VIKING
LO N G B OAT
10.31.2012 Haslett High School
5450 Marsh Road Haslett MI 48840
Volume 18 Issue 2
Maggie McDaniel, Delany Johnson, and Hannah Safferman photo by Nick Gregory
A Normal Life
Students learn to cope
by Quinn Alexander and Breanna McGuire The sky is filled with blue and purple balloons. The track glows with the shimmering light of hundreds of candles. Sadness permeates the air as the Haslett community mourns the passing of Emily Rapson, who was to be a junior at Haslett High School. For junior Emily Kaczmarczyk, the most moving part was walking around the track with all the candles. “It
A NORMAL LIFE on page 4
Skyward Knows
Cheaters be on lookout by Reid Fowler Students tempted to take a peek at the test of their peer or throw a punch at the student bothering them might want to start thinking twice about their actions. Skyward, the online program used to track students’
grades and school progress, is familiar amongst its users. What many students may not realize, however, is that any disciplinary violations, defined in the school handbook, will be archived in Skyward and follow the student until graduation.
SKYWARD on page 3
Immediate Impact
Freshman racks up tackles by Patrick Gifford Freshman defensive tackle Blake Roe has found a new home. For the next three years, it will be the high school football field. Looking back on his first varsity football game, Roe still smiles.
“The feeling I had running out there for the first time was unexplainable,” freshman Roe said. “The adrenaline was rushing so much and I couldn’t believe the moment was finally here.” A moment, that didn’t come without hard work for Roe. “In the offseason I would
IMMEDIATE IMPACT on page 10
OPIN ION
2
October 31, 2012
Staff Editorial: Get in the know Young people are impressionable. We can’t deny that we lack experience and understanding, but we manage to think around it. When it comes to the discussion of global issues, such as politics, it is difficult to avoid the pitfalls of misinformation and pretension. And given the nature of politics, where information is warped by string-pullers to herd people in one direction or another, it is especially difficult for a younger person with less knowledge of the world to get a clear picture. But the blame can’t be placed entirely on the puppeteers.
As young people we allow ourselves to make extrapolations, perhaps misguided ones, from what we have heard from our parents, the internet, and from what we think we already know. Maybe it is even easier for us to make our arguments when we have more faith in others’ sources of our information than the information we garner from our own experience. Perhaps the easiest point to argue is the point we did not reach ourselves. Additionally, we grow out of our preferences. Say we clean out our closet and come
across the odd CD recorded by a since fallen chart hero. The tunes have lost their relevance and our tastes have matured. Pop icons don’t carry the same weight as we might perceive politicians to, but they are comparable in the masses willing to follow them. Maybe we should hesitate before attaching our idols to entire programs and parties, and criticising them unfairly. As young people we can’t be sure what our political beliefs will be in years to come, when we are occupied with careers, properties, families. For some of us, the future is
a very near thing. Some of us will be leaving our nests within the next year, and in addition to living out from under our parent’s roofs we’ll be out from under their influence. Youth and education have a liberalizing effect on minds, but age can bring pragmatic conservatism. Regardless of what sides we choose, let’s agree to keep ourselves out of things we don’t understand until we’re knowledgeable enough to make points on them.
This year’s buzzword: legacy Administration tosses up new ear-filler
The Viking Longboat Editor-in-Chief Erik Frobom Features Quinn Alexander News Nick Lemmer Opinions Reid Fowler Sports Patrick Gifford Photography Sierra Dove Nick Gregory Design Editors Zach Hebel
Staff Cory Berry Madison Brady Jonah Brown Bridget Farhat Michael Garnett Katelyn Harris Sunny Havens Stephanie Hilker Marcus Hooper Caitlyn Laidler Hanna Lee Samantha Leifker Breanna McGuire Jordon Walling Alexa Walkowicz
The Viking Longboat is a monthly publication of Haslett High School, 5450 Marsh Road, Haslett, MI 48840. It is published by the fifth hour Newspaper Production class and Journalism class. The Longboat has been established as a student run public forum circulated within the school and to subscribers in the community and outside the school district. The Longboat is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association, Journalism Education Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association and Michigan Interscholastic Press Association. The publication is an eight-time Spartan award winner and CSPA gold medalist. Letters to the editor are accepted at the discretion of the editorial board. Forms of speech not protected by the First Amendment will not be published. Letters must be signed by the author and may be edited for grammar, spelling and style. Direct all questions to the Publications Room, Room 411.
Write a letter to the editor! Let your voice be heard!
by Zach Hebel
Have something to say?
The days move by one at a time. Every day is the same routine: get up, get ready, go to school. There are a few instances a day where I feel like I’m going to spontaneously combust because of the pent-up hatred of monotony. The smoking crater where I sat will be my personal legacy - how I will be known from that point on. I will be known as that dude who blew up in class because we spent a week on the same section of the same chapter. To be honest, I wouldn’t mind a legacy like that. But could we afford a “legacy” like that? It seems every year there is a new buzzword or hypephrase tossed around in the curriculums and assemblies. Last year introduced “Academic Integrity,” the value of being honest with schoolwork and barring yourself from cheating to discourage laziness and codependency. Of course, those who cheat are still going to cheat, and those who don’t care about their work aren’t even going to put in the effort to cheat. However, the campaign wasn’t for naught, it got students talking about academic integrity. Even if talk was mostly about the inefficiency of the whole thing, it still left some sort of message. What’s the purpose of the legacy stuff that’s been brought up this year? Academic integrity seemed to only exist as an essay topic for the first week of school. So far, “legacy” looks to be the same thing. I wrote two essays in the first two weeks about what kind of legacy I hope to leave, and the word was never mentioned in class again. In every speech principal Bart Wegenke says while at a podium, “legacy” is the word that links the last one to the next
Angry, frustrated or downright upset about what we’ve written? Want to build a stronger student voice? Want to tell us how well we’re doing? Write a letter to us!
