FHCToday

Francis Howell Central Publications. By the students, For the students. Keeping you in loop about a

12/07/2024

Tomorrow, Dec 7, the boys wrestling team will travel to compete in the FZN Invitational. This is their first meet of the season. After lots of work and improvement in the off-season, the Spartans are excited to get back on the mats. Senior Owen McCracken comments on his thoughts for this season and some personal goals.

“What I’m excited for this season is to watch everyone grow as a team and create bonds with one last team before I leave,” McCracken said. “My goals for this season are to ultimately place top three at state”

Story and Photos:

12/05/2024

On Oct.5 at 2:20 the girls head soccer coach will hold an informal meeting in room 003 for anyone interested in playing soccer this upcoming spring season. Senior Riley Henderson talks about how she is excited for her final season.

“I’m excited I think we have the potential to go far and be good again this season” Henderson says. “Of course it’s bittersweet being my last season here, but I’m super excited to get another chance at districts and state and I’m ready for my final season.”

Story and Photos: .raziq15

12/03/2024

The girls swim team will compete against FZW at the Rec-Plex tonight, Dec 3. In their first matchup in the GAC, the girls look to place well against their opponents to start off on a good note. Being apart of the team for all four years, senior Regina Avila is glad she has another opportunity to swim for her last year.

“I am most excited for our meets. I have the most fun at them because you get to talk to everyone and make good memories.” Avila said, “I am looking to just do my best this season and have the most fun because it is my senior season. I also hope I improve in all my times.”

Story:
Photos: .leigh.06

12/02/2024

Today, Dec. 2, is the first varsity game of the 2024 boys basketball season. They will play tonight at Troy Buchanan high school at 7 p.m. vs Hickman high school. After weeks of hard work the boys are excited to start their season off strong. Senior Ethan Leflore said “We are very excited for our season to start, we have learned new plays and are looking to have a successful season.”
Photo: Ava Breuer
Story: Madison Scott

11/26/2024

This past weekend the girls wrestling team competed in the Schuman Scramble Tournament in Troy. The team had a successful weekend with many placing even though being the first of the season. Sophomore Kailyn Parsons, came back for a second season on the squad.
Parsons went 3 and 1 in the tournament and thought it was a fun opportunity.

“I started in the B bracket and kind of got lucky, ” said Parsons “and I am very happy my teammates were there for me and we all support each other.”

Story by
Photos by Kailyn Parsons

11/22/2024

In Sep. 2021, Mrs. Tonishia LaMartina was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her journey
with cancer started by her feeling a lump on her upper chest while laying in her bed one night.
Feeling suspicious about the lump, LaMartina went to her doctor to get a referral for an OBGYN.
After her doctor’s appointment, LaMartina and her husband waited in anticipation for her biopsy
results. She didn’t fully believe that she had cancer until her results came in on the website
MyMercy. When she got the news, it hit her hard.
Thinking about her kids, she got a blood test to see if cancer ran in the family. She was relieved
when it came back that it did not. The hardest part, however, was the judgment she felt from
others regarding her decisions of her treatment. Some felt that she should’ve done a more
strenuous treatment and others thought she should do the opposite. But even after all the tough
moments, LaMartina still believes that having cancer affected her life in one good way.
“It makes you realize, like, I don’t know, how precious life is. As a mom, it made me realize, like,
how much my kids really needed me. And so I started to write things down for them. And try to
record things. Like, if I’m not here, what do I want them to know about me?” LaMartina said.
The experiences that she went through from learning she had cancer, to getting treatment, to
eventually being in remission, impacted the way she lives her life today. She tries to be more
connected with her family and puts them before all else.

Story: Summer Suarez
Photos: Tonishia LaMartina

11/22/2024

Spartan Nation! Help us decide which photo will go on the back page on an issue of Central Focus! Go to our story and vote for your favorite photo!

