Every time a YouTuber promotes their own brand, I hold down the “5 second skip” button until I get to the actual content of the video. While I enjoy a variety of content creators, I have a hard time...

The more I see a 30-year-old and a 16-year-old have a heated feud on TikTok regarding which generation is lazier, or worse yet, which hair part is better, the less I want to ever interact with someone...

I like to think of myself as unique, but in terms of body modifications, I’m essentially as basic as possible. I have my ears pierced (usually with very inconspicuous studs in) and my doubles, yet only...

A 19-year-old climate activist slammed a 36-year-old kickboxer on Twitter for gloating over his car emissions—verbally, of course. Only one of these two have been detained by Romanian authorities, and...

The United States has more guns than people with a rate of 1.2 guns per capita. This puts it at the highest of any country—not just more-developed countries. Statistics alone don’t speak for this fact;...

Teamwork can come in many forms: in sophomore Jacob Sanford’s case, in the form of running with three shoes for two miles. When a fellow runner lost a shoe during one of the cross country team's meets,...

The softest, lightest, ginger-brown hair gently undulates in the wind. His pale, bare feet are silent as they tiptoe across the stone and twirl onto the soft grass. In the night, it is coated with a thin...

I was very nearly going to miss one of my favorite events in the entire world. For three days only during a single weekend in November, the Grand Rapids Comic-Con comes to DeVos Place. This year, from...

Kiera and Addy, for just “getting it” When I say you “get it,” I mean that in more than one way. I can no longer imagine not having you two by my side at every milestone we’ve been through...

Since 2016, it seems that during each and every election, more and more is at stake. This is certainly true for presidential elections, but increasingly, midterm elections are rising in importance for...

The proud notes of a bagpipe reverberate through the halls of FHC on Nov. 11, 2022. This is certainly a special occurrence—as it should be. In order to properly honor those who have served, the FHC Veterans...

From around the ages of eight to thirteen, I was always perpetually upset by the same thing: not being a Minecraft kid like all of my friends were. I didn’t have a laptop or PC to play it on, so I was...

Emalea Rooke went into an antique shop seeking out some necklaces and left with one of her favorite clothing items of all time. This unplanned experience is one of Emalea’s fondest memories of her passion...

Several months ago, I was attempting to explain the Sanrio and Hello Kitty franchise to my mom, and her means of understanding it was by saying to herself, “oh, so she’s like a Kardashian.” She is...

Despite the fact that my family is fairly religious—I grew up in the Eastern Orthodox Church all of my life—I haven’t been exposed to religious media as much as I have through traditional manners.  Since...

I was a tomboy growing up, much to the chagrin of my grandmother who always wanted to put me in fancy clothes and accessories. My best friends were boys, I liked being outside all of the time, and most...

I distinctly remember being about ten or eleven years old—about the same age as the protagonists—watching Pokémon: Indigo League in my living room during the long days of the summer when both of my...

It’s not a typical sight to see leaders of several countries meeting in a high school classroom, but that’s exactly what can be found in history teacher Brad Anderson’s classroom during a certain...

 In all honesty, it’s a bit embarrassing to explain how I fell in love with Steve Lacy. However, because of my dedication to both The Central Trend and Lacy, I’ll expose myself: I was listening to...

Day in, day out. Read the textbook, fill out a paper and turn it in for a completion grade. Get tested on these exact terms three days later without remembering a single word. Each time the words are written...

It’s all too easy to blame shortcomings in school on teachers and outside influences, such as instruction methods that aren’t preferred and clashing personalities. However, lots of learning takes place...

It’s not uncommon for FHC teachers to be from Grand Rapids or surrounding areas, but very few have had the international teaching experience that English teacher Morgan Beckett has had. Although Beckett...

Most teachers in the current educational system in the United States teach in a manner that leads to about a 30% information retention rate for students. With several alterations, students could be retaining...

I used to be able to skim my textbook, call it studying, take the test, and scrape by. This worked for me for a long time, until it didn’t. School got harder, and I needed to up my game. Now that I have...

I’ve always had a weird obsession with some pretty stomach-turning content, but based on the number of views on each of the YouTube videos, I’m certainly not alone. It is one of the most satisfying...

Even the best of outfits is incomplete without two key elements: a matching, stylish pair of shoes and accessories to bring out the best in the rest of the clothing. Whether these aspects are flashy or...

This fall, a family-favorite board game will fall off of closet shelves and onto the stage of the FHC auditorium. It is no mystery that Clue will be the next big hit of the theater program, but the unknowns...

It’s safe to say that I was enthusiastic about the release of Mercury — Act 1 based on my prior review, but when I realized there was an entire second act being released, I was the best kind of startled....

From awkward tweens lip-syncing on musical.ly to the Hype House celebrities of TikTok to the most intelligent dogs of Instagram Reels, brief, 15-second to 1-minute videos are not strangers to the internet....

Tom Hanks movies never fail to make me laugh, cry, and everything in between. From Forrest Gump and its timeless tales, to Castaway’s stressful and lonesome intensity, to the tear-jerking innocence of...

