October 22, 2021 by cammiehall

H. H. Dow High School, Midland, Michigan • https://update.midlandps.org https://update.midlandps.org • @dowhighupdate

Update

OPINION

FEATURE

SPORTS

More needs to be done regarding students’ mental health

Business teacher Mark Baczewski enters into his first year at DHS

Midland-Dow Week: the showdown of the season is upon us

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Volume 45, Issue 2 • October 22, 2021 K fir

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Class of 2022 commencement dates Emma Mertes

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The commencement date for the class of 2022 is scheduled for Wednesday, May 25 at Dow Diamond. On Oct. 11, it was announced that the DHS ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. and the MHS ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. The final day of school for seniors is May 18. As of now each student will be given six tickets for commencement, but this numbr could change depending on the COVID situation.However, as of now, everything is on schedule and there are not many concerns. “The only thing that might be a concern is what the COVID numbers look like and does that change the way that we face,” Davis said.

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Dow Drama takes stage Eliezer Maldonado photos by Katie Hagen & Kirsten Kenyon

SHOWTIME: The emcees for RenFair this year are seniors Kefir Klee, Ellyana Tierney, Matt Conley, Rachel Rassette, TJ

Neuenfeldt, and Veronica Klein. Sophomore Gretchen Shope will be singing a solo performance at RenFair on Nov. 6.

Setting the stage for RenFair Participants, emcees prepare for opening night Teagan O’Dell

managing news & assistant graphics

ith restrictions being lifted and people coming back together, school-sponsored events are staging a return. This includes DHS’ annual RenFair show. Emcees and participants are anticipating the day’s arrival, especially since it was cancelled last year due to COVID. Senior TJ Neuenfeldt is one of the six emcees hosting the show this year. “RenFair is an annual show filled with music and dance that is a fundraiser for the music program at DHS,” Neuenfeldt said. “When I was in my freshman and sophomore years, RenFair was everything. It was so exciting to go sit in the auditorium and watch your peers perform on stage. Sadly, with COVID, half the school doesn’t know what RenFair is, and this year we hope to change that.” RenFair takes place on Sat., Nov. 6, at the Midland Center for the Arts, and is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Emcees were announced in early October, and many students auditioned to be a part of the festival. Acts include bands, singing acts, and dancers. A majority of the show consists of vocal solos, with singers performing a song by themselves. “I auditioned for a vocal solo,” sophomore Gretchen Shope said. “I’m also doing Chamber Singers, but I wanted to do a vocal solo because I’ve been working on the song for a long time

“To me, I think it’s a great program. It lets the incredible talents of our fellow students have a chance to shine through, and it’s nice to see the community come together for a great cause,” Ellyana Tierney, senior and also I know the composer, so it’s very near and dear to my heart. I just like having performances like this to measure my growth and also to become a better performer.” Tickets are available on the MCFTA website priced at $10 for students and $15 for adults. As decided by the emcees, the theme for the show this year is “Dowmanji’’ which is a take on the movie “Jumanji.” The theme entails the six emcees getting stuck in a video game and having their identities change to fit the various characters in the game. “This year, I have the honor of being a RenFair emcee,” senior Ellyana Tierney said. “That basically means I work with five other individuals to put on our own

little skits between each of the acts to help transition between and announce the different performers.” With RenFair on the horizon, preparations are being made for the show to come. Scripting, among other things, has been in the works as the opening night draws closer. “For the emcees, it’s a lot of script writing and rehearsing,” Tierney said. “The six of us meet on our own several times to come up with the theme, draft a script, pick out costumes, practice, and figure out our set pieces. Then the music teachers approve our script, and we’re ready for the show.” Performers view RenFair in such a way that it is looked upon for progress and growth when at a point later in their career. “I kind of think of it as like, when I’m a senior and, if I hopefully do another vocal solo, then I can look back at all my past performances and say, ‘Wow, those performances helped me become the person I am today, helped me become stronger, and be more sure of myself and what I can do,’” Shope said. Even with live entertainment coming back, COVID protocols are still in effect. MCFTA requires people who are two years or older to wear a mask inside. Despite the regulations, the stage is still being set for this year’s RenFair festival, and preparations are underway.

