Caitlin Heenan
Editor-in-Chief
Fenton InPrint
News Writing & Reporting
Student Journalist Staff Portfolio Writing Samples - Pages 2-6 Design Samples - Page 7 Writing and Design Samples - Page 8-11
NIOR HIGH SCHOOL | 3200 W. SHIAWASSEE AVENUE FENTON, MI 48430
2
Writing Samples
This was the first story I wrote as a journalist. This first interview I conducted was not with peers, but with business owners, making the process more professional in my mind. I poured my efforts, seeking any editing and critique possible. This story shows the dedication I gave to journalism and the hard work I put into my job as a journalist from the beginning of my career. I am most proud of this piece as the first I published as a journalist. Published: October 26, 2012 Awarded: First Place for News Writing from MIPA - 2014
Orchards that are open for the season Spicer Orchards: Hours: 9a.m.-7p.m. Location: 10411 Clyde Rd., Fenton
Parshallville Cider Mill: Hours: 9a.m.-6p.m. Location: 8507 Parshallville Rd., Fenton
Uncle John’s Cider Mill: Hours: 11a.m.-5p.m. Location: 8614 N. US 127, St. Johns
Franklin Cider Mill: Hours: 9a.m.-6p.m. Location: 7450 Franklin Rd., Bloomfield Hills
MereditH Brown | photo editor
Not so Apple-ly Ever After
Writing Samples 3 As editor-in-chief, I was able to write a reoccurring column titled, In the Spirit of, which allowed me to showcase my column writing in a manner where I could connect with the student body. This particular column allowed me to offer a unique approach to snow days.
Uncharacteristic spring weather results in ruined crops, tough times for orchards
Published: December 17, 2014 Awarded: Submitted for Featured Columnist to MIPA - 2015
By Caitlin Heenan Writer
A
n iconic tradition of fall will be absent this year as Mueller’s Orchard will be closed. While other people enjoyed the warm weather last spring, apple farmers in Michigan and from as far away as Mississippi watched their apple trees blossom with the premature warm weather and die away with the frost. “There were five or six freezes after blossom. We got through all but the last one,” owner Charles Mueller said. “April 29 was the last one that got all the apples. Partly because the fruit was at a very critical stage, more importantly, it was 24 or 25 degrees for six hours. After six hours, the fruit was frozen. If it had only been for an hour or two, the apples may have stood a chance.” The rest of the state is experiencing similar results. “I’m getting varying reports, but it’s safe to say that except for some pockets in the Lake Erie region, the total loss around Michigan was 90 percent,” Mueller said. “Other crops like peaches were far enough along to have the strength to get through it.” Although Mueller’s apples will not be up for sale this season, apples will be found on grocery store shelves for almost more than three times the price from last year. Other establishments such as cider mills have shipped apples from parts of the country that were not as badly affected. “We made the decision to not sell apples that somebody else grew,” Mueller said. “We’re not comfortable charging supermarket prices.” Grocery stores have no choice but to raise prices to make a profit with the shortage of apples. “We went to the orchard yesterday and they only had two bags of apples that they imported from someplace,” freshman Hope Dagenais said. “And at the grocery store it was $7.50 for a half gallon of cider; that is a rip off. One honey crisp apple was $2.50.” Farmers of last year’s season could get 18 bushels of honey crisp apples for roughly $500, now it is around $1800. Cider apples were $85-90 for 18 bushels, this year it is a little less than $300. With each box of cider apples making 50 gallons of cider, farmers have to charge $6 a gallon to break even. The Muellers do not have to worry so much about the shortage of apples. Financially, they are prepared for a bad season or two. “It is a part of farming; you better be able to live a couple years without profit. You’re at the mercy of Mother Nature,” Mueller said. “The established guys have enough in reserve to survive, but the young guys just starting will have problems.” The mills and some orchards in the area, such as Parshallville Cider Mill and Spicer Orchards in Fenton, will still be open to sell apples, cider, doughnuts and keep the atmosphere of the fall season despite the few apples available to them. “People come to the orchard for the apples. The attraction of the orchard is to pick your own apples, and enjoy cider and doughnuts,” Mueller said. “The mills are a historical piece of America. It’s a different destination than an orchard; it doesn’t need the support activities that an orchard needs. “ Mueller’s will be open next year; provided that the area has a less bipolar spring and that more of their apples will prosper. “It’s not family friendly to charge an arm and a leg,” Wendy Mueller said, “but maybe this will make people more appreciative when we are open.”
