6: PEOPLE’S RIGHTS TO KNOW 8-9: ABOLISHING POINT LEVELS 12-13: SENIORS POST GRADUATION PLANS 20: SENIOR CONFESSIONS
Update
Volume 41, Issue 8, May 22, 2019
The Senior Issue Seniors gather around ‘the rock’ to celebrate their school pride. It’s tradition to paint it for sports competing at the state level and other monumental occasions. Senior stories begin on page 12.
photo by Emily Danielsen
H. H. Dow High School, Midland, Michigan update.midlandps.org @dowhighupdate
2 News
Update is a member of the NSPA, CSPA, and MIPA. Update was a CSPA Gold Crown Winner in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, and 2019. It was a Silver Crown Winner in 2006, 2009, 2016 and 2017. It was an NSPA Pacemaker winner in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, and a finalist in 2001, and 2003. In 1989, 1999, 2000, 2004, and 2005 the Update won Best of Show in NSPA competition. It won second place Best of Show in 2006. It won eighth place Best of Show in 2007. It won third place in Best of Show in 2008. The Update has won 27 MIPA Spartan Awards since 1989 and was inducted into the MIPA Hall of Fame in 2004.
@dowhighupdate
“I’m excited to be an editor next year because I really love the camaraderie that we have in the Update room,” Molly Birch
“I’m excited to write the most groundbreaking stories and be so creative that they’re scared,” Irshad Husain “I’m looking forward to improving the website and allowing our readers to access more stories,” Giselle Mahoney
THE
“I’m excited to expand the audience of the Update and get people more excited about upcoming issues,” Sophie Ungerleider
“I’m most excited to write more interesting and groundbreaking stories,” Lydia Barber
“You get to see the whole process of creating something from start to finish and it’s always super satisfying,” Trevor McIntyre
“I’m so excited to be a section editor and I want to make sure that each persons voices are equally heard,” Katie Ramos
Managing Business “Being able to help our publication and possibly try to put my ideas and a little spin on everything,” Zane O’Dell
Managing Sports
“Connecting with people as well as turning the Update into more of a online central publication,” Carter Newcomb
Managing Video
Managing News
“I’m excited to see what Lillian can do with the publication and with the production process as a whole,” Mac Thackery
“To continue what I like to do and have fun writing and helping out,” Jason Laplow
Managing Photo
Membership/Awards
be an editor for Update?
“For my ideas to play out and to turn the Update on its head,” Lillian Pressnell
Managing Opinion
The ‘My Turn’ column on page 10 is open to the whole school. Columns will undergo the same screening process as letters. All columns should be turned in to room 218 and should include the author’s name.
EDITORS
Q: Why are you excited to
Managing Graphics
Open Column
‘19-’20
Managing Social Media
Letters are encouraged. They will be screened for libel, defamation, and/or obscenity and maybe edited for length. All letters must be signed, although the Editorial Board will consider withholding names upon request. Letters may be rejected due to limited space, untimely material, or unbalanced representation. A full editorial policy is on file in room 218.
MEET
Copy Editor
Letters
Editor-in-Chief Anikka Thorson Managing Design Jenna Wray Managing Copy Katie Ramos Managing Business Zane O’Dell Managing Photo Katie Ellison Emily Danielsen Managing News Lillian Pressnell Managing Opinion Amelya Jankens Managing Feature Molly Birch Managing Sports Jason Laplow Managing Graphics Grace Sobeck Managing Social Media Hannah Raw Managing Video Trevor McIntyre Web Wizard Ben Brueck Page editors 1: Anikka Thorson 2-3: Giselle Mahoney 4-5: Zane O’Dell 6-7: Madeline DeLong 8-9: Emily Danielsen 10-11: Amelya Jankens 12-13: Grace Sobeck 14-15: Sophie Ungerleider 16-17: Anikka Thorson & Katie Ellison 18-19: Jenna Wray & Cierra Dylan 20-21: Amelya Jankens 22-23: Mac Thackery 24: Hannah Raw Assistant business editor Irshad Reza Husain Assistant social media editor Sophie Ungerleider Assistant copy editors Lydia Barber Mac Thackery Staff writers Gavan Boguszewski Xander Brooks Cierra Dillon Micah Damocles Adviser Cammie Hall
Editor-in-chief
The staff editorial is the managing editors’ response to current news events. The staff editorial reflects the opinion of the editors and staff. The final draft is subject to a vote by the Editorial Board. A majority vote is required for the document to achieve publication.
As a public forum for student expression, Update, will honor the H. H. Dow High community and the journalism profession by placing truth, accuracy and objectivity first and encouraging all sides to voice their opinion.
Managing Design
Staff Editorial
Mission Statement
Managing Feature
Update is distributed monthly from September to June to 1300 students and staff of H. H. Dow High School, 3901 N. Saginaw Rd., Midland, Mich., 48640, free of charge. It is printed by the Midland Daily News and produced by the Advanced Journalism class.
Managing Web
Distribution
Update May 22, 2019
“Being able to be creative and add my “I’m excited to work on the covers and have more creativity own elements to all the pages,” Maddie DeLong throughout the year,” Emily Danielsen “I’m excited to expand my creative field,” Amelya Jankens photos by Katie Ellison
May 22, 2019 Update
News 3
Reflecting back, moving forward
In Brief: Martyrdom in Highland Ranch
Letter from the Editor
Lydia Barber assistant copy
On May 7, 2019, two gunmen entered the Highlands Ranch STEM School in Colorado. Eighteen-year-old Devon Erickson and 16-year-old Alec McKinney were arrested for opening fire in two parts of the school. Both assailants are being tried as adults in the future court proceedings. On May 15, 2019, they were each charged with 48 counts of murder, attempted murder and other crimes. Among these charges are arson, burglary, possessing a handgun, theft between $2,000 to $5,000, possessing a weapon on school grounds, criminal mischief,
interference with school, reckless endangerment, violent crime causing death and violent crime with a weapon. Eighteen-yearold student Kendrick Castillo was the only casualty. Eight students were injured and hospitalized. According to CBS Denver, all eight of the injured students have been released from the hospital. “Kendrick Castillo died a legend,” fellow Highlands Ranch STEM School student Brendan Bialy said in an interview with CBS Denver. “He died a trooper. He got his ticket to Valhalla.”
According to CBS Denver, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has declared May 15 “Kendrick Castillo Day.” Castillo’s legacy is already being honored for his martyrdom in Highlands Ranch. DHS, a school that experienced a school shooting 12 years ago, has already taken measures to prevent further inschool violence, like a secure entrance in the front of the building, along with safety drills, identification cards, and a resident police officer. ALICE procedures are also being in place to prevent future tragedy.
