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Fenton High School | October 30, 2018 | Volume 38, Issue 2 | fentoninprint.com
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School’s mental health programs under funded
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Brock Henson’s first soccer season
Print Editor-in-Chief Ellie Bennett
Sports Editor Tyler Soule
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Fall fashion trends
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Origins of six common superstitions
Writer Alex Marsee
Opinion Editor Amber Kelly
The ‘Silent’ Problem Seeking help with mental health issues is a positive
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Fenton High School 3200 W. Shiawassee Ave., Fenton, MI 48430 Phone: (810) 591-2968 Email: inprintadvertising@gmail.com Website: www.fentoninprint.com
Publication Policy
The InPrint is a student 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.
Editorials
Editorials are staff editorials on which the entire class votes to decide on 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.
Letters to the Editor
The staff encourages students, staff and administrators to submit guest columns or letters to the editor. Letters and guest columns may be emailed to inprintadvertising@gmail.com or deposited in the boxes in the main office or the media center. All the 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.
Photography
During their very first performance, the 1980 Ambassadors sing the Alma Mater to the homecoming crowd. Photo FENtoNiaN FiLE
not JuSt AnothEr YEAr
Pictures considered offensive will not be run without written consent from the persons pictured and, if necessary, his/her legal guardian. All photography not labeled with a photo illustration has not been digitally altered to change.
Ambassadors prepare to celebrate 40th anniversary with a twist
Advertising
As the Ambassadors get ready for their concert, they also prepare to celebrate their 40th anniversary by planning some surprises. “It is really exciting to be a part of the 40th year,” Ambassador senior Emily Hayes said. “Being a senior makes it all the more exciting because I have wanted to be an Ambassador my whole life and while actually being one is a privilege enough, to be a part of a legacy like 40 years makes it even more special. We have multiple surprises going on for the 40th anniversary which is exciting. People will have to come to a concert to find out what those surprises are going to be.” Over the years, the
The InPrint reserves the right to edit any advertisement that is considered to be in poor taste for high school publication, or one that suggests a violation of federal, state or local laws. Through a voting process, the editorial board makes the final decision whether an advertisement should be published.
Staff
Print Editor in Chief: Website Editor in Chief:
Ellie Bennett Madi Wheeler
Print Assistant Editors: Website Assistant Editor:
Ellie Vasbinder, Maci Best Gracie Warda
News Editor: Lifestyles Editor: Features Editors: Opinion Editor: Sports Editor:
Delaney Bryson Lydia Podlesak Andrea Elsholz, Olivia Diesch Amber Kelly Tyler Soule
Sports Columnist:
Lukas Zywicki
Web Editors: Social Media Director:
Sydney Bommersbach, Taron Masi Regina Pauly
Ad Designers: Business Manager:
Aiden Hill Cale Mitchell
Writers:
Jessica Bright, Dylan Dockins, Alexandra Marsee, Brianna Soule, Angelina Vitorelli, Hannah Young
Photographers:
Abbey Banks, Matt Celotto, Jack Gundry, Sena Haas, Dow Kaenpracha, Kiersten Lapa, Rashida Rahman, Logan Reeves, Abby Sizemore, Emma Senyko, Rylan Sheffield, Myranda Stark, Katelyn Wallace, Reagan Wilson, Trinity Yost
Front Cover Photo ELLiE BENNEtt
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WRITER BRIANNA SOULE
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Maxine Archie founded the Ambassadors in 1978. It began as a club and then finally made it into the curriculum in 1980. “I got into Ambassadors my sophomore year and spent three years in it,” Ambassador director Brad Wright said. “We were more of a show choir back then so we choreographed a lot more than we do now. The music level now is a bit higher than what my group got to do. I don’t know if we could’ve handled some of the stuff that these guys are doing.” The first Ambassador concert is Nov. 17. Ticket prices are $5 if you buy it ahead of time from an Ambassador and $7 at the door.
MidtErM ELEctionS
Congressional candidates’ platforms include healthcare, tax reform WRITER HANNAH YOUNG
Voting day for midterm elections, which occur at the halfway point of the president’s term in office, is Nov. 6. Michigan citizens will cast their ballots for governor, U.S. Senate and Congress. Students in the Fenton School District who are 18 will vote in either District 5 or District 8.
District 5
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Ambassadors have changed to keep up with the new generations. As they continue to change, however, they have still stuck to their roots. “The way we’ve done things throughout the years is pretty similar to when the Ambassadors started,” Hayes said. “Over the years, some of our traditions have changed. The Ambassadors’ costumes were different depending on the decade and they used to take a staircase photo, which we don’t do anymore. Other than style, we try to stick to our roots by dancing and mostly sticking to the vocal jazz style that we were founded on because that’s what’s important to us.”
(Fenton, Fenton Township, Grand Blanc, Grand Blanc Township, Swartz Creek and Flint) Congressional candidates include Daniel Kildee, incumbent (D), and Travis Wines (R). Kildee is running with the promise of providing aid for the Flint
Water Crisis and protecting the Great Lakes from nuclear waste. Running on the Republican ballot, Wines supports the recent tax reform in Congress and a free market healthcare.
District 8
(Brighton, Tyrone Township, Howell and Clarkston) Congressional candidates include Elissa Slotkin (D) and Mike Bishop, incumbent (R). Slotkin is running in support of more job and educational opportunities. She wants to pass the Common Sense Gun legislation and is also advocating for women’s rights, including equal pay.
Bishop is backing reduced regulations and a proposed replacement for the Affordable Health Care Act. Finally, he hopes find a solution to curb the opioids epidemic. Voters in District 5 will cast their ballots at St. John Activity Center on 600 N. Adelaide. In District 8, voting will take place at Tyrone Covenant Presbyterian Church located at 10235 White Lake Road in Fenton. More information about the U.S. Senate and gubernatorial candidates and the proposals can be found on the Fenton InPrint website.
