V3-I3 Features
"Lunch Bunch" mentoring group in high school
By Gabrielle Evans
NORTHRIDGE- National Honors Society (NHS) members will be starting a mentoring program for underclassmen and freshman during their lunch periods.
Teacher Kali Starkey come up with the idea because she teaches several freshman and new students to Northridge and it can be hard to meet new people, make friends and get involved. “Everybody is different and I want all students to feel accepted and appreciated for who they are. It is an opportunity for older students to give guidance and support to underclassmen,” says Starkey. She thought this would be a good idea for students from different grades to interact and get to know each other a little more so she went to the NHS members to get them involved and so they are able to offer their experience to the students.
The students will meet once a month on Wednesdays during the 6A lunch period. During this time, students will have time to eat their lunches together and then they will discuss about different things such as how to get involved with different clubs/activities at school, staying safe and appropriate on social media, how to survive high school, etc.
Starkey says “It can be hard making friends and getting involved in school, so I want students who attend to feel welcome and accepted in this group and have the opportunity to get to know more students in different grades. I think it is important for students to be nonjudgmental and accepting of all people/students, so I would like to try and make that happen.” She hopes that students will leave knowing more students, make some new friends, and also know how to get more involved in school.
Starkey also added, “If anyone is interested in getting involved, please see me or an NHS member for details!”
-Gabrielle Evans (‘15) is the News Editor and a Staff Writer for The Viking Vault.
By Gabrielle Evans
NORTHRIDGE- National Honors Society (NHS) members will be starting a mentoring program for underclassmen and freshman during their lunch periods.
Teacher Kali Starkey come up with the idea because she teaches several freshman and new students to Northridge and it can be hard to meet new people, make friends and get involved. “Everybody is different and I want all students to feel accepted and appreciated for who they are. It is an opportunity for older students to give guidance and support to underclassmen,” says Starkey. She thought this would be a good idea for students from different grades to interact and get to know each other a little more so she went to the NHS members to get them involved and so they are able to offer their experience to the students.
The students will meet once a month on Wednesdays during the 6A lunch period. During this time, students will have time to eat their lunches together and then they will discuss about different things such as how to get involved with different clubs/activities at school, staying safe and appropriate on social media, how to survive high school, etc.
Starkey says “It can be hard making friends and getting involved in school, so I want students who attend to feel welcome and accepted in this group and have the opportunity to get to know more students in different grades. I think it is important for students to be nonjudgmental and accepting of all people/students, so I would like to try and make that happen.” She hopes that students will leave knowing more students, make some new friends, and also know how to get more involved in school.
Starkey also added, “If anyone is interested in getting involved, please see me or an NHS member for details!”
-Gabrielle Evans (‘15) is the News Editor and a Staff Writer for The Viking Vault.
Lives of the incoming freshmen
By McKenzie Messer
(Photo: Mr. Wentz's freshman history class. Photo by M. Messer)
NORTHRIDGE - The class of 2018 recently became freshmen and speak out how the new school brings new changes.
Olivia Carpenter likes high school because of the freedom aspect. She adds that it’s a lot different from middle school because there are many more opinions, and high schoolers aren’t afraid to tell you what theirs are. There have been a few new problems, such as racism for Carpenter since she’s biracial. Despite the occasional comment, she feels that she’s been treated “pretty well.” Carpenter is in the marching band as a member of color guard and as a player of the flute and says her favorite is the people. Her least favorite part is the “judgmental attitudes,” but she enjoys meeting new people.
Mason Lyons (‘18) is enjoying high school so far. He says it’s different from middle school because “it’s much more laid back,” which is his favorite part about high school. Lyons joined OMUN (Ohio Model United Nations) on team Tajikistan. Lyons believes high school has made him branch out more socially, but also made his classes more difficult.
Natalie Neumeyer likes high school because she has more freedom and she’s learned who her “true friends are.” Neumeyer has been cheering for 10 years so she joined the high school cheerleading squad and is trying out for the winter squad as well. She said her favorite part of high school is her friends and her least favorite is math.
