February 5th Issue

THE

FOCUS Midland High School | February 10, 2017 | Volume 39, Issue 5

Welding Club

Students work on welds at school and in the community.

pg. 14

Chromebook Follow-up

Boys Basketball

The Crucible

6-7 12-13 19

Fischer Genau | Photo

CONTENTS OPINION

3 Equal Opportunity Act:

The Focus discusses Title Nine

volume 39 issue 5

5 Romance Movie Reviews:

12-13

24 Valentines Date Ideas :

FEATURES

Boys’ Basketball: Settle in for some of the best romance The boys basketball team has several films, just in time for Feb 14. underclassmen but high hopes.

A range of cheap to expensive date options for you and your significant other.

NEWS

6-7 Chromebook Follow-up:

Another look and the positives and negatives of the new technology.

8

One Billion Rising: Student Council is raising awareness of violence against women.

SPORTS

9 Girls on Boys’ Swim:

Girls who were unable to swim during the fall season now swim with the boys.

10-11 CCL Basketball:

More and more students participate in the basketball league.

15 Broadcast Club:

Zach Noel started a podcast, Locally Vocal, and the club covers activites in Midland.

16 Chess Club:

Chess Club has been gaining more and more members.

A&E

17 Solo and Ensemble:

Musicians prepare for their spotlight performances.

18 Sarah Remsing:

Senior Sarah Remsing does glass and jewelry making.

19

Lovefest: Drama club takes its One-Act show, The Crucible, to Lovefest this year.

ON THE COVER Welding Club

The Welding Club is a space where students can come to work on various welding projects. Welding students are also contracted to do welding work, outside of the classroom setting, by community members.

EDITORS

12-13

F

OUR MISSION

ocus, established in 1977, previously Editor-in-Chief Ella Colbert the Vic Tribune, established in 1936, is Managing Editor Maddy O’Callaghan the official school newspaper for Midland Photo & Design Editor Kayla Graham High. Focus is published monthly by the Features Editor Sonja Anderson journalism classes at Midland High and is News Editor Gwynne Ozkan distributed free of charge. It is a member Sports Editor Kady Volmering of the Michigan Interscholastic Press A&E Editor Hope O’Dell Association (MIPA). Adviser membership Opinion Editor Ellie Jensen also includes the Journalism Education Ads Coordinator Hailey Surbrook Association (JEA). Focus is designed Exchange Editor Hayley Russell as a forum for student expression and Adviser Jim Woehrle as a realistic lab experience. Focus, Printer Midland Daily News however, reserves the right to contest the challenge of an administrator who attempts to censor and/or remove an article or graphic element.

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16

18

9

Editorial

OP/ED

Equal opportunity in athletics

T

his year there has been a change in the usual lineup of winter sports athletes. Two girls were unable to do swim during the fall for the girls’ team and are now competing with the boys.

The girls are allowed to compete on the boys team as a result of a Michigan state law. The law is based on the Title IX Act that states that no person should be excluded from participation in activities due to their sex. The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) has a different policy regarding boys participating on a female sport.

According to the policy, boys are allowed to try out for a girls sport, and participate in practices, but are not allowed to compete in postseason tournaments. However, female athletes participating in a male sport are allowed to compete in all tournaments, including post-season.

This year, there have been multiple student athletes participating in sports that are not originally intended for their sex. Along with having two girls on the boys' swim team this season, there was also a male cheerleader participating in the fall

season. This past football season, Dow High had a female kicker.

This school year has created a large change in the high schools as far the role that a person's sex plays in the sports they participate in.

The changing dynamic of who is allowed on which team has led to a new discovery of rules, where previously ignorance and confusion were evident.

Some people have questioned the reason behind the two female athletes being on the swim team, and the fairness of allowing girls participating on a boy’s team to compete in postseason tournaments, but not allowing a boy on a girl’s team to do the same. However, The Focus believes the current policy is wise and fair. The Focus also supports the two girls who have made the decision to swim for the boys swim team this winter. The girls have shown that opposite sexes can get along and play with one another for a sporting event.

We believe that the policy is fair because it gives people equal opportunity to participate in sports teams that they wouldn’t

have been able to otherwise. For Student Opinions example, there is not a competitive cheerleading team for males, so the policy properly allows males to join the female cheerleading team.

Also, The Focus understands that there are conflicts between sports that are offered during the same season, Despite the dual-sporting policy, some students feel that participating in two sports at the same time would be too difficult.

Senior Jonas Morey Therefore, students should still have the option to participate in "They didn't have the opportunity to both sports, by joining the opposite swim in the normal season. As long gender’s sport season. It is the as they can compete, go for it." student's choice of how he/she would like to be involved with a sport that might conflict with another activity they might have.

The girls had another activity that led them into swimming with the boys.

This policy is fair, as long as people do not take advantage of Senior Lizzie Parsons it. Students should only use this policy if they have circumstances "It allows for girls to participate that require it. Ideally, the policy in other sports that they may not accomodate for special cases, not be able to participate in during encourage having completely mixed their regular female season." gender teams in the future.

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THE BULLETIN @ashphil41 How are we at our graduation year????

Song: Shape of You Artist: Ed Sheeran Date Released: January 6 Rating: Ed Sheeran came back from his one year hiatus with an upbeat catchy tune

“I will devote my life to becoming a nun if we get school called off tomorrow� @jessiebrownn10 via Instagram

NEWS BRIEF: 5 THINGS TO MAKE YOU FEEL SMART 1. A strike of lightning is 6 times hotter than the sun 2. A pineapple is actually a large berry 3. 63 Earths can fit inside Uranus 4. The birthrate of twins has increased Student council prepared for One Billion Rising 76% since 1980 week on Sunday by tying pink ribbons to lockers in 5. The oil in cashews hopes to catch kids attention and bring attention prevent tooth decay to the worldwide movement. Lauren Curtis I Photo

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Album: Culture Artist: Migos Date Released: January 27 Rating: Early released songs hyped up this album, which did not disappoint. Features from various well-known rappers give every song a unique vibe.

FILMS FOR THE HEART OP/ED

Reviews of the best romantic movies to watch this Valentine’s season. Sonja Anderson|Features Editor & Paige Murphy|Staff Writer

La La Land T

Love, Rosie

R

2014

eleased in 2014, Love, Rosie starts with emphasis on childhood best friends, Alex and Rosie, as they grow up with each other. From the very start, it’s shown that there is a connection between the two characters, but they are oblivious to the fact that they are meant to be. Through many failed relationships for both of the characters and near-misses between Alex and Rosie, it seems irritating that they don’t simply just sit down and express their love for each other. Love, Rosie gives the theme of patience and timing as you wait for both of their lives to match up. The movie is filled with awkward situations that are easy to laugh along with and has you rooting for Alex and Rosie to be with each other until the very end.

It always keeps you on your toes with surprises and coincidences throughout the plot. Love, Rosie is filled with free-spirited and loving characters played by Sam Claflin and Lily Collins. Despite the fact that it contains the cliché storyline of best friends becoming lovers, its humor and lovable characters makes it an amusing, heartfelt movie.

When Harry Met Sally H

IN THEATERS

his year’s most Academy Award nominated film topped out at 14 nominations, and was nominated for seven Golden Globes, all of which it won. The charming movie musical La La Land has been the most spotlit film in Hollywood since its release on December 9, and its stars and director, Damien Chazelle, have earned deserved credit. The film is set in present day Los Angeles, but there are few moments that give that away, besides the placement of some iPhones and a Prius. La La Land seems to live in a world perfectly its own; it doesn’t fit into a specific decade, making it timeless.

The classic love story, jazz music, costuming, and nods to old movie musicals like Singing in the Rain make La La Land beautifully nostalgic and vintage, and simultaneously the newest, brightest, and most exciting thing you’ve ever seen. Mia, played by Emma Stone, and Sebastian, by Ryan Gosling, are two Hollywood dreamers who are both chasing their passions with rocky success, and becoming tired, until they meet each other and their motivations seem to wake up. Stone and Gosling’s chemistry is unbelievably natural and compelling, and their characters’ romance is as swoon-worthy as it gets, without ever becoming nauseating or overdone. La La Land is a gorgeous movie, with not a scene or song out of place, and music that you’ll want to listen to off-screen as well as on it. It serves as a testament to the art of movies, and will not only make you fall in love with its characters and their relationship, but with the medium as well, over and over again.

1989

arry Burns and Sally Albright’s clashing personalities are shown when they first meet during a car ride from the University of Chicago to New York City.

When Harry Met Sally skims through both of their lives as they try to find love, but fail each time. Coincidental run ins throughout the years eventually blooms into a friendship filled with late night phone calls and walks in the park. With a friendship they would never want to break, they question whether they can ever become more than that. When Harry Met Sally is a vibrant and laughable movie.

