March6th

ATHEISM | PAGE 09

ONE BILLION RISING| PAGES 12-13

focus

SOCIAL MEDIA | PAGE 14 CAPTURED PHOTOGRAPHY | PAGE 24

the

Midland High School | March 6, 2015| Volume 37. Issue 6

An unhealthy trip

More people are using research chemicals in an attempt to reach an similar high to that of LSD. Is the high worth the risk?

Page 15

SPECIAL REPOR T: fo c u s i n g o n t h e s t r u g g l e s a n d s u cce s s e s i n g y m n a s t i c s Maddy Wheelock & Michelle Demo | Illustration

Go online to MHSFocus.com or to issuu.com/mhsfocus to read every issue since May 2012!

Volume 37, Issue 6

Re-read Past Issues

Contents A & E

F E A T U R E S 08

HOMEBOUND LEARNING

21

HOPE O’DELL

09

ATHEISM

22

BRIAN ROMBALSKI

10

SAM BORK

23

FORENSICS

11

CHANCE POP-UP BOUTIQUE

24

CAPTURED PHOTOGRAPHY

N E W S 12-13

17 T U M B L I N G TO WA R D S S U CC E S S BALANCING ACT

16

SARAH WING

These gymnasts have worked since they were young to be great at their sport. The Focus reports their experiences and successes.

17

RILEY JOHNSTONE

18

KAYLA PATNODE

ONE BILLION RISING

14

TWITTER CENSORING

15

SYNTHETIC DRUG USE

E D I T O R S Maddy Wheelock Editor in Chief Michelle Demo Managing Editor Aelish Shay News Editor Sarah Wontorcik Features Editor Will Hackbarth A&E Editor Emily Fisher Sports & Photo Editor Dylan Rocha Opinion Editor Natalie Schwartz Design Editor Mercedes Hussein Ad Coordinator Noah Surbrook Exchange Editor Ella Colbert Web Editor in Chief Megan Nylund Web Assistant Editor Jim Woehrle Adviser Midland Daily News Printer

O U R M I Sto SIO N away S T A Twith E M Estuff NT Disclaimer get Focus, established in 1977, previously the Vic Tribune established in 1936, is the official school sponsored newspaper for Midland High. Focus is published monthly by the journalism classes at Midland High and is distributed free of charge. It is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), the Michigan Inter scholastic Press Association(MIPA),andQuillandScroll.AdvisermembershipalsoincludestheJournalism 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.

Monitoring Media

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Should the school be able to punish students for what they say online

“If it’s very severe enough to affect the school then the school should be able to punish them.”

Freshman Hannah Bartels

Michelle Demo | Illustration

Social media has made cyber bullying increasingly common. With new laws being passed on cyber bullying and students being penalized for their actions it has students questioning the schools role in punishment.

T

he school district has to get involved when students have issues with bullying, but what happens when the bullying is online? How involved can the school get in the lives of its students in the effort of protecting them?

Whether or not it is the school’s place or the punishment is just, when a student is penalized by the school for their posts on social media, it raises the question: Should the school be able to punish students for what is said outside of school hours and property?

The school’s policy states that they only get involved when a student or teacher is involved, but some students think the school is monitoring students on social media when it isn’t necessarily their place.

We think that the school needs to have a defined policy on where they decide an incident is cyber bullying and what exactly the consequence is. This way, the rule will be clear. The school will not get involved where they shouldn’t. It will also mean that the punishments will be consistent.

We also recognize that an issue to address in these situations is privacy.

Some say it’s an invasion of privacy for school officials to look on the social media accounts of students, especially if the student posts something outside of school hours. However, when something is put online it no longer becomes private.

Whatever was posted has potential to end up being viewed by anybody, even if users are private, block other users, etc.

A large problem in the issue of cyber bullying is poor communication. People are quicker to say rude or inappropriate things online when they should be dealing with serious matters face to face and in a healthier manner. Too often, they resort to insulting people on social media. The problem stems here and with the anonymity of the internet, making it very common for students to voice their complaints about other students or staff. It’s the issue of “keyboard courage.” People think that they have no implications for their speech online because of the fact that they aren’t face to face. That they can say whatever they want and it won’t have any impact because it’s just online.

The implications of cyber bullying are viewed by some as minor but shouldn’t be. People need to realize that bullying someone online is no better than bullying them face to face. The issue of cyber bullying has grown to the point that laws are being put into effect over it.

Michigan Senate Bill 74, a new law passed in January by Gov. Rick Snyder, will help with these situations. It has defined cyber bullying as “any electronic communication intended to harm one or more students by interfering with education opportunities,” giving public

schools a set guideline as to what cyber bullying is. It also requires that school rules update their bullying policies to include cyber bullying.

This new law should help to clear up this grey area and prevent similar issues from recurring. We hope the school sets clear punishments for online offenses.

Another issue that needs to be addressed is what to do when school staff is being harassed online. Almost every time there is a chance for a weatherrelated cancellation, superintendent Michael Sharrow is harassed by hundreds of people online. He’s not the only staff member to receive ridicule over social media, but he’s the staff member who gets harassed the most. Many teachers and administrators have been personally called out and insulted on social media where students think that they are safe from school rules. As the school combats bullying, it needs to ensure not only the safety of the students but, also the safety of the staff.

While recognize that while online incidents involving the school need addressing, there needs to be a set policy so that the school doesn’t get involved and punish students inappropriately or inconsistently. Rules need to avoid confusion and let students know what they can and cannot say online. F

“The school shouldn’t take it upon themselves to suspend someone for what they say on social media .”

Sophomore Evan Cobb

“They should be punished by their parents, not the school.”

Junior D’Artagnan Booth

“The school should talk to students about what they say instead of suspending them.”

Senior Katherine Vieau

editorial | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 03

TIDBITS Random pieces of information told in less

Upc���n�

than 50 words

BY THE NUMBERS

3 THINGS

Tweet of the Month

days of school we had this February

you don’t have to worry about this month

Whether or not the millage passed.

The ACT. Congratulations, you did it!

8 17 MAR

Follow THIS User

@evan_haase

H

ERE

?V I

’S

Is the dress is black and blue or white and gold?

St. Patricks Day is celebrated today. You have a couple weeks to get all your Irish gear ready for the day.

For the sketch challenge on the Energy in art story, Mitchell Dominoski attempted to draw the flower. We value his participation for this, but not enough to get his name right. Sorry, Mitchell.

Two hour delays.

and one thing you still do...

At 2:00 am get ready to lose an hour of sleep. Don’t forget to change your clocks back before you go to sleep.

MAR

9 20 MAR

There is no school on this day for the students.

Teachers will be here, but not any students. Take a nap, binge watch shows, enjoy the snow!

Ver nal Equinox star ts t o d a y. T h e w i n t e r w i l l finally be over, whether there is still snow on the ground or not.

CORRECTIONS

W

1 2 3

The chemics may have lost but 46 years ago today Jennifer Aniston was born #win

MAR

C

14.6

In the Hitting the charts story, Jack Somers was one of the fans of C-Money that we got to meet. We must not have been a big enough fan of Jack himself, because we spelled his last name wrong. Sorry, Jack.

Vic will be hidden anywhere throughout the paper each month. Anyone wishing to submit themselves in the competition must tweet at The Focus with their fifth hour teacher, a photo, and the location of Vic. Whoever does this first with the correct location of Vic is the winner.

Last Issue’s Winner

Photo OF THE Month 74 likes alexjjewel Because why was this picture ever taken?

4 | FOCUS | 3/6/2015 | op/ed

Follow THIS User @alexjjewell

Senior Emily Winquest

Will Hackbarth

Maddy Wheelock

50 Shades of Abuse

Corrupt Curriculum

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I

love school. monopolization of IB on the curriculum.

Don’t get me wrong, I mean, that While I do believe that the IB curriculum two-day week was awesome. I definitely can greatly benefit students, both in analytic rejoice upon the announcement of a learning and in college credit, I don’t agree snow-day, ice-day, cold-day, or whatever with it being the only option for an advanced instance of unholy weather has stricken our class. See, as Tony the Tiger taught me, you school district. It’s curious though: I don’t need to have a balanced breakfast. I like to really know why. think of my education as a breakfast. The I am incredibly grateful to receive a classes that IB offers, with deep analytical great education, for free, and to have so learning, are the eggs, or maybe the peanut many opportunities for my future laid out butter toast. They’re full of protein, they will at my feet. Our school has a welcoming get you far, but by themselves they’re just environment, and I’ve had great times inside bland. I need sausage, or fruit, or maybe even its walls. a cinnamon roll to supplement my education.

It’s for these reasons that I hate to punch That is to say, could I get a different type a gift horse in the mouth, but I have some of class to eat along with my eggs? Perhaps serious beefs to pick with our curriculum. more AP options, an advanced creative My biggest issue with the course selection writing class, or a history class with a worldoffered is its view other than America’s. I varying amounts have learned next to nothing in of variety. That school about most Asian and While I still believe is to say, I could African countries. Nor have my I have received an take any science English classes ever focused on incredible education class imaginable. how to write anything besides here, and that the If I was interested an informative or persuasive teachers do an in how the four essay. amazing job, there are pillars of physics The fact that I can only take holes in the curriculum a basic combine with class, or something that need to be the anatomical that is part of the path to an repaired. structure IB. Diploma, in history and and chemical English, feels restricting. It complexities also causes large rifts in the of a frog, to explain why it can hop over school, in that a student can only take what a particularly large pond, I could take a is essentially a .4 class; IB world lit 1, or be combination of classes to fix that gap of placed in regular English. The kids that find knowledge. I think that’s awesome. But, at the themselves in the middle have to challenge same time, why do I only have two choices for themselves to an extreme amount, or settle for my English class? Einstein would find himself something far too easy. In math, if someone is unable to calculate the amount of math classes not good enough for the most advanced class, we have available, yet I learn the same things but would be bored in the regular class, we in history every year. I sense a definite bias. have a slew of intermediate classes to make I understand that math and science sure they are in a class of the perfect difficulty. are extremely important, and there are a I don’t understand why the same rationale is ridiculous amount of jobs in fields relating to not applied to English and history. those two subjects. Yet, English and history It feels to me that the educational pathway are incredibly important things to understand I wished to take in high school has been in order to achieve a well-rounded education. blocked. While I still believe I have received In these two fields, I feel our class selection is an incredible education here, and that the severely lacking. teachers do an amazing job, there are holes in Connected to this issue is another the curriculum that need to be repaired. large problem: the seemingly systematic

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W

“I really hope you say yes” when she is hen the hype about 50 Shades of obviously uncomfortable.

Grey began, I wasn’t completely 7. During their initial conversation, disgusted. The book seemed to Anastasia says “I’m just not exactly jumping be stirring discussions about sex at the opportunity to get whipped and among women, specifically about the main tortured in your bedroom.” This should be a characters’ BDSM relationship (bondage, red light for Christian. submission, dominance, masochism); taking 8. On multiple occasions, Christian tells the shame out of pleasure. But the more Anastasia that if she does not agree, he I heard about it, the more concerns I had. is not interested in being with her. If he As the hype from the movie grew, so did is not willing to listen to her desires and the critique. I found myself researching the compromise, they should be rethinking their unhealthy relationship between Christian and relationship. BDSM relies on copious amounts Anastasia for hours. Their “romance” seemed of trust. fishy, but it seemed that most of the world 9. Anastasia is not the only character who was completely ignoring it. In order to gain is raped. Christian explains that he got into a better understanding of their dynamic, I BDSM when he was his mother’s friend’s reluctantly watched the movie. And honestly, submissive at 15. He was under the age of I felt uncomfortable for hours after seeing it. consent; and therefore was raped.

