March 28th, 2018

the

Student Activism Seniors Kelly Emery and Zach O’Dell made signs in support of the walkout.

The numbers show how many victims died at each mass shooting.

Photo: Hope O’Dell

Student Activism

Seniors Ethan Bruce and Emily Hanson partnered with Junior Annie Laforet to facilitate the student protest of gun violence.

Photo: Hadley Morden

7

Midland High School | March 28, 2018 | Volume 40, Issue 7

Girls Varsity Soccer Po r n Ad d i c t i o n Prom Changes T h e a te r M a ke u p

Left Hand - Even number page

in this issue volume 40 | issue 7

news

sports

4 Girls Varsity Soccer 12 - 13 Porn Addiction 5 Lacrosse Coach Brillhart 14 Mental Health Resources 16 Sportszone 15 Prom Changes Martin Money

opinion

arts & entertainment

6

Attendance Policy

6 Theater Makeup 7 Exchange Students

features

Playlists

Package: Mental Health

10 Free-reduced Lunch 11 Maddy Osterhagen

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 Copy | Lexy Lang Adviser | Jim Woehrle Printer | The Argus - Press

editors

8 - 9 National Walkout Day

5

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

11

2

17 Editorial 18 - 19 Spring Break

4

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.

March 28, 2018

FOCUS

Right Hand - Odd number page

news in brief

the

Midland County Youth Leadership

bulletin Business Professionals of America

From March 16-17, 45 Midland County freshmen participated in the MCYL program facilitated by Northwood University.

Through a number of activities, each participant contributed to the community and learned about leadership.

The BPA SLC was hosted at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, MI.

Math Olympics

31

24 Midland High School students participated in the SVSU Math Olympics Competition. The Chemics team took 2nd place overall. Kenny Steinhilber placed first and John Marinan placed third in the Level 2 competition.

12 other students were awarded Honorable Mention during the competition.

State Leadership Conference

@oh_so_dazzeeling @nationalrifleassociation can you hear us now that we speak together?

157 likes

out of

44

students placed in the top 10.

23 of the students who placed qualified to compete at the National Leadership Conference in Dallas, TX this coming May. This is the 2nd consecutive year that at least

1/3

of

the chapter has advanced on.

@emmabrown_e uh imma be mad if the world ends april 18, that’s before prom and i’m too excited

Out of 38 women in MI who received the Aspirations Award, 5 were from MHS. These women were recognized for their computing-related aspirations and aptitude, while also receiving an invitation to join a private community of young women.

10 likes

F O C U S

@mhs_focus

@mhs_focus

@mhs_focus

FOCUS

National Center for Women & Information Technology

Education Excellence

The awards ceremony was held on Sunday, March 17. There were 17 seniors who advanced, representing half of the chapter’s qualifiers. Photo Courtesy: Eric Özkan

March 28, 2018

MHS received a 2018 #EducationExcellence award at the Board of Education meeting on Monday the 19th for the Chemic Challenge.

3

kicking it up a notch

Over 40 girls tried out to be a part of the soccer team, a clear increase from previous years. The program has seen a growth in talent and new faces, as well. Ads Coordinator Olivia Freidinger | Staff Writer Devin Granzo

W

hen Senior Riley Rajewski was three years old, she already knew soccer ran in her blood. Since the entirety of her family on her father’s side played the sport, there was no doubt in her mind that she would learn to kick a ball before she learned how to walk. Today, she’s one of the players on the girls varsity soccer team, ready to showcase her talents on what players expect to be one of the best teams in years.

This year, 42 girls showed up to try out.

The freshman class brought 17 players, compared to 13 from last year. No more than 20 girls per team are taken, due to limited space on the bus, meaning there are up to 40 girls who can be accepted.

Despite the limited space and large amount of talent this year, Coach Rodrigo Barassi said it’s not difficult to see who is right for the team and who is unable to make the cut.

“You can see from the style of playing,” Barassi said. “You can see in the way they move the ball, the way they trap the ball, the way they create space, the talk, and the movement -- the game intelligence. There are a lot of factors, but it’s not hard to see because you can tell who actually has a mastery of the skill.”

Barassi said the cuts that were made were able to ensure that each member of the team, regardless of the year, can keep up with the rigor of the sport and to make sure they are

girls at tryouts makes the environment seem laid back and relaxed; no one seems on edge because no one is worried about not making it.”

Rajewski and Barassi both said that in recent years there has been significant growth in the amount of talent and passion within the girls soccer program. Rajewski is inspired by the energy of the sport and by being able to play with other dedicated members. She did not apply to be a captain, but her goal is to be someone that the girls can seek guidance in, especially the underclassmen.

“I would hope to have many of the underclassmen look up to me, not just in soccer, but as a person,” Rajewski said. “There seems to always be a ton of freshmen that come and try out, and it makes it more difficult when you have such talented players in grades above them.”

Senior captain Carlee Davis also believes that the increase in incoming freshmen are a positive asset to the team. As a team captain, she has been leading workouts and the winter league team. Through this, she has been able to connect with the new members as well as bond with the team as a whole.

“I think this will be the best team we’ll have in a really long time,” Davis said. “We just have a lot of good talent that’s coming into the program. We’re going to be a lot closer than we have been over the last four years too.”

The team is currently the defending district champions. Although much of the team’s

We have a lot of girls that are very talented. It rubs off and it pushes everyone to be better.

-Carlee Davis

also motivated to work within the group of girls. Though he tries to minimize cuts if possible, he said it’s often unavoidable.

“One or two players might struggle to make the team,” Barassi said. “It’s just the natural progression of things. Bottom line, taking all 40 diminishes the amount of time that certain players are doing this. A lot of players have played high-level travel soccer and they move the ball quick, fast, and well.

We try to safeguard from any potential cuts of freshmen because they’re new -provided that the numbers are there.”

According to Rajewski, the large number of girls trying out is part of the reason why she believes the team will improve more this year.

Junior Jorgia Nye (top) shoots to score at “The more people, scrimmage against Gaylord on Wednesday, March the better I want to 21. MHS won 4-0. play,” Rajewski Senior Corinne Dunsmore (bottom) attempts s a i d . to steal soccerball from Gaylord player.

“Having Dunsmore is one of five seniors on l e s s the team. Photos: Devin Granzo

4

sports

organization is expected from the five seniors on the team (Davis, Rajewski, Abbie Fowler, Gwynne Özkan, and Corinne Dunsmore) most of it is banked off of a common standard of quality that affects everyone involved.

“We have a lot of girls that are in the program that are very good,” Davis said. “We have a lot of girls that are very talented. It rubs off, and it pushes everyone to be better. We have a good team. Everyone just likes everyone.”

This year, Barassi has set a goal of winning the Saginaw Valley League.

He also expects the team to be district champions again and compete with Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, last year’s state champions. With the expansion of new players who want to succeed, Barassi said this outcome is obtainable, and he is hopeful for the upcoming season.

“With the talent we have this year, we should be able to do this,” Barassi said. “You’ve got to stay healthy; you’ve got to stay strong; and you’ve got to play hard. I know we’re going to do well.”

March 28, 2018

FOCUS

K

urt Brillhart has been coaching the boys of this year’s senior class since they were all in fourth grade. This year, it will be for the first time as head coach of the Midland Varsity lacrosse team.

Brillhart has been involved in Midland lacrosse since it first began close to ten years ago. He never played lacrosse when he was growing up, but when his oldest son first became interested in the game, he volunteered to be a coach. Brillhart coached his two sons in the youth program and eventually became the director of youth lacrosse in Midland along with running tournaments such as the Honor the Game tournament. He has been one of the major catalysts in creating a lacrosse culture in the city of Midland as it has become more popular year after year. Over the years, Brillhart has followed his son, Garrett, as a coach and became the Junior Varsity coach

to get better.”

Elliot Moore is an MHS junior and has played on the varsity team for the past three years. He played for Brillhart during his youth and notices a different style of coaching than in his first two years in high school.

“Coach Brillhart brings a new intensity to practice and it seems more organized than it has been in the past,” Moore said.

Moore said that Coach Brillhart’s practices are getting them ready for a long postseason run.

“Our ultimate goal is the state championship,” Moore said. “We don’t want to settle for anything less than that, and I would say that the new style, the new intensity, that coach Brillhart is bringing to practice is going to help us be more successful this year than in years past.”

Just by observing a practice, it is evident that Brillhart is fully enthralled in his new position.

Kurt Brillhart is starting his first year as head coach of the Midland Varsity lacrosse team and brings a new, energetic style of coaching.

Staff Writer Ben Woehrle | Staff Writer Maureen Aloff | Staff Writer Jacob Hartwick

My goal is to have them reach their ultimate potential by the end of the season.

-Kurt Brillhart

in 2015. During that time, Joe Stadelmaier was the head Varsity coach. Stadelmaier, who had originally brought the sport of lacrosse to Midland, decided to step down from the job after last season, which left an opening for Brillhart to take over.

The Midland lacrosse program combines students from both the Midland High and Dow High sides of town. When it came to officially deciding who the coach would be, Eric Albright, the MHS Athletic Director, made the final decision.

Brillhart is excited for the opportunity to coach this group of boys that he has followed throughout the years, and notices that the varsity game is different from the teams he coached in the past.

“The biggest change in moving to varsity is the step up in competition,” Brillhart said.

“The seniors we have are very talented, and a few years ago they were still developing as JV players. I have coached these guys before, and one of the reasons I wanted to be with this team is because I have known the boys since they were in fourth grade.”

Midland High senior Cam Donoghue has played for Brillhart three out of his four high school lacrosse seasons and enjoys the relationship that his coach is able to create with him and his teammates.

“I have always felt comfortable talking to Coach Brillhart,” Donoghue said. “He has always been very encouraging but he doesn’t beat around the bush. He will always get right to the point and tell you what you need to do

He constantly cheers on his players when they score goals and never allows a dead moment.

Even before practice starts, Brillhart has the boys stretching so that they can accomplish as much as possible that day. Throughout the practice, he will let out loud screams and constantly talk to his players to keep their energy up.

Brillhart knows that this year’s group could be very special with all of their talent and experience.

“We see a lot of potential with these guys and we just want to bring it out of them,” Brillhart said. “I really believe that this group of kids will battle very hard together, and as hard as they work and as talented they are, my goal is to have them reach their ultimate potential by the end of the season.”

The Midland boys lacrosse team has won multiple Saginaw Valley League championships since joining the league, and Brillhart’s goal for this season is to become more noticed as an elite program in the state.

“We have been getting better and better every year and being more recognized by other teams in the state as a premier lacrosse program,” Brillhart said. “I think we have earned the respect that we deserve and I hope that we can keep that trend going.”