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How have mental health issues affected your life? QUOTES COMPLIED BY ASSISTANT PRINT EDITOR MACI BEST
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“ have had people come to
me with mental health issues. They have done harm to themselves, and I try helping them, but it just depends on the person and how they handle that problem. Still, I do my best to listen, which helps with growing a relationship with a person and showing them that I do care about their issues. And, once you get through that, you can start breaking away from the mental health issue and focus on reality.” - junior Jullian Stuber
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“ have had experiences with
people on my basketball team who have dealt with different types of mental health. In college, I watched one of my friends try to deal with an eating disorder and, as college students, we thought we could help her. But, that was someone that needed real help. All too often, people try to handle this for themselves. It’s okay to get help for things. For that one friend, it took a lot to finally get her the help she needs, but it happened.” - PE teacher Rebecca Moore
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“
tarting in about fourth grade, I struggled with depression. After that, I started therapy and was good for awhile. Therapy is not scary. And even though it doesn’t seem like it’s useful right now, you’ll look back in a month or a year and realize how far you’ve come. Mental health is your mental well-being and stability of your emotions so it is important to not be afraid to talk to those you trust because the people who love you will try to help.” - junior Lillie Kromer
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“ have not had experiences with
mental health, but if someone came to me, I would try to help them. Once they’re comfortable, I would direct them to a professional, but I would still say that I am always there to help. I think the opinion for a teen is that it’s weird, but once we mature, then we’d be able to understand it more and become more accepting of it. Right now, I feel people try to avoid that topic because they don’t want to offend anyone.” - sophomore Caitlin Visniski
Money On The Mind PRINT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ELLIE BENNETT
Anxiety. Depression. Chronic Stress. These mental disorders have become a normal issue for students’ daily lives. One in five teens struggle with a mental disorder severe enough to impact their daily activities, according to Live Science. Schools are expected to have on-campus help for kids who are in need of it. However, with the funding that districts are given, schools still tend to fall short. “There are various ways to pay for people, resources or programs that key in on mental health issues,” Superintendent Adam Hartley said. “One way of funding is the general fund, which means state money coming in. This is generated by the number of students we have. We get about $7,800 per student. Normally with that money we pay teacher and administration salaries and their benefits. We also use that money to employ counselors and social workers who are going to be working directly with students that would fall under the umbrella of mental health.” Teachers see the same group of kids day after day. They see them in what some consider a very stressful environment and don’t feel like the school is being given enough money to be as proactive as they need to be.
“We don’t have enough people to help with mental health in general in schools,” said one staff member who asked to remain anonymous. “Our counselors are doing so many other things that aren’t counseling because they have to. I think it is a state issue, and with everything we are already asked to do at the school level, like having to help kids that can’t afford school supplies, we have too many needs and not enough money to cover them. I think we do the best with what we are given, and we have some talented people who are our counselors who are doing great things, but I don’t think they are supported as well as they should be and I think that’s a Lansing issue.” The administration acknowledges there is a growing number of students who are suffering from a mental illness and they need start making sure that every student is helped. “From what I know of in recent events, like Texas or Parkland, there were reports of missing signs, even to the fact that a teacher opened the door for the shooter and let him in,” Hartley said. “These types of events opened our eyes to see that we really have to hold ourselves accountable and never be satisfied with what were are doing. We can always improve, and with 3,400 students, we have to reach all 3,400 and not let one fall through the cracks.” ART ElliE bEnnEtt
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October 30, 2018
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ROYALTY REIGNS Fenton InPrint receives Crown Award from Columbia Scholastic Press Association ASSISTANT ONLINE EDITOR GRACIE WARDA
The Crown Finalists were announced on Oct. 12 by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) and the 2017-2018 Fenton InPrint staff was named one. The award signifies overall excellence in scholastic journalism, and is given to the top student newspapers in the country—ranking the InPrint among the top 60. “As last year’s Print Editor in Chief, I am extremely proud, of not only my work, but of the staff as a whole,” senior Ellie Bennett said. “Winning the Crown Award made me feel like I did something right.” Crown Awards are distinguished as either Silver or Gold, Gold being the higher of the two honors. At this point, the InPrint staff is guaranteed at least a Silver Crown and is hopeful about receiving a Gold.
Sports, Food and Fun!
Competition Team Birthday Parties Team Building and more!
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“I’ll cry if we win a Gold,” POSING FOR ThE CAMERA, graduates Tess DeGayner and Riley Wilson hold up their Bennett said. “I would be so Silver Crown Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. Staff members overwhelmed with happiness. traveled to New York City in 2017 to accept their award for the previous year. courtesy Tess Because we’ve gotten a Silver City in 2017 to accept the Crown from CSPA. For every year I’ve been on staff, the week they were there, students attended semit would feel monumental to do something that inars at Columbia University’s campus to increase other editors haven’t done.” their knowledge of journalism. This is the InPrint’s third consecutive year win“We have made the trip to Columbia at least six ning a Crown Award from CSPA, the last two years times,” Bunka said. “Every time we return, I am being Silver Crowns. very impressed not only by all of the knowledge “The Crown Award signifies the best of the best, the students have gained, but also what a fantasit’s an incredible honor to be recognized as one tic opportunity it is to visit an American cultural of the top 60 hybrid newspapers in the country,” center.” adviser Pam Bunka said. “As a adviser, I see it as This coming March, the staff will find out if they validation of the newspaper curriculum and of the received a Silver or a Gold Crown, giving them opskills that each student has gained.” portunity to win their first Gold since 2007. Check Members of the InPrint staff visited New York social media for updates.
