The Student News Site of Fairhope High School

The Pirateer
Espan-yay!... Senior and NSHS Executive President Marisol Acker says the pledge for new inductees to recite. The students finished the oath with fits of excited giggles.
National Spanish Honor Society inducts record number of students
Helping The Haven… Senior Jillian Surla paints a cat onto the windows of The Haven. Surla’s artwork displayed appreciation for local volunteers.
National Art Honor Society students paint The Haven’s windows
The Wisteria Garden Club to hold 3rd annual Art of Presentation event
The Wisteria Garden Club to hold 3rd annual Art of Presentation event
Baldwin County Strawberry Festival returns with local traditions, sweet treats
Baldwin County Strawberry Festival returns with local traditions, sweet treats
Adulting Day set for Fairhope High School
Adulting Day set for Fairhope High School
Girls take the field… Lady Pirates warm up for competition. On March 25 at 7p.m., the Fairhope High School girls varsity soccer team defeated Robertsdale 5-0 at home.
Varsity soccer girls defeat Robertsdale
Throw in… Senior Kadence Torres throws the ball to Senior Anna Laraway at Volanta field against McGill-Toolen on March 11. The Lady Pirates lost 1-0.
Girls soccer drops home game versus neighboring rival
Kick off… Striker Tyler Lucas runs down the field opening up for the pass. Lucas received the ball and took a shot on goal.
Varsity Boys Soccer compete in season opener tournament
Weaving Friendships… Varsity Basketball player Lillian Moreno braids junior Lucia Jordan’s hair as sophomore Nylah Loukides watches before their match against the Roberstdale Bears on January 28. The day started at 4:30 with Junior Varsity, Girls Varsity and lastly Boys Varsity, while Senior Night activities happened during halftimes and after each Varsity game. “All my teammates are my friends and everything, so, it’s like—it’s really nice to be on a close team like this,” Loukides said.
Pirates dominate court against Robertsdale on Senior Night
Pirate Vision Special Edition: JV Girls vs. Davidson
Pirate Vision Special Edition: JV Girls vs. Davidson
Worming through… Compost bins sit in front of Fairhope High School. FHS students supplied the waste within. Students rotate the bins regularly to allow for complete decomposition of the waste.
Vermicomposting spreads sustainability throughout student body
GOODNIGHT FAIRHOPE… Fairhope locals and visitors walk along the pier. They watched the sunset over Mobile Bay.
Locals, visitors involvement strengthens community
Typing away… Senior Piper Berry types paragraphs reflecting on her trades as a part of the project. Berry started with a pen, and through a series of ten trades, she ended up with a water gun and floatie.
Red Paperclip Project teaches students economic life lessons
A new chapter… Teen volunteer Eleanor Boyer laughs at a joke teen volunteer Trinity Lewis tells as she passes a book down the line. Teen volunteer Jill Cotten, Lewis and Boyer stayed side-by-side throughout the event, enjoying each others’ company as they made book history.
Fairhope Public Library turns the page for teens at Book-It Brigade
Knight to remember… The Knights of Ecor Rouge parade through downtown throwing beads to onlookers. The knights rode through downtown three times and threw toys and stuffed animals to children.
Fairhope celebrates Mardi Gras with local parades
Snapchat negatively impacts young minds
Snapchat negatively impacts young minds
Made by Canva
Schools should not judge students based on standardized tests
Later school start times benefit students’ well being
Later school start times benefit students’ well being
BookTok leads to surge in mass produced mediocre books
BookTok leads to surge in mass produced mediocre books
Traveling benefits young minds
Traveling benefits young minds
Image borrowed from https://collider.com/the-last-unicorn-at-40/
“The Last Unicorn:” a story of regret and love
Tasty and unique... The scent of expertly cooked vegetable fried rice wafts through the air, enticing nearby customers to purchase the same dish. The tangy rice and refreshing vegetables created a quirky flavor profile.
Dragonfly: jewel of Eastern Shore cuisine
COOKED TO PERFECTION… The seasoned charr-grilled salmon feast does not disappoint. To top it off, the juicy lemon adds a more refreshing taste.
Taziki’s offers customers welcoming taste
“The Great Gatsby:” great love story turned tragic
“The Great Gatsby:” great love story turned tragic
Photo borrowed from Interstellar Wallpaper. [2015]. Wallpaper. Net, www.hdwallpapers.net/tv-and-movies/interstellar-wallpaper-474.htm.
“Interstellar:” the best sci-fi movie of the century
Welcome, all!... Cosplayers show off their expensive or labor-intensive costumes, taking photos with attendees and purchasing from booths. The annual Mobile Bay Anime Festival, hosted by Humble Entertainment, opened its doors for a one day event on April 19 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Daphne Civic Center to celebrate pop culture and anime. “I’ve been going every year since 7th grade,” said Maeve Adkinson, Dr. Robotnik cosplayer. “I love meeting new people and buying fun art!”
Mobile Bay Anime Festival draws crowds of cosplayers, collectors
Dance the Night Away… Freshman Emalyn Horne dances with the FDC dance collective in “Never Give Up On The Good Times” on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in the Fairhope High School Black Box. Horne’s passion for dance was what made the show so special.
The Fairhope Dance collective showcases “Time of our Lives”
Grooving to the music… A group of locals hang out in the streets of Fairhope and soak up a live band. The Fairhope First Friday Art Walk took place on April 4 downtown.
Art is Alive! Fairhopians enjoy First Friday Art Walk, soak up local music, art
Welcome to the teen room!... Teens make and design letterbox stamps for Fairhope Public Library to help introduce people to the new teen room in a fun, creative way. On Monday, March 31, the Fairhope Public Library hosted teens from 5-6 p.m for Maker Monday. Most stamps were created and designed for personal keepsakes, with many being objects, symbols or characters from TV shows or movies.
Teens craft letterboxes, stamps at library
Current IB members welcome eighth graders, freshmen, sophomores and juniors. IB Bid Day took place in the athletic complex Friday, March 21 from 12:30-1:30 P.M.
Current IB, pre-IB program welcomes new members
The Student News Site of Fairhope High School

