Fenton
InPrint
April 22, 2015 3200 W. Shiawassee Ave., Fenton, Michigan 48430
Hard Work Success means doing more than what is expected Page 4
Gallons of Blood Donors save lives at Red Cross Blood Drives Page 10
Austin Batteese
Cerebral Palsy deters her motor skills, not her personality
Page 14
Swingin’ in the Rain
Spring sports are underway and certain athletes stand out among the crowd. Senior Madison Ballard, nationally ranked tennis player, and senior John Lloyd, who has won numerous Metro League titles for golf, are featured on page 15. Pictured, senior Paige Dean has received a scholarship for her work as a softball pitcher. These three athletes started their seasons well before the sun came out and snow melted in order to prepare for their senior sports season.
Photo hope dagenais
fentoninprint.com
2 NEWS April 22, 2015
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Toys- Page 5
Tricks of the Trade
Fenton InPrint
Children’s toys have evolved through-
With the demand for skilled tradesmen increasing, the opportunities provided by community colleges increase
The InPrint is a student-led newspaper published every four weeks by the Advanced Journalism class at Fenton High School. We are an open forum. If the paper prints incorrect information, any necessary corrections will be made in the next issue.
out the years. Check out what students’ favorites were when they were little and what their favorites are now that they’ve grown up.
Photo Alexis Megdanoff
Orchestra- Page 7 Established in 2010, the community
WRITER emily battaglia
After all graduation rituals have come to a close, new alumni may find themselves heading to a four-year college similar to their former classmates. However, what many may not realize is that after high school there is a different way to obtain a degree - studying at a Community College Skilled Trades Equipment Program. “The state of Michigan feels there will be high wage, high skill and high demand in some skilled trade careers,” Career Preparation Coordinator Cheryl Reardon said. “We simply don’t have enough people going into those jobs.” On Feb. 24, Governor Rick Snyder approved a $50 million grant to 18 Michigan community colleges to help boost skilled trades instruction; 21.5 million was matched by the community toward instructor training and equipment. By 2017, it is estimated that nearly 2.5 million skilled trade jobs will be added to the workforce, consequently making up about 40 percent of job growth. “Not every university degree will give you a high chance of getting a job,” Reardon said. “Community college associates or certificates in a skilled trade are career specific and there is also a higher demand for workers.” Skilled trades represent about one-third
of the jobs in Michigan. This type of career includes jobs in manufacturing, health care, maintenance and repair, public safety and robotics. Junior Matt Hiller is one of the students who plans to enter this trade after graduation. “I plan to go to some sort of technical school and get an associates degree in welding,” Hiller said. “I like working with my hands. I take classes at Genesee Career Institute for welding. I think it is a good career for me.” Mott Community College is one of 18 schools that received the grant and currently offers occupational associate degree programs. “Students need to research what path they want to take if they plan to attend a community college,” Reardon said. “They can take a oneyear certificate, which earns them a specialty in one specific area; an associates degree, which takes two years and requires technical classes as well as general education classes; there are also classes that some may take if they plan on transferring to a four-year university.” While a degree at a four-year university still has value, the importance of a certification in a skilled trade is rising. As more opportunities arise to gain experience in this field of work, the future looks bright for skilled tradesmen.
orchestra consists of local citizens, in-
Another Victory
cluding several students with a passion
LifeSmarts Team captures state championship
for music.
Writer Emily battaglia
Photo Brienna Knierium
For the fifth consecutive year, the LifeSmarts team captured the state championship at their competition this past February. Coached by Bruce Burwitz, the winning team consisted of seniors Madison Ballard, Kelsey Krause, Jacob Goodman, Katherine Hiller, and Zach Williams. “LifeSmarts is a quiz bowl type competition with two teams competing at a time,” LifeSmarts team coach Bruce Burwitz said. “The teams answer questions on topics of finance, environment, technology, safety and consumer rights.” The students who attended the state competition were chosen because of their high scores on the Life Smarts online test they took in one
of Burwitz’s business classes. “The test consisted of 140 questions of the same categories as the ones in the competition,” Burwitz said. “The highest scorers in the state qualified for the competition.” The team defeated Cranbrook School with a score of 235 points, making them the highest scorers after eight rounds of competition. Four members of the team, along with Burwitz and CADD teacher Andy Cocagne, are at the national finals in Seattle, Washington, this week. “Last year’s team placed 12th at nationals and we plan to do even better than that,” Williams said. “Jacob Goodman has gone to nationals three times, so having someone on the team with that experience is helpful. ”
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Editorials are staff editorials on which the entire class votes to decide the stance taken. Opinions expressed in editorials are not those of the administration. Columns represent the opinion of the individual writer and do not reflect those of the administration. Polls represent a random sampling of 10 percent of the students attending the school.
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The staff encourages students, staff and administrators to submit guest columns of letters to the editor. Letters and guest columns may be emailed to fentoninprint2014@ gmail.com or deposited in the boxes in the main office or the media center. All letters must be signed and include a phone number to verify information. Letters are subject to editing for space. Anonymous letters and those that are photocopied or addressed to a third person will not be considered.
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Staff
Editor in Chief: Assistant Editor: Online Editor: Content Editors:
Business Staff:
Caitlin Heenan Shealyn Mandle Alexis Megdanoff Tess DeGayner, Carly Riggs, Samantha C. Smith, Kaylee Vasbinder, Hudson Villeneuve, Riley Wilson Carly Riggs, Samantha T. Smith, Christina Walker, Riley Wilson Emily Battaglia, Samantha Campbell, Tess DeGayner, Jennifer Eisenbeis, Cameron Mathews, Calli Miller, Michael Pearce Makenzie Cool, Hope Dagenais Laura Albrant, Alyssa Branoff, Lauren Gruber, Preston English, Brienna Knierium, Erica Kolanowski, Maddie Roy, Wilson Personett, Matthew Shampine, Macyn Stevens, Parker Toonder Sylvia Stack, Alec Miller
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The
April 22, 2015
In the Spirit of...
ther Side of
the C in
l
o e Scho
Universities are only one option for graduates
T rad
U n i v e r s i ty
Kiwi
editor-in-chief caitlin heenan
Apprentic One of the most popular alternatives eship is to take two years at a community College y it n u college in order to get transferable credits Comm that are eligible at a university. For example, when comparing the tuition per credit hour of the nursing course at Mott Community College and the nursing course at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor respectively, you’re looking at thousands of dollars worth in savings, with a single credit at Mott clocking in at $286.60 where the same credit at U of M is going to cost $1,472. This amount of savings allows students to complete their associates degree with financial ease in order for them to continue on to a big name university without the debt that they would incur if they started at a university straight out of high school. Other options are available than just Career Institute offers a number of classes community colleges. For the determined and practical who have a very specific field that cover a variety of subjects in order to help one get a head start in a job field that they wish to get into, trade schools and he or she loves. apprenticeships may be the best bet. Trade The fact that students who graduate schools focus on teaching career specific high school and lack a college education skills and techniques that businesses today today are facing a 5.4 percent unemployare looking for. Trade schools offer a very ment rate is proof that a college education specific and unique selection of courses, is more and more necessary. Even though thus, job security for students graduating the most popular option for a college edufrom one is extremely high. cation is the standard four (or more) years These advantages are piled on top of at a university, the high price tag alienates a huge financial benefit. A full degree those who want a quality education but offered at a trade school will ultimately lack the funding for it. Even though quality cost $33,000, where a bachelors degree at education may seem hopeless, community a four-year university will cost on average $127,000 without loans and additional fees college and trade schools can provide a shimmer of hope so when that fateful day included. of graduation finally comes, everyone can For those who want to get a head start look forward to the rest of their lives. on a trade school education, the Genesee
STAFF ED The staff selects a topic for each
AT ISSUE
Can the alternatives to a four-year university make students just as successful?
