"Seeing how I've matured from the beginning of freshman year to now has been incredible. It's weird now that I'm a sophomore-- almost. I've finally adjusted to how high school works, and I've tried some...

As the seniors are granted the freedom from high school’s grasps, I, a junior, sit in class, itching for that same blissful ability to simply let go. My brain continues to check out for the next few...

From the months of January to June my mind is almost always occupied -- whether it be with random facts regarding my upcoming tests or what time I need to wake up the next morning to get to school on time,...

"So Megan Piontkowsky found this prom dress on Etsy that she absolutely loved. It was kind of expensive, but the main reason she couldn't get it was because the shipping time was about six weeks, and prom...

Film: Hypebeasts Producers: Brendan Wendlandt, Jake Lendrink, Daniel Deindorfer, and Will Cammell *Quotes by Brendan Wendlandt* 1. What’s your film about? "Our film is about two lovable,...

As the weather haphazardly transitions from winter to spring, I have been attempting to craft my spring playlist -- chocked full of indie pop and upbeat summer-esque tunes. Desperately searching for anything...

"So far, my favorite part [of freshman year] has been adjusting to high school and getting to know what I have to do to get good grades and make new friends. I like learning how to take care of all my...

At this point in their lives, a majority of high school students have been required to maintain a high level of maturity and independence. Parents often act as training wheels to catch their children in...

As she sits surrounded by various brushes, mirrors, and products, junior Danielle Rapeyko ponders the "look" she wants to achieve. After finally deciding, she begins to work on her canvas: her face. "I...

Throughout my time as a high-school student, each of my English courses have featured novels, poems, short stories, and articles written in response to social and political happenings of the time. Typically,...

As freshman Hannah Fife tirelessly researched deaf-blind schools around the country, she was unaware of the fact that her work would help bring a new sport to FHC. As it turns out, the Virginia School...

"My mom surprised my sister and me by taking us to see Ed Sheeran in Chicago. I used to live in Chicago, so that was an added bonus, and I had wanted to see him for ages so I was really excited. It was...

Jeffrey Dahmer became a household name in a way unlike Pablo Picasso or Michael Phelps did. His name appeared in national news not for fantastic works of art or breaking world records, but instead for...

Among the many tables in the Heather Hills dining hall stands junior Bri Peplinski, carefully waiting on the many residents. Although it's just an ordinary waitress job, it has affected Bri in ways she...

"I went to Cannonsburg with a few friends, and it was my first time snowboarding. I had just gotten back from Spring Hill, so I was really tired but still wanted to go. I was doing pretty well, and I had...

With dozens of other high schoolers gathered around the start line, freshman Hannah Wordhouse stands, takes a deep breath and awaits the starting signal. As she progresses through her race, she enjoys...

When I was in 6th grade, I was allowed to be at my house unsupervised for the first time. I was honored to have obtained that trust from my parents, and I took the responsibility very seriously. It was...

"I love [senior] Grace Cool because she has always been one of the most positive role models in my life. She puts a lot of care into everything she does-- no matter what she's doing, she's working hard....

After spending junior year taking various standardized tests, seniors relish in the fact that their days of sitting in an empty classroom agonizing over the SAT are over. However, for 50 randomly selected...

After an approximate two year hiatus, Irish indie-alternative artist, EDEN has resurfaced, releasing his first full-length album: vertigo. As a massive fan of his previous EP, i think you think too much...

As Kevin Wang anxiously walks up to the stage, his mind is racing at a million miles per minute. Never before has he done anything that requires this type of skill set; his mind is typically used to program...

"A lot of things pushed me to try out for the musical. I tried out before, and I didn't make it. I kind of knew I wasn't going to make it-- the last time I tried out it was for The Little Mermaid, and...

This week, my brain has been spinning with tidbits about Russia. However, these pertained mostly to Russian literature-- 20th-century Russian literature, to be exact. My brain was (and still is) swimming...

"My mom is very interesting. She works a lot; she works very hard. She's very generous, and she wants me and my brothers to be very independent and responsible. She's really supportive of us, but she always...