Most agree that the movie was toned down as 10. The contract states that Anastasia far as the graphic scenes and the abuse. Here should be okay with are 12 signs of abuse “any sexual activity” just from the 50 Shades Anastasia never signs the except those stated of Grey movie: contract because she is in the contract. An 1. On their first date, uncomfortable with it, agreement about Christian explicitly but Christian dominates BDSM should include states that Anastasia her in sexual situations what the dom/sub should find him isn’t okay with, but intimidating. anyway. it should not make 2 When she goes out everything else a to celebrate with friends default “yes.” and drunk dials Christian, he tracks her 11. Upset about the contract, Anastasia asks location and takes her from the bar.

“Don’t you like me the way I am? ...Why are 3. From the bar, he takes her to his house you trying to change me?” Even after this where he undresses her and sleeps next upsetting discussion, Christian continues to her. She does not remember this in the “punishing” her. She very clearly does not morning, and therefore did not give proper want it. consent.

12. Finally, in the very last sex scene, 4. Christian does have a contract for Anastasia stands up to Christian. Still, he Anastasia that establishes safe words, but should have known before she pushed him it is entirely written. In a consensual BDSM away that she was not comfortable. She relationship, Anastasia and Christian would was crying and visibly upset in her body have open conversations in person about language. This was quite clearly a rape scene. what would happen during scenes.

The idea of this story was a good one, 5. Possibly the most important issue to keep but it concerns me that I’ve heard so in mind: Anastasia never signs the contract many teenagers learning about sex and because she is uncomfortable with it, but BDSM because of this franchise. A sexual Christian dominates her in sexual situations relationship requires a level of trust and anyway. security that these characters certainly do not 6. Though Christian tries to make Anastasia portray. If you see the movie, remember that believe signing the contract is a choice, he you are watching a woman’s story of abuse. pressures her into signing it, explicitly saying,

op/ed | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 5

Michaela Carpenter

Aelish Shay

Life lessons with Ike

f you’ve ever run around in circles in to me. He never stopped until I had given a 7-11 trying to catch a dog without the chase my all. The point is, a lot of times knocking over an end cap or another people limit themselves by thinking of all the customer, while the owner glares at you obstacles in their way. Just getting started is and sighs behind his newspaper - it’s okay, the best way to get stuff done.

I’ve been there too.

3) Always take the opportunity to make I’ve had a lot of crazy, wonderful, new friends. As I’ve already addressed, Ike exasperating experiences thanks to my dog is a runner - our neighbor used to call him Ike. I grew up as he grew up, he’s been “bullet” because of the way that he used to the biggest constant in my life so far. The shoot out the front door. (I swear he loves following are the most important lessons he us he just had a lot of energy). But he’s also has taught me. the biggest people-person (dog) ever. Over 1) I should stop caring what other people time I learned that when he wasn’t chased think of me. Dogs don’t care what others after, he would just run around for 5-10 think about them, they just do whatever they minutes and come right back. But if he saw please. When I was younger and it was hard an open door he entered it. He’s jumped to keep up with him while running down in the neighbor’s car, waltzed into garages the street, this neighbor would laughingly and living rooms, and even attended a scrap shout “Who’s walking who?” I didn’t pay booking convention much attention with the elderly at a to it. I was just nearby church. I’ve doing my best to met a good deal of I’ve had a lot of crazy, be a responsible people that live in pet owner and the area surrounding wonderful, exasperating make sure Ike my house when they experiences thanks to my got exercise. It walk him back over or was fun. If that dog Ike. call us to let us know didn’t bother where he is. Its only a me - why should little bit embarrassing I let anything to be recognized by else? I’m always someone who says so worried about how I’m being perceived, “hey is your dog Ike?! I think I’ve brought but Ike wouldn’t want me to be. In Oklahoma, him back to your house before.” But after a he used to take off running down the street few awkward laughs I have a new story and a to the creek, and naturally I’d have to take off new acquaintance. after him trying to get him back inside. I’d 4) Appreciate every day. end up covered in mud from running up and Ike turned 11 years old this year, and now down creek beds and by the time I got back it’s me that has to slow down for him during he reeked of wet dog, but those are some of our walks through the park. my favorite memories.

I keep hearing people talk about how this 2) Don’t let anything stop you from is our year of lasts. From last football games achieving your goal. Ike taught me how to to last high school exams to last spirit days. run. The times he didn’t head for the creek They constantly remind us if the goodbyes we he’d go sprinting through fields behind the are going to have to make to our high school house, littered with pickers. I didn’t have time friends and family the last time we really are to put on shoes. I’d race off after him as fast all together. I recently found out that Ike has as I could, it was only when I couldn’t run an enlarged heart. He was there for me during any farther and I sat down in the dead grass our first Oklahoma summer to this Michigan under a blistering sun to pull thorns out of winter which is very likely to be his last. I my feet would he slow down and come back don’t think I’d be the same person without

6 | FOCUS | 3/6/2015 | op/ed

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him, he’s going to be the one I miss most

I

’ve been asked countless times if I’m careful, but she just kept coming back to going to follow my dad’s footsteps and forgiveness. She said that even though they become a lawyer. I love my dad, and I didn’t understand exactly why it had to see the value in his work because of the happen, she and her family trusted that God’s lives that it affects, both those on the right and plan and timing were perfect. She talked the wrong side of the law, but the answer to about God’s grace and forgiveness, and said that question is definitely a no. Being in the that she didn’t know where the other woman courtroom takes a certain kind of strength stood with God but that she hoped what because it means seeing people at their worst. had happened would lead her to him. This Imagine day in and day out watching people woman’s carelessness had killed her son, and argue with each other and accuse each other her response was forgiveness and grace. of terrible things, many of which are true even My dad says there wasn’t a dry eye in though you desperately wish they weren’t. that courtroom. It was filled with people-Imagine seeing countless hurting people come murderers and rapists and their attorneys in and walk back waiting for their out later in just sentencing, and of course as much pain my dad and the judge.

I’m forgiven and I’m loved, because whatever Nobody could hold back even though he knows all happened in that tears. of my mistakes and all of courtroom can’t I’ve heard this story change what has the things I try to hide from quite a few times over the already been said years, and every time he everyone else. and done. It can’t tells it my dad still gets be easy to face choked up. It brings me that, and I’m just to tears just listening to it thankful for those people like my dad who because of the amazing display of forgiveness have the passion and persistence to do it. and grace that filled the dark courtroom with Just because I don’t want to spend my days light on that day. Not everyone ends up in a in the courtroom doesn’t mean I don’t like courtroom, but all people have to deal with hearing my dad talk about it. Even though pain. Suffering is a part of life, and often we that place can be filled with pain, God is not don’t understand why it has to happen. It’s absent. The darkness created by hurt and fear so easy to just become angry and let the pain only makes light seem that much brighter. and brokenness make us bitter, but it doesn’t One of my favorite stories from my dad have to be that way. With God there is healing about his time in the courtroom is from and grace, and he can provide the strength to when he was the prosecutor. There had been forgive and show love to the ones who have a hunting accident, and a young man died caused pain. because of the carelessness of a woman in a The woman in the story was no different nearby deer blind. Despite her attempts to than anybody else, but she gave her hurt cover it up, the truth was discovered and she and her anger to God. Instead of bitterness soon stood in that courtroom along with the she spoke the truth with love and offered family of the man whose life she had taken. forgiveness that no one expected. I don’t After the sentencing was over, the step-mom know exactly what happened to the woman of the victim asked to speak. who received that incredible gift of grace, The grieving mother stood up, paper in her or how that day affected the others in the trembling hands, and the first words out of courtroom, but I do know that moments like her mouth caught everyone by surprise: We these are not as rare as one might think. There forgive you. She proceeded to acknowledge is a lot of pain in the courtroom and in this that what the woman had done was wrong world, but there are lights breaking through and had caused their family pain, and she the darkness too. With God, there can be hoped that it would teach her to be more beauty in the broken.

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I

Beauty in the broken

Noah Surbrook

I

’m still a little bit salty about my brother’s try. surgery compared to mine. My older For those of you who don’t know how brother had several desirable outcomes to play water polo (basically everyone) it’s in his surgery that I greatly lacked and pretty easy to learn. You have one goalkeeper find highly unjust. First off he got stronger and traditionally six other players on each painkillers than I did despite a more minor team. You go back and forth trying to score surgery (Wisdom teeth vs. getting broken on the other team, and whoever has the most knee cap pinned together.) It may sound a points wins. Here’s where it starts to get little weird, but when your painkillers don’t tricky. It’s typically played in an all deep end do jack, and getting up to pee is excruciatingly pool so you’re going to want to be a strong difficult and makes you want to cry you’ll swimmer and very good at treading water. understand.

You’re supposed to tread in a specific way Second, he got to walk afterwards. I had 10 (eggbeater kick) to keep yourself upright and days on crutches make it easier to pass/ and 40 days in shoot and interfere with an immobilizer the other team. You’re It’s pretty simple and it’s while all he had only supposed to be use a great work out while one hand so be good at was the inability to eat solids and throwing still being enjoyable. It’s catching for a few days. one-armed. All members The third and not for everybody but it’s on both teams (aside from most inhumane goalie) are supposed to definitely worth a try. comparison play offense and defense, between our so it takes a lot of stamina surgeries was the to be successful. And surgery process. I was put to sleep and woken lastly it’s a very aggressive physical sport. up by excruciating pain. He got to stay awake Most people who aren’t playing it seriously, and do something truly spectacular: watch however, won’t play by all of these rules. water polo while having his teeth carved out.

The boys swim team certainly doesn’t abide I play two sports officially and through the by all of them, not strictly at least. We aren’t school (swim and track) and two just for fun very strict on them in the interest of keeping (CCL basketball and water polo.) Swim is my it fun, but we do follow them enough to keep favorite, but the position for second place is a it serious. Our only major change is that we constantly changing battle between my other don’t have all play defense and offense; we three sports. Water polo is currently winning, divide it up to make things a little easier. We and it’s going to be tough to beat. also are very lenient on dunking and how It’s such an incredibly unique sport and I rough you can be. don’t see why it doesn’t get more attention.

Water polo is special for me because it’s Our school doesn’t have a program for it, one of the sports I do solely for fun. I love which I think is a tragedy. I’m incredibly swim and I love throwing for the track team; jealous of Rockford High School. They have and while I do have a lot of fun playing those the No.1 water polo program in the state, and sports, it’s different. It’s very serious and it just seems like it would be so much fun to competitive and I always have to be working play on a school water polo team. Granted and improving. Playing water polo feels a they have two Olympic sized swimming lot like playing T-ball or soccer when I was a pools and a water tower for their school, and little kid. When I go out I still try, but all I’m we share a pool with Dow. Regardless I think looking to do is get in the pool and have fun. it would be pretty sweet.

I don’t need to win. All I want to do is have It’s pretty simple and it’s a great work out fun, and I think it’s nice to get a break from while still being enjoyable. It’s not really for the usual and very serious tone of my other everybody, but I think it’s definitely worth a sports.

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Snapshots in time

V

acationing with the family is one travel it just meant modifying how they did of those things we all say we will it. They wanted us to be able to experience the never forget. But let’s be real here, world even at a young age and not be afraid other than the photographs my of trying new things. parents took, I have slim to no memories of One specific family vacation I went what I did on vacations that occurred before on, when I was seven, was to the Smoky the third grade or so.

