Senior of the month
November’s senior of the month is Hunter Jackson. Hunter is the son of Mike and Christy Jackson of Milford Center. He has been a member of National Honor Society for three years and is serving this year as the journalist officer. He is currently employed at Chipotle Mexican Grill in Marysville. After graduation, he would like to attend a university in pursuit of a career in English education. Hunter would like to thank his friends and family very much for the support they provide and wants to remind them that he loves them. When asked what advice he has for the underclassmen he replied, “Take your time, life is what you make of it.”
(Photo submitted)
Students learn suicide prevention strategies
By: Linsey Eddy
Youth in today’s society have been struggling with depression and other mental health issues at an increasing and alarming rate. Union County and the Fairbanks community are no exception; the students, staff, families, and community have been deeply affected by youth suicide, and know the pain it brings. In an effort to proactively address these issues, Fairbanks, in conjunction with other Union County schools, is partnering with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to present their Signs of Suicide (S.O.S.) program.
The S.O.S. program was presented to 7th and 10th grade students over two-day sessions in the first half of November. Participants were able to watch videos about recognizing warning signs of depression and suicidal thoughts and actions from themselves and their friends. There was also open and private dialogue regarding the steps that can be taken after such discovery, as well as opportunities to seek and provide support. In addition to the student factor, all staff members took part in an S.O.S. presentation on November 2nd, with certain staff members receiving further training. A caregiver training was also provided on the evening of November 10th.
Fairbanks superintendent, Adham Schirg, explains, “Our hope is that by equipping our school community with tools and resources, we can help others that may need support. Students are uniquely positioned to support their friends and classmates. The S.O.S. program helps provide education to empower our students to make a true difference in the lives of others.” He hopes that the implementation of this program will have a positive effect on suicide awareness and prevention moving forward.
Council works with Superintendent
By: Ally Gerty
Back in October, Superintendent Adham Schirg reached out to parents, as well as high school juniors and seniors, inviting students to join the ‘Superintendent’s Advisory Council’. The council meets monthly to dialog on behalf of the students, along with voicing their concerns and providing feedback during this unusual time. When this group was formed last year, Fairbanks teachers were tasked with recommending students to be on the council, but this year, Mr. Schirg decided to switch things up. He sent out an open invitation and encouraged any students interested to join. There are a variety of students that make up the group to help bring in many perspectives. There are students that attend Tolles, students that are participating in college courses instead of being present at Fairbanks, and students who are at the school daily. Currently there are eight members, and they are always looking for more people and viewpoints! Students are encouraged to join and create an even better Fairbanks for the future to come.
FFA goes virtual
By: Montana Burns
FFA is having a virtual experience year. Mainly every event so far has been virtual to follow the COVID guidelines. The National FFA convention was virtual this year and members were able to experience it in Ag class and were all able to register for it. The Senior Parliamentary Procedure team has been practicing every day for the upcoming Sub-districts as well as the Novice team. The chapter had 4 people competing in the Job interview CDE – Linsey Eddy, Brynne Stanley, Emma Greve, and Hailey Dee! All did well in the competition with Linsey Eddy making it to districts. Members are hopeful for their first in-person meeting this November and hopeful for more to come after that! Until then they will remain virtual to reduce the risk.
Fairbanks welcomes new P.E./Health teacher
By: Madeline Conroy
At the beginning of this year, Fairbanks was glad to welcome a new teacher, Mr. Zach Brown. He graduated from Cedarville University and then began teaching at London High School and Middle School. After working in London for a while, he heard how Fairbanks was a “great community and can be a forever home,” and decided to start looking for a teaching job. Mr. Brown is now the middle and high school physical education (PE) and health teacher.
He said that he is loving being here at Fairbanks, and that “all the teachers and students have been fantastic.” Although Mr. Brown said it was hard to start teaching in the middle of the pandemic and getting to know all of the students and teachers, he is still grateful to be working in this community. However, he did have the opportunity to meet new students by being one of the high school football coaches. He was the wide-receiver coach. Mr. Brown is also going to be the Marysville Varsity assistant boy’s coach for basketball this year and he is very excited to start his new position. During Mr. Brown’s free time he likes to play golf or other sports and if he isn’t playing sports, he is watching them. At Fairbanks, he hopes to make a lasting impact on fellow staff and students.
Student Council adapts to COVID
By: Callie Kitchen
During this school year at Fairbanks, there have been a lot of rearrangements of normal school activities to adapt to the Covid-19 requirements. One particular activity that had to be revised was the student council elections. Each year the elections normally take place in May of the previous school year. This year the election was postponed to September due to last year’s Covid shutdown. Though it was a late start to selecting the students who will run in office, the council members have caught up with the events and meetings that take place yearly.
With Covid-19, the student council members have handled meetings in virtual calls instead of in person. This measure ensures the safety of the students versus meeting in person. There hasn’t been as many activities as most of the planned events have been canceled. The student council sophomores usually volunteer to help clean up after the annual prom to raise money for their next year’s prom. With last year’s prom being cancelled, the whole sophomore class will participate in doing various fundraising activities to raise money. The fundraising activities have also been edited due to the safety requirements of Covid-19, with new fundraising ideas brainstormed. Fall and Winter homecoming activities have also been modified, but activities such as Teacher Appreciation Week and possibly a bake sale are still to go on as planned. As the school year continues, the student council has been monitoring Covid-19 to know what they can and cannot do.
Mock Trial sees new case
By: Aubrey Tillman
Fairbanks Mock Trial is back and better than ever! This year’s case is especially exciting because of all the new challenges it brings to the competition. The case this year is a question of whether or not a defendant’s fourteenth amendment rights were violated when they agreed to a plea deal without knowing that the eyewitness testimony against them had been recanted. Students will work through the case to prove if the prosecution was obligated to turn over this valuable information to the defendant’s attorney. There are 16 members in the Mock Trial program and they were able to make two teams. These two teams will work together to prepare for a trial in the new virtual format. The Mock Trial advisors this year are Jason Carter and Seth Vipperman. They are excited to help the teams work through this case both virtually and in-person. Members of the program are very excited that they get to keep their in-person practices while also being able to adjust to a virtual format and keeping all involved safe. Practices started in early November and progress is being made quickly to prepare for the upcoming trial on January 30th 2021.
Science Club takes precautions
By: Grace Koenig
This year is most different compared to all others, Fairbanks Science Club has recognized this and is doing their best to accommodate students; allowing them to learn yet stay safe. There has already been one dissection as of October 24th, but there will be at least two more to follow. Because activities are being limited, Mrs. Tebbe, organizer of the Science Club, is planning on scheduling a Skype call with a scientist that Fairbanks families will be able to participate in over winter break.
NHS News
By: Hunter Jackson
The Fairbanks National Honor Society was very pleased to finally meet in person for the first time since last school year. They continue to do as much as they can for the community while conforming to the provided Covid 19 regulations. The president, Amelia Cameron, has done an outstanding job in her work and continues to help the organization make a positive impact on both the school and local community. They have continued their cleaning of the campus grounds and have started supporting local students in need of tutoring, as well as proving canned goods to a local shelter.