The French Press
December 2023
Frenchtown High School's student newspaper
On Monday, December 4th my juniors walked into a classroom that was transformed into a café: desks were arranged into tables with checkered tablecloths, a fireplace was crackling on the whiteboard, and jazz lulled in the background. When students arrived, the looks on their faces were priceless and the excitement was contagious. High-interest books were scattered about each table, and each student’s seat was set with a menu. The occasion was our book tasting, where students “tasted” each of the nine books in order to find the best fit. Over the next five weeks, these students will participate in The Battle of the Books, which is a reading competition where students and their teams will battle about their literary knowledge.
The winners will not only be the recipient of a massive dose of pride, but they will be awarded an in-class ice cream Sundae bar and extra credit. At the end of the semester, teams will battle it out in an academic-team style competition that uses a buzzer system. I’m always impressed with student participation in this activity. There’s such a rush to knowing the answer and buzzing in fast enough, and I love watching the excitement and determination on their faces!
-Caitlyn McIver
Dear Advice for no Price,
I'm failing half of my classes already. I don't know what to do any more because I can never get anything turned in on time. My mom is already mad at me, and I'm afraid of failing my freshman year. Please help me before I fail all of my classes.
-Needing Extra Credit
Dear Extra,
The best thing you can do is get your homework done and talk to your teachers. Tell your mom you are trying your best and are going to work harder in the future. Also if you're needing extra help go and get a tutor. It can never hurt to be prepared.
- Advice for No Price
Dear Advice for no Price,
My friend is having a hard time with her boyfriend not being truthful. He never responds to any of her text messages, and he never seems to have any interest in talking to her. We both think that he is cheating on her, but we don't have any proof. What should she do to make her feel secure in her relationship?
-Confused and Worried
Dear Confused,
Trust your gut feelings. If you think the guy is not trustworthy, then he's probably not telling you something important. Either your friend needs to have a good talk with her boyfriend, or she needs to break up with him. Next time she is having issues, she needs to talk it out with that person before having second thoughts.
-Advice for no Price
Dear Advice for no Price,
This girl won't leave me alone. She has been threatening my mom and won’t stop following me around. I'm starting to get totally creeped out. She also will not stop spreading nasty rumors about me. What do I do to make her leave me alone and stop all her drama?
-Can You Stop Bothering Me
Dear Stop,
Tell her to knock it off. If she wants to cause drama, tell her to go somewhere else because it’s weird and totally not your style of life. If this girl won't leave you alone, talk to an adult and let them know what is going on. If she’s threatening your mom, then she is going too far. If she threatens your parents again, talk to the cops or to her parents because I agree that she should not have the chance to be doing this.
-Advice for No Price
Dear Advice for No Price,
I'm having some problems with my teachers and friends. In some of my classes, I don’t agree with how this teacher is covering the subject matter. I feel like I should not be in the class because it makes me really uncomfortable. Within my friends, they all know how I feel within these classes, but they wont stop teasing me about it. What can I do to make myself feel comfortable and have my friends not tease me about it?
-Can You Just Not
Dear Not,
Within the fact of your teacher, you should talk to him before making drastic measures such as moving out of said class. You should tell your teacher that their style of teaching is making you uncomfortable. Within the friends issue, they most likely don't understand that their teasing makes you feel bad or upset. Talk to them and you will be able to figure things out with life. Just remember that everyone has problems with friends and teachers sometimes, so someone is probably feeling the same way as you at the moment.
-Advice for No Price
Anonymous
Let me be the Ocean.
Always unknown, frightening, the bare truth.
Then abandoned for not being an interesting factor.
I’d rather be the air, cherished of use
Falling into every crack and corner, I’d be everywhere
Wind - wavering within myself, I’d always feel free.
But I’m broken, I’ve fallen from the surface
I live but I feel unlively in the exposed madness of the cruelness in this world
To sway in the breezes of the sea would be forever lively
Carrying my meaning, my soul
Into the waves I wish I once was but know I will forever be.
I’d rather be the air
Always cherished and of great use
Rather than the overwhelming ocean
Drowning within the endless numbness of myself
Why am I not of great glory, and
Cherished of great use?
I’d rather be a wondrous breeze
Than a confusing body of chilling blue
If I could be the wind, strong and free
I’d rather be a wondrous breeze.
-Anonymous
Madison Lake: she comes from Canada and is a Freshman this year! She is a very smart individual and can be very friendly when you get to know her. I asked her what her favorite part of Frenchtown High School was, and she said “All of the new friends I have made.” Since she is new, let's welcome her to Frenchtown!
Frenchtown students are asked a question every Friday regarding student interests and the results are posted in the French Press every time we publish!
Share Your Thoughts!
Follow @frenchtown_student_polls on Instagram to vote every week!
Written by: Aleah Knight
I ask 4 people 3 questions in the span of 2 minutes and post the results in 1 newspaper article.
This Week’s questions:
What do you want for Christmas?
Are you traveling anywhere during the holidays?
What is your favorite Christmas food?
Mrs. McArthur
“Money for a ticket to Europe”
“Nope, just to my parents house”
“Au Gratin Potatoes”
Mrs. Goris
“A massage”
“NO BECAUSE WE’RE GOING SOMEWHERE FOR SPRING BREAK”
“Christmas Cookies”
Laurel Krause
“I want some new hiking boots”
“I’m not, but I’m going skiing a lot”
“Pizzelle - Italian Christmas Cookies”
Kaydence White
“I want clothes and shoes”
“I’m probably staying home because my parents dislike me”
“Definitely mashed potatoes and ham”
The French Press
October 2023
Frenchtown High School's student newspaper.