In the Spirit of ... Snow Days
The snow begins to fall, a white blanket coats the ground. Thanks to Michigan weather, that snowfall soon turns into a polar vortex and that white blanket turns into a wall. Many a student, seeing that there is no possibility of having school the next morning, thanks the snow gods and goes joyfully to sleep knowing he or she will not have to wake early the next morning. I, on the other hand, stress over the pending snow day to come. For many, snow days mean extra vacation and extra sleep in the morning. For me, snow days mean less preparation for the various tests I will have to take in May and less time to learn the material, Despite having snow days and less educational time, my IB and AP tests will still occur on the days they are set for, regardless of whether or not I feel prepared or have covered the necessary material. Don’t get me wrong, I love the extra sleep and spending a lazy day on the couch with my cat and some orange juice, but if I am going to get college credit and scholarship money with my test scores, I am going to need more than two days a week of school for almost three months. Some assignments can be done at home, the assignments assigned pre-snowpocalypse. Other assignments, like completing reading assignments and finishing an essay, can be taken on by myself and done at home when the roads are too icy and slick to drive.
However, most of the time, the material that really needs to be covered, the difficult concepts, are buried and lost with the snow. It is the material like how a neuron fires in IB Biology and using infinite limits and summations to find the area under a curve in AP Calculus that I really need to be in school to cover. Many would agree, the initial snow day is a pleasant break from the dreary everyday functions of a full school week, but when school becomes about just as frequent as seeing a flying saucer land in the backyard, the stress begins to accumulate. Teachers and students alike feel the pressure as weeks of material needs to be crammed into a single class period and tests and quizzes have to be smushed together in order to save time. Some material is even cut from the class, raising serious problems. Students should stop for a second, take a step back from turning their pajamas inside out, putting their spoons under their pillows and throwing their ice cubes down the toilet and really think about the impact a snow day has on their education. Snow days for many mean relaxation. For me and others taking advanced classes with huge cumulative tests at the end, they epitomize the stress of winter as more and more time is shaved off of the clock and those ominous test dates come closer and closer.
4
Writing Samples
Writing Samples 5
This column is another example of my reoccurring column, In the Spirit of. This particular example was an essay I wrote as a prompt to apply for college on a word that cannot be translated from its original language. The writing takes a unique point of view and draws readers by using a reference from Pop Culture.
In the wake of recent passings of students with terminal illnesses, I thought teenagers needed to learn about coping skills. I contacted and interviewed an esteemed psychologist, who not only gave an excellent interview, but commended me for not being afraid to conduct such a professional interview with a professional adult.
Published: February 4, 2015 Awarded: Submitted for Featured Columnist to MIPA - 2015
Published: May 3, 2013 Awarded: Never submitted for judging
In the Spirit of ... L ve
Even though this word has a place in every language around the world, none can do it justice. The language of love is a language humans have yet been able to master. There is no grammar, sentence structure, tenses of verbs; It is the language of emotions and human behavior. It is this unspoken, unwritten language that love belongs to and flourishes in. When humans attempt to translate this language, the message is greatly misconstrued. Only one definition of love has ever crossed my path that has come relatively close to what the word should be used for and ironically enough, it comes from the comedy TV series, “How I Met Your Mother.” Ted Mosby described the emotion, expected from human life as such: “‘If you’re looking for the word that means caring about someone beyond all rationality and wanting them to have everything they want no matter how much it destroys you, it is love. And when you love someone, you - you don’t stop, ever. Even when people roll their eyes or call you crazy, even then, especially then. You just, you don’t give up, because if I could give up, if I could just take the whole world’s advice and move on and find someone else, that wouldn’t be love, that would be, that would be
some other disposable thing that is not worth fighting for.’” The disposable things, unworthy of struggle and pain are all of the other objects and relationships we as humans attempt to describe with the word love. Love should only be used to describe the relationship with the few people held in the inner circle of one’s life, those a person would give anything, even life, to be with. As a society, we overuse the word love. We destroy the meaning by believing it applies to those things that are not worth fighting for. Even those of us with the best of intentions dramatically overuse it. This word is used to describe an emotional connection to objects and even relationships unworthy of the word. Not a day goes by that the word love is used to describe the supposed emotional relationship people have with objects such as food, clothing, electronics or relationships with people that will leave the lives of those claiming such a strong connection. Love is a word disrespected in meaning by our society. People should take a step back and really think about what is important to them, what they really love. I can bet it is not the menial objects and places that many claim to love, such as Chipotle and an iPhone.
