2.10.2012 haslett high school
5450 marsh road haslett mi 48840
PORTSIDE
LPSB
viking LONGBOAT
Longer school day
Internet may still see sanitization by nick LEMMER
After second semester, the school underwent a schedule change. The day now starts at 7:49 a.m. and ends at 2:24 p.m. An extra minute has been added to first hour, as well as one minute to the end of sixth hour. Four total minutes have been added each day in order for the school to reach the 1,098 hour requirement. The last day of school will be a half day on Friday, June 8.
“Imagine a world without free knowledge.” That was the headline Jan. 18 on the major encyclopedia website Wikipedia in protest to SOPA (Stop Internet Privacy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act). These two bills are currently resting in the legislative system. SOPA was introduced by Rep. Lamar S. Smith, from Texas’ 21st District as a means to stop internet piracy. The bills gained much criticism, due to their nature. Many critics have claimed that any censorship of the internet is a violation of the First Amendment.
Chemistry grant The chemistry program received a financial grant for new laptops. The physics and chemistry rooms will receive $5,000 to purchase the computers. The grant awards seven new laptops. These laptops will be available for use by Dan Kohler’s chemistry classes for various experiments and other in-class activities. “This will be a lot better for my classes,” Kohler said.
SOPA/PIPA on Page 4
BENEATH DECK
BD
What’s On Deck? • February 11Choir Booster’s February Shake-up February 13 Haslett Board of Education Meeting 7 p.m • February 16 Ralya Art Night 6 p.m-7p.m • February 18 Jazz Night at HHS •February 22 District Choir Festival (Holt High School) • February 23 Murphy Science Night 6 p.m • March 6-8 ACT/PLAN/WorkKeys Testing
volume 17 issue 5
DATI NG Students in Craig Kueffner’s British Literature class complete a pre-assessment. photo by sierra DOVE
New education standards
Teachers see strict requirements for student performance
Pages 5-7 High school relationship issues
by reid FOWLER
Teachers have been pressured to continue working hard to increase performance and exhibit success in student achievement, but now there is an even greater motivational force: a new teacher evaluation process. Originally, teachers just had to survive past tenure for almost guaranteed job security. With the new system, performance and capability is critiqued rather than simply the amount of time one has been teaching. RAISING STANDARDS on page 4
Page 12 Murphy mentoring connections
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February 10, 2012
The CREW
STAFF EDITORIAL: More assesments? Don’t test me
pinions
Viking Longboat staff
editor-in-chiefs Travis Stirewalt & Lauren Hooper photography editor Sierra Dove opinions editor Maggie Turney sports editor Shane Heston sports writer Adam Foren features editor Jill Detwiler copy editor Phil Prescher
graphics editor Erik Frobom photographers Nick Gregory & Eddie Whaley staff writer Zach Hebel web manager Austin Rosenbaum ad managers Kristen Everhardt & Logan Milliman adviser Julie Price
STAFF Laine Alexander Alex Murshak Quinn Alexander Josh Sawyer Nick Andreson Jordan Scott Amy BaumgartnerKurstian Shooltz Jeremy Burton Melody Stokosa Asha Sultani Caitlin Eddy Morgan Underwood Reid Fowler Patrick Gifford Rory Youngs Nick Lemmer Griffin Marinez
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 eighttime 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.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Pre-tests are pointless. Clearly if a teacher gives a student a pre-test over material that has not yet been covered and then give a post test over the same material, there will be improvement on the post test. That was obvious before teachers had to pre-test. Even if someone has the worst teacher, there will be at least a tiny bit of improvement by the end of that chapter or unit. So this proves what? A lot of teachers don’t like the idea of pre-testing. Many just made a quick one page test and handed it out to students with no intentions of having their students do well because they know the post tests scores will be fine. Students don’t care either. It doesn’t affect grades so it’s literally not important to anyone. Maybe some people like the rush of joy when they get an average grade on a test on material they haven’t learned yet. Maybe it makes them feel warm and fuzzy inside or it brings a temporary “I’m smarter than you” buff. For most though, it doesn’t bring us anything but agony and boredom. Everyone had the joy of taking a pre-test last week at the start of the new semester. A new law has taken effect on
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Let your voice be heard!