Dear Readers,
I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself and our newspaper club. I’m Caitlyn McIver, and I’m the newspaper advisor here at Frenchtown High School. Our paper is called The French Press. We meet during lunch on Fridays to discuss articles, editing, publication, distribution, and readership; however, students write the articles in their free time.
I am always so impressed with the individuals that come out for the club as they are high-achievers and avid writers and readers who bring so much to our school and to our community. This year, I am excited to have an energetic group of freshmen and sophomores who have some fantastic ideas. If you're a student and would like to get involved in the school's newspaper, please join us on Fridays during lunch in my classroom. All are welcome!
When it comes to students choosing what to write about, I tell them to pick something in which they are interested. The best writing always comes from what one knows and enjoys. In the French Press, you can expect to see student articles about sports, news, teachers, students, opinions and so much more. You’ll also see photographs, cartoons, and games that are created by students who have a passion for media arts.
Our goal is to publish, digitally and in-print, about every six weeks. Please look for us on the school’s web page, bathroom stalls, and various locations around the school and community. If you have an event or topic that you’d like The French Press to cover, please reach out to me at caitlynmciver@ftbroncs.org. As always, thanks for reading!
Best Regards,
Caitlyn McIver
Interviewers and article by: Aleah Knight and Tru Peters
Each week we ask four people three questions, and then the two of us record their answers in one article for your reading pleasure. So, without further ado…..
This Weeks Questions:
(1) What is your favorite food?
(2) What are you going to be for Halloween?
(3) Have you ever dyed your hair? If you have, what color did you dye it? If you haven't, what color would you want to dye it?
Mr. Faust was the first victim and this is what he had to say:
“Ummmmmmm, a quesadilla from the Tamarack.”
“I don't know”. . . .”Yah, I’ll be Tony the Tiger”. . . .”no the Frosted Flakes tiger.”
“No I haven't”. . . .”I would dye it silver gray, like a silver fox”
Ben Kolmer was the second chosen for this week and he said:
“[something not ordinarily eaten]!”
“I'm gonna be a person”
“I can’t say I have, but maybe I did in a previous life”....”hmmm, maybe.”
Mrs. McIver, our lovely newspaper adviser, was surveyed her answers were:
“A salad, a big one. Not a PATHETIC one. Or maybe, buffalo wings...oh, I got it, a buffalo wing salad from The Bridge.”
“Maybe I will be a fireman or firewomen” (yes! she scores point for equality for women).
“Yes, dark brown in college.”
Lilah Russell was the last lucky person to be questioned and she declared:
“Chicken enchiladas”
Her friend then said: “Oh ya, your moms enchiladas are so good.”
“Ha ha ha ha, ummm”....“Fine, little red riding hood.”
“No, I have [pure] hair”...”hmmm, I'd probably go dirty blond if anything” (proceeds to talk about what color she would dye her hair for the next couple minutes) “I would be a redhead.”
Thank you for reading this article in The French Press. Make sure to get the next issue to read the answers people have.
Dear Advice for No Price,
I want to ask a girl to homecoming, but I don’t know how. Some of my friends say I should just tell her, but I'm afraid of rejection. What do I do?
-Please Don't Reject Me
Dear Rejected,
The best thing you can do is to tell her how you feel. Rejection is bad but not knowing what she will reply with is worse. If she says no, then you have an opportunity to move on.
-Advice for No Price
Dear Advice for No Price,
I don't know what to do with myself. I have no clubs or extracurricular activities, and I am super bored. All of my friends have something to do, but I don't. Please help me find something I'm interested in.
-Bored to Tears
Dear Tears,
Well, there are many clubs you can join, such as newspaper or speech and debate. Many of the fall sports are coming to an end, but you could think about joining winter sports.
-Advice for No Price
By Jacob Kaneff
This month in the world, Ukraine has received its supposed first delivery of U.S. Abrams tanks, and crimes against humanity are being committed in Nagorno-Karabakh by its people, against its people. As for America, the government is 2 days from a partial shutdown, because a group of hardline conservatives and democrats are opposing a 30-day funding measure, also known as a CR (continuing resolution). This measure would cut overall spending to $1.47 trillion, which would mean a 30% cut in benefits for poor women and children and a 57% cut in spending for beating wildfires. An increased spending on defense and homeland security would result from this, but is it really worth it if we have to take from the well-being of the people in our country to achieve it?
Frenchtown students are asked a question every Friday regarding student interests. The results are published in the French Press.
Follow @frenchtown_student_polls on Instagram to vote every week!
Written by: Aleah Knight
The French Press
Spring 2022
Frenchtown High School's student newspaper.
Frenchtown's Rock Wall
Caitlyn McIver
Next time you walk into the elementary school’s gym, you may not recognize where you are as one of the walls has been transformed into an indoor rock climbing gym. The Colorado based company, El Dorado Climbing, designed and installed our traverse wall, auto belays, and rope routes! The traverse wall is a long section that allows climbers to cross from one end of the gym to the other. The auto belays are devices that allow climbers to climb on their own, up a vertical section of a wall. When a climber gets to the top, they simply let go of the wall and the machine slowly lowers them to the ground. The rope routes enable climbers to ascend vertical routes with a climbing partner who is pulling in the rope’s slack. Some of the routes are flat and straight up, while other sections are zigged-zagged with outcroppings. All of these exciting, new climbing routes have been designed for a variety of ages and experience levels. The fulfillment of the dream to bring the sport of climbing to the Frenchtown School District was made possible thanks to the determination of Mr. Devins, the support of the board, and the generous donations from our community members.
