The Hilltopper Volume 79 Issue 1 Thursday, September 21, 2017

Summer excitement, trends by Nicholas Cooley Voices in the Hall by Noah Balser, Jacob Horton, Corey Kempe As soon as the 2016-2017 school Bad Liar, and even Imagine Drag- year ended after final exams on May ons, with their release of Thunder. While some people were enjoying see- 23, students fled from school, antici- Of course, if you’ve paid a visit ing movies or listening to new tunes, others pating a summer of excitement and to YouTube at all in the past few participated in different summer activities. new trends, ranging from new mov- months, you’ve probably stumbled These students shared what they did during summer break. ies, songs, political news and even upon at least a bit of YouTube dra- “I practiced football memes. ma, if not, drowned in the constant and went to Florida.” Looking back, while the break negativity and wars between fan could be considered a rollercoaster of bases. Diss Tracks, or music videos Griffin Huber a summer, littered with many ups and created by popular YouTube stars Senior downs, it still held its strong points that target certain other YouTubers, and turned out to hold some nice little seem to be all too common recently surprises, as long as you look through on YouTube. While entertaining, the fogged window of nuclear threat the negativity has created a sort of and other summer let-downs. division around communities of “I worked all summer While school may have closed up fanbases and has brought about a at the YMCA.” for the summer, movie theaters were giant conflict between many You- Caitlin Backscheider just opening up and preparing to take Tube giants, including Ricegum, Junior advantage of the summer ahead. Over Faze Banks, Wroetoshaw, KSI, and, the summer, many highly anticipated a name that has been in the news far movies were released to those hun- too many times this summer, and gry, bored students, two of the first perhaps the most controversial You- being highly successful Pirates of the Tuber in the past months, Jake Paul. Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Two weeks of music, food, mod- “I stayed at home all released May 26, followed closely by els, celebrity meetups and all summer.” the equally successful Wonder Wom- around paradise - that was what an, released June 2, which pulled in people were expecting from the Allie Jackson $800 billion in the box office. This 2017 Fyre Festival. However, what Sophomore wasn’t nearly the end of the movie was supposed to be an island music world’s plans for the summer as 37 festival turned into a hell-like pris- Meters Down, Transformers: The on for some festival attendees that Last Knight, and Spiderman: Home- didn’t get the note that the festival coming, all were released in the later had been cancelled due to the unfit “I had a relaxed months of the summer. conditions of the area. This wasn’t summer, more Movies weren’t the only hits that the only large-scale failed event of relaxed than most.” this summer held - the three months the summer, however, because in Kyle Tierney were also a big time for music releas- late July came Pokemon Go Fest, Freshman es by famous singers such as Katy a large outdoor convention promis- Perry, with her release of Deja Vu, ing to entertain players of the app, Selena Gomez, with her release of Continued on back page H2 Thursday, September 21, 2017 The Hilltopper

Highlands welcomes new teachers to our Nest by Madison Lyvers Since last year, two of our teacher different from others in that, “Some other schools in that “Highlands is birds have left the nest and two new of the schools I have been at or seen super organized and the kids here birds were welcomed to Highlands don’t seem to have the pride that really want to learn.” this fall. Highlands does.” Ms. Burnett is replacing Ms. Mott, Ms. McCormack knew she wanted who is now an assistant principal in to teach after attending Ohio State a school in Ohio. for journalism then later realizing Ms. Burnett wanted to teach al- teaching was what she wanted to do most her whole life. She has loved through a nanny job she had in col- working with students and learning lege. Spanish in high school really drew Ms. McCormack enjoys teach- her to teach Spanish. Ms. Burnett ing for many reasons. She said, studied in South America getting in “(school is) where you really get to practice with native Spanish speak- figure out your identity - who you ers. are and who you want to be. I love Ms. Burnett has made it a goal that, as a teacher, I get to be a wit- to get her students prepared for the ness to that.” next level of Spanish and to build Ms. McCormack’s goals for this relationships with the students school year are to connect to stu- Ms. McCormack dents and show that what happens Ms. Megan McCormack is one of in the classroom happens outside as the new faces at Highlands. Gradu- well. ating from Mason High School and Ohio State University, Ms. McCor- Ms. Burnett mack taught for two years at a small Rachel Burnett is a not com- charter school in Ohio before teach- pletely new face at Highlands. Ms. ing English at Highlands. Burnett, a Highlands and UK gradu- Ms. McCormack is replacing Mr. ate, came back to teach at Highlands Pollock, who is now working for the after teaching nine years in other AP College board. Ms. McCormack school districts. can be seen teaching five classes a Before Highlands Ms. Burnett day, three of which are freshman taught seven years at Turkey Foot and two classes of juniors. Ms. Mc- Middle School then Holmes High Cormack, having experience from School for two years. Ms. Burnett other schools, said Highlands was said that Highlands is different from