Eagerly we’ve counted down the months, weeks and days, not so patiently waiting for the time when we’d finally be done with high school. Many days left us wishing that May 22 would come just a little bit faster, but now, I’m sorry that it has, because it means leaving so many people who have cared about me and supported me throughout the years. It’s no secret that the point of high school is to learn. However, it goes a little deeper than just learning how to craft the perfect essay or figuring out how to solve proofs. It’s a time that teaches you more about yourself. Looking back on my past four years at DHS I’ve learned so much about myself. School has shown me that I’m able to do more than I’d ever thought possible, it’s taught me how I handle stress and cope with difficult situations. I’ve seen myself change and grow as an individual. I’ve gotten better at not cutting people off
mid-sentence and have widened my mindset to be able to view situations from multiple perspectives. I encourage everyone to reflect back on their past few years and see how far they’ve come because it has been an wild ride. It’s so easy to get lost in the whirlwind of stress, excitement and everything in between, but don’t forget to see the incredible progress you’ve made. Enjoy the issue,
Anikka Thorson
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News
Update May 22, 2019
Turbines turning mitten around Wind energy viewed as clean and effective energy source in Michigan
Gavan Boguszewski staff writer
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enewable energy is on the rise in the United States, and as of 2016, nearly 15 percent of all domestically produced electricity came from sources such as hydroelectric, solar, and wind power. In Lazard’s Levelized Cost of Energy Analysis, wind energy is the most cost friendly source of energy for both conventional and alternative sources of energy, with prices ranging from $29 to $50 per kilowatt. Arguments against using wind turbines for energy are beginning to run out. People used to suspect that costs per megawatt hour were $150 to $175. However, this suspicion was proved to be false when the first wind contract ended up costing only $115 per megawatt hour. Environmental activists and the Michigan Public Service Commission were pleased. The price has only dropped significantly since then, with some wind contracts only costing $45 in 2014. “We are very likely going to see wind turbines built in south west Midland County, Porter, and Mt. Haley Township,” environmental activist Peter Sinclair said in an email interview. “As part of a development that will also extend into one township in Saginaw County.” Sinclair also said that people should be expecting to see a lot more wind turbines. Midland County is only one of a massive build out of wind turbines all throughout Mid-Michigan. Wind turbines have already been prevalent in the Breckenridge area, which have been around for five years. “After watching the experience of Breckenridge, communities to the west, east, north and south are in the process of securing wind turbines and the benefits they bring,” Sinclair said. “Northern Isabella county will become home to Michigan’s largest turbine
farm, almost 400 megawatts.” Wind turbines are used to harness wind energy, then use it to generate either mechanical power-machines that grind grain or pumping water- or electricity. Wind flow patterns can often be predicted and certain regions often provide more wind. There are two types of wind turbines, the horizontal-axis turbines, and vertical-axis turbines, the latter being more common. Farmers and owners of large plots of land have the option to rent out certain parts of their land, placement for a single wind turbine can be up to, $8,000 per year on average, however, the prices may vary. Wind turbines can be built within three months. Wind farms are also becoming a way to make money. People who own private land can receive a wind farm lease by either a energy developer reaching out to a land owner, or a land owner reaching out to a energy developer. However, not every stretch of land has the potential to farm a lot of energy. If a wind farm lease is obtained, a surveyor is sent to take a look at the site’s suitability. As long as the property receives a minimum wind speed of 4.5 meters per second. Wind energy is a clean source of energy, and is plentiful in certain regions. It doesn’t pollute air like power plants, that tend to rely on fossil fuels, do not produce atmospheric emissions, and don’t produce greenhouse gases. However in terms of environmental impacts, the pros vastly outweigh the cons. While acknowledging both sides of the spectrum, there are claims made by a highly organized campaign by fossil fuel companies that overshadows the negative impacts wind turbines have by certain fossil fuel companies. One of these claims being that the spinning turbines can have harmful effects on
flying wildlife such as birds or bats. According to Sinclair, these claims hold little, if any, actual impact to wildlife. “Careful science shows that, compared to other human impacts, say from roads, buildings, and even kitty cats, wind turbines are minor,” Sinclair said.
44%
of all Michigan wind turbines reside in Michigan’s upper thumb region
At least
26
Manufacturing facilities in Michigan producing components for the wind industry
Michigan ranks
14th in the nation for installed wind turbines
graphic by Grace Sobeck statistics from Thumbwind
May 22, 2019 Update
News 5
Worldwide attacks
Anti-abortion is anti-women
Crimes of hate envelope society; mass repercussions Lillian Pressnell Katie Ramos
The Lowdown with Lillian
managing copy
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ccording to Americans United (AU), hate crimes went up 17 percent from 2017 to 2018 and religion-based hate crimes increased 23 percent. Hate crimes have gone up every year for the past three years. Social media can play a key part in the openness of potential hate crimes. “Law enforcement reported 7,175 hate crimes to Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) in 2017, up from 6,121 in 2016. Law enforcement reported 7,175 hate crimes to the UCR in 2017, up from 6,121 in 2016,” according to FBI.gov. In Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, three churches and three hotels in Colombo were a target in a sequence of terrorist suicide bombings. Later, on the same day, there was another series of smaller explosions at a housing complex in Dematagoda and a guest house in Dehiwala. Eight days later, on April 29, 2019, a man opened fire at Chabad of Poway near San Diego, where a woman was killed. Lori Gilbert-Kaye was shot and killed after shielding the Rabbi who was evacuating children after gun shots broke out. There were 1,564 religious-based hate crimes in 2017, and one out of every five hate crimes targeted someone due to their religious beliefs, according to AU. An aspect that some might not think about is the use of social media and its role in how people act towards others. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, “in the United States, perpetrators of recent white supremacist attacks have circulated among racist communities online, and also
embraced social media to publicize their acts. Prosecutors said the Charleston church shooter, who killed nine black clergy and worshipers in June 2015, engaged in a ‘self-learning process’ online that led him to believe that the goal of white supremacy required violent action.” “I think the most important way to stop the targeting of certain groups is educating others and giving out correct information,” junior Mahum Hakim said. “The media likes to exaggerate and misinform the narrative and I think that affects people’s views and actions a lot.” On March 15, 2019, the Christchurch Mosque in New Zealand was targeted, resulting in 51 deaths. Brenton Tarrant was the 28-year-old Australian white supremacist responsible. He was charged with 51 counts of murder and another 39 counts of attempted murder. The attacker wanted to broadcast the attack on YouTube as well, possibly showing the role of social media in hate crimes. During a Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, on October 27, 2018, the
1.6%
0.6%
11.7% 15.9%
assailant shouted anti-semitic slurs and wielded an AR-15 style assault rifle and at least three handguns. After opening fire on Saturday morning, the assailant killed at least 11. The Pittsburgh shooter was an active user of Gab, a social media platform. According to Council on Foreign Relations, this platform has minimal rules and because of this, it has attracted different extremists from every group which would normally be banned by the larger platforms. According to Churches-In.com, there are 45 Christian and Catholic churches in Midland, one Islamic Center, and one Jewish temple. As time goes on, so does the role that social media plays in everyday life. The increase of technology allows extremists to propel their beliefs without much backlash. If this type of action continues, people might expect to see a rise in activism due to the gun reforms and hate speech online.
Bias Motivation Categories for Single-bias Incidents in 2017 Gender Disability Gender Identity
58.1% Sexual Orientation
22.0%
Religion Race/Ethnicity/Ancestry graphic by Zane O’Dell statistics from The United States Department of Justice
In Ohio, an 11-yearold girl was raped by a 26-year-old man. She would have had to carry the baby to term under Ohio’s “heartbeat law”, which doesn’t allow exceptions for rape or incest and goes into effect in July. The government’s essential function is to protect “those who don’t have a voice” and it should protect us “from beginning to end” according to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. I think it’s safe to say that DeWine hasn’t heard of this 11-year-old girl. Other outlandish and extreme bills are being introduced and passed all around the country. Each are trying to be the first to challenge Roe v. Wade in front of the primarily conservative Supreme Court, where they know they would win. These bills essentially make women vessels for fetuses, where the embryo inside of them is more important than they are. What these (predominantly male) lawmakers don’t understand is that banning abortion does not actually ban abortions, it just bans safe abortions. Persecuting women who try to perform their own abortions is not going to stop them. Ohio representative John Becker suggested that ectopic pregnancies, which involve the egg implanting elsewhere
besides the uterus, should be handled by removing the egg and placing it into the uterus so that these pregnancies are not defined as abortion. This procedure is not possible. This raises the question of whether or not legislators are qualified to be making these bills The answer is always no. What happens to a woman’s body should be up to her and her doctor, not a male lawmaker who doesn’t understand how pregnancy works. It took me a while to write this. Doing research left me feeling sick and upset. I am scared. I am powerless while ignorant people in my government make decisions about my body for me. 11-year old girls are not allowed to vote. They have no voice. The government is moving further and further away from protecting girls like her and girls like me. I could write hundreds of more words about how these bills marginalize women of color and poor women, how the foster system in America is atrocious, and how there are over 100,000 children in the adoption system already. Reproductive rights are human rights. I thought that we established that women have human rights already, but we seem to be moving backwards.