This past November, Mr. Joe Defulgentes and I took the intense, three day Climbing Wall Instructor Course through the University of Montana to become members of the American Mountain Guide Association, and we are super excited to teach students how to properly put on a harness, how to tie specific climbing knots, how to use the auto belays, and if you’re old enough, how to belay your peers. As someone who has climbed indoors and outdoors for the last ten years, I am so excited to be able to share the thrills and challenges of climbing with students. It truly is a sport you can do for many decades, all over the state and country. Keep an eye out for our “Introduction to Indoor Rock Climbing” classes, which will be offered in five-week sessions throughout the school year.
Viking Martial Arts
By Sybil Lynn
In 1999, the Belker family moved from North Dakota to Frenchtown Montana. The Belker family consisted of Eric, Ginger, Ashley, and Brittany. Eric Belker, Brittany and Ashley’s father, originally owned and ran a dojo in North Dakota. A massive flood in North Dakota caused the family to move to Montana. They bought two old buildings that were in the late 1800’s. In September of 1999, Eric and Ginger Belker opened Viking Martial Arts. Ginger and Brittany were raised in the dojo, learning important ideals such as competitive greatness, confidence, and loyalty. In 2016, Brittany and Koa Perbera purchased the dojo and fitness center from Eric and Ginger. When asked what her favorite part about the dojo was, Brittany Perbera said it was “the family that we get through the community and the kids. That is the reason we run the dojo”. VMA karate and the Frenchtown Fitness Center provide a safe environment for adults and children to have fun and be themselves. Be on the lookout for the upcoming karate tournament on April 9, 2022 at Frenchtown High School.
Global News
By Kimberly Diehl
Recently, attention has been on Ukraine, a country in East Europe with a population of over forty million people. Ukraine is currently being invaded by Russia. This invasion has displaced millions and is reported to have killed up to six hundred civilians, a result of a nearly decade-long border dispute between Russia and Ukraine. It has also complicated international politics involving NATO and its members, including the EU and the US.
It is important to understand the reasons behind the invasion and how this devastation has come about. The history of modern-day Ukraine can be traced back to the Cold War, which led to Ukraine becoming a sovereign nation in 1991. This led to support from the EU and the US as the people of Ukraine worked to build a democracy. However, Russia has a strict influence over Ukraine, since people in east Ukraine share a language and culture with Russia. Russia, under Putin's oligarchy, has been supporting rebel groups in south Ukraine, and even caused the independence of the Crimean peninsula, all to prevent NATO from bordering Russia completely and to gain access to ports.
The US and European Nations have been instrumental in Ukraine's politics and sovereignty, but the help they can provide is limited. While NATO can send troops to guard bordering members, its role in the invasion of Ukraine is limited to Economic and Humanitarian aid. This is because of the complex role of NATO, a trust of the world's European and North Atlantic military power formed because of the Cold War. NATO has granted membership to nations that were under the USSR and on the border of Russia, and temporary membership privileges have been expanded to Ukraine, but for fear of further Russian aggression, Ukraine is blocked from joining NATO and gaining allies from Europe and America. This is because if Ukraine, which has areas under Russian occupation, is a part of NATO, the agreement would call for an all-out war between all of the NATO nations and Russia. This would be a global conflict between the world's most powerful militaries, which are equipped with nuclear weapons.
The territorial fight between Russia and Ukraine has been underway since Ukraine's independence, and over the past decade it has killed possibly millions. However, the situation had escalated in the past months. Putin has declared, in his words, "A special military operation," and Russian troops have invaded all sides of Ukraine with the intent of occupation. Millions of Ukrainians have become refugees and hundreds have been killed. Sanctions put in place to reprimand Russia have the potential to cause global economic repercussions. While the causes and effects are unclear, Ukraine's sovereignty and peace are of the utmost importance, reminding the world of its biggest issues, what a modern-day world war would look like, and the fight for democracy and human rights everywhere.
Music in Film
By Jasmine Dana
The film industry and the music industry collide in a way that is unique to any other entertainment medium. Musicals use the musical component to provide characters' actions or words to move the story. For example, in the award-winning musical Hamilton, how boring would it be if Eliza didn’t have a whole song dedicated to her moving on from Alexander? The actions Eliza goes through during the song now hold the weight of feeling betrayed and heartbroken. Those same actions wouldn’t have held any deep meaning if Eliza had just set the letters aflame and walked off stage. Genres like horror and romance often use music the same way musicals do. Music is added in certain scenes to help the audience feel the suspense of a jump scare, or the suspense of letting the lover get on that plane. Music in films pushes the story to a deeper meaning than one can see. Music enhances the emotion expressed in a film, and it helps enhance a character arch. Although it might not always be the center of attention, the music in the background is making you more aware of the intent and feelings of a character.
School Surveys
By Sean Rody
What is your opinion about pineapple on pizza?
Laurel Krause: I don't know. I don't seek it out, but I also don't have a death wish for people who like it.