photo by Erik Frobom
one. It baffled me at the start of school as to why nobody would notice it. I hoped people did and were just too busy talking about more important things, like “Big Brother,” or how ugly that girl’s shirt is. The senior class meeting consisted mostly of a Powerpoint with rotating presenters and the resounding message of “Don’t mark our school with a legacy you can’t erase.” I only speak on the senior meeting, as that’s the only one I attended. So, I’m not entirely sure if it was a personalized message for the Class of 2013 or a generalized topic presented to all classes. This does cause me to wonder if the Class of 2013 is a class of a possible “worrisome” legacy? Being a part of the class, I’m not sure how troublesome we are. But I’ve heard for years that we are the worst class in a long while. That may be true for some, but I honestly don’t believe that holds true for the whole 2013 class. A judgement for a whole group of individuals makes no
sense. Ever. Do you know what your friend ate for breakfast yesterday? What about what they drank last weekend? Classes aren’t cohesive bodies of learning that will do what they’re told. They’re made up of individual students and thinkers. Some will listen and others will tune everything but themselves out. The message of leaving a positive or negative legacy will not deter students from continuing to do what they do, the same way academic integrity makes zero difference to those who cheated previously. There’s only so much influence a word with a liquid meaning can have on a building crammed full of hormonally-charged adolescents. For something to make an impact, it needs to carry weight, and the threat of a negative legacy isn’t enough to stop negative behavior. At least breaking the rules breaks the monotony.
Drop the finished product off in the Publications Room, room 411, for consideration to run the in next issue of the newspaper. Thank you!
Letters to the Editor are here to help! We know that you all have issues with different things around the school and in our community. Trust us, we want to hear what YOU have to say. We do NOT accept annonymous letters. If you have an issue with something, you should be able to admit who you are. Letters to the Editor are NOT here for you to simply rip on people, take on the issuses, tell the truth.
N E WS
October 31, 2012
Social Media: New Political Twist Students react to new media incorporation into politics by Nick Lemmer It’s Monday, Oct. 22 and the faint light of the TV screen glows with the final Presidential Debate. And in this day and age, the glow of the TV is not alone. The screens of laptops and iPods are all brightly lit— tuned to Facebook and Twitter. Many students have been closely following the presidential election, not just through the television, but through social media as well. Social media has become an ever-increasing part of not only pop culture, but political culture as well. With the ability to talk to local and federal
representatives now at the tips of our fingertips, it only makes sense that people would begin to use Twitter, Facebook and other live feeds to talk politics. The 2012 election has seen an increase in social media activity, with the Oct. 3 Presidential Debate becoming the most talked about political event in Twitter history. As many Haslett students become more politically active, it can be felt in their online presence. Senior Alex Kozlowski won’t be able to vote in this upcoming election. However, he feels it’s important to stay aware of the issues. It is because of this that he has made several posts about the
current election, most notably during the Presidential and Vice-Presidential debates. “I’m mostly on Politifact’s Twitter page during the debates,” Kozlowski said. “But I also like to jump on any ignorant posts I find.” While Kozlowski openly admits to supporting Barack Obama in this election, he doesn’t consider himself to be a mindless follower. Any story he sees, whether it’s on Facebook or Yahoo, he searches the Internet for any stories confirming or denying facts, before he draws an opinion. “If I’m going to try and be unbiased, I’ll do my best to not jump to conclusions,”
Perplexing Proposals
Kozlowski said. While some see social media as a way to post opinions on issues that matter to them, senior Thomas Grubb feels differently. “People just post heated things, just so people can agree or disagree with them,” Grubb said. It is because of this, that Grubb finds himself untrusting of any political post he finds on Facebook. “It frankly annoys me because it’s always the extremists who post stuff,” he said. While the relationship between social media and politics might be a relatively new one, so far it seems to be off to a good start.
Proposals are overwhelming for Michigan voters by Alexa Walkowicz Michigan voters will see an unusually high number of proposals on Nov. 6 ballot. With so many different proposals, many voters may not know exactly what they will be deciding on this coming election. Proposal One is the only proposal that will not affect the state constitution. Most supporters are in favor of the proposal because they believe that if the local government is not able to or not willing to resolve the problems, an emergency manager is a good idea. The opposition, however, is not in favor of a governorappointed emergency manager being able to “abolish overall local control,” social studies teacher Bradley Brunner said. “Americans care about what the country does, what the state does, but most of all what the community does. The local officials running the community - they’re invested in the community,” Brunner said. Proposal One may not a huge concern for Haslett students because “we have a balanced budget, we work well,” Brunner said. Proposal Two is important to students because it will affect teachers’ and other public employees’ abilities to collectively bargain and join labor unions. Supporters are in favor of the proposal because they want to guarantee workers the right to collectively bargain. “Working people have very little in the way of protection,”
history teacher Russell Olson said. If this ability is not guaranteed, Olson said, “you’ve essentially taken away their power to present themselves as a united front.” The idea of “two sides coming together is at the heart of collective bargaining,” history teacher Jeff Smith said. He is also “a big supporter (of the proposal), as a teacher, and coming from a family with a background in GM,” Smith said. “There are a lot of misleading ads. Reading the ballot, it says there can be no public employee strikes.” Though the proposal allows laws to be enacted to prohibit public strikes, there is opposition to the proposal as well. The opposition may point out that collective bargaining already takes place without it being written in the constitution. Because it appears, some see it being written into the constitution as unnecessary and as if the unions are trying to gain more power over businesses. Many supporters of Proposal Three are in favor of it because they believe in using renewable energy and say it will benefit citizens’ health. Those opposed say it will come at a high cost, the technology is not available to responsibly harness and use the renewable energy, and that the state constitution is not the place for a changing energy initiative. Most every Michigan citizen has heard someone talking about “Snyder’s Bridge,” or has seen one of the ads for on television. The Bridge is the
on the ballot
• Proposal One is a referendum on Public Act 4 of 2011. Public Act 4 of 2011 would ‘establish criteria to assess the financial condition of local government units, including school districts.’ • Proposal Two is a proposal to amend the state constitution regarding collective bargaining. • Proposal Three is a proposal to amend the state constitution to establish a standard for renewable energy. • Proposal Four is a proposal to amend the state constitution to establish the Michigan Quality Home Care Council and provide collective bargaining for in-home care workers. • Proposal Five would ‘allow in-home care workers to bargain collectively with the Michigan Quality Home Care Council (MQHCC) [and] continue the current exclusive representative of in-home care workers until modified in accordance with labor laws.’ • Proposal Six is a proposal to amend the state constitution regarding the construction of international bridges and tunnels.
