March 6th, 2014 Issue

ROBOTICS CLUB | PAGE 10

CCL | PAGE 12-13

CHEER INJURIES | PAGE 14

THE

FOCUS

HENNA | PAGE 21

Midland High School |March 6, 2014 | Volume 36, Issue 6

From student to teacher

Senior Caroline Mulvaney has spent the past eight years perfoming as a dancer. She started her career by taking a class at Miss Lore’s school of Performing Arts and is now teaching a class at the Creative 360 building in Midland.

Page: 22

SPECIAL REPORT: Students reflect on their experiences taking the ACT. Natalie Schwartz | Photos

Volume 36 Issue 6

FOCUS C O N T E N T S

12-13

MARCH WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE?

03 Editorial 04-07 Opinion 08-09 All about the ACT 10 How to retake the ACT 11 Robotics Club 12-13 CCL basketball 14 Dangers of Cheer 15 Sports Zone FOCUS EDITORS

23 22

24

21

Scout Parsch Editor in Chief Jack Duly Managing Editor Katie McIntyre News Editor Maddy Wheelock Features Editor Michael Adams A&E Editor Emily Resmer Sports Editor Kyle Blackwood Opinion Editor Sarah Wontorcik Photo Editor Mercedes Hussein Design Editor Emily Fisher Ad Coordinator Hannah Lasky Exchange Editor Michelle Demo Website Editor Jim Woehrle Adviser Midland Daily News Printer

16 Long distance relationships 17 Students in the Military 18-19 Crohn’s Disease 20 Advertisements 21 Henna 22 Caroline Mulvaney 23 Resale Shop 24 Pokemon popularity WRITE A LETTER If something annoys you about us, school, or life in general,

write a letter to the editor.

If something amuses you about us, school, or life in general,

write a letter to the editor.

If we got something wrong,

write a letter to the editor.

If it’s coherent and under 300 words,

we’ll run it.

Drop them off at room 345 with your name.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT 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 Press

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. Focus, however, reserves the right to contest the challenge of an administrator who attempts to censor and/ or remove an article or graphic element.

Prepped for pressure?

EDITORIAL

The ACT is the most important test that a student will take. Did the school succeed in preparing students for this recently taken high stakes test?

What do you t hink?

Is the school effectively preparing students for the ACT/MME?

“Honestly, I don’t know enough about the ACT to answer that.”

Freshman Kyle Johnson

W

ith the weight of the American College Testing (ACT) finally off the shoulders of the juniors, administrators of Midland Public Schools are undoubtedly already beginning to prepare for next year’s test preparation.

With these test being such a large factor in college acceptances and the way that Midland High as a school is assessed, it is crucial that administrators do as much as they can to properly prepare students for them.

In the 2011-2012 school year, Midland High School placed in the 81st percentile; meaning our school performed better than 81 percent of all schools in the state of Michigan. In the 2012-2013 school year, that number dropped, putting Midland High in the 76th percentile to make us what is called a “focus school.”

Being a focus school means that Midland High is part of the ten percent of schools that have the largest achievement gaps between its top 30 percent of students and its bottom 30 percent, which essentially means that there are not many students achieving scores in the middle.

Midland High becoming a focus school has fueled administrators’ drive for the best scores possible.

The Focus believes that our school’s

Casey LaValley | Illustration

administrators are doing all that they can to ensure students’ success. This year there were many opportunities offered by the school to aid students in preparing for the ACT. One of these opportunities included ACT prep sessions after school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. These provided a quiet environment for students to study for the test. In addition, many teachers gave timed practice ACT questions and tests in class where students generally have to get one minute per question. This timed environment helped students to adapt to and become more comfortable with the time limit that takes place during the ACT. Another opportunity presented to students was the practice ACT. Originally, students had to sign up to take the test on a Saturday; however, on Thursday, February 13, all juniors who had not taken the practice test on the previous Saturday were required to take it. This test was set up exactly how the real ACT was same environment, time frame, and types of questions, all to give juniors a good idea of what to expect.

With all this preparation that is provided to students, it has come into question if there anything left that

administrators could do to further ensure students’ success. The Focus believes that while the administrators are doing what they can, there are a few recommendations we have to offer. For instance, preparation should start earlier in the year; it may seem pointless in the beginning, but students will accumulate the skills needed to succeed when taking the ACT without being overwhelmed.

Another suggestion is that school may be closed for the three test taking days and only the juniors come to the building to take the tests in the classrooms. This would make it much less distracting, as there would not be nearly as many people around, unlike the crowded environment of the auxiliary gym. It would also be easier for supervisors to see everyone, therefore making it more difficult for students to cheat.

Overall, the Focus thinks that the administrators are doing the best they can in ensuring students’ success. They have presented numerous opportunities to students to help them study and become comfortable with the timed circumstances. They have also helped students work through the hard-tounderstand questions and know what to expect on the test page.

“I believe the school does play their part with ACT prep, but from what I’ve heard, the test is substantially harder than the questions given to us.”

Sophomore Suzannah Koop

“I think that MHS does prepare the students well, The addition of the required ACT practice test for all juniors was a nice touch to the preparation. “ Junior Jacob Strait

“I think they are. That was all the prep I did, and I got a pretty good score.

Although, they made it seem a lot harder than it really was.”

Senior Hannah Vinande

mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 03

O P I N I O N

50 WORD RANTS Throughout the year students are forced to complete an overabundance of unnecessary homework assignments. Not only are we legally forced to go to school until the age of sixteen for seven hours a day and five days a week, we are also forced to do extra work outside of school.

By: Kaitlyn Stymiest

Going to high school is like going to war.

You go in, do what you have to do, and leave. The problem is that it takes quickness and itelligence to survive the amount of backstabbers. The worst part is that the issues have to be solved by near frontier justice.

By: Kevin Sharpe

Tap. Tap. The only action to do when playing the most rage -inducing game: Flappy Bird.

I spend hours tapping on the screen, only to hear the music of failure drown me into sorrow. The highest score I’ve ever recieved was five, few more deaths and I’ll need a new phone By: Colton Dexter

It is not fun to lose in Paddleton, especially when it comes down to a discrepancy in the rules. The serve is underhand only. It’s not side-arm. Not overhand! Serving the birdie in a side-armed fashion is extremely effective, but it is ILLEGAL! You must serve the birdie UNDERHAND! By: Ben Luzar

PUZZLE OF THE MONTH START

FINISH

Helping the homeless

We had arrived at our home for the next seven days – an old church in Nashville, Tennessee. Not only would it house the ten of us, but also seventy other people from around the country. Better yet, we soon learned we would have to divide the four showers between the eighty of us which did, in fact, turn out to be a nightmare. Considering this was the first mission trip I had ever been on, I wanted nothing more than to get back in the 15-passenger van and drive back home.

There, I could have a shower to myself that lasted more than five minutes and sleep in my own bed instead of a mattress on a tile floor. I had to keep reminding myself that I was there for a reason; this trip was not about me, it was about helping others.

Our main focus for the trip was to help the homeless. Nashville alone has approximately 3,000 to 4,000 people currently living on the streets. Living in a sheltered place like Midland, this number seemed unrealistic to me. In Nashville, seeing a person sleeping under a tree or on a park bench became a normal sight. A couple days into the trip, they seemed to blend in with the scenery. It was utterly heartbreaking how people would literally walk over them – like they were nothing – yet it was the only thing they could do to keep them from asking for money.

One of the most impactful activities on the trip was having a picnic with a homeless person. We split up into groups and each group packed an extra lunch. My group set off on a walk through the park to find someone living on the street. Sure enough, we came across a man who introduced himself as Pedro. Despite his missing teeth and sweatdrenched shirt, he smiled joyfully at us and agreed to join us on our picnic. I remember him being very open about his homelessness,

he didn’t try to hide it. At one point he even said he liked being homeless because he didn’t have to live how others wanted him to. This was shocking to me, and I wondered how someone could be so proud of having nothing.

The group and I sat in a circle on the rough cement as Pedro sat comfortably on the wooden bench. After asking Pedro generic questions, we asked him about his life as a homeless person. He answered openly and without hesitation. When he was finished telling his story, the group fell silent for a couple of moments; listening to the chirping birds, when Pedro began talking again.

“I used to work at a T-shirt stand,” he said with a toothless grin “but I did not like how my boss treated me so I stabbed him.”

Not knowing how to react, we smiled at him and asked if we could pray for him. We prayed, thanked him for joining us on our picnic, and wished him luck. As we began walking away from Pedro, I didn’t know exactly how to feel considering he turned out to be a criminal. Part of me felt sympathy towards him because he was homeless, but I was reminded that Pedro chose to live that lifestyle; it was what he wanted.

After meeting several people either living on the streets or in a homeless shelter, I caught myself thinking about their stories. I thought about the underprivileged kids I got to know throughout the week. Things as little as singing a song made their faces glow with pure happiness. Making improvements to halfway houses and seeing the excitement in the smiles of those who lived there made me feel like I had accomplished so much more than what I really had. Most often, though, I thought of Pedro; his confidence, his selfworth. He had so little yet he was happy. All of the people I had met on the trip were happy and accepting of what they had.

Nashville taught me that you don’t have to have material objects to be satisfied with life. Some of the happiest people I met had absolutely nothing.

WHERE’S VIC HIDING?

This year the Focus is trying something new. Similar to Where’s Waldo?, Vic will be hidden anywhere throughout the paper each month. The first person to find Vic, take a picture, and tweet it at @MHSFocus1 wins a free 44 oz.

Speedway slurpee. Make sure to tweet it with a flavor and your 5th hour teacher. Happy hunting, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

04 | FOCUS | MAR. 6, 2014

*the Vic on this page does not count

O P I N I O N

Trending Tunes Fading West Switchfoot Fading West is the soundtrack to a movie by the same name released by Switchfoot about their worldwide surfing adventures and careers as musicians. The album showcases their ties to surfing and has a vibrant, upbeat tone.

The band generally releases alternative rock with messages of hope in a broken world.

Switchfoot has not changed what they have to say, but how they say it on this album. Jon Foreman, the frontman, even says “Hope belongs in the darkest places” in the trailer

Prism

Katy Perry’s latest album Prism opens with “Roar,” an upbeat song with a booming chorus vaguely based off the classic Survivor song “Eye of the Tiger.” The song is a display of her self-confidence as she proclaims “I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter… I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar”.

Perry claims that she “really let that light in” on her newest record, speaking of its brighter texture. This “light” can be seen on the housemusic inspired songs that are typical to a Perry album. “Walking on Air” is filled with fist-pumping beats and a repetitive chorus that seems to never stop, which is where the album goes a little overboard.

Many of the tracks are extremely repetitive with a certain word or phrase. The repetitiveness gets old fast, especially on songs like “Unconditionally” and “Legendary Lovers.”

A review of Prism would not be complete without mention of “Dark Horse.” This song is the jewel of the album with its slinky, mysterious beat and the vocals that so smoothly slide out of Perry, especially on the verse. Prism is a typical album from Perry, but it doesn’t disappoint, filled with catchy beats, hits songs, and of course her reigning vocals.

Nothing Was the Same

Drake’s latest album Nothing Was the Same was a hit in both the rap world and within mainstream media selling over 1.4 million copies to date. Opening the album “Tuscan Leather” starts bold as Drake proclaiming how great that he thinks he is: “I reached the point where s*** don’t matter to me...

Rich enough that I don’t have to tell ‘em that I’m rich...I just set the bar.” Each track has a unique sound, but taking top is “Connect” with its slow jam feel, it’s packed with soul and R&B. Drake said “ I’ll never do a straight rap album. That’s not how I came into this and that’s never what I’ll do. I make songs for the people.”. Next to the hard rap songs like “Furthest thing” or “Worst Behaviour” where Drake raps about carnal pleasures, hedonistic success, and sex, are more introspective songs. “Own It” lets Drake describe how he wants to have a more serious relationship with a woman than how he has described interacting with them on other parts of the album, see “Wu-tang Forever” or “Hold On, We’re going home.” Collectively, this album is a lot of classic Drake, backed by fresh beats to produce a very typical drugs, sex, power, and money rap album that was popular with millions.