11/22/2024

The Spotlight Players will be holding their first official performance by cast A of “The Play That Goes Wrong” tomorrow night, Nov. 22, at 7:00 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. Last night, Nov. 21, cast A held a show for the middle schoolers to preview in hopes of promoting the Spotlight Players and their performances to interested middle schoolers. Later this weekend on Saturday, Nov. 23, cast B will be performing at 2:00 p.m. and cast A again in the evening at 7:00 p.m. This is the Players first performance of the year and everyone is excited to showcase their long nights full of hard work for the Francis Howell Central community. Senior Milo Nikolas, who plays Florence Colleymore in the show, explains how the group’s comradery has been beneficial for the overall production.

“I think since we all have to work together even during stressful times, that’s brought people closer,” Nikolas said. “Since we all want to work towards a common goal it’s easier to support each other.”

Story and photos:

11/21/2024

After school on Nov. 20, Epsilon Beta hosted their monthly social. This month, the theme was thankfulness, giving the members of Epsilon Beta a way to give thanks to the important people in their lives. At this social, members made crafts and wrote thank you cards to give away. Junior Katie Huynh, the secretary of Epsilon Beta, has attended the socials every year she has been a part of the club. For the past two years that she has been an officer, Huynh has been an integral part of planning these socials.
“Epsilon Beta holds socials to bring the members of our club together and promote community as well as to provide a safe and fun environment for everyone to enjoy,” said Huynh. “These socials …are usually themed based on whatever holiday or season is current and it is just a fun way to celebrate with others.”
The next social for Epsilon Beta will be held on Dec. 11, where they will host a fun winter party.

Story: Summer Suarez
Photos: .amachair

11/19/2024

This evening the Spartans will be hosting the girls varsity basketball Jamboree at 5:00 p.m. with multiple different schools. Many of the girls are excited for the upcoming season and they plan on making their hard work during the off season count. Despite the Winter Blast taking place last Friday, Nov. 15, tonight will symbolize the true commencement of the girls’ season. Then later this week the girls team will also be hosting their annual Pancake Breakfast on Nov. 23 in the Francis Howell Central cafeteria at 8:00 a.m. to help raise money for the team.

11/14/2024

Wednesday Nov. 11, Mr. Matthew Schott was given the St. Louis Post-Dispatch teacher appreciation award. Mr. Schott won 250 dollars along with his award. Senior Caroline Kraft nominated Mr. Schott for the contest at the beginning of the year. Kraft submitted a heartfelt letter responding to the prompt, “Why are they the best?”
“My teacher Schott has become an integral part in my education and helped me discover my passion for journalism. Throughout only a year of taking his photojournalism class I have had more in-depth, hands-on learning experiences than in my past years of schooling,” Kraft says. “He deeply cares for each of his students and wants to help everyone reach their full potential throughout countless projects. He has become someone I look up to and strive to become. There is no doubt in my mind he is and will always be my favorite teacher.”
Story by:
Photos by:

11/14/2024

Today on Nov. 13 our school held a breakfast in the learning commons for all of the men and women who have helped serve this country. While having someone you love in the military is never easy junior Preston Daughhetee talks about what it was like having a dad the military.

“Having my dad in the marines mostly meant moving across different states constantly. Daughhetee said. I was too young to completely remember him coming home, but I do know from what I heard that I was always excited to see my dad in uniform walking through the front door.”

Story by .raziq15
Photos by

11/12/2024

On Wednesday, group club photos will take place in the small gym during the school day. Students will receive their group passes which will allow them to travel to the small gym at their designated time. All students should communicate with their sponsor about what attire to wear.
Photo/Story by:

11/11/2024

The first day jitters, is an anxiety felt by many whether that be your first day of highschool ever or your last first day of high school and all that falls in between. Junior Luci Carafiol, personally had a more unique experience as she transferred from rival school, Francis Howell.
When asked what the scariest part about moving was, Carafiol explains, “probably making friends” she goes on to explain that joining the dance team helped ease that fear, “I feel like I came into the school already knowing a ton of great people.”
Making that brave decision to transfer has played out well thus far. Carafiol states that everyone is “nicer” and she enjoys being on the Sensations a lot. As the year continues, those new school jitters shall further dissipate as Carafiol gets even more used to the school.

11/10/2024

After a 3-day journey to Philadelphia for the NSPA National Conference, Francis Howell Central Publications returns triumphant. With one of the largest amounts of awards, FHC Pubs is happy to return home!

