On the first day of my sophomore year, I walked into Room 139 for the first time. And I never really walked out again. “Writing for Publication” was printed on my schedule for third hour. “Ken...

Zac Efron, of childhood idolatry and heartthrob glory, has never been so sinister. But, I suppose that’s the objective when playing the role of an infamous serial killer. And in Netflix’s Ted...

The clock struck midnight, and thousands upon thousands of fans shivered in anticipation, hearts pattering, breaths bated, faces illuminated by the glow of a glittering, shimmering countdown. For 13...

Update to measles outbreak in New York The New York suburb of Rockland County first declared a state of emergency in response to the measles outbreak back in March. Now, this outbreak has reached New...

Senior Sam Roub didn’t spend this year’s recent spring break on a resort. He didn’t relax on a beach or in the mountains; he didn’t post pictures online before white sand and a glittering sun....

Opening with a charming montage of old home videos immediately characterizing main character Kit (Brie Larson) as colorfully artistic and imaginative, Netflix’s Unicorn Store immediately wins points...

On Feb 28, sophomore Isabel Oppenhuizen stood before a crowd of people, her family and friends beaming at her as she accepted the award signifying seven weeks of hard work and a battle fought and defeated...

The exposition of the college bribing scandal exploded into the scene, igniting the anger and indignance of all across the country. In the wake of Aunt Becky’s fall from all-American grace, parents...

Sunday, the day known and beloved for its lazy, deliciously laid-back nature, was the day I began Netflix’s sitcom Turn Up Charlie. Boredom that I hadn’t had the pleasure of feeling in a while...

"[On the softball team,] it's really cool to see the upperclassmen and how they work with each other as a team. They're pretty much coaches too, like the seniors. Also, I really like being on a high school...

"I'm involved in Forensics Club, which is really speech club. I have anxiety with talking in front of large groups of people, and I guess [forensics] has helped [me] to get over that. It's really nice...

Ethiopian Airlines plane crash Last Sunday, Ethiopian Airlines’ brand new Boeing 737 Max 8 boarded 157 people. Headed for Nairobi, Kenya, the plane took off from Addis Abbab, Ethiopia; warning signs...

A few days ago someone asked me a question. How’s it feel to be graduating so soon? I didn’t expect to blank at such a simple, harmless inquiry. I opened my mouth like I always do, subconsciously...

Three years ago, as a freshman, senior Will Cammell joined the freshman soccer team. In an effort to stay in shape, he and his lacrosse teammates joined despite little prior experience on their side. “That...

Down the winding hall leading to the fine arts wing, behind metal doors, history and passion live and breathe within the very walls. The orchestra room, unbeknownst to many of the student body, emanates...

The artist many have accredited as the savior of modern R&B just recently released her newest album, While We Wait, and while I by no means consider myself an expert of the R&B genre, I can certainly...

“[My first year here] has been amazing. I love it. I love the students; I love my coworkers; I love the work. I worked in IT. It’s a very big difference. I still get to do some IT stuff, but not a...

To captivate the minds and emotions and attention of 330 million Twitter users or 3 billion Internet users or 7 billion people is no easy feat. Or is it? Certainly, a homosexual African-American...

Congress passes funding, and Trump declares national emergency Last week, both houses of Congress passed the $333 billion funding bill, effectively avoiding another government shutdown. And despite...

Ethan: "It was kind of a Christmas outfit with a bunch of cool little decorations: red, blue, white. It was Friday afternoon, and I was going to look for a tie because I hadn’t gotten one yet. So me...

The tantalizing online pictures that enticed me into trying Juju Bird paled in comparison to the treasure that awaited me in person when I popped open the takeout container. Newly opened in the Downtown...

As the battle for the infamous southern border wall rages on, what started as a subtle rumble has recently grown to a clamoring roar. Through his increasingly antagonistic crusade for the wall, the...

With three varsity sports and an undeniably difficult schedule, it’s easy for junior Sarah Schenck to have moments of longing for a simpler life. “Sometimes it’s kind of hard,” Sarah said. “Sometimes...

All eyes have been trained on the girl bearing the weight of a gunned-down concert, a whirlwind engagement imploding into a very public breakup, and an ex-boyfriend lost to suicide. Yet, Ariana Grande...

