Working on a newspaper staff, it sometimes proves challenging to find new angles to cover the same story every year, because high school never changes. Coronation; the same people walking down the same stretch of gymnasium in the same apparel every year. The same cheers ring through the bleachers and the same class wins for most school pride. Though it is exciting for the people involved, Crier and Lance archives show the same event happening the same way time after time. Over the years, upperclassmen have pushed aside the encouragement to take interest in the school, using the excuse “Why do we care? We’re seniors.”

However this year, something feels different. Maybe its the football team, maybe its the seniors or maybe it’s people stepping outside themselves to really make a difference.

The coronation of 2011 brought change when the senior king and queen handed off their crowns to “honorary royalty” Alex Hanson and Heather Dequaine.
This turn of events struck awe into the hearts of Saint Francis students, and many found themselves fighting against tears as Heather and Alex embraced their moment.
The air of change remained through the pep fest. For the first time in our memory, the football team walked with their heads held high in pride and encouraged the students to sing their school song while the color guard performed a routine. The pep band seemed different too. The band played loud and proud, cranking out rock tunes. Alex Gray brought life and spirit to the pep fest by providing a vivacious beat on the drum set for the students as the grades competed to cheer “Let’s go, Saints” the loudest at the encouragement of principal Paul Neubauer
The differences didn’t end there. The homecoming dance, moved to a Saturday, was attended by Varsity football players, still celebrating their victory.
Homecoming week, though usually a spirited time of year, brought a new level of pep to the equation and gave the school a uniquely upbeat atmosphere, holding the promise of a good year. Hopefully, the students and staff at St. Francis can continue to make a difference  and continue to spread school pride instead of slipping back into what is easy, what is simple, and what has always been.