A1·news·bobcatbanner.com·@BobcatBanner
THE
BOBCATBANNER GBHS STUDENT PRESS
vo l . 5 0 i s s u e 4
Fe b r u a r y 2 0, 2 0 1 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION A NEWS A1-A2 OPINION A3 FYE A4
SECTION B SPORTS B1-B2 FEATURE B3-B4
IN SECTION A
A2 ACT/SAT A3 FLINT WATER A4 RADIO TUNES IN SECTION B
B1 SIGNING DAY B2 BOYS SWIM B3 TATTOOS B4 CRAFTS
A4
Check out the musical layout on A4. See today’s top tunes.
PhotoCredit: Mikayla Gilbert Grant Fisher poses with teamates and Dathan Ritzenhein, 2008 Olympic runner, after recieving the Gatorade Player of the Year award. He is only the 10th athlete to win this award for a second year in a row.
of work, many hard stressful nights, and determination. TyGarza Fisher has all of those Managing Editor qualities. And his practices are just the start of it all. AliiahEsquivel Gatorade doesn’t just give Sports Writer an award like this to anyone; it all comes down to grades, Heart beating, body achexemplary character. Gatorade ing, hands sweating… and reviewed Fisher over a certain school starts in less than 24 amount of time, checking hours. everything from Twitter to InGrand Blanc’s own Grant stagram, making sure he was a Fisher has won the Gatorade good example and role model Player of the Year award for for others. They also recorede the second time, following the constant updates on his times footsteps to many other well and his grades. known athletes like Lebron “I had no idea I was James, Candace Parker and receiving the award, it was Greg Oden. Becoming one all a surprise,” Fisher said.“It of the many legends to win doesn’t really feel real. Some this award doesn’t just hapof the people that have won pen overnight. It took a lot the award are so successful
that it doesn’t feel right to put my name next to theirs.” Balancing school and athletics is a major challenge student athletes face. The pressure to perform well in both is constant and creates plenty of additional work as well as stress. “I’ve always put academics and athletics pretty high on my priorities,” Fisher said. The amount of work he puts in is clear when it comes to staying healthy and maintaining a 3.97 GPA in the midst of it all. Add to this the amount of homework he has, taking all advanced classes, and he still manages to be the best academically as well as in sports. “A lot of people think that I
run and that it takes up a lot of time but really it’s only about and hour, hour and a half a day,” Fisher said. “So other than what I do for that hour, I’m just an average guy.” Coping alone is a challenge let alone trying to find to time to maintain a social life. “It has been kinda different with me, with athletics and academics,” Fisher said. “I think its important to keep a balance with the social side.” Hanging out with friends and spending their days socializing is often what high schoolers not only want but tend to do with their time in school. And while this is a major benefit and important part of everyone’s life experience, finding time for other
Are our colleges safe?
Your top choice school might not be as safe as you think
B1
Read about it! Catch up and find out who’s going where next fall!
B4 Like crafts? Learn to make a dream catcher on B4!
CorrinFancher News Writer
no matter which school you choose, the rates vary from school to school. Burglary, the most common campus crime, is highest at Saginaw Valley, at a 81.8 percent rate. Meanwhile, burglary rates are lowest at Central with a 60 percent rate. And on another note, a
little more extreme form of crime, forcible sexual assault, is highest at Grand Valley at 22.2 percent. “It freaks me out that the colleges aren’t watching over their students enough, if all of this stuff is happening,” senior Ciara Kolasinski said. One concern among stu-
dents is just how honest and upfront are colleges about crimes on campus. Recently a news story surfaced of an incident of an on-campus gang rape at University of Virginia. Not only was the public appalled with the scenario, but the fact that the college kept it under wraps for almost 2 years was even scarier. “The norm for universities and colleges is to downplay the situation and the numbers,” researcher Corey Rayburn Yung, Jr. told voactiv.com. “The result is students at many universities continue to be attacked and victimized, and punishment isn’t meted out.” Prospective students agree. “It’s like the PhotoCredit: Flickr.com schools don’t want
It seems like everytime you turn on your news nowadays, there’s some kind of university horror story. Whether it be the recently surfaced rape scandal at University of Virginia, or the on campus riots at Michigan State, you can’t help but have a lurking bit of paranoia. For prospective college students, crime rates are a huge factor into choosing the right university to commit to. When you’re paying so much for a higher education, you don’t want to be worrying about things like assault and burglary. While in some forms, these crimes may seem unavoidable Police officers on college campuses are forced put in the position to try to take care of all the crimes occuring in these areas.
things often becomes difficult. Fisher’s focus has also been on the Grand Blanc varsity soccer team. He is what many people would call an all around athlete. With Fisher there are no days off. And yet he still manages despite traveling to places like Stanford, San Diego and Princeton. “Things have been crazy over the past year, and my family has been super supportive through it all,” Fisher said. It’s tough at times missing school all the time for stuff but I think it has been manageable,” Fisher said. But even highly skilled athletes who boast excellent grades need to take some time
See more on B1
this stuff to get out because they’re afraid it’ll look bad on them” Kolasinski said. University of Michigan is known to have one of the highest crime rates compared to other universities, but their numbers have recently seen a significant decrease due to a large number of students participating as student patrol officers. “It’s the lowest that I’ve experienced since I’ve been here,” UM Flint officer Allen Cozart told MLive, “The student patrol is a visual that we are all over campus.” Their numbers have lowered from a total of over 200 annual crimes committed at U of M, down to a total of around 140. This isn’t to say that all university campuses are something to be feared. In Michigan, colleges like Oakland University and Davenport are among the safest in the country.