The storied tapestry of African-American history, while characterized by perseverance and resilience, is marred with the blood, sweat, and tears of four hundred years of unfathomable oppression. This...

“I’ve been in love with comedy forever,” said senior Gretchen Shull. “It’s always been intriguing to me. And I realized I loved doing it, I loved being it, and I’m actually not that bad at...

“I’m involved in drumline and in band. [The last drumline season] was interesting because we had a lot of people who were really good last season, and this season we had some incoming freshmen, so...

“I’m a swimmer on the FHC Swim and Dive team. It’s helped me make a lot of new friends, and it helps me improve my grades [because] I’m on a schedule. It’s taught me to try really hard and manage...

Government shutdown meets temporary end After a painful 35 days, the government shutdown was finally called to an end. President Trump announced that he’d be signing a temporary budget bill that would...

Three and a half years of constant, abrasive rhetoric of that infamous, looming wall like an incessant swarm of unfaltering flies immune to all amounts of swatting. No swatting has tamed the beast that...

In April of 2017, over 300 millennials touched down on a Bahamian island, alight with stars in their eyes, promises of a lavish, larger-than-life three-day getaway dancing in their minds. Tugged into...

In middle school, she minimally involved herself in the minimal theater opportunities provided. Thus, junior Laura Salas entered high school with little knowledge of the hobby that had yet to sweep her...

“I’m in a Venturing Crew, which is through Boy Scouts, [as] a co-ed program. It’s really fun. I got into it because my brother is an Eagle Scout, and he was like, ‘Hey, we have this thing happening.’...

Government shutdown Today, the federal government’s now infamous shutdown hit the benchmark of the 22nd day, making it the longest of its kind. As such, yesterday, 800,000 federal workers were left...

Placated by the sweetly simple thought that I had seen the limit of Black Mirror’s groundbreaking capacity, I was patiently waiting for a fifth season. The British show first found popularity for...

“I’m not really a ‘sport boy.’ I’ve done the improv team here for a year. I’ve done a lot of theater here. But out of school, I’ve done a lot of community theater; [I’ve] done a lot of...

“[I] feel like a proud mom,” said junior Nicole Aquino. “You’re so happy that after all their hard work, it’s paid off. So that’s how it felt; I’m very happy for my friends.” As a board...

“This is my second year on dance team. Not only is it fun, but interacting with people from the other classes that I wouldn’t interact with otherwise is a really fun experience. And then also— because...

Yesterday was a Monday. I stayed up too late the night before; my night was plagued with unproductivity, and my day was weighed down with exhaustion. I left school at the end of the day feeling my poor...

I suppose in this new age of a constant stream of shiny live-action remakes of childhood favorites, I shouldn’t have been surprised to see the cover of Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle looking up brightly...

Every day I walk out of school through the doors right by Mr. George’s room. Because of TCT duties and an admitted love for FHC after hours, I usually leave long after the 2:45 end of the school day,...

Senior Francesco Licci’s roots to FHC only go as far back as August. Arriving here at FHC through a foreign exchange program, Francesco’s experience here thus far has been a whirlwind of new culture...

Approaching the door of Jared Lowe’s classroom during third hour on any given day, the lively sound of students hard at work emanates from the door. A step into Lowe’s Intro to Business class captivates...

Alabama mall shooting On Thanksgiving night, a shooting broke out in a Hoover, Alabama mall. Just moments after the terror commenced, a Hoover cop shot Emantic Bradford Jr, killing him instantly. However,...

My newfound appreciation for stand-up- perhaps ushered in by Hasan Minhaj and my love for his show, Patriot Act and periodic viewing of The Daily Show clips- paved the way for my following of comedian...

Selina Franovic - for your authenticity and all the laughs You decided that you liked me and wanted to be my friend way back in seventh grade, when I was an annoying, obnoxious middle schooler, so I...

While browsing through Celebration Cinema’s current lineup, it was quite clear that, lately, Hollywood has been very generous in offering an array of quality films; however, when I saw that First Man...

This past Tuesday, on Nov 6, citizens across the country streamed to their local voting stations to fulfill their civic duty in the 2018 Midterms Election. Nationally, 35 seats in the U.S. Senate and...

In the dawn of an ever-polarized political landscape, mainstream entertainment has grown to adapt to and reflect this climate. From daytime TV, to late night talk shows, to Youtube, everyone seems to...

