Bobcat Banner -- 12/2013

banner

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volume 48, issue 3

IS THE

WORLD REALLY

ENDING? IN CASE OF DESTRUCTION, READ ON

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Staff Listing Editors-in-Chief Victoria Karatza Emily Higham News Editors Julie Nichols Brianna Buzzell Sports Editors Tyler Fee Griffin Howell Kirsten Holz Feature Editor Sara Diesel

West Campus Editor Kayla Robinson Copy Editors Jake Young Sarah Strickland Stephanie Marceau Morale Chair Whitney Whitehead Columnists Kyle Goldstein Daniel Northrup Marta Werbanowska Photographers Megan Buck Morgan Herzog Dahjuanna Jones Kelsey Rodriguez

Opinion Editor Aashima Sarin Entertainment Editor Pedro Marin Design Editor Anna Konieczny Photography Editor Olivia Mitchinson

pg 6 - No Shave November Recap

Staff Writers Austen Boillat-Cline Christine Pittenger Amanda Thompson

pg 14 - Wrapping Joy in Paper

Media Editor Rylie Daniels The Bobcat Banner

Want more Banner?

is produced by Nick Popadich’s fourth hour class.

Head to bobcatbanner. com for the latest news, Banner-sponsored events, and stories not featured in this edition.

Have an opinion?

12500 S. Holly Road Grand Blanc, MI 48439

Send comments, suggestions, or letters to the editor to npopadic@ grandblancschools.org

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pg 17 - Favorite Festive Flicks of the Season

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notes from the

editors

Dear Students and Staff,

Photos:Banner/Konieczny

Here in Banner, we are

specialists in hanging lights and

singing holiday music. To anyone that comes into our room, they know we are the

definition of Santa’s elves. But, instead of creating toys for the wonderful students of

Grand Blanc High School, we’re creating the installment of the Bobcat Banner that you hold

in your hands. Though we have fun, we bring you the excitement of the holiday’s world news,

an end to many seasons, a start to basketball, a “War on Christmas,” and our wishlist.

The weather outside is less than frightful and the fire may not seem so delightful, yet we

can remember and hope for the beauty of winter.

As we build up to the not-so-wintery break, we hope that you can still experience the happiest

time of the year, as well as good tidings in the next. Enjoy the holiday, whichever you celebrate,

and the much-needed 11-day vacation.

Much love,

& Victoria Karatza & Emily Higham

A letter to the editors...

Connor Moore speaks out on ‘Conservative Lunacy’ As editors we would also like to address the recent emails we have recieved regarding our opinion columnist, Daniel and his column “Conservative Lunacy.” We understand that his tone can be harsh towards those that may not agree with his opinion. Like many naturally-known columnists, he uses facts to support his strongly-held convictions. We stand behind the facts presented in his columns. Many of our staff members and editors review his work. We would also like to remind Republicans and Conservatives that our door is always open for letters to the editors or even guest writing. Even though one of our staff members voices a liberal opinion, he does not speak for the Bobcat Banner as a whole. Thank you for those that have written to us with your concerns, we encourage you to do so throughout the school year.

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Dear editors, This recent issue of the Banner was great, but I’m getting disappointed with Conservative Lunacy. Daniel Northrup is a good columnist but he shouldn’t be quick to generalize conservatives. My family is very Republican and I think its insane that he classifies conservatives/Republicans as greedy people who don’t care about the environment, favor the rich, get religion involved with government and hate gay love. I’m telling you that in not only this issue but the previous issue that Northrup misreads his facts and makes it seem like liberals are the only sane people in this country. There should really be a Liberal Lunacy column so there is a balance between conservative and liberal views. Northrup claims that Republicans want to ban gay marriage. Okay, maybe some do, but there are Republicans like Ron Paul that want to allow states to decide if gay marriage is legal. Being for something and doing nothing about are two different things. Since some Republicans really don’t support nor oppose gay marriage, some people think that they are against it for some reason. These columns are littered with mistakes and I hope next time that they will be supported with well-researched facts.