A2·news·bobcatbanner.com·@BobcatBanner
Civics test may be mandatory
King Dies
Saudi Arabian King dies after Republican lawmaker proposes decades of leading his country change to grad requirement SabrinaJarrah
er, is almost certain to inherit Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and developed a love for religion, the throne and will continue tion that high school graduate and appreciation for American SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR with similar traditions. history and Arab heritage CorrinFancher civics,” Lucido told mLive. should have.” “I don’t expect any mawhile receiving his early edu“Why should the threshold Saudi Arabia’s King, AbdulMany adults agree that our jor shift, but it marks a big cation at the royal court. He NEWS WRITER lah Bin Abdulaziz, died country is seriously lacking in be any different for citizens change and we’ll have to see spend most of this childhood Friday, Jan. 23 at age 90. He How many members are the number of people actually who are lucky enough to be what the new king is like,” living in the desert where the had been hospitalized since in our House of Representaborn in the United States?” aware of their government Bedouin tribe taught him their CNN’s Fareed Zakaria said. tives? Who is our Speaker of and how it works, even when One argument being made December where he was Under Abdullah's leadervalues of bravery, simplicity, diagnosed with pneumonia the House? More often than opposing the bill is the addiprovided with the numership, he initiated a variety of honor and generosity in which not, the average high school tion to high schooler’s already and had temporarily needed to ous government and history accomplishments that have inspired him to help lead his student can’t answer these classes today’s students have. strenuous amount of standard- breathe through a tube. brought positive changes nation. Abdullah was a father Abdullah officially came questions. But what would ized tests. “Requiring that students throughout the kingdom. He to 30 children from around a you say if these questions “We have concerns already to power in 2005 after his half pass this test is not by any created the King Abdullah dozen wives. were the key to your graduwith the amount of testing and brother was incapacitated by a means a silver bullet, but I University of stroke. Since ation length of time testing, Science and Michigan is considparticularly at the high ascending to Technology throne, he ering a bill, already school level,” Bob and Princess a law in Arizona and Kefgen of the Michi- has invested Nourah bint some of North Dakota, that gan Association of Abdulrahthe counwould require all Secondary School man Unihigh school students Principals said in the try's vast versity for oil wealth to pass a civics test same mLive article. girls. He and helped in order to graduate. While Randy Pialso wanted This test would be lon, Lucido’s spokes- support the to resolve western similar to a citizenman says “the test conflicts in fight against ship test, asking wouldn’t be seen as the Middle questions about our another standardized Al-Qaeda. East and nations history and test, but as part of the In addition, helped for Abdullah members of our civics class already the achievedeclared government. required for high ment of himself a This new bill school graduation,” world peace, strong U.S. would take effect Kefgen has other security and ally and, starting with the class concerns. stability. He following his of 2016-2017, requiring PhotoCredit: R.D. Ward “We also have a longthink is a step, a small step organized death, Presi- The Saudi Arabian leader Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz died recentley students to score at least a 60 forward,” Arizona senator standing position that high due to serious health complications and age. many into pass. school content standards need dent Barack Steve Yarbrough told Huffternational Obama “That’s ridiculous” sophoington Post, “I think we need to be focused on career and summits to maintain global Although King Abdullah admired him for serving with more Zapporah Turner said, college readiness, which we to encourage the people of oil markets and he also tried took steps to move his counthe Arab Peace Initiative. “I feel like most adults don’t believe we’ve achieved with America to become more very hard to strengthen Saudi try forward, refusal towards “King Abdullah’s life even know that stuff, why do aware of the values of Amer- the current set of high school Arabia’s relations with other conservative elements trigspanned from before the we have to? It’s just more to standards and the Michigan ica.” birth of modern Saudi Arabia gered some of his efforts such countries around the world. study for.” merit curriculum,” Kefgen Michigan republican “No matter how poweras lack of women indepenthough its emergence as a According to an article said. lawmaker Peter Lucido is ful, countries cannot rule the dency, citizens voting restriccritical force within the global by Huffington Post, former Only time will tell if this pushing hard to get this bill whole world. The world is tions, public beheadings, California congressman Frank through for the incoming bill ends up on Gov. Synder’s economy and a leader among ruled by brains, by justice, and banned political parties. Riggs says the goal of this desk and whether or not it will Arab and Islamic nations,” juniors. by morals and by fairness.” Meanwhile, it is said that President Barack Obama said. test is “to ensure the delivery be signed into law for next “We require immigrants Prince Salman, his half broth- King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz. Abdullah was born in the very basics civics educato have a basic understanding year’s graduating class.
“
I think we need to encourage the people of America to become more aware of the values of America.
