The holidays are approaching and the students at FSE are all catching the Holiday Tradition fever. Nayeli R. (9) says that her favorite holiday tradition is Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead). For those who have no clue what the Day of the Dead is, it is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drinks and celebration. Nayeli states,”I never go out of town, but when the Day of the Dead festival arrives I do go down there and have as much fun as possible.” The day of the Dead is November 2nd every year. As Dia de los Muertos leaves, other holidays arrive. There is Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzza, New Years, and Valentines Day. These holidays are very important to others as well as The Day of the Dead is for Nayeli. --by Tylynne Gipson

The annual Winter Concert is coming soon! The FSE Band will play a series of traditional holiday music -- and some special guests are expected to accompany this year's performance. Make sure you're there for FSE's version of "Krampus!" The Sounds of Winter concert is set for Tuesday, December 17 in the FSE gym. It starts at 6:00 PM. All students, family members, and the community are welcome!

HEY FALCONSSS! This year FSE will make it easier for you to buy your yearbook. If you want to get your hands on a yearbook, you have the opportunity to make payments instead of paying for it all at once. You have the chance to pay a $10 down payment, $10 before the semester ends, and $10 at the end of 3rd quarter -- for a total of $30. “This is a good idea because it allows all students ... to have a chance to buy a yearbook,” said Michael E. (6). And for seniors -- if you order your senior shout out and yearbook at the same time, you will get a $5 discount! You can purchase your yearbook with cash, check, or a credit card. For more information contact Ms.Bates. --by Jimena Elizalde

We're only a few weeks into the new school year, but some of our seniors already know where they might go to college! So far, three seniors have been accepted to schools in and out of Missouri. Anahi R. and Lailyn T. have been accepted to Wartburg College in Iowa -- and both have received $100,000 scholarships! Lailyn has also been accepted to Missouri Western State University and Northwest Missouri State University. Lailyn said, "My mom started bawling! She doesn't think it's possible to be accepted to three colleges in one week. I'm the first one in my family to go to college, so it's a big deal." Lailyn is still debating which one to choose, but will focus on which one has the best nursing program. Xavier H. has been accepted to Wichita State University. Congratulations to all three of these fabulous Falcons!

100K!!! Is walking right beside you!! Senior Anahi Ruiz earned a scholarship worth $100,000 over four years to Wartburg College, a private college in Iowa. But this wasn’t an easy achievement. It came from hard work, dedication, and passion. She applied for a Knights priority status and because she has a GPA of more than 3.5, is in the top 25% of her class, and is involved in extracurriculars, she was awarded the scholarship. Hillary Gonzalez sat down with Anahi to find out her plans for the future. Q: What was your reaction? A: I was very excited because it was a ton of money and I never saw that much money in a scholarship before. Q: What are you planning to study? A: I’m planning to study astronomy. It is my absolute passion. I’ve been studying it so much -- I even took college classes at 16 years old. I wanted to take more, but I couldn't so this is a new road that is going to allow me to study astronomy. Q: What is your Inspiration? A: My inspiration is curiosity. I want to know what is out there; I want to be one of the people that discovers big things! Ijust want to be a big person in astronomy. Q: What were some of your hardships? A: One of my hardships was people giving me doubt because a lot of people thought, “Astronomy?” That’s not usually what a girl would do, but I want to do big things, so I’m going to reach for big things and this scholarship is big! Q: Who helped you reach this goal? A: My older brother always told me, “You are the only solution to the problem. You are the only one that can fix that problem.” So, I have to fix my own problems and I have to be the one to give me a push when nobody is there. Q: Do you have a message to girls who are doubting their abilities? A: To other girls who want to work on science or mathematics or physics or whatever -- just go for it! If anyone doubts you, be like me: don't care what they say! If they have doubts, just prove them wrong. You have to represent out there. Q: What would you say to those who want to apply for a scholarship? A: If you believe you can get a scholarship, by all means go for it. You can get lots or little bits of money, but it’s still support. Do whatever it takes…it doesn't matter if you are a girl, just go for it. It doesn't matter what gender you are.