main issue in Proposal Six. Supporters of the proposal generally recognize that the bridge will be built with Canadian funds, but believe that the decision should be made by citizens instead of pokliticians. “It’s less about bridges and more about the people of Michigan being able to pass laws by referendum,” Olson said. “It’s an important power for the people to retain.” Those opposed to the proposal say that the need for an additional commerce route is badly needed. Michigan is in “the perfect spot to facilitate trade,” Smith said. Canada is footing the bill for the bridge. In return, Canada
will keep all the toll revenue until Michigan’s part of the cost is “paid off.” Afterwards, Michigan will begin receiving some toll revenue. “To me it sounds like a good deal,” Smith said. “It’s free now and we’ll make money later.” With all the varying opinions on each of the proposals, it is hard to sift through all the information put out by both parties. Smith says that it is important that students and voters pay attention to the credibility of the information they are receiving. “There is misinformation regardless of the side,” Smith said.
3
Skyward Continued from page 1 student until graduation. “If there is an issue, teachers are required by the policy to put it into Skyward,” social studies teacher Brad Brunner said. “It is not an option.” When a survey was taken by students two years ago, administrators found that the student body felt it was at its worst in the field of cheating and dishonesty. “That’s what teacher who recorded it. led us, as a teaching staff, to A common misconception say, ‘maybe this is something is that colleges can readily that we should make more access this information. of an attempt to deal with,’” “Colleges cannot access that Brunner said. information,” Brunner said, This led to the creation “but they can request it.” of a committee in the fall of Principal Bart Wegenke 2011 to crack down on the also stresses that records academic integrity policy. could end up in the hands “The motivation behind it of colleges. “Remember that was that we were behind most if caught, we do document other schools in the area in cheating offenses which regard to where their policies colleges can request if you were,” Brunner said. “And have been caught cheating when we looked at the major before,” Wegenke said. universities and where their “Something to keep in policies were, we were behind mind is that if colleges want on our policy there, too.” to have access to it, they can,” Colleges like Michigan Brunner said. “And colleges S t a t e do talk to U n i v e r s i t y “If there is an Ms. (Heather) and the Woodworth and teachers Mrs. (Samantha) University of issue, Michigan, as are required... Brunnschweiler well as local and ask them high schools to put it into about particular like Okemos, students.” DeWitt and Skyward. It is not The students Williamston, this affects most an option.” all exceeded are borderline Haslett in -Social studies teacher students; those terms of Brad Brunner who may or policies on may not get into academic a school. The integrity. These schools school will contact Haslett kept electronic records and ask for disciplinary of all instances of student records to make sure they integrity violations. Seeing don’t accept a student who the advancement of other will only cause disruption schools in this field, all and scandal at their school — Haslett administrators are something colleges don’t let now required to record any slide. “At a university level, behavioral or integrity issues if you get caught cheating, on Skyward. they’ll just kick you out of the “Let’s say a student did school,” Brunner said. cheat or copy homework With this upgraded system, or was dishonest with a a greater sense of liability is teacher or even with another in order. “It is definitely a student, those records are policy that has much more kept on Skyward,” Brunner accountability than our policy said. “They go in as regular did in the past,” Brunner said. behavior issues.” However, the overall goal Once submitted to Skyward, of the new policy is not to the policy violation will rank ahead of other schools follow the student throughout or look high and mighty. The the rest of high school. goal is to sustain academic Teachers can, however, add integrity among the students information about the severity of Haslett High School. of the violation. Minor issues “Students shouldn’t be can be noted as such, and concerned about how we likewise with more serious document information in incidents. Once entered, the Skyward,” Wegenke said. information goes directly If anything, students should to the principal and vice know one thing for sure: don’t principals as well as to the cheat.
NEWS
4
October 31, 2012
A NORMAL
LIFE Three girls cope with challenging disabilities By Quinn Alexander and Breanna McGuire photos by Nick Gregory
“I’ve seen you gotta live for the small things that make you smile...”
“...I was happy it wasn’t something too serious or deadly.”
Delaney Johnson
S
chool starts at 7:50 a.m., every student attends six classes, and leaves at 2:23 in the afternoon. This is the schedule students follow day after day until summer vacation. Sophomores Delaney Johnson and Maggie McDaniel and junior Hannah Safferman are no exception to this. Despite each girl having a disability, they’re all trying to live normal lives as a high school students. In the U.S., 150,000 people have been diagnosed with narcolepsy and only four percent of those people have a rare form called cataplexy. Last March, Johnson was diagnosed as one of those four percent. “Cataplexy is the brain’s inability to recognize when the body is awake and asleep. So when I pass out, I’m not actually passed out,” Johnson said. “It is my body thinking I am going into REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is the deepest state of sleep. So I go into a sleep paralysis and my mind is still active and I can hear and feel everything going on around me.” Johnson has cataplexy at-
tacks (the correct term instead of “passing out”) from extreme rushes of emotion. “If someone jumps out and scares me, I will probably scream and then have an attack,” Johnson said. “Or if I get overly excited, way too upset, or if I am really stressed out, then it will happen.” When Johnson has an attack, her body melts forward, meaning her knees are affected first then her hip, then her shoulder. “It’s important to know that I’m in no danger when I’m having a cataplexy attack,” Johnson said. “The only danger is the fall and I’m fine when it happens. Basically the only thing people have to be certain of is that I’m flat on my back and I’m breathing.” Johnson wasn’t the only student dealing with medical woes earlier this year. Hannah Safferman was diagnosed with POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) in July. “POTS is when my nervous system can’t control my heart rate and blood pressure,” Safferman said. “When I pass out I just drop to the ground and I can’t feel or hear anything. When I wake up, I don’t know
“When I pass out, don’t flip out and hit me.”
