Bobcat Banner February 2011

Jamin Banks Ryan Bean Lauren Baywol Taylor Dontje Autumn Baker Megan Baughman Cody Durnen Martin Beard Bryce Delamielleure Aisha Richards Dillon Schuyler Sarah Duve Jonathan Pfister Drew Morris John Denny Jacob Terry Christopher Connor Alexia Douros Volume 46, David Issue 3 Doolan Logan Welch Kylie Vradenburg Megan Flickinger Jordan Millwood Brian Puckett Rachel Maul Raghad Dawood Ryan Franz Bryan Briones Kyle Artinian Janathan Rechsteiner Jacob Sanford Travis Hunt Hanna Norris Keshara Moore Baraa Osman Angelica Pettigrew Alyssa Candy Charles Brown Tyler Yachcik Diana Wang Crystal Anderson Brandon Benson Nathan Setto Ashley Bender Summer Asbury Danielle Berger Janay Johnson Katie Hu Owen Thompson Mariah Chandler Amber Chance-Merino Lester Liston Emily Machala Haley Jewell Victoria February 2011 Karatza Courtnie Miller Tracy Ng Drake Carr Zachary Kughn Gabrielle Lossia Destini Leavell Tyler Wells Rachel Vogt Damontay Wright Maria Grekowicz Zachary Harris Ashley Hiveley Brandi Korn Alissa Liljehorn Cheyenne Winchell Conor Ward Omar Kaddurah Hillary Leman Nicholas Lefler Tia Koulchar Laith Hasan Rebekah Horne Rochelle Albers Brooke Bednar Chavon Bradley Bryce Miller Tamara Fischer Amber Eaton Ray Trent Ryan Witucki Joy Watson Gunner Wright Kristen Watson Jake Roberts Morgan Herzog Aftyn Williams Stephanie Lackey Brenden Kemper Kenchiro Kue Blair Lesage Ian Schmitz Takenyah Rippy Malorie Orbeck Consepcion Deanda Tanjae Chairse William Connor Quyphu Dang Katye Reed Antonio Rodriguez Jessejoy Lapearl Rhianna Rush Tyler Sankey Lauren MacLin Trenton Reese Megan Przybysz Allison Carroll Grahm Lawcock Elizabeth Liedel Jenna Dado Christian Casteel Zhraa Mohammed Brittany McKenzie Maxwell Lounds Timothy Chaffee Amanda Davidson Dennis Cobb Binh Dang Christopher Barton Katelyn Anderson Nabeal Aljabban Daria Karpelenia Haley Keefer Jonathan Towns Kelsea Drzewiecki Malik Eteer Tyler Kohan Michael Leshock Zachary Kelley Tyler Johnson Benjamin Kretchman Lauren Shields Brooke Robinson Claire Pilarski Austin Cruzen Tsz Chan Collin Brownrigg Cetera Thornton Roman Vorhees Dakota Vradenburg Megan Stamm Sonia Sherlekar Alexa Shaw Michael Li Maurice Young Ashley Zelek William Jones IV Hunter Hopkins Cierra Johnson Victoria Patterson Jalen Payne Joshua Northup Correna Naylor Cassandra Pettus Gavin Babieracki Weston Kujacznski Jillian Jones Tyler Jones Asha Cooks Danielle Shock Austin Christ Alisia Brock Raymond Denam Alex Cookenmaster Emilee Khair Corrin Cobb Jordyn Boshaw Andrew Brown Anuj Abroi Matthew Kraemer Usman Hasnie Branden Jamieson David Hendershot Shelby Ragatz Jocelyn Rodgers Victoria Witnauer Leeosha Frazier Alexandria Elizaide Amanda Hoskey Matthew Holser Joseph Cassells Virginia Choe Bryley Defriez Megan Wells Brian Winterfield Gannon Woods Sean Zackrison Marnie Reynolds Sabrina Daas Gene Powell Jr. Lewis Jones VI Ryan Laduke Paul Kensbock Miya Ingram Stephanie Nicolai Tere Cooley Liliana Cassidy Christopher Sancraint Kodi Sias Tanner Shuck Mohamad Sheikh-Khalil Kelsey Brasher Dustin Coon Aubry Brown Carter Brochu Philip Klick Mary Konieczny Anne Delaney Chanceya Shelton Emily Pinter Danyelle Shultis Abagael Neher Sierra Pedrin Mahogany Turner Robert Weiss Leland Mitchinson Daquan Louden Veronica Makin-Parker Shelbauze Lockett Ariel Lowes Sarah Bolongaita Laura Heberling Izis Helal Nicholas Racine Brandi Petersen Tyler Mattingly Jamie Mastromatteo Sarah Sullivan Ammar Babiker Jacob Al-Armanazi Molly Boze Shane Snider Andreas Shick Zachary Lowes Rebecca Turvene Justin O’Connor Sean Millwood Maya Burkett Thomas Carter Dalia Owda Ava Peera Alexis Nelson Eddie Cover Nassar Ashlee Orr Amy& Yu Design by: Alexis Castanos DylanGloria Page

THE

Banner

2 News

Teen Driving Freedom Decreases

F

or most 16-year-olds, having a midnight driving curfew seems unreasonable. But after the new law in Michigan is enforced on March 31 of this year, midnight will seem later than ever.