Eli Sailer: I love it. It should be on pizza. It’s great.
Mrs. Klimpel: If it’s Canadian Bacon pizza, yes please!
What is your favorite food?
Laurel Krause: Pasta or bagels. I like carbs.
Eli Sailer: I don’t have one. There’s so many gas foods.
Mrs. Klimpel: This has been since I was a kid. Tuna fish casserole. That’s what I ask for for my birthday dinner.
Do you have a favorite ice cream flavor?
Laurel Krause: I'm lactose intolerant.
Eli Sailer: Probably vanilla.
Mrs. Klimpel: Anything but black licorice.
The Cheapest Spring Break Vacation Locations
By Elena Garrard
The weather is getting warmer, and the sun is staying out later. That can only mean one thing: spring break is getting closer. If you are anything like me, you have been waiting for a break from school and an opportunity for an adventure. The high plane ticket prices might be holding you back from fulfilling your traveling dreams, but I have a solution for you. With Google Flights, I was able to find the three cheapest flights out of the Missoula Airport. First, you can get a nonstop, roundtrip flight to Las Vegas with Aligent for $93. Second, you can fly nonstop to Los Angeles with Aligent for $103. This flight is also roundtrip. Last, you can get a ticket to Seattle for $227 with Alaskan airlines. These flights can only be booked for these prices for a certain date, so check them out before it's too late! Good luck on your adventures!
Two Truths and a Lie
By Liv Peters
Ms. Goris
I have jumped out of an airplane five times.
I ran two marathons in Tokyo, Japan.
I have an advanced diving certification.
Ezra Marceau
I have written multiple books.
I have participated in sports.
I have been in school clubs.
Answer: Two Truths and a Lie
Ms. Goris
Lie: #2. She has only run one marathon in Japan.
Ezra Marceau
Lie: #3. Ezra has not participated in school clubs.
Student Surveys
By Sage Cranney and Willow Stagg
Do you play any spring sports?
Heather Haskins (freshman)- Rodeo.
Ashton Stagg (sophomore)- Yeah, spring soccer.
Jaiden Miller (junior)- Yes, spring soccer.
Bodie Beauchamp (senior)- Spring soccer.
What’s your favorite class?
Heather Haskins (freshman)- Gym.
Ashton Stagg (sophomore)- Foods.
Jaiden Miller (junior)- Study hall.
Bodie Beauchamp (senior)- Government.
What’s your plan for after high school?
Heather Haskins (freshman)- Go to texas.
Ashton Stagg (sophomore)- Hopefully play soccer in college.
Jaiden Miller (junior)- Go to college.
Bodie Beauchamp (senior)- Work my butt off.
What’s the last thing you ate?
Heather Haskins (freshman)- Pork stuff and goldfish.
Ashton Stagg (sophomore)- Sloppy joe.
Jaiden Miller (junior)- Mcchicken.
Bodie Beauchamp (senior)- Apple sauce.
The French Press
September/October 2021
Frenchtown High School's student newspaper.
Popularity: Are We Looking at It from the Right Angle?
Liv Peters
Popularity: everyone wants to be popular, but what does it even really mean to be popular? Well, if we are going off of the Oxford Languages Dictionary definition, popularity is the state or condition of being liked, admired, or supported by many people. However, this definition still leaves much up for interpretation, such as what being liked, admired or supported really means or what types of people one must associate with to be considered popular. As such, many different interpretations of popularity have developed, with the most common interpretation being that popularity means being included and invited to events in which handsome jocks, stunning women, and partying people are present.
Nevertheless, many of these people we strive to be around in order to gain our claim to fame are usually not making the best choices. In fact, it is not uncharacteristic of these sports people and crowd-pleasers to choose to prioritize their social reputation over their mental, emotional, and physical health, and consequently, as one begins to spend more time with these individuals, these bad habits inevitably begin to become his or her own. An innocent boy who has sworn off drugs and alcohol will choose to succumb to peer pressure and participate in underage drinking in the face of popular athletes, alluring girls, and other individuals that embody “life of the party” qualities. A hard working female student will neglect her weekend’s homework in fear of skipping out on a life changing social event with her popular “friends”. A modest teenage girl will show more skin than she is comfortable with and risk getting dress-coded just to get the attention of the captain of the football team, and an older brother responsible for picking up his siblings after school may even evade his familial responsibilities to smoke in the parking lot with the “cool kids.”
I don’t know about you, but personally, I disapprove of the habits society currently endorses under this interpretation of popularity. It is time this perception is overturned, and instead, replaced with one in which we revere those who work hard, abide by a moral code, and freely give their kindness and support to all regardless of “what’s in it for them.” Popularity shouldn’t be about getting invited to the most parties; it should be about having integrity and character, about being the person that everyone can rely upon for support in their times of triumph and in their times of trial. So, as the first quarter of the school year comes to a close, I implore you to ponder the question: Am I looking at popularity from the right angle? If not, well then, I suggest you start.
The Parental Paradox
Caitlyn McIver
I used to think teacher-tired was the deepest level of exhaustion a person could experience, that was of course, until I discovered new-mom tired. Hopefully I’m not jinxing myself, but surely I must have now reached the apex of my own bleariness. Where there used to be 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep, there’s now six fragmented ones--and that’s on a good night! Completing mundane tasks like vacuuming have taken on Olympic qualities, and all new-parents that run (forget about exercise) several errands, deserve the gold. Leisure time has morphed into rushing to finish things started weeks ago; significant outdoor recreation is on hold until 2023 as are vacations, unless I find time to take a shower, in which case, the shower is the vacation.