As it becomes more mainstream to buy singles rather than entire records, the Focus weighs in on the latest and greatest albums. From Rock to Rap, the newest albums are analyzed for both their good and bad qualities. Nick Wright | Staff Writer

for the album film. The music on this album was created all around the globe; wherever the band went to film they picked up on indigenous instruments, some of which they brought home with them and are featured on the record. They used less conventional guitar, drums, and bass while the synthesizers take a bigger role in the production of nearly all of the songs.

The track “Ba55” is one of the band’s more experimental songs on this record with an ambient synth line and rich drumbeat that complements Foreman’s muffled lyrics.

“Who We Are” sounds a bit like a song produced by MGMT; it has a catchy, choirfilled chorus, echoing vocals, and, of course, a glockenspiel to compliment the verse. The track closest to Switchfoot’s traditional sound of rock and roll is “Say it like you mean

AM

You may have most recently heard of the Arctic Monkeys because of their triumph over One Direction (and other British bands) in this year’s BRIT Awards. Arctic Monkeys’ latest album, the nearly-eponymous AM, is the perfect mash-up of hip-hop-like beats, hard rock, and psychedelic rock.

The whole album is heavy in an indie rock way; the dark beats start right from the beginning with the track “Do I Wanna Know?” Before front man Alex Turner spits out rhythmical, syllable-packed poetry with a Yorkshire accent, he lays down a riff that might make you want to learn guitar.

Of course, this track isn’t the only one with a catchy riff, the lead guitar player Jamie Cook has a riff rivaling the first on nearly half of the other on the album, contributing to its hard rock feel. “Knee Socks” has a spacey feel with the galloping bass line from Nick O’Malley and ambient background vocals from the rest of the band. “R U Mine,” one of the most powerful and energy-laden songs, showcases drummer Matt Helders’ ability.

Together, the tracks on this album show the heavier, “spacier” side of Arctic Monkeys; but the effect is a good adding more depth into the band’s expanding catalogue of indie rock.

it” which has a heavier and grittier feel in compared to of the rest of the album. This song is the rawest, right down to the lyrics: “But I don’t believe it, Spit it out, Like you mean it, Spit it out, Like you mean it, yeah, Spit it out.” Most unique in this track is the sitar, or sitar-like instrument, used to fade out the song representing the world instruments that recur throughout the entire record.

The album lacks a centerpiece song with a powerful guitar riff that a Switchfoot album usually carries; see “Meant to live” from the album The Beautiful Letdown or “Dark Horses” from Vice Verses.

Switchfoot’s Fading West is a fresh take for the band that is full of energy and optimism and packed with lyrics and a message that is definitely a must listen if you are having a down day or need a boost of hope.

After the Disco

Broken Bells is composed of two alreadyfamous musicians, James Mercer & Danger Mouse, making the band a supergroup of sorts.

You may have heard the group’s hit single “Holding on for Life,” the centerpiece for their latest album After the Disco. This album is laden with a sonic space feel combined with funky bass lines and drumbeats. Listen to “Control” or the title track “After the Disco” to get this full effect.

For the most part the album is simple, melodic, and catchy. “Lazy Wonderland” is a refrain, a settling down, that provides the listener with a break from the club. Other than this, the album stays with a spacey theme; many songs are complimented with a strong atmosphere. In fact, the album art features a woman staring into the colorful universe, and the relatively popular music video for “Holding on For Life” features a space encounter between a man and a woman in some sort of ethereal space club.

This video sets a good tone for what the entire album is, or at least what it is trying to be: some sort of ambiguously-upbeatpsychedelic-disco-space-pop.

mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 05

Welcome to the jungle, We got PDA

O P I N I O N

Midland High is an awesome school, love it to death. We have great classrooms led by outstanding teachers; however, once outside the classrooms, welcome to the jungle.

Here are a few of my biggest annoyances experienced while walking the halls.

Random pieces of information told in less than 50 words

PDA (Public Displays of Affection)

As of late, PDA has been more violent than in the past. There are a few couples that I’m sure all come to mind when PDA is discussed, but it almost seems like I can diagnose a new case of it each day. From the straddling up the stairs to legs wrapped around bodies to hands going places they shouldn’t… it’s just gross. I have no problems with holding hands, a nice hug here and there, or maybe even a quick peck; but the moment when I have to get worried about one choking on the other’s tongue... that’s just messed up. Please Don’t Affect me in this awful way.

Slow walkers

I understand that some people have medical limitations, but for the rest of you...

SPEED THE HECK UP. Seriously, people are behind you. And we need to get to our classes. On time. It shouldn’t be my obligation to have to strategically plan to pass you. When the hallway is busy, being behind a slowpoke is the worst. Exceptional vision and elusiveness are often great skills to possess when trying to make a pass, which brings me to my next vexation.

The misguided

Not sure if these people haven’t taken driver’s training, lack common sense, think they rule the school, actually do rule the school, or are just ignorant, but it disrupts the flow of the hall, nonetheless. These lost souls make it especially hard to make the pass on a slowpoke, often necessitating a spin, rip, or swim move to avoid a head-on collision.

Swearers

One thing I despise is when I’m walking

Goodbye, Sochi 06 | FOCUS | MAR. 6, 2014

TIDBITS

down the hall between classes and hear loud expletives. I’m not just talking the h-word or the s-word, I’m talking the big-timers. I can’t believe the things others call people, and they’re not just joking around! “#$@* you, you %@#^ing #$%@bag piece of good-for-nothing %#*@!”

Use your imagination.

I would ask for the “Don’t say anything you wouldn’t want your grandma to hear” rule, but, frankly, the people that shout obscene things in the halls wouldn’t care, or probably even be reading this column.

The smaller, freshman kid that doesn’t get out of my way Seriously, dude, I’m going to run you over one of these days.

Teachers awkwardly standing outside their door, or walking the halls

We as students don’t really want to see them. They, as teacher, don’t really want to see us. Both occur each day. For some reason, I always feel obligated to speak to teachers when I pass them in the halls. I’ll catch the eye of a teacher about 30 yards down, and both of our heads go every direction but toward the other for the next ten yards (each). At about five feet away, I’ll check to see if they look.

Two feet now, with a nod of the head, “Mr./ Mrs._______.”

Zero feet.

“Nate, how’s it going?”

Negative five feet.

“Not too bad.”

Star Wars. Running with my iPod. Popcorn.

The new limited edition marshmallow-krispie Oreo cookies.

There are a lot of things that get me pumped up but few that get me as excited as the Winter Olympics. There’s something about snowboard cross combined with Bob Costas combined with the stress of desperately trying to get your homework done while watching the daily prime-time recaps (although there’s absolutely no way I’m going to get any homework done during alpine skiing).

Opening Ceremonies? Awesome! The way they were able to use the projectors on the stage was absolutely incredible. I also enjoyed the fact that one of the rings didn’t open up at the beginning, or, if you were super observant, how one of the guys in the glowing suits went to the wrong spot while creating the Russian flag, leaving a gaping hole. And

Exactly

195.5

Meryl Davis and Charlie White’s

BY THE NUMBERS

score in ice dancing giving the US its first gold medal in the sport.

3 THINGS you don’t have to worry about this month

1 2 3

Tweet OF THE Month MPS is putting Ron’s life on the line to have school today

Running out of free minutes on your olympics app mid-game.

Taking that ACT you’ve been crying over for the past month.

Groundhogs day

and one thing you still do...

Follow THIS User

Your hair freezing before you can make it to your car

@EvanLile

I’m very impressed that somehow Vladimir Putin was able to maintain a completely straight face through all of it.

The USA might not have made the top three at the end of the Olympics, but at least we excelled at getting the largest amount of bronze medals, which, you know, is kind of a big deal. I mean, gold and silver are great, but bronze is what we’re all shooting for, right?

Seriously though, this has been one of the most enjoyable years to watch. Meryl Davis and Charlie White won gold in ice dancing after a lifetime of skating together, skeleton silver medalist Noelle Pikus-Pace leapt into the stands immediately after her race to hug her family, and the snowboard cross team tackled Alex Deibold after winning bronze.

And then there’s the heartbreak that makes you want to jump through the screen and give the athlete a hug. If you hadn’t had enough with Jordyn Wieber in the last summer

Olympics, there’s now Lindsey Jacobellis to cry over. And Shawn White. And the entire US speed skating team.

The Olympics are basically the story of anyone’s life as you experience instant jubilation and then crushing disappointment.

We can’t be the athletes, but by living vicariously though their exciting lives is what we do our best .

What gets me the most excited about the Olympics, however, is the fact that almost the entire world is celebrating what’s best about our countries. Whether it’s Mexico, with its sole 55-year-old slalom skier, or the hundreds competing for Russia, there’s something or someone amazing everywhere. Syria can get me down and the revolts in Ukraine and Venezuela make me feel the like the world is coming to an end, but the Winter Olympics give me hope.

Now I just have to wait for Rio de Janeiro.

Girl Scout Cookies will kill you

After eleven years of being in the program, you get used to asking the question.

“Do you want to buy some Girl Scout cookies?”

For anyone with a heart, stomach, and wallet, the answer is usually yes. Everyone has their guilty pleasure. Whether it’s thin mints or samoas, we’ll find your weakness and attack it. And we’ll do it all while wearing an atrocious patch-adorned vest. But hey, at least it’s for a good cause. Right?

According to a fast-growing amount of people, it isn’t. There have been three major cookie boycotts in my time as a Girl Scout, and each one has left me struggling to understand these cookie-haters.

The first boycott happened when I was too small to understand the Girl Scout association with politics. Girl Scouts stand by their policy of allowing women of any sexual orientation to lead or join a troop. When people decided to educate themselves about this, there was a bit of an uproar. “How dare lesbians be allowed to lead my daughter in completely innocent crafts and camp activities!” They screamed. But to me, it all sounds the same: “I’m afraid of anyone different than me!” Girl Scouts is known for being an all-inclusive program with no religious affiliations. If they forbid anyone in the LGBT+ community the right to join Girl Scouts, it would be infringing on their religious impartiality.

Another thing that protestors seem to have a problem with is the apparent feminist viewpoints that Girl Scouts holds. This is the most puzzling concept to me. Girl Scouts is a program that strives to empower girls and help them develop self-confidence. Yes, we are feminist. That is the point.

Just a few years ago, another boycott was called during the Girl Scout cookie-selling season. This was started because one troop

Screaming for help

O P I N I O N

Social Media Struggles

let a nine year old male to female transgender student join their group. The student identifies as female, and every leader, girl, and parent in the troop was okay with the addition of a transgender girl to their troop. People who are not biologically female but still identify as such are allowed into Girl Scouting on a caseby-case basis. Still, the Girl Scout opposition was in a outrage. The homophobic protestors from past years now had a chance to let their transphobia shine.

The latest boycott is happening currently.

Protesters are claiming that Girl Scouts has an affiliation with Planned Parenthood- an organization that provides sexual education, contraception, cancer screenings, STD tests, and abortion services to people around the US. Just last month, an official statement was sent out by Girl Scouts that denies any relationship with the organization. Girl Scouts confirmed that they do not take a stance on reproductive issues, and believe that this is a topic best discussed within the family.

In an attempt to change the views of Girl Scouts, people have done nothing but starve themselves of cookies and Girl Scout troops of the funds they need to be beneficial and optimal organizations. I’m not saying that every person is required to buy a box of cookies, but if you’re refusing to do so because of your political affiliations, you are only preventing your local troop from reaching their goals. And trust me, most seven-yearolds in Brownie vests are not seeking to feed you feminism and reproductive rights.

The walls were covered in a fuzzy green coat, like football turf wrapped around us, holding us in the small space. Each corner we rushed around jutted out, poking me as we squeezed through the dark rooms. On the wall ahead of us I could see the severed heads with red stains hung inside a display case, laughing joyously. I clutched on to my older brother’s wind jacket with each step we took in what we thought was the right direction.

Nearly a half hour passed as we fumbled around inside the maze when my mom finally decided to send someone in to help get us out.

As we turned another corner, a wall opened up into a door to reveal a character dressed as Ghostface from Scream, who was supposed to lead us through the maze. Fear overcame me as Ghostface approached us, reaching out to my brother. I could hear my heart racing as my brother followed him through the halls without caution. This was my worst nightmare coming to life.