managing sports

The upcoming play hosted by Dow Drama: Chargers Onstage is titled “The Bully Plays.” It is a collection of mature 10-minute stories that revolve around an anti-bullying theme. Melodrama and comedy balance the serious topics addressed as the characters realize how their behavior shapes their lives, as well as each other, as scenes escalate and evolve. Director of “The Bully Plays” Gina Kearly chose to produce the play because of the impact it will have on its audience. “While the purpose of the performing arts is partially to entertain, there is an additional responsibility for theatre to stage stories that are important,” Kearly said. “‘The Bully Plays’ presents diverse interactions that respectfully prompt the audience to consider their own choices regarding how people treat each other, in a reflective, creative way that we hope will inspire positive social change.” “The Bully Plays” is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 19, and Saturday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. These performances take place at Central Auditorium. Tickets for the show will be available online in November, and cost $6 for students and $8 for adults. Due to the serious nature of “The Bully Plays” and with respect to student feedback, Dow Drama: Chargers Onstage is also adding a second, family-friendly show. More information on the second show is to be announced at a later date.

October is college admissions month Emma Mertes

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GETTING READY: Emcees Ellyana Tierney, TJ Neuenfeldt, Matt Conley (above), Rachel Rassette, Veronica Klein, and Kefir Klee share a laugh at their second script-writing meeting on Friday, Oct. 8.

TYPING AWAY: Senior TJ Neuenfeldt works on the beginning of the script for RenFair 2021.

BRAINSTORM SESH: The emcees collaborate and share their ideas with one another for in between each act.

photos by Katie Hagen

HARD AT WORK: Senior Ellyana Tierney makes note of script ideas in preparation for the Nov. 6 show.

Many Michigan colleges waive their admission fees in October. While the date for early admission differs depends on the college, the general range for early application deadlines is November. Choosing to apply early has many advantages. “Students [who apply early] will receive maximum scholarship consideration for all our merit-based scholarships and receive an initial admissions decision by Jan. 15 at the latest, ” MSU admissions counselor Riley VanPelt said in an email interview. While the date that students receive their decision letters depends on the college, applying early guarantees that they will get a decision sooner than if they were applying later. Many Michigan colleges are also waiving their admission fees in October. “There are no drawbacks,” VanPelt said. “In fact, there are only drawbacks if you apply after the early action deadline since there will be less scholarships and spatial availability.”

2 OPINION My Turn with Kaylee Emrick

Oct. 22, 2021 Update

Student mental health should be valued

Allison Sheets

managing business/social media

Transforming Times

Good Grades

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Author Charles Dickens once wrote, “it was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” The first thing that came into my mind when I read this quote was, “how is that possible?” Seriously, how can someone be going through the absolute worst times and also be remaining at the peak of times? Taking a step back and analyzing your attitude over your circumstances will help transform your times and answer those questions. Dealing with hard trials is very important, but can be very discouraging. I think most people often ponder, “why is this happening to me?” For example, we did not ask for a pandemic. We did not ask to fail the math test we studied hard for. And, we did not ask to be late for class because there was terrible traffic. Or, for some of you, the line at Tropical Smoothie was “too long.” These inconveniences we deal with are happening when we did not exactly ask for them. How come? These situations are happening because growth is the whole process of life. We do not age if days do not go by. So, we do not get anywhere if there is no change or movement. There is purpose and beauty in everyone’s being. Therefore, these challenges were created for a purpose. Those inconveniences are occurring to shape you into what makes you, you. You would not be exactly who you are without troubles in your life. We can be in the best of times during the worst if we choose to do so. Those circumstances may never change, but our attitude and way of handling them can if we allow ourselves to. I believe the secret to Dickens’ quote is simple, but a difficult thing to do. What I mean by this is, as human beings, our nature physically and mentally is not going to turn to this solution right away. We want what is easiest. However, the answer appears when we do the hard thing. That is, when we switch our mindsets, we can transform our times. The answers can be found as soon as we switch our mindsets from, “why is this happening to me?” to “how can I grow from this?” Most times, I do not appreciate how lucky I am to be experiencing the bad trials I am put through. Though, how am I supposed to appreciate the good in my everyday life if I never have any bad times? Circling back to answer my question on “how can Dickens be right?” it is feasible to be experiencing the best and worst of times all at once because the worst of times are the best of times if we are able to transform our mindsets. This way, the so-called “worst of times” are actually beneficial to the “growth of life” and not so bad after all. I hope I was able to encourage you and help you ask yourself a few questions on where your mindset is, and how you can transform the time you are in with new questions.

