Confession: I was once an avid and dedicated fan of the boyband One Direction. Braver confession: “was once” may be a white lie.  Although I don’t listen to the famed group’s music as often,...

Sophomore Heather Ringel was involved in a ski incident before she ever made it to the slopes.  On this fateful and educational day, Heather learned that before she ever even attempted to master skiing,...

I found out, regrettably, not that long ago that my writing doesn’t have to make any sense.  I was feeling real, authentic, and painful emotions, so I wrote something real, authentic, and painful....

The suggestion for That 90s Show fell in my lap during a spirited discussion in my second-hour math class while my friend and I desperately tried to ignore how confused we were by the equations in front...

While sitting in her art department oasis, the trajectory of art teacher Grace Stynes’ year was altered completely when a surprise visitor stopped by—a visitor who normally resides on the opposite...

Instagram is one of the most adaptive social media platforms in the game. With constant alterations to the app’s appearance and structure, it’s no wonder that it has stayed a relevant way to connect...

A suffocating and humbling reminder comes with the concept of space and time—there is a universe, a planet, an ocean, a country, a state, a lake, a city, and a building before there is you.  Your...

How do you feel about being on Winterfest Court? "I was definitely very excited. I remember seeing my brothers up here in the high school [participating in lip syncs], and I've always wanted to do a...

How do you feel about being on Winterfest Court? "I am very excited to be on court, especially since we get to do the lip sync at the assembly, which other courts don't get to [do]." What was your...

Junior Lillian Krug holds a special place in her heart for Despicable Me’s main character, Gru. However, this appreciation for Felonious Gru was not discovered during a viewing of the Despicable Me...

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour set records in ticket sales alone, selling out the entirety of her venues in less than a day. For those who remained ticketless, this day also commemorates one of the most disappointing...

One of the best moments in television history was the season finale of Kids Baking Championship: Season 10. It was one of those “I remember exactly where I was” scenarios, and its significance to my...

In the midst of midterm elections, junior Nora Blok and the rest of FHC’s P.A.C.E Club were deciding the fate of Michigan’s government.  FHC’s P.A.C.E (Politics and Current Events) Club, run...

Currently, I sit next to my brain.  Plastered in plants, gold-bound, filled with every single thing I’ve ever had to do for the past six months, an extension of myself—my planner. I write down...

The universe has ensured for nearly five straight years that I would be broke in the month of January. This has been an ongoing joke in my friend group, as three of my closest friends were all born within...

Junior Maya Sneider has once had a breakdown about a loaf of bread.  As a passionate baker, Maya enjoys challenging herself in the kitchen. Her forte lies in scones and cookies, and extending to baking...

Recently, my English class has, yet again, exposed me to the innermost thoughts of strangers through a poetry unit. One stranger told me that I, the reader, needed to “fall in love more,” and I laughed....

With certainty, I can claim I’ve watched the 1996 comedy, Matilda, at least 100 times. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoy musicals.  Released on Netflix on Dec. 25, 2022, Matilda the Musical was a...

Environmental Science teacher Chad Scholten is a proud ‘tree-hugger.’ Being an environmentalist—and teaching others to claim that title—for as long as he has means Scholten has seen students'...

Jaye Beeler-Jelier is passionately educated on the environment and has also written her own book about the positive impact of buying foods locally, eating sustainably, and experiencing what homegrown foods...

1. What are extra things you do to help the environment? "Recently we've been doing a lot in AP Environmental Science with [learning about] our diets and how what we eat impacts the environment. So,...

1. What are extra things you do to help the environment? "I recycle at my house and at school. I also have a garden at my house where we grow our own vegetables and fruits." 2. Why do you feel like...

I became a vegetarian almost exactly one year ago after watching the documentary Food, Inc. in my AP Environmental Science class. This documentary, one I recommend everyone watch, exposes the meat production...

In recent years, as the rapidly declining rate of Earth becomes a more intensely looming threat, the gloom of the planet’s future has become incredibly disheartening and seemingly unavoidable.  It’s...

The looming threat of a deteriorating world feels like a much bigger problem than one person could solve. This is only partially true. The impact of an individual making small changes can truly alter the...

I have always had a nostalgic infatuation with Wednesday Addams. When I was younger, I found her dark humor hilarious, and as I’ve grown older I’ve paid ode to her in my 2022 Halloween costume, and...

I’m still stubborn like you are. In the way that I spell gray like ‘gray’ and not ‘grey.’ And how I refuse to spell theatre like theater. I’m stubborn in the way that it’s been a long...

FHC’s Greenhouse was built through the perseverance of students, the generosity of the community, and a competition between the ‘Army’ and ‘Marines’. Of course, Environmental Science teacher,...

TCT Staff- Each and every one of you make me feel important and heard; every day I’m prouder to be surrounded by such brilliant, creative, and inspiring individuals. I could write pages about my thanks...