OUR VIEW Yes. The alternatives available provide opportunities for success.
Agree: 11
Disagree: 6
Abstain: 2
Photos MACYN STEVENS
What’s on your mind? What do you do to relax?
“Skateboarding is something that I like to do to de-stress. I go with my friends, Logan Landis and Darren McDunnough, and it’s just an overall good pastime for me.” -Freshman Jackson Steel
“I like to de-stress by watching ‘Sports Center’ on TV. I enjoy sports in general and they discuss all types of sports like baseball and soccer.” -Sophomore Reid Thompson
“I like to take a nap when I get home from school. It helps me escape from the world around me that may cause my stress.” -Junior Myla Wolosonowich
“I like to watch TV, mainly comedies or stuff like that. ‘How I Met Your Mother’ is one of the shows that I like to watch. I like shows like that because they’re funny.” -Senior Breaden McMaster
PHOTO MAKENZIE COOL
Graduation: The essential pivot point in every student’s career. For most of us, it means one word. Liberation. From the minute we toss our caps in the air, we are freed from authority figures dictating to us what to do, where to go and how we should act. We have the rest of our lives in front of us and nobody should squander the endless possibilities which have been made available to us. Yet, ever since we discovered the concept of a higher education, there seems to have been a “choice” that was always set in stone: You have to attend a four-year university to be successful. Of course there are people who dare to think outside of the proverbial box and who challenge the standards of traditional society and the better they are for it. We will always need people to question the natural order of things, but not all of us can be that lucky. To those who harbor talent, nurture it! Nurturing talent has been what bred innovation and it will continue to do so, as long as we continue to improve ourselves. In order to take advantage of the abilities we have, a higher education of some form is needed and it’s important to remember that a higher education does not necessarily mean college. While attending college is considered necessary or mandatory to obtain a good job, the sad fact is that some just cannot afford all of the fees that come along with big title schools like the University Of Michigan Ann Arbor or Michigan State University. It was David Carradine who said, “There’s always an alternative,” and that statement couldn’t be more true today. For those who can’t afford the traditional four year university, there are options. issue and votes to determine the direction the editorial will take. The majority rules and the editorial is written from that angle.
OPINION 3
Kiwi - noun (kee-wee): a. the most beautiful, yet strange example of Felis catus that could ever possibly exist in the entire universe. b. a cat loved most by Caitlin Heenan, a girl who gives him more hugs and pats on the head than ever imaginable. Synonyms: my baby cat, Kiwister, Flufferton, King of the Garage. For those who do not know, Kiwi is my cat and best friend; he is my life (so cliche, I know, but it’s true). He is a weird little animal that does weird little things and in doing so, he brings light to my life. Suckling the fluffy side of blankets and clothes is his favorite pastime. His favorite food is strawberry Greek yogurt. He is afraid of the doorbell and growls when it is rung. He enjoys petting his head on feet and makes squeaky noises when he jumps off the counter. Kiwi is weird, but that is why I love him so much. For those who claim to not like cats, that will change if you ever get the glorious opportunity to meet my little fur baby. Although Kiwi is “just a cat,” he is an important aspect of my life that I cannot imagine leaving or loosing. He is more than just an animal to me. He is my furry little friend who sleeps at the foot of my bed, never criticizes my life choices and always listens to my problems. Kiwi is one of the main reasons I can cope with the struggles of life. I swear, he can sense when I am upset, always accompanying me to watch Netflix when I need a stress reliever and to be cheered up or being extra adorable on the days I just want to lay in bed and pretend the last couple of hours never happened. Before people start to call me a crazy cat lady, there is an explanation to how I could love and depend on a cat so much. Being around animals as a child and interacting with them now offers health benefits. According to Harvard’s Medical School website, “Studies going back to the early 1980s support the idea that pets have enormous health benefits for people. Pets have been proven to lower blood pressure, improve recovery from heart disease, and even reduce rates of asthma and allergy for children in families who grow up with a Fido or a Frisky in the house. Pets also improve people’s psychological well-being and self-esteem.” Even just the presence of a loyal, unconditionally loving animal can turn any bad day into a good one very quickly and over an extended period of time can improve both physical and mental health. Although Kiwi is a cuddly ball of fur, he is so much more than that in terms of a furry friend. He is an aspect of my life that keeps me healthy and happy, both physically and mentally.
4 OPINIONApril 22, 2015
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O f t h e U s e r s , B y t h e MP2 Sports Users,For the Users On Fe b. 26, the FCC approved Title II based-rules to secur e t rue Internet freedom for millions of users
writer Samantha Smith
Work Hard… and Work Even Harder
The need for excpetional effort is too often forgotten by high schoolers online EDITOR Alexis Megandoff
As I browse over my planned schedule for senior year, I both cringe and feel slightly giddy at the amount of work I know is headed my way. Challenging myself has always been an activity I have found enjoyable because it just means that I am constantly getting better. However, over the past few years I have come to realize that my constant pursuit for more work is not shared by everyone. At first I was very confused because to me, why wouldn’t someone always push themselves to their limits? It was not until recently I figured out some people believe that simply completing their responsibilities without complaining too much should be enough to award them the highest of honors. There are a few issues with that philosophy. The biggest problem is no one is going to pat you on the back for doing what you’re supposed
to do. There is no brilliance in fulfilling one’s own responsibilities. Anyone who is labeled excellent has gone beyond the minimum amount of work. That being said, it is impossible to tell someone exactly how hard he/she will have to work in order to reach the top. The truth about life is there is always going to be someone trying to beat you and if you want to stay on top, you will always have to be the one to work harder. Once aware of this, it is up to you to make the appropriate choices in life. What people fail to realize is if you put in the average amount of time doing average work, you are going to be average. Now, there is nothing wrong with being average, but you should not expect to receive more rewards than what you have worked for. If you only work hard enough to be number two, then you’re going to
be number two. Some people will claim that working hard only gets one so far and success is just a mixture of good timing and natural talent that makes people stand out. In reality, those who blame success on pure luck are the ones coming in second. They forget that everyone who rose to be number one had years of hard work already logged before they were able to take advantage of the opportunities laid out before them. Without hard work, taking risks means nothing. All those nights you spent (or will spend) four or more hours working on homework and studying for a test are worth it. Do not let the fact that half the class already looked up the answers prevent you from working hard to understand the material. When you become better than what you once were, when you are the one to succeed, you will know you have won.