Nonetheless, all of these lifestyle changes aren’t a surprise as everyone’s heard the tired cliché “having a baby changes everything.” It seems frustratingly obvious, yet this phrase contains a hidden paradox: what is most changed by having a baby is one’s appreciation for his or her parents, but an individual can’t fully appreciate their parents until he or she has had a baby that doesn’t appreciate them.
I can now empathize with my mom and dad’s joys and sorrows as I reevaluate events in my life from their perspective, such as my first solo-international trip when I flew to South America for a month. After 20 hours of flights and layovers, I landed in Quito, Ecuador at 4am on New Years Eve, arriving at my hostel only to immediately go to sleep--too tired to text my parents that I had safely arrived. The next morning, I was enjoying breakfast on the rooftop with an impressive, international crowd when the owner bellowed into the sky “Is there a Kat-E-Lyn Ber-Cow-Its here? Your dad is on the phone.” I was belligerently mad; I felt violated by his need to check-in on me. As my dad asked about my well-being, I was curt and bewildered by how he’d found me as I had shared scant information.
Now, I look back on this event and think: what the heck was wrong with me? My dad set me up with an international cell phone to periodically check in so he and my mom could have some sense of peace, and I hadn’t even bothered to turn it on. Today, I understand how he found my hostel amongst the dozens, and how he assembled enough Spanish to track me down. It’s because good parents will do anything to make sure their babies are safe.
Perhaps parenting is a lot of sacrifice and silent suffering, but it’s also the most fulfilling of all human experiences. There’s nothing that parallels the joy of giving a child what it needs to grow, develop, and hopefully, flourish. I’m just now fully realizing all the ways in which I tortured my mom and dad with my wild ways and selfish choices, but I’m also understanding what compelled them to put up with me. This realization is ultimately what changes the way you see the world, and it’s how a baby changes everything.
Halloween Jokes
Maddi Yocum
Are you ready to laugh so hard that your bones rattle? Then, I highly recommend that you creep it real with some fangtastic Halloween jokes! The answers are included at the end of this edition. Enjoy!
Why don’t mummies take time off?
What kind of music do mummies like listening to on Halloween?
What’s it like to be kissed by a vampire?
How can you tell when a vampire has been in a bakery?
Why are graveyards so noisy?
I would make a skeleton joke, but you wouldn't find it very humerus.
Awesome Music Updates and Rad Jams
Carmen Sharp
A few notable October updates of the modern music world:
On October 18, Kanye West’s request to change his name was approved, and he is now to be called “Ye.” If interested in learning more, please feel free to click on the attached link: https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-wests-petition-to-legally-change-his-name-to-ye-has-been-approved-3073354.
Duran Duran’s new album “Future Past” was released on October 22. So, if you’re hungry (like the wolf (͠≖ ͜ʖ͠≖)) for some groovy, new jams, I suggest you go give it a listen!
Rick Astley approved a recent “rickroll,” which is attached to the following link: https://www.nme.com/news/music/rick-astley-approves-greta-thunbergs-rickrolling-3073155.
Lana Del Rey’s new album “Blue Banisters” also came out on the 22nd of October, so go check it out!
Now, to review other miscellaneous facts about the musical world in the month of October:
~ Sadly, on October 20th, 1977, three members of Lynyrd Skynyrd -- Ronnie Van Zant and Steve and Cassie Gaines -- passed away in a plane crash. Free Bird will forever be my favorite song. RIP.
~October 18th was Zac Efron’s birthday. This day was not only an excuse to celebrate our favorite Wildcat but also to commemorate the 16th year anniversary since the first High School Musical was made in January.
~On October 12th, 1997, John Denver too died in a self-piloted plane crash. So, make sure you give Country Roads a listen this month out of respect.
Some albums from previous Octobers over the years include Atom Heart Mother by Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin lll, The Johnny Cash Show, Warning by Green Day, Kid A by Radiohead, and Tumbleweed Connection by Elton John. Go check them out!
Last but not least, here is a Halloween playlist specially made by me ᕙ(▀̿ĺ̯▀̿ ̿)ᕗ: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0tlohGko3lXkUBKnaDJPKy?si=4409cb9ec7024506.
[If the link doesn’t work but you have Spotify, not to worry! You can access my spooky jams playlist (and others) by following me at the username of Flambaé.]
Thanks for TUNING into this month’s edition of Awesome Music Updates and Rad Jams! Come back next month for new song recommendations and insights into the modern music world
Beware of Cows
Sybil Lynn
Frank was a cantankerous, frustrated old man. He preferred solitude and did not have any family nor any friends. He enjoyed his life on his small farm, his only company being his dog Jake. And, after all, peace and quiet were what Frank valued most, the only exception to this being Halloween. Frank always went all out for Halloween.
This year, he carved 18 pumpkins, bought 12 boxes of king size candy bars (three for each kid), hung lights and cobwebs, and made ghosts using sheets. Needless to say, it was epic!
Finally, Halloween night came, and Frank was ready for a night of celebration and excitement to commence. However, as he finished his preparations for the evening festivities, Frank couldn’t help shake the peculiar feeling that someone or something was watching him. He looked behind him and saw nothing but a few leaves blowing with the wind. So, Frank continued to hang cobwebs on his mud room door, his hair still standing on end.