"I like to have fun and not really worry about the little things as much. I focus on my friends and being happy, and that's what gets me through my day. Especially around the holidays, I love hanging out...

When freshman Delaney Michalski arrived in San Francisco this past summer, she was bracing herself for a mellow, melancholy trip. As it turns out, this trip would incite a new passion-- one that may lead...

Intensity. Billie Eilish has released her first EP dont smile at me at fifteen, and needless to say, it's impressive. Produced by her brother, Finneas Oa��Connell, dont smile at me perfectly encompasses...

This year, we saw a transfer of power, devastating natural disasters, a horrific mass shooting, and a variety of other major events. I've compiled a few of my opinions on the events that had the greatest...

About two weeks ago, my mother officially moved into her new home. Although it's a tad bit farther than is convenient for me, this quaint log cabin in the middle of nowhere feels more like home than our...

Friday, Dec. 8 was a typical day in the athletic office. Students passed through as they pleased, grabbing forms or fun-sized candies throughout the day. Everything was normal; that is, except for the...

After approximately 40 years in the teaching world, beloved English teacher Rick Lanning has decided to retire. One of the most venerable teachers at FHC, Lanning was held to a high standard by his...

"This year for Halloween, my friend Rachel and I decided to be Thing 1 and Thing 2. Rachel's mom decided to make the costume for us, and apparently, a few days after we asked her mom to make the costumes,...

My room is messy. Messy is an understatement, to be honest. Trashed is a better word. However, the point is I cannot maintain a tidy room for the life of me. Why does this have any relevance? I...

Amidst the holiday season, the tried tunes of the season ring in our ears nonstop. Frankly, no matter how jolly or joyful they may be, hearing the same songs for ten (or more) years straight gets a little...

Nearly everyone can relate to the overwhelming dread of political talks with normally-estranged family members around the holiday season. Specifically, Thanksgiving is infamous for the all-out brawls between...

Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, California, Texas, and Michigan. Sophomore Hailee Sincerbeaux has already lived in all of these states and has enjoyed her unique experiences in all of them....

I've stumbled upon the dark ages. Each day has become a drag, every action is a chore, and each week becomes more trying on my seemingly worn soul. I somehow manage to hit this wall every year....

We are all Rangers. The FHC student body, a notably supportive community, is united through the successes of their peers. As we have seen, the FHC football team is progressing through the playoffs...

We waited one year, three months, and twelve days. On October 27, the hit Netflix original series, Stranger Things, released its subsequent season. Fans had high expectations for this addition to the...

Hannah Richardson - for being the most positive person out there Whether I see you in the hallways or in class, you always have something nice to say. A comment made about my bangs always looking great...

FHC has worked hand-in-hand with Family Promise for years now. This organization helps house and support homeless families to assist them in finding a new home, but they can't do so without some help....

Transitions. Whether they happen at a young or old age, transitions make for a taxing emotional experience. Change is a natural course of life, yet the process is never truly integrated within us....

Stretched too thin. At least once in one's high school career, there will come a time where everything hits at once. The classes, the job, the responsibilities -- it all piles up. There's too much...

Sophomore Tommy Hendricks sits attentively at his desk, the gears in his brain beginning to turn. It's a Tuesday afternoon in Room 223, and the Math Club is working proactively to solve problems of high...

With a million and one things on my to-do list, I knew I had to go someplace where I could focus in order to complete all my assignments. Desperately trying to avoid a late night, I scoured the Internet...

There are too many things to say. When people asked what had me in hysterics this weekend and I responded with, "My coach isn't coming back next season," I received a variety of responses. An overwhelming...

With seventy-five donut holes in hand, senior Emma Yoder arrives at FHC with intents to brighten people's day. After beginning a tentative "Donut Friday" routine during her junior year, she decided to...

We all experience the frustrations that life throws at us daily. Where they fall on a scale of intensity, however, is where there is a deviation. For some, it's a battle to get themselves out of bed each...