Photo makenzie cool
What are my friends up to on Facebook? Are there any updates on Tumblr? I wonder if Markiplier uploaded another video on YouTube yet? Since the late 1990s when technology became more widely available, people find themselves glued to their electronic devices as soon as they find a WiFi signal. It is thanks to Net Neutrality that this sort of freedom in regards to online activity is possible. Net Neutrality is the reason behind the free and open Internet available today. It is the principle that all data on the Internet should be treated equally and not be discriminated against because of the person using the site or the site itself. In our technologically advanced society, this right holds perhaps as much importance as the First Amendment did two and a quarter centuries ago. This liberty, like many others before it, was recently challenged. Last May, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Tom Wheeler released a proposal that would have given companies such as Comcast or Verizon control to dictate how the Internet is to be run. Theoretically, this control would have resulted in blocked websites based on who provided the Internet service, having to pay for access or because of content. Because of this, massive public outrage and protest bombarded both the FCC and the United States Congress and, as of Feb 26, the proposal was swapped for another that strengthened Internet protection, rather than weakening it and was approved three to two. Internet users aware of this problem breathed a sigh of relief that swept the nation, including myself. Despite a general distrust of technology and an annoyance of our culture’s dependence on it, the Internet is one of my many vices. After a long day at school, the World Wide Web provides a much appreciated opportunity to wind down from the stress of everyday life. The new Avengers trailer is out? Time to fangirl over how awesome Ultron looks. The Walking Dead is streaming on Hulu? Time to cry because your favorite character probably just died. Neill Blomkamp is directing Alien 5? Time to feverishly stalk his Instagram for more Xenomorph concept art. The Internet is a wonderful place for these ideas to congregate, a hub of information and entertainment: limitless and ever-growing, much like the vacuum of space. This vacuum leads to a combination of freedom and festivity that makes for an addictive and dangerous combination. Perhaps that is why the URL was almost SOL. J.K. Rowling once said, “The Internet has been a boon and a curse for teenagers,” and as much as I adore the Internet and all of the potential that is has to offer, even I have to agree with this statement. The Internet is a messed up and dangerous place. Children are exploited every day online, chat rooms open up doors for sexual predators, mature content filters can easily be hacked or simply turned off and a majority of sex crimes against minors are instigated through online social media profiles. Taking these facts into consideration, it is easy to see why the FCC would want more security for the Internet. The Internet is a technological privilege and, like most privileges, it is taken for granted. There’s no way to control who goes online without taking the rights of others offline.
WRITER michael pearce
Unjustly Uneven From domestic violence cases to sexual assault trials to DUIs, pro athletes are racking up the arrests and continuing to get away with it. The penalties, lighter. The sentences, shorter. The mentality of entitlement remains constant across pro sports. The source of this issue goes back to the athletes’ roots; it is traceable from their childhood. LeBron James’ son had a highlight reel air on ESPN as a major story. Little Bronny is only 10. TEN and he is being scouted by universities. Ten year olds should be playing AAU (Amatuer Athletic Union) basketball and not have to worry about how the coach of Kentucky likes his postup game, even if their dad is LeBron James. The over-scouting of young kids is a dangerous act. When kids are treated like the greatest thing on earth in their town because of their athletic skill, they will think they’re the greatest athlete to ever grace the Earth, and will behave accordingly. This is why we see repeat offenders in the pros, they think the rules don’t apply to them, because they never have before. Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has a strong opinion on AAU basketball. “AAU basketball,” Bryant said. “Horrible, terrible AAU basketball. It’s stupid. It doesn’t teach our kids how to play the game at all so you wind up having players that are big and they bring it up the court, they do all this fancy crap and they don’t know how to post. They don’t know the fundamentals of the game. It’s stupid.” The solution to this problem is easy. Young athletes need to be treated like the rest of their peers. College athletes should not get a break from their work because they’re the best quarterback in the Big 10 and if these breaks were not given, a decrease in academic scandals would occur. Athletes should be forced to be accountable for their actions and be aware of the consequences that would result from poor choices, from the start of their athletic career in AAU sports. The arrest numbers are low because of the small number of pro athletes. These numbers are low, and not every athlete who gets in trouble fits this mold, but like in most situations the bad apples spoil the bunch. The bad apples are also located in the same high paying and most popular sports. If the numbers are adjusted as if they were a population of 100,000 people, the NBA and NFL lead the pack with a 2.8% arrest rate in 2010, one of their most arrest heavy years. The MLB and NHL that year only had a .1% arrest rate. It is no coincidence that the sports with the higher revenue stream and average contracts are the ones whose athletes getting in more trouble. Hammers need to be dropped. Laws need to be laid down. Rules need to be enforced. These slaps on the wrists the associations give to players is not working. A slap on the wrist affects no one, not even a slap from the strongest of nuns.
FEATURES 5
T yv luti n
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April 22, 2015
Technology attracts kids attention instead of toys such as Barbies and Legos
content editor riley wilson
Sophomore Jordynn Bloss enjoys spending time with her family and friends, but when she was younger she had a collection of Barbie dolls like most young girls. Now, her Barbies sit in a bin in the basement collecting dust. Barbie and Ken aren’t the only thing in the toy box. It is likely that these dolls will not be touched by the next generation because of what some call the toy evolution, where technology is used as a toy. “My favorite toys when I was little were Barbies; I could act things out and dress them up the way I wanted,” Bloss said. “Plus the girls in my neighborhood played with them. We would all get together and play with our Barbies all day.” Barbies were inducted to the National Toy Hall of Fame in 1998, which is an organization that awards toys that have inspired creativity. Many franchises used the popularity of a toy to create other items that related to the toy, such as books, movies, and backpacks. “When I was little there were Barbie toys and movies and books and shirts and a bunch of other things that made them really popular,” Bloss said. “Barbies were the toy that every girl wanted to play with.” Legos took over the toy industry in the ‘90s and were inducted into the into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 1998. Legos had a famous advertisement that said “play more.”
“Legos were my favorite toy when I was younger. I was really into Star Wars and would buy the Lego sets,” junior Kyle Laskowski said. “I enjoyed playing with them because you could buy different sets to build Lego models.” As kids mature, so do their toys. Hanging out becomes a common hobby, as do video games, which replace the classic toys now left in the long-forgotten toy box. “Instead of playing with toys, I play Warhammer and 40K,” Laskowski said. “Normally I will play just about any video game.” A lot has changed over 10-15 years. Technology has evolved, creating apps to help children learn. “Everything is so different now from when we were kids,” Bloss said. “Little kids play with phones and computers and iPods and iPads, what we are playing with as teenagers. Kids don’t play with toys anymore, they play with technology, which is really scary and weird compared to how we grew up. It makes me think that kids are missing out on some fun things that we used to do and I’m sure our parents think the same about how we grew up.” Technology as a toy will continue to advance well into the future, creating new and more exciting toys and opportunities. Kids will play with Legos and Barbies but technology serves as another option for a childhood toy.
photos alexis megdanoff
“Everything is so different now from when we were kids. Kids do not play with toys anymore; they have technology and it is really unfortunate compared to how we grew up.”