In December 2010, a new law passed stating that teens under 18 will have a 10 p.m. driving curfew. Also, they cannot have more than one non-family member under 21 in their car at any time. Exceptions will only be made for traveling to school or work.

When word spread about this requirement, many students were astounded. Some couldn’t believe that it was actually a real law.

“I think that it’s ridiculous that 16and 17-year-olds have to be home by 10,” junior Alexandra Mansour, 16, said. “That’s just dumb. It’s not like anyone is actually going to follow it.”

She may be right. On weekends, high school students like to go to parties or hang out with friends. Most don’t want to stay in one place after just 10 p.m., especially since most parents set later curfews.

New law puts further restrictions on young drivers Photo: Sullenger/Banner

“It’s not like anyone is actually going to follow it.”

-Alexandra Mansour, junior Driving Dread: Junior Alexandra Mansour gives the new driving restrictions a definite thumbs down.

“The restrictions they’re giving us are outrageous,” sophomore Hannah Scherba, 16, said. “They might as well enforce a 10:30 bedtime and force our moms to tuck us in.”

Drivers training and using a permit gets tiresome for young drivers. All they desire is to be free to drive on their own or with friends. More restrictions are the last thing they want. However, for those who have received their operator’s license, this law does not apply to them.

“By the time the law is being enforced, it won’t affect me,” junior Andrea Thompson, 17, said. “If it did, I’d be really upset because I’ve been a responsible driver

New Printing Restrictions A t the end of each semester the administrators review how the semester went, then make changes to improve the school. Last year the passing time was changed from nine minutes to six, and this year the amount of pages a student is allowed to print in being restricted.

Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are allowed to print 100 copies a semester, and seniors get 200. At the end of each semester the limits on printing will be reset.

Sophomore Courtney Utter doesn’t agree with the new printing rule.

“I understand that the school wants to save paper and everything, but some students don’t have printers at home that they can use and printing from school is their only option,” Utter said.

The students aren’t the only people in the school getting restrictions on the amount they are allowed to print. Staff members are allowed 13,000 pages per semester, which encourages teachers to use the district-operated print shop. The school is keeping track of how many pages the students and staff members print through their log in on the computer.

“Every student has a personal log in in order to get onto the computer,”

librarian Sarah Zietz said. “Each time a student prints a paper, the computer will keep track of it. When a student reaches their limit, the computer won’t print their paper.”

Students are advised to keep track of the amount of pages the print so they won’t run out. Once a student or staff member runs out of their number of prints for the semester, they are done.

They cannot pay for more pages.

The whole point of restricting the amount of prints each person gets is so that students don’t waste paper by printing useless information. Students are encouraged to print only information that needs to be turned in. When printing a PowerPoint, for example, students will need to print six slides per page instead of one slide per page so they won’t go over on the amount of prints they are allowed.

Some people are confused about why seniors get twice the amount of prints as every other class.

“I don’t understand why seniors get so many more prints,” senior Kelsey Brasher said. “I rarely ever have to print things off from the computer.”

The seniors are allowed to have more pages than the rest of the students because they have more papers than other

grades and they may need to print more when applying for colleges.

Whether or not people like it, the administrators are making an effort to save money on paper by putting this policy in place.

“A lot of students are too lazy to copy and paste something they want to print into a word document,” Zeitz said. “Instead they end up printing 30 pages from a website when they re-

since I got my license. It wouldn’t be fair.”

Although it’s upsetting to young drivers, this law was passed to increase the safety of nighttime driving and to eliminate dangerous distractions. Studies have shown that drivers ages 16-20 are the most dangerous on the road.

The risk of getting in an accident increases significantly if there are extra passengers in the car.

“I think the new law is unreasonable, but it makes sense,” sophomore Ryan Scannell, 16, said. “The risk of getting in a car crash goes way up with more than one person in the car. Most of my friends that can drive can only take one person with them anyways, so I don’t think it will be that big of a deal.”

Whether or not the new law will be enforced is definitely questionable, but drivers under 18 will be finding out soon. As for now, they should enjoy their freedom while it lasts.

-Charlotte Sullenger (Design Team)

ally only need one of two of the paragraphs. We’re trying to make students more aware of what they are printing.”

-Becca Skinner

(West Campus Team)

Photo: Skinner/Banner

Counting catastrophe: Students are advised to count their pages with each assignment printed.

