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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

Riana Watkins-Martin, Staff Writer

Riana discovered her passion for writing in fifth grade, when a piece of her writing was entered into a competition and transformed into a play. Entering her second year on staff, Riana honed her skills by writing a variety of profiles, editorials, and and features . With over three hundred hours of volunteer work, Riana is a dedicated community member who helps out at a retirement home every weekend. When she is not participating in Boost club, Diversity club, Environmental Club, Global Leaders Initiative, and the National Honor Society, she often volunteers her time to assist students in the subjects of both science and math. Hoping to go into either pre-Med or pre-Law in the future, Riana was recently hand selected to attend John Hopkins University this upcoming summer to participate in an internship relating to her love for human anatomy. With a GPA of a 4.04, Riana’s dedication and perseverance is evident in the quality of her work.

  • Favorite thing about being on staff: I enjoy the overall positive atmosphere that the class provides and how everyone is so supportive of one another.
  • Favorite type of story to write: I particularly like writing columns and profiles because I am truly interested in learning new things about others.
  • Extracurriculars: I have participated in four years of violin, four years of theatre, tutoring, am a current waitress at retirement home, and an active member of the diversity club, environmental club, boost club, Global Leaders Initiative , and the National Honors Society.
  • Hobbies/ Interests: Besides being interested in writing, I also enjoy theatre, acting, and debating.
  • Favorite book and why: My favorite book is The Book Thief because it was written in a clever, unique style with an interesting plot and well developed characters!
  • If it is Friday night, you will most likely find her: hanging out with friends!

 

All content by Riana Watkins-Martin
Dear Mom...

Dear Mom…

Riana Watkins-Martin, Staff Writer May 11, 2016

There are little pencil markings etched into the doorframe of my main bathroom, tiny graphite carvings laid out in pairs that resemble inching caterpillars competing against one another in a 2 mile race....

Laura Stiles: Teaching about Countries and Compassion

Laura Stiles: Teaching about Countries and Compassion

Riana Watkins-Martin, staff writer May 4, 2016

“What are you up to now?” History teacher Laura Stiles suddenly called out to me in an intrigued manner,  just as I had concluded the interview and was stepping out the door with my tape recorder...

Disconnect in Order to Fix the Disconnect

Disconnect in Order to Fix the Disconnect

Riana Watkins-Martin April 20, 2016

We spend the entirety of our lives using up data Spending more time talking to Siri than we do to one another Paying additional charges just so we can google answers while outside Rather than...

The Inescapable Tide

The Inescapable Tide

Riana Watkins-Martin, staff writer March 23, 2016

Sometimes I feel as if we are merely doodles on an etch-a-sketch or even sandcastles built too close to the shore. We have spent the entirety of our lives building beautiful pictures composed...

Ichiban: a Restaurant Brimming with Culture

Ichiban: a Restaurant Brimming with Culture

Riana Watkins-Martin, staff writer March 16, 2016

There are hundreds of little glass figurines lined up in a organized row, trapped behind the glass of a cherry stained cabinet that resides right in front of the restrooms. The crystal menagerie consists...

From Building Legos to Building Robots: FH Robotics Prepares for Competition

From Building Legos to Building Robots: FH Robotics Prepares for Competition

Riana Watkins-Martin, staff writer March 9, 2016

There is a cacophony of noises the minute they step out of the warehouse. The voices of pilots rigidly stating flight departures and terminal numbers,  the brisk wail of colicky infants as they are hurriedly...

T3ach3rs D3mand our D3vic3s

T3ach3rs D3mand our D3vic3s

Riana Watkins-Martin, Staff Writer March 2, 2016

“Okay everyone, put away your devices.” These words effortlessly slip out of the mouth of your Pre Calculus teacher as he paces around the perimeter of the room, his hands slipped in his pants...

Two Seniors Speaking in Verses

Two Seniors Speaking in Verses

Riana Watkins-Martin, Staff Writer February 24, 2016

“But I am always going to be doing it, writing I mean,” senior Avery Ferin said, shifting a bit in her place and drawing her hands to her knees as if in deep contemplation. “ It is something that...

Thank you, Retail.

Thank you, Retail.

Riana Watkins-Martin, Staff Writer February 17, 2016

I used to work at McDonalds. Two summers ago, I proudly wore a jet black visor perched atop the crown of my head along with a cherry red t-shirt sporting the infamous ‘M’ on the left upper pocket....