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Mental health is so incredibly important. Especially now. Students juggle a tremendous pressure of school and a global pandemic which no one saw in their future. The mental well-being of high school students everywhere is a big concern. After the experiences of virtual learning and isolation, it is time for schools to take more action in improving the mental state of students. The constant to-do list of homework that is to be completed is not healthy by any means. A student finishes their seven hour school day and then has to figure out how they are going to get from this club to a sport and then to their homework which is due before midnight. Add to that a job. All the while trying to juggle responsibilities and their well-being. Students are told they should find time to focus on themselves and what they feel, but when? The classroom can be a place where this well-being is valued. Teachers should start checking in with their students more often. Most teachers briefly mention mental health at the beginning of the year. They say that their class shouldn’t give students stress and that they care about their class. But then, most of them don’t mention it again for the rest of the year. If teachers care, why don’t they follow up? It could be something as simple as sending an email or just asking students how they are doing. Reminding students that their teachers care about the way they feel may make students a little more open to express their concern if something is wrong. Setting aside brief moments in classes would help show that teachers and schools care about their students and the how they take care of themselves mentally. This helps them make time for it. And, shows that students are valued as a human with whatever troubles they might be carrying with them each day. Academics dominate a student’s life. Academic value is determined by placing a grade on everything. The pressure comes from getting the perfect A grade each and every time. But is that healthy? Are grades the best way to show learning? Teachers, parents put pressure on the students to do well. Students also place a high value on their grades adding to the pressure. No matter the grade, the ultimate goal should be what the student has learned.

Another way to show that students matter and have value is through recognition. Schools often recognize athletes and students that are superlative when it comes to what they accomplish. Whether that be representing the school on a sports team or attaining exceptional grades and honors within clubs and in the community, giving said students credit for their performance is very well deserved. But, at what point should we start to worry for the people who are accomplishing so much in such a great capacity? Those students may very well be on their way to both mental and academic burnout. Multiple names are mentioned on morning announcements and they normally have to do with sports teams. They highlight athletes that make an impact on the outcome of the game. They should of course be mentioned and receive recognition for their contributions. But have we ever stopped to consider how it may affect other students? In terms of value, sports appear to be higher on the to find a way to recognize more students beyond the teams on the field and courts. Principal Ted Davis agrees that not all students are equally represented in the announcements. “I’ve heard that quite a bit, especially in the past few months,” Davis said. “It’s not that they don’t deserve those announcements, it’s how do I create that inclusiveness, so that everybody has that opportunity regardless of whether they did this or that.” The posters in the hallway would be a great place to start with that inclusiveness. Taking time to look at the posters in the hallway that showcase clubs and other equally important things at DHS. Keeping updated on new clubs and meetings is a great way to include and appreciate the hard work of students at DHS that might not get as much recognition. In some areas DHS has begun to recognize the importance of mental health, but more has to be done. Not addressing it properly will only enable the problem to grow and become more harmful to students as time progresses. It is time for DHS to buckle down and show some real support to the students that are struggling with their mental well-being.

Backpacks were made for wearing, so let’s leave them on

Staff Editorial

Last year’s Covid-filled school year caused many changes to student’s daily routines. Masks were worn, students had to worry about going between online and in person learning, and there were none of the usual student gatherings, such as assemblies, full student sections at football games and so forth. However, a subtle but positive change also occurred last year: allowing backpacks in classrooms. In normal years, students bring their backpacks to school, put them in their locker and only bring the materials they need for each class. At the end of the day students take their backpack out of their locker and bring it back home. Last year, because of COVID-19 guidelines, students were told to go straight to their next class during passing time, with no stops, to limit the number of people cluttered together in the halls. This was suggested with the hopes of minimizing contact between students in the hallway. However, this meant that students couldn’t go to their lockers and pick their materials for their next class during passing time. To solve this issue, DHS allowed students to bring their backpacks to their classrooms. Ideally, this would make it so students should only need to go to their locker

before school, after school, and during lunch. Even though most would agree that last year was turbulent with the constant changes, the allowance of backpacks into classrooms gave students a constant they could count on, despite whatever changes were happening throughout the school. Students didn’t worry about forgetting their materials for a class, or asking to go to the bathroom during a test because they didn’t have enough time during passing time. Fast forward to this year, and a lot of last year’s restrictions had been lifted, such as

mask mandates and no more restrictions in outside activities. Because of this, there was no need to continue to allow students to bring their backpacks in classrooms, since they can be a bit of a safety concern and were the last resort option due to all of last year’s restrictions. So DHS went back to the way it was before COVID-19 hit and prevented backpacks from being in classrooms. This change wasn’t liked by most students. Backpacks are generally more convenient than bringing materials by hand. Being able to bring backpacks in classrooms

illustration by Teagan O’Dell

Mission Statement

Staff Editorial

Distribution

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.