6
Writing Samples
As opinion editor, I often had the opportunity to write half of the pro/con editorial. This particular entry was the first I had the opportunity to write a pro/con. Because of the serious nature of the topic, in writing this entry, I honed research skills and learned how to effectively put my opinion into written word in a professional way, rather than like a column. Published: October 25, 2013 Awarded: Third Place for Pro/Con Editorial Columns from MIPA - 2014
Design Samples 7 Taking risks with unique fonts and the use of intricately produced art allowed success in the design of this Halloween themed page and shows my willingness to push my limits and comfort zones as a designer. Published: October 25, 2013 Awarded: First Place for Editorial Opinion Page/ Spread - 2014
4 opinion
1. More connections between the left and right sides of the brain allows for information to be stored in more than one place, allowing girls to have better memories and make connections between topics and aspects of life easier and more frequent. This allows girls to make plans, be organized and remember/ carry out those plans more efficiently than boys. For this, girls are most likely to get angry at situations out of their control. 2. These hormones aid in the menstrual cycle for girls and make them more sensitive than boys.
1. 15 percent larger brain overall 2. Large Amygdala 3. Testosterone released by Pituitary Gland 4. Emotional connection to eating food
1. Hemispheres of Cerebrum have more connections A. Sections that aid in transport are larger B. Information is stored in multiple places 2. Estrogen and Progesterone released by Pituitary Gland
This spread is by far one my most favorite to have created. Each design element was carefully thought out and representative of an aspect of Valentine’s Day. Each of the candy hearts was selected for a reason, the highlighted words in each story were chosen as classic representations of love and relationships, even the colors of the outfits of the individuals pictured were planned and specified to the theme. Published: February 4, 2015 Awarded: Submitted for Features Spread to MIPA - 2015
EDITOR in chief Caitlin Heenan
Females
day a lot more stress-free.
Similarities and Differences
Many of the differences in the ways girls and boys act and think can be attributed to the way their brains work. One of the main differing aspects between males and females that impacts their behavior is the structure of their brain. While males and females use their brains for the same functions, they go about the process of thought in different ways. This is because of differences in the structures of the parts of their brain. The sizes and connections between the hemispheres and lobes of the cerebrum, which is in control of higher brain functions such as thought, memory and perception of stimuli, can account for differing thoughts for males and females. Likewise, the Amygdala, the emotional center of the brain, and the Pituitary Gland, which secretes hormones, can account for the emotional changes for girls and boys and why they are not the same for each gender.
PHOTOS MADDIE ROY
Writing and Design 9 Samples
SOURCE: Guys are Waffles Girls are Spaghetti By Chad Eastham and Will and Pam Farell
The Behavior:
1. A larger brain allows boys to complete single tasks easier than girls. 2. The large Amygdala emphasizes aggressive behavior and risky behavior, such as being more willing to fight or go sky diving. For this, boys are more likely to get angry at people and things that challenge them head on. 3. Testosterone produces male genitalia before birth, develops secondary sex characteristics at puberty and maintains sex drive. 4. Chemicals are released by the brain when food is eaten and the effects are felt by the emotional structures of the brain.
The Brain:
Once upon a time there was a woman. She was to live happily ever after with her husband and three children in the faraway land of Warren, Michigan. The destiny of this seemingly joyous family would forever be rocked on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day. The husband, storming the beaches of Normandy, was shot and taken back to the United States in hopes of healing. Shortly after, the woman was widowed and never married again. Rather than dwell on her husband’s death, to this day, the woman keeps sweet memories of their short time together. Everything I know about love, I have learned from my grandma (the woman from the story). I find it incredible that she could spend most of her life alone by never remarrying. This, to me is a testament to true love, showing that love can come from anywhere, at any time and can last a lifetime. This demonstration of love can even come in high school or middle school for that matter. Love should not be defined within the limits of age and maturity levels. It is selfish and naive to think high schoolers are incapable of loving each other just because they are young. High school is the time when the corruption of the real world is kept just far away enough to allow people to see each other as partners, not just an opportunity for a tax write off. High school relationships have a positive influence on teenagers; they allow teens to learn what they like and dislike in the people around them and allow teens to experience the process of forming and developing relationships. According to a study by the University of Denver, “The formation of romantic relationships is often thought to be one of the important developmental tasks of adolescence and these relationships have significant implication for health and adjustment.” For example, relationships require those involved to give, not just take, learn about each other’s strengths and weaknesses and to listen to the other person, making sacrifices when necessary. Although, I believe it is possible for high school relationships to last, I am not suggesting everyone who claims to love each other in high school will get married, have a bunch of healthy children and live happily. After all, not every relationship as an adult occurs in this fashion. However, I am suggesting high school relationships are a lot more important than our society currently gives them credit for.