At around six thirty, the moon showed itself, and the sun paid its due. Frank had everything ready, decorations hung and a bowl of candy bars next to him and Jake on the porch. He felt eerie, but he brushed the feeling off, assuring himself it was simply Halloween jitters. Then, no sooner had he dismissed this uncanny feeling, Frank heard a heavy breathing and a snort in the paddock to the left of his house. Frank jumped up (surprisingly high for his age) and ran to the edge of the fence. Inside, he saw the impossible - his old cow Bessy, angry and snorting. Why, you ask, is an angry cow in a pasture such a sight to see? Well, it would not be normally, but it is in this case because Bessy dropped dead more than two years ago! It was definitely something right out of a horror movie! That’s Bessy all right, Frank thought to himself. The angry look on the cow’s face, its crooked right horn, and the way its body radiated hate gave it all away. As Bessy lowered her head and pointed her sharp horns towards his body, Frank’s nightmarish flashbacks of the last time Bessy charged him became all too real. Unfortunately, this time Frank did not have his shotgun. So, Bessy continued to get closer and closer, her eyes shining red and gold, the color of rage, and … that was the last thing Frank ever saw.
Ten years later and kids still change sides of the street when walking by Frank's house, scared of becoming Bessy’s next victim. In fact, if you listen closely on Halloween night, you might hear the snort of a cow, or perhaps a dog howling for its master, or even the rattle of an old man’s throat taking his last breath.
Happy Halloween! Mwahhahhahahaha!
Road Trippin’ with Elena: Elena’s World Tour
Elena Garrard
Last year we took a road trip around the United States; we felt the chilly waters of the Pacific and the Atlantic, encountered famous museums and sights, and tasted cuisine from different cultures. This year, we are taking our exploration to a new level by going beyond the boundaries of our nation to tour the worldly atmosphere. We’ll visit some of the most famous tourist attractions, observe wonders of the world, and experience beautiful cultures. Some stops on our adventure include: Italy, Spain, Greece, Egypt, Mexico, and The Maldives.
First on the list is Paris, France, also known as the city of light. There's no way that we can visit Paris without seeing the infamous Eiffel Tower, so it is our first stop! The Louvre might not be a familiar name to some of us, but that is a museum in Paris that contains the Mona Lisa; obviously, we’ll need to stop there! Lastly, we’ll enjoy the city: we’ll go to a café, tour the gardens and museums, and possibly fall in love! See you at our next stop! ;)
Two Truths and a Lie: Laurel Krause
Tanner Nygard
Do you think you can pick out Laurel’s lie? If so, read on until the end of this month’s edition to check your answer and find out how well you really know your fellow classmate!
I am a Girl Scout.
I have had surgery on my eye.
I am lactose intolerant.
Student Survey: What Are You Doing for Thanksgiving Break?
Evany O’ Brien
Hi, everybody! In this month’s edition of Student Surveys, I asked my peers about what they were doing for Thanksgiving break, giving them the option of the following three descriptions to describe their plans:
Visiting family
Having their families visit them
Other
Data from my survey showed that:
50% of students are going to be visiting family.
30% of students are going to have family visiting them.
20% of students are doing something else.
That’s this month’s Student Survey! Come back to the French Press next month for the results of another poll!
Answers
Two Truths and a Lie: The lie is A.
Joke Answers:
1) They’re afraid to unwind.
2) Wrap music
3) It’s a pain in the neck.
4) All the jelly has been sucked out of the jelly doughnuts.
5) Because of all the coffin.
The French Press
March/April 2021
Frenchtown High School's student newspaper.
Learning to Listen
Liv Peters
Keep it light and positive. Everything is going to be okay. These were the thoughts whizzing through my head as the silver Honda CRV skidded across I-90 towards Missoula. It was January of 2021, and twenty minutes before we had hopped into the car, my sister had entered my room crying, saying our ten-year-old sister was being life flighted to the Spokane Sacred Hearts Hospital. Just hours before, she had fallen off a six foot playground structure and hit her head on the concrete. Now, her brain was bleeding, and if the injury got any worse, she could die. With the help of my dad, we frantically packed a bag for my injured sibling and mom and fled the house with urgency. Now, I just had to survive the thirty minute drive to the hospital. Thirty minutes stuck in a mental frenzy of memories and emotions that could come crashing to the floor at any moment. Breathe, Liv. Just breathe.
It’s a month later now, and my sister is back home, her cheerful and cuddly self. But, something is still off.
I watched my sister’s life become a statistic, a blip on a patient monitoring machine, and yet, I walk the halls of the school like nothing happened.
It’s one of those things that you simultaneously want to broadcast to the world while keeping it to yourself as merely a traumatic experience wedged in an inescapable nook of your mind for safekeeping.
These are the types of thoughts, experiences, and memories that people all around you are replaying in their heads daily. We think that greeting people in the halls and asking how they are doing shows that we care. But, that is not enough. For many of us, saying that we are “good” is a preprogrammed response we have developed to conceal our true feelings.
So, it is time we stop expecting “good” to be the end of the conversation and instead allow it to be the beginning of one. Instead of brushing off small talk with a wave of indifference, try to pick up on body language and emotional undertones to get an accurate reading on the individual’s emotions. Take the time to listen not only with your ears but with your mind and your heart. It is only then that we can begin to understand one another.
