I was really surprised, and it means a lot to me to get the Outstanding NJROTC Cadet award,” said Dunlap.

The procedure in order to pick the outstanding cadet analyzed cadets on their skills, mental ability, and leadership.

“To win this award, I was chosen by my instructors to write an essay on leadership qualities,” said Dunlap. “NJROTC has prepared me on how to be a successful leader, to be committed, and how to work together, along with many other skills. The leadership qualities that I have learned and wrote about were leading by the Navy’s core values of courage, honor, and commitment.”

Dunlap plans on using her NJROTC skills by continuing her career in the national defense field. She hopes to enlist in the Navy.

 “After graduation, I am continuing in the field of national defense by serving in the U.S. Navy; I enlisted as an Aircrewman,” said Dunlap. “I believe that as a citizen I should help protect my country, and I chose the Navy because I like the Navy way of life and the opportunity to travel the world.”

Dunlap has been a member of FC’s NJROTC for four years. She said she is glad that her hard work is finally paying off.

“This wraps up my four years in NJROTC,” said Dunlap, “how I have grown as a person, and how I have been blessed for the things I have accomplished.”

News

Parent involvement signals success for FCDM

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Wendy and Shaun Ivey work the snow cone table at the Dance Marathon. Photo by Meghan Poff.

By Brad Hunt

Walking through the crowded gymnasiums at the Dance Marathon, most of the participants consist of high school students and teachers at FC. Another group representing the event are the parents of students volunteering throughout the night.

“I haven’t attended before but my kids were quite moved by last year’s marathon. My son, Justin, was more of an actively involved committee member this year so I volunteered for the event as well,” said Carl Applebaum.

Kevin Becht said it was his son Josh’s involvement that finally convinced him to join in the event.

“I’ve been thinking about being going a couple years now but it was Josh’s involvement that pushed me over the edge,” said Becht.

Parents said that students maintain an impressive level of commitment to FCDM.

“It’s great all these kids are volunteering to be a part of this. It’s a Saturday afternoon and they could be doing anything else. Instead they’re here standing for the kids,” said Jeff Barnes.

John Vellinger said he was impressed by students’ ability to organize and promote the event.

“The leadership group seemed like they did a really good job trying to promote it. I know the students worked hard to fundraise and set up the event.”

According to Wendy Ivey, despite all that has been accomplished with this year’s fundraiser, students will immediately begin preparations for next year.

“I didn’t understand the enormity that goes into the event during the school year and knowing that next week they’ll start planning for the following year,” said Ivey.

Applebaum said that FC offers a unique opportunity for students that has not existed in the past.

“35 years ago, which is the last time I’ve been to high school, we just didn’t do things like this. As a parent it’s cool to see how many things the school organizes and how the student body participates,” said Applebaum.

Many parents agree that FCDM is a worthwhile cause for students and adults alike.

“It pays to get involved in whatever that is financially, donating time or anything that creates meaning for the event,” said Applebaum.

Vellinger said the Dance Marathon allows an opportunity for individuals to be altruistic.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to get involved and do something good for someone else.”

News

Student secularists find one another

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By Will Huston

It is a little after the end of the school day. Biology teacher Lisa Lee’s classroom buzzes with students chit-chatting and munching on cookies. SSA President senior Elaine Colomb asks for everyone’s attention and proceeds to ask about their beliefs. There are 12 atheists, a few agnostics, a Christian, and one devout Pastafarian attending the meeting.

The Secular Student Alliance, or (SSA), is a nationwide organization that has been around since 2001; FC students have recently started a chapter here.

“We didn’t have our first meeting until January,” said Lee.

The meetings last about a half-hour to an hour, where the students move the desks into a misshapen circle and proceed to discuss everything from politics, to religion, to personal stories.

Of course, one might ask what the purpose of the group is.

“It’s to create a place where like-minded people can get together and talk about different issues without fear of persecution,” said senior Alex Queen.

The first meeting was more of an introduction for the members. The junior and senior members told stories about their lives as nonreligious people.

“I’d like to spread awareness for what an atheist is,” said Colomb.