The staff editorial is the managing editors’ response to current news events. The staff editorial reflects the opinion of the Editorial Board. The final draft is subject to a vote by the Editorial Board. A majority vote is required for the document to achieve publication.

Update is distributed monthly from September to May to 1,300 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.

Open Column The ‘My Turn’ column on page 2 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.

Letters Letters are encouraged. They will be screened for libel, defamation, and/or obscenity and may be 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.

makes it easier to carry all of the materials students need to each class without having to worry about holding all of it. Backpacks also allow them to travel from class straight to their next class, so the journey from the language hallway to the class in the back of the U-hall can be done without having to rush around the school during a six minute time frame. Although backpacks can be a safety concern, as it potentially allows students to bring into the classroom unwarranted items, this rule got thrown out the window last year once the pandemic came along. This would beg the question of whether or not the rule is even necessary, as the school got along just fine last year without the rule in place. While there are issues with backpacks, such as they can clutter the classrooms and can be a safety issue, the benefits for students outweigh the concerns. Student s should be talking with their friends and relaxing while going from class to class throughout the day, not having to worry about whether or not they will have enough time to go to their locker to pick up a notebook they might have forgotten to bring and still make it to class before the bell rings.

Adviser Cammie Hall Editor-in-Chief Katie Hagen Managing Design/Graphics Managing Opinion Brooke Seymour Joe Craig Managing Copy Managing Feature Cassidy Wainwright Emma Mertes Managing Sports Assistant Copy Eliezer Maldonado Rachel Erdmann Page Editors Managing Business/ Social Media 1: Teagan O’Dell & Allison Sheets Katie Hagen Assistant Business 2: Rachel Erdmann Simran Kalra 3: Cassidy Wainwright Managing Photo 4: Joe Craig Kirsten Kenyon Managing News Staff Writer Lindsay Hart Teagan O’Dell

Membership/Awards Update is a member of the NSPA, CSPA, and MIPA. Since 1999, Update has won seven CSPA Gold Crown awards and is a five-time Silver Crown Winner. Update has won seven NSPA Pacemaker awards, and was a finalist in 2001 and 2003. In 1989, 1999, 2000,

2004, and 2005 the Update won Best of Show in an NSPA competition. It won second place Best of Show in 2006, eighth place in 2007, and third place in 2008. Update has won 27 MIPA Spartan Awards since 1989 and was inducted into the MIPA Hall of Fame in 2004.

Update

FEATURE 3

Oct. 22, 2021

Making his Mark photo by Katie Hagen

Baczewski embarks on a new journey Katie Hagen

editor-in-chief motivational speaker. As a “My favorite job was my first one with teenager, Mark Baczewski Ford Racing,” Baczewski said. “I got to wanted to motivate others when travel all over the United States, some he grew up. The dream came international like Montreal and Paradise about after a guest speaker visited his Island in the Bahamas. I really became a classroom during his freshman year of high well-versed traveler in knowing my way in school and delivered a memorable speech and out of airports, restaurants, and hotels that stuck with him forever. The speech and how things work from that standpoint.” was made by Mark Scharenbroich in 1989, Although he still loves traveling to and it was about the concept of mindfulness this day, Baczewski decided to step back and the importance of being present in from the hustle and bustle of the Ford job, the moment. At that time, Baczewski instead taking up a desk job with the media viewed this concept as company Valassis, one being ahead of its time. of the largest coupon Although Baczewski distributors in the never had the official world. title of “motivational “I ultimately hated speaker” throughout his every second of it,” wide variety of careers, Baczewski said. “It he certainly uses his was an 8 to 5, 9 to 5 passion for speaking as an [day] sitting at a desk Mark Baczewski, and I came to the asset for his professional endeavors today. Before business teacher realization that I like becoming a high school to move, I like to talk accounting, computer to people, and I like technology, and sales teacher, Baczewski to travel. So from there, I transitioned into went through a line of different job titles higher education.” prior to landing his current position at DHS. Baczewski held positions of being After obtaining an undergraduate an alumni director and the director degree in marketing at Central Michigan of development, with the means of University, Baczewski spent 24 years fundraising for universities like Albion working outside of education in various College, Michigan State University, and different fields. In 2013, he attended Central Michigan University. These jobs Northwood University for his Master’s in ultimately brought him and his family to Business Administration. Early on in his the Midland area. career, however, Baczewski worked for Ford With Baczewski’s latest position, he Racing, now known as Ford Performance, worked with the Dow Tennis Classic and with the aspiration to work in the realm of the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational. Due sports marketing. Participating in events to the lack of events during the pandemic, with race car drivers and Ford executives, Baczewski’s particular position got removed, Baczewski became a seasoned traveler. sending him out to look for a job during