Hannah Safferman how long I’ve been out.” When discovering her condition, Safferman was actually relieved. “I was pretty upset that I had something, but I was happy it wasn’t something too serious or deadly.” However, there is hope for Safferman because most POTS patients grow out of it during their mid-twenties. In addition to both Johnson and Safferman, Maggie McDaniel started fainting last winter due to something doctors say might have to do with her heart and her nerves. Unlike Safferman and Johnson, McDaniel can hear and feel things when she passes out, but forgets most of it when she wakes up. “When I pass out, don’t flip out and hit me,” McDaniel said. Before passing out, McDaniel’s eyes flutter. “I can be out for as little as 30 seconds or as long as an hour,” McDaniel said. “But I am usually out for 15 minutes or less.” Despite all of their conditions being different, they all have had to give up various activities. “I was an archer and I was being trained to be in
the Olympics,” Johnson said. “I raced motor-cross, I used to skateboard and ride my bike all the time and now I can’t be anywhere alone.” Both Safferman and McDaniel had to give up participating in the marching band and Safferman can no longer swim for the girls swimming and diving team. McDaniel has also given up drinking her favorite energy drink, Monster. The girls also agree they have changed as people since discovering their conditions. “I have changed activities and so I have different friends,” Safferman said. “I also feel less active and energetic.” Since being diagnosed, Johnson’s eyes have been opened up to a new outlook on life. “I think I have changed. I don’t know if it has been for the better or for the worse, but I have seen how precious life is,” she said. “I’ve seen you gotta live for the small things that make you smile because even if the big picture is kinda foggy, there are always little things that are good about it.” Johnson also admits she has broken down and has at times
Maggie McDaniel felt like she doesn’t want to keep trying because she feels trapped in her own body. But it’s the people around her that keep her moving forward. “A lot of people tell me they’re really impressed that I’m so positive about the whole thing and, honestly, everyone saying that makes it possible,” Johnson said. “I feel like if people see me struggling and they see me come out of it then its inspiring.” Johnson has also found that music is the way she escapes reality and the burdens of her disability. “Music is all I have left and it’s where I go every time I feel stressed about it. I kinda forget everything for a while,” Johnson said. “I have never passed out when I’ve been involved in music. When I’m singing or playing my guitar or playing the piano, I have never passed out and I have always felt safe when I’m doing it because I feel like it just couldn’t happen.” Safferman has also found a way to escape by sketching. “It relaxes me,” Safferman said. Anime club has been a way for
McDaniel to forget about her condition for at least an hour every Wednesday. Even in moments of doubt, all the girls have found something that drives them to continue coming to school and taking in activities. “The fact that it’s a good environment to be in even if there are people who spread rumors and say bad things about me,” Johnson said. “I know there are people here who are always going to support me and really care.” Safferman’s friends have reinforced her confidence in coming to school. “It’s how my friends drop everything to help me, that’s why I keep coming back to school,” Safferman said. Each of the girls is determined to live as normal a life as possible. “I’m not disabled. Even though I have all this stuff going on, I don’t need to be babied,” Johnson said. “I’m OK.”
October 31, 2012
E V E N TS
5
The finish line of the third annual Race for Ralya A participant makes for the finish line on Oct. 14.
photos by Sierra Dove
Show business star Marty Klebb visited Ralya Elementary School to speak against bullying and raise awareness for a January fund-raising event. photos by Sierra Dove
‘Pirates’ star visits Haslett schools by Marcus Hooper Movie star and little person Martin Klebba, better known as “Marty,” visited Haslett High School and Ralya Elementary Thursday, Oct. 25. Klebba, known best for his role as one of Jack Sparrow’s crew members in “Pirates of the Caribbean,” toured the high school’s gymnasium to scout it as a possible location for a celebrity vs. little person basketball game fundraiser to be held Sunday, Jan. 20. Ce-
lebrities like former Michigan State University football player TJ Duckett are already looking forward to the event. All profits made at the event will go toward the World Dwarf Games held at Michigan State in August. While in town, he also spoke to students at Ralya Elementary on discrimination against dwarfs and bullying in the little people world. At the end of the event, Marty, who is also the fastest dwarf ever, raced a few of the students at Ralya.
For a more in-depth interview, look forward to the next issue.
