Bobcat Banner - June

BANNER

THE

Volume 45, Issue 5

Photo Illustration:: West/DeFriez

June 2010

Farewell from the Editors

Pg. 15

sports Mark Ingram Jr. brings the Heisman home Pg. 4

school

opinions

Senior Class Awards Seniors give insight Pg.8 into graduation gifts Pg. 14

other Art students win college scholarship money Pg. 5

2 Contents

2

1 or Seni

3

s!!!!

Final

as the school year draws to a close, here are the last events this school year has to offer....

4 Senior Breakfsst/ Graduation Meeting 8:30 - 10:00 am

7

5 6

June 10

8

15 11

9

Graduation!!!

Final Exams 1st & 2nd hours

14

12 13

16

Final Exams 3rd & 4th hours

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17

Last Day

of Schoo

Final Exams 5th & 6th hours

r e m m Su l

On Campus 3

Seniors

Signing off

Name: Kylie LaFerney Sport: Soccer School: Olivet Nazarene University Quote: “I am excited to play at the next level!”

Favorite High School Memory: “Beating Brighton this season!”

Name: Quintin St.Clair Sport: Lacrosse School: Davenport University Quote: “I am excited that after all my hard work I get to play for another four years!”

Favorite High School Memory: “Beating Davison back to back my junior year.”

Name: Taylor Ward Sport: Soccer School: Grand Valley State University Quote: “It’s a great accomplishment to make it this far. A few years ago I never thought I would be where I am today.”

Favorite High School Memory: “Scoring the game winning goal against Pickney this year.”

Name: Rachel McCollum Sport: Soccer School: Ferris State University Quote: “Hard work paid off!”

Favorite High School Memory: “Shutting out powers this season.”

Name: Jenna Fraser Sport: Soccer School: Liberty University, Virgina Quote: “All the years of dedication had a purpose.”

Favorite High School Memory: “Scoring the game winning goal against Kersley, sophomore year.”

4 On Campus

Hometown Hero: Mark Ingram Jr. brings the Heisman home

Photo: Harrell/Banner

Making his mark: Ingram Jr. is rewarded for all his hard work through two signs revealed during the ceremony.

“It’s good to be home.”

On May 22, the city of Flint threw Heisman Trophy winner and hometown hero Mark Ingram Jr. a homecoming celebration in his honor.

Ingram, a Flint native, rushed for an Alabama single season record 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns in his sophomore year with the Crimson Tide. With Ingram leading the way, the Tide rolled on to a perfect season and a National Championship, with their first Heisman winner in history.

Flint Mayor Dayne Walling proclaimed Dec.12 “Mark Ingram Day” after Ingram won the Heisman Trophy, next to which Ingram delivered a speech to the city that believed in him from the day he signed with Alabama.

And back home at Atwood Stadium, where Ingram broke record after record with the Southwestern Academy Knights, he was honored by the cities of Flint and Grand Blanc. Two signs above the scoreboards were unveiled to reveal artwork dedicated to Ingram, reading “Home of Mark Ingram II, 2009 Heisman Trophy Winner.”

During the two hour celebration, a number of groups performed, including Southwestern’s marching band and Grand Blanc’s jazz band.

These small performances were dedicated to the man who had inspired the entire city of Flint, and gave them hope in light of a deprived economy and hurting auto industry.

A number of guest speakers made appearances, from former NFL player Andre Rison to Ingram’s mother, and Ingram couldn’t help but embrace a local Flint student who could not hold back the tears as he showed the impact that Ingram has had on his city.

“Mark Ingram Jr. has done something special here in Flint,” Rison said, “He has opened doors and windows of opportunities for the city of Flint.”

Ingram was presented a football from the local Boys and Girls Club of America, along with much congratulation from the hundreds of fans who showed their support for the star. Near the end of the celebration, chants of “do the pose” roared from the crowd, referring to the famous pose mounting the Heisman Trophy. Ingram smiled, hesitated, and gave the fans what they asked for, showing the bond he has with his hometown.

One guest speaker made a challenge between the two cities, offering a football trophy contest between Grand Blanc and a Flint-area high school. Whoever wins the match-up will walk away with the “Mark Ingram Trophy,” and the pride of a man who has done so much for the city that he carries on his shoulders every time he steps onto the gridiron.