“There’s always something that you can learn,”

FIRE UP: Baczewski welcomes incoming freshmen at a Leadership Safari event at Central Michigan University when he held an alumni position at CMU.

the pandemic. During his job search, the opening for a teacher at DHS became available to him. Although Baczewski has experienced both positive and negative jobs in previous positions, teaching is something that Baczewski truly enjoys. “I’m really loving this,” Baczewski said. “I can totally see myself doing this until I decide to retire.” Baczewski believes that the common tie between his past professional endeavors that he’s had comes down to what he is doing now: teaching. In addition to teaching, Baczewski has also noticed the importance of learning from the people that he surrounds himself with each and every day. Baczewski firmly believes that he would be doing a disservice to his students if he were to act like he knew everything there is to know. “I’m approaching 50 in a few years, and I’m still learning,” Baczewski said. “I’m looking forward to always being able to learn something. I learn something from students, I learn something from colleagues. There’s always something that you can learn.” Baczewski’s best piece of advice to students is to not be afraid to fail. He can mark specific points in his career when he held back when presenting himself for fear of failure. This piece of advice comes from his personal experience. Early on in his career with Ford Racing, Baczewski had the aspiration to manage a specific race program taking place at Daytona. However, due to the fear of failure and the possibility of not being assigned to future jobs, he didn’t push to manage the program and later left regretting his decision. Baczewski’s motto is “fail fast” so that any given individual is able to learn from their mistakes and start on their next approach right away. In addition to his passion for encouraging students, Baczewski’s other passions in life lie in music, golf, and most importantly his wife and his two sons who are 10 and 13 years old. In his spare time, Baczewski enjoys playing drums in his cover band, called Drop of a Hat. Heading into his first year of teaching at DHS, Baczewski’s favorite part about joining the Charger family thus far is the opportunity that he has to engage with the students. “The students are the whole reason we’re here,” Baczewski said. “Everything we do, that should be the first question: ‘okay, is this going to benefit the students?’ If it is, awesome. If it’s not, we need to reassess why we are doing this.” Even though DHS didn’t hire Baczewski as a “motivational speaker” like his teenage self perhaps would’ve wanted, Baczewski still uses his role as a teacher to teach business concepts such as sales, accounting, and computer technology while seeking to build up and encourage students throughout the year.

photos courtesy of Mark Baczewski

CLASSIC CLOSE-UP: Baczewski during an interview at the 32nd Dow Tennis Classic in February 2020.

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JAMMING OUT: Baczewski plays drums for his cover band Drop of a Hat alongside his bandmates.