Sincerely, Connor Moore

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NEWS

NO SHAVE NOVEMBER Students raise money for Fish Families Anna Konieczny | Design Editor that men don’t shave for the entire month of November, then they donate the money that they would have spent on shaving supplies to a cancer foundation.

These many different beards also act as a way to raise awareness for the arising issue of the different types of male cancer affecting men everywhere.

According to the American Cancer Society, Prostate Cancer is the most common type of cancer. One in six men are diagnosed

with it at least once in their lifetime. Over 240,000 new cases and over 28,000 deaths from Prostate Cancer are expected in the United States alone this year.

On a local level, Grand Blanc High School has been collecting money in the fourth hour classes to donate to the FISH foundation.

Participating teachers, Jason Youngs, Erik Pendergrass, Xavier Whitacre, Al Green, Mike Shuster, Nick

Popadich, and Justin Blake stopped shaving their facial hair for the entire month of November.

Since the school reached it’s goal of $1,000 raised, each teacher shaved their beards into crazy designs before shaving their face completely.

After school efforts, many people are more aware of important issues facing those in the community and around the world.

Photos:Banner/Konieczny

Over the past month, there has been a noticeable increase of facial hair spotted around the school.

This is because of a movement called “No Shave November” which was started to raise money for cancer research foundations.

The Official Movember website registered men and raised $7.4 million in 2010, contributing this money to cancer research foundations.

The idea behind No Shave November is

Erik Pendergrass

Nick Popadich

Al Green

GBHS TEACHERS SHOW OFF THEIR CHARITY BEARDS

Justin Blake

Mike Shuster

Jason Youngs

PROBLEMS IN PALESTINE: Israel and Palestine continue fighting over Jerusalem Marta Werbanowska | Columnist With over 150 deaths in Palestine alone, the violence in the Gaza Strip is still steadily increasing into the holiday season. Israel and Palestine are still fighting over the Promised Land.

The Israelis are afraid to go downtown because of the threats that there could be a Muslim suicide bomber,

The Palestinians are forced to fight back with anything they can come up with, like stones-used by children during the most previous intifada-to the now more prominent RPGs and rockets.

Senior Anthony Earll finds that Palestine is instigating more violence. “The Palestinian army is

Palestine Timeline June 1967 Israel

make it seem like Israel is acting out of defense, but in reality, there’s a ten to one ratio of Palestinians dying to Israelis.”

The Jewish majority of Israelis treat this land as home after all of the displacements they suffered from escaping Egypt with Moses, to the Holocaust. The state of Israel became

against by the Jewish Israelis.”

The fighting in the Middle East right now not only affects those involved, but also many other people around the area who are facing difficulties because of the fighting happening around them.

“I mean, yeah, I’m angry! This war has been going on for 75 years that no

seizes Gaza Strip.

July 6, 1989

Hamas suicide attack on a bus kills 16 civilians.

June 2003 Israel closes off all humanitarian aid to Gaza Strip from U.N.

June 2007 Hamas takes over Palestinian moderate party group, Fatah, thus has control over Gaza.

June 2008 Hamas and Israel agree on a truce to end cross-border rocket attacks.

November 2008

Palestine resumes launching rockets after Israeli invasion.

January 15, 2009 Hamas

and the Palestinians are not allowed to learn, work or even enter Israeli territory without proper paperwork.

The Israeli government has forced most of the Palestinians into refugee camps around the Gaza Strip, which is where most of the violence is occurring.

The government is equipped with weaponry of the highest caliber, which includes protective gear, guns, and missiles.

Hamas, which is a terrorist group, and Hamas does more civilian killings than Israel does, but Israel does kind of antagonize it,” said Earll, who remains relatively neutral on the subject.

GBHS students with family from the Middle East have much to say about the conflict in Gaza.

“Do I have an opinion on what happened? Yeah, I do have an opinion,” senior Kenan Alkiek said on the struggles of Palestine. “They

banner2012//@BobcatBanner

the new home for Jews in 1948, and thus, the Promised Land. However, the Muslim Palestinians are fighting back. “[My family] supports it, they support that Israel doesn’t oppress [the Palestinians],” said senior Bassem Farah when asked if his family living in Israel is a part of the conflict in the Gaza Strip. “[My family] is Christian, and a lot of them get into fights with the Muslims, on top of that they are discriminated

one knows about, and it’s sad because it’s a big war,” junior Noor Abdulhay said.