Feature

A

merica has hit a new low in fashion trends. As a nation, we have slowly evolved from the trousers of the older days to regular fit denim, but just as we have hit our peak in the evolution of jeans, the decline has already started.

Pajama Jeans are a new form of jeggings, a popular form of pant that meshes the look of jeans with the comfortable material of leggings.

Although comfort is key for some Americans, others need the comfort for health reasons.

Junior Shelby Cox, was interviewed for her unique situation. Cox currently suffers from narcolepsy, a condition which causes daytime sleepiness and intermittent, uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep during the daytime.

Therefore, Cox invested in Pajama Jeans, so that when she does have her “sleep spells,” she can nap in comfort.

“I think Pajama Jeans are amazing because I have a slight case of narcolepsy, which causes me to fall asleep at random times throughout the day,” Cox said.

“It is important to wear comfortable clothes because I had a bad experience one day with jeans.”

Cox is referring to her “faint spell” that left her with ripped pants for the rest of the school day.

“I was walking in the hallway, rushing to class because my tight jeans caused me to have slower pace than the usual,” Cox recalled.

“Next thing I know, class is half way over and my jeans were ripped right down the butt from my fall!”

After her traumatic situation of kids teasing her, Cox sticks with leggings for their comfort and stretchable material.

However, many Americans are still opposed to this new trend.

Senior Megan Grimes does not share the same affection for Pajama Jeans.

“I think Pajama Jeans are disgusting,”Grimes said.

America’s obesity rate is climbing, so people better by them in bulk while they can still get their hands on these new “trendy” pajama pants.

3

Pajama jeans: stretching the possibities of pants

Photo: Murdoch/ Banner

Jammin’ it up: senior Mackenzie Stratton comfortably shows off her pajama jeans.

Kelsey Carson

(Sports Editor)

4 Feature

Cogs and Coffee:

Photos: Harrell/Banner

An afternoon exploring steampunk

B

efore heading off to work, Rachel Weisserman of Farmington takes time out of her busy schedule to drop by the local bookstore and escapes modern society for a short while. Enter the world of steampunk Off the Beaten Path, located in Farmington, is a second home for this growing community.

The proprietors greet patrons with a warm smile from beneath an aviator-style monacle and offer a full immersion into steampunk.

“Steampunk pulls from the era between the Industrial Revolution and modern society,” Weisserman said, but also asserts, “It’s not the past, and it’s not modern.”

Steampunk is its own genre, its own culture, distinct from conventional boundaries of this day and age. It pulls from historical truths and science fiction speculation, blended by a shared curiosity for the unknown.

This begs the question: who are steampunks?

“Artists, actors, authors, a huge variety of people with skills and talents are involved in steampunk,” Aaron Egan, a fellow steampunker, said.

The genre is indeed open to interpretation, with characters ranging from military officers to flappers, from New Orleans gamblers to safari explorers. The final formation of steampunk’s limitations are in the hands of the person, whichever “steamsona,” (as described by Weisserman) they may choose.

“Stepping into the character—that’s the draw,” steampunk Ryan Omaits said. “You can step into another person’s shoes,” in what Omaits’s describes as a relaxed atmosphere.

Steampunks are particularly open to newcomers and enjoy discussing the genre with interested people from outside the community. Grand Blanc senior Justin Wetenhall accompanied Banner journalists to the event, and experienced steampunk for the first time.

“I was nervous since I hadn’t done it before, but I came out of my shell with them,” Wetenhall said. Despite his lack of experience, Wetenhall was welcomed to the steampunk community with open arms, receiving many compliments on his outfit as well as ideas for developing a “steamsona.” In Wetenhall’s case, this character is Vinnie Virgsheim of Detroit, a mobster-type criminal who deals

“Steampunk pulls from the era between the Industrial Revolution and modern society.

It’s not the past, and it’s not modern.”

Top left: Off the Beaten Path- a portal into steampunk. Bottom right: Rachel Weisserman describes the concept of a “steamsona”.

Top: Gears beneath a countertop. Center right: Justin Wetenhall looks the part of steampunk. Bottom: Goggles are a common steampunk accessory. Center left: Steampunk hats perch atop a hat rack at Off the Beaten Path.

in stolen goods.

As a beginning steampunk, Wetenhall advises interested people to approach the genre with an open mind, make friends, and ask for advice.

Ultimately though, Wetenhall claims, “It’s about your interpretation of what you want it to be.”

Upcoming steampunk events include the World Steam Expo, which is held in Dearborn, Michigan over Memorial Day weekend, offering events such as a Masquerade Ball and the Mad Science Fair, which will exhibit the diverse talents and interests of the worldwide steampunk audience.