Have something to say? 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? schools, teachers and students. While the law’s intentions are good, it isn’t really that helpful or effective. Why does the state think these pre-tests will help crack down on teachers? The most it will show them is that the teachers spent 15 minutes of their time handing out a piece of paper. Most students didn’t even try on their pre-tests. Most people just bubbled every answer in as “C” and were done in about three minutes. If you think about, this might make our teachers look really smart in the eyes of the state. Having 20 students get
an E on the pre-test and then a B on the post test looks pretty impressive. New criteria for tenures are another way the state is cracking down on teachers and are trying to improve the education system. Tenure refers to life tenure in a job and specifically has to do with a senior academic’s contract that says he or she can’t be fired without probable cause. This protects some teachers who have been teaching for a long time. A lot of the teachers who have been teaching in schools the longest have
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built up a legacy that everyone likes and no one wants them to retire. In cases like this, students and staff are usually glad that tenures are in place. On the other hand, a teacher who isn’t performing well can’t be fired, letting them continue teaching longer. Basically, if a teacher is well liked the tenure is a good thing, but if a teacher is not well liked the tenure is bad. It’s all about the specific individual. Unfortunately, the government cannot have little footnotes or clauses in their laws protecting some teachers and getting rid of others.
our SPONSORS Bill and Fran Turney Susan Turney
Write a letter to us! 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.
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pinions
February 10, 2012
It’s not the start of the end of the world
by maggie TURNEY
The Mayans had two main types of calendars; Round and Long Count. The Round calendar is approximately about 52 years or one lifespan. Obviously times have changed and we live about double those years, but this was their average lifespan back in the 2000 B.C. to 250 A.D.. But what if they wanted a calendar that lasted more than 52 years? That’s when the Long Count calendar comes into play. I will warn you right now, this part gets confusing. According to multiple college lectures and encyclopedias, the Mayans have five units of time measurement. The first three are about the same as our three most common units. The first are Kins. Kins are our equivalent to days and winals are our equivalent to months. However, in their system there are 20 kins (days) in one winal (month). The next unit of time
are tuns which equal 365 kins (days) or 18 winals (months). The next two units are different than what we have now. Ka’tuns are equal to 20 tuns (years). Then Bak’tuns are equal to 20 Ka’tuns. Even those these seem random, notice the repetitiveness of the number 20. It’s important, don’t forget about it. Like the Round calander, the Long Count has a cycle. One cycle of the Long Count calendar is 13 bak’tuns. These cycles are basically eras and according to the Mayans, we are currently in the fourth cycle of the Long Count calendar according to their date of when the world was created. This fourth cycle will end on December 21, 2012. One thing I need to clarify is that the Mayans never, I repeat never, predicted the date the world would end. They simply predicted the date of the fourth cycle. The only reason people assumed they knew the end date is because Monument 6, the Long Count calendar found at the Mayan site Tortuguero, ends on this date. However, it doesn’t necessarily end there, it’s broken. A calendar carved into a huge piece of stone during 200-900 B.C. broke after all of these years. Wow, shocking
Mayan units of time measurement Mayan units
Modern day units
Kin
One day
Winal
About one month
Tun
One year
Ka’tuns
20 years
Bak’tun
400 years
right? Who knew rock could break. Apart from the whole Mayan calendar theory, there are numerous theories of dates the world will end. For example, in 2003 the world was supposed to have ended thanks to the Nibiru collision. Basically, in 1995 Nancy Lieder, ZetaTalk website founder, proposed that the world would end in 2003 when Planet X (also known as Nibiru) would collide into earth leading to a doomsday event. Wait, why did people listen to and believe a website founder? Well, it’s because she claimed that she was chosen to warn mankind that a plant
would collide into earth in 2003. She said she could receive messages from extra-terrestrials from the Zeta Reticuli star system through an implant in her brain. Yeah, about that... People believed this wacked out lady...why? Another example was Harold Egbert Camping, also known as that really old guy who was completely wrong and hid in a motel because he was wrong and people were angry. Camping was born in 1921 and had been a radio broadcaster since 1958 according to his radio stations biography of him. Apparently, this 90-year-old decided to apply
numerology to some Bible passages. His goal was to predict the date the world would end. His final prediction was that on May 21, 2011 Jesus Christ would return to earth and the “righteous” would ascend up to heaven. Then the following five months would be filled with fire, brimstone, and plagues with millions of people dying each day. Then on Oct. 21, 2011 the world would officially end. Well, guess what? He was wrong. After everyone discovered he was in fact wrong and after he came out of hiding from a motel, he admitted in a private interview that he didn’t think that anyone could know about the time of the Rapture or the end of the world. This is funny because he had previously predicted judgement days in 1988 and 1994. Apparently, this last failure of an endeavour was the end of his predictions. During all of this, many people got caught up in this theory. A college student even quit med school and headed for the woods because she wanted to spend her last moments in nature. Well, the world didn’t end and now she’s out of luck... awkward. Basically, theories are being thrown around like dodgeballs
What does green really mean? “Haslett becoming a green school will not change the world. “
by reid FOWLER
It seems as though Haslett High School is being obsessively bombarded with one progressive movement after another. With the start of the 20112012 school year was introduced the “academic integrity” push, which resulted in a variety of responses. Most responses were that of students venting their frustration and annoyance of being