Cassidy’s Chaos

with Cassidy Wainwright Cancel COVID

On Monday, Sept. 27 I tested positive for COVID. Obviously, the office sent me home immediately. My parents quarantined me in my room and the basement. My case could have been so much worse. Luckily, it just felt like a cold-like flu that lasted a little over a week. Every weekday that I was quarantined I would wake up at 7:30 a.m. After I finished all the school work I could do from home, I would watch eight hours of TV. It might have been a slight problem, but I didn’t really have the energy to do anything else. On a brighter side, it allowed me to watch some movies and shows I didn’t have the time to watch before. I had to miss out on my last Homecoming. I missed out on the week, the game, and the dance. My friends told me it wasn’t really worth it though; they said it was too hot and humid. They told me the music wasn’t too great either. I still wish I could have gone with them. School dances mean so much to me, I’m not sure how I can explain it. I just can’t believe my sophomore Homecoming had to be my last, if I would have known that then, I would have played that night out differently. I couldn’t imagine COVID taking my last Homecoming too, but it did. Out of all of the Homecoming events I felt disappointed I couldn’t participate in the spirit week. The Friday before my quarantine I planned and tested out a spirit day outfit, Thursday’s spirit day, specifically, the movie one. Seniors planned to have horror. I went all out cosplaying Edward Scissorhands and I loved it so much. I mean it’s not really horror, I thought it could still work, but COVID told me no. Really though, quarantine wasn’t lonely. Although it might have been virtually, I still talked to my friends nearly every day. My friend, Kirsten and I snapped almost everyday. She updated me with everything going on at school and I sent her some show, movie, and music recommendations. Lexi updated me with school, too. We got to play some games and facetimed, too. At the time the school sent me home I really wanted a break. Being sick with COVID had been a relief, but only for one day. Yes, I could still communicate with my friends, it’s still not the same. Humans are social beings and don’t thrive without in-person communication. Honestly, the lack of social interaction I experienced during my quarantine was more devastating than COVID itself, physically and emotionally. The school wouldn’t let me return until Oct. 10, even though my quarantine from the health department ended on the Thursday before then. My family planned a weekend to visit my former neighbor, Molly at college months before and it worked out perfectly. So thankfully COVID couldn’t cancel that either. It felt really great being able to see her again. Going back to school again crushed my motivation. I’ve never missed this much school in my entire life. I shocked myself with the contrast of doing absolutely nothing then coming back into my chaotic, overwhelming but somehow enjoyable school life. I struggled getting back into a schedule and trying to find my routine again. If all of this on and off quarantining and in and out of in-person school has shown me anything, it’s that I can’t learn virtually at all. At least I finished so much more for school than I expected. And it felt so great being able to see all my friends again. I wonder how long we’ll continue this. Personally I’m done with everything related to COVID, but it’s not done with us. I constantly think about what life would look like if COVID didn’t exist. It would have been much better but I am still happy here and now. Not even COVID could change that.

4 SPORTS

photos by Natalie Nussear

Marquee matchup

that coaches had to tone it down so we wouldn’t hurt each other. And versus them, you hit a little harder. You never wanted to hurt anyone, but you definitely wanted to make sure they felt it and left with a little limp. And they were trying to do the same to us.” Starting off the 2021 season with back-to-back wins followed by a pair of losses, DHS has since bounced back as they head toward the last game of the regular season and look towards the playoffs. The Charger offense is led by junior quarterback Jack Bakus, and senior running back Carter Kohtz, who have been the heart and soul of the Charger offense all year. The defense, led by senior linebacker Dawson Studebaker and Miller, have been on a terror all season, and are looking to do more damage against the rival’s across town. On the other side, MHS has struggled this season and are on the verge of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. But regardless of their struggles, MHS is going into this game motivated and hungry for a win against their rival. “My favorite part about the rivalry is the amount of people that care about the outcome,” junior MHS tight end Hudson Gerstacker said. “All year people ask us if we think we’ll beat Dow or not, which shows how big of a game it is.” For both teams, the game has a different feeling to it than the rest of the games on the schedule. “It’s a magical part of the year,” Kane said. “It almost feels like Christmas. The whole atmosphere is just really cool and it’s fun seeing the school spirit that time of week.” And so, as the season winds

Midland’s annual cross-town rivalry game has arrived Joe Craig

that a loss against their crosstown rival would turn a losing season into a season of satisfaction for MHS. A key part of the Chargers offensive line is their center, Nolan Kane. As a senior, he helps lead the underclassmen on the team, and his teammates on the o-line. Kane has been looking forward to this matchup all season, and, needless to say, he’s been ready all year. “No chance we look past them,” Kane said. “This one is circled on the calendar the moment the schedules come out. I don’t care what their record is, they will come to play.” The 2019 clash was DHS’ last win against MHS, and a shocking upset. Nolan Kane, Knocking off the senior Chemics who were then undefeated, senior quarterback Shane Juday put on a show for the ages, propelling the Chargers to a 42-7 win. His 90-yard touchdown run shook Midland Community Stadium and immortalized that group of Chargers into DHS football history. To this day, many would agree it’s still the loudest moment they’ve ever witnessed at a DHS football game. The intensity of the Midland-Dow game is what separates this rivalry game from the others. “It was just different,” Craig said. “We came prepared for every game because we only had one division in the Saginaw Valley back then and you couldn’t afford a loss. But MHS week was just different. The prep was different. Everybody got a little extra jacked up for that week- the coaches, the teachers, the students. Practice was so intense