6
E N TE RTAIN M E N T
EN T ERTAIN MEN T
7
October Musings Recess
All hollows’s eve
By Erik Frobom
By Zach Hebel
Each gust would sweep the curling colors of fall farther toward the wire mesh. Those leaves already hugging the fence beckoning their companions to join them, as if there was something to recommend about the experience. Sometimes the wind would blow intermittently, and the oncoming leaves would cease to move and fall to the grass for a moment, as if their travel was laborious and demanded pauses for recuperation, before coming to rest a final time at the fence. For a rarer leaf, the fence seemed not to be their destination. The same gusts that brought other leaves to rest also freed these uncommoners, and they slipped past the metal links of the fence. All this was observed by Lester, who found little else to amuse himself with during recess. He likened himself to the leaves that had ventured beyond the fence. While he stood at the edge of the field, the rest of the fourth grade students limited themselves to the playground architecture and ball courts. Lester didn’t so much ask
for solitude as much as he found himself in it. No one came his way... But there was Emmett, running full stop toward Lester. Emmet’s dark, straight hair bobbed with with his stride. He passed Lester, taking a leap into the pile of leaves at the fence. Upon Emmet’s landing, the leaves protested with crunches and snaps, flattened and scattered against their will. Emmet righted himself, finding a seat among the leaves. Lester hadn’t moved. The boys exchanged looks, one firm, the other smiling out from underneath the scraps of orange clinging to his bowl cut. Emmet, too, did not ask for solitude: rather he evaded acceptance by his peers. The bell had been rung and adults were shepherding the children back into the school. Gathered by the entrance, children waited while adults counted heads. Some stragglers ran, waved on by their impatient friends at the doors, stopping occasionally to catch their breath. One gave his hand to another, and helped him up.
Pop-up shops storm shopping malls, and orange leaves blanket the pavement. News stations tend to repeat warnings about razorblades in apples and cyanide in candy. “The Purple People Eater” and “Monster Mash” are put into radio rotation and get overplayed just as fast. Facebook is littered with pictures of small kids in big costumes and big kids in small costumes. In the days leading up to All Hallow’s Eve, small communities have a certain atmosphere that isn’t attainable at any other point of the year. Darkness and the macabre become marketable to the majority, and haunted houses filled with blood-soaked employees work their moneymakers to scare the desensitized youth of the 21st century. I have vivid memories of Halloweens throughout the years. My birthday is in early October, usually permitting me to do something fun on Halloween. From the age of eight, I traveled to Cedar Point for Halloweekends approximately every other year. Memories of my first impressions of the park,
to the first time I rode a roller coaster mesh with the existing cornucopia of trick or treating memories. Being out late at night was always empowering when bedtimes were still a rule that could be broken with severe consequences. Halloween gave me a reason to stay out for hours and collect free candy while dressed as a recognizable movie monstrosity or favorite television show. My favorite part about Halloween is the smell; the smell of the dead leaves, dry bark and cold air. Haunted houses, candy and costumes are only part of the fun of this season; the sometimes dreary, sometimes beautiful environment is a large part of the mood. All of my memories are tinted orange, red and brown, taste like chocolate and sugary suckers. There isn’t much I personally find more enjoyable than the autumnal season leading up to Halloween. Although some of the youthful charm of Halloween is replaced with the pressures of adolescence, nostalgia will always reign supreme.
N E WS
8
October 31, 2012
“VEX Raptors” vex competition
Decorated amateur robotics team flaunts veteran status as underclassmen by Erik Frobom “This is what happens in a pushing match,” freshman Nik Bucholz says as he pushes forward on a joystick with his thumb. The high school robotics team’s robot, Hal, collides head-on with another competition robot belonging to one of the middle school teams. The middle schoolers’ robot has a tracked drive base, providing more surface area for traction, but the robot assembled by Bucholz and the rest of the high school team is much larger and
has more weight resting on its wheels, giving it the combatant edge. The smaller of the two mechanical warriors retreats on its caterpillar tracks. Nik points out the skirting around Hal’s drive base, to keep stray beanbags from snaring the wheels. Visible from a gap in the skirting are curious conical rollers, which Bucholz explains as components of a holonomic drive. With a flick of his thumb he sends the machine into a side-step, a movement made possible by the rollers, and Hal takes on the character of a crustacean navigating a beach.
Freshman Connor Rowley scrolls through lines of programming code
AHEAD OF THE CURVE This is the Haslett robotics scene, an intersection of science and craft. Boxes and bins of mechanical and electronic hardware lie open, revealing their varied contents. The youngness of the participants contrasts with the matter of their work; it is clear that no simple engineering is taking place. Compared the untested middle school contraptions, Hal looks to be designed with careful consideration by experienced hands. Bucholz and
his team are preparing for their third VEX robotics competition, a regulated contest for amatuer robotics enthusists. Success has followed them from their introductory year. During the 2010-2011 season, they won top awards at an MSU-managed tournament when Bucholz and many of his teammates were in their seventh grade year. “The Dewitt robotics team doesn’t like to talk about that day,” Bucholz said, recalling the victory. “They lost 58 to six,” freshmen Austin Scheer chimed in, grinning from behind safety
These robot limbs and radio controllers are just some of the team’s toys
goggles. “--to the haslett middle school team,” finished Bucholz Both previous years has seen the team invited to the VEX world championships, where the team earned rankings of 69th and 43rd out of divisions of 100 competitors. VEX competitions feature themed matches where teams’ robots compete for top scores based on performing objectives. A DIVERSE TEAM
competitions demand problemsolving skills backed by an understanding of engineering. Sheer enjoys seeing his team’s designs become operational objects of metal and wire. Freshmen Connor Rowley and Hannah Kempel write programs to bring the machines to life. Freshman Kearny Shine and Sophomore Matt Watson build and prototype design features. Everyone learns from what does and doesn’t work.
