March 9th, 2018 by MHS Focus

the

Midland High School | March 9, 2018 | Volume 40, Issue 6 k

Young Activist Junior Adia Haynes has been trying to start a conversation in Midland about race. through activism and awareness.

student section Junior Theo Rammidi cheers for the varsity basketball team as they play the district opener against Dow High School in Mt. Pleasant. The Chemics lost 54-40, ending their season. Photo: Fischer Genau

Teacher Shortage At te n d a n c e Po l i c y Military Recruitment

B ow l i n g

Left Hand - Even number page

volume 40 | issue 6

arts & entertainment 4 Ethan Dotson 5 Madd Damocles

features

6 Big Brothers Big Sisters 7 Adia Haynes 8 - 9 Military Recruitment

news Package: In-School Issues

10 Attendance Policy 11 Teacher Shortage 12 - 13 Book Challenge

8-9

sports

14 Sportszone 15 Bowling 16 Midland Christian

Isaiah Bridges

Basketball

opinion

17 Editorial 18 - 19 Reviews -

Attendance Policy The Oscars

editors

in this issue 6

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

Focus, established in 1977, previously the Vic Tribune established in 1936, is the official school sponsored newspaper of Midland High School. Focus is published monthly by the journalism classes at Midland High School and is distributed free of charge. It is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), the Michigan Interscholastic Pres Association (MIPA) and Quill and Scroll. Adviser membership also includes the Journalism Education Association (JEA). Focus is designed as a forum for student expression and as a realistic lab experience. Court cases like Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988) have restricted this right to free expression. As a result of the Hazelwood case, Focus may be subject to prior review by Midland High School administrators, who legally reserve the right to pull or censor articles and/or graphic elements (artwork, graphs, photos) planned for publication. Focus and its adviser(s), editors and staff writers, however, reserve the right to contest the challenge of an administrator who attempts to censor and/or remove an article or graphic element. Administrators who attempt to pull and/or censor must provide reason on the basis of obscenity, if the article infringes upon the right of freedom of speech or rights to privacy, and if it and/or graphic elements are irresponsibly or inappropriately presented. Letters of the editor are welcomed and encouraged. Letters are required to be a maximum of 250 words in length and must be signed to insure that the writer’s intent is serious. Any letter that is unsigned or uses a pseudonym will be refused. Focus reserves the right to edit letters as long as the writer’s opinion is unchanged and the facts presented in the letter are kept intact. Focus also reserves the right to remove from the letter the name of the individual toward whom it is directed or oriented. March 9, 2018

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Left Hand - Even number page

volume 40 | issue 6

arts & entertainment 4 Ethan Dotson 5 Madd Damocles

features

6 Big Brothers Big Sisters 7 Adia Haynes 8 - 9 Military Recruitment

news Package: In-School Issues

10 Attendance Policy 11 Teacher Shortage 12 - 13 Book Challenge

8-9

sports

14 Sportszone 15 Bowling 16 Midland Christian

Isaiah Bridges

Basketball

opinion

17 Editorial 18 - 19 Reviews -

Attendance Policy The Oscars

editors

in this issue 6

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

FOCUS

Right Hand - Odd number page

news in brief

the

bulletin letter to the

editor

Dear MHS Focus editorial board,

Drama Club Cabaret The Drama Club’s firstever Cabaret is tonight at 7 p.m. at Central Auditorium.The cabaret and dessert reception fundraiser is planned in order to raise money for the Drama Club’s future shows and events. Tickets to enter will cost $5 and will be sold at the door. By Caitlin Quinn

@glorious_gloria2018 This IA is going to kill me... #ibbiology #toomany concentrationstocalculate

136 likes

@mgross700

It was truly an honor to play 4 years of Chemic hockey #saditsover

1 retweets 69 likes

F O C U S

@mhs_focus

Recently, the call for increased gun control legislation has come into the national spotlight as a result of the horrific shooting in Parkland, Florida on February 14. On Wednesday, March 14, students across the nation will participate in a student-organized school walkout to show solidarity with the thousands of victims of gun violence and urge elected officials to take action for commonsense gun reform. This walkout will take place at both Midland High and Dow High on the morning of March 14. Students are invited to bring signs with gun violence statistics. Few people support banning guns outright. I certainly don’t. However, moderate measures for gun reform have attracted widespread public support. According to a recent Politico poll, 88% of Americans support universal background checks, 87% support expanding screening for the mentally ill, 78% support a mandatory three-day waiting period to purchase a gun—the list goes on. Why, then, have the state and federal governments failed to take action on these issues? The last few months have made it clear that we are not immune from the threat of gun violence. As we all know, one of our fellow Chemics, Amedy Dewey, was the victim of a horrific injury as a result of gun violence earlier this year. Just a few days ago, on March 2, we waited for more than an hour in lockdown after the shooting at Central Michigan University, fearing for the safety of our friends and siblings. It’s time to use our voices as Chemics, Midlanders, and Americans to demand safety and security for our communities. To stay up to date on exact the time and location of the walkout, please follow @MStudentwalkout on Twitter. Feel free to DM us with any questions or concerns or email us at midland.studentwalkout@gmail.com. Sincerely,

Welding On Feb. 23, seniors Cam Graves, Jacob Gomola and JP Zaremba placed first in the SkillsUSA welding competition held at Delta College. The team placed seventh out of 25 teams. Graves placed first in the overall category, winning a welding table. Gomola placed first in the Gas Metal Arc Welding competition (GMAW), winning a welding tool kit. Zaremba placed first in the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), and won an angle grinder. By Adrienne Gray

Amedy Dewey Amedy Dewey is still on her road to recovery in the hospital. There is a post office box that has been set up by Amedy’s guardian in hopes of monetary donations for Amedy’s personal needs in addition to cards and well wishes. You can send these items to: Amedy Dewey, P.O. Box 1102, Midland, MI 48641.

Ethan Bruce

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March 9, 2018

madd for music

Dow freshman Madd Damocles has been using music to express himself for three years and has recently started sharing his songs with the community through performances at the Loch and the MHS One Billion Rising concert. Staff Writer Hannah Woehrle| Managing Editor Hope O’Dell

add Damocles was sick of living in Midland. He realized this after watching one of his favorite Youtubers, Conan Gray, talk about being stuck in his hometown. Damocles, a freshman at Dow High, saw himself in the restless small-town boy talking at him through the screen. “I have that same kind of fire in me,” he said. Out of that fire came the song “Big Dreams in a Little Town,” one of Damocles’ favorite songs that he has written, and his most popular. “It made an impact on not only my life, but people at school,” Damocles said. Damocles began writing music as a sixth grader, the same time he started teaching himself the ukulele. When he began writing, most of his songs were about love or having a crush. But, his music career

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and writing skills have developed. He has deepened the content of his songs, writing about everything from family troubles to the LGBT community. He uses his music as an outlet for expressing how he feels. He describes his writing as, “what every Midland teenager is thinking but doesn’t have the guts to say,” and they have helped him work through the problems he’s faced in life. “I couldn’t figure out how to process all of the emotions I was going through until I started writing music,” Damocles said. “When I started writing music, I realized how messed up life could be.” Madd’s older brother, Caelan Damocles, remembers watching Madd pluck out “Chopsticks” on their piano as a toddler, and he is amazed at how Madd has grown as a musician over the years. “I think Madd’s music is phenomenal,” Caelan said. “I like Madd’s pieces that include a piano. He’s self-taught on his instruments, and I think he creates really beautiful pieces that are intricate yet simple.” Caelan often goes to Madd’s performances at the Loch’s open m i c

night, and recently, the MHS One Billion Rising Concert. Caelan said he’s enjoyed watching Madd’s stage presence go from awkward to charismatic. Madd said he was surprised at the reactions he got at the One Billion Rising Concert, especially after he performed his original song “A Little Less.” This song was initially about the violence that trans people endure, starting off with the line, “What if I’m already dead.” “It became a song that could connect to everybody thinking that life is a terrible thing and the world kind of sucks, but we have to bond together to make it through it,” Madd said. Madd said both “Big Dreams in a Little Town” and “A Little Less” have made him realize that now his music is affecting others, which has made him think more when he’s writing. Caelan said Madd channels the struggles of others well in his music. “His songs are a very honest portrayal for a lot of people who feel like they have to smile through the hard times,” Caelan said.” Madd said he hopes to help those going through rough times in life. “Nothing is bigger than you, no problem is bigger than you,” Madd said. “Your dreams are a lot more powerful than you think they are. You’re more capable than you think you are.” Dow junior Maryn Brown met Madd as a nervous freshman at band camp and