On Nov 15, 2022, many of my peers were missing from their morning classes. An anxious excitement saturated the halls, and abstracted minds continuously checked their text threads. The absent adolescents...

It truly is my favorite, and the most wonderful, time of the year: the season of mass-produced money-grab movies. Nothing brings me such immense peace as watching a movie I know full well every actor is...

Caught between a ram and a bear, senior Aden Pomeroy knew he had a story for the books.  Aden’s “RV family” has ventured across many great states—at least thirty—and has seen sights many...

It’s been only less than a month since you left; I feel like I haven’t seen you in a lifetime.  It’s been long enough that I can decide that you’ve changed everything. I make a mental list...

One of my most beloved mother-daughter traditions was our annual outings to Bandtasia. I have always been in awe of the extravagant performances FHC’s marching band puts on, and it’s one of the few...

One in eighteen will touch the homelessness system before third grade. Over 120 families are experiencing homelessness in Kent County tonight.  These statistics, both shocking and heartbreaking,...

The 1975’s newest album, Being Funny In a Foreign Language, transformed the space in my mind into the set of a movie. Each track felt like the perfect music to accompany an ensemble of characters...

While many toddlers were watching Dora the Explorer or Backyardigans in their youth, I probably was too. However, I was also an avid audience member of The Home and Garden channel (HGTV), sparking not...

Senior Daniel Wang has a special talent for analyzing dragons.  Since he was about eight years old, Daniel has joined his father’s antiquing adventures. Together, they’ve collected porcelain pieces,...

Composing is a time-consuming, occasionally pain-staking, and at times draining endeavor—an investment of passion sometimes chalked up to two cents.  This process of large retail companies hogging...

A picture of the improv team at the end of their show.

I find myself, fairly often, staring at inanimate objects, plants, or animals and pondering what it would be like to morph into them. I’m staring at grass outside of the library right now, and I’m...

French teacher Laurie Van Houten has high hopes for this year’s Strasbourg exchange—one of which is goodbyes coated in tears.  After taking a break from hosting French exchange students, FHC is...

Sitting in the movie theatre watching Don’t Worry Darling, surrounded by an all-female group of ten of my closest friends, was one of the most empowering experiences that I’ve ever been a part of.  I...

I was gifted a number painting for my birthday this year; I started working on it that day. It’s now sitting unfinished on my art desk.  My birthday is in June.  The numbered shapes create an...

As senior Nick Gootjes was taking in sites of caved-in walls and other ruins, he was informed that angry elephants had been the ones to smash the previously standing buildings to bits. This astoundingly...

Lately, the growing insistence on creating a plan for my future has been suffocating, so, I have become infatuated with recreating feelings of carelessness and naivety a younger me once took for granted....

As I settled into the cool oasis the auditorium provides from a hazy Michigan May, I was brought to peace by a familiar concoction of shaky excitement and unwavering positivity. When I witnessed the most...

Name: Saniya Mishra Position: Speaker TED Talk Title: 10,000 Hours Why did you apply to be a speaker? "I applied to be a speaker because I want to share something I found interesting, and...

Name: Paige Harsevoort Position: Speaker TED Talk Title: Shower Thoughts Why did you apply to be a speaker? "I applied to be a speaker because I liked the challenge of getting up and speaking...

Name: Jia Niemeyer Position: Speaker TED Talk Title: Impacts of Assumptions Why did you apply to be a speaker? "I [used] to have trouble speaking, especially in front of large groups of people....

My favorite conversation topic is deciding which words undeniably fit together for no reason other than an overpowering personal feeling. For example, deciding that Thursdays are green sevens and Wednesdays...

Senior year was one of those movies that, based on the content of the synopsis alone, I already knew wouldn’t be the most oscar-deserving piece of cinema. After watching the film, I genuinely feel bad...

In the midst of a tsunami-like torrential downpour, senior Hannah Duprey was shown what crew was all about—not only in terms of ability but also camaraderie.  “Some people were [rowing] back because...

When Mother’s Day makes its annual appearance, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to be raised by the women I have been. To have absolute icons such as my grandmothers, powerful and independent women such...

As a Gen-Z baby born in the smack middle of 2005, I caught the very tail end of the Abercrombie and Fitch reign. Due to my timing, my preconception of the brand was that its empire failed due to consumers’...

Seated in front of her band classroom, watching a particular group of students perform Fortnite dances in the back, Band Instructor Laura Zilhaver had no way of knowing these entertainers would make a...

Recently, I completed the last written response to my twelve-part letter series to my senior self. These letter prompts, which I started responding to in the eighth grade, have been my way of creating...

I’ve averted my attention from the Fantastic Beasts franchise since its conception. I despised the concept of adding to a series that wrapped up so perfectly and completed my childhood so satisfyingly....

Every corner of senior Maggie Hier’s life has been powerfully impacted by the individuals she found through her passions.  Just like many other high school students, Maggie’s most beloved moments...

Last night I Google-searched, “A word that means wanting to observe others but not wanting to be observed by others.” To my dismay, no results relevant to my search appeared, and I took it as a very...