incessantly reminded to be “respectful, responsible, and successful” by every one of their teachers every day of the first week of school. This isn’t the first mass movement school leaders have imposed upon the student body. With the 2008-2009 school year, only a few years back, began the “green school” initiative undertaking. As an 8th
grader that year, I wasn’t able to catch the buzz about how high school students felt about the school’s endeavor. Nevertheless, it was just another cliche idea the school felt it needed to ingrain in our heads. It’s no wonder that by the time this year’s academic integrity jazz was forced upon us, little tolerance was given. This isn’t to say that the green school movement is necessarily bad. I don’t think anyone can disagree that recycling and conserving energy in classrooms and whatnot is counterintuitive in any way, just as it’s naturally expected that students refrain from cheating and
do their own work. However, when a large body attempts to tatoo policies and ideals onto the impetuous, free-thinking and often notcompletely-developed brains of high schoolers, all madness breaks loose. We as young people in a world that always seems to be telling us what to do, rebellion instantaneously develops if the school tries to impose rules based on beliefs and theories. Either that, or we’ll forget about it altogether. I often have to be reminded that we are a “green school.” Yet, it means nothing to me. Just as “respectful, responsible, blah blah
blah” means nothing to me. The teachers ranted for days about how we should act and live, but none of it did anything to change my perspective. I had no sudden alteration of heart. I’m still responsible and studious. I also know most of the hardcore cheaters in the building stared blankly at the teachers preaching academic intergrity, then turned away and went right back to their cheating ways. You can’t expect us crazy teenagers, as a whole, at least, to turn into little angels the moment the administration begs for us to be better students. Sometimes I wish it could happen, but it is just not the way humanity functions. Back to being green, though. Haslett becoming a green school will not change the world. I know that those
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in the Average Joes versus Purple Cobras championship game. And thanks to fear, hype and the fact that anyone can create a Tumblr, people are being caught up in ridiculous rubbish. If they just really took a look at the facts and the sources of these predictions they would realize that there’s no real reason to believe anyone. I will admit, amongst all this foolishness, the idea of a doomsday is interesting. I’ve always been a fan of zombie games such as Dead Island and post apocalypsic games like Fall Out: New Vegas and RAGE. I repeat, it is ineresting but that doesn’t mean I think it will actually happen. I am confident the world will not end on Dec. 21, 2012 nor any date soon. Well, when you think about it, it’s always better to say the world is not going to end. That way if it doesn’t end, you can laugh at all the idiots who quit their jobs and ran for the forests because they thought it was going to end. However, if the world does end, we’ll all be dead and so no one can make fun of you for being wrong. It’s the most logical approach to the situation. photo by lauren HOOPER
who are convinced the world is ending at this very second and are frantically planting trees so our oxygen supply doesn’t run out would like to have you think so. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for helping the environment. But I believe we as individuals can all play our part in deciding what’s best for the planet. We don’t need governments and administrations telling us to turn off lights when you’re not in the room or to recycle. We don’t need staff begging us not to cheat. The cheaters will learn for themselves that their method is highly unreliable, especially in the real world. We can figure these things out for ourselves. We’re young, innovative thinkers. We need some breathing space, and we need to be able to learn some lessons independently.
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February 10, 2012
Teacher process from page 1 “Prior to this point, evaluations were often just a formality, something administrators had to do and teachers had to survive,” English teacher Arthur Chiaravalli said. Now, instead of simply checking that teachers are doing well and moving on, administrators are getting personal with the teachers. The attitude is more along the lines of adminstration supporting the teachers and discussing instruction with them, rather than making evaluations a quick checklist. “So far, I can say that it feels very collegial,” Chiaravalli said. “I’ve had the chance to sit down with assistant principal Andrea Rumsey and discuss some areas in which I’d like to improve. The attitude from her was one of support, of being in my corner, of wanting me to be the best I can be.” The changes are clearly more personable for the administrators and teachers
alike. Accountability is the key factor in the new evaluation system, according to principal Bart Wegenke. “The new government and state lawmakers felt the importance of accountability,” Wegenke said. “It’s what everybody wants to see.” The majority of people on both sides felt that a new evaluation process needed to take the place of the one before it, which was not ideal. “We want to ensure that all students will learn and achieve,” Wegenke said. The hope is that there will be a positive result in both teacher and student performance. In this new system, there is more opportunity for teachers to talk with administrators about instruction. Overall, it aims to be more effective for admininstrators, teachers and students alike. “We are all working together for the same common good,” Wegenke good. The new system also comes
with more flexibility. “I think you’ll see more new things from year to year,” Chiaravalli said. “In the previous system, you might not try anything new for fear of messing up in front of your administrator. In this system, there’s an attitude that if it’s research based, give it a shot.’” The process is currently in full swing. It came in effect at the start of the 2011-2012 school year. In addition, a new system of pre-assesments has been embraced as an indicator of student growth. The assesments test students over material they have not yet covered in their classes. Then after actually learning the material, students are tested again for signs of improvement. Administrators and teachers are optimistic about the progress the new system is envisioned to bring. “We don’t need to be perfect,” Chiaravalli said. “We just need to keep looking at ways to improve.”