Little Boxes of Red and Green

Little Boxes of Red and Green

Riana Watkins-Martin, Staff Writer February 10, 2016

Little red and green boxes scattered across a grid ultimately determine the self worth of an individual. Although it may be both depressing and painful to admit this, unfortunately, it is the harsh actualities...

Bowling Team Pins the Competition

Bowling Team Pins the Competition

Riana Watkins-Martin, Staff Writer February 3, 2016

You just have to knock down ten pins. That’s it. They stand propped up in a triangle formation near the end of the lane, taunting the bowler, while simultaneously anticipating the familiar nudge of a...

Same DNA, Different Personalities

Same DNA, Different Personalities

Riana Watkins-Martin, Staff Writer January 19, 2016

She is slightly taller than me, her lengthy legs disproportionate to her generally smaller stature. She has a sophisticated pointed nose with auburn colored hair that drapes just below her shoulders, baring...

My Own Personal Whiteboard

My Own Personal Whiteboard

Riana Watkins-Martin, Staff Writer January 11, 2016

To be completely honest with myself, my own personal identity resembles a jar full of silly putty. It is constantly being altered depending on the hands it is ultimately placed in; as opposed to being...

Back to Back: Freedom Versus Responsibility

Jon Pearcy and Riana Watkins-Martin December 15, 2015

Too Much Responsibility and Too Little Freedom By Jon Pearcy Responsibilities. We all have them. Yet I think many high school students will agree that as responsibilities grow throughout high school,...

The Color of my Skin

The Color of my Skin

Riana Watkins-Martin, staff writer December 14, 2015

"Mommy, what color am I?" These innocent words slipped off out of the mouth of my four-year-old sister as she curiously held out her hands and examined them in an inquisitive manner. My mother simply...

Spotlight on the Forest Fire Girls

Spotlight on the Forest Fire Girls

Riana Watkins-Martin, Staff Writer December 7, 2015

There is a “secret group”  hidden among FHC  that is composed of approximately fifteen girls, ones showcasing long-sleeved T Shirts that display crisp white and gold lettering. They bounce throughout...

Be Nice.

Be Nice.

Riana Watkins-Martin, staff writer November 30, 2015

To this day, I still vividly remember my kindergarten teacher yelling out after us, “Don’t forget the Golden Rule!” as we trampled over one another, racing each other out to the  playground in a...

The Great Gatsby: A Timeless Novel that Repeats the Past

The Great Gatsby: A Timeless Novel that Repeats the Past

Riana Watkins-Martin, staff writer November 23, 2015

“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” Similar to a small vessel anchored to a dock, Gatsby is helplessly trapped in the illusion of how things used to...

Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh my!

Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh my!

Riana Watkins-Martin, Staff Writer November 2, 2015

Life of Pi is like a juicy, ripe onion; you must relentlessly peel it back, layer by layer at a time, in order to fully appreciate the depth and complexity it has to offer. Like an onion, it'll make...

Model UN Makes Model Students

Model UN Makes Model Students

Riana Watkins-Martin, Staff Writer October 26, 2015

Model UN: a class that has ultimately inspired the metamorphosis of senior Kate Kovachevich; who, in the last two years, has effortlessly transformed from a shy, timid underclassmen into a self-assured,...

The French Club Uncovered

The French Club Uncovered

Riana Watkins-Martin, Staff Writer October 19, 2015

"I speak French." These are the words that one might hear slip out of the mouth of a sophisticated woman. One dressed in a fashionable scarf with her hair tucked under a beret, delicately sipping her...

Gossip Girl gives viewers something to gossip about

Gossip Girl gives viewers something to gossip about

Riana Watkins-Martin, Staff Writer October 12, 2015

"Good morning FHC students. A certain someone was tucked away last weekend rewatching every single episode of Gossip Girl; good thing she had nothing better to do on a Friday night, or she would have had...

Girls Cross Country: Its a Good Day to be a Ranger

Girls Cross Country: It’s a Good Day to be a Ranger

riana watkins-martin, Staff Writer October 8, 2015

The distinguishable sound of feet pounding the pavement, the heavy exasperated breathing coming from the flushed faces of the racers, and the sound of motivational chants echoing from the parents were...

