Skip to Main Content
  • November 2311/28: Thanksgiving
The Student Voice of Forest Hills Central

The Central Trend

The Student Voice of Forest Hills Central

The Central Trend

The Student Voice of Forest Hills Central

The Central Trend

Rachel Toole

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer

Rachel Toole is a sophomore entering her first year on staff. Rachel loves to travel and explore new places, as well as try new foods. Rachel also enjoys playing volleyball and soccer for the school and for club teams. She is very excited to be on staff and grow as a writer while she meets new people.

Favorite food: Sushi

On a Friday night you will find her: Hanging out with her friends

Her favorite place to travel: Tennessee

All content by Rachel Toole
My goodbye to the best and worst year of my life

My goodbye to the best and worst year of my life

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer May 17, 2019

Here’s the goodbye to the best and worst year of my life: sophomore year. You were like a roller coaster constantly wavering between highs and lows. I both loved and hated you at the same time, but...

Sydney Lauer finds both comfort and sadness through moving to Massachusetts

Sydney Lauer finds both comfort and sadness through moving to Massachusetts

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer May 16, 2019

Ever since sophomore Sydney Lauer's dad received a new job in Massachusetts back in November, her whole life has changed right before her eyes. As she spent her very last year in Grand Rapids, she stayed...

Humans of FHC: Will Brennen

Humans of FHC: Will Brennen

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer May 13, 2019

“The summer after eighth grade I was fishing with two friends at the dam in Ada. It was a great summer day including lunch from McDonald's. After fishing, we were going to walk back to my house, and...

Dead to Me was truly one of the best series Netflix has created in a while

Dead to Me was truly one of the best series Netflix has created in a while

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer May 10, 2019

We all know the story of a widow trying to regain her happiness after her husband passes away, but Dead to Me took a cliche plot and created something I never expected. At first, the Netflix original...

Mafia Al Dente- Filmfest Preview Q&A

Mafia Al Dente- Filmfest Preview Q&A

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer May 7, 2019

Film: Mafia Al Dente  Producers: Abeer Khan, Mark Kemp, Elena Nasser Interviewee: Elena Nasser 1. What’s your film about? “This girl who's from a long line of people who are in charge...

The scary story I thought I would never tell

The scary story I thought I would never tell

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer May 3, 2019

For the past two weeks, I have not been able to walk up stairs. I had to learn the proper way to use crutches, and I had to learn how to walk normally again. I tore my ACL and meniscus. A few Wednesdays...

Cakabakery is a hidden gem that should not be overlooked

Cakabakery is a hidden gem that should not be overlooked

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer April 26, 2019

After a stressful seven hours at school, I decided to treat myself to some sweet treats. After driving about twenty minutes, I found myself in front of the cute, simple, and aesthetically pleasing Cakabakery...

The small, simple things are what make a friendship

The small, simple things are what make a friendship

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer April 21, 2019

Isn’t it funny how we have so many friends but can’t remember when these friendships started? I always think back to the beginning moments of my various friendships, but as I tried to recall those...

Humans of FHC: Ruthie VanSkiver

Humans of FHC: Ruthie VanSkiver

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer April 21, 2019

"One time, I was going down a water slide on a blow-up playground when I was about 12 years old at my cousin's house. While I was going down the slide, my little sister sat down on my finger. At first,...

Alyssa Zadel lands a well-deserved spot on the University of Michigan's dance team

Alyssa Zadel lands a well-deserved spot on the University of Michigan’s dance team

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer April 17, 2019

While Alyssa Zadel’s senior year filled with dance team practices and dance competitions comes to end, she trades in her Ranger dance uniform for a Michigan Wolverine uniform. During her college years,...

Our Planet was an intriguing documentary that displayed the world in a unique way

Our Planet was an intriguing documentary that displayed the world in a unique way

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer April 12, 2019

After sitting in my car for over ten hours watching episode after episode of The Office, I decided to venture away from the comfort of my several simple shows and watch something that might actually educate...

The key to happiness is waiting to be seen

The key to happiness is waiting to be seen

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer April 8, 2019

This past week, I lived with my toes in the sand and the sand in between my fingers. As cliche as that sounds, this past week I was the happiest I had been in a while. As my stomach jumped with each wave...