I watched my first (and last) Scream movie

To the excessive hash-taggers: We all know that it’s super #trendy #cuttteee #kewl to use a ton of hash-tags. The use of 12 hash-tags can really only add to the essence of any tweet/post. Hash-tags are revolutionary, in that this fine icon can completely change the direction of the sentence preceding it. Ex. #wow #amazing #hawt #hawtlikeBeyonce #Beyoncerocks #QueenB #loveher. Note how we began talking about how great hash-tags are and ended with Beyoncé. Truly #magical.

Hash-tags are much like webkinz. The more you have, the cooler you are. So to all you excessive hash-taggers out there, keep it up.

You are what is making the Internet great and spicing up the newsfeeds one (or 9) #hash-tag(s) at a time.

To the cutest Internet couples ever: I know that you are in love. Everyone knows that you are in love. I promise you that nobody cares nearly as much about your significant other as you do, except possibly their mom, but probably not even her. Posts/ tweets/pictures every once in a while is totally understandable; however, past that point, the madness must be controlled. It is the social media equivalent of making out in the hallway. Everyone wishes that you would just put it away and keep it to yourself.

To the obvious Tweeters: I truly do not know how I have made it through the days after deleting my Twitter without you fine people to keep me updated.

“Just keep breathing, it will be ok.” Thank the Lord for that little nugget of wisdom.

I could have DIED had you not told me to keep right on breathing. Then there are the weather tweets that never seem to fail.

“Wow, it’s so cold out today #freezing” in fourth grade. My mom had brought us to her friend’s house that had a boy my age. He and my older brother thought it would be a brilliant idea to watch Scream at our age in a dark basement.

I couldn’t help but watch every second of it. Granted, it definitely left its mark on me.

I can’t help but think Ghostface may pop out; Behind my door, under my bed (cliché, I know), or even in my shower.

The nightmares continued for over a year.

Thoughts that Ghostface would come in my room at night and slash at me while I slept couldn’t be shaken. I perfectly positioned my bunk bed so I had just the right view of my window and door. I wore my covers over my head with just a peek hole so I could be ready to attack if he did enter. I even hung beads on my door and slept with it closed so I would be given a fair warning of his arrival.

I really do wish I could watch scary movies, because the plots are always so interesting.

My problem is that I relate everything to my

Thermometers have nothing on you, Twitter.

I could never step foot outside but as long as I had a Twitter, I would know what the weather in Midland, MI was. However, I do step foot outside. And yes, sure enough, it is indeed still cold outside. In the winter. In Michigan. Riveting. I never knew that we had so many up and coming meteorologist among us; however, it seems that this may be a booming industry based on the Twitter feed during a snowstorm. Then there are the ladies that rate the weather on a scale of #literallydying to #canteven. Don’t’ worry girls, just grab your Starbucks and throw on some leggings and Uggs. Before you know it, it will be bikini season and you #justcant because of the heat.

To the Fight Starters: Your willingness to fan the flames via Twitter is audacious to say the least. It really is a service to everyone else because, if we’re being honest here, the people love it.

Everyone eats that drama up like doughnut holes. Any Midland vs. Dow sporting event is prime time for these bold individuals. As soon as the game starts, according to Twitter, Dow students are all a bunch of stuck up, rich, arrogant, too good, wads, and Midland students are all just hobos that get elevens on their ACTs. I salute everyone that takes part in these tweets. It is you that keeps the student bodies angry and entertained. It just wouldn’t be a game unless someone’s socioeconomic status was being insulted. own life. Ghostface killed an actress in her hotel room. Therefore, I can never stay in a hotel room alone. Or that time when he killed someone during a play performance, it looks like I won’t be seeing live theater any time soon.

However, my paranoia is not just from scary movies anymore. Now, the ideas of being kidnapped or mugged follow me around every day. Often I’m scared to look up in the mirror after brushing my teeth, or I tell myself I have to check behind the shower curtain any time I use the bathroom. It may be annoying to constantly be aware of every frightening thing that may happen, but it has caused me to always expect the worst; or never underestimate the potential danger in every situation. I feel like I know what may be out there in the world, but I never know when Ghostface will walk around the next corner to lead me out of my maze of a life.

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ACTing for the future High stakes, high implications

On March 4, Midland High juniors took the ACT test. Whether novices or returning in hopes of improvement, the students await their scores with apprehension, knowing that a single test can determine their future. Kelsey Pennock | Staff Writer & Nate Fisher | Staff Writer

As dictated in the instruction required to be read before each ACT test, test-takers are required to have at least a No. 2 pencil and photo identification. Nate Fisher | Photo Illustration

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unior year brings varsity sports, IB classes, increased responsibility and one of the last chances to pull up your GPA. While many students are already feeling stress of balancing the challenges, the ACT is thrown in at the beginning of March to add to the anxiety.

One junior who is feeling the stress of this important test is Andrew Kim. “It influences the colleges’ choice in whether I get accepted to those I apply to. It should be something I really care about,” Kim said. “It has such a big impact in my future endeavors.”

The ACT test, originally standing for American College Testing, is a national college admissions examination that started in 1959 as a part of the not-for-profit ACT organization.

The test includes 215 multiple-choice questions in the subject areas of English, mathematics, reading, and science. The ACT can be taken by students in 6th grade and above, with all results being accepted by any four-year college and university in the United States.

Although the test has been required for acceptance into college for many years, the ACT has grown in importance as the standard

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for admittance into colleges has been raised.

“The world is more competitive these days,” English teacher Becky Thomas-King said. “It’s not enough to have a good GPA or to even have a job. You have to be constantly improving.”

The pressure of the ACT was not always this way. Thomas-King took the ACT in 1994 and remarked that since then, the test prep industry has skyrocketed.

“The pressure of the ACT is a little ridiculous.

Students are taking prep classes, which give even more homework on top of their heavy load,” King said.

Senior Amanda Breneman started preparing for the ACT two months before she would take the test because of the pressure that she felt.

Although she said it helped, the preparation also added to the strain on top of all the other things she was doing.

“The month before I took the ACT was probably the most stressful month out of my entire junior year. Everyone kept telling me that I needed to do well so I could get into a good college and hopefully get a big scholarship,” Breneman said. “It makes sense that there needs to be a standardized test

that everyone takes, but juniors are already stressed out enough as it is; they don’t need another huge test to stress over because people tell them it will decide their future.”

Before 2007, the ACT was only administered outside of school for the students who chose to attend college, but now it is given in all Michigan high schools as a part of the Michigan Merit Exam, or MME. The MME is a three day proficiency test that includes the ACT and evaluates how skilled Midland High is at preparing its students.

“Students have taken the ACT for decades. It wasn’t until they replaced the MEAP test with the MME that the school would use the ACT as a way to test students,” Thomas-King said.

Although most students spend all their time prepping for the ACT because of how it can affect their college acceptance and scholarships, the next two days of testing are just as important for the school. Principal Janet Greif and Assistant Principal Amy Hutchinson stressed that rather than giving up for the rest of the MME, students should do their best because of the helpful benchmarks the test provides.

“I think we focus too much on the ACT when really the whole test is the MME, which the ACT is a part of,” Hutchinson said. “The MME helps us because we can analyze the scores we get back and access the strengths and weakness in our curriculum.”

Thomas-King plays a large role in preparing the junior class for the reading and writing portion of the ACT. Once a month her classes spend more than an hour doing online practice tests, and she is there to help her students understand why they may have gotten certain questions wrong. Senior Joseph Stanley scored a 34 on the ACT, and credited some of his success under the time pressure of the test to the practice that he did before.

“I took a couple practice tests and did the prep in school,” Stanley said. “I think that every test you take is going to be helpful for timing.”

Breneman agreed that practicing the test was helpful, adding that the tests can also help you to know what score to expect. Although she struggled with the math and science parts, she was able to feel more confident in those sections because of her preparation.

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“I would recommend doing several practice multiple choice and having the writing tests until you consistently get the score that portion be evaluated by two judges.”

Along with Miller, Breneman sees the you want,” Breneman said. “Also, I read a lot necessity of having the ACT as a standardized of tips online, which were really helpful.”

When Kim was asked about what he did to test, but argues that she does not see how the prepare for this test, he revealed that he relied time constraints are beneficial for analyzing a student. on his faith.

“I always felt really rushed and had to “[It was] praying. A few practice tests here and there. But mainly, praying. A lot of randomly guess for the last few questions of praying... like, seriously. A lot,” Kim said. each part in the ACT,” Breneman said. “The “Some reviewing on the format and question test can tell you if you are good at working types on the test. Did I mention praying? A under pressure, or working fast but I don’t think it is a true measure of intelligence.” lot?”

Counselor Nancy Bussineau feels that With college decisions impending so heavily on test scores, some question the fairness and although some students may be better and have their doubts if the standardized test faster test-takers than others, the ACT is actually gives an accurate measurement of an accurate and correlates with how you have individual’s intelligence. Kim believes that done in school so far.

“I would say that it does give a true picture the ACT does not allow for a student to show truly how much they know because of its of your intelligence,” Bussineau said. “Your limitations as a standardized test. The test can grade point should match your ACT, and only measure a certain set of skills, and Kim most of the time it does.”

Bussineau also mentioned that the PLAN feels that students have a lot more to offer.

“The ACT, I believe, fails to examine the test students take in 10th grade almost always true set of skills that a student may have,” Kim predict a student’s ACT scores correctly. said. “There are many God-given talents that Bussineau believes that since the PLAN and are unique to each person; it’s the diversity student’s GPA strongly correlate with their and the ‘pizzazz’ of a student that people ACT score, enough evidence is present to should be looking for, not their ability to know prove that student’s ACT scores are valid.

Greif and Hutchinson see the value of the comma rules.” test in how T h o m a s it provides a King also has “IT’S THE DIVERSITY AND THE ‘PIZZAZZ’ standardized r e s e r v a t i o n s OF A STUDENT THAT PEOPLE SHOULD way for about the ACT, BE LOOKING FOR, NOT THEIR ABILITY colleges to commenting TO KNOW COMMA RULES .” c o m p a r e on the amount ANDREW KIM students across of time that the the country, school must take for the test. However, she continues to do the when GPA can be arbitrary with teachers differing within the same subject and even best she can to help her students.

“I think we focus too much on the testing, but the same school.

“I think it’s important to have a it is something that’s important for the kids, so I’ll do my best to prepare them,” Thomas-King standardized testing measure to see what said. “It gives students a drive to do well and our students know and can do,” Hutchinson gives some students focus that they might not said. “I think it’s also beneficial for students otherwise have had. You improve your score to experience that kind of standardized test before they leave for college,” or you don’t. It’s very concrete.”

While Miller acknowledges the ACT’s Stanley brought up one of the most popular arguments against the ACT, saying that certain importance to college admittance, he points out that your ACT score isn’t the only thing people struggle with the format.

“You can do poorly on the ACT but that can that colleges look at. The other parts of the a student’s application are usually just as vital just mean you don’t test well,” Stanley said.

Principal Greif agreed, saying that this type when being reviewed.

“You aren’t defined by the number, and of assessment can affect some kids more than there are many components to a college others.

“It’s one test, one day, and for some students application that allow for holistic admissions who aren’t good test takers that can be very officers to create a better picture of you,” Miller said. “Work on your essays, choose difficult,” Greif said.

Senior James Miller agrees that it may not be recommendation letters wisely, and put your the best measure for intelligence, but believes best foot forward in all the other aspects of it is accurate for determining a student’s the application.”

Thomas-King stressed that no matter the readiness for taking the next step.

“It’s a good measure of college preparedness scores of her students, she will continue to because it examines students in universally see them as more than numbers.

“ACT scores get you into college,” Thomastaught subject areas,” Miller said. “I can’t think of many ways the test could stay standardized King said, “but it’s what you do after the fact if it was changed for ‘improvement.’ It tries that makes you successful.” to remove bias in all ways possible by being

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PRAC T ICAL A D VICE “Do as many practice tests in a timed environment as you can. Don’t waste your time doing problems that are easy for you.”

Senior James Miller “Sleep the night before and eat some breakfast. Familiarize yourself with the test format because the instructions are the same on every test.”

Teacher Becky Thomas-King “Don’t get too bogged down with one question. Keep moving.”

Senior Joseph Stanley

Are You College Ready?