Steampunk is a malleable structure in which personas and

stories are created. This young, growing culture welcomes new participants. It presents a world grounded in curiosity, filled with invention which questions the conventions of any society, past or present. In Justin Wetenhall’s words: “It’s not all about accuracy or being like anyone else, but it is about your interpretation of what you want to be.”

Cody Harrell (editor-in-chief) Haleigh Kent-Bryant (copy editor)

New View of the Auto Show

Feature

5

Melody Anderson

T

“I wasn’t exactly thrilled when the Auto Show assignment was first assigned. After a week of brainstorming I came up with my design and went for it.�

Brad Hawkins

“It was great to win, but you can’t look at it as a big deal. You have to keep pushing yourself.�

Morgan Garleff

“I don’t like cars, but I like art.

I think it’s cool that I got to use Photoshop!�

hree Grand Blanc High School students won very honorable awards for this years Auto Show. What started out as an assignment turned into a big surprise. Sophomore Brad Hawkins, and seniors Melody Anderson and Morgan Garleff all won honorable mentions. Anderson won Designers Best - Laura DuCharme of Show Traditonal & 2nd Place, 10th Grade Award. Anderson won the State Farm Insurance (Photo Team) Award and Garleff won Most Creative.

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We have the professors, the labs, and the experiences that bring knowledge and practice together better than anyplace else.

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6 Entertainment

Playstation Move

VS.

Nintendo Wii

Gamer Update!!!

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eleased in September, the Playstation Move has introduced several new features to virtual gaming and outsmarts its previous competitor, the Nintendo Wii. Still selling out, the Wii seems to rack up the points on gamers’ popularity charts. Although, as technology continues to advance, gaming companies are getting closer and closer to making playtime more of a reality.

The Wii remote, equipped with a laserpointer, imitates the player’s movements by sending this laser to the sensor ahead. As a contrast, the Move remote operates on a 3-D grid, with a camera following the movements of the player. This operation allows for more depth and accuracy. Instead of the original 2-D, this added dimension, loaded with “sixaccess” and gyro-sensors within the controller, allows for more advanced tracking and games. Gryo-sensors are motion sensors that detect the angle of an object without having to use a laser pointed at a sensor mounted on your TV, like the Wii. In the Wii, the reaction time of the system compared to the actual motion of the player is obstructed greatly. While, The Move has

both a navigation and motion controller and 10 buttons (instead of five) which makes the game more realistic and accurate to the player’s movements.

Instead of some of the limited aspects of the Wii, the Playstation Move expands the level of playing options with new abilites unseen with the Nintendo. Aside from several advancements, consumers may have more options at a better price. When buying the Wii console, people have to buy the starter kit, with a controller, an extra game, and possibly a nunchuck. To open up all of their options in the Wii system, it seems like a pretty big investment.

On the other hand, those that already own a PS3, have the advantage. For $100, they can purchase the Move starter kit. They will still want to pick up another controller, but they will be glad to find games that are not only for the Move, but Move compatible.

During the E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) presentation, professional golf players tried out the game, and all in all, failed horribly. If they weren’t positioned properly, associating with the game, no pro athlete could win like they do out in the “real world.”

Some of the games already out are Tiger Woods PGA 2011, Sports Champions, and Resident Evil 5. Soon to come in May, is the game Sorcery, which allows players to use the controllers and buttons as combinations for complicated spells.

The Move allows for several more opportunities, and is the latest, most attractive update for gamers today. It is not “gamer specific.” In other words, the Playstation Move is available and playable for all. It’s new to the rising market, and the ideas of a virtual reality are coming closer and closer.

Upcoming: The X-Box Kinect. How does it fair against its other two competitors?

Veronica Creed (Photo Team)

All About You

Stress:

Just when it feels like there isn’t enough time to breathe, another priority tightens the grip on an already crazy schedule.

Stress. Is this not what drives the teenage lifestyle? It’s a juggle. Managing schoolwork, sports, clubs, and attempting to manage a social life of some kind. When one thing gets too much attention, another begins to lose it. Its a constant struggle to find that perfect balance.

What human beings- especially teenagers in a flurry of high school commitmentsforget is that this time is not served on a silver platter. To breathe easily, the time to do so has to be made.

Students want to be well rounded, and that requires allegiance in more than one subject. Whether it be taking a variety of classes, getting involved in different extracurriculars, or trying out for a sport, teenage obligations are seldom dominated by one specific area of interest.

Next comes time management. Any high school student familiar with the dreaded homework driven “all- nighter” will agree that there are days when there simply aren’t enough daylight hours.

7

Destroyer of Youth

“I like to stay busy but sometimes it interferes with my time to just relax” senior Christine Mason said.

Besides the lack of relaxation time, busy high school students must learn to cope with things that are self inflicted and externally inflicted alike. Mason, a driven young student, recognizes that control is not always a luxury at hand.

“I feel like I put myself into a class that I’m not really good at,” said Mason. “I wasn’t really meant to be in this class.”