said she has loved watching him and his music grow throughout the year. Brown said she loves Madd’s music because of the time and care he puts into his songs, and how they reflect Madd’s optimism, despite the fact that he’s had to overcome many obstacles. “His music is thoughtful,” Brown said. “It’s funny, it’s got that entertaining bit. It can be self-deprecating at times, but it’s still hopeful and optimistic at the same time. It’s not something he just puts down, he puts a lot of thought into it and it’s based on life experiences.” Brown said that one of Madd’s strengths in his writing is his ability to create relatable yet personal songs. “In one of his most recent songs, ‘14 Years,’ he writes about how he’s still confused,” Brown said. “He’s only a freshman, he’s only 14 years old. He’s still trying to figure things out, but he hasn’t given up complete hope even though high school sucks and even though being a teenager sucks.” Madd said he plans to attend college for a degree in education, but his dream is to do music. He said that he wants his music to connect to others and have a lasting impact on listeners. Madd said that he’s had students come up to him and tell him they connect with his songs. “It makes me feel like I’m doing something right in my life for once,” Madd said. “I don’t want to just take classes for a career that I’m not interested in. I want to do something, make something. It makes me feel important.” Madd writes music on ukulele, piano, guitar. He started performing at the Loch last year. Photo: Mo Aloff

arts/entertainment

(Lef t) Tyler Brown helps his little with homework before going outside to play games. (Right) Tegan Kareus plays concentration with her mentee during the outdoor session.

creating big change Photo: Fischer Genau

Photo: Lexy Lang

The Big Brothers Big Sisters organization provides mentors for children in need of a role model across the United States. Every Wednesday, MHS students volunteer at Chestnut Hill Elementary. Sports Editor | Hannah Smith Copy Editor | Lexy Lang Staff Writer | Spencer Isberg

or Senior Tyler Brown, the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) program is not just another extracurricular activity; it’s a lifechanging experience. Just 10 years ago as a fourth and fifth grader at Chestnut Hill Elementary, Brown was a ‘little brother’ in the program. “I decided to continue tin high school because I absolutely loved it when I was a little,” Brown said. “I love working with kids as it is, so I thought I’d continue on with the program.” Brown has been working with his little brother for four years, but this will be their last year since the two of them will both graduate from the program. “This program has benefited me positively because I get to help a child,” “Knowing I made a difference in someone’s life makes me happy,” Brown said. “This program has helped me reach out to the next generation and assist them through the struggles of school and life.” Although, sophomore Tegan Kareus is a big sister for the first time this year, her and Brown have had similar experiences in changing the lives of their mentees. “One time we were talking about heroes,” Kareus said. “I asked her ‘Who is your favorite superhero?’ and she said I was. It really touched my heart.” Brown and Kareus are among many mentors from both Midland and Dow High (we will get the exact number). Even with the

features

great deal of numbers from both schools, many littles are still on the wait list. The program in the Great Lakes Bay Region especially needs more big brothers, as the majority of the program consists of big sisters. Matt Collins, communication and event coordinator for BBBS, primarily deals with media outlets for the Great Lakes Bay Region agency. Collins manages email marketing, designs flyer’s/posters, takes photographs, and oversees events the program runs internally. Collins joined the local team because of the great things they do and the need they provide to many children. Collins said he has had great adult mentors who have inspired him to give back and provide leadership to young people as well. “I really appreciated the things they do,” Collins said. “They do fantastic things for kids around the world and in the community.” Big Brothers Big Sisters operates in all 50 states and in 12 other countries around the world. The organization has been around for more than 100 years, and the national website says: “When children and teens have the influence of a caring adult, they are more likely to avoid risky behaviors and to focus on academics. Today’s youth face a variety of challenges, and being matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister can help them navigate these challenges and reach their potential.” Collins said that some communities aren’t as fortunate as Midland, so the Big Brothers Big Sisters program is especially important in

reaching out to the children in those areas . “We see some places where parents are working several jobs to make ends meet and can’t give their kids the attention they need,” Collins said. “That’s why we have the program so youth can be mentored by young adults.” In order to place the mentees with the best mentor suited for them, each agency has a match coordinator, Collins said. The match coordinator reviews the application of the “big” and the “little” and matches them based on their needs. For the mentors, the application process is simple but thorough. Any student can pick up an application in the main office after the agency’s annual visit to the school. Shortly after the application turn in, the agency calls and sets up an interview regarding the potential mentors interests and other personal information. If matched, the mentor is required to go to training at their main office before program starts in late fall. “We have techniques to make these kids lives better,” Collins said. “The changes we’ve made in training the bigs have made them better equipped to handle a situation.” Kareus highlighted a typical day during the program. She said the “bigs” start by helping the “little’s” with their homework for 15-20 minutes. After their homework, the organization provides everyone with snacks. Following snacks, Kareus said the two engage in some type of drawing activity or create a science project (something to get their brain

working). At the end of the program, the two end by talking about ways they can better themselves and in turn make the world around them a more positive place. Kareus, Brown, and Collins all agree that BBBS is a program that has helped and will continue helping many youth, and it is a great opportunity for young adults to give back to their community. “The number one reason I enjoy it, is because I know I’m making an impact on them, and so it’s just something about helping really make an impact on their life,” Kareus said.

The Program’s Impact in the Great Lakes Bay Region

% of kids with a caring adult mentor are: less likely to begin using illegal drugs

more likely to graduate with a four year degree bbbsgreatlakesbay.org/impact

March 9, 2018

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raising her voice Junior Adia Haynes has experienced prejudice and discrimination growing up as a minority in Midland. This has pushed her to bring awareness and speak up about social issues in the community. Photo & Design Editor Fischer Genau | Staff Writer Kelly Craig Haynes’s experience with being both black and a woman has shaped her a great deal. Photo: Fischer Genau

t least I’m not black.” Junior Adia Haynes recalls hearing comments like these while transitioning into young adulthood, reflecting the discrimination she faces due to being black in a predominantly white community. “I had really low self esteem, even though my parents always told me to love myself and that I was worth love and attention,” Haynes said. “But I didn’t believe that for myself.” Haynes remembers negatively comparing herself to the white girls in her grade in regards to her appearance and the attention that they would get from boys. Microaggressions like comments about her natural hair and Affirmative Action also were difficult for her to deal with. “You feel like people don’t really understand you or your way of thinking,” Haynes said. “You feel like you’re alone.” Once she reached high school, however, Haynes realized that she had nothing holding her back from being vocal about her experiences as a minority in Midland. Finding inspiration in family and other role models, she began to use her voice against racism and sexism. “I found it within myself to speak up,” Haynes said. “I really wanted to be someone that I needed when I was younger.” One of Haynes’s largest activism projects was last fall, with an organized protest to bring awareness to the racism faced by young people of color. The event took place at a varsity football game and received a great deal of attention before it even took place. The response was immense for Haynes, with the negative reaction going as far to include

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death threats on her personal email. “It was overwhelming,” Haynes said. “I realized that this was actually real.” Members of Women of Michigan Action Network (WOMAN), a local activist organization, were approached by Haynes and other students asking for aid after receiving violent threats in response to the formation of the protest. Former Midland High student Alaynah Smith was one of those responders. “WOMAN wanted to support the students in any way that we could,” Smith said. “We wanted to support their right to stand for what they believed in while maintaining their safety and control over the situation.” Witnessing Haynes mobilize was very uplifting for Smith and the organization. “We were so proud to stand with Adia and the other students and support them in this action,” Smith said. Adira Walker, who has known Haynes for thirteen years, recognizes the challenges that come with being a minority. “As an African-American in Midland, sometimes you feel like people don’t see you or your struggle,” Walker said. “Adia saw that it was time to say something, and I believe that she found her voice and felt empowered to use it.” Walker said that Haynes displayed immense courage and confidence with the protest, and admired her resilience despite facing pushback from others. “To still stand there when people are spewing hate towards you, and to face that being proud, poised, and with a smile, that’s beautiful to me,” Walker said. Since the protest, Haynes has sought further

interest in racial activism. Haynes recently attended a Martin Luther King Jr. symposium at Saginaw Valley State University, an event that celebrated the reverend’s life and legacy and also gave her the opportunity to discuss racial issues with other students in the state. Currently, she serves as president for a teen group as part of an organization called Jack and Jill, which allows networking between African-American students and families. While Haynes has started to make connections outside of Midland, she is continuing her activism on a local level by forming a group for students of color at Midland High to create dialogue and a support outlet. “We want to create a place where people can come and express their emotions through art or poetry or discussion,” Haynes said. Haynes emphasizes the importance of being educated on pertinent issues, especially those regarding race. Finding that the community tends to shy away from matters such as race relations, Haynes aims to stimulate more conversation. “There’s really no room for people to express how they feel without being judged or ridiculed,” Haynes said. “That pushed me to stand up for people, especially in