6 News
Update May 22, 2019
What students have the right to know
FOIA, FERPA laws dictate accessibility to different types of information Jenna Wray & Lydia Barber
managing design & assistant copy
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tudents and staff have both legislation and different rights that allow them to access certain information about other organizations, public figures, government bodies, and more. Information records of students and staff are also protected by certain laws. One of the pieces of legislation that protects student and staff information is the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Records from schools that are blocked from public access are personal and intimate details, like detentions and other disciplinary information. Parents, along with students over the age of 18 can decide whether they want this information released to the public. According to the Student Handbook, a copy of the policy is sent home at the time of registration, and additional copies can be found in the Main Office. According to the U.S. Department of Education, “a school may not generally disclose personally identifiable information from an eligible student’s education records to a third party unless the eligible student has provided written consent.” In the sense of personal and academic information, commonly referred to as “educational records” within FERPA, it is generally not accessible to the public without the student’s consent. “The problem has been determined, educational records have not been clearly defined,” senior legal counsel Mike Hiestand from the Student Press Law Center said. “I would argue that it’s been intentionally warped. The purpose has become, in many cases, just kind of
this all purpose excuse not to release information, or to release records.” However, there are some types of information that can be accessed through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The U.S. Department of Justice (USDJ) describes FOIA as “the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government”. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan’s FOIA provides all people, except people incarcerated in correctional facilities, access to public records of public bodies. Information that can be accessed through FOIA is all tangible recordations of information, which is not necessarily limited to written documents, according to USDJ. There is no fee for the first two hours of search time that the agency completes or for the first 100 pages of duplication, but after that threshold is passed, there is the possibility of a monetary charge. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security notes that FOIA does “not grant an absolute right to government documents.” FOIA only guarantees the right to submit a request for information, and that the information must be met with a response. If a FOIA request is denied, a reason must be given. This denial can be appealed, and even taken into court. In regards to FERPA laws, FOIA requests can only give access to directory information. Directory information includes a student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. FOIA doesn’t just allow access to educational records. According to FOIA.gov, a request can be made for
any agency record, although the term “agency record” is not defined under the act. The Department of Homeland Security states that the most common FOIA requests include: grant records, disaster relief, contracts, and alien files. These are just a small fraction of the documents that a person can request. However, some kinds of information that is not accessible through a FOIA request can include information that could harm someone else, violates privacy, or is classified, like test information. “You couldn’t FOIA the tactical plan for the SWAT team and how they handle certain things,” vice principal Matt Murphy said. “You can’t find out who’s under witness protection. You can’t FOIA state tests and figure out what the questions are. You’re not going to all of a sudden have access to the SAT or anything like that.” Although some personal records and details are classified and not accessible through FOIA, some public employees are not exempt from having their personnel files accessed. In the FOIA Booklet updated May 24, 2017 on the michigan.gov website, the Bradley v. Saranac Community Schools court case of 1997 ruled that “the personnel records of non-law enforcement public employees generally are available to the public.” However, personal information, such as intimate or embarrassing details of their private lives, is exempt under FOIA and may be redacted. There are also other types of
information that are not accessible through FOIA, like private details and medical history. “Every state has [open records] laws, and most of the laws have kind of similar exemptions, you know, information that would constitute invasion of privacy,” Hiestand said. “If an employee has part of their application, [the employer wouldn’t] mention some sort of medical condition or something like that, that would have to be released. Personal information on an application, for example, social security numbers, things like that, are mostly exceptions that are in the Freedom of Information laws. Most of them kind of track common sense.” Although educational records can be protected from being accessed, belongings that students have on school property like phones, lockers, purses, and cars can be subject to searches if there is any suspicion that there is behavior happening that does not align with school rules. “We have the rights to search things within the building,” Murphy said. “We have the right to search purses, book bags, basically all such personal properties as long as we have reasonable suspicion that something is violating school rules, so that would include cell phones as well, because it’s still personal property, no different than your bag is.” With these privacy and transparency laws in mind, students and anyone else can protect details pertaining to themselves and access information about others. By utilizing these pieces of legislation, students can educate themselves on their own community and the world around them, all while protecting themselves and keeping others in check.
Opinion 7
May 22, 2019 Update
Drawing online boundaries Unblurring line between internet, reality
More than a staff
Hannah Raw My Turn
Eighteen issues, three years and lots of tears. rivacy is something people connected to a person’s are able to hack into accounts As my high school career everyone wants, but no one account have to share someone’s and the platform itself can mislead comes to a close, so does seems to have. Nowadays, private information and life users into giving out information. my journalism one. the line between a person’s life means that privacy settings According to the New York Times, Even though I’m online and their reality have are never 100 percent effective. Facebook gave big companies not going to miss the become blurred. There seems That means that students, and greater access to its users’ data excessive workload and to be a newfound culture of even adults, when expressing without the user’s permission. late nights dedicated over-sharing on social media. the inner-workings of their lives This includes letting companies to making a paper that For example many students on online, can inadvertently cause such as Netflix and Spotify read normally ends up in Instagram have private accounts, this information to be spread a user’s private messages and the trash, Update has commonly known as ‘finstas’, in all over the internet. It can be allowing Amazon to collect names provided me with a lot addition to a main account. thought about like a web. and contact information. This is a more than that. These accounts can be It can start with a profile huge problem because this means I met my favorite compared to a diary, giving a where a person posts a photo that even the messages that are teacher ever, Mrs. Hall. window into the lives that they partially nude. This then spreads supposed to be private aren’t and As soon as we first may not share with others. This to their followers, who may share there is really no way to have met, I knew we would is a growing concern because of it with their followers or friends, completely confidential information get along. You have a the misconceptions of privacy who share it to theirs, and so on on social media. mother-like presence on the internet. Even if privacy and so forth. The original poster Privacy is something that is that makes everyone settings are on, they are may have just wanted four people simply not attainable anymore. In who walks into room ineffective in regards to followers to see it, but the lack of privacy social media or in real life, privacy 218 feel like they are screenshotting. One person’s can ruin that. This can also lead has left the chat. No matter what a part of a family. You access to an individual’s account to the ruining of reputations and is shared on finstas or Facebook, got annoyed with me a can provide a source of access to the potential safety of others. it is very likely that it will be lot, you laughed at me many others. Privacy settings can be useful, shared with people that it is not a lot but most of all you The opportunity that the but even with settings, people intended for. guided me a lot. And for that I’m forever grateful. You exposed me to journalism and I think it might have been one of the best things that has happened to me. I will miss you dearly. Katie, Lillian and Grace. I have no words for how much I appreciate all of you. We not only have built a work friendship, we have formed a strong Comic by Loree Chung bond. Spending so much CORRECTIONS FOR MAY 3 ISSUE: time, cramped in that - On page 19, CMU does not have a doctorate in Art. Fransisco’s is in educational leadership from CMU small room, has tested - On page 19, Alden B. Dow had designed and built Dow High, yet Fransisco was here 11 years after that happened. graphics by Madeline DeLong our patience with each
Staff Editorial
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“Model Student”
other greatly. I take it upon Lillian and Katie to keep the Update strong and to pursue their beliefs even if someone tells you not to, (unless it’s Cammie, then you probably shouldn’t.) Though we will be going our separate ways, I know that we will find a way back to each other. Jason. You came out of nowhere, and you know how much I hate surprises. This one was a good one though. Update allowed me to meet you and though we struggled to separate our duties as journalists and our duties as a couple, but we (sort of ) made it work. If I needed to cry, you were most likely going through the same thing. I am so unbelievably proud of who you have become and what you have achieved, and most importantly I can’t wait to see what you do next. Honorable mentions are Maggie Schaller because she has become a life long friend and the funniest person I know, Hayden and candy canes, and of course all of the Update staffs I’ve ever been on. There are so many people I wish I could thank but overall my big thank you is to Update. Peace out room 218.