Mountains in Tennessee. From pictures I Looking back at vacation pictures, I see can tell I had a great time by how I posed myself and try to reminisce about being a on the Appalachian Trail with my dad. My little tyke splashing in the sandy water in sisters were toddlers. One was strapped into my diaper or waddling next to a waterfall a backpack my dad was wearing while the holding my sippy cup. But that’s just about it, other rode on his shoulders.

I have no recollection about what was going Other photos show us hiking underneath on or how I felt or what was around me other the Grotto Falls, while another shows us than what the picture holds. I’m sure the picnicking on giant rock formations at the happy little girl in base of a different that photograph waterfall. I don’t really Although I can’t was having a remember much other grand time, but than always being around remember all of my it’s a shame not trees. I will get to relive to remember the family’s vacations, I it this spring break as details. my family heads down wouldn’t change them The little details again for another hiking are what make trip. This time around, for the world. vacations the most the trip will be different memorable for now that we are all older. me. Small things My sisters and I are all like this past summer, sitting out on the more mature which makes things easier for Mackinaw beaches on a cool night with the my parents. We can physically do more and family watching as the blue water and the engage more and this time my mom won’t be blue sky would become indistinguishably the only one capturing the moments behind fused. Memories like long boarding on the the lens. boardwalk with a great friend in Daytona Looking back at these new photos in 10 Beach or gazing at the Chicago skyline years will hopefully spark more detailed reflecting from the Bean in Millennium Park. memories of family trips, rather than this But looking back at my early life it is nearly moment now while I look back at the trips impossible to recall any memories like that. from 2005 trying to imagine what really Part of me wishes that my parents would happened. Yes, I’ve been there before but it’s have waited to take some of my childhood almost like adventuring to a brand new place. vacations. Obviously at 17 I’d have an Although I can’t remember all of my easier time remembering special places family’s vacations, I wouldn’t change them and moments with the family. But to think for the world. We may not remember our that, is also quite selfish because that would lives as children exactly, but that time spent mean taking away the memories my parents with our families has definitely molded who created with us as young children. Those we are today. Just because we may not always photos aren’t just pictures to them. They are remember every single detail of our family their special moments of family adventures. trips doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be My parents will often tell their friends that stoked to create new memories with them for they are raising us to be explorers and that the years to come. becoming parents didn’t mean giving up

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Water polo

Julia Quinn

op/ed | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 7

sweethome

Home

S

Senior Shelby Kuchek practices her homebound anatomy class late in the evening. This class is among Kuchek’s classes that she takes through Midland Public Schools at her house. Michelle Demo | Photo

Know the Differences Between Home school and Homebound

HOME SCHOOL Has field trips Not through MPS Can go to co-op classes 8 | FOCUS | 3/6/2015 | features

HOMEBOUND Has MPS teacher Takes MHS classes Can’t come to school events Michelle Demo | Infographic

itting at her desk to the side of her living room, Senior Shelby Kuchek works through her anatomy class for the day. This setting for a class is one of the stark contrasts between typical public schooling and the homebound learning schedule.

“My favorite part of being Homebound is getting to stay up late,” Kuchek said. “I meet with my homebound teacher, Mrs. Joseph, 3 days a week. That means on days where we don’t meet, I might stay up until 1 a.m. doing homework but not get up until noon.”

Ever since Kuchek was put into homebound learning, she has been excelling in her classes and has been on the Honor Roll every year.

Kuchek went into homebound learning due to her problems dealing with anxiety. It wasn’t until 8th grade that Kuchek realized that her anxiety was becoming such a large problem with her schooling.

“I’ve always had anxiety, but I didn’t notice how severe it got until I realized I was too scared to go on our eighth grade field trip to Michigan Adventure. I then asked my mom if I could go to counseling,” Kuchek said. “By freshman year, I struggled every day to make it through my classes. I couldn’t make it to Band Camp because I would have a panic attack before I arrived. During school I would call my mom to ask her to pick me up because I was too afraid to make it to certain classes, and after school I would break down to my mom because I was embarrassed and stressed about how my day went. After freshman year and a summer where I fell into severe depression, I wasn’t able to make it through the start of sophomore year.”

It was at that point in time that Kuchek was put into homebound learning in order to properly complete her schooling as much as possible.

“I had been missing school for days on end and [I was] unable to stay at school for a full day when I went,” Kuchek said. “So, after a while of not doing my homework I had, not making it to class, and just lying in my bed depressed all day, it was decided for me to go on homebound.”

Kuchek is not alone in the number of students who have had to struggle with anxiety at school— according to e-learning teacher Lee Leffingwell, a good number of students are now a part of the homebound learning schedule due to their struggles dealing with anxiety.

“Homebound has medical requirement.

[Students] have to have a doctor’s letter [with] permission that says that they can’t come to school,” Leffingwell said.

While homebound learning is specifically medical, home schooling has a completely different regimen and is not run through MPS. Junior Sarah White has been in home schooling since she started school.

The number of students at MHS in homebound learning has steadily been growing in the last few years.

Demo | Managing Editor & Lydia Dornbos | Staff Writer “For me, the average day in elementary and middle school, [was] me doing homework/being taught through video course. [I went to] co-op classes where we went to class once a week and got homework for the rest” White said. “Once I reached high school I was able to continue going to a co-op that was college prep courses where [I] went to class once a week. This proved beneficial when I reached college and started to plan my own time. [I was] not overwhelmed by the independence of not having a teacher daily.”

Along with a different environment, White also experiences different opportunities as a home scholar that public students aren’t offered.

Typically students that attend a public high school may get the opportunity to attend one or two field trips a year, whereas White may be able to go on many.

“Some of these [opportunities] include day trips across the state of Michigan, museum trips organized by home scholars, cooking classes, music lessons, art classes,” White said. “There are also soccer teams, basketball teams, and synchronized swimming that are all competitive within the state.”

The chance to go on a field trip is not given to Kuchek as a part of the homebound learning program. Due to her medical reason for not attending school, she may not attend school events.

“The rule of being on homebound is ‘If you are too sick to go to school, you are too sick to be at school,’” Kuchek said. “What I mean by that is if there are any events at the school building, you are prohibited from going. This includes Homecoming, Prom, and any sporting events.

I’ve had to miss all of my cousin Zane’s games and I will be missing my sister’s track meets.”

While Kuchek believes that there are disadvantages to homebound learning - such as not seeing her friends every day, being forced to teach herself the material, and not being able to go to school events - there are many positive outcomes that come from homebound learning.

“I will honestly tell you that being homebound will be one of the most difficult things I will have done in my education,” Kuchek said.” Not only have I been struggling through severe anxiety and depression, I am struggling to do the best I can academically. However, I will tell you that despite the struggles, homebound does have benefits. Homebound has helped me grow independently. I feel very confident going into college because I have been able to teach myself the skills needed to succeed in the classes I’ve taken. Even without the classroom teacher to guide me and with some help from outside sources. If you are struggling with any sort of disability, and are willing to put in the time and effort, the homebound program will be there to help you get back up on your feet.” F

Self discovery

For some students, the journey to connecting with their true beliefs involved questioning the views of many of those around them.

Evie Wagner | Staff Writer & Mercedes Hussein | Ads Coordinator

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or senior Danielle Parsons, going to church was as routine as going to school. Her family went to services every week, and she never thought twice about what exactly she was consistently dedicating part of her life to.

But when her family began to fall out of their pattern of routine church trips, Parsons started to question why she had been devoting her time to Christianity in the first place.

“When my family stopped attending regularly in third grade, I never had the urge to go back,” Parsons said. “I tried to justify [my religion] to myself because it is a bit strange to not agree with something you’ve grown up doing, but I realized there was no concrete evidence that supports religion.”

First United Methodist Church Youth Minister John Engler admits that some adolescents struggle with a faith they solely practice to please a friend or family member, but says that many youth face crisis of faith for purely situational reasons.

“Most of youth believe that they’ve lost their faith due to something bad happening,” Engler said. “In my opinion [youth] lose their faith because of a human and not because of their faith in God being any different. It all comes back to the relationship we have with others and the relationship we have with our God.” Senior Jared Lane also grew up in a Christian household and saw himself as a Catholic until junior year, when he started to part ways with this view. It took some introspective questioning, but Lane now is sure that he identifies himself as an Atheist.

“Nothing really influenced me to stop believing in God,” Lane said. “I just asked myself why people believe in God in the first place. To me, God is just an easy way of explaining things. When we didn’t know much about Earth, we created God as a way to explain.

Although I cannot prove that he does not exist, others cannot prove that he does.”

Engler believes that it is crucial for any youth raised in a religious background to take time to evaluate their views to ensure they are in touch with what they truly believe, not just the beliefs of others.

“I do believe that [reevaluation] is important and vital in helping solidify your faith,” Engler said. “There are a lot of issues when we count on [the views of others] to be the only thing to teach us about our beliefs.”

Lane admits that while he didn’t personally face a lot of backlash when he decided to share

his feelings towards religion, the biggest change was the effect on his friendships.

“My family wasn’t too happy about it but they accepted it,” Lane said. “There were a few friends at the time who really didn’t take it well and stopped hanging out with me as a result.”

Parsons agrees that she sometimes struggles with friends who are unaccepting and hostile toward her views, but says her family remains supportive despite their conflicting beliefs.

“My parents are both religious, so it means a lot that they have never forced their beliefs on me,” Parsons said. “They are very accepting that I don’t believe the same thing that they do.”

Lane, however, believes that some of the prejudice he faces as an Atheist may be simply due to misunderstanding.

“People should understand one thing about my beliefs,” Lane said. “I am not completely shutting out the possibility of God. Could God exist? Sure, why not? Give me proof and you have my belief. But am I going to spend my time worshiping something I don’t even know is real? No.” Both Lane and Parsons noted that living in Midland has a strong impact on how they are accepted for their views.

“Many people in Midland have some type of religion in their lives,” Parsons said. “I think it definitely affects how people react to my not believing in a religion because they look at it in such a negative light. It’s unfortunate because I don’t think that not believing in God makes me any different than anyone else.”

While Senior Keegan McGuire agrees that there are individuals within the community that disapprove of his being an Atheist, he doesn’t feel that Midland is particularly hostile to his belief set.

“I’ve never been ridiculed or felt ostracized by design,” McGuire said. “As my experience goes, [Midland] is not full of militant Christians looking to Bible-thump whenever possible.

There have been off remarks made about me for being an Atheist, but I have dished out flak as well.”

Ultimately McGuire believes that regardless of beliefs, religion should not dictate how one lives life “I’m okay not knowing things that are yet to be explained,” McGuire said. “It’s what makes getting up in the morning worth it. Whether we have one chance at life on this earth or a thousand, I see no reason not to live each to the fullest.” F

Senior Keegan McGuire, pictured wearing the symbol of Atheism, admits his standpoint on religion sometimes makes him feel excluded among many of his peers Emily Fisher | Photo Illustration

different views

Statistics gathered from a survey of 131 students regarding their spiritual identity and religious history

6 10

Religions of MHS

out of

3% Not Sure

10% Agnostic

students have doubted their faith and/or second guessed their views

20%

20% Atheist/ None

of students have converted religions one or more times in their life

67% Christian

63%

of students have been raised in a religious background

features| mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 9

The game of scholarships Senior Sam Bork has already earned significant amounts of money for college through his success in applying for various scholarships.