-Cody Harrell (Junior Editor)

A work of art: 2010 Senior Scholarship Award Winners Photo: Grays/Banner

Photo: Grays/Banner

On Campus

5

The GBHS Student Art Show and Senior Scholarship Awards shows off students’ work.

2nd place

Photo: Grays/Banner

3rd place

1st place

Molly Bradley

Rebecca Thresher

Kylie LaFerney

There are numerous outlets for expression that are available for the choosing. Some find artistic release through dance, singing, or acting while others find it through art. Once inside the art genre, there’s a plethora of mediums to choose from oils to ink and textiles to pottery. The GBHS Student Art Show and Senior Scholarship Awards at the Grand Blanc Township Government Center offered a location for students to display their artwork in an atmosphere that inspires creativity and expression. Students of art teachers Steve Barker and Ed Stanbury showcased their works. The Grand Blanc Arts Council sponsored the show with the purpose to encourage student creativity while increasing confidence in exhibit procedures.

Along with the show, 12th grade artists participated in a competition for college scholarships. Seniors Molly Bradley, Rebecca Thresher, and Kylie LaFerney won the monetary awards while seniors Caleigh Burgess, Victoria Galinetti, and Krysti Weierstahl received honorable mentions. Junior Cristina Benson got the People’s Choice Award in the High School Exhibit. The art show offered young artists with the opportunity to show off their work and recieve recognition from not only family, but other students and the public as well.

-Kayla Cornell (Editor-in-Chief)

An artistic approach: All types of art could be seen at the Grand Blanc Township Government Center May 17-20. Pieces not only included paintings, but pottery as well.

Photos: Grays/Banner

6 On Campus

SENIOR CLASS AWARDS -Sydney Daly &

Chelsea Hohn Staff Writers)

BEST SMILE

james freeman

BEST COUPLE

MOST LIKELY TO BECOME PRESIDENT

jay jordan

vance newton and rian perea

valarie hansen

vivian petty

On Campus

BEST STYLE

courtney carr

john lynn

MOST LIKELY TO BECOME A CELEBRITY

nicole desousa

dylan foster

BEST ATHLETE

julie thompson

tony jones

7

8 On Campus

Hollywood

comes to Grand Blanc

When you talk to any high school senior about what they are most looking forward to towards the end of their high school sentence, three-fourths will say Prom. Not Cedar Point, not graduation, not Post Grad, PROM! This year’s theme was Hollywood. It included red carpet, movie banners, and the Hollywood sign, and paparazzi, A.K.A. parents. They had every thing to make you feel like a true celebrity.

“The theme was good,” said senior Dustin Blakemore.

“It was well decorated and looked really nice.”

Getting into the Prom was very challenging for some. It was raining by the time 8 p.m. rolled around. The parents were lined up all around the entrance making it a little difficult to enter the Prom “Because there was a bunch of random people there,” said junior Jessica Smith. “My date and I stood in a line for like five minutes and then realized it wasn’t a line to get in, it was just a line of random parents and kids taking pictures of the students walking in.”

When it comes to the music, the DJ played popular hits from “OMG” by Usher featuring Will.I.Am, to “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey, and everything else in between.

Even the popular dance songs like the “Macarena,” “Cupid Shuffle,” and the “Cha Cha Slide” were played.

“The music was all right,” said senior Alex Justice. “I like when they played ‘Bad Romance’ by Lady GaGa at the end, it made up for everything.”

Inside the Prom the decorations and the ambiance at the Prom was interesting to say the least. Though, many thought the lighting was an issue.

“The lighting was bright,” said senior Anthony Gustanski, “If the lights were lowered it would have been better.

Overall it was an enjoyable experience.”

Besides the squirrel getting electrocuted and giving us the day off back in April, for most people Prom was the most exciting event to happen to the 2010 graduating class.

-Anna Darzi & Emily Burden (Staff Writers)

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9

10 On Campus

What seniors won’t miss about GBHS

As graduation comes and goes, seniors look back on the past four years with a lot of relief and little regret; but after reminiscing on their cherished memories, reality starts to settle back in. Little do they know, leaving the long, torturous years of high school behind them could soon be their favorite memory yet.