8 Opinion
“Point Level Synthesis”
Update
May 22, 2019
Should high schools get
PRO
Schools should give equal opportunities to students
Cierra Dillion staff writer
A
Comic by Lillian Pressnell
s students prepare themselves for high school, they are assigned class levels that will seal their fates for the next four years. Those who perform well in subjects are recommended advanced classes, while others are told to sign up for standard classes. The traditional point level system segregates students, and as a number of teachers have observed, can be a factor in affecting the self-esteem of the individuals in standard level classes . To connect the gap between students of different point levels, the DHS English department decided to combine the incoming freshmen into the .3 level of English 9 for the 2017-2018 school year. Then, for the 2018-2019 school year, they continued to combine all sophomores into the .3 class, American Literature. Starting next year, 11th grade will also no longer have .2 options. “Next year, all the juniors are in IB,” English department leader Dawn Moulthrop-Brady said. “All juniors are taking IB Language and Lit, because this year’s 10th grade class is all in American Lit. Last year, when they were ninth graders, they were all in ninth grade advanced English, because as professionals, as educators, we got together and said, ‘Listen, there’s a couple of things at play here.’” This move is a necessary step in ensuring all students have the highest level of education possible. The English department was able to recognize the connection between different point level classes and student self-esteem.
“Students who are in a higher point level class, in my experience, tend to have more self confidence, are willing to take academic risks, [and] to try challenging things, and scholars in lower point level classes, I’ve had it throughout my career, multiple times,” Moulthrop-Brady said. “I’ve had kids say, ‘Why are you making us do this work? This is a point two,’ and they’ll make self defeating statements like ‘I’m stupid,’ ‘I’m dumb,’ ‘Why are you expecting this from me? I can’t do this.’” Getting rid of point levels also reinforces the idea that all students are being held to the same standards held by the Michigan Department of Education. “People are like, ‘Oh, well, if it’s a point level class,’ .2 or .3, they think there are different standards,” Moulthrop-Brady said. “When you look up the Michigan core standards, it’s just the standards. They’re not broken down by point levels. You can go on the Michigan Department of Ed website. There’s not going to be a .2 level standard .3 or .4, it’s just the standard. Those are the skills our society expects you to master to be productive, so why would we have any less expectations?” The decision has been incredibly successful this year. While no other departments have combined point levels, the other subject areas have expressed support. MHS has decided to do a trial of this approach as well, with a section of their current ninth grade class. The biggest success,
“There’s not going to be a .2 level standard, .3 or .4, it’s just the standard. Those are the skills our society expects you to master to be productive, so why would we have any less expectations?” Moulthrop-Brady, English teacher however, is arguably the growth of the students. Halfway through the 2017-2018 school year, teachers cross-referenced data from the students’ eighth grade year with their freshman English grades. “We didn’t want [eighth grade records] in our minds that, like, ‘Oh, here’s my class list, but guess what, this one and this one were recommended to take the other class,’ right, so we didn’t even know as teachers,” MoulthropBrady said. “[We] didn’t want to know anything, and so that was really powerful then to get to have all the grades, and then get to cross reference against who had been recommended for the other course and it blew me away.”
May 22, 2019
Opinion 9
Update
rid of point level variety?
CON
Point levels help enable, allow students to become more knowledgeable from school
Molly Birch
managing feature
F
or years, DHS administrators have been discussing getting rid of .2 and .4 classes, bringing all students to the same level at .3. While it might be a good idea in theory, the aftermath of this change will affect all students in a negative way. It is thought that if everyone is at the same level academically, everyone will get the most out of their education. That is simply not true. Point two level classes are the average pace that all classes are typically run. Point three level classes are slightly faster moving than the .2 classes. Finally, .4 classes are honors level classes, which means that they have the fastest pace of all. By getting rid of the .2 and .4 level classes, everyone would be moving at the slightly accelerated pace expected in a .3 class. Though the administration thinks this is the best path, some students disagree. “[Abolishing point
levels] would be an abomination of academics and life in general because it would be much more difficult to meet people that are more like minded, but also not reward students that excel in certain topics as well,” sophomore Carter Newcomb said. Point levels are in place for a reason. Everyone learns at a different pace, and some need more help than others. Picture learning as a fence: some people are tall enough to see over the fence, but others might need a step stool as a boost to see over the fence. The point level system successfully gives students the boost, or lack thereof, that they need. It’s even possible to move up and down in point levels as needed. “I think it’s more important to have the option to move up a level, and be like, this is where I need to go,” sophomore Hannah Kilbride said. “I know at least if you’re comfortable in class and you’re
doing really well you should really be able to push yourself to that next level. It goes both ways.” The first time students are exposed to the concept of point levels is in middle school for math class. It isn’t explicitly called a point level, but students are divided based on skill set. This allowed for a specifically tailored education for each individual taking a math class. If a student could move quickly and still be able to pass the class, they were put in the faster paced class. In elementary school, students are taught to work together. Being in the same classroom as everyone else all the time made that learning process easier. This organization isn’t necessary in higher level education. High schoolers have the mental capacity to work together, and taking away point levels would devastate every single student’s education, potentially in different ways.
Being able to tailor the learning experience to the needs of individuals is crucial to educational success. If all students were forced into the mold that is .3, the mold would break. Not everyone fits the mold, and forcing students into a place they don’t fit will cause catastrophic repercussions on their future and their education as a whole. “If you took away point levels, everyone would have to make concessions to fit into the .3 classes,” Kilbride said. “Point two kids would have to move too fast and .4 kids would be bored.” Change can be an amazing thing. As society advances, so must people. It can be harmful to stay stuck in the past while everything else moves forward. Losing point levels would harm all students. This school wouldn’t be the academic giant that it is without the point level system. It would change all students for the worse, and there’s no coming back from that.
graphics by Mac Thackery & Grace Sobeck
10 Sports
Update May 22, 2019
Finding ways to keep fit
Alternative methods to stay active this spring, summer Ben Brueck
managing web
W
ith summer fast approaching various ways to get active will present themselves. This info graphic is designed to provide a look into a few alternative ways to get or keep active during the spring or summer. Listed are some sports and activities to enjoy with friends and family.
Skateboarding
Pro tips: A few tips on getting started from tactics.com include practicing balance on grass to prevent scraping elbows and knees. When ready to hit the pavement start slow and work on your push. To push leave the front foot on the board pointing forward and push off the ground with the back foot.
How: Pick up a board at Meijer, Walmart, Dunham’s or a skate shop Where: Skate parks in Midland, Saginaw, and Bay City
Rollerblading
Pro tips: Grass provides a place to get balanced on the blades, according to livestrong.com. Then, move onto some flat pavement to practice gliding. To move forward, push one foot out and back against the pavement transitioning weight onto the other leg, repeating this motion from side to side. It is very similar to ice skating.
Where: Pere-Marquette Rail Trail How: Rollerblading is a way to get some fresh air and burn calories. The Rail Trail offers a suitable location for rollerblading with its length and smooth pavement. Leaving from downtown Midland, the Rail Trail heads out towards Clare.
