November 17, 2017

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OPIOIDS A national epidemic is creating a local concern.

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Toil and Trouble: Senior Madeline Arnold poses on the Central Auditorium stage before MacBeth. Arnold was cast as one of the three witches. Photo: Hope O’Dell

e - learning

jazz band

Henry Muller

meals on wheels

Midland High School | November 17,2017 | Volume 40, Issue 3

Left Hand - Even number page

in this issue arts & entertainment 4 Rhapsody Preview 5 Jazz Band

features

6 Henry Muller 7 Unicycle Club 10-11 Copus Death

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news

8 E-Learning 9 Meals on Wheels 12-13 Opioid Epidemic

sports

14 Athlete Addictions 15 Terry Collins 16 Sportszone -

MATT GROSS

opinion

17 Editorial 18 Focus Tries 19 Reviews -

OPIOIDS THANKSGIVING

STRANGER THINGS

Editor-in-Chief | Gwynne Özkan Managing | Hope O’Dell Features | Bitsy Mammel News | Holly Stauffer Sports | Hannah Smith Arts/Entertainment | Hailey Surbook Opinion | Danielle Julien Web | Hadley Morden Photo & Design | Fischer Genau Ads | Olivia Freidinger Exchange | Josephine Kuchek Adviser | Jim Woehrle Printer | The Argus - Press

editors

volume 40 | issue 3

p ub li ca t i o n p o l i c y

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Focus, established in 1977, previously the Vic Tribune established in 1936, is the official school sponsored newspaper of Midland High School. Focus is published monthly by the journalism classes at Midland High School and is distributed free of charge. It is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), the Michigan Interscholastic Pres Association (MIPA) and Quill and Scroll. Adviser membership also includes the Journalism Education Association (JEA).

Focus is designed as a forum for student expression and as a realistic lab experience. Court cases like Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988) have restricted this right to free expression. As a result of the Hazelwood case, Focus may be subject to prior review by Midland High School administrators, who legally reserve the right to pull or censor articles and/or graphic elements (artwork, graphs, photos) planned for publication. Focus and its adviser(s), editors and staff writers, however, reserve the right to contest the challenge of an administrator who attempts to censor and/or remove an article or graphic element.

Administrators who attempt to pull and/or censor must provide reason on the basis of obscenity, if the article infringes upon the right of freedom of speech or rights to privacy, and if it and/or graphic elements are irresponsibly or inappropriately presented.

Letters of the editor are welcomed and encouraged. Letters are required to be a maximum of 250 words in length and must be signed to insure that the writer’s intent is serious. Any letter that is unsigned or uses a pseudonym will be refused. Focus reserves the right to edit letters as long as the writer’s opinion is unchanged and the facts presented in the letter are kept intact. Focus also reserves the right to remove from the letter the name of the individual toward whom it is directed or oriented.

Novermber 17, 2017

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Right Hand - Odd number page

news in brief

the

bulletin

National Signing Day

2018 Freshmen Class of Collegiate Athletes

Soccer Riley Rajewski, GLIAC, Division 2 Carlee Davis, GLIAC, Division 2 Abbie Fowler, MEC, Division 2 @rekewegg can’t hide my chemic pride #districtchamps

Golf Drew Gandy, GMAC, Division 2

Volleyball Peyton Gerstacker, GLIAC, Divsion 2 Grace Rekeweg, GLIAC, Division 2 Bethany Wilson, GLIAC, Division 2

Softball Nicole Miller, GLIAC, Divsion 2 Gillian Schloop, GLIAC, Division 2

Basketball Hannah Smith, MIAA, D3 Madison Barrie, GLIAC, Division 2 Garrett Willis, GLIAC, Division 2

Gymnastics

On Nov. 8 in the cafeteria, 13 senior athletes signed contracts, committing to extend their athletic careers at the colleigate level. There were 11 female athletes and 2 male athletes that comitted to 13 different colleges.

Magazine Drive The annual magazine drive is the largest fundraiser at MHS, beginning on Nov. 9 and going on until Nov. 30.

Riley Johnstone, Horizon League, Division 1

Veteran’s Day @madisynbrown_

On Nov. 10, Midland High welcomed dozens of retired and active veterans to the school. They spoke to several classes all hour in the media center. All branches of the armed services were represented.

“I feel like I’m waiting in line on Black Friday for these rhapsody tickets?”

2 retweet 14 likes

F O C U S

Ron Glanz

@mhs_focus

After Ron became hospitalized after a fall, Midland High raised over $1000 for him through the paddleton tournament, a flash collection, and donations from the staff.

@mhs_focus

@mhs_focus

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November 17, 2017

13 senior athletes pose on National Signing Day, after formally committing to play soccer at the college of their choice. Photo Courtesy: Wendy Rajewski

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Alli & Ethan Dotson

AJ Rock

“Action”

Many times duets include a singer and an instrument, but not this brother-sister duo. With sophomore Ethan Dotson on French horn and senior Alli Dotson on trombone, they’re ready to perform the college-student composed “Action”.

Nerves are to be expected when going on stage, but these siblings are used to the spotlight. Both their mother and father play brass instruments and are more than supportive of their kids.

“Our parents are both musical as well,” Alli said.

“Our dad plays trombone and I liked it a lot when I was younger. It made me want to play the trombone as well. We have a lot of brass playing in our family so they definitely support music.”

Having two performances this year instead of one definitely adds to the pressure but it’s nothing the siblings can’t handle. Alli spends at least eighteen hours a week rehearsing, while Ethan spends eleven hours, making them more than prepared to take on Rhapsody.

Both Alli and Ethan feel passionately about music and look forward to sharing their musical talents at Rhapsody this year.

“It’s a Beautiful Day”

Get an exclusive preview of three different acts performing at Rhapsody this year.

Staff Writer Maureen Aloff | Staff Writer Alyssa McMillan | Staff Writer Olivia Barber

Freshman AJ Rock has loved singing since the fourth grade, and this year he gets to share his voice at Rhapsody.

Rock’s act will be a solo performance of “It’s a Beautiful Day” by Michael Bublé.

A whole summer of mowing lawns was spent listening to Bublé, and now Rock cannot wait to perform his favorite song for his first vocal debut at MHS. After Rock’s first talent show in the fourth grade, his parents suggested that he audition for “The Jungle Book”at the Center for the Arts. Rock has participated in many plays and musicals since then.

Through theater Rock’s love of music and singing grew and so did his confidence.

Performing on stage comes naturally for him now and he could not be more ready for Rhapsody.

Rock sees Rhapsody as an opportunity to put himself out there and show his talent.

“I really want to put myself out there, because the more you put yourself out there, the more people will know you, and that’s how I’ve made a lot of my friends,” Rock said.

Not only does rock love singing but he loves the relationships he builds with other people, and it all starts with his voice.

meet the musicians Corinne Dunsmore “Outer Space”

Photos: Maureen Aloff

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Senior Corinne Dunsmore will be a fresh face at Rhapsody this year. Dunsmore has never performed on, in her words, “an actual stage.” She only recently started performing in public.

“My mom has always pushed me to share my voice,” Dunsmore said.

This push came to fruition in ninth grade when she took voice lessons for two, short months. When the day came to show off what she had learned, she was so nervous that she forgot the lyrics.

“I didn’t want to sing in front of people at all after that,” Dunsmore said.

After making some new musically inclined friends, she ended up open Mic night at the Loch on a muggy summer night staring into a crowd staring back at her.

Her friends had convinced her to sing Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie.” After that small performance, Dunsmore, Ben and Connor Robertson, and Fischer Genau decided to audition for Rhapsody.

Dunsmore said that the group had a different song picked out originally, but then they saw Liz Cooper and the Stampede’s performance of “Outer Space” and knew that was the song they had to play.

Dunsmore looks forward to singing with her group of friends who have pushed her to better her voice and get over her stage fright, and she cannot wait to perform at Rhapsody.

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jazz it up

Junior Kyle Burks is the pianist for the top jazz band. He plays among the other rhythm section members. Photo: Fischer Genau

Jazz Band Director Christopher O’Connell has narrowed down his goals for the two growing jazz bands and plans to spread the passion behind playing jazz. Ads Coordinator Olivia Freidinger | Staff Writer Devin Alexander | Staff Writer Lillian Mohr

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Senior Aidan Haase plays the alto saxophone in jazz band rehearsal. Jazz Band typically has rehearsals every Tuesday after school. Photo: Fischer Genau

rom day one in the standard music curriculum, students are taught to strictly read the music in front of them and play only what they see. For some musicians, staying inside the boundary lines of what is considered ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ limits students creativity, by forcing them to conceal personality from the piece.

Jazz Band Director Christopher O’Connell is challenging these deeplyrooted academic norms to shed light on what he believes should be the main priority behind playing music: passion. Through a series of leadership adjustments to both of the jazz band programs over the past three years, O’Connell encourages his students to instead feel the spirit of jazz, and let it inspire them to play what they feel is right through interpretation and improvisation “The cool thing about jazz is that you’re given the basic outline for the type of notes you can play, but there comes to a part in the piece where you can adlib in what you want, within that structure,” O’Connell said.

O’Connell said the musical freedom granted through improvisation gives students an outlet for self-expression and personal accomplishment. Current students said that this was not necessarily stressed in previous years when O’Connell was not in charge of directing. Senior Lauren Smit, who plays the baritone saxophone, is currently a member of the top jazz band. Smit has been a part of the program her entire high school career; her

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freshman year was not under the direction of O’Connell. She said she has seen the jazz bands grow because of his new leadership and focus.

“I feel the program is more established now,” Smit said. “When I started in freshman year, jazz band was instructed by the student teacher brought in that year. Once Mr. O’Connell transferred to Midland High, he took on instruction. Having him as a teacher at the school has raised awareness and made the program more secure.”

The top jazz band is composed mostly of people from symphony band and returning members, while jazz band two is opened to anyone who wants to sign up. A typical jazz band set will be about 25 kids, with roughly 18 wind players and between six to eight rhythm section players. Jazz band two fluctuates on a direct continuum with its popularity.

“The kids have always been interested in jazz,” O’Connell said. “It’s just the directors area of focus that changes everything. I like to

get out and perform in groups, so providing those opportunities has allowed the students to latch onto it. Jazz is one of those things that the more you do it, the more fun you have with it. That’s what I think has helped bring in people the most.”

Young musicians are now given the opportunity to demonstrate their talent at different competitions and events.

O’Connell said that the priority in previous years was to play for Rhapsody, with little to no other concerts afterwards. Over the course of the last three years, the bands have performed at Bay City Jazz Night, Central Michigan Jazz Festival, Alma Jazz Festival, Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association Jazz Festival, Midland High Jazz Night, the Tendercare Nursing Home, and several elementary schools. Among some of the awards the jazz bands have won, the trombone section has received awards at Central Michigan University and Alma jazz festivals last year. This year, he plans to

Jazz is one of those things that the more you do it, the more fun you have with it.

-Christopher O’Connell

give the students as many opportunities to perform as possible because he believes an avenue for kids to play diverse music, such as jazz, is what brings in new members, and what revitalizes returning members.

Senior Ethan Bruce, who plays the tenor saxophone, has been a member of jazz band since he was a freshman. He originally joined because he felt that jazz is a genre that isn’t explored much during band concert season.