Moore said that although Brillhart may be a great coach, what separates him from other coaches is his ability to relate to his players and make them feel like they can trust him.

“He knows us as people, not just lacrosse players.”

Coach Kurt Brillhart directs drills at one of his first practices as the Varsity lacrosse coach. The team began two-a-day practices on March 12. Photo: Fischer Genau

FOCUS

March 28, 2018

same sport, new game sports

5

made for makeup

Behind the face of MHS’s Drama Club is a group of artists who don’t often share the spotlight. Haven Young and Aubrey Chambers are co-head makeup artists, helping make characters come to life for the audience. Along with the rest of the makeup crew, they are already preparing for The Addams Family, the upcoming spring musical.

Photo & Design Editor Fischer Genau | Staff Writer Alyssa McMillan Photos: Fischer Genau

LEFT Young and Chambers

begin by printing out blank templates of a face. They divvy out these templates to the rest of the crew to allow them to have influence over their appearances.

BELOW Chambers, Olivia

Ortiz, and Young work on the Ancestors. Various members of drama volunteer to allow the makeup artists practice.

ABOVE Chambers

works on one of the Ancestors.

Her experience in IB Art is helpful in the trial and error process.

RIGHT

The m a ke u p a r t i s t s practice each look numerous times before a play.

BACKSTAGE is a hive of activity. Equal

amounts of powder, makeup brushes, and pizza fly around in front of the long mirror, the bustle accompanied by the strong aroma of cheese curds, just one of the snacks that keep the makeup crew functioning.

6

arts/entertainment

ABOVE Preparing actors makeup

t a ke s h o u r s o f m e t i c u l o u s work. Typical work flow includes the application of foundation, eyeliner, eyeshadow, mascara, and lipstick.

THE ANCESTORS are supporting

characters in The Addams Family.

Chambers and Young drafted the “look”of what they would look like. Their makeup has to be done in gray scale, as they are supposed to represent death.

March 28, 2018

FOCUS

things you should know about

Elena Ordenes Junior Elena Ordenes is taking her experiences as an exchange student and using them to drive her artistic vision and style in her photographs.

Staf f Writer Noah Jacobson | S t a f f Wr i te r H a n n a h Wo e h r l e | Staf f Writer Liam Grady

After spending three hours in the sand trying to capture the perfect shot, Ordenes says that this is her favorite photograph that she has taken. Originally, she hoped to have the sand be thrown up to resemble butterfly wings, but she soon discovered an alternate approach that better suited her style. She said that this shot took a lot of hard work, but that it was worth it.

1

She’s an exchange student from Chile. She was one of the only students in her previous school to own her own camera. Ordenes admires many Chilean street photographers, taking after their style and drawing inspiration from their work.

(left) Ordenes’ took this

2

She became interested at an early age. Ordenes first became interested in photography as a child when she discovered her father’s old camera that was being used for decoration and wanted to learn how to use it.

photo hoping to convey a message of self-love.

She says she wanted to create something colorful by using a dark background and having the subject be covered in paint. She hoped to create the illusion of having the body and the guitar as one.

3

She prefers human subjects. She enjoys taking pictures that include buildings or parks, things made by man, and then camouflages a person into those surroundings.

After meeting so many new and unique faces around the world in places such as New York, Chile, and Michigan, Ordenes has developed a passion for taking pictures of other people.

She says she wants people to see what she sees.

4

Respect the process. She enjoys the process that goes into taking a photograph with a camera. She says some people are trying to replace cameras with phones, but she hopes that she can continue to put her own creativity and vision into her work.

5

Profession in photography. Even though she is aware that becoming a professional photographer is a hard goal to achieve, Ordenes would love to live off of her photos.

She says she knows that wherever she goes and whatever she does, she will always have a camera with her, taking pictures of everything.

FOCUS

March 28, 2018

(above) Ordenes took this picture in Central Park on her trip to New York City. She says she drew inspiration from the atmosphere of the big city and all of the people bustling around her. She says that she hoped to capture the simplicity of the little girl’s happiness from something so generic as a bubble.

Photo: Hadley Morden

arts/entertainment

7

‘enough is enough’ On March 14, planned as a national school walkout day, MHS was among the 3000 schools around the country who participated. In support of gun control, students walked out in a student organized protest during third hour. Students also wore black and orange to show solidarity for gun violence victims. Editor-in-Chief Gwynne Özkan | Features Editor Bitsy Mammel | Staff Writer Will Shaffer

Seniors Alex McMath and Ethan Tuck walk out of the school after third hour announcements. Students gathered along the Eastlawn Road sidewalk, standing outside for 17 minutes. These students were among the more than 200 MHS students total who participated. Inside, around 40 students participated in a separate tribute run by administration in the gym. Photo: Fischer Genau

A

t 10 am, the daily announcements were interrupted by pulled out chairs and bustling students. The front doors of school were pushed open by more than two hundred students, carrying signs, wearing black and orange, and making a statement against gun violence.

These students gathered in front of the school along Eastlawn Road. The walkout lasted 17 minutes, one minute for every victim of the Parkland shooting in Florida.

Junior Annie Laforet, senior Emily Hanson, and senior Ethan Bruce were the three students who planned and led the demonstration, part of a nationwide event.

“It’s student-run,” Laforet said. “Our parents aren’t telling us to do it and I think that’s important.”

Although all three upperclassmen agree that gun violence in schools is an issue, each of them became affiliated with the protest

8

features

in a different way. Laforet spent a lot of time researching mass shootings after such incidents like the shooting at Central Michigan University earlier this month, and said she realized that she had become very desensitized, and she said she decided it was time to make a difference.

“I had a lot of ideas and information I wanted to get out to people,” Laforet said. “It just felt important to do, because at the time I didn’t know anyone else was planning it.”

Hanson had first become invested in politics her sophomore year while in Government class, and participated in the Women’s March on Jan 21, 2017. She has also planned a demonstration before. On Oct 20, 2017, Hanson and Bruce organized the band National Anthem protest at the Midland vs. Dow football game. Bruce was inspired by the walkouts he saw on social media following the Parkland shooting. He

said that the school-wide lock-down earlier this month due to the CMU shooting also helped Bruce and Hanson decide to plan a walkout for MHS. “Organizing a walkout at Midland High School became more concrete after the shooting at Central Michigan University, because it made it all too clear that Midland isn’t immune from gun violence,” Bruce said.

After Laforet contacted Bruce and Hanson, they started to plan together. In order to take part in this protest, they decided to collaborate both with leaders from Dow High School and MPS administration.

“It’s not so much asking permission, but more so out of respect so they know what is going on,” Laforet said. “I emailed Mr. Jaster saying this is what we’re doing and when we’re doing it - I’ll keep you updated.”

However, Bruce believed administration

was focused on avoiding controversy, which he said made working with them frustrating.

“Administration wanted to be so directly involved when it was a student-run walkout,” Bruce said. “It was hard to make compromises and reconcile our expectations versus their expectations.”

Principal Jeff Jaster said that a gym option for students was a way to provide a safer option for students wishing to participate in the walkout and show solidarity with the victims of the Parkland shooting, without choosing a side on a political issue. The gym offered letters that students could write to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, counselors, and listed the victims of the Parkland shooting and their biographies.

“Doing a tribute is drastically different than taking a stance on gun laws,” Jaster said.

“Anybody at any time can do a tribute to someone who was killed or someone who lost their life but when you then take it to the next

March 28, 2018

FOCUS

step and make it about choosing a side on an issue, that’s where it becomes political and we have to step back from it.”

Most students turned down administration’s proposition for the protest to be held in the gym; however, Superintendent Michael Sharrow released in a public communique that it would occur there.

Because they were not notified beforehand.

Bruce, Hanson, and Laforet were offended by the communique.

“A walkout is inherently public, and it loses its meaning if we are hidden away in the gym,” Bruce said. “We saw this as an attempt to water down our message.”

Hanson said that being visible and in public would be a better way to raise awareness about the need for the ban of semiautomatic and automatic weapons. She said going outside during the school day was the most effective way to reach their goal to be noticed.

“Every protest needs to be disruptive in some way because that’s the definition of a protest,” Hanson said.

Jaster said the walkout was encouraged by administration to be held off of school property. This would give the students more freedom to handle the protest how they wanted, without the worry of administration intervening.

If the students protested on school grounds, Jaster said that administration could have stopped the protest if it was disruptive to the school day and give consequences to the students who didn’t comply with school rules. Jaster said that, thankfully, this didn’t have to happen.

“We didn’t have the ability to take a side on the issue; we didn’t have the ability to support the activity,” said Jaster. “We had to trust the leaders would make those decisions and do the right thing and follow our rules and expectations, and they did. I was happy to see that they complied and went out to the sidewalk. At that point it’s out of our jurisdiction.”

In order to advertise for the walkout, Bruce, Hanson, and Laforet met several times in the weeks prior to create fliers, and collaboratively write a letter to the editor published in The Focus March 9 issue. A generalized text was also sent around school, with basic information about the walkout.

During the protest, students held gravestone signs with the names of Parkland victims, and slogans against gun violence. Biographies for each Parkland victim were read aloud, written by Laforet. She said the writing process was very emotional for her.

“I started crying several times while writing,” Laforet said. “A lot of them were only 14-years-old, and so many of them had bright futures, and to be killed in something like this. It’s so hard to believe that this is considered normal.”

Bruce took turns with Laforet and Hanson to read these biographies aloud, and he said it was a strange feeling being in a leadership role for the protest.

“I felt glad that I had that position, but it was sad to look around and see that all of these people walking out have to feel scared,” Bruce said. “Nothing makes us different from the Parkland victims.”

FOCUS

March 28, 2018

Jaster and the student leaders were proud of the respectfulness and fluidity of the protest. Laforet believes these kind of protests are important because they’re student led, and are an opportunity to show individual thoughts separate from what students are told by their parents. Although she’s a minor, Laforet said she and her peers can still understand issues like gun violence.

“As Americans, we are given our First Amendment right and we should be able to use it,” Bruce said.

Sophomore Chandler Marden did not participate in the walkout, because he doesn’t believe that gun control is the solution for preventing gun violence. He thinks people should be focused on helping the mentally ill more than restricting Second Amendment rights.

“I didn’t think the protest would do much,” Marden said. “I didn’t want to participate because I felt that it wasn’t about the students losing their lives, but more against guns and the second amendment.”

Marden thinks there are other methods to prevent gun violence in schools, like arming teachers.

“Just the other day, in Maryland, there was another shooting and the student resource officer was there and he stopped it right away,” Marden said.

Student organizers saw the protest as successful. Bruce said that causing community members to question gun violence is a significant accomplishment, and he said the protest did that.