Biking
Pro tips: For an in-depth explanation on how to ride a bike, look to YouTube. A few reasons to get out and bike from icebike.com include cardio, and increased vitamin D. Biking can also just be a way to enjoy a sunny day with friends.
How: Bikes are available for purchase at sporting goods stores and bike shops like Ray’s. Ray’s also rents bikes out of locations downtown and across the street from City Forest.
Where: City Forest, any road system
Disc golf How: Use a frisbee or disc from home, or pick one up at a sporting good store. The course is a medium length walk so wear the proper shoes and bring water. This sport can be tough, but just remember to have fun.
Where: Disc golf course, The Tridge area by softball fields Pro tips: According to discgolf.com, disc golf is played like traditional golf, but with discs (frisbees) instead of balls. Score is recorded with throws, similar to strokes in golf, the fewer the better. Each hole begins with a tee throw. A tee throw must be released or within a certain tee area. Each throw must be made from exactly where the previous disk landed. Players farthest from the hole always play first. To finish a hole players must toss the disc into the disc golf basket.
Kayaking
Pro tips: Gear is of the utmost importance when kayaking according to rei.com. A life jacket is a key piece of safety equipment on the water. Sun protection is important to prevent sunburn snacks and water is recommended to keep energy high for the paddle back. When hitting the water, adjusting the kayak is very important. A poor fit will be uncomfortable all day. Use the straps on the seat back to adjust support and move the footpegs to a comfortable position. To safely enter the kayak, straddle it and lower down into the seat. Once in or on the kayak push off with the paddle. Grip the paddle like bike handlebars and make sure the longer ends of the blades are on the top. To propel the kayak, submerge one end of the paddle and pull it towards the seat. Alternate sides to remain in a straight line, favor one side to turn. The same motion can be used in reverse to slow down.
Where: Chippewa & Titabawasee Rivers How: Ike’s Mobile Kayak Rental graphics by Grace Sobeck & Ben Brueck
May 22, 2019 Update
Rowing towards goals
Athletes recognized by colleges for rowing abilities
Xander Brooks staff writer
R
owing is a highly competitive sport. In Midland, it may not be recognized as much other sports, but some DHS athletes have gained interest from universities, and they will go on to display their talents throughout college. During DHS’ most recent signing day, senior Isabel Velasquez signed with Clemson University, where she will be a part of the rowing team. Velasquez expressed a sense of pride and excitement while discussing where she will be attending. “Clemson had the perfect academic fit for me and I really love the team and their atmosphere there,” Velasquez said. Velasquez has a consistent drive to become a better rower, and other sports have contributed to this goal. Whether it be during basketball, volleyball, or soccer season, Velasquez seems to carry this drive. “I think that they go hand in hand,” Velasquez said. “Each one is getting stronger and just getting better as a whole and being a better athlete, so they all help each other.” Some athletes have a person
or thing that drives them to get better at their sport, while others like Velasquez find motivation within themselves and within the future. She would like to improve throughout this season so that she can be a better athlete when she gets to college. “It’s more of a personal thing for me,” Velasquez said. “So I was inspired by my friends to go out and try it. But now it’s like challenging myself to be better for my team that I’ll be counting on.” Junior Anna Jensen, a fellow rower, recently verbally committed to the University of Texas at Austin. She began rowing last year and has already become a stand out athlete for the team. This was well deserved but unexpected according to Jensen. “Going into the recruiting process, I didn’t expect to make that decision so early,” Jensen said. “As soon as I started doing visits I definitely just fell in love with Texas, I love the coaches and the team environment and the school itself. It feels really good, it’s a stress taken off for me to already know where I’m going, and I’m super excited to join that
photo courtesy of Isabel Velasquez
ROWING TIGER: Senior Isabel Velasquez sits with family and friends after signing with Clemson University on April 18. She will attend Clemson on a rowing scholarship this fall.
team and be able to compete in two years.” Rowing is a technical sport and one where one has to work to get better. During her visit, Jensen had the privilege to see how other rowers worked on there skills. Jensen shared her thoughts on watching others to improve. “When I was going on my visits for rowing, when I went to all the colleges, I learned a lot about like the technique,” Jensen said. “I think like seeing other people row and people who are at a higher level than me definitely helps my technique, and also motivates me to make improvements.” While on the water, the team has to work as one in order to go top speed. One slip up can spell disaster for the entire group. Jensen tries to be not only a great rower, but also a good teammate. “Rowing is such a team oriented sport,” Jensen said. “When you’re in the boat, no individual can make the boat move and you have to work as a team. And so I think working alongside of my teammates really just motivates me to get better for them.”
Sports 11
One year down
Jason Laplow Laplow’s Look
Last issue it took me only about 10 minutes to sit down and write about what was on my mind, and for whatever reason people really liked it. I didn’t have any idea that putting almost no effort into something would yield a more criticallyacclaimed result than all of my previously, well-thought-out ideas. So, I’m giving the whole “write what’s on my mind” tactic another go. I’ll start out by saying that I’ve been surprised many times in the last 12 months. It’s been about a year since I was awarded this position, and I didn’t anticipate the countless hours that I would have to spend after school to make sure that the sports section looked as good as we could make it, or the pain that I’d feel when I saw the product of my blood, sweat, tears, and precious time thrown carelessly in the trash and scattered carelessly throughout the school floor. As I’ve touched in my previous columns, I really have learned not to care how many people read the Update, because I know that at photo courtesy of Anna Jensen TEXAS BOUND: Junior Anna Jensen dons a rowing shirt the end of the day I’ve learned more valuable from University of Texas at Austin. Jensen will be lessons in the nine attending UT in the fall of 2020.
short months that I’ve been on staff than I’ve learned in any other class throughout my entire life. I’ve been able to learn to work independently and professionally, and to pour my heart and soul into everything that I do. All of the hard work has been worth it, as far as I’m concerned. You know what, I even got a girlfriend out of the deal. I walked away from MIPA summer camp last July on cloud nine after meeting a girl that couldn’t stop making me laugh. I made up my mind right there and then that I really liked her. When I decided to join the Update last spring, I didn’t expect to be able to have someone at my side during all of my ups and downs, encouraging me to try my best in the hardest of times. Now, it’s bittersweet as Hannah and I sit together for the last production night that we’ll ever have together. If you haven’t already, check out her column on page 7. I’m sticking around. I love what I’m doing and this past year couldn’t have played out any better, in my opinion. Now, it’s on to the future.