Web cleansing from page 1 On Jan. 18, many popular websites shut off and went dark in protest of the bills. This included Wikipedia, Reddit and even the popular search engine Google placed a black bar over it’s logo in protest. These websites claim that SOPA would force websites to unnecessarily police their members from uploading copyrighted material to their sites, for fear of having their sites shut down, until the content is removed. To put it bluntly, if an individual were to upload a video on Youtube or Facebook, and in the background a song is playing, these bills theoretically say that the owner of the music could have Youtube shut down until that video is removed from the network. Or worse, if a musician performs a cover of a song and posts it, that video would be in direct violation SOPA and PIPA. A site like Wikipedia could be shut down if any information on the site came from an uncredited source. But on Jan. 20, two days after the protests, Congress (both the House and Senate) backed away from the bill. The reversal sent the bill into a virtual limbo, and efffectively killed any hopes it had of getting passed for now.
INTERNET
A P SO
graphic by erik FROBOM
The House released an official statement saying they will “postpone consideration of the legislation until there is wider agreement on a solution” Even some of the most adamant congressmen like Representative Lamar Smith backed away after seeing the immense reaction from protesters. While the internet may celebrate it’s victory over censor-
ship for now, the war may be far from over. Already there is talk of a new international law entitled the Anti-Counterfiting Trade Agreement, or ACTA. This bill has already sparked protests in places like Poland, and Ireland. This bill has not yet become widely known in the United States.
photo by nick ANGEL Principal Bart Wegenke talks to members of the freshman class about their high school futures.
New senior exams by tirzah HARTER
It was Friday afternoon, late in January. Students had just endured three full days of testing, having to remember everything they had learned since September. Majority of students will have to take many more finals. But for the senior class, these were the last finals of their high school careers. Or at least it used to be like that. Starting last year, new legislation requires that all students have to take second semester finals in classes required under the Michigan Merit Curriculum. These finals have to include all that was taught in that semester. For most students, this will only be in their English and math classes. But some will have them in social studies and science classes as well. Principal Bart Wegenke believes that final exams are best practice. Teacher and principal evaluations are now based on student growth throughout the semester. “Final exams are needed to see student growth,” Wegenke said. “A high percentage of students go to college. This is the next step to prepare them for it.” Teacher reaction to this new policy has been varied.
Math teacher Roger Lawrence said it is no big deal “We test all throughout second semester,” Lawrence said. “It’s not a big impact.” He does not expect to see any change in the student because of this. “It is a nice way to have closure for second semester,” English teacher Susan Doneson said. “I don’t want the kids to be uneasy.” She said her students know what their final exam will be like in advance. When she was in high school in New York, she had to take state mandated finals, although she wouldn’t be in favor of it. Many teachers feel this is just the next step to more regulations. “I think eventually we will be given the test,” Lawrence
said. Student reaction has been just as varied. Senior Katie Hughes thinks the policy is fine, but there are problems with it. “Teachers don’t take it seriously,” she said. “Many times it’s just small projects and not actual tests.” Senior Carolyn Faulkner said that the policy is somewhat unfair. “They can bring your grade down if you don’t do well,” she said. On the other hand, she does see the benefits of such a policy. “It makes you finish what you started,” Faulkner said. Change is hard for some, admits Wegenke. But he has some advice: “Sit back, relax and do your best.”
2012
Starting 2012 seniors must take second semester final exams
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Number of pre-assesments each student must take
I’m hungry...
Dating? Moving too quickly or nonexsistent?
I want to marry you!
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B C lue
February 10, 2012
G N I T A D 55 students were polled to get the downlow on how relationships in high school are changing.
have been in a relationship
graphic by erik FROBOM photo illustrations by sierra DOVE
have been in a relationship with someone from a different school
Long-distance survival Guide to closing the gap between couples by jill DETWILER
It's been a notion that high school relationships are a complete joke, which for the most part is true. However, some relationships carry on past the teenage years into college. But college is a larger hurdle than one would think. Some couples decide to attend the same university, while others have different future plans. But whether you're one hour away from one another or 12, the distance can be threatening to a relationship. That's why I've compiled a list of tips that has helped in my own relationship, to make the distance suck a little less:
1Video chat
Whether it's Skype, FaceTime, or Facebook video chat, seeing each other face to face makes it feel like you're almost together.