“A protest like this gives us all a chance to come together, despite the fact that we may feel differently about how gun control should be handled,” Laforet said. “Regardless, we all came outside because we knew that this is not a sustainable way of life. It is something we will not and cannot tolerate anymore.”

Junior Annie Laforet, who helped lead the protest, directed the protesters. One of Laforet’s roles in the protest was managing social media to advertise the walkout. Photo: Hadley Morden

Seniors Maddie Allen and Lauren Gullo supervised a letter writing table at the beginning of the walkout. Students had the opportunity to write preaddressed postcards to congressmen Gary Glenn and John Moolenaar to express their views surrounding gun violence. Photo: Hadley Morden features

9

‘enough is enough’ On March 14, planned as a national school walkout day, MHS was among the 3000 schools around the country who participated. In support of gun control, students walked out in a student organized protest during third hour. Students also wore black and orange to show solidarity for gun violence victims. Editor-in-Chief Gwynne Özkan | Features Editor Bitsy Mammel | Staff Writer Will Shaffer

Seniors Alex McMath and Ethan Tuck walk out of the school after third hour announcements. Students gathered along the Eastlawn Road sidewalk, standing outside for 17 minutes. These students were among the more than 200 MHS students total who participated. Inside, around 40 students participated in a separate tribute run by administration in the gym. Photo: Fischer Genau

A

t 10 am, the daily announcements were interrupted by pulled out chairs and bustling students. The front doors of school were pushed open by more than two hundred students, carrying signs, wearing black and orange, and making a statement against gun violence.

These students gathered in front of the school along Eastlawn Road. The walkout lasted 17 minutes, one minute for every victim of the Parkland shooting in Florida.

Junior Annie Laforet, senior Emily Hanson, and senior Ethan Bruce were the three students who planned and led the demonstration, part of a nationwide event.

“It’s student-run,” Laforet said. “Our parents aren’t telling us to do it and I think that’s important.”

Although all three upperclassmen agree that gun violence in schools is an issue, each of them became affiliated with the protest

8

features

in a different way. Laforet spent a lot of time researching mass shootings after such incidents like the shooting at Central Michigan University earlier this month, and said she realized that she had become very desensitized, and she said she decided it was time to make a difference.

“I had a lot of ideas and information I wanted to get out to people,” Laforet said. “It just felt important to do, because at the time I didn’t know anyone else was planning it.”

Hanson had first become invested in politics her sophomore year while in Government class, and participated in the Women’s March on Jan 21, 2017. She has also planned a demonstration before. On Oct 20, 2017, Hanson and Bruce organized the band National Anthem protest at the Midland vs. Dow football game. Bruce was inspired by the walkouts he saw on social media following the Parkland shooting. He

said that the school-wide lock-down earlier this month due to the CMU shooting also helped Bruce and Hanson decide to plan a walkout for MHS. “Organizing a walkout at Midland High School became more concrete after the shooting at Central Michigan University, because it made it all too clear that Midland isn’t immune from gun violence,” Bruce said.

After Laforet contacted Bruce and Hanson, they started to plan together. In order to take part in this protest, they decided to collaborate both with leaders from Dow High School and MPS administration.

“It’s not so much asking permission, but more so out of respect so they know what is going on,” Laforet said. “I emailed Mr. Jaster saying this is what we’re doing and when we’re doing it - I’ll keep you updated.”

However, Bruce believed administration

was focused on avoiding controversy, which he said made working with them frustrating.

“Administration wanted to be so directly involved when it was a student-run walkout,” Bruce said. “It was hard to make compromises and reconcile our expectations versus their expectations.”

Principal Jeff Jaster said that a gym option for students was a way to provide a safer option for students wishing to participate in the walkout and show solidarity with the victims of the Parkland shooting, without choosing a side on a political issue. The gym offered letters that students could write to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, counselors, and listed the victims of the Parkland shooting and their biographies.

“Doing a tribute is drastically different than taking a stance on gun laws,” Jaster said.

“Anybody at any time can do a tribute to someone who was killed or someone who lost their life but when you then take it to the next

March 28, 2018

FOCUS

step and make it about choosing a side on an issue, that’s where it becomes political and we have to step back from it.”

Most students turned down administration’s proposition for the protest to be held in the gym; however, Superintendent Michael Sharrow released in a public communique that it would occur there.

Because they were not notified beforehand.

Bruce, Hanson, and Laforet were offended by the communique.

“A walkout is inherently public, and it loses its meaning if we are hidden away in the gym,” Bruce said. “We saw this as an attempt to water down our message.”

Hanson said that being visible and in public would be a better way to raise awareness about the need for the ban of semiautomatic and automatic weapons. She said going outside during the school day was the most effective way to reach their goal to be noticed.

“Every protest needs to be disruptive in some way because that’s the definition of a protest,” Hanson said.

Jaster said the walkout was encouraged by administration to be held off of school property. This would give the students more freedom to handle the protest how they wanted, without the worry of administration intervening.

If the students protested on school grounds, Jaster said that administration could have stopped the protest if it was disruptive to the school day and give consequences to the students who didn’t comply with school rules. Jaster said that, thankfully, this didn’t have to happen.

“We didn’t have the ability to take a side on the issue; we didn’t have the ability to support the activity,” said Jaster. “We had to trust the leaders would make those decisions and do the right thing and follow our rules and expectations, and they did. I was happy to see that they complied and went out to the sidewalk. At that point it’s out of our jurisdiction.”

In order to advertise for the walkout, Bruce, Hanson, and Laforet met several times in the weeks prior to create fliers, and collaboratively write a letter to the editor published in The Focus March 9 issue. A generalized text was also sent around school, with basic information about the walkout.

During the protest, students held gravestone signs with the names of Parkland victims, and slogans against gun violence. Biographies for each Parkland victim were read aloud, written by Laforet. She said the writing process was very emotional for her.

“I started crying several times while writing,” Laforet said. “A lot of them were only 14-years-old, and so many of them had bright futures, and to be killed in something like this. It’s so hard to believe that this is considered normal.”

Bruce took turns with Laforet and Hanson to read these biographies aloud, and he said it was a strange feeling being in a leadership role for the protest.

“I felt glad that I had that position, but it was sad to look around and see that all of these people walking out have to feel scared,” Bruce said. “Nothing makes us different from the Parkland victims.”

FOCUS

March 28, 2018

Jaster and the student leaders were proud of the respectfulness and fluidity of the protest. Laforet believes these kind of protests are important because they’re student led, and are an opportunity to show individual thoughts separate from what students are told by their parents. Although she’s a minor, Laforet said she and her peers can still understand issues like gun violence.

“As Americans, we are given our First Amendment right and we should be able to use it,” Bruce said.

Sophomore Chandler Marden did not participate in the walkout, because he doesn’t believe that gun control is the solution for preventing gun violence. He thinks people should be focused on helping the mentally ill more than restricting Second Amendment rights.

“I didn’t think the protest would do much,” Marden said. “I didn’t want to participate because I felt that it wasn’t about the students losing their lives, but more against guns and the second amendment.”

Marden thinks there are other methods to prevent gun violence in schools, like arming teachers.

“Just the other day, in Maryland, there was another shooting and the student resource officer was there and he stopped it right away,” Marden said.

Student organizers saw the protest as successful. Bruce said that causing community members to question gun violence is a significant accomplishment, and he said the protest did that.

“A protest like this gives us all a chance to come together, despite the fact that we may feel differently about how gun control should be handled,” Laforet said. “Regardless, we all came outside because we knew that this is not a sustainable way of life. It is something we will not and cannot tolerate anymore.”

Junior Annie Laforet, who helped lead the protest, directed the protesters. One of Laforet’s roles in the protest was managing social media to advertise the walkout. Photo: Hadley Morden

Seniors Maddie Allen and Lauren Gullo supervised a letter writing table at the beginning of the walkout. Students had the opportunity to write preaddressed postcards to congressmen Gary Glenn and John Moolenaar to express their views surrounding gun violence. Photo: Hadley Morden features

9

meals made affordable

The Free and Reduced Meal Price Program aids low-income families by providing meals at a more affordable price. In recent years, Midland High has seen an increase in the number of students involved in the program. Exchange Editor Josie Kuchek | Staff Writer Katherine Gibbs

I

f you step inside the Midland High cafeteria, one in every three students is likely to be receiving their lunch at a reduced price, or for no cost at all.

As of the Fall Count Day of 2018, Midland High has approximately 30 percent of its students utilizing the Free and Reduced Meal Price Program (FRMPP). Assistant Principal Amy Hutchinson said the percentage of students at Midland High who receive free or reduced meals from this program has steadily increased over the years.

Formerly known as the National School Lunch Program, FRMPP was first initiated by the Federal Government in 1946. The program is designed to aid low-income families by providing students with a either free or a lower priced breakfast ($0.30) and lunch ($0.40) that meets nutritional needs and standards. As a result, Midland Public Schools (MPS) has been able to provide help to families within the district.

Senior Hailee Swantek has been receiving reduced lunch under the program since her sophomore year, and said that the program has taken away some of the financial stress on her family. Swantek said that the process to apply for the FRMPP was fairly simple, but her personal feelings made joining the program difficult.

“At the start, I felt ashamed that my family wasn’t doing well and that I was a part of the program,” Swantek said.

However, as Swantek progressed through high school, she realized that many students at Midland High are using the program, and

she no longer feels ashamed about it.

The qualifications for the program are based off of the yearly, monthly, and weekly income amounts per people that live in the student’s home. The federal government determines the amount of money different sized families have to make to be eligible for the program.

A family’s finances are not the only qualifying factor for the FRMPP. A student can qualify for the program if they lack a permanent home address, if they live in a shelter or hotel, or if their family relocates on a seasonal basis. Students who chose to leave their prior household can also qualify for the program.

Chartwells is the company responsible for providing the meals in the cafeteria during the school day. Production Leader Crystal Hunt has worked for Chartwells for the past 11 years, and part of her job is training the other workers in the cafeteria the nutritional components required for the meals in the FRMPP. Some students argue that the program is not promoted enough, however Hunt disagrees. She says that the administration does a good job of informing parents about the program.

“They’re sent emails all summer long, I think it’s promoted pretty well,” Hunt said.

These emails include information on what the FRMPP is, what the qualifications are, how to sign up, and the deadlines to apply for the program. Families also receive a packet that includes the information sent

within the emails, along with a sign-up sheet.

In contrast to Hunt, Swantek said that the school could make improvements to the advertising of the FRMPP. She said that making the information available to students through the daily announcements, and providing the packets in the cafeteria would allow students to have more access to the information and paperwork to apply for the program. This would allow students who might be runaways, lack a permanent home address, or parents who don’t frequently check their email to have easier access to the information.

“It would get more people’s attention and provide them with help sooner,” Swantek said. “There are too many kids not eating when they could be, if they were aware of the program.”