Science Olympiad continues to excel, securing a spot at states

Science Olympiad continues to excel, securing a spot at states

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer March 29, 2019

After entering high school last year, sophomore Sukhpreet Singh decided to join Science Olympiad, a team that not only expanded his learning of science but introduced him to a whole new group of friends...

Local Mocha was a very anticlimactic experience

Local Mocha was a very anticlimactic experience

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer March 22, 2019

Biggby’s iced teddy bear drink is my go-to coffee, but I decided I’d be a bit adventurous and make my way to downtown Grand Rapids to a little restaurant/coffee shop named Local Mocha. Online,...

Just because it's a bad day doesn't mean it's a bad life

Just because it’s a bad day doesn’t mean it’s a bad life

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer March 15, 2019

The grey days overpower the sunny days. The sad overpowers the happy. The bad days overpower the good days. Whenever I’m asked the question “How is your day?” I immediately respond with either...

Sarah Buchanan greatly anticipates her new role as Student Director of theater

Sarah Buchanan greatly anticipates her new role as Student Director of theater

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer March 13, 2019

Trading the dance floor for the stage, junior Sarah Buchanan finds herself backstage as Assistant Student Director/Head of Deck Crew preparing for the role of Student Director her senior year. Next...

Humans of FHC: Jacob Kos

Humans of FHC: Jacob Kos

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer March 11, 2019

“One time, about five years ago, my mom took my sister and me on a trip to Florida for Spring Break. Instead of flying—like we usually do—my mom thought it would be a good idea to drive for the experience....

The Little Mermaid was undeniably disappointing

The Little Mermaid was undeniably disappointing

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer March 8, 2019

Being the Disney fanatic I am, seeing a movie named The Little Mermaid made me quickly reminisce about a young red-headed princess I had grown up adoring. Although, within the first few minutes of the...

How the excessive snow days are affecting AP students

How the excessive snow days are affecting AP students

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer March 5, 2019

Juggling a persistent social life, arduous school schedule, and copious sports practices, the various snow days did nothing but complicate life for junior Ivana Webb. As late April and early May--or more...

The cold facts of mass shooting should not be ignored

The cold facts of mass shooting should not be ignored

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer March 1, 2019

There are 365 days in a year.  Shockingly, in 2018's 365 days, 312 of those days included a mass shooting. Gun violence has become an extremely controversial topic within the past few years. The...

Little Bird is the perfect cafe to sit down and chat with a friend

Little Bird is the perfect cafe to sit down and chat with a friend

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer February 22, 2019

Located on Monroe Street in downtown Grand Rapids, right across the street from Madcap Coffee, a cozy cafe sits awaiting hungry customers. Little Bird not only filled my stomach, but it filled my expectations...

Humans of FHC: Delaney Michalski

Humans of FHC: Delaney Michalski

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer February 21, 2019

“Over spring break last year, my family and I took my friend Morgan Mittlestadt to Gatlinburg, Tennessee— somewhere we had never been before. My family rented a log cabin in the mountains, but it didn’t...

There is more to parenting than three basic rules

There is more to parenting than three basic rules

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer February 15, 2019

Don’t drink. Don’t smoke. Don’t do drugs. I used to think that if I abided by these few rules, I would grow up to be an exceptional child; although, I have learned that just making those three...

Hannah Becker finds love in wrestling while making history

Hannah Becker finds love in wrestling while making history

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer February 13, 2019

Wrestling has always been viewed as a sport only for boys, but this year, when FHC introduced a girls wrestling program, everything changed. Now, eight girls make up the biggest girls wrestling team in...

The Upside turned an ordinary plot into an extraordinary movie

The Upside turned an ordinary plot into an extraordinary movie

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer February 8, 2019

As my power flickered out in my house and boredom kicked it, I traveled the icy roads to a movie theater nearby. The ice storm raged outside, but I was warm and joyful inside watching The Upside in a comfy,...

Being "bored " has given me a new perspective

Being “bored ” has given me a new perspective

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer February 1, 2019

Yesterday, I was bored for the first time in five months. As a child, being bored was common to me; my summer days and afterschool activities consisted of no responsibilities. Whenever I found myself...

Macho Volleyball will be a competitive, exciting start to Winterfest festivities

Macho Volleyball will be a competitive, exciting start to Winterfest festivities

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer January 31, 2019

During the month of February, as snow dusts the ground, teachers pile on the homework, and cabin fever sets in, the students of FHC greatly anticipate the biggest event of Winterfest Week: Macho Volleyball,...

