Emma is a senior and is starting her third and final year writing for The Central Trend. She spends most of her free time in the passenger seat of a friend's car or writing stories for this site. She strives for her stories to make people feel the way love songs and late summer nights do. She looks forward to spending her last year of high school on the brown couch that lives in room 139/140 with some of her closest friends.
Favorite stories to write: Her favorite types of stories to write are columns and poems because she enjoys expressing her emotions in eloquent ways.
Starbucks order: Iced Vanilla Latte or a Chai Tea Latte.
Favorite place: Her family's cottage up north on Big Star Lake. She has spent many summer days surrounded by cousins and making memories. She and her family make it a point every year to participate in the lake's annual boat parade.
Staff - for brightening my day with your ability to go above and beyond
Jadelin, thank you for always being so dedicated. Masyn, thank you for your positive attitude. Kelsey, thank you for making...
My passion for words is no secret.
I never stop talking about whatever book I’m reading or stories like these that are written in Times New Roman size 12. But with a future I’m excited about nearly...
Yet another selfie Emma took—when Nat was not ready—while we were waiting for our ice cream in the Culver's drive-thru over the summer—when we were tan and content.
My parents used to tell me “Sophie stories” every night before bed.
They’d crawl into my bed on either side of my small frame and tell me stories about a girl named Sophie who always seemed to...
The year is 2012.
My childhood best friend and I are sprawled out in her room, me on the floor and her across the foot of her bed. In the background of our conversation about Taylor Swift’s current...
Name: Benji Zorn
Grade: 12th
1. What is your role?
"I play two roles. I play Roger—who is Judy's new husband after the breakup/divorce. I also play one of the two drunks on the train, along...
Name: Russell Baird
Grade: 12th
1. What is your role?
"I play Ed Boone, Christopher's father."
2. Why did you decide to try out for the play?
"[I] decided to try out because I'd done the...
This year, FHC's theatre department, directed by John Donovan, is putting on The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. The show will be running from Thursday, Nov. 11th until Saturday, Nov....
Name: Gia Monteruso
Grade: 10th
1. What is your role?
"My character's name is Siobhan. She's like the teacher/mentor to the main character, Christopher; she's also the narrator in the first act."
2....
Name: Abby Berlin
Grade: 12th
1. What is your role?
"I play Mrs. Shears and Punk Girl."
2. Why did you decide to try out for the play?
"I decided to try out for the play because a lot...
Name: Logan Verlinde
Grade: 12th
1. What is your role?
"I play a policeman, as well as Mr. Thompson's brother and other various roles in the play."
2. Why did you decide to try out for the...
I do my best writing when I listen to music.
There’s something about the endless noise that triggers metaphors in my brain and helps me string together eloquent sentences.
And because I write...
Around Central Michigan University’s campus, American Sign Language teacher Kimberly Anderson is known as “the bike girl.”
“We have Deaf Awareness week,” Anderson said, “[and my junior year,]...
I tore apart a children’s poetry book this summer.
I cut out stanzas and pictures and rearranged them to make new poems on the fronts of my notebooks. I ripped them apart and glued them together in...
"I never wore costumes until I had to teach young, young children. And one year, I remember I dressed up as a disco ball and that was a lot of fun. [It] was one of those inflatable costumes, and then I...
Senior year has been a blur—a blur of pastels and convoluted greys and thinking that it’s still September. A blur of brown couches, individually wrapped mints, Avery, Nat, and blue walls.
Preparations...
Counselor Kyle Perkins is looking forward to the Honors English 10 field trip planned by teacher Ken George for a variety of reasons—the main one being that Hope College has an awesome cafeteria.
On...
I made my second trip down to Bloomington, Indiana this past weekend.
I toured the red and white halls of the Hogwarts-esque buildings and the landscaped lawns of Indiana University in an attempt...
Lilac skies brush hands with fate in tenderly cruel exchanges of passion.
They flirt with change and possibility while breathing new life into a loveless atmosphere. The aura of the earth is shifting,...
As part of Jared Lowe's Intro to Business classes, ten groups of students have developed their own companies to learn first-hand how to run a business and sell their products for maximum profit. Our staff...
This is Ranger Country is a community-wide podcast for families, students, staff, & alumni. Keep up on school events, sports, community projects, and segments highlighting the amazing people and businesses...
For the first time in weeks, I turned on my oil diffuser.
I was feeling particularly stressed last night and the bottle of essential oils labeled “Stress Relief” seemed like nothing more than...
In the eighth grade, we wrote books.
It was a freedom granted to the Challenge Language Arts students as an opportunity to give our overworked brains a break as we picked at the storytelling instincts...
Senior Roman Kalaczinski wanted to apply for an internship this past summer.
He tried to look through resources provided by the school to help him gain some work experience, but quickly grew frustrated...
I spend my fourth hour in AP Lit everyday.
Recently, we’ve been dissecting pieces of poets’ souls as we discuss the figurative language sprinkled throughout these masterpieces that are life personified.