As suggested by his protective eyewear, Scheer is behind a lot of the construction. VEX
Freshman Nik Bucholz and Sophomore Matt Watson with their robot photos by Erik Frobom
Common brains unite
Busting their classes Challenges of and suceeding in advanced placement courses
Like-minded students find niche on quiz bowl team
by Sunny Havens
by Madi Brady
For sophomore George Davidson, taking his first AP class is a challenging experience but he believes it is worth it. The credits he will obtain for it will benefit him greatly in the future and help his future career as a political scientist or being involved in law. “Taking AP Government is a great experience, for what I want to get into for the future,” Davidson said. Davidson worked really hard over the summer to learn the information he needed before he started the school year. “There is a lot more homework or highlighting, it takes up to two to four hours,” Davidson said. Davidson plans on taking more
AP classes, including AP calculus and AP U.S. history. For Junior Jacob Gornick, who is also in AP government; has a similar interest in history classes. “It will look great for college,” Gornick said. “ Also, you are able to put yourself out there to be able to challenge yourself to an extent.” When Gornick is not studying, he is playing lacrosse, tennis, and swimming; which takes up most of his time. “I spend about a half hour to about an hour a night working on the homework for government, Gornick said. “Compared to a normal class there is more advanced work, and higher expectations,” Gornick said. “I am also able to have an experience with upperclassmen.” For senior Mariah Beebe,
taking AP English puts her another step closer to her goal of becoming a teacher. “I am taking AP English to get more prepared for college,” Beebe said. “I also want to become a elementary school teacher, so I would say basic math and English are very important in that career path.” AP English is Beebe’s first AP class. She acknowledges that compared to a regular English class there is a lot more work involved. “I was in British Literature during my junior year and American Literature during my sophomore year, so even though they weren’t technically AP classes, they have the same rigor,” Beebe said. “I think that I was very well prepared and it was not much of a difference for me.”
Junior Olivia Brenner found her niche in high school as part of the school’s quiz bowl team. “I joined because I thought it would be a cool way to meet cool, nerdy people who I could be geeky with without any shame,” Brenner said. “Turned out I was right.” Thanks to her addition to the team, the quiz bowl quad has grown in size and brain power. The team has also had a very successful time, so far this year. On Sept. 25, the quiz bowl team was given the opportunity to compete on the television game show, Quiz Busters on WKAR TV. Brenner, seniors Tessa Clarizio, Matthew Heard and Katie Panter were the team members chosen to attend and
compete on the show. “Quiz Busters was very exciting,” Clarizio said. “The questions were diverse, from pop culture to math to science.” After multiple rounds of extensive questioning, Haslett won the game. Now the team
is eligible to return to the show for the semifinal round where it will compete once again for the winning title. And if that is obtained, then team members can go to the finals and possibly win the Quiz Busters championship. “It was terrifying to be on television, but getting the right answers was the biggest adrenaline rush I’ve ever had,” Brenner said. “When we won, it felt like we had defeated a huge army in battle.” The date for the team’s return on television has not been set yet. But the quiz bowlers are working hard to prepare for their next visit.
N E WS
October 31, 2012
9
‘Damn Yankees’ is classic baseball story by Stephanie Hilker Haslett’s latest musical production, “Damn Yankees,” has the school abuzz with questions about the plot. The intriguing story begins in the 1950s when an old man, Joe Boyde, played by senior Jordon Walling, sells his soul to the devil, personified by the character, Applegate, played by senior Caleb Jarvis.
In exchange for his soul, Joe, played by junior Patrick Harney, becomes a young man who helps his favorite baseball team, the Washington Senators, reverse their dismal record and win the pennant. Although he sold his soul, Joe has a sly plan to return to his wife Meg, played by junior Quinn Rulison. Given the musical’s focus on a baseball team, the stage
for “Damn Yankees” will have a locker room and a baseball field. Junior Austin Endres plays a cocky, bigshot baseball player named Rocky. “I’m not too cocky about myself, but I can pretend to be,” Endres said. He describes singing as his “home court.” Endres played a role in last fall’s production, “Joseph and The Technicolor Dreamcoat.” He has noticed a few
differences between the two musicals saying,“‘Damn Yankees’ has more humor, and is more easy for the audience to follow.” Musical director Erich Wangeman described “Damn Yankees” as a traditional Broadway musical, containing a plot, drama and humor. The plot has presented a challenge because it revolves around a sports team, and most of the
drama occurs on the field, Wangeman said. “It’s difficult to tell a sports story without the details of each game,” he said. However, Wangeman is excited about the production and there have been, “no low points at all.” After dedicating 14 to 15 hours a week to practice, one of Wangamens’ favorite parts is watching his students come into their characters and roles,
while visualizing the end product. Sophomore Lizzie Pratt is excited for her first musical at the high school. She plays a Washington Senators fan and especially likes the songs in the musical. Although she is enthusiastic about being in the production, she is also a little nervous, “It’s scary to think I’ll be on the stage in front of everyone,” she said. Cast members of “Damn Yankees” learn their choreography during a practice Saturday in preparation for the November preformances
Photos by: Nick Lemmer
DAMN YANKEES
SET program sets the stage
Showtimes: November 16 - 7:30 pm November 17 - 2:00 pm November 17 - 7:30 pm
HHS-hosted program interests students, prepares them for careers by Michael Garnett
Tickets are available online; visit the Haslett Public Schools site for more information.
Photo by: Nick Lemmer Construction of the set for “Damn Yankees” is being taken on by students participating in the SET Program.
Every morning, the sounds of saws, hammers, student voices and techno music can be heard blasting throughout the Performing Arts Center. These students are a part of the Capital Area Career Center’s Students in Entertainment Technology (SET) Program, which is one of the many offcampus programs the Career Center offers. The goal of the SET Program is to educate students about lighting, sound, construction and the other aspects of theater production, as well as
to prepare them for a potential career in the field. The program, headed by Patrick Hepfer, has had years of success here at the high school, and has seen countless kids go through it and be successful in this career. Some alumni of the SET program have gone on to work on technology crews at random concerts, cruise shows,and even Cirque du Soleil. The program has given kids the joy of finding what they love to do, and being with other students who have the same interests. Senior Joey Meier, a second year member, has en-
joyed working in the SET Program. “I enjoy being a part of the SET program because it’s prepared me for a potential job opportunity in the production field,” Meier said. “It has also taught me how to see the reasons behind everybody’s actions.” The program has also taught Meier some life lessons. “SET has helped me learn how to cope with the stressful situations that life throws at you. It’s also helped me to develop social skills and how to interact with people I don’t necessarily get along with.”
