Bobcat Banner -- 10/2013

Cover: Banner/Higham Photo: Banner/Pittenger

the

banner volume 48, issue 2

pause with paws pg 13

student store pg 7 - water polo pg 11 - hair tutorial pg 17

2

banner2012//@BobcatBanner

the

banner

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 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 Konieczy Photography Editor Olivia Mitchinson

pg 6 - Michigan Takes The Pledge

Staff Writers Austen Boillat-Cline Stephanie Marceau Christine Pittenger Amanda Thompson Abigail Perry

pg 10 - Hail to the Victors

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 #16 - Conservative Lunacy

3

MEET TRISH POELKE New assistant principal shares thoughts on past job, sports, the dance Journalism | Guest Writers What is different about Grand Blanc High School from the school in California you were at?

Wyatt Grahn, senior The dress code is a little stricter, but the cell phone/iPod policy is more lenient.

Photo:Banner/Popadich

How did your job differ at your school in California versus here?

Brianna Klaus, sophomore My other job, I was in charge of athletics, clubs, student government, and all other fields of those types. Here, I’m in charge of special education, and discipline, and other things of that nature.

Seeing as how you were athletic director, were you sporty in high school and college?

Stefan Velbabovic, sophomore

I played volleyball, softball, and basketball in high school. I went to college on a softball scholarship, so yes, I was athletic in both high school and college.

What is your favorite game to watch?

Stefan Velbabovic, sophomore

College football is my favorite sport to watch; I’m a big Notre Dame fan, and we’re finally good this year!

Why did you move your family to Michigan over any other state in America?

Carly Satkowiak, senior

In LA, you can get a tiny place for a lot of money, but here, you can get a big place for a lot less that you could in LA, and plus my husband is from here.

What do you miss most about California?

Autumn Baker, senior

The weather. In a month or two, or three, or four, I will sadly be missing the weather. I love fall, but winter . . . we’ll see.

Anything you like more about Michigan yet?

Ashlyn Bowie, sophomore

What I like more is, I enjoy fall and I’m looking forward to buying a house and having a big backyard for our son to play in.

4

Mrs. Poelke poses for Mr. Popadich’s 6th hour journalism class for an interview

What do you enjoy most about your new job?

Maliya Fransioli, senior

At my old job I did a lot of work with adults, but at my new job I get to work a lot more with kids. I like working with kids because kids are a lot more fun than adults.

What’s the hardest part of your job?

Sergio Mendoza, junior

The hardest part of my job is that you never know what’s going to walk through the door.

How do you feel about students’ negative responses to the new and reinforced dance rules?

Zac Hesse, sophomore

The dance rules, of course there are people who don’t like them.

Those who stayed had a great time. There is a time and a place for everything and if you want to dance like that [grinding], then you can do it at your house. I felt like we said it a lot of times, so I didn’t feel as bad, but I still didn’t like how couples forced me to kick them out because of their refusal to listen.

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5

NEWS

MICHIGAN TAKES THE

PLEDGE

Governor Snyder’s mandate for Pledge under review

Kelsey Rodriguez | Photographer

Photo: Maurice Young

Gov. Rick Snyder has otherwise. Tucker but now the governFor some at the high signed into law a bill doesn’t think that either ment is forcing this school level, the seems stating that there must of the laws are all right patriotism on all the like something that be an American is important flag in every to instill at an classroom and early age, but there is another not something bill waiting that needs to be for approval mandated for all requiring every students. school to say “Why do we the Pledge of have to even Allegiance. say the pledge?”

While many Williams asked. believe that this “We did that law is just an inin elementary nocent attempt school.” in bringing High school the country students are together, it crossing the line potentially crefrom child to ates an awkward adult and many situation for the of the students non-Christian are able to vote students. Famiwhich means lies of other that they are religions are paying more Michigan law will mandate that classrooms need to have an American Flag.

Hall monitors recently visited each class to see how many are needed. uncomfortable and more attenwith their child tion to the politics reciting the line “One stating, “I don’t think other students. of this country. nation, under God.” we should have to say On the other hand, Indeed, the state it because some people supporters say that the House Education Com- don’t believe in God. I government is just trymittee strongly debated don’t think we should ing to bring the country whether or not a law have to have the flags together. should be passed. either because not Reactions from everybody likes our “I don’t think we should students at GBHS were country.” have to say it because some mixed.