- Sophomore Jordynn Bloss
6FEATURESApril 22, 2015
A Day in the Life of
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How Principal Mark Suchowski and Athletic Director Mike Bakker affect the school with their work writer jennifer eisenbeis
Athletic Director It is 8 a.m. The door to the athletic office opens. Athletic Director Mike Bakker steps inside and goes to his office. He sits down to finish the remaining work he has from the sporting event the previous night. Each day may begin like this for him, but he knows from experience that each day is different and that each morning he walks into his office he does not know what his work day will have in store for him. “I thought I was going to have an open day filled with doing paperwork and stuff,” Bakker said. “But then I’ve got four to five parent, student athlete, or coaches meetings. All of those things I have to figure out and do. Each day is different, I never know because of what might have happened the night before.” Each day Bakker checks in and helps out the teams at their practices after school, which is the reason why he became an athletic director. “I was a coach and a teacher for five years and I really enjoyed it. I knew that I wanted to go into administration,” Bakker said. “As I was finishing up my degree in leadership, I had options. I could’ve been an assistant principal or an athletic director. I was really drawn to being able to help coaches coach and to help student athletes find success.” Even though Bakker enjoys his job, it normally does not end until 9 p.m. However, this does not stop him from seeing his family. “It’s pretty challenging, honestly, to have a family with the hours I put in,” Bakker said. “My family will come up and spend evenings with me. We’ll go sneak away for like 30 minutes and we’ll actually sit in my office, my kids, my wife and I, and eat dinner because I’m only a radio call away.” Because of the hours Bakker puts in each week, he sometimes does not get to see his kids at home. “There have been a lot of sacrifices because I put in about 55 hours a week. It’s not uncommon for me to go on a stretch of two to three days where I leave for work before my kids are out of bed in the morning and get home after they’re in bed for the night,” Bakker said. “There have been times where, even when I’m living in the same house, I won’t see them unless they come up here to see me and hang out.” When Bakker has free time, he likes to get away from his office and spend time with his family. “When I have spare time I like to travel,” Bakker said. “I like to get away from here and take some family vacations. We like to camp. I can shut down and recharge my batteries and not have to worry about being a five minute drive away from work.” As his work day draws to a close, Bakker shuts off his office light and heads home. He arrives to a quiet and sleepy home and goes to bed, knowing that once again the next day will be one that is different from the last.
7 AM Suchowski arrives at the school 8 AM Bakker arrives at the school 9- 11AM Bakker checks weather for any rescheduled or canceled events
11:40 AM- 12:10 PM Bakker supervises second lunch 2:28 PM Bakker walks around at sports practices and checks in with coaches and athletes 6 PM Bakker eats dinner with his family in his office 9 PM Bakker leaves work to head home
8:30- 9:15 AM Suchowski has monthly parent advisory meetings 10:55- 11:25AM Suchowski supervises first lunch 11:30 AM Suchowski attends meetings with teachers
7 PM Suchowski goes home and finishes any leftover work from the day 10 PM Suchowski goes to bed to get ready for the next day
Principal It is 4:30 a.m. Principal Mark Suchowski gets out of bed and reviews his calendar for the day. He checks to see which teachers will be absent and then gets ready for the day ahead of him. He arrives to school at 7 a.m. and begins preparing for the events that will be held during the day. “My day starts filling up with meetings with different groups I’m responsible for,” Suchowski said. “I do teacher observations and teacher meetings.” Suchowski used to be an English teacher before becoming a principal. Now, he gets to see students in each grade grow as they go through high school instead of over a class period. “When you’re in the classroom, you get to see the growth of a student over the course of a semester,” Suchowski said. “Then, as a principal, you get to see their growth over the course of ninth grade to twelfth grade, and that’s the best part of my job.” Suchowski goes to school events. From basketball games, to robotics competitions, he tries to make an appearance to show school support. “I go to all of the home basketball games and football games, I even got to go to some of the away football games. I try to make an appearance at as many events as I can,” Suchowski said. “I also divvy up the plays and concerts with Mrs. Lemke, so there’s always an administrator at an event. I also go to robotics competitions to show support.” Suchowski does not like to make mistakes, it is one of the most stressful things about his job. “I don’t like to make the same mistake twice,” Suchowski said. “I like to learn from my mistakes by thinking ‘How can I do this better?’ For example, this will be the twelfth graduation I’ve organized and I know that the ones I do now are better than my first one; they are smoother and more prepared than the graduation ceremonies that I’ve planned before.” Suchowski works approximately 10-12 hours each school day, both at school and at home, where he completes unfinished business. “I am able to make Fenton High School a priority in my life and I’m okay with that. I kind of knew that when I was getting into it,” Suchowski said. “Usually I work 12 hours a day. Ten hours here and two or three at home.” One of the things Suchowski does is reach out to the community to help get involved with the school. “I spend a lot of time working with the community,” Suchowski said. “I call up people who live in the community, but don’t necessarily have kids that go here, and ask them to help participate in and support the schools. I talk to people about supporting scholarships or helping out the foundation.” Suchowski finishes the work he brought home. He eats dinner, then gets ready to go to bed, and falls asleep, only to wake up at 4:30 a.m. doing the same things he normally does each morning, and during the school day.
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April 22, 2015
ound of
FEATURES 7
usic
Established five years ago, the Fenton Community Orchestra helps bring a unique cultural aspect to the city and provides an outlet for musicians of all ages CONTENT EDITOR Samantha Smith
Local citizens gather in the Ruby F. Zima Auditorium to play as part of the Fenton Community Orchestra. From high school band students to recreational instrumentalists the sounds of string and percussion fill the air as these musicians from all walks of the musical world perform. “The Fenton Community Orchestra was established in 2010 by Jennifer Fleck, Kirsten Tesner and Lisa Bayer,” band director Andrew Perkins said. “The goal in mind was to play orchestral music in a local setting. Everyone can come and play. There is no audition process.” The musicians who make up the FCO are both adults and Fenton students, including senior Michael Chopp. “I joined the orchestra last spring because I wanted to play my instrument more than I was just being in school band,” Chopp said. “I play the trumpet in the school bands, community orchestra and other ensembles I play in outside of school. I play it because that’s what I chose back in 6th grade, for no particular reason, but I’ve grown to love it a lot.” While the FCO is not a performance group associated with the FHS curriculum, it is an educational experience. According to their mission statement, “The Fenton Community Orchestra’s purpose is to provide a place for musicians of all ages to connect through music by providing an educational and entertaining music program both for its members and its audiences.” “I choose a variety of music that meets the developmental readiness of the group, but is also a challenge,” Perkins said. “I also consider how audiences will feel about the music and try to vary the pieces so that we perform across genres and periods. A little classical, a little romantic, modern.”