Bruce has witnessed the reforms introduced in the program and views each year as more and more dynamic.

“Ever since Mr. O’Connell started leading jazz band three years ago, we’ve had the opportunity to go to more concerts and festivals and play a more diverse range of music,” Bruce said. “Our quality of playing and style has improved a lot as well.”

O’Connell strives to broaden the horizons of each student by introducing them to different jazz genres that are outside of their comfort zone. He hopes to create a lasting impression of the power of jazz music and get each person to connect with whatever they decide to do in the years to come.

“In the jazz genre there’s a billion different categories; you’ve got bebop, funk, and all kinds of different stuff,” O’Connell said. “At first I did the rock charts, because that’s what they’re used to hearing in their culture, but as we’re broadening up their horizons, I tell them every week to listen to jazz. The more you listen, the more it gets inside you.”

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psyched to teach Henry Muller, graduate from University of Michigan, returns to his home state after teaching one year in Florida. He teaches psychology as the youngest teacher at MHS. Editor-in-Chief Gwynne Özkan | Staff Writer Hannah Woehrle | Staff Writer Will Shaffer

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Henry Muller co-directs Psychology Club, a joint program between MHS and DHS, newly started this year. Photo: Gwynne Özkan

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features

young man dressed in a yellow Chemic sweatshirt, khaki pants, and goggles sat in the back of the classroom with his hood up. As sixth hour started, students casually walked by, mistaking him for a new student. As the bell rang, they turned around to the words, “Surprise! I’m over here.” Psychology teacher Henry Muller, 22-years-old and in his first year at Midland High School, was no longer blending in with his students.

Muller applied for the open teaching position last spring. He was looking for a position at a well-ranked school in his home state that allowed him to teach strictly psychology. The previous school year, Muller taught eighth grade U.S. History at a charter middle school in central Florida. Although he gained teaching experience, his job was not what he had hoped for.

“After a year of teaching there, I was in search of other jobs,” Muller said.

Candidates nationwide applied for Muller’s position, but after a Skype interview, assistant principal Bob Scurfield formally offered him the job.

“He’s a young teacher, so he doesn’t have the ‘on-the-job’ experience that another teacher might have,” Jaster said, “but he has an impressive academic record, and his discipline of choice- psychology- is something he is very well versed in.”

Muller found the decision to take the position at Midland High an easy one.

“I canceled every other offer because Midland High was by far the best position I applied to and it’s rare to find a job that only teaches psychology,” Muller said. “Teaching has allowed me to do something I’m interested in, which is psychology, while also having a positive impact on the community at the same time.”

Muller attended the University of Michigan (U of M), earning a major in psychology. He took only three years to earn his full credits to graduate in 2015. This was accomplished in part by taking 10 AP courses in high school, and earning credit for all of them. However, if he could do it again, Muller would have preferred not to have graduated so early because he says there is more to college than just classes.

He spent a fourth year in graduate school at U of M as well, earning a degree in educational studies. He was then accepted into the Secondary MAC program, choosing a major in history and a minor in psychology.

This program then allowed him to obtain his master’s in education and a certification to teach.

So far, Muller is very happy with his experience at Midland High. Since the high school he attended lacked school spirit, he says he has been pleasantly surprised by the student body, the faculty, and events that display school pride. He particularly likes football games, traditions like hall marching, and school-wide assemblies.

“In the two months I have been at MHS, I’ve been amazed at how smart and respectful the students are, how involved the parents are, and how welcoming and helpful the staff and administration have been,” Muller said.

Jaster says that it is encouraging how Muller is open to feedback and collaboration. He also believes that Muller’s age allows him to connect better with students, and that it makes him more accustomed to the new methods of teaching, like a higher incorporation of technology.

“Younger teachers have the luxury of being closer in age to their students at the high school level, and with that is an understanding of issues that kids are going through,” Jaster said. “So, he can certainly draw on some of his own personal experiences and use that information to guide the way he teaches.”

Senior Brady Wing agrees that Muller’s age is an asset in his own learning. He emphasizes Muller’s ability to make pop-culture references and his effort relate to his students. Wing says he respects Muller even more-so because of his age. He said that if he were to let Muller down, he would feel like he was letting down not only a teacher, but also a friend.

“We aren’t all that far apart, but he’s still old enough to have that presence of a teacher,” Wing said. “We all respect him because we can relate to him so much. He’s just someone we can turn to.”

Students like Wing have been trying to show Muller what it means to be a Chemic. With that, he feels really welcomed.

“He looks out for us, and that’s why we love him so much.” Wing said.

Muller in turn hopes they learn the content to succeed on the AP/IB tests, though he mainly works to pique their interest in a way that generates their interest in the field.

“If there’s one thing I want to convey, it’s that I enjoy my time here,” Muller said. “The best part of my day is the time I spend in my classroom with my students and that is not something I could say last year.”

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a unique passion Senior Eric Daniel participates in a unicycling club that meets downtown once a week. Daniel has been practicing unicycling since the age of thirteen and has continued to progress. Managing Editor Hope O’Dell | Staff Writer Lexy Lang

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ne square. Two squares. The end of the driveway. Finally, the road.

Each time Senior Eric Daniel balanced himself on his unicycle and pushed off the pole of his basketball hoop down his driveway, he could get farther down.

After two summers spent playing a game of squares, Daniel could ride down his driveway finally reaching the street.

The game of squares started with a pair of Japanese free-line skates that his father bought for him as a kid.

“Ever since I was younger, my dad always thought that I had a knack for riding weird vehicles,” Daniel said. “So he said I should try to ride a unicycle, because he thought it’d be funny.”

What started off as his father’s amusement quickly turned into an exciting hobby for Daniel. He was thirteen when he started to learn how to ride the unicycle. At the same time he started, his sixteen-year-old cousin did as well. Daniel said it became a competition between the two, who could learn faster.

“He was older, so he was able to learn to ride it a lot faster than I could,” Daniel said.

“So it gave me a little bit more motivation.

For the next two years, during the winter I would practice in the basement, holding onto the walls for stability.”

This past spring, Daniel joined a recreational soccer team, but he didn’t know any of his teammates. Not long into the season, they soon found a serendipitous and obscure common interest.

“It was such an anomaly how on that team, six people could ride the unicycle,” Daniel said. “Out of seventeen people, six people could ride the unicycle. Even my coach could ride a unicycle.”

Daniel’s coach introduced him to a unicycle club he started with his friends, including Randy Woods, the self-proclaimed, “leader by default,” of the club. Randy said the creation of the club was a matter of chance.

“I met another member of the club,” Randy said. “We were complete strangers, but we had unicycling in common. He and I started talking, and he said ‘we should start a club.’ He knew a couple people who rode so we said, ‘what the heck we’ll meet down at the tridge once a week and whoever shows up, shows up.’”

The club meets downtown at six during the

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November 17, 2017

warmer months to help beginners learn, and as an opportunity for more advanced riders to connect with other like-minded people.

Daniel said that the club was something he knew most high schoolers weren’t doing.

“It started to be this odd, but exciting and fun thing,” Daniel said. “I would go downtown in front of a lot of people and ride a unicycle around with a bunch of fifty-year-old guys.

And it was just by circumstance that I was able to join them.”

Daniel said that at first the group just rode around downtown, but as more skilled members started to join, they’ve tried new things.

“We’ve tried balancing on a curb and riding it all the way around,” Daniel said. “Or going to a park and seeing if we could ride across a balance beam. It gets really difficult.”

Randy said the more advanced riders can also ride with one foot and jump off of obstacles. But to Randy and Daniel, unicycling is about more than tricks, it’s an opportunity to meet new people.

Often, there will be a mix of beginners and more advanced riders. So Randy and his son, Jeremy, will split the group.

“Most of the time I’ll stay here with beginners,” Randy said. “Jeremy and my daughter will take off with a group to the Chippewa Nature Center.”

Jeremy said that he enjoys the club and unicycling because of the uniqueness, and that’s what he thinks other high schoolers like about unicycling.

“It’s a skill most people don’t have,” Jeremy said. “So it’s cool to be able to say that you’ve done it. That’s what draws people in the most.”

Daniel said that within the club he has found a group that he fits in with well, and he enjoys challenging himself with it.

“It’s one thing that makes me unique,” Daniel said. “Even though now I’m apart of a group, it’s still special to me.”

Eric Daniel rides his unicycle downtown by the farmers’ market.

The club meets here at 6 on Tuesdays.

Photo: Gwynne Özkan

Daniel unicycles downtown where the club usually meets. Daniel’s father f ir st got him into unicycling, and now Daniel can do tricks including jumps. Photo: Gwynne Özkan

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a mission to serve

Volunteers prepare the turkey and other dishes for the dinner both nights in the kitchen, while others serve it. Photo: Fischer Genau

The Memorial Presbytarian Church has provided service to the community through multiple annual traditions, and this year hopes to extend their reach even further. News Editor Holly Stauffer | Exchange Editor Josie Kuchek | Staff Writer Addie Dunsmore

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or the past 150 years, the Memorial Presbyterian Church of Midland has been serving the community, one of the most prominent ways being their food pantry, Hunger Eased through Loving Persons (H.E.L.P.). To celebrate this anniversary, as well as the holiday season, they are expanding their outreach, as well as continuing their successful traditions.

Associate Pastor Reverend Wally Mayton has been working to implement new ways for the church to serve in spirit of this year’s anniversary.

“We’re giving gift cards for Thanksgiving turkeys for every client that comes in for food through the pantry,” Mayton said.

“That’s something we’re doing uniquely for this year, and hope it will carry over into additional years. We also participate in the community thanksgiving basket program, which is not a part of our church, but a part of the community effort.”

Mayton emphasized the importance of the food pantry, especially because it has more patients who seek its services than any other pantry in the area.

“We were looking for ways to reach out to the community and provide assistance for neighbors in our community,” Mayton said. “The food pantry is an essential part of our church’s outreach to the community.

So we feel a responsibility to set a pace, provide leadership for other pantries in Midland county by providing as generously as possible.”

Pantry director Karen Moore said that HELP gave out over 93,000 items in the past year.

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“We are a ‘you-pick’ pantry,” Moore said.

“We see up to 25 families a week. So they come in here, they take a cart and they go around and take things off the shelves. We say about a week’s worth, but we’re pretty generous.”

Moore said that the pantry is funded by numerous groups and individuals, but the food mostly comes from food drives from various schools, including Midland High.

“We count on Midland High’s food drive a lot,” Moore said. “You wouldn’t think Midland has a lot of poverty but we do.

Especially around Thanksgiving, I think clients have a hard time with the extra family members.”

In addition to the food pantry, the Memorial Presbyterian Church also hosts an annual Thank Offering Dinner. This is a tradition open to all of those in need of a dinner, whether it’s members of the church, or people of the community. Junior Will Talcott and his family are actively involved each year with this event.

“I go to the church certain nights of the week I help my grandpa carve turkey, and I also wash dishes,” Talcott said. “The youth have a certain night, and we can go and help.

As of now I normally just sign up, there’s certain jobs.”