12 Senior May 22, 2019 Adrian College Andrey Hofius Air Force Chase Perry
Delta Community College Chad Atchinson Mark Atkins Rebecca Augustine Andrew Binns Albion College Brendan Chicky Anikka Thorson Leah Cochran Alma College Riley Davis Julian Maldonado Samuel Dembowski Paige Messick Cassidy Diehl Caitlin Lewis Meredith Donnelly American University Eliza DuBois Grace Glackin Tyler Eaton Aquinas College Emily Eigsti Sophie Baus Carter Forshee Arizona State University Aidan Gant Michael Andriot Abigail Gilman Nick Sierocki Gabriel Gransden Elizabeth Green ASE Automotive Ty Hagen Certification Brayden Hinman Victoria Balch Jenna Hoag Bayshire Beauty Victoria Hutter Academy Samantha Klein Brittany Sizemore Brycen Larkowski Butler University Madeline Letts Lauren Estes Gracie Liphard Adeline McCarty Oscar Lopez Brigham Young Camryn McGee University Provo Isaac Morrison Abby Carn Matthew Mowry Alexandra Smith John Parker, III Gage Parsons Brigham Young Brianna Rich University Idaho Greyson Rockafellow Maryn Brown Remington Roy Samuel Drake Deborah Sandow California Institute Isabella Serafin of Technology AnnaLise Siglow-Rood Shiva Sreeram Alex Sinclair Calvin College Jacob Stone Isaac Moolenaar Colin Stredney Jordan Plewa Marc Tipler Jason Wegner Case Western Reserve University Georgia College and Gage Bunker State University Cong Li Madeline Jodoin Central Michigan University Nada Al-Ahmad Andre Buckley Molly Davis Cierra Dillon Katie Ellison Ethan Ells Mark Fishman Justin Genow Jacob Harnois Shane Hogan Ally Jaster Safiyyah Khan Mallory Kisting Jennifer Martinski Hannah Raw Aria Segura Clemson University Isabel Velasquez
Greater Michigan Construction Academy Jack Brewster Chase Carigan Caitlyn Clements Austin Endline Grand Valley State University Emma Avery Sydney Gardner Mary Juengel Hannah Kempl Mark Lewis, III Veronica Matthews Annalise Meilink John O’Connor, Jr. Lauren Rynalski Brooke Stemler Hillsdale College Tyler Conrad Hiram College Chloe Welch
Cornell University David Lin Embry Riddle Hope College Aeronautical University Kristina Danielsen Charis Queary Maxwell Sanchez Ferris State University Anastasia Tucker Heleyna Tucker Zachary Coon Adam Wolok Edward Feichtinger
Lansing Community College Hans Dehn Louisiana State University Shelby King Marine Corps Tori Guerrero Jared Keskey Racheal Mavis Ian Merrington Devon Moeggenberg Joshua Strike Austin Whitmore Carl Zorn MCTA Engineering School Garrett Lacusta Miami University Nicholas Lipsitt Davis Purtell Michigan State University Wyatt Adams Valentina Behnke Eastin Block Andrew Carras Kaedon Cleland-Host Emilio Cuellar Gabrielle Dauphinee Sophie Dehn Adam Elfawal Caroline Ford Joseph Griffin Cameron Hundley Jack Hunkins Bergen Kendziorski Amelie Kraef Samuel Kwiatkowski-Martin Chelsea Long Maureen Meadow Shreya Nagarkar Lucas Nogueria Pires Chinasa Okoro Reema Patel Abigail Peterson Noah Shephard Grace Sobeck Kaley Steiner Scott Stolz Charles Tucker Katherine White Grant Wiese Gabrielle Wilkins Isabel Yanez Michigan Technological University Shane Astrike Caleb Belgiorno Kyle Brennan Sydney Bryant Joseph Johnson Kevin Kim Emma Meitler Sarah Menzl Mission Trip Andrew Hales Adam Newton Naturopathic Insitute of Therapies and Education Emma Donnelly Navy Katelynne Morse Northern Michigan University Brandon Norris Northwestern University Amelia Mylvaganam
E’Liyah Gonzalez Brandon Kovacevich Maxwell Morey
Kalamazoo College Meghan Killmaster Rhys Koellmann
Northwood University Connor Sensabaugh Maizie Taylor
Gap Year Willow Brink Lewis Smith
Kendall College of Art and Design Kaitlin Carr
Oklahoma State University Julia Sanderson
Oakland University Nicholas Bloom Megan Dastick Megan Pnacek Ruth Wager Olivet College Tanner Forshee Dexter Guentensberger Post Secondary Austin McCullagh Andrew Noah Jordan Smith Samuel Smith Heather Wellman Project SEARCH Jordan Anderson Purdue University Brennan Doyle Alejandro Palencia Radboud University Carlijn de Smet Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Nathan Benchley Saginaw Valley State University Zachary Archbold Joslyn Brubaker Allie Clipper Chelsea Fenton Cody Hunt Reece Leydorf Hannah Reneaud Logan Rivard Taryne Ruhle Summer Trejo Garrett Walden Syracuse University Sophia Pennex The College of Wooster Ashley Arons Hannah Baker The Fashion Institute of Technology Tessa Kent Trade School Drake Killinger Rebecca White Undecided Haoyan Hu Luke Mavis Lane Peters United States Military Academy Michael Erickson Jr. University of Alabama Ainsley Lacey Lauren Woods University of Dayton Emma Allington University of Guelph Jacqueline Laurin University of Illinois Chicago Grace Pnacek University of Michigan Kathryn Altes Sarah Amer Paige Gilstad Nathaniel Kalantar Rebecca Kowalczyk Allison Lapham Sreya Manchiraju Carly May Kaily Metz Lee Novak Stephen O’Donnell Sarah Pisarczyk Peter Redman Maggie Reed Jacob Telgenhoff William Wang
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University of Minnesota Isabel Chaput Gabriel Looker Anna Parish
Western Michigan University Amy Folkenroth Michael Henke Samuel Strouse
University of Northern Ohio Elijah LaBarge
University of Toledo Andrew Carter Samuel Devine Alec Finch Matthew Finch Zi Jiang Vikram Vaddamani
University of Texas at Dallas Rose Hami
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Wayne State University Geovanni Schuster Maya Stephenson Julia Stephenson Delaney Strouse
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Workforce Amy Barry Alexander Diadiun Jacob Ember Alyssa Jones Dylan Meehleder Stella Meisel Syla Moon Nicholas Randolph Gage Rivard
May 22, 2019 Senior 13
COLLEGE - EXIT
COLLEGE EXIT 2019 HOPE
Navigating road ahead Senior’s post high school plans Grace Sobeck, Hannah Raw, & Mac Thackery
managing graphics, managing social media, & assistant copy
WORKFORCE
DHS 2019
DHS 2019
WARNING: COLLEGE AHEAD
graphics by Grace Sobeck, Mac Thackery, Hayden Hetherington & Jenna Wray
Update May 22, 2019
14 Senior
Who dated who?
Use quotes to match couples, can you believe they dated? Sophie Ungerleider & Emily Danielsen
assistant social media & co-managing photo
“There was one time where we hung out and we wanted to get ice cream but both of us didn’t have enough money so we paid in all coins and we had to split an ice cream, it was really embarrassing.”
Amelie Kraef
Katie Ellison
Eastin Block
Molly Davis
“I just thought the whole relationship was a joke.”
Sophie Dehn “We were at the movie theater, and we were watching the movie Krampus and during like the end credits he asked me out.”
graphics & photos by Emily Danielsen & Sophie Ungerleider
Adam Elfawal
“Probably the fact that I broke up with her on Christmas.”
Isaac Moolenaar
Nick Bloom
“Worst part was getting broken up with over text, while I was out of town, on my flip phone. So I didn’t even read all of the messages at the same time.”
“Four years later when her brother, Trevor found out, he chased me around his car.”
Answers: Katie Ellison & Adam Elfawal, Eastin Block & Sophie Dehn, Nick Bloom & Amelie Kraef, Isaac Moolenaar & Molly Davis
“We never hung out, like we were really close friends before we started dating and then we were like, okay, we’re dating and then we just never talked in person.”
“We broke up because we kind of both mutually didn’t want to be together but didn’t really know how to say it.”
May 22, 2019 Update
Senior 15
Words of gratitude To: Mr. Murphy To: Mr. Bradford Although your driving low-key triggered me, you stuck with and motivated me when I wasn’t the happiest. - Rose Hami
Mr. Murphy helped me a lot on all my problems. He is a good assistant principal! - Jacob Ember
To: Mrs. Nelson Thank you for never giving up on me, even when I kinda gave up on myself. - Leah Cochran
managing news
To: Mr. DeRees Thank you for helping me to be a great trumpet player over all the years. You truly are an amazing director and a good friend I would trust with anything. - Marc Tipler
To: Mr. Gledhill He doesn’t just go the extra mile for his students, he runs the whole marathon for them. - Maryn Brown
To: Mr. Schwartzkopf To: Mr. Evans Tommy Evans is the man. - Scott Stolz
Lillian Pressnell
Thank you for hanging out in between classes and always making my day better. - Tanner Forshee
To: Herr Smith By far the most passionate, skillful, and hard-working teacher I’ve had. - Shane Hogan photos by Lillian Pressnell & Molly Birch graphics by Emily Danielsen & Sophie Ungerleider
16 Senior
Update May 22, 2019
Wishing it never happened Seniors reflect on most embarrassing moments of their high school careers Amelya Jankens
managing opinion
Samuel Kwiatkowski-Martin “One time I was reading in Mr. Richard’s class, and he threw my book out of the window into the snow.”