What stresses GB out?

With all of these pressures, keeping a grip on it all seems next to impossible, as many High School students agree. The real trick is to attack it at the source. Dealing with stress itself introduces a sense of collection that makes for a more conductive working atmosphere.

“To manage the stress, I take a break and go to the library or go somewhere else to change my environment,” Mason said.

The youth of today are faced with many a challenge. With a future in the works, it is not easy to make good decisions while sitting under a pile of other strains. There is a light at the end of the tunnel here, though.

Dealing with the pressures first reveals the benefits that will be reaped from staying actively involved, Mason agrees.

“I want to achieve. Ive always been high strung about that. it makes me feel proud and accomplished.”

Taylore Drye (Copy Editor)

Thank you to our current advertisers who have aided in the production of the Bobcat Banner. If you would like to see your business ad in the Banner, stop by room 101, or talk to Mr. Popadich. npopadic@grandblancschools.org

“International company locally owned and operated since 1996” sectorlink.com

512 Buckham Alley Flint, MI 48502 (877)634-4678

8 All About You

Love Me...Or Not Valentine’s Day

VS.

They key word you get out of the word “valentine” is love. Love is everywhere.

You feel it, breathe it, share it, and fight for it.

What’s better than to make a celebration out of this and call it a holiday?

The perfect way to sum up Valentine’s Day is the day where it’s okay to get enormous amounts of chocolates, and spend a lot of money on the perfect red roses.

While Valentine’s Day was intended to be a day full of warm-hearted souls getting together and sharing this magical day, now it’s mostly spent with girls getting showered with flowers and chocolates by their boyfriends with single people crying in their rooms staring at a picture of the girl/boy they wish they could have.

Some may be against this holiday because they don’t have a loved one to share it with, but that’s not all thatValentine’s Day is about. This heart-filled day isn’t about the gifts and who can receive the reddest roses; it’s about sharing your appreciation and compassion with the people who mean the most to you. That means family, friends, and of course, your significant other. There are many ways to say the most powerful, simple words “I love you,” and it’s all about the people you express this with. So this Valentine’s Day cherish the ones you love and go out and share your love with the world. You never know until you put yourself out there.

~ Lauren Mokan (Sports Editor)

Singles Awareness Day

Walking through the halls on Valentine’s Day can sometimes be the hardest thing to do when you know there won’t be any flowers hidden in your locker, or chocolates waiting for you in your first hour, but thankfully this Feb. 14 does not have to be about the lovey dovey nonsense caused by couples celebrating their “love” in every gooey way possible. Some of us can choose to spend our day in a completely different fashion, celebrating the holiday created in spite of Valentine’s Day called, Singles Awareness Day (SAD). Instead of moping around on Valentine’s Day because you don’t have someone to celebrate with, you can participate in SAD, and celebrate the fact that you don’t need someone else for you to be happy. What we need is to stand up and be independent.

Send yourself some flowers, meet up with some other single friends, do anything to defeat the drab of Valentine’s Day this year.

~ Carolyn Coriasso (Feature Editor)

All About You

Dating at another level

9

~Alexis Reid (Design Team)

Does dating someone older work?

Not working out<------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->Working out

Katy Campbell, junior: “Don’t do it. Just don’t.”

F

or Campbell, the allure of dating an older guy wore off.

“It’s great to have to have someone there for you, but after awhile they just stop caring altogether,” she stated.

When her ex-boyfriend left for college, things just didn’t end up working out.

“It was nice to have someone with a car when I didn’t have a license,”

Lauren Baywol, senior:

“No regrets. Just another dating experience.”

B

aywol has been in more than just one relationship , however, this one in particular, she used to see someone older than herself.

When asked about her story, Baywol explained, “We were at different places in our lives. It’s hard to keep things in common.

You have different friends. I think that’s the main reason[it didn’t work out].”

Ali Stapleton; junior

“It didn’t work out in the past, but it is now.”

S

tapleton has had an up and down relationship with an older guy, which ended up working out nicely.

“Although there are some great advantages, like making upperclass men friends and a greater maturity, it’s hard not having him there for everything. Like basketball games and dances,” Stapleton said.

Lauren Witnauer, junior

“It’s definitely a challenge, but we make each other really happy so it’s worth it.” itnauer has been dating an older guy for a while now and they are still going strong.

Even though he is at college, Witnauer explained that when they see each other it is more special now.

“With college, we can’t just drive a few minutes to see each other.

This is a big disadvantage. Earning each other’s trust is an advantage,” Witnauer said.