“No chance we look past them,”

managing opinion very October, in the final week of the football season, it arrives: The Midland-Dow Game. The annual battle between DHS and crosstown rival MHS. No matter the records, most community members would agree that this game has a different feel to it. Matt Craig, class of 1982 and DHS’ starting quarterback in the 1981 and 1982 battles, remembers the games vividly some 40 years later. “It takes the game to a whole new level of competition,” Craig said. “It wasn’t just about the two schools playing ball, it was a little more special in some ways. There was no school of choice. You lived in the Dow area, you went to Dow High. You only went to the Dow McDonald’s after the game and all the businesses on that side of town had green and gold signs and banners. And on the other side of town, it was all blue and gold. It was a true community event and was exciting for the community to see who would have bragging rights.” This year’s game marks the 56th anniversary of the two schools going head to head. Despite MHS owning a 41-15 record over DHS, it still has the same meaning today as it did 56 years ago. “My favorite part is the intensity that it brings and the spirit days leading up to the game,” DHS junior linebacker and place kicker Landen Miller said. Currently owning a 5-3 record to the Chemics 2-6, DHS enters this year’s contest as the favorite to win. But the Chargers know all too well

down, the anticipation for the next chapter in this storied rivalry intensifies. A game that links generations and bonds a community, each team will no doubt play with a mutual respect towards the other. The next 365 days of bragging rights are at stake for these underclassmen. For the seniors, a lifetime of saying they walked off the field victorious in their final clash with their storied rival.

graphics by Brooke Seymour photos by Erica DesJardins & Hannah Klaffer

Maldonado’s Madness

with Eliezer

Cunningham vs Green

Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green. The first and second overall picks, respectively, in this year’s NBA draft, these two rookies have been, and will continue to be compared to each other for the entirety of their careers. While I will always be a Houston Rockets fan and therefore want Green to succeed in the NBA, I also want to see Cunningham be successful in the league (just not as successful as Green). However, the general perception of these two players on the internet is that one of them will be good, but the other one won’t be good or will just turn out to be a benchwarmer. These kinds of comparisons come up every year between players who are drafted at the top of each year’s draft. Anthony Edwards vs. LaMelo Ball, Trae Young vs. Luka Doncic, Markelle Fultz vs. Lonzo Ball, Ben Simmons vs. Brandon Ingram, the list goes on and on. Considering the fact that Cunningham and Green haven’t even played in an actual NBA game yet, assuming that one player will be good and the other one will turn out to be bad should not be the mindset when predicting how these player’s careers will turn out. There are many examples of the top players in a draft both succeeding, such as Derrick Rose (2008, No. 1 pick) and Russell Westbrook (2008, No. 4 pick), and Shaquille O’Neal (1992, No. 1 pick) and Alonzo Mourning (1992, No. 2 pick). These players, while they all received different awards and won a different number of championships, all had successful careers in the NBA. On the flip side, there are also examples of the top players

Oct. 22, 2021

Update

both flopping, such as Anthony Bennett (2013, No. 1 pick) and Cody Zeller (2013, No. 4 pick), and Andrea Bargnani (2006, No. 1 pick) and Adam Morrison (2006, No. 3 pick). While some of these players are worse than others, such as Anthony Bennett who hasn’t been playing in the league for years compared to Cody Zeller who still plays consistent minutes as a role player, all of these players didn’t live up to the hype and expectations they had when getting drafted. Furthermore, Cunningham and Green have different skill sets, so they shouldn’t even be getting compared in the first place. Cunningham is a point guard, whose job is to make himself and others look better by facilitating the ball but can also score when he needs to. Green, on the other hand, is a score-first shooting guard. While he has shown flashes of play-making potential, his primary role is going to be getting buckets, and putting the ball in the net. While similar, these two players play different positions with different playstyles, so comparing these two players to each other should not be taken as seriously as the media has been portraying it. It would be like comparing LeBron James and Steph Curry, who while both players can score and facilitate the ball, they each have a different, unique playstyle that has made them be as successful as they have been in the league. Basically, Cunningham and Green should be in their own separate categories when it comes to comparisons. While both players are getting drafted by a team who needs them to be a franchise-changing cornerstone for years to come, each player is on a different team, with different circumstances and should be getting talked about separately. A couple years down the line, once these two players have had a couple years of playing under their belt, then we can start discussing whether or not it was the right decision to draft Cunningham first overall, or if it would have been better to draft Green before him.