The popular chain restaurant, Wingstop, exceeds initial expectations

The popular chain restaurant, Wingstop, exceeds initial expectations

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer January 25, 2019

Buffalo Wild Wings has become the go-to spot for wings in Grand Rapids, but that is all about to change. Four miles from school, the chain restaurant called Wingstop just opened on 28th street, ready to...

All I have is "the now," and I need to stop living in the past

All I have is “the now,” and I need to stop living in the past

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer January 18, 2019

When I was about seven years old, I would look at 11-year-olds and wish I was them. When I was eleven years old, I would look at 15-year-olds and wish I was them. When I was 15 years old, I would look...

Bird Box has become famous worldwide, and it's easy to see why

Bird Box has become famous worldwide, and it’s easy to see why

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer January 14, 2019

Ten minutes into watching Bird Box, a brand new 2018 original Netflix movie, I had to pause the movie, breaking the trance I was cemented in. My hands typed fast, but my heart was beating even faster....

We need to transform society into something less ordinary

We need to transform society into something less ordinary

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer December 21, 2018

Our world is cliche. It’s hard to stray from the vicious normalities of life. Being unique and different is hard. You might be viewed as weird or strange, but is that really what we fear? I have...

Gone Boarding is a unique class that allows students to express their individuality

Gone Boarding is a unique class that allows students to express their individuality

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer December 19, 2018

Located in Room 154, in the basement of the school, lies a class like no other: Gone Boarding. From building surfboards all the way to longboards, the students of Gone Boarding spend their block class...

Creed II lived up to high expectations following the first movie

Creed II lived up to high expectations following the first movie

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer December 14, 2018

Intense and action-filled movies are not my favorite. Each time someone gets hit, I flinch and cover my eyes. Although, while I sat watching Creed II, I was mesmerized by the fights occurring on the...

My biggest dream is ruining my life

My biggest dream is ruining my life

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer December 7, 2018

My biggest dream. The University of Michigan. Every since I was a little kid, I have loved school. The unnecessary homework assignments I would receive in kindergarten—that consisted of counting...

The Christmas Chronicles is a refresher from other cliche Christmas movies

The Christmas Chronicles is a refresher from other cliche Christmas movies

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer November 30, 2018

Small, sparkling, shining lights on the tree, piping hot chocolate on the counter, and the movie Christmas Chronicle playing on the TV. A perfect recipe for a perfect Christmas. While watching The Christmas...

The new dance team coaches bring new perspectives to the team

The new dance team coaches bring new perspectives to the team

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer November 23, 2018

Pounding feet hit the floor while heavy breaths fill the warm, humid air. Jazzae Ford and Crystal Delgodo, new FHC dance team coaches and best friends, are learning a new dance that they will be performing...

To my best friend that doubles as my older sister

To my best friend that doubles as my older sister

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer November 23, 2018

Kelsey, As the holiday season creeps near, and family time becomes more frequent, I realized something. You're my best friend. As we shop for pointless gifts for my family, the laughs we share...

The new Grinch movie is immensely disappointing

The new Grinch movie is immensely disappointing

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer November 16, 2018

A countless number of Christmas movies come out during the holiday season; however, none can compete with the iconic Grinch movie. Once I heard that a new, updated version of The Grinch was being created,...

TCT's The Countless Thanks 2018: Rachel Toole

TCT’s The Countless Thanks 2018: Rachel Toole

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer November 15, 2018

My six best friends- for being the people who know me better than myself From the Friday night chaotic dance sessions to the Saturday morning groggy breakfasts, you guys never fail to put a smile on...

Guilt will eat you alive

Guilt will eat you alive

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer November 9, 2018

It eats away at the back of your head; it makes your hands sweat, and it makes your heart beat too fast for your body. Guilt. Guilt travels in a variety of forms; it spans from allowing your eyes to...

Ella Guikema is the new face of Beezus in the upcoming fall play

Ella Guikema is the new face of Beezus in the upcoming fall play

Rachel Toole, Staff Writer November 8, 2018

Standing on the illuminated stage, junior Ella Guikema—immobile and dressed in ragged clothes—looks out into the crowd. Hot, bright lights burn her eyes, and the conversations of her fellow cast members...

Load More Stories