Mayton said that the dinner is a key part of the church’s goal to bring the community together. He said it is a way for them to express gratitude to Midland and to give back to their neighbors through the gift of food and fellowship. They also deliver meals to the homes of those who are unable to attend, free

anniversary was an important of charge. opportunity for growth in outreach, and he “At the dinner we take what we call a ‘free strives to carry it on through future years. will offering,’” Mayton said. “If anybody “It’s really important to me that the church would like to provide a gift for the meal, we lives outside its walls,” Mayton said. “That use that money for mission or outreach in our the church reflects our faith and our love for community. So it’s not exactly a fundraiser, neighbors in very visible ways, and making it’s more of a way to get people to experience sure people have food, to me is a central Thanksgiving together by providing a meal.” feature of how we care for one another. We Talcott said he has continued to participate have these special events at Thanksgiving, but in the Thank Offering Dinner because of the we try to live that all year round. That’s truly positive outcome it has for both those who what this is all about.” volunteer for it and those who benefit from it.

“I like to help others,” Talcott said. “It makes me feel better about myself and brings e designated desser ts are th joy to me. I appreciate being around people (left) Pies and t) to donate. (righ who encourage me to do good in my life; item for church members rs ee nt volu my grandpa is mainly the person who has to be served by Attendees wait encouraged me [to participate].” he sc r Genau & urch. Photos: Fi Mayton shares with Talcott this appreciation from the ch for service, and hopes to express it through Holly Stauffer everything the church does.

This year’s

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Scores in online learning classes, often referred to as E2020, will finally affect overall grade point average. After eight years of the program’s expansion, the new development is welcomed by students.

Photo & Design Editor Fischer Genau | Staff Writer Devin Granzo | Staff Writer Liam Grady

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long anticipated change has finally come to online learning at Midland High. Initially implemented as a method for students to recover necessary credit for graduation, e-learning courses have never had any impact on a student’s grade point average. The school’s policy on the matter has long been contested due to the program’s continued success. This year, hard work in online classes will finally be recognized in students’ GPA. Administrator Jeff Lauer coordinates online learning opportunities for students at Midland High, and introduced the E2020 program eight years ago. Since then, e-learning enrollment has risen rapidly.

“There is certainly a lot more interest in it,” Lauer said. “It stretches the staff that I have because they are dealing with more students than they’re used to.”

With now over 100 courses available, many different students can benefit from what E2020 classes have to offer. Teacher Lee Leffingwell, who runs the e-learning classroom and was the first involved with the curriculum, has noticed more possibilities opening up for students.

“It used to be almost all credit recovery for students that are having a hard time getting through high school,” Leffingwell said. “ N o w it’s all over the map.”

Part of the expansion in the increase in

E2020 enrollment

program can be attributed to the availability of courses that aren’t offered in traditional classrooms. Additionally, students can access their coursework online at any time. One of these courses offered is American Sign Language (ASL), which has quickly grown in popularity.

“Usually I could have as many as 30-35 different classes going on in my classroom at the same time because everybody is taking something different,” Leffingwell said. “Now I have one hour where I have eight to ten students taking ASL at the same time.”

ASL can be counted towards language requirements, and is another example of how online learning can diversify the curriculum at Midland High and serve a broader range of interest from the student body.

Senior Claire Winslow started taking online courses this year. Winslow’s choice was rooted in her desire to learn ASL and she’s glad that her hard work is going to be recognized in her GPA, something that would not have happened in previous years of the program.

“Knowing that my online class counts for GPA is reassuring for me,” Winslow said.

“It’s a GPA booster.”

With the rapid expansion, Leffingwell found it illogical for online classes to have no effect on grade point average. Although not factoring online classes into GPA seemed appropriate in the program’s infancy, the widespread acceptance of E2020 as legitimate coursework called for the change to be made.

“When Midland Public Schools first

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They’re taking their tests and coursework far more seriously than they have in the past.

-Lee Leffingwell

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taking an E2020 class may have recovered credit, no progress had been made to improve their grade point average.

“They were carrying the burden of that E and could do nothing to change it,” Lauer said.

With the long-awaited change coming into effect, Lauer is optimistic.

“It’s going to have a very positive impact,” Lauer said. “Students are going to have the benefit of their work reflected in their GPA.” Results are already being seen in the classroom. Leffingwell has observed positive student response due to the reward for doing better than just passing.

“I’ve noticed that my students’ average grades are up,” Leffingwell said. “They’re taking their tests and their coursework far more seriously than they have in the past.”

The online learning program has grown significantly over the years, and the inclusion of GPA has been a benefit for many students.

“For people dedicated enough to do it, it’s really good that they include it in your GPA,” Winslow said. “It builds responsibility, it builds character, and it teaches me something new.”

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got into [E2020], it was kind of a grand experiment,” Leffingwell said. “We didn’t know what online courses would offer; whether it was the same rigor or the same kind of quality of courses that we offer in the classroom.”

Quickly, it became clear that the material had real value. Leffingwell is excited with this year’s change in policy.

“We should’ve been doing this a long time ago,” Leffingwell said.

Like Leffingwell, Lauer was concerned by online courses not being factored into GPA, and has been pushing for the addition for years. One problem with the old policy dealt with a lack of incentive. With students able to receive full credit regardless of their level of effort, there wasn’t sufficient motivation to excel in class.

“We have found that if all you do is get credit or not get credit, all you have to get is a 70%,” Lauer said. “Unless you’re an inspired student, you’ll get by with a 70% and be happy with that.”

Lauer’s greatest concern, however, was the lack of benefit students received from hard work. Students that had previously failed a course saw their GPA suffer, and although

U.S.

history

30

# of students enrolled

Senior Allyah Ramos studies government online. Photo: Fischer Genau

news

9

a local tragedy

opioid epidemic

Andrew Copus of the Bullock Creek community died in 2012 from opioid overdose. Now, his mother, Lynette Copus, presents to groups including MHS sports teams to prevent more tragedies like her son’s.

Features Editor Bitsy Mammel | Staff Writer Kelly Craig | Staff Writer Theo Rammidi

Lynette Copus is an administrative assistant at Bullock Creek High School. She also gives opioid presentations to groups like MHS sports teams to share Andrew Copus’s story. Photo: Kelly Craig

A

ndrew Copus was very involved with sports when he was young, playing soccer, baseball, football, basketball, and track. When he was older, he enjoyed coaching with his father. His mother, Lynette Copus, described Andrew as having a great personality: always respectful to his peers and teachers. She thought of him as an average student who could have better applied himself.

“He was a good person, he really was,” Lynette said. “He had a good heart, he was kind to everybody, and people liked him.”

Andrew’s close friend, Micah Linton, said that Andrew was a very caring person, and that he would do anything for the people who were close to him.

“If you ran out of gas across the state, Andrew would be the first one in his car to come help you out,” Linton said.

Linton thought of Andrew as someone who would always be willing to do the right thing, and frequently thinks of Andrew in decisions that he makes today.

On June 25, 2012, Andrew died of an opioid overdose.

Andrew was first introduced to opioids when he was a junior in high school. He often had kidney stones and went to the Midland Hospital to have them passed. His doctors would then give him morphine and send him home with a prescription of Vicodin to help ease the pain. At first, Andrew used the medication healthily; but as time went on, Lynette said it got out of control.

“The first couple of years he was in high

10

features

school, he never really took the medication unless he took it that day,” Lynette said. “I had control over it most of the time. It kind of snowballed from there after he got out of high school.”

Lynette said that during Andrew’s time at Bullock Creek High School, his life had structure. He had a schedule that he would follow every day: wake up, go to school, go to practice, and come home. This structure vanished once he graduated and started attending Delta College. Lynette felt that he

during early recovery is the cravings and urges to use again,” Price said. “Because of their highly addictive properties, and the way that a person’s brain has been rewired to seek that substance out when they are feeling distressed, their brain starts asking for that drug to escape those feelings.”

After his first experience with heroin, Andrew could not control himself. If he didn’t have access to heroin, he took advantage of the Vicodin prescribed to him. His family grew suspicious. Frequently, there would be

He had the choice to say yes of no, and he said yes. After that it wasn’t a choice

-Lynette Copus

didn’t know what to do with himself anymore.

When Andrew was in his early twenties, he was offered heroin for the first time by a friend.

“He had the choice to say yes or no, and he said yes,” Lynette said. “After that it wasn’t a choice.”

Sam Price, a representative from the 1016 Recovery Network, a local drug rehabilitation center, said that the brain is rewired to want those substances again.

“The biggest struggle that a person deals with

needle-marks on his arm. Despite the few physical indications of opioid abuse, Lynette said everything else seemed normal.

“He didn’t really act any different,” Lynette said. “His personality pretty much stayed the same. He was very good at hiding stuff from us.”

Linton had no idea how severe Andrew’s addiction was, or that Andrew was even using heroin at all, until after his death. After Andrew

had started using heroin, their close friendship crumbled and became nonexistent.

“It was one day in the summer,” Linton said.

“He just fell of the face of the planet. I would text him, not hear from him. Call him, not hear from him. I’d invite him over or invite him to something, he wouldn’t show up, he wouldn’t respond. It was like he just was totally gone.”

The initial symptoms of drug abuse were lost on Linton. Price stated that some signs of opioid addiction are subtle, but noticeable.

“The biggest signs are excessive sleepiness and pinpoint pupils,” Price said.

Linton says that he noticed Andrew exhibiting unusual behavior when he was abusing drugs, including having spoons in random places, having a drastically fluctuating body weight, and stealing sunglasses from his parents to sell.

“I remember he would wear long sleeve shirts in the summer,” Linton said. “And then for three days straight he would be just sweating his guts out in the middle of the winter, and really weird stuff that a normal person wouldn’t do.”

In October 2010, Andrew came to Lynette.

He needed to go to the hospital; he had taken too much Vicodin, and after researching it online, he realized that he could die if he did not receive help quickly. At the hospital, Lynette was told that Andrew had marijuana, Adderall, Vicodin, and heroin in his system.

He stayed in the observational unit that night, and after he had been released, he was under constant supervision for a month. The incident was so severe that he had to start drug November 17, 2017

FOCUS

counseling at 1016 Recovery Network, which did not last very long. Lynette said that he thought that he wasn’t like the other addicts at the center because he didn’t have the same background as them. She was frustrated that Andrew couldn’t admit that he was an addict.

“I said, ‘What are you talking about? You’re an addict, Andrew. You have a house, a car, food, and parents who love you, some of those people don’t have that. You do, but you are still an addict,’” Lynette said. “He was in denial that he was.”

Price thinks that many people in similar situations to Andrew’s are afraid to start or continue rehab because they fear how they will be viewed or treated for it.

“There is a lot of stigma that keeps people away,’” Price said. “One of the biggest reasons is fear and shame – people are afraid of what others might think about them or their loved ones if they learned that they were a heroin addict.”

Although he did not continue counseling, Andrew was clean from heroin for eighteen months. During that time he rekindled the friendships that heroin had taken from him.

But some things were different, though, according to Linton. He explained that there were moments where Andrew would hint at his struggle with opioid abuse, but it never turned into a conversation. One of these instances was at Buffalo Wild Wings, when Andrew, Linton, and a few other friends were watching a UFC fight. A friend commented that one of the fighters was knocked out so bad that he looked dead.

“I remember Andrew saying something along the lines of, ‘I know what being dead feels like, and that guy’s not dead,’” Linton said. “He was referring to the first time he overdosed.”