How many people have to die before we open our eyes? Stephen Paddock was a 64-year-old poker player who, while staying Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, fired a gun from his window upon people in attendance...

Expectations were set high for indie-pop artist Quinn XCII after producing hit after hit for the past two years. His most recent release, The Story of Us, leaves no room for disappointment, each track...

A pencil and paper. This is all that sophomore Kyle Carter needs to occupy himself. Beginning in elementary school, drawing was simply something to pass the time. However, as Kyle progressed through...

In the past few days, the topic of nuclear weaponry has been unavoidable. Most recently with North Korea's threats of testing a hydrogen bomb over the Pacific Ocean, nuclear weapons have been pasted to...

I overwork myself. I take too many classes, do too many assignments, and care too much about maintaining a four-digit number that will be irrelevant in a matter of years. People often ask me, "Why...

Sophomore Maya Gulick reached down and picked up her bow, mentally preparing herself for her next shot. As she pulled the strings back, her equanimity is visible, and the arrow flawlessly released. Practicing...

As I was holed up in my office trying to complete my assignments, exhaustion was enveloping me and I nearly succumbed to the tempting idea of sleep. Yet I powered through my work, using tactics I developed...

"I'm really excited for this school year; I'm really excited for these new opportunities that I have. What I really want to do this year is make more friends, because I feel like I want to connect with...

Flooded streets, demolished foundations, and damaged homes have been pasted to every front page in the country. The culprit of this unimaginable destruction, Hurricane Harvey, has caused an estimated 150-180...

Junior Ashlyn Fitch is used to the hustle and bustle that comes with performing. However, after being exposed to a collegiate-level musical theatre program, her perspective has been completely re-adjusted. "It...

There's a cloud that lives inside my head. I didn't know it until recently, but it's been there my whole life. It accompanies me wherever I go, no matter how hard I try to desert it. It's a burden;...

The Central Trend has always, and will always, strive to bring you the students of FHC, along with the news that comes with them. Even prior to being titled The Central Trend, dedicated students worked...

I am always tired. I'm always moving, always driving, always doing something. I never take a break. Let me tell you, it's exhausting. Between practice every night and some weekends, homework reaching...

Normally, sophomore Meg Meekhoff has no issue understanding her teachers. Today, however, was different. Clad with orange earplugs and an assignment to remain silent all day, Meg used paper and pencil...

Name: Emily Briggs Grade: Sophomore 1.) Why did you decide to run for Trustee? "I decided to run [for trustee] again because last year was actually really fun. I enjoy being involved in organizing...

Ever since FHC established its own American Sign Language (ASL) program, students have been jumping at the opportunity to participate in the class. Juniors Kati Mansfield and Jillian Chamberlain are both...

The end of the school year is creeping near, which means with each passing day FHC becomes more and more like a prison barricading students from the warm weather and freedom that summer brings. However,...

Film: Erroris Sui Producers: Ian Kastner, Peyton Fester 1. What theme would you consider your film? "A psychological thriller." - Ian 2. Can you give a brief overview of the plot of your...

The Earth is warmer than it was one hundred years ago. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it - our planet has been deteriorating before our very eyes and unless we collectively take action, there will...

This past Friday, I was diagnosed with strep throat. This could not have happened at a worse time. On a Wednesday night after practice, I had just begun to realize that my throat was extremely sore;...

Spring is finally upon us in West Michigan, and with the limited time spring is upon us, everyone is sure to utilize every second of fresh air we can-- even while driving. Windows are rolled down to ensure...

Some of the most prominent memories I have from this past summer involve driving around with my friends, windows down, and the best songs blaring so loud it was impossible to hear anyone, even when they...

This past spring break, my family and I made a tiny slip-up: our initial plan to take a half mile hike through the mountains turned into a ten-mile excursion. My family was hiking through Zion National...

Each January, the Robotics Team is faced with a unique challenge. Their task is to create a robot that can complete the challenge, which takes teamwork, skill, and perseverance. Senior Olivia Thomas has...

Students at FHC who wish to enter a business field following graduation have many of options when it comes to classes that appeal to their interests. On top of the in-school classes offered, DECA is available...