With charming clips in between scenes of old couples telling their own love story, it gives off a lighthearted mood. The movie and dialogue is witty and filled with memorable lines and scenes, none more famous than one set in the deli. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal are tremendous showing distinct personalities that prove how opposites attract. Don’t let the date of this movie turn you away, as the plot is timeless and can be relatable and enjoyable for anybody.

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NEWS

CATCHING UP ON CHROMEBOOKS

Students and staff share their different experiences with the Chromebooks after working with them since the beginning of the year, and express the benefits and drawbacks. Hayley Russell | Exchange Editor & Bitsy Mammel | Staff Writer & Hannah Smith | Staff Writer 6 | FOCUS | FEBRUARY 10, 2017| mhsfocus.com

W

alking

into

the

classrooms about a year ago, it would’ve been strange to see students hunched over their small, personal laptops, furiously typing notes. Nowadays, it isn’t uncommon for the majority of a lesson to be based around the new technology.

Midland Public Schools is one of many school systems that have given students their own individual laptops in order to find ways students will be more interactive in their classes. The one-toone technology reached the high schools in September with the introduction of Chromebooks for all students.

Math teacher Ben Younkin has incorporated the Chromebooks into his lesson plans each day. The Chromebooks offer him a common place to connect with his students, and he finds Google Classroom to be a good place to store worksheets.

“I think it gives us a way to better structure and organize the class," Younkin said. "And open those ways for us to communicate outside of the classroom.”

When Younkin was in college, he had hybrid classes, with both online and traditional components. Younkin said that receiving the Chromebooks this year has made his classes feel more like a college classroom environment.

"There is no perfect system, but I think the Chromebooks are a great option and having access to Google Classroom has been huge," Younkin said. "There is a lot that we can do with Google, and having the Chromebook, everything works like it is supposed to."

Sophomore Alyssa Dekker disliked the Chromebooks when the students first got them, but as time progressed she now believes the Chromebooks are helpful. Dekker uses her Chromebook in the majority of her classes.

“Having the Chromebook this year has helped me to accomplish homework faster,” Dekker said. “For me, it is a lot quicker to type everything rather than to write it all out, so the Chromebooks have saved me a lot of time.”

On the other hand, students have noticed the problem of beginning to type in their username and password at home, and the authentication box disappearing.

This constant issue causes stress for a lot of students, because it delays the process of beginning to start homework. Dekker said this has been her only issue with the Chromebooks.

Junior Courtney Rathbun has multiple problems with the Chromebooks.

Rathbun dislikes how her Computer Technology class uses Microsoft

NEWS

application, yet the Chromebooks only offer Google programs. Also, since students have access to their Chromebook all of the time, it makes students have many more responsibilities.

“The Chromebooks have raised requirements of checking classes on snow days,” Rathbun said. “Turning in homework on days we do not have school makes us have more stressful responsibilities.”

Rathbun also finds problems with printing. There are only two printers that can print from Chromebooks, both located in the library, creating a problem for printing at home. Unless the printer at home is wireless, the Chromebooks will not be able to match with that specific printer.

Librarian Patsy Hickman hasn’t noticed too many printing problems, but enough that the help desk is called frequently. Hickman said the printers are

"I think it gives us a way to better structure and organize the class and open those ways for us to communicate outside of the classroom."

Teacher Ben Younkin getting to the point where they are almost ready to be replaced, due to the constant printing from the Chromebooks.

“The more you use the printer the more it will age,” Hickman said.

Librarian Anne Mckee has found the new technology helpful for the students, and hasn’t found printing issues to be too much of a problem. Mckee said the Chromebooks have compelled the librarians to learn new things as well as the students.

“We have had to learn more about the Chromebooks to help trouble shoot the problems,” Mckee said. “The students come in and ask us more questions instead of going in straight to a computer.”

David Dziedzic, MPS Director of Technology, has not seen any printing problems. Because documents can be stored virtually, he does not see the need

for a lot of printing to occur anyway, since documents and projects can be stored virtually on the Chromebooks.

“One of the reasons for providing one-to-one devices is that it should enable us to exponentially cut down on printing,” Dziedzic said. “All of us should be thinking about whether or not we really need to print something and only print what is absolutely needed.”

According to Dziedzic, 45 Chromebooks have been damaged and fixed this year. He said that most of the damages are not because of the Chromebooks and their quality, but due to the recklessness of the user.

“The biggest issue that we have seen is students being careless with them and not taking care of them,” Dziedzic said.

“Everyone needs to remember that these are not ‘their’ laptops. These were paid for by the taxpayers and should be cared for accordingly, just as we should all care for any other person's belongings, with extreme care.”

Some teachers think the Chromebooks are beneficial in some ways, but not all.

History teacher John Mulvaney enjoys having the Chromebooks as a research tool in his classroom, but also believes that the school should not go 100 percent paper free because some teachers still need to give their students hard copies of items.

“Hard copies are still traditional.

As students it's nice to reflect, like scrolling down versus turning the page,” Mulvaney said. “The interface is still a little bit awkward to do a traditional assessment online.”

Mulvaney also said that grading essays online can be frustrating as well, since it takes longer and teachers may not be able to write as many comments as they would like. He also noticed that even though students have access to an article or paper online, they will still print it out.

"If I have a copy of a history article that I want students to read, a lot of times students just print it out anyway," Mulvaney said. "It is easier to read and highlight a hard copy than do it online. Plus, students have told me that the software is in a way that it is not easily accessible to use the electronic highlighters."

No matter the stance, Chromebooks are here to stay, and teachers like Younkin have used the opportunity to teach their students in a new, modern way.

“I think the Chromebooks have met my expectations of what I was hoping they were going to do,” Younkin said.

“I think certain elements of instructions are easier with the Chromebooks, but depending on how you use it.”

Chromebooks

By The Numbers

45

Chromebooks have been repaired this year

Student Views: Dislike Like

Okay 14% dislike Chromebooks 21% like Chromebooks 65% think Chromebooks are okay

5/7 Teachers incorporate Chromebooks on a daily basis

* Collected through a survey of 100 students and teachers

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NEWS

One Billion Rising is a worldwide movement involving people of many different cultures, races, ethnicities, and religions. They are ‘rising up’ in support of all the people who have been victim to domestic abuse. According to the official OBR website, the project is “the biggest mass action to end violence against women in human history.” Quinlan Cox|Illustration

Student Council is rising up against sexual abuse and challenging others to follow in their footsteps.

Hailey Surbrook|Ads Coordinator & Quinlan Cox|Staff Writer & Olivia Barber|Staff Writer

V

iolence against women is happening at an alarming rate around the world. According to the World Health Organization, one out of every three women will experience some form of physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. This is something that Mitzi Brown, a volunteer coordinator at the Shelterhouse in Midland, knows too well.

“It would be awesome if we could get more people to recognize and rise, to understand the violence against women,” Brown said. “My big idea is to help people start to be advocates for it, so they are more aware of the violence that is out there and they become a bystander. An active bystander. So they don’t turn their head.”

One Billion Rising is a primarily student-run project that Midland High picked up three years ago. Its goal is to raise awareness among high school students about the facts and signs surrounding abuse.

“I wanted [student leadership] to take over,” Brown said. “Me and my coworker met with them, and we were, and still are, in awe of how quick [MHS] knew the importance of the issue. I mean, it was just amazing.”

The Shelterhouse strives to spread the word about abuse even further,

hoping to reach those in need of the support. The mission statement on their website vows to ‘support the victims of sexual and domestic violence by providing shelter, counseling, and advocacy for the people in Midland and Gladwin counties.’ Unfortunately, the Shelterhouse’s message doesn’t always resonate with those who hear it.

“Don’t let it be a conversation stopper,” Brown s a i d . “ Yo u a r e bringing up the topic, and it’s a difficult topic. Your voice is louder than mine. It truly is.

You guys are the changers of the world right now.

People are listening to you more than they are listening to me.”

This responsibility has been taken to heart by student council. Senior Emily Hills has been an active participant in the One Billion Rising project for the past three years. She and the rest of student council have taken different approaches to spread awareness about this association and domestic violence

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over the years.

“Last year [student council] had a day where we would stand in the hallways and we had posters that had statistics and we sat there and we were completely silent,” Hills said.

“We wanted to stand up for those who can’t. We were simulating the silence p a r t o f i t . We wanted to speak for the silent and those who aren’t able to speak up.”

S t u d e n t council spreads awareness about domestic abuse in a variety of ways.

From posters to announcements to many events during the week of Feb. 6-10 with a one-mile walk in the neighborhood around MHS on the tenth. According to Hills, there is always more to be done to spread the message. “ We ’ ve b e e n r e a c h i n g o u t t o community members and a bunch of other people to try and get them to come [to the walk] and walk with us and rise to raise awareness for domestic abuse and violence,” Hills

“We wanted to speak for the silent and those who aren’t able speak up.”