Michaela Carpenter | Staff Writer & Kaitlyn Stymiest | Staff Writer

M

any seniors stop filling out applications sleep for Sam, he believes that Sam’s hard work w h e n t h e y r e c e i ve t h e e a g e r l y will continue to pay off and prove to be very anticipated letter of acceptance from valuable in the long run. a particular college. For senior Sam Bork, “Sam has acted the same way his older however, the application process is far from brothers would with a new computer game— over. spending spare moments between homework During the summer, Bork decided to start and school working on getting the next award,” applying for scholarships, and he hasn’t Paul said. “Only Sam has been working for stopped doing so since then. While school is significant, real world rewards and not just a still his first priority, completing scholarship “power-up” on a game that he will tire of and applications has become a regular habit. He never play again.” searches online to find ones that he can apply Sam has already begun to see the value of for, as well as visiting the school counseling his efforts. Over the past several months, he center frequently to discover new scholarships. has been awarded a variety of scholarships, Due to his grades, ACT score, and experience including the Central Michigan University with volunteering, some Centralis Scholar schools have also reached Award, the Sam has been working for out to Bork directly Eastern Michigan significant, real-world rewards with offers to apply for University Emerald and not just a ‘power-up’ on a admission or a certain Scholarship, the scholarship that is offered Martin Luther game that he will tire of and there. This has kept him King Jr. Regional never play again. very busy over the course Scholarship, and Paul Bork of the school year. t h e R o c k Yo u t h “I’d say I spend about Scholarship. Most 25-30 hours per week on homework and maybe recently, he was one of two students in the state 3-4 hours for scholarships on average. But of Michigan chosen to participate in the United when the deadline for a big scholarship is States Senate Youth program. This includes a approaching, it’s a lot more,” he said. “At one monetary award for Sam as well as a weeklong, point, I was spending about equal amounts of all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. time daily. At the same time, I was maintaining Through completing many different membership in about thirteen school clubs and application processes, and meeting success volunteering. There wasn’t a whole lot of time through several of them, Sam has learned what to have a social life.” works and what doesn’t. He explains that it is Sam’s father, Paul Bork, has done his best to important to stay on top of things and not wait support Sam through this process, whether that until the last minute. means being a sounding board for ideas, taking “It’s all cumulative. You can’t slack off, then him to the various places he needs to go to as expect to suddenly have scholarships fall into part of scholarship competitions, or helping your lap,” Sam said. “It’s a combination of good him prioritize how he spends his time. While work ethic and just being aware.”

Paul acknowledges that this has been difficult He has also learned the importance of being at times, especially because it means much less involved in activities other than just school

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}

Join the game Here are some upcoming scholarships you might qualify for. . .

10 | FOCUS | 3/6/2015 | features

In addition to spending several hours a week on scholarship applications, Sam is an IB Diploma Candidate so he has additional requirements he must meet for that program as well. Michaela Carpenter | Photo and scholarships. Sam has been an active member of numerous clubs at Midland High and frequently volunteers as well. While this has been helpful as he applies for different scholarships, he continues to do these things not because he wants to look good for applications but because he genuinely is interested in them.

That, he believes, is a valuable part of the application process as well.

“It needs to come through that you’re sincere and not just trying to pad your resume with volunteer hours,” Sam said. “It also helps to have a number of diverse activities you’ve been involved with your whole high school career to show dedication and widespread interests.”

Despite all of his success, the scholarship

AAA Michigan School Safety Patrol Scholarship $1,000

April 1, 2015 deadline

Virtual Business Scholarship

May 1, 2015 deadline $1,000

search isn’t over yet for Sam. He is continuing to apply and is currently waiting to hear the results of certain scholarships, such as the Alumni Distinguished Competition for Michigan State University and the NHS Scholarship Program.

English teacher Becky King says that she has enjoyed having Sam as a student for the past two years and his love for learning. She has seen several character qualities in Sam that she believes have contributed to his success as a student and in his scholarship searches.

“Sam is a unique combination of curiosity and creativity,” King said. “And just genuine kindness. He’s not afraid to be nerdy, he’s not afraid to be himself.” F

Aspiring Fashion Professional Scholarship June 1, 2015 deadline $1,000

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I took a chance

Midland High Graduate Hailey Smith recently opened her boutique, Chance Pop-Up, located in the Ashman Plaza. Smith sells her own refurbished furniture along with products that support local businesses. Megan Nylund | Assistant Website Editor & Maddy Pasche | Staff Writer & Christiana Haight | Staff Writer

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ith music blaring, food being served out of food trucks, a newly-renovated store, and a fully stocked inventory, the grand opening of Chance Pop-Up Boutique couldn’t have gone more smoothly. While customers were browsing the products ranging from jewelry to clothing to stationary and more, owner Hailey Smith stood behind the counter, attempting to run her one-woman operation.

“I had been working like crazy because I opened in a month, which is insane,” Smith said.

“I was ringing people up and someone came to pay with cash, and I forgot to get a cash box. I was accepting credit card payments all night and someone finally came to pay with cash and it was a little thing that just slipped my mind.”

This was only a small bump in the road for Smith, a 2013 graduate of MHS. Since opening, she has gained many customers and has befriended other local female shop owners.

These women meet weekly and discuss new business ideas and how to incorporate them into their shops and provide support for one another.

“Encouraging and supporting each other as we grow our businesses, plays a big part of what our meetings consist of,” said Lisa Coyer, owner of Coyer Candle, which is sold in Smith’s boutique. “We also strive to do well and last year we donated boxes to Operation Christmas and blankets to the Shelter House.”

Smith incorporates ideas from her business friends along with her own inventive ideas, which is shown through her furniture as well as other products. Much of Smith’s inventory consists of items that give back to an organization such as 31 Bits, a company based in Uganda. This company teaches women the skills they need to make money in order to help bring themselves out of poverty by making their own jewelry out of recycled paper.

“I like a hand up instead of hand out, so a

lot of places will give someone something and it will help them for a temporary amount of time, but I think a sustainable business is the best thing you can do for someone,” Smith said.

“We’re helping women all over the world start their own businesses and that business will last. So you give them a loan to start a business and then they can provide for themselves and their families and community for the rest of their lives.”

Another product in Chance Pop-Up that helps to give back are Half-United necklaces. Half of the proceeds from the products are donated to help provide meals for families and children in need. The necklaces are made of bullets to help represent the fight against hunger. Each necklace purchased provides at least seven meals for those in need and have helped to feed children in Cambodia, Africa, and the United States.

Smith also carries vintage clothing to support her friend Bethany Minar who was diagnosed with a severe case of Crohn’s disease. For each piece of clothing she sells, she donates part of it back to research for the disease. Supporting the research of other diseases is another important aspect Hailey sees, due to the fact that she was diagnosed with Type one Diabetes after attending just two semesters at Harrington College of Design for interior design. When Hailey was diagnosed with Diabetes, she dropped out to be able to cope better with the disease learn how to deal with the treatment. “[The Diabetes] made me evaluate where I was and you put so much stress on your body in both high school and college and it really will take a toll on your health, so I just evaluated the reasons why I was being stressed and it was school,” Smith said. “So I figured, if I’m going to be stressed out, I’ll be stressed out for the right reasons and [the store is] what I’ll be stressed

about and happy about for the next few years.”

Her father Aaron Smith said living at home would provide safer conditions for Hailey, since she didn’t know very much about living safely with diabetes, and would have to inject insulin several times throughout the day.

“We would feel much more comfortable with her living alone once she recognizes her body’s response to both low sugar as well as high sugar,” Aaron said. “If Hailey’s blood sugar drops past a certain point she could pass out and for that reason it is not safe at this point for her to live alone.”

When Hailey found out she was sick, she went back to her roots and began painting and refurbishing furniture that she found in thrift stores and antique shops. Once this became a hobby of Hailey’s, she began selling her furniture in the parking lot by Ashman Plaza.

The landlord of the building noticed her popups and offered her a good deal with the rent.

This gave her the chance to operate her own store .

“I’ve always been really passionate about fair trade and ethical consumerism and really being aware of where the things you’re buying are coming from,” Hailey said. “But it’s hard to do that as a consumer because no one advertises it.”

Hailey has had great support throughout her journey with the store, not only from the other local business women, but also her family and friends. Aaron believes he acts as a devil’s advocate as well as a sounding board for his daughter. With that he helps Hailey create the atmosphere she has in mind for her store.

“It is a great way for her to share her vision and dream for empowerment of women,” Aaron said. “She is an inspiration in that she is pursuing her dream and not following the traditional path just because that’s what is expected of young adults.” F

(Left) Chance Pop-Up boutique offers a variety of products to help provide funds for women around the world striving to open their own businesses and more. (Right) Owner Hailey Smith checks out a customer at her own boutique. She typically has 30 customers a day. Megan Nylund | Photo

Lending a hand Chance Pop-Up offers many products that benefit the consumers along with other organizations.

31 Bits A company based in Uganda m a d e to h e l p p ove r t ystricken women the gain skills to make money by making jewelr y from recycled paper.

Love your Melon

For every hat purchased, one is given to a child undergoing chemotherapy.

Half United

Half of the proceeds from the necklaces are given to the fight against hunger. For every necklace at least seven meals are provided for those in need.

Megan Nylund & Maddy Pasche| Infographic

features | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 11

One community Student Leadership and Student Council were approached by Shelter House to bring awareness about violence against women to Midland High.

They took the cause and applied it to almost every event they led in February. Maddy Wheelock | Editor in Chief & Kevin Sharpe | Staff Writer

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THE TRUTH ABOUT VIOLENCE

UNITED STATES

7.8 85 934 70

million women have been raped by an intimate partner at sometime in their lives

percent of domestic violence situations were against women.

Men accounted for the other 15%

average cost of emergency care for violent incidents

times more likely a woman is murdered after leaving her abusive partner than before she leaves

12| FOCUS | 3/6/2015 |news

WORLD

1/2 700 50 120

of women killed in 2012 were killed by their partners or family members

million women alive today were married before they were 18

percent of sexual assault situations are committed against girls who are under 16 years old.

million girls have experienced forced intercourse in their lives

T

he lights in the gym dimmed and the video began to play. On screen, Student Leadership members held up posters giving their personal reasons why they wanted to stand against violence. Meanwhile, in the bleachers, students began to break their glowsticks, signifying when they were touched by the video. The class looked on, proud of their work. It was the payoff after months of preparation by Student Leadership and Student Council in attempt to raise awareness about violence against women.

“Watching that video just gave me chills,” said sophomore Allie Smith, a member of Student Leadership. “It was so cool to see how many people were rising for a cause in their clubs and organizations. Everyone was so willing to help, I think that was really cool to see in the video.”

One Billion Rising is a campaign to encourage people from all around the world to “stand, strike, and dance” to end violence against women. According to the World Health Organization, one in three women will be abused in their lifetime. This adds up to more than one billion people. Student Leadership spent a long time deciding how to stress the importance of this awareness, and also understand why they were participating to begin with.

“We had all these ideas,” Smith said. “When we really sat back and looked at it, we asked ourselves why we were doing this, and what the point of it was. [One Billion Rising’s intent] was not only raising awareness but remembering not to be a bystander. We really wanted to spread that idea through the community because it’s so important to raise awareness.”

One Billion Rising has taken place every Valentine’s Day since 2012. Participants are encouraged to take part in peaceful demonstrations or to “shake the Earth” through dance. This year, the Student Leadership class decided to partake in the latter.

“Domestic abuse tends to be a conversation stopper,” said junior Hannah McAtamney, another Student Leadership member. “Dance is a universal way to reach people. There’s no language barriers, so that’s why we chose to do the flash mob. It’s what people across the entire world do.”

Student Leadership and Student Council have partnered with Shelter House to raise

money in the past, but never to this degree.

After winter break, Shelter House’s Volunteer Coordinator Mitzi Brown approached the Student Leadership class about One Billion Rising.

“They did more than I expected, there’s no doubt,” Brown said. “My goal was to have this age bracket be aware. I really believe you guys can change the world. With social media you can do so much, so fast, and reach so many more people.”