Despite not abusing heroin for 18 months following his time in rehab, Andrew still abused Adderall and bought caffeine packets with friends. Linton said it was a common thing for their friend group since high school, and no one thought of the repercussions the drugs would cause.

“We played video games together a lot and everyone would come over take Adderall to stay awake and play video games all night,”

Andrew, and tried to talk him out of going.

“I told Andrew jokingly, but seriously, ‘I can’t let you go over there anymore. Nothing good is going to come from that place,’” Linton said. “He just looked at me, chuckled and said, ‘I’ll be fine.’”

But Andrew wasn’t fine. Lynette first thought Andrew was on heroin again and that she should take him to the hospital, but ultimately decided against it. As the day went on, Andrew looked and acted better, so Lynette’s worries eased. That night, she asked him if he was staying home to celebrate his father’s birthday.

“He said, ‘No, I’m going to my friend’s house,’ so I just kind of gave him a dirty look,” Lynette said. “That’s the last time I saw him alive.”

The next morning, Andrew’s parents received a call from the hospital, notifying them that they should come as soon as possible.

The last thing Lynette thought she’d hear was that Andrew was dead. He had overdosed on heroin, at only 22 years old.

Linton was called the next day by a friend, who broke the news. At first he didn’t believe him, and repeatedly asked his friend if he was serious or not. Linton said that deep down he knew that Andrew was dead, but on the surface he just didn’t think his death was possible. It wasn’t until Linton called another friend asking him if he heard the news of Andrew’s death that the words really sunk in. After saying it out loud, it hit Linton that his friend was dead.

He abruptly hung up the phone and went to talk to his parents.

“I remember I got to the bottom of the stairs, only a few feet from my bedroom door, and I just started breaking down,” Linton said.

“My whole body went numb. I remember just screaming for my parents and my mom.”

Following Andrew’s death, Lynette joined an organization called For A Better Tomorrow, that helps with people dealing with loved ones who have died or are currently struggling with addiction. It was through this organization that she was introduced to public speaking to groups, including four sports teams at Midland High this fall, to raise opioid awareness and prevention. They share and talk about their stories in the group, and one of the leaders

opioid epidemic

Lynette has many photos of Andrew (middle picture, right) in her office. Photo: Bitsy Mammel

That’s the last time I saw him alive.

-Lynette Copus

Linton said. “Then they would wake up in the morning and all go out to a car and smoke weed. At the time you don’t think much of it.”

During the weekend of his father’s birthday, his parents and their friends went on a trip to Traverse City. They came home to Andrew mowing the lawn, but Lynette immediately sensed something was wrong.

“He looked horrible,” Lynette said. “He was pale and sweating.”

The night before, Andrew had been at a party with drugs and heroin. Linton said he knew the party would not be a safe place for

FOCUS

November 17, 2017

in the group approached Lynette asking if she’d be interested in sharing her story in a public setting. Ironically, Lynette hates public speaking, but she’s used this experience to help her grieving process. She wants people to know that there is not just one type of opioid or drug addict, and that addiction is prevalent everywhere, even in the “sparkling” city of Midland.

“It helps me to tell his story and just say that he was a normal kid,” Lynette said. “He played sports and had friends, but that doesn’t matter because this could happen to anybody.” features

11

a local tragedy

opioid epidemic

Andrew Copus of the Bullock Creek community died in 2012 from opioid overdose. Now, his mother, Lynette Copus, presents to groups including MHS sports teams to prevent more tragedies like her son’s.

Features Editor Bitsy Mammel | Staff Writer Kelly Craig | Staff Writer Theo Rammidi

Lynette Copus is an administrative assistant at Bullock Creek High School. She also gives opioid presentations to groups like MHS sports teams to share Andrew Copus’s story. Photo: Kelly Craig

A

ndrew Copus was very involved with sports when he was young, playing soccer, baseball, football, basketball, and track. When he was older, he enjoyed coaching with his father. His mother, Lynette Copus, described Andrew as having a great personality: always respectful to his peers and teachers. She thought of him as an average student who could have better applied himself.

“He was a good person, he really was,” Lynette said. “He had a good heart, he was kind to everybody, and people liked him.”

Andrew’s close friend, Micah Linton, said that Andrew was a very caring person, and that he would do anything for the people who were close to him.

“If you ran out of gas across the state, Andrew would be the first one in his car to come help you out,” Linton said.

Linton thought of Andrew as someone who would always be willing to do the right thing, and frequently thinks of Andrew in decisions that he makes today.

On June 25, 2012, Andrew died of an opioid overdose.

Andrew was first introduced to opioids when he was a junior in high school. He often had kidney stones and went to the Midland Hospital to have them passed. His doctors would then give him morphine and send him home with a prescription of Vicodin to help ease the pain. At first, Andrew used the medication healthily; but as time went on, Lynette said it got out of control.

“The first couple of years he was in high

10

features

school, he never really took the medication unless he took it that day,” Lynette said. “I had control over it most of the time. It kind of snowballed from there after he got out of high school.”

Lynette said that during Andrew’s time at Bullock Creek High School, his life had structure. He had a schedule that he would follow every day: wake up, go to school, go to practice, and come home. This structure vanished once he graduated and started attending Delta College. Lynette felt that he

during early recovery is the cravings and urges to use again,” Price said. “Because of their highly addictive properties, and the way that a person’s brain has been rewired to seek that substance out when they are feeling distressed, their brain starts asking for that drug to escape those feelings.”

After his first experience with heroin, Andrew could not control himself. If he didn’t have access to heroin, he took advantage of the Vicodin prescribed to him. His family grew suspicious. Frequently, there would be

He had the choice to say yes of no, and he said yes. After that it wasn’t a choice

-Lynette Copus

didn’t know what to do with himself anymore.

When Andrew was in his early twenties, he was offered heroin for the first time by a friend.

“He had the choice to say yes or no, and he said yes,” Lynette said. “After that it wasn’t a choice.”

Sam Price, a representative from the 1016 Recovery Network, a local drug rehabilitation center, said that the brain is rewired to want those substances again.

“The biggest struggle that a person deals with

needle-marks on his arm. Despite the few physical indications of opioid abuse, Lynette said everything else seemed normal.

“He didn’t really act any different,” Lynette said. “His personality pretty much stayed the same. He was very good at hiding stuff from us.”

Linton had no idea how severe Andrew’s addiction was, or that Andrew was even using heroin at all, until after his death. After Andrew

had started using heroin, their close friendship crumbled and became nonexistent.

“It was one day in the summer,” Linton said.

“He just fell of the face of the planet. I would text him, not hear from him. Call him, not hear from him. I’d invite him over or invite him to something, he wouldn’t show up, he wouldn’t respond. It was like he just was totally gone.”

The initial symptoms of drug abuse were lost on Linton. Price stated that some signs of opioid addiction are subtle, but noticeable.

“The biggest signs are excessive sleepiness and pinpoint pupils,” Price said.

Linton says that he noticed Andrew exhibiting unusual behavior when he was abusing drugs, including having spoons in random places, having a drastically fluctuating body weight, and stealing sunglasses from his parents to sell.

“I remember he would wear long sleeve shirts in the summer,” Linton said. “And then for three days straight he would be just sweating his guts out in the middle of the winter, and really weird stuff that a normal person wouldn’t do.”

In October 2010, Andrew came to Lynette.

He needed to go to the hospital; he had taken too much Vicodin, and after researching it online, he realized that he could die if he did not receive help quickly. At the hospital, Lynette was told that Andrew had marijuana, Adderall, Vicodin, and heroin in his system.

He stayed in the observational unit that night, and after he had been released, he was under constant supervision for a month. The incident was so severe that he had to start drug November 17, 2017

FOCUS

counseling at 1016 Recovery Network, which did not last very long. Lynette said that he thought that he wasn’t like the other addicts at the center because he didn’t have the same background as them. She was frustrated that Andrew couldn’t admit that he was an addict.

“I said, ‘What are you talking about? You’re an addict, Andrew. You have a house, a car, food, and parents who love you, some of those people don’t have that. You do, but you are still an addict,’” Lynette said. “He was in denial that he was.”

Price thinks that many people in similar situations to Andrew’s are afraid to start or continue rehab because they fear how they will be viewed or treated for it.

“There is a lot of stigma that keeps people away,’” Price said. “One of the biggest reasons is fear and shame – people are afraid of what others might think about them or their loved ones if they learned that they were a heroin addict.”

Although he did not continue counseling, Andrew was clean from heroin for eighteen months. During that time he rekindled the friendships that heroin had taken from him.

But some things were different, though, according to Linton. He explained that there were moments where Andrew would hint at his struggle with opioid abuse, but it never turned into a conversation. One of these instances was at Buffalo Wild Wings, when Andrew, Linton, and a few other friends were watching a UFC fight. A friend commented that one of the fighters was knocked out so bad that he looked dead.

“I remember Andrew saying something along the lines of, ‘I know what being dead feels like, and that guy’s not dead,’” Linton said. “He was referring to the first time he overdosed.”

Despite not abusing heroin for 18 months following his time in rehab, Andrew still abused Adderall and bought caffeine packets with friends. Linton said it was a common thing for their friend group since high school, and no one thought of the repercussions the drugs would cause.

“We played video games together a lot and everyone would come over take Adderall to stay awake and play video games all night,”

Andrew, and tried to talk him out of going.

“I told Andrew jokingly, but seriously, ‘I can’t let you go over there anymore. Nothing good is going to come from that place,’” Linton said. “He just looked at me, chuckled and said, ‘I’ll be fine.’”

But Andrew wasn’t fine. Lynette first thought Andrew was on heroin again and that she should take him to the hospital, but ultimately decided against it. As the day went on, Andrew looked and acted better, so Lynette’s worries eased. That night, she asked him if he was staying home to celebrate his father’s birthday.

“He said, ‘No, I’m going to my friend’s house,’ so I just kind of gave him a dirty look,” Lynette said. “That’s the last time I saw him alive.”

The next morning, Andrew’s parents received a call from the hospital, notifying them that they should come as soon as possible.

The last thing Lynette thought she’d hear was that Andrew was dead. He had overdosed on heroin, at only 22 years old.

Linton was called the next day by a friend, who broke the news. At first he didn’t believe him, and repeatedly asked his friend if he was serious or not. Linton said that deep down he knew that Andrew was dead, but on the surface he just didn’t think his death was possible. It wasn’t until Linton called another friend asking him if he heard the news of Andrew’s death that the words really sunk in. After saying it out loud, it hit Linton that his friend was dead.

He abruptly hung up the phone and went to talk to his parents.

“I remember I got to the bottom of the stairs, only a few feet from my bedroom door, and I just started breaking down,” Linton said.

“My whole body went numb. I remember just screaming for my parents and my mom.”

Following Andrew’s death, Lynette joined an organization called For A Better Tomorrow, that helps with people dealing with loved ones who have died or are currently struggling with addiction. It was through this organization that she was introduced to public speaking to groups, including four sports teams at Midland High this fall, to raise opioid awareness and prevention. They share and talk about their stories in the group, and one of the leaders

opioid epidemic

Lynette has many photos of Andrew (middle picture, right) in her office. Photo: Bitsy Mammel

That’s the last time I saw him alive.