Though GBHS has molded the lives of every student to walk its hallways, it’s only natural to have the feeling of hate towards all the rules and regulations strictly forced on students from day one.

“The six minute passing time will not be missed at all,” senior Temeria Gardner said.

The sense of freedom quickly comes into play as seniors get a taste of what college life will be like. Not having to wake up at the crack of dawn to get to class by 7:20 a.m. and sit in six classes with only a 30 minute lunch break will be one of the biggest and most exciting changes of all.

“I won’t miss having to feel like I’m being babysat by hall monitors and teachers all the time,” Steve Basinski said. These changes not only help with preparing for the real world, but give seniors the independence they need to survive on their own.

Another change will be their friends and relationships. Yes, seniors will miss the close friends they’ve accumulated over the years, but one thing they surely won’t miss is the high school drama. All of the “he said - she said” nonsense involving friends and enemies they have known for years can finally be put behind them before they branch out to meet new people.

“I definitely won’t miss the petty rumors and fights in high school,” senior Myrissa Ramirez said, “I’m ready to leave Grand Blanc’s drama behind.”

Even though seniors have a lot to look forward to, they still know where they came from, whether they are sick of it or not. Surely these last few weeks at GBHS will be a complete dread for not only seniors, but all students. “We need to get out of school, ASAP,” junior Joey Brown said.

-Carolyn Coriasso (Staff Writer)

Packing Problems

At the end of every school year senior are finalizing college plans. Among all the “almost summer” chaos it’s hard to imagine leaving so much behind. We asked a few seniors if they could only take one thing to college with them, what they would choose.

-Nichole Boehnke (Staff Writer)

Kellie Kerbitz : Hope

“A picture of my family because I am going miss them so much.”

Kelsey Oskey: Grand Valley “I would take money, that way I could buy everything else I

needed.”

Corey Cunningham: Michigan State

“I would bring my lucky necklace because it’s lucky.”

Christi Leshock: Loyola University

“I would choose my guitar. It is how I express myself, and it would entertain my friends.

Ryan Brancheau: Kettering

“I would take my car; I can live in it or off it.”

On Campus 11

Blastfrom the past

When asking teachers about their Senior Prom, the first reaction is, “Wow,” and a quick tilt of their head sending them back to memory lane.

Prom tradition has changed a bit over the years. Before the 2000s asking someone to go to the dance was nothing special. Today, students go all out to ask their date to Prom. Students will put up signs or make surprises. English teacher, Jessica Wilson’s boyfriend asked her to Prom. “It wasn’t a big deal to ask someone in a special way to Prom back then,” said Wilson.

Math teacher, Erin Renfrow went dateless to his Prom. “It was more fun to go alone,” said Renfrow, “Instead of having one girl, I had them all.”

Besides having a date, the cost of Prom is also important. Today, students will spend lots of money to look their best. Girls pay to get their hair and nails done, buy their dress (which must be more extravagant than their last dress), shoes, jewelry and other miscellaneous items. It is a custom for the boys to pay for their dates dinner and ticket (which is $25 now). Also, transportation cannot be left out; students rent limos and party buses to take their groups to Prom.

English teacher, James Stuck who spent around $250 at his Prom, had his dad rent a limo for him. “We didn’t need to spend money on a dress because my girlfriends’ mom made it for her.”

Renfrow, who spent about $80 total at his Prom, said that Prom Prom Night: GB alum, Ava Butzu, takes a picture with her date.

Deja Vu?: Alumna Jessica Wilson poses with her tickets were free at Stigler High School in Oklahoma. There, it is date in front of a Hollywood styled back drop. tradition for the juniors to put the dance together as a farewell present. The school raised money and had a banquet inside the dance so students did not have to travel for dinner.

After the dance, students these days like to go to parties and hangout with friends. After Renfrow’s Senior Prom, his school hosted a lock-in where everyone could go to hangout. “For my Junior Prom, my group went bowling then to a bonfire, and we had a nice social gathering there.”

Prom has clearly made its way through the years as an important event that people will always remember. Prom, once less dramatic, is now a big deal that students get crazed over. Who knows what the experience will be like in a just a few more years.