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DRIBBLING DOWN THE FIELD, senior Brock Henson looks for a teammate to pass the ball to during the game against Holly.
Breaking New Ground Starting the first year of his third varsity sport, Brock Henson looks to create an impact for his senior year
PHoto KATELYN WALLACE
SPORTS EDITOR TYLER SOULE
His coaches describe him as special, his teammates use him as the glue to hold them together, and this year, he’s found another new family. Working on earning those accolades from his coaches and teammates, senior Brock Henson started his first year of his third varsity sport, soccer. “I’ve been playing sports my whole life,” Henson said. “I started playing baseball from the moment I could walk and I’ve loved it ever since. Basketball, I started in eighth grade because my friends played and I always enjoyed playing in gym class or on the playground. I started soccer this year. I was bored last fall and didn’t play a sport, and my friends said it was lots of fun, so I joined. I always like to have a good time on the field, I’m the guy who keeps the energy up and has a good time with it. That being said, I still always try to win and compete at a high level.” Even though Henson hasn’t played soccer since childhood, he was able to earn himself a spot on the boys varsity roster and has been working on making his impact on the team. “He’s a special athlete, not just physically,” boys varsity soccer coach Matt Sullivan said. “More importantly, he’s a great teammate. We’ve talked about being cheerleaders for each other and Brock epitomizes that.
His teammates are always rooting for him because he’s such a positive person at practice and games.” Henson carries positivity to his other two seasonal sports and has had multiple years to form bonds with the other two groups. “I’ve always gotten along with everyone really well,” Henson said.
kid is so competitive and such a great athlete. He’s always a good person to have on your team, not against you. His mentality is to play his game, even if it’s not the way that other people play. He plays his way and it works for him. He’s the most athletic person in that he can play any sport and play it well.” A contagious positive attitude isn’t all that Henson spreads to his teams, he also has the respect of his coaches and teammates for his athleticism and aggressiveness when playing. “He’s a bulldog. A really fast bulldog,” Sullivan said. “That is the best way to describe him. He is really tough; he’s not afraid to stick his nose in there and throw his body around. He is very physical, which easily fits into our team mentality.” With his competitiveness and fun attitude, Henson is the perfect combination of qualities that makes him a good teammate and friend, as Welch says; “He’s not the kind of guy that’s going to knock you down if something happens, he’s always the person to bring you up. He’s the ultimate teammate.”
I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t like Brock Henson, as a person or as an athlete.
fentoninprint.com
- senior Logan Welch “The soccer team is a really fun group and I wish I would’ve joined sooner. The basketball team is also an exciting group, and I’ve been with the baseball team for years now, so it’s always been easy for me to get along with everybody.” Competitiveness, something that has been in his blood since he was younger, is a quality Henson brings to all of his teams. “He doesn’t like to lose, that’s for sure,” senior Logan Welch said. “The
AT THE FREE THROW LINE, senior Brock Henson dribbles the ball in preparation for his shot after being fouled against Hartland.
October 30, 2018
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Feels Like Home JV and Freshman, while not in the spotlight, are the steps that lead to varsity WRITER DYLAN DOCKINS
Fenton has always taken great pride in its sports teams; its teams excelling on all levels from freshman to varsity. With varsity sports taking most of the spotlight, it leaves little room to cover freshman and JV teams. However, participating in a freshman sport allows athletes to get a step ahead before starting their varsity careers. “I think there is always a process to things,” senior Nolan Day said. “It is rare for a freshman to start off right on varsity. But it is kind of the experience that you get, once at the varsity level, it’s the culmination of all the hard work you had put in the years previous. You feel empowered in that you have finally made it to the top of the totem pole.” Being on a freshman or JV team allows athletes to find their potential within the sport. It gives them more time to work on mastering a particular skill before moving up to the varsity level. “The coaches form and mold the teams to be ready for varsity,” sophomore Joe Sullivan said. “As a soccer program, we do everything with varsity, so as the varsity gets better, we get better. Everything they do, we do.” Through being on these teams, athletes have developed friendships. These new friendships in an athlete’s life can influence the outcome of a season.
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“I feel JV and freshman sports offer an environment for students to learn how to communicate and function in a group setting,” junior Patrick Jennings said. “Everyone is extremely supportive of each other. We encourage each other to achieve our individual goals.” Some athletes enjoy the atmosphere of freshman and JV sports. It gives underclassmen an opportunity to experience more of an easy going side to the sport. “I like being on JV,” sophomore Korryn Smith said. “It’s one of the last times I will be able to play and have fun with all my good friends before taking the leap of being on varsity.” By participating in freshman and JV sports, an athlete learns good sportsmanship and the right attitude required for going into a game. “You always want to have a good mind-set,” freshman Nicholas Temple said. “Don’t underestimate the other team, just have a normal mind-set so you can play at your highest potential.” With JV football posting a 8-1 season and JV volleyball loosing only games so far this season, the prospect for Fenton to continue its winning tradition is strong.