Principal Jeff Jaster is also familiar with the statistics from Midland High, and said that not every student who qualifies is enrolled in the program.

“Most that qualify do apply, but some do refuse service,” Jaster said.

Jaster said the main reason for this would be the family’s pride stopping them from accepting the help, despite the benefits of being in the program.

Swantek believes that receiving free or reduced lunch shouldn’t be something to be embarrassed about, and encourages students to seek help if they need it.

“I believe that everyone needs help sometimes and you shouldn’t be embarrassed or ashamed to ask for it,” Swantek said.

Photo Illustration: Spencer Isberg

10

features

March 28, 2018

FOCUS

new state of mind mental health

Junior Maddy Osterhagen survived a suicide attempt after struggling with depression. She has proven that although it can be challenging, it is possible to overcome mental illness. News Editor Holly Stauffer | Staff Writer Kelly Craig | Staff Writer Adelyn Dunsmore

I

t was 4 a.m. one morning last summer when junior Maddy Osterhagen woke up in a panic. Stumbling down her staircase, she began to violently vomit the concoction of pills she had taken earlier that day in a desperate attempt to end her own life.

This is the only recollection she has from that night, later waking up in Havenwyck Hospital in Auburn Hills where she was rushed to by her mother and sister.

“I had read things that said that usually after the person attempts that they have instant regret, but I was expecting to be dead right then and I wanted to be,” Osterhagen said.

“So I was wondering, ‘Why am I not dead yet?’

And it just wasn’t working.”

Osterhagen, who transfered from Bay City Western High School to MHS this year noted that a large factor that had driven her to attempt to end her life had been relentless bullying from other students. The harassment she faced had ranged from cruel fake rumors to being sexually assaulted at a party.

“I started looking for ways to numb myself to avoid dealing with the things people would say to me,” Osterhagen said. “I was absolutely miserable.”

Osterhagen was first diagnosed with depression when she was in seventh grade.

In high school, her depression worsened with bullying, leading her to turn to parties and attempts to run away from home.

“I thought of it like this: I could either run away, or I could just die and be done with it,” Osterhagen said.

Osterhagen was hospitalized for three weeks at Havenwyck. Her life at the hospital included being monitored 24/7 and being restricted from doing things like going outdoors or eating with utensils.

“I don’t even know how I survived it,” Osterhagen said. “My mom was my biggest supporter and tried hard to understand my situation.”

Megan Rohde, Osterhagen’s mother, can relate to her daughter and her struggle with mental illness. Rohde has battled severe anxiety all her life, and suffered postpartum depression after her daughter was born.

“My mother passed away when I was 17,” Rohde said. “I think that Madelaine and I share the same fear of abandonment for differing reasons.”

Rohde said she still struggles with worry for

FOCUS

March 28, 2018

her children because of this experience.

“I was terrified,” Rohde said. “She couldn’t walk straight, she couldn’t see, her head hurt.

I didn’t have any idea what to expect.”

The discussion about suicide has recently resurfaced in Midland after the recent death of Jaden Marsh, a former Midland High student. According to his father Todd Marsh in a statement released to the Midland Daily News, Jaden’s death had been a suicide, with the intention of getting killed by police after suffering a lifetime of mental health problems.

Kim Sumerix, an Outpatient Therapist with Family and Children’s Services of MidMichigan, finds the topic of suicide among teens particularly troubling.

“Kids are sometimes shamed into keeping quiet about how they’re feeling, or feel that they can’t confide in anybody, which can have disastrous and often tragic consequences,” Sumerix said.

As a mother, Rohde stresses the importance Osterhagen has made large strides in her recovery after being hospitalized. She believes that of parents having conversations with their the positive environment at MHS has helped her through the process. Photo: Fischer Genau children and acknowledging that sometimes subtle and easy to miss.

After seeing how painful her attempt had things might be out of their control.

“Usually there are verbal signals, like small been for her family, Osterhagen realized the “I’ve never been suicidal, so I can’t imagine comments that might not be noticed at first extent of her actions and committed herself to the anguish that person must feel,” Rhode said. or taken too seriously,” Sumerix said. “If further recovery.

“I can only say that there are so many different someone is saying that they wish they were “I realized how much pain I had put my avenues to turn to for help. If it’s not your never born, that they’re a burden to others, or family through,’ Osterhagen said. “I have never parents, try a teacher, a counselor, a church even saying right aloud that they want to die or seen my sister so upset over a certain topic. I member, or a crisis line.” kill themselves, it should be taken seriously.” think I was super selfish.”

Osterhagen said that she wishes that there Sumerix noted other signs of suicide, Rohde is proud of her daughter’s progress, was more awareness for mental health and including having access to weapons, searching both in Osterhagen’s personal mental health suicide, in schools and in general. for ways to attempt online, drastic changes in and in their relationship.

“A lot of people don’t understand the appearance, or extreme mood changes that “With the help of therapy and a good full extent of what you’re going through,” indicate a deeper issue should be pointed support system, Madelaine has chosen to Osterhagen said. “I think just trying to be aware out as well. become better, not bitter,” Rohde said. of what others are experiencing even if you “Too many people have been lost because Other than therapy and medication, don’t know all the details can do so much.” nobody could reach out to them in time,” Osterhagen has found different things that Sumerix said students should be on the Sumerix said. “We want to encourage every help her maintain a healthy state of mind, lookout for signs that indicate that someone student to look out for others and to intervene like sports and journaling. She uses them as a might be at risk, saying that these signs can be if they think something is wrong.” way to remind herself of her progress and the positivity in her life.

“In my notes I always have a list titled, ‘things that make me happy,’ and I also write things that I want to do in the future,” Osterhagen said. “So if I ever get to such a low point again in the future, I can read what I wrote and say, ‘I haven’t done this yet, I need to go do that still.’”

I thought of it like this: I could either run away, or I could just die and be done with it.

-Maddy Osterhagen

If any Midland High student is having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or speak to a trusted adult.

features

11

mental health

the good fight

The effects of porn are more widespread than what is commonly known. It can hurt relationships and the psyche, and if addicted the effects are worse. Arts and Entertainment Editor Hailey Surbrook | Managing Pornography addiction is Rammidi a problem that has come to light in Editor Hope O’Dell | Theo the past decade. With this, realization movements like Fight the New Drug have grown in prevalence and popularity. Arts/ Entertainment Editor Hailey Surbrook | Managing Editor Hope O’Dell | Staff Writer Theo Rammidi

A

Porn releases dopamine in the brain that creates an escalating p a t te r n o f u s e .

Illustration: Noah Jacobson & Fischer Genau

12

s Sam walked down the hall to class, he couldn’t help but notice the girls walking past him. However, they didn’t look like girls to him. To him they were sexual objects, no different than the girls he saw on his phone screen every night.

Sam, a pseudonym given to the source to protect his identity, started watching pornography when he was a freshman. He said that unrestricted access to the internet allowed him to do this. He continued to watch porn throughout high school, and he said that it became a an increasingly difficult problem.

“I knew it was an addiction when I was no longer questioning whether I was going to do it or not,” Sam said. “I was just thinking about how to make sure no one finds out.”

Sam said that his addiction changed the way he thought throughout his day-to-day life.

“I felt cheated by the fact that it’s so easy to get addicted to porn, because it infiltrates every thought you have about people,” Sam said.

This frame of mind is the reason the Fight the New Drug (FTND) movement, a researchbased group whose mission is “to provide individuals the opportunity to make an informed decision regarding pornography by raising awareness on its harmful effects using on science, facts, and personal accounts”, has gained such momentum in Midland. They advertise their website, which provides peerreviewed research on the harmful effects of porn, through social media sites like Facebook.

That’s how Jeff Andridge, high school pastor at Midland Evangelical Free Church, discovered the movement.

“To me, the movement means there is a generation who is tired of the lies and emptiness of fake love that porn is about,” Andridge said.

This could be due to the increase in porn usage in the past decade. According to TIME magazine, 58 million people in the U.S. visited pornographic websites in 2006, and in 2016, that number was up to 107 million.

Andridge said that he thinks porn is a large Photo: Fischer Genau and Noah Jacobson

news

March 28, 2018

FOCUS

problem for teens, and has tried to encourage his teen congregates to live a life following Jesus, and he sees the movement of FTND as a part of that life even though FTND is not a religious movement.

“As teens follow Jesus, there is a power and love to see people as valuable, and therefore not as objects, which is one of the destructive byproducts of porn,” Andridge said.

Senior Micah Carroll, a congregate at Andridge’s church, also found the movement through Facebook and agrees with the sentiments Andridge expresses about porn.

Carroll said Andridge has made an open dialogue about porn feel comfortable and more far-reaching than their religion.

“He tells us the facts,” Carroll said. “It shouldn’t be a religious thing, it should be a human thing. It’s a message for everyone.”

Carol Boothroyd, a therapist at Still Water Counseling, said that porn addiction is often a compulsive behavior, with escalation in the violence or graphic content of the videos.

Boothroyd said that children are most vulnerable to this exposure, which leads to unhealthy ideas about sex from a very young age, with the average of exposure at 11.

“Kids are learning about sex from porn and today’s porn is very violent and completely demeaning to everyone, particularly women,” Boothroyd said. “With the prevalence of iPhone technology, porn of every type is accessible to kids, and we are seeing younger and younger people with compulsive behavior relating to porn.”

Carroll said that he thinks the escalating behavior porn leads to leaves the user with emotional numbness.

“Porn literally kills love,” Carroll said. “We shouldn’t be settling for fake love, we should be pursuing real love between intimate partners.”

Boothroyd corroborates that porn can often lead to emotional numbness. This numbness creates one of the biggest problems associated with porn--disconnection in relationships.

“Addictive activity numbs emotions, which is how we “connect” with one another,” Boothroyd said. “The mark of addiction is disconnected relationships.”

In tandem with the relationship problems porn brings on, Carroll said that he has noticed negative attitudes towards women in many of his male classmates who view porn, and that they also have a skewed perception of consent and violence towards women.

“You don’t know if there is consent through a computer screen,” Carroll said.

Sam said that the facts and statistics provided by groups like FTND are what spurred him to stop, because he realized the consequences of his actions were more far-reaching than he thought, especially due to the violence often shown in porn. According to the journal Violence Against Women, 88.2% of leading pornography depicted physical and verbal aggression in 2010.

“I was worried about being too forceful because that’s what the internet was teaching me,” Sam said.

Boothroyd said that porn can become addictive because anything that releases the neurochemical dopamine, which triggers pleasure and motivates the brain to continue

FOCUS

March 28, 2018

doing whatever triggered the dopamine, which creates an escalating behavior.