State of Michigan benchmark scores:

18

English

21

22

Math

Reading

24

Science

*Scorers of these marks or higher are deemed to be “ready for college”*

State of Michigan Averages:

19 20

English

Reading

20 20 Math

Science

Infographics | Kelsey Pennock & Nate Fisher

https://www.act.org/newsroom/data/2013/states.html

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ACTing for the Future Taking the next step orking his way through the math portion of the ACT, Joey Adams reflects back on how overwhelmed he felt during his sophomore year while taking his ACT for the first time. Adams struggled through the math portion of the ACT, because he had not yet been taught all of the material covered.

“Well it’s a three and a half hour test, so we as sophomores found it painful to sit through,” Adams said, now a senior. “I feel like as time went on I got more adjusted to it and the more times I took it the less painful it was to take.”

After taking the ACT seven times, Adams ended up with a score of a 29.

The ACT measures content taught in a college preparatory curriculum through the junior year of high school. Almost half the math and English sections cover material taught in middle school.

Irene Hensinger, ACT/SAT tutor, explains some of the challenges juniors and seniors face while preparing for the ACT and the ACT retake.

The state of Michigan requires every junior to take the ACT test regardless of attending college or not. Four-year colleges and universities require an ACT score when applying. If students wish to score high enough for possible scholarships and a wide range of collegiate options, preparation is advised. There are many ways to start practicing for the ACT, most high school classes give minimal practice tests or practice questions to better the students’

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knowledge of how crucial the ACT is. Other options include taking practice tests online, buying preparation books, and attending ACT prep classes.

Students are allowed to retake the ACT as many times as they want, although it does cost an additional price. Senior Lily Hami retook the ACT six times, starting with a 24 going up four points, before she was satisfied with her score. After Hami received her first ACT score, she changed her study habits by attending a Saginaw Valley State University seminar and taking a 6-week class. Hami noted that the class did not help her score at all; after taking the course, her score stayed the same.

“If you’re going to put the effort into studying, make sure to take it under standard time conditions,” Hami said. “Time management is key.”

Senior Dakotah Costley also chose to retake the ACT three times after originally receiving an 18. After the three retakes, Costley was satisfied with his final score of a 28, which got him into Northern Michigan.

Costley noted that his advice for students retaking the ACT would be to read the questions, use process of elimination, and stay calm and relaxed when answering the questions.

“The more preparation the better,” Hensinger said. “Going into the test cold is simply not in any student’s best interest.”

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As juniors start winding down from the ACT, seniors reflect on the steps they took to improve their scores. Mercedes Hussein | Design Editor & Emily Fisher | Ad Coordinator

ACT STATS 21% Above 30

145 seniors filled out a survey regarding their ACT retakes. Below are the dates of upcoming ACT retakes.

13% Under 20

What was your original ACT score?

37% 25-29

Did you retake the ACT?

ate

eD ve th

Sa

29% 20-24

54% Yes

46% No

14 2, 20 1 l i r Ap 14 4, 20 1 e 2014 n Ju r 13, e b em 014 Sept 25, 2 014 r e b Octo ber 13, 2 m Dece 7% 2% 5-6 Above 6

22% 3-4

23% 0 many

How points did you improve by?

46% 1-2

Where wi l l y o u r sc ore tak e y ou ? Find your score and see what colleges are in your range.

27-30 23 University of Wisconsin

Central Michigan University

24-29 University of Michigan

29-33 10 | FOCUS | MAR 6, 2014

Michigan State University Ohio State University

28

23-28

22

Western Michigan University

21-26 Grand Valley State University

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Rethink r b tics The members of the robotics club overcome misconceptions to excel in technology and build new friendships. The club teaches students about a rapidly growing industry. Hannah Lasky | Exchange Editor & Aelish Shay | Staff Writer

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s the music in the California football stadium was blaring and the crowd jumped to their feet, the energy in the air was buzzing. High school robotics

teams had gathered to compete in the 2012 global competition, and the environment was electrifying.

“Competitions are some of the most fun experiences I have ever had,” senior Alex Biedenbach said. “Team mascots and students dance in front of the playing field, and being there, and a part of the energy and excitement, is amazing.”

The robotics club is a joint program between Midland and Dow High Schools. Each year, members have a certain task for their competition season; examples from the past include sports-related tasks with basketball and disc golf. The robotics club is a full-year commitment. There is a “build season” when the members create the robot to perform the assigned task, and an “off season” when the group focus on budgeting and planning. Once they know their task, they meet daily to come up with ideas for how the robot will work, figure out the math behind it, and create the structure and layout before finally building a prototype. An additional obstacle involved is budgeting for competitions, materials, and traveling expenses.

Advisor Sean Murray said that the club has ‘booster clubs’ which help purchase materials and pay entrance fees through the first rounds.

Entrance fees are typically $5,000, and the cost of other parts is between $3,000 and $6,000.

The club is sponsored by Dow Chemical, and the state of Michigan now pays for them to go to states.

Do t h e

R b t

The common costs, parts and functions of this year’s robot design.

The competition process is different from other clubs because while the robotics team is contending against others, they work with opposing teams for the competition rounds.

Three teams will work together for the same purpose of making their robots complete the assigned task. Depending on the performance, they will receive points that contribute to their cumulative score. Midland’s robotics club qualified for the world competition during the 2012-2013 term.

Through the club, students learn more about science and technology, and take pride in seeing their robot designs come to life.

Participating in the club takes perseverance, especially when developing a prototype of the robot.

“Being able to deal with the frustration of building things that don’t work, then having to go back to the drawing board is not only an essential skill in robotics, but in life,” Murray said. “It is exciting to finally see something

“MORE PEOPLE SHOULD TRY IT BECAUSE IT’S A GREAT EXPERIENCE.” SENIOR AUDREY WILKIE that was not real come to life. People see the act of walking through a door as a simple task, but making a robot do the same is entirely different.”

Despite the energy and diversity of the robotics club, students who are not involved hold many misconceptions towards it.

According to members, people think there is a negative connotation that accompanies the

Robotics advisor Sean Murray explains a new concept to member Keon Beigzadeh. A typical meeting goes from 5:30 to 9 p.m., seven days a week, and involves eating dinner together, then breaking off into subgroups for specialized work. Hannah Lasky | Photo idea of a technology-related field.

“I thought that it was going to be a bunch of mouth-breathing nerds, but it is a lot of really great people with great personalities,” senior Audrey Wilkie said.

Additionally, many feel that robotics is only for students with a strong understanding of science and engineering. Murray said that there is a job for everybody and the only thing students need is a willingness to learn. Any skill that a member wishes to acquire, Murray and other advisors are able to help them learn.

Whether the art students help design club t-shirts, the welding students help cut the metal, or the programmers code the robot, there is a job for everyone.

“I am not very mechanically oriented,” Biedenbach said. “Even though I’ll never be as talented with a band saw as some of my

The challenge for the 2013-2014 build season is to throw an exercise ball

This year’s robot is primarily composed of aluminum and pool noodles.

teammates, I do help the team with media.

Whether I’m updating the Facebook page, vlogging at competitions, or taking lots and lots of pictures, I love the team and am honored to be a part of it.”

Another responsibility of the members is fundraising and self-promotion. Robots that were used for past competitions are currently used for volunteer work. Members of the club bring them to elementary schools with robotics programs to help deepen their understanding and get kids interested at an earlier age.

“There are currently only three Midland High members out of the 20-30 overall, and it used to be split pretty evenly between Midland and Dow,” Wilkie said. “More people, especially girls, should try it because it is a great experience that teaches you so much. It is not just for nerds.”

$9,000

The approximate cost of participating in a single competition, including the cost of parts and entrance fees - excluding transportation.

Aelish Shay| Infographic

The robotics team works to “create a world where science and technology are celebrated, where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes.”

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of their own

The Community Center basketball leagues provide students with the opportunity to play recreational basketball against other students, creating a stress free sport that has grown in popularity at Midland High over the years. Scout Parsch | Editor in Chief & Caroline Swiercz | Staff Writer

15% Men feel uncomfortable competing against women. of males believe that playing against females in CCL changes 59% the atmosphere of the game. playing against the opposite gender changes the 54% Believe atmosphere of the game.

Survey taken from 153 students

THE SECRET’S OUT

TUNE SQUAD

DUNDER MIFFLEN

SIGNATURE PLAY

SIGNATURE PLAY

SIGNATURE PLAY

“The Electron” is when one player is the nucleus in the middle while three girls make a wall in front of her and one girl circles the outside of all of them as they charge the defensive team.

“The Fast Break” is a play when they work to get the rebound and outrun the other team down the court to score.

“Give and Go” is a play where Taylor dribbles the ball up the court, passes the ball to Erika and runs towards the hoop. Erika then passes the ball back to Taylor and she shoots the ball.

TOP PLAYERS

TOP PLAYERS

TOP PLAYERS

Kayla Keyser and Mallory Fogus

SEASON RECORD

Two wins and seven losses

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Seniors Nate Fisher and Eric Mier

SEASON RECORD

Six wins and two losses

Juniors Taylor Jensen & Jake Rajewski

SEASON RECORD Three wins and five losses Scout Parsch & Caroline Swiercz | Infographics

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winging her arms backwards to gain momentum, she threw the ball towards the net almost as if it was a shot put. As the ball went into the basket, her teammates fell backwards in excitement, laughing with each other as they hit the floor. With no previous experience with basketball, Katie Klier made a 3-pointer shot for her all girls community center team, The Secret’s Out. “My jaw dropped,” said senior Anne Trapani, a teammate on The Secret’s Out. “It looked like there was no way it was going in. I think everyone was laughing and then everyone screamed.”

Over the past few years, the community center leagues have gained popularity amongst high school students in Midland. Many students agree that CCL provides students with the opportunity to not only be physically active, but also have fun with the sport without the pressure to win.

The Secret’s Out have been playing together for the past two years, with the addition of a few new girls from both Dow and Midland High.

Many of the team members are past basketball players. They originally formed the team with the hope of playing against more of their own friends in the league, including those of the opposite gender, unlike school basketball.

“I really like the teams that don’t know they’re playing girls and they get so surprised,”

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From left to right: Tune Squad player, senior Eric Mier is blocked while shooting a basket on their opponents, SOSA. Noah Surbrook | Photo Dunder Mifflen player junior Jake Rajewski shoots on their opponents, Underachieve. Senior The Secret’s Out teammate Haley Wittbrodt is guarded by junior Tommy Leppein of Like Mike. In the spirit of the CCL, Wittbrodt filled in for a player on The Secret’s Out, something that would not be allowed in school ball. Jayme Dawson | Photos

The Secret’s senior Madison Hayes said. “The guys really don’t want to lose to girls.”

Another senior, Hollie Koning, agrees that playing against the male teams can create more tension to win the games.

“Most of the time, if we are playing a guys team and we happen to be winning at a certain time, the guys start to get angry and get aggressive because they don’t want to lose,” Koning said. “It would be an embarrassment to the guys losing to an all girls team, right?”

In addition to the all girls team, another team that recently broke the gender barrier is the newly formed Dunder Mifflen. This team has seven players, five of whom are girls and two guys, with about half the team having experience playing basketball. They originally came together this year due to their love of the television show The Office, and for how much they enjoy the sport.

“It’s a lot less intense and we can actually play with our guy friends instead of random people,” junior Taylor Jensen said. “And there’s no stress about being good because tons of people in the league have never played and it’s just fun to be on the team.”

For Hayes, CCL gave her a chance to enjoy the sport without the competitive quality. After playing basketball through middle school and the majority of high school, Hayes decided to quit the sport after her sophomore year.

“I still enjoyed the sport and wanted to keep basketball because tons of people in the league playing it in some form, so this was pretty much don’t even know how to play and it’s just fun the only “just to be on the for fun” option team,” Jensen out there,” said.

Hayes said.

A s we l l a s Jensen also the low level of quit playing intensity, CCL competitive also provides The top five teams you need to see at basketball students with the community center playoffs this year. after her an easy way to freshman year LIKE MIKE BABY FACE NELSON play basketball and now plays in a league Top Player: Top Player: CCL. She said that does not Bryce Kantak Tanner Diment that it is an require a lot of Record: 8-0 Record: 8-2 enjoyable way commitment. to continue The teams will playing the normally have PRU CRU TOP GUN sport, and a game once a T o p P l a y e r s : Top Players: Chaz also believes Jimmy McGee & week or every Babin and Evan Lile that with CCL two weeks on Jordan Jachens Record: 4-3 the only goal the weekends.