The claim of being “based on a true story” never fails to persuade me to watch a film.  That factor, along with a historical context that I also gravitate towards, encouraged me to press play on...

One of my favorite ways to express myself is through the hue and shape of my nails. Each time I get my nails done, I feel like a new person. I have an attachment to the whole experience; being greeted...

With her previous experience professionally curating art galleries, art teacher Grace Stynes couldn’t resist the opportunity to impact an entire student body with the same talent. This year, Stynes...

Sifting through every aspect of my life, I’ve realized how much I owe to Target. Introducing me to brands that have changed my life and providing me with cute, yet practical essentials is only the beginning...

Senior Lexi Schnelker has experience with being a “Disney Dad.” As a member of the FHC Marching Band, she was given the opportunity to tap into her cargo short side during the band’s spirit week...

Last night, as a few older friends and I entered a newer friend’s house for the first time, a miniature bird darted in with us. Throwing bread and passing sock balls between family members of hers I...

Action movies have never really been my thing. The rush I feel during high-intensity chase scenes or high stake moments of problem-solving can be described less as adrenaline and more as “I need to be...

No matter how many poems have come to life within her classroom at FHC, AP Lang and English teacher Dr. Anne Keller will always find peace in her elementary school library’s poetry section. Poetry...

Prior to Pinegrove’s release of the album 11:11, I was unfamiliar with their work; I feel incredibly grateful, however, that these pieces of music were my introduction to the band.  My preferred...

Freshman Avery Koehler has been given the consistency of sports no matter where she is in the world. One of her sports of choice, softball, has taken her through nearly every step of her life. “I...

Six months ago, spontaneously, my best friend and I applied for a job at a sandwich shop, working our first days a week later. Six months after, just as seemingly out of nowhere, I received a text stating...

With the prospect of a seemingly never-ending quarantine, Netflix and its endless repertoire of shows and movies have been keeping me going. I’ve been given the opportunity to watch movies that I wouldn’t...

Name: Josie Butler Grade: 10th Act/position: Singing with piano Partner(s): Sophomore Lauren Roth 1. What is one word you’d use to describe your act? Josie: “Tradition.” 2....

Name: Cam Dewitt Grade: 12th Act/position: Guitar Hero 1. What is one word you’d use to describe your act? “Musical.” 2. Why did you decide to try out for FHC’s Got Talent? “I...

Name: Logan Verlinde Grade: 12th Act/position: Feats of danger & synchronized swimming 1. What is one word you’d use to describe your act? “Dangerous and/or mesmerizing.” 2....

Name: Lydia Dewitt Grade: 10th Act/position: Piano 1. What is one word you’d use to describe your act? “Mediocre.” 2. Why did you decide to try out for FHC’s Got Talent? “I...

At the artless and pure age of four, I envisioned a life for myself as a teacher. Just as the preschool teachers I had met only that year, I wanted to be smiley all the time and have a special aptitude...

Traditionally, I have pulled myself away from the craze of movie remakes that have swept modern Hollywood. However, after merely watching the swell of the font as it swept across the screen and read West...

On Dec. 13, 2021, in the wake of the demanding and challenging trials the world has provided, my great-grandmother advanced to an accomplishment that I still find difficult to wrap my head around. A woman...

Growing up close to the streets of downtown Ada provided me and many other residents in the area with the unique opportunity to watch a city begin to flourish. Watching, year by year, as a quaint strip...

While skiing downhill with his twin brother, freshman Eli VanSkiver suddenly found himself making head-on contact with a tree.  “I hit a tree skiing,” Eli said. “It wasn’t really that fast,...

As the holiday season and enhanced family time commences, I have the opportunity to absorb a luxury that I don’t always get to indulge in: watching and listening. With cousins of mine spread across every...

The TCT family - for creating my happy place You are all the most creative and riveting group of people I have ever met. Thank you all for constantly pushing me to work harder and think bigger. You...

As I’m sure a majority of individuals do, my friends and I constantly scour the internet for new restaurants to experience. Nino’s Eastown Café immediately clicked as a perfect fit; the location and...

During a Friday night football game, senior Katherine Hartman and a notable portion of her Social Psychology class could be found rallying together for a "Survivor” selfie. Every Friday, the class...

With the numbingly cold weather approaching and the hours of nighttime growing, I have found myself outlining a multitude of different reasons to resent the winter months.  As an individual, I have...

Listening as my choir teacher passionately raved about the movie Dune—and watching as the internet solidified his excitement—I knew I desperately needed to get to the movie theatre to experience the...

Since her days living it up on The Wizards of Waverly Place on Disney Channel, Selena Gomez has been a favorite of mine to watch on screen. Naturally, when her face popped up in my Hulu recommendations...

The butterfly effect is a small choice or decision made by an individual that leads to a vast and unpredictable change in their life. My butterfly was a girl on crutches whose effect altered every aspect...