Volume 62 Issue 7 - Fort Myers High School

Rachel Antonucci invited to
attend the Annual AutoZone
Liberty Bowl Football Classic
by Daniela Patino and Morgan Frink
Rachel Antonucci, homecoming queen
As you all know, Rachel Antonucci was
crowned our 2007 homecoming queen, but
what you don’t know, is that she was invited
to participate in the 49th Annual AutoZone
Liberty Bowl Football Classic in Memphis,
Tennessee. Every year, homecoming queens
are chosen to take part in this enjoyable
event which includes a patriotic pregame
show and a half time show that is
performed by a nationally known entertainer.
Rachel was picked to partake in this event
because she is one of the top queens in the
state of Florida. Homecoming queens are
selected by their academic achievements,
community service, and their all-around
status as an outstanding individual. “I am
really exited and I think it will be a great
opportunity. I am really honored that they
chose me, it’s a really cool thing,” says Rachel.
The AutoZone Liberty Bowl is just for
the young ladies to get together, have fun,
and to be recognized for their outstanding
achievements. This bowl is the 7th oldest
Bowl game in America and was founded on
the principles of freedom, patriotism, and
liberty. All girls are to wear white as they will
represent the white in the red white and blue
patriotic theme. Each queen is permitted one
guest, but Rachel says her whole family is
going to go up with her and maybe Tim Raber.
Along with all the other events taking place,
on Friday, December 28 there will be a parade
that is held on historic Beale Street. All of
the queens, including Rachael, will ride on a
float. Saturday, December 29 is the Annual
AutoZone Liberty Bowl Football Classic. This
game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
Congratulations to Rachel Antonucci for being
chosen to participate in such an honorable event.
FMHS welcomes new biology teacher
by Morgan Frink and Daniela Patino
We recognize another addition to the FHMS
staff, Ms. Johannes. Ms. Johannes is one of the
biology teachers here this year. Ms. Johannes
is new to Fort Myers High School, but not new
to the teaching profession. She has taught
at Marcus High
School in Texas,
Lely High School in
Naples, and Edison
College. Graduating
from Write State
University in Dayton,
Ohio, and having her
undergrad from the
University of North
Texas, Ms. Johannes
admits that she did
not always want
to be a teacher. “I
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is
Ms. Johannes, new biology teacher at FMHS
actually wanted to be a doctor; however, I did
not stay focused on my goals. After I have had
the wonderful experience of children, teaching
took on a new perspective. Now I cannot
imagine doing anything else,” says Johannes.
When asked why she wanted to work at Fort
no path and leave a trail…” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Myers High School, Ms. Johannes said, “I
came to teach at FMHS because it was highly
recommended by former students. The staff
and administration are also very ambitious
to make the school very successful in every
aspect of education.”
She also says that one
of the main differences
in our school is the
block scheduling which
she really likes. Ms.
Johannes feels that
teaching here is a great
and rewarding position.
In her free time, Ms.
Johannes lives a very
active life. She enjoys
spending time with her
children, running, and
playing tennis, but hates to cook! “I would
just like to reiterate to the students to take
full advantage of the great education they can
receive here at FMHS. High School is a fun
time in your life, but stay focused on long term
goals to succeed in a career,” says Ms. Johannes.
W h a t a r e y o u r p l a n s f o r t h e h o l i d a y b r e a k ?
by Kiyanna Wingate and Alex Hillberry
Damian Thorn, Senior
“I’m going to be playing rock band.” “I’ll either be traveling to New York or California
for a week, then I’ll spend the rest of
my vacation working.”
Students work hard to prepare
for Thanksgiving event
by Daniela Patino and Morgan Frink
(Back Row): Jeremy Heisler, Sergio Hernandez, Jordan Karpel, Grant Hampton
(Front Row): Jeaniva White, Iviana Correa, Tony Marion, Jimmy Smith
As you walked down the A hallway on
November 16, you could smell the wonderful
aroma of a freshly cooked Thanksgiving
dinner all the way down the hall. Mr. Pike’s
3rd period class prepared a feast for all of
their families, teachers, and faculty. This is the
second year that the class has hosted this event.
