News & Features

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Profile: Kristen Johnson, Class of 2019

During the months of December and January, The Phoenix Inquirer hosted a Middle School-wide photography contest. Students were asked to submit original photos and a short caption explaining their photo (or photos) to the staff of The Phoenix Inquirer. Beginning on January 15, a team of photo editors evaluated all of the entries to choose the first, second, third, and fourth place winners. Then, the editors announced the top four winners in an assembly soon after. In this article, an interviewer talked to the first place photographer, Kristen Johnson, to get all the details on where, when, and how she took her winning photo. Kristen said she took the photo of a Tufted Titmouse through the window of her house, where she could see she the birds in their bird feeders and bird baths. She told us that she “started taking pictures of the birds that came to the bird feeders…


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Who Is Mrs. Petrarca?

Two reporters from The Phoenix Inquirer recently sent a poll to all Middle School students about Mrs Petrarca. The staff is happy to announce that 77 responses were received from students.   In response to the first question, 61% of students responded that Italian is Mrs. Petrarca’s favorite type of food. For the next question, 64% of students said that her favorite part of working at FCS is interacting with the children. In response to the third question, 33% of students said that gold was her favorite color. On the fourth question, a surprising 43% of students answered that Mrs. Petrarca has not been planning on moving. For the next question, 52% of students responded that she has been working at FCS for 16 years. In response to the sixth question, 46% of students thought that Mrs. Petrarca has a cat.


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One Step Away and The Phoenix Inquirer

One Step Away is an organization that raises awareness of the significant problem of homelessness in the Philadelphia area. One Step Away publishes a newspaper written by homeless individuals; members of this population buy copies of the paper for $0.25 each. In order to make a living, they sell One Step Away for $1.00 per copy on the streets of downtown Philadelphia. According to One Step Away’s website, “One Step Away has a twofold purpose: One, to offer those without shelter meaningful income opportunities and personal growth, and, two, to backlight the scourge of homelessness and lack of affordable housing in the Philadelphia area to bring forward solutions and changes so that everyone enjoys the shelter they deserve.” The Phoenix Inquirer staff decided to partner with One Step Away to raise money for the organization and to raise awareness of the problem of homelessness in our area. On January 17, the staff held…


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New in 2014

Politics: Trying to educate America’s future generation, Rhonda Fink Whitman is urging the government to mandate Holocaust education in public schools. Whitman interviewed college students regarding very basic facts, not only about the Holocaust but about World War Two, and found that they knew little. Holocaust education has already been made mandatory in California, New York, New Jersey, Florida and Illinois. Why not Pennsylvania?    This year every seat in the United States House of Representatives will be up for reelection. Science: NASA is sending a new spacecraft, the Orion, to the moon, the asteroid belt and Mars. Also involving space: celebrities, including Katy Perry, will be launched into space sometime this year. In Shanghai, China, construction of an underground hotel is underway. It will eventually be the “world’s lowest hotel.” This five-star hotel will go seventeen stories below ground level. If everything goes according to plan, the hotel’s first…


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Profile: Gabby Wilkinson, Class of 2018

Gabrielle Wilkinson, an eighth grade student at Friends’ Central and Junior Olympic Champion, recently shared a few insights on her athletic accomplishments with the staff of The Phoenix Inquirer. Holding a record for the Girl’s Youth 800m in Track and Field, Gabby answered questions on her running experience and her goals for competing. Gabby participated in a number of track and field events during December, one of which was the Colgate Women’s Games. She placed first in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:13.8, remaining undefeated in this event, as well as bringing home the 1500-meter. In the Junior Olympics in 2012, Gabby also won a gold medal in the 800m. She placed second in the 1500m and her team won a gold in the 4×8. In 2013, she finished in second place in her main event but her team scored a gold in the 4×8 once again. “I learned…


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2014 Photography Contest Results

Congratulations to these four photographers and thank you to all those who submitted. The photography contest committee was thoroughly impressed by all of the photos they received. Stay tuned for a profile of Kristen Johnson in the coming weeks!


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Welcome Dr. Wendy Simkin!

We would like to introduce the Middle School to our new school psychologist, Dr. Wendy Simkin. Dr. Simkin said in response to our request for an interview, “I am very honored to have the chance to be interviewed by the Phoenix Inquirer!” We were glad to talk to her. She is here to help, so do not be afraid to reach out to her. PI: What is your job at Friends Central? WS: “My job at FCS is to be available to students, parents, faculty and staff around aspects of student well-being, socially and emotionally. It is my pleasure and my privilege to meet members of the school community both in times of wellness and routine situations, as well as in times of challenge.” PI: What do you love most about your job? WS: “The thing that I love most about my job is that I get the chance to do what I…


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The Phoenix Has Landed

On December 14, 2013, the town of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania hosted its tenth annual Firebird Festival, the highlight of which is the burning of a wooden phoenix that stretches thirty feet high and one hundred feet wide. Last year, more than 16,000 locals attended the festival, witnessing several amazing street entertainers, exploring the great downtown shops, and even visiting the historical Colonial Theater, home of The Blob. The Firebird Festival displays the reincarnation of the burned phoenix as multiple, smaller phoenixes, representing the resilience of Phoenixville as a town. Attendees may make a small phoenix out of clay and place it inside the larger, wooden phoenix. The burning of the larger phoenix acts as a kiln, firing all of the handmade phoenix miniatures.



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Student Musicians Perform in Winter Concert

On Friday, December 6, 2013, the Friends’ Central vocal and instrumental ensembles provided an enjoyable night full of music for our community.  Student musicians rehearse once or twice a week, culminating in two concerts per school year.  The Orchestra had no particular theme for their repertoire, and instead played a variety of pieces including “Shenandoah,” a beautiful, slow-moving song that they dedicated to Mrs. Quinn, who was “completely overjoyed and also deeply moved” by it.  The melody, played by oboist Anjali Gupta with assistance from pianist Galen Cassidy, was written and modified by Carl Bradley, the MS Orchestra and Jazz Band director. “This concert wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and dedication Mr. Bradley put forth into this performance,” Anjali Gupta, eighth grade oboist, said. Mr. Bradley brings energy, focus, and responsibility to every practice and is a great inspiration to the growing musicians.


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