“Porn changes the brain, rewiring it to seek out greater and greater dopamine release from increasingly explicit material,” Boothroyd said.

Boothroyd also said that porn addiction can cause disconnected relationships because addictive activity numbs emotions.

“This affects every aspect of life as more and more of their life becomes about seeking out the numbing activity,” Boothroyd said. “Porn addiction is less visible than other addictions, but no less devastating to the individual and family system.

Marital infidelity S a m said what scared him the most was the violence it perpetuated towards women, and the attitudes he saw in his other male classmates about how to treat women in intimate situations.

“It adds to the idea that men are in total control of that entire situation no matter what,” Sam said. “Porn makes it seem like women be okay with force no matter what.”

Sam said this made him afraid for his future significant others, so although he hasn’t stopped watching porn for good, he no longer has an addiction.

“It’s not something I’m going to want on my conscience if I’m with a significant other,” Sam said. “I don’t want it to feel like I’m comparing people to what I’ve seen on the internet.”

11 88% 3

is the average age of exposure to porn.

of porn scenes depict violence.

is

times more likely for porn users.

THE EFFECTS OF PORN

2 63% 9%

Porn users are

times more likely to have severe depression. of 18-30 year old men watched porn more than once a week in 2014.

of porn users have unsuccessfully tried to stop.

Sources: https://fightthenewdrug.org/ http://www.techaddiction.ca/files/porn-addiction-stats.jpg https://www.acpeds.org/the-college-speaks/position-statements/the-impact-of-pornography-on-children http://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/04/pornography.aspx

news

13

mental health

the good fight

The effects of porn are more widespread than what is commonly known. It can hurt relationships and the psyche, and if addicted the effects are worse. Arts and Entertainment Editor Hailey Surbrook | Managing Pornography addiction is Rammidi a problem that has come to light in Editor Hope O’Dell | Theo the past decade. With this, realization movements like Fight the New Drug have grown in prevalence and popularity. Arts/ Entertainment Editor Hailey Surbrook | Managing Editor Hope O’Dell | Staff Writer Theo Rammidi

A

Porn releases dopamine in the brain that creates an escalating p a t te r n o f u s e .

Illustration: Noah Jacobson & Fischer Genau

12

s Sam walked down the hall to class, he couldn’t help but notice the girls walking past him. However, they didn’t look like girls to him. To him they were sexual objects, no different than the girls he saw on his phone screen every night.

Sam, a pseudonym given to the source to protect his identity, started watching pornography when he was a freshman. He said that unrestricted access to the internet allowed him to do this. He continued to watch porn throughout high school, and he said that it became a an increasingly difficult problem.

“I knew it was an addiction when I was no longer questioning whether I was going to do it or not,” Sam said. “I was just thinking about how to make sure no one finds out.”

Sam said that his addiction changed the way he thought throughout his day-to-day life.

“I felt cheated by the fact that it’s so easy to get addicted to porn, because it infiltrates every thought you have about people,” Sam said.

This frame of mind is the reason the Fight the New Drug (FTND) movement, a researchbased group whose mission is “to provide individuals the opportunity to make an informed decision regarding pornography by raising awareness on its harmful effects using on science, facts, and personal accounts”, has gained such momentum in Midland. They advertise their website, which provides peerreviewed research on the harmful effects of porn, through social media sites like Facebook.

That’s how Jeff Andridge, high school pastor at Midland Evangelical Free Church, discovered the movement.

“To me, the movement means there is a generation who is tired of the lies and emptiness of fake love that porn is about,” Andridge said.

This could be due to the increase in porn usage in the past decade. According to TIME magazine, 58 million people in the U.S. visited pornographic websites in 2006, and in 2016, that number was up to 107 million.

Andridge said that he thinks porn is a large Photo: Fischer Genau and Noah Jacobson

news

March 28, 2018

FOCUS

problem for teens, and has tried to encourage his teen congregates to live a life following Jesus, and he sees the movement of FTND as a part of that life even though FTND is not a religious movement.

“As teens follow Jesus, there is a power and love to see people as valuable, and therefore not as objects, which is one of the destructive byproducts of porn,” Andridge said.

Senior Micah Carroll, a congregate at Andridge’s church, also found the movement through Facebook and agrees with the sentiments Andridge expresses about porn.

Carroll said Andridge has made an open dialogue about porn feel comfortable and more far-reaching than their religion.

“He tells us the facts,” Carroll said. “It shouldn’t be a religious thing, it should be a human thing. It’s a message for everyone.”

Carol Boothroyd, a therapist at Still Water Counseling, said that porn addiction is often a compulsive behavior, with escalation in the violence or graphic content of the videos.

Boothroyd said that children are most vulnerable to this exposure, which leads to unhealthy ideas about sex from a very young age, with the average of exposure at 11.

“Kids are learning about sex from porn and today’s porn is very violent and completely demeaning to everyone, particularly women,” Boothroyd said. “With the prevalence of iPhone technology, porn of every type is accessible to kids, and we are seeing younger and younger people with compulsive behavior relating to porn.”

Carroll said that he thinks the escalating behavior porn leads to leaves the user with emotional numbness.

“Porn literally kills love,” Carroll said. “We shouldn’t be settling for fake love, we should be pursuing real love between intimate partners.”

Boothroyd corroborates that porn can often lead to emotional numbness. This numbness creates one of the biggest problems associated with porn--disconnection in relationships.

“Addictive activity numbs emotions, which is how we “connect” with one another,” Boothroyd said. “The mark of addiction is disconnected relationships.”

In tandem with the relationship problems porn brings on, Carroll said that he has noticed negative attitudes towards women in many of his male classmates who view porn, and that they also have a skewed perception of consent and violence towards women.

“You don’t know if there is consent through a computer screen,” Carroll said.

Sam said that the facts and statistics provided by groups like FTND are what spurred him to stop, because he realized the consequences of his actions were more far-reaching than he thought, especially due to the violence often shown in porn. According to the journal Violence Against Women, 88.2% of leading pornography depicted physical and verbal aggression in 2010.

“I was worried about being too forceful because that’s what the internet was teaching me,” Sam said.

Boothroyd said that porn can become addictive because anything that releases the neurochemical dopamine, which triggers pleasure and motivates the brain to continue

FOCUS

March 28, 2018

doing whatever triggered the dopamine, which creates an escalating behavior.

“Porn changes the brain, rewiring it to seek out greater and greater dopamine release from increasingly explicit material,” Boothroyd said.

Boothroyd also said that porn addiction can cause disconnected relationships because addictive activity numbs emotions.

“This affects every aspect of life as more and more of their life becomes about seeking out the numbing activity,” Boothroyd said. “Porn addiction is less visible than other addictions, but no less devastating to the individual and family system.

Marital infidelity S a m said what scared him the most was the violence it perpetuated towards women, and the attitudes he saw in his other male classmates about how to treat women in intimate situations.

“It adds to the idea that men are in total control of that entire situation no matter what,” Sam said. “Porn makes it seem like women be okay with force no matter what.”

Sam said this made him afraid for his future significant others, so although he hasn’t stopped watching porn for good, he no longer has an addiction.

“It’s not something I’m going to want on my conscience if I’m with a significant other,” Sam said. “I don’t want it to feel like I’m comparing people to what I’ve seen on the internet.”

11 88% 3

is the average age of exposure to porn.

of porn scenes depict violence.

is

times more likely for porn users.

THE EFFECTS OF PORN

2 63% 9%

Porn users are

times more likely to have severe depression. of 18-30 year old men watched porn more than once a week in 2014.

of porn users have unsuccessfully tried to stop.

Sources: https://fightthenewdrug.org/ http://www.techaddiction.ca/files/porn-addiction-stats.jpg https://www.acpeds.org/the-college-speaks/position-statements/the-impact-of-pornography-on-children http://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/04/pornography.aspx

news

13

let’s talk about

mental health

Many students combat depression, anxiety, and stress on a daily basis. However, Midland Public Schools has few resources available for students to pursue mental health counseling.

Sports Editor Hannah Smith | Staff Writer Mady Sherman | Staff Writer Devin Alexander

Photo Illustration: Hannah Smith

W

ith the recent incidents of gun violence occurring in schools across the country, Assistant Principal Amy Hutchinson said that mental health counselors are needed now more than ever.

“Every single day there is a student in a crisis situation,” Hutchinson said. “Our counselors are the first line of communication. When a student has a problem, they go to his or her counselor.”

Currently, students in Midland Public Schools have few outlets to pursue mental health resources.

First, the Y.E.S. counselors are available to students and their families. This area of counseling works to improve relationships between students and their families. Students receive these counseling hours at no charge.

Another form of counseling is through community mental health in Midland. This organization provides immediate need to youth.

The final layer to providing mental health support is the counselors at the middle school and high school levels; however, there are no counselors available at the elementary level.

Despite the available resources, Hutchinson believes that more emphasis needs to be placed upon mental health.

“The saying is ‘If you don’t have your health you don’t have anything,’ but it’s referring mostly to your physical health,” Hutchinson said. “I think we should treat our mental health the same way.”

Youth Intervention Specialist Jackie Warner is a key component to the community mental health, where she meets with students on a day-to-day basis. Warner’s job is to complete mental health screenings with youth, provide crisis intervention, and screen for

14

news

substance abuse issues.

Counselors help kids learn how to work through their anxiety, depression or other mental health issues, Warner said. Addressing mental health problems early on and providing students with the proper help is the best way to prevent crisis situations. Since the passing of her son, Warner has seen firsthand the effects of losing someone to suicide.

“I work with youth to keep them safe and help them work through their temporary emotions,” Warner said.

Warner believes there needs to be a continuation of addressing and meeting mental health issues with proper resources.

Warner currently has a several day waiting list to get students in to talk.

“We need to see a person as someone with physical, academic and mental health needs,” Warner said. “We need to continue teaching

“Social media has a lot to do with increased anxiety and ultimately depression and isolation,” Hutchinson said. “I’ve been in education for 32 years and I’ve watched the evolution of social media. While there’s many good things about cell phones and social media, you shouldn’t rest your entire selfesteem on how many likes you get.”

Licensed psychologist Kristi Hainstock, head of the Community Mental Health in Midland, works with students in the district.

Hainstock said that the discussion regarding how to continue the promotion of wellness and positive mental health is on going.

“The administrative cabinet, as well as the MPS board of education, have been active listeners and participants in discussions centering on how to best support not only the academic achievement of MPS students, but also the development and support of social,

We need to see a person as someone with physical, academic, and mental health needs.

-Jackie Warner

empathy, kindness and accepting diversity.

Mental health counselors in the schools are so important to assess youth, as well as teach coping and relationship in schools.”

Hutchinson believes that the progression and reliance on social media can negatively affect the mental health of students.

emotional, and behavioral skills,” Hainstock said. “This will help kids to be successful learners and, eventually, successful adults.