22%
The disappearance of a tradition?
87%
35%
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ompass
of girls have never been asked out on an actual date*
25%
have been in a long distance relationship (more than an hour apart)
by morgan UNDERWOOD
Everyone knows the couples to avoid feeling utterly disgusted in the hallways. Everyone has at some point witnessed a couple eating each other’s faces in the school hallways. And everyone has been ditched once or twice by that friend who would rather spend all his or her time with their significant other. High school relationships – either love them or despise them. No one ever wants to be compared to that obsessive couple, but once people get wrapped up in the feeling of "love" there are truly no limits. In a high school relationship, it suddenly becomes OK to ignore
your friends or anyone who talks to you because,let's face it, your significant other is just more important. The best part, all privacy is gone. It becomes "normal" to stalk your boyfriend/girlfriend's Facebook or Twitter. You can look through their cell phone and invade all their privacy because you need to know where they are at all times. I beg to differ. It is your own fault if you choose to date someone untrustworthy. Therefore, it is your own problem that you worry about their every move. No one forced you to be with that person and nothing they do can make it OK to go through their personal property. But at
some point everyone’s curiosity gets the best of them and they forget boundaries. The biggest problem with high school relationships is that no one can keep track of whether a couple is "together" that day or not. The words "I'm breaking up with you" could mean it's over. However, most of the time it means a day or two without talking to each other, a few hurtful statuses directed towards each other on Facebook, and then the couple is back together. This unhealthy pattern continues with the same people over and over again. However, these nightmarish qualities can be avoided. There is a way to have good
balance between all previous priorities and your significant other. There are still couples who make others want to be in a relationship. But they are rare. Having a significant other can teach loyalty, maturity, time-management and many other beneficial qualities. Relationships will always be a large part of the high school experience. Whether they are good or bad, healthy or unhealthy, you cannot escape them once you are sucked in. So, the next time you think it is a good idea to slip your tongue down your boyfriend or girlfriend's throat at lunch or in the hallways, no one wants to see that.
There's nothing a homesick college student wants more than a gift from a loved one. Whether it's goodies, clothes, a photo of you two or anything else that is comforting, it's a great way to satisfy your significant other and remind them how much you care.
3Switch blankets
Needed balance
High school relationships with no middle ground
2 Send a care-package
Whether you've had a long, stressful day or you just miss the company of your partner, having something that you can cuddle with that smells like them can be really comforting.
4 Take up a hobby
College classes occupy a lot of time, and it makes it hard to maintain contact. So instead of waiting for your boyfriend/girlfriend to get out of class or finish homework, find something that you enjoy to do to take your mind off of them. Whether it be sports, extra-curriculars or any random thing that you enjoy doing, hobbies are a great way to stay independent.
9%
of guys have never asked somebody out on an actual date*
* date [n]: the man in the relationship picks the woman up, pays for the date and plans it way in advance. AKA: not just hanging out at each other’s houses
5 Don't be clingy
This is probably the most underrated statement known to mankind. College is supposed to be the best time in a person's life – where they can explore themselves and have fun. Don't be the boyfriend or girlfriend who gets angry at your partner for going out with new friends or wants time to be independent. Clinginess can ruin relationships – distance or no distance.
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February 10, 2012
Preview: who’s got talent?
Tonight’s show will reveal who stands out from the crowd and who falls behind by emmy VIRKUS
The time for the 2012 Haslett Talent Show has come- the one night of the year where any student at Haslett High can get the recognition they deserve. Those who don’t participate in extracurriculars now have the chance to have their talents noticed. Returning from last year’s show as The Zoo Keepers, junior Jonah Brown is thrilled for his second year with senior Logan Milliman. “Last year was a warm-up for what this year will be,” Brown said. The boys’ previous performance was an interpretive dance in leotards. “We have put hours upon hours of blood, sweat and tears
into our practices,” Brown said. Another performer is sophomore Katie Lyon who is singing her version of A Thousand Years by Christina Perry. “I’m excited to show the student body a side of me that they may not have seen before,” Lyon said. “Singing lets me express my heart and show my feelings through something I love.” The talent show will begin in the auditorium right after the girls and boys varsity basketball games against Ionia. So come out and support your fellow classmates as they show eachother up on stage.
photo by nick GREGORY Junior Dustin Rice studies World War II literature in the school’s media center.
