Around the School

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

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…

Dec

08

2025

Game, Set, Graduate

People

By Rilo Wilkes The transition from high school to life after has no “normal”; it’s always weird and convoluted. And while this experience is unique to each individual, the things that connect all soon-to-be alumni are the memories we share. With that said, no one will be more connected than the people who have shared a sport or an after-school activity. Elizabeth Boyd is a senior who has been a member of the girls' golf team for all four years of high school. Boyd loves how golf has let her meet several people outside of her home school district, and…

Oct

29

2025

Branching Out: New Coach Takes Root to FH

People

By: William Morgan Have you ever gotten a chance to sit down and talk with teacher and new football coach Dominic Branch? Branch grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and always had a firm passion for the sport of football. His favorite team is the Alabama Crimson Tide and Branch is very passionate about both of his teams the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Federal Hocking Lancers. One of Branch’s goals is to bring the Lancers out of the slumps that they have been in the last few years. He wishes to bring the lancers to success and to great heights…

Oct

23

2025

Superintendent by Day, Rockstar at Night

About Us, People

By: Mikyai Scott Have you met the famous Dr. George Wood? Well if so, you should know he’s a pretty cool guy. Wood has been at Federal Hocking for 28 years before he retired for six years, he missed the environment and staff so decided to come back and doesn’t regret a moment of it. Wood claims that he enjoyed building the four period schedule with staff and has some other good memories from Federal Hocking to look back on. When asked about the hardest part of being a superintendent, he claims it is balancing the budget. “When I was…

Oct

21

2025

The Briles Files

Around the School, People

By: Hailey Young-Stewart Sometimes you might not actually think about who’s working around the school until you actually need help. There’s a new person sitting front and center, whether to help you plan for your future, need someone to talk to, or simply need to change a class. The new Guidance Counselor, Savannah Briles, at Federal Hocking High School is here to help. Briles has come to fill in the role quickly and quite well after the departure of FH’s old Guidance Counselor Emma Wright. For Briles, the path to becoming a guidance counselor has been years in the making.…