W

10 Sports News

W

hen it comes to athletic talent, Grand Blanc has a lot of it. Eleven Grand Blanc High School students will sign letters of intent to play college sports at the following universities:

Taking it

next lev el the to Hannah Murdoch -Laura DuCharme

(Photo Team and Photo Editor)

Will Wheat: Wayne State University (Football) Shareta Brown: University of Detroit (Basketball)

Gabrielle Anzalone: University of Wisconsin (Cross Country and Track)

“I was looking at University of Missouri, Florida State, and Duke University. I choose University of Wisconsin because it offers what I need academically and athletically. It felt like home.”

“Wayne State has the academics I need, as well as being able to play football right away.”

“I choose University of Detriot because it is close to home; like the coach and the team.

I can’t wait to improve in basketball.”

Jamie Mastromatteo: Grand Valley State University (Soccer)

“I like the school, coaches, team and atmosphere. I’m most excited for college life and meeting new people.”

Emily Eaton: Grand Valley State University (Swimming) Justice Hayes: University Of Michigan (Football)

“100,000 fans cheering for the Wolverines, cheering for me. They also have a great business program.”

“I chose Grand Valley because it has the education I need for my major and for my swimming scholarship. I am excited for meeting new people, the college experience and swimming with a new team.”

Omar Kaddurah: Georgetown University (Cross Counrty and Track)

“The coaching staff at Georgetown was my favorite and I felt the closest to them. I was also looking at Stanford, Duke and Princeton.”

Ryan Morley: Northern Michigan University (Football)

“Northern had the best fit for me with football and academic plans. I’m excited to move away.”

Terrance Stocker: Northwood University (Football)

“When I went on my visit I loved it. I fit in there. They also have a good business program.”

Carter Brochu: Northwood University (Soccer)

“Northwood gave me good offers and they have a great business school. They also have a good soccer team and it just seemed like a good fit.”

Cameron Davis: Ashland University (Football)

“I’m excited to meet my new teammates and play.”

Sports Opinion 11

Michigan Rebuilds Again

giving him a chance, even though he wasn’t a “Michigan Man” and was a last ditch, panic-hire when Jim With Rich Rodriguez gone, Harbaugh and Les Miles Brady Hoke gets the call to both declined the job. But recessitate a dying after three years, all patience Two Faded Stars: Rich Rodriguez and Tate Forcier. ceased to exist. program.

His first year, a 3-9 season, 9-4 record after going 4-8 in two years was chalked up to Lloyd Carr leaving is no small feat. And it is important to f one had listened closely on Jan. him with no players after his retirement. remember he took Ball State to a 12-0 4, 2011, one would have heard a The next season’s failure, going 5-2 and record in 2010. strange cry emanating from Ann then losing 5 straight, was blamed on More important is the fact he will Arbor, Michigan. This was a cry that pressure placed on freshman Tate Forciabandon the spread offense Rodriguez hadn’t been heard in three years. It was er. Surely, his third season would prove instilled., and since he worked 8 years as the University of Michigan fan base all critics wrong. It didn’t.

Michigan’s defensive line coach, another screaming a collective “HELL YES!” as So many things went wrong in 2010 108th ranked defense is not foreseeable.

Rich Rodriguez was fired. that it is difficult to siphon off the reaThere are several wavering factors, howTo say Rich Rod was abysmal as sons until only the best remain. Those ever, such as Robinson’s and Forciers’s Michigan’s head coach is an understate“best” reasons include a 108th ranked possible transfers. And of course, there ment. Everything he touched seemed defense characterized by an inability still is no kicking game. But Hoke may to whither and die, including seasons, to do much of anything; the fact that be able to recruit players to fill that void players, and support. Analysts preached somehow, Michigan entered the season if he insists he is returning U of M footwithout a kicker; and Denard Robinson ball to its roots. becoming the great passing-running It is important to remember that no Lowest Winning threat he worked a year to become, and matter how fans wish to see the team rePercentages of then forgetting how to do that when facturn to dominance, Hoke will need what U of M Coaches ing teams that had an above-average deRodriguez needed most: patience. fense. Critics all came to one conclusion: Add a bad kicking game and awful -Rich Rodriguez it was Rich Rod’s fault. defense to the questions on offense, and (.405) And so, when Rodriguez’s Wolverines you have three more years of rebuilding -Mike Murphy/Frank Crawford. lost 52-14 to Mississippi State in the Gabefore Michigan can even dream of an tor Bowl, it immediately signaled his over .500 season again. (.444) end. But to characterize the last three -Bump Elliot (.547) years best, athletic director Dave Bran-Elton Wieman (.594) don denied his firing on Jan. 3, and fired -Harry Kipke (.632) him the next day. Ignoring the fact that Buckeye fans will forever tell fables of the coach who had to be fired twice is a more pressing concern: How will the Rich Rod’s Records next Michigan head coach, Brady Hoke, be able to handle this new team?

-6-18 Big Ten Record.