Midland.” Walker wants the community to acknowledge the struggles that minorities face and to approach topics like racism with an open mind. She believes that young activists, especially Haynes, are working well to break the stigma surrounding conversations about race. “I like that Adia doesn’t have a box she’s put herself into,” Walker said. “She found out that she can break out of that box, and now she’s spreading her message to other platforms.” Walker is glad that Haynes is continuing to speak up and is working towards creating safe spaces for minorities. “Whether people like it or not, we’re here,” Walker said. “So we want to figure out how to share the same space in love and not in hate.” Haynes intends to promote awareness and dispel ignorance. She finds reassurance in the support of individuals and organizations like Walker and WOMAN, as well as her parents and friends. “People are becoming more aware of how our words and actions can affect what we do and how we act,” Haynes said. “I realized that I’m not alone.”

I really wanted to be someone that I needed when I was younger. -Adia Haynes features

ozens of photographs line Staff Sergeant Ryan Dykhouse’s office walls in pairs. They’re portraits high schoolers who have enlisted in the Marine Corps - one is taken the day they enlist, and another is taken in uniform when they earn the title ‘Marine.’ Dykhouse said that these pictures give him a reason to do his job, which is recruiting young people for the military. Dykhouse said that high schools don’t necessarily present enlistment into the military as an option, so it can be difficult to recruit high school students. However, Dykhouse

Kelly Emery is a member of the Marine Corps, planning to specialize in topographical research. Photos: Fischer Genau

Although initially going into the Marine Core, Matti decided the Navy was better suited to her. Photo Courtesy: Perry family

I wanted to give my life to something and give it all or nothing. -Kelly Emery emphasizes the added benefits of enlisting, besides the opportunity to serve the U.S.A. Some of these benefits are paid college tuition, a housing allowance, monthly income. “I would think that every single senior should sit down, pick one branch, and talk with the recruiter,” Dykhouse said. “Find out real information and if you’re qualified - then you can make a real decision about your future.” Dykhouse works with other recruiters in the area to increase military involvement, getting into contact with people ages 17-27. “My experience in recruiting is generally: the first time I meet someone, they did not plan on becoming a Marine,” Dykhouse said. There are five main branches of the U.S. military, and this year and in past years, there has been MHS student participation in every military branch except the Coast Guard.

MARINE CORPS Alyssa Laughton e n l i s te d i n t h e National Guard last year; she has chosen to become a motor transport operator.

David Kluka is sworn into the Air Force, and will attend Basic Training in September.

A RANGE OF RECRUITS

Several students have chosen a future that is dedicated to serving their country, with four out of five military branches having MHS representation. Each branch offers different benefits - these students have decided on a branch best suited to them. Editor-in-Chief Gwynne Özkan | Web Editor Hadley Morden | Staff Writer Ben Woehrle

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March 9, 2018

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be recited at boot camp. She is working independently as well, in order to meet the standards for physical fitness. She said this is the hardest part. Emery said she has changed her entire diet and training to meet the Marine requirements. The initial strength test is a set of fitness tests that must be passed at the start of boot camp: pull-ups, ammo can lifts, running, and crunches. Emery is training to max out her score at seven. Emery said her environment has helped her progress. “When you are in a group and you all

enior Kelly Emery has a solid grasp on her future: the military. For the next four years, she will be fulfilling her responsibilities as a Marine Corps member while also attending college. “I felt this pull to go to a Marine Corps recruiter to enlist,” Emery said. “Before, I wanted to be a become a doctor, but I felt this call to help people and I took it. I want to not only improve myself, but the entirety of the Marine Corps.” Emery meets every single Thursday with other members of the Delayed Entry Program, which is for individuals going into active duty. Emery participates in a two-hour workout and military intelligence classes. In these classes, she learns things like the 11 general orders, which need to

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have the same goals, it can be so motivating and emotional,” Emery said. Emery loves leadership, which is what inspired her to further her Marine Corps involvement by applying for an officer position. The Marine Corps is really hurting due to their lack of female leadership Emery said, and she wants to change this. “I want to be a leader while being surrounded by people who want to improve themselves, and who are willing to give up their lives for their country,” Emery said. The title ‘Marine’ carries a lot of meaning to her. She said it speaks to one’s selflessness, positivity, encouragement, strength and honor. Although The Reserves was an option for her, which is a part-time involvement in the military, Emery turned it down. “It wasn’t for me,” Emery said. “I wanted to give my life to something and give it all or nothing.”

NAVY W

hen Mattison Perry, a 2017 MHS graduate, overheard that her peers were joining the U.S. Army, she decided to look into what they military had to offer. Perry then visited the Saginaw recruiting office. Initially, Perry showed interest in the Marines and the Navy; after reviewing the material, she made an appointment with Midland’s Marine Corps recruiter. At the time, Perry decided that the Marines were for her. Perry scheduled a day to go to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) where she would go through a series of tests for enlistment: a blood draw, vitals taken, a physical, and vision, hearing, and drug tests. “After it all. I found out I failed my vision test and would have to come back at the end

of May to get a waiver for my eyes,” Perry said. “In the meantime, I had a chance to really think about what I wanted to do. My parents convinced me to go talk to the Mount Pleasant Navy recruiter.” Perry again met with a recruiter and discussed a new set of options. The next day, she called and asked when she could switch to the Navy. “After being at MEPS all day for the second time to pass my vision test, my recruiter was able to get me the job as a corpsman and I sworn in,” Perry said. From that day forward, every first Wednesday of the month, Perry had to drive to Mount Pleasant for a Delayed Entry Program (DEP) meeting, to fill out paperwork and routinely be weighed in. Perry was shipped out in October of last year for basic training in Great Lake, Illinois. Perry is currently a Seaman Recruit, and is training to be a corpsman in San Antonio, Texas this summer. “The decision to join the military was my own,” Perry said. “The decision to join the Navy was my parents, and I’m so thankful.”

Lawton attends military training in Grayling called RSP Drill and a two-day training camp, which she gets paid 170 dollars for. Lawton enjoys these responsibilities, though. She said that this camp is what she looks forward to every month. “It is super fun,” Lawton said. “You hangout with a bunch of people the same age, and do a bunch of training. Going to drill is what makes my month every single month. I am so excited to go to basic training.” Lawton encourages everyone who is able to and qualified to join the National Guard. Recently, she was promoted to an E-2 *explain this* for enlisting senior Corine Dunsmore into the National Guard. “The sense of camaraderie with your battle buddies and the feeling of being a part of this huge team with everyone, you can’t understand it unless you’re in it,” Lawton said. “It is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.”