Many are saying people don’t believe in God. “I think it is a fair that this law is giving law,” sophomore Keonta students the “opportuI don’t think we should have Williams said. “If they nity” to say our nation’s to have the flags either belive in our country and pledge. go to our schools then Opponents of the cause not everybody likes they should have to say new law say that the our country.” our pledge.” more “patriotic” Ameri -Thomas Tucker Thomas Tucker, also cans say the pledge a sophomore, believes whenever they please,

THE BOBCAT DEN Student store opens Whitney Whithead | Morale Chair The wait is now over. Wednesday Oct. 10 marked the much awaited opening of this years student store and the return of their infamously delicious cookies. Posters with simply the word “Wednesday” written on them lined the hallways advertising the opening and created quite a buzz around school.

This year’s store opened significantly later than it was expected to.

“We just wanted to make sure everything was perfect and even better than last year,” senior Andrew Gerbasi said.

The theme for the store this year is GB Pride and is decorated with different sports equipment donated by student athletes.

Photo: Banner/Whitehead

Photo: Banner/Whitehead

The store prepares for the next wave of students adorned in GB Pride. The store even offers free deals for students who support their teams by knowing sports scores.

“It started out as a back up plan to another theme we wanted to do,” senior Aaron Thompson said. “But it just ended up making the most sense seeing that we have eight varsity football players

in the store this year and that everyone else in the store are big supporters of our student section.”

The store has a new selection of apparel for sale this year including a North Face inspired black fleece with the Grand Blanc logo, Nike sweatshirts, and crew necks.

Continuing the theme, the store has been offering free deals for those who know the scores and the team they

played to encourage people to watch games.

Also different is the group unity this year’s store members feel.

“From what I’ve heard the attitude we had going into this year was different from classes in year’s past,” senior Carly Satkowiak said.

“We really came together as a group and we’re all really close.”

The GBHS Student Store is located on the far side of the East Campus Cafeteria. The store sells Grand Blanc apparel such as shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and jackets. Open during all lunches, the store also sells candy and snacks.

Employees spend their fourth hour working the store.

banner2012//@BobcatBanner

7

SAY HELLO TO SYNERGY

Grand Blanc Schools make a rough transition to a new system Julie Nichols | News Editor After six weeks without online because it has the option of Parent Vue grades, the new grading program and Student Vue, which allow for easy Synergy was opened to students, replac- access for both students and their paring the old system Jupiter Grades. The ents (hence the the names). switch in programs has left many with “Both (Parent Vue and Student unanswered questions. Specifically, Vue) can be accessed via smart phone what Synergy is and why Jupiter Grades technology, parents can view all stuwas no longer dents from one log “When you have upper-level in instead of multiple effective. classes like I do, you need to log ins (one for each “Jupiter Grades is no have access to your grades” student), and a lot longer being more information -Shay Brooks used because is provided in these Grand Blanc views,” Wansitler said. joined the 18 of 21 districts in our While the new program may be a county deciding to switch all informabetter fit for the district, the fact that it tion over to this new system,” Herb took over a month and a half since the Wansitler, technology architect at Censchool year started to be implemented tral Office said. has left some students frustrated.

Synergy was chosen because it can Senior Shay Brooks found it irritatmerge together students records, a ing that students had to wait so long. gradebook, and attendance all into one “When you have upper-level classes like system. This separates Synergy from I do, you need to have access to your Jupiter Grades because, “Jupiter Grades grades,” Brooks said. was being used as a stand alone grade The main problems in transitioning book,” Wansitler said. over to Synergy have been training the However, despite the improvements, staff to use the program, getting the some students like senior Alexis Jones report cards set up properly at the elthink Jupiter Grades was better because it didn’t share as much personal information as Synergy.

“I don’t like how the medical record are shown when you log in,” Jones said.

“They don’t need to know all that.”

Wansitler went on to say that Synergy is an overall better program

How was your experience “without grades?”

From a survey taken at all lunches, it appears that students were in favor of being able to see their grades.

I Hated It 67.7%

ementary level, completing the overall set-up involved with the program, and cleaning up the 8,800 records in the system to insure the information is all correct.

