​For the first time in years, the school year here at Independence will end after Memorial Day, leaving the last week of school with only three days filled with long periods and long tests for the freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Seniors will leave the week before, just as usual, but still a week later than last year. 

School did start a few days later, accounting for some of the extra time this year, but the thing to consider is that already it looks like next year school will end another week later, going into June. On the other hand, the school is giving students a week-long break during the long stretch between Labor Day and the holidays.   

All things considered, students generally go through the same amount of school days every year, Independence included, but when school stretches into summer, it gets more and more grueling. Already by this time last year, Seniors would be going into their last week of school, but instead they will be in for another week. Not too mention, but Spring Break has been moved around especially this year, taking place quite a bit later than last year, though this does spare students a whole week to wait before the end of school. 

Regardless, the length of the school year has not changed. There are still just about as many hours and days of school as there have been for years. And perhaps the new October Break, assuming that it comes, will prove to be refreshing at a point in the school year where previous years had previously been very exhausting.  

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His interest in filmmaking began with his fascination with cameras. After discovering the intrigue and power of photography, he realized that so much more could be done with films. He created a YouTube channel, where he makes filming equipment tutorials and videos on topics such as life with diabetes. 

Niemeier also creates short films in his free time, either contacting interested talents on Instagram or simply turning to his friends for faces in his films. He also makes advertising clips and music videos, which is how he makes extra cash while doing what he loves.

Filmmaking is a time-consuming activity, however, and among balancing school work and time spent with family and friends, he actively participates in track and field. He clarifies though, that it is his passion to be making videos in his free time, and does not consider it as something that interferes with his other extracurriculars at all. 

As for the future, Niemeier seems to be set on the career path to a filmmaker. “I want to make my hobby my work,” he explains. “I definitely want to work in the filmmaking business and probably want to have my own company.”