Being able to enjoy high school memories with a “significant other” can be exciting and even necessary for some teenagers. Although there are many positives within a high school relationship, they should not be viewed as too serious. There’s an idea of “do’s and do not’s” within each aspect of a relationship. For example, do introduce your boyfriend/girlfriend to your friends and find a way to have fun together. Do not take away all of your boyfriend/ girlfriend’s friends to only spend time with each other and pretend you are an isolated married couple. It is important to keep friends around and stay involved in high school activities. You can do all of this with someone by your side, just make sure they are not holding you back. On special occasions it is nice to give your loved one some kind of gift. However, many people overdo this idea. It is by no means necessary to go out and buy a $400 ring for your girlfriend on your “three month anniversary”. Money just should not be that big of a factor in a high school relationship. You are doing it right, though, if you hand make something that will generate more happiness or laughter than something bought ever could. High school relationships can teach people a lot about themselves, and allow them to know exactly what they will look for later in life. Individuals can benefit in lessons, knowledge and good memories just by being linked to someone. However, if taken too seriously, relationships can be damaging, heart breaking and messy. This is why it is important to have priorities and to be thinking straight when dealing with someone you have feelings for. Girls should not make it their biggest goal to find their husband in high school rather than focusing on a career and college. Boys should not allow their opinions and interests to be swayed just because they are wrapped around a girls finger. The biggest problem with love-struck teenagers is that they think their relationships will last forever. Judgement can often be clouded when one is deciding on his or her future with the constant thought of staying with his or her partner. There is still a two percent chance that you’re high school sweetheart will stick with you throughout life. True love does exist, and you might just find it early on. It is perfectly okay to enjoy time spent with a boyfriend/girlfriend but your lives should remain separate. If someone is going to change the other, it should be for the better. He won’t text you back. She’s giving you mixed signals. He doesn’t pay attention to you. She won’t let you hang with your friends. Problem after problem arises in your relationship until one of you decides enough is enough and you change your Facebook status. Since that’s done it’s time to text that cutie in your English class. It seems that today the ultimate goal on everyone’s mind is obtaining a boyfriend or girlfriend. Nevermind that only two percent of new marriages are between the classic pair of “high school sweethearts.” Let’s just focus on the slim possibility that the one is sitting right next to you but just talks to you to ask what the date is. While believing this might be entertaining, it almost always leads to complications that cause unwanted drama. High school relationships are what they are-relationships. This may be surprising, but relationships take work. They take away time from the endless list of responsibilities that are given to the average high schooler and it comes to a point where relationships are not worth it, especially in high school. Everyone in high school must come to the realization that in three years or less they will be leaving home to take on adulthood. A study done by Dr. Fritz Grupe found that 80 percent of college-bound students have yet to choose a major. If you can’t decide what you want do for the rest of your life, you can’t decide who you want to do for the rest of your life. There are too many decisions to make, classes to focus on, and not enough people in high school looking for a relationship for any notable progress to be made in the game of love. College opens doors to every aspect of life and it isn’t fair to close off opportunities while in high school. Sure you have fun for a year or two, but then one or both of you graduate and suddenly going into college in a relationship doesn’t sound too cool anymore. There are 7 billion people in the world, and you try to say you picked the one from a group of 1,100 kids? Many people claim dating in high school gives people the chance to “discover love” and learn what characteristics they are looking for. High school is not the time to discover love, it’s the time to discover attraction. No one is looking to date someone else purely because they think they can hold a conversation with them for the rest of their life. High school dating opens doors to everything they don’t teach you in health class and nothing more.