Parenthood Hits Close to Home

Parenthood Hits Close to Home

Riana Watkins-Martin, Staff Writer October 5, 2015

I live in a household brimming full of a variety of different generations. On a typical day in the Martin household, you will  find my rambunctious little sister parading through the halls in a fluffy...

EAchieve Could Use Some Work

EAchieve Could Use Some Work

Riana Watkins-Martin, staff writer September 28, 2015

Let’s use our imagination for a minute. You’re on your way to fourth hour. You’re effortlessly gliding down the hallway with a lightweight backpack slung over one shoulder- a backpack containing...

Just Do It

Just Do It

Riana Watkins-Martin, staff writer September 21, 2015

Imagine this. You’ve just been released from the walls of FHC after a grueling 7 hour school day and you're now cruising down Cascade with the radio blasting, the windows slightly cracked, and the crisp...

Anne of Green Gables is coming soon!

Anne of Green Gables is coming soon!

Riana Watkins-Martin September 14, 2015

“It can’t possibly hurt to try.” This is the motto that theatre teacher Robbin Demeester has desperately attempted to instill in the 1,291 students roaming the hallways, each individual brimming...

The new Tanger Outlets is located in Byron Center.

Tanger Outlets Mall disappoints shoppers

"It's not really an outlet. It's just another mall." These words slipped out of the mouth of a middle aged woman, one bearing a disappointed expression as she hurriedly walked past all the stores, her...

The cheer team celebrates winning the spirit stick.

Cheerleading team starts season successfully

Riana Watkins-Martin August 30, 2015

Take a glance at the picture to the right. Now direct your attention to that small object being proudly displayed by the two grinning cheerleaders near the front of the group. To many, that object may...

Starting from Scratch: Cam Harris took on the task of building his own guitar

Starting from Scratch: Cam Harris took on the task of building his own guitar

Riana Watkins-Martin, Staff writer June 5, 2015

Eleven weeks ago, an Instagram picture was posted by one of our classmates that set our student’s feeds abuzz with a newfound sense of exhilaration and curiosity. Junior Cam Harris revealed a project...

Laptops, chrome books, and tablets- oh my!

Laptops, chrome books, and tablets- oh my!

Riana Watkins-Martin, staff writer June 5, 2015

Wham. A hand is suddenly slapped down onto your desk, snapping you out of the trance your Iphone has put you in. You look up to meet the angry gaze of your history teacher, one who has a sneer plastered...

Shattered Glass Review

Shattered Glass Review

Riana Watkins-Martin, staff writer June 2, 2015

As the credits to the movie Shattered Glass rolled on the screen and the background music filled the air, I couldn’t help but pause and ponder what I had just watched. The movie had a huge impact on...

The Bubbles Not a Bad Thing

The Bubble’s Not a Bad Thing

Riana Watkins-Martin, staff June 2, 2015

Resting near the curve of the winding road known as Cascade lies a homely supermarket, which is referred to as Forest Hills Foods. Tucked away beside that convenient grocery store resides a neon green...

School is a Factory

School is a Factory

Riana Watkins-Martin, staff writer June 2, 2015

In today’s aggressive  society, it is quite evident that America as a whole has placed an overwhelming amount of emphasis on competition: 196 existing countries continually strive to achieve certain...

Let them Hover: Helicopter Parents are Heroes

Let them Hover: Helicopter Parents are Heroes

Riana Watkins-Martin, staff writer June 2, 2015

Welcome to Generation Y, where the phrase “Yolo” has gradually evolved into an influential mantra, impulsive teenagers record themselves hacking on seemingly innocuous Cinnamon, and the concept of...

Olive Garden Review

Olive Garden Review

Riana Watkins-Martin, Staff Writer May 27, 2015

Ciao! Benevento! Bon appetite! These are the words I was immediately greeted with as I was politely ushered inside of Olive Garden and instantly seated. Being seated right away is not anything unusual...

Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, Inc.

Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, Inc.

Riana Watkins-Martin, staff writer May 26, 2015

Wham. As the credits rolled across my TV screen in a black and white flurry, my life flashed before my eyes. I had no idea what I would be doing for the rest of my life every day at 9 PM, no idea what...

Running Out of Options

Running Out of Options

Riana Watkins-Martin, staff writer May 26, 2015

As children, we all looked forward to that one day out of the week where we would be marched down to the gymnasium by our teacher and asked to change into our light up tennis shoes so as not to scuff the...

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