“[They’re] really open and accepting,” added  senior Sarah Henry, the vice president of the SSA.

In addition to being vice president of the SSA, Henry is also president of the National Art Honor Society, a member of the National Honor Society and has taken part in Dance Marathon.

Out of the group, each and every member has his own hobbies, including Queen, who said he is into “everything band.”

Past that, the group also expressed interest in doing volunteer work and relief efforts for organizations like Habitat for Humanity.

“It’s a great thing to do whether you’re religious or nonreligious,” said Queen.

Members are occasionally questioned about their beliefs, one of the main reasons why some choose rather to stay quiet.

“I get told I’m going to hell constantly,” said Henry.

During the meeting, Colomb also mentioned how she’s had objects thrown at her.

Lee said, “Some people have experienced verbal abuse.”

Even still, some people, like Colomb see the importance of participating in the group.

“It upset me at first, but I’ve learned to deal with being different,” said Colomb.

Over a decade has passed since the founding of the SSA nationwide, and FC members hope that will go even farther in the future.

“I’d like to be a leader in the secular movement,” said Henry.

Senior Ben Denison eats a cookie while seniors Sarah Henry and Elaine Colomb joke around him. Photo by Will Huston
Senior Ben Denison eats a cookie at an after-school meeting for the Secular Student Alliance while seniors Sarah Henry and Elaine Colomb joke around him. Photo by Will Huston.

Bailey Hussung, News

Teacher accepts prestigious award

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By Bailey Hussung

Today, English and Journalism teacher Jim Lang received the Excel award for the school district. After being nominated for this commendation, Lang had to undergo a rigorous interview and screening process, in addition to submitting coworker, student, and parent letters of recommendations.

The award ceremony included guest speakers, a Jazz band performance, student testimonials and a reception following.

News, Peter Hyle

Student debates prove beneficial

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By Peter Hyle

This past week at FC, English teacher Anne Martin’s sophomore English honors classes held debates over various subjects. These arguments covered topics such as gun laws, government spending, and technology. Devoting well over a month to this assignment, students perfected their speaking skills and learned new ways to form argumentative claims.

This assignment served many purposes in each of the classes.

“It had them practice skills of argument, which is a standard,” said Martin. “It also required them to speak in a proper, elegant manner and tested their collaboration skills.”

Students realized the immediate challenges, and even some that were unexpected.

“My partner and I both had differing views about our topic, so it was hard to decide what should be our final debate. In the end, we compromised and it turned out great,” said sophomore Jordyn Boling.

Despite the problems, each student was given both instructions and time to prepare.

“It took about a month to go through the process of writing their argumentative essays. We took a break after they were turned in so I could grade, and we spent that break watching student debaters online and practicing speaking skills,” said Martin. “After getting their papers back, I talked to my students about revising their work and we went over the time requirements, presentation order, and topics.”

During the preparations, many of the students felt at ease with the time and instructions given by their teacher.

“Mrs. Martin helped us prepare for the presentations by giving us a helpful rubric and strict, yet easy to follow ways to organize our debates. It was a lot of help and without it I think our presentation would have looked sloppy and disorganized,” said Boling.

Martin took her students opinion into consideration, making sure that the assignment didn’t come across as too intimidating or complicated.

“I talked to my first period class and had them help me edit the guidelines on my rubric,” said Martin.

Without all the instructions, the students might not have completed this assignment as smoothly.

“She didn’t hold our hand, but she made it clear what we needed to do,” said sophomore Brett Yeaton. “She gave us a great rubric and easy guidelines.”

Not only were the directions concise, but other components of this assignment made the whole project easier.

“I think that Mrs. Martin’s assistance was the only thing keeping me from looking like an idiot in front of my class,” said sophomore Caitlin Fien.

Overall, Martin’s sophomore English Honors classes impressed their teacher with their debates.

“I was very pleased to see my students rising to the expectations I set. Even though they were nervous, each one made it through the presentations. I hope now that they are more comfortable with public speaking, which is a big part of high school life,” said Martin.