Senior Emily Hills

said.

The project’s sphere of influence goes further than just Midland High. It is a global project and large events are held around the world to help support OBR. Shelterhouse employee Vicki Wakeman was able to attend a One Billion Rising event in New York City and participated in the festivities to spread awareness.

“I went out to New York City and was part of lots of different flash mobs,” Wakeman said. “They had well-known speakers and we saw the choir who sings the [One Billion Rising] song in person, live. There were more flash mobs planned, so I’ve been a part of the flash mobs and a part of the education piece, getting people to know what [One Billion Rising] is.”

There is a One Billion Rising website whose tag line is to “rise in solidarity against the exploitation of women.” Connecting to people has become easier, and Brown believes that spreading awareness is something that anyone can do.

“I would tell [people] to go to the [One Billion Rising] website because it explains it much more,” Brown said.

“You can make a difference and why we need to rise. Rise up. Go out and say that it’s wrong. “

SPORTS

BREAKING SOCIAL NORMS

Sophie Berry and Therese Joffre laughing together at swim practice across from the rest of the boys’ swim team. Both find it comforting to swim together. Fischer Genau | Photo

Junior Sophie Berry and freshman Therese Joffre have recently broken gender barriers by joining the boys’ swim team, as they were unable to compete in the fall during the girls’ swim season.

Ellie Jensen|Opinion Editor & Annaliese Hohner|Staff Writer

F

reshmen Therese Joffre and Sophie Berry spend their Saturdays playing a competitive game of water polo, along with their fellow teammates on the boy’s swim team. When neither of them were able to participate in the girls’ season, they thought that they wouldn’t get the chance to compete for the school, but after talking to Athletic Director Eric Albright, their chances looked a lot better.

“I wanted to be on a team for Midland High,” Joffre said. “I decided if I could do boys’ swim and compete in the winter then I’d still be able to do cross country.”

For Berry the circumstances were quite different. She transferred to Midland High from Bay City Western for a more competitive swim team, consequently having to sit out a season. When finding out that the could compete with the boys, these two swimmers were excited at the new possibility of being able to compete in the sport they love for the school, and luckily, Michigan state laws are what makes this possible.

“Michigan state law says that public high schools must allow girls to try out for boys’ teams,” Albright said. “Title IX is a part of a long federal funding

document that says that the Educational Amendment of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex and education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. You cannot discriminate people on the basis of sex.”

Joffre feels that it’s normal to be on the team with the boys and that there isn’t any difference.

Berry feels the opposite. Berry said that she sometimes feels like she has to refrain certain behaviors such as singing and dancing due to being surrounded by boys.

“They’re super rowdy,” Berry said.

“They’re really funny and push each other around.”

An even more noticeable difference with being surrounded by the boys happens when they start swimming.

“They push me to do a lot better,” “Therese and Sophie have been great Joffre said. “Sometimes it’s embarrassing on the team,” Welter said. “They are high because I am not built to be as fast as the in attendance and are working hard.” guys.”

Welter thinks it’s nice to have the girls Despite some differences, both girls around because they have experience feel that they fit in with swim and are able to help the others. well with the boys Next year, Berry plans on participating s w i m t e a m a n d in the girls’ season this next fall, while are happy to have Joffre plans on continuing to run cross made friends. country in the fall and do boys’ swim “It’s nice to see when winter comes along. Joffre and the guy swimmers Berry both admit that it’s nice to have in the halls and get another girl on the team to get along to talk to people with better. that I never would “It’s nice having someone to talk to,” h a v e t a l k e d t o Berry said. “It’s easier talking to Therese otherwise,” Berry than some of the boys.” said.

Now, even though the season is not C o a c h Pa t r i c k done, Joffre reflects on more positives of W e l t e r w a s this opportunity. hesitant at first, but “One of my favorite memories is supported having playing water polo and being able to t h e g i r l s o n t h e swim in the meets as a part of a team,” team and later on Joffre said. was the one who Both Berry and Joffre are happy that approached Berry to join the boys swim they took this opportunity, and are team. excited to see what the rest of the season Welter enjoys having the two girls will bring them. on the team and thinks they fit in well, “I hope they both choose to stay on the adding positivity to the team chemistry. boys’ team next year.” Welter said.

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“Therese and Sophie have been great on the team, they are high in attendance and are working hard.”

Coach Patrick Welter

The Sports Zone Rivalry... It's What We Feed Off Of Hannah Smith

P

eering over one of my best friends who is strongly gripping her knee is not what I was expecting to happen last Friday in our crosstown matchup with Dow High. There she was, out of the lineup for the rest of the game. The thought of not being able to play with my partner in crime was devastating. The only thing that kept me going was the pit in my stomach, and it was this thing called rivalry..

So here’s the thing about rivalry: No matter what the circumstance is, it consumes our lives. Whether it’s working to get the best grade on your chemistry exam or

competing for first chair in band or the Super Bowl, rivalries exist in our daily routines.

Being a competitive athlete myself, I’ve come to enjoy the traditional cross town rivalry and the energy that’s incorporated with these types of games. When the schedule is released at the beginning of season, my eyes immediately scan for the “Midland vs. Dow” games. Although there are only two a season (maybe three), the dates automatically become ingrained in my brain.

Among the 20 some games you’ll play in

Upcoming Events Boys’ Basketball Feb. 10 @ Home vs.

Mt. Pleasant 7 p.m.

Feb. 14 @ Bay City Central, 7 p.m.

Ice Hockey: Feb. 15 @ Powers Crystal Fieldhouse vs. Powers Catholic High

Girls’ Basketball: Feb. 10 @ Mt. Pleasant High vs.

Mt. Pleasant Feb. 14 @ Home vs.

Bay City Central

Boys’ Swimming: Feb. 10 @ Dow High, H.H. Dow Dual Feb. 14 @ Best City Western, Bay City Western Dual

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a given sports season, the Midland vs. Dow matches are what make the whole season worth it. Not that every other game doesn’t matter, but when you get the chance to play your crosstown rival, there is something about it that makes the whole season seem to mean something. I don’t know if it’s the hype within the community or the fueling energy to want to beat the school from the other side. Maybe it’s both, that’s up for you to decide. But what everyone can agree on is the excitement that rises when the phrase “The Midland vs. Dow game is this Friday”.

What brings this idea together is rivalry It’s what makes us do what we do.

The way my stomach gets knotted before the game and the adrenaline rushes through my veins as I stand facing the backboard taking a free throw-that’s my favorite part about rivalry. Or looking at my legs, covered in massive blue bruises, after the game. These are my favorite examples of how rivalry consumes my life because they demonstrate how competitive nature drives the human brain and everything within it.

Rivalry fuels our lives.

Another way rivalry consumes our lives is the things the two sides do leading up to

the big game. Whether it’s picking fights on social media, trash talking the other school, or displaying provocative signs towards the other side at your own school, these instances only happen due to the rivalry that’s built up between the two schools.

The way each sports team exhibits their best effort in order to say they beat their crosstown rival, and to hold bragging rights until the next game rolls around. The way a team puts their heart and soul into the game until the final buzzer rings. The way both teams play the best game they have all season in order to take down their competitor.

Enjoy your time in high school athletics, band, choir, art, drama, or whatever your niche is, and cherish the rivalry games.

Because we are extremely lucky to live in a town with two schools that are very good in a variety of areas. Enjoy these games while they last, before you know it, you won't have anymore Midland vs. Dow games to look forward to.

Follow Hannah Smith on Twitter @HanSmith24 and on Instagram @Hannah_Smith2425

Athlete of the Month Skylar Howard Grade: 12 Season Highlight: Getting the career rebound record Favorite Memory: "My favorite basketball memory was traveling with the team to Sault Saint Marie.”

Goal for the Season: “My goal for the end of the season is to win districts make a run at states.”

Coach’s Take: “Skylar's edge is her relentlessness, and not all athletes have it, so when you find an athlete that has that personality, that vibe about them, it's priceless” - Elaine Mahabir

LESS COMMITMENT, MORE FUN

Students choose to play CCL basketball instead of playing their final year on the Chemic b a s ke t b a l l te a m . K a d y Volmering|Sports Editor& Theophilus Rammidi|Staff Writer Noah Lasky practices for his CCL game. Kady Volmering |Photo

S

enior Noah Lasky spent the last three years playing freshmen and junior varsity basketball. Instead of finishing his senior year out with the program, he has decided to play basketball in the Midland Community Center league.

“I just didn’t want to have the commitment of a whole season of basketball this year,” Lasky said, “CCL also offers opportunity to have more fun with the game.”

Lasky is on a team with other seniors called the Jumping Beans. Their record is currently 3-1, and have roughly five more games left until the playoffs begin. The team is registered in the A league, which contains teams that are typically more competitive than those registered in the B league.