“I have no more family in Palestine now, my dad’s side of the family lost a lot of family members trying to get out, and my mom’s side can’t get back in, and they lost everything.”

Whoever’s land it may be, violence and fear show little signs of stopping unless solutions can be agreed upon.

leader, Said Seyam, killed in an air strike.

April 27, 2011

Hamas and Fatah sign a reconciliation and unite under the goal to oppose Israeli occupation.

March 12, 2012

Israel launches rockets into Gaza killing 20 Palestinians. The Palestinians retaliate with 120 rockets and wound four Israelis.

November 14, 2012 Ahmed

al-Jaabari, head of Hamas military, killed in a targeted Israeli rocket firing.

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SPORTS

UofM AND MSU

A look at our favorites in their most competitive sports Austen Bolliat-Cline | Staff Writer Football: A season in review

Photos: Banner/Herzog

ever, the success level of As the FBS college Minnesota, MSU satisfactory for many this season was not far football season comes finished with a “W” fans of the Wolverines. behind last year when to a close, both of the to extend the season But the season had Michigan pulled out hometown Big Ten and earn another bowl much more in store for teams are bowl bound. berth. fans than that. Michigan a victory in the Sugar Bowl over Virginia Tech This isn’t much of a Following this rollfinished with a final ending with a windifference of past years ercoaster of a season, record of 8-4. Three ning field goal kick in but what shocked the MSU will be featured in of these losses came overtime by Brendan Midwest and the nation the Buffalo Wild Wings against teams ranked Gibbons. alike is the fact that Bowl against TCU on in the top 15 nationally.

The fourth was against Michigan will not Michigan State’s entire Dec. 29 in Tempe, AZ. their bitter-rival Ohio have it easy in the postseason would come If nothing else had State who would, if not season this year either. down to the last week of went right this year for for NCAA sanctions, be They were selected regulation play. Going Michigan, the victory by the Outback Bowl playing in the national into their last game of over “little brother” title game. Overall how- committee along with the season, the Spartans MSU would have been South Carolina. The had posted a 5-6 Gamecocks posted a record including 10-3 record with their a loss against the losses coming to LSU, rival Wolverines Florida, and national a couple of weeks earlier. championship contender Alabama.

With only one Success has been game remaining achieved throughout against the Minthe top universities in nesota Golden Michigan. As far as Gophers, Sparty football goes anyhad to pull out ways, the season has one last victory. been extended for the That they did. senior players as well With a 26-10 win Michigan Stadium begins to fill up before kickoff. Michigan went on to an as the fans. over unranked 8-4 season and a berth in the Outback Bowl.

Basketball: A season tips off The college basketball season has officially kicked off, and in the midst of some bad football seasons in the state of Michigan, fans could not be happier. With Michigan State currently ranked 13 in the country and Michigan ranked three, the future looks very bright.

MSU came out of the gates slow, losing at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany to Connecticut, led by new

head coach Kevin Ollie, 66-62. The Spartans bounced back however in the Champions Classic as they knocked off the Kansas Jayhawks 6764 led by 19 points from Keith Appling and 18 from Gary Harris. The Spartans have had some close calls against Boise State and Louisiana Lafayette. MSU played at Miami but couldn’t come out with the win, falling to “The U” 67-59.

The team in Ann Ar-

Tyler Fee | Sports Editor

bor has jumped out to a hot start. Michigan took out easy opponents in Slippery Rock, IUPUI, and Cleveland State, beating these teams by an average of 35 points.

After defeating IUPUI and Cleveland State in the Regional Round of the NIT Season Tip Off, the team had the opportunity to travel to Madison Square Garden in New York City to take on Pittsburgh and Kansas State. Michigan was

victorious in each of its two match-ups by scores of 67-62 and 71-57, respectively. The Wolverines defeated the North Carolina State Wolfpack at home 79-72 in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

With quality basketball being played in November with plenty of upsets, it’s safe to say that college basketball fans are in for a fun four remaining months of basketball.