And...
I’ve always adored the way that raindrops and music notes weave together to form harmonies that satisfy my longing for peace.
And I’ve always envied artists that can write lyrics so powerful that...
Brad and John discuss the upcoming Homecoming festivities as well as all the fun to come in the community!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Erl7LcOOc2e9O5IzpIWQ0
This event has been postponed until further notice because of a thunderstorm warning on Monday morning.
When history teacher Brad Anderson was a student at Pine Ridge Elementary School, he thought...
I have 11 months until adulthood, and while I crave the independence that will come with July 22nd, I also can’t help but feel as though my childhood is ending at a rate quicker than I can cope with,...
The rain gurgles as the drops chase each other through my gutters. That and the thunder are the only decipherable noises over the sound of my fingers typing away at my lavender-colored keyboard—the same...
John and Brad discuss the start of the school year, the upcoming Homecoming activities, and of course, the Cascade Heritage Day, along with a little sideline into the football season.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6m2vTfUVgDp82twDGNNZVT
I found out about this album the same way I do with most of my music—an app that I spend too much of my time on, scrolling through pointless videos about books I should read and artists that write songs...
The top of one side of history teacher Kyle Carhart’s room is decorated with colorful flags from the different countries he’s had the honor of visiting, and among all the bright flags, one stands out...
This week the guys thank our local bus drivers, give a fairly in-depth preview of Ranger football this season, and recommend that everyone head out to Ranger Stadium to enjoy the atmosphere, camaraderie,...
She uses summer as an excuse to grow into her own skin.
For she thinks she is prettier when cast in a bronze hue and adorned with freckles; they paint her face in constellations that reflect the night...
Brad and John are back together after a week-long hiatus. They discuss the imminent beginning of school, the glory of summer vacation, and offer a few tips on where to go before the season passes you by.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/61b7cz0vA64GDzvEuxBwpr
In this episode, Brad and John discuss summer, lake time, a brief chat at Cascade Firefighters (more to come soon), and our top five (family-friendly) small breweries in Ranger Country.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1PngkL95pQPWa94RDZBgzJ
I’ve missed writing poetry.
I’ve spent the past three months collecting stanzas to poems I won’t publish and titles to stories I won’t write—I’m trying not to live for the past, but to write...
I have the crossfade on my Spotify set at 12 seconds because there are few things that I hate more than awkward transition periods from one ballad to the next; yet, these past and upcoming few weeks seem...
I’ve spent weeks trying to find a theme for my Editor’s Column.
I searched for a short, catchy sentence to title this tri-weekly story I’ll be writing, yet I always seemed to fall short.
But...
John, Brad, and his cat sign-on from the Streamside Hall to talk sports, summer activities, and the future of Cascade as we know it. They also discuss some hot spots to take the family this summer around...
John and Brad discuss the summer sendoffs that are happening around the districts. At around the 32-minute mark, they transition into a conversational interview with author, teacher, coach, and legend,...
To Avery and Nat,
Everything is coming to an end—this school year specifically.
And while endings are typically comparable to large, cavernous places plagued in darkness, I think of this ending...
Name: Sean Stone
Class: 2022
1. What position are you running for?
"Treasurer."
2. Why did you decide to run?
"I enjoy Student Council and serving the class."
3. What are the main promises...
Name: Caroline Logan
Class: 2023
1. What position are you running for?
"I am running for Secretary of the Executive Board."
2. Why did you decide to run?
"I decided to run because I really...
I have a flowering tree at the top of my driveway, and when the flower petals fall, they blanket the cement like some all-natural confetti or a snowfall.
Snowfall that isn’t plausible in this heat-stroke...
Name: Emily Albaitis
Class: 2022
What position are you running for?
"I am running for Secretary."
Why did you decide to run?
"I decided to run because I’ve always wanted to do Student...
John and Brad briefly discuss a few news items happening here in FHPS, as well as some intriguing occurrences and rumors about Ada, Cascade, and a look back to some bygone Hometown heroes.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5sZYkbu8KyrvWMUQ5AeEZO
Name: Logan Verlinde
Class: 2022
1. What position are you running for?
"I'm running for Vice President."
2. Why did you decide to run?
"I decided to run because I love working with the people...
Name: Sofie Brown
Class: 2023
1. What position are you running for?
"I am currently running for treasurer of the executive board!"
2. Why did you decide to run?
"I have always had...
Name: Roman Kalaczinski
Class: 2022
1. What position are you running for?
"I am running for executive board president."
2) Why did you decide to run?
"I am running because I have been...
Name: Maurielle Hayes
Class: 2022
1. What position are you running for?
"I am running for Executive Board Vice President."
2. Why did you decide to run?
"I decided to run because I have...
Name: Benji Zorn
Class: 2022
1. What position are you running for?
"2022 Class President."
2. Why did you decide to run?
"I decided to run to continue the great legacy that this class has...