High School in a Nutshell

What song best describes your high school experience?

What is your favorite memory from senior year?

What would you change if you could go back?

Which staff member was most memorable?

Playing hockey

Spring Break in Fort Myers

Would’ve improved some of my grades

Mr. Trombley because he always has a joke on deck

My soccer season

Would’ve put forth less effort in school work

Mr. Popadich because of his energetic personality and swagger

Would’ve gotten my work done and turned it in on time

Mrs. Kalush because she was the teacher that listens the most and cares about her students

“Forever Young” – Jay Z No song because high school had a lot of ups and downs and every year was different

Seeing my sister at school during the day

Schummer (Staff Writers)

(Staff Writer)

What will you miss most about GBHS?

Mrs. Elledge

-Erica Strieter, Karli

-Kaitlyn Santino-Gagne

Helping peer mediation set up the school-wide peace assembly

The easy classes

Interclass Games

Wouldn’t have taken Physics class

Mr. Reed because he was a really cool teacher and his class was a lot of fun

The routine – knowing how things are going to go everyday

The football games

Would’ve hung out with people more often

Mr. Stuck because he was a really good teacher and was not afraid to go out of the norm

“285” - Ludacris “Damaged” – Danity Kane

“All Good Things Come to an End” – Nelly Furtado

12 On our Mind

Top 10 Events of the School Year

1. Six Minute Passing 4. Cell Phone Policy 7. Power Outage

2. Football Playoffs 3.New Conference -Maggie Command (Staff Writer) 5. Interclass Games 6. SnapGrades 8. Justin Lookadoo 9. Power Outage 10. Camera s Banned

1

2

Three minutes is practically a lifetime: Going from a nine minute passing time down to six minutes, students have been struggling to get to class on time.

Trying to balance social time and the time it takes to get to class, students are finally learning to manage their schedules in order to incorporate both.

Going the distance: For having lost some key football players in the past few years, the team had a successful season. The varsity and JV teams played their hardest during the fall season, and because of their dedication and hard work, Varsity went on to win the conference. They then went on only to lose to Romeo, a very talented team.

5

Photo: Command/Banner

6

A yearly tradition, yet it is never quite the same: Being in tenth grade, I am proud to say that this year, the sophomores took home the trophy.

With the combined efforts of the Homecoming “truck” and the competitions at the games, the unexpected sophomore win was a sweet surprise to many people.

Staying on top with Snapgrades: This year was really the first year that most teachers started using the easy and convenient grading system, Snapgrades. Although not the best thing for some students who don’t want their parents to see their grades, this grading system really helps in keeping you (and your parents) aware of your grades.

9

3

4

The new cell phone policy caused more trips to ISS than ever: Although given more freedom last year with being able to use phones during school, the new policy upped the discipline for having a phone during class from it being taken away to it being taken away plus a day in ISS.

7

Whether a squirrel or raccoon, we all have a newfound appreciation for forest animals: The recent power outage was a sweet surprise to most GBHS students on a Friday morning. No one really knows for sure which animal it was, but either a raccoon or a squirrel chewed through some wires in the city power box resulting in the school losing power and about 2,600 happy high school students.

Anything but yoga pants: Girls marvel at how comfortable these oh-so-tight yoga pants are, while guys are marveling at the body wearing them. Although the pants were never officially banned, students were prepared to protest and still to this day get worked up at the thought of losing the right to wear them.

_

New surroundings bring hopeful competition: After being in the Big Nine conference and dominating for as long as most people can remember, GBHS was challenged with joining a new conference, KLAA. Although many times there are longer drives and tough competitors, such as Brighton, our school welcomes this newfound rivalry.

8

Oh the infamous speaker, Justin Lookadoo: Girls loved him, and guys hated him. Thanks to your glorious “Guys are dirt-bags” speech, drama was stirred up all throughout the school. To this day, your name is still brought up and will be remembered as a defining moment of this school year.

10

Not so picture perfect anymore: This year was the first year that cameras were officially banned, even on cell phones.

What used to be a lenient policy has turned into a very strict rule.

Now you might want to think twice before you whip out your camera in school.