When asked why it took so long to install Synergy, Wansitler had this to say: “Honestly the better question is, ‘Why didn’t it take longer?’ This information changeover is normally completed in 11-18 months. Our district has completed the process in five months.

That’s why it hasn’t been as smooth as it should have been. Until you get involved in the process you would have no idea how much time is needed to do something of this magnitude.”

Everyone (students, staff, and parents) can expect Synergy to be running at full capacity any day.

“We will get there, but it will take a lot of patience and cooperation from everyone,” Wansitler assures.

I Loved It 32.3%

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9

SPORTS

HAIL TO THE VICTORS

Wolverines defeat Spartans in bitter rivalry game

Griffin Howell | West Campus Sports Editor Tyler Fee | Sports Editor Much controversy surrounds the game for The Paul Bunyan Trophy, the Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans.

Despite this, this year’s game was not too exciting. Both teams played poorly on the offensive side with two total interceptions and one touchdown between the two of them.

When the game started off, absolutely nothing happened. The score remained 0-0 until 10:20 remained in the second quarter when Brendan Gibbons nailed a 24-yard field goal to put the Wolverines on the board first with 3-0.

Both teams had poor offensive execution. Michigan kicker Matt Wile added a 48-yard field goal with the half winding down.

The teams headed into

the locker rooms with Michigan leading 6-0.

The third quarter started off with the only touchdown of the game as struggling quarterback Andrew Maxwell was able to string some completions together and find tight end Paul Lang on a 2-yard touchdown pass to put the Spartans ahead 7-6.

Teams traded punts leading into the fourth quarter, which was the most thrilling of them all.

Gibbons split the uprights in the beginning giving Michigan the lead 9-7.

With his team trailing and the offense not getting the job done, Spartan head coach Mark Dantonio called a fake punt that caught everyone off guard.

Punter Mike Sadler rolled out to the right with three blockers and went 26 yards

untouched to keep the drive alive.

Riding the motivation, Spartan kicker Dan Conroy made up for his 38-yard missed kick earlier in the game and gave the Spartans the lead 10-9 with a 19yard field goal with 5:48 remaining.

Michigan’s ensuing drive stalled around midfield when head coach Brady Hoke chose to punt with just over three minutes remaining, putting it all on the defense; and they handled the pressure well.

MSU went three and out and punted away to Michigan with exactly two minutes left on the clock. Wolverine quarterback Denard Robinson picked up a vital third and short just inside midfield.

With 18 ticks left, Robinson found wide receiver Drew Dileo

downfield, setting up a 38-yard field goal for Gibbons.

Mark Dantonio called a timeout attempting to “ice the kicker,” but nothing was getting into Gibbons’s head as he barely put it inside the right upright, winning the game for the Wolverines and bringing the Paul Bunyan Trophy back to Ann Arbor.

This was also a huge win for the Michigan Wolverines, giving them win number 900 overall, and making them the first team in the NCAA to achieve such a feat.

The overall series record between the Wolverines and the Spartans now stands at 68-32-5 in favor of the Wolverines as they snap Sparty’s four-game win streak.

“WHAT”ER POLO?

Team goes to Districts despite lack of recognition

Megan Buck | Staff Writer Olivia Mitchinson | Photography Editor If you ask a random person in the hallway what water polo is, they might say “Basketball inside the pool,” or “a mix of soccer, swimming, volleyball and basketball.” The fact is, not that many people actually know what it is.

Most people say they know what it is, but their answers were nothing near a real description of a water polo game. A few responses to our survey included “a sport played in water with a ball,” or “polo, just in water.”

The object of water polo is to get the ball into the net. This is where the soccer aspect comes in. There is a goal at either end of the pool, and a goalie for each team, giving it the appearance of a soccer field

in water. The other posistions, however, are quite different.

There are wings, a centerback and a hole set.

You might wonder how some people got into the sport, since it is so Photo: Banner/Mitchinson uncommon and Sophomore Caleb Clor blocks shot in a game against Troy Athens unknown. Junior Why do few people know all the time, because it is Andrew Morgan more common there. about water polo? You alsaid, “My cousin played, she The boys won their game ways hear about football and convinced me to do it.” against Walled Lake at Family connections aren’t basketball games, why not Districts with a score of 8 to the only way people start water polo?