After Brown talked to the class about her ideas, they broke into small groups and brainstormed ways that they could bring attention to the topic at school and in the community. Student Leadership and Student Council Adviser Monique Albright says the c l a s s a l wa y s does this in order to get I got a chance t ideas from everyone. underdogs, the one After their able to say anythin discussion, their lives. It truly w they decided to incorporate wasn’t about me, o One Billion I spoke, it was abou Rising into right for the women m u l t i p l e spoken for. projects.

Junior “We thought it made a lot of sense since the Midland/ Dow week aligned with One Billion Rising that we then merge those ideas,” Albright said. “Simultaneously, we were working on a regional conference where we hosted 200 students in the area. We also incorporated [One Billion Rising] into that to promote awareness for students around the region.”

McAtamney took on the responsibility of presenting One Billion Rising to the group at the conference.

“Shelterhouse approached [Student Leadership] because they knew as leaders,” she said. “We could handle trying to tackle an issue this big. I got the chance to spread this to about 200 more leaders from around the state. This meant that 200 people could be as passionate as I was and spread this cause like wildfire. That’s why I thought that the women that go through this type of abuse deserve all of the attention and

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y rising

love they can receive.”

McAtamney spent a month getting together a 40-minute presentation in which she went through a powerpoint highlighting what they did at school, shared information about the cause, and taught the group the One Billion Rising dance.

“Raising awareness at the conference meant so much to me,” McAtamney said. “It’s hard to put that into words. To look at people’s faces when sharing the initial statistic of one in three women, some faces looked hurt and broken and I just kept thinking am I doing these women justice?

I got a chance to speak for the underdogs, the ones who may not be able to say anything while fearing for their lives. It truly was amazing. But it wasn’t about me, or how eloquently I spoke, it was about doing what was right for to speak for the the women es who may not be who needed to be spoken ng while fearing for for.” was amazing. But it A l o n g or how eloquently with the presentation ut doing what was and the n who needed to be assembly, McAtamney Hannah McAtamney worked with S t u d e n t Leadership members senior Kate Waskevich, senior Mason Money, and sophomore Shelly St. Louis to create “I rise” posters. Every organization at the school was invited to take a photo with their poster, and many of the photos were featured in the video shown at the assembly.

“It was so cool to see how many people were rising for a cause in their clubs and organizations,” Smith said. “Everyone was so willing to help.”

Brown agrees with McAtamney; in her last year working at Shelter House, she has seen the importance of raising awareness and educating everyone about the dangers of violence.

Brown was very pleased with all that Student Leadership and Student Council did with One Billion Rising, especially the video they made and showed at the winter assembly. The video was made by sophomore Ian Andridge, and

}

John Wolters and Andrea Jozwiak helped to refine it and edit it so everyone could view it at the assembly. Brown says it localized the issue and looked fantastic.

“We make everything look ugly because it keeps it away from us,” Brown said. “When we think about a sexual predator, we always go with the greasy guy; like he looks like the boogeyman. By making you guys see the video and all these people rising and you guys rise, you put faces to the sickness that’s out there.

We treat people differently when they’ve lost their hair because they have cancer, but they had cancer before they lost her hair. So think.

Rise up, just because we don’t see the ugliness doesn’t mean it’s not there.”

At the assembly and at the Midland vs. Dow basketball game, Student Leadership, Student Council, Pom, and Cheer all participated in a flash mob. Junior Emily Wessel learned the dance and taught it to everyone.

“The best part for me, especially with all the work put into the flash mob and dance and everything, was at the assembly,” Wessel said. “I know some people broke the glow sticks early, but seeing the glow sticks break and the flash mob and at the game, just seeing the student section cheer for us because they knew what it was for, I think that was the best part for me.”

Though Student Leadership and Student Council have yet to debrief and discuss how their One Billion Rising campaign went as a group, they are all proud of the work they did with it.

The class agrees that the result was “100 percent a team effort,” and McAtamney hopes that they will take the cause even further and make it an annual event.

Senior Alex Jewell agrees, and says the work they did was important.

“I think domestic violence as a whole is not really discussed a lot,” Jewell said. “For example, for breast cancer everybody wears pink and everybody supports the cause and that’s great, it should be that way. But domestic violence is something that usually gets left out.

As someone who was working on it and doing the dance, for the student body to be so receptive to it and take it so well was a good thing. It made us feel good about it, and I feel like the students recognized what the significance is. Hopefully we can keep it going through this organization and other organizations in the future.” F

news| mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 13

A new social standard

A new state cyberbullying law, to go into effect next school year, clarifies what cyberbullying is and how schools in Michigan should handle situations regarding social media–in the case of both teachers and students. Sarah Wontorcik | Features Editor & Kayla Graham | Staff Writer

T

he elementary students have flushed their ice cubes and the high school students have not taken their eyes off their phones.

They are hoping that Superintendent Michael Sharrow will call a snow day soon. Things have changed since a few years ago, when students begged their parents to stay up and keep watch for their school to pop up on the bottom of the TV screen.

Many students were ecstatic last year when they read a tweet from Midland Public Schools stating that they would be having a snow day, but the fact was, they really weren’t. Senior Tommy Leppien decided to make a joke of the situation.

Leppien changed his twitter picture to the Midland Public Schools logo and switched his name to ‘MidlandPublicSchools.’ He tweeted that school was closed the following day in the exact same format that the Midland Public Schools twitter page does.

“Most people thought it was funny,” Leppien said. “I was pretty proud of myself for coming up with something so clever, but the school thought otherwise.”

The next day, Leppien was called down to the office. He knew right away that it was about the tweet from the night before. Leppien didn’t think he would face any major consequences from the tweet.

“I assumed they were just going to give me a slap on the wrist. I didn’t really think I did anything wrong,” Leppien said. “But I was completely caught off guard when Mr. Scurfield told me I was being suspended.”

Leppien’s suspension has since sparked a debate among students: whether or not administrators can punish students for what’s said on social media.

“If it happens off of school property and it has nothing to do with our student or does not impact our student in any way, we stay completely out of it,” assistant principal Kandis Pritchett said. “We are busy enough; however, if a comment [that concerns the school] is made, especially towards a teacher, we do deal with it because that’s inappropriate.”

Although Leppien’s situation happened last year, the issue of what to do when social media turns ugly is still being talked about. Though students didn’t face consequences, many hostile tweets were sent to Superintendent Michael Sharrow in response to not having a snow day on Monday, Feb. 23. This has recently brought to light the question of where the line should be drawn when it comes to social media. Some students believe that once off school property, punishing students for what is said online is an invasion of privacy.

14 | FOCUS | 3/6/2015 | news

Athletic director Eric Albright focuses on his phone and frequently tweets updates from the Varsity Basketball games. Albright, who is very active on social media, believes that when representing Midland High, students should think of the possible ramifications before they post or tweet. Sarah Wontorcik | Photo “I think [this belief] is naïve; if it’s online, it’s Pritchett says the cyberbullying law will also not private,” said athletic director Eric Albright, apply to teachers. who frequently tweets frequently about various “I think we have to maintain a level of respect sports news. “If it were a diary, that’s private. and professionalism regardless of what platform When you post something online there is no you are using,” girls’ basketball coach Elaine such thing as privacy.”

Mahabir said. “This is for both students and These arguments are very similar to professionals in both our verbal messages and those made when discussing the policy on typed, texted, or tweeted messages. The first cyberbullying. These issues will soon be thing that comes to mind is the old adage ‘If you cleared up due to a state law passed in January don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say that clearly defines cyberbullying as “any anything at all.’” electronic communication intended to harm one Although Mahabir knows she can’t police or more students what students by interfering say on social with education media, she often I think we have to maintain opportunities.” reminds them that a level of respect and “I think [the new everything they cyberbullying law] post is permanent. professionalism, regardless, of will help,” Pritchett “I have used a what platform you are using. said. “I think our few opportunities bullying situation to discuss things Coach Elaine Mahabir decreased with the I have seen in [current bullying] social media with law because it is so students,” Mahabir clearly defined that we don’t just have kids said. “I have seen language that was less than saying ‘oh I’m being bullied’ well here’s the desirable and discussed it with students, I have definition of bullying. It’s very black and white seen negative posts and talked to students now.” about the messages they are sending. I have also This new law is to go into effect in the 2015- complimented students on the way they have 2016 school year. Adding a cyberbullying law handled themselves in sticky situations. I love to accompany the current bullying policy will to see students rise above situations and show make it clear when students cross the line. maturity when using social media.” F

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}

By the numbers

from a survey of 167 students

6 in10

students have seen something derogatory online toward a teacher or administrator.

11%

of students have

defended

a teacher or administrator on social media.

When is it okay for students to get in trouble for something said online?

Never: 27% Any time it’s classified as cyberbullying: 62%

A hazardous trip

A

s the tab is dropped, the bitterness starts to spread over the tongue. In a few moments, the research chemical will start to kick into effect. The tongue will begin to numb, and the euphoria begins.

Adrenaline pumps through the body and the sensation of happiness starts to spread. Colors become more vibrant and the hallucinations of geometric patterns start to occur in everything seen.

This is the feeling that senior Robert (a fake name given to protect the source’s identity, due to the illegal nature of the topic) felt when using 25i, a combination of different “research chemicals” that mimic the effects of Lysergic acid diethylamide, more commonly known as acid or LSD. Peers introduced Robert to this drug as a junior in high school. Although, the first time Robert experienced a ‘trip’ at a party, it was on LSD, not the research chemical.

“On real LSD, it was the first time I ever cried from just being happy,” Robert explained.

“Just seeing something and being so happy because of it, tearing up because of [the happiness], just laughing.”

E.R. Doctor Ryan Offman has noted that he has seen a definite increase in the use of synthetics, including those that mimic the effects of LSD. “There’s a lot of LSD, but there’s also a lot of new synthetic things that have been coming out, and they’ve been coming out a lot more rapidly than doctors can study them,” Offman said.

Although LSD and 25i have similar effects, they are completely different in regard to the information that is known about each.

“Real LSD has been tested and has some pretty bad effects. And we know what happens 100 years down the road,” said Robert, who added that he no longer uses hallucinogens.

“But these research chemicals are just being invented right now, so they are considered research chemicals because we don’t know what they are going to do 20 years down the road to someone who takes it now.”

Although 25i is currently popular among a population of Midland High students, there are other research chemicals that have the same effect as 25i; drugs that go by such names as nbome, dob12, and 25c. These all have the same outcome, a “trip,” which gives users a feeling of euphoria.

Police Officer Jeremy Davis said that even though these drug’s chemical makeup is different from the actual LSD, students will still be tried the same way in a court of law.

All of these drugs have a similar effect and are therefore considered a controlled substance.

For this reason, these research chemicals are considered a section one narcotic and it is a

The drug 25i, a synethic combination of research chemicals, is rising in popularity, giving the same effect as the halucinogen LSD. While some users claim it it legal, others claim it is very unsafe.

Aelish Shay | News Editor & Emily Fisher | Sports and Photo Editor

LSD and 25i often times come with unique prints on the paper such as smiley faces or cartoon bears. Emily Fisher & Michelle Demo | Photo Illustration felony to possess.

The problem is that many of the students using the drug seem to be unaware of this, or have made incorrect assumptions. One such student is John (another false name used to assure the anonymity of the source).

“Many research chemicals are 100 percent legal,” John said. John first started experimenting with research chemicals this summer, and began using them on a regular basis in January.

“It’s just the matter of the fact that if you give someone or yourself the wrong dosage, you could end up mentally unstable or dead,” said John, who uses the substance 2-3 times a week.