The Pirateer
The Student News Site of Fairhope High School

The Pirateer
Riley Wootten

Riley Wootten, junior editor

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, and raised in Fairhope, Alabama, junior Riley Wootten developed an interest for writing articles sophomore year when taking her first journalism class. Since then, she has improved her writing abilities and enjoys the feeling of accomplishment when finishing a well-written piece. She attends Fairhope high school and is a member of Key club, ASL club, and the FHS National Honor Society. Wootten attends St. James Episcopal Church and is a junior counselor at Camp Beckwith during the summer. In her freetime she enjoys being out on the water and going to the beach. Wootten looks forward to this year’s Pirateer and school year at FHS!

All content by Riley Wootten
Helping The Haven… Senior Jillian Surla paints a cat onto the windows of The Haven. Surla’s artwork displayed appreciation for local volunteers.

National Art Honor Society students paint The Haven’s windows

Riley Wootten, junior editor
April 2, 2025
The Wisteria Garden Club to hold 3rd annual Art of Presentation event

The Wisteria Garden Club to hold 3rd annual Art of Presentation event

Riley Wootten, junior editor
March 21, 2025
Throw in… Senior Kadence Torres throws the ball to Senior Anna Laraway at Volanta field against McGill-Toolen on March 11. The Lady Pirates lost 1-0.

Girls soccer drops home game versus neighboring rival

Riley Wootten, junior editor
March 17, 2025
Adulting Day set for Fairhope High School

Adulting Day set for Fairhope High School

Riley Wootten, junior editor
March 12, 2025
Knight to remember… The Knights of Ecor Rouge parade through downtown throwing beads to onlookers. The knights rode through downtown three times and threw toys and stuffed animals to children.

Fairhope celebrates Mardi Gras with local parades

Riley Wootten, junior editor
March 10, 2025
Kick off… Striker Tyler Lucas runs down the field opening up for the pass. Lucas received the ball and took a shot on goal.

Varsity Boys Soccer compete in season opener tournament

Riley Wootten, junior editor
February 8, 2025
Recognizing journalists…Quill and Scroll induction ceremony honors forty new members for their journalistic contributions. Seniors received cords for graduation.

Quill and Scroll Honor Society inducts student journalists

Riley Wootten, junior editor
December 17, 2024
Ornament opportunities… Junior Zoe Gambino grabs a service ornament off the angel tree. Gambino chose Roblox gift cards to purchase for an eleven year old boy this Christmas season.

Angel tree provides service opportunities for students

Riley Wootten, junior editor
December 12, 2024
Bold bite… This vermicelli dish creates a long lasting and bold flavor with healthy ingredients. The homemade tangy sauce added a hint of spice and touch of personality to the dish.

Vietnamese Cuisine serves taste of Vietnamese style dining

Riley Wootten, junior editor
December 4, 2024
Ofrenda of honor… Senora Holt’s Spanish two classes create class Ofrenda to celebrate the loss of loved ones. They decorated with pictures and objects that signified each student's family, friends and pets for the Day of the Dead holiday.

Spanish classes celebrate Day of the Dead with ofrendas

Riley Wootten, junior editor
November 5, 2024
Cheers for the court… Homecoming queen Mary Chapel Whitehead leads the float and tosses treats out to the crowd. The parade date was postponed to October 23 because of inclement weather the week of homecoming.

Fairhope students celebrate homecoming, senior night

Riley Wootten, junior editor
October 25, 2024
Crafting creations… Allyson Russel demonstrates how to tie fairy lights around the reefs. Hailey Jackson practiced this skill on her own and created her Halloween reef.