Record: 6-2 during the Most teams do THE WIZARDS game is to not practice at try to get the all during the Top Players: Greg ball into the season, giving Landis & Sam Vokal hoop, and the players the Record: 3-6 need for using opportunity to defensive be involved in skills are unnecessary. other activities, unlike school sports.

“There’s no stress about being good at “It’s not nearly as fast paced,” senior Tune

OUR TOP FIVE

1 3

5

2 4

Squad member Warren Elmer said. “There’s a lot more talent on high school teams obviously, but we don’t ever practice. It’s more of a time to get together with friends and hang out while playing.”

The Community Center leagues are also great for students who want to play school basketball, but do not have the skill level to make the team.

It provides an environment that welcomes all skill levels of students by the usage of different rankings for teams that wish to play more competitively and those who do not.

“When I was younger on elementary basketball I was terrible. I know friends that played basketball junior year and they can actually play on the CCL teams and do well.”

Elmer said.

Due to these qualities, CCL seems to have been trending on many social media sites throughout the past few years. The leagues were originally formed 24 years ago. As the popularity continues to progress, both genders of students are getting involved in the leagues.

This gives students a chance to play with and against each other, unlike high school sports.

“Even if you lose you can still have fun with it because you’re playing with all your friends and having a good time,” Warren said. “It gives you a chance to enjoy playing basketball and actually get out there with everyone.”

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enior Kelci Anderson took three large also injured her left foot attempting to do the steps as she approached her stunt group. same stunt while preparing for round three in She lifted her leg and placed her foot a recent competition. into the shaky palm of one of her left “While we were practicing the stunt, it went side base. As she was elevated into the air, two wrong. My foot swelled up immediately after girls on either side of her worked to fully extend I fell, and I was taken to the emergency room. their arms. Anderson clenched her free foot and They would need to be referred to a surgeon,” began pulling it up to her knee when she began Warner said. “It was decided that I would have to lose balance and felt herself falling forward. to have surgery and be put in non-weight baring As she stuck out her free foot to break the fall, cast.” she and everyone around her heard a popping Risking a large amount of injuries also takes a sound coming from her left foot. toll on a team that is preparing for competitions “Most of the time when a flyer falls they fall and a successful season. In competitive back and the stunt group is able to catch them,” cheerleading there are three different rounds Anderson said. “Competitive cheerleading that members of the team have to compete in. is more dangerous than people think. People Round one consists of jumps, round two focuses don’t see all of the stunting and tumbling mainly on tumbling, and round three contains we do during a season unless they go to a stunting and tumbling. competition.”

“The problem with cheer is that there are so The pop in Anderson’s foot turned out to be a many rules about the number of people that fracture to a few bones in the upper half of her go into each round,” senior Amanda Walko foot, forcing her to wear a padded sandal-like said. “If one girl gets injured, you have to contraption in place of her own shoe. redo all three rounds to accommodate for that According to the National Center for one injury. With more injuries comes more Catastrophic Sports Injury Research, high school accommodations, which makes it harder for us cheerleading has accounted for 65 percent of all to plan out our rounds.” catastrophic sports injuries among high school Also, due to the reoccurrence and practicing females over the past 25 years. Among these of the same move over and over again, injuries include strains, sprains, soft tissue cheerleaders are more susceptible to re injure injures, fractures, dislocations, lacerations, an area that they may have previously injured. avulsions, “Cheerleaders concussions, “I THINK THAT PEOPLE ONLY SEE THE PREPPY c a n b e c o m e and other injured from closed head STEREOTYPICAL GIRL AND NOT THE FACT p u s h i n g t h e THAT WE ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH SO b o d y f a r t h e r injuries.

“One of t h a n t h e MUCH MORE THAN THAT.” the main normal range SENIOR AMANDA WALKO o f m o t i o n , ” r e a s o n cheerleaders Partipilo said. get injured is “Cheerleaders from impacts with the ground. With basketball, also place a lot of stress on the upper body when if an athlete is able to dunk a ball, he’s only off they are tumbling. The body is not meant to bear the ground a maximum of three to four feet,” large loads of stress to the upper body so while athletic trainer Tony Partipilo said. “A flyer can tumbling, the athlete is placing twice her body be twice as high as that while doing a basic lift, weight of stress on her upper body with each risking a multitude of injuries.” rotation.”

Along with Anderson, Senior Tayler Warner In her four years of cheerleading, Walko has

The

HARSH realities of

CHEER

Information provided by American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Consumer safety Coalition

14 | FOCUS | MAR. 6, 2014

5 out of every 6

With many injuries this season, the competitive cheer team has experienced first hand why cheer has topped the list as the most catastrophic high school sport over the past 25 years. Emily Resmer | Sports Editor & Noah Surbrook | Staff Writer

Senior Amanda Walko sticks her Scorpion pose during a practice in preparation for upcoming competitions. Junior Natalie Landis, sophomore Kayla Psenski and sophomore Sousha Calvarlais hold her up in the stunt. Amanda Walko | Photo courtesy had many injuries, including two concussions and most recently she had to have surgery to her foot that was injured previously. Walko said that many people undermine what cheerleaders do and the danger they are putting themselves in.

“We are literally putting our lives into other people’s hands,” Walko said. “I think that

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people only see the preppy, stereotypical girl and not the fact that we are trying to accomplish so much more than that. I think we constantly are proving ourselves to the public and to do that, harder things are necessary, thus more injuries occur in the process.”

27,000

c h e e r i n j u r i e s a r e High-school athletic cheerleading injuries a s s o c i a t i o n s d o n o t are reported each year concussions recognize cheer as a sport.

Jack Duly & Noah Surbrook | Infographic

S P O R T S

ZONE

Coaches and players from the varsity cheer, basketball, and wrestling teams reflect on their experiences as the winter sports seasons comes to a close.

SPORTS BRIEFS

RECORD BREAKING CHEMICS

THE SPORTS BOYS WRESTLING Coach: Carl Hoffman Record: 7-18 Top Performers: Jarred LaChance, Zach Schneider, Zach Potter.

Top Newcomers: Logan Walko, Hunter Schneider Coach’s Quote: “My favorite part about coaching is working with the kids and watching them turn into young men.”

Carl Hoffman By: Kaitlyn Stymiest

Winter Warriors This season’s top athletes 1. Senior Austen Irrer boxes out against a play from Saginaw Heritage in a recent home game.

2. Senior Emily Resmer practices shooting hoops in the back gym before the district championship against Dow high at Bay City Central.

3. Senior goalie Colin Walters practices blocking Junior Jon Evans attempts at scoring. The hockey team finished the season of with a record of 5 wins - 21 losses.

Emily Fisher & Jack Duly | Photos

@Former_MN (Mitchell Gardner)

Holly Pashak Coach: Holly Pashak Record: 1st place at the Saginaw Heritage cheer competition.

Top Performers: “All the girls contributed in a joined effort,” Pashak said, Top Newcomer: Hannah Brubaker Coach’s Quote: “I love working with girls who are willing to improve and who have respect and dedication that inspire me.”

Holly Pashak By: Kaitlyn Stymiest

s seniors Richard Docktycz, Jay Hendricks, Connor Patnode, and junior Ravdeep Dingra participated in the 200 meter freestyle relay race on the day of the Michigan Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association meet, it was a race against the clock. They all had one goal in mind: to beat the school record in that event.

As Hendricks, the teams anchor, finished out the race and they received their times the team celebrated as they realized they had achieved a goal that hadn’t even seemed like a possibility until partway through the season.

“It was an amazing feeling,” Hendricks said. “We have been looking up to the swimmers on the record board for four years. They were our idols in a way and it feels amazing to know that we are

among them for future swimmers to look up to.”

The team clocked in at a time of 1:33.89. The previous school record for this event was set in 1978 with a time of 1:34.07.

“At the start of the season I would never have expected us to be able to break a Midland High record but as the season progressed, it seemed that it could become a reality,” Docktycz said.

The event will be remembered by the team and the program for years to come.

“It definitely made things better being able to accomplish such a great feat this season,” Docktycz said. “While it is tough to have to end my high school swimming career, breaking a record made it a memorable season that I will never forget.”

Colin Walters

Emily Resmer

Austen Irrer

GIRLS CHEER Carl Hoffman

A

I don’t care what anyone says ab out our team, we worked harder than anyone and I am proud to have played with these guys

Grade: Senior

Grade: Senior

Grade: Senior

Sport: Varsity Hockey

Sport: Varsity Basketball

Sport: Varsity Basketball

Stat: 1 shutout

Stat: 4.5 points 8 rebounds

Stat: 4 points 8 rebounds

Favorite Memory: “Beating Dow three times and beating them in a close game for the district championship.”

Favorite Memory: “Film sessions after wins.”

Favorite Memory: “Traverse City tournament, being in the hotel and hanging out with the guys for a couple of days.”

Key to Success: “ G r e a t a t t i t u d e during practice and helped the new teammates.”

Coach’s Take: “Colin works hard everyday he inspires his teammates to work as hard as he does.”

Jeff Brown By: Lexi Costley

Key to Success: “Working hard and always having a good attitude.”

Coach’s Take: “Emily is a great player because of her senior leadership and being a defensive presence while being undersized.”

Elaine Mahabir By: Ella Colbert

Key to Success: “Working harder than the person you’re playing against.”

Coach’s Take: “Austen has been a pleasure to coach because all he cared about was winning and played his guts out on the court.”

Eric Krause By: Maggie Dietz

mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 15

F E AT U R E S

Going the Distance

Several students at Midland High are forced to put their relationship and happiness to the test after circumstances like moving away and college place them on different parts of the map. Casey LaValley | Staff Writer, Colton Dexter | Staff Writer & Kyle Blackwood | Opinion Editor

T

he bright lights and street signs appeared in senior Alexis Luetge’s window yet again, signifying that she and her family had reached another city. This meant that they were one step closer to their new home. For Luetge, she was one step farther from her boyfriend. While everyone was busy thinking about moving arrangements, Luetge was thinking about something else: how to maintain a healthy relationship now that she and her boyfriend would be living 623 miles apart.

“We were young and I wasn’t sure how a long distance relationship even worked,” Luetge said. “It’s hard enough having a normal relationship in high school, let alone a long distance one.”

Luetge first met her boyfriend, Heath Meyer, when she began attending Clarksville Academy in Tennessee about two years ago. It did not take long for the word to spread to the students of the small academy, that there was a new girl in school. Soon after, the two met in study hall and became good friends. Their relationship officially began on March 17, 2012, and was great until Luetge received the news that her family would be moving to Michigan.

D o YOU h a ve what it tak es?

Discover if you could handle being in a long distance relationship or not.

16 | FOCUS | MAR 6, 2014

“I was worried about how to make it work,” Luetge said. “I have always heard bad things about long distance relationships and how they don’t work out.”

Long distance dating has proved to be full of hardships, as Luetge and Meyer had expected.

Both agree that the hardest part is watching their classmates and friends going out on dates and not being able to do the same with each other. At one point, they were not able to see each other in person for ten months. Being far apart also makes it difficult to properly communicate in person, which, according to Meyer, is the most crucial aspect of a relationship.

“Communication is the most important thing.

If you lose that, it is hard to recover from,” Meyer said. “Always say what is on your mind because if you don’t, you will start thinking of all these ‘what if’ scenarios. That will cause turmoil in your relationship.”

Luetge and Meyer have made it a priority to call, text, and go on Skype dates as often as possible to remain close. Lately, they have been able to see each other in person every two months, which is more frequently than they could in their first year of dating. However, getting to meet in person also means having to

Colton Dexter | Illustration

say goodbye again. Luetge says this is one of her personal hardships because each farewell in the airport becomes harder than the last, with neither of them knowing when they will be able to meet again.

Another couple involved in a long distance relationship is senior Melinda Kothbauer and former student Eric Roggow. The two met when Kothbauer was in the sixth grade. Both were involved in the drama club at Northeast Middle School, and their friendship grew from there. The relationship did not develop beyond that until Kothbauer entered her sophomore year of high school. Roggow is two years older than Kothbauer and was leaving for Eastern Michigan University that year, so the relationship became long distance shortly after it began.

