Heavy backpacks can lead to back problems

by Elise Kurk and Timon Bruce

The bell rings there is a choice. One option is to make that long trip to your locker, or put all your books in your backpack and carry them to the next period. Most students carry most of their books from one class period to the net with their backpacks. Is this really helpful? What could happen?

Health aide Earlene King has dealt with students with back problems before. She said the limit a person should carry on their back is 25 to 30 pounds, and that most back problems are caused by sports.

”It’s a very small percent for students to get back problems,” And that ” Students need to not carry as much,” For most students do not adjust their backpack straps and end up having it sag very low, adding stress to the back.

Doctors say for a healthy back you should only carry 10 to 15 percent of your body weight on your back, which means if you were 125 pounds you should not carry a backpack that is over 12.5 pounds. At FC an average backpack will weigh 14.5 pounds, which could possibly be a problem for your back later on.

”I’m required to have a set of books at home and at school,” said junior Reagan Kurk. She has a back that has been hurting non-stop since November 2012. They are trying to get help but as she has said ” there is something wrong, we are waiting for the doctor,” Kurk has to have a set of books at home and at school because her back can not handle it.

Health issues that could occur later on are many. A common health issue is scoliosis, which is an abnormal bed in the spine. Other common health issues of the back can also be numbness of upper extremities and constant pain.

‘’I have experienced pain in my back, a throbbing pain that is a 6 out of 10,’’ said sophomore Jeffrey Barnes. His back hurts from his backpack, for he cannot stop at his locker as he said that ‘’yes I have trouble opening my locker,’’ so he skips it completely.

To prevent these health issues and pain, you should try to lighten the load on your back, and remember to try not to carry anything that is 10 to 15 percent of your body weight on your back. Adjust your backpack to where it is upon your shoulders and not sagging. Most importantly try stopping at your locker often during your passing periods to help prevent health issues in the future.

News Feature

Safety plays role in preventing football injuries

by Braden Schroeder, Mitchell Lockhart and Jeremy Hammond

Football is a very high contact sport that produces many injuries; therefore, safety is a big factor in preventing injuries.

Many injuries happen every year, most of them occurring during practice. According to head football coach Brian Glesing, injuries happen in practice more than games, because they have more practices than games.

FC players feel safe when they play football. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t play football, according to Glesing. The players are taught to play safely; however, accidents happen.

“Bad snap and I went to retrieve the ball and the other team’s helmet hit my hand fracturing my middle finger and dislocating my index finger,” said JV quarterback Drake Andrews after his injury at the Charlestown scrimmage. The coaching staff and Andrews worked to get the injury fully healed. He is expected to return two weeks into September.

Some football injuries heal very quickly. According to freshman Eric Micco, his Adam’s apple was hit severely, infact football staff called for an ambulance. This injury happened about two weeks ago. Now, Micco is back out on the field; the injury may have been rare, but it healed quickly.

“We teach our players to keep their heads up when hitting. They must see what they hit,” said Glesing. When players put their heads down, it puts the neck in a vulnerable position.

More football penalties have been called for using the helmet as a weapon. “The NFL has been looking at ways to reduce head injuries,” said Glesing. These precautions are taking effect in all levels of football from youth leagues to the NFL.

The IHSAA ( Indiana High School Athletic Association) is looking into adopting new rules for player safety. For example, limiting contact in practice during the week is one the suggestions. This rule may help reduce the number of in practice injuries.

Although there are many precautions the football staff and IHSAA are enforcing to make the sport safe, there are still things to be done. According to Glesing, there is always more that can be done to make it safer.

When all equipment is used correctly, football can be a safe sport. The precautions also keep the sport safe. When players follow the equipment guidelines and the safety precautions the sport is safe and fun to play.

News Feature

Cats claw their way into today’s pop culture

by Julie Jackson and Karli Coleman

Cats have this certain aspect that intrigues many people. Whether you love the furry creatures or dislike them to world’s end, there is no getting around the fact that cats have become today’s pop culture outbreak.

“Cats are everywhere. As you enter the store, cats are on shirts, backpacks, and accessories,” said senior Lilly Hunchman.“It is hard to escape from them, but what’s not to like?”

Looking at the fashion world, cats have become a new label. They are placed on this pedestal for worship. They give hipsters a theme. This has given the term “cat lady” a new meaning.

It seems that this cat fad if you will, started online. “The popularity started to grow when YouTube videos stared kittens sneezing. Then everything took charge from there,” stated former student Kalee Smith.

The idea that the internet gave fame to cats seemed to flow through the minds of many. Is the internet the reason for the cat culture shock in today’s society? Or could it just be human nature at its best?

“I’ve grown up around cats. They’re cute, good companions and everything about them is lovable,” said Campbell.

Giving society a reason to question whether the “cat fad” is over-rated or not is acceptable with the exception that they have influenced the everyday life of the typical human being.

“The cat takeover is something that will go down in history as a trend of the decade. This may be a one hit wonder, but it made a strange impact,” said Smith.

News Feature

Memes reflect modern society and culture

by Allie Moburg and Sean Henry

In this day and age it is not uncommon to see and hear internet references in everyday life. We see them on t-shirts, coffee mugs, and even school supplies. These internet references are called memes.

According to Dictionary.com a meme is a cultural item that is transmitted by repetition in a manner analogous to the biological transmission of genes.

“A meme is a trend that is popular on the internet that tends to be funny,” said senior Louis Herlihy.