Online EDITOR alexis megdanoff
Assistant EDITOR shealyn mandle
EDITOR in chief Caitlin Heenan
Males
shelter Volunteer opportunities:
For guys, Valentine’s Day isn’t their favorite holiday of the year. They face the decision on what to get their partner and if it is good enough or equal to what they will receive. If they don’t, then they get to laugh at their friends stressing out about what to get. Many assume that Valentine’s Day is a female holiday, and in general it is. Girls may want a lot or something specific for Valentine’s Day, but most guys might not even want anything at all. However this doesn’t mean that guys shouldn’t get anything at all. “To me, Valentine’s Day gifts don’t really matter,” sophomore Brendan Triola said. “I think that having people in your life that you love and trust means a lot more than a card or some chocolate. But hey, chocolate is good, too.” Gifts do not mean the world, but it really depends on the individual’s importance of the day. To most guys, Valentine’s Day is not important, but as always, there are exceptions to the rule. “I expect a teddy bear filled with chocolates and a year-long subscription to Netflix.” junior Jacob Gutzeit said. “Once I activate my subscription, I can watch all the sappy love movies so I can get in the holiday spirit.” Most of the time, gifts for a guy can be a tough thing to decide. Guys don’t really like the stereotypical Valentine’s Day gifts like girls do. Girls can never go wrong with food for a guy. The best gifts are the ones you can eat. “Personally if I was going to get something for Valentine’s Day, I would want my favorite food,” sophomore Colin O’Connor said. “Nothing is better than getting food as a present. It’s the perfect gift.” The old saying is true. The way to a guy’s heart really is through his stomach, and it’s a great way to go. Most won’t care if they get anything or not, but getting some food on Valentine’s Day is a great way to make this stressful
He may be a loud barker and intimidating at first, but Blizzard is PAWS’ best cuddler.
To some guys, girls seem like a intricate creation that can only be figured out through time and energy. This is not the case, especially when speaking the language of gifts. The gift guide for girls is simple, especially on holidays such as Valentine’s Day. Three words will help guys out when they are trying to find a gift for their significant other: classics are key. “Valentine’s Day is a special holiday for me because I’ve had a boyfriend for almost two years, so I am use to spending it with him,” sophomore Emma Glynn said. “The gifts that I like to receive are a box of chocolates or a cute little necklace or something like that.” Research shows that giving and receiving gifts is very important in building relationships and creating romantic interactions. Giving and receiving gifts strengthens the bond that two people have, be it with family or friends. “I am allergic to chocolate, so on Valentine’s Day I would not want a box of chocolates and would rather have a stuffed bear. That would be cute,” freshman Ariana Mansour said. “I think it is important to give and receive gifts in relationships to show that you care. Of course not all the time, but on special occasions.” Gifts are not everything, and many people think this is true. Gifts do not have to be expensive. In fact, studies shows that women actually prefer a homemade gift compared to a store bought gift. The famous saying still stands, the best gifts come from the heart. “In relationships, you can give and receive gifts if you want to but it just depends on the person,” Glynn said. “You don’t have to buy something expensive just to make them happy. Gifts can just be from the heart.” When it comes to the time to buy a girl a gift, the cliche roses, chocolates, and teddy bears are the way to go. Another equivalent option would be to strap on the safety goggles, grab a pair of scissors and DIY directions.
He may be a loud barker and intimidating at first, but Blizzard is PAWS’ best cuddler.
Blizzard
Writer Michael Pearce
suBmitted By tyler kAlAnquin CAitlin HeenAn | OpiniOn editOr
Beautiful and energetic, once her trust is earned, Brynn will make anyone smile with her goofy personality. Brynn was recently adopted.
CONTENT EDITOR Riley Wilson
For more profiles of dogs, visit fentoninprint.com. For more information about PAWs, see their ad on page 11.
Zena was a puller and cannot get along with other dogs, but give her a stick or frisbee and she is in heaven.
CAitlin HeenAn | OpiniOn editOr
Shelters can always use donations, such as money or animal care supplies.
suBmitted By tyler kAlAnquin
adopt - a - pet: fenton paWS animal rescue: Swartz Creek Last Chance rescue: flint
By Allie Howell
...What She ...What He Really Wants Really Wants
By Caitlin Heenan
,
Beautiful and energetic, once her trust is earned, Brynn will make anyone smile with her goofy personality. Brynn was recently adopted.
To Date or Not to Date
Brynn
Feb. 4, 2015
For more profiles of dogs, visit fentoninprint.com. For more information about PAWs, see their ad on page 11.
Zena was a puller and cannot get along with other dogs, but give her a stick or frisbee and she is in heaven.
www.fentoninprint.com
Shelters can always use donations, such as money or animal care supplies.
