Lauren Batterbee is a senior entering her third and final year on staff for The Central Trend. She is almost always doing ballet, and if she isn’t, she is either plunging into homework or making memories with her friends. She is excited to have the opportunity to write for TCT again this year.
Favorite part about being on staff: Learning about herself and her peers through writing and interviewing
My friends and I are all dying. Through AP exams, decisions, and goodbyes, it’s been a struggle. Though after the stormy darkness, there is a lifetime of memories that’s only just beginning.
I’ve...
Over the years, I have found myself being very repetitive in the topics I write about. I write about my love of childhood and my longing to return to the blissful days of ignorance. I write about ballet...
Last year, senior Beylul Kahsay was nervous about the food she was about to eat.
She was on a food tour in Spain with her family. She did not know much Spanish, and the person ordering her meal for...
My first time in Chicago was when I was about 10 years old. It was a spring break adventure that I remember the most random parts of.
I remember walking around the American Girl Doll store at Water...
117 unfinished columns sit in my Google Drive. Some mere words that once were brilliant ideas, but there wasn't enough time and now they seem like gibberish to me. I have so much I want to say and only...
Senior Sophie Hartl joined sports for the ice cream. Or rather the image of the ice cream.
She was never the one on the soccer or baseball field—in fact, she often ran away from the ball if it ever...
Whether it is a cartoon being made into live action or just a quality movie trying to make it in the modern age, remakes seem to be the trend of the movie business nowadays. From Lion King to Home Alone,...
A curb.
A little block of cement to separate the road from a sidewalk or garden.
I haven’t been able to convince myself that I am going to be an adult soon. Sure, I understand the age, and...
In third grade, senior Elyse Walker learned how to make oobleck, like in Bartholomew and the Oobleck.
She, along with all of her classmates, rolled up her sleeves to mix cornstarch and sat in awe...
It has been 365 days. Three hundred and sixty-five days since my sister died. It was a horrible crash—a T-bone. She was away at college on her journey to become a professor there.
The call was horrible....
In one word, senior Sam Schwarze is ambitious.
Over the years, he has taken up numerous sports such as rowing, cross country, and soccer. He has also learned oodles of instruments ranging from the...
I have never really been angry at anyone. I have never had any romantic relationship. I have no direct connection to most songs as they discuss these or alcohol. However, I can imagine what it feels like...
Wispies. Everywhere. My hair is more like a lion’s mane than a young girl’s ponytail. But that is how it always has been.
From a little child, my hair was insane. Though it was brighter than it...
Lettered tiles scattered across the table every time senior Rylie Beatty unzipped the yellow banana-shaped bag and flipped it upside down as she prepared to cream her family in a round of Bananagrams.
As...
Large action scenes, fights, intense scheming, and an intriguing plot—all components of a great Marvel movie.
However, Marvel has been busy these past few years turning out show after movie after...
She is happy. She’s heard good news a lot recently. She isn’t doubting her friends. She is enjoying her classes.
Everything is how it is supposed to be. She laughs with her friends and smiles....
Sophomore John Orr has not missed a game of Wordle since he started playing.
Every day, he finds himself on the website, trying to come up with the selected five-letter word in the least amount of...
Pivot.
When it is said, Ross Geller, from the TV show Friends, comes to mind. His word of hope echoes throughout the stairwell as he attempts to get his new couch up to his apartment. He just keeps...
I peaked sophomore or junior year.
The words I wrote were something people cared about, at least I think they were. I felt relatively proud of what I managed to squeak out. Now I write words no one...
Name: Meribell Varghese
Grade: 12th
Act/position: Judge
1. Why are you excited to be a part of the show?
“I’m excited to be part of the show because I’ve really never done something like...
Name: Logan Verlinde
Grade: 12th
Act/position: Producer
1. Why should people come watch the show?
“People should come watch the show because it's a bit different this year. We’ve got three...
Name: Benji Zorn
Grade: 12th
Act/position: Producer
1. Why should people come watch the show?
“People should come watch the show because they’re going to see acts that the school has never...
In 2014, a robot and his owner took over my emotions. I cried and laughed and had hope for the marshmallow-looking robot on my screen.
Big Hero 6 was the first robot movie I could never stop watching....
It has been nine years since I got my first email congratulating me on being in The Nutcracker.
Nine years of choreography. Nine years of struggling through school at the same time as rehearsals into...
Just as many other kids often enjoy in their free time, freshman Owen Li loves to play video games.
The thrill of moving up a level, or beating the boss, or even just figuring out the ropes of a new...
I walked outside today. Not to get into a car or a building, and not to be distracted by the thoughts in my head or the world around me.
I walked outside and actually took a deep breath in and out....
