Senior of the Month
April’s senior of the month is Shelby Jones. Shelby is the daughter of Byron and Rachel Jones of Milford Center. Throughout high school, she has been a member of the girls’ varsity golf team, National Honor Society, and FCCLA where she competed at the national level. She is a 10 year member of 4-H where she raises show rabbits and has competed at the county and state fairs as well as through ARBA shows. Her love for animals has led her to an untraditional path of schooling. During her junior and senior years she attended Zoo School at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium while taking College Credit Plus classes and classes at Fairbanks. Through Zoo School she conducted a research study on giraffes and their behaviors with and without the presence of music in their barn. With this study, she wrote a formal research paper and conducted statistical tests to analyze her data. Currently, she is interning in the zoo’s Animal Encounters Village where she aids the keepers in caring for many of the reptiles and several small mammals. After graduation she plans to attend a 4 year university to double major in neuroscience and biology. When asked what advice she has for the underclassmen, she replied, “Look for unique opportunities and take advantage of them. Join clubs, take summer classes, or attend a technical high school program. I have done all of these things and have challenged myself through them.” (Photo submitted)
Changes made to 2021 Prom
By Callie Kitchen
This year at Fairbanks High School the junior class had planned to do a formal banquet for the juniors and seniors to comply with Covid 19 guidelines.
Recently, the state changed their guidelines to which Fairbanks can now host a more traditional prom with dancing. Some restrictions still apply.
There will be no food served, no outside dates, and no underclassmen. There will also be no promenade to announce each couple as they arrive. However, the junior class will be providing a 5×7 print taken by HR imaging for the parents since they are not able to be on site to watch as students arrive.
There is no theme but the Fairbanks staff and students are utilizing some of the decorations bought last year prior to the closing of the school. Most of the decorations were of a theme called “Enchanted Forest.”
As April 24th is approaching the events that will occur are dancing with a DJ (within guidelines of the Union County Health Dept.) and pictures will be taken in front of a backdrop.
Ticket sales were lower than normal, but this does not come as a surprise. Fairbanks administration encouraged students to weigh their risks of a possible quarantine that could affect their upcoming sporting events, exams, and other end-of-the-year events.
Though it will not be a completely traditional prom, it will still be a night to remember with fun times around friends.
First-ever Robotics Team kicks off
By Madeline Conroy
Fairbanks High School is welcoming a robotics club for the first time. Even though the elementary and middle schools both have had robotics teams, this is the high school’s first robotics team. The advisors are Mark Kohls and Tony Gerstenberger. For their first year, they were happy to have two teams of five students. This was also their first year to compete in the VEX VRC robotics competition. The students were the ones to design, build, and program the robots to score balls in goals. The competition includes four teams in an arena. Two teams are working to score blue balls and the other two teams are working to score red balls. There is offense and defense as a team can either score points or un-score the other team’s balls.
So far they have had 4 competitions from January to March. The competitions were held at Broadview Heights, Highland, Pickerington, and North Union. As this was their first year it took them a little while to understand and get the hang of it. But they were able to learn a lot at each competition, and both teams were able to qualify for the state competition. The state competition is April 17th in Marion and the Fairbanks community wishes them luck!
FFA members garner awards
By Montana Burns
Recently the Fairbanks FFA has won many awards.
The Dairy Judging Team placed 7th in the state with Cade Ziegler being their top dairy judger and placing 7th as an individual.
The General Livestock team placed 53rd with Evan Blumenschein being the chapter’s top judger on the team.
Two members placed in the top four at the State Convention for proficiencies: Autumn Scheiderer with Beef placement and Kaleb Boyd with Sheep Placement.
Four members will be receiving their state degrees: Cade Ziegler, Montana Burns, Brynne Stanley, and Shelby Burns. 2020 graduates, Keagan Nicol, Autumn Scheiderer, and Abby Underhill will receive their American Degrees.
The State Convention will be held virtually this year on April 29 and 30.
The FFA Banquet date has been moved to May 15 and will be live streamed for those who are unable to attend the event.
FCCLA stays active
By Aubrey Tillman
This school year has flown by for Fairbanks FCCLA. The officer team was so grateful that they were able to continue to be active in their community, even if it looked different than other years. Members had their final regular meeting of the year this month where they voted for officers for next school year. Current and new officers are excited for their end of year awards ceremony on May 12th where they will officially announce new officers and pass out end of year awards. Members will be volunteering at the Marysville Hope Center and doing an Earth Day trash pick up at the end of the month for their final service projects of the year. The new officers are excited to bring their new ideas to the club next year!
Choir set to perform next month
By Grace Koenig
This year, Ms. Cooper’s lovely choir group will be performing in the High School gym on May 14th at 7:00pm.
It will be a delightful and touching show as these performers, and Ms. Cooper, have been working very hard and have had to adapt with the new rules in social distancing and health safety.
Not only did they have to stand 6 feet apart but the use of masks as well as outdoor facilities and resources were needed.
The evening of the 14th will consist of Stars by Mary Donnelly & George L.O. Strid and a Latin piece Cantate Hodie! (Sing Today) by Mary Lynn Lightfoot.
All choir students are very excited, especially freshmen who will be able to experience their first concert.
Ms. Copper is very proud of her students and applauds them for staying motivated through all the ups and downs of the year.