Blog – Lancer Local News

Apr

16

2026

Lancers Give Back

About Us

By: Drew Travis In what ways have you helped your community in the past school year? Former Guidance Counselor Amy Buchman started Federal Hocking High School Community Service Day in 2016. This is a day to give back to our communities and show people just how grateful the students at FH really are. Internship Coordinator Renee Ripple took over the organizing of the event after Buchman became the middle school counselor in 2022. “Part of our graduation requirement is earning citizenship points and I think students need a structure for this. It is also a valuable lesson in teamwork, serving,…

Apr

09

2026

Killer Performance

Clubs & Orgs, Drama Club

By: Cassidy Lockhart Theater has been a staple of Federal Hocking for years now. Many students can recall watching the Drama Club perform “A Christmas Carol” throughout the years. The club typically does a seasonal play and then a special one, with this year's being "This Murder Was Staged”. The very first performance is on Friday, April 10th at 12:00 p.m. for invited middle and high school students, but later at 6:00 p.m. there will be a public performance. The next show is on April 11th at 6:00 p.m. again, and then final show is Sunday, April 12th at 2:00…

Mar

25

2026

Old School And New School

In the Classroom

By: Drew Travis Have you ever thought about how the world has progressed through various large changes? What about the common fact that although many things such as a motor vehicle, modern houses, telephones, and shoes have had large introductions or changes to them for our future’s benefit, our classrooms are still operating using the same systems as what some may classify as “Old School”? Well, if nothing much has changed in the classroom, then why do we say “Old School” and “New School”? FHHS Intervention Specialist Brandon Meeks defines his version of New School as "Regular use of technology…

Mar

19

2026

Artificial Infection

In the Classroom

By: Cassidy Lockhart and Rilo Wilkes Generative Artificial Intelligence entered the public's radar in 2022. While Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) was first conceptualized in the 1950s, it has changed greatly over time. Nowadays, there are two different types of A.I., Narrow and General. Narrow A.I. is things like Siri and algorithms, while General A.I. is ChatGPT. While A.I. is the technical name of the modern day learning model used by most companies, it doesn’t quite match what it actually is. Most A.I. learning models are amalgamations of selective types of sources which were pumped into them by its creators. From the…

Feb

13

2026

Oh The Places She Will Go

Around the School, People

By: Max Noriega If you’ve seen a new blonde staff member at Federal Hocking High School, then you’ve probably seen Haley Schmidt. This is Schmidt’s first year, but since she is a teaching fellow, this will be Schmidt’s only year at FH. Schmidt is an intervention specialist and typically teaches Math and English for small groups grades 9-12. Schmidt is getting her master’s degree at Ohio University. Schmidt has always wanted to be a teacher and likes working with kids. Her love of teaching stems from her parents. Her mother is a math and science teacher and her father is…

Feb

12

2026

Click, Submit, Repeat: The New High School Reality

In the Classroom

By: Andrew Travis Have you ever wondered about the difference of effects between paper work and computer work? Well, here at Federal Hocking schools, we have plenty of both, and we think you should know the difference. First, let’s go over the facts. Computer work gives more opportunity to save space and be able to group certain projects together. On the other hand, paper work leaves you with a better memory on whatever topic is written. Now, let's understand why it’s important to know the difference and how it affects students. With computer work, students will always need a network…

Feb

09

2026

Phlebotomist Turned Teacher

Around the School, People

By: Mikyai Scott English teacher Valerie Forrider is the newest addition to Federal Hocking High School staff, and she is making an outstanding first impression. Before her teaching career, Forrider was a STNA and a phlebotomist. Forrider decided she wanted to be a teacher so she majored in AYA English Launguage Arts. Forrider attended school at Marshal University for one year after high school, and then got her college credit at Rio Grande for four years. Before she became a teacher, Forrider started substitute teaching at schools in West Virginia, Southern, and Meigs for a year. Forrider enjoys being a…

Jan

14

2026

Rooted in FFA Tradition; Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders

FFA

By: Elizabeth Boyd Apple Orchards, Hobart Welding School, Warner Seed Company, keynote speakers highlighting how to be confident in one's own skin, BBQ dinners, hotel rooms, watching FH alumni earn American degrees, and more! In early November, some Federal Hocking FFA members attended the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Athens and Alexander members also attended and bonds were strengthened. They watched keynote speakers present and learned about leadership and how to be confident in your own body. Junior Taylor Snedden was one of the two Federal Hocking students that went to the convention and she reflected on her favorite…

Jan

09

2026

Awesome Amber

About Us

By: Raelynn Ward Have you ever wondered what bus drivers' lives are like outside of picking and dropping students off? Here is a little bit of behind-the-scenes for Amber Tabler, who drives a bus for Federal Hocking Local Schools. Tabler grew up in Marietta, Ohio. It was a bigger city than what she is used to now and there was a lot more to do than where she lives now. Tabler has been a bus driver for nine years and she wanted to become a bus driver because the job position became available and it allows her to spend more…

Jan

07

2026

Phones Out; Focus In

Around the School

By: Hailey Young-Stewart Halfway through the school year, schools across Ohio are adjusting to a new state cell phone ban that limits student phone use during the school day. Teachers and administrators say the policy is meant to reduce distractions, improve focus, and encourage better behavior. Students, however, have mixed reactions about the change. Nationwide, more than half of U.S. school leaders report that cell phones negatively affect academic performance and attention spans, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Schools that have implemented phone restrictions have seen improvements in classroom engagement and a reduction in disruptions caused by…