My family—for not selling me on eBay
You have had seventeen years of opportunities to sell me on eBay—whether it be for a penny or more, I’m sure it could have worked—but you’ve kept me,...
When I went to a Disney movie as a child, I was always excited to get there early. Not because I wanted to watch all of the ads or be respectful to the other watchers, but because I couldn’t wait to...
Name: Debbie Friedli
Branch of Military: Army
High School: Various, due to moving
What were the parameters of your service?
“I went into the army in 1975, after college. I went to the University...
Name: Steve Labenz
Occupation: U.S. History teacher
Why is Veterans Day important?
“I think it's important for us to, at a minimum, [take] one day to remember people who have fought for this...
Name: Jason Riebel
Branch of Military: Air Force
High School: Forest Hills Central
What were the parameters of your service?
“I was in the Air Force from 2001 through 2007. I was stationed...
I wish I was older—not just a baby or a distant thought. I wish I was old enough for us to meet and for us to at least have made a few memories.
I wish I could have seen your bright smile, like the...
Over the years, many people in the West Michigan community have risked their lives to serve our country. Leading up to Veterans Day, we will be posting Q&As with Veterans and active duty service members...
Name: Joshua Sweeney
Branch of Military: Army
High School: Forest Hills Central
What were the parameters of your service?
“I am currently serving. I’ve been in the United States Army since...
Name: Mel Bauman
Branch of Military: Army
High School: Ottawa Hills
What were the parameters of your service?
“Well, I was drafted in 1965, which is a long time ago, and I retired in 2005;...
Every year around Halloween, I start to tingle with Christmas spirit. I check the radio every day from around the 29th of October until the stations actually change the music to Christmas music. Last year,...
Your food is amazing—addicting one might say.
I only discovered the convenience and flavor explosion of it last week, but I can’t wait to eat more. All I have to do is open a little metal disk...
When I was little, I was full of confidence.
I could have conversations with strangers and share my thoughts. I didn’t care what others thought of me, and I never let anything get in the way of my beliefs....
Last year, senior Jack VanderVeen made a goal for himself. Whether it be through school or something else, he was determined to push himself beyond his comfort zone.
In the end, he decided to try...
After I watch a movie or finish a TV series I like, I tend to either look up the show’s Instagram, the individual actors’ Instagram, or both. After I watched The Guilty, I went to the show’s Instagram,...
A hill was once a mountain. Fourth graders were once giants. High school classes were once a bunch of mumbled up confusion with letters in the wrong subject and doctoresque words flowing from my siblings’...
Senior Brenden Nelson almost quit band. He was about to put away his saxophone and leave his instruments behind.
However, just as he was about to move on to a different hobby, Brenden went to band...
Tylor Tuskmon, voiced by Ben Feldman, had wanted to be a scarer for a long time, but when he got the letter of acceptance from Monsters, Incorporated, he was just a little too late to live out his dream.
In...
There is a box of dead pointe shoes that sits in my closet. It’s just a plastic bin my mom bought at Target, but it holds the memories of five and a half years of struggles and accomplishments.
My...
In some of the first years of the district, back when the school was just Forest Hills High School, the school consisted of multiple buildings. Students would have to walk from building to building to...
My music choice ranges from week to week. For chunks of time, I will listen to upbeat, well-known music and the next I will listen to throwbacks. From country to musicals, from sad and slow to the happiest...
This summer, I learned what it was like to be a teenager.
During the school year, I am too overwhelmed about grades and getting to dance to be a true “teenager.” I never go out on weekdays, and...
*Lauren is in italics as she wanted to be fancy, and Liza is not because she wants to be taller.
Due to our matching golden locks of hair, we claimed to be sisters. We were attached at the hip, theoretically...
Deep in the Hundred Acre Wood is where I would love to live. Hidden from the adult world and surrounded only by my friends and the troublesome, ragtag team of stuffed animals that come to life.
Life...
From the Frances the Badger books to Little Critter, I loved listening to stories when I was little.
All of the greats were in my family’s repertoire: Arthur, Amelia Bedilia, Berenstain Bears, Fancy...
As custodian Vickie Miller sifts through her memories, one thing she was able to check off her bucket list was going on a cruise. Miller loves traveling and will hopefully be seeing more of the world as...
“I appreciate Mrs. DeMeester for being inspiring, kind, and always making class fun and engaging.”
“I appreciate Mr. Anderson and Mr. VonEhr. Not only do they dedicate every moment of the school...
“I appreciate Mr. Fisher because he was really nice and worked hard to make class interesting and make students feel included. I appreciate that he checks in with students and is very understanding.”
“One...
I met you all at varying points throughout my life.
Randomly becoming best friends in my third grade yet not knowing why, sitting in front of you during the terrifying class of APUSH on the first...