Elizabeth Green
Nathan Benchley
“I cried in the bathroom on my first day of freshman year because I got confused and got lost on my way to 1st hour.”
Brennan Doyle “I accidentally on purpose drove into a ditch on Titabawassee Road.”
“Hitting Coach P’s car.”
Brianna Rich Brandon Norris “I dropped balsamic vinegar in the hallway.”
“My first day transferring from Midland High, I walked into the boys bathroom by the U-Hall. There were four people in there washing their hands.” photos by Anikka Thorson & Emily Danielsen
Senior 17
May 22, 2019 Update
Dreaming of a future Professional plans of seniors then, now Madeline DeLong page editor
Lucas Nogueria Pires Then: “I wanted to be a soccer player,
Now: “Now really just either being
because you know it’s Brazil, that’s every kid’s dream there. [My dream job] changed overtime because I realized that I did not have the physique to be a player anymore.”
an engineer or hopefully in the future once I retire opening up my own restaurant. I’m going to Michigan State for engineering, but I don’t know which type yet.”
Lauren Estes Then: “When I was little I wanted to be
Now: “I’m going to Butler University
a marine biologist, because I thought you’d get to play with dolphins all day, but then I realized it’s all about studying algae and stuff like that.”
and I’m going to study international business.”
Kaitlyn Carr Then: “I want to say that my pets are a big inspiration to me so I probably wanted to be a veterinarian, like all children want to be and that’s probably what my biggest goal was.”
Now: “Now : “I’m going to Kendall College in Grand Rapids for animation. I think that it’s really, really cool where the animation programs are going right now, and one of my big inspirations is definitely Disney and Pixar. But also I’m really enjoying what solo artists are doing in the animation industry.”
Gigi Dauphinee Then: “I really wanted to be president
Now: “I’m going to MSU to pursue
for a really long time.”
biomedical engineering.” photo by Amelya Jankens
18 Senior
Quotable
Update May 22, 2019
Andrew Binns
Max Morey
“High school is like a movie, there are good parts, bad parts, and before you know it, it’s gone by the blink of an eye.”
“Thank God for all those snow days.”
Noah Shephard
Jennifer Martinski
Rose Hami
“Suck up to the teachers your first week and you’re set for life.”
“Yeah, you can be the captain of your own destiny, but you know what captains do sometimes, they sink the ship.”
“Everytime I looked at my AP calculus tests, my face was identical to the confused Pikachu meme.”
Alec Finch
Paige Messick
Marc Tipler
“The answer is always Elon Musk.”
“‘Smart Mouse’ -Mr. Evans”
“I’ll do it later…”
Students share what their senior quotes would have been
Anikka Thorson & Katie Ellison
editor-in-chief & co-managing photo
photos by Katie Ellison, Amelya Jankens, & Anikka Thorson
May 22, 2019 Update
Senior songs
Senior 19
Student’s favorite songs from middle school
Jason Laplow
managing sports
Fireflies Owl City
Thrift Shop Macklemore
Some Nights FUN.
DJ Got Us Falling In Love Usher
Classic MKTO
Girl on Fire Alicia Keys
Rude MAGIC!
Harlem Shake Baauer
Counting Stars One Republic
Call Me Maybe Carly Rae Jepsen
Firework Katy Perry
What Makes You Beautiful One Direction
screenshots from Spotify graphic by Jenna Wray
20 Senior
Update May 22, 2019
Chaotic classroom confessions Seniors reveal untold stories of their high school experiences Giselle Mahoney page editor
Hannah Raw:
Reece Leydorf:
Annie Meilink:
Hannah Reneaud:
Andrey Hofius:
Steven Hu:
photos by Katie Ellison
May 22, 2019
Update
Senior 21
photos and photo illustration by Amelya Jankens
Speakers sending off senior class Commencement speakers close-out class of 2019 high school career Micah Damocles staff writer
H
igh school graduation can be a defining milestone in a student’s life, marking the transfer from teenager to young adult and the gaining of independence. Two seniors are selected from those that apply and audition for the commencement ceremony to be held on Wednesday, May 29 at Dow Diamond at 7:30 pm. Seniors Davis Purtell and Andre Buckley are the 2019 student speakers. The staff speaker is physics teacher Thomas McNamara. The staff speaker was voted on by the senior class while the student speakers were picked by a student committee in March. The commencement speaker committee consists of seniors Nick Bloom, Emilio Cuellar, Adeline McCarty, Paige Messick, Safiyyah Khan, and Chloe Welch. The committee is responsible for reviewing the seniors who apply and choosing two to speak at commencement. “First you sign up and they have you write the first 500 words of your speech,” senior Davis Purtell said. “Then the
committee anonymously goes through every speech and then they select the top six and the top six perform their speech for the committee and then they select the top two.” The title of Purtell’s speech is “Appreciating the Thrill of a Journey that is Entirely Your Own.” “I wrote most of the speech before the deadline and then I finished [my speech] last night,” Purtell said. Senior Andre Buckley’s speech takes on a different perspective with the title of “Fly High”. Its main focus is on facing obstacles and perseverance. “[I got inspiration] from personal life stories and just the things I’ve been through,” Buckley said. “What I’ve been through helped me get to the place where I am today. I just thought of something I could write about and that just hit home.” The selection committee was formed at the end of the 2017-18 school year. They’ve been meeting since the beginning of the 2018-19 school year to
discuss the speakers for this year. “A lot of [the speeches] had the same introductions,” senior Safiyyah Khan said. “If there was something different, whether it be a personal experience or just a catchy phrase, something that just made it stand out from the others.” Out of the 20 seniors that applied to speak, the committee decided on six to recite their speech in person and then pick the two to speak. “It just kind of depends on how long it takes for us to get in agreement about which speeches [to pick],” Khan said. “Some committees I know have to come back multiple times until they narrow it down to the top two, but we were able to get that done in one or two meetings.” Every year a new class of seniors graduates, but their teachers remain. A number of staff members can relate to the sentiment expressed by physics teacher Thomas McNamara. “I have juniors and seniors every
year so every year I go through the same process,” McNamara said. “Every year I see them graduate but I stay here.” McNamara hopes that the graduates find his speech not only humorous, but something to think about even after the ceremony is over. “I’ve worked on [my speech] since they told me,” McNamara said. “Just in my mind, playing through what I would say. But I didn’t actually officially really write it till about a month ago. I just wrote bits and pieces of it as I went along.” Working on something piece by piece and then making it into reality can be comparable to experiences lived by the departing DHS class. Commencement can give recognition to the growth accomplished and the lessons learned over the years by students. This year’s student speakers hope to leave a lasting memory on their fellow graduates as the curtain comes down on their high school careers.
22 Seniors
Update May 22, 2019
On-campus hidden treasures
Weirdest things seniors have kept in their cars, lockers Zane O’Dell
managing business
Zach Archbold
Brittany Sizemore
Brycen Larkowski
“My tortoise, a Scottish claymore, and a flea shield simultaneously”
“I never used my locker… oops.”
“Jar of pickles.”