Zena
suBmitted By tyler kAlAnquin
adopt - a - pet: fenton paWS animal rescue: Swartz Creek Last Chance rescue: flint
Loud, eager barking meets anyone who dares to open the gate to the PAWS Animal Rescue in Swartz Creek. Those brave enough to venture farther are greeted with puppy hugs, cuddles and wagging tails. On the surface, these dogs may seem like any others, but years of abuse or dog fighting have hindered their ability to have normal relationships with humans or other dogs. Many of the dogs at PAWS come from Flint and have been part of illegal dog fighting for most of their lives, either as pullers or as breeders for litter after litter of puppies. Many of my favorite dogs sport incredibly large thighs, evidence of years of using those muscles to pull dogs in and out of dog fights. As a result of dogfighting, many of these dogs are aggressive toward each other and would lunge at one another, teeth barred, given any chance to do so. Zena is one of these dogs. What Zena lacks in social skills for her fellow canines, she makes up for with humans. Zena is the kind of dog that could play fetch for hours: in snow, rain, mud and at night when her weathered tennis ball can barely be seen. Working with dogs like Zena brings tears to my eyes. People have taught her to be aggressive for entertainment. People have taught her to see a dog and think “kill,” rather than “friend.” People have prevented her from being able to play catch with a family. Instead, Zena has to live her life in a cage, waiting all day to play catch for a half hour because people have taught her to be aggressive. While some dogs display their insecurities as aggression, others cower in the corner of their cage in hopes of getting as far away from the human hands that have hurt them for so long. One of these dogs is Gracie, she wears her scars of abuse all over her face and cannot let go of the wrong humans have done to her. She can only make it out of her cage for a couple minutes before she realizes a man or woman holds the leash attached to a collar wrapped around her neck. I have never been able to walk Gracie. Every time I walk by her kennel, she growls a little and cowgers to the corner, not able to bring her self to look in my direction. Seeing the pain Gracie goes through every day makes me hate people, the kind of people who can harm an innocent animal and prevent that animal from ever having a normal life. Another one of these dogs is Brynn. She is the most beautiful, gentle dog I have ever met and for the longest time, I would try to take her on walks only to have her hide her tail between her legs. After months of walks, petting her head gently and kneeling down to let her sniff my hand, she finally trusts me and jumps at her kennel door to go on walks. Being an active part in Brynn’s transformation has been the most rewarding experience. Brynn was recently adopted to a woman who has worked with abused animals for almost ten years and knows how to make her feel safe. Although I will miss her more than words can express, I take pride in knowing I made a difference for her and helped her find a forever home where she will be loved and cherished instead of abused. The shelter dogs at PAWS have taught me about patience and the value of kind hearted actions. Unfortunately, the victories of working with abused animals are small victories, such as getting an aggressive dog to the walking track without using treats or dragging them away from other snarling dogs, or getting shy dogs to sniff your hand or let you pat their heads. I will take the small victories I get every Wednesday evening over no victory at all, hoping one day each of these dogs will have a forever home.
www.fentoninprint.com
OpinOn editOr
OpinOn editOr
Loud, eager barking meets anyone who dares to open the gate to the PAWS Animal Rescue in Swartz Creek. Those brave enough to venture farther are greeted with puppy hugs, cuddles and wagging tails. On the surface, these dogs may seem like any others, but years of abuse or dog fighting have hindered their ability to have normal relationships with humans or other dogs. Many of the dogs at PAWS come from Flint and have been part of illegal dog fighting for most of their lives, either as pullers or as breeders for litter after litter of puppies. Many of my favorite dogs sport incredibly large thighs, evidence of years of using those muscles to pull dogs in and out of dog fights. As a result of dogfighting, many of these dogs are aggressive toward each other and would lunge at one another, teeth barred, given any chance to do so. Zena is one of these dogs. What Zena lacks in social skills for her fellow canines, she makes up for with humans. Zena is the kind of dog that could play fetch for hours: in snow, rain, mud and at night when her weathered tennis ball can barely be seen. Working with dogs like Zena brings tears to my eyes. People have taught her to be aggressive for entertainment. People have taught her to see a dog and think “kill,” rather than “friend.” People have prevented her from being able to play catch with a family. Instead, Zena has to live her life in a cage, waiting all day to play catch for a half hour because people have taught her to be aggressive. While some dogs display their insecurities as aggression, others cower in the corner of their cage in hopes of getting as far away from the human hands that have hurt them for so long. One of these dogs is Gracie, she wears her scars of abuse all over her face and cannot let go of the wrong humans have done to her. She can only make it out of her cage for a couple minutes before she realizes a man or woman holds the leash attached to a collar wrapped around her neck. I have never been able to walk Gracie. Every time I walk by her kennel, she growls a little and cowgers to the corner, not able to bring her self to look in my direction. Seeing the pain Gracie goes through every day makes me hate people, the kind of people who can harm an innocent animal and prevent that animal from ever having a normal life. Another one of these dogs is Brynn. She is the most beautiful, gentle dog I have ever met and for the longest time, I would try to take her on walks only to have her hide her tail between her legs. After months of walks, petting her head gently and kneeling down to let her sniff my hand, she finally trusts me and jumps at her kennel door to go on walks. Being an active part in Brynn’s transformation has been the most rewarding experience. Brynn was recently adopted to a woman who has worked with abused animals for almost ten years and knows how to make her feel safe. Although I will miss her more than words can express, I take pride in knowing I made a difference for her and helped her find a forever home where she will be loved and cherished instead of abused. The shelter dogs at PAWS have taught me about patience and the value of kind hearted actions. Unfortunately, the victories of working with abused animals are small victories, such as getting an aggressive dog to the walking track without using treats or dragging them away from other snarling dogs, or getting shy dogs to sniff your hand or let you pat their heads. I will take the small victories I get every Wednesday evening over no victory at all, hoping one day each of these dogs will have a forever home.