Student stays in touch with war vets by erik FROBOM
“I’ve never shared that with anyone before.” It is responses like these that peak junior Dustin Rice’s interested in veterans – not just the wars they fought, but the lives they led and the times they lived through. He collects World War II memorabilia and learns from speaking with servicemen from yesteryear. Dustin has stayed in touch with the veterans he has encountered through letters, visits and outings. He participated in Honor Flight Michigan, a program that flies veterans of World War II to Washington, D.C. to witness a special memorial to their service. Last November, he curated a
presentation at the local American Legion to honor veteran’s day. “They’ve become family, very close to me. It means a lot to them to have someone from my generation’s interest,” Rice said. “I find it fascinating how open they are with me. They don’t hold back”, Rice said about how he often strikes a personal chord in his conversations with veterans. “After telling me a story they will say, ‘I’ve never told it to anyone else’, or ‘I haven’t thought about that since the war’, or ‘I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone else’. I don’t understand it myself.” Meeting with veterans of past wars has
aided Rice in understanding the history of his country and gives him an elevated view of the world around him. “A Vietnam War veteran put things in perspective for me,” Rice said. “In his time, World War I was 50 years ago. In my generation, in the 2000s, Vietnam was 50 years ago.” Rice would like others to experience what he has had the privilege to experience. “I encourage people to have the opportunity to talk to our veterans, to document and learn who they were and what they did,” he said. “It is something that should not be forgotten.”
Not-so-cliché spring break plans by laine ALEXANDER
After winter break, everyone is in it for the long haul. The three months before April seem to drag on forever But it all becomes worthwhile when spring break rolls around. High school seniors from all over the country look forward to their final high school spring break. It’s a time when they will hopefully experience some much-needed independence. Most seniors can’t wait to hop on a plane with their closest friends and head to some tropical, teen-friendly location. Teenagers from across the United States flock to these crowded, chaotic beaches in order to soak up the sun. However, spring break isn’t entirely about relaxation for every senior. Seniors Brad Pichsea, Ted Wilson and Andrew Martin are choosing to deviate from the traditional spring break approach. Instead of hitting the beach, they will brave the wilderness and rocky terrain on a three-day hiking trip through the Appalachian Mountains in Tennessee. “We wanted to do something fun and unique, and it’s a lot cheaper too,” Pischea said.
Senior Nick Angel chose to tailor his trip to his personal interests. “I chose to go to New York City because I’ve never been and want to make a career there,” Angel said. “It’s definitely going to be a different experience with just me and my mom. But I think it’ll be pretty cool.” Angel’s parents are giving him the same budget they allowed his sister to go to Mexico last year. With that money, he has enough to see five Broadway shows and stay in Manhattan. “We are renting out an apartment because it ended up being a lot cheaper than a hotel,” Angel said. Angel has a friend who goes to Montclair State University, a liberal arts college 20 minutes outside of the city. “I’m really excited to spend a night there because it will incorporate some of the fun I’m missing out on by not going to Florida with my friends,” he said. Although Angel won’t be experiencing the typical spring break, he expects this trip will be life changing. “I’m really looking forward to exploring the city.”
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eatures Freshman finally celebrates rare birthday
February 10, 2012
“The Honor Society of Leap Year Babies” was created in 1997
by melody STOKOSA
Freshman Tara Gardulski considers herself an ordinary student at Haslett High School. She is softspoken, has brown hair, and takes the expected freshman class schedule. However, what many people don’t know is that she is turning four this year. Not technically, though. Gardulski was born on Feb. 29, and is one of about 187,000 “leaplings” born in the U.S. “I feel special and cool,” she said. “It’s unique to have a birthday on leap day because not very many other people do.” The question most people ask about leap day birthdays is when and how you celebrate when it’s an off year? Different people celebrate it different ways. “I normally celebrate it on Feb. 28,” Gardulski said. “I celebrate with my cousin, but she moved away.” Gardulski is lucky to celebrate her actual birthday this year. How she will celebrate this occasion? “I’ll probably have some friends over,” she said. “Nothing too big.”
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graphic by erik FROBOM
Leap year has been the subject of several traditions and folklore. Many people are already aware of the tradition of girlfriends proposing to their boyfriends on leap day. What is less well known is what happened in Sweden in 1712. Starting that year, Sweden returned to the Julian calendar from the standard Gregorian. The next 40 years included not only a 29th of February, but also a 30th. And, if you’re looking to commit a crime, head to England for leap day where the day is not officially recognized, and therefore crimes aren’t considered crimes.