-Lynette Copus

Linton said. “Then they would wake up in the morning and all go out to a car and smoke weed. At the time you don’t think much of it.”

During the weekend of his father’s birthday, his parents and their friends went on a trip to Traverse City. They came home to Andrew mowing the lawn, but Lynette immediately sensed something was wrong.

“He looked horrible,” Lynette said. “He was pale and sweating.”

The night before, Andrew had been at a party with drugs and heroin. Linton said he knew the party would not be a safe place for

FOCUS

November 17, 2017

in the group approached Lynette asking if she’d be interested in sharing her story in a public setting. Ironically, Lynette hates public speaking, but she’s used this experience to help her grieving process. She wants people to know that there is not just one type of opioid or drug addict, and that addiction is prevalent everywhere, even in the “sparkling” city of Midland.

“It helps me to tell his story and just say that he was a normal kid,” Lynette said. “He played sports and had friends, but that doesn’t matter because this could happen to anybody.” features

11

a deadly dependency opioid epidemic

opioid epidemic

How large of a problem are opioids in Midland and how is it being fixed?

“We are losing way too many people to

“As far as our little community is concerned, opioids and heroin are our top concerns,”

Paul McDonald, Midland Police Department

T

he nationwide opioid epidemic that President Donald Trump declared on Oct. 19 as a public health emergency is occurring right here in Midland. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in opioid crises within the county.

What is an opioid?

Opioids are drugs that interact with the user’s nervous system to relieve pain. Opioids come in several different forms. One form of an opioid is prescription painkillers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and codeine. Another form is heroin, a highly addictive combination of opium poppy plants and morphine.

How do people get opioids?

According to the Midland Police Department users get their opioids from numerous sources.

They are able to buy them off the street from dealers, get prescriptions from physicians who are loose in the prescriptions or go to multiple urgent cares and emergency rooms.

“Unfortunately, drug addicts know how to get drugs,” said Midland County’s community relations officer, Paul McDonald. “Most medicine cabinets, I’d assume, probably have some type of prescription pain medication or opioid

12

News

in there, and if someone had the mind to start abusing those, it would be fairly easy.”

What makes an addict?

Opioid dependencies are caused by a variety of situations. These situations range from genetics to surgeries. A common example of a surgery that influences an opioid addiction is wisdom teeth removal. Many of the users, mostly young women, begin to use opioids after going through traumatic experiences like physical, sexual or emotional abuse.

Int the studies that the 1016 Home, a local rehabilitation center has done, they found that the average age of a painkiller addict that they treat is 28 and the average age of a heroin addict that they treat is 24. They also discovered that there isn’t a large gender gap in opioid addicts. Males make up 55 percent of addicts and females 45 percent.

“There was something about that euphoria that they experienced on those medications that was answering an emotional problem that they were trying to get away from,” said Sam Price, President and CEO of the 1016 Home.

The 1016 Home is sending users to their detox facility so they can get the addicts into a condition where they are able to become opiate free. Opiate withdrawal is extremely painful and can discourage users from going

through with treatment.

“One of the best descriptions that I heard of it is that it feels just like your bones and trying to pop through your flesh and you’ve got razor blades going down your skin,” Price said. “It is a very uncomfortable experience. Honestly, a lot of people keep using or will pursue medications because they do not want to go through the pain and discomfort of that.”

Why are opioids popular?

Opioids are growing in popularity because it isn’t difficult for users to hide that they are using. Users are able to conduct their daily duties while on opioids.

“It has been as attractive as it has been for some, because they can maintain a job or maintain schooling while they deal with it,” Price said. “People can go to school with low levels [of opioids] and no one would know.”

Price observes that most addicts start out using prescription painkillers but they become more difficult to afford for some individuals which causes them to switch to less expensive opioids like heroin.

“Seventy to eighty percent of people who are on heroin started with prescription drugs first,” Price said.

overdose deaths,” Price said.

Opioids are a major problem in Midland.

The 1016 Home is treating more people with an opioid addiction than alcohol addictions, which is unusual for the home.

“When you look at who has engaged in treatment 10 years ago, it was under 10% of the people we were seeing,”Price said. “If you look at the last couple of years, it has been well over 50%. That is a 400% increase.”

An opioid addiction is one of the hardest addictions to overcome. Price notices that it is difficult to recover from an opioid dependency and continue to sustain the recovery without falling into cravings.

In Midland, from March 2016 to March 2017, the opioid overdose reversal drug, naloxone was administered over 120 times by first responders.

“There is a lot of subjectivity in the way that death certificates are coded,” said Price. “My belief is that the actual number of overdoses we have had in Midland County are under reported. A lot of communities are finding themselves in that circumstance because either the families just don’t want that on their death certificate.”

Price believes that medical examiners may also be responsible for underreporting the number of overdose deaths. He thinks that this because there is no state requirement that makes them code it as an overdose on the death certificate.

“It’s probably our biggest challenge right now, as far as drug related challenges are concerned,” said McDonald. “We are very fortunate to live in a community that doesn’t have a real big drug problem, when you look at it in the context of nationwide issue. But as far as our little community is concerned, opioids and heroin are our top concerns.”

The police department and the community of Midland has made a conservative effort to work on the opioid problem that has grown over the last three years.

“We are teaming up with places and people like MidMichigan Medical Center, we are teaming up with the Legacy Center, we are teaming up with Northwood University; we are taking all these steps to develop programs to work against this problem,” said McDonald.

November 17, 2017

FOCUS

Opioid Prescription Growth, Midland County

Opioids by the Numbers

10,500

122

10,000

times the overdose reversal drug nalaxone was administered in Midland in the last year

9,500 9,000

10,650

8,500

opioid prescriptions given in Midland during 2015

8,000 7,500 2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Midland County Residents Who Chose Opioids As Drug of Choice Heroin

Opioids

300

400%

increase in last 10 years of opioid pateints at 1016 Home

100

200

opioids per adult given by prescription in Midland County during 2016

100

2008

FOCUS

2010 November 17, 2017

September 29, 2017

2012

2014

2016

Sources: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services 1016 Home

News

13

a deadly dependency opioid epidemic

opioid epidemic

How large of a problem are opioids in Midland and how is it being fixed?

“We are losing way too many people to

“As far as our little community is concerned, opioids and heroin are our top concerns,”

Paul McDonald, Midland Police Department

T

he nationwide opioid epidemic that President Donald Trump declared on Oct. 19 as a public health emergency is occurring right here in Midland. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in opioid crises within the county.

What is an opioid?

Opioids are drugs that interact with the user’s nervous system to relieve pain. Opioids come in several different forms. One form of an opioid is prescription painkillers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and codeine. Another form is heroin, a highly addictive combination of opium poppy plants and morphine.

How do people get opioids?

According to the Midland Police Department users get their opioids from numerous sources.

They are able to buy them off the street from dealers, get prescriptions from physicians who are loose in the prescriptions or go to multiple urgent cares and emergency rooms.

“Unfortunately, drug addicts know how to get drugs,” said Midland County’s community relations officer, Paul McDonald. “Most medicine cabinets, I’d assume, probably have some type of prescription pain medication or opioid

12

News

in there, and if someone had the mind to start abusing those, it would be fairly easy.”

What makes an addict?

Opioid dependencies are caused by a variety of situations. These situations range from genetics to surgeries. A common example of a surgery that influences an opioid addiction is wisdom teeth removal. Many of the users, mostly young women, begin to use opioids after going through traumatic experiences like physical, sexual or emotional abuse.

Int the studies that the 1016 Home, a local rehabilitation center has done, they found that the average age of a painkiller addict that they treat is 28 and the average age of a heroin addict that they treat is 24. They also discovered that there isn’t a large gender gap in opioid addicts. Males make up 55 percent of addicts and females 45 percent.

“There was something about that euphoria that they experienced on those medications that was answering an emotional problem that they were trying to get away from,” said Sam Price, President and CEO of the 1016 Home.

The 1016 Home is sending users to their detox facility so they can get the addicts into a condition where they are able to become opiate free. Opiate withdrawal is extremely painful and can discourage users from going

through with treatment.

“One of the best descriptions that I heard of it is that it feels just like your bones and trying to pop through your flesh and you’ve got razor blades going down your skin,” Price said. “It is a very uncomfortable experience. Honestly, a lot of people keep using or will pursue medications because they do not want to go through the pain and discomfort of that.”

Why are opioids popular?

Opioids are growing in popularity because it isn’t difficult for users to hide that they are using. Users are able to conduct their daily duties while on opioids.

“It has been as attractive as it has been for some, because they can maintain a job or maintain schooling while they deal with it,” Price said. “People can go to school with low levels [of opioids] and no one would know.”

Price observes that most addicts start out using prescription painkillers but they become more difficult to afford for some individuals which causes them to switch to less expensive opioids like heroin.

“Seventy to eighty percent of people who are on heroin started with prescription drugs first,” Price said.

overdose deaths,” Price said.

Opioids are a major problem in Midland.

The 1016 Home is treating more people with an opioid addiction than alcohol addictions, which is unusual for the home.

“When you look at who has engaged in treatment 10 years ago, it was under 10% of the people we were seeing,”Price said. “If you look at the last couple of years, it has been well over 50%. That is a 400% increase.”

An opioid addiction is one of the hardest addictions to overcome. Price notices that it is difficult to recover from an opioid dependency and continue to sustain the recovery without falling into cravings.

In Midland, from March 2016 to March 2017, the opioid overdose reversal drug, naloxone was administered over 120 times by first responders.

“There is a lot of subjectivity in the way that death certificates are coded,” said Price. “My belief is that the actual number of overdoses we have had in Midland County are under reported. A lot of communities are finding themselves in that circumstance because either the families just don’t want that on their death certificate.”

Price believes that medical examiners may also be responsible for underreporting the number of overdose deaths. He thinks that this because there is no state requirement that makes them code it as an overdose on the death certificate.

“It’s probably our biggest challenge right now, as far as drug related challenges are concerned,” said McDonald. “We are very fortunate to live in a community that doesn’t have a real big drug problem, when you look at it in the context of nationwide issue. But as far as our little community is concerned, opioids and heroin are our top concerns.”

The police department and the community of Midland has made a conservative effort to work on the opioid problem that has grown over the last three years.

“We are teaming up with places and people like MidMichigan Medical Center, we are teaming up with the Legacy Center, we are teaming up with Northwood University; we are taking all these steps to develop programs to work against this problem,” said McDonald.

November 17, 2017

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Opioid Prescription Growth, Midland County

Opioids by the Numbers

10,500

122

10,000

times the overdose reversal drug nalaxone was administered in Midland in the last year

9,500 9,000

10,650

8,500

opioid prescriptions given in Midland during 2015

8,000 7,500 2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Midland County Residents Who Chose Opioids As Drug of Choice Heroin

Opioids

300

400%

increase in last 10 years of opioid pateints at 1016 Home

100

200

opioids per adult given by prescription in Midland County during 2016

100

2008

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2010 November 17, 2017

September 29, 2017

2012

2014

2016

Sources: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services 1016 Home

News

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opioid epidemic

losing streak

Opioid addiction is increasingly becoming a national epidemic that is affecting student athletes after athletic injuries. Photo: Katie Gibbs

Knowing the dangers of prescribed opioids is essential to athletes who have had an injury that need pain medications, MHS is making strides towards opioid awareness through mandatory presentations for sports teams . Staff Writer Mady Sherman|Staff Writer Katie Gibbs | Opinion Editor Danielle Julien

T

erry Henley has had enough.