“
--Steve Yarbrough
Michigan switches ACT to SAT Schools in Michigan are forced to switch to the SAT starting with the class of 2017
SAT
SabrinaJarrah NEWS WRITER
The ACT is out. The state announced that starting in 2016, all current high school juniors in Michigan will take the SAT college entrance exam instead of the ACT. The SAT is a test that evaluates the students academic skills in reading, writing and math. It judges students to use reasoning to answer the questions. Almost similar, the ACT evaluates the students on English, math, reading, science and an optional writing test. It examines the students on what they learned in school. Neither test is better than the other and both the ACT and SAT are accepted nationally to all colleges and universities throughout the United States. “It is going to be really hard because every class we’ve taken up until now has prepared us for the ACT,” sophomore Kylie McClain said, “Since it is just now changing, we wont have as much time to prepare ourselves with the SAT.” According to The College Board, 15,000 Michigan students are given an college entrance exam and due to the new transition, many students and instructors are greatly affected by the new switch of
format. With many schools already in the process of preparing their students for ACT testing, teachers now have to prepare students to a completely different assessment. One of that main causes that encouraged the shift from ACT to SAT was because of The College Board, also the administrator of the SAT, who won a three-year contract worth $17.1 million, a bid that was $15 million less than the ACT. The basic ACT cost $54.50 (with the writing portion). The SAT cost $52.50. Comparing to the costs of the ACT, the SAT would save Michigan $15.4 million over the life of the three year contract. Changes to the SAT include eliminating vague words, focusing on the math problems that matter most, limiting calculator uses and returning to the 1,600 point scale. Also, the difficulty of the questions increase as you move through the test and instead of writing an argumentative essay, the prompt has changed and students will have to focus on writing analysis essays. Just like the ACT, the SAT will not deduct points for wrong answers.
Only correct answers score points and blank answers have no affect on the result. Michigan students have been taking the ACT since 2007, and although now its been changed, the ACT inc. will still provide The WorkKeys examination as part of the contract. The College Board said that students can still take the ACT at their own expense but it will be during outside of school hours and they will need to pay for it. The College Board will also provide schools with online practice tests and free testing materials to help prepare for the exam. In addition, the SAT also partnered up with Khan Academy to provide test prep classes for free. this could save families and students $300. “I am not scared to take it,” sophmore Saarang Suryavanshi said. “Most schools take the SAT instead of the ACT anyways so I think its better.” Although not everyone is pleased with the change, it is a transition that will save money and will provide students and educators with great benefits and rationality to direction and education.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
A
Requires students to master relevant vocabualry.
B A A
Includes an essay based on an unknown reading selection. The mathematics portion contain basic elements of math.
B B A
Contains evidence based reading and writing.
Questions will be related to the real world. Questions based on historical documents.
Students will apply reading and math to answer history and science questions.
B
There is no penalty for wrong answers.
A3·opinion·bobcatbanner.com·@BobcatBanner
Glorifying mental illness A disease you can’t see
People constantly selfdiagnose simple problems as OCD, insomnia, bipolarism, and many other variants. This isn’t to say that you have no right to think you may have a mental illness like these. If you have obsessive compulsions, or have constant sleepless nights, or shifts in mood that dramatically alter your state of happiness, it’s LucSavoie completely possible to have a Photo Credit: LucSavoie OPINION EDITOR disease like these. Bobcat Banner section editors worked restlessly to design this issue’s layout. In fact, these illnesses are Imagine if you had a By specializing into sections, they are able to create the Banner for the shcool. broken arm or leg and people more common than you might around you constantly claimed think. About 11 of youth between 9 to 17 years old, apthat they were in the same proximately 4 million people, boat as you. You might hear, have a major mental health “Oh, my arm’s broken too, I disorder that results in sigbreak it all the time,” even if Water. Think about all tion: is water a human right? ing it. nificant impairments at home, they’ve never had a physical the times in a day that you The U.N. thinks so, and so Experts have been telling school or with peers. (Surgeon use water. Drinking, bathing, they sent a team out to Detroit residents that the water is safe, injury in their life. This may seem ridiculous, but this same General, 2000). cooking, washing; everything to investigate the problem. despite its appearance. However, it belittles people thing happens every day. from clothes to your car, all From March to October, over They say that the water Throughout the halls, one who suffer from ailments such require water. 26,000 Detroit residents had will only cause harm if conas these when you compare is inclined to hear nonstop Now, imagine that the wa- their water turned off due to sumed for over 10 years by your cleanliness or late night comments that glorify or ter in your home could harm lack of payment (CBS News). small children or the elderly. studies to people who survive romanticize mental illness. you. We probably imagine When so few people pay their At the same time, the things like this happening in bill, it raises the prices for Genesee Intermediate School other countries or other states. others. This causes a domino District is buying bottled waThat is what is happening just effect, meaning even less ter for Head Start kids. about 10 minutes outside of people were able to pay their That fact alone tells us Grand Blanc. How can this be bill. how much trust is held by the happening? Flint residents end up general public about what city As humans, we have this paying more for their water. officials are saying. idea of basic things that we MLive reported that they Flint residents have had it deserve. Most people would have been paying about $140, tough; they go through a lot say we have the right to live, which is about $35 more than just from the stigma that being have food, and a roof over our even the highest rates in Gen- a “person from Flint” creates. heads. But what about safe esee county. The federal government drinking water? taxes without their parents And paying all that extra has stepped in to help them When we think about our hand holding them through it? money certainly does not with grant money that will problems as a community, do mean that it is safer. Grand Blanc High School hopefully create a better fuwe think about clean water? only requires a semester of “I was throwing up like ture for Flint. No, because we assume Economics. In that short time, bleach water. It came up If everything goes well, those are the types of probyou aren’t taught how to do through my nose burning,” a better future for Flint with lems that happen in third taxes or manage money as Corodon Maynard said in a affordable, safe water may world countries. well as you should be. Detroit Free Press Interview. be on the horizon, which After the Detroit water shut How about the amount of Maynard realized that is something that everyone off last year, it really left loans that are being taken out Flint water was no longer safe deserves. many people asking the ques- through the experience of usstraight out of high school? A well hidden secret is that the majority of the students don’t ShelbyMorrish really know how much they are actually spending. OPINION WRITER With interest rates growing, it’s important informaHave you ever wondered tion that needs to be taught in how hard life is going to be as soon as you get out of high order to survive without being in debt for the rest of your school? Have you ever sat life. there and just thought about Perhaps instead of the rehow clueless some people are quired gym class to graduate, about the real world? Schools around the world hammer all students should be required to take “life management” insorts of “core subjects” into stead. You’re not going to use our brains but leave out the that recorded time it took you essential life line tools. The processes of doing tax- to run one mile in gym class, es and paying bills is a perfect but learning how to manage your money and handle example. What 18-year-old GB Flint things like an adult is essenreally knows how to do their
Flint water
Is your water safe?