Student posesses incredible music talent by jill DETWILER
photo by nick GREGORY
It’s almost surprising junior Michael Garnett wasn’t always interested in music, considering what he has accomplished in only the first 16 years of his life. In just the eighth grade, Michael composed an orchestra that performed behind one of Haslett’s Youth Arts finalists. The year after, he created another piece that played at a Haslett concert. But what’s more impressive is his incredible gift that aided him excel early in life. “I found out I had perfect pitch in about seventh grade,” Garnett said. This discovery was almost a fluke, he describes. “I had a piece of music at home and I couldn’t remember the exact key,” he said, “so I just guessed. I turned out to be right.” This wasn’t just a coincidence. Michael’s ear for music is almost always completely accurate. “Mr. (Erich) Wangeman looks to me to find the right pitch for the choir,” he said. This has made Michael, Wangeman’s right-hand man. However, Michael’s emergence into music wasn’t as sudden as one would think. In fact, in the beginning he resisted his father’s attempts to send Michael to piano lessons. He finally gave into the opportunity. “(My father) said ‘I regretted not taking piano lessons, I don’t want you to regret not taking lessons,’ so I did it,” Michael said. In just fifth grade, he began to write his own music on the piano. Michaels’s compositions consisted mostly of classical music. “And pop,” he said jokingly. “That didn’t turn out very well.” Michael’s inspiration to write and perform music are deeply rooted into three figures that he’s idled for a long time. “There’s this dead guy - Leonard Bernstein, Georgia Fragale who is the piano player for the (Haslett) choirs, and Mr. Wangeman,” Michael said. In the future, Michael plans on studying orchestral conducting at a university. “I’d like to go to Michigan State or University of Michigan,” he said, rolling his eyes at the thought of attending the latter. Although Michael is one out of 10,000 Americans who have perfect pitch, his contributions to Haslett choirs and bands have helped spread his wisdom to many aspiring musicians.
by shane HESTON
Riding in the car for two hours with snow blowing everywhere and a below zero wind chill, all senior Cody Chasse can do is think about shredding every one of Crystal Mountain’s slopes. On most weekends and even some school days you can find Chasse out at the local Ski areas. “Every chance I get to go snowboarding, I take full advantage of it,” he said. “Nothing beats being at the top of the mountain with no worries in the world but which run I want to go down next,” Chasse said. Besides going down many of the runs, he also enjoys the terrain park as much and even a little bit more. With all the good terrian parks in michigan, Chasse prefers Cannonsburg’s the most. “Its crazy how nice their terrian park is. I could shred it all day long,” he said. As soon as it got closer to winter’s arrival, all Chasse could hear at school was
about snowboarding. All the talk prompted him to get his first snowboard when he was 14. When he got his first board he didnt get too serious about it. The sport was just something fun for him to go do some weekends. It wasnt untill his sophomore year that he really got into it, going a lot more often. “When that winter hit, I started to go as much as I possible could,” he said. At first he had to ease into it like most begginers do. After just a few times he knew it was his passion. “Being a wake boarder my whole life it kind of came naturally to me,” Chasse said. “The skills I developed every summer being on the water definitely came in handy when I was on the slopes out there,” With the winter coming to a close soon, Chasse will be out there trying to get in the last possible snowboarding trips he can for the year. graphic by erik FROBOM
by adam FOREN
On Feb. 5, at 8 p.m. the 46th Super Bowl took place between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. Over 116 million people watched the 21-17 Giants victory over New England. And here in Haslett, Michigan, it was a bittersweet Super Bowl for me, as it was the last time my family had our annual Super Bowl party. It may not be a surprise that we hold a party on Super Bowl Sunday, as most Americans do. It is the number one at-home party day of the year. But for my family, it has been about more than eating avocado or chowing down on homemade lasagna. As I have grown older, the Super Bowl party that we held grew more and more important to me, for completely different reasons as when I was a kid.The first time we decided to hold a Super Bowl party
“This year, I found myself vaguely watching the action, more focused on joking and talking with my friends.” was in 2000, when I was 5 years old. This was a dream come true for me, at the time a chubby kindergartener who was obsessed with football. I figured it to be the perfect day, having my friends come over to watch the two best teams in the NFL play while getting to eat junk food and even stay up past my bedtime. Now its important for different reasons. For one, I have done some growing since those days. And I used to be glued to the action, annoyed when I would even miss a snap of the game, even with teams I didn’t particularly care for. This year, I found myself vaguely watching the action, more focused on joking and talking with my friends. I think we all realized that this was one the last times most of the people in my basement were going to be in the same
room together, before going off to college and moving on with our lives. When the final gun sounded and the New York Giants came sprinting on the field to celebrate winning a second Super Bowl in four years, all of the 55 people who came to our Super Bowl party slowly started migrating toward the doors. Some had been regular guests at our party from the very beginning in 2000,. Others had come for the first time this year. But it didn’t make a difference to me. Watching all my friends and their families walking out the door on Super Bowl Sunday for the last time was a sad moment, and one I will never forget.