Photo: Carne/Banner

A view from the

other side

Gaining credit and confidence

CSS: Center for Student Success I believe, even at our hardest moments, that some inspiration can change the way we think about ourselves and our future. All of us should realize that the more time we spend thinking about the negative aspects of our past, the less time we spend trying to positively change our future. Bad memories can hold positive ideas back, and our past should never stop us from success.

I’m not saying that we should forget our past and have zero accountability to what we have done, I am saying we can not let the past control our future.

Believe in your dreams, and with this they can be achieved.

-Anthony Litherland

On Our Minds 13

Too late?

“It’s too late now, not only have I failed myself, but I have failed my family. I have no future in-store for me, and my hopes and dreams are vanishing because I was careless about my education…”

This was me at the end of my sophomore year: I was failing school, my life was off track, and everything I had hoped and dreamed for was slipping away. Being so far behind in credits, I thought that graduation was a dream far gone. A new start is what I needed, and it was the only option I had to redeem myself.

One day I was walking into the office with intentions of dropping out when I was introduced to the CSS Program. This was the fresh start I was looking for: the program is designed for students like me who are behind on credits and need an educational environment that fit to their needs. With a new untapped motivation, and the confidence of “yes I can,” I began getting my education back on track. This has helped my life, both personally and socially, and it has given me a confidence that I had been missing. CSS has been the

-Tim Hawley

friend I have been looking for.

(Guest Writer)

(Guest Writer)

Staff Editorial:

A lg e b r a II G r a duatio n R eq u i r e m e n t n e e d s Fi xfi

For its size, Grand Blanc Community Schools have still managed to maintain a high level of academic achievement. With a wide selection of AP and honors classes, Grand Blanc High School continually turns out successful graduates.

Beginning in 2006, Gov Jennifer Granholm passed into law the state requirements for the graduates of 2011, which included four credits of math through Algebra II, four credits of English, and three credits each of Science and Social Studies.

The Michigan Legislature has passed an amendment to the math credit allowing students to substitute a Statistics or other math class in place of Algebra II. It is now up to Granholm to sign it into law.

After a long class discussion, a majority of the staff of staff writers continued The Bobcat Banner concluded that the new bill was benefiMaggie Command cial to those students who are not college bound, and who are simply heading into the workforce directly after high school.

Carolyn Coriasso Kayla Cornell Many of our staff members made a valid point, that though Sydney Daly Algebra II is easy for some, it makes sense for others to take a Anna Darzi Jerry Hendrix more real-life oriented math class, as opposed to a somewhat Megan Flattley higher-level class.

David Grays On the contrary, some staff members felt that this would Sarah Campbell lower the standards for future students, sending them out into Zeina Hamade the world unprepared. We thought that it might allow unpreEmily Hines pared students to graduate; however, the overall consensus was Cody Harrell Chelsea Hohn that this new bill was highly beneficial for some students, who John Lynn may never graduate had they been forced to take Algebra II. Tuesday Carne Ryan Mohland We here at The Bobcat Banner feel that this bill is very Dylan Page helpful not just to Grand Blanc students, but also to students all Kaitlyn Santino-Gagne over the state. It is our hope that this will increase graduation Karli Schummer rates across the state, and allow students to do well in all of Nichole Boehnke Hunter Spees their classes.

The Banner Staff

Editor-in-Chief

Managing Editor Copy Editor

Junior Editor

Design Editors Staff Writers

-Bobcat Banner Staff

Taylor Brown Emily Burden Tichina Clark

Erica Strieter Stephanie Tomczak Marley Walter

14 On our Mind

Parting Gifts:

Seniors give insight into graduation gifts

It is no understatement to say that high school graduation is a big deal. It is the point where 13 years of hard work finally pays off. It is during this time of caps, gowns, and diplomas that graduation parties become the popular event of summer weekends. While graduation parties are a great time for graduates to be honored for their accomplishments, everyone secretly knows that the best part of the whole graduation party is the graduation gifts.

The most traditional, and most times the favorite graduation gift among students, is cold hard cash.

It’s pretty fulfilling to graduate high school and make some dough at the same time. “I think that money is the best, it gives me the ability to buy my own stuff, and only what I need,” said senior Jeremy Moore. However, some people find the whole idea of giving cash too cliché and not original enough. When receiving something like a personalized photo album, or top of the line pen, don’t be so quick to add items such as these to the list of worst graduation gifts.