Staff Editorial
with diseases. At this point in society, it’s pretty common to associate your discomforts with words like these. In the scope of the entirety of scientific study, advanced psychology itself is relatively new as a field of research. There hasn’t really been enough time for people to realize the severity of emotional and psychological disorders. The general public doesn’t really understand how these disorders work. The good news is that we can be the generation to change this for good. If you truly believe that you suffer from a mental illness, there are many people to talk to and help you with it. It’s not your fault; it’s just like having a broken limb. I think we should all just focus on being aware of the illnesses and stop using them as slurs.
Schools’ priorities in curriculum Why aren’t we learning the important stuff?
REAL LIFE LAUGHS
By: NaomiSauvola
Which do you prefer?
tial for high school students. Yes, health is important but schools cannot walk around with you after graduation and make sure you are living the way you are supposed to. A school’s job is to prepare children to be adults and to educate them, and right now, they’re missing a major point. Part of the problem is that these classes should be required instead of all the extra credits that we have to scrunge up before graduation. After all of the specific credits that a student is required to take, there are five and a half credits of electives that are up to them to pick. Meaning, there are classes in the graduation requirements that shouldn’t be required to graduate. It would be beneficial for future classes to be required to take classes that will help them with their future and not accomplish anything besides burning off lunch and smelling bad for sixth hour.
Video Games and violence Shedding the light on a myth
NaomiSauvola OPINION WRITER
Throughout video game history, graphics more and more realistic, and so has the gore. As the graphic quality
Editor-in-Chief: Rylie Daniels Advisor: Nick Popadich Managing Editor: Ty Garza Business Manager: Andrea Northrup
increases, so does the violence. Many people believe that the rising violence in video games will increase the violence in kids and teens as time progresses. This is simply not true. As a video gamer myself, I strongly disagree with that assumption. According to TIME magazine, a study was given by PhD student Morgan Tear at the University of Queensland in Australia. Tear and her team took 64 college students and asked them to play two video games from a selection of four, one being violent, and
News Editors: Hunter Bostley News Writers: Corrin Fancher Sabrina Jarrah Photo Editor: Mikayla Gilbert
Photo Credit: RebeccaPollard
the other being non-violent. After the students played the video games, Tear’s team gave the students a questionnaire, then pretended to drop their pens on the floor as the team left to see if the people associated with the violent video games would help to pick them up. When the students responded to the annoyance calmly and helpfully by politely picking up the pens, Tear’s team concluded that the violent video games they had played did not promote violence and they didn’t make the students less caring. So,
what’s the hype about them promoting violence? Due to certain crimes, people have linked violence with video games. People have said that since they have played violent video games, it has encouraged people to commit crimes, when in reality, video games are not an uncommon aspect of society and should not be associated with real-life violence.
games have no impact on people’s actions. Besides the violence of some video games, they are truly incredible. They give you the chance to meet people across the world, and create friendships that sometimes last a lifetime. Video games are very entertaining and also help with hand-eye coorWith the wide majority of dination. As time goes on, people who play video games, who knows what video game it is hard to decipher whether creators will make. With new or not video games actually inventions, and new stories, do cause violence, but as far video games have become as we know right now, video revolutionary.
STAFF Feature Editor: Kelly Grant Feature Writers: Lauren Carr Molly Roberts Olivia Wyzgoski
LISTING Opinion Editor: Luc Savoie Opinion Writers: Chase Chism Shelby Morrish Erica Davis
FYE Editor: Angela Kiester FYE Writers: Cyerra Haywood Ali Kone
Sports Editor: Jake Rogers Sports Writers: Aliiah Esquivel Jensen Hansen Illustrator: Naomi Sauvola
A4·FYE·bobcatbanner.com·@BobcatBanner
Top Tunes of today The Radio's Favorite Songs and their meanings Jo’SefSmith
“Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars is an '80s funk/R&B classic. This song really brings back the funk
and that old school flavor. Anyone can jam out to this and that’s why it’s on the top of the charts.