editOr-in-Chief
The Thursday before winter break I was in a great mood. I had finally finished studying for a test and I was confident I knew the material. Four snow days and a two week break later, the same material I had known like the back of my hand suddenly looked like a foreign language. This sheds light on an important flaw in our education system. Students in high school are not really taught information. Cramming the night before for a math test and memorizing a practice essay before a timed write is not learning. Elaine Tuttle Hansen, author of the book “How to Survive in College,” explains the problem with our current education system in an interview with NPR. Students “have not had the time to kind of sit back and think about hard questions and big questions. They have been taught to check the right boxes, to do well on standardized tests.” Memorization skills are not important for success in college and in a career. Students need to be taught how to think critically, how to analyze a problem and how to write well. Learning how to beg for extra credit to keep a 4.0 is not a successful life skill - it is a byAmerica - $809.6 billion product of an educational system Finland - $10 billion that is too focused on testing and grades to actually teach students. This system results in students and parents who are more focused on America - 23rd worldwide making the grade than on learning Finland - 2nd woldwide useful skills. This problem is not the fault of the teachers who are forced to meet common core standards America - 30th worldwide and follow rules set by the state. Finland - 6th worldwide The blame falls on our current approach to education. As stated in the book, “The Myths of Standardized Tests: What They Don’t Tell America - 17th worldwide You, What You Think They Do,” Finland - 3rd worldwide the current goal of our schools is simply to increase scores on Source: National Education Association standardized tests. The state of Michigan is currently working to develop new testing options to replace the MEAP. One of the proposals is the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA). While its name sounds like a step in a positive direction, the SBA is really just a relocation from the classroom to the computer lab. The test involves standardized testing using a computer program instead of using a scantron. SBA is really not any smarter for students it is just a slight alteration to the already failing system for measuring growth. At the State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama continued to push his Race to the Top program. The program essentially grades teachers on student test scores and encourages states to turn under performing schools into private charter schools. Programs like these do not benefit students or teachers. They turn each student into a dollar sign and schools become focused on standardized test scores because of the monetary attachment to students achievement on these tests. Schools currently function as more of a prison than an environment that encourages intellectual growth. The one size fits all model drastically hinders a students natural curiosity and breeds a dislike for learning. If public education is to continue to exist in this country, programs like Race to the Top need to be abolished and replaced. At a relatively low cost, Finland was able to build an impressive educational system by focusing on educating teachers and allowing them to work. There is little standardized testing and minor national standards. Finnish students work with teachers to develop a curriculum so the education is completely focused on students. Despite success with this model in Europe, America continues to add more regulations and spend more money on this failing system. The SBA test or Race to the Top will not fix education, students need to be given good teachers who have freedom to teach in an effective manner.
By Caitlin Heenan
Finding the perfect gift for a significant other may seem like a daunting task. The process of finding said gift may make some wonder...
PArker toonder | phOtOgrapher
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suBmitted By tyler kAlAnquin
The simplicity of this page’s design allows the serious nature of the topic to take hold, while remaining clean and attractive to the eye. Writing this narrative column allowed me to immerse myself in my passion for journalism, gathering research and taking y Allie Howell itOr-in-Chief the photos for this page. More imporThe Thursday before winter break I was in a great mood. I had finally finished studytantly, writing this column allowed g for a test and I was confident I knew the material. Four snow days andme a twoto week eak later, the same material I had known like the back of my hand suddenly looked express another passion of mine, working like oreign language. animals. I can system. makeStudents a differThis shedswith light onabused an important flaw in our education in high hool are not really taught information. Cramming the night before for a math test and animals, not just by working emorizing aence practicefor essaythese before a timed write is not learning. Elaine Tuttle Hansen, author of the book “How to Survive in College,” explains with them, but by bringing attention to the oblem with our current education system in an interview with NPR. Students “have t had the time to kind of sit back andthrough think about hard and big questions. their struggles thequestions written word.