“I knew that he was graduating that year, so if it [the relationship] did end up going somewhere, it would have to be long distance,” Kothbauer said. “It was always in the back of my mind. But I knew that I still wanted to be with him regardless.”

T h e y , l i k e L u e t g e a n d M e ye r , t r y t o communicate as often as possible by calling and texting each other. However, Kothbauer misses

1.) Where do you stand in your relationship? a. completely invested

b. not serious yet

c. who is this I’m with?

2.) How often do you feel the need to go on dates? a. every few months

b. once a week

c. nope, saving money

3.) Do you find yourself getting jealous often? a. never

b. sometimes

c. WHO POSTED ON YOUR WALL?!?

4.) When your partner is slow to respond to texts, are you... a. patient

b. indifferent

c. TEXT ME BACK!!!

talking to him in person about all the little things that happen throughout her day.

“One of the toughest things is feeling like you are losing a connection,” Kothbauer said.

“When he went to school here, we shared a lot of different things that we could converse about. We don’t tell each other about the small things because they aren’t important anymore.

It seems like you don’t know anything about the other person.”

Despite all of the disadvantages that come with being in a long distance relationship, both couples have found ways to make the best of it.

Kothbauer eagerly awaits the end of this school year because she got accepted to University of Michigan, which is close to Roggow’s college.

Until then, she and Roggow will continue to meet up and play video games together, which is a favorite pastime for both of them.

Although Meyer and Luetge will still be farther apart, Meyer continues to make it work because he knows that the relationship is worth it.

“I get through it by simply telling myself that this girl is worth it all and I love her,” Meyer said. “Until she says ‘no more’, there is no reason to settle for anything less.”

Mostly A’s: You are committed and ready to do whatever it takes.

Mostly B’s: It will take a lot of patience and hard work, but you have the potential.

Mostly C’s: You should consider if you truly want to remain in your relationship.

Casey LaValley | Infographic

F E AT U R E S

High school to heroes

As life after high school approaches, some Midland High students have chosen to join the National Guard, not only because the National Guard will pay for their college education, but also for the opportunity to defend our country. Ben Luzar | Staff Writer & Katie McIntyre | News Editor

W

ith the raising of his right hand, Senior Justin Tenbusch also always knew that senior Austin Delucia lived he would enlist. He, too, chose to go into the out the moment that he had Army National Guard branch of the military for dreamed of since he was a little his college education. Like Delucia, Tenbusch boy. He then began to recite the pledge that is considering making the National Guard his would seal his future. career in the future.

“I, Austin Delucia, do solemnly swear that I “In college I will be taking ROTC [reserve will support and defend the Constitution of the officer training corps] classes at Ferris State United States against all enemies…” so that if I chose to make the National Guard After reciting both the pledge to the United a career, I will graduate college and be able to States and the pledge to the State of Michigan, become a Second Lieutenant,” Tenbusch said. “It Delucia had officially become a member the would be more of a leadership role and I would U.S. National Guard. He, along with other be planning the missions and leading men on seniors, made this decision and have begun their the missions.” commitment to the National Guard.

Senior Quinten Greiner also joined the Before Delucia was able to enlist, he first had National Guard for the purpose of going to to speak with a recruiter and decide that the college. Quinten plans to attend Spring Arbor military was the route for him. He then had to University and major in Ministry after attending go through an extensive process before being basic training in August. He will be able to sworn in. This included taking the ASVAB, a attend this college and have it paid for by the military test, as well as many physical tests National Guard because it offers the ROTC such as eyesight and blood tests. He also had to program, which is an Army based curriculum. go through a criminal screening process. After “Most major colleges offer ROTC but Spring passing all of these tests, Delucia took his oaths Arbor is a smaller college so I was surprised that and realized a life-long dream. they had it,” Quinten said. “But it worked out “Growing up in West Palm Beach Florida, well because they have the major that I want.” everybody wants to be a cop or a lawyer, but Many students are drawn to the Armed I was the only one out of all of my friends that Forces, more specifically the National Guard wanted to be in the military,” Delucia said. due to the significant amount of money that Though Delucia always knew that he wanted they can save by having their college paid for. to be in some branch of the military, until this “The Armed Forces gives individuals the year he was not certain as to which path he opportunity to have an education in different would choose. Through the National Guard, career fields that they never thought would Delucia will be be available able to attend “I’VE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT IF I’M GOOD t o t h e m , college for along with almost no cost, ENOUGH TO LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY, THEN I’M providing which was a a good path GOOD ENOUGH TO FIGHT FOR IT.” major factor SENIOR JUSTIN TENBUSCH t o w a r d in his decision a college to select this education,” branch.

Army recruiter, Staff Sergeant Kuhl said.

“In order to be able to rank higher up in the Though a big draw for the National Guard future I needed to have a college education,” is the college tuition, the experiences that it has Delucia said. “It used to be that the military to offer and the discipline building aspect also would be instead of college but now you need played a role in Greiner’s decision to enlist. His an education to be in the military.” parents agree that the ideals that the National Next year, Delucia will be attending either Guard stands for will be a good experience for Delta or Central Michigan University and Quinten. majoring in Criminal Justice. While in school, he “Having a unit that is only as strong as its will also attend training for the National Guard weakest person makes it so that everyone is one weekend of every month and two weeks valued and you have to build up the whole in the summer. Delucia must also attend basic team,” Quinten’s mother, Robin Greiner said. training before he begins his college education.

“There will be somebody that has an

As a member of the National Guard, Austin Delucia is sworn to both the United States government and the State of Michigan government. Austin Delucia | Photo courtesy expectation of what he needs to do and of his education being paid for, but also because regardless of what he thinks or likes, he will he believes that it is his duty. need to do it,” Quinten’s father, Bill Greiner “I’ve always thought that if I’m good enough said. “He will be just one guy who is dressed to live in this country, then I’m good enough like everybody else and being yelled at like to fight for it,” Tenbusch said. “I believe in everybody else, which will be good for him.” this country and what it can stand for and I’m These values and ideals will be prominent willing to fight for that.” when the boys go to basic training. Their Tenbusch was also inspired by his faith to training will take place in Fort Banning, Georgia pursue joining the service. Before making his for ten weeks where they will go through decision to officially enlist, he spent a lot of time intensive preparation to get them ready for the in prayer contemplating whether or not this was possibility of combat. the right route for him.

Delucia, Tenbusch, and Greiner have all been “I put a lot of faith in my God that he will take preparing themselves for this physically and care of me to make decisions, especially when mentally trying experience as best they can. other guy’s lives depend on it,” Tenbusch said.

“I’ve been working out a lot because you “Obviously I’m not the biggest guy but I believe don’t want to go to basic and get smoked,” in a big enough God that He can use a small guy Tenbusch said. “We also have monthly trainings to do big things.” in Grayling, which are to help us prepare for Delucia is also ready to take on this new role. basic training.”

He is very excited to step into a new chapter Delucia works out and runs about three miles in his life and serve his country and he also almost every day to physically prepare himself believes that despite the risk, this is the direction for training. However, he also tries to mentally that he wants to take his life. prepare himself for the experience.

“Nobody ever wanted anything more than “If you can’t run so far, you just push yourself I want this,” Delucia said. “There’s always a to do it,” Delucia said. “You can’t be in basic chance that you won’t come back but once I training and just say that you aren’t going to do swore in, I knew that if my company shipped something, you have to push through it.” out there is nothing I could do about it. I’d rather Despite the daunting appearance of basic that it would be my life than other people’s here training, Tenbusch has always known that being in the United States.” a part of the military was something that he wanted to do, not only because of the promise

mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 17

F E AT U R E S

Surviving with a

chronic

condition

Since sixth grade, junior Caitlynn Hancock has felt terrible and unexplainable intestinal pains.

It wasn’t until this past summer when she was finally diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. Maddy Wheelock | Features Editor & Dylan Rocha | Staff Writer

When junior Caitlynn Hancock was in the hospital in February, her friends from the pom team came to visit her with toys and activities to lift her spirits. Hancock had a tube put down her nose to help clear the waste in her stomach. Cyndi Hancock | Photo Courtesy

I

t was the worst pain she had ever felt. The JV pom team ended their routine, and junior Caitlynn Hancock was doubled over. She had not seen it coming. But within minutes, a familiar sensation had taken over her, and she felt the overwhelming need to vomit.

“It felt like knives stabbing into my abdomen,” Caitlynn said.

Still, she pushed through her practice, eager to get home and lie down. When she felt like this in the past, she was able to take a nap to get through the pain. However, Caitlynn could feel that this was more intense than her usual intestinal aches.

“I always want to give pom my all,” Caitlynn said. “But that day I felt so weak and dizzy, I couldn’t stand.”

Caitlynn’s friend and teammate sophomore Landry Short was practicing beside her and

18 | FOCUS | MAR 6, 2014

noticed how out of the ordinary Caitlynn seemed.

“It was obvious she was seriously hurting,” Short said. “She was not her peppy, enthusiastic self.”

When she returned home, Caitlynn’s mother, Cyndi Hancock, could also see that she looked unusually sick. Caitlynn and her mother were no strangers to dealing with pains like these, because just last summer, Caitlynn was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, a chronic inflammatory condition that usually affects the lining of the digestive tract, but sometimes spreads to other organs. Occasionally due to stress, but more often due to an unknown occurrence, Caitlynn’s small intestine will swell, causing symptoms like stomachaches, vomiting, bleeding, constipation, and/or diarrhea. This time, Caitlynn had tried to sleep through it, but

she just couldn’t get comfortable.

“My mom didn’t know what to do,” Caitlynn said. “She called [my doctor] and told him we’d tried everything.”

Her doctor advised that she go to the emergency room. There, she was told she had a bowel obstruction—her bowels were completely shut from the swelling. She was throwing up all of the waste in her body.

Caitlynn was hospitalized and given painkillers and antibiotics to reduce the inflammation.

Doctors also put a tube down her nose and into her stomach in order to safely remove the waste out of her body.

“I think for me the scariest part of Crohn’s is the unknown,” Cyndi said. “I worry that

was in the hospital. One morning, Short and sophomore Maddy Pasche came in to see her.

They brought her a magazine, silly glasses, a princess crown, and fun art supplies to lighten her mood. “[We had] a fun time messing around, even though we were in the hospital,” Short said.

W h i l e t h e r e , C a i t l y n n h a d t o h a ve a nasogastric tube (NG tube) put down her nose to drain the contents of her stomach. She also had an IV giving her medication to calm her nausea and steroids to stop the swelling.

Her circumstance is called a “flare up,” and though she takes medication three times a day to try and prevent them, there is no way to get rid of them completely.

“I FELT SAD THAT SHE WOULD ALWAYS HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS, THAT SHE WOULD NEVER FEEL NORMAL.” CYNDI HANCOCK the decisions I make for her today could cause future problems.”

This time, Caitlynn ended up staying in the hospital for many days. Her pom state competition was coming up soon, and her teammates were all concerned for her. She texted Short as soon as she was admitted into the hospital.

“She was worried about things for pom,” Short said, “but I was more worried about her than anything. All I wanted was for her pain to go away.”

Short and some of Caitlynn’s other friends tried their best to come and visit her while she

Since sixth grade, Caitlynn has been experiencing extreme discomfort in her intestines. Back then, she would miss large increments of school and come back feeling thin and sickly. Her teachers would often ask if she was doing okay.

“It had a mind of its own,” Caitlynn said. “I never knew when I was going to feel like crap.”

Before this ordeal, Caitlynn had been to the ER and the doctor many times, but she was always told there was nothing wrong. A possible diagnosis given was Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but they were not going to look into it. They gave her antibiotics and sent her on her way,

F E AT U R E S leaving Caitlynn and her family frustrated and confused.

Last summer, Caitlynn’s pains began to worsen. She was not able to eat when she was feeling ill, and she lost a lot of weight because of it. At one point, she weighed only 101 pounds.

This was difficult, but it led Caitlynn to get the diagnosis she had been searching for.

At the time, Caitlynn and her family were traveling to Ohio to spend a few days at Cedar Point. Their trip was a memorable one, but not in the way that the Hancock family had hoped.