As seen around Highlands..... Photos by Stephen Lang and Julia Palmer The Hilltopper Thursday, September 21, 2017 H3 Class of 2021enjoys settling in the Nest Story by Kayla Wilson, Poem by Emeline Kuether, Picture by Alysia Morgan Just as colleges all across the Unit- Carmen. to get lost so many times.” Luckily, ed States welcomed last year’s seniors Another freshman, Hank Slaby, says Hank was able to easily navigate the as beginning freshmen, Highlands also that the change from middle school to halls to find his way to all of his classes, welcomed incoming freshmen into its high school has not been as difficult as including two of his favorites, choir and nest. geometry, the latter of which sur- The distance between the prised him. middle school and the high Besides singing, Hank also en- school may be short, but the joys theater (he is planning on au- transition from eighth to ninth ditioning for the spring musical) grade has been a challenging and playing on the freshman soc- and rewarding experience for cer team. students so far. The start of school for the Class Many of the freshmen have of 2021 was, however, difficult. had classes in the high school Before the school year began, the at least once in their middle newly inducted freshmen had to school career. But for Carmen say goodbye to one of their class- Verst, ninth grader, this is not mates, Michelle Chalk, a dancer true. Carmen is new this year, and a theater enthusiast, who was and is coming from St. Thom- a great friend, classmate, sister and as. student. The freshmen and the rest Although Carmen says com- of Fort Thomas will always have ing to Highlands was “a big the memory of Michelle, and the change for her”, she is enjoy- bows will always be a reminder of ing her time as a Bluebird. Ac- the love and support Highlands has cording to Carmen, art is her for their students. The freshmen favorite subject because, “the in this school should remember atmosphere and content of my that love while they continue their class is so different from all my four-year journey at Highlands. other classes.” This year, Highlands High One of the biggest changes School welcomed over 200 new- she has faced since coming to the high he thought it would be. He ssaid, “There ly graduated middle schoolers. In four school has been using a computer. “I re- is a lot less pressure than I expected and years, they will get their own opportu- ally like having computers. It is helpful a lot less homework.” nity to make the incoming freshmen feel not having to carry around heavy books Coming into the high school, his first welcome as well. and it makes homework easier,” said thought was, “It’s massive! I expected The Hilltopper Thursday, September 21, 2017 H4

May I have this dance? FCCLA says ‘Yes’! by Avery Feinauer

At the beginning of each school year, deciding a theme. She said, “As officers, night. Members of FCCLA and other stu- students anticipate the first dance and we come up with about five themes of our dents in contact with Ella were even able the first football game of the year to be own at an officer executive council meet- to request songs. Tiffany said, “We tried the best yet. From the Friday night lights ing. Once we have reached an agreement, to incorporate music that can get people lowering on the football field to creative we ask members for suggestions as well dancing, so a lot of fast-paced pieces will homecoming proposals, students wel- as any themes they would like to share.” be played but we made sure to incorpo- come the new beginnings fall has to of- This year’s theme was “May I Have rate a couple of slow songs for individu- fer. Yet, before the festivities can begin, This Dance?” And the colors were blue, als who brought dates.” some preparation is required. gold and white. Tiffany and Mrs. Wagner Overall, Tiffany and Mrs. Wagner pre- The Family, Career and Community were equally pleased that this theme was dicted that homecoming would be a suc- Leaders of America (FCCLA) made chosen. cess. Mrs. Wagner said, “I believe Home- homecoming possible. Starting with the After the theme is decided, the officers coming will be a success this year. We theme and working up to decorating the must consider decorations. This year, are anticipating a large number of ticket Northern Kentucky University Student there was an emphasis on balloons and sales and attendance at the dance.” Union Center, the members of FCCLA bows. Hints of blue, gold and white could The dedication that each member of do it all. In addition to homecoming, the be seen at the tables and entry ways. FCCLA has to the homecoming dance is students participate in several other com- An important adjustment made to this incredible. Make sure to thank all who munity service projects, such as open year’s homecoming was the music. Se- contributed to creating an unforgettable houses, late arrival child care, the Hulla- nior Ella Grimm made a playlist that was night! baloo and many others. However, many given to the DJ to play throughout the of the members agree that homecoming is their favorite activity of the year. Senior and President of FCCLA Tif- Continued from front page fany James admitted that homecoming Pokemon Go, with exclusive Poke- ple could always look forward to is her favorite planned event of the year. mon and famous YouTubers. school and work starting again this She said, “I love how everyone comes to- However, that didn’t go as planned fall. gether each year to create something that the entire school can enjoy.” While FC- when the event turned into a disas- CLA Advisor Mrs. Ahren Wagner enjoys ter after multiple hours of waiting many of the community service projects in a line that sprawled across Grant throughout the year, Mrs. Wagner also Park’s Buckingham Fountain, only Follow us on Twitter said, “Homecoming is one of the high- to get into the park and not be able lights of the year. Members enjoy choos- to load your app due to connection @hhs_journalism ing the theme and colors, selling tickets issues. This infuriated the thousands and decorating the day of. It is nice to see them work together to create a suc- of attendees of the event who de- manded refunds and, in the end, got cessful event for the students at HHS.” Find and like us on Face- So, how do over 100 students come what they requested. book at Highlands High together to decide on a theme, colors and This summer was a chaotic mess School Journalism! decorations for the year’s first dance? of good and bad, but in the end peo- Tiffany shed some light on the process of

2017-18 Staff Advisor: Diana McGhee The Hilltopper is a publication by and for the students of Highlands Head Editor-in-Chief: Avery Feinauer High School. Our staff’s goal is to report the school news, opinions Senior Editors-in-Chief: Alysia Morgan, Julia Palmer and current events as accurately as possible. We would appreciate Junior Editor-in-Chief: Sydney Cooper any comments that would help the journalism staff improve the final Design Editor: Stephen Lang product. Managing Editor: John Whitlatch Sports Editor: Noah Balser Please submit comments in a letter and mail to: Staff: Nicholas Cooley, Lexie Crawford, Jayden Davis, Colin Garman, Jaydon Highlands High School Geier, Jacqueline Hamilton, Bradley Hanneken, Jacob Horton, Lucy Houben, Attn: Journalism Department Keaton Huddleston, Tiffany James, Abby Jubasic, Corey Kempe, Emeline Kuether, Madison Lyvers, Brett Mayse, Madilyn McIntosh, Madison Mocahbee, 2400 Memorial Parkway Caitlyn Morgan, Maggie Schroeder, Heaven Stidham, Kayla Wilson Fort Thomas, KY 41075