“Different teams have different playing styles,” Lasky said. “Our team plays really competitively, but other teams just go out there and have fun. It’s pretty varied between teams.”

Similar to Lasky, senior Avery Jones has decided to play in the CCL her senior year instead of finishing on the varsity team. Jones is on a team with other Midland High girls who have played in the school program in the past as well. The team is registered in the B league, which still provides challenges despite being less competitive.

“There’s still some tough teams in the B league that should be in the A league, but it’s definitely a challenge playing against boys who are our age,” Jones said. "I think they get frustrated with us because they don't expect us to be a very good team, but because most of us played Midland High basketball, we're pretty good."

Midland Basketball Academy Director Shane Forfar said that he still encourages students to participate in school sports if they have the opportunity. But he believes that the lesser commitment of CCL is appealing to some, and the ability to put their own teams together is attracting members.

“I think there are two great benefits to CCL,” Forfar said. “One, it keeps players physically active. Two, it provides a place for players to gather and spend time with their friends in a safe environment.”

Jones also said that CCL offers more opportunity to have fun with the game because of the lack of discipline and anxiety over winning or losing.

“Don’t stress out about Midland High basketball,” Jones said. “If you’re starting to not have fun with the sport just because of a program, but you want to continue the sport, play CCL.”

Taking a Look Back Seniors Luke Trombley and Zach Capua reflect on the Midland vs.

Dow hockey game that happened on January 31.

"Even though we were down a goal with only a few minutes left, we were able to keep our confidence and believed in each other to do what we needed to do.”

Luke Trombley

"It was awesome when Landis scored the power play goal and brought us 3-4. It really brought some excitement and suspense into the last minutes of the game.”

Zach Capua

11 | FOCUS | FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

SPORTS

YOUNG TALENT

With only two senior players this year, the boys' varsity basketball team looks to grow as the season progresses. Despite a shortage of veteran leadership, the team still has lofty expectations.

Ella Colbert | Editor-in-Chief & Fischer Genau | Staff Writer & Matt Olenczuk | Staff Writer

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he boys’ varsity basketball team has high expectations, as last year’s team made it to the state quarter finals. With six graduated players, the team had to rebuild; but with three sophomores and six juniors, that can be a challenge. Despite a low number of senior players, Coach Eric Krause remains hopeful that the team will do well this season.

“I’m taking a relatively young and inexperienced group, and trying to get them to realize their potential by March,” Krause said.

In order to accommodate the players with less varsity experience, sophomore Henry Kessler said that Krause works the team harder in practices than he usually would. Kessler said that this technique is instrumental in developing the younger players.

“We have a lot of potential,” Kessler said. “I think we have good leadership as juniors and seniors. We’re a really tough team and I think that our biggest strength is that we play our guts out.”

Sophomore Isaiah Bridges is new to the varsity team, playing on the freshmen team at Kalamazoo Central High School last season. Bridges said that he noticed some differences after the transition between freshman and varsity teams.

“It was a lot different because I had to step up,” Bridges said. “There, it was a lot more relaxed since I was on freshmen.

Now I’m at the top level, so I have to compete a lot more playing with the older, upperclassmen.”

Bridges has adapted quickly to the team, and has started in every game.

“It’s kind of difficult sometimes because you want to be able to step up and take the leadership role, but sometimes you have to lean back for the seniors,” Bridges said, describing the balance he seeks out for the group to become a cohesive team.

Junior Garrett Willis joined the varsity team as a freshman and recognizes some challenges that he faced joining the team of mostly upperclassmen. He said that there are high standards to meet as a younger player on a varsity team. Willis and junior Martin Money have been on varsity since their freshman year, and

12 | FOCUS | FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

serve as captains for the team.

“It definitely makes you mature fast because you kind of just jump right into things and have to learn what the guys want you to do right then and there,” Willis said. “You don’t really have to time to just progress, they just expect you to come in and know what you’re doing because you’re coming in at that stage.

They know what they’re doing, so they expect you to be right there with them.”

As a team o f m o s t l y underclassmen, Kessler said that there is a lack of team chemistry due to the age gap.

Jordan Patty and Vince Walker are the only seniors; the sophomores are Bridges, Kessler, and John White.

“As a team, the biggest challenge has been coming together,” Kessler said.

“Some games we have players who are really hot, but we have never really had a game where everyone is doing really

"I’m taking a relatively young and inexperienced group, and trying to get them to realize their potential

by March."

Coach Eric Krause

well.”

Despite the prolonged integration of skill sets, Kessler said that the team has been doing well so far. He has high goals for the team as they continue their season.

“We had a couple disappointing losses, but we also had some good wins,” Kessler said. “Even the games that we lost, it was reassuring to see that it wasn’t a complete blow-out and we had a chance to win the game. It’s gone okay so far, but it’s looking better for the future.”

Krause said that it is important for the younger players to have varsity experience in order to improve for the upcoming years.

“We have some sophomores that will be very important not only this year, but next, so we’re bringing them along to experience playing at a varsity level,” Krause said.

As the younger players on the team gain more experience, Krause anticipates next year’s team to be stronger.

“Next year, I think we’ll be an extremely dangerous team provided everyone is eligible and healthy,” Krause said.

Willis sees potential for next year’s team to be successful as the younger

Junior Drew Gandy and Sophomore John White run onto the court.

Fischer Genau | Photo

SPORTS

Sophomore Isaiah Bridges defends the rim against a player from Arthur Hill.

Fischer Genau | Photo

Sophomore Henry Kessler dribbles up the court during a home game against Arthur Hill.

Fischer Genau | Photo

1 players will grow in their abilities in the next year.

“I think we should be able to expect quite a bit because we only have two people that we’re going to lose and a lot of our main guys are going to be back,” Willis said. “Those sophomores that we have right now are going to mature a lot.

That sophomore to junior jump is a big year so I think they will progress a great deal. Next year could a really fun year for us. We could do some cool things.”

Although the team will be losing two starting seniors, Kessler believes that the team will continue to be successful in years to come.

“I think we’ll be losing a lot in Jordan Patty and Vince Walker,” Kessler said.

“We’ll still have Martin and Garrett, Isaiah, and the rest of the sophomores,

and any other players that might make the team. I think it’s promising.”

Walker, who has played on varsity for the past two years, also said that the team has a lot of potential for next year.

“Next year, the team will be great,” Walker said, “maybe the best Midland High has ever seen.”

For this season, Walker said that he would like to see the team win the regional title, which they did last year.

Krause agreed that the rest of the season looks promising. Krause said that he still expects to do well finishing out the season in post-season play.

“We’re still going to be on the hunt for the district title,” Krause said. “I have high expectations, and I’m holding them to those expectations, because I honestly believe we can achieve them this year.”

2

3 1) A teammate helps junior Garrett Willis off the court after being fouled. 2) Senior Jordan Patty watches as sophomore John White elevates for a contested shot. 3) Kessler receives a pass from White. Fischer Genau | Photos 13 | FOCUS | FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

FEATURES

Close-Up on Clubs

WORKING WELDERS The Welding Club is working year round on various projects for competitions and class assignments.

Josh Danielson|Staff Writer & Devin Alexander|Staff Writer

S

enior Nick B erchert has been surrounded by welding ever since he was 4 years old. Since then, it has always been something he has wanted to do. Berchert has picked up the skill and he is now going to college for welding.

I’ve been around it since I was very little,” Berchert said. “And I took summer lessons, for a week or so, for three years, and when I came here my sophomore year, I took a welding class, and I got to where I am now.”

Since taking his first welding class in 2013, Berchert has been to numerous welding competitions, and won many various awards for his welds.

“I really like seeing the outcome for the Michigan industrial and technology education competition, which is the project competition,” Berchert said. “And I really like testing myself with the welds competition.”

Berchert is currently working on a trailer for a competition in May. While Berchert currently welds for competitions, there are also many practical uses for his welding abilities.

“Ever ything you see before you at some point has been affected by welding,” Berchert said. “Whether it’s the factory or the piece itself, ever ything has to be used with welding. Buildings, phones, computers, everything has welds in it, it affects people’s lives more than they know.”

Just like Berchert, Senior Kyle Walsh started welding his sophomore year, and now plans on going into welding for nuclear engineering in the US Navy, a job that requires lots of skilled welds.

“I’m going into nuclear engineering with a welding specialty in the Navy, and I will be enlisted in the next month,” Walsh said.

While both Berchert and Walsh plan on continuing welding in different ways past high school, they both love that welding is a unique trade.

“I love the fact that there are not many people who can do it,” Walsh said. “It takes a special person to have the patience to learn how to weld, and to weld correctly.”

Nick and Kyle attend welding club where they work on various different welding assignments. Some projects that are being

worked on is a mini bike, and Berchert is creating his own trailer for welding, as well as helping others on their own projects.