Fairhope Public Library hosts weekly Maker Monday

Riley Wootten, junior editor
October 9, 2024
Baldwin County schools encouraged to “go gold” for childhood cancer awareness

Baldwin County schools encouraged to “go gold” for childhood cancer awareness

Riley Wootten, junior editor
September 25, 2024
Pirate power… Senior outside hitter Brooklyn Ewart prepares her jump serve. She served the ball over the net and secured an ace for her team.

Varsity volleyball wins second game of season

Riley Wootten, junior editor
September 10, 2024
Social media impacts a teenager’s mentality

Social media impacts a teenager’s mentality

Riley Wootten, junior editor
September 5, 2024
Locking the box… Fairhope High School junior Ethan Sugg places his phone in the lockbox upon arrival to class. He and his classmates silenced their phones, took a seat and prepared for class.

Fairhope High School enforces new phone policy

Riley Wootten, junior editor
August 20, 2024
Fairhope Rotary to host annual steak cook-off

Fairhope Rotary to host annual steak cook-off

Riley Wootten, reporter
May 9, 2024
Strapping in…Students practice using a stretcher and carrying a student on it. Students performed a drill to further understand the role of an EMT. Photo courtesy of Fairhope High Instagram.

First Responder Career Day showcases new opportunities for students

Riley Wootten, reporter
May 8, 2024
Doubles defeat… Seniors Skylar Spinks and Paige Evans compete in doubles against Mary Montgomery players Halle Stringfellow and Makalya Powell. Spinks served the ball and ended the match with a score of 6-0, 6-1.

Varsity Tennis wins section tournament

Riley Wootten, reporter
April 22, 2024
Putting for the par… Sophomore Lawson Baldwin chips the golf ball onto the hole two green. She finished the hole with a putt which secured a par. “I feel that by focusing more on my back swing I have changed the trajectory of my swing and have fixed my club face to prevent me from slicing the ball,” Baldwin said.

Fairhope Lady Pirates compete in Jackson Memorial Tournament

Riley Wootten, reporter
April 16, 2024
Take a bow… Drama Club students perform their final number in “Singing in the Rain.” This spring show featured singing, dancing and acting. Photo courtesy of Fairhope High Instagram.

Drama Club, Thespians, theater students reflect on past performances

Riley Wootten, reporter
April 10, 2024
Education online… A young student learns from a screen. Online learning impacted students’ ability to retain information.

Is online learning effective?

Riley Wootten, reporter
April 2, 2024
Traditional Mexican food meets top-tier quality

Traditional Mexican food meets top-tier quality

Riley Wootten, reporter
March 6, 2024
Awards all around…Senior cheerleaders take the opportunity for their final group picture.

Fairhope Cheer celebrates past season

Riley Wootten, reporter
March 6, 2024
Accepting Awards… Lena Amare, Addison Spears, Gavin Laxton and Noah Sugg accept their reward as finalists for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

National Merit Scholarship Program recognizes Fairhope students as finalists

Riley Wootten, reporter
March 5, 2024
Still smiling… Even after a loss Ann Haven Sherrell, Ann Clark Smurda, Peyton Davis, Sadie Sparks and Mary Marshall Roberts support their teammates. The Lady Pirates congratulated Oak Mountain and ended their night with a team huddle.

Varsity girls soccer plays season opener

Riley Wootten, reporter
February 6, 2024
Reaching out… Vivienne Littlepage expresses her art through the mirror. The expression that a broken mirror granted seven years of bad luck inspired her design.

Students premiere artwork for blacklight exhibition

Riley Wootten, reporter
January 31, 2024
Students learn in a comfortable environment. Looping has improved students’ educational outcome. Photo taken from Rockefeller Institute of Government

Looping benefits education

Riley Wootten, reporter
January 30, 2024
Signing Sleigh… Emma Delamore practices signing “Jingle Bells” in ASL. She learned how to sign sleigh and horse.

ASL club impacts Fairhope students

Riley Wootten, reporter
December 13, 2023
Sportsmanship… Aiden Arthur and Roman LaPosta shake hands after their match to show good sportsmanship.

Fairhope Wrestling shows support for their team

Riley Wootten, reporter
November 28, 2023
Set the stage… Summerlyn Powers and her band perform for fans in the Black Box Theatre at Fairhope High School. Powers and her band created a warm and fun atmosphere for the audience.

Summerlyn Powers performs at Fairhope High School

Riley Wootten, reporter
November 6, 2023
Balancing the books... Makayla Williams skateboards her books to class to support Red Ribbon Week theme of anything but a backpack. Williams practiced skating around before heading to class.

Students replace backpacks for Red Ribbon Week

Riley Wootten, reporter
October 27, 2023
Set and ready…Hannah Rogers, Maggie Ray Brown and Victoria Hardy wallpaper flats. They designed the set of “The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong.”

Drama Club prepares for upcoming play

Riley Wootten, reporter
October 3, 2023
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