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French Horn 2014 Graduate Ryan Baxter Violin Senior Andrew Tesner Clarinet Sophomore Karmyn Long
est. 200
This transcendence of different eras of music has provided the members of the FCO with an opportunity to be exposed to new forms of musical culture. Junior Erin Casey is an example of how the songs performed by the FCO have both an academic, yet emotional effect. “Some of my favorite songs that we’ve played have been ‘Nocturne’ by Mendelssohn, ‘Carmen Suite’ by Bizet and the ‘Downton Abbey Suite,’” Casey said. “I enjoyed playing those pieces because while playing them I could feel the emotion and it was amazing.” While the FCO provides this entertaining experience, it is still a performance group that requires work and two hours of weekly rehearsal time. “Our rehearsals are held every Thursday for two hours,” Casey said. “We usually play through all of the songs and then go back and slowly work through any harder sections that we were struggling with. About half way through we take a break which is usually pretty long but nice because it gives you time to talk to your friends.” Despite the work and focus that the FCO puts into their performances, they still find time to build not only their musical skills, but their relationships with their fellow orchestra members. “I am in multiple ensembles in and outside of school and a lot of the people who are in the orchestra are in those with me,” Chopp said. “Music has allowed me to build great relationships with these people.” The Fenton Community Orchestra usually has two performances during the year, one in December, and another in the spring. This year, their spring performance falls on May 1.
8 STRESS RELIEF April 22, 2015
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a state of
WELL BE NG
Analyzing Do you dream often?
Assistant editor in chief Shealyn Mandle and editor in chief caitlin heenan
Three hours of homework, IB and AP tests to study for, practice for tennis from five to seven, an NHS meeting right after school, parents that will not stop yelling about making the bed and doing the dishes. Take a deep breath. Although the stresses of everyday life may seem trivial, they can often have negative effects. For short term stress relief, such as before taking an important test or giving a speech to the entire class, take deep breaths to take the body from fight or flight syndrome to rest and repair. “To help bring yourself out of flight or fight syndrome, you need to lick your lips, inhale slowly, count to 10 and do this three times, making sure your lips are moist each time,” Anatomy and Physiology teacher Lisa Stewart said. “The
cooling effect from the lips being moist and the slow breathing is a trigger for rest and repair.” Occasionally, short term stress relief is not enough. For long term stresses, try setting a regular sleep schedule. According to the American Psychological Association website, experts recommend going to bed at a regular time each night, striving for at least 7-8 hours of sleep, and if possible, eliminating distractions, such as television and computers from your bedroom. Whether the problems of life require something as simple as deep breathing or something more serious, stress relief is something all students should be given the opportunity to learn how to execute.
Exercising
Rather than taking out stress on an innocent bystander, take out emotions from problems of everyday life on the court. It has been proven that exercising relieves and prevents stress. “Physical activity helps to bump up the production of your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins. Although this function is often referred to as a runner’s high, a rousing game of tennis or a nature hike also can contribute to this same feeling.”
Sun Pose
Warrior Pose
NO
You are dreaming, but cannot remember the content. It is likely that the dreams are unimportant to your subconscious and thus forgotten by your conscious mind.
Exercise aids in the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle beyond simply keeping the body fit Exercise has effects on not only the physical side of stress but also a mental aspect. According to the Mayo Clinic,“Regular exercise can increase self-confidence and lower the symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety. Exercise also can improve your sleep, which is often disrupted by stress, depression and anxiety. This can ease your stress levels and give you a sense of command over your body and your life.” Yoga is one such option of exercise to reduce stress. The physical activity coupled with the overall trends of relaxation that accompany yoga makes it beneficial to the mind and body. “The American Yoga Association program to reduce stress in the body, breath, and mind does so by building coping skills with a small daily routine of exercise, breathing, and meditation. A few yoga exercises practiced daily (especially if they are done just prior to meditation) help to regulate the breath and relax the body by gently releasing tension from the large muscle groups, flushing all parts of the body and brain with fresh blood, oxygen, and other nutrients, and increasing feelings of well-being.” Whether one requires the relaxation of yoga or the aggressive nature of contact sports, all forms of Exercise can benefit those suffering from everyday stresses.
Easy Pose
Child’s Pose
Photos Makenzie cool
“The
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April 22, 2015
ng your dreams YES
It is important to be able to understand what dreams mean as they can reveal what is bothering a person subconsciously and allow one to deal with unknown or surprising problems in life
When you dream are you most often..
Flying
Are you naked?
YES
Are you being chased?
NO
YES
Are you in a forest or caught in a tornado/ NO storm?
YES
NO
NO
Are you in/near a cave or your YES house?
Are you at school taking a test?
NO
NO
YES
NO
Are there guns or knives? NO
You feel a lack of control in your life and are working to change that in a given situation.
YES
Are you with a significant other?
O
Are there spiders or lions?
YES
YES
Is it snowing or raining? N
Flying
Fighting
STRESS RELIEF 9
YES
NO
Is there a baby or baby animal involved?
YES
Is your mom, dad, a teacher, or police there? NO
YES
Is there a bicycle or are you at a hospital?
YES
NO
You are excited about something new and are generally happy and feel safe in the current standings of your life.
You are thinking about or are confronting an issue that is bothering you in your life at this time.
e interpretation of dreams is the royal road to a knowledge of the unconscious activities of the mind.� - Sigmund Freud
A CupStress of Relief
The food a person eats does more than just fuel the body, it can impact mental health as well
Berries - Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, berries of all kinds contain Vitamin C, which reduces stress hormones
Black tea - reduces stress hormone (cortisol) levels Milk - relieves tense muscles with protein and Vitamin B, also can aid in a more restful night of sleep
Avocado - Many fruits contain potassium which lowers blood pressure, but avocados also contain gluthatione, which blocks the uptake of unhealthy fats Dark Chocolate (in moderation)This treat lowers stress hormones and prompts activation of seratonin (the happy hormone) Photo Makenzie cool
Photos Parker Toonder and Nick Farella
10 FEATURESApril 22, 2015
www.fentoninprint.com assistant EDITOR shealyn mandle
1 Gallon = 24 Lives
Anticipating the needle poking through his skin, senior Max George waits patiently as he prepares to donate his blood to the American Red Cross for the eighth time. “I usually give two pints a year of double red blood cells, and I’ve been doing that since I’ve been in high school,” George said. “The difference between a double red blood cell donation and a regular donation is exactly what it sounds like, I give double the amount of red blood cells than just a normal donation.” There are three blood drives every year at FHS sponsored by The American Red Cross and run by National Honor Society. Approximately 90 people donate each time, working out to be around 90 pints of blood collected. Senior Tyler Kalanquin has donated seven pints, almost as much blood in the human body. “I donate because I feel like I can help people who need it. I am able to produce healthy blood for myself and I do not use all of it,” Kalanquin said. “There are people out there who cannot produce healthy blood or who need some extra. I feel like I am able to help those people. It’s just a way I can make a small contribution to my community.”
