Tag Archives: winter

Sports

Spring sports players look forward to warmer weather

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By Will Huston

After a few winter storms, the area around FC has  recently been seeing some warmer weather, making some sports players eager about the arrival of spring.

“I just feel like we’ve had too much winter,” said sophomore Kristen Burger, who plays on the softball team.

Others, however, believe that the cold is going to stick around for a while longer.

“I have a feeling it’s going to be a little colder [for a while,]” said sophomore Gabbi Jenkins, who plays on the softball team.

Since school started back again in winter, there have already been numerous snow days, enough to halve spring break, but for sports players, it cost more than part of their spring break. Many students have not been able to get outside to train for their sport

“By this time we’re normally outside, but this year due to the weather we’re stuck inside,” said senior Grant Foster, who runs on the track team.

As the weather has been keeping more students inside, some have been finding alternative ways to stay fit.

“[We’re] having three hour practices everyday once the season starts,” said junior tennis player Erin Patterson.

Even with setbacks, many veteran players expect a lot from their team, such as sophomore Tony Murphy, who runs on track.

“I think we’re going to really improve, especially with the young runners,” said Murphy.

Other teams have charities to keep in mind, such as the softball team, which plans to have a  themed game to raise money for cancer on May 2.

Though winter does not technically end until March 20, some believe the weather will not be cold for much longer.

“I think it’s going to stay cold for a while, but once it heats up, it’s not going back,” said Murphy.

Additional Interviews by Bryce Romig and Rachel Lamb.

Bryce Romig

Columnist provides winter skin care advice

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By Bryce Romig

Dry air and frigid temperatures: The perfect recipe for sore, cracked skin. The winter season is notorious when it comes to skin problems. From bright red hands to chapped lips, the cold air affects everyone’s skin.

Here are some skincare steps you can take to help combat the cold the rest of the winter season:

Tip #1: Hydrate

There’s nothing complicated behind staying hydrated.  When the body is dehydrated, skin loses vital moisture that is essential to keeping your skin healthy. Although it may sound gross, drink enough water so that your urine is a yellowish to clear color. This means that you are well hydrated and are drinking enough. If you find it difficult drinking water, try making some green or peppermint tea. These teas are known to help keep your skin looking its best thanks to the natural antioxidants they posses. Although you may not notice immediate results, in about a week you’ll be glad you chugged tons of water.

Fact: Not only does water help combat dry skin and chapped lips, it also helps aid in ridding acne and keeping your skin clear. Drink up!

Tip #2: Lock in Moisture

When you take a step outside and a blast of cold air attacks your skin, it depletes the natural moisture your skin has produced. Sometimes your skin needs a little help, and it is important that you notice when it does. To create a guard against the cold, try an extra moisturizing lotion. This will help create a barrier between your skin and the air, locking moisture into your skin.  Avoid using lotions with fragrances when trying to fix dry skin, as these are known to aggravate already dry skin. Before going to bed, try filling a glove with your favorite lotion and leaving it on until you wake up. You will be amazed at how much softer your hands will feel, and will smile when you notice the redness has disappeared.

“I found a recipe on pinterest for grapefruit lotion. It contained sea salt, sugar, olive oil, and grapefruit. It worked really well,” said junior Emily Shumate.

Fact: Your skin has a natural barrier consisting of cells and protein fibers. Lotion can help repair and strengthen this barrier, resulting in stronger skin.

Tip #3 Save those lips

It’s no surprise that no one likes kissing dry, chapped lips. When the temperatures drop, our lips sometimes need an extra boost of moisture to keep them looking and feeling their best. When in the shower, try using a lip exfoliation scrub to help rid of the dead skin cells sitting on your lips. This creates a smooth and even base for your favorite chap stick, allowing it to retain moisturize better and keep your lips looking their best.  Apply chap stick no more than twice a day, because your lips may become worse if overused.

Fact: If you want to avoid spending money on a lip scrub, try using a toothbrush to lightly scrub your lips while brushing your teeth. This is a quick home remedy to help rid of dead skin cells that pile up on your lips.

Tip #4: Avoid the extremely hot showers

Hot showers are relaxing and can make you feel as though you are at a spa; however they aren’t so great for your skin. Although it may seem counterproductive taking cold showers, the heat in the water can actually break down the lipid barriers in your skin, causing your skin to dry and peel. Instead of taking extremely hot showers, try gradually lowering the temperature each time you take a shower. This does not mean you have to take cold showers, although it is recommended by many dermatologists due to cold water’s ability to close your pores and soothe redness. Try making the water’s temperature as close to room temperature as possible, neither extremely hot nor extremely cold. Your skin will thank you.