Offman as an emergency room physican is no stranger to what happens to someone who experiences a bad reaction.

“They come in with a bad trip, and they can be very agitated. They might be aggressive with the staff,” Offman said. “The first thing we do is try to verbally calm them. If that doesn’t work, they have to [be sedated] while the effects wear off. Sometimes the effects can be so bad they are given IV fluids and cooling blankets, and we give them medications to stop the muscle spasms and protect their kidneys.”

Davis doesn’t understand the draw for a person to not be fully in control of the body by using drugs when they are not aware of the

drug’s contents and effects. He believes that students turn to illicit substances to relieve stress, but wants to caution that the temporary high created by illegal drugs does not solve permanent problems.

One reason students may feel comfortable using research chemicals as often as they do is that they don’t have the exact same effects as LSD. “It’s not just a psychedelic, it’s a methamphetamine,” Robert said, who said he had come to school under the effects while he was still using. “If anything, I did better.”

John, who has used at school before, also claims not to have noticed much of an effect on his school work.

“If I’m tripping hard, then yes; but one tab just feels like a hardcore Adderall, so it helps,” John said.

Robert also thinks that his peers were unaware that he was under the influence.

“If anything they just thought I was happy,” Robert said. “You really don’t look that different on research chemicals.”

Davis disagreed, saying it’s obvious when a student is under the use of drugs.

“They’re not acting normal,” Davis said.

“The teachers have the most interactions with the students, so they know what your normal is. If your normal is [one thing and you are acting another], they are going to notice.” F

Risk of the High

Often times when users of acid and synthetics use the hallucinogens, a trip can turn bad and they can experience bad side effects

AGITATION

D I A L AT E D PUPILS

K I D N E Y FAILURE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SWEATING

news | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 15

Tumbling to success Pain with passion

O

n a warm fall evening last year, sophomore Sarah Wing was playing catch with her friends.

She went to catch the ball and slipped on the hill, falling on her back. This slip-up took her breath away. She didn’t think anything of the accident until her gymnastics practice the next day.

Inside the nearly empty gymnastics center, Wing was standing on the beam ready to practice her beam routine just like any other practice. When Wing went to complete a back-handspring, her foot slipped off the bar, having her land directly on her tailbone.

“I couldn’t feel the pain at first, but when I started to walk I could feel it,” Wing said, “I rolled off the beam and I was on the floor and needed help getting up.”

She continued on with the rest of her practice, as if nothing had just occurred. She went home later that night and noticed that she had suffered a bruise from the impact of the fall. Not until a month later would Wing share the details of the injury with her parents.

After Wing had told her parents about the injury, they consulted a doctor. At first the doctor thought it was just inflammation, but after the x-ray he realized that the injury was worse than that. That is when Wing was told that the injury was a bent coccyx and that she also would suffer from sacroiliitis.

Three million children between the ages of 6-17 do gymnastics, of those, 25,000 of these children will have a gymnastics related injury.

Tony Partipilo, Midland High School’s athletic trainer, says that soft tissue around the area would be hurt and that the area would bruise pretty badly.

“The tailbone is part of the spine,” Said Partipilo, “but there is no chance of any paralysis or stuff like that. But it’s definitely a painful deal and can cause some numbness in

Ta i l b o n e Tidbits Here are some stats, facts, and all you need to know about coccyx injuries: 16 | FOCUS | 3/6/2015 | sports

the legs, nothing that will last though.”

After consulting the doctor, Wing was told to stop doing gymnastics for the time being.

She has not done gymnastics since then. Before Wing could participate in any other sports she would need to go through physical therapy.

“Initially you would want rest, but then you would want to do some strengthening,” Partipilo said. “Core strengthening would be the best to try and keep some of the pressure off of the muscles around the area. Some squats and lunges would help in the long run also.”

In January of 2014, Wing started physical therapy. Due to the nature of the injury, physical therapy was uncomfortable at moments for Wing. The physical therapy helped Wing recover and allowed her to then be able to continue other sports.

“You should probably be feeling better by two-three weeks,” Patipilo said, “You will still be able to feel it for a good three-four weeks.”

A big challenge for Wing was having to move on from gymnastics. During the winter there were only twelve competitions Wing would compete at. She finished well at her competitions.

“I didn’t want to leave gymnastics because I was getting good and I committed so much time in it,” Wing said. “The most difficult thing was not wanting to leave my friends, [who did gymnastics.] that live in different cities.”

After three months of physical therapy, Wing moved on to other sports, such as diving and pole vaulting. Wing chose to do diving and pole vaulting because they give her a way to stay within her gymnastics roots.

“I was done with gymnastics and I needed to move on and do something new,” Wing said, “I chose diving because it still involved gymnastics and helped keep me limber.”

Her gymnastics background has helped her with diving. She believes that having the

Spinal cord

Coccyx

Sophomore Sarah Wing slipped during gymnastics practice last year. Injuries are common in the sport of gymnastics. Hannah McAtamney | Staff Writer & Dylan Rocha | Opinion Editor

Sophomore Sarah Wing performs a stretch that helped her recover from her coccyx injury she suffered last year. She has not since returned to gymnastics since her inury. Hannah McAtamney | Photo background in gymnastics help her become a better diver. Wing plans on doing diving for the rest of high school and maybe even to continue it in college if it is an option for her.

During track, Wing competes in pole vault and high jump.

“The gymnastics background helps me in pole vault as well because I have really strong arms and I’m really light,” Wing said. “It gives me an advantage.”

Wing’s former gymnastics coach, Lori Comiskey believes that gymnastics is a great

Pain from a coccyx injury can

4-5 weeks

foundation for other sports.

“Gymnastics helps boys and girls with coordination, strength, endurance, and selfconfidence,” Comiskey said.

The disadvantage of doing two sports that are similar to gymnastics is that they both affect her tailbone. After a while the pain starts to affect her performance, and hinder her everyday life even while not participating in athletics. Though the injury causes her pain, it is a bittersweet memory of her time in gymnastics. F

Coccyx inuries are more

women

common in because the female pelvis is wider and the coccyx is more A coccyx injury can occur from a exposed car accident, a or a severe fall on the area last up to

direct hit

Dylan Rocha | Infographic

Junior Kayla Patnode may not be in gymnastics anymore, but she still benefits from the mental lessons she learned in the sport. Natalie Schwartz | Design Editor & Zach Streitmatter | Staff Writer

Tumbling to success Gymnastics on the brain

D

her,” Patnode said. “No matter if it is school uring a test or exam, there are a lot work or any sport.” of distractions. Students sharpen Kayla joined the MHS pon pom team the pencils, throw out noisy wrappers, winter season of her freshman year and used her and make distracting movements throughout performance skills from beam work and floor the entire testing period. All these distractions work to succeed. Competing on the beam and are also mixed with the factors of stress and floor were Kayla’s strongest areas in gymnastics, self-doubt. For Junior Kayla Patnode, these and required her to focus on only herself. distractions don’t affect her at all. Kayla was a “I transitioned into pom by being able to gymnast for 10 years, and believes that because do facial expressions and show confidence of the focus and hard work she put into the like I did when I had to perform for judges in sport, she is now able to tune out surrounding [gymnastics] competitions,” Kayla said. “The noisy irritations and focus on herself and her performing in gymnastics helped with my selfown work in order to succeed in other areas confidence, and made me focus better [in class].” of her life.

Gymnastics can help improve focus in school “When you do badly in a gymnastics meet, by simultaneously you just keep going,” exercising mind K a yl a s a i d . “ S a m e Performing in gymnastics and body. Exercise with if you do badly helps keep all mental helped with my self-confidence on a test; you just get skills sh ar p, an d as through it. I’m able and made me focus better in a result improves to tune things out class. thinking, learning, and during a test and get concentration. Doing in the zone when I a mix of balance and need to do homework Junior Kayla Patnode muscle-strengthening and it’s because of exercises can benefit gymnastics.” and improve mental health. According to At the age of 13, Kayla had to stop gymnastics psychologist Susan Haag, exercise reduces the because of a permanent back injury from levels of stress hormones in your body, such bending her back too much. The cartilage as adrenaline and cortisol. At the same time, between two of her vertebrae has formed into it stimulates production of endorphins, which a disk shape and swells when stress is put on it. are natural mood improvers that can help keep The injury eventually kept her from continuing stress away. the sport she had grown to love.

“At h l e t i c s c a n h e l p w i t h f o c u s a n d “I was put in gymnastics because I was little determination within schoolwork because of and loved to tumble and run around on the the release of endorphins,” Haag said. “That furniture,” Kayla said. “And I just fell in love creates a sense of well-being and calmness, thus with it. [The injury] made me have to rethink improving the ability to focus. With focus comes what hobbies I wanted to do. When I quit, it determination. It’s all a chain reaction.” just changed my life because I wasn’t doing Along with that focus comes many other what I had been doing for 10 years.” benefits. Tina believes that Kayla has gained But losing gymnastics didn’t stop Kayla from an ability to perform, to persevere, and to work using the tricks she learned from the sport in hard from being involved in the sport. Kayla has her every day life. Kayla’s mother Tina Patnode always been able to see the direct relationship sees the effects of gymnastics influence Kayla between hard work and results. everyday and give her skills like determination “For someone who wants to do gymnastics and the ability to concentrate. you have to be able to push yourself,” Kayla “As far as helping Kayla with her studies, I said. “It gets stressful but you just have to deal do believe that gymnastics has given her the with it. You have to want to become physically discipline to be able to turn anything out that and mentally strong.” F she wants to and focus on what is in front of

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Junior Kayla Patnode practaces her hand stand on the balance beam at Midland Gymnastics Center.

To pull of a trick like this core strength, confidence and focus are required. Natalie Schwartz| Photo

}

How Gymnastics improves your brain: Anything that is good for your heart is good for your brain.

Natalie Schwartz | Infographic

Working out for 20 minutes can make your stress and horomone levels drop increasing mood and focus.

Not only does exercise improve brain function, but it also acts as a “first aid kit” on damaged brain cells.

sports | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 17

Tumbling to success F

Freshman Rylie Johnstone is a national level gymnast. She placed 21st out of 46 in the 14 and under age range and is in level 10. Noah Surbrook | Exchange Editor & Aleisha Jones | Staff Writer

Perfecting a passion

reshman Rylie Johnstone started All the coaches, even the coaches from other gymnastics at the young age of four. teams, cheered you on and other coaches It came natural to her as she started to spotted you on skills,” Rylie said. “Every tumble off of the furniture as a toddler. gymnast cheered for everyone even if they “When she was little she would do flips off weren’t on your team. At other meets coaches the couch when she was two or three years old, and gymnasts don’t do that.” so we just kind of got her into it [Gymnastics] to Despite the difficulty of gymnastics, Rylie still keep her from hurting herself,” Rylie’s mother, loves the sport.