Corey Pawlak advises the club each week, and has expanded the welding club in the past six years. He enjoys how busy welding club is, as each week, the labs are bustling with people working on their welds.

“Most people are working on welds that are assigned in class,” Pawlak said. “Other people work on welds for competitions, people bring in benches and trailers, and staff members bring in things that need to be repaired, so we have a lot of things going on at once.”

The club not only works on their own welds, but also they are contracted by community members for work outside of the welding lab.

“We had someone in the community last year who contracted myself and Nick Berchert to come to t he i r hous e and fix some stuff with the welder,” Pawlak said. “And they paid the club for it.”

The club fundraises throughout the year, and has been ver y successful with their annual snowflake sales.

All money raised goes towards sending students to competitions, such as Skills USA, MITES, and the Delta C ollege Student Technical S olutions competition. However, the club is always looking for more opportunities to raise money.

“We’re always welcoming new projects,” Pawlak said. “We’re always looking for ways to make money. We have a skill, and we’re willing to use it if you have the money.”

Pawlak enjoys the competitions that his students attend, however, the most satisfying aspect of teaching, and advising the club, is the ability to teach a very unique skill. He enjoys to see the final product of what his kids make, “I really like passing on welding skills on to the next generation, the students that I have now,” Pawlak said. “When you talk to the students, you can tell that they are proud of what they can do. I think it’s cool that I had a hand in that.”

“When you talk to students, you can tell that they are really proud of what they do.”

Teacher Corey Pawlak

Senior Kyle Walsh finishes a weld for his welding class. Walsh has been welding at Midland High for three years. Fisher Genau | Photo 14 | FOCUS | FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

Close-Up on Clubs

FEATURES

A LOCAL VOICE Junior Zach Noel brought his long term goal to fruition by starting Broadcast Club at the Grace A. Dow library.

Jonah Dykhuizen|Staff Writer & Kaylee Zariski|Staff Writer & Hannah Kohtz|Staff Writer

Junior Devin Granzo, far right, leads the clubs first meeting after breaking away from Midland High. Meetings will be held at the Grace A. Dow library in Midland. Kaylee Zariski | Photo by advertising the podcast on Google y g r e a t e s t f e a r i s p u b l i c a lot of opportunities, so why not just week. So far, the club has produced Classroom and Facebook pages. speaking,” junior Zach Noel create this club where students can one episode that aired on Dec. 12, an “So far we are trying to expand more contribute their own?” informational interview on Midland said. and just get the podcast out there,” Noel’s main motivation is to increase County Youth Leadership, a twoTo overcome this, Noel decided to Granzo said. “Once new podcasts come start Locally Vocal, a podcast series aimed student involvement. Broadcast club is a day program to foster leadership in out we need to make sure that people are creative outlet that allows students to do local community freshmen.

Having to discuss local issues and praise local aware of that so they can listen.” completed only accomplishments once every other week. something bigger Granzo is looking to increase one episode so Since he was little, Noel has always than themselves membership and viewership by creating a n d p r o d u c e far, the club plans wanted to create something. Rather “We are going to increase different segments to cater toward varied to continue their than waiting for the future, he seized something tangible and diversify the content student interest. growth. Currently, the present and took this opportunity every week. within the podcast so that “We plan on doing more than just the “People want to t h e s t o r i e s a r e to work toward his long time goal of main segment where we are going to fairly short, it can attract listeners who starting Broadcast Club. After struggling get involved with increase and diversify the content within bottoming out at to find an advisor, Broadcast Club has t e c h n o l o g y a n d are interested in all kinds of the podcast so that it can attract listeners production,” Noel a p p r o x i m a t e l y taken the steps needed to establish topics.” who are interested in all kinds of topics,” 15 minutes. themselves as an extracurricular club, said.

Granzo said. “This includes a political Junior Devin Granzo To create the However, Noel independent of Midland High School. commentary section hosted by myself.” podcasts, the club h o p e s t o m a k e The goal of the club is to teach Noel reciprocates these thoughts longer and more its members the fundamentals of meets after school seeing Locally Vocal as a way for students broadcasting as a whole— video, audio, every Monday to discuss their plans in depth installments and introduce new from different backgrounds who may not interview skills, and video editing— for the next installment. They begin by segments. normally work together to come together Junior Devin Granzo joined the club through active participation in the brainstorming new ideas on what to to be part of something bigger. production of a biweekly podcast. Noel discuss during each podcast. From there, as an editor after being recruited by “There are podcasts out there that talk the MCTV Studio allows them to record Noel.

As an editor, his role is to oversee came up with the idea for the club and about historical things, commentaries, their podcast with the help of Production the scripts and outlines to ensure the its name, Locally Vocal, in eighth grade. or even about books and movies,” Noel podcast ideas are set to be recorded.

“There are a scarce amount of clubs Assistant Billy Bethune. said. “There’s so many different things The club uploads their show on Granzo is also in charge of the where you can produce something,” you can do with podcasts.”

Noel said. “I realized that there weren’t SoundCloud and YouTube every other marketing where he promotes the club

M

The Steps to Making a Podcast

The SoundCloud channel has had 15 people listen to the podcast. @Locally Vocal The YouTube channel has had 127 views in a month since the upload. @Locally Vocal 15 | FOCUS | FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

Close-Up on Clubs

FEATURES

CHECK MATE

Senior Jesse Dalzell has developed new strategies throughout the years of practicing and now can beat any opponent that he plays against at chess club. Fischer Genau | Photo

A new club that started last year increases in popularity and brings a diverse group of students together.

Kayla Graham| Photo & Design Editor & Holly Stauffer | Staff Writer & Jasmin West | Staff Writer

S

imilar to a master who hopes to golf season ended. Although Alexander defeat his trainer, it had been senior has no background knowledge or Jesse Dalzell’s dream to defeat strategies, she goes to learn the game teacher Joshua Criner in chess ever since and have fun. the club’s first meeting. Both had picked “I think it is awesome that MHS up a love and talent for the game, but at added a chess club,” Alexander said. different times and in different places.

“It's a place where people with different “I learned when I was in college,” backgrounds come and share the same Criner said. “I was bartending in college interest while getting to know each and this old guy who used to come in other. Chess club helps others meet new all the time was sitting at the bar, and I people, I've definitely widened my circle said to him, ‘I’d like to learn how to play of friendships.” chess sometime,’ so he went out to his As new members come in each week, car and got a chess board and taught me more people are able to understand the how to play.” foundation of chess and develop a new While Criner has been playing chess hobby that they once never thought they for many years, Dalzell, the president could succeed. Chess club is welcoming and founder of the club, is a more recent to all members, regardless of their skill learner who continues to develop his level. skillset.

“I try to keep it pretty simple,” Dalzell “I started a year and a month ago,” said. “Mostly it’s just that you come and Dalzell said. “After reading a chapter play chess against whoever you want.” in Joy Luck Club about Waverly, chess In the beginning, Dalzell believes, champion, I remembered how I played Criner was his biggest opponent. Ever chess as a kid, but I never took off with since the club started to grow, Dalzell it. I started to play again and I loved it.” was able to heighten his skills. Dalzell is Dalzell initially decided to create the now able to beat his biggest opponent.

Chess Club so he would have different “It didn’t take me that long to score a people to play against. However, the win on him,” Dalzell said. “I wanted to club has since increased in popularity have a positive record, and we battled and now consists of 20 to 30 members. over that for a while. The winning streak Senior Laura Alexander started to be would go back and forth, we never quit.” an active member of the club after her Criner believes that students can 16 | FOCUS | FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

benefit from the club in multiple ways aside from just having fun and improving their chess skills. Chess is a mind game that makes students think about what move will be played next.

“Students make new friends, learn skills like being able to think ahead, how to evaluate, how to predict, how to compete, and how to be a good sport,” Criner said.

As the club continues growing, both Dalzell and Criner hope to see the club become more competitive and participate in tournaments in the near future against other schools.

Criner believes that this goal can be achieved with the growing membership of the club. More and more students have made the decision to join, and at some meetings the room is completely full of people.

“I looked out and every chess board we had was being used, and we had thirty some kids in here just playing chess, and that was cool to see,” Criner said. “Aside from seeing all the students playing chess, my favorite part is when a student will tell me, ‘I’ve never beaten my dad,’ and I tell them, ‘If you keep coming to chess club, you will beat your dad,’ and when they come back saying, ‘I finally beat my dad.’ It’s cool to see them learn the skill and succeed.”

A&E

MASTERFUL MUSICIANS

Many students participate alone or in a group in the yearly Solo & Ensemble music competition.