Sometimes these gifts may be the most valuable and even most useful gifts of them all. “I would much rather get something useful that I can actually use in college,” said senior Deanna Satkowiak So when presented with a seemingly useless gift such as a microwave for graduation, think of things in the long run and certain gifts may take on a whole new value.

When all is said and done and fall rolls around, many students will find themselves living away from home where many common household items that students have become accustomed to will not be so easily accessible in a dorm. It is at times like these that the cash is nice, but the microwave is even better. “Something useful would be so much better,” explained senior Katy Husted, “something like a computer would be the best; it is something that you would use a lot.”

According to the recent Graduation Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, conducted by the National Retail Federation, the most popular graduation gift is indeed money and gift cards. However, the survey also showed a growing trend in the nontraditional gifts. These gifts include housewares and furniture for dorms, food, and even stocks and CDs. Such gifts might make a student feel like a child getting socks on Christmas, but these are the kinds of gifts that will still be useful when the cash is good and spent.

Graduation presents are like that old saying about the cup being half full. However, when it comes to graduation gifts the cup is never really half full or half empty, it is just in between. When looked at with the right eye, it is easy to see that any graduation gift can have its uses, because for a college student anything that may make daily life just a little easier is a great gift. So when deciding upon the best and worst graduation gifts, it may be found that those gifts that make it on the worst list may turn out to Ryan Mohland be the best gifts of all.

(Staff Writer)

Passing the

Torch

The 2009-2010 school year is coming to a close, and unless you are a senior, you have at least one more year of high school fun – by fun I mean work, stress, studying, and drama. But you will survive it; here are some tips to get the most out of your final year(s).

Freshmen- It is time to pass the torch on to the class of 2014 as they become the new underdogs or “puppies.”Excited to become sophomores? Sorry to burst your bubble, but there will be very little to look forward to. I’m not saying sophomore year isn’t important, but you don’t have any big tests, events, or college pressures.There is only one rule to follow: do your work to maintain an ideal GPA because when you are juniors and are applying to colleges, goofing off your sophomore year will come back to haunt you.

Sophomores- You are halfway there and no matter how much you don’t want to believe it, the second half goes by fast – very fast. However, you are entering the most crucial year of your high school career. Not only will you be taking the dreaded ACT, but junior year grades may be the last set colleges look at.

College – that’s big for that little something called “success.” This year there will be two rules: keep up your good grades or try to raise them, and visit as many colleges or universities as you possibly can to get all the information you need. College visits could potentially be the determining factor on where you choose to attend. Also, visit colleges you would never think of attending because who knows where you will be by the fall of 2010.

Juniors- Congratulations on completing your junior year. While many of you are thinking senior year will go by slow, you are in for a big surprise. Blink twice and you will be walking across the graduation stage, receiving your diploma.

I realize many of you already have senioritis, and it is only going to get worse as your last year progresses. But do not – I repeat -- do not allow that to dramatically affect you. Colleges still have their eye on you and your grades.

Now go ahead and take in all of these tips and warnings and don’t forget them. I do, however, have good news. Your last year of high school will without a doubt be exciting. There are many senior activities, and let’s not forget that great feeling of accomplishment. Class of 2011, I give you one rule: Stay sane, and have fun.

Zeina Hamade

(Staff Writer)

On Our Mind 15

Net Neutrality:

Keeping the World Wide Web Fair

When you log onto Facebook to post on someone’s wall or open up Twitter to tweet about your math test, you’re taking a lot for granted. Little attention is paid to how quickly the page loads, but if large companies get their way, you’ll soon notice substantial slower page loading on numerous sites.

The speed in which specific pages load is in serious danger from large telephone and cable companies who want to limit the broadband of some sites more than others. Net Neutrality (keeping all sites on the Internet equal in loading speeds) is the only way to keep the Internet safe and fair for all users.

The big names like AT&T, Verizon, Comcast, etc. are all urging to be granted the access to regulate broadband usage. They’ll be able to control how fast pages load, and some may not even load at all. They’ll be allowed to make their sites and partner sites run the fastest, while making countless sites we enjoy become turtle slow.

