The Feather
Fresno Christian High School
Fresno, CA
Issue Date: 4/04/2008
Issue: April 2008
Last Update: 4/07/2008
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After 30 years of attending every FC sports game and campus event, Principal Gary Schultz will retire from office. Fondly known as 'Papa', Schultz has hugged every FC senior during the graduation ceremony since his first years as an administrator [Photo credit: Brittany Stobbe, Photo editor].

Long-time principal redirects service


By Mary Kneefel, Editor-in-chief

He has seen every tip-off, touchdown, basket, foul, win and loss. He has heard every song, solo and monologue. He has shaken every FC graduate's hand for over 20 years; however, this streak will soon end.
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In order to enhance their sliding abilities,the girls' softball team practiced on a piece of cardboard paper. Five minutes later, junior Brittany Shaffer snapped her fibula, benching her for the rest of the season [Photo credit: Micaelah Aleman, Guest photographer].

Disaster shatters diamond dream
Third baseman loses position, independence


By Brittany Shaffer

Last softball season I sat on the bench most of the time. This spring I finally earned my starting position at third. However, my dream was unfortunately shattered.
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Teachers can maximize learning potential if they recognize strengths and weakness in the different intelligences within each student, even if the only signs include constant questioning or daydreaming [Illustration credit: Daniel Hopper, Guest illustrator].

Quirks manifest multiple intelligence
Habits reveal mindset, guest speaker presents educational applications


By Mary Kneefel, Editor-in-chief

Imagine the kid in math class, who just cannot seem to stop tapping her pencil against the desk. Although the monotonous drumming often creates frustration for the teacher and peers, her mannerism allows her brain to trigger information.
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Junior Alyse Gulack, left, sings with fellow alto, Micaelah Aleman, in campus choir and ensemble programs. Although enthusiasm for an extracurricular activity may fade with time, Gulack has been involved in choir since 5th grade and desires to sing for the duration of her high school years [Photo credit: Brittany Stobbe, Photo editor].

Seasoned vocalist amplifies voice
Junior balances choral group, varsity cheer commitments


By Sarah Ingersol and Austin Ward

Voices blend together in perfect harmony. Singing reverberates through the music suite as choral members harmonize to the director's instruction.
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After three years of experience completing Night of the Stars productions, the senior class of '08 decided to recreate the cult classic movie, Clue, for their final performance, March 29 [Photo credit: David Fujihara, Guest photographer].

NOTS captures underwater enchantment
Fourteen-year tradition features oceanic decorations, awards class-made movies


By Jennifer Sherfield, Senior editor

For many, the winter formal highlights each school year. The event usually takes place in a decorated gym, where students dressed in formal attire congregate to dance until midnight.
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High school courses reciprocate benefits
Journalism causes focused essay composition, improves SAT scores


By Jennifer Sherfield, Senior editor

"Why would I want to be a journalist?" Although this question often surfaces when approached by publication recruiters, many believe participation in a publications class not only improves literacy but also stimulates media awareness.
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By providing more than 45 trails and the new addition of a 20-foot quarter pipe, slopes ranging from beginners to advanced attract a variety of snow-boarders to Sierra Summit throughout the winter [Courtesy Clay Alcorn].

Snow ends winter activity search
Sierra Summit sells season passes, offers over 45 trails


By Michelle Rose

While the regular movie scene involves a complete lack of activity, shopping typically empties wallets, and Call of Duty 4 seems to have lost its appeal after being released in November, many appear desperate for another winter activity.
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Beauty empties wallets, hazards health
Personal care products contain toxic ingredients, Skin Deep recommends safer alternatives


By Austin Ward

Before going on a date or a movie with friends, showers, using shampoos and conditioners, and other grooming applications are common place. Bedtime routines include washing faces with over-the-counter products with makeup often completing the desired look...
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Self discovery beyond city limits
FC grad asserts deliberate decisions determine future success


By Thom Breckenridge, Guest writer

This May will mark 10 years since I graduated from Fresno Christian. This milestone makes me realize that all of those clichés about time flying, as you get older are actually true; maybe that’s why they are clichés in the first place.
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Senior Angela Costanzo, above, developed a passion for horses after hearing stories from her parents. However, her parents refused to buy her a horse until she proved herself as responsible [Courtesy Angela Costanzo].

Horse steers rider's time
Senior breaks 8 year-old strawberry roan, practices barrel racing


By Alyssa Quenzer

A lone rider and horse gallop through the countryside, while the scenery passes. The rhythmic trot pulses through her body, while the wind blows through the hair of senior Angela
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Entering its seventh year, the Entrepreneur Fair developed from the ideas of Robert Foshee, economics teacher. Since its debut, Foshee has refined and expanded the fair [FC file photo].