S PORTS
10
Immediate impact
October 31, 2012
continued from page 1
Roe named all-league by coaches train every day for two to three hours,” he said. Whether it was working out at Eagle Eye or flipping tires in his lawn, Roe, who benches 225 pounds, put the work in. Recognized for both his impressive size and play, Roe’s most exciting feature is perhaps the passion he shows during games. “Football is a game of emotion and intimidation,” he said. “And making a big play really pumps me up.” Roe uses these big plays as an opportunity to be vocal with his teammates. “Even though I’m younger, I still look to try to excite the entire defensive line before a big moment or key play,” he said. When on the field, Roe doesn’t think about potentially being lined up in front of a guy who is three years older than him. “I’m not out there thinking I’m a freshman,” he said. “I’m out there thinking that I’m a varsity player.”
“Every single one of my And a good varsity player at that. Heading into the team’s coaches have worked with me regular season finale against and believed in me,” he said. Chelsea, Roe had collected 50 “And that’s been a big help.” Although Roe is only neartackles with four of them being ing the end of his first term as for losses. But it is not just the statistics a high school student, he has that he takes pride in. “I just love found that it is never too early being there for my teammates,” to begin making future plans. “I have a good number of he said. “We win together, we lose together, and we feel goals I look to accomplish by senior pain together. “I’m not out there thinking y e a r , ” he said. And it a freshman, I’m R o e , is im- I’m portant out there thinking that wplansh too that I’m a big I’m a varsity player.“ r e a c h 6-foot, part of 3-inches, 290 pounds and douthat.” Roe’s success can also be ble digit sack numbers, hopes attributed to the support and his ability will provide him with encouragement he’s received an opportunity to play college from both players and coach- football. “It is a definite goal es. “I love my team,” he said. of mine to play Division I foot“They’ve accepted me from ball. I just have to keep working hard every day,” he said. day one.” Upon the the completion of Roe has also been working hard with his coaches on ways this year’s football season, Roe to improve, such as using his will have three more years of high school football. hands more.
He is sure to make impressive gains both in the weight room and on the football field. Coaches are counting on the freshman to transition into a leadership role, and impress his work ethic and dedication onto his teammates. Fans are anxious to see if the big defensive tackle can help lead the football team into the playoffs for years to come. No matter the ultimate result of Roe’s high school football career, he will have a tremendous freshman season to look back on. Whether Roe chooses to daydream about his fourth down goal line stop against St. Johns, or the feeling he got the first time he heard his classmates chanting “Roe, Roe, Roe” from the student section, he will undoubtedly look back and smile on all of the fond memories.
Freshmen Blake Roe (59) and Senior Tom Baldwin (9) get set for a defensive play against East Lanisng Photo by Eddie Whaley
Brewer reflects, takes next step
Senior’s last season is one to remember by Patrick Gifford
Senior Connor Brewer (2) follows behind the blocking of junior Graham Riley (20).
Photo by Seth Carncross
The clock strikes zero, and a chapter in senior Connor Brewer’s life comes to a disappointing end. With a 28-14 loss at the hands of Chelsea, the varsity football teams’ season had come to a close as the boys finish with a record of 4-5 and narrowly miss a playoff berth. All is not lost for Brewer, however, as he completes an impressive 2012 season in which he led the area in both rushing yards and touchdowns. “Coming into the season, I didn’t think I would have this kind of success,” Brewer said. “My teammates definitely helped motivate me to work hard, they all wanted to win just as bad as I did.” Brewer and a core group of seniors led workouts throughout the offseason, which led to him being named captain heading into the year. “As captain, I know that a lot of people
look up to me and I have to more than just his own abilishow them how to handle dif- ties. Being a 3 back in a Full ferent situations,” he said. “So House offense, the faking and it is important for me to always blocking ability of the other two running backs is crucial. keep my cool” The commitment to hard “With our offense, every runwork in the offseason that ning back is dependent on earned Brewer a captain posi- each other,” he said. Brewer also had the luxury tion also laid the foundation for of running behind a solid ofhis strong senior season. Starting on both offense and fensive line. “They don’t have much defense (three back and safety), size, but Brewer is hardly on “Everyone says that high they have worked the sideschool football is tough r e a l l y lines. “It was to match, but I know that hard and p r e t t y the next level will be fun.” g o t t e n the job tiring the first game, but I have got done,” he said. Brewer also has his sights on used to it and it became pretty easy,” he said. But even as the continuing his football career workload becomes easier for into college. “Next year I hope Brewer, he still gets a case of to play Division II football,” the jitters as each game begins. he said. Brewer is considering “The first run of every game Saginaw Valley State Univermy stomach drops,” he said. sity, Albion College and Ferris State University. “But it gets better as you go.” The senior understands that After accumulating STATS, Brewer gives credit to much although he will miss his time
playing football at Haslett, there is much to look forward to. “Everyone says that high school football is tough to match, but I know that the next level will be fun,” he said. As fun as it may be, Brewer will have to form new bonds with his college teammates. “I made a lot of friends here that I wouldn’t have without football. And that will be difficult to replace,” he said. Brewer is sure to experience success at whichever university he decides on. He will have an opportunity to display the leadership and great football ability that both his teammates and community members have had the pleasure of watching grow. And while it will be “rough” for Brewer to move on all from all of his fond high school football memories he has his sights set forward. “I know there are bigger things ahead,” he said.
S PORTS
October 31, 2012
I N T H E GA M E
11
Boys Varsity Soccer
Girls Varsity Swimming
Boys Varsity Tennis
Now: Lost in second round of district playoffs
Now: League meet Nov. 2 and 3
Now: Finished number 20 in the state
Then: Defeated top ranked Mason 2-1 on Sept. 29
Then: Defeated Dewitt 95-91 on Sept. 28
Then: Won both league and regional tournament
Record: 14-4-2
Record: 8-4
Record: Went a perfect 13-0 during season
Coach’s Word: “Our team this year set the
tone for how soccer should be played at Haslett. The guys approached every game with energy and a team based focus.”