NATIONAL S GUARD J

oining the military never crossed Senior Alyssa Lawton’s mind until a local recruiter messaged her on Facebook. He ended up convincing her to come into the recruiting office and discuss her options with to him. “After a couple of months meeting with him and my parents, I decided that the military was what I wanted to do,” Lawton said. “I enlisted on June 7 of last year, and since then I have been a part of the National Guard.” Lawton chose this branch for a variety of reasons. She said it provides her the best benefits. Unlike the other branches, it gives her more freedom. She chose to become an 88 Mic, which is a motor transport operator. She will train for 10 weeks over the summer for that job, and then will go to school to recieve her nursing degree. Lawton will use the degree she earns to become a 68 Whiskey, a combat nurse. The National Guard will be paying for Lawton’s college education in full, as well as providing her with monthly allowances for other payments. Lawton said that the joining the military is straightforward and painless. She spent the night in Lansing to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test, have a physical done, and fill out paperwork. “If you wanted to go and join today, you could,” Lawton said. “You would go to a recruitment office, and if everything passes, you could get sworn in by tomorrow. It is a very simple process, even though it seems complicated.” Although simple, enlisting comes with a set of responsibilities. Once a month,

AIRFORCE

enior David Kluka has dreamed of being in the military for his entire life, and after considering all of his options after high school, he decided to enlist in the Air Force. “After thinking about it a lot, I realized that college was not what I was ready for,” Kluka said. “I decided I would join the military and have them pay for college and get experience that would make me stand out on future resumes for college and jobs.” Kluka said that his grandparents inspired him to join the military by telling him stories of their time traveling the world, meeting new people, and making lifelong memories that would not have been possible if they had never joined the military. He decided to join the Airforce as opposed to other branches because it will give him a unique opportunity that the other branches will not. *what is the unique opportunity??* “The Air Force appealed to everything I wanted to get out of the military,” Kluka said. “After talking to several other recruiters it was the best choice for me.” To officially enlist, Kluka was required to go to the Military Entrance Processing Station in Troy, Michigan. There, he went through an extensive physical, a background check, and an eye exam. Based on his Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery score, Kluka was then able to list the jobs that he preferred within the Air Force. Since Kluka is now officially sworn in, he attends weekly training until he is shipped to Basic Training this September. After he finishes Basic, Kluka’s will be a Military Policeman. Kluka said he is very excited for his future in the military. “It is going to be very rewarding experience,” he said. “I will make memories, travel the world, and do things I never thought I would be able to. All the while, I want to serve my country, help people, and make the world a better place.” Kluka wants to have an impact on those around him, and the Air Force has given him the greatest opportunity to do that. features

Kelly Emery is a member of the Marine Corps, planning to specialize in topographical research. Photos: Fischer Genau

Although initially going into the Marine Core, Matti decided the Navy was better suited to her. Photo Courtesy: Perry family

MARINE CORPS Alyssa Laughton e n l i s te d i n t h e National Guard last year; she has chosen to become a motor transport operator.

David Kluka is sworn into the Air Force, and will attend Basic Training in September.

A RANGE OF RECRUITS

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NAVY W

NATIONAL S GUARD J

AIRFORCE

altering attendance in-school issues

The attendance policy at MHS has changed twice in the past school year-once in September and again in February. Working with school attorneys, administration have tried to create an attendance policy that favors both the students and holds them accountable for missing school. Features Editor Bitsy Mammel | Arts/Entertainment Editor Hailey Surbrook | Staff Writer Alyssa McMillan

ven before the end of the first marking period, with the amount of absences increasing and the concern of worsening grades, Principal Jeff Jaster and the rest of the MHS administration knew that the attendance policy was too lenient, and could jeopardize students’ futures. “By letting kids off the hook so easily with attendance, we were really setting them up for failure,” Jaster said. Earlier this month, a new attendance policy familiar to students was implemented. A change such as this one would normally occur at the beginning of a school year, but Assistant Principal Amy Hutchinson said that there was an increase in absences since students didn’t think that there were any huge repercussions for missing class. So, after contacting Thrun Law Firm, the old policy was re-evaluated and changed near the beginning of second semester. “We did more homework and more digging,” Hutchinson said. “We called around to see what other districts were doing. We had secondary administrators meet to flesh out the interpretation. We called Thrun Law Firm back and talked to a different person than who gave the presentation and then heard that much of what we were doing prior was actually fine.” In September of this school year, the MPS administration had created a new attendance policy that was more lenient than years previous, giving students an unlimited number of unexcused and excused absences without affecting their grade. After attending the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) Educational Conference in Traverse City this summer, administrative leaders had learned of legislation that outlawed schools from basing student credit on attendance. The policy previously stated that if a student had more than ten unexcused and excused absences combined, the student would be required to earn at least a 70 percent on the final exam to earn credit for the class. Jaster and MPS administration were concerned that this policy violated the law, and decided to change the policy starting at the beginning of this school year. However, Jaster said the policy created more problems than solutions. By the end of the first marking period this year, administration realized that this newly created policy was not beneficial. Absences had increased from the 2016-2017 school year to the current one. According to records collected from the district administration office, there was 4,208 total absences in the first semester of the 2016-17 school year, and 5.307 absences in the first

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Principal Jeff Jaster said that MPS administration tried to combat criticism of the educational system for acting too slowly by creating a more lenient attendance policy. He said that instead they should have waited to see what other schools were doing. Photo Illustration: Hailey Surbrook

semester of the 2017-18 school year. Jaster said that with the increase of absences in first semester, he was concerned that student performance would decrease as well. He sees school as a sort of training for things such as jobs where it’s necessary to be present. Many teachers were concerned about students’ performance due to the increase in absences, which is another reason the policy from last semester was re-evaluated. “[The staff] was frustrated that we were letting the kids slip through the cracks,” Jaster said. With the push from the staff, on Feb. 7, a “new” attendance policy was implemented. Hutchinson said that MPS worked closely with the attorneys to create the new policy, which requires chronically absent students to pass an exam with 70 percent or better. “We are just trying our best to be compliant with the law and fair to our students in a consistent manner.” Hutchinson said. Staff members say that this policy is a way of preparing students for the future. However, students like senior Jacy Varnes say that the policy doesn’t prepare students for college where absences aren’t always accounted for. “Our college professors aren’t going

to keep track of how many days we miss,” Varnes said. “It’s up to us to make it up and come on time.” The biggest change to the policy was the addition of how absences affect the grading of late work or assessments. The new policy says that students with excused absences have the same number of days to turn in work assigned on the days that they missed as the number of days that they were excused for school. If the absence is unexcused, the student may only receive half credit for the late work or assessment. If a student is absent on the due date of an assignment, but was present when it was assigned, they must turn it in the next day that they are present. Jaster said the newly implemented policy has received very little push-back from staff, and parents. Hutchinson said that it’s fair to not only the students, but also the teachers. “I think it’s fair to students by saying okay, you’re going to get the grade you earned regardless of absences,” Hutchinson said. “I think it’s fair to teachers who have to really be the one to administer the policy in terms of having consistent guidelines for late work and administering late work. I think it’s fair to still not count medical or excused absences. I’m pleased with the revision on both ends, for the student and the teacher.”

March 9, 2018

FOCUS

in-school issues

ailure to fill Due to low wages and higher requirements, the number of people becoming teachers and substitute teachers has declined in the past ten years. This has not only affected Midland Public Schools, but the rest of the nation. Exchange Editor Josie Kuchek | Staff Writer Maureen Aloff | Staff Writer Liam Grady

ith fewer college students choosing to go into teaching, schools in Michigan have struggled to fill teaching positions. Criticism against teachers, change in Michigan legislation, and teachers’ salary and changes in benefits have all contributed to this shortage of teachers. Superintendent Michael Sharrow confirms that Midland Public Schools has been trying to work around the shortage of both teachers and substitutes and remain a prime district. Sharrow said it is most challenging to fill teaching positions in the subjects of career technical education, special education, higher level mathematics and science, and world languages. Principal Jeff Jaster said that the education field has suffered partly because of the unfair criticism that teachers receive. He said misconceptions regarding teachers’ time off during the summer, and the time teachers put in outside the classroom have fueled this criticism. “A lot of people say it’s an easy job, but if you knew everything that went into being a good teacher, people would realize it’s not just a nine-to-five job.” Jaster said. Student-teacher Emily Leffingwell says that the changes in legislation have played a part in the teacher shortage. On July 12, 2017 Michigan’s Senate passed Bill 401, which reforms public school teachers retirement plans and benefits. Before the bill was passed, Michigan had a retirement plan that was a combination of pension and 403b retirement plan. Senate Bill 401 does not alter any teachers’ pensions or retirement plans who were already hired, unless they had already accepted the previous ‘defined-contribution’ plan that had been offered starting in 2012. The bill states that any new employee hired after February 1, 2018 would get a reformed retirement plan, specifically an updated version of the ‘definedcontribution’ plan. Under this new plan, the school district would place four percent of the teachers’ salary into a 403b plan (similar to a 401k but for public employees instead of private businesses). Teachers do have the ability to