Judges give them a score based on how well they perform. If they do well enough in the district level, they could go on to play at the state level. Emma McLaren|Staff Writer & Alli Grumbley|Staff Writer

Nicky Billovitz

Matthew Gordon

Grady Moilanen

Cara Ferruzzi

Grade: Senior

Grade: Senior

Grade: Sophomore

Grade: Senior

Instrument: Alto saxophone

Instrument: Trombone

Instrument: Clarinet

Instrument: Bass trombone

Piece name: Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin

Piece name: Andante Cantabile by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Motivation to participate: “I decided to do it because there was a quartet who needed a fourth person.”

Motivation to participate: “I wanted to participate because for the past three years I’ve been working on my tone.”

How they hope the judges will feel: “I hope the judges respond honestly and tell me what I truly do need to improve instead of sugarcoating it. I also hope they could critique me on my tuning ability and precision.”

How they hope the judges will feel: “I’m really hoping the judges will like the song I’m playing. In past years, the song has been a hit for tubas, so I’m hoping to showcase my improvement in tone and my ability to give a song life.”

Piece name: Scaramouche Piece name: Andante et Allegro by J. Ed. Barat

by Darius Milhaud Motivation to participate: “I’ve been doing Solo and Ensemble since 7th grade. I just like playing music and working on solos.”

How they hope the judges will feel: “I hope [the judges] will be impressed by the contrast between the two pieces. The first one is moderately slow, and then the second one is kind of blazingly fast.”

Motivation to participate: “It’s a great way to challenge yourself and practice music that might be at a more difficult level.”

How they hope the judges will feel: “This year I’m playing a much more difficult piece than last year. I think the judges will enjoy how the piece showcases my overall playing ability on the trombone.”

17 | FOCUS | FEBRUARY 10, 2017| mhsfocus.com

ART AGLOW AA & & EE

Remsing enjoys creating her own projects in her IB art class. She is happy to work with many different styles. Danielle Julien | Photo hen senior Sarah Remsing was plan, which includes coming up with neighbors,” Waun said. “She is always a little girl, she found herself their independent projects and writing very generous with advice and stopping mesmerized by the beauty research papers throughout the course. to take a minute to talk about art with of glasswork, and often cut images of Sarah enjoys this aspect of the class. the other IB students in the class.” glass windows out of magazines. Now, “Most other One of the things Remsing makes her own glasswork, classes the that makes Sarah a and expresses her love for art in many teacher tells unique art student is different forms. you this is the her skill in glasswork.

“I loved how I could do what I wanted, project and Sarah began to work and just draw whatever and express tells you this with glass when she myself,” Remsing said. is the material took at class in Auburn Remsing was encouraged by her and this is the called Village Glass mother, Heather, to pursue her love due date,” Works. She started for art by taking classes both inside and Sarah said. “IB with a beginning glass outside of school. isn’t like that. blower’s class, where “I’ve encouraged her to create, and It’s more selfshe made several that’s mostly been through her art,” structured.” ornaments. She has Heather said.

E a c h since taken more After taking art classes all through student picks advanced glass classes. middle school, Sarah took advantage a t h e m e Sarah’s favorite of every art class offered at Midland they want to project was a duck that High. Sarah is currently in art teacher follow all year, creating art in many she crafted from stained glass. She finds Kelli Waun’s IB Art class, which is different mediums around their idea. that glass work offers things that other structured differently than most art Sarah’s theme is innocence, and she has forms of art do not. classes. Students are mostly independent finished a bronze statue of a mother and “It was not something I could do with little instructor guidance. They daughter following this theme. in school, it wasn’t something they are required to create a personalized “She is always willing to help her offered,” Sarah said. “The glass isn’t a

W

“I loved how I could do what I wanted, and just draw whatever and express myself.”

Senior Sarah Remsing

1

Senior Sarah Remsing has pursued many forms of art, including glass and jewelry making.

Danielle Julien | Staff Writer & Maddy O’Callaghan|Managing Editor & Lillian Mohr | Staff Writer. cheap material, which makes it fun to work with. Also, I like getting to work with something different. I loved how pretty it is and how it reflects light so beautifully.”

However, Sarah also finds that there are several challenges that come with glass making and blowing.

“If you don’t get it right it’s very hard to fix,” Sarah said. “With glass fusing you put the glass on top of each other and you heat it up and it melts together, but if it shifts while being melted, you can’t fix it.

It’s just frozen like that forever.”

Sarah was inspired by her father to pursue another unique art form, renaissance jewelry making. Heather provided her kids with crafts to do all day, and Sarah worked on her jewelry making.

Sarah hopes that she will be able to continue her art as a side hobby after college.

“Sarah’s personality and the essence of who she is deep inside are present in everything she’s done,” Heather said.

“She stays true to herself.”

3

2

1. Remsing made a glass plate with her glass blowing class. She feels the work can be tedious, but is worth it. 2. Remsing also creates jewelry, and used a chain mail method to create earrings. 3. Remsing’s necklace that she created through chain mail. She has never sold her work before, but hopes to in the future. Maddy O’Callaghan | Photos 18 | FOCUS | FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

T

he cast and crew of Next to Normal sat waiting for their name to be called, filled with excitement and a sense of pride for the show they had put on at the Michigan Interscholastic Forensics Association (MIFA) regional competition last year. As every other school’s name was listed, they felt themselves grow more and more tense.

But when it was time to announce “Midland High,” the announcer asked,“What is that last school again?”

“There was a lot of, I think, hurt and embarrassment and frustration” Drama Director Megan Applegate said.

“Undeserved embarrassment, I would say.”

After placing fourth out of four schools at MIFA, the cast and crew of Next to Normal returned disappointed and hurt. Students felt they were treated disrespectfully by the association’s members and judges.

Sophomore Zion Lange, who was on stage crew last year, said the judges did not pay attention or give MHS the credit they deserved.

“We were very prideful of the fact that we were strict, and that is what we were told; you have to be strict, because there would be people watching,” Lange said. “There were [judges], they were on their phones the whole time, but they were there.”

Lange also said that the judging between their districts and their regionals was not consistent. The cast and crew of Next to Normal made changes according to what they were told at districts, and were then penalized at regionals for those changes.

“They don’t have three judges that judge everything, they change judges,” Lange said. “They kind of varied. Our first set of judges at LoveFest (districts), said we need to have big emotions and bigger sets. The judges at MIFA (regionals) said that we needed to minimize it.”

These inconsistencies in judging concerned Applegate.

“I had some concerns about the organization itself,” Applegate said. “I felt like some of the judging was done unprofessionally and I have some concerns about how the organization was run. I had expressed those concerns and didn’t receive any feedback.”

Due to these concerns and lack of their own space to rehearse, the drama club has decided not to return to MIFA with their performance of The Crucible this year. They will only be attending LoveFest, a festival at Essexville Garber that provides critique but not scoring.

“I discovered last year with having

A&E

MISSING FROM MIFA

The Drama Club has decided not to return to their regional competition due to the construction on the Central Auditorium and ‘unprofessional’ treatment last year. Hope O’Dell | A&E Editor & Anna Wright | Staff Writer & Hadley Morden | Staff Writer Sophomore Tim Hackbarth and Freshman Abigail Krohn run through The Crucible at Bullock Creek High School with the accuser girls during a courtroom scene. Hackbarth is playing Reverend Hale and Krohn is playing as Mary Warren. Quinlan Cox | Photo the Central Auditorium not available to us is that it was incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to adequately prepare for competition,” Applegate said. “We are competing against schools who have regular access to their facilities, who can run tech things and fix tech things and Bullock Creek is extremely generous letting us use their space, but it was sort of like we were competing with one hand tied behind our back.”

Inconsistent judging from LoveFest to MIFA is another contributing factor to the drama club’s choice not to attend MIFA this year.

Lori Duncan is the theatre director at Heritage High School and a chair on the MIFA Theatre Committee. Duncan said that MIFA hosts four different regional competitions on the same day in February, so they need to have different sets of judges for each competition. Each judge is subject to their own opinion as well.

“Theatre performance, like other art forms, are inherently subjective,”

Duncan said. “Anytime you watch a show, you will have people who like it and people who do not. While the rubric used by MIFA at district, regional, and state festivals helps to guide each judge, he or she still has the independence to evaluate the work based on their professional opinion.”

LoveFest, which the drama club uses as its districts, is an independent festival, so they may not have the same judging criteria as MIFA competitions.

This could have been the cause of their inconsistent feedback from the judges.

“A second distinction is that the MIFA Theatre series compares and scores shows against each other,” Duncan said. “For the purpose of determining advancement to the next level [districts/regionals/states] where the process at LoveFest does not make any comparative evaluations.”

But even with these distinctions, Applegate and other drama directors believe that there needs to be a change.

“I don’t want to be disrespected again. I don’t want our names to be forgotten.”

Sophomore Zion Lange

“I know from some of my colleagues from other schools involved in the organization that there have been discussions about how they can address some of that,” Applegate said. “[They] have felt very strongly about making some changes. I know that it’s an organization with a long-standing tradition of excellence.”