6. They played Ann Arbor The fact of the matter is, playing. water polo is just not as pop- Skyline and ended their “I got into water polo through friends,” said sopho- ular here in Michigan as it is season, losing 9 to 3.

Although the boys’ season in other places. If you lived more, Caleb Clor. The same is over, the girls’ team begins is true for freshman, Bradley in California or Europe, you would hear about water polo its season in March.

Miller.

CAPTAIN SPOTLIGHT Photo: Banner/Buck

Seniors Daniel Sullivan and Ryan Scannell share some of their experiences on the Grand Blanc Water Polo team Daniel Sullivan after Position: Hole Set/ Sprinter Thing about Water Polo: It’s being captains for Favorite fast paced How Long He’s Been Playing: 5 years 2 years.

Best Memory: Beating Groves Photo: Banner/Buck

Ryan Scannell

Position: Centerback Favorite Thing About Water Polo: Winning How Long He’s Been Playing: 4 years Best Memory: Buzzer beating shot at Groves

banner2012//@BobcatBanner

11

Y

T F 810 C R A

HE with Sara Diesel

T

er/Konieczny

Sara Diesel | Feature Editor

Ah, the bow-tie. Once associated with aristocrats and crazy English professors, this quirky little statement has found its way back into the subculture of nerdy-cool.

Here are two of many ways to sport your love for the bow tie: Photos: Banner/Diesel

FEATURE

an :B oto Ph

n

FOR HIM Select your fabric, and cut two rectangles ~2 to 5 inches~, one slightly smaller than the other.

Fold over each edge just enough to glue down for a finished look.

Fold the larger rectangle in half hamburger style, with one end overlapping the other and glue in place.

Do the same for the smaller rectangle, then glue the smaller to center of the larger.

Pinch in center, wrap thin section of fabric ~2 inches long~ around center, and glue closed.

FOR HER Grab a box of farfalle ‘bow-tie’ pasta.

Scavenge the tool box for a drill and the smallest drill bit you can find ~5/64 inch~.

Drill two holes in both upper corners of each noodle.

Paint noodles desired color(s).

Select chain necklace and string through the drilled holes.

Idea submitted by Meredith Joseph

PAUSE WITH PA

S

Q&A with GBHS’ Austin Cruzen, otherwise known as Paws

Victoria Karatza | Editor-in-Chief

&

Morgan Herzog | Photographer

Photo: Banner/Karatza

The football team suits up for the big game, the cheerleaders prepare to pump up the crowd, the pom girls perfect their dance routine for half time, the student section makes posters and shakers to support the players, but Paws does it all. He suits up, pumps up, and represents everything Grand Blanc stands for. He is the face of GBHS, he is a part of the “Tradition of Excellence”, he is Paws the Grand Blanc Bobcat.

THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK Quick facts about Austin Cruzen

Tropical Smoothie is my favorite restaurant.

I listen to a lot of music, mostly electronic.

Lights Poxleitner is my celebrity crush.

I like long drives.

Monster is my favorite beverage. Ever.

Paws gets ready to take on his job of pumping up the crowd.

Q: How did you acquire the job of Paws?

A: I acquired the job by filling out an application and trying out. It’s super easy becoming Paws, but it isn’t easy to be right for the job.

Q: Would you ever being a college mascot?

A: I don’t know, I think the secrecy thing would kill me.

That’s why I’m open about being the mascot now.

Q: What is it like being in the suit?

A: It’s either really nice or really dreadful. It can be an oven at times.

Q: Do you have a favorite game that you can recall?

A: It’s hard to choose a favorite game because they’re all incredible, but my favorite memory is hearing people say I did a good job.

Q: Do you get any special privileges being mascot?

A: The only privileges I get are the ability to park in the rear entrance, and I get myself, and other people into the game for free.

Q: Do you enjoy being Paws or sitting in the Student Section more?

A: While I miss the Student Section so much, I would choose Paws nine times out of ten.

Photo: Banner/Karatza

Q: What is the best part of being the mascot?

A: My favorite part is definitely having the crowd react to my presence, it makes me feel special and one of a kind.

Q:What is your main focus during the games?