Contest results (for work from this year)
Best of Show Large Website: 2nd place
Best of Show Large Newsmagazine: 10th place
Best of Show Feature Photo: 10th place
Best of Show Election 2024 reporting: 6th place

Work from last year
2024 Feature Photo of the year: 4th place
2024 Sports Feature Photo: 3rd place
2024 Design of the Year: 2nd place
2024 News Photo: Honorable mention
2024 Newsmagazine Soread of year: Honorable mention
2024 Sports Story of the Year: Honorable mention

11/06/2024

Yesterday, Nov. 5, the Francis Howell Central boys varsity swim team competed in the final rounds of the Gateway Athletic Conference. Swimming against many other school in the southern division, the Spartans paced fourth overall. The boys hope to continue with their successful performances going into state on Nov. 14 and 15. Representing the Spartans are senior Aadit Mehta, junior Sam Eilers, and freshman Dryden Finely. After a hard fought season the boys are prepared to end on a high note. Junior Sam Eilers reflects on this past season and talks about progressing next year.
“I think as a team we swam really well this year and we won like nearly every swim meet, which was a good feeling,” Eilers said. “I’m super excited to get ready and hopefully swim even faster next year.”

Photos: Sophia Allen
Story: Caroline Kraft

11/05/2024

Vote; a formal indication of a choice between two or more candidates or courses of action, expressed typically through a ballot or a show of hands or by voice.

A vote is not just a choice made by someone but also commitment, participation, a way of taking action. Today, Tuesday Nov. 5 2024, marks the notorious election day.

Polling places, usually held at churches, schools, libraries, and a few other locations, are high traffic area places today, citizens from ages 18 and above, who are registered voters, gather at these places today to cast their votes and ballots, as every vote matters.

“It’s a privilege to vote, it’s my way of carrying out my civic responsibilities, to share my voice and be part of my community. It lets my voice be heard and lets the change take place.” -Voter

This is a once every four years kind of deal, so take advantage of it! Your vote matters too!

Photos and Story: Layci Kenoyer

11/04/2024

The start of winter sports has just begun this Monday Nov. 4. Practices for sports such as girls swim and dive as well as girls wrestling will commence after school today to prepare the athletes for the season ahead. Other sports like boys wrestling will start at the beginning of next week and senior Chase Gray shares his excitement for this season. “ I am really looking forward to wrestling season starting next week. I’ve put in a lot of work during the off-season, and I’m ready to see it pay off. Wrestling is always a huge challenge, but that’s what I love about it. This year, I’m focused on improving with each match and helping my team however I can. I’m excited to get back on the mat and see what we can accomplish this season,” says Gray. Although winter athletes are only beginning to practice, they intend to put in the work to improve at their sport.

Photo 1: Madison Scott
Photo 2: Mallory Davie
Caption: Audrey Webb

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Videos

Watch as our boys cross country team competes in a chocolate milk mile! Senior Carter Berg shares what he has learned as he has competed multiple years, “What I received from this was lifelong glory, self-fulfillment, and stomach pain.” Video: @_avabreuer #school #fhc #francishowellschooldistrict #crosscountry #xc #running #chocolatemilkmile #2024

Show out to the hockey game tomorrow and support! #fhctoday #fhc #school #francishowellschooldistrict

Schott tried to guess his students by voice!! Video: @lillian.ryannn

FHC publications take on Philly for the NSPA National Conference! #fhctoday Video: @sophalan227

Interviewing students to see what they are doing this upcoming fall break! Video: Madison Scott and Ava Breuer

2024-2025 Homecoming spirit week theme days with the FHC student body!!

Interviewing FHC students and staff about hoco week! Video: Sophia Allen and Kami Twitty

Let us know your favorite FNL in the comments!!

FHC Pubs would like to wish you all good luck on your AP exams starting next week!! Make sure to let us know your favorite tip!!

Some Spartan fun at the 2023-2024 Spring pep assembly. Events included the Dino Dance-off, dodgeball game, and many more. Students and faculty used this time to celebrate their spring athletes and clubs.

The FHC boys varsity baseball team taking on FZW last Wednesday, April 24, at CarShield Field in O’fallon. The Spartans walked away with a loss of 7-3 against the Jaguars.