FRESHMAN HEADED TO FLORIDA Zach Burau, Varsity Tennis MVP, receives invite to tennis camp Kyle Goldstein | Columnist In the world of high school sports, there are three goals that every player dreams of meeting: to be the best player on the team, a captain, and to be given the MVP award. For most, this takes years of training while they are in high school, in addition to whatever they’ve had previously, to get even one of these accolades. And usually, it takes them until their final year of eligibility to even have a shot at considering the notion of winning one of these honors.

None of that applies to freshman Zach Burau, however. After only a single season, he played #1 singles for Varsity tennis, was named an MVP, and was named one of three captains for next year’s team. Despite already achieving enough that most players would gladly call a career on, Burau is determined to become even better, and for him, this begins by leaving Grand Blanc.

Photos: Banner/Goldstein

After the first semester ends, Burau will be leaving for the Celsius Tennis Academy in Sarasota, Fla. Although Grand Blanc has several professional tennis players that work at Genesys Athletic Club, Burau wants to go to Celsius because “there are more kids to train with and most of the bigger tournaments are in Florida.”

All this may seem like an incredibly absurd amount of dedication, but for his coaches and teammates, this is all just part of his regular M.O. Burau began playing tennis at the age of 4, thanks to encouragement from Zach Burau glides through one of his many matches. The freshman his brother and father, who recently received an invite to play tennis in Florida for second semester. also coaches for the BobBut what really impressed cats, and his regular sparring Burau’s coaches was how he The biggest reason Burau is partner, fellow captain, and going to such lengths is simhandled being #1. “It was cousin Adam Burau. He has ply to continue the winning really amazing how mature kept up an almost daily hittradition of Grand Blanc he was for his age,” said head ting routine ever since. “The coach Don Leavy. Juxtaposed Tennis. “My goal is for our amount of work he does is team to win a regional title with the cliché stereotype of absurd,” said senior Michael next year, and to help lead the arrogant athlete and it Ng. “He really takes it to a one of the best teams in the isn’t hard to see why he was whole other extreme.” state of Michigan.” named a captain.

BASKETBALL PLAYER WEIGHS IN Q & A with senior Kendra Freund, Girls’ Varsity Point Guard Kirsten Holz | Sports Editor

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Q: How long have you been playing basketball and who introduced you to the sport?

A: I have been playing since the third grade and no specific person introduced me to it. I just always had an interest in basketball.

Q: How does the team get along and do you have any special things you do to bond?

A: We all get along pretty well. We have our moments of drama, like girls do, but we usually have been rather close. As for bonding, we have team dinners and we sometimes have sleepovers. This year we want to do more fun things outside of practice and games because we have seven seniors on the team and we want to remembered not just for being successful on the court, but for also creating and strengthening bonds with each other.

Q: What is your favorite thing about your coach?

A: My favorite thing about the coach is how she pushes us. Even though we don’t always like it or agree with it, the drills she makes us do help us come game time.

Q: What is your favorite thing about basketball?

A: I really like the competitiveness of it. I’m a pretty competitive person and winning is always nice. I like working together with my teammates and getting good outcomes because of it. Nothing is more satisfying than sinking the game-winning shot or knowing that you helped someone score their first points of the whole season.

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HE with Sara Diesel

Sara Diesel | Feature Editor

Photos: Banner/Diesel

Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like smashing an egg over your best friend’s head. That is, an egg filled with confetti.

Think about it, New Years is the perfect opportunity to grace your friends with the weirdly contrasting sensations of glitter falling about you, and...the not so glamorous sensation of egg on the head.

In the midst of big holiday spending, the last thing you want to be worrying about is that extra $5 for party favors and game ideas. When the ball drops this New Year’s Eve, while your friends are puckering up, you’ll be armed with bombs o’ happy.

FEATURE

T F 810 C R A

Poke a pin through the tops of your eggs.