Theoretically then, Comcast could increase the speed of its video pages, while limiting YouTube’s loading power to nearly nothing. This will force Internet users to either wait countless hours for a video to load, or go to the

A fumbling pass of the flame:

large company’s site just to enjoy a video.

These corporations want to dominate the Internet. They want the ability to make other companies or sites have to pay them to secure faster loading speeds. Our Internet is on the verge of being hijacked.

The success of the Internet over the years is because of its ability to have a free flowing stream of information open to everyone. Net Neutrality is the key to keeping the stream flowing evenly.

Luckily there are people fighting against the corporations to keep the Internet a level playing field for all. The Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2009 was introduced last August to Congress in the attempt to secure Net Neutrality and protect Internet users from discrimination by the large corporations.

The legislation hasn’t been passed yet, so our Internet is still at risk. Sites like savetheinternet.com address the issue and provide methods so average Internet users can voice their opinions and keep Net Neutrality around. So as you’re watching a new full episode of your favorite television show online, stop and think how your viewing experience would be -Kayla Cornell different if Net Neutrality ceased to exist.

(Editor-in-Chief)

Torching the Banner

Okay, The Banner has enjoyed two years of effortless papers—pretty painless and easy, but now a change is coming—a brand new staff. The layout changed in the past year, true, but the basics of design remained. With the farewell of our current editorial leadership, that knowledge and comfort level with design says goodbye as well, leaving The Banner with an uncertain future.

Whenever the torch is passed between leaders to their replacements, there is always that apprehension that it’ll drop and light everything on fire. In order to ease these worries, we have released the reigns to the soon-to-be editors, Juniors Cody Harrell and Dylan Page to try their hands at design; this is the result The school thinks of us as just the student press, a blow-off class, but there is more to The Banner than what you’ve seen when you peek into The Banner cave.

It has been two years of upheaval, change, and hard-work. As new leaders last year, we brought a more newspaper-like style to the cover. Foregoing that idea this year, we brought you the newsmagazine as our final change and contribution.

It hasn’t been completely business for the newspaper staff this year. We enjoyed startling people in the hallway with Dorothy, our life-size Barbie from an old Homecoming float, and wall of youthful memories of television shows like Rocket Power grew to massive proportions.

So as this chapter of The Banner wraps up in the final days of the school year, we would like to express our thanks to the die-hard readers who have gone through this journey with us. We’ve grown as writers and designers; our scores at the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association Spring Conference improving as we did. The newly created website shined at MIPA almost taking home a Spartan award in its first competition. It’s been a crazy ride and we’ll miss bringing you

disturbing, and potentially dangerous environment, and yet we still put out an organized, award-winning, amazing newsmagazine every two months.

And the best part of the entire experience is that we don’t do this for ourselves, but for our readers. We talk to teachers, students, and administrators so we can let you know what’s really going on in your own school. We hassle people tirelessly for information so we can write a long article and design an intricate page just hoping that it will pique your interest long enough for you to read a few sentences. We almost sacrifice people to the newspaper gods to meet deadlines, just so we can produce an $800 newsmagazine that we REFUSE to charge you even 25 cents for.

Although sometimes I don’t realize why I go through all of this stress to make a magazine that half of my peers won’t appreciate anyways, I find the reason right in front of me. Even though we like to ignore it, we at The Banner really do love you, our classmates and readers. We put ourselves through hell to create this newsmagazine because we want you to be in the know, to start a conversation with a friend over something controversial you’ve read, and to maybe, once in a while, ask one of us, “Hey, when’s the next paper coming out?” That statement epitomizes why we do what we do. We do it for you.

-Jerry Hendrix

(Managing Editor)

the news from behind the scenes, good-bye Grand Blanc, hello world.

-Kayla Cornell (Editor-in-Chief)

-Sarah Campbell (Copy Editor)

What you’re holding in your hands right now is the product of a lot of blood, sweat, tears, heartbreak, desperation, and grim, teeth-clenching determination. Mostly blood, though. The process starts with nothing but an idea, sometimes a small one at that. As we gather opinions from you, our classmates, and look at the current events in school and the local area, we draft, re-draft, layout, and organize the newsmagazine into something that we—and hopefully you as well—are proud of.