Victor Weaver thinks high school is different from middle school because the “classes are more personalized and punishments are more individualized.” He says that since he’s been in high school he’s learned that it’s not acceptable to share your feelings and there’s more judging, which he believes is caused by “the feeling of superiority.” He says he’s been treated well, but adds “It’s because I avoid people I don’t like. But overall, the upperclassmen are nice.” Weaver joined OMUN and is on Lyons’ team, as well as marching band where he plays clarinet and plans on joining track. His favorite part of marching band is the people because “they’re not mean and they’re accepting.” Weaver thinks the rest of his high school career will be “boring, unchanging, and pretty disappointing.” His favorite part of high school is the back of the bus.
New sophomore Ashley Cantrell (‘17) doesn’t think freshman year to sophomore year is a lot different based on class difficulty, but it’s much different in social aspects. Cantrell says sophomore year isn’t as awkward or scary. She says she’s made more friends with upperclassmen because sophomores “get more respect.” Cantrell doesn’t believe they were treated badly this year and the freshman haven’t gotten a lot of heat this year. Cantrell’s advice to freshmen would be “to always keep it real [sunglasses emoji].”
Austin Stone (‘17) also said that there’s a significant difference between freshman and sophomore year. Stone says, “Last year I was self-conscious and cared a lot, but I don’t anymore.” He also says he likes it more because they’re not on the bottom anymore and it’s hard to put yourself out there because you’re “just kind of ignored.” Stone thinks he’s respected more now with the grade change.
-McKenzie Messer (‘15) is the Print Editor-in-Chief and a Staff Writer for The Viking Vault.
By McKenzie Messer
(Photo: Mr. Wentz's freshman history class. Photo by M. Messer)
NORTHRIDGE - The class of 2018 recently became freshmen and speak out how the new school brings new changes.
Olivia Carpenter likes high school because of the freedom aspect. She adds that it’s a lot different from middle school because there are many more opinions, and high schoolers aren’t afraid to tell you what theirs are. There have been a few new problems, such as racism for Carpenter since she’s biracial. Despite the occasional comment, she feels that she’s been treated “pretty well.” Carpenter is in the marching band as a member of color guard and as a player of the flute and says her favorite is the people. Her least favorite part is the “judgmental attitudes,” but she enjoys meeting new people.
Mason Lyons (‘18) is enjoying high school so far. He says it’s different from middle school because “it’s much more laid back,” which is his favorite part about high school. Lyons joined OMUN (Ohio Model United Nations) on team Tajikistan. Lyons believes high school has made him branch out more socially, but also made his classes more difficult.
Natalie Neumeyer likes high school because she has more freedom and she’s learned who her “true friends are.” Neumeyer has been cheering for 10 years so she joined the high school cheerleading squad and is trying out for the winter squad as well. She said her favorite part of high school is her friends and her least favorite is math.
Victor Weaver thinks high school is different from middle school because the “classes are more personalized and punishments are more individualized.” He says that since he’s been in high school he’s learned that it’s not acceptable to share your feelings and there’s more judging, which he believes is caused by “the feeling of superiority.” He says he’s been treated well, but adds “It’s because I avoid people I don’t like. But overall, the upperclassmen are nice.” Weaver joined OMUN and is on Lyons’ team, as well as marching band where he plays clarinet and plans on joining track. His favorite part of marching band is the people because “they’re not mean and they’re accepting.” Weaver thinks the rest of his high school career will be “boring, unchanging, and pretty disappointing.” His favorite part of high school is the back of the bus.
New sophomore Ashley Cantrell (‘17) doesn’t think freshman year to sophomore year is a lot different based on class difficulty, but it’s much different in social aspects. Cantrell says sophomore year isn’t as awkward or scary. She says she’s made more friends with upperclassmen because sophomores “get more respect.” Cantrell doesn’t believe they were treated badly this year and the freshman haven’t gotten a lot of heat this year. Cantrell’s advice to freshmen would be “to always keep it real [sunglasses emoji].”