Sophomore Ryan Boyd said, “A meme is a popular picture or statement on the internet.”

Memes come in all shapes and forms. They range from videos like the popular “Bed Intruder Song” to humorous drawings such as the iconic “Forever Alone.”

The popularity of memes is most apparent among teenagers and young adults. Boyd was successfully able to list 15 memes, including popular ones such as “Y U NO DO DIS” and “Ain’t nobody got time for that.” Similarly, Herlihy named off popular titles including the “Harlem Shake” and the increasingly popular “Grumpy Cat.”

Because these memes are so popular among a younger audience, a generational gap might be seen. A disconnect between memes or internet humor and older generations would not be an unthinkable possibility.

“All generations are different people, so of course we will have different senses of humor, but ours is affected by memes,” said Boyd.

Technology specialist and psychology teacher Katrina Uhl approached the popularity of memes from a psychological point of view.

“I think that we’re kind of a very narcissistic society. We want to see our pictures. We want to see ourselves out there and so when something starts to happen we tend to jump on board very quickly, because we want to be out there if everyone else is out there. We want to see ourselves out there,” said Uhl

With memes there are many factors that contribute to them becoming popular, but what are the main qualities that make them go completely viral? Uhl gives credit to the influence of celebrities, while Herlihy recognizes the need for something short and simple to get stuck in people’s minds.

“‘Reddit’ is where a lot of the memes originate, and people put them on websites such as ‘IFunny’ and ‘Ragestache’or ‘Memebase’,” said freshman Jacob Taylor. This spreading of the memes to different websites helps to inflate the popularity of the memes. This causes them to grow in recognition until everyone knows about them.

With memes and other popular parts of the internet like Youtube gaining so much recognition outside of computers and smartphones it is easy to start to think of them as a new form of pop culture. The internet now has celebrities, trends, and fandoms, just as you would see with movies, television, and music.

“Absolutely. It plays a huge role in many people’s daily lives. History is being made through some of those videos. People who are trying to make a break in music or dancing or any kind of performance arts, they’re using it as a venue to get their image out there. Yes. It’s definitely pop culture,” said Uhl.

This emerging breed of pop culture is spreading so quickly because of our generations constant attachment to the internet.

“I probably spend about two to three hours everyday on the internet,” said Herlihy.

We can see the effects these memes have everyday in our own school. “Well, when the Harlem Shake was popular almost every class and team was making one. I know my wrestling team made one,” said Herlihy.

Due to this growing popularity with internet memes Uhl imagines that they will be around for a while.

“I don’t think it will ever go away. We’re too narcissistic as a human culture for it to go away, and if we have the availability of those types of venues to express ourselves, then we will continue to do it.”

News Feature

Hutson inspires in her classroom and beyond

by Analise Book and Raquel Renton

Juli Hutson is more than just a typical P.E. teacher. From an educator, to a trainer, to being a part of the Olympics, she has truly done it all.

From the beginning Hutson knew she wanted to work in this field, but she became much more than she originally planned. After having the chance to work with kids in Haiti at only 15 she said she felt it was her calling. Then Hutson set off to college to become either a high school P.E. teacher or basketball coach. She took one class in elementary teaching and discovered she loved it too.

“I absolutely love teaching kids otherwise I wouldn’t have done it for the last 29 years. It’s just natural to me,” she said.

Hutson carries her job with her out of school, too. She once sold everything she owned to go on a 10-month bike ride around the perimeter of the United States. It was nearly 11,000 miles and her and a group of 60 other people rode anywhere from 80-120 miles a day. They also stopped weekly to assist in community services, which was something Hutson had done her whole life.

“We slept in a Mayflower moving van that was made to look like a dormitory. It felt like everyone had a coffin,” said Hutson while recalling the events of the trip.

Like any other trip of that caliber would be, it was incredibly inspiring.

“I got to see America in a way that few people do. I met people totally amazing that just moved me and inspired me. You know, everyone always hears the bad things about us, but we got to see all the good.”

She also got the chance to carry the Olympic Torch one year. A student of Hutson’s nominated her for a contest that Coca Cola was sponsoring to find someone who does incredible work for their community.

“I had always wanted to be in the Olympics, but there was just no way! This was my own taste of it,” said Hutson.

On top of the great work Hutson has gotten to do, she also helps the students in innumerable ways. One of the biggest things that she has done was helping to sponsor the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA).

“It gives the kids involved a safe place to be who they are without judgment or spite,” she said. “I have heard of so much bullying; these kids need a place. They need to know they are worthwhile. Whether you agree or disagree, people are people. You may not respect their choices, but they are people and everyone deserves to be respected.”

Hutson really connects with the students she teaches and she tries to make a lasting impression on them.

“[Hutson] is great! She is forward, but in a caring matter and she doesn’t give us things that she can’t do herself, which shows how dedicated she is as a teacher. She is funny and charismatic and definitely knows how to cheer people on,” said sophomore Saide Martinez.

“I loved her when I had her! She really connected to her students and I really felt like she would be there for anyone if they needed it. She is a really great person and she taught me more than just health,” said senior Brittany Harris.

Whether Hutson is volunteering her time where it is needed or helping kids to lead healthy lives, she continues to be an important part of both FC and the community.

“I don’t think I do anything extraordinary. I think that I’m just me and I try to love these kids the best I can,” she said.

News Feature Photograph, Sports, Sports Story