I had the privilege of finding books very early on. Or rather, it felt like books found their way to me. I was one of those kids with a book bigger than my body eternally grasped in my sticky, chubby fingers....

The midterm elections are almost upon us. On Nov 6, voters in our community will use their voice and civic duty to decide upon legislatures, governor, and more. However, voters in the Forest Hills area...

Whether it’s dancing in the summer to “Young Dumb & Broke,” driving with the windows rolled down and “8TEEN” blasting, or a late night with friends and “Shot Down” slowly lulling everyone...

Saudi Arabia journalist killed in Turkey Jamal Khashoggi had been a Saudi Arabian journalist for years, even serving as an advisor to Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief in the past. But when he began...

"[My parents] named me 'Autumn' because they love the season- they love all the colors- and they also met each other in the fall. I definitely think I [share their love for fall]. I love everything about...

“Volunteer Opportunity." Those were the simple words that Principal Steve Passinault’s schoolwide email bore in its subject line, and those were the words that caught the eye of a small group of...

"I'm kind of a [Halloween] fanatic. I was supposed to be born on Halloween, but I was born the 29th. [I love] the whole scary factor and the costumes and fall, in general-- and haunted houses, I'm really...

I rolled my car up to the exit of the parking garage, ready to pay for parking with my GRCC ID card and leave, as the evening class my friend and I take at GRCC had just ended. An angry beep sends frustrated...

I’m surprising myself by even admitting to watching a movie with a hashtag in the title. But, to be fair, I think we all have high standards for Netflix originals. So I was willing to give Netflix...

I spent the beginning of my school career at Thornapple Elementary. I loved it there. Lockdown drills at Thornapple were fun. We’d turn all the lights off and huddle on the floor, giggles spilling out...

“I was at the Michigan football game. There were a lot of squirrels there. I really relate to squirrels just as an animal. Me and squirrels are kind of the same. I wanted to make sure they were nice...

Friday night lights beating down, in between third and fourth quarter, the much-awaited act assembles before a cheering crowd. Drum beats thunder, and the entirety of the agitated student section begins...

With my counterparts, Nisha and Susannah, already having cast a light on what occurs inside and outside our beloved TCT classroom, it’s now time to depart from FHC and look to the outside world-- current...

I didn’t think a book with “hillbilly” in the title would ever appeal to me, a first-generation American living in suburban Forest Hills. But alas, my affinity for memoirs and words far surpassed...

During a crackling bonfire at this year's senior retreat, the senior members of the improv team assembled and provided an enticing sneak peek at the electric energy they are about to unleash on stage Saturday....

It was a pretty surreal, awe-inspiring moment to be standing on a beautiful Holland beach, before a beautiful Michigan sunset, surrounded by almost my entire class. I suppose that’s what the annual...

“I do a lot in the art department; I really love art, and I love music. I listen to a lot of different types of music. [As for] art, I particularly like art drawings. With art, it’s just an easy way...

Arriving on the heels of The Peter Kavinsky Phenomenon, Netflix has released yet another teenage rom-com, titled Sierra Burgess is a Loser. Starring Noah Centineo (of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before...

As the new school year unfolds, The Central Trend is coming off of a blowout year. Our website underwent a complete redesign, covered every single sport at every single level, posted over fifty times weekly,...

On the last Saturday of this past summer, I took the SAT. It is the eleventh College Board-sanctioned exam I’ve taken; my College Board tally will likely reach sixteen by the end of my high school career,...

“Art is a sense of peace for me because it’s a type of beauty,” said sophomore Daci Funaro. “The art that I create I can take pride in; it’s just a safe thing for me.” As an intrinsically...

“Sports definitely is [a family thing],” sophomore Nicole Marco said of her runner parents. “From a young age we had to pick a sport, and [my parents] tried to get us to run, but we didn’t have...

Last year, Netflix original 13 Reasons Why took high schools all around the world by storm. Based on the 2007 novel, the show had all the components for a classic, binge-worthy high school show: drama,...

“I made varsity [tennis] this year, but I played JV for my freshman and sophomore year. I really like it; it’s my second sport. So it’s kind of just been something that I’ve done for fun, but I’ve...

Venezuelan election This past weekend, Venezuela held an election that was riddled with illegitimacy The country continues to suffer when it comes to poverty and malnutrition- especially thanks to...