A:I just try to be as presentable as possible and do as much as I can to draw people’s attention.

Q:What do you bring as aid for the games?

A: Ice cold water for sure, change of clothes, and a towel to wipe my head.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do at the games?

A: My favorite thing to do is definitely the Noise Machine with the Student Section.

banner2012//@BobcatBanner

Paws does some push-ups in the heavy Bobcat suit with the varsity cheerleaders after a touchdown

13

WELCOME TO DRAMA CLUB Actors vs. Technicians

Pedro Marin | Entertainment Editor o act or to build, that is the queswhen they see a huge set, they always tion. The Drama Club puts on wonder how the technicians are able to many productions every year, but who pull it off. makes the sets?

Junior Luke Mantos says that the Technical Theatre is a class taught technicians create amazing set pieces

by Denise Botzki, where students draw that will “blow your mind.” designs of sets and turn them into realFormer technician, Lindsay Covert, ity. On the other hand, Drama Club is senior, says that “Without the techies where actors are allowed to audition to (the technicians nicknames) we'd have attempt to be in a production. There are no set, lights, sound, or props. Everyalso several drama classes, all taught by one in a production has to pitch in it in Botzki. order for it to run.”

Throughout the years, many students The technicians, also seem to enjoy have believed that there has been a the work of the actors. rivalry between the actors and technicians of the plays.

This rumor has been busted.

The Drama Club seems to make a big family when put together.

The actors are always excited to be on the Aashima Sarin | Opinion Editor stage, and

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

with Denise Botzki

Ashley Reyes, junior, likes the actors and says “I see them as very talented people, and I admire them because I believe they are very strong. I gotta give them a lot of credit for doing what they love.”

On the other hand, senior Marc Payne believes that there is a tension between the actors and the technicians, especially during the final weeks of rehearsals. But in the end, they each get their own way.

Actors do have many differences compared to technicians. Actors love to be on the stage, while the technicians generally like to be backstage to make sure everything is going well. In the end, both sides end up making a spectacular production to put on for the school, regardless of their differences.

Photo: Banner/Marceau

T

Drama and Technical Theatre teacher, Denise Botzki.

Q: How long have you been at Grand Blanc?

A: I think I started in the fall of ‘97, so 16 years!

Q: What are your special talents?

A: Probably recognizing the potentials of my students and

helping them grow.

Q: When did you first get interested in drama?

A: Probably the first time I saw the “Wizard of Oz.” I was more interested in the characters of Dorothy’s companions than her.

Q: What is your favorite musical/ play?

A: “Guys & Dolls” and “Thoroughly Modern Milly.”

Q: Who is your inspiration?

A: My students.

Q: What do you love about drama?

A: The relationships between all of the performers. Especially the Drama 3’s and 4’s.

Also the truth we can find as a community and the joy we receive by searching for it.

OPINION

Ask Angie THE MODERN Figuring out the difference BULLY between jokes and bullying

Dear Angie, I can vote this year, but my parents are voting for the candidate that I don’t want to vote for. Should I just vote the way that my parents are?

Anonymous

Angie

r/Konieczny

Wet willies, toilet swirlies, or goes unreported by the and wedgies. All clichéd victim due to again, fear of examples of bullying that no “payback.” Even when they one ever sees. remain anonymous, the In our technologically victim is often under the advanced world, it is much impression that the bully easier to harass someone will know that they reported when you don’t have to see them. their face.

This inability to identify On the other true bullying and to report hand, more stanit leaves an otherwise dard bullying powerful incentive techniques still exist, against bullying, OSS, such as verbal and ineffective. This is Photo: B a n where we byphysical abuse.

The school’s standers come primary in. Report domain of what you see authority is or hear, make located here. someone’s life However, a little better. bullies aren’t No, you aren’t Jake Young, Copy Editor stupid. They tattling, you’re know physical bullying is doing what should already easier to discover, and rely be done. Take a stand. on the other aforementioned methods: verbal and technological.

Technological is outside the schools range, unless the bullied party reports it, which can be difficult to do because of fear of retaliation.