Banner’s Bookworm Alex Cross: Hope To Die
GUEST WRITER
"Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran is a romantic ballad in which Sheeran has described as “a walking down the aisle song.” He wrote this tune for his best friend’s wedding. This song ends the album on a likable, sappy note.
"Lips Are Movin’" by Meghan Trainor is another pop classic about a couple. The boyfriend comes home smelling like perfume from another woman. Trainor stated, "Here's me being sassy and...having just a good time and trying to get through this feeling of, ‘ugh’ he's cheating on me again.”
illustration Credit: NaomiSauvola Photo Credit:MIkaylaGilbert
The song "Take Me To Church" by Hozier is very meaningful and is about human rights and what society thinks. This song has a message of equality. “The song is about assert ing yourself and reclaim ing your humanity through an act of love.” Hozier stated.
"Blank Space" by Taylor Swift is a pop/ electro pop song about Swift’s love life. People would say this song per ceives Swift’s relationship problems, but the song expresses her feelings. Swift has evolved from country to pop and this song shows some of her true colors.
Conan Doyle. “Hope to Die” will keep FYE WRITER you on the edge of your seat. Alex Cross, the main charReaders are enticed with acter, is being stalked by a the latest mystery in James Patterson’s “Hope to Die,” the psychotic genius, forced to play the deadliest game of 22nd book in the Alex Cross his career. Just when you series. think you know what's going The widely praised Alex to happen something unCross is back with mind thinkable does. blowing suspense. “Alex Cross: Hope to Patterson’s incredible seDie” is currently number 14 ries includes a genius criminal on the NY Times bestseller master mind in the backlist and still making its way ground pulling the strings. up. James Patterson based This novel was is highly his Alex Cross novels on the well known Sherlock Holmes recommended and a great read for crime gurus. series written by Sir Arthur
AliKone
“Hope To Die” is the perfect book for those who love Sherlock Holmes.
B1·sports·bobcatbanner.com·@BobcatBanner [Continued from A1]
Signing Day
13 athletes sign for college Mikayla Gilbert PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
“I picked Grand Valley because the education is top of the line in Michigan...it has a very homey feeling with a beautiful campus, and they are the winningest Division 2 football team in history.” DeAundre Simpkins - GVSU (Football) Photo Credit: MikaylaGilbert
Grant Fisher accepts the Gatorade Player of the Year Award. Fisher will run at Stanford starting in the fall.
Because one is not enough Grant Fisher wins Gatorade player of the year
B
ut even highly skilled athletes who boast excellent grades need to take some time off. “I can’t go out and go and party every weekend, but it’s good to kind of have an outlet and have people to hang out and do stuff with,” Fisher said. “I think it’s really helped to have the social side as well in high school.” Fisher is also facing the added pressure that comes with life after school. College and other future decisions can be a lot of additional stress that often distracts from the importance of current circumstances. However, Fisher has been able to stay relaxed as he continues to achieve greater accomplishments and keep a cool head when it comes to the challenges that await, post-graduation. “Senior year is a lot more relaxed,” Fisher said. “The classes seem like less work and everyone is a lot more laid back. I’ve liked Senior year a lot.”
When it comes to college decisions, it may be hard to believe that there is much more to it than simply a good athletic program for a highly recruited student athlete, but many other factors come in to play. “I took four college visits and all the visits were to schools with different strengths,” Fisher said. “I ended up picking a school that had strong athletics and academics.” And even then, there is always the unknown feature that draws in the student and ultimately makes the decision a simple one. “At the end of the day, it was how I felt at the school and how it fit with me,” Fisher said. “When I went out and visited Stanford, I really liked it and it just felt like home.” With such a highly anticipated future ahead of the senior, it can easily be overlooked that despite the great expectations, Fisher is still a high school kid facing the
everyday problems of being a teenager. With more and more people knowing who Grant Fisher is, fame starts to take a spot in it all. He’s no longer just another runner at GBHS. Fisher is now “the runner” of Grand Blanc. Which means a lot of new changes, many more supporters, and a lot of random twitter followers. “The only thing that is different is that when I tweet something a bunch of random people favorite it,” Fisher said in a laughing way. It’s no longer just another school race, it’s a big thing for Fisher now and he’s a big name. More and more people are beginning to really know who Fisher is. “It does kind of feel like I’m constantly being watched, but I try not to let the pressure change how I act. I’m still just a high schooler that likes to go out and have fun every once in a while.”
“I chose Mott because they do not have a track team, but they do have a cross country team and that’s what I enjoy most. They’re also offering me the most.” Austin Mandernach - Mott Community College (Cross Country)
Brianna Klaus - University of Findlay (Soccer)
“I picked Findlay because they have the best physical therapy program, and I’ve had three ACL surgeries and over 18 months of physical therapy so I know what it’s like.”
Keonta Williams - SVSU (Football)
“I felt like it was the best place for me. It’s close to home and I love the coaching staff. They show so much love and they really wanted me. They also said I could play as a true freshman, so that’s exciting. I also fit their system really well.” “I love their wildlife and fishery program. I really want to major in that field, because I like animals and the outdoors. Also, they have an excellent football team.”