The definition of idolization for young kids and teens: star athletes. Kids look up to them as role models, but maybe that should no longer be the case. Athletes are using their platforms to push their personal political agendas, which has an affect within and outside the world of sports. It has created a negative focus point on these leagues when there are plenty of positives to focus on. Ever since Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the national anthem, the sports world has been thrown into an uproar regarding topics LZ Sports such as race, SPORTS COLUMNIST LGBTQ+ and LUKAS ZYWICKI other political issues. They are causing an already divided nation to lose its last few seams. Personally, I don’t care what a football player thinks about the election or their beliefs about the LGBTQ+. The factor that makes these athletes’ opinions on government and law irrelevant to me is they do not have a very good track record when it comes to law. This is because of the number of players who have criminal records with serious offenses. All in all, the league and the fans need to stop focusing on so many negative things and start looking at the positive actions the players are making. In an interview with Yahoo Sports, Jaguars defensive tackle Malik Jackson said, “Guys can take knees and say stuff, but until they are out in the community, giving back, taking time out of their day to try to change things and talk to people and see their understanding, I don’t think it’s as powerful.” This came after Jackson rode along with a Jacksonville police officer and discussed how to help out a neighborhood elementary school. Another NFL player, JJ Watt, from the Houston Texans has done a lot for the community, yet no one seems to have heard about it and no one seems care. Watt raised and donated $37 million in efforts to rebuild towns after Hurricane Harvey swept through Texas and left some areas in total devastation. Many players in the league have made efforts in their communities to make them better places. Yet, no one seems to care. They would rather put all of their attention on a guy taking a knee, disrespecting the flag. The flag that approximately one million Americans have given their lives for. The flag that “We the People” created so that “All men are created equal.” It is disgusting.
WHILE ON THE SIDELINES during the game against Kearsley, senior Ethan Crawford (31) shows his support for fellow senior Dane Dean. Photo ABBY SIZEMoRE
TEAMMATES LIFT FLYER senior Maddie Hayden up to her position in their invitational competition last year. Photo MAYA MEAD
Count On Me
DURING THE SWIM MEET against Grand Blanc and Powers last year, teammates and spectators cheer the swimmers on. Photo MAYA MEAD
Trust and determination help form bonds that last WRITER ANGELINA VITARELLI
“I don’t know how it started, but I remember doing this as a freshman and now I see them doing it. It’s a sweet thing to have everyone involved in the varsity game even if it is just a little way of pumping us up. It’s an amazing tradition.” - senior Erin Carter (13) fentoninprint.com
Whether a person starts sports when they are young or in high school, they may make friendships or bonds that could last a lifetime. Participating in swim for nine years, junior Mallorie Johnson has made friends she doesn’t want to let go of. “I’d say the majority of my friends are from swim,” Johnson said. “Friends I had when I was little, I still have today because of it. Swim is something that really forms close bonds with everyone and I hope I will stay in touch with them in the future.” When athletes participate in high school sports, they encounter situations where they need to establish trust and build friendships. This can be especially necessary in individually scored sports like golf, where athletes have to rely on their teammates’ success. “The high school team is when I started becoming friends with people,” senior Lily Horning said. “For golf, you have to be friends. Only four scores count out of the six varsity players—the four best. You have to be close, because it’s a team sport. But, I’ve met a lot of people over the years. Every time I play I meet someone new.” The strong bonds also help form the trust that sports, like cheer, rely upon.
“Our sport is built on trust,” senior Maddie Hayden said. “I think that people would have a hard time hitting stunts because they’d be scared. Our overall performance wouldn’t be as good and people wouldn’t look as good.” Another key to a strong preformance lies in each teammates’ ability to fulfill their designated role. “When we are on the field, we are supposed to do our jobs. When someone doesn’t do their job, the whole team pays for it,” senior Ethan Crawford said. “If they lose points and the other team gets a touchdown, it’s because someone didn’t do their job. We have to trust our teammates will do what they’re supposed to do.” The connections made on the field often lay the groundwork for relationships that extend after graduation. “I think social media and texting make it a lot easier,” Hayden said. “Cheer has given me friends I would never have made if I hadn’t done it. I still talk to a lot of the girls who graduated last year and they’ve come to a few of our games to support us.” When all is said and done, at the end of a game, meet or match, the true test of that bond, is if they all cheer for each other no matter the outcome.
October 30, 2018
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The ‘Silent’
ART ELLIE BENNETT
Reaching out has helped young adults with the effects of their stress FEATURES EDITOR olIVIA dIesCh
High school can be one of the most challenging times of most teenagers’ lives, and with the rise of social media and changing curriculum taught in schools, it is not difficult to understand why. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that nearly 2 million teens suffer from depression and 6.3 suffer from some type of anxiety disorder. There are many reasons why teens might feel stressed or anxious, and the newly implemented schedule has left many students with larger workloads than they are generally used to, giving them additional tasks to deal within their already busy lives. Senior Gracie Niec, like most teenagers, feels overwhelmed by school, her social life and general teenage responsibilities. “When my feelings are weighing me down, I usually go to my close friends or parents if it’s in the moment,” Niec said. “For the bigger picture things in my life, I go see my therapist.” While some students are open with their mental health, it is reported that only about half of Ameri-
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Mental Health
October 30, 2018
cans who deal with a mental illness receive proper help from a professional according to NIMH. “I think students can be reluctant to seek help because often there is a perceived stigma surrounding people who have mental health issues,” school counselor Elizabeth Elsesser said. “I hope that is not the case here, but because our jobs as counselors cover so many things, nobody will ever know if a student is coming to talk about their mental health or their schedule or college applications.” Seeking help can be a new and scary experience, but it is not an admittance of failure. “Things are not going to get worse if you seek help,” Psychology teacher Jill Starr said. “If teens seek help, things are going to get better. Maybe talking to someone won’t completely solve the problem, but therapists and counselors can always suggest activities to help and even in some cases, medication.” Despite what many believe, being mentally healthy is just as important as being physically
healthy. Admitting that you need help and seeking mental health are not signs of weakness, they are acts of self care. Everyone has different experiences when it comes to mental health that all deserve to be heard and taken care of.