Where to next? Senior athletes choose the right fit by griffin MARINEZ
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Wrestling: 7-23 Hockey: 14-6-2 Swimming: 4-6 Basketball Boys: 7-5 Girls: 9-5
AOT M MONTH
The Grand Finale
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OF THE
Senior finds his passion
S SPORTS LOG
February 10, 2012
ATHLETE
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Joe Varlesi Basketball Position: Point Guard What are your thoughts on the team: Compete for league title
photo by austin ROSENBAUM
Billy Hastings
photo by eddie WHALEY
Ryan Beyea
Sport: Football School attending next year: Siena
Sport:Track/Cross Country School attending next year:
Heights Why: Brand new facilities, and they’re offering me almost a full ride.
Michigan State Why: Cool coach, and always wanted to run at MSU.
Favorite pre-game meal: Yum Japan Favorite team to play against: DeWitt Favorite pre game song: Chain Hang Low
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February 10, 2012
Rivalry turns to media
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graphic by erik FROBOM
Students at HHS have turned to the internet to voice their distaste for each other’s team photos by sierra DOVE
MICHIGAN STATE Won last four years in football Have won 2 national Championships in basketball Every player under Izzo who has stayed all four years has been in a final four
by patrick GIFFORD
It’s 15 minutes after Draymond Green’s last second jumper rimmed out and Michigan defeated MSU in their first of two match ups on the hardwood this season. Junior Dylan Rom, still stung with the taste of defeat, trudges over to the computer to take in the internet’s reaction to the outcome of the game. “I got on the computer and was pretty angry about what all the Michigan fans were saying on Facebook and stuff,” Rom said. “So I reacted.” Rom went on to engage in a number of discussions about the game with other students over the internet, including junior Mike Booth. “I usually don’t take part in sports arguments on the internet, but when someone is wrong I like to step in and try to correct them,” Booth said.
The storied rivalry between Michigan State and Michigan is one that dates all the way back to 1953 when the first Paul Bunyan trophy was awarded. These 59 scintillating years of competition have brought joys and sorrows alike to students all around the high school. This past year, however, has brought a new aspect to the nationally recognized enmity between Michigan State and Michigan fans. Students are now beginning to take to social media sites, like Facebook and Twitter, to voice their triumphs and frustrations, and even talk a little trash. “I love to take part in trash talking over social media,” senior Zach Bepler said. Bepler, a MSU fan, took to Twitter after the MSU-Michigan game to voice his frustrations. “LOL
at Michigan fans who think their team is sweet now (after beating MSU),” he tweeted just minutes after the game ended. Bepler enjoys the added element that social media has brought to the rivalry. “It really just furthers the hate,” he said. “You can talk smack to people and it just stays (online) for everyone to see.” Junior Rachel Huff, on the other hand, doesn’t like the new found online haven for the rivalry. “I’m a full blown Michigan fan, but I don’t care for this MSU-Michigan online hatred,” Huff said. Huff doesn’t believe the online distaste and arguments has any potential positive outcome. “I think it’s very ignorant, there’s no point to it,” she said. There’s no disagreeing on whether or not social media
now plays a huge role between MSU and Michigan fans. Many students relish the opportunity to hop on their respective Facebook and Twitter accounts to preach their excitements to their friends and followers. Social media has undoubtedly added a new addicting flavor to the rivalry, that few can resist. With that, however, comes the increased harshness and hatred that this aspect has added between MSU and Michigan fans. Having the ability to trash your rival always at your fingertips, is a new and dangerous power for students. With these evolving technological times, it’s hard to imagine what the future will add to this historic, 59 year rivalry.
MICHIGAN All time football record against MSU: 67-35-5 All time basketball record against MSU: 95-75 Won 3 out of the last 4 basketball games
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February 10, 2012
tory
Juniors Dylan Flewelling and Sierra Bain mentor Mrs.Hamilton’s second grade class on tuesdays and thursdays Students: Daniel Asch, Cole Backus, Rachael Barry, Baleigh Costello, Adelaide Fackler, D.J. Fowlks, Cayden Haid, Makay,la Hayes, Robert Hintz, Olivia Huynh, Sean Kavanagh, Alexander Kolar, Allyson Maloney, Jillian Moreno, Travis Ngo, Joshua Nye, Fady Omar, Andrew Pugmire, Jacob Rhodes, Leora Romero, Trajen Schanski, Jaelin Sigismond, Abigail Soper, Tyler Thompson, Kelly Zhu
Youth Connections making a difference as Murphy Mentors
Dylan Flewelling hangs out with second grader Cole Backus
Sierra Bain and Dylan Flewelling help the kids with their cup phones
Second grader Andrew uses the cup phones to talk to classmates across the hallway at Murphy Elementary.
photos by: sierra DOVE graphic by: erik FROBOM
Sierra Bain and second grader Sophie test out their creation
Second graders DJ and Kelly enjoy their project while classmate Cole waits his turn.