Autonio Roland - University of North Dakota (Football) “The academic program was exactly what I was looking for. The team was very welcoming, and I am given the opportunity to start as a freshman.” Hallie Vanitvelt - Goshen College (Volleyball) “The coaches and the family oriented atmosphere, and there’s no professional sports in Iowa so the college sports are the big ticket in town.” Drake Gauthier - University of Iowa (Track)
“The school has a really good balance between academics and athletics. And it’s warm.” Grant Fisher - Stanfor University (Cross Country) “I picked Northwestern because I was looking for a team that would be my family for the next four years.” Eryn Scannell - Northwestern University (Diving) “I got along really well with the coaches and the players; they were all really welcoming. The staff is nice too.”
Nicole Nadolski - Cleary University (Soccer) “When I got on campus, I felt at home and the weather is a plus, except in August.” Annie Walker - Rice University (Soccer)
Photo Credits: MikaylaGilbert
B2·sports·bobcatbanner.com·@BobcatBanner
The swimming Bobcats Boys swim team takes on the KLAA
JensenHansen SPORTS WRITER
“Palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy.” The famous words by rapper Eminem describe most people when they’re getting ready to perform for any sport. With swimming, the nerves are always there. Every breath taken, every move made, the body is constantly aching. The mind is focusing on the fundamentals of the race, reaching, grabbing, and pulling through the water with a nice precise stroke. The boys put in a lot of hard work, dedication, and time. “We have morning practice before school every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday,” junior Bailey Curtis said. “We also have practice right after school every day.” The boys have a strong relationship with one another as well. They have bonding
events to strengthen their relationship even more as a team. “After our county and conference meets,” senior and captain Kenny Joynt said, “We have an overnight party where we all get Jonathan Hansen together at Divisionals. and hang out.” Every year before the big
which they choose. The second day consists of the upperclassmen shaving a crazy design into the underclassmen's hair, and the last day is when they boys just participates in the 100 free at practice. Their next meet is on Feb. 20 shave it all off. a three-day process. The first meet of the season (Divisions), the boys all get togeth- day consists of the upperclass“The hair has been a er and shave crazy designs men dying the underclasstradition that has been passed into each other’s heads. It’s men’s hair any crazy color in
down for many years,” Joynt said. “It’s a voluntary participation, but most of the swimmers enjoy the team bonding experience that it brings.” Everyone all has their ways of preparing or psyching themselves up for a meet/ game, whether it’s jumping around, listening to music, or just zoning out. “I carry myself with a higher stature than most on the pool deck,” junior Nick Price said. “I don’t look at the people around me, I just look at the pool and imagine that I’m the strongest swimmer about to dive in.” Last year, the Bobcats had a 5-2 record. They placed second at the West Division meet, and also placed second at the West Lakes Conference meet overall. The boys have started off strong and are looking to keep improving. With the season just underway, there is a lot of time to make this team great.
Rise to the top Injuries and Varsity cheer aims for states illness on ice LaurenCarr SPORTS WRITER
No one saw the hours spent perfecting motions in front of the mirror. No one saw the skills in training ending in iced knees and twisted ankles. No one saw the summer practices and heard the chant “winter training starts in summer” being yelled across the track as a team of girls sprinted up sets of bleachers. What everyone sees is the blue ribbons and gold trophies. They see the statistics and the booming bleachers filled with fans. But only 24 girls can understand the lengths one must go to to reach success. Only 24 girls faced the trials during the weeks leading up to competitive season. Senior Madeline Story spent her high school career cheering and for her it has all led up to this final season. “Summer training, conditioning, and all the hours in the fall has helped us be as prepared as we are now,” Story said. “We’ve gotten into shape, and now we’re ahead in the game.” All the training in the summer and fall add up to that moment on the mat, when the gym goes silent, and a round begins. Tumbling, jumps, inflection, motions, facials, and stunts incorporated into a routine only minutes long. For a round to hit, is a feeling not so new to the team.
Hockey looks to find its groove
MikaylaGilbert PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Photo Credit: MikaylaGilbert
The cheer team prepares to stick a toe touch in their round one routine. They later went on to win the Bobcat Classic. Junior Bailey Hoffman has been waiting for competition season since May. “After all our conditioning and skill building, we’ve been preparing for these competitions. We’ve gotten stronger,” Hoffman said. “Our skills and tumbling have been sticking.” As the team advances higher and higher into the states high school rankings, the varsity veterans haven’t forgotten where they began. With last year being the first year for a Grand Blanc varsity cheer team to advance past Districts, the girls refuse to let the success get to their head. Senior Emily McCoon remembers her first year on varsity, and is still in awe about the advances the team has made -- from somersaults and straight cradles, now to tucks and twists. “The first time I saw Hartland -- a highly ranked team -- I saw a group of girls
that I wanted to be like. Now I see a team that we are beating every time, ” McCoon said. “Honestly, it hasn’t hit me yet. I still feel like we're that old team, but when I look at videos from freshman year, it’s amazing how much hard work went into how we look now.” For years, coaches Helena Hunt and Christina Swansey have preached to the girls that they must “work until they’re idols become their rivals.” So as they gradually defeat the teams they once admired, what's next? For senior Alona Tucker, districts won’t be enough to finish her 8th and final season. “I feel as if we’re going to walk in and win Districts, and then be top four at Regionals,” Tucker said. “For States, we’re putting up a fight.”