If you or a friend are struggling with any mental health related issues, please do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with your assigned counselor. If the situation is more urgent, reach out to a trusted adult or parent. If that is not an option, the suicide hotline is free, confidential and open 24/7. You can reach the hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
fentoninprint.com
Problem Blurring the lines of illness and inconvenience creates mental health misconceptions FEATURES EDITOR ANdreA elsholz
Mental illness terms have become a norm; a common brush that everyone holds to paint the same picture of distress. In reality, people are dispersed across the spectrum of mental stability, but when mental illness terms are misused, it clouds the division between a bad day and a disorder. “Mental health terms are being normalized,” sophomore Dominic Krusniak said. “While a lot of people understand depression, they misinterpret anxiety and bipolar disorder, or confuse OCD with Type A. It’s good people are aware of what others are going through, it makes us more empathetic, which is what we need right now—so many kids suffer from anxiety. But it’s also lessening the severity of mental illness because people assume that if everybody seems to be going through it, it’s not as big of a deal when some people are suffering. We don’t realize that integration and awareness are different from normalization.” Anxiety rates have skyrocketed—doubling in the past 30 years—but so has the awareness of their existence. People are now more capable of recognizing and getting to the bottom of everyday struggles that might have a more serious reason behind them. “When people use mental health terms a lot it makes other people aware of them, but not what they really mean,” senior Emily Austin said. “It’s good that more people know what mental illnesses are and more people are aware of the struggles; normalizing terms helps more people see them as something that happens to people they know.” Mental illness terms aren’t just misrepresented in conversation, but through the internet as well, from social media posts ranting about the “bipolar” qualities of parents to WebMD articles, people often resort to self-diagnosis before consulting a professional.
“Over usage desensitizes people to how extreme the emotional burden that comes with true mental illness is,” special education teacher Dana HayesGrimes said. “People with true severe mental illnesses are isolated and ostracized under normal circumstances because people don’t understand how to recognize it. Unfortunately, too many people go see Dr. Google before they see real doctors. The casualness of the language really makes it easy to self-diagnose when you are looking through the internet, which you can’t do with mental illness; you need to seek professional help.” When people hear mental illness terms used often, they become aware that situations like this exist. But knowing they exist and knowing their effects are different things. “Normalizing mental health can minimize the importance of struggles people with mental illness have and make the words lose meaning,” Austin said. “Misunderstanding mental illness can make people not know what they have, or it could make them discouraged to talk to someone if they need help because they just brush it off as normal. Some of my friends suffered from mental illness before I was very close with them. I want to be there for them if they ever need to talk about anything or help them get professional treatment if they need it. It’s upsetting when I hear people throw around these words because it seems like they don’t take it seriously.” When people joke about depression and suicide, they are making people who suffer from these problems the brunt of the joke; a casual sacrifice for a laugh without being aware of the seriousness that mental illness entails. “People think of mental illness as a joking matter,” Krusniak said. “It’s heartbreaking when people turn mental illness terms into insults and call each other retards because if you have met people with severe mental illnesses and you have a real connection with them, you see that they are people—and they are so much more than their disability. In my extended family, there are a couple people who suffer from schizophrenia and I see not only how it affects them, but their parents and children, and how it limits them. They have to worry about whether or not they will be safe enough for an environment—and no one should have to worry about being a burden to the people around them.” Mental health awareness has helped people understand and recognize serious problems that other people face. While everyday problems are legitimate, there can be a danger in abusing mental health terms.
Common Warning Signs of Mental Illness souRce NaTIoNaL aLLIaNcE oN mENTaL hEaLTh
Feeling very sad or withdrawn for more than Severe out-of-control, risk-taking behaviors
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Significant weight loss or weight gain Seriously trying to harm or kill oneself or making plans to do so Sudden, overwhelming fear for no reason
Repeatedly using drugs or alcohol
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Seeing, hearing or believing things that are not real
Drastic changes in mood, behavior, personality or sleeping habits
Mental Health
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A Safe Space
Schools do not provide adequate resources to support students struggling with mental health issues While all school counselors have the training to provide mental health counseling, they do not always have the time to provide a student with one-onone help. Unless, that is, a student threatens to hurt himself or those around him, then they make a call home to tell parents they should be getting help outside of school. It is not the fault of the counselors for not having time in the day to provide students with therapy, but rather the government for not giving schools enough money to properly address for these situations. Mental health affects how a teen thinks and feels in multiple ways; poor mental health can disturb a student’s ability to succeed in school, society and in work life later on. Twenty percent of the young adult population suffers from a mental illness, according to teenmentalhealth.org. However, the Department of Health and Human Services reports an estimated seven percent of the youth who need services receive appropri-
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Staff Ed
ate help from mental health professionals. Whether they cannot find a therapist that has proven to be effective or they cannot afford one, students should have a place at school where they feel comfortable to talk, but our schools do not have the funds to provide that safe space. Counselors time is being consumed with helping students regarding academic achievement and finding future careers. They answer questions for schedule changes, have meetings and advise seniors about fulfilling requirements. It’s difficult enough to schedule an appointment with a counselor because of their schedules, let alone ask for a meeting when one needs help with a mental health issue. It has nothing to do with the counselors discrediting mental health and more with the fact that they are simply running out of time in the day. It is time the government addresses this and takes into consideration the counselors have no time to address mental health, and the school does
October 30, 2018
not have the money to appoint someone else who is qualified to work in the district as an official therapist, either. According to the American School Counselor Association, in 2014-2015 there was one counselor for every 482 students—that is nearly twice what the association recommends: one counselor for every 250 students. Last school year, Fenton’s ratio was one to 389. Mental health is one of the key factors to leading a productive life, and adolescents who are still trying to figure themselves out deserve a place in their school where they can feel safe. The health of students is not being recognized. An appropriate start would be to give schools increased funding so they can then give students resources to cope with mental illnesses. Whether that be a therapist or a program for stress relief, something must be done to ease the minds of troubled adolescents, and that starts with the funding of schools.