Break open a circular hole at the opposite end of your eggs.

Coerce the yolk and white out of the eggs shells. Try blowing through the pin hole at the top of the egg...they bend to persuasion.

Optional, but highly recommended: rinse out egg shell so as to remove any rotten egg smell.

Dye the eggs with a solution of vinegar and food coloring.

Fill eggs with sparkly, glittery happiness.

Place small, cut circle of tissue paper over shell opening and glue closed.

All that’s left to do is smash. (Caution if at an unsuspecting friend’s house.)

MERRY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY CHRISTMAS Taking a look at the diverse traditions Rylie Daniels | Media Editor People always say “It’s that time of the year” or “Tis’ the season,” but what does that really stand for?

Of course it’s the holidays, but that means a little something different for all of

and expectations we hold in our school

us here at GBHS. The students here are all very different, that goes for their traditions too. Many celebrate Christmas, a time that everyone loves and waits all year for, but we can’t

forget about all of the other impotant holidays.

The kids that celebrate Hanukkah, Diwali, or Kwanzaa love this season too.

Whether you’re opening presents on Christmas

morning, lighting a candle on your menorah, gathering with your family for a feast, or lighting oil lamps around your house, it’s a great time for everyone to come together and simply be happy.

WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING ON DOING OVER YOUR HOLIDAY BREAK? 9% Sledding

16%

Ice Skating

4%

Skiing Snowboarding Traveling

9%

Going to the movies Building Snowmen

15% 20%

27% Olivia Mitchinson | Photography Editor

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A SEASON OF MANY HOLIDAYS

A look into the diverse traditions and cultures of Winter Morgan Herzog | Photographer

Q: What does Eid celebrate and why is it important to you?

A: There are two Eids, but the one we recently celebrated was the Eid after Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of fasting. It is important to me because it helps me realize how lucky I am to be fortunate and it makes me feel closer to God. Q: What are the common traditions that take place on Eid? A:There is a celebration and service on Eid that all of our family and friends go to. We all pray and have lots of food.

Q: What are your family’s traditions for Eid? A: Each family has special Eid prayer that they do in the mosque.

Photos: Banner/Kader

Q: What is your favorite part?

A: My favorite part is spending time with my family and friends and showing my appreciation to God. Q: What time of the year does Eid take place?

A: Eid follows the lunar calendar so it occurs at different times each year.

Eid

is the Muslim holiday celebrated two times a year. Eid Al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset. Eid AlAdha celebrates the Hajj pilgrimage, which is the journey to Mecca performed at least once in an individual’s life.

Sidra Kader, senior

Hanukkah,

or The Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that takes place over a span of eight days. It celebrates the rededication to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean Revolt.

Hanukkah is celebrated with the lighting of the meorah, a nine branched candelabra, that is lit one candle at a time over the eight celebrated nights.

Q: How do you celebrate over Holiday Break?

A: Since part of my family celebrates Christmas and the other half celebrates Hanukkah I still open pres ents on Christmas Day because the holidays are so close together.

Q: Do you have any special traditions you celebrate?

A: On Christmas Day every year my family goes to a Chinese restaurant.

Photos: Banner/Whitehead

Whitney Whitehead | Morale Chair

Q: Do you ever feel left out when people are focused on Christmas in the Holiday celebrations?

A: It bothers me that we don’t have to go to school for days like Christmas and Easter but for Jewish holidays if I misses school it counts toward my ten absences.

Q: What would you want to change about that?

A: I also would rather people called Christmas Break Holiday Break to recognize the other holidays people celebrate.

banner2012//@BobcatBanner

Matt Collins, sophomore

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OPINION

WRAPPING JOY IN PAPER The struggle to gather the latest gadgets and gizmos

Aashima Sarin | Opinion Editor mas morning.

The amount of hustle and bustle that is involved in acquiring the gifts is ridiculous; standing in lines for extreme sales and pushing and shoving other people to get the latest goodies is far from the way holiday season was designed to be celebrated. Only in America do we race to find the best deals only the day after Thanksgiving, where we are supposed to be thankful for everything that we already

Photo: Banner/Rodriguez

If we examine the lifestyles of people during the mid1900s, we can see that they focused on family and religion over materialistic concerns.

