After 12 years, FHSD will be losing a comedian, a diehard fan and a lover of FHN. As Sam Hoscher graduates at the end of this school year, while his future in college or the workforce is still up for decision, Sam’s impact on FHN is certain.

“I’m gonna miss what he says every day,” teacher of the deaf Yvonne Kehoe said. “He comes in and says, ‘I’m still kicking.’ Every morning, ‘I’m still kicking.’ I think I’ll miss that.”

The hardest past in Sam’s decision is choosing a college that is able to meet his needs because of his Campomelic Dysplasia, a congenital disorder characterized by bowing of the long bones, facial and skeletal anomalies as well as an underdeveloped trachea. While Sam would ideally like to go to Lindenwood, he and his mother, Dana Hoscher, are also checking into SIUE and SCC because of the special needs programs available. Sam is also considering going into the workforce right after high school to gain real world experience before attending college. He hopes to try working in a restaurant or with a sports team during this transition period, although Kehoe believes that Sam is really a funny guy to be around and could do something with comedy.

“I tease him all the time that in the future I want to see him on “The Tonight Show” because that boy is a comedian at heart and I think he could make a living doing it,” Kehoe said.

According to Dana, Sam had goals to become a professional baseball player as a kid and this interest in sports has also played a key role in his involvement in and support of FHN athletics. Sam tries to attend every home game and plays the role of head cheerleader in what he calls “the rally section” and also manages the track team.

“This place has taught me all kinds of stuff,” Sam said. “People always support the team and I always love going to support.”

One person who has witnessed Sam’s love of sports is physical education teacher John Brune. When Sam took his outdoor education class during his sophomore year, Brune was initially surprised at his interest, but then took the situation as an opportunity to spark Sam’s interest in another activity: hunting. Because of Sam’s difficulties with aiming and firing a weapon, Brune was able to get specialized hunting equipment for Sam such as an iScope, or a mounting bracket for a smartphone that attaches to the gun’s scope and allows the user to use the phone’s camera to gain a larger vision field. This fall will mark Sam and Brune’s third year hunting together, a tradition which they hope to continue. On a hunting trip with Brune last year, Sam killed his first deer and also had an interesting experience with a caterpillar.

“I think he thoroughly enjoyed the experience,” Brune said. “I think he really appreciated being out in nature, but maybe not the caterpillar. He got pooped on by a caterpillar; he gets really fired up about that.”

As a shy freshman, Sam didn’t pursue extracurricular activities; however, as a sophomore Sam decided to get more involved at FHN. Sam is currently in FCA along with his management of the track team and he even emceed the Snowcoming pep assembly.

“He’s grown a lot personality-wise,” Dana said. “He was shy and timid and didn’t pursue activities. He’s expanded his friendships and social skills with the support of his teachers. They’ve come pretty far with him since he started there.”

As the year dwindles, the thought of leaving the halls of FHN has become sadder and sadder for Sam. While he is excited about what his future will hold, Sam will never forget the lessons he has learned in high school and the friendships he has made. According to Sam, FHN will always be his second home and he will forever be a Knight.

“It’s been the greatest four years of my life,” Sam said. “I love this place. I love everything about this place. Francis Howell is not just a school to me. They say, ‘It’s a great day to be a Knight’, but I say, ‘Once a Knight, always a Knight.’”