Shannon Johnstone said. “She liked it, so we just “[Gymnastics teaches you to] be able to kept letting her do it.” cooperate with people and have teammates that Rylie has grown to love gymnastics and still you can be friends with,” Rylie said. competes today. She competes in level ten (the Rylie spends an average of 20 hours a week highest level of competition) and took 12th minimum practicing at the Midland Gymnastics place in the nation for her age group (14 and Training center. Her hard work does not go under). To make it to each level, gynmasts unnoticed. have to perform certain skills in front of coaches “We’re very proud of her, she amazes us every and also compete day,” Shannon in competitions at said. “She’s very Every day she comes into the their designated modest and the level. If they have limelight is gym and works her butt off. She perfected these not her thing. does every assignment that she’s skills, they are then Last year a assigned to, never complains able to move up a newspaper level. wa n t e d t o d o through conditioning, and works In order to make articles on her really hard. it to level ten, after she won Coach Cominskey gynmasts must be states and after able to do a back she went to tuck on beam, which requires the gymnast to do regionals and it upset her. She didn’t think it a back flip while making a ball in the air with the was a big deal.” body tucking the legs into the chest. One must Jim Comiskey, Rylie’s coach, is also very also be able to do double back tucks on floor impressed with her performance. Comiskey and double back tucks off of the beam, along has been teaching Rylie for nine years. Since he with a variety of other skills that have already has began coaching her, she has made it very been learned. far in her career and continues to improve and To make it to Nationals, Rylie had to first learn new stunts. place high enough in the state to make it to “Every day she comes into the gym and regionals, where she took first in the state for works her butt off. She does every assignment level 9. Once at regional’s, she finished as 6th that she’s assigned to, never complains through out of 35 and qualified for the AAU National conditioning. She works really hard,” Comiskey gymnastics championship in Florida. said. “Through her hard work and what she “The atmosphere [at nationals] was so cool. does in to gym is how she made it to nationals”

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How to judge gymnastics: Aleisha Jones | Infographic

18 | FOCUS | 3/6/2015 | sports

}

Freshman Rylie Johnstone leaping from bottom bar to top bar on her bars rountine. Emily Fisher | Photo Rylie has had many personal accomplishments as well. Her most memorable moment is when she finally landed a Yurchenko tuck full on vault last year. This move involves doing a round-off onto a springboard and a back handspring onto the vault, then making a full 360 degree twist in the air.

“It felt good to finally get something that I had tried so hard at for a long time,” Rylie said. “I

Form: Tight legs, pointed toes, flexibility and proper body positioning.

Height and Distance: The vertical height and distance covered when executing moves off all the apparatuses to show power, strength, and control.

felt really accomplished.”

Rylie’s favorite event is floor, although she and her coaches agree that her strongest event is vault.

“She doesn’t have too many weaknesses, she’s pretty good.” Comiskey said. “Her strengths are on floor and vault. Plus she’s a really good tumbler.” F

Stuck Landing: The less movement the better; feet should remain planted once a landing is completed.

Individuality and routine creativity: A routine with unique, artistic, or acrobatic components.

THE SPORTS ZONE

Quick facts and statistics to know about the upcoming spring sports season.

Athletes of the Month SPORTS Grade: Junior Sport: Varsity Baseball Stats: Three hits against Saginaw Nouvel Coach’s Take: “Catcher is the most important position player on the field, Cheyne made great strides as a sophomore and we look for him to be among the elite catchers in the league as a junior.” -Eric Albright

Cheyne Maier

Tweet of the Month

“Just like that my time as

Upcoming Home Events Girls Soccer Tryouts:

March 9-March 13, times vary, look at Chemics.net for more in

Varsity Softball:

a Chemic athlete is over,

April 9, 4:00pm Home

so blessed to have had

Girls Varsity Tennis:

Favorite Memory: “Striking out Luke Delong twice in Little League.”

such a great experience

Key to Success: “Work hard every day at practice.”

soccer & swim.”

these past 4 years through

@MistaJJ2

First game: March 21, away at Petoskey 10:00am

Girls Varsity Soccer:

First game: Arpil 11, 12:00pm Traverse City Central High School

Boys Track and Field:

Grade: Senior

March 18, TBA, SVSU Invite

Sport: Boys Varsity Golf Stats: Best round of golf: 70 Coach’s Take: “He has been on varsity for three years. He expects a lot out of this season. He has the experience, game, and body. I’m looking forward to wartching him play this season.” -Jeff Babin Favorite Memory: “When I hit the pin from 256 yards.”

Logan Wood

Key to Success: “Practice.”

Grade: Senior Sport: Varsity Girls Soccer Stats: Blocked 18 shots against Flint Powers.

Coach’s Take: “She’s got the experience for this year and I’m just totally positive with her ability from last year and what she gained last year to what she can do this next year for the team.” -Richard Campbell Favorite Memory: “Beating Dow High in the regular season.”

Emily Fisher

Key to Success: “Being able to acknowledge errors made in games and go back and work hard in practice to fix the problem.”

Sports Poll

30% 49% 29% 36% Out of 142 people

of students plan to fill out a March Madness brackett. of students plan to play a spring sport.

say that baseball is their favorite spring sport.

Predict that Michigan State will do best in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

sports | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 19

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Musical hope Freshman Hope O’Dell has been singing since she was six years old and playing guitar since she was twelve. Hope has written over two hundred songs that are inspired by her life experiences. She recently decided to start sharing her music on the Internet through YouTube and Instagram.

Ella Colbert | Web Editor in Chief & Kirstyn Cotton | Staff Writer

S

trumming on her Yamaha acoustic annual talent show, however, that Zach was able guitar, freshman Hope O’Dell begins the to witness his sister’s musical abilities in action. drafting process. She combines various “Fifth grade was the first time she ever beats with the lyrics she has written to performed in front of anyone,” Zach said. “I create an original piece. Within thirty minutes, couldn’t believe she could do that, it was really Hope is able to complete an entire song. She then amazing.” selects her favorite pieces to post on either her Hope prefers to play her own style of music Instagram page or her YouTube channel. rather than conforming to the limitations of Hope said there was no specific point in different musical groups or organizations. which she became interested in music, but was She chooses to showcase her talents to a wider introduced to it at a young age by her father audience through the internet. She uses a variety Rich O’Dell. of social media outlets to post her music.

“My dad always listened to 80’s rock and I Hope has an Instagram page dedicated solely wanted to be like those bands,” Hope said. to her singing called @singing_hope11. She is Intrigued by this music, Hope began to constantly updating this account with videos experiment with the musical world on her own. covering popular songs as well as some songs She was taught to play the guitar when she was of her own. She has posted over one hundred twelve by her church director, Johnny Guest. videos and has over two hundred followers.

After a year and a half of lessons, Hope began “I chose Instagram because, as a joke, I posted to play by herself. a video of me Using her singing on my knowledge of personal account Since I can play the guitar, it’s the guitar, Hope and people liked has been able to it,” Hope said. “I easier to express the music create beats and decided to start that goes along with the lyrics melodies that an Instagram accompany her specifically for I write and it’s a cohesive unit. singing. my music so “I enjoy playing people who Freshman Hope O’Dell the guitar, liked my music because, before I could follow that would write lyrics account.” to songs and there would be music in my head, Hope also uses a YouTube account called but I could never express it to anyone else who ‘Musical Hope’ where she is able to post the full wanted to hear the song,” Hope said. “Since version of her original songs and cover songs.

I can play the guitar, it’s easier to express the Zach’s interest in famous YouTubers influenced music that goes along with the lyrics I write and her to create the channel. it’s a cohesive unit.”

“My brother watches YouTubers and he The singing aspect of her musical career always talked about making [a channel] just began at a younger age. Her mother, Christy to film himself,” Hope said. “I thought that it O’Dell, said that Hope has been singing ever would be a cool idea if I did my own YouTube since she knew how to speak. As a baby, Hope channel with my singing. I enjoy [posting videos would babble non-stop and as she grew older on YouTube] because so many people can see it she started asking her parents for musical and anyone who has access to the internet can instruments. see my songs and that’s an amazing feeling.”

“She made up songs even when she was three Her YouTube channel has nine songs, five of or four,” Christy said. “Granted, they were not which are originals, and four of which are cover as good as the songs she writes now, but she songs. Out of her five original songs, her favorite tried back then as well.” is ‘Fall for Me’ because it was very personal and Living under the same roof, twin brother portrayed what she was feeling at the time.

Zach O’Dell has come in constant contact with “My favorite song is probably the original Hope’s musical abilities and is privy to her late song I wrote called ‘Fall for Me,’” Hope said. night singing sessions.

“That song is the most personal and I feel like It wasn’t until Carpenter Elementary School’s lyrically it really represents who I want to be as

‘‘{

}

Hope O’Dell strums her guitar to the tune of one of her songs. She has been writing songs since she was twelve and learned to play the guitar so she could accompany her songs with music. Ella Colbert | Photo an artist and the type of songs I want to write.”

Hope usually writes songs that are inspired by her life. She tries to relate her lyrics to a greater amount of people by using universal themes such as love and insecurity. This is something that she does in one of her original songs on YouTube called ‘Worth It’. She also tries to make her songs empathetic by putting herself in the shoes of another person.

She is inspired by one of her favorite artists, Ed Sheeran, and attempts to channel his style when writing her own songs. Other artists that she enjoys to listen to are Sam Smith, The 1975, and Arctic Monkeys.

Hope has expressed an interest in pursuing her talent as a professional songwriter when she gets older.

“I want to be a songwriter,” Hope said. “It would be cool to perform my own stuff or just to be able to do anything with music for a living.”

Hope’s family has been very supportive of her and her musical aspirations. Her parents try to help as much as they can by taking her wherever she needs to go to fulfill her musical interests.

They are very proud of how far she has come and hope she continues to follow her dreams.

“I believe Hope can be anything she wants to be,” Christy said. “One day we may all see her on the cover of Rolling Stone or People. I hope she always stays true to herself and her beliefs along the way.” F

Musical Hope “Worth It” Original Song

“This was the first song I ever wrote that I felt was actually really good.”

“I Should Go” Original Song

“This song is about insecurity and I think it is a song that a lot of people can relate to because everyone has felt insecure before.”

“Same Sky” Original Song

“This song has a bit more of an abstract concept than most of my lyrics.”

a&e | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 21

Musicians of Midland

Traditionally, Midland has not had much of a local music scene. However, some local musicians, at school and throughout Midland, are working hard to provide live music to the community. Will Hackbarth | A & E Editor & Sam Robinson | Staff Writer & Claire Booth | Staff Writer

T

hroughout senior Jacob Trethaway’s long Studio in downtown Midland, Rombalski gives battles with depression, one thing has guitar lessons, as he has for nearly 30 years. always been there to cheer him up: music.

“I get to share something I truly love, it’s my Permanently etched into his wrist is a symbolic passion,” Rombalski said. “The arts are my reminder of the affect music has had on his life. love, and to share them is a joy.”

“My tattoo is the bottom of an mp3 player,” In addition to his lessons, Rombalski has Trethaway said. “I’ve always had depression, performed for ten years at Espresso Milano, a and music makes me happy. It’s just a constant local coffee shop. All of his performances are reminder.” free, in an effort to spread live music to the Trethaway began his musical career in ninth community, especially teenagers. grade, after the death of his uncle. He said “I think [live music] is really important. his uncle had always wanted him to play It’s not just compressed mp3 files, it’s the real an instrument, and when he passed away cymbals, the real bass drum,” Rombalski said.

Trethaway took it as inspiration to pick up the “Plus, what I do is improvised as well as has guitar. His tutor since day one has been Bryan form to it, so they get to witness people that Rombalski, a local guitar player and teacher. are creating in the moment. I think that’s a Trethaway describes Rombalski as a major good thing.” influence, both in his music and his life.

Rombalski feels Midland is lacking in good “Music is a places to see live good outlet,” music. As a result, Trethaway he and his band Music is a good outlet. No said. “That’s work hard to matter how bad your mood is, something spread their music that Brian to the community. no matter what’s going on in has always “There’s not your life, you’re always going taught me, really a music [to] be creative scene here,” to have music with it and be Rombalski said.

Senior Jacob Trethaway optimistic in “That’s why we the sense that try really hard. The no matter how Center for the Arts bad your mood is, no matter what’s going on has some things for people. But for what I in your life, you’re always going to have music. do, we’re kind of unique in the area, so we’re He’s been the reason I get so passionate about doing the best that we can to make what we music. He’s very happy and he’s very positive do heard.” about trying to make music your life.”