This leaves verbal bullying, which I believe is too often overlooked by staff as “jokThe online bullying report form on the GBHS website ing around” ne

Anonymous, Being allowed to vote is the most beautiful thing about this country. It’s one of the few powers we’re allowed as young Americans, so use it wisely and to your advantage! Keep up with the debates and issues and the way that both candidates will be aiming to solve them. Listen to your peers and elders for their opinions, but if they try to change your vote, then shut them down. It is YOUR vote. In all honesty, no one has to know who you plan to vote for, so if you don’t want to even deal with anyone else’s preferences, then don’t tell them! Votes are anonymous for that reason! Do what you want, really. It’s your first time voting, just be sure you are voting for what you want to support.

On another note, if you can vote, use that power! We are one of a handful of countries that gives citizens the right to vote on who is in office. We have the power once we turn 18 to basically rule our country, but we only have this voice every four years. Are you disappointed with how our country is being run?

Then listen up. Find out about political flaws, see how you can change or improve those flaws, and vote! Do it!

Jake Young | Copy Editor

CONSERVATIVE LUNACY A take on banning laws against gay marriage Daniel Northrup | Columnist

on ieczn y

logic. There is no statistiI hear is that homosexual cal evidence that allowing marriage will ruin straight gay marriage is harmful to marriage. How would that society. This includes gay happen? I feel that there is parents. Despite people like no logical argument that can Rick Santorum, who says be made against gay marthat having a father in prison riage. is better than having two That includes being mothers, the American against gay marriage if Psychological Assoit’s against your reliciation states that gion. Separation of Church and State gay parents are destroys any arguactually better K ment supportthan straight ing the ban on parents. It’s gay marriage because gay because it goes parents have against a person’s to choose religious beliefs. to become If gay marriage parents, while is passed, no one as much as Daniel Northrup | Columnist is going to hold 50 percent straight people at gunpoint of straight parents become and force them to have a gay parents by accident. wedding. To be frank, hating And to those who are homosexuals because it goes against gay marriage: Why? against your religion is like Why is the fact that people hating a fat person because can marry who they want to you’re on a diet. What goes so horrible? An argument Photo: Bann er /

No one has the right to dictate who can or cannot get married. Hopefully, the Supreme Court will be of the same opinion this fall.

During its current term, the Supreme Court is going to review the Defense of Marriage Act, which says that any state can refuse to recognize gay marriage from another state. If the act is declared unconstitutional, it would end the ban on gay marriage in every state that does not allow for it.

This could be a tremendous achievement in equal rights. Marriage is a fundamental right and shouldn’t be denied simply because it’s two men or two women.

Marriage is between two people who love each other, and it doesn’t matter if those two are homo or heterosexual.

My objections to the ban on gay marriage is simple

on between two consenting adults pertaining to marriage, is their business.

What I don’t understand is why the Republicans, who despise government intervention, spend so much time trying to “defend” marriage.

Republicans claim to be against big government, but what government is bigger than the one that attempts to dictate who can get married?

It’s completely hypocritical, but that’s nothing new for the Republican Party.

I hope that the Supreme Court overturns the Defense of Marriage Act. Everyone has a right to be happy and no one should be able to deny that right. The U.S. prides itself as the land of the free, so doesn’t it make sense that people should be free to marry who they love, no matter the gender?

A letter to the Editors...

Dillyn Foy speaks out on previous 'Conservative Lunacy' article In the last article of the banner, Daniel Northup wrote an article criticizing the Republican Party, titled “Conservative Lunacy.” In this article, this misinformed, biased columnist makes many mistakes. For example, Northup writes “The various ideas that the Republicans states, such as an anti abortion amendment... are absurd and only help the richest people of our country.” I would like to hear how an anti-abortion law only aids the rich in this country. Even though this mistake was more than enough to warrant the article not being published, he makes many more mistakes. Northup writes, “Paul Ryan accuses President Obama of causing numerous economic problems that were actually caused by the Republican-led Congress.” What problems is he discussing? How did the Congress cause these problems? Northup makes numerous assertions which he does not back up, effectively misinforming every person who reads this article. He states numerous debatable facts without the courtesy of presenting examples which support his assertions. Lastly, Northup states that Theodore Roosevelt was a Republican, where he was only a Republican for part of his career, T. Roosevelt was actually the first Progressive politician. While he makes this inaccurate comment about T. Roosevelt, Northup finished his column with criticism about the Republican Party no longer being the party of change- change that Northup criticized the Party for attempting to make earlier in his column.