Fact: Cold showers help aid in reducing the appearance of acne scars and can even prevent future breakouts. When washing your face, try splashing your face with chilly water after you have wiped off the cleanser. This closes your pores, and reduces bags under your eyes.

Tip #5: Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate!

Full body exfoliation is important all times of the year, especially in winter. When you exfoliate, you are gently removing any build up of dead skin cells. Although most dead skin cells fall off thanks to your skins natural shedding cycle, some stick to the skin and build up over time. These clumps of dead skin cells dry skin out even further, and give your skin a scaly appearance. Use a loofah or exfoliating body wash to gently rub all over your body one to two times a week. Avoid over exfoliation by picking one day of the week to exfoliate your full body and stick to it. Over exfoliating can cause your skin to become weak, red, and unbelievably sore.

“I also created a grapefruit sugar scrub. It worked so well and made my skin really soft afterwards,” said Shumate.

Fact: When you exfoliate, you are removing parts of the skins outer layer. Put on your favorite lotion as soon as you are done exfoliating to obtain gleaming, soft skin.

Following these tips can help get you on the path to great looking skin in the winter months. Although it may seem like a lot of work at first, you will be glad when your skin is healthier than it has ever been before.

News, Will Huston

Students, staff foresee cold winter in the future

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By Will Huston

It is only the start of November, and already students have been seen wearing heavy coats and jeans. The weather in the early mornings, around the time that most students find themselves waiting for the bus, has dipped down in the 30s and 40s in the past couple of weeks. Teachers too, are noticing the cold, such as meteorology teacher C.J. Jackson.

“[It’s] definitely colder than last year.”

Many students agree that the winter is going to be a cold, snowy one, though some such as freshman Ryan Parker are skeptical.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a snowy winter,” said Parker, saying such due to the lack of snowy winters in the past few years.

Some students, like sophomore Matthew Jewell wonder how long the season is going to be, saying that the winter is going to be a little longer.

Of course, a cold winter may result in snow days, and members of staff don’t really like the idea.

“I’d like for it to play out to where we had no snow days,” said assistant principal Joe Voelker.

Even some students aren’t so willing for snow days, considering the finite amount of summer break students are getting, such as senior Peyton Winchell.

“I don’t want any snow days; I want to finish [school] early.”

Voelker also talked about how students should prepare for bad weather, recommending that all  students have a jacket to wear at the bus stop.

While some are wondering exactly how bad this winter is going to be, Jackson is confident in his belief of how the seasons’ going to play out.

“ [The winter] won’t be as warm as last year, but it won’t be as cold as our worst year.”

Claire DeFrancisci, Features

Abnormal weather may prevent snow days before winter break

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By Claire DeFrancisci
Additional reporting by Rebekah Landers

This is the weather forecast this week for the Floyds Knobs area.

This week there has been a noticeable amount of warm weather in the Southern Indiana region. Instead of a foot of snow Southern Indiana has had several inches of rain. The lack of accumulating snow will damper the chances of snow days before Winter Break.

“I want it to snow really bad, it’s not normal for it to be this warm in December,” said sophomore Deja Jones.

The abnormally warm weather is most likely not here to stay. According to  Astronomy and Meteorology teacher CJ Jackson, the temperature will drop to a high of 34 degrees within the next  five days.

“Right now [the weather] is above average because we’ve had so many high temperatures. That’s because last year we had such cool temperatures over the European landmass. We had big blocking dome of pressure, and it wasn’t allowing the weather to move like it normally does. This year it’s moving like it normally does, so we’re getting unusually warm but kind of normal. That’s going to change in the next five days,” said Jackson

The next question that comes up is whether or not the school corporation will have snow days before the end of the semester. This year if FC has snow days before Winter Break, then the school will use the snow make-up days on Dec. 21 and 22. Many students and teachers have different opinions on this new system.

“I think that it’s a bad thing because families plan to travel and they expect to have the entire Christmas Break to do that,” said sophomore Tiffany Bowen.

For this reason it is strongly encouraged for families to not plan vacations around finals week, in case any sudden changes in the schedule occur. Although most students are reluctant to give away time from the much anticipated Winter Break, Jackson has a different view on the subject.

“[The snow make-up days] are pretty good because it helps decompress the prom and graduation issue when you have as many inclimate days as we have had over the past two or three years then that gets us to the point where we have to ask if we have to back commencement up so it kind of relieves that pressure. It’s awkward in that we have not done it before, but based on our last three years it will be a good way to relieve some of the pressure,” said Jackson.

To check up on the weather watch your local news or type in your zip code to the Weather.com  site.