“I’m tired of burying kids because of an opioid overdose,” Hanley said.

Hanley, a well-known supplier of athletic wear in Midland, now plays a key role in drug prevention in the community. Hanley is a member of both the Legacy Center and Brighter Tomorrow, both of which help with youth services and alcohol and drug prevention in Midland.

Reaching out to youth who may be affected by drug addiction is important to Hanley and has personal meaning to him. A few years ago, Hanley suffered the loss of his son from a heroin overdose.

Although the loss of his son was unrelated to opioids, Hanley feels compelled to help inform people on the dangers of all drugs. This year he is reaching out to students at risk of becoming addicted to opioids, and he is starting with athletics.

“I want to make as many people aware of the risks as we can.” Hanley said Abusing opioid prescriptions has recently been declared a national epidemic. Student athletes make up a large group of people who are at risk of becoming addicted because opioids are a painkiller, and are often prescribed to them help to relieve pain.

The drug attaches itself to opioid receptor proteins in the brain and spinal cord, which

then relieves pain and creates a happy feeling, or “high” for the person taking it. Patients can easily become addicted, as athletes feel a withdrawal from the drug and their brain says they need more.

Starting this year every sports team must attend a presentation on the dangers of taking opioids. Hanley says that the presentation is about informing people on the risks of being prescribed an opioid to manage an injury. It teaches students on the effects opioid addiction can have both mentally and physically, and shows them how to be

have a very powerful effect on you.” Methner said.

Senior varsity volleyball player Bethany Wilson underwent surgery in the spring of 2016, after and injury when she had the ligaments and tendons repaired in her ankle.

Following the surgery she was prescribed oxycodone, an opioid that helped with the pain after the procedure. Wilson’s doctor told her about the dangers and risks of taking the drug. “[The doctor said] that for teenagers my age [opioids] are highly addictive. You should only take them as needed,” Wilson said, “I knew that the drugs could significantly impact my life if I was not careful. I was nervous about putting myself in a potentially dangerous situation but was comfortable with my family surrounding me to care for me.”

Hanley plans to continue giving these presentations to athletes before their season begins for following teams. He hopes that those who watch the presentation understand the serious dangers of opioids and know how to be responsible with them if they are given a prescription.

“I just want kids to make the right choices that way they don’t get involved into the wrong end of it all and end up possibly dying,” Hanley said.

I am tired of burying kids because of an opioid overdose.

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-Terry Hanley

cautious if given a prescription.

Head football coach Eric Methner watched the presentation along with his football team and said the presentation was very beneficial.

“I thought it was a very informative presentation,” Methner said.

Methner also said that the presentation showed the players the effects [mental and physical] abusing opioids can have on those who take them both mentally and physically.

“It will hopefully make them very aware that just because you think you are taking a prescribed medication for an injury, it can

November 17, 2017

FOCUS

midland-made manager T

Terry Collins has been a manager in Major League Baseball for 13 seasons, including a trip to the World Series in 2015. Despite all of his success, Collins never forgets the city he was raised in. Staff Writer Ben Woehrle | Sports Editor Hannah Smith

erry Collins grew up in a house directly across the street from Midland High School, playing football with his friends on the lawn in front of the school. In high school, he played football and baseball and was in the graduating class of 1967.

Collins knows how important baseball is in Midland and credits the attitude of the city for shaping him to be successful.

“This is a passionate city,” Collins said.

“Due to the success of the industry here, people are just naturally driven. Ever since I was a kid, people in Midland have been driven and that certainly helps with athletics.”

Growing up, Collins didn’t picture himself as a manager, yet he always wanted to compete.

“I only thought about playing baseball, that’s all I ever thought about,” Collins said.

“I was just a little guy, so I had to work harder than everyone. That’s just how I had to live my life because I wasn’t bigger than anyone.

I’m not intimidated by anything or anybody.”

After graduating from Eastern Michigan University, Collins became a minor league baseball player. As his playing career neared its end, Collins became a player-coach for a minor league affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. As he made his rounds through the minor leagues, he built relationships with famous baseball stars, allowing him to get his shot at a managerial position in Major League Baseball.

“When I was in the Dodgers’ minor

FOCUS

league system, I would go and have dinner after practice with Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, some of the greatest players ever,” Collins said.

Collins looked up to many people in the baseball world; however, he said the one whom he admired most was Jim Leyland, who managed several teams, including the Detroit Tigers.

“Jim Leyland was the one who gave me my first chance in the major leagues,” Collins said. “He knew how to deal with players, and he had a way with them that I learned from.”

During his career, Collins learned what it took to be the best manager possible. He interacted with thousands of players and became a leader respected by his team and everyone around the league. In contrast to being a player, Collins said as a manager he had to know people better.

“You have to know a player better than he knows himself,” he said. “A leader is someone who will take you to a place that you’ll never go by yourself.”

Sue Forbes, a longtime friend of the Collins, said that it is very special to know a major league manager who came from your hometown.

“Seeing Terry so successful is very cool, we are all proud of him,” Forbes said.

While in the major leagues, Collins managed the Houston Astros, Anaheim Angels, and New York Mets. From his very first day as a big league manager to making it to the World Series in 2015, he has

experienced some of the biggest moments in all of sports.

“Walking out onto the field for that first game of the World Series was pretty special,” Collins said. “When we were in Cincinnati, about to clinch the pennant, I looked down the bench and thought to myself ‘It’s all been worth it.’ I went through years and years of making no money in the minor leagues and it was all worth it to experience watching these guys, grown men, so excited about winning.”

Even though he has been successful at a prominent level, Collins is always keeping connections with his hometown. Jack Starling, one of Collins’ closest friends, says that he has stayed connected with Midland.

“If something happens in town or if he hears that something has happened, he’ll call his friends to check up on what is going on,” Starling said.

Collins also played a key role in getting the Los Angeles Dodgers organization to move one of their minor league teams to Midland.

“He worked to make connections with the Loons and eventually had the Dodgers come to Midland,” Starling said. “Terry’s connections with the Dodgers and with Midland allowed him to make something cool happen for us.”

Collins says that Midland has played an influential part in his success as a major league baseball manager, and will never forget about the city he was raised in.

“No matter where I go or where I live, this will always be home,” he said.

TERRY COLLINS MANAGER Houston Astros 1994-1996

Anaheim Angels 1997-1999

Orix Buffaloes (Japan)

2007-2008

New York Mets 2011-2017

Terry Collins grew up across the street from Midland High. He recently visited for his 50th reunion. Photo: Fischer Genau

November 17, 2017

sports

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sports in brief

MATT GROSS

Paddleton Tournament On October 26th, Seniors Drew Gandy and Quinn Seeburger won the annual Paddleton Tournament.

Athlete of the Month

Position: Left Wing & Center Games Played: 25 Goals: 18 Assists: 13

Coaches of the Year

Seniors Peyton Gerstacker and Grace Rekeweg Junior Maya Albright focuses celebrate after a key point in game one as she prepares to serve.

Head football coach Eric Methner and head soccer coach Ricco Barassi were voted Saginaw Valley League Coach of the Year.

Photo: Fischer Genau

First-team SVL Honors Football:

S

enior Matt Gross’ hockey career began as a young boy watching his sister’s skating lessons where he eventually found himself out on the ice. At only three years old, Gross was introduced to what would become his lifestyle.

Gross continued to work on his skating techniques which opened the door to travel teams like the Midland Northstars. From there, he moved on to join Saginaw Jr. Spirit which ultimately led him to try out for Chemic hockey his freshman year. Today, Gross serves as team captain and explains how the game has progressed since his debut.

“The competition definitely changes, but my past experiences have helped me prepare for new aspects of the game,” Gross said.

Gross says he expects a season he can look back on and be proud of. He said he hopes to serve as an admirable leader to increase the team’s ranking in the Saginaw Valley League compared to previous seasons.

“His leadership on and off the ice puts him right in with some of the great team captains in Chemic hockey history,” head coach Steve Witt said.

Gross said closer relationships throughout the team contribute toward improved team chemistry and progression. Now that Witt has spent a full season with the team, Gross says he sees developing bonds across their entire unit.

“Spirits are high and I think that will show in our playing. We play together and we play what we practice,” Gross said.

Witt has noticed Gross’ improvements in physical condition and determination to lead his teammates. Witt says Gross’ instrumental involvement in leading others to work on fundamentals that will allow the team to compete day in and day out.

“He has a sense of calmness about him that as a coach, is irreplaceable.

He does not allow himself or the team to get too emotionally off kilter,” Witt said.

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sports

The volleyball team posing with the regional trophy for the second straight year.

Cade Methner, QB |MVP| Martin Money, RB Cameron White, OL Ethan Volmering, OL Mitchell Reid, WR Vaughn Walker, DL Jessy Hays, LB Zach Servinski, DB

Girls Golf: Meggie Gandy

Volleyball: Grace Rekeweg, OH |MVP| Peyton Gerstacker, OH Alex McMath, S

Boys Soccer: Cesar Nakasone, MF Peyton Gerstacker spikes the ball over a defender.

Boys Tennis:

The bench celebrates after a kill by fellow teammate Grace Rekeweg.

Regional Champs

Brandon Johnson Cam Mills

Boys Cross Country:

The Chemic volleyball team won the regional final (3-1) against Fenton on Thursday, Nov. 9 at Heritage. The Chemics finished their season as SVL, District, and Regional Champions Photos: Hannah Smith

Tyler Pritchett Kenny Steinhilber

November 17, 2017

FOCUS

OPIOIDS

, OPIOID

S, OPIOI

opioid epidemic

DS

Illustration: Noah Jacobson

The Focus addresses:

OPIOIDS

T

After President Trump declared opioid abuse a nationwide epidemic, The Focus has determined there needs to be increased awareness in the school and community, leading to better decision making.

he rising opioid addiction is the deadliest epidemic in American history.

President Trump declared it “a public health emergency.”

Similar to the rest of the nation, the opioid crisis has reached Midland. Drug addiction often times goes untalked about; however, The Focus staff wants to bring attention and awareness to the problem.

Opioids are a highly addictive drug (in pill form) prescribed to patients who suffer from some type of athletic injury or chronic pain. On average, the presence of opioids cause nearly 91 deaths per day nationwide. Additionally in 2015, 33,000 people died from an opioid overdose, which is the largest recorded number of drug-related deaths in the history of the United States. This epidemic is especially prominent in the midwest region of the U.S. Many athletes at Midland High have been prescribed opioids for sports-related injuries. Due to this increase of prescription, all athletic teams receive an opioid presentation to highlight the risks. The presentation consisted

17

editorial

of three different stories of athletes who became addicted to opioids, and received the proper treatment in which ended their addiction.

Additionally, many people in our community have lost loved ones due to opioid overdose. Doctors must provide strict warning to patients whom they provide opioids with due to the addictiveness.

While opioids is a problem at the national level, people in Midland tend to think it doesn’t affect our hometown.