Ephemeral, warm summer winds, constant for only the blink of an eye, somersault and cartwheel through the otherwise rigid air, being the sweet exhale of the oxygen so long held in for the winter.  It...

I nearly dropped my phone when I viewed my favorite indie-pop artist’s Instagram story; Addison Grace announced that they were going to release their debut EP on May 6th, 2022. I could hardly believe...

What was your reaction to getting on prom court? "I wasn't really expecting to get on court and ended up really surprised when they announced my name." What are your short-term future plans? "My...

What was your reaction to getting on prom court? "I was really surprised when I got on court; I was [not expecting it], but I was happy." What are your short-term future plans? "My short-term...

CeraVe has a longstanding award in many skincare drawers; it’s gentle yet effective, and despite not being especially cheap, it isn’t overly expensive either. It is dermatologist tested, and loved...

I didn’t expect to become obsessed with a single-season animated Japanese show that was released eight years before I was born, but before knew it, Cowboy Bebop became one of my all-time favorite anime.  From...

Stemming from a young child who snatched printer paper to scrawl her amateur doodles, senior Meggie Kennedy has let her sketches develop into a fully-rendered version of herself and her skills. From her...

With Easter in the rearview mirror, I have finally escaped the awkward greetings that come alongside religious holidays. Each time I heard “Happy Easter!” on Apr. 17th, I smiled awkwardly and nodded,...

Sophomore Parker Ludwig has a memory sticking with him for ages of doing donuts on a golf cart alongside some of his best friends while at a meet with his cross country team. Although this particular memory...

With pride month on the horizon, it gives allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community alike a summer month dedicated to the celebration of their identities to look forward to. In addition to parades, festivals,...

Although my skateboarding skills are subpar, my love for skate shoes and brands far surpasses my physical abilities. Santa Cruz, Thrasher, and Vans products are among the most populous in my drawers as...

Most readers treasure their favorite books and plan to never part with such works. However, AP Literature and AP Language teacher Lisa Penninga thinks that allowing someone else to have the opportunity...

We’ve all heard of the “fake fan” in different fanbases; from TV shows to music groups to aesthetics, there are always a select few who will be accused of being a poser because they are not overly...

Due to my curse of indecision, I haven’t gotten a haircut other than a trim in years. As the years pass by, I am left reminiscing on the different types of impactful statements such topical haircuts...

Most girls have a phase from toddlerhood to young childhood in which they are completely enthralled with horses, ponies, and everything equine. However, senior Claire Richardson took her childhood dreams...

For a solid three years, my outfits were almost exactly the same: some sweatshirt with a cheesy phrase and pitch-black leggings that I wished were Lululemon instead of Gap. I’d like to say that I have...

Throughout the history of the United States, there have always been strenuous tensions between Russia and countries that are a part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). These tensions aren’t...

The FHC Athletic Hall of Fame has been on hold for a couple of years--thanks to COVID-19. Now, however, the FHC Athletic Boosters Club is excited to announce that on May 6, the inductions will get rolling...

Some amusing anecdotes and one-liners that elicit a laugh can travel through the generations, carrying chuckles with them. However, most jokes are trapped in the era they originated in, leaving both the...

Having a mom who cringes at “Can’t Stop” and a dad who sings “Give it Away” every time he selects it, it was pretty up in the air about what my opinion of the Red Hot Chili Peppers would be....

Senior Kayleigh Ford was taken by surprise when the customer at the Starbucks drive-through where she worked was not answering any of her questions. When the customer finally pulled up to the window after...

I love the typical “strong” female character in any type of media—her no-nonsense approach to encounters, her lack of need for a man in her life, and her rough and tumble or dignified and professional...

Sadly, most series, including widely beloved ones, lose their spark over time and either stop releasing original content or stray so far from the classics that the first fans are beyond disgusted. Thankfully,...

During the height of the pandemic in June of 2020, English and Theater teacher Robbin DeMeester found herself investing in the newest trend despite the reservations of many. Although many see cryptocurrency...

ENFJ, or the Protagonist. The extroverted, intuitive, feeling, judging person who is represented by a long-haired, wizard-looking man cloaked in emerald with a large sword. That odd warlock figure is what...

When reading an article on the local news last year, junior Amant Grewal was shocked to find out that even within her own community, there are many instances of racial injustice. While national headlines...

Over a Sunday breakfast several days prior, a new restaurant by the name of Bobcat Bonnie’s was pasted all over beneath a fold of the Grand Rapids Press. Since I hadn’t eaten at a new restaurant in...

I have never been one to wear my hair up—whether it be because I have a massive forehead or my ears get cold without my hair to insulate them, I almost always have my hair down if I’m not doing highly...

I had a longtime grudge against Bruno Mars throughout my childhood—I deemed him obnoxious, full of himself, a complete pick-me boy, and as my sister once put it, a “simp.” I could only see his music...

Reposted all over Snapchat during the height of quarantine was a picture of senior Bella Beckering’s duck on Zoom, captioned 'duck on zoom.' Mr. Duck may have experienced a rise to fame on social media,...

Opinions expressed in editorials on The Central Trend are the view of the individual writer and are not the opinion of the entire staff of The Central Trend or the Forest Hills Central staff or administration. Many...