Although the organization has a reputation of greatness, Applegate feels that the cast and crew of Next to Normal were not recognized adequately for their efforts last year.

“I feel a deep emotional attachment to the club and to the students and I want to protect them,” Applegate said. “If I feel like an organization is not being positive or an educational experience for them, then I am going to take a step back and reassess.”

Applegate hopes that this won’t be the end of the drama club’s MIFA experience, considering they have gone for the past 25 years and are an instrumental part of the competition.

But the experience and treatment of her students is more important to her than tradition.

“I am certainly open to returning if some of these other concerns are addressed,” Applegate said. “As long as it is providing an educational and positive experience for my students.”

19 | FOCUS | FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

Innovation devastation

I

always forget about the garden. The one behind the library. Along the back wall is a long string of floorto-ceiling windows that allow readers and studiers to look out during the summer. Chairs are lined up to face it, like a single-rowed movie theater.

It’s strange; this garden is only ever looked at through glass. In some ways, I think that’s wrong, because aren’t places like that meant to be enjoyed? But, then again, it’s sort of perfect. Nobody has tarnished it, because I don’t think anybody is allowed out there. It’s maintained: grass cut, weeds mostly pulled.

But nobody is allowed to stay there and make it theirs.

Which is rare for us. To look at something knowing we can’t possess it. It’s comforting.

Looking at a place like that makes me realize that I have reached the extent of my toleration for “advancement,” as far as people go. The fact that I find it rare for a piece of land to be mostly left alone by humans reminds me of just how much we have touched and destroyed, purely out of greed.

The garden is a garden because the library has not yet decided to sell it yet, as land where construction workers would labor in the summer building an Olive Garden or an Apple store. The garden is a garden because they haven’t yet turned it into a parking lot for more cars.

Across the street from the graveyard of where Parkdale once stood, there used to be a forest. Trees. It was my freshman year, I think, when they were all cut down, and

Sonja Anderson

now, an apartment complex has risen from the ashes; big and beige and ugly.

Our glorious Midland mall was built right on top of the wetlands. That’s supposed to be illegal, seeing as wetlands are an at-risk environmental habitat, but hey, we needed Rue21, right?

We don’t care. And why should we? We have the biggest brains and the opposable thumbs, so who matters more than us, the planet? Destroying natural places is completely in line with the agenda, and these

“Every technological advancement is shooting for newer, brighter, easier. But it’s not better.” advancements are hardly advancements at all. I mean, I really don’t think another McDonald’s counts towards bettering lives. But human progress seems to mean whatever needs to go goes, and that includes other people.

Last spring break, my parents went to New York City, and the hotel they stayed at had a computerized checkin, so they didn’t even have to endure the labor of speaking to another person. Then, a literal robot stored their luggage; a long, white, mechanical arm picks up the bag with a claw and puts it in a cubby.

There’s a viewing window, so you can drool at the recent

20 | FOCUS | FEBRUARY 10, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

OP/ED

unemployment of bell hops everywhere. Good bye, Esteban Julio Ricardo Montoya De La Rosa Ramirez.

I’ve seen commercials for two in-house robots: Alexa from Amazon, and another from Google. Little pods that you can yell at if you don’t want to get up to turn the lights off by flicking a switch on the wall, or if you can’t be bothered to turn your head to the right and figure out how to read an analog clock.

Right now, it seems like every technological advancement is shooting for newer, brighter, easier. But it’s not better.

I’m not completely partial, I know there are plus sides to the revolution, like less deforestation because of online reading, or advancements in medicine. But not everyone is so selfless about it, and people get wound up in the ideas of all of these products because they’re new. A computer is not a substitute for another person, and avoiding human contact or any sort of effort is nowhere near progress.

When will we realize that Earth keeps spinning at the same pace, and that we all have the same lifespan, and that our time is not nearly as fleeting and valuable as we think it is? That our hands can afford to move, and nature is more important than us, and we shouldn’t be avoiding other people.

The whole population seems to want more and more, to move forward, faster. But all in the means of doing so, we’re destroying the land that we live on, human contact is losing its value, and soon we’re going to realize that our advances were petty, and that in desperately trying to be newer and faster, we lost more than we gained. And I know it’s dramatic, but if that doesn’t stop, I have an awful vision of us in the near future, living like the people from Wall-ee, selfish and alone, looking into a mirror that was once so proud of our “accomplishments.”

And it will be too late.

@HumansofMidlandHigh A feature of Chemics who have a story.

David Draves

My favorite place I’ve ever “traveled has to be Sedona,

Arizona. It’s a great town in a river valley in Arizona with great sights and nature. The people there are amazing also. So friendly and just good people. Overall it is an awesome place and I would definitely go back if I had the opportunity to.

”

OP/ED

Greater than fear

O

n the 21st of February, I got the opportunity to participate in the global Women’s March. The experience was absolutely indescribable; I’ve never been involved in democracy in such a direct and powerful way. While there were plenty of issues I came to stand up against, the one that really had my blood boiling was the Trump Administration’s attitude towards Muslims; both American and foreign.

One week later, on January 27th, President Trump passed an executive order that put a temporary ban on people (more specifically, Muslims) from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from entering the U.S for 90 days. Trump has expressed that this is just one step to ‘stopping terrorism,’ and an attempt to slam back at the events of 9/11, despite the fact that none of the members of the group that committed the atrocities are from the countries listed. Many of the people from these places are loved family members of Americans, people who have had green cards for decades, or suffering refugees.

While the ban is only temporary, Trump has alluded to a Muslim registration and more permanent ban in the future. With the last foreign attack being 9/11, and no recent event to warrant the ban, it’s hard to believe this isn’t the first step to something bigger. This caused thousands to protest in various airports around the country.

I empathize with the fear and uncertainty that terrorism brings, especially from the outside. But we have to deal with it based on facts, not fear.

None of the countries on the

Maddy O’Callaghan list have individuals who have committed terrorist attacks in the U.S. In addition, other countries are taking on the responsibility of harboring these refugees, who often have no where else to go.

As a Christian, I simply can’t turn my back on the millions of suffering refugees, often suffering at the hands of terrorists, who are desperate for sanction in the United

“We have to deal with it based on facts, not on fear.”

States. I hope that other Christian’s claiming to be ‘pro-life’ feel the same. People matter, including the ones that aren’t American or Christian.

The destruction of the twin towers was intended to weaken American moral, and our response to their actions was just what the terrorists wanted: to instill fear and hate in our hearts.

To make us turn against one another. To make us throw away our rights and values to accommodate for these attacks. And I understand the fear of a larger scale attack, but just how much are we willing to change to cater to that hypothetical? And how much will registration and banning prevent this?

Abraham Lincoln said, “America will never be destroyed from the outside.

If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”

With the way Trump had addressed Muslims in the past, the country has to make sure it doesn’t go further than the travel ban. Registration of Muslim Americans is the first step to this self-destruction.

Remember, more people die in America from gun violence in a year than all Muslim terrorist attacks combined.

Gun violence is an issue that affects our country in more realistic ways every single day.

I don’t believe in the Muslim ban and potential registration for the same exact reason that I don’t believe in strict gun control. Despite the fact that several depressed white kids have shot up schools and killed innocent children, the United States has chosen not to ban guns because the crazy minority doesn’t dictate the sane majority. Why let a few crazies ruin it for everyone else, right? Sure, gun control might make it slightly harder for criminals to obtain a gun, but they will still find a way, so why take rights from the good guys? Owning guns is our constitutional right, and as Americans, we shouldn’t give up those rights in the face of fear.

The same exact ideology should be used when discussing Muslim registration (especially considering gun violence kills more Americans). Why would we take away people’s constitutional right to privacy and freedom of religion in the face of fear? Why would we alter our values for hypotheticals? Why would we ban an entire group of people from entering our country, and why would we force Muslim Americans to register because of a terrorist group that doesn’t properly represent the majority of those practicing Islam? Just like gun control, it might make things slightly harder for criminals, but they’ll still find a way, so it’s counterproductive to make everyone else suffer.

In a time of unpredictable crisis, it’s important for all Americans, regardless of ethnicity or religion, to stay unified

Take It or Leave It Do you want the good news or the bad news first?

TAKE IT

Singer Beyonce Knowles announced she and husband Jay-Z are expecting twins.

LEAVE IT A new study preditcs that climate change will on average result in 10 fewer mild and dry days for the year

LEAVE IT

TAKE IT

Nobel Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi lauched a campaign of 100 million kids to advocate for an end to child labor

Mary Tyler Moore, the star of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” died on January 25th, 2017.

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Individual Allure

• • • • •

I

see life bursting with beauty. I see it in wildflowers, dotting the Earth with patches of color and personality. I see it in the way snow gathers on the boughs of pine trees, weighing down the needles with character and purpose.