As soon as Caitlynn began walking through the parks, she felt that familiar stabbing sensation in her stomach. She was able to keep it at bay until she got to the hotel room, when things began to get worse.

“I was in the bathroom every hour puking,” Caitlynn said. “My mom decided we would go home early and take me to the emergency room.”

Once she got back to Midland, she was given many tests, including a colonoscopy, CT scan, and X-rays of her intestines. Finally, the doctors told her mother Cyndi that Caitlynn had Crohn’s disease.

“She was still lying in there [when I came in] and she asked if they saw anything,” Cyndi said.

“I said yes, and started crying. She wiped my tears and said, ‘is it Crohn’s?’ I told her yes… I felt sad that she would always have to deal with this, that she would never feel normal.”

Cyndi said that Caitlynn was very brave when she was diagnosed, and that she was happy to have an answer to a problem that had been going on for almost four years.

“I kind of figured it was [Crohn’s],” Caitlynn said. “I was just glad I was diagnosed with it so I could be helped… it made me feel better because I was going to be treated for it.”

Caitlynn was put on a medicine called Asacol to keep down the inflammation in her intestines.

She also began going to a gastroenterologist, who treats people that have a variety of intestinal, stomach, and liver disorders.

Her gastroenterologist, Todd Holtz, is the only gastroenterologist from here to Grand Rapids who will work with patients under sixteen. Because of this, he has a lot of young patients. Crohn’s disease is becoming easier to diagnose and doctors are beginning to diagnose it earlier.

Holtz says that he treats people with this illness at least once a week. It is a condition that effects over half a million Americans. In order to help his patients with this disease, he treats them with medication that can be taken in the form of a pill, injection, or IV. Sometimes, surgery is required in major cases.

“There is no cure [for Crohn’s disease],” Holtz said, “but there are great strides being made in its treatment.”

Before Caitlynn sees Holtz at her appointments, her weight, blood pressure, and pulse is often taken by a Licensed Practical Nurse like Nancy Shay. Shay works with Holtz

at Gastroenterology and Hepatology Associates of Mid-Michigan, PC. Because most of the people that come to this office have chronic disorders, Shay sees patients often and is able to build an ongoing relationship with them.

“I’m probably more like emotional support [than medical],” Shay said. “I’m only with them for a few minutes, but I see them on a regular basis and get to know them.”

Shay says that she sees a lot of high school students who have Crohn’s disease come into the office. Although they will have to live with it for the rest of their lives, she notices that it does not affect them too much on a daily basis.

They are still able to play sports, and only need to keep in mind that their intestines can afflict them at any time.

“I try to remember to find out what school they go to and what sports they do, because everyone just seems so sweet,” Shay said. “I feel bad for anyone who has to not feel well. I want them to know that they’re not alone.”

Although Cyndi agrees that kids with Crohn’s are often in pain, she sees that it becomes easier to work through it once they have had the disease for a while. “[Kids with Crohn’s] tend to be very driven and perfectionist people,” Cyndi said. “Their Crohn’s flares up during stressful times. I noticed Caity’s always got worse during exams and pom tryouts.”

Since her diagnosis, Caitlynn has gotten used to the idea of having Crohn’s disease. She knows to take some time to calm down when she’s feeling especially stressed. Taking medicine and being tested by a doctor has become standard, and she is less embarrassed to talk about her condition. She is still able to participate in pom despite Crohn’s as long as she is careful and knows when she needs to take a break.

“It’s a pain that you get used to,” Caitlynn said. “I never actually feel normal, but I’ve felt this way for so long that I’ve adapted to it.”

CROHN’S

I N TH E

BODY

Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune disorder that can attack the body in many different ways.

When someone with Crohn’s disease becomes stressed, it can often induce swelling and flare-ups.

Because the intestines are swelled and waste has nowhere to go, it is often forced up the esophagus, causing the person to vomit.

Usually, people who have Crohn’s experience swelling and bleeding in their intestines, although it can often spread to other organs, including the eyes.

Because the intestines are too swollen for waste to pass through them, people with Crohn’s often experience extreme constipation.

Dylan Rocha, Michelle Demo, & Maddy Wheelock | Illustrations

people who have Crohn’s disease Dieta ry Res tric tions Many adjust their diets to prevent flare-ups.

Gas producing foods

Carbonated drinks

Coffee & tea

Dairy products

Red meat

Foods high in fiber

This includes foods such as beans, cabbage, broccoli, and onions.

No Starbucks, no Tim Hortons, and nothing off the Mcaffe menu.

Avoid any steaks, porks, or other meats cooked too rare.

Eliminate all soda pops as well as sparkling wines and waters.

Stay away from milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream and chocolate.

Some foods high in fiber include bran wheat, cooked beans,and raspberries mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 19

A

D

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Need for Birth Control or Emergency Contraception Services?

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832-6661 Absolute Confidentiality Midland Coalition for Choice Box 2386 Midland, MI 48641

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Contact Emily Fisher @ 989-615-4482 or ads@mhsfocus.com

20 | FOCUS | MAR 6, 2014

A

&

E

Happy in henna

With the use of henna increasing in its popularity, teens have found that creating the intricate body art themselves to be a way to showcase their freedom of expression. Michelle Demo | Web Editor

1

2

3

[1] Senior Nimra Jawed practices a floral henna design on her hand. Jawed has been practicing henna ever since she came to America,. and enjoys creating new designs. Michelle Demo | Photo [2] Jawed makes henna designs for many different events, for instance, the Muslim holiday of Eid. [3] Jawed’s aunt, Rani Munawwar, shows off her henna design before her wedding. Munawwar’s bridal henna was created by Jawed’s friend, Mehak Asad, who also did henna on Jawed many times before. Nimra Jawed | Photo Courtesy

T

he shiny henna pen glides further down young Nimra Jawed’s hand as her friend continues work on her henna design.

Jawed holds her hand still as the brown and green mixture comes out of the pen, creating intricate designs on her skin. Soon, Jawed will be moving from Pakistan to America, and it will be her turn to learn the craft of henna. She will continue to practice this art form well into her teen years.

“It’s been quite a while,” Jawed said. “I was really little when I started doing henna. It’s part of our culture, it’s not something that I started by a trend or something, and it’s always been there.”

Jawed is not the only teenager in Midland to practice henna. A growing number of teens have been forgoing professional designs and creating the art themselves. Henna is a temporary dye created from the leaves of the mignonette tree, and is crushed into a powder. Henna is then combined with an acidic base such as lemon juice, strong tea, or eucalyptus oil. This combination forms a paste that will be used to paint intricate designs onto skin.

“I went out with my friends to a craft store.

We got a kit and we made the henna ourselves,” junior Amelia Gullo said.

Gullo had tried doing henna for the first time this past summer, and immediately fell in love. “[My friend] and I made a summer bucket list of things we wanted to do and try,” Gullo said. “So we were like, ‘Oh let’s do henna on

ourselves!”

The designs that Gullo created ranged from Mickey Mouse to gaming symbols, and all the way to a Hindu symbol of peace. Along with Gullo, former Midland High student Annamarie Williams enjoys practicing henna, specifically doing culturally traditional designs.

“It all started when I went to my grandma’s house for the summer,” Williams said. “She’s the one who got me started on henna, because she began running her own small business within her home doing the tattoos for friends.”

Williams’ favorite design style to try is the Arabic henna, as well as bridal henna designs.

These designs typically have intricate swirling

hand] and on their palms. They would get henna on their feet too.”

Stemming off of her religion, henna is a large part of Jawed’s culture. Because of this, Jawed has had henna done since she was a little girl.

Similar to Jawed, Williams practiced her designs, and has been doing henna for many years. One way that Williams has applied her henna designs to other aspects of her life is through her crafts and T-shirt designs. Williams would take bleach pens, and practice henna on shirts, the same way she would on her arms or legs.

Unlike Williams and Jawed, Gullo doesn’t practice henna for her art. Instead, she sees it

“I ENCOURAGE ANYONE TO GIVE HENNA A TRY. IT’S FUN, AND EASY TO DO WITHOUT THE PAIN OF A REAL TATTOO.” ANNAMARIE WILLIAMS patterns that create similar designs to that flowers. Jawed also enjoys floral design.

“Usually in Pakistan, we do a lot of flowers, and most of it is something related to that,” Jawed said.

For Jawed, henna is not just a form of art for self-expression, it’s a part of her religion and culture.

“In Pakistan, whenever you’re getting married, a bride will get henna,” Jawed said.

“Starting from the elbow, all the way up to [their

as a way to practice for other, more permanent body art in the future.

“If you want to get a tattoo, I would suggest doing that. It’s almost like a practice test to see how you feel with it,” Gullo said. “[When I got the henna], I did the Hindu symbol for inner peace. I think it looks really cool, and I get stressed out a lot, so I can look at [my future tattoo] and [say] ‘relax.’”

Gullo, Williams, and Jawed all agree that using natural henna is the best option for doing

the body art. “ I g e t m y h e n n a f r o m [ t h e we b s i t e ] hennacaravan.com, they have the best henna that is all natural,” Williams said. “Some companies will try to sell you black henna, [but] do not buy it, or get a tattoo with black henna.

Black henna will burn your skin and leave awful scar tissue.”

Jawed has heard similar tales about nonnatural henna, and agrees that the best route for doing henna, would be to buy the mixture that has no chemicals. This original henna, is an organic mixture made without any color enhancing chemicals. Color enhancers are used in order to make the henna darker. Wanting to avoid these chemicals, Jawed uses the original henna mixture when creating her art.

“The other ones have a lot of chemicals that are not good for our skin,” Jawed said. “I’ve heard many stories: people getting allergies, or getting infected. So I prefer the [henna] that doesn’t have a lot of chemicals.”

Due to henna’s natural recipe being safe for the skin, Williams believes that as long as people stray away from chemical enriched recipes, that they will probably enjoy having henna done.

“I encourage anyone to give henna a try,” Williams said. “It’s fun, and easy to do, without the pain of a real tattoo. It’s a great way to promote freedom of self-expression, and the eucalyptus oils within henna can be very healing and meditative.” Additional reporting by Kevin Sharpe

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Caroline Mulvaney practices at Creative 360 in Midland. Mulvaney generally practices in Bay City, but she uses the Midland studio when she teaches. Natalie Schwartz| Photo

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enior Caroline Mulvaney stepped out onto the floor. Her reflection followed her on the mirror-lined walls. She wore loose clothing, and her hair was tied into a knot on top of her head to keep it out of her face. Caroline dropped to the floor and began to stretch her arms and legs as she spoke. She finally moved her legs into a full split, a position that many people would find uncomfortable, if not impossible. However, she held the position for more than ten minutes, and continued to talk about one of her greatest passions: dance.

Before she was involved with dance, Caroline was first enrolled into gymnastics by her parents at age three. She continued with gymnastics until the seventh grade, when she realized that there was something that she was not able to get out of the sport.

“One thing that was missing from gymnastics was the performance quality and having the audience take something away from your performance,” Caroline said. “They can watch you if you’re doing gymnastics and say ‘Oh, that was really cool!’ But it’s not telling a story. I dance because when I watch people dance, I always take something away from their performance.”

She felt the need to dance after attending a practice at Miss Lore’s School of Performing Arts with her mother, dance teacher Olga Mulvaney. Olga grew up in Russia, and first started dancing when she was around twelve.

As a high schooler, Olga became involved with a variety of dance troops who entertained the Soviet military troops. She earned a college degree in dance, and continued her career when she moved to America by dancing with local troops and teaching dance lessons. Olga has worked in Chicago and throughout MidMichigan.

Caroline still practices her dancing at Miss

22 | FOCUS | MAR. 6, 2014

Lore’s School of Performing Arts under dance coach Kelly Meisner, and has studied pointe, ballet, jazz, tap, and lyrical.

Caroline’s father, Midland High teacher John Mulvaney, is very supportive of Caroline’s hobby.

“I think that with every student, they have to find their little niche that differentiates themselves from everyone else,” John said.

“For Caroline, I think dance has been one of those big things. It’s a lot of time and a lot of financial investment, but it’s definitely worth it, because it’s one of those things where you can’t replace thirteen years of this art and this skill that you have. It becomes part of you.”