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March 9, 2018

place additional money within the 403b if they wish, and the state is required to match up to three percent of whatever they have contributed. This new plan is more costly for teachers and requires that if teachers had any unfunded liabilities, a 50-50 share of costs between the teacher and the employer must be met. The changes in benefits haven’t discouraged Leffingwell from pursuing a career in education. “I still really want to teach kids, that’s my passion. But I can see why that would deter people from wanting to become a teacher,” Leffingwell said. However, Jaster said that having a traditionally lower income, along with a change in the retirement plan benefits has been a deciding factor on whether or not other individuals pursue a career in the education field. “It used to be common for families to have teachers in each generation and I know that many of our own teachers have discouraged their college-aged kids from going into education even if they thought they wanted to do that,” Jaster said, “Because of the way changes have been occurring in the state, in terms of how teachers are paid or compensated, even possibility of future benefits upon retirement, all those things are going away.” In addition to the teacher shortage, MPS has struggled to fill substitute teaching positions. Michigan requires 90 college credit hours to qualify for substitute teaching, and this requirement has limited the amount of people who qualify for substitute teaching. Substitute teacher Fred Dingman thinks the higher requirements are a good thing. “They were talking about decreasing the requirements to become a substitute, personally I don’t think that’s a good idea because you’re going to get what you pay for, you’re not going to get quality people,” Dingman said. He said that in addition to meeting the education requirements, it’s also important for substitutes to have a good attitude and enjoy their work in order to perform well. In Dingman’s three and a half years substituting

Illustration: Noah Jacobson

for MPS, he has noticed that unfilled sub requests are more prominent at Dow High and the elementary and middle schools than at Midland High. Administration assistant Lori Kennemer is involved in part of the process of scheduling substitutes at Midland High. Kennemer said that Midland High currently has about a dozen substitutes that regularly substitute for the school. However, she said that the school does struggle to fill all substitute positions on Mondays or Fridays, or days when teachers are away at conferences. “If neither the company nor the District Sub Caller can find a substitute, it becomes the responsibility of the Administrative Assistant to find substitutes for each hour of the teacher’s absence,” Kennemer said. “I ask other teachers who do not have a class during the hours I need coverage and they help me out by substituting.”

Days where the school is struggling to find substitutes are referred to as ‘surge days’ and the district tries to combat the issue by paying substitutes more for that day. On a normal day, substitute teachers at MPS earn $11.43 and on a surge day, the hourly wage is raised to $13.00. Both Leffingwell and Dingman said that a potential solution to the substitute shortage would be to increase the payment that substitute teachers would receive. “I know that other school districts, like the Saginaw area, it’s a flat fee of one hundred dollars a day. That would be great, if you subbed everyday, that’s 500 dollars a week,” Leffingwell said. “ I bet if Midland did that, they would probably get more people.” Jaster his hopeful that Michigan will see an eventual increase in the amount of people choosing to pursue teaching, as salary becomes more competitive and certain benefit plans are offered.

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this book, gets even the most reluctant readers excited about reading it.” In order for the book to be officially adopted in 2016, the selection committee had to provide a rationale as to why this novel, specifically, would be a positive addition. As the selection committee wrote in the Content and Materials Recommendations and Report, “This book would inject a significant level of energy into the curriculum for 9th grade English. The Absolutely True Diary of a PartTime Indian is an outstanding contemporary novel written by one of America’s finest living authors.” Despite the benefits that the book provides the curriculum, Hutchinson said that it is being challenged because of the debate regarding whether or not the literary merit outweighs the sensitive material. “According to those who object to it, they feel it has offensive language that detracts,” Hutchinson said. “There are some who feel it has mature language in situations for a ninth grade curriculum.” A petition is being circulated among members of the community in an attempt to gain support for the challenge. It offers

in-school issues

perspective on a culture that wasn’t represented in the ninth grade curriculum.” Jaster said that because the challenge is to a public school curriculum, the religious concerns addressed in the challenge are handled much differently than they would be at a parochial school. “At a public school, we’re trying to teach a lot of things in addition to the curriculum,” Jaster said. “As an IB school, we’re trying to have kids that are globally minded, critical thinkers, and aware of other cultures.” Although the main opposition to the book was due to its content, another large part of the concern was the process for handling students who requested an alternate text. Hutchinson and the committee addressed the concerns in regards to the current process for dealing with a sensitive text by proposing modifications to the existing procedure. “We agreed to have websites added to teachers’ syllabi that would allow parents to type in any book title listed to look objectively at what content was there,” Hutchinson said. “Because the parent was concerned with the ostracization of a student leaving the classroom, we are also giving the parent the option of their

There are other books with equal literary merit that do not contain so much objectionable sexual content.

Due to the sensitive and mature content, a book added to the freshman curriculum two years ago is now being challenged for removal. News Editor Holly Stauffer | Staff Writer Devin Granzo | Staff Writer Olivia Barber

-Petition for book’s removal

A petition opposing the novel is circulating the community to raise awareness. It states that 55 pages out of 230 in the book contain offensive language. Photo Illustration: Fischer Genau

s soon as “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie was introduced to the freshman curriculum in 2016, it ran into opposition. The novel is about a boy named Junior who lives on an Indian reservation and transfers to a public school, and covers all the challenges he faces in dealing with poverty, racism, and alcohol abuse. After being officially adopted by the Board of Education, administrators debated whether or not the book’s literary merit outweighed its sensitive content. Ultimately, a compromise was reached.

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The novel would be taught in the accelerated freshman English class, however it had to be preceded by a notification to parents about the mature content of the novel which required a signature. If parents opted for their child not to read it, an alternate title would be provided and the student would work in a different location during class discussions about the text. Despite the compromise reached by the board in the fall of 2016, the book has met further resistance. MHS mother Shannon Striebel initiated a formal challenge process to remove the text from the curriculum in December 2017. She has declined comment

on the challenge since it has not yet been resolved. According to Midland Public Schools Administrative Guidelines on complaint review committee procedures, in order for the challenge process to begin, “inquiries regarding instructional material used in a school program will first be reviewed in an informal discussion.” This typically involves a conversation with the principal, a teacher using the book in their classroom, and the lead teacher for the subject area. If the committee has already reviewed the book in the past five years, the parent is informed and further action

is not taken. Assistant principal Amy Hutchinson has dealt with book challenges in the past, working for eight years as the head of the English department. She has taken a lead in handling the current challenge because of her previous experience, and said that the book fills a void that existed in the previous freshman curriculum. “It is an award winner, highly acclaimed,” Hutchinson said. “We are looking to get young people excited about reading in a world of technology. The themes and the cultural context of this book, the relatable aspect of March 9, 2018

FOCUS

reasoning for the objection to the book, along with a list of the many obscenities within the text. The email containing the petition stated, “I believe that there are other books with equal literary merit that do not contain so much objectionable sexual content.” The challenge was first brought to Principal Jeff Jaster, who acknowledges the material in the book under question and agrees that this material should be reviewed to make sure it doesn’t detract from the value of the literature. “Profanity, and maybe even some sexual references, some things like that on specific pages, and those things were cited as the largest area of concern,” Jaster said. “Teachers can navigate some of these topics very tactfully and still make sure that the message of the book is what comes through.” English teacher Kelly Murphy was on the selection committee for new freshman literature in 2016, and taught the novel herself for the first time this year. She said that she received great student feedback, which aligned with the committee’s rationale for its adoption. “We chose the book because it is very accessible for all readers of all levels,” Murphy said. “The content is extremely engaging, and the voice of our narrator is compelling. His story is universal in the sense of overcoming adversity while at the same time presenting a

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March 9, 2018

child sitting in the classroom during discussion or not.” The committee addressed the concerns regarding alternate study, however the challenge process will continue. The next step is the formation of a committee of teachers and administrators to review the challenge. According to the MPS complaint review committee procedures, “the review process should be completed within fifteen working days of receiving the request for reconsideration of instructional material.” Throughout the challenge process, Murphy said that she has felt very supported by the committee and her coworkers. She strongly believes that the novel plays a vital role in the new curriculum and will continue to defend it. “I am sad that it’s receiving so much negative attention. It’s an excellent book, and I am proud to have taught it and will continue to teach it,” she said. Though there has been much turmoil over the book, a concrete end to the issue has not come about yet. Jaster hopes that no misconceptions will arise and that a peaceful conclusion will come from the process. “Everybody is really looking forward to a resolution, whatever it is,” Jaster said. “But the two sides are certainly very firmly rooted in their opinion.” news

in-school issues

There are other books with equal literary merit that do not contain so much objectionable sexual content.