Film: Brutus Producers: Grace Kline and Madisyn Bunke *Quotes by Grace Kline* 1. What’s your film about? “Our film is about four animals: a dog (Brutus), cat (Onyx), fish (Cheeto), and...

Toronto van attack On Monday afternoon, a van came barrelling down a crowded street in Toronto. Reportedly, the van covered a mile to a mile and a half of ground, pummeling into pedestrians as bystanders...

"I joined rowing [this year]. I'm a novice; I'm the only junior. It was kind of stressful because I didn't know anything, and they had all been training for weeks and weeks. I joined, and that same week...

Since the British duo first captured my attention with their debut album Silhouettes, I have watched Aquilo's every move and followed every single release as I patiently waited for another album. So...

Teachers protesting in Kentucky and Oklahoma Teachers have been making their voices heard loud and clear across the nation lately. Now in Kentucky, teachers are standing up to changes made to their...

"Something I'm really passionate about is architecture. I'm actually going to school for that at U of M. [I got interested in architecture during] a class I got put into my sophomore year. I really enjoyed...

Having dabbled in three sports throughout her three years of high school thus far, junior Kristen Giles has always found herself captivated by athletics all her life-- namely, soccer. "I've been playing...

Russia Poisoning of former Russian double agent: Two weeks of ago, former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter were found poisoned on a bench in Salisbury, triggering an uproar from...

"I think some kids probably don't realize the opportunities that we have in the building," said Assistant Principal John DeStefano. "They get so focused on academics that they forget there are other things...

Mask on, foil in hand. This is where freshman Annika Santos feels most comfortable, driving herself physically and mentally to beat out whoever she may face, continually pushing herself in the strenuously...

Trump and the bipartisan gun control meeting Last week, Trump held a bipartisan meeting of congressional lawmakers in order to discuss the issue of guns. Trump's position during this meeting, however,...

A simple scroll through Apple Music's selection of new music led my fingertips to an album- released just this past Friday- with a name almost identical to that of the whimsical Hundred Acre Wood from...

Israeli prime minister accused of accepting bribes, fraud, and breach of trust Last week, the Israeli police recommended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for indictment on charges of accepting bribes,...

It's the culmination of every homework assignment, difficult test, and sleepless night; every football game, assembly, and school dance. All the apprehension and anxiety and anticipation. Graduation: the...

"I think I get a "Girlfriend of the Year" award for this' So [my boyfriend] was home alone for a night or something, and he woke up, and apparently [his dog] had been sick. She's so cute-- like my favorite...

Russian sanction In July of 2017, Congress voted in favor of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) in an uncharacteristically unanimous vote of 517 to 5. As such, the act...

Armed with only the rudimentary experience of the fifth-grade required musical, Snow Biz!, sophomore Ali Azeem mustered up his courage and auditioned for this year's musical, Peter Pan. "I was very,...

Last month, The Central Trend staff room had the pleasure of hosting Morgan Jarema, a writer for Kent County school news site, School News Network. Jarema sat in our classroom for an hour, interviewed...

"I took a trip with my mom last year to London and Paris for a week, and that was probably the best thing I've ever done. I'd never been to Europe; it's really cool to experience other cultures. [My mom...

North and South Korea will come together for Olympics In a rather shocking North Korea update, North and South Korea have decided to attend the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics...

The glaring white letters of the TV show credits fade away, and all you are left with is a black screen. You are left only with yourself to stare into. A cold, unyielding, black mirror. It is from this...

This coming weekend, the usual excitement is absent as the dark shadow of exam stress takes its place. In hopes of providing ample relief, FHC Theater program is holding its annual Random Acts of Talent...

Thousands of Salvadoran Immigrants May Be Deported This past week the government announced their decision to terminate the TPS (Temporary Protected Status) that 200,000 Salvadoran immigrants benefited...

No shimmering wrapping paper littered the floor. No new, gleaming toys accompanied the mess. Santa didn't leave any half eaten cookies. Santa didn't even leave any gifts. Not one. Spanish teacher Carlos...

As a country, we have certainly had a messy relationship with drugs of all kind. While this can likely be traced back several centuries, the most concerning and relevant events transpired at the close...

I was different. That was certainly always apparent. But I hated it. And I hated myself, because deep down I resented my own disgust for being supposedly "different." I knew in my mind from the inspirational...