Meal preparation was a two day event. On
the final day the students started cooking at 7
a.m. to make sure everything was ready for
their guests’ arrival at 11 a.m. Each student
took on a task to put together this meal. Jeremy
Heisler, Grant Hampton, and Tony Marion all
helped deliver the chicken to the cafeteria to be
cooked. While they were there, they also picked
up their well-prepared ham. Jeaniva White
and Iviana Correa both prepared the corn bread
with the help of their classmate Tony Marion.
Jordan Karpel, Jimmy Smith, and Sergio
Hernandez all helped out by getting the
George Vidal, Junior Marissa Marazzi, Freshman Ryan Nimsger, Senior Shanika Gladney, Sophomore
vegetables started. Everyone made a wonderful
contribution to help make this meal a success.
Two students escorted their guests into the
room while others worked as servers and hosts.
Each and every student was extremely exited
to welcome their family, friends, and teachers
to this Thanksgiving feast. Everything that the
students made was full of love and appreciation
for everyone who attended the dinner.
Both Ms. White and Ms. Gonzalez, two
of the assistants that took part in helping
the students said, “Each individual did a
great job in arranging this get-together.”
At around 11:00 a.m., the room was filled
with tons of amazing food, exited students,
and so many thankful parents and teachers.
Everyone had a wonderful time preparing
for this successful event and really worked
hard to make the dinner such a success.
Congratulations to Mr. Pike and his students!
Jeaniva White and Iviana Correa work hard to prepare the corn bread muffins for the Thanksgiving meal.
“I’m going to Colorado to ski, open presents,
and have dinner with my family.”
Sara Kaner enjoying a good book.
“I’m going to spend time with my family and
relax from all the I.B. work.”
Drop Everything And Read
by Kiyanna Wingate
As you have probably noticed during your
5th period class, the school is now reading for
20 uninterrupted minutes each Wednesday.
SSR or silent sustained reading is a reading
intervention that is being implemented in
schools all over the nation. This is usually
a planned period of uninterrupted silent
reading. The basic principle of SSR is the
more students read, the more they will know
and the better readers they will become.
This program was created in order to enhance
the Reading FCAT scores of young adolescents.
Last year, students who read daily, scored
much higher than those who read only once a
week. Every Wednesday during fifth period,
students are required to bring reading material,
whether it’s a book, magazine, or articles
from the newspaper. Students will then be
able to enjoy 20 minutes of relaxing reading.
Students will not be allowed to work on any
other assignments, nor will they be allowed to
leave the room. An average of 18.1 minutes
spent reading in class every day will result
photo by Kiyanna Wingate
in you knowing seventy-two million words.
Books from the library have been dropped off to
classes, for those who forget to bring their own.
People, who read the most, read the best
because repeated reading of words plants the
words so deeply into our brains that we hardly
have to look at the entire word to understand it.
SSR is actually a good impact on the students
here at FMHS; reading stimulates the mind and
augments the use of vocabulary. Kiarra Johnson,
a sophomore here at FMHS says “I actually like
the fact we’ve started SSR, it gives my mind
time to relax from literature and equations”. In
truth, about a quarter of a class will complain
about not wanting to participate, which is
completely puzzling to those who appreciate
this time. The reading material is optional,
your choice, what more could you ask for?
This is the chance to explore the wonders
of legends, fictional characters, mysteries
and more. Be prepared to read your hearts
out every Wednesday, because SSR just
might be what you need to further exceed.
“I’ll be shopping and spending time with my
family in Maryland.”
Auriel Williams, Freshman
“I will be visiting my family in Virginia.”
Jean and David win the basketball competition. Jean Louisme and David
Westberry took on Mr. LaRosa and Mr. Eckhardt in a basketball competition at the pep rally
on November 29. Jean and David won the student body a “shorts day” for winning the
competition.
OPENING THIS FALL IN FORT MYERS