There are more than 41,000 blood donations every day. People who fulfill all of the eligibility requirements on the American Red Cross website are free to donate; however, the patient that receives it, needs their specific type of blood. The O- blood type can provide to any patient. Only seven percent of people in the United States have O-type blood so it is rare, but very useful. “I donated a pint my junior year and earlier this year I did a double red cell donation,” senior Cord Alvarado said. “I feel like God really blessed me with my O-blood type because it is the universal donor, so I like to donate whenever I can.” According to the American Red Cross website, each regular donation can save up to three lives. George, Kalanquin and Alvarado have each donated almost a gallon of blood meaning they have potentially saved 24 lives each. “It makes me feel great knowing I am actually helping,” George said. “I feel like I can help more people with the more I give.” The last opportunity for students to donate blood at the school will take place on April 23.
1
Photo maddie roy
2. As he relaxes on the blood donor table, senior Josh Tobias donates to the annual blood drive. “I like the concept of donating blood at an event like this,” Tobias said. “I think that if you have the ability to do something like donating, you should do it; and that’s what I did.”
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Saving others one pint of blood at a time, some students go above and beyond to help
1. As she lies on the table, junior Myla Wolosonowich donates blood for the annual blood drive. “At that moment, the needle was being taken out,” Wolosonowich said. “I find it exciting to donate blood because it’s giving me the opportunity to help people who may need it more than I do. I’m glad I could donate for such a good cause.”
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Double Trouble Photo lauren gruber
April 22, 2015
According to the CDC, 3.5 percent of the births in 2013 resulted in multiple births. Part of every duplicating relationship is bound to include interesting facts and funny stories worth sharing. Four sets of multiples were put to the test to see just how well they knew each other. online EDITOR alexis Megdanoff
About Hayley
About Hannah
Favorite Color? Hannah’s Answer: Purple Haley’s Answer: Coral Correct: Purple Correct: Coral Biggest Fear? Hannah’s Answer: Drowning Haley’s Answer: Dying Correct: Drowning Correct: Dying
Q: A:
How do people tell you apart? “We both think we look nothing alike,” Hannah said. “My dad still gets us mixed up sometimes. But people normally tell us apart from our personality or if they have known us for a long time, they say they can just tell.”
Favorite Music? Hannah’s Answer: Rap Hayley’s Answer: Christian Correct: Rap Correct: Christian
Clarke Q: A:
How do your personalities differ?
“We’re all different,” Emma said. “I’m the shy, smart one while Morgan is outgoing and Grace is bossy and demanding. We are completely different.”
What is one thing you all share? “We always share clothes even if we don’t like it,” Morgan said. “We always ask each other, ‘Why are you wearing my clothes?’ even though we all do it.”
What are the benefits/ drawbacks to triplets?
Photo makenzie cool
“There are many pros and cons but a definite drawback is we have to share everything,” Grace said. “An advantage would be studying together and doing school work.”
Glynn
“I wouldn’t change being a triplet because you have permanent best friends for life.” -Grace Glynn Photo lauren gruber
About Emma
About Kelsie
Favorite Color? Emma’s Answer: Purple Correct: Black Biggest Fear? Emma’s Answer: Baggy Clothes Kelsie’s Answer: Meat Correct: Heights Correct: Failure Kelsie’s Answer: Blue Correct: Blue
Lane Q: A:
Q: A:
Favorite Music? Kelsie’s Answer: Classic Rock Emma’s Answer: Opera Correct: Classic Rock Correct: Indie
Are you opposites or mirror images of each other? “We’re pretty close,” Matt said. “A lot of times I’ll walk in a room and ask a question then Collin will ask the exact same question in the same way. We think almost identically. Our thought process is very similar. We will both often come to the same conclusion.”
FEATURES 11
About Collin Favorite Color? About Matt Matt’s Answer: Blue Correct: Blue
Do you have any funny stories? “No, because we’re never together,” Emma said. “It’s not like we can switch places. Nobody thinks we are twins. One time someone asked if we were identical and I was like, ‘No, are you stupid? We look nothing alike.’” Photo makenzie cool
Collin’s Answer: Red Correct: Red
Biggest Fear? Matt’s Answer: I don’t know Collin’s Answer: Speaking Correct: Public Speaking Correct: Death Favorite Music? Matt’s Answer: Classical Rock Collin’s Answer: Rock Correct: Rock Correct: Classical Rock
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FEATURES13
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April 22, 2015
I Am What I Am
Standing up to discrimination, individuals refuse to be defined by their sexuality
I Am A Lesbian “Being a lesbian is really just a girl liking another girl. Being a lesbian only pertains to your sexuality. It doesn’t define anything else. Everyone is unique and has their own personality. Being a lesbian shouldn’t change every aspect of your life, its just who you are attracted to.” -Peyton Carlo
I Am Bisexual
I Am Gay
“I consider myself bisexual. Being bisexual simply means that I like both sexes. I don’t think that my bisexuality solely defines me as a whole, it’s just one of the components of who I am, like the color of my hair. It does allow me to be included in the LGBT+ community which is just another part of my being. My sexuality is just a fact about me. It just adds slightly to my identity.” -Kaleigh Niles
“Being gay is simply being attracted to the same sex. Being gay isn’t being fashion forward. Being gay isn’t having earrings. Being gay isn’t any of those stereotypes and being gay doesn’t make me anything less than human.” -Kalei Glozier
Questioned by her parents about her sexuality, senior Kaleigh Niles first discussed being bisexual with her parents five months ago. “My parents had asked me a couple times if I was gay or not before they knew and I told them no because I didn’t know how they’d react because they’re more conservative,” Niles said. “Eventually my mom just said she knew I was gay and I told her that I was. In relation to their reaction, it wasn’t good or bad. They accept it and feel the exact same about me.” Niles has friends and family to encourage her as she embraces her sexuality, even when others in society may not see her sexuality as acceptable. “I really haven’t told a ton of people about my sexuality so I haven’t experienced anything really negative yet,” Niles said. “My friends who know accept me and are completely fine with it. However, sometimes when I’m out in public with my girlfriend, we get stares or borderline rude looks.” Although being bisexual has not impacted Niles negatively in terms of the relationships she holds with others, she acknowledges the fact that not everyone has had an experience comparable to her own. “People often associate different levels of masculinity/femininity with being gay or lesbian,” Niles said. “Just because a girl dresses boyish doesn’t mean that she’s gay, in the same way that just because a girl dresses girly doesn’t mean that she can’t be gay. I also know that boys who might act more feminine can be taunted a lot and called gay which is stereotyping and would teach that boy to associate ‘gay’ with something bad or negative.” Kaleigh Niles is bisexual, which to her, is no different than being heterosexual to those who identify themselves in that way.