Opinions expressed in editorials on The Central Trend are the view of the individual writer and are not the opinion of the entire staff of The Central Trend or the Forest Hills Central staff or administration.  Usually,...

Penny O’Meara, for being the one I can always count on to read my mind I know I’ve let you down a few times, but you’ve never left me hanging. I feel like I can tell you anything—your ability...

Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds are polar opposites: one has muscles that many viewers envy, and the other has a sense of humor that draws many in and boasts gaining popularity among teenagers on the...

When students walk into English teacher Lisa Penninga’s classroom, they don’t usually imagine reading a cold, gothic, and creepy book in such a warm and inviting classroom. However, this is precisely...

Before it dissipated, my love for Ed Sheeran was rekindled by all of the spectacularly ridiculous TikToks about the artist. When I discovered that another operation was being added to his series of albums...

Many people's ideal time in Florida would be spent basking in the sun, exploring one of the many theme parks, or enjoying nature in the Everglades. However, freshman Dia Sriram spent her time in the Southern...

Since I had been waiting fifteen years to meet you, I certainly considered the chance that I would be mildly emotional and that I could possibly shed a tear of joy when you finally were in my arms. However,...

"A couple of weeks back, around one [or] two months ago, the fellas and I went on an expedition to a supposedly 'haunted' spot up in Rockford. I think the area was called Friske's Creek, and basically,...

Coldplay’s name has been floating around for decades, but I had yet to sit down and listen to an album by the band prior to the release of their newest album Music of the Spheres. Similara to the song...

If not for her high school physics class, physics teacher Amy Stone would never have fallen in love with the subject and found her career at FHC. To make sure all students could experience an array...

Product: Snacks 2 Go Instagram: snacks2go_fhc Group Members: Michael Campbell (management/leadership), Chris Dongmo (sales), Bennett Nieuwkoop (supply chain), Tyler Nass (marketing), and John...

While some countries have dogs, chickens, or even goats wandering around outside of a shelter, the most commonly seen outdoor animal in the United States is cats. Though many are feral, a large number...

I was thoroughly confused when I heard the solely major key kick off Addison Grace’s remake of “Overthink,” which was called “Why I Overthink.” Rather than starting off on a twisting minor tune,...

Most Halloween costumes are either frights or fantasies. For freshman Jake Barnes, however, it was his future. When Jake was four years old, his mom hand-made him an FHC band uniform—this was a burst...

I can laugh and I can yell, but I cannot cry. When I am in public, I subdue any sensitive emotions with my sarcastic smirk and horrible humor. Even most of my closest friends have yet to see tears trickle...

As soon as I hit play on the musical In The Heights, I knew the six dollars I had paid for the rental of the movie were well spent. I couldn’t sit still in my seat—I had to pause the movie for a moment...

Sophomore Class President Lucy Wu has never had the opportunity to go to a Homecoming dance, even though she's in her second year of high school. Due to the COVID-19 virus, many events, including school...

What was your reaction to hearing your name called? "I was so surprised—my hands flew over my mouth. When I was walking down with [senior] Ian [Goodman], I was still processing the whole thing—it...

Very rarely is it that I find a song that I will listen to on repeat; I can probably count the number of songs that get this honor on one hand. But “Follow You,” one of the singles in Imagine Dragons'...

While in their room one day, freshman Ava Malinowski was visited by the presence of one of their ancestors. This marked a new chapter in their spiritual journey—ancestry communication. Spirituality...

For the past eight years, the same memory has haunted me.  I was almost seven years old—my birthday was that week. I had just arrived in the Dominican Republic, eager to begin exploring a country...

After listening to the single “Shy Away” by Twenty One Pilots, I was extremely concerned about their new album, Scaled and Icy, that was soon to be released. I was so nervous that all of the risky,...

I hated the wind. Not the wind that softly lifts my hair and cools my face, but the kind that shoves in my ear. The kind of wind that feels like it is flapping against my eardrum, shuffling in and blocking...

In a world sophomore Ellie McDowell has created, a woman must fight her tyrannical brother for the inheritance of the royal throne. However, before she can take hold of the throne, she must end a life. This...

Banging drums, belting guitar riffs, originality, and a lack of structure are all things that I typically look for in my music choices. Despite not meeting any of these criteria, brent ii was not as bad...

Laws are laws, and they are there for a reason. No matter what people’s social statuses are, they are not exempt from following these laws. This was solidified when two YouTubers, Leia Se and Josh...

Junior Emily Smith doesn’t believe that it’s only what's inside that counts. As an aspiring packaging engineer, Emily knows the importance of not only the product, but of the container it is in...

Flashing lights, a dramatic performance, blasting speakers, and a crowd hopping to the beat while screaming the lyrics to each song at the top of their lungs. This is what I experienced at the most exhilarating...

I am not the person who has profiles written on them. I lack a voice for singing, legs for running, a hand for writing, a face for beauty, fingers for painting, a brain for academics, and a soul for...

Just two photographs were all biology teacher Kristy Butler needed to see to know the positive impact the trip to Iceland had on her students.  In the photograph taken shortly after their arrival to...