The Student News Site of Fairhope High School

The Pirateer
Strike that pose... Fairhope Middle School cheerleaders kick off the Back to School bash with classic Pirate cheers. The crowd sang with cheerleaders and repeated the Pirate calls.
Fairhope West PTO hosts inaugural back-to-school bash
Practicing plays… Jordan receives the pass while practicing plays to defeat the Toros this Tuesday, August 26. The team rotated between conditioning and drills.
Fairhope High School launches flag football
Stretching for Semifinals… The Pirates huddle together to stretch for an intense game. The players took their positions on the field and kept in condition. Submitted photo.
Varsity Boys Soccer end season in semifinal
The City of Fairhope Welcome Center, decorated and ready for women to come by and get some goodies, hosted Girls Night Out. The turn out exceeded expectations with many women showing up and having a great time. “There were so many women having such a great time, and bringing many women together,” Delamore said. Photo by Abbie Butler
Fairhope hosts annual girls night out
Fairhope Rotary Steak Cookoff set for May 10
Fairhope Rotary Steak Cookoff set for May 10
Fairhope High School held its first football pep rally in the gym Thursday, Aug. 21, to encourage student attendance at the traditional season opener versus Spanish Fort. Coaches and team members recognized senior players.
Pep rally kicks off season opener
Practicing plays… Jordan receives the pass while practicing plays to defeat the Toros this Tuesday, August 26. The team rotated between conditioning and drills.
Fairhope High School launches flag football
Stretching for Semifinals… The Pirates huddle together to stretch for an intense game. The players took their positions on the field and kept in condition. Submitted photo.
Varsity Boys Soccer end season in semifinal
Pirate Vision Special Edition: Soccer Wins Playoff Round 1
Pirate Vision Special Edition: Soccer Wins Playoff Round 1
Friendly Support… Friends and teammates of senior Chance Walters congratulate him after the signing ceremony. Fairhope High School Students were invited to come watch their friends and support them during the school day.
Fairhope High School athletes commit to the next level
Strike that pose… Sadie Houston and Sawyer Knight sing Legally Blonde in the last act of the show. Houston played the role of Elle Woods, and Knight played Emmett Forest in this show. Photo by Dana Lee Davis Photography
Local teen actress performs with area company
Technique and perfection…Company dancer Halle Smith performs as the summer fairy in the most recent show, Cinderella. Being chosen for the role of the summer fairy allowed me to focus on technique and perfecting my beginner-level skills.
Bayshore Ballet, oldest company in Baldwin County, makes changes, fosters relationships
Creative Energy… Fairhope teens Ainsley Cook, Mabel Burch, Samantha Jensen and Cannon Deason hang out and draw on the whiteboard in the new teen space. Library worker Casey Henderson allowed all teens to draw on the board so that they could make the space their own. “We wanted to have it so that teens had ownership over the space,” Henderson said.
Fairhope Public Library’s 125th Anniversary Ceremony unveils new teen space
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
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
Eastern Shore Repertory Theater’s Grease brings Fairhope back to the fifties
Eastern Shore Repertory Theater’s Grease brings Fairhope back to the fifties
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
Fairhope High School held its first football pep rally in the gym Thursday, Aug. 21, to encourage student attendance at the traditional season opener versus Spanish Fort. Coaches and team members recognized senior players.
Pep rally kicks off season opener
Assistant principal Josh Howell and Engineering teacher Cody Coleman direct seniors to their seats before graduation. Commencement exercises for Fairhope High School’s 354 graduating seniors took place on W.C. Majors Field at 7 p.m., May 20.
Fairhope High School holds commencement exercises for Class of 2025
Say cheese… Journalism students take pictures of Pre-k students by Pete the Pirate earning a photo to their memories at Fairhope High School. Pre-K student Margaret Marcinko smiled big next to Pete.“The purpose of these pictures is to help the students remember the fun times we had together this year in Pre-K,” said Christy Carson, Pre-K teacher.
Pre-K class celebrates end of school year
Pirate Vision Special Edition: Disney Journalism Trip
Pirate Vision Special Edition: Disney Journalism Trip
Revving Up… A car show took place behind the Fairhope Public Library as an added attraction to the weekly Fairhope fresh market. The market and car show opened to the general public.
Fairhope holds weekly fresh market with car show
The Student News Site of Fairhope High School

The Pirateer
The Student News Site of Fairhope High School

The Pirateer
Riley Wootten

Riley Wootten, editor in chief

Riley Wootten is a senior at Fairhope High School. She works on The Pirateer staff, where she covers events within her community, publishes stories and gathers quotes and pictures for each article. Wootten enjoys covering sports, local restaurant food reviews and is especially interested in feature articles revolving around student life and school events. Outside of journalism, she likes to hangout with friends, go to the beach and watch romantic comedies. One fun fact about Wootten is that she hosted a foreign exchange student from France her freshman year of high school. 

All content by Riley Wootten
Practicing plays… Jordan receives the pass while practicing plays to defeat the Toros this Tuesday, August 26. The team rotated between conditioning and drills.

Fairhope High School launches flag football

Riley Wootten, editor in chief
August 25, 2025
Say cheese… Journalism students take pictures of Pre-k students by Pete the Pirate earning a photo to their memories at Fairhope High School. Pre-K student Margaret Marcinko smiled big next to Pete.“The purpose of these pictures is to help the students remember the fun times we had together this year in Pre-K,” said Christy Carson, Pre-K teacher.

Pre-K class celebrates end of school year

Riley Wootten, editor in cheif
May 16, 2025
Stretching for Semifinals… The Pirates huddle together to stretch for an intense game. The players took their positions on the field and kept in condition. Submitted photo.

Varsity Boys Soccer end season in semifinal

Riley Wootten, junior editor
May 13, 2025
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
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