Due to the impact of media and technology, today’s generation has undergone significant changes, focusing more on secular and imagerelated ideas.

Let’s consider the holiday season about 50 years or so ago, where the idea of giving back outweighed the idea

Many businesses depened on the holiday season and shoppers, even Staples gets in the spirit of sales.

of receiving. Holidays were celebrated in order to relish their original significance, but nowadays, we, modern day human beings, have transformed the holiday season into a reasonable excuse to splurge on materialistic goods.

So, if we ask our peers why they celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, or even Easter, the answer is not to show gratitude for what we have or to commemorate the birth of Jesus, but to buy new things the following day and receive expensive gifts early Christ-

have.

I am not against gift giving, but I am against the way we have transformed the holiday season into an occasion focused on receiving expensive gifts. In all honesty, holiday season is coming together with friends and family, and not getting the latest gadgets.

Regardless of your intentions behind celebrating holidays, remember to treasure your precious time with your family and have a wonderful holiday season!

Ask Angie

Dear Angie, How do I tell my friends that they excruciatingly bore me at lunch?

-Anonymous Anonymous, First of all, that’s a real pity.

Friends are for fun, not for feeling forlorn. Honestly, you can’t just tell them. Especially if they’re girls, because girls have the tendency to flip out even if you just warn them that they have a hair out of place. Steer clear of that. What you want to do is be the initiator of good times and laughter. This gets easier over time, at first you may seem and feel foolish, but make fun of yourself a little, stick straws up your nose. You will have to be the first one to unbore yourself. Of course, if you have friends that are really mature, and will just look at you funny, and then sit at a different table the next day, leaving you all to yourself, then don’t do what I just told you to do. If the latter case applies to you, then I recommend finding some other friends to sit with, honestly. Lunch is the one time of the day--our oasis in the middle of our bleak, stressful, six-hour school day--our 32 minute break to relax, to laugh, to eat, or to nap. You can’t spend it with people that bore you! If you can not find other friends to sit with, then just try to strike up a conversation with the people that you do sit by, talk to them about stuff, and if you can’t do that either, then just catch up on homework or listen to music.

Angie

CONSERVATIVE LUNACY A take on the ‘War on Christmas’ Daniel Northrup | Columnist

on ieczn y

tions today actually have tine made Christianity the roots in pagan worship. official religion of Rome, he The holiday was originally mixed various pagan tradipagan, celebrating the winter tions into Christianity. Most solstice and the increasing of the religious traditions in amount of sunlight during the world aren’t original, so the day.

Christians can’t make a sole Even the main symclaim to Christmas. bols associated with The second thing wrong Christmas, the with the “War on Christmas tree Christmas” is the and Santa Claus, idea that people K are not of try to separate the Christian oriholiday season gin. The tree, from faith-based comes from traditions. One pagan nature of the main worship, and “battlegrounds” Santa Claus conservatives like comes from to talk about is at Saint Nicholas Daniel Northrup | Columnist school. But, they but also the are wrong.

Dutch figure Sinterklaas, who is borrowed from Norse At schools, students can mythology. believe however they want.

The reason both ChristStudents can express their mas and the Roman pagan religious beliefs at school, sun holiday Sol Invictus are as long as the teachers don’t on the same day, is because actively endorse one belief when Emperor Constanover another. There is no Photo: Bann er /

As Christmas draws near, the hot topic on conservative television shows and radio stations like Fox News and WDTK, is the so called “War on Christmas,” an imaginary attack on the holiday perpetrated by liberals and atheists in order to remove Christmas, and therefore Christianity, from American culture.

I find multiple things wrong with the idea of a War on Christmas. First off, when conservatives talk about the “War on Christmas,” they are really talking about what they believe to be a war on Christianity, because Christmas, of course, is a Christian holiday. But they fail to realize that, over the years, Christmas has become more and more secular, as people of different faiths celebrate its secular traditions, such as the idea of Santa Claus and the Christmas tree.