Offering his mother insight into his sexuality through a letter before junior year band camp, senior Kalei Glozier identifies himself as homosexual. “I wanted to give my mom an opportunity to think it over and adjust,” Glozier said. “I told my dad a couple months later in person. Both my parents said they knew since I was a kid.” While family members accept Glozier and his sexuality, other friends and acquaintances may not have the same reaction to accepting a gay man. “I think my mom wants me to be conservative about my sexuality,” Glozier said. “I think she thinks not everyone needs to know. I agree, but I also don’t want to hide. For example, she might not want me to get earrings because people will make an immediate judgment.” Many believe society can try to dictate the behavior of individuals according to a number of different factors, such as race, social status and gender. “I don’t consider myself gender fluid,” Glozier said. “However, I do feel that society puts pressure on people to do what fits their gender and if they deviate, they are looked down upon which hurts them as an individual.” Along with expectations of specific behavior, society also uses appearance to stereotype individuals. “I don’t think everyone should assume that if someone is feminine or likes a certain music that he is gay,” Glozier said. “I also don’t think that gay should be used as an insult. If you are called gay don’t be like no that’s gross, but say something like I prefer the opposite sex.” Kalei Glozier wishes not to simply broadcast his sexuality, but to give inspiration to those who may still be hiding.
EDITOR-in-chief caitlin heenan
Disclosing her sexuality first to her father at a breakfast outing and later to her mother over the phone, senior Peyton Carlo identifies herself as a homosexual female. “My parents have reacted positively,” Carlo said. “When I did tell them, I wanted to tell my dad first because I’ve always been closer to him. He reacted fine and said he had known since I was a kid. I have some other family members who are gay as well, so being gay isn’t new to my family. My family is very accepting and are always there to support me.” Despite having a supportive family, Carlo has noticed stereotypes for her sexuality and gender that she finds offensive. “The stereotypes that I find most offensive are when society says that all lesbians look like a guy,” Carlo said. “Not every lesbian looks like that. Sometimes society says, ‘Oh, you are way too pretty to be a lesbian,’ which is also not true. Your attractiveness does not define your sexuality. I do think society wants all girls to dress like what a girl is expected to look like. To not have short hair but to have long hair and to wear makeup and dresses.” Despite certain stereotypes, Carlo lives her life as she sees fit, taking actions that may not be what society would consider ideal, but which she considers to be ideal. “For me, personally, society doesn’t trap me at all,” Carlo said. “I dress like a guy and have short hair. My behavior is more like a guy as well. I stopped worrying about what society thought of my behavior and appearance.” Peyton Carlo is no different than any other teenager. She has homework, likes and dislikes for movies and music and spends time with friends who support her, despite the difference in her sexuality.
14 FEATURES April 22, 2015
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Character Should Have No Image
Refusing to allow her disability define her, sophomore Austin Batteese hopes others look beyond her physical appearances and find her personality content editor Tess Degayner
Disclaimer: If you are looking for an unfortunate story about a girl who gave in to her disability then flip to the next page because this story is not what you are looking for. Cerebral palsy is not very common in the average population, about 1 child in 323 children have this disability, so you could say a person with CP is quite unique. It becomes present at birth and does not yet have a cure. One student shares an inspirational story about the affects that this disability has on her life. “I have spastic cerebral palsy,” sophomore Austin Batteese said. “Compared to the other types of CP, my body is more stiff and tight. People think because of my disability, I am somehow ‘stupid’. CP does not make me stupid. I am human just like you and I want to be treated just like you. I hear, I listen and I understand everything you say to me.” An individual with cerebral palsy has a physical impairment which affects the muscles and the person’s ability to control them. It can impact motor skills such as walking, writing, and speaking. Treatment and therapy help manage effects on the body. “When I was a baby I could not talk or walk as easily as other children my age,” Batteese said. “I still do not talk very clearly. In school I take a class to help my speech. As far as walking, in fifth grade I had a surgery to move a tendon in my right leg. It made it much easier to move around. Now I don’t fall as much. I used to fall all the time and it was really hard for me to keep my balance.” While managing her own obstacles in life, Batteese reaches out to fellow classmates trying to help them overcome certain difficulties. “I feel bad for people who have CP worse than I do,” Batteese said, “but I am sick of people picking on other people’s disabilities. I just want people to be treated fairly. I have recently started to stand up for myself and other people. Some of my friends with CP cannot move at all. One of
my friends has a computer and it talks for her. I am lucky that I am able to help her as much as I can. I do little stuff for her like sometimes I can hold the door open for her or I will help her grab things.” Batteese believes in treating people equally no matter what. Her hope is to share her story through her peers so they get to know her different qualities before making judgments. “Each individual person has different things that make them themselves,” Batteese said. “I love listening to music, it is one of my favorite things. It’s easy to relate to songs because people are hesitant to communicate with me so I can’t relate to other students. I am sad when people choose not to talk to me.” Cerebral palsy is permanent, as well as hurtful words. PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center conducted studies regarding the connection between bullying and developmental disabilities. The studies indicate children with disabilities are two to three times more likely to be bullied than their peers. “I often hear remarks about myself that do not make me feel good,” Batteese said. “The song by Colbie Caillat called ‘Try’ makes me feel better. It tells people it doesn’t matter what you look like, what is on your body, what size you are, or what color you are. The song also sends a message to say you do not have to be afraid of who you truly are.” Cerebral palsy has left Batteese with many struggles and multiple impacts on her life. But that is not stopping her from living her life like a normal teenage girl. Like the song ‘Try’ advocates, Austin is not afraid to be who she is and one day she hopes to have every person will be comfortable in their own skin.