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The Saddest Thing
Caitlyn McIver
My Sunday routine has consisted of driving to Jacob’s Island Dog Park with Juniper, my Australian Shepherd. She is a total dog’s dog with social skills far surpassing those of my own. As soon as I pull into the parking lot, I just open the door and let Juniper out of the car. She runs clear to the park’s entrance and waits for my slow-self to catch up. Once inside, she does her thing, and I do mine. She attempts to herd anything with fur, while I sip tea and converse with any friend I’ve convinced to meet me. I stay until Juniper starts hovering, letting me know it’s time to run our weekly errands. This has become our habit for the past few weeks, and I’ve really enjoyed it.
Until this past weekend, when I witnessed the saddest thing. Two dogs ran down to the ice covered river, while their owners pleaded for them to come back. Both dogs fell into the water and couldn’t get out. It was like all movies where the main character falls through the ice and their efforts to get out are halted by their own weight repeatedly breaking the ice before them. Those on shore are left helplessly watching, knowing if they went to help, they’d suffer the same fate. I watched a dog scramble to pull himself out of the fast, flowing channel, while the owner and bystanders could do nothing but shout encouraging words. Fortunately, this dog managed to pull itself out and return to his owner, but that wasn’t the case for the other dog as it was nowhere to be seen.
Hauntingly, the dog’s name was echoed throughout the Clark Fork by its owner. The few people at the park scrambled up and down the bank in a vain attempt to spot the dog. From the pedestrian bridge over the river, what I saw was harrowing. Just down river from where the dogs fell in, the river hosted a 40 foot ice dam that was sucking water and ice chunks underneath it. The dog’s owner came to this same realization, shouting: “she must be under there.” We all watched from separate parts of the river for the dog to emerge from under the ice. Even the fire department was stationed along the river with throw ropes and binoculars, but there was nothing to see, and after a while there was nothing to do. People wandered off in different directions back to their lives, but I can’t stop thinking of that poor woman who left the park without her dog.
Montana certainly is a choose-your-own-adventure and an enter-at-your-own-risk type of a place. There aren’t signs or people stopping you from doing what you want to do. It is one of the things I love about the state. You can float rivers, ski backcountry slopes, climb peaks, and spend weeks in the wilderness--all at your own risk. A lot of states, like New Jersey where I grew up, prevent people from taking such risks by creating rules and regulations. The result is a society that is statistically safer, but one that feels constricting. For example, a few summers ago, I wanted to walk on the beach, but there was lightning in the area, so the beach patrol drove over, said the beaches were closed, and escorted me to the boardwalk. I was incredibly frustrated thinking I grew up on the coast and could make my own decision about being on the beach. As humans, we are constantly using previous knowledge to calculate risk and make decisions, but sometimes we don’t have the information to calculate the risk; therefore, we can’t make the right decisions. That’s what happened at the dog park that day
After the incident at Jacob’s Island, I drove home, stunned. I kept thinking about how easy it would have been for my dog to make the same tragic mistake, and how lucky I was to be driving home with Juniper asleep on my back seat. Entering the dog park, it never crossed my mind that I was entering a place with a risk as high as my dog dying. I wanted to write about the incident so that others have this information to calculate the risk for themselves. After what I witnessed, I’ve since decided that Jacob’s Island Dog Park is a place reserved for summer, and Juniper and I will find new routines for winter’s frozen rivers and spring’s high waters.
Winter Perspective
Abigail Sherwood
The white winter sky was bright on this cold February day. The trees were frosted with fresh snowflakes. As the young girl walked, her legs were covered up to her knees by the white banks. She held out her hand to catch a snowflake that fell from the sky. As she held it close to her face to examine it, it melted before her eyes were able to fixate. Her hand reached out one more time and was met once again with a flake. She waited until two accumulated before holding it up. The same result occurred. The weightless forms of ice transformed into a liquid that slid off her hand as it returned to the sides of her body. This girl liked winter, the bright part of it. Each time she went outside late in the evening, the sky was still bright, providing light to those that were still outside to see it. It thoroughly impressed her each time she looked up into the atmosphere. Although the summer was much warmer, and sometimes seemed more comforting, the sky was not bright in the evening the same way. Winter was not that bad, especially when she wore appropriate clothing to keep her warm. Although the heavy clothes weighed her down, forcing her to trudge slightly with each step, she was grateful they allowed her to have experiences, such as this one. The factory workers probably didn’t think of yielding experiences like these as they tirelessly worked to earn barely livable wages while constructing the same garments that made the seasons of life bearable.
What is your Zodiac Personality?
Maddi Yocum
Aries (March 21- April 19): Passionate, motivated, and confident leader who builds community with their cheerful disposition and relentless determination. They often get frustrated by exhaustive details and unnecessary nuances
Taurus (April 20- May 20): Enjoy relaxing in serene, bucolic environments, surrounded by soft sounds, soothing aromas, and succulent flavors.
Cancer (June 20- July 22): Highly intuitive and their psychic abilities manifest in tangible spaces: Can effortlessly pick up the energies in a room. Highly sensitive to their environments, as well as extremely self-protective.
Leo (July 23- August 22): Warm, passionate, and dynamic. They delight in opportunities to let their charismatic, inclusive personality shine. Strong, brave, and ready to dominate everything they set out to do.