Taking the road less traveled is not a bad thing. Changing the course of your life on a day's notice is not something to be frowned upon. Living life the "non-traditional" way is not something to be...

On March 1, 2017, 20-year-old singer-songwriter Lorde announced the release of her first song in over four years. It had been alluded that Lorde would be releasing new music this year; however, release...

When referring to FHC theater productions, there is no aspect that is easy. From the costume department, to the crew, to the cast themselves, an abundance of work is put into each and every show to make...

I am a night person. I enjoy the shroud of darkness, the calamity of being alone. There's something exhilarating about it; some sort of freedom. Things are different at night, whether that be the roads,...

Each day, we experience different people, different events, and we feel different things. There are some days we feel happy and joyful, others where we feel dejected and forlorn, and others where we are...

In honor of Winterfest Week, The Central Trend is honoring school spirit, promoting traditional school events, and broadcasting important information to students and parents alike. Monday kicked off spirit...

Sometimes, their best just isn't enough. We fight, we cry, we forgive. The steps to resolving conflict - they seem relatively simple. Yet we can fight for months, we can cry for years, and forgiveness...

This May, the FHC Class of 2017 will walk across the stage and accept their diplomas, stepping into their new lives as high school graduates. The graduation ceremony is anticipated by seniors throughout...

This weekend, I saw something that changed my life. I was lucky enough to see millions of women and men march the streets in support of the feminist movement (some supporting other minority groups...

Words. We string them into sentences, and somehow, these words come together to form something with a completely new meaning. These words are the basis for communication and hold more power than the...

FHC students were granted two snow days this week after some inclement weather. With midterm exams lurking in the near future, the two days off have caused a shift in the predetermined exam schedule. The...

Having opinions can be terrifying. The idea of sharing one’s thoughts with the rest of the world and the ghastly prospect of being judged for having an independent viewpoint is straight up intimidating....

During the early days of break, many students, including me, had a surplus of free time on their hands. However, having time and spending the time are two completely different things. It is for this reason...

A new year is not required to change the course of your life. It’s as simple as that. As 2016 is drawing to a close, many people are taking the time to reflect on the past year and set goals for...

I had hopes this year. Dreams. Expectations. I was supposed to become happy. I was supposed to love myself. I was supposed to live. It didn’t turn out that way. Instead, this year I...

The Fine Arts Center was filled with sounds of chatter last night, but as the percussion ensemble, along with band director, Robert Ash, took the stage, a hush fell over the crowd. When the first sounds...

The inevitable winter chill is rolling through West Michigan, and although I don’t find solace in the pristine, white snow, I do find amenity in fuzzy blankets, artificial heat, and a warm mug of hot...

In Room 126, students enrolled in American Sign Language furiously practiced their dialogue for their upcoming test. The classroom fell silent with nothing but the muffled sounds of hands brushing against...

After spending two years creating a unique style, Irish songwriter/producer Jonathon Ng decided it was time for a change. He took on a new alias, and began to produce music with a different tone. The first...

There are people who come and go throughout our lives. It’s a fact. Not everyone we encounter follows us to the end. Whether we know it or not, people’s time together has an expiration date. Personally,...

For most FHC students, FHC is just their school. For senior Katie Knister, FHC is a place to be grateful for and to make change happen. Katie acts as the president of the Student Council Board, which...

As the floor became increasingly crowded at the Fillmore, lights flashed and music blared. Excitement was building as the time ticked on. Everyone was anxious for the main act--Troye Sivan--to come out...

Each year during the early days of September, FHC seniors travel to a retreat in order to bond with their class before parting ways. The infamous senior retreat is a turning point for the student body...

Being in a crowded room filled with unfamiliar faces is difficult enough, let alone attempting to stick out as someone with potential. For junior Rebecca Shull, the crowded rooms and extreme competition...

I thought it was a cliche. After the release of the Netflix original series Stranger Things, it seemed like the entire world was watching. However, I was not tuning in. I am not normally a fan...