We believe it is essential to shed light on this issue and create awareness in our community. Opioid addiction isn’t pinpointed to certain demographics or locations in the country-in reality, it is a problem everywhere. Our view as is to start education about the drug at an early age and continue this through senior year of high school.

Increased awareness leads to informed students making critical decisions regarding pain relief options. Students

must know the risks and benefits to the pain reliever, and other options if they choose not to use opioids.

President Trump took the proper initiative to ending the opioid crisis by addressing it as a national problem. Likewise, we feel that the opioid presentation to all of the sports teams is a good first step in halting the epidemic, and making it a priority in Midland. Presumably, we think the D.A.R.E. program presented to fifth graders in Midland Public Schools is an effective program. However, it should also be targeted in the middle schools because that age of up-and-coming teenagers is a more relevant age for drug awareness.

We believe it is necessary to put more emphasis on prevention programs and drug-resisting programs in general. All athletes should be completely aware of the risks that could possibly occur before being prescribed opioids. The introduction of opioid education in the Health and Wellness curriculum is an appropriate

step to make students more aware of this epidemic. With that being said, we think that having opioid addicts and survivors come and speak to students at the high school level could serve a greater meaning. Hearing someone’s vivid story about drug addiction may persuade athletes and other students to make an intelligent decision when offered opioids as a method of pain relief. We propose a school-wide presentation similar to the one presented to the sports teams, but with additional information provided. If the information is presented to a large audience, more students will be knowledgeable of the life-lasting effects of opioids.

The topic of opioid overdose and addiction isn’t talked about enough in Midland. Parents and students must know all of the health risks and lifetime effects the pain reliever may cause. In reality, several people in the community suffer from this addiction and have died because of it. While first steps have been made to resolve this problem in Midland, it must be more of a priority.

November 17, 2017

FOCUS

focus tries...

Thanksgiving dinner

Follow me as I take on cooking an entire Thanksgiving dinner on a low budget. Arts/Entertainment Editor Hailey Surbrook

Making a budget

W

ith just a faint idea in mind of how much food I had to make for a family of seven, I had to go to my mom for help in making a budget for a Thanksgiving dinner. I had no idea what I was doing, and she goes through this process every year for Thanksgiving dinner for our family.

So, I figured she’d be the best person to got to for advice. The first total I got from my mom was $106.27. I knew that it was not likely that I could gather that much money in the time period I had, because I don’t really have a job, so I started taking items off my list, like cranberries and salad ingredients. I only ended up shaving off about $20 from my original budget. My new total was $80.75, and knowing that getting that much money would still be a stretch, I cut items like corn and ice cream off my list until my total was $48.90, which was more affordable.

Shopping List

Cooking

Shopping

W

ith my list in mind, I went to Aldi and began shopping. I scoured the shelves for the least expensive items possible. This was a little strange for me because I’d never gone shopping for a meal by myself before (let alone cook a Thanksgiving dinner by myself). I had very little knowledge of the layout of the store, so I just wandered aimlessly searching for the ingredients I needed. All of the items were a lot cheaper than I had expected, which allowed me to splurge on some yams. I had to go to Walmart to get stuffing because I couldn’t find it at Aldi. I’m sure there was some, but at the time I couldn’t find any, and I felt too awkward asking an employee for help so I left.

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let the 10-pound turkey thaw overnight and to get it ready to put in the oven before I went to school that day I had to remove the gizzards and the neck. Knowing I would be tight on time after school, my mother agreed to put the turkey in the oven for me at around noon so I could start cooking right after school. I love to cook so this part was my favorite part of the whole process. I started with peeling and boiling the potatoes so that I could mash them, and I ended with making the pie. I forgot to buy evaporated milk for the pie, so I used some regular 2% milk, which didn’t go very well.

It tasted the same, but long story short, the texture ended up being closer to pudding than a pie. The whole process was a lot of work, but in the end, I got to enjoy a tasty Thanksgiving dinner with the satisfaction of knowing that I had made it myself.

November 17, 2017

FOCUS

T

RIVERDALE

he red-heads, the blondes, the River Vixens, the South Side Serpents - they’re all back for a dramatic second season. When the CW’s Riverdale hit the air earlier this year, people started to lose their minds. Girls swooned over the new kid-cutie KJ Apa, and rekindled their love for Cole Sprouse in his edgy, beanie-anddenim-jacket-wearing role.

Aside from all the hype, the show is mediocre at best. The acting is so subpar during times that it hurts to watch. And the plot, oh my god, the plot. It’s so unbelievable it’s horrific, and yet we can’t stop watching it. It’s a show so bad it’s good.

Season two, which started in October, has raised some eyebrows and caused some anxiety in the past few weeks it’s been on. After last season’s surprises, it was hard for fans to guess what was coming this season. So far, it has not disappointed. The first four episodes illustrate the growing tension and fear in the town.

Episode One A Kiss Before Dying

P

icking up after the shooting in Pop’s at the end of last season, episode one shows Archie’s race to the hospital with his wounded father. Each character is going through their own struggle: Veronica and Betty are dealing with parents, Jughead’s got the serpents on his mind. So much happens in this episode, we see many things go down in this “haunted town,” as Jughead says. It’s a fully loaded beginning, begging you to watch more.

Rating: 7/10

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November 17, 2017

stranger towns

New seasons of Netflix’s Stranger Things and the CW’s Riverdale aired earlier this fall. After highly acclaimed first seasons, will they offer up some sloppy seconds? Opinion Editor Danielle Julien ne year after the death of of anarchists in IndianapolisEpisode Two a demogorgon, Netflix’s much of the plot feels very Nighthawks second season of Stranger ‘been there, done that.’ Sure, the demogorgon is gone… or is Things returned to TV screens. hen Betty finds out Pop’s it? The upside down is shut…

Most of our favorite characters is closing because of or is it? And Will’s okay… or returned with it; and, no, Barb the shooting, she arranges a is he? Barb’s gone… yeah she’s isn’t one of them. movement to keep it open. gone.

In the ever expanding Archie is worried about his father Still, there are many things cesspool of TV shows and and the identity of the man this show does well. The acting movies available at our who shot him, and he begins to is superb compared to other fingertips, Stranger Things take matters into his own hands.

Netflix shows and movies, screams with ‘80’s nostalgia, Jughead must fix problems especially when you think of lovable characters, and a with his own father, too. The the fact that more than half twisting, turning plot to draw tension can be felt rising in this in its audience. And according of the main actors are under the age of 25. The actors are to the number of Elevens episode, as more and more lucky they get to play such we’ve seen on Halloween, I’d people become suspects in the great characters, too. While say Netflix is happy with the shooting. Oh, and more people each character is simple, the results. are dying. complex relationships they The second season is filled Rating: 7/10 share makes the conflict with even more ‘80’s music in the show so much more (you can’t go wrong with a intense. We saw a great deal little Queen and The Police), of character development in and fun clothes (we get some Episode Three the last season, but I dare say real striped shirt and jacket there’s even more in these envy), and gives its audience The Watcher in the Woods nine episodes. Each character the same nostalgic glory fter an incident in which two has their own little moment, the first season did. This Riverdale High students are and in each character we see season revolves around Will shot in their car, Archie and some recovering from his time spent their growth. From Dustin and of his fellow Bulldogs create their Steve’s friendship to Hopper in the Upside Down, and we own nightwatch crew. Calling and Eleven’s, most of the see the ups and downs of his character growth results in an themselves “The Red Circle,” they friend group as a new girl, nicknamed MadMax, comes to overwhelming love for them drive around the town at night all. keeping a lookout for the suspect, town.

Overall, this season was While the show brings in who has dubbed himself “Black worth the binge session, but it new characters Max and her Hood.” The Red Circle ends up wasn’t nearly as good as the brother Billy, a new Hawkins making a video in which they first. Rating: 7.5/10 Lab doctor, and even a gang

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O

A

address Black Hood in a dark room, shirtless and wearing red hoods. That stirs up some trouble.

Overall, this episode is a filler, using it’s content to build up the content of the next episode, but it’s still (sadly) so good.

Rating: 8/10

To read the rest of the episodes, follow the code here.

opinion

19

Carly Rinas M y favorite childhood memory would be camping every year over the 4th of July with my family and my dad’s friends, who have children the same age as me. We go to the same campground and reserve the same lots Senior

Graham Koppi I’m most thankful for my parents providing instruments and reeds to me.

I love playing the saxophone, and plan on going into it as a major in college. When I first got my saxophone I was really excited to play it. I wasn’t that good at first, I wasn’t that good until the end of freshman year.

Sophomore

Humans of Midland High 20

opinion

stay out of school, kids Gwynne Özkan

I

t comes around every year. The air gets crisp and bites at our cheeks when we step outside and football games swallow up Friday nights. Until this year, I’ve thought of it as simply ‘fall,’ but now I think of it as fall-ing on my face considering my cluelessness about college.

This summer, I became a regular at every coffee shop in Midland, rooting myself at the same tables, and ordering the same drinks.

My eyes got friendly with the Common Application and my fingers slid back and forth across my keyboard. Suddenly, the future didn’t feel like the future; the future felt like tomorrow.

Aside from the mass college emails that were overflowing my inbox and the Ivy League pamphlets that coincidentally found their way onto my desk at home, I lacked direction.

No matter how many hours I spent pouring over universities and their research programs, majors, and academic accolades, I remained overwhelmed and unsure. Every day my own ignorance slapped me in the face as I asked myself, ‘You have to pay to send your standardized test scores to colleges? What is FERPA? I have to send my transcripts through Parchment? What’s Parchment?’ There were more questions than I had answers, and answers just led to more questions; it felt like that was always how it was going to be.

That is, until my dad saw the stress radiating off me one day and said, “You could take a gap year.” I laughed, instantly assuming sarcasm knowing my dad and how highly he regards my education. But, to my surprise, I looked up to see a very serious face peering back at me. I felt like I could finally take a breath.

After a combination of Google searches and long conversations, my eyes opened toward the excess of opportunities a gap year so would bring and I felt somehow relieved yet eager. I found it absurd that I had ever laughed at the idea of taking a year off, but I knew the reason. Being brought up in Midland, the idea of graduating high school without a plan to go to college was seen as ‘unacceptable.’ Brought up in conversation, it triggered murmurs of disapproval from honor students nearby and

seemed to produce frowns from disappointed parents. However, since I have branched out from my prior misconception, I hope to dispel this falsity for everyone else, as my dad did for me.

I fear that my peers are exchanging their lives as Chemics for lives as Wolverines, Spartans, and Lakers simply because it’s the ‘next step’ in this uniform life we too often conform to. Restrictive financial situations, obtuse perspectives on majors, lack of maturity…these are all widespread, but regardless we blindly follow trails already paved for us. We go to high school. We go to college. We go to graduate school. We get a job. This stereotypical route is stereotypical for a reason: it’s traveled by many who find success, and my wish is to not take away from that, only to pretty up alternate paths that twist, turn, and loop.

A twist could be packing up our life in a suitcase and rolling it across the country to the doorstep of a tiny, shoe box apartment in New York City. Not to attend NYU, but to work at the café down the street to pay the bills while interning at the New York Times.