Virgo (August 23- September 22): Logical, practical, and systematic in their approach to life. This earth sign is a perfectionist at heart and isn't afraid to improve skills through diligent and consistent practice
Scorpio (October 23- November 21): Often misunderstood due to their intensity and their tendency to be harsh. Extremely emotional, and crave intimacy. They have a powerful presence and demanding personalities, and are very mysterious.
Gemini (May 21- June 20): Playful and intellectually curious, Constantly juggling a variety of passions, hobbies, careers, and friend groups. Social butterflies of the zodiac.
Libra (September 23- October 22): charming, beautiful, and well-balanced. Thrive on making things orderly and aesthetically pleasing. Crave balance, can be equally as self-indulgent as they are generous. Like making peace between others.
Sagittarius (November 22- December 21): Optimistic, lovers of freedom, hilarious, fair-minded, honest and intellectual. Spontaneous and fun, usually with a lot of friends, and are perhaps the best conversationalists.
Capricorn (December 22- January 19): Ambitious, organized, practical, goal-oriented, and they don't mind the hustle. Love making their own rules, they strive to reach high career positions.
Pisces (February 19- March 20): Effortlessly adapts to their surroundings. Make incredible artists and creatives. Kind and gentle, they're invigorated by shared experiences of music and romance.
Aquarius (January 20- February 18): Rebel at heart: Despise authority. Free-spirited and eccentric, Often identified by their offbeat fashion sensibilities, unusual hobbies, and nonconformist attitude.
Spice up COVID Dating
Grace Bintz
If you are lucky enough to have a significant other during this unfortunate time, you might feel like you are in a rut in your dating life. Although there are many places that are closed--including some popular date sites--here are some cheap and safe options for COVID dating!
If you are film lovers, the AMC Dine-In Theater is still open at the Southgate Mall with limited seating. They are playing previously released movies; which means cheaper tickets!
If you are foodies, go on a “Tik Tok Picnic Date”! This includes creating your own charcuterie board with whatever treats or snacks you like, and finding a beautiful spot to set up a blanket to sit on and listen to some jams.
Another idea from Tik Tok (Cupid Column tested!), is a “Four Course Meal Night”. This is where you and your date, or other date night friends, choose a different restaurant or drive-thru for each course. The courses are drinks, appetizers, dinner, and dessert. This option can be as cheap or expensive as you want, and you can make it a game by doing a rock-paper-scissors competition to choose each course.
For an active date option, visit the Glacier Ice Rink for some indoor or outdoor public skating. This is a date under $20 and is the coolest of them all! An ice skating date is especially fun if neither you or your date are avid skaters because you can help teach each other how to be ice skating masters.
Road Trippin’ with Elena Garrard
Goodbye Texas, hello Louisiana! More specifically, we will be spending our time in the infamous New Orleans. We can check Mardi Gras off of our bucket list, because we arrived right in time to experience the exquisite parades, parties, food, and culture. Cajun food is one of my favorite foods! The seafood boils, jamalia, and gumbo will be sure to bless your pallet. Of course, we’ll have to take a swamp tour down the bayou and see some gators. Next, we’ll see the City Park, laced with themed gardens and beautiful trees. We’ll visit the heart and soul of the city, the French quarter, the New Orleans art museum, and listen to some smooth jazz. Lastly, we’ll stop by the St. Louis Cathedral to see some beautiful architecture and murals. After experiencing some amazing Cajun culture, we’ll head to Florida!
Kodi's Best Books:
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
Kodi White
World War II, 1986
A young Henry Lee faces his all-white school all alone, shunned by both his parents and his white classmates. His father forbade him speak Catonese, their native language, in hopes of become “more American.” With no one else to talk to, this young Chinese-American boy stops everyday on his walk to school to give his lunch to Sheldon, a street jazz musician. There’s nothing that Henry loves more in the world than jazz, except perhaps Keiko. Keiko and Henry quickly find safety in each other, connected in some way. There’s only one small problem… she’s Japanese.
The war separates the young lovers, leaving them devastated. Will Henry successfully sneak in and out of a concentration camp to be with Keiko? Will adult Henry ever find his childhood love once again? What secrets and history does the Panama Hotel hold on the corner of bitter and sweet? Delve into Henry Lee’s timeline to find out what lies beneath the Hotel next to Henry and Keiko’s secret limited-edition jazz records.
Happy Reading,
Kodi White
Japanese Culture
Sakura Sakai
I’m going to introduce some Japanese culture or lifestyle that is different from American culture.
1. We take off our shoes before entering our homes.
We have an entrance hall in our homes called “genkan(玄関).” At genkan, we
definitely remove our shoes.
2. It is normal in Japan to lift your plate or bowl when you are eating.
People put their hand on their lap in America, but it’s a bad behavior in
Japan. Also, we use chopsticks to eat, so it’s normal to touch the
bowl with a mouth when we eat soup and make sounds to eat soup and
noodles.
3. We wash our bodies and hair every day.
It made me surprised and confused at first in America that people in
America don’t do that every day. Also, people take a bath every day.
4. A bathtub and a toilet are in different rooms in a Japanese house.
This difference made me confused at first honestly. Also, a house in Japan
has one bathtub and one toilet unlike American houses.
5. There are strict hierarchical relationships.
This starts from junior high school basically. We must use polite words and
behaviors to older people. For example, we must greet older grade
students with bowing when we pass in a school. Also, we must use Mr. or