-Petition for book’s removal

A petition opposing the novel is circulating the community to raise awareness. It states that 55 pages out of 230 in the book contain offensive language. Photo Illustration: Fischer Genau

news

FOCUS

March 9, 2018

13-13

The boys’ varsity hockey team finished their season with 13 wins and 13 losses. The team graduated five seniors and lost to Heritage in the opening round of Districts.

220 Cecilia Mosqueda competed in the singles bowing states on Saturday, March 3 where she placed 17th. Her highest score in one game was a 220.

AT H L E T E O F T H E M O N T H : I s a i a h B r i d g e s

Staff Writer Devin Alexander

unior Isaiah Bridges’ basketball career Season record: 8-10 began in the second grade in the 5 on 5 High School record: league for the Midland Community Center. Bridges has become a salient piece to the boys’ varsity basketball team the past two years with his consistency on the court. Head coach Eric Krause said Bridges is a key player on the team. “His versatility sets him apart from other players,” Krause said. “He brings the ball up the court, passes well, blocks shots, rebounds, scores by the rim and shoots the 3.” Krause said his leadership on and off the court has helped the team succeed this year. “He is a very smart player as well as a great teammate and he has a great work ethic and attitude,” Krause said. “He is the whole package.” Bridges has continued to focus on enhancing his physical strength and conditioning after he tore his meniscus in his left knee last year. The injury resulted in him missing the remainder of his sophomore season; however, it did not set him back from becoming more successful on the court this season. “It really hurt to watch my teammates battle hard in close games when all I could do was cheer on the bench,” Bridges said. Despite the injury, Bridges is averaging 16.8 points per game, 9.4 rebounds per game, and 4.2 assists per game this year. Looking at the rest of this season, Bridges said that every game carries its own weight. With only one game left in the regular season, Bridges is focused and prepared for districts. “Every game is important in its own way but the most important game of the season will be the first games of districts against Dow and every game after that,” Bridges said.

2 Maddie Barrie and Hannah Smith were two girls who received all conference (1stteam Saginaw Valley League) for basketball. Jeni Grinwis, Jordan Phillips, and Anna Tuck recieved honorable mention.

sports

instagram of the month

tweet of the month

Photo: Fischer Genau

SPRING SPORT

T R YO U T S March 12

GIRLS SOCCER

7-9 P.M.

GIRLS TRACK

3:15-5:45 P.M.

BOYS BASEBALL

3-6 P.M.

BOYS LACROSSE

3:30-5 P.M.

March 9, 2018

FOCUS

making history

Seniors Joshua (left) and Jacob (right) McCelland led the team to a record-breaking bowling season by utilizing their strengths: technique, experience, and communication Photo: Mo Aloff

The varsity bowling team reviews their successes and failures after an almost undefeated season. With an SVL championship under their belts, the team has high hopes for their future. Staff Writer Mady Sherman | Staff Writer Lillian Mohr| Staff Writer Will Shaffer

our years after it began, the boys varsity bowling team has not only grown to a high performing team and finished the season with 11 wins and one loss, but also won its first ever SVL championship. Head coach John McClelland started the bowling team only four years ago, and they’ve improved each year by attaining more wins. John credits the team’s success to their experience. “The boys knew what the matches were like and came through with some very clutch wins this year,” he said. “We were down in points during several matches, and the boys didn’t give up and came back and won the matches.” Two key members of the team have been John’s sons, Jacob and Joshua, who admitted the team didn’t anticipate winning the school’s first SVL championship for bowling, but knew that they would have a good season due to the commitment and growth the team has had over the last few weeks. “We’ve been able to come together really well. We had no seniors graduate last year so we had a very veteran team,” Jacob said. Jacob and Joshua got involved in the sport when their father took over as head coach after the previous youth instructor, CJ Duhe, passed away from cancer. “He was one of my first coaches other

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March 9, 2018

than my dad and ran the youth program before my dad did at Valley Lanes. My dad took his position and has been doing it ever since,” Joshua said. The strength of the bowling team soon picked up, and Josh recalls how his father knew they would win before the end of season. “My dad said our freshmen year ‘You know we are going to put a banner in that gym.’ I didn’t believe it but here we are, we did it,” Joshua said. Along with the team’s season success, the team placed 10th at regionals with one bowler, Freshman Izaac Goergen, who finished 40th at states this year. “When I qualified, all I felt was just pure joy. Realizing all the hard work I did paid off.” Goergen said. Although qualifying for states was one of Goergen’s season highlights, the match against Davison, one of the top teams of the league, was his favorite memory. “We were down about 100 pins going into one of the final frames,” Georgen said. “Four guys threw two strikes and one of our guys (Nate Miller) threw a five bagger, which is five strikes in a row, so we ended coming back winning by only four pins and

everybody got really loud and crazy. It really was just an amazing experience.” Joshua and Jacob agreed and said that the victory over their competitor Davison was a season favorite. Despite the team’s success, John believes that confidence is the key for further improvement in next year’s season. “We always seemed to get down on ourselves when we fell behind in matches,” John said. “However, they were able to overcome and come up with the win.” Jacob also believes that success comes with confidence and that bowling is more of a mental and strategic sport rather than a physical one. “It’s all about confidence. Knowing what you’re gonna have to do and going out and making a great shot each time,” Jacob said. “Forgetting about your mistakes and focusing on the next frame.” Joshua and Jacob hope for seasons to come that the boys are able to carry on the legacy and keep improving as a team and individually. “I hope that next year there will be a

strong leader next year like we were,” Joshua said. “I think leadership is important on any team and I already see that with a couple underclassmen on the team. I have confidence in the future for them.” Jacob agrees that the team will continue to improve in the future. “I just want them to be confident and be able to keep the winning streak going. I know they can do it, and I definitely think that the whole team can qualify for states next year” said Jacob. After his sons graduate, John hopes to stay involved with bowling as the varsity coach or youth-level coach. “This season has been awesome,” John said. “It truly has been a dream season for the whole team. It was our long time goal to win the SVL and it has been a dream come true for me and the entire team.”

sports

holy hoops

ray. Practice. Play. Pray again. Members of Midland Christian boys basketball team share more than just a passion for shooting threes and driving to the paint. The team all share a faith in Christ, and use this to motivate them through their practices and games. Practices run at the Midland Christian School (MCS) and are directed by coach Michael Hays. Hays has been coaching for seven years, five of which at MCS. Hays said that the coaches in his life have made an impactful difference on his life, especially during high school. He said he aspires to return that same style of coaching to his players, as well as reflecting the messages brought through Christianity. “I try to set a Christ-like example for the team, although I know I often fall short of that,” Hays said. “I think as Christians, we often need to encourage each other, yet not be afraid to rebuke each other. I hope my guys feel that I am the first one to encourage them when they deserve it, and the first one to tell them they messed up.” This year, there has been an upward trend in the number of Midland High students that have joined the Midland Christian schools basketball team. Some members, including Seniors Ethan Grabill and Ryan Bailey, have continued on from their involvement as underclassmen. More seniors who aren’t connected to MCS have newly joined this year. Hays said he believes this increase may be because the Midland Christian team holds less toxic negativity. He said their shared faith in Christ influences how they carry themselves on and off of the court and connects them as brothers in Christ. “I think the desire to be a part of team that is separate from the politics, separate from the screaming coaches, and separate from the negative atmosphere has something to do with it,” Hays said. “I think we have created something that is fun, competitive, and inviting for the guys. At the end of the day, no matter how much we bug each other, we can always remember we are Brothers in Christ, and that goes a long way.” Senior Caleb Wolfe first heard about the team from a church friend who attends MCS, but decided to join because he wanted to spend his last year of competitive basketball playing the sport he’s passionate about, in a more religiously influenced setting. He said he wanted to make his senior year of memorable while practicing alongside some of the other upperclassmen teammates, including junior Jake Maschino and Seniors Jake Hackett, Ben Gordon and Thomas Renfro.

sports

The Midland Christian Boys Basketball team has had a season of working hard with help from MHS students Ads Coordinator Olivia Freidinger | Staff Writer Theo Rammidi