Many Christmas tradi-

law banning students from expressing their religion. If there was, I’d be the first to protest it.

Third, I find the idea that the “War on Christmas” is perpetrated by liberals and atheists to be an attack by the Christian Right because those two groups don’t follow their agenda. I’m a liberal who celebrates Christmas, and I know atheists who celebrate Christmas.

There is no evidence of a widespread War on Christmas. It is a myth perpetrated

by Conservative Christians.

If there were incidents like these against Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, I doubt the conservative media outlets would make any sort of fuss about it. Christianity is one of the largest religions in the world and in the U.S. It’s in no danger whatsoever.

Face it, there is no “War on Christmas”. End of story.

A LITTLE MORE SNOW, A LITTLE LESS SCHOOL Jake Young | Copy Editor

GBHS begging for snow days

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d

6% No

94%

Seniors, knowing that their year does not get extended, unanimously voted to have more snow days 34 to 0. However, underclassmen voted similarly, voting 31 to 4 in favor of having more snow days regardless of the additional days added to the school year.

d

Question: If you knew that school days could be added onto the end of the year, would you still like to have more snow days? 94% Yes

f

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ENTERTAINMENT

THE GBHS WISH LIST

What we are looking for during the holidays Pedro Marin | Entertainment Editor Christine Pittenger | Staff Writer Each seasons bring new must-haves. Once a year, people gather their desired presents for the holiday season and they make a wish list. For girls at GBHS, Uggs, Miss-Me Jeans, North Face, and Victorias Secret PINK were the top clothing brands on their list. As for the boys, brands did not matter, money or anything sports related were on the top of their list. Apple products, such as the iPhone 5 and the MacBook Pro, were the most popular items on both lists. Though the opinions of the genders are very different, they both are highly anticipating the wonderful gifts they will receive.

Movies Gift Cards Jeans Sweatshirts Selena Gomez Sports Equipment Sports Wear Hat Three Kittens Girlfriend Hunting gear

Key:

Boys

iPod iPad 2 iPhone 5 MacBook Mac Peace Just Dance 4 Car Money Cell phone Clothes

Snuggie Channing Tatum Bedazzler Camera Ryan Gosling Ryan Reynolds Jewlery Magic Mike Puppy Boyfriend Justin Bieber

Both Girls

FAVORITE FESTIVE FLICKS OF THE SEASON A look at the top holiday movies Kayla Robinson | West Campus Editor and has a father out in the world. Buddy then goes to New York City to meet his father, while at the same time spreading Christmas cheer in a world that he is not accustomed to.

“A Christmas Story,” starring Peter Billingsley, is about a young boy who only wants a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas, instead of the usual race car toy that a typical boy would usually want.

However, all of the adults around him was very unsupportive of this gift option.

Photos: Banner/Lionsgate

Festive movies are playing on TV and everyone is getting into the holiday spirit. When students were asked what movies were their favorites to watch during the holiday season, they were quick to respond.

The top choices among them were “Elf,” “A Christmas Story,” and “Home Alone.” If you have not seen these movies, you are missing out on a good laugh.

“Elf,” starring Will Ferrell, is about an elf named Buddy who learns that he is actually a human

“Home Alone,” starring Macaulay Culkin, is about another young boy who gets left behind at home on accident by his family, while they go on a vacation for Christmas in Paris.

While being alone, he has to deal with two robbers who keep intruding in his home.

These three movies are indeed a classics. The season is just about here; pop some popcorn and take some time to watch these movies.

It is guaranteed that you will not be disappointed!

“THE HUNGER GAMES” Katniss hair braid tutorial

Sarah Strickland | Copy Editor One of this year’s biggest blockbuster hits, “The Hunger Games” brought not only an intense film packed with action, but also a hairstyle that spread like wildfire. Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, wore her hair in a way that obviously caught the eye of girls everywhere; a French braid with a twist. A French braid is not only easy to do, but it is not time consuming. This braid wraps from one side of the head to the other and can take very little time with some practice.