However, to unlock these things that qualify as beautiful, an open mind is necessary. Each person sees beauty differently and in different things. Personally, I see allure in old books with worn bindings and newborn husky puppies; in picture frames of my dearest ones and burrowed between the lines of love letters.

The world is full of extravagance. It is full of beings and things that cater to all our senses. It spawns beautiful creations, creatures, people. But too often our senses are impaired, damaged by insignificant problems and fears. Fears that just don’t matter. A bad test score. A stain on your shirt. Whether or not that boy will ask you on a date.

We get so hung up on the petty problems that we end up being the only ones responsible for the demise of seeing the beauty that surrounds us. Broad scopes are narrowed into tight views that filter out the good and pull focus on the bad. These perspectives breed bad attitudes and fuel pessimism; something the world can go without.

Ears are too full of insults and negativity to hear the shouts of virtue that are missed.

Eyes are too blinded by foresight of hypothetical, worrisome futures to revel

Gwynne Ozkan in our surroundings that are overlooked.

Tongues are burned from the taste of bitter relationships.

Hands are chopped off by the use of cell phones and noses are clogged with leftover sniffles from your last breakup or bad day that felt way more than just a bad day.

Once we lose our senses, we lose our appreciation. The appreciation for each other, and for nature, and all the little things we come across.

We lose the ability to channel happiness through something as simple as a tight hug, or the crash of thunderstorms.

Distracting our senses from these tokens of pleasure is a shame. They’re too often preoccupied by insignificant issues to be as truly open as they should be-- open enough to focus on what holds true, raw sentiment.

Each person possesses their own perspective on beauty. They collect little pieces of allure in flashes of what the world has to offer. And although no two views are exactly alike, they share the same purpose: to remind ourselves there is grandeur in every day. They are reminders to let the light in, even when we feel dark.

To remind ourselves to stop, and admire, and simply allow the little smiles and laughs and warm feelings into our hearts and into our tummies.

These reminders cannot come enough. The only way to appreciate the beauty for what it is, is to allow our senses to open up and let it in.

I asked fellow Chemics to sum up what is beautiful to them and this is what I got:

22 | FOCUS | FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

OP/ED

Seeing someone for the first time in a long time Clydesdale horses Driving with all the windows down Honest forgiveness Hardcover books with happy endings Unexpected phone calls Pouring pouring pouring rain Hot chocolate with mini marshmallows Handwritten letters in envelopes Sticking your head out of a sunroof A belly laugh The way my dog greets me when I get home Holding hands (the right way) Authenticity Feeling truly loved Good headphones Bad puns Live music...Anywhere Watching someone’s eyes light up Old CD’s Watching my parents slow dance in the kitchen Slushies in the summer Driving around at night Parked car conversations Cereal in the afternoon Sunrises up north Forehead kisses Seeing a person that I love smile Deafening thunderstorms People looping their arm through mine When my cat falls asleep in my lap Slipping on mittens My girlfriend’s giggle The perfect 3 minute pop song Flipping through old photo albums Long car rides Seeing other people be successful A person being themselves around me Long sweatshirts Spontaneity Succeeding in what I love

Follow Gwynne Ozkan on Twitter and Instagram @gaozkan

@HumansofMidlandHigh A feature of Chemics who have a story.

Nick Pellegrino

“

I don’t normally highlight a specific trait about myself but if I did, I would highlight how much I care. And it’s not myself or what own that I care about but that it’s other people. Everyone’s got a story and a life that they’re living and everyone’s going through some sort of struggle, and I care about people’s lives and them in particular. This is a trait about myself that isn’t very prominent in the outside but it’s very important to me on the inside.

”

OP/ED

Never That Close

S

ince my brother has left for college, the crowd favorite question to ask me has been, “what’s it like with the house all to yourself?”

I always answer with honesty and admittedly very little sentiment: “I haven’t really noticed. We were never that close.” But in hindsight, that may not be true, and I owe it all to the ping pong table in my basement.

Max and I rarely spent any time together. It may sound cynical since it is a truth universally acknowledged that one must be best friends with his brother, but it’s the truth. Max and I have never been that close since we were really little and had no choice but to accompany each other. When elementary gave way to middle school and middle school gave way to high school, both of our responsibilities piled up. Our time spent playing soccer in the backyard and me crying after having lost our game of soccer in the backyard turned into time locked away in our rooms trying—and failing— to begin our respective English essays.

To put our loving relationship into perspective, for Christmas of 2013, I bought Max the new Pokemon Y. To ensure that I would actually receive a Christmas gift, I picked up my own copy of Pokemon X and had him reimburse me — all in the spirit of giving.

There were only two reliable places where we would actually be able to talk uninterrupted. The drive to school at 7:15 in the morning in our ‘04 Acura TL was a time to plan for the day and

Jonah Dykhuizen looking back, very little time was spent talking to each other like siblings should. My thoughts contemplating how to scrounge up spare moments throughout the day to finish the physics worksheets before 6th hour drowned out the latest in the Taylor Swift/ Kanye West drama on the morning radio and chewed up the potential for conversation.

"The time spent in the basement was the only time I really got to know my brother, not as aquaintances but as friends" The moments spent with my brother that we actually discussed our lives—as I’m told most siblings do—all took place in our cramped basement on opposite sides of the ping pong table.

The ping pong table has been in my basement for 13 years since it was first purchased used from a garage sale for only $25 dollars. The table had been down there since before we could see over the top, and we had to wait for the ball to fall below the plane of the table to be able to hit it back. Because of this, we had gotten really good. It took very little effort to keep a long rally going, with the occasional smash to keep the game lively.

Besides the hollow ping of the ball, there was silence. When

we were bored after watching too many episodes of The Office, Max would invite me to go down and play ping pong.

This is the only place where my brother and I would talk.

Our topic of conversation would vary. Sometimes we’d dive into highly intellectual discussion about string theory or try to predict Michael Sharrow’s behavior by analyzing patterns in the previous year’s snow days.

But mostly, our ping pong table would hear our constant complaining about school.

We talked about how easy it was to ace the Paper 1 in History of the Americas if you took your time on questions one through three because of the giant curve Mr. Mulvaney applied, rendering the examination glorified busy work. Or we would talk about how very little use it was to learn how to conjugate Spanish verbs in the conditional perfect tense when our conversational vocabulary was nonexistent.

The biggest complaint was about how competitive the college application process was; where having a perfect ACT score and being president of three different organizations was the base requirement to even be considered by a top tier university. The rest of the application process was built out of great admissions essays and a whole lot of luck, and even then the chances of admittance were all but none.

Despite the rather depressing topics of conversation, the time spent in the basement was the only time that I really got to know my brother, not as acquaintances forced to live together but as a friend. Not much has changed since he left for college, and having gone away I doubt we will ever become very much closer than we currently are, but I cherish the time where we denounce public education.

Most of all, I’m glad that my dad didn’t pass up the ping pong table at the garage sale thirteen years ago.

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Follow Jonah Dykhuizen on Twitter and Instagram @jonah_dykhuizen

23 | FOCUS | FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

OP/ED

The Focus brings you an array of ideas to help craft the perfect Valentine’s Day date. Made up of three parts, pick one from each category to form your own version of quality time with your loved one. Lauren Curtis|Staff Writer & Gwynne Özkan|News Editor & Shelly St. Louis|Staff Writer • Nature Walk

• Make your own pizza

• Sledding & Ice Skating

• iHop

Chippewa Nature Center Fifteen miles of trails surrounded by beautiful scenery City Forest Free slopes and skate rentals for only $4

Buy dough from Pizza Sam’s downtown and top it with your favorite meats and vegetables

• Chick Flicks & Board Games Stuck in Love & Guess Who? make a great pair

• Swing dancing

Captured Photography Studio Modern music combined with soft lighting for the perfect upbeat outing

• St. Laurent Brothers

Saginaw/Mt. Pleasant The best place for chocolate chip pancakes with any signature syrup

• Valley Lanes

Bay City Authentic New York pizza & the best garlic knots around

• Painterly Pottery

Experience a taste of Italy in this high-end venue

Take sprinkles, cookie cutters, and homemade frosting to create a delicious dessert

A posh, modern atmosphere with a wide variety of adventurous foods

Allow Downtown’s bright lights and frozen yogurt to wrap up your evening

Bay City An old fashioned candy shop with sweet treats to satisfy the kid in you Bowling, mini golf, a laser maze, bumper cars, and an arcade all in one place Saginaw/Bay City The perfect place to get creative and channel your inner artist, $20 per person

• Brooklyn Boyz

• Villa D’Alessandro • Maru Sushi

• Rock climbing

Midland Community Center An adventurous activity for only $5 per person

• Cookie Baking/Decorating • The Tridge & Cherry Berry

Fischer Genau | Photo 24| FOCUS | FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | mhsfocus.com