One of the moments where John was most proud of Caroline was when she performed a solo at the last Rhapsody Rendezvous. In Rhapsody she performed in the drama dance choreographed by Pennye Padgett. “[Caroline] is the most beautiful and sure dancer I have ever worked with. She is all about dance.” Padgett says. “She just sparkles onstage.”

Currently, Caroline is focusing on an upcoming dance competition, which will be held in Detroit on March 14 and 22. At the competition, Caroline will compete in several categories of dance, including a solo performance, both a small and large group dance, jazz, tap, ballet, and lyrical.

In the large group performance, Caroline will be dancing with 80 other dance students. Each performance will be observed and critiqued by judges. Based on how Mulvaney scores at the Detroit competition, she may be able to move on to another competition in Chicago, which takes place on April 11-13. Caroline also has a recital coming up on May 17 and 18.

Caroline teaches several dance classes at the creative arts center, Creative 360, in Midland.

She teaches jazz dancing to kids ages seven to twelve, and tap dancing to students ages seven to ten. While teaching younger children can be

Dancing through life

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For six years, senior Caroline Mulvaney has been performing several different types of dance. She now teaches her own class and participates in competitions. Natalie Schwartz | Staff Writer & Michael Adams | A&E Editor difficult at times, Caroline takes the challenges in stride.

“They’re really happy and carefree,” Caroline said. “It’s refreshing to be able to work with little kids.”

One thing that Caroline strives to achieve through her classes is helping her students to gain self-confidence. If the students are too shy to dance, Caroline will take a break during one class and allow the students to do “improv” dancing, where she turns the lights off so that the students can dance on their own and grow more comfortable with dancing around others.

It is moments like these, coupled with the stories that the kids tell, that Caroline enjoys most.

Between practicing on her own, teaching lessons at Creative 360, and attending dance competitions, Caroline and her family are extremely committed to her work. With Caroline’s mother being a dance teacher, it is easier for the Mulvaney family to incorporate dance into their daily lives. Even when they are traveling for one of Caroline’s dance competitions, they still try to make time for family.

“We’re able to use [Caroline’s competitions] as family time a lot,” John said. “Whether it’s as simple as going out to a restaurant while we’re at a competition. Last year, when they went to nationals in Charleston, South Carolina, we used that as kind of a family vacation.”

The cost of dancing—including costumes, lessons, and competition fees—ensures that dancers must be very committed.

Caroline shows confidence in her dancing, and tries to give that self-confidence to her young students.

“When you’re a little kid, you’re really shy,” Caroline said. “At first, they’re really afraid to [dance], and they’ll just go to the corner and sit down. So I try to get them used to that, and to not be afraid to dance in front of people.”

The P e r ks of DA N C E Improves memorization because she has to remember several difficult routines It is a great cardio workout that also helps strengthen muscles Dance helps flexibility and self confidence

Natalie Schwartz | Infographic

High end, low price A

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The Shelterhouse has recently opened a resale shop in Midland. With a wide variety of gently used clothing, the shop has been a success with local thrift shoppers. Sarah Wontorcik | Photo Editor & Christiana Haight | Staff Writer

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fter Shelly Bartosek finished her degree in business, she found herself searching for something else to occupy her time. A few of her friends had mentioned a business plan that they were creating to Shelterhouse regarding a resale shop, and Bartosek asked if she could help with the establishment of the shop. Prior to this, Bartosek had been regular donor for Shelterhouse, whose mission is to eliminate domestic and sexual violence by providing advocacy, education, and shelter to anyone in need. She had not expected that the project would extend so far into her life.

“I envisioned that it was just a matter of a few months of heavy involvement. Then I would step back and go on about my normal day-today,” Bartosek, current manager of the shop, said. “I just imagined it would be a short term thing, but as you get involved and engaged, you never know what opportunities will pop up.”

After the unexpected resignation of the original manager of the store, Bartosek was asked to step up and take over the position.

On December 3, 2013, the Shelterhouse Resale Shop, along with its new manager, opened for business.

The Shelterhouse Resale Shop is run mainly by volunteers. One of the four employees, assistant manager Mike Ribble, has been volunteering for Shelterhouse since he was in high school.

“I [was in] a program that was put on at Northwood University back in 1989,” Ribble said. Now he watches over the day-to-day operations of the store and helps direct the volunteers as well as being sure the store stays appealing, clean, and presentable. He ensures that Shelterhouse Retail is one of the places where secondhand shoppers of Midland can comfortably purchase name brand, gently used clothing at low prices.

“I would like everyone to know that this is a place of love, compassion and acceptance. We honor, value, and respect all that step through our doors,” Ribble said.

Many people in Midland are following the trend of buying secondhand clothes. Junior Mary Andridge is a frequent customer at resale shops.

“My family and I have been secondhand shopping for a long time. I can remember going to Salvo [ever] since I was little to look for costumes or various clothing items that

BA N G FOR YOUR BUC K

Instead of paying high in-store prices, customers pay a fraction of the cost at the Shelterhouse Resale Shop.

American Eagle RETAIL: $29.99

RESALE: $4.00

Calvin Klein

RETAIL: $69.50

The Shelterhouse Resale Shop offers a large variety of gently used clothing at discounted prices. With only four paid employees, the Shelterhouse Resale Shop, located in the K-Mart Plaza next to Save-A-Lot, is run mainly on volunteers. Sarah Wontorcik | Photo we needed for a spirit day or just because,” Andridge said.

Andridge believes that thrift store shopping isn’t just for when looking for fun, silly clothing, but also for every day clothes as well.

“Not going to lie, every single one of my Homecoming dresses has been from Salvo,” Andridge said. “That’s three dresses all adding up [to] under 25 dollars, and I loved all of them.”

With the rise in interest for secondhand clothing, Bartosek is hopeful that the younger generation of Midland will want to donate, volunteer, and shop at the resale shop. So far, there have not been many students frequenting the new store, but as the shop grows and people become more aware of what the store has to offer, Bartosek believes that there will be a desire for a younger audience to visit the shop.

However, Bartosek says that in order for the younger audience to be drawn to the store, there needs to be stylish and trendy clothing donated.

“The youth won’t shop here if I don’t have good clothes,” Bartosek said.

Andridge says that though she has not been able to make it to the new shop, she does plan to make a trip there soon. She received a birthday gift from a friend that was from the Resale Shop.

It was a knitted hat and purse.

“She told me that there are some ladies who make items and donate them to the thrift store so that the Shelterhouse can receive money.”

Andridge said. “Thrift stores are a really great way to aid the community that is in need.”

The resale shop is a major success in helping to pay for funding for Shelterhouse, and it is also a huge help to the organization’s clients.

With a decrease in government funding, the need for Shelterhouse’s services has greatly increased. The organization has received more crisis calls and more in-night stays than ever, yet their total funding has decreased. However, the resale shop helps in more ways than just funds.

The wide variety of donations allows clients to receive a voucher, similar to a gift certificate or store credit, and shop at the store for the products they need. “[The clients are] truly shopping. They’re not being handed an outfit and told here’s what’s been donated this week, or here’s what we have in storage,” Bartosek said. “They’re able to come into the shop and shop like a customer would. They’re able to pick out things that are their size, that are their favorite colors, and they can try them on. Then they can go to the register, redeem their voucher, and we’ve met their needs.”

RESALE: $6.00

Tommy Hilfiger

RETAIL: $49.50

RESALE: $4.00

If you are interested in volunteering at the Shelterhouse Resale Shop, scan this code to go to their website and find out how you can get involved. http://www.shelterhousemidland.org/index.php/resale-shop

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n up playing w ro g e v a h o students wh p up with l e o e o k h c to s e h u n ig ti H anchise, con fr n o rth| Staff m a é b k k o c P a H l the il ent games. W ing Editor the most rec Duly| Manag k c a J & r e it Wr

Who’s that Pokémon?

Can you guess Grace O’Connor’s, Noah Danielson’s, and Jared Hohman’s favorite Pokémon?

Pokédex Number: 251 Description: This Pokémon wanders across time. Grass and trees flourish in the forests in which it has appeared.

Type: Psychic/Grass Player’s Take: “It can time travel. I mean who doesn’t want time travel.

That’s freaking awesome, and he’s cute.”

Jared’s Favorite Pokémon

Pokédex Number: 122 Description: Emanations from its fingertips solidify the air into invisible walls that repel even harsh attacks.

Type: Psychic/Fairy Player’s take: “I generally like Pokémon that aren’t really popular, I like status inflicting Pokémon rather than attacking type.”

24 | FOCUS | MAR 6, 2014

? ?

Answer: Mr. Mime

Noah’s Favorite Pokémon

?

Answer: Celebi

Pokédex Number: 038 Description: Very smart and very vengeful. Grabbing one of its many tails could result in a 1,000 year curse.

Type: Fire Player’s take: “She doesn’t get pushed around and I like that. Its also difficult to evolve because you need a firestone and I like the challenge of finding one.”

Answer: Ninetails

Grace’s Favorite Pokémon

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the Pokémon nor displays on ’C O ce ra G Senior | Photo ns Jack Duly games she ow

She had one goal.

Senior Grace O’Connor bought the video game Pokémon X on Black Friday with the mindset that she was going to beat the game by the end of the year. With all of her schoolwork and advanced classes, she fell behind on her goal. By New Year’s Eve she had yet to beat the game. She felt there was only one logical solution to this problem: spend the rest of the night sitting on a couch at her friend’s New Year’s party, battling the Elite Four to earn her title as the Pokémon Champion.

“It was really fulfilling to beat the elite four so easily,” O’Connor said. “I remember it being really difficult for me when I was younger and it would often discourage me.”

O’Connor is one of many high school students who avidly play games from the Pokémon franchise. While Pokémon tends to market towards a younger audience, many high school students grew up with this game as children, and continue to play it through their teen years. O’Connor has been playing Pokémon since she was five years old starting with the original Pokémon Red on the Gameboy, and has continued playing all the way up to the newest game, Pokémon X, on Nintendo 3DS. “I started playing Pokémon because my older brother played it. So I got interested in it because I wanted to be like my brother,” O’Connor said.

“We had a lot of Gameboys lying around the house, so when he was at school I would take his game and play it.”

Like O’Connor, sophomore Jared Hohman has been playing Pokémon since kindergarten and became interested in the game because of an older sibling. He began playing the franchise with Pokémon Gold for the Gameboy Color, the second generation of Pokémon.

“When I first played Pokémon I was excited to explore a whole new world,” Hohman said.

Hohman has continued playing Pokémon from its earlier games up until its newest generations and is devoted to playing his copy of Pokémon X on his Nintendo 2DS. He specifically bought his 2DS for the purpose of playing the newest Pokémon game.

“It was worth it,” Hohman said. “The battle

graphics are a lot more intense and detailed.

The game as a whole is just more playable in general.”

Senior Noah Danielson also has grown up playing Pokémon and has purchased its most recent game, Pokémon X. “It’s an enjoyable franchise,” Danielson said.

“It’s very strategical, which I enjoy because I’m a very analytical person. I like to think out how to play my best against my opponents.”

Danielson was first introduced to Pokémon in fifth grade. He had already collected many Pokémon cards and was interested in becoming further invested in the franchise. For his birthday he received Pokémon FireRed, an updated version of the original Pokémon Red. Later on he would revisit some of the older games in the series.

“I own Crystal , which I find highly enjoyable because you get to see how the game has progressed over time,” Danielson said. “For example, Crystal was the first game that you could choose either a male or female protagonist, which was a cool new feature compared to the first games.”

As more games come out every few years from the franchise, new features are always being added to Pokémon games. The graphics have been updated from its original two dimensional, 8-bit style in Pokémon Red and Blue, to a three dimensional, more lifelike style of graphics in Pokémon X and Y. Along with the improved visual aspect, every new generation of Pokémon brings with it new Pokémon to be captured. O’Connor feels that these new Pokémon are void of the originality that the first three generations had. Hohman disagrees with O’Connor, stating that the addition of new Pokémon makes it so the game does not get old and stays alluring.

Even with all of the changes Pokémon games have had since they first were released, O’Connor, Hohman, and Danielson all plan to continue playing Pokémon. ”I like to keep playing because each game is better than the last,” O’Connor said. “Also, I love to play because it gives me a nostalgic feeling, and makes me feel like a kid again.”