ART ANDREA ELSHOLZ
STAFF ED The staff selects a topic for each issue and votes to determine the direction the editorial will take. The majority rules and the editorial is written from that angle.
AT ISSUE Do schools have enough resources to help students cope with mental health issues?
Yes: 2 Abstain: 2 No: 19
OUR VIEW No, there are not enough school resources to help students cope with mental health issues.
fentoninprint.com
Drowning in Papers Homework loads are heavier than ever because of the new six hour day
WRITER JESSICA BRIGHT
For the last 16 years, Fenton has utilized a block schedule. That changed with the implementation of the new six-hour day. Now students are struggling under the weight of homework and packed schedules. With block scheduling, students had two days to finish four classes’ worth of homework. With the six-hour day, students have one night to finish all six classes’ assignments. This shouldn’t be a major problem, considering most schools in the area and across the country have a six-hour day. However, when teachers and students have gone years with a drastically different schedule, there is going to be an adjustment period. Teachers, who before had nearly an hour and a half to give instruction and assign classwork, now have their class time cut in half. Because of this, much of the work that used to be assigned in class is now being given as extra homework. Students who before relied on SRT and the extra class time to tackle more substantial amounts of homework are now pulling all-nighters and skipping class just to keep up. Ninety-three percent of students felt that their homework load was overwhelming according to a Twitter poll conducted by the InPrint. The new schedule is not to blame—rather, the poor implementation of it is at fault. The issue students and faculty have with the schedule is the seemingly half-changes that the district has made. The school supposedly has a concrete six-hour day, yet we still have alternating days: different class times, lunches and SRTs. With the new SRT, students are given a 28 minute first segment and a 30 minute second segment. Even though SRT looks longer on paper, in reality it does not allow students to use the time adequately. Adding in five minutes of unpacking supplies, five minutes of packing back up, and five minutes of walking to and back
fentoninprint.com
from lunch, SRT work time is greatly decreased. Because of the lack of communication regarding SRT, travel is confusing, difficult and frankly not worth it for students. As a result of this, getting work done in SRT is much more difficult, which means students have more homework to take home at the end of the day. According to a survey conducted by the InPrint, 45 percent of teachers believed SRT was either no longer beneficial or less beneficial for students and faculty. Rather than entangling SRT with lunch, it should be moved to a time earlier in the day where students and teachers can get the uninterrupted work time they require. The increase in homework is even more stressful for students who also play school sports. For most teams, practices are four to five times a week, not including games and tournaments. On game days, especially away games, athletes usually do not get home until after dark, making the large amounts of homework they have even more stressful. Sports and the increased workload together lead to a big decrease in the amount of sleep students get and this can affect their performance both in the classroom and on the field. The new schedule requires change from all sides: students, teachers and administration. Having more homework in a smaller time frame is something students will have to become adjusted to, whether they like it or not. However, those in charge should also make some modifications to accommodate students’ needs, such as making modifications to SRT so that it is more beneficial for everybody involved. Students are suffering from an overload of homework becasue of a schedule that does not account for decreased work time —and the poor implementation of that schedule is only making it worse.
October 30, 2018
Opinion
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ROOTING FOR YOU
LIFESTYLES EDITOR LYDIA PODLESAK
Foods High in Fat,Sugar and Salt
Incorporating healthy foods, such as vegetables, into diet helps improve everyday mental health
Stomach growlFats ing, mood and switching at Oil the drop of a dime and an irritable state are just some of the symptoms that inflict the newest victim. It knows the victim has not eaten well; hanger knows who its next prey is. Meat and Just as a car relies on fuel to Poultry function, a human depends on food. A person’s “hanger” can be satisfied by eating a substantial meal or snack. Eating healthy can positively affect a person’s everyday emotional mental health and lead to a happier mind set. “I always feel better when I’m eating plant-based foods,” senior Natalie Brown said. “I feel more energetic and motivated for school and other activities. I like Milk and knowing that what I’m putting in my body is good for it; I Dairy believe that food is medicine.” The science behind being hangry lies in the stomach. Ninety five percent of all serotonin, the chemical that is believed to regulate mood, is produced in the gastrointestinal tract along with being linked with millions of nerve cells according to the Mental Health Foundation. Therefore, an upset or empty stomach causes one to feel uneasy. “Nerve cells talk to each other and influence your mood; They communicate with each other through neurotransmitters,” science teacher Lisa Stewart Wheat and said. “The end of one neuron releases signals to contact the other neuron to let you Wholemeal know if you are feeling pain. There are neurotransmitters that affect your mood: serotonin. Serotonin stimulates the transmitter next to it giving that feeling of excitement or content.” Habits are hard to break. Finding the right foods to replace those many are used to can be difficult. Alternatives exist, for example, replacing chips with sweet potato wedges or red meat with turkey burgers. History teacher Patricia Gray has devised ways to make it work while being 12 a picky eater. Fruits “Start with foods with you like,” Gray said. “I eat strawberries and Greek yogurt every day beand cause it’s delicious; I want to eat it. I don’t feel like I’m being cheated of anything. I still treat myself on Vegetables Friday and Saturday nights a lot, but 80 percent of the time I’m eating healthy.” With many people jammed with a busy schedule many days of the week, the urge to get unhealthy food on the fly is tempting. Pre-planning meals and snacks for the week and tracking what you eat can help individuals stay on track. “I prepare everything on Sundays; I pack all the lunches for the whole family,” Gray said. “We figure out the dinner schedule for the week and if I can make anything in advance or plan out who’s going to cook, I do, because we have activities every night.” Getting started is the hardest part for many when changing their eating habits and working towards a happier mindset but Brown reassures: “Soon you and your body will get used to it and the healthy eating will become second nature.”