A turn could be traveling to Europe, learning French and being immersed in jarring architecture, authentic cuisine, and beautiful traditions. Michelangelo’s famous paintings in Sistine Chapel aren’t meant to be seen in mere pixels, squished into cropped boxes in books.

Imagine kneeling next to the priest enclosed by this grandeur instead. These turns could be an array of things. Volunteer for a global emergency response team, aiding in natural disasters. Train for a marathon. Read, not a book, but a bookshelf. There is a multitude of accomplishments awaiting achievement that stray from degrees and diplomas. So many things yearn to be found outside of a classroom, where assignments become endeavors and grades become memories and graduation becomes growing up.

College is scary, but it is often forgotten that it is not a requirement, merely a suggestion. Whether to take it or not is up to you.

November 17, 2017

FOCUS

STAY FOCUSED!

#me too

FOLLOW THE FOCUS ONLINE mhsfocus.com

Kelly Craig

T

he first time I became aware of “it”, I was eight. After becoming bored with a coloring book, I eavesdropped on my grandma and mom talking in hushed whispers about “beach,” “coworker,” and “coke bottle.”

Then I heard the word for the first time: rape. When I questioned them about what that word meant, I was reprimanded for even letting it come out of my mouth. It never came up again.

The first time I realized that I was going to be continually objectified was at age thirteen, my body lanky, formless, and clumsy. I walked past a group of adult men on the street after leaving a restaurant in a form-fitting black dress. A series of whistles and elbow shoves caught my attention, and when I met the eyes of one of them, he gave me a conceited smirk.

I felt a wave of unfamiliar emotions wash over me: guilt, shame, disgust. Humiliated, I gripped the sides of the dress until my knuckles turned white. I threw it out the next day.

Since then, I have stopped counting the number of times I have been oogled at, whistled at, yelled at from cars, followed home, forcefully grinded against, sent photos, and threatened with rape. The grim reality of the situation is that it has long stopped being a scarring one-time experience; the harassment has become white noise in the background of my daily routine.

I’m not the only one. What had originally seemed foreign and adult to me I quickly realized was an experience that was universal to virtually every woman I knew. Girls that I had grown up with told the same tale over and over again: being harassed for nudes, being harassed with nudes, being catcalled, being followed home, getting drugged at parties, getting abused by their boyfriends, getting raped when they were at their most vulnerable.

There were times where the experience was much closer to me. My grandma’s story of a suitor relentlessly stalking her became much more dark than I remembered. My aunt, who had won a difficult fight against breast cancer, had targets put on her chest in the form of

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November 17, 2017

breast implants. My mother, always distant and overworked, was still burdened with by assault that had happened over thirty years ago.

Recently, I was able to witness the magnitude of the social media hashtag “#MeToo,” spread by actress Alyssa Milano in October (originally coined by black activist Tarana Burke in 2007) on Twitter. The premise was simple: people were asked to reply with a simple “me too” if they had ever been sexually harassed or assaulted.

The original tweet has been flooded with over 70,000 replies alone and counting. It has been talked about over 12 million times on Facebook, and has trended in 85 countries.

The response was so overwheming and at the same time so familiar and unsurprising that I cried when I first scrolled through the countless stories of women who had been where I had been, and worse.

But what was even more gut wrenching than the amount of women who had revealed so much with two simple words was the realization that their assaulters are walking free without punishment. There are hundreds of thousands of Harvey Weinsteins and Brock Turners that are living right under our noses, who are able to move on and be successful while their silenced victims are forced to keep in the dark about something that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.

Because we tell girls “Don’t dress too slutty,” but we don’t bother teaching boys how to properly respect women. Because we care more about his career than we care about her peace of mind. Because when the president brags about assaulting women, it’s dismissed as “locker room talk.” Because it’s taken thousands of women saying “me too” for this problem to be addressed seriously.

We are your friends, your sisters, your mothers, your partners, your peers, and even your idols. But most importantly, we are human beings who are desperately crying out for a change. So girls don’t have to say “me too” anymore.

If you would like to advertise here Contact Olivia Freidinger freidingeroe@midlandps.org

$50 (4” x 4”) $30 (2” x 4”) $30 (4” x 2”)

opinion

21

misfortune and me

Ashley Bergmooser When I was younger, I used to make a little scooter town with my friends and my siblings in my driveway.

We would draw with chalk on the driveway and ride around in it on our razor scooters. I had a restaurant, and it was great.

Junior

Josh Campbell “I’m most Thankful for my family. We’ve been through a lot of stuff this year that not a lot of families can really go through, but we stuck together and I think we’ve grown as a family.”

Senior

Humans of Midland High 22

opinion

Jacob May

M

y whole life is based on misfortune. Good luck is boring, anyways. Of course I like when good things happen, but I wouldn’t even be alive if it weren’t for a little misfortune. Not to mention that some of the greatest world figures rose from the dark depths of misfortune.

Look at Muhammad Ali, Oprah Winfrey, and Albert Einstein. Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest to ever step into a boxing ring.

Oprah Winfrey has changed millions of lives as a philanthropist. And Albert Einstein grew up to be one of the smartest people to ever live.

Misfortune plays a key role in life, just as it did for these icons. It pushes us to do better and makes us strive for greatness. It’s something we all deal with, all the time.

The misfortune began when my father first moved from Cincinnati to Battle Creek, Michigan. He didn’t live in a good neighborhood, and when his grandfather’s house was robbed, his parents decided it was time to move.

After traveling around Michigan, they finally ended up in Midland. Although all of this moving around seems like a burden, my mother and father would’ve never met if it weren’t for the robbery that was brought by Cincinnati.

The worst day of my life was the day that my grandpa died. My grandpa was one of the most important people in my life. With him, I created the best memories.

I’ll never forget the early mornings that he would take me fishing. I’m not a morning person, but waking up at four in the morning to sit on an empty beach is among my favorite memories.

He taught me many things, as any mentor should. He taught me to be patient, and showed me how hard work pays off. But the biggest lesson he taught me came after his passing.

Naturally, his death created a rough patch in my life. But if I look back on that time, I can tell you that I came out of it as a much

stronger person. The grief pulled my family closer as a unit. It reminded me of how important family is during trying times like death.

The biggest thing my grandpa has ever taught me is how fragile life is. His death taught me that you have to have a zeal for life, and that you have to love yourself as well as the people around you. You only have one life to live, and you don’t want to live in a world shrouded in hate.

Without challenges like these, life is boring.

We need to approach these challenges in our day-to-day lives with a great enthusiasm. In general, society as a whole needs to look at things with a more positive attitude.

Not to say my grandfather’s death was a positive experience, but broadening my perspective on the situation has helped me create a positive out of a negative.

In the end, it basically boils down to misfortune, and it boils down to me. As a pair, we can’t exist without each other. Which means that we must coexist, and I think that’s just fine. Misfortune is the zeal. Misfortune is a teacher. Misfortune is a catalyst.

So, you might be in a hard time right now.

You’re not the only one. You might feel like you’re in too deep. You’re not alone. It’s okay not to be okay. With the right perspective, you can come out of hard times as a stronger individual.

Misfortune can be a good thing. It’s empowering. It’s life.

Yes, I wish my grandpa was still here, and that my dad could have had it better in Cincinnati. But those things aren’t going to change, no matter what I do. But if they did change, I wouldn’t be the same person that I am today. My experiences have taught me that life gets a lot easier when you see the positives of being thrown a curve ball.

So, give it your best effort, and embrace the rough patches along the way!

November 17, 2017

FOCUS

Take It or Leave It

it does not matter

Do you want the good news or the bad news first?

TAKE IT

Holly Stauffer

I

n the grand scheme of things, this doesn’t really matter.”

This is what I told myself as my body coursed with adrenaline and my muscles tensed as I stood behind the block for the last meet of my high school career. I was bracing myself to swim the 500 freestyle, the longest race possible at the high school level, and one that I had swam many times before. But regardless of prior experience, I still ached to improve my time and finish my last season strong- the pressure causing my nerves to buzz.

“Timers, reset your watches; swimmers, step up.”

The all-too-familiar phrase struck me with instant fear, as it always has. Muscle memory took over.

“Take your marks.”

And with that, the buzzer sounded.

I ended up getting a personal best time, which turned my exhausted, red face into a victorious, glowing smile. I was able to say that my last 500 ever was my best 500 ever, and despite my previous self-convincing that the race didn’t matter, in that moment, it did matter. It mattered more than anything, because all of my hard work had led up to that instant.

It may be true that 20 years from now, that one race won’t influence my life much. But, looking at life with that approach, neither will almost everything I do with my time. One homework assignment, one conversation, or one small decision is unlikely to change the entire course of my life. So, theoretically, none of these low-impact things are worth any effort or stress.

The problem with that mindset, though, is that it doesn’t take long to realize that not much is deserving of any attempt at success.

On a day to day basis, I hear so many overstressed students, including myself, who deal with difficult situations by telling themselves that it, whatever ‘it’ may be, won’t matter much in the long run. Procrastination or even ignoring the problem is the solution.

I hear people complain about friends or significant others not being to first to reach out to them, when they refuse to be the one to reach out first. This ‘no effort’ concept is a

FOCUS

November 17, 2017

Netflix’s Original Series Shameless and Stranger Things both released new seasons.

LEAVE IT defense technique that me and many others too often use in the constant battle against pressure, stress, and anxiety, because it helpstemporarily.

One race becomes a swim season, which becomes almost half of my life spent on the sport, and countless memories and friends and accomplishments. I wouldn’t have gotten so much out of the experience if I didn’t give it my one hundred percent. One homework assignment becomes twenty, which makes up the better part of a class grade. One conversation becomes a friendship, which turns into a source of support through thick and thin and happiness on rainy days for years to come. Ultimately, these little things do matter. They all add up, and the things that seem insignificant by themselves compile to become so much greater.

While it’s important to be able to bounce back when something negative happens and understand that it doesn’t always have a significant impact, it’s also important to remember that little things can become big things. The nonchalant attitude might be comforting at the time, however it can damage the opportunities that will be presented to you. If you don’t put effort into the things that deserve it, whether it be school, sports, or relationships, the outcome is underwhelming.

The feeling of success and reassurance when you achieve a goal you have worked long and hard for is worth all of the stress and chaos that led up to it.

Finishing that 500 is a moment I will treasure forever, not because of the “Congratulations” I received or because of any recognition I got, but because all of the practices and preparation paid off. It was hard to think of the end goal when I was sprinting and sweating during two hour Saturday morning practices, but it ended up being worth it. Even though I might not always have such successful results in every situation, perseverance and dedication are still something to be proud of. If nothing else, those qualities are what matters, because they stick around forever.

A gunman in Sutherland Springs Texas opened fire at First Baptist Church, killing 26 people.

LEAVE IT

TAKE IT

The Lion King Cast list was posted, including Beyonce and Childish Gambino.

House of Cards production has been suspended due to the sexual harrassment allegations against actor Kevin Spacey.

opinion

23

FOCUS the

OPIOIDS A national epidemic is creating a local concern.

12

Toil and Trouble: Senior Madeline Arnold poses on the Central Auditorium stage before MacBeth. Arnold was cast as one of the three witches. Photo: Hope O’Dell

e - learning

jazz band

Henry Muller

meals on wheels

Midland High School | November 17,2017 | Volume 40, Issue 3