Coach’s Word: “Our team is headed for the CAAC Blue Division meet this Friday and it is always a cool meet to watch all of the ‘tapered’ swimmers go for their lifetime bests.”
Coach’s Word: “We are very proud of the effort and dedication put forth by our players. Each member of the varsity team played an important role in helping us have a successful season.”
Varsity Cross Country
Boys Varsity Football
Girls Varsity Volleyball
Now: State tournament starts Saturday Nov. 3
Now: Narrowly missed a spot in the playoffs
Now: Districts began Tuesday Oct. 30
Then: Gebissa and Corder qualify for state meet
Then: Earned big wins over St. Johns and Okemos
Then: Co-Champions with Dewitt in the league
Record: Girls earn fourth in league; boys second
Record: 4-5
Record: 39-11-4
Coach’s Word: “The 2012 cross country season has been a great year for all runners. Pretty much everyone has improved and ran their best times at the end of the season when it counted most.”
Coach’s Word: “Six out of our nine games came down to the last minute which is exciting for fans, but unfortunately we lost three of those games by a combined seven points.”
Coach’s Word: “I saw my players transform
this year into stronger physical players and delevop leadership skills through hard work and tremendous commitment to our goals.”
Senior leadership propels soccer team to success by Marc Hooper This year’s varsity soccer team’s success is partly due to the eight seniors on the team and the strong leadership they provide. At one point ranked sixth in the state, this stout group of seniors has guided the team to one of the winningest varsity soccer seasons to date. “We have been playing for around 10 years together,” senior Brandon Diebolt said.
Through these 10 years, the seniors have grown together. “I know these soccer players better than anyone else in the school,” senior Thomas Grubb said. “This team is a family.” These students have been playing together since the year they learned how to play soccer. “Playing together for so long helps with the team chemistry, and knowing each other’s tendencies and flaws,” Diebolt said.
“Chemistry between us is stronger than any other team I have played for,” Grubb said. “I know when someone is going to make a mistake or make a great play.” The team’s winning ways are not something new. The seniors have been experiencing great success from the day they started playing together. “We have always been good,” Grubb said. “In middle school we had two straight undefeated
seasons.” The varsity soccer team has never won a district championship, and heading into the playoffs the players believed they had a good chance of making school history. “I think we could have won districts, and even made it past that,” Diebolt said. The team, however, fell short, losing in the second round to the fourth ranked team in the state, East Lansing.
Varsity cheer coach returns home Demarco’s career comes full circle
by Jonah Brown There are a lot of differences between Haslett cheer now and Haslett cheer six years ago. Music is no longer allowed, the Michigan High School Athletic Association has jurisdiction over the program, and there are fewer participants. One thing that has not changed is the presence of Nicole Demarco. Demarco is
a former captain of the cheer team and is now the current head coach of the team. Her cheer career has taken her full circle. Starting out as a captain of the high school cheer team in 2006, Demarco tried out for the Michigan State team the following year, and made it. “After cheering for four years (at Michigan State), one of my teammates approached
me and told me there were open tryouts for the Detroit Pistons,” she said. “So we decided to give it a try.” Demarco began cheering for the Pistons in 2011. Last year was also her first year as the high school coach. Her cousin, Kristen Clark, was the former coach but moved to Texas for her new job. Demarco was asked to take over, and she gladly accepted the position.
“I love cheering,” she said. “Not only is it exciting to do, but you also get to know a lot of different kinds of people.” And Demarco has gotten the opportunity to get to know many new people with her position as head coach. “It’s such a unique group of girls, and I’ve loved getting to know each one of them,” she said.
Even after this tough loss, the seniors held their heads high and knew they had many good memories to look back on. “Hard work definitely paid off for us,” Grubb said. “We’re not the most talented group of players, but we outworked our opponents for a lot of victories this year.” After this year, the seniors are undecided about moving on to play college soccer. “It’s hard to tell what my schedule
ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
will be in college, or if I will have enough time to play soccer,” Diebolt said. Even though the team was centered on the seniors, next year it should still have a great season. The varsity squad has many talented juniors and underclassman returning to help the team have another strong season.
Luke Corder Sport: Cross Country. Grade: 11. Age: 17. Recent accomplishments: Set the ninth fastest 5k time in school history after finishing in 16:26. Favorite part of running: The feeling of knowing you just ran a strong race. Team Outlook: Looking to have four runners place in the top 15 at regionals in order for the team to qualify for states. Pre-Game Ritual: Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwich two hours before the race.
T H E S T E RN
12
1
2
3
4
5
6
Haslett Community Church Youth Group fundraise
for their next mission trip. The youth group at H.C.C. decorated pumpkins, and held a bake sale to help fundraise for their next mission trip, which will be this spring. The destination of the trip is a surprise to participants. In addition to selling pumpkins, they hosted an activity for people to come decorate their own. 1. Senior Sophie Kirchoff helps sell baked goods after the Sunday morning service at the church. 2. Pumpkins that the youth group decorated themselves and sold to community members. 3. Juniors Jake Gornick, and Grahm Riley sold pumpkins in front of the True Value hardware store. 4. Freshman Alison Stamm, advertises the pumpkin sale on the corner in front of H.C.C. 5. Senior Katie Flagg and her mom set up the bake sale and pumpkin sale in the H.C.C. after the 9 am service. 6. Sophomore Frances Fernandez and junior Graham Riley manage the bake sale table. 7. Classic jack-o-lantern pumpkins that the youth group painted for the pumpkin sale.
Photo Story by Sierra Dove
7
October 31, 2012