Senior Ethan Brown, another local musician, Trethaway has taken Rombalski’s advice to taught himself how to play guitar using his heart, and decided to make music his life. After knowledge of the cello. He currently plays in high school, he is planning on majoring in music two local bands: Super Sloth, with Elliot Miller, industry management.

Jimmy Bergmooser, and Nick Wright; and Rombalski has definitely taken his own Undecided, with Emma Brown, Gloria Heye, advice, as his life has always been focused on and Josh Tighe. Having experienced what it’s music. He began playing guitar at the age of 11, like making music in Midland, he agrees that and has continued for 45 years. He has studied there isn’t much of a local music scene. classical guitar and jazz guitar, as well as music “Midland has a lot of talented musicians, from all around the world. At Fulkerson Music but it can be hard to find gigs, especially as a

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Live and Local Although it can be a hard to find places to listen to live music in Midland, a few places around Midland do host local bands regularly.

22| FOCUS | 3/6/2015 | a&e

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201 East Main Street Live music performances on Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturday from 6-9 p.m.

Brian Rombalski performs with his band, Brian Rombalski and Three Worlds, at Espresso Milano downtown.

Their band has given live concerts here for ten years, for free, in an effort to spread live music to people in the community, especially to teenagers who can not go to bars at night. Will Hackbarth | Photo high school student, because there aren’t a ton of places that are equipped to host a band,” Brown said. “You have to be at least decently well-known and really good before you get asked to play at big events, Tunes by the Tridge for example, so there’s something of a negative feedback loop that makes playing out and getting people to come harder.”

Nonetheless, Brown believes that the music scene is starting to grow. The Grace A. Dow Memorial Library has begun to hold a teen band night every few months. The next band night, on March 13, has around eight acts signed up to play. Brown believes having places and events in the community to perform and experience

1710 Saint Andrews Street Teen Band Night: March 13th at 7:30 p.m.

music is very valuable.

“Music provides a much-needed escape from reality, whether you’re playing or just listening to it,” Brown said. “Hopefully we will see an increase in the number of people who come to these events and the music scene can continue to grow.”

Rombalski also believes the arts are a worthwhile study, regardless of what the job market points to, and that it makes very important contributions to communities and society as a whole.

“Music has a way of unifying folks,” Rombalski said. “It’s kind of inspiring. Music is a language, and it cuts through barriers.” F

137 Ashman Street Live music performances every Wednesday at 8 p.m.

‘Not your mom’s CSI’

Forensics is a speech competiton where students from all around Michigan come to perform in duos, groups, or by themselves. Each student must perform their piece in front of a panel of three judges in a certain time frame. Participants of Forensics like to refer to the event as “not your mom’s CSI”. Forensic students have been preparing for their first competition later this month. Ericka Reder | Staff Writer & Lexi Costley | Staff Writer

A

fter cutting a whole movie script into previously mentioned, Lane, Nowak Mealey and a fifteen minute act, rehearsing for Griener are performing a group performance in weeks, Seniors Jared Lane and Sam the dramatic interpretation event. The boys are Nowak and Juniors Aaron Mealey and Josiah preparing for their performance of the movie, Griener are finally ready for the upcoming Jersey Boys.The group first started to prepare for Forensics competition. The boys, along with their performance by watching the movie and other students, must perform their piece in front figuring out what parts they want to focus on three judges all in a certain time frame. This is since they have limited amount of time on stage. the speech competition called Forensics.

The boys then began memorizing their lines, as Forensics is a competition where one student well as the songs that are a part of the movie. or a group of students put together and perform “The biggest challenge was cutting our a piece of theater or literature. Students can script,” Nowak said, “We had to take a full perform alone, in duos, or in a group. For the length movie and turn it into fifteen minutes most part, students compete individually while keeping in the main plot points.” against students from other schools. They Like the other performers, Lane, Nowak, perform in front of a panel of three judges.

Mealey, and Griener all get together to practice “There are two basic categories that the their piece frequently. The boys have been students perform in Forensics, ” said drama rehearsing for a little over a month. Some of the teacher Megan Applegate, who advises performers practice for about two months. In Forensics. the past the boys would get together every two One of the events is public address, which weeks to rehearse, but with the competition c o n s i s t s coming up the boys of speech practice even more. activities “We typically meet You aren’t allowed to use any including at someone’s house impromptu or we perform in Ms. costumes or props, only a speeches and Applegate’s room so informational she can help us with block of wood or chairs that speeches, it and tell us what you have to use creatively.” among others. we should work on,” They are Griener said.

Junior Aaron Mealey limited pieces When the day of that have to be competition arrives, written by the the performers wake performers either before the competition or up early and drive to the event. Once there, during. For example, students may perform a they register and then sit and wait to perform. broadcast. In the broadcast they will be given a There are schools there from all over Michigan wire-service teletype news copy in which they that come to compete. Each school includes will have 30 minutes to edit and make it into a multiple groups that perform different acts in five minute news broadcast. both of the events.

Dramatic interpretation focuses on various Forensics consists of three rounds. Judges scripts, poetry, and prose pieces. The performers score a piece from 1 to 100 based on the can use either a serious or humorous script for performance, the piece itself, and performers their piece. The performers may have a script use of the action blocks. In the first round all the on stage but also can have it all memorized. students perfrom their piece. The judges then The piece must be a published material written score the pieces and then select the top twelve. by someone not performing it. However, The top twelve then move on to the semifinals. performers may provide their original Those top twelve perform their act again for the introduction or transitions, but they are limited judges. The judges narrow down those twelve to what they can do. pieces to the top six. After that, the top six “Scores are based on the judges’ ratings of winners move to the finals and perform again. how well they performed vocally, the content Performers must impress the judges by their of the piece, and how well they adhered to speech and acting alone. Performers are only Michigan interscholastics forensics associations allowed to have creative costumes using their rules,” said Applegate. street clothes for their performance.

There are several students from Midland High “You aren’t allowed to use any costumes or attending this upcoming season of Forensics. As props, only a block of wood or chairs that you

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Junior Aaron Mealey and Seniors Sam Nowak and Jared Lane discuss their performance of Jersey Boys in this seasons Forensics competition. The group meets every two weeks to rehearse their piece. The boys are looking forward to this Forensics competiton that will happen later in March. Emily Fisher | Photo have to use creatively,” Mealey said.

The time frames in which the performers must complete their act in is different according to what kind of group they are in. For a student doing an individual dramatic interpretation, their performance must be completed in 5 to 8 minutes. A duo must complete their piece in 7 to 10 minutes. In a duo, students can be a character or narrator. Lastly there is the multiple person group which consists of 3 to 8 performers. However, the performers may take on more than one role while on stage. The multiple person group must complete their act in 10 to 15 minutes.

Though a Forensics competition may be stressful for some of the performers, all agree that the competition is a very fun experience.

“Forensics is really awesome because you aren’t always with a big group,” Griener said, “It’s nice that you can choose who you want to be with and what kind of performance you want to do. You don’t get told what to do.

Overall it’s a lot of fun.” F

How to:

Pick your piece

Jersey Boys

Peter and the Star Catchers

Choose Section DI

Duo

Multiple

Choose your Partners Aaron Mealy Sam Nowak

Jared Lane Josiah Griener

Start Cutting the script and practicing a&e | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 23

Students model for their senior class at Captured Photography.

Allie Smith | Staff Writer & Sydnie Meath | Staff Writer

Representative Benefits

Rachel Evans, main photographer at Captured Photography, prepares for many senior representative shoots beginning early in March. Allie Smith | Photos

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he camera shutter clicks as the photographer teaches the new pose to the senior. The flash fills the room and compliments flow from the photographer’s mouth. Captured Photography has been known to create a memorable experience for its clients.

There is plenty of discussion among seniors about the unique things this business does, not only for typical senior clients, but especially for their representatives. This year, the Captured Photography senior representatives, models of their class, are already preparing for their senior pictures, months in advance.

“We are passionate about capturing authentic emotion and the beauty of not only a person’s exterior, but also beauty within,” Renee Deckrow, director of Captured Photography, said.

Juniors around the Tri-City area apply and are selected each year to represent their class as a senior representative. Their selection to the program is based on a variety of things. Rachel Evans, chair of the senior program for Captured Photography, explained the acceptance process.

“For accepting representatives, we look for a team of individuals with diverse talents, interests, and personalities that would best represent different groups of their graduating class,” Evans said.

The representatives begin their journey when they collaborate their ideas on how to make the year ahead a positive and unique experience.

24 | FOCUS | 3/6/2015 | a&e

Not only are the representatives modeling for their senior class, but they are also showcasing Captured as a business. The representatives are in charge of advertising Captured in a variety of ways. The most common way is social media.

The representatives use their senior pictures as their profile pictures and post about their experience on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media to send a positive message about the company.

Being a representative, although it comes with many responsibilities, also comes with many benefits. These benefits include being able to go to team parties and meetings, being a part of the senior video, receiving a customized photo session as well as a discounted session, free wallet sized pictures, and a chance to win an extra free session.

Senior Mackenzie Etienne, a Captured representative for the class of 2015, was anxious to tell people about her experience at Captured.

“Being a representative meant that I was one of the people advertising Captured,” Etienne said. “I liked that I was a big role in telling others about my Captured experience.”

Along with the technical benefits, the representatives also love the experience they get from working so closely with Captured.

“It’s fun and the ladies make you feel beautiful,” Etienne said. “They bring out your genuine smile and happiness.”

Every year, Evans and Deckrow come up with

a new theme to encourage their art throughout that class of seniors. The theme is very important to the representatives, as well as the directors. It resembles what is special to that class, and what will best describe them as a whole.

“We choose the theme based on qualities we see in the young people we know,” Deckrow said. “Last year’s theme, bravery, was inspired by hearing about how strong today’s culture of young adults is and how they bravely face the challenges they encounter with positivity and perseverance.”

This year, the theme for the seniors at Captured is young and free. This theme will be used to inspire the 2016 seniors to make their pictures show a time in their life when the world is filled with possibilities, when they are free to choose a way to impact their world for good, and to be the change.

“This year’s young and free theme, to me, is more of an encouragement for the youth to be free,” Evans said. “To see there are countless possibilities to make a positive impact on this world and to go forward in freedom, not fearing failure or rejection, and to be unhindered by others opinions and labels.”

The directors enjoy their job just as much as the seniors enjoy Captured Photography. Evans and Deckrow love being able to make people feel beautiful, while capturing both their inner and outer beauty, for their job.

“I love getting to know the seniors more

Free wallet pictures

Discounted photo session

Chance to win free session

Senior video Allie Smith | Infographic

and being able to have fun with them on their sessions,” Evans said. “It is great to be able to find out more about their personalities and interests, and I love being able to take photos that represent them best.”

The senior representative program is important for Captured because not only does it draw people to the business, but also because it gives the models a chance to feel beautiful and create memories they will take with them beyond high school.

“The senior program is important because individuals are important, and our representative program emphasizes the uniqueness in every senior representative,” Evans said. “It’s important for us to build a fun atmosphere and actually get to know each senior representative; from their talents, passions, and dreams. This allows us to capture them authentically.”

Representatives tend to look forward to getting their senior pictures taken by Captured, not only because of how their pictures turnout, but also because of the positive experience they get while being a part of the business.

“I think people are drawn to Captured because they see that we really love every one of our clients and want to give each of them an incredible experience where they feel celebrated and cared for,” Deckrow said. “We love showing our clients how beautiful and important they are.” F