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Lifestyles
October 30, 2018
fentoninprint.com
Your Summer f a Le
Style Behind
Warm colors and layers dominate fall fashion
“My outfit choice for fall is leggings, a cozy sweater, boots and my hair up in a messy bun. The best shoes to wear are Uggs and Converse. I normally shop at American Eagle and Forever 21. I’m always looking for good deals; if it’s not a good deal, it’s not a good sweater. My favorite colors to match in fall are reds, purples and yellows. When I get cold, I layer my clothes; I will wear a shirt, long sleeve and then I’ll add a flannel.” - freshman Elizabeth Parks
WRITER ALEX MARSEE
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44%
“My number one favorite outfit is ripped jeans with a cardigan. Under it, I put a reddish or orange shirt. I usually buy my clothes at Hollister or Aeropostale. I get cold easily so I wear multiple pairs of socks: the first layer is an ankle sock, then fuzzy, then I put long normal ones over them. My favorite hairstyle to go with my outfits is half up half down and I will leave part of it wavy.” - freshman Mandy Ashley
Sweaters
6%
Scarves
“I love to wear turtlenecks in the fall that keep me warm and cozy. I also enjoy wearing a nice cable knit sweater. I tend to wear a lot of grey clothes. I like to wear things that are dark, such as black or navy and neutral colors. I wear skirts with boots and tights, or leggings with boots over them. I’m not up on the latest fashion, I just like wearing whatever is cozy.” - art teacher Kristen McDowell
44% Jackets
6% Boots
InPrint nline
VIDEO Check out fentoninprint.com for a video of students taste testing pumpkin spice flavored foods.
fentoninprint.com
“Fall is the time where you can break out the old jeans. I base my outfits on flannels, jeans and boots. Flannels are my favorite to wear this time of year because they are warm, and it is getting closer to winter. The warm colors such as oranges and browns are perfect. I shop at Old Navy because they have a variety of fall clothes. They also can have great deals on boots, jackets, pants and flannels.” - senior Nathan Doyon “I am a big flannel guy. The best outfit is khakis with Timberlands. A nice place to shop for deals is Kohl’s; I go there a lot. JoS. A. Bank also has nice leather jackets, which are great for fall. Depending on my mood, I like to wear red and orange, but blue is always my favorite color. It gets cold, but if I’m feeling a T-shirt then I will still wear it.” - junior Luke Laursen
Yellow
Students favorite fall colors and clothing items, via Fenton Twitter Poll
ck 11% Gre en
Fall is finally here: the clouds have darkened, the leaves have changed and the cold has snuck in. As the season transitions, so does the fashion. Stores are displaying their fall styles; warm colors, thick materials and oversized clothes are all making a comeback. Patterns like plaid, accessories like scarves and boots have been waiting in closets. Many students’ personal style changes just for these months—and it is finally time for these outfits to make an appearance.
% 22
“I change my style a lot when falls comes around. It’s cold so it’s easier to layer and put together outfits. I like to play with different colors and try different things. Anything that is comfortable and easy to wear and fashionable at the same time is key. I like to wear a lot of jeans because leggings don’t keep me warm enough. My favorite fall outfit is a turtleneck that I can layer a shirt and a jacket on top. That type of outfit has a lot of different dimensions and you can play around with colors and patterns. Every day for school when I get dressed, I try to mess around with it (outfits). It’s really fun, some days it might be a bust, but my advice for someone trying to find new things to wear is to just play around with it.” - senior Noelle Nixon
MODELING FALL STYLE is junior Sydney Bommersback. PHOTO ELLIE VASBINDER
October 30, 2018
Lifestyles
13
Black Cats, Ladders and Mirrors, Oh My The stories behind common superstitions OPINION EDITOR AMBER KELLY
The Number 13
The number 13 is skipped on hotel and apartment buildings and avoided on airplanes because some associate it with bad luck. Many don’t realize that there is a highly religious background surrounding the stigma of the number 13. It is said that Jesus had 12 guests at his table during The Last Supper, 13 including himself. The 13th was Judas, who betrayed Jesus for money by disclosing his location to authorities, later leading to his crucifixion.
black caTs
Black cats have been a sign of bad luck since the Middle Ages and the superstition was reinforced by King Charles I. A black cat was reportedly kept as a pet by King Charles I and he thought of it as his good luck charm. The day after the cat passed away, Charles was charged with high treason. Another source of the superstition surrounding black cats was the association of them with witches during the Salem Witch Trials; they were seen as familiars of the witches.
breakiNg mirrors
Breaking a mirror is said to curse the breaker with seven years of bad luck. This originated with the Romans, who thought that life ran in seven year cycles. Mirrors held the soul of the user, so when they were damaged it was said to have damaged the soul in a way that it was less capable of fighting off misfortune, until it renewed itself after seven years.
sayiNg god bless you
Telling a person “God Bless You,” after a sneeze is another superstition. When the Bubonic Plague devastated Europe in the 1400s, Pope Gregory the Great saw a sneeze as a sign that the person was going to die soon. Saying “God Bless You,” was seen as a way of protecting people from succumbing to a certain death.