E’Liyah Gonzalez
Nathaniel Kalantar
Sarah Pisarczyk
“I have the pom team’s mascot in my car. It’s a teddy bear named ‘Herb’.”
“I have had a carpet at the bottom of my locker all years in middle and high school. Everyone who sees it thinks it’s weird.”
“I always keep my razor scooter in my car so I can have it for band (to run from place to place quickly). For a while it lived in the band room.”
photos by Emily Danielsen
May 22, 2019 Update
Post-high school options Alternatives for graduates besides college
Seniors 23
The point of high school
Irshad Husain
assisstant business
Katie Ellison
W
hen some students in the class of 2019 walk out of DHS on May 22, the next time they’ll attend a school again will be during their college experience. However, not everyone graduating is going onto college. There are a number of students who are moving into alternative options for after high school. The largest alternative, based on the number of students signing up for it, is the military. For this field, the most popular branch for students coming out of high school is to go into the Marines. “There’s a lot of good opportunities in the Marines,” senior Tori Guerrero said. “Financially, they offer to pay for your full college. You get $5,000 for going to boot camp for 13 weeks, and you can start saving money for your retirement. Collectively, it adds up over time and so I think it’s really worth it. It’s not for everybody, but I think I’m a physically-inclined person so it’s a good fit for me.” Another institution that students look into is the church. Often times, students who look into mission trips after finishing high school are part of the Church of the Latter Day Saints. However, senior Adam Newton is going on a mission trip through the Youth with a Mission program (YWAM). “I’m going to be saving up money for a mission trip,” Newton said. “I’m spending three months in Hawaii, and then three months after that wherever I choose, talking to people our age about things of God through YWAM.” YWAM states that their purpose for the mission trips is to “know God and make Him known.” They are one of the largest interdenominational non-profit
Exposing Ellison
organizations to set up and organize mission trips internationally. “Last summer I went to Thailand,” Newton said. “That was a life-changing experience. I haven’t decided if I want to do it my whole life or be a full-time missionary, but I’ve been looking at doing worship-leading since one of my other big passions is music.” One other option that has been taken is the decision to go into culinary school. These schools are similar to typical colleges, except they exclusively train students in the culinary arts and cooking. Senior Aidan Hall is looking to attend a culinary school near the Lansing area after graduation. “This is what I’ve been doing for the last couple of years,” Hall said. “I’ve been working in the kitchen with the executive chef at Dow Diamond, and we’ve done catering for weddings and parties. It’s fun, because I can kill two birds with one stone, since cooking is something that’s a good real-life skill too, even if I don’t stay a chef forever.” While enrolling in college may be the most popular option for students following high school,
I’ve been a pretty studious person throughout high school. From elaborate history projects no one asked for, to pulling all-nighters during exams, keeping a high GPA was a focus of mine. Throughout my upperclassmen years, however, I’ve focused more on growth which has lead me to realize that, as Ms. Pancost preaches, the points are there are still alternative routes a not the point. student can take. Some students To those of you may decide that college is not the still reading after just best fit for them, and they choose seeing that, hey. Good other fields of interest instead. The grades are importantclass of 2019 will be equipped to go college and all that jazz. out into the world and pursue what Still, if you spend your they want to. time making yourself miserable at a certain point you need to ask yourself: for what? The most important thing I’ve learned from my four years inside these hallowed halls is to build strong relationships. Whether it be with teachers or peers, learning the boundaries, expectations, and outlooks on building meaningful connections. Mr. Frye, thank you for letting your room be a place where I can to pop in and ask for advice unabashedly. I trust you to give me nothing but graphics by Mac Thackery honesty. Ms. Pancost and
Ms. Hockemeyer, thank you for teaching me the value of reflection and open-mindedness. Your unparalleled empathy has led me to understand just how much we can learn from others. Mrs. Hall, thank you for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. You allow me to pursue my passion for journalism whether that’s behind a camera or pen in hand, pushing me to do the right thing. Soon, these connections will truly be tested like they never have before. Most of us are going to different schools than our friends, being split up for the first time in our lives. For me, this means no more lunch periods spent with my friends, listening to Garrett Mai play guitar in the choir room. No more Finance Club meetings filled with baked goods, Jenna Wray’s random Kahoots, and Elon Musk memes. No more Update photoshoots, staffers following along with my elaborate but poorly explained ideas. I’ve learned to let people into my life but also how to let people go. No matter what, cherish the memories you have with all of them.
May 22, 2019 Update
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t some point or another you’ve most likely heard someone say “high school was the worst, you couldn’t pay me to go back”. Keep in mind that while this sentiment can hold some truth, it often overlooks many of the good things that high school can bring. Even though it can feel excruciatingly slow at times, these four years fly by. Instead of spending these moments dwelling on the negatives like stress or how much homework you have, we encourage you to enter your senior year open to the good things that come your way. Each senior on staff has reflected on their past four years of high school with the goal to share some of the things they’ve learned.
Cierra Dillon: Senior year is your playground. You now have the power to make your school day actually tolerable, so don’t throw that away! Take classes because you are interested in them, not for the point level! Through my senior year, I’ve learned so much about self care. It truly isn’t worth it to stay up until 3 a.m to write a five page reflection, even if you want to impress your English teacher after a lackluster performance first semester (sorry Ms. Hockemeyer!), because, in the long run, sleep is what will power you tomorrow. Oh, and maybe practice that really hard piece for Chamber Singers!
ever were. Make more changes. Continue to be as inclusive as you are. I have met so many wonderful people from your class, not to mention my best friends (you know who you are). DHS has bred us all to be amazing learners. I want you to go above and beyond that. Although you may feel the typical senioritis kick in next year, never forget to make each day a positive one. Spreading kindness and acceptance is so important to the fluidity of this school. I have faith in you guys and I truly wish you the best. Side note, start your college scholarships and applications sooner than you think is necessary to avoid unnecessary break downs. Love you all!
Katie Ellison: Everyone will tell you one of two things about high school, 1. It’s the best time of your life or, 2. It’s the worst. Just know if you make out with someone in the halls, go to sleep after midnight every night, or vape in the bathrooms, your experience is going to be the second option for sure. In all honesty, your years within these mundane brick walls are simply what you make of them. Fill your last year with what you know will make you content, that’s the key. Try your hardest on things that are important to you like class projects, school spirit, kind people, music classes, and not Mr. Frye’s tests. Senior year is the best of all four years, don’t let anyone- yourself or anyone else- stop you from loving it.
Hannah Raw: Throughout high school I’m sure most of you felt like the stuff you learned was useless and I’m right in that boat with you. However, high school has taught me so much more than the Pythag. Theorem or how to craft 4,000 thesis statements. It taught me how to finish homework assignments moments before it was due or how to make it from one side of the school to another in the span of five minutes. I learned that if there’s a will, there’s a way and if there’s a Quizlet, there’s most likely an A. So if you haven’t realized it yet, high school isn’t meant to be finished by simply just working hard, sometimes you have to look up on Sparknotes what that one character was doing in that one chapter or bank on that test being multiple choice. It’s not considered cheating, just coloring outside the lines.
Anikka Thorson: Work your way through your remaining time in high school allowing yourself to fail and don’t expect yourself to be perfect. Something that I’ve had to learn the hard way is that sometimes you need to make taking care of yourself a higher priority than making sure your homework is 100 percent right. Spending all of your time studying just isn’t worth it if you’re becoming burned out. I’m not going to lie, I’m still not great at this. It can be really hard to put aside the anxiety that can come with not turning in an assignment on time, but honestly if you typically work hard in your classes, a lot of teachers tend to be pretty understanding if you just talk to them about it. Take care of yourself and remember to do things that you enjoy whether that be joining a club or just spending time with people that you care about.
Grace Sobeck: Be more kind than we
illustration by Jenna Wray