Photo Credit: MikaylaGilbert
Joseph Tomczak prepares for a faceoff against Lake Fenton. The Bobcats’ next game is Feb. 19 in a KLAA Crossover. Playing hard every second of your season is important, but for the Grand Blanc varsity hockey team, playing hard all the way to the end is crucial for them to reach their goal. “We have a real shot this year,” junior Steven Wedel said, “Our goal is to win the regional final and make it to states.” The team as a whole went through a rough patch in December when sickness and injuries racked through the team. The team not being 100
percent healthy was a major obstruction to the overall success of the team. “That’s where a lot of our losses came from, we had injuries and sickness,” Coach Bryan Byarski said, “At one point, just about everybody was sick, it kind of went through the whole team.” The team is 6-14-1, with six wins, 14 losses, and one tie. Most teams let a tough season take over the rest of the season and take away from the success of the team. “We got away from our
game and everyone was frustrated. Now we are on a three game win streak and we just won the Grand Blanc Invitational,” senior Griffen Seguin said, ”I believe we found our groove again and I think we have a shot to make a good run in the playoffs.” The team isn't going to let a rocky start to the season affect their playoff season. The whole team is fired up and wants to have a good run come March.
Upcoming Games
MeghanOtenbaker
Boys Basketball
Feb 20: KLAA Tournament
Skiing
Boys Swim
Bowling
Feb 23: State Finals at Boyne Highlands
Feb 20: Divisional Diving Feb 21: Divisional Meet Feb 27 Conference Pre-lims Feb 28: Conference Finals
Feb 20: KLAA Association Feb 27/28: MHSAA Regional March 6/7 MHSAA State Finals
Hockey
Social Media Editor
Feb 19-21: KLAA Crossovers Feb 25: Swartz Creek Feb 28: Fenton
Photo Credit: FirstLast
Competitive Cheer Feb 21: MHSAA Districts at Lake Orion Feb 22: Regionals at Novi Mar 6: State Finals
Illustration Credit: LucSavoie
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Permanent Ink, Changing Times Tattoos in the professional world
RylieDaniels
A
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
s kids grow into young adults, there are many freedoms that are earned simply with age. Decisions and life choices that are now teenagers’ responsibilities are sometimes taken to the full potential, but also sometimes taken advantage of. The different views and opinions on tattoos are much different now than they were in earlier eras. To most, it is no longer seen as dirty or obscene. Many students, and even teachers, here at GBHS have body ink from their teenage years and even some recent additions. Science teacher Amy Jacobson has eight tattoos each with their own special meaning. She started working for Grand Blanc Schools at age 22 and got her first tattoo done at age 25. “I think [tattoos] help me in this profession,” Jacobson said. “I think students see me as more open minded and nonjudgemental.” Photo Credit: RylieDaniles The professional world Senior David Neumann recently got his first tattoo. is one that sometimes looks Neumann got the Hungarian crest on his left arm to down on those with tattoos. symbolize his family origin. If this is the case though,
with strategic placement, some employers won’t ever know if their employees have any marks on their bodies. “My tattoo is somewhere that I don’t need to hide,“ science teacher Stephen Applebee said. “It is on my ankle, and I have never needed to hide it for an interview.” The simple fact that students often do look up to their teachers can also cause controversy over the idea of tattoos in the workforce. “I think that if tattoos are distracting or controversial, then they may be inappropriate for a professional setting,” Applebee said. Senior David Neumann recently got a Hungarian crest tattooed on his left shoulder. He is the second generation of his family to be born in the United States with the rest descending directly from Hungary. Neumann plans to work in the medical field when he is older. “I don’t think [tattoos] matter when working,” Neumann said, “Maybe I’ll get more, but I’ll definitely get them in places that I can hide.” It is clear that the stigma placed on tattoos
Photo Credit: RylieDaniles
Science teacher Amy Jacobson shows one of her eight tattoos. Jacobson got her first tatoo three years after being hired at GBHS.
has faded throughout the years. There are numerous examples of individuals with body ink excelling in the professional world. Opinions on each one may vary and there might
be some judgement. But with good placement and taste, tattoos won’t make or break your future.
Freedom of and from religion
Religious Restoration Act could clash with civil rights
J
FEATURE WRITER
ust 40 years after East Lansing became the first city in the country to ban discrimination against homosexuals, the House approved a bill that could potentially threaten the lives of those in the LGBT community. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act, passed by the house on Dec. 4, allows people to deny service to anyone or anything that disagrees with their beliefs. While the bill is meant to protect those who feel strongly about their religion or beliefs, the possibility of discrimination arises. For example, a pharmacist could, under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, refuse to fill HIV medication for a patient because homosexuality violates their beliefs. Similarly, an emergency medical
technician or a doctor could deny life-saving help to a patient for the same reason. “It’s absolutely unacceptable that we have lawmakers that support discrimination against their people,” junior Arshi Baig said. “Your sexuality doesn’t define you. It doesn’t change your character. It’s horrifying to think that a paramedic can refuse service to a person due to their sexual orientation. In this case, one could die for being themselves, and that’s not okay. I have signed petitions, but that’s not enough. We should be able to feel safe and supported and this act has taken that away.” Opponents of the bill say that it legalizes discrimination, and pushes the boundaries of the separation of church and state. Supporters argue that they should not be confined to privacy to participate in their religion. In a
testimony to the House’s judiciary committee, Rep. Jase Bolger, sponsor of the bill, claimed that bill is not discriminatory, but serves as protection of individual
should only be practiced while hiding in their home or in their church.” However, the bill raises the question of whose beliefs will be protected.