Austin Stone (‘17) also said that there’s a significant difference between freshman and sophomore year. Stone says, “Last year I was self-conscious and cared a lot, but I don’t anymore.” He also says he likes it more because they’re not on the bottom anymore and it’s hard to put yourself out there because you’re “just kind of ignored.” Stone thinks he’s respected more now with the grade change.
-McKenzie Messer (‘15) is the Print Editor-in-Chief and a Staff Writer for The Viking Vault.
New Siblings in Northridge Families
By Hugh Prentice
(Photo: The Prentice family. Grant, Kerensa, Kyle, Ian, Jordan, and Hugh. Photo by D. Marlette.)
NORTHRIDGE: Recently, my brothers and I were sat down in our living room by our mother, Kerensa Prentice, and told that she was pregnant. With twins.
I am not kidding when I say that my response after she told us that was “Huh, that’s cool.” And later I saved myself and told her congratulations, dodging a bullet with that. But, aside from my less than impressive reaction, I am very excited to have two new siblings in our house. I also found out that I wasn’t the only student at Northridge who had a new member added to their family in high school.
A senior at Northridge High School, Sam Iacone (’15) and her brother Chris Iacone (’18) recently welcomed their new little sister, Vivian, to their family. Vivian is a year and 3 months old, and Sam says that she is her new favorite. Sam also said that Vivian has “brought a lot more cuteness into our house” and has, in a way, “brought the family closer.” Sam is also “willing to do anything to help” as well as change diapers and watch her new baby sister.
Another student, Austin Stone (’17) is a sophomore at Northridge, and he and his three brothers and one sister have welcomed River Stone to their family. River is a boy who is 8 months old, and Stone says that River is his “favorite sibling at the moment.” Stone says that one of the downsides of having the baby in the house is that his mom can’t do a whole lot because she has to take care of River, but an upside is that Stone doesn’t have to change any diapers.
The last student, Grant Prentice (15’), is a senior at Northridge and, as one of my three brothers, is about to welcome two new siblings (twins, a boy and a girl) to our family. Prentice says that “it’ll definitely be a change in the house, but I’m excited for a little sister.” Prentice also said that he would be willing to help out but, jokingly, that he would not be changing any diapers. Our mom, Kerensa Prentice, has been thinking of the name Kira for the girl but, as of right now, she has no names for the boy.
-Hugh Prentice ('16) is an Interactive Editor and Staff Writer for The Viking Vault.
By Hugh Prentice
(Photo: The Prentice family. Grant, Kerensa, Kyle, Ian, Jordan, and Hugh. Photo by D. Marlette.)
NORTHRIDGE: Recently, my brothers and I were sat down in our living room by our mother, Kerensa Prentice, and told that she was pregnant. With twins.
I am not kidding when I say that my response after she told us that was “Huh, that’s cool.” And later I saved myself and told her congratulations, dodging a bullet with that. But, aside from my less than impressive reaction, I am very excited to have two new siblings in our house. I also found out that I wasn’t the only student at Northridge who had a new member added to their family in high school.
A senior at Northridge High School, Sam Iacone (’15) and her brother Chris Iacone (’18) recently welcomed their new little sister, Vivian, to their family. Vivian is a year and 3 months old, and Sam says that she is her new favorite. Sam also said that Vivian has “brought a lot more cuteness into our house” and has, in a way, “brought the family closer.” Sam is also “willing to do anything to help” as well as change diapers and watch her new baby sister.
Another student, Austin Stone (’17) is a sophomore at Northridge, and he and his three brothers and one sister have welcomed River Stone to their family. River is a boy who is 8 months old, and Stone says that River is his “favorite sibling at the moment.” Stone says that one of the downsides of having the baby in the house is that his mom can’t do a whole lot because she has to take care of River, but an upside is that Stone doesn’t have to change any diapers.