“I have 99 problems but CP ain’t one. Never give up.” -Austin Batteese
How Austin Batteese inspires others: “I have known Austin since elementary school; she is probably one of the nicest people I know. She always says hello to me in the halls with a smile on her face.” -Junior Sarah Cummings
“I do not know Austin personally, but she inspires me with her disability because she comes to school to learn! She should not have worry about people judging her.” -Freshman Jacob Angelovski
“It inspires me that Austin does the same things we do in class. She doesn’t let her disability stop her from what everyone else is doing.” -Sophomore Brandon Weaver
“Austin always has a positive attitude. I am impressed with her ability to take on challenges and conquer them.” -Teacher Susan Karlstrom
photos by Brienna knieriem
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April 22, 2015
CLOSE UP
JOHN LLOYD Secret to a
GREAT SWING BALANCE & 1 HIGH DRAW: 2 TEMPO: 3
middle of the stance; focus on free swing, make sure you turn through
SET-UP:
always take slow paced practice swing, behind ball, left hand, ball to target, visualize, curve left/right, step up l first, club behind ball, right foot is alignment, get rid of tension
middle of the stance. focus on free swing, make sure you turn through
THE 4 PULL TRIGGER
CONTENT EDITOR CARLY RIGGS
Learning to play tennis from generations of family members, senior Madison Ballard is nationally ranked and included in the top 100 players of the Midwest. “My grandma played tennis from when she was about 30 until about 60. My father has played since he was a kid,” Ballard said. “My sister played for the school and one day when I was about seven, I just started to hit the tennis balls before they put them away.” Playing tennis for nine years, Ballard has had the opportunity to hone her skill and work her way up the ranks of players in the area. “I got here by putting a lot of hours on the court,” Ballard said. “A lot of hard work has been put into tennis and a lot of sacrifices in the form of hanging out with friends or going to parties and such. But I love it. It’s worth it to me. I am really proud that I got invited to the West Point Nationals [USTA National Selection Tournament] where I won three rounds. I’m also proud of getting first team all-state three years in a row.” One thing that Ballard focuses on both after and before large tournaments is her improvement. She goes over what are her strengths and what are her difficulties. “I used to hold my racket underneath the grip rather than on top of the grip. That was one thing I had to fix when I was a beginner. It isn’t something you should do and it was the hardest
CONTENT EDITOR CARLY RIGGS
Learning from his father playing in the back yard, senior John Lloyd began his sport at the age of two, working his way to becoming a Flint Metro League Champion golfer. “I used to watch my dad hit in the back yard and eventually caught onto the game by mirroring his actions,” Lloyd said. “He always tells this funny story. When I was a baby he would put me in a baby bouncer while he would play. Every time he hit the driver it made a tink noise and I would laugh. He says it’s the noise that made me want to play.” Lloyd has worked 16 years to get where he is. Though golfers may not undergo substantial prep for the spring season, Lloyd prepares for the meets in his own way. “I don’t take it as serious as some of the really competitive golfers. There are kids who take it to the next level and dedicate their regime to strictly golf muscles and such. I could easily spend more time in a gym and build more strength,” Lloyd said. “Usually I just run for endurance and hit hundreds of golf balls on my home course at the County Preserve on the weekends to stay sharp and consistent.” Rituals have become an integral part of sporting events in the U.S. Traditionally, before games, students and fans engage in pre-game celebrations including pep rallies, tailgating, and informal gatherings. This ritual of carousing continues throughout the game into the post game celebrations. The ritualization of sporting events involves numerous individuals including the fans, players and crews in charge of maintaining and preparing the fields and stadiums. Some players have a special
SPORTS15
ritual before the big game. Lloyd is no exception. “It’s weird but I always have two tees and a ball mark in my pocket,” Lloyd said. “When I’m warming up, I usually hit a few drives thinking of the first hole and the drive I’m about to hit. Anything can happen after that.” In Lloyd’s case, golf has provided him with new opportunities and new experiences. Through this he has met many people, some of whom he still keeps in touch with. “I’ve met a variety of people from playing in tournaments, some are now close friends I still play with occasionally,” Lloyd said. “It has also taught me a lot in terms of the lessons and values that makes golf the game it is. It’s an individual battle between you and the course for lack of a better term.” Although his sport will not be earning him money as a career in the future, however it has earned him money to go to school. He turned down school offers, but in his mind the offers mean that he is good enough to succeed. “As far as college golf goes, I have the opportunity and a few offers that would allow for that to happen. But I ultimately see myself at Kettering,” Lloyd said. “I have always had a passion for automotive engineering and with the opportunity to go to Kettering being as close as it is, it doesn’t make sense not to. It basically boils down to where I’m at after college; I want to be in the automotive industry and I don’t see golf being a career. I will play for fun in the future, maybe do a few tourneys and try to qualify for the US Open just to be able to say I did. Other than that, I am focusing on my career.”
Madison ballard
thing I had to correct,” Ballard said. “I’m a power hitter. I have a lot of power and a lot of movement. Everybody has a different style of play and I was just born with the ability to hit the ball hard. I don’t even mean to hit it as hard as I do. I’ve just been able to train that way.” Becoming a nationally ranked tennis champion did not come immediately to Ballard. She had to work on many different aspects of her game in order to improve and keep moving forward. “Not getting upset and continuing was difficult for me in the beginning,” Ballard said. “Mental toughness is a huge aspect of tennis and not getting frustrated is really hard. The training regime is very difficult. You are always moving and always improving. There are a lot of work outs. The more hours you put into it, the better you become.” Despite being a massive commitment, Ballard has found reasons to love tennis, as the sport has come to be more than just a game to her. “Tennis has been a huge impact on my life, it’s taken me out of some really tough times and I don’t know here I’d be without it,” Ballard said. “There has just been a lot of stuff that’s gone on with my family and being able to put my energy into tennis and being able to put my thoughts out onto the tennis court has helped my to let those feelings go. It’s like my own little therapy session. I consider it my sanctuary.”
How to be a
POWER HITTER 1 3
SERVE:
throw the ball in the air, get as much contact as possible while keeping your arm loose
BACKHAND:
turn to your left, grip with both hands, plant your legs and push off
2
FOREHAND: turn to the right, bend your legs, push off with your right and follow through
16 PICTURE PERFECTApril 22, 2015
Inquiring Minds 1
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Interests are explored through everyday activities
2
Photo ALYSSA BRANOFF
3
ONLINE EDITOR ALEXIS MEGDANOFF 1. Connecting string and balsa wood, seniors Colin Donar and Mark Vuillemot reinforce their suspension bridge for the Michigan Department of Transportation competition. “The MDOT competition is an assignment in CADD combining 2D and 3D modeling, engineering and creativity,” Donar said. “We’ve been gaining a lot of experience by being able to work on such a dynamic project and the fact that it is exciting makes it all the more enjoyable.” 2. Musical notes fill the band room as junior James Kryza and the rest of the Fenton Community Orchestra prepare for their next performance. “I enjoy the difficulty of the trumpet because it makes me feel awesome when I do well,” Kryza said. “I can see myself playing the trumpet after high school not as a career but in an orchestra or band for fun.” 3. Operating the cash register at the Holly Academy Book Fair, junior Hope Dagenais contributes to the community through her membership in NHS. “I volunteer a lot because I really like the way it makes me feel,” Dagenais said. “I will probably continue community service in college through Circle K. I’m also looking at volunteering at a hospital to see if I want to go to school for that.”
Photo BRIENNA KNIERIUM
4. As the camera begins to roll, junior Griffin Carr prepares to act as one of the anchors for the “Early in the Morning” newscast. “I’m the assistant producer, which means I help direct and produce the newscast,” Carr said. “In sixth grade, I had Mr. Ashley as my Total Learning teacher and there were some projects that revolved around video productions. I really enjoyed them, causing me to join video. There is now the possibility of me pursuing video after high school.” 5. Indulging in her hobby while helping out her niece, sophomore Savannah Moore plays “Break Free” by Ariana Grande as her niece sings along in the State Road Talent Show. “I have performed in the high school talent show twice where I placed in second with Chapin Kartsounes,” Moore said. “I like performing because it helps build my confidence. Hearing the compliments at the end boosts my self-esteem and I know it boosted hers [my niece’s] too.” 6. As sophomore Libby Carpenter brings her test tube closer, she looks for a color change to see if she “survived” the virus lab. “The most interesting part was the way the science works,” Carpenter said. “Bio is one of my favorite subjects. We do about one lab a week and I think that is such a good way to get into biology. Everytime we do a lab I get more interested.”
Photo LAURA ALBRANT
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Photo LAUREN GRUBER
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Photo ALYSSA BRANOFF
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Photo LAUREN GRUBER