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I feel like all my associations with America- that this is the ‘Land of the free, and home of the brave-’ are false lies used to keep everyone satisfied.
“
LaurenCarr
--Michel Chamilov liberties. In his testimony he stated, “I support individual liberty and I support religious freedom. I have been horrified as some have claimed that a person’s faith
What happens when one's beliefs come in conflict with another's civil rights? The LGBT community fears that since others may view their lifestyle as a sin that they will be denied
rights. “This lacks humanity, and is morally wrong,” senior at Eastern Michigan University, Sarah Pomrenke said. “The bill states that discrimination is okay as long as it’s a ‘sincerely held religious belief.’ In other words, your beliefs don’t have to stem from a taught religion, but can be personal preferences that you ‘sincerely believe.’ This will not only allow denial of services and goods, but possibly give the permission to decline saving someones life because the doctor/EMT/ pharmacist doesn’t agree with their lifestyle. This is completely unacceptable.” Belgium is arguably one of the most progressive countries and was the second to legalize gay marriage. It is also home to 19-year-old Michel Chamilov. While he fondly remembered his visits to the States in the past years,
he was disgusted when he learned about the ramifications of the bill. “The thought of this is terrifying overall,” Chamilov said. “Michigan is taking steps in the wrong direction, no doubt about it. I feel like all my associations with America- that this is the ‘Land of the free, and home of the brave-’ are false lies used to keep everyone satisfied in situations like these. Growing up in another country, I feel as though I’m watching America go backwards right now. Personally, I have no idea what the point of a bill/statement like this is. If people aren’t aware that this is happening, they need to research on their own. To any studentseducate yourselves on situations like these if you aren't being taught about it in school or hearing about it on the news. Do anything you can to help.”
B4·feature·bobcatbanner.com·@BobcatBanner
1. Cut a length of wire, about two feet long (or longer, depending on the size the dreamcatcher you want to make.) 2. Wrap the wire in a circle, overlapping at least two times.
8. Wrap yarn or a thick floss around the outer ring to cover the wire.
7. Add along everything you want to hang from the bottom of your dreamcatcher.
Crafting to Catch Eight steps to making a dreamcatcher
3. Next, cut a smaller length of wire to wrap around the outer edge of the circle. This is the ring for the dreamcatcher.
OliviaWyzgoski FEATURE WRITER
4. Tie the string to the ring, then on the inner edge tie the string again about an inch away. Continue this until you make it all the way around.
6. Weave the string through the excess loops and pull tightly. Tie a knot and cut off the access string. 5. When you've gotten all the way around, take the string and tie it on to the middle of the string between your first two ties. Continue doing this until it the whole circle is filled.
And you're done! Add a loop and hang it wherever you sleep to catch the bad dreams in your life.
Student Store Survival
New USDA regulations force Student Store to try new products
the exact foods the Student Store has had difficulty finding. FEATURE EDITOR “There’s nothing out there First Lady Michelle that fits the bill,” Green said. Obama’s Healthy Hunger Free “The regulations are so strict, Kids Act is slimming not only there aren’t any products out waistlines but opportunities as there. Right now, with the well. Though many of Grand requirements, the first thing Blanc’s students have mournit says is that a product needs ed the loss of the cafeteria’s whole grain, dairy, water, or finest and most fattening cuisine, none grieve its loss more severely than the Student Store. For decades, the Student Store has been selling different snacks and merchandise for the population of GBHS to purchase. It was only until this year that selling turned into sim--Al Green ply surviving. protein. If you look at the “Profits are way down ingredients on a package and from last year,” Marketing it doesn’t have one of those teacher Al Green said. “We’re four, the package is already talking down about 60 perout.” cent.” In order for possible sales With the new guidelines to pass inspection, the prodpassed at the United States ucts must also include no Department of Agriculture, more than 250 calories total only a select few items can be and no more than 240 milsold in schools, and those are
KellyGrant
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ligrams of sodium. On top of that, no more than 35 calories can come from sugar nor can 35 calories come from fat. “During the school week, kids come in to buy food and there’s not much that we can sell,” Green said. “We are not able to satisfy what our customers want and need because there aren’t products out there that we can sell.” But, with restrictions comes creativity and the Student Store, because of the USDA’s regulations, has been selling products they have never sold before. Smoothies, a new addition to the store, have been selling at a fast pace. Frozen yogurt, another new product, has also made its debut in the store. Even if some of the school’s favorites may no longer be for sale, fresh new additions will bring a new element to the Student Store and to the school overall.
we are not able to satisfy what our customers want and need because there aren’t products out there that we can sell.
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