WalkiNg uNder ladders Walking under a ladder is considered bad luck because triangles symbolized life in Ancient Egypt. By walking under a ladder, it is considered a test of life by breaking the symbol.
haNgiNg horseshoes
Hanging a horseshoe open side up will bring good luck. Many people have taken to hanging horseshoes by their doorways as a way to give good luck to anyone who walks through the door. SOURCES EvERyDayhEalTh.ORg, lIvEscIENcE.cOm wOmaNsDay.cOm, lOc.gOv aND sNOPEs.cOm
ART ANDREA ELSHOLZ
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Features
October 30, 2018
fentoninprint.com
Voters are being suppressed
The Youth Rising
Encouraging political involvement in the next generation of voters NEWS EDITOR DELANEY BRYSON
While walking through the hallways or sitting in class, conversations about politics can only rarely be overheard. For many high school students, this subject can seem too boring or confusing to talk about. However, with the midterm elections just days away, politics are in the national spotlight. Democrats and Republicans are both fighting for control of congress and as the battle heats up, the youth is becoming more and more involved. Because of this, some students have found that being involved in politics comes with many benefits. “Being politically active has allowed me to become more social,” senior Jenna Thornton said. “It has helped me find my voice and not be scared of what I have to say offending people. Everyone has their own opinions and I shouldn’t have to hide mine. Being able to have my own political views helps me connect with people who don’t have the same beliefs as well because we can acknowledge our differences.” According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, that out of any other age group, young voters had the smallest turnout at polls. In 2016, only 51 percent of the millennial population voted.
However, in the 1996 election, voter turnout among 18-24 year olds had been only 32.4 percent. The youth involvement in politics took a downward dip, though in recent years younger voters have been encouraging their peers to become more involved. “I make a point to be well informed and aware about what’s going on in our political climate,” senior Maddie Mettler-Anglim said. “I started becoming more politically active in eighth grade and my freshman year because there were decisions being made or things happening that directly affected me or the people I know. For example, the issue that involves transgender people in bathrooms is especially important to me because it concerns the well-being of people in my school.” Even though millennials don’t vote in the largest of numbers, most are ready to commit to their opinions. According to a survey conducted by World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Survey, 48.8 percent of young people polled said that they believe climate change is the most serious global issue in current politics. 78.1 percent said they would be willing to change their lifestyle to protect the environment. “I think it’s very important for every high school student to stay involved in politics,” junior Logan Canada said. “We are the future of this country and every decision that
is made now is going to be affecting us the most out of everyone in a few years. If we as a generation don’t stay active and involved right now, we won’t know what to do when we are actually in the real world.” For students who would like to reap the benefits of being politically active but feel they don’t know where to start, there are students who can offer help. “As young people, I think it’s important for us to help those around us stay informed,” sophomore Autumn Beauchamp said. “There are a lot of people I know who don’t know very much about politics, but they should because our generation is the future of this country. I try to help my friends stay caught up by discussing it with them and answering any questions they have. I encourage everyone to take action and bring awareness to what they believe deserves it.” Out of any other generation, laws and policies created now will affect young people for the longest time to come. However, it is hard for young voters’ views to be represented in congress if they are not politically active. Staying informed and voting on important issues are the best ways to make your voice heard.
Although voter registration for this election cycle has ended, please visit https://www.vote.org/register-to-vote for more voters information and how to register to vote.
The goal of this column is to spark conversation about politics, an important contributor to American history. The column highlights my opinion, not the staff’s opinion or anyone else’s. Everyone has differing opinions and it’s okay to disagree. I encourage you to write a Let Me Explain. . . Letter to the PRINT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Editor expressing ELLIE BENNETT your view on the topic. It is possible that it could be featured on the fentoninprint.com. The mid-term elections are in seven days and there has been a increase in voter registration. Sixty-one percent of registered voters are more enthusiastic compared to the past two decades of mid-term elections according to the PEW research Center. However, despite this enthusiastism, the issue of voter supression has come to light. In many states voters are having their right to vote taken away. Voter suppression has happened most promently in Georgia and North Dakota. Georgia’s current Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Brain Kemp has been at the head of the voter suspension scandal in Georgia. Under his administration, 1.4 million registrations were canceled. The majority of these cancellations were against black Americans. What makes matters worse for Kemp is the fact that he was caught on video saying he was worried about the voter turnout for the Democratic Party. This has lead to people believing he has been suppressing their right to vote because of this fear. I would agree. North Dakota has a Voter-ID law that came about in 2017. This law requires constituents to have a address; P.O. boxes are no longer valid on voter registration forms. This policy sounds good in theory, but it fails to recognize the votes of Native Americans. On reservations, they do not get mail delivered to their homes, so they only have P.O. boxes. This new policy strips the natives of this country of their political voices. This mid-term election determines whether we have a divided government or not. Not allowing people to vote because of where they live or having them make a small mistake eliminates people’s civic duty.
art OLIvIa DIEsCH
fentoninprint.com
October 30, 2018
Features
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sWimming tHe 100 yard butterfly, freshman Rosie Haney lands in second place against Kearsley. Overall, the girls swim team beat Kearsley 200-120. ab by Si m ze Re o
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guiding HeR paRtneR, senior Kyra Schuyler helps junior Reese Strawsburg make her way around the school. Teacher Jill Starr conducted an experiment to show students to rely on other senses when one is taken away.
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as He gets his blood drawn, senior Rocco Idoni squeezes a stress ball. National Honor Society teamed with Michigan Blood for the blood drive on Oct. 11.
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Relying on His instincts, senior Dane Dean tackles Trooper Sloane during the ALICE training on Oct. 5 to improve lockdown safety.
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enjoying tHe tRaditional cross country pasta party, freshmen Madison Canada, Maty Temrowski and Ella Cox play a giant game of Jenga. The pasta parties were held as a means of crabloading before meets.
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WitH a book in HeR Hands, junior Cami Tieman reads a book to the little prince and princesses in her group. The Princess Ball, held at World of Wonder, served as a fundraiser for the World of Wonder.
in tHe midst of pond day, senior Michael Visniski leads first graders to the pond. This was the second year the students conducting pond day had participated in the event as first graders.
duRing a pHysics lab, senior Zena Alshomali launches a ball into the air. The students threw the ball at different angles to observe the change in the path of the ball and acceleration.