Name: Natalie Mix
Class: 2022
1. What position are you running for?
“I am running for Public Relations on the Executive Board.”
2. Why did you decide to run?
“Well, when I first got...
With the voting opening at the end of the week, we decided to do Q&As with the current high schoolers running for office. We hope to provide students here at FHC with a deeper look into the candidates...
Scribbled letters sprawled across tan skin in large, loopy handwriting depict her busy evening. There is no disconnect—the letters work together to form words that she can comprehend and read later as...
John and Brad discuss FHC's graduation, news from our local schools, and have an EXCLUSIVE interview with Cascade Township supervisor Grace Lesperance (@ around the 40 min mark).
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5aHxEVURml80vmbWKikM29
After a year of relegation to the digital world, FHC Inspires is back in person, redefining the entire show. This year's FHC Inspires team, headed up by student directors Lydia Bolger and Sarah Bethel,...
Recently, freshman Sloane Corey has picked up a new hobby—a hobby that involves comfortable shoes, a racket, and a neon yellow ball.
This being her first year of high school, she decided to try out...
Another Special Senior Edition!!!
In this episode, we again discuss the "Top 10 Events in Ranger Country's History," and we highlight some of our seniors who might not crave the spotlight but deserve...
Special Senior Edition!!!
In this episode, we discuss our upcoming "Top 10 Events in Ranger Country's History," and we highlight some of our seniors who might not crave the spotlight but deserve...
John and Brad record their "sunrise special" this week as they discuss the new senior schedule, our Hometown Heroes—Hunter Robinson and Rebecca Dooley—Staff Spotlights, Nancy Townsend and Erin Narducci,...
Brad and John had some tech issues with this episode, so this is almost an Episode 8.5. In this edition, we discuss our Hometown Heroes, Abby McAlindon and Jonah Spates, along with our Staff Spotlight—Carey...
Brad and John are back from spring break with a new Staff Spotlight, some Hometown Heroes, and a face in the crow that you might recognize! Don't forget about the Ranger Recommendation (Schnitz Deli),...
Brad Anderson and John Fisher discuss our Ranger community through our Hometown Heroes, Avery LeTourneau and Whitney Currie, our Staff Spotlight on Lisa Marco and Kathy Marvin, and offering a few new Ranger...
Brad Anderson and John Fisher discuss our Ranger community through our Staff Spotlight of Mark Maneiro, our Hometown Heroes, Matt Mahoney and Katie Tellier, and offering a few new Ranger Recommendations...
Brad Anderson and John Fisher discuss our Ranger community through our Staff Spotlight of Jeff Tolar, our Hometown Heroes, Robby Frazer and Audrey Sidebotham, and offering a few new Ranger Recommendations...
Brad Anderson and John Fisher discuss our Ranger community by spotlighting our Educator of the Week—Beth Stevens—our Hometown Heroes—Isaac Gurley and Theryn Hallock—and offering a few new Ranger...
Brad Anderson and John Fisher discuss our Ranger school community and news followed by an in-depth look at some hometown heroes, special staff members, and a few local recommendations.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5FJEsYAYMrUbzPM9bXA5EH
History teacher Brad Anderson and English teacher John Fisher discuss everything from what's happening in the Ranger Community to highlighting a few amazing people!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Ic6w4G0a67qpZvaVIiyHh
Whenever I hold someone’s hand, I always squeeze it three times because my dad taught me that it means "I love you."
He’d always encase my tiny, painted hand in his and squeeze it gently thrice....
She is wide awake listening to the soft pitter-patter of the drops up above.
They gently pelt the roof that keeps her dry,
Yet something about it calls out to her like a simplistic siren’s call.
She...
It feels like the end of a chapter I don’t want to be done writing.
And I’m trying so hard to grasp the pages as they’re ripped from my clenched hands, but they’ll tear if I don’t let go of...
Check out the Q&As below with the participants of the 2021 Film Fest. We interviewed a member of each team to learn more about their movie. Along with interviewing a member from each of the teams,...
She feels as if the world’s sorrows rest on her dainty shoulders,
Hence why she slouches when she stands.
You always hated the way her body seemed to curl in on itself,
The way she...
Name: Ben Lowen
Grade: 12
Position: Ryan Evans
What’s your pre-show warm-up routine?
"Before a show or a shoot, I usually drink tea and meditate to calm myself and help get myself into...
Name: Megan Fox
Grade: 10
Position: Gabriella Montez
What’s your pre-show warm-up routine?
"My pre-show warm-up is praying for a good hair day and running through my lines."
Why...
Name: Emily Johnson
Grade: 12
Position: Sharpay Evans
What’s your pre-show warm-up routine?
"[Senior] Ben Lowen and I do some typical Ryan and Sharpay warm-ups to get us in character."
Why...
Check out these Q&As with a few of the main cast members and the three crew heads of FHC's production of High School Musical Jr! Go to fhfineartscenter.com to purchase an in-person ticket or live stream...