The Midland Christian Crusaders and Pineview huddle together to pray before their game on Friday, March 2. Both teams pray together before and after every game. The Crusaders will finish out the season with a winning record. Photo: Mo Aloff

“I feel like I’m playing with family when I play for MCS,” Wolfe said. “That’s not to say being on MHS basketball was bad; I have a lot of great memories. But, it was good to get to play the sport I love in a more Christian environment.” Wolfe started with Rec League Basketball at the Community Center in second grade and played there until 6th grade. As well as playing throughout middle school, he also played freshmen basketball at MHS, and JV his sophomore year. Wolfe has played MCS his junior and senior year. Although Wolfe said the intensity in playing basketball at MCS compared to MHS is at the same level, he said that he sees the biggest difference in the way teammates and opponents interact with each other. He said that he believes this is most likely because of the influence of religion. “Before every practice and almost every game we pray,” Wolfe said. “Our beliefs are also shown in our sportsmanship, because I’ve noticed that a lot of opponents are extremely respectful before and after games. That’s really unique -- to have the

opportunity to compete and express what my faith means at the same time.” Wolfe and Hays both said that despite how hard everyone works on the team, some people still don’t acknowledge the legitimacy of the team. Hays said the boys that come to play are kept to a high standard, from grade checks to dress codes. He said his group is most definitely a competitive team that puts diligence into everything they are expected to do. “They don’t just show up on Tuesdays and Fridays and play basketball,” Hays said. “We practice four times a week, travel for weekend tournaments, and face serious competition. Not only does it take a massive time commitment to make it at MCS, but it requires character, desire, and hard-work. This isn’t community center basketball.” MCS’s record is at 12 wins and 5 losses. They have earned various achievements, such as finishing second in the Flames Invitational this year, beating their biggest rival Calvary Baptist last year, and ending the season by playing a game at the Little Caesars arena in Detroit. They are also

undefeated in conference play (5-0). Maschino is on his second year of playing with MCS, and said these accomplishments are granted by the team’s ability to bond together in order to work as efficiently as possible. He said their aptitude to have fun together is also a positive benefit with playing on the team. “The best thing about the team is the bonds we have made with each other,” Maschino said. “We’re able to have fun, mutually respect each other, and work hard all at the same time.” Maschino, along with Wolfe have been inspired by not only their love of Christ, but also by Hay’s coaching, their love for basketball, and the family-like connection that is between the other team members. The churchly atmosphere proves to be the key difference between MHS and MCS basketball, as the intensity, dedication, and necessary rigor are shared between the two. “We all work hard and want to win,” Wolfe said. “We all wish to do our best and I think that attribute pushes us to win, more than anything else.”

March 9, 2018

FOCUS

in-school issues

Illustration: Noah Jacobson

The Focus addresses:

attendance policy

MHS removed the attendance policy at the beginning of the school year, and re-implemented it at semester. Although attendance is important, the policy inappropriately takes responsibility away from students.

bsences and their relation to poor grades has been a battle Midland Public Schools has been continuously fighting. On February 7, MPS reinstated its old attendance policy, with the only differences being minor clarifications. At the beginning of this school year, MPS had implemented a new policy in response to legislation that prohibits schools from correlating grades and attendance. In previous years, all students who exceed a total of ten, excused and unexcused, absences per semester were required to earn a 70 percent or higher on the class exam in order to receive credit for the class. For the first semester,MPS revoked this exam requirement. Consequently, there was a substantial increase in absences, causing faculty to worry staff that students’ grades would suffer. After reviewing the legislation with school attorneys, MPS reached the conclusion that the old policy was not breaking the law as they had previously

editorial

thought, and they made the decision to reinstate it at the beginning of second semester. This reinstatement has generated discussion on whether or not this attendance policy is the best solution for decreasing student absences. The Focus Editorial Board, by a vote of seven to three, believes that the exam requirement is not the best solution. Although an required attendance policy is valid, we believe basing grades on absences should occur by a case-by-case basis. The exam requirement is especially unnecessary for seniors. They should be given the responsibility to be present in class, since this is the same expectation that they’ll have after high school. After graduation, they will be accountable to arrive at their classes or jobs on time, so giving them the responsibility while they’re still in high school would better prepare them. Additionally, the Focus is concerned that for students

who frequently skip class, having the threat of the exam requirement would not stop them. We think that the current policy does not take into consideration the multitude of reasons for a student’s absence. For students whose families need them to babysit, work during the day, or for students who cannot walk or receive a ride to school, being consistently present may not be an option for them. And if they aren’t capable of attending school, it would be unfair to require them to pass an exam for class credit. On the other hand, the Focus does acknowledge benefits of having this exam requirement. It can motivate students to perform well in their classes and to be wary of how often they are absent. Even if only one student stops missing class to not have to take the exam, the Focus believes that the policy proves to be a success. The required exam will also show that a student has learned and retained the material

throughout the semester, ensuring that a student can’t earn a grade that they don’t deserve. It sets a relatively fair standard for students, and still lets those who earn a 70 percent or higher keep the grade they received during the semester. Our suggested solution is for the administration to recognize that each student’s reason for missing class is unique, and those who cannot come to school should not be punished like those who simply skip class. To ensure that each student is receiving the appropriate treatment, the Focus suggests that their teachers should decide if the student should have to take the required exam, based on their performance and contribution to the classes that they’ve exceeded ten absences. If teachers could decide if a student had to take the required exam, this would lead to a better school environment for the students who can’t control how many absences they have, while still punishing the students who choose not to come to class.

March 9, 2018

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The biggest night for film comes once a year. With this year’s Academy Awards being held last weekend, here’s a look at the true winners and losers in our minds. Opinion Editor Danielle Julien | Staff Writer Noah Jacobson

showtime

PICTURE

worst With all good things comes bad

things. And with bad things comes, well, terrible things. That brings us to the worst film nominated for Best Picture. And that terrible thing is the movie Darkest Hour. I have no clue how it could even be nominated for such a prestigious award, except for the fact that it is set in England and Americans love that place. There are good moments of cool lighting and camera angles, but all in all just thinking about it makes me cringe. It’s two hours and five minutes of gloomy shots of Britain and a fat, old, gross Gary Oldman being angry. I love the topic of the film; Winston Churchill’s job as Prime Minister during World War II, specifically focusing on his call on Operation Dynamo, otherwise known as Dunkirk, but if the man who plays Winston Churchill is bad, then you’ve ruined the entire movie. And that’s just what they’ve done.

ACTRESS worst Meryl Streep is by far the worst

actress to be nominated for best Actress this year. She didn’t even do anything in her film The Post. Unlike her fellow nominees like Margot Robbie, who had to learn how to ice skate like an Olympic athlete, and Sally Hawkins, who had to learn sign language, Streep didn’t have to do anything to be her character. And that’s the whole thing about acting, right? You’re supposed to play the difficult characters to challenge you, and I can name a lot of actresses who should have been nominated instead of her. Sure, she’s powerful on and off the screen, but Streep usually plays “powerful” female characters. It’s getting boring. Please be someone else next time, Meryl. We want to see new and exciting things.

ACTOR

PICTURE best Although it was a tough race between

The Shape of Water and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, I believed that Martin McDonagh’s Three Billboards was going to win the award. McDonagh’s Three Billboards is a disturbing look at the power and destruction of anger. After the body of her daughter is found on the side of the road, Mildred Hayes puts up three billboards, hence the title, pushing the police to find her daughter’s killer. The things that makes this film worthy of the title best picture is its themes of revenge and recovery, and its actors. Frances McDormand (Mildred), Woody Harrelson (Willoughby), and Sam Rockwell (Dixon) beautifully and wholeheartedly encapsulate their characters, even with their issues. McDonagh uses each of the characters feelings to progress the film’s seething themes of anger and revenge. The film leaves its audience unnerved.

SOUNDTRACK

worst See, I understand that the violin is

supposed to be elegant and all, but 55 minutes of squeals doesn’t scream poise. Jonny Greenwood surprisingly brings together an obnoxiously tedious spread in the Phantom Thread. Obviously, the most efficient way to reel in an Oscar nominated soundtrack is to simply jumble together the most repetitive audio files stored on your junior piano from third grade and overlay it with some violin, because, of course, it’s violin. Classic. The critics will absolutely die for the identical sound structure of each piece - or so it is projected. As a radiohead fan myself, I believe that Greenwood fell into this trap of a belief. While some may feel that you can’t achieve a classic phantom feel with the nagging of a constant crescendo of a screeching violin, I will speak for the rest of us and say, it is truly time to switch it up.