Hainstock said recent escalations in crisis and violence provide strong evidence of a need for systematic, systems-level changes in the teaching and delivery of social, emotional,

and behavioral skills and supports.

“There will always and should always be a need and place for mental health counselors, but we may also need to broaden our scope of training so that more than just counselors are equipped with the skills and resources to teach, promote, and support mental health.”

Hutchinson said that mental health is an issue nationally, but needs to be addressed more in the district. Hutchinson believes that student to counselor ratio is stretched thin.

“I fully believe this district has too few counselors,” Hutchinson said. “I think the counselors now are being asked to do more.

They have to do career counseling, all of the standardized testing, scheduling, college preparatory, and emotional guidance.”

Mental Health Resources

(left) Community Mental Health (right) Youth East Side Services [Y.E.S.]

March 28, 2018

FOCUS

PERFECTING

PROM

This year many changes are coming to the Midland/Dow Prom. Dinner will now be served at Prom and there will be a check-in process.

Web Editor Hadley Morden| Copy Editor Lexy Lang

Menu Roast Sirloin of Beef with Red Wine Au Jus Orange Glazed Atlantic Salmon Teriyaki Glazed Chicken Thighs Baked Potato with sour cream, chives, and cheese Wild & Long Grain Rice Pilaf Penne Pasta with Alfredo & Marinara Sauce Classic Caesar Salad Mixed Green Salad with Ranch and Italian Dressing Fresh Fruit Salad

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March 28, 2018

A

fter many years of hosting Prom, changes are in store this year at the Great Hall at Valley Plaza, most notably dinner being included with the dance. This is due to the revenue the Great Hall would have received doing another event that had a meal served at it.

Junior Maya Albright, who is a part of student council and took part in the planning for Prom, said that the Prom committee did seek out other venues, but none of them were able to accommodate combined Prom due to the size of the group. The committee came up with other solutions such as separating the Prom, but administration encouraged them to leave it combined because of the tradition of holding it with Dow High.

“They [The Great Hall] can receive a lot more money by hosting a wedding or other reception, but instead, they have to host our prom,” Albright said. “We looked at the Loons and the H hotel, but they couldn’t fit us because we are just too big of a school.”

Junior class advisor Katy Stearns said that there are many reasons besides tradition as to why they stuck with the Great Hall and decided to have dinner there. Prom has been at the Great Hall for a long time, the Great Hall can fit 850 people, and the school doesn’t have to do a lot for decorating the venue.

“I’m an alumni and I love tradition, and when it was first brought [dinner at the dance] to me I didn’t know,” Stearns said. “The more we asked around, we found that we are the only school in the area, besides Bay City Central, that doesn’t host a dinner as part of prom.”

Another possible solution which was considered was to have a venue outside of Midland, but the administration has set restrictions on how far the students can travel.

Stearns said that they want to keep students from traveling too far of a distance for safety.

“We don’t go outside of Midland because it’s Midland-Dow Prom,” Stearns said. “We want to do local business, we want to keep it local, we don’t want kids driving very far.”

Junior Jack Schulz, who is a member of the Prom committee, said that with the new dinner, there had to be a new ticket price.

Instead of being $25 each, the tickets will now increase to $50.This price is still lower than most schools in the Tri-Cities.

“The price has increased to allocate for the funds needed for the dinner itself,” Schulz said. “I think there will be a little decrease in attendance. I would say, if you want to come to Prom you are going to pay it anyway, because the price increase for Prom tickets, won’t decrease the demand for them.”

The ticket sale window is also shorter and earlier this year due to the new dinner. The venue has to know how much food to make for the event, which is the reason why the sale window is shorter than usual. Ticket sales will end a week before the event, April 19, which causes some concern for Stearns.

“My biggest worry is that ticket sales have to stop April 19, they have to because we have to call in how much we’re having,” Stearns said.

“My fear is kids are going to wait until the last minute, because that’s what humans do, and we cannot sell tickets after April 19.”

The final alteration to Prom will be the check in time. If someone is eating dinner at Prom, they can start to check in at 5:30, with dinner being served at 6:30. This is earlier than last year’s Prom because there was not a check in. If someone chooses to attend the Prom and not eat dinner, they have to check in before 7:00. The doors will close at 7:00 and no one will be allowed in after that time.

If prom goers leave the event before it is over, they are not allowed back in.

Stearns believes that despite these changes, there is still a lot to look forward to. She feels that the decorations that they have provided for the theme of “A Red Carpet Affair” will make for a fun night.

“I’ve been helping a little bit with the decoration committee,” Stearns said. “There’s a lot of logistics that go into it. I’m most excited for the entry, Everett Carpet has donated some beautiful red carpet. Change can be good.”

Info Time Doors open at 5:30pm, dinner is served at 6:30pm, & doors close at 7:00pm Tickets are $50 per person Theme Red Carpet Affair Location The Great Hall Banquet Convention Center 5121 Bay City Road, Midland MHS Advisors Monique Albright Katy Stearns

news

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4-0

The girls varsity soccer team defeated Gaylord (4-0) in a pre-season scrimmage on Wed. March 21. Chloe Rajewski, Riley Rajewski, Ellie Wardell, and Abbie Fowler all scored.

2

nd

Bryce Albrecht finished 2nd for the pole vault (12-16) at the first indoor meet for the boys varsity track team, which was held at SVSU on Wed. March 21.

8 The boys varsity baseball team is ranked eighth in the state going into the regular season.

The team graduated five players but have nine returning seniors for the 2018 season.

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sports

AT H L E T E O F T H E M O N T H : M a r t i n M o n e y

S

Staff Writer Lillian Mohr

enior Martin Money became interested in sports at an early age. He started off his lifelong career by playing hockey and soccer, and his parents were nothing but supportive and encouraged him to try something different when he decided to pursue something else. This eventually led to Money becoming a high school varsity athlete, and his participation in baseball, basketball, and football.

In his four years of high school, he has played 11 varsity sports seasons.

After he graduates, Money plans to attend Saginaw Valley State University to play baseball so he will be able to play professionally in the future.

“I knew I wanted to play baseball, but I also had the thought of playing football in college as well,” Money said. “I ultimately chose just baseball because it would be hard to do both.”

Varsity Baseball Coach Eric Albright said Money’s competitiveness and drive to win is what makes him a successful athlete.

“He hates to lose,” Albright said. “His energy level is high and he is always competing.”

Money said that there are many positive features about playing on the baseball team; however, the most rewarding aspect is how the game brings the entire team together.

“You make a lot of new friends and strengthen friendships,” Money said. “It’s just good to be with a good group of guys, and Coach Albright is very good about making it like a team aspect.”

Albright is determined that Money can accomplish a plethora of things before the end of his final baseball season.

He was All-Valley first team last year.

“I hope at the end he can be proud of the effort he put forth and the impact he left,” Albright said. ”I hope he can leave his mark.”

instagram of the month

tweet of the month

UPCOMING EVENTS

GIRLS TENNIS

Away @ Lapeer High School | 4:00 p.m. | Wed. April 11

BOYS BASEBALL

Away @ Mt. Pleasant High School 3:30 p.m. | Thurs. April 12

GIRLS SOCCER

Away @ Carman- Ainsworth | 6:00 p.m. | Wed. April 11

BOYS LACROSSE

Away @ Heritage High School | 7:00 p.m. | Tues. April 10 March 28, 2018

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mental health

Illustration: Noah Jacobson

The Focus addresses:

mental health

T

The Midland community has three primary outlets that offer aid to teenagers who suffer from poor mental health, however these aren’t comprehensive enough to address the issue.

he amount of available resources and facilities that cater to mental health are lacking at MHS, making an inadequate environment for students struggling in this area. The only primary support systems for MHS students are the Community Mental Health organization, the Youth Environment Services (YES), and the three MHS counselors and one social worker. The Focus Editorial Board believes these are not sufficient.

Mrs. Warner is a reputable counselor, working through the Community Mental Health organization specifically for students in crisis situations. She suffered a tragedy in 2012 when her son took his own life. Mrs. Warner’s personal experience has allowed her to attain a better understanding of the victims she works to help.

However, she is in too high of demand. Since she is the only available counselor working through MHS in this organization, she is constantly overbooked. This forces

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editorial

students in need onto a several-day waiting list. The Focus believes her services are stretched far too thin, and she is in need of partners to help divide clients.

The YES is a non-profit organization based out of Midland, working against substance abuse, to raise awareness for community issues, and resolve unstable relationships within families.

However, it has no direct connection with MHS, so the organization cannot take initiative to help students without being contacted first.

We think this lack of cohesion should be combated.

There is roughly a 1 to 400 counselor to student ratio, with the only social Mr. Zimmermann, who is retiring at the end of this year.

We think this is far from suitable, and Vice Principal Amy Hutchinson agrees.

She said the counselors are overbooked with other responsibilities - so much so that they don’t have enough time to properly counsel.

In order to reverse this, we think there needs to be a larger number of counselors on staff to divide out the workload while also freeing up time to be available to students in need of counseling.

Mrs. Warner said that high school counselors are not properly equipped with the correct training to handle current mental health problems, so The Focus is in support of increased training for high school counselors. In order to keep treatment methods up-to-date and effective, training sessions every marking period could be instituted for all counselors.

This will ensure that counselors are always gaining experience, able to provide students with the most effective counseling methods.

Rather than investing grant money into the infrastructure of the building, we think these funds should be allocated toward more important issues, like students’ well-being. Money can be funneled toward these ongoing training sessions for counselors, as well as hiring

additional counselors.

While these three primary resources for students struggling with their mental health are effective, The Focus believes there are additional measures that need to be taken to create a more suitable environment.

Lastly, we think there needs to be vast change in how mental health services are publicized.

There needs to be a heightened awareness in school for all the resources available in case of crisis situations. The already limited resources, like the YES organization and Mrs. Warner, aren’t common knowledge among high schoolers. Therefore, victims are uneducated about the aid available in times of need.

Overall, The Focus views the current resources available for mental health as insufficient. In order to improve this problem, more counselors should be hired, current and new counselors should be supplied with more intensive and consistent, and the resources available should be widely advertised.