After the idea of Jim Harbaugh coming -1-10 Vs. Ranked. Teams. to Michigan proved to be no more than -15-22 Record. an untenable dream, and Les Miles only -3-9 (2008) Worst Record in School had an awkward “meeting” with Bran-Kyle Goldsstein don, Hoke became the last choice. But History he may also be the best choice.

(Design Team) -0-3 vs. Ohio State.

Taking a San Diego state team to a -0-3 vs. Michigan State.

I

College Life in College Town Saturday, March 12, 2011 Noon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5 p.m.

Open house starts at the Riverfront Residence Hall.

Refreshments will be served.

Tour UM-Flint First Street Residence Hall & the Riverfront Residence Hall See what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like to live and learn in Downtown Flint. Tour on-campus and near-campus student housing options. Learn about all the great businesses and fun places to hang out while you go to school at UM-Flint.

Talk with UM-Flint students about what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like to earn your Michigan degree and live in the heart of a college town.

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Taking the

Opinion 13

“N-word”

out of Huck Finn

M

ark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was first published in 1884, and was already a historical fiction at its first publication as slavery had already ended. Today, the book is often criticized for its use of the “n-word.” But what people often fail to understand is that is that what people would have said in that time period.

NewSouth Books has rewritten Huck Finn and taken out the word “nigger” as it is considered offensive, and has replaced it with the word “slave.” In my eyes, and the eyes of many oth-

Asset to learning or desecration of a classic? ers, this has ruined the book.

While I’m not in favor of the word’s usage in today’s speech, I am somewhat in favor of its usage in Huck Finn. Mark Twain put in insane amounts of effort to write the book’s dialogue exactly as people would have said it to the point that you could hear Huck’s twang just by looking at

the words.

As in historical fiction, it is important that it be written in the wording that would have been used at the time, including slang, title, and slurs. And the “n-word” is included in this.

During the late 1830s, early 1840s, the time period of Huck Finn, people wouldn’t have

called all black people slaves, especially when not all of them were.

There were free blacks back then, so to call them slaves would also be offensive.

While we today know the word “nigger” is can be offensive if said in a denouncing context, not everyone in the...

continued on page 15

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14 Letter to the Editor

Letter to the editor: To the editor of the Bobcat Banner: As I flipped through the pages of last Bobcat Banner I came across an article that I believe only tells one side of the story. “Junk food slowly disappearing in school” is an article that praises the “slow” change to “healthier” options, however our lunch room is not just going to “healthy” options; it is going to no options at all. What is healthy to one student is not healthy to everyone.

Milk is the only option to drink with lunch. What is a lactose intolerant student supposed to do? Juice or water should be an option to get with lunch.

Whole grain bread is not the healthier option for everyone. I personally can only eat white bread, because I have Crohn’s disease. I understand getting rid of candy, but I think our cafeteria is going over the top by forcing us to drink milk and eat whole grain bread, because it is not the “healthier” choice for everyone.

Sincerely,

Blake Whitmore

THE

BANNER

STAFF

Editor-in-Chief Advertising Cody Harrell Taylor Brown Managing Editor Hali MacMillan Copy Editors Dylan Page Haleigh Kent-Bryant Facebook Editor Photo Editor Ashley Howd Taylore Drye Hannah Murdoch West Campus Sandi Russell Sports Editors Editor Photo Team Hunter Lambert Rachel Eckblad Courtney Evans Kelsey Carson Laura Ducharme West Campus Team Entertainment Jennifer Gerrish Hashem Bakr Editor Becca Skinner Veronica Creed Kaytlin Templeton Andrea Alyateem Paula Newton Design Editor Public Relations Molly McCallister Maggie Command Team Opinion Editor Design Team Carolyn Coriasso Matt Joyner Alexis Reid Lauren Mokan News Editor Charlotte Sullenger Alexis Castanos Alex Grimmer Kyle Goldstein Morale Chair Web Editors Sara Marley Walter Brandon Smith Sengthammavong Elizabeth Berklich Nichole Boehnke

The Bobcat Banner is produced by Nick Popadich’s fourth hour class.

Have an opinion?

Send comments, suggestions, or letters to the editor to hs_banner@grandblancschools.org Letters are subject to approval and may be edited for space and clarity.

Need more Banner?

Head to bobcatbanner.com for the latest news, Banner-sponsored events, and stories not featured in this edition, such as: “HOSA” “Top Notch Underclassmen”

Opinions 15

Staff Editorial:

A

s reported in our article {Driving Law}, starting March 30, teenagers in possession of a Level 2 Graduate Drivers License are now restricted from driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and can only have one passenger 20 or under in the car at all times unless accompanied by a parent or an adult over age 21 designated by the parent.

Really, Lansing?

Restricting Level 2 Graduate drivers (age 16-17) to 10 p.m. instead of midnight is a fool-hearted motion at best. One of the major questions The Bobcat Banner staff asked each other was, ”How are the cops going to enforce this new law?” Since many of our junior staffers carry a Level 2 license, a majority of them say to get rid of the law completely.