“I appreciate Mrs. Lipke for how much she wants us all to succeed; she is always there for help and support and truly gives math her all every day.”
“Mrs. Will, thank you for the limitless support...
“I appreciate Mrs. Stone for making math really easy to learn this school year. I felt like her teaching style helped me to understand every unit we did. She also was really gracious [and] let me take...
Thanks to all of the time she spent stuck at home last year, senior Maggie Molitor was able to explore her creative side.
With a little help from the internet, Maggie was able to discover her new...
What’s behind the mask?
A mouth. A nose. The bottom of someone’s face. A chin, maybe some freckles.
What’s behind the fabric that saves lives?
A smile? A frown? Contagious happiness?...
I checked the first thing off my bucket list when I was eleven years old—I made it into the Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company.
I was cast as the role of a deer in Snow White. While this may seem...
Senior Amanda Lemmeyer has always admired the Earth. As a young child, she liked to get her hands dirty and explore the woods while others were inside staring at their video games.
Wanting to learn...
Sometimes, disappointment slaps me in the face. I don’t get the role I wanted. I don’t get into that summer intensive. I don’t do so well on a test.
But like a phoenix, I will rise out of my...
The trees are blooming and I am ready to fall.
Don’t get me wrong, I love spring; it’s my second favorite season. It’s just what is associated with spring as a high school student that I don’t...
Senior Furzaan Abidi moved from place to place throughout his childhood.
He was born in Detroit, but for the first four years of his life he lived in Canada. From there he moved back to the Detroit...
Anthony’s best friend, Grant, died yesterday. Grant’s door to his house—a beautiful, tall door of stone which should have been stable if not for the monster—was destroyed and he was also in the...
Cross them over and under the hill. Pull them tight so they won’t fall off.
The floor I plopped down on is as dirty as ever. A half-torn, yellow, dried-up leaf catches my eye. What is the story behind...
2014 FHC alumna Ashley Kooistra considers herself as a “Gabriella Montez.”
High School Musical’s Gabriella is known for being studious, somewhat shy, and a great singer, and Kooistra believes...
I wake up in a room by myself, propped up in a bed.
My neck can move more easily, and my body is numb. I am scared to move too much though, for I fear the pain will return.
It’s hard to believe...
Wendy Ellis has been working hard and being a friendly face at FHC for eleven years. This was her last week here.
1. Why are you moving?
“My husband got a new job in Florida, so [my family is] all...
Every minuscule inhale I muster through includes a shooting pain like glass rattling up my lungs. Every tiny exhale allows that glass to fall back from where it came from.
My head is throbbing as if...
FHC alumna Amytess Girgis is making the journey across the ocean and moving to the United Kingdom next year.
As of right now, making this move of 3,726 miles will be difficult for her. Amytess is unprepared...
My arm covers my eyes as one eye pops open. My grasp on sleep loosens and disappears. My last dream vanishes from my memories despite the brevity of the moments that passed between reality and imagination.
My...
Socks come in pairs. It is indisputable. Unless you are one of those socks that are made for mixing and matching, you always have a twin.
My twin was my best friend. Even as we sat in the sock drawer...
Senior Ana Ahmed, former Supreme Leader of Costa Luna, went to all lengths to make sure people would not convict her for the title of saboteur during the World Diplomacy Game.
Despite her country’s...
The field lies before me.
An empty void of flowers and beauty,
yet the darkness soon curls over it.
Burgundy, obsidian, midnight blue:
lurking over the daily dew.
Hungry for all joy.
A...
On a faraway island, a yelp is heard.
A yelp of pain. A screech of misery. A cry for help.
Yet she can’t get to the victim.
She sits on her island, wasting away time that she could be helping...
Sophomore Everett Phipps has his plate full of activities he enjoys. Whether he started them when he was little or he has just recently found them, he enjoys all of his activities for a different reason.
Playing...
Marley hands me a fruit snack. They are so full of chemicals; I shouldn’t eat them—what if I get fat? I pop it into my mouth. The orange bursts into my mouth with the tastes of winter when oranges...
A keyhole. That is all the light I get.
A keyhole entering the terrifying box I’ve been defeated by. The box is filled with sharp things like scissors and needles, cloth things like napkins, and some...
Martin Luther King Jr. gave 2,500 speeches from 1957 to his death in 1968. With these 2,500 speeches, he travelled six million miles in order to inspire people from all over the country (Youth for Human...
I am here on one side of the glass window, staring at a scared reflection of myself, while the people on the other side take a guess on whether or not I am guilty.
At least I know the other people wrapped...
I started my days in the lilac room in a crib. I don’t remember these early days, but they were real.
The lilac room with a beautiful castle on a hill with a carriage leading up to it. The lilac room...