PArker toonder | phOtOgrapher
Samples
8 RELATIONSHIPS Feb. 4, 2015
Puppy Love, Worth the Work
8 Writing and Design
RELATIONSHIPS 9
ABused AnimAls
That is the Question
www.fentoninprint.com | February 13, 2014
10 Writing and Design
Males
Samples In writing this column as part of the tri-column, I took the stance that relationships are meaningful, even in high school and was able to incorporate personal aspects from the experiences hearing about my grandmother’s life events. Published: February 4, 2015 Awarded: Never submitted for judging
Writing and Design 11 Samples
Similarities and Differences Once upon a time there was a woman. She was to live happily ever after with her husband and three children in the faraway land of Warren, Michigan. The destiny of this seemingly joyous family would forever be rocked on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day. The husband, storming the beaches of Normandy, was shot and taken back to the United States in hopes of healing. Shortly after, the woman was widowed and never married again. Rather than dwell on her husband’s death, to this day, the woman keeps sweet memories of their short time together. Everything I know about love, I have learned from my grandma (the woman from the story). I find it incredible that she could spend most of her life alone by never remarrying. This, to me is a testament to true love, showing that love can come from anywhere, at any time and can last a lifetime. This demonstration of love can even come in high school or middle school for that matter. Love should not be defined within the limits of age and maturity levels. It is selfish and naive to think high schoolers are incapable of loving each other just because they are young. High school is the time when the corruption of the real world is kept just far away enough to allow people to see each other as partners, not just an opportunity for a tax write off. High school relationships have a positive influence on teenagers; they allow teens to learn what they like and dislike in the people around them and allow teens to experience the process of forming and developing relationships. According to a study by the University of Denver, “The formation of romantic relationships is often thought to be one of the important developmental tasks of adolescence and these relationships have significant implication for health and adjustment.” For example, relationships require those involved to give, not just take, learn about each other’s strengths and weaknesses and to listen to the other person, making sacrifices when necessary. Although, I believe it is possible for high school relationships to last, I am not suggesting everyone who claims to love each other in high school will get married, have a bunch of healthy children and live happily. After all, not every relationship as an adult occurs in this fashion. However, I am suggesting high school relationships are a lot more important than our society currently gives them credit for.
Females
The writing of this research-based piece is enhanced by an alternative story form design and still maintains the theme of love and Valentine’s Day with the male and female symbols. Published: February 4, 2015 Awarded: Never submitted for judging
EDITOR in chief Caitlin Heenan
Many of the differences in the ways girls and boys act and think can be attributed to the way their brains work. One of the main differing aspects between males and females that impacts their behavior is the structure of their brain. While males and females use their brains for the same functions, they go about the process of thought in different ways. This is because of differences in the structures of the parts of their brain. The sizes and connections between the hemispheres and lobes of the cerebrum, which is in control of higher brain functions such as thought, memory and perception of stimuli, can account for differing thoughts for males and females. Likewise, the Amygdala, the emotional center of the brain, and the Pituitary Gland, which secretes hormones, can account for the emotional changes for girls and boys and why they are not the same for each gender.
The Brain:
The Behavior:
1. 15 percent larger brain overall 2. Large Amygdala 3. Testosterone released by Pituitary Gland 4. Emotional connection to eating food
1. A larger brain allows boys to complete single tasks easier than girls. 2. The large Amygdala emphasizes aggressive behavior and risky behavior, such as being more willing to fight or go sky diving. For this, boys are more likely to get angry at people and things that challenge them head on. 3. Testosterone produces male genitalia before birth, develops secondary sex characteristics at puberty and maintains sex drive. 4. Chemicals are released by the brain when food is eaten and the effects are felt by the emotional structures of the brain.
SOURCE: Guys are Waffles Girls are Spaghetti By Chad Eastham and Will and Pam Farell
1. Hemispheres of Cerebrum have more connections A. Sections that aid in transport are larger B. Information is stored in multiple places 2. Estrogen and Progesterone released by Pituitary Gland
1. More connections between the left and right sides of the brain allows for information to be stored in more than one place, allowing girls to have better memories and make connections between topics and aspects of life easier and more frequent. This allows girls to make plans, be organized and remember/ carry out those plans more efficiently than boys. For this, girls are most likely to get angry at situations out of their control. 2. These hormones aid in the menstrual cycle for girls and make them more sensitive than boys.