The last student, Grant Prentice (15’), is a senior at Northridge and, as one of my three brothers, is about to welcome two new siblings (twins, a boy and a girl) to our family. Prentice says that “it’ll definitely be a change in the house, but I’m excited for a little sister.” Prentice also said that he would be willing to help out but, jokingly, that he would not be changing any diapers. Our mom, Kerensa Prentice, has been thinking of the name Kira for the girl but, as of right now, she has no names for the boy.
-Hugh Prentice ('16) is an Interactive Editor and Staff Writer for The Viking Vault.
Northridge welcomes new track coach, elementary art teacher
By Lilly Chesser
(Photo: New art teacher and track coach, Mr. Featheringill. Photo by M. Hatfield.)
NORTHRIDGE - The 2014/2015 school year has welcomed a new teacher and coach on board--Mr. Richard Featheringill, or "Bird-Fish" to his young students. Featheringill says his passion for art drove him to his current teaching position, and his longtime involvement in track prepared him for his upcoming role as the head coach. What excites him most of all, he says, is the Northridge community.
"I grew up in a small town," says Featheringill, "just like this one. What I love most about them is being part of a community. I like the idea that I'm working with great families, teachers, and kids, and what I'm doing is a big part of their education." Featheringill is glad to have to experience of working in a small, rural town after teaching and subbing in urban areas.
Featheringill has been involved in track since he was in 8th grade, but this upcoming season will be his first time coaching the sport. Mr. John Morgan, the high school associate principal/athletic director, is heavily invested and interested in track, says Featheringill; he wants to make it the best it can be, and his ultimate goal is to get as many kids out competing as possible. The indoor season starts in early January, and Featheringill says he is looking forward to meeting his athletes and seeing their abilities and limitations. He says he hopes by the official March season everyone is competing to the best of their abilities and the team has become a "family."
As a K-5 art teacher, he has also greatly enjoyed working with children and teaching them not only how to create art, but how to look at and talk about it. He has made an effort to expose his kids to art history and important artistic movements, such as surrealism and impressionism. He stresses this because he believes art is not an isolated learning experience, and it is very much connected to history and other disciplines.
-Lilly Chesser ('15) is the Print Copy Editor and a Staff Writer for The Viking Vault.
By Lilly Chesser
(Photo: New art teacher and track coach, Mr. Featheringill. Photo by M. Hatfield.)
NORTHRIDGE - The 2014/2015 school year has welcomed a new teacher and coach on board--Mr. Richard Featheringill, or "Bird-Fish" to his young students. Featheringill says his passion for art drove him to his current teaching position, and his longtime involvement in track prepared him for his upcoming role as the head coach. What excites him most of all, he says, is the Northridge community.
"I grew up in a small town," says Featheringill, "just like this one. What I love most about them is being part of a community. I like the idea that I'm working with great families, teachers, and kids, and what I'm doing is a big part of their education." Featheringill is glad to have to experience of working in a small, rural town after teaching and subbing in urban areas.
Featheringill has been involved in track since he was in 8th grade, but this upcoming season will be his first time coaching the sport. Mr. John Morgan, the high school associate principal/athletic director, is heavily invested and interested in track, says Featheringill; he wants to make it the best it can be, and his ultimate goal is to get as many kids out competing as possible. The indoor season starts in early January, and Featheringill says he is looking forward to meeting his athletes and seeing their abilities and limitations. He says he hopes by the official March season everyone is competing to the best of their abilities and the team has become a "family."
As a K-5 art teacher, he has also greatly enjoyed working with children and teaching them not only how to create art, but how to look at and talk about it. He has made an effort to expose his kids to art history and important artistic movements, such as surrealism and impressionism. He stresses this because he believes art is not an isolated learning experience, and it is very much connected to history and other disciplines.
-Lilly Chesser ('15) is the Print Copy Editor and a Staff Writer for The Viking Vault.