That it is useless and by no means effective. But our veteran senior staff-

Enforcing New Law A Joke

ers and some juniors say that the old law was more effective because getting rid of the entire law is even more pointless.

While the 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew was never really “enforced”, the law was actually about putting a thought in every teen driver’s head that they need to be home or at their destination before midnight or risk losing their license. The whole point of the law is to make teens responsible and to scare them into being in rather than out and about at night. The mind is a powerful thing. This law seeds doubt and fear in the minds of teenagers in hope that they will plan responsibly. The only thing that lawmakers accomplish by moving the time up to 10 p.m. is less fearful, more daring kids out on the streets.

Now as much as teenagers like being the taxi-man or woman, giving rides to their group of friends, most

realize that the one passenger rule is very reasonable. The staff at the Banner support this part of the law for it is common sense that a lot of friends in your car are a distraction.

A major one at that. And you’re are more likely to get pulled over if you have three or four or more teenagers in your car than just one or two. It’s better just to wait until you’re 17 and receive your Operators License than risk losing it until you are 18.

Like a general ordering his troops to attack an impenetrable fortress, our legislators are passing new, stricter laws without looking first hand at the effect the previous law had.

Our legislatures just are pushing their luck.

Huck Finn Opinion article continued from page 13 1830s and ‘40s did. It was commonly used to refer to any black person, no matter how the speaker thought of them. It was over time that the word took on a hateful meaning.

I’m not denying that many people are offended by the “n-word.”

I’m simply saying that by changing the wording of Huck Finn, by changing a classic, it’s like taking the historical accuracy out of historical fiction.

-- Ashley Howd (Facebook Editor)

The Bobcat Banner Staff

Aguilera not the only one to flub anthem

W

Graphic Popadich/ Banner

hile pop star Christina Aguilera’s rendition of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl was filled with passionate notes belted out as jet fighters flew over head, it was her unique choice of lyrics that had people talking. Instead of “o’er the ramparts we watched,” she sang, “what so proudly we watched.”

Of course this has led many to be critical of the nervous singer, but we wondered how well our students knew “The Star-Spangled Banner.” While most students polled got nearly every word right, below are the most interesting lyrical choices:

“Brought smiles through the bright,” -- Tearon Jamieson, junior “Over landmarks we have climbed,” Tori Mattingly, freshman “Were the white and red,” -- Kayla Ulmo, senior “Oh what land we watch,” -- Samantha Weber, senior And a variation on that iconic opening line: O! say can you see by the dawns door lee light,” -- Samantha Rabidoux, junior Compiled by Nick Popadich, Sara Sengthammavong, Becca Skinner, Hali MacMillan, Taylor Brown

Who Should Win? W ith the 83rd annual Academy Awards show just days away, GBHS students are roaring over who will win best picture.

With 10 movies up for nominations this year, people have more and more to say about who the winner will be.

With 36 votes, Inception, a movie where technology enters the human mind through dream invasion, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Page, the complex story line and special effects definitely caught the majority of the student’s eye.

Although many students agreed Inception was the movie to win it all, other students had different opinions on who should win best picture of 2011.

“Toy Story should definitely get it,” senior Matt Holser said. “I grew up watching it and it’s just something that everyone can relate to when they were a kid.”

Holser wasn’t the only student who felt this way. Toy Story 3, a movie about a boy going to college and having to find somewhere to store all his old toys, fell closely behind Inception coming in second, with 29 votes.

Not all the movies up for a nominee caught the eye of an ordinary high school student though. Movies such as The Kids are All Right, True Grit, Winters Bone, and 127 Hours didn’t receive a single vote from any of the students whatsoever.

With four movies already voted out, it only leaves four left which also didn’t earn very high ratings. Black Swan, The King’s Speech, and The Social Network walked out with less than five votes each and The Fighter with only seven votes.

With such low ratings, students have their own strong opinions on whether or not these movies deserve an Oscar or not. “I don’t think Winter’s Bone should even be on there,” senior Cody Wilson

Win Movie Tickets!

Guess the right Best Picture winner and you’ll be in a raffle to win 2 tickets to NCG Theaters. Go to bobcatbanner.com to enter or scan this code with your smart phone.

said. “I’ve never seen any previews for it before, and I never heard of it until I saw it was nominated.”

Wilson isn’t the only student who feels this way about a particular movie up for a nominee. “Black Swan should definitely not be on there,” junior Hunter Moran said. “It recently just came out and it was just overall a weird movie.”

Deserving to be on the 2011 best picture nominee list or not, one of these 10 movies will accept an Oscar on Feb. 27, 2011.

Now the only question is, did you make the right choice?

Molly McCallister (Photo Team)