By Laura Vettleson-Trutza On June 30, 2016, under the Obama administration, transgenders were no longer banned and could serve openly in the military. I found this to be a good thing that the military would be more open to those wanting to fight for our country. However, on July 26, 2017, a little over a year later, President Trump announced via twitter that the military … [Read more...]

By Abad Macabanding Filipino culture generally refers to the culture that is in common with all the cultures of different tribes that make up the Philippines. Due to the diversity in the Philippines, various tribes observe their distinctive traditions and cultures that define their own identities. The Philippines constitutes more than 100 ethnolinguistic nations mostly … [Read more...]

By Kadiatou Hawa Berthe My name is Kadiatou Hawa Berthe, an exchange student from Mali, located in Western Africa. I’m 15 years old and a junior at Kingsland High School. I have two sisters, Korotoumou, who is 18 years old and Doussou, who is 12 years old. I’m Muslim. My mother, Hawa Diawara works in the Treasury of Mali and my dad, Brema Berthe works in a German company … [Read more...]

By Annalise Shupe The Monster Bash Haunted House has helped me immensely in many aspects of my life. Primarily, it funded the last Fillmore Central Music Department trip I went on as I’m an active member in both the choir and band at FCHS. The last trip was in 2016 to St. Louis, Mo., I am also going on the 2018 trip to Los Angeles, Calif. Without the Monster Bash it would have … [Read more...]

By Travis Vatland “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” Neil Armstrong said as he took his first few steps on the moon. Apollo 11 happened a little over 48 years ago and was one of the greatest accomplishments not only by the U.S. but mankind during the 20th century. Having landed on the moon over 48 years ago, I couldn’t help but wonder on NASA’s next … [Read more...]

Hello,​ ​I’m​ ​Lizi​ ​Lomia.​ ​I’m​ ​an exchange​ ​student​ ​from​ ​Georgia. Georgia​ ​is​ ​a​ ​small​ ​country​ ​which​ ​is​ ​located​ ​in​ ​eastern​ ​Europe,​ ​on​ ​the​ ​coast​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Black​ Sea, near​ ​Turkey,​ ​Russia,​ ​Azerbaijan​ ​and​ ​Armenia.​ ​I​ ​live​ ​in​ ​Rustavi — ​that​ ​is​ ​near​ ​the​ ​capital​ ​city​ ​Tbilisi. I​ ​don’t​ ​have​ ​a very​ ​big​ … [Read more...]

By Abad Macabanding Every exchange student perceived mixed emotions as he stepped his foot in the land where he is not familiar. Living in an American family different from yours seems to be a challenge because you have to fine-tune to their American culture and lifestyle. Amidst the cultural shock and cultural differences that I am currently encountering here, I have to be … [Read more...]