Volume 24 Issue 3 December 2018 Howby Jake Crawford to prepare for exams -staff writer distractions helps you have As students know, an inclusive study session the holiday break for Christ- and maintain your focus. mas is quickly approaching. Another great tip is to Students are very close to stay healthy while plan- finally getting a break from ning for exams. Make sure school, but before that hap- that you are drinking a de- pens, there is a challenge cent amount of water and they will have to face before getting plenty of sleep to winter break turns everyone give your body the healthy loose for the holidays. They immunities you will need. will have to take their se- Additionally, it is helpful mester exams. To some, ex- to know your own learning ams are a breeze, but many style. If you are auditory, try find them difficult, espe- reading your notes out loud. cially freshmen, who will If you are visual, use colored be taking exams for the first pens to highlight or draw time.Tips and tactics are al- diagrams. If you are kines- ways helpful in preparing thetic, place your notes in for exams. So here is a list: different parts of the room First, let’s start so that you will need to get with the easiest tricks and up and move periodically. Staff photo by Jack Vonier preparations that will ben- After interviewing stu- efit your overall success. dents around the pound was happy to share his tips. exams. He replied, “I study of the semester grade does According to Augustana to see what their plans for “Study more than you need very early. I usually start a bring with it a good deal University, before studying the upcoming exams are, to. If you know more that week before the exams be- of stress, but knowing that you must minimize distrac- I spoke with senior, An- what is asked, you are guar- gin.” This sounded like good school will be out for two tions. This means turning drew Bryant, president of anteed to know the content advice, especially consider- weeks helps to balance that off your TV, phone, or any- the class of 2019. He has and do well on the exam.” ing Bryant’s past success. stress. Also try to remember thing else that can interrupt been very successful with I also asked him when Knowing that exams that success is never an ac- your studying. Minimizing his exams in the past and he begins to study for his will count as twenty percent cident. by Laura AlvarezSurviving the Holidays -staff writer The holidays are upon us once one; find a failsafe topic to talk about, again, with their impending cold weath- or, much rather, get them talking about. er, warmer clothing, hot cocoa, and fes- Find the one family tive activities. But for many people, the member you like. holidays also mean inevitable family Whether it’s a sibling, cousin or aunt, gatherings and, unfortunately, quite a if you have a family member who puts few of these gatherings are not welcome you at ease, talk to them. They’d be occasions. From dysfunction to drama, the one who understands you the most from that one relative who always ex- or feels the same way you do about the Photo courtesy of Brain, Child Magazine ceeds the expectations of once again family surrounding you. It’s good to have an ally or two, even if you don’t negativity that builds up as the night bringing up every controversial topic goes on. The problem with crazy is under the Christmas tree, to just utter see eye to eye on everything. Bring up that it rubs off after a while, so hav- chaos and havoc overtaking the merri- mutual likings and hobbies. One FHS ing an outlet for it will help you avoid student said, “I’ll usually hang out with losing your patience and your mind. ment, here’s some advice that may help: Walk away. Have a few conversation some of the younger relatives, engag- Don’t be afraid to take a few moments changers. ing in festive activities and games.” If you can sense that a topic is go- Have an accessible friend. to cool off if you feel like you’re about ing south, switching up the conversa- Inviting someone from outside the fam- to lose it. It isn’t rude to remove your- tion may help. This strategy can aid in ily can sometimes be the easiest way self from something you wish not keeping emotions from escalating into to get family members to refrain from to be a part of. Some may tell you anything worse. Directing the conversa- behaviors they may only act out around to bear it or tough it out, but, in re- tion back to the relative in the form of flesh-and-blood. Be wary however, be- ality, you don’t have to subject your- a question will get them to talk about cause sometimes, bringing an outsider in self to horrid behavior. Excuse your- themselves- something that can go on may give way to more chaos since anoth- self for a few moments, or longer, so for hours and still avoid touchy subjects. er audience member has now joined the you can breathe and recollect yourself. Asking about something that has hap- group. Being able to call or text a friend You are your top priority. pened recently, clothing they’re wear- often helps. A friend will have your back So whether you need to distract some- ing, their work, anything, may help. and be willing to listen when you need one, find a friend, or just get away, it’s You know your family better than any- to vent. Venting is a good way to release your holiday too. Enjoy it! 2 EDITORIALS December 2018 Blue wave against a red tide FHS Gazette by Hannah Parks -editor Fontainebleau High School’s After a vigorous “go vote” campaign on social media Community Newspaper by both parties, many headed out to the polls on November To contact the Gazette 6. The campaign brought out staff, you may email us at voters who do not usually vote. This caused a blue wave against [email protected] the red tide that has over- Adviser: Rebecca Paul, taken the House and Senate. Among those who won is Jason Room 610 Crow, a veteran from Colorado. The Democratic candidate has Editors: Isabel Favalora, Jack earned a bronze star and has Vonier, and Hannah Parks advocated for veterans since his return from his second tour in Times Picayune Correspondent: Afghanistan, and third overall. His opponent, Mike Coffman, ran an ad that claimed Crow had Brooke Caillet not done anything for veterans. This was completely false, since his push to help stop substance Staff Writers and abuse and homelessness among Photographers: veterans has had a tangible ef- fect in the state. Many other Isabel Favaloro Colorado Democratic candidate Jason Crow is in uniform preparing for the invasion of Iraq candidates who ran were also fifteen years ago. Isaac King veterans, including Jared Gold- Photo courtesy of Crow’s twitter en from Maine and former CIA can women, and even the its first ever female governor, Rosie Matthews operative Abigail Spanberger. youngest woman in Congress. Janet Mills. In South Dakota, Re- Jack Vonier An unprecedented number of Along with these his- publican Kristi Noem became first women were also elected to toric firsts in Congress, there woman governor for her state. Laura Alverez the House. The total is now are historic firsts for governors. The 2018 midterms Benjamin Burns over one-hundred. The previ- Jared Polis is the first openly were full of women crashing ous record had been 85. Forty- gay governor, hailing from the through the glass ceiling and Jake Crawford three women of color have also state of Colorado. In Vermont, creating historic firsts for Con- Demi Hauschild been elected. Among these Christine Hallquist ran as the gress and gubernatorial races. historic numbers, the first two first openly transgender guber- The renewed interest and com- Hannah Parks Native American women were natorial candidate. She lost to mitment to voting has prov- Bella Pellegrin elected this year, as well as Republican Phil Scott by fifteen en that exercising the right to the first two Muslim Ameri- percent. Maine has also elected vote can make a difference. Abby Sonnier Bringing fair wages to Dillon Todd the table The FHS Gazette is a public by Jack Vonier -editor forum for discussion. The staff A year or two ago, a debate raged and editors determine the about whether or not our nation should raise the minimum wage to $15.00 an content. However, the editorials hour? In short, some wanted to raise the are the opinions of the authors. minimum wage from $7.25 to $15.00 on The Gazette welcomes contribu- the claims that the former was not a liv- tions from all members of the able income in modern-day America. school community. Articles must There were noteworthy points made by be signed and submitted ten days both sides of the debate; however, one group of the workforce has always been prior to publication. forgotten in this battle: that is waiters. Currently, in America, the minimum to tip or who tip insultingly low gratu- wage for waiters and servers is a mea- ities. Unfortunately, the day-to-day liv- ger $2.13. The justification for this is the ing expenses of the waiter do not vary mistaken idea that waiters often receive according to the generosity of customers.