SOUNDTRACK

best This is always one of the most difficult

categories to choose a winner in, and this year was no different. Most of the actors nominated took on their role so well, but the man who I think deserved the award the most is Daniel Kaluuya. Before his role as Chris Washington in Jordan Peele’s thriller Get Out, Kaluuya had smaller roles in many different TV shows and films. Within Get Out, Kaluuya showed how talented of an actor he is. He showed us love, terror, and anger within the film, and made girls swoon all over the world. Ever since the release of the film, people have been talking about Kaluuya, and the praise he is receiving is well deserved. Out of every man nominated, I would say Kaluuya busted his butt the most. He worked with an excellent director to make a complex, twisting and turning story a thrill to watch. And if people can’t see how miraculous Kaluuya is, it’s their loss.

best

Alexandre Desplat, a french film composer, is credited with the composition of soundtracks such as Fantastic Mr. Fox, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2, and The Grand Budapest Hotel. Despite the consistent overall monotonic consistency, The Shape of Water’s soundtrack, in comparison with other Oscar nominations, serves to entertain ideas of captivation in terms of assorted styles and sounds. Opening with You’ll Never Know, the production audience is given a light hearted taste of the era that they bought a ticket to see, while simultaneously projecting love into the air. Tracks suggest an eerie atmosphere, contributing to overall story structure. Following with variety such as The Creature and The Silence of Love, I reckon that these pieces serve to put a spin on each scene - using a diverse range of tempos and instruments to accurately portray the 1960s.

ACTOR

worst Gary Oldman is recognized around

the globe for his roles in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Batman: The Dark Night and The Fifth Element. Despite the opinions of many, I find Oldman’s performance in Darkest Hour to be somewhat dry; similar to how you don’t take your ranting grandfather at the family barbeque very seriously. Playing Winston Churchill, Oldman has failed to develop a fully rounded character. Oldman seemed to have lost pursuing any sense of depth by arranging full devotion on nailing voice; essentially saying his lines as if he was wearing a broken hearing aid. While his execution of lines are perfectly in order, having one tone of voice seems to drain the emotion out of any person, much less any actor. Yeah, some chunks of lines convey an accurate Churchill, but, his work could be better served sitting on a barstool at the impressions comedy club.

ACTRESS best Lacking words, Sally Hawkins

developed such an intricate persona in facial expressions alone. Hawkins recently made her big break in The Shape of Water after starring in lesser known films such as Maudie and Blue Jasmine.. Rather than dialogue, Director Guillermo del Toro opens the window for a peek of Hawkin’s personality in her curiosity and boldness as she sneaks past set boundaries to get a closer look at the “creature,” An exemplar bubbly spirit is drilled across after her admirable execution of the enjoyably cliche mop-dancing routine. The Shape of Water is the ultimate mashup of science fiction geeks and rabid John Green freaks; and Hawkins oddly seems to accurately represent both sides of the spectrum with her awkward stature while simultaneously displaying an inevitably accepting spirit after breaking barriers to fall in love.

Oddly enough, our opinions didn’t exactly line up with those of the elite critiques harboring membership within the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.While many of our picks didn’t win in their categories, we can agree that many of those who won were deserving. Guillermo del Toro and the cast and crew of The Shape of Water worked very hard to make such a heartfelt story, and Frances McDormand did great in Three Billboards. The world may just never understand the thought process behind awarding Oldman.

Illustrations: Noah Jacobson

opinion

March 9, 2018

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March 9, 2018

opinion

showtime

PICTURE

worst With all good things comes bad

ACTRESS worst Meryl Streep is by far the worst

ACTOR

PICTURE best Although it was a tough race between

SOUNDTRACK

worst See, I understand that the violin is

SOUNDTRACK

best This is always one of the most difficult

best

ACTOR

worst Gary Oldman is recognized around

ACTRESS best Lacking words, Sally Hawkins

Illustrations: Noah Jacobson

opinion

March 9, 2018

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March 9, 2018

opinion

death by bunk bed Hope O’Dell LUCIA RUIZ Junior I wouldn’t say the language [is the hardest thing about the exchange], because it is something you can learn, but probably the acceptation of the people who live here. Sometimes, because you’re different, they can react a little bit scared of you.

SAM LONGLET Sophomore In November, I was accepted to Rotary. It was during this weekend of very intense interviews that were designed to make you stressed-out. I remember going into the room after the interview and they said, ‘Well Sam, we would like to welcome you into Rotary Youth Exchange Program.’ That was awesome.

h u m a n s

o f

MIDLAND HIGH 20

opinion

unk beds can kill. The supports can snap and crush me like some medieval torture device. At least, that’s what I thought at five years old, lying in the bottom half of the paint-chipped royal blue SpiderMan bunk bed I shared with my twin brother, Zach. My life was only in danger at Mom’s, at Dad’s we had our own rooms. I don’t remember how long my parents were separated--I was five, time was weird back then. What I do remember was the anxiety. Between my parents fighting, missing Mom when I was at Dad’s, missing Dad when I was at Mom’s, and the inevitability of death by bunk bed, I was a mess. Once everything was okay and Mom moved back in, things seemed to be back to normal. Kind of. I don’t know what happened to that godforsaken bunk bed, but I never saw it again. While the killer bunk bed didn’t stay, the anxiety did. For the most part it was a faint nervousness as I grew from an awkward toddler into an even more awkward kid. I ignored the nervous spiders in my chest every time I walked into the girls’ bathroom at the Westown softball fields dressed in my uniform, ponytail tight. My chest would get tight when daughters tugged on their mothers’ shirts and whisper, “Mommy, why is there a boy in the girls bathroom?” I know I looked like I belonged at the baseball fields, and every time I was reminded of it behind my back, I tightened my ponytail to match the feeling in my chest. In my golden years of grossness--middle school--the anxiety turned into a full-on infestation. I would lay in bed at night with a flashlight tucked under my chin reading whatever I could get my hands on that would make me forget the truth until I was so tired that I passed out rather than fell asleep. Or, I would lay in bed and tell myself that I just loved my best friend like a sister. Sure, I wanted to kiss her, but in a sisterly way. Anything to exterminate the anxiety. When I turned 14, reading and denial couldn’t cut it anymore. My anxiety had gotten smarter while my rationale was still stupid. I’m gay, and this

secret ate at me from the chest down. So I came out in a whirlwind of mumbles and stumbles and the anxiety was gone. For now. But not for long. It came back when I turned 15. I stayed up until 3 a.m. watching The Office, living vicariously through Jim and Pam, because my love-life as a hormonal, angsty high-schooler wasn’t working out like it does in the rom-coms. This method of distraction until loss of consciousness worked for a while, but unlike my anxiety, its effectiveness was temporary. When I was 17, I asked my mom to book an appointment for me. An appointment with a therapist. No questions asked, she booked it for a Wednesday at 3:45 at Family and Child Services. When the Monday before my appointment came, I chickened out. I told my mom that I was too busy with school and going to the appointment would only make me more anxious. In reality, I was too anxious about the appointment. I got too anxious to go to therapy for my anxiety. Talk about irony. I went back to my temporary methods. For a while, I didn’t need them. Life was good--or as good as it can get for a high-schooler. My anxiety disappeared. Now, as a supposed adult, I am reliant on these methods more than ever. Four hours of sleep is considered a good night for me. I couldn’t even take a package to UPS over Christmas break. I had to ask my mom to do it for me after avoiding it for a month, because I was too afraid of a slightly awkward exchange. And tonight, just like every other night, I will lay awake with a copy of Bob Dylan’s biography or every season of The Office downloaded onto my iPad. I will hold onto my stuffed bunny in hopes that it will stop the infestation, that the soccer uniform on my plush bedmate will turn into an exterminator costume and get rid of it for once and for all. But that hasn’t happened yet. Bunk beds can kill. The supports can snap, crushing me like some medieval torture device. They probably won’t. But they might. November 17, 2017

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Take It or