With the numerous mistakes that should not have been included in a column of The Banner, I felt it necessary to bring the absurdity of the column to the attention of the editors. Hopefully this feedback will prevent a column with similar mistakes to not be published in the future.

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Dillyn Foy

banner2012//@BobcatBanner

Sarah Strickland | Copy Editor Fall is one of the most popular seasons for trends. With the weather changing everyone is layering up and trying to stay warm. This doesn’t mean your wardrobe has to suffer; you can look great and stay warm with this fall’s latest and greatest trends.

Time to put away the sandals and say hello to boots. UGGs are still ever present in the halls of GBHS, but riding

boots have made their debut this year. Made of leather, these riding boots go great with virtually any kind of pant and come in lengths such has knee-high and mid-calf. Stores like Macy’s and Bakers are popular venders for these boots, with prices ranging from $40-$150.

A fall favorite that never seems to fail are scarves. Scarves come in all shapes, sizes, and colors making it easy

to find one for almost every outfit. Websites like Youtube give quality tutorials on different ways to wear scarves which may help when you’re looking for that little “something” to add to your outfit.

Every outfit can be completed with a good hair day, and a good hair day only comes once in a great while if you’re anything like me. A simple and quick hairstyle that can work

with curly or straight hair, and has been popular this fall, is the bow bun (see tutorial).

This bun can work on second day hair (when you sleep in) and goes great with fall clothing such as scarves and sweaters.

With these trends in mind, stay warm this fall and don’t be afraid to layer up.

BOW BUN TUTORIAL Sarah Strickland | Copy Editor

1. Grab hair and hold as if you were put-

2. Secure hair into a bun, leaving the sec-

ting it into a high pony. Take out a small section of hair toward the middle.

tion of hair out.

5. There you have it! The bow bun.

3. Split bun down the middle by grabbing both sides and pulling apart.

ENTERTAINMENT

Fall fashions COLDER WEATHER, that can work for everyone HOTTER TRENDS

4. Take section of hair that was left out and put it through the part in your bun and secure with a bobby pin.

Photos: Banner/Strickland

BANNER REVIEW

‘FIFA 2013’ New video game satisfies many Austen Bolliat-Cline | Staff Writer

Photos: Banner/Herzog & Karatza

Worldwide, millions of children and adults alike gear up to play the some of the world’s most popular sports daily.

From football to fútbol, soccer may not be as popular in the U.S. as it is across the world, but American affinity for video games and the soccer franchise of FIFA has bridged an international gap and brought the differing cultures closer together.

Soccer has reigned as a favorite in countries like the United Kingdom, along with many countries in Europe.

However, if anything is

going to make Americans love the sport, it may as well be the hit video game “FIFA 13” by EA Sports.

The 2012-2013 installment in the FIFA 13 series features many new modes and is available on a bundle of consoles so that everyone will have access to the game.

The cover of “FIFA 13” features Lionel Messi, the star of the FC Barcelona team. Messi is also the most famed, rare, and expensive player in the most popular FIFA game mode.

Ultimate team has succeeded once again and has a

new and improved Auction House feature where players can once again bid, buy, trade, and sell the players from their respective clubs.

The career mode is very similar to last year’s, but playing both as a player and a manager, the game gives you an option to play or manage for both a club and international team in the same season.

The game mode that I am most excited about is the online friendlies matches.

You can play your friends with any team, club or international and play out a five

"Best game ever, I play it all the time."

-Michael Puro

game season against them.

The game keeps record of goal differential. On the Xbox version of the game, there is an achievement called “Still Friends?” that is unlockable when you win a season against a friend.

The new EA game is sure to be a hit with all fans, from the die-hards to the newcomers. The game costs anywhere from $40-$60 depending on your preferred console.

“I hate it, but I love it.”

-Mohammad Ali Tahboub

How GBHS students feel about ‘FIFA 13’ "’FIFA 13’ is my favorite sports game. There is so much to do and it never gets old."

-Stefan Velbabovic

18

"It's amazing, I just wish I had time for it."

-Sharbel Massoud

banner2012//@BobcatBanner

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