Photos: Banner/Strickland

1. Pull all hair onto one side.

2. Take a group of hair from the opposite side and divide it into three sections.

banner2012//@BobcatBanner

3. Start French braiding (adding hair to the top and bottom sections) down and around the head.

4. This is the finished product!

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BAND REVIEW:

Photos: Banner/Rowland

GALAPAGOS

BANNER REVIEW Dahjuanna Jones | Photographer

Being the antisocial teenager that I am, I spend countless hours alone listening to music.

It’s a huge part of my life, and I’m not sure how mentally stable I’d be without it. Is that just me? Most of the time I try to be fairly open-minded when it comes to the different musical genres.

This unique band I’ve recently discovered, named Galapagos, has labeled itself as ‘Hiohop’. They use this name to describe their hip-hop/ folk/ acoustic sound. Some may ask, what does that sound like? Well, check them out and see for yourself! It may seem a little strange, yes, but once you really listen it’s quite beautiful.

Personally, I love all of their music, but I think my favorite is, “Dark World”. It was the first song I’d ever heard from them and I still love listening to it.

My favorite part of any song are the lyrics.

From “Dark World” “we are living in a dark world /but each of us possesses a light /and even though it /might seem like the world is ending /we’ll make it right, we will fight, / it’s time for us to stop pretending and start defending tonight”. I can think of only one word that describes how those lyrics make Members of Galapagos pose for a photo with a friend. me feel: powerful.

KILLER IDEAS

Band name: Galapagos Members: Patrick Munley on guitar and vocals, Jenna Noelle on guitar and vocals, Vertigo (Josh Clark) on vocals, and most of the time Dan Gerics on drums Start date: June 28, 2012 Hometown: Flint, Mich.

Genre: Hio-Hop Check out their music at: www.galapagosflint. bandcamp.com Stay up-to-date with performances at: www. facebook.com/galapagosflint Contact: galapagosbandmi@gmail.com

Pedro Marin | Entertainment Editor Stephanie Marceau | Copy Editor

Five common theories of how the world will end This year Dec. 21, 2012 is coming, the day the Mayan calendar ends. When this fact became highly publicized, people gained paranoia about what would happen. The anticipated date is just around the corner, so we thought it would be a good idea to inform everyone of six of the most commonly theorized, oh-so pleasant ways they might die when Dec. 21 rolls around.

Tidal Waves/Global Warming: Regardless if global warming is caused by natural earth phenomena or man-made destruction, many people believe it will be the end of our world.

As the polar ice caps melt, the sea will rise and cause high tidal waves which will cause flooding and chaos.

Its also hypothesized that as global warming continues, our atmosphere will become unstable, storms will become more volatile and temperatures will rise to the point humanity will likely die. That’s hot. Literally.

Aliens: For hundreds of

18

years people have contemplated the existence of other life in the universe. Will they invade, attack, and/or slaughter humanity for selfish needs? For every kind reason the aliens could contact us, there are another five bad ones. Hopefully they kill us nicely.

Solar Flares/storms/ sun’s death: Ever since we found out that stars die, the concern for our sun has expounded. Theories involving giant solar flares, storms, and obviously the death of the sun itself.

All these events would be catastrophic to the earth,

burning up life. Burn, baby, burn. But not too much.

World War 3/ Nuclear Holocaust: The Cuban Missile crisis terrified Americans and a nuclear holocaust or WWIII have been feared ever since. The war will tear apart our world by nuclear weapons, bio-weapons, or the ramifications of the wars. Bombs away is not the phrase to live by, folks.

Genetically Engineered humans/Computer takeover: Our world is highly based on computers and technology. The idea of sentient technology rising against humanity is a ris-

ing ponderance. We never know what our actions may lead to. Your computer may be plotting your death.

Right now.

Zombies: Now to everyone’s favorite lately: zombies. The brain-eating undead are an apocalypse quite explored; wasting the land and infecting the dead, spreading violence and blood. Though zombies are beloved, what would people do when their favorite monsters were nibbling on their flesh?

banner2012//@BobcatBanner

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