Entrepreneur fair stimulates business
Students utilize techniques, anticipate profit


By Benjamin Dang, News editor

Posters and advertisements cover the hallways as students prepare for the Entrepreneur Fair. Utilizing the techniques and skills they have learned in economics, students hope to make a profit while providing a product to the consumer in the Ground Zero co...
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After many years of the San Joaquin River valley becoming over-grown with wildflowers and private ownership, the River Parkway Trust has created future plans for a 22-mile trail adjacent the river. The trust currently owns 3,600 acres of land to create the new trail and is in talks to develop more [Photo credit: Brooke Stobbe, Guest photographer].

Fresno parkway expansion creates gem
San Joaquin Valley River restoration includes trails, salmon runs, nature walks


By Alyssa Quenzer

The San Joaquin River Parkway provides a relaxing setting for community members to spend time with family or friends. Hawks circle above in the sky, while cyclists and joggers gaze at the beauty of the surrounding countryside.
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Reluctant readers worry educators
Adolescent illiteracy initiates debate, government plans academic strategy


By Claire Kister, Features editor

With interactive games like the Wii and access to every song in the universe with a download to an iPod, it seems obvious why teenagers dump their books for new technology.
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Michael Cox's The Meaning of Night entices readers into a Victorian world of deception and secrecy. Protagonist Edward Glapthorn plans are betrayed and he makes a resolution to kill his friend, Phoebus Daunt, who accuses him of stealing a rare manuscript [Illustration credit: Daniel Hopper, Guest illustrator].

Fiction examines anti-hero
The Meaning of Night follows virtuous villain, challenges judgement


By Brittany Lauber

"After killing the red-haired man, I took myself off to Quinn's for an oyster supper." With an opening sentence shocking in its flippancy, The Meaning of Night, by full story >

While the basic storyline of Horton Hears a Who remains the same, Hollywood has diluted the charm of this classic children's book. From too much humor geared to adults to little creative content, the movie lacks depth [Illustration credit: Ie Run Jung, Guest illustrator].

Hollywood dilutes Horton's charm
Appropriate content appeases parents, elicits no laughs


By Chelsea Joy, Reviews editor

A few years ago, somebody in Hollywood got the bright idea to subject viewers to a live-action Dr. Seuss with How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Following that blight on the movie landscape came the even...
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Drillbit Taylor, Owen Wilson's latest comedy, focuses on three terrorized teenagers who hire a bodyguard to rid them of an overly cruel bully. Though crude humor ultimately detracts from the film's charm, Drillbit Taylor remains suitable for high school students [Jennifer Rose, staff writer].

Drillbit Taylor bullies positive plot
Owen Wilson's latest comedy balances adult humor, serious plot


By Ryan Swain

New friends. An unfamiliar campus. More responsibility. For some teenagers, high school is a welcoming new experience. However, for those few unlucky kids who happen to differentiate from their peers in any way, high school may be four years of potential ...
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Dull plot ruins 21's bright lights
Box office addition one-dimensional characters, dubious morals


By Brittany Lauber

Brilliant minds, devious plans, secret identities, high stakes and Las Vegas casinos. With these elements how can a movie to put down a losing hand?
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Elephant Shell stands as one of the year's best releases to date [Daniel Hopper, Guest illustrator]." width="325" height="217">

Hailing from Ontario, Canada, Tokyo Police Club formed in 2005 and the post-punk outfit has not stopped making great music since. After releasing two EPs in three years, the band went to the recording studio and made their first album. The LP Elephant Shell stands as one of the year's best releases to date [Daniel Hopper, Guest illustrator].

Tokyo Police Club reforms punk attitude
Edgy synthesizers, vibrant lyrics pace classic style


By Sean O Neal

Many gave up on punk years ago, considering the style dead. The Sex Pistols faded, The Ramones broke up and The Clash finally decided that they sho...
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The Spanish II and III classes traveled off campus for an authentic Spanish dining experience: La Paella. Senior Richard Garcia, left, contemplates his plate of paella while sophomore Ryan Aydellotte waits for his reaction, March 28 [Photo credit: Ellie Mullins, Guest photographer].

Spanish class crosses ethnic, academic boundries
La Paella restaurant visit flavors campus experience


By Abigail Schoettler

With the colors of the Spanish flag painted on the walls, the La Paella restaurant opened its doors to students. The Spanish eatery hosted the full story >

Many Christians allow modern science to influence their interpretation of events described in the Bible. Others, however, will deny the absolute historicity of a religious text probably dating no earlier than the eighth century B.C [Illustration credit: Daniel Hopper, Guest illustrator].

Biblical literalism argues hypocrisy


By Nigel Alcorn

The Bible was never meant to be taken as a literal account of ancient history. Its creators were almost never biblical characters themselves, but usually included many authors writing over a span of centuries.
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