Creating something as wonderful as our newsmagazine from nothing takes a certain kind of person, and so our staff isn’t compiled of your average, run-of-the-mill teenagers. Never have I found myself in such a raucous,

Photo: Campbell/Banner

Bored in the backroom: Handing off the paper leaves us with much free time, and these pipe cleaner animals are the result.

16 On the list

Rock on the Range

Columbus, Ohio, is the home of the Crew Stadium, and also the two day concert annual concert Rock on the Range.

This year the dates were May 22 and 23. There were three stages set up, although I spent most of my time in the air conditioning, thankfully we had media passes. The line-up for each stage was different, and both days were completely different – personally I think the first day was the better line-up.

Shamans Harvest

Taddy Porter

The key to putting on a show is a good stage presence, and when it comes to that, Taddy Porter does a terrific job. The lead singer Andy Brewer puts feeling into his music which is clearly seen by his facial expressions and body language.

Kevin Jones, the bassist and Joe Selby the lead guitarist also add to the presence by working their long hair. Personally this band had one of the best shows I saw all weekend.

The first band of the second day was Shaman’s Harvest, and even though that they played first there was still a pretty big turn out for them.

Most people that had come to see them arrived there almost a half an hour before they were scheduled to go on – I was one of those people.

The best part of their set was the guitarist, Ryan Tomlinson. He’s a larger guy, with a baby face; he entertained the crowd with interesting facial expressions. I couldn’t help but watch him and giggle.

Limp Bizkit

People always say, save the best for last and when Limp Bizkit closed out Rock on the Range on Sunday night everyone – that stuck around – was rocking out, singing along, and clearly having fun. Fred Durst the lead vocals for the band even let the crowd help him sing the lyrics.

Something you may not know: Some of Limp Bizkit’s lyrics would make you question how personable Fred Durst actually is, you may even think that he would be a huge jerk; but in all actuality he is the nicest guy.

“I was homeless for a while, I can shake hands,” Durst said.

He may have been one of the nicest people I’ve ever met; he had no problem just hanging out and talking to and taking pictures with fans.

some

Detroit will be rocking “All Summer Long” Kiss didn’t name the song “Detroit Rock City” for nothing. Detroit is going to see some huge names come to town for the summer season concerts this year. From John Mayer to Lady GaGa, some of the biggest names in the business will be coming close enough for you to see them.

Since for most high school students summer is the time to hit up as many concerts as possible before that school bell rings again in September, this is just a preview of some of the shows that will be lighting up arenas like DTE Energy Music Theatre, Meadowbrook, the Palace of Auburn Hills, and the Fillmore.

With this many concerts accessible, the only thing that should worry most students is how they are going to afford all these tickets. Students will have the opportunity to see everything from guitar god Eric Clapton, and country superstar Brad Paisley, to hard rock festival Carnival of Madness.

Alternative Rock legends U2 will be playing Spartan Stadium and students can see actress Zooey Deschanel at Royal Oak under the moniker She & Him. There’s no one like the Scorpions, and they will be touring for the very last time this summer, so if you’re a fan this is your last chance to see them live.

But whether you like pop or country, Detroit is definitely the place to be this summer, don’t miss out on the chance to hear your favorite music live.

-Tuesday Carne (Design Editor)

Future shows:

June 6- She & Him at Royal Oak 11- Brad Paisley at DTE 13- The Music of Queen at DTE 14- The New Pornographers at the Crofoot 15- The Bamboozle Festival at DTE 16- MGMT at the Fillmore, Jordin Sparks at Royal Oak 18- The Backstreet Boys at DTE, Adam Lambert and Orianthi at Royal Oak 19- Sheryl Crow & Colbie Caillait at DTE 20- Blake Shelton at DTE, Jeff Beck at the Fillmore 23- Dave Matthews Band at DTE 24- Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special, Bret Michaels at DTE 25- Passion Pit at Royal Oak 27- Styx, Foreigner and Kansas at DTE 30- U2 at Spartan Stadium July 1- The Scorpions at DTE 2- Modest Mouse at Royal Oak Photos: Carne/Banner

-Megan Flattley (Staff Writer)