March 28, 2018

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a way to tune in Roads as far as the eye can see, horizons filled with lakeside views, fits of laughter, random dancing, comfy beds, and blankets are calling. Spring Break is coming, and together Danielle, Spencer, and Olivia have created the perfect concoction of songs for a variety of your Spring Break needs. Whether you’re staying home and chilling, hitting the highways, or gathering with a group of friends to party, we’ve got something for you. For your perfect cruising playlist, pick Spencer’s “road trip.” For the playlist for your lazy days, queue up Danielle’s “chillin’.” If it’s time to let loose, Olivia’s “party” will do. Opinion Editor Danielle Julien | Staff Writer Spencer Isberg | Staff Writer Olivia Barber

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road trip

chillin’

spencer’s picks

Eventually // Tame Impala i was all over her // salvia palth Bloom // -Ardency Farther Reaches // Fog Lake Farrah Abraham // Mathew Lee Cothran Dreaming // Mac Demarco The Porter // Dream Affair Walk In The Park - Beach House Dissolve Me // Alt-J Real Love // Big Thief Bow Down (To No Man) // Hogni Set You Free // The Black Keys Electrician // Breton Robson Girl // Mac Demarco Biscuit Town // King Krule

The road trip playlist starts out on a more open note with the son “Eventually” by Tame Impala.

A synthy track with the objective of getting you ready for the long trip ahead. The playlist will take you to “The Porter” by Dream Affair, a song that hits hard in 80’s driven music culture, and is sure to keep your mind elsewhere, but your eyes on the road. The journey finishes with the song “Biscuit Town,” a return to reality with a kick-heavy drum and bouncing lyrics.

Photo Illustrations: Danielle Julien opinion

March 28, 2018

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danielle’s picks

First Day of My Life // Bright Eyes Bethlehem // Declan McKenna Creep On Creepin’ On // Timber Timbre Dog Years // Maggie Rogers Creature Fear // Bon Iver Warm Glow // Hippo Campus Motion Sickness // Phoebe Bridgers Saw You In a Dream // Japanese House Weird Around You // Eerie Summer Deadwater // wet Cages // NEEDTOBREATHE Play Dead (4am remix) // Tom Walker Song for Zula // Phosphorescent John Wayne // Cigarettes After Sex Such Great Heights // Iron & Wine

The first song for any chill playlist has to be “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes. It perfectly sets a calm mood and is also punny because it’s the first song. As you continue listening, you’ll flow through songs that keep with the calmness. Phoebe Bridgers’ “Motion Sickness” kicks it up a little, providing something to groove along to, and those grooves can continue until you reach the calmness again in “Song for Zula” by Phosphorescent.

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March 28, 2018

party

olivia’s picks

Bodak yellow // Cardi B Strip // Chris Brown Motor Sport // Migos, Cardi B, Nicki Minaj Lose Yourself // Eminem God’s Plan // Drake Psycho // Post Malone First Day Out // Tee Grizzley Unforgettable // Pnb Rock Relationship // Young Thug feat. Future Money Longer // Lil Uzi Vert Rake It Up // Yo gotti feat. Nicki Minaj Caroline // Anime Sorry // Beyonce Motto // Drake Bedrock // Lil Wayne

This playlist is great for a long night out. It starts off with the song “Bodak Yellow” by Cardi B, which has the perfect upbeat sound to start off your night. That sound continues through each song, until things get a little slower with Post Malone’s “Psycho.” Continuing on, you’ll find an oldie like Drake. And finally, to finish it all off right, some good ol’ Lil Wayne. Overall, this playlist provides ample jams to party to.

opinion

19

a way to tune in Roads as far as the eye can see, horizons filled with lakeside views, fits of laughter, random dancing, comfy beds, and blankets are calling. Spring Break is coming, and together Danielle, Spencer, and Olivia have created the perfect concoction of songs for a variety of your Spring Break needs. Whether you’re staying home and chilling, hitting the highways, or gathering with a group of friends to party, we’ve got something for you. For your perfect cruising playlist, pick Spencer’s “road trip.” For the playlist for your lazy days, queue up Danielle’s “chillin’.” If it’s time to let loose, Olivia’s “party” will do. Opinion Editor Danielle Julien | Staff Writer Spencer Isberg | Staff Writer Olivia Barber

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road trip

chillin’

spencer’s picks

Eventually // Tame Impala i was all over her // salvia palth Bloom // -Ardency Farther Reaches // Fog Lake Farrah Abraham // Mathew Lee Cothran Dreaming // Mac Demarco The Porter // Dream Affair Walk In The Park - Beach House Dissolve Me // Alt-J Real Love // Big Thief Bow Down (To No Man) // Hogni Set You Free // The Black Keys Electrician // Breton Robson Girl // Mac Demarco Biscuit Town // King Krule

The road trip playlist starts out on a more open note with the son “Eventually” by Tame Impala.

A synthy track with the objective of getting you ready for the long trip ahead. The playlist will take you to “The Porter” by Dream Affair, a song that hits hard in 80’s driven music culture, and is sure to keep your mind elsewhere, but your eyes on the road. The journey finishes with the song “Biscuit Town,” a return to reality with a kick-heavy drum and bouncing lyrics.

Photo Illustrations: Danielle Julien opinion

March 28, 2018

FOCUS

danielle’s picks

First Day of My Life // Bright Eyes Bethlehem // Declan McKenna Creep On Creepin’ On // Timber Timbre Dog Years // Maggie Rogers Creature Fear // Bon Iver Warm Glow // Hippo Campus Motion Sickness // Phoebe Bridgers Saw You In a Dream // Japanese House Weird Around You // Eerie Summer Deadwater // wet Cages // NEEDTOBREATHE Play Dead (4am remix) // Tom Walker Song for Zula // Phosphorescent John Wayne // Cigarettes After Sex Such Great Heights // Iron & Wine

The first song for any chill playlist has to be “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes. It perfectly sets a calm mood and is also punny because it’s the first song. As you continue listening, you’ll flow through songs that keep with the calmness. Phoebe Bridgers’ “Motion Sickness” kicks it up a little, providing something to groove along to, and those grooves can continue until you reach the calmness again in “Song for Zula” by Phosphorescent.

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March 28, 2018

party

olivia’s picks

Bodak yellow // Cardi B Strip // Chris Brown Motor Sport // Migos, Cardi B, Nicki Minaj Lose Yourself // Eminem God’s Plan // Drake Psycho // Post Malone First Day Out // Tee Grizzley Unforgettable // Pnb Rock Relationship // Young Thug feat. Future Money Longer // Lil Uzi Vert Rake It Up // Yo gotti feat. Nicki Minaj Caroline // Anime Sorry // Beyonce Motto // Drake Bedrock // Lil Wayne

This playlist is great for a long night out. It starts off with the song “Bodak Yellow” by Cardi B, which has the perfect upbeat sound to start off your night. That sound continues through each song, until things get a little slower with Post Malone’s “Psycho.” Continuing on, you’ll find an oldie like Drake. And finally, to finish it all off right, some good ol’ Lil Wayne. Overall, this playlist provides ample jams to party to.

opinion

19

mental health

selfishly selfish Gwynne Özkan M AG G I E M C G E E Senior The absolute best part of senior year is finally deciding on my future, and seeing all my best friends do the same. While I’m enrolled in beauty school, they’ll be attending Big Ten colleges and even serving in the military. Four years ago, I never would’ve thought we’d all be going in such different directions.

HENRY KESSLER Junior My favorite part of being a junior is constantly being overwhelmed and stressed out, and working my hardest to fall short of my goals. And on top of that, I love standardized testing.

h u m a n s

o f

MIDLAND HIGH 20

opinion

I

used to pull my hair into whatever I wanted. I’d part it down the middle, letting it fall and curl at the ends.

Sometimes I would string it into two dutch braids. I felt good.

He made all of that stop. He’d greet me with a hug and use it as an excuse to pull his hands through my hair and change my part because he “wasn’t into that.” He’d pull me onto the couch while gently pulling out my braids because he “liked it down.”

It seems small. It’s just a hairstyle, after all.

And for a long time I thought the same thing, but it had been more than that. I was in a fog, an unhealthy situation. I was forced to squint my eyes to see through the dangerous haze that turned glaring issues into petty worries.

Before I was confident and bubbly, and now I was embarrassed and insecure. It was more than just a hairstyle.

I was beginning to let my mental health slip, complacent in my own mental demise, and my physical health had just finally begun catching up. I’d reach to itch my nose, and my hand would come back red. The blood would cover my face, run down my chin, drip onto my neck. This had become the norm. I must have been trying to bleed out the bad. 4:30 in the afternoon. 5:00. 6:00. All I’d eaten was a clementine and lost a battle with a granola bar wrapper. Coughing fits became routine. Sleep went from sparse to seldom. Though at the time seemingly small, these perpetual fights were enough to create a war within myself.

My body was desperate -- begging, pleading for surrender, for the attention I had been withholding for too long.

Life was up and down. Then up, then down.

I slipped into a habitual cycle of two moods: one full of boisterous laughter, the other passive and consisting of nothing past shrugs and nods. But the smiles were forced and the happiness was fleeting, while the sad always lingered too long.

Sure, things were different than they’d always been. But this relationship was different, it made my life different. Not better, but different. It was okay, I’d tell myself. I agreed to this. Except I had done so with the warped notion that the love I received back would compensate for the love I stopped giving myself. It didn’t.

This kind of behavior stems from a toxic, but common, mentality. I genuinely believed that it was justifiable to let myself go as long as it was for the benefit of someone else. Being in a relationship has become so casually portrayed by cliche romantic dramas and relationship goals -- extremely glorified. Therefore, they’re sought after for the wrong reasons. It’s as if relationships have been deemed a crucial component to what’s considered the universally ideal lifestyle, as if falling madly in love is some imminent goal to be achieved or the world will implode.

A significant other is widely misconstrued as a solution for sadness, or loneliness, when we are in fact the solution. The relationship that should be given prominence is the one we foster with ourselves, considering we are alone far more than we are with others.

I’m baffled at the lengths I see people go for others that they’d never go for themselves -- it’s twisted. I never thought I’d fall victim to such a disservice, until I was the one suffering to put other people at ease. But now I’m out.

Finally, I’ve begun to appreciate alone time for what it truly is: an opportunity to be selfish.

I can embrace things that bring me solace and fuel my own fires. It’s as simple as queuing up my favorite songs and spending an obnoxious amount of time at Barnes & Noble.

I start my days and end them selfishly selfish. I take my time choosing outfits and parting my hair, because I like how it looks.

I order coffee with an inappropriate amount of whipped cream, shamelessly ask for refills, and pay for myself. I laugh extra loud when it’s quiet, without having to be hushed. And I’ve replaced old photographs with bright sticky notes. These may seem like minute details, but they’ve made impressions.

I choose and will continue to choose myself, because I don’t get bloody noses anymore and I stopped snapping at the people I love. I scarf down granola bars -- plural -- in calculus and I part my hair however I want. I may still have bags under my eyes, but it’s because I finally have time to read again, and can’t help but finish whatever chapter I’m in. I fell out of love, but jumped back in just as quickly -- except this time with someone who will always matter. Me. March 28, 2018

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first world problems Kelly Craig

I

first learned of Stephen Hawking’s death only two hours after it had happened, having been suffering from a case of insomnia brought on by my anxieties over the SAT math section.

As my Twitter feed unraveled with news of the physicist’s death with videos of his pop culture cameos and somewhat insensitive cartoons of him being ‘freed’ from his wheelchair, I remembered a quote from deceased paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould regarding Einstein’s brain: “I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein’s brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops.”

Hawking was a genius, and that statement is undeniable. He was also a genius with a life-threatening disability, who had access to 24/7 medical care, money, and whatever technological devices he needed to aid him that turned an ALS death sentence of two years into a fifty-five year career.

I’m not saying that Hawking is only famous because he could afford to be and that he was privileged. Hawking’s contributions to science and our general understanding of the universe have done so much good that I’m probably not intelligent enough to fully realize the extent. But I still can’t help but wonder how many Stephen Hawkings have existed that we’ve lost or not noticed because they weren’t afforded resources to survive in our current society.

When I finish writing this column, it will be published, and I will go back to living a life with first world problems. While we scour stores for the latest fashion trends, a child will have worked their fingers to the bone in a factory to make them. When we throw away mountains of food and complain about our Internet connection being slow, somewhere beyond our safety and comfort someone starves to death in the middle of the street. When we skip class and complain about our schoolwork, millions of girls are denied from attending schools and made into child brides. When we continue to

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March 28, 2018

dismiss The Hunger Games as a teenage girl wish fulfillment fantasy, we ignore the fact that it already exists in real time for people in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Naturally, I wonder how many of these people could have become Stephen Hawking. But I also wonder the amount of normal people with families and aspirations that have died unnecessary deaths or gone under the rug because of curable illnesses, toxic working conditions, proxy wars, and Western imperialism. The number of kids who will never get an education because they couldn’t afford to go to school, or the girls who will never get the chance to begin with. The thousands of innocent people killed in the invasion of Iraq in the name of fighting terrorism. The Syrian kids that could have been saved but weren’t because of the banning of entry to the United States.

Limiting our concern for people with less than fortunate situations because they could secretly be a genius is still a little unfair. But when the President calls everyone from “sh*thole countries” drug addicts, criminals, rapists, and terrorists, we aren’t thinking about the people who could become Stephen Hawking. We definitely aren’t considering the real reason why developing countries are still developing. We put in our headphones and turn up the volume and then wonder why problems exist in the first place.

Maybe not every person is a genius, but if we never give people the opportunities and the resources to become geniuses, we will continue to overlook them. Stephen Hawking’s death might have left a vacuum in his wake, but I know for sure that there are people out there with equal intellect and wit that will follow after him. I just don’t know if we will be able to find them.

So maybe we should think about it the next time we have a bad connection or our buses are late or we forgot our gloves that we are afforded so much more privileges that many other people around the world can’t even dream of having.

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

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opinion

21

keep it conscious, chemics Jacob May Carlie Servinski Sophomore My favorite part about being a sophomore is already having a year’s worth of experience in high school under my belt. It’s comforting to know what to expect for this year going in.

Gabe May Fr e s h m a n As a freshman, trying out for sports is great. You can try out for a new sport and not have as much pressure because you have the rest of high school to make varsity and accomplish what you want.

h u m a n s

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MIDLAND HIGH 22

opinion

T

he dawn of a new age has cast its shadow upon us. For the last two years the next genre has been emerging, and it has turned hip-hop into the most popular music in the world.

Let’s talk about the New Wave. Lil Pump, Cardi B, 21 Savage, Post Malone, Lil Uzi Vert, XXXTentacion, Migos, etc. They’re the newest to take over the rap game.

2017 was the biggest year in hip-hop. It came with expanding subgenres such as mumble rap and emo rap. But it all has something in common, and this is the New Wave rap that I’m addressing, it characterizes topics in hip-hop that glorify sex, drugs, and money.

It’s all about clout. The music is higher energy, and less lyrically talented compared to its precursor. Take an excerpt from Lil Pump’s megahit “Gucci Gang”: “Gucci gang, Gucci gang, Gucci gang (Gucci gang!) Gucci gang, Gucci gang, Gucci gang, Gucci gang” Wow, I don’t know about you, but I found that really inspiring. No, but seriously, we’re missing out on a fading genre; political and conscious rap. Macklemore, Tupac, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Logic, Jay-Z, the list goes on.

As activist based these artists are, the youth of today are trading off their impactful lyrics for messages that are trivial and meaningless.

I’ll never understand why people would ever want to listen to music so dull made by the likes of Lil Pump and Migos instead of lyrically talented, activism fueled artists such as Kendrick Lamar and lesser known King Los. It’s necessary for society to keep up on real topics and issues of today, and music is the perfect vessel for this.

A good example of this is found in Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power.” Released in 1989, it encouraged youth to engage in politics. The song also confronts racism in an unapologetic tone, and became a classic song for public protest. The piece manifests change to a faulty system.

Look at Macklemore’s 2013 hit, “Same Love,” the song peaked in the US at number 2 on the US Rap Chart. Not only was it a hit, but it spoke out about a real topic:

same-sex marriage. The song became a pop-culture anthem, and two years later the Supreme Court made a ruling that same-sex marriage was a legal right. The song was being played everywhere. And perhaps it even influenced change in a real world issue. But unfortunately, this is the most recent conscious rap piece that I can think of that could be considered a mega-hit.

Even a quick search of “biggest hits of 2010’s” returns no surprise results. Your basic mix of love songs and flashy music pops up.

There’s no shortage of music like this.

Sure, these songs might make you feel some sort of emotion, but we really ought to listen to more thought provoking, decision altering pieces of music.

Music is a huge part of our culture, it reflects who we are, right now. We as a people are focusing on music that not only supports, but facilitates the use of drugs and the objectification of women. Some of this music even goes as far as to promote violence.

But I guess you could say that that’s how things in America are going right now. It’s disappointing that we pay attention to music like this instead of music that encourages change to our faultiness.

It’s also disappointing to me to find that artists such as Lil Pump waste their talent for getting people to listen to them. Imagine if you combined a class A beat and put Lil Pump on the track, and he actually rapped about something substantial. We could be talking about “Same Love” level music here. The next “Heart Part IV,” or even the next “Brenda’s Got a Baby.”

It isn’t news that music is a huge cultural influence, but it’s being utilized in the wrong way. Rappers today are so influential, they have the ability to talk to all of today’s youth through the most powerful platform: music.

And while America is in the middle of a drug epidemic, they continue to exhaust the topics of drugs, money, and sex. But as long as it sounds like a banger, we’ll continue to play into the scheme. There needs to be an emphasis on positive change.

March 28, 2018

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

TAKE IT

fearless

The University of Michigan advances to the Final Four in the March Madness tournament.

Holly Stauffer LEAVE IT

W

hen I was a freshman, my greatest goal was conquering my fears.

It began with my Schools of Choice application to transfer from Jefferson to Midland High, rather than follow the typical track my peers would tread to Dow High.

After a few months of silence, shyness, and new girl-ness, I began to feel comfortable with the nerves that came with the new classmates surrounding me. I forced myself to spark conversations, pushed myself to develop new friendships, and expanded my comfort zone until I found my niche. Eventually, people forgot I was the new girl, and my once overwhelming fear of change was conquered.

The next fear I set out to defeat was locked inside DVD cases with titles in blood red script. I had always been extra jumpy when watching anything that would fit into the Horror Movies category on Netflix, so I took it head-on. Home alone one night, I switched off all the lights in my house and sat down to watch Hush, a movie that was infamous for giving people nightmares for days on end.

I sat through the entire thing, clasping my hands so tightly together my knuckles were white, convincing myself that I wasn’t scared.

After repeating the process a few more times with a few different movies, my appreciation for horror films grew and it became one of my favorite genres. My fear of horror was conquered.

One of the highlights of freshman year was overcoming my fear of boys. After being petrified around the male gender my whole life, I decided to tackle this fear after a sophomore boy had taken notice of me. As a freshman, an older boy who was on two varsity sports teams and had his own driver’s license knowing my name was a big deal, so it took all the guts in my body to accept his invitation to go out to lunch. After swinging the car door open too quickly because of how nervous I was, hitting myself in the face and leaving a bright red scratch, I somehow survived the rest of the lunch period. Unfortunately, my brief success was cut short when I learned that he pulled the same flirtatious move on multiple other girls. Nonetheless, my fear of boys was

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March 28, 2018

conquered.

No matter how many of my numerous fears I seemed to overcome freshman year, the list continued to grow. I would defeat one, and before long, another would impede a different aspect of my life, each one more serious than the next. As I got older, my bravery diminished as fears became more serious and affected me in greater ways.

My fear of heights emerged. I developed an immense fear of what other people thought of me, which caused me to keep my real personality in the shadows for far too long, and to let the words of others scar me deeper than they deserved to. I began to fear that I wasn’t good enough to accomplish things that I had wanted for so long, letting the self-doubt tear my confidence from my hands. I grew in fear that my flaws would get in the way of being able to help other people and make a positive impact on them, causing me to isolate myself often out of pure fear that my friends would see me for who I really was and I would lose them. Each time I tried to resolve a fear, more would develop.

Many of my friends or people that I talk to on a day to day basis admit that their fears tend to hinder their potential. While I’m no stranger to this, I am also learning to see the value that fear has. Fear can be the driving force for initiative, and built up fear can be what makes the taste of success even better.

My freshman self thought that by now, I would be fearless. I’ve put up a fight, but I wouldn’t say I’m quite free from fear yet, and probably never will be. My fears now aren’t as easy to bid goodbye to as simply watching a scary movie alone was. But while attempting to rid myself of them, I’ve also realized that without fear, I wouldn’t challenge myself and I wouldn’t know what it feels like to have a risk pay off. Some fears are a part of who I am, following me like a shadow, driving me to make decisions that become important turning points in my life. And while I’m still not fearless, I think my freshman self would be proud if she knew the next fear I’m conquering: my fear of fear.

Actor Chris Evans confirms that he is leaving Marvel after Avengers 4.

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Fortnite mobile becomes available on all smartphones.

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Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking dies on March 14 due to complications with ALS.

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opinion

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the

Student Activism Seniors Kelly Emery and Zach O’Dell made signs in support of the walkout.

The numbers show how many victims died at each mass shooting.

Photo: Hope O’Dell

Student Activism

Seniors Ethan Bruce and Emily Hanson partnered with Junior Annie Laforet to facilitate the student protest of gun violence.

Photo: Hadley Morden

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Midland High School | March 28, 2018 | Volume 40, Issue 7

Girls Varsity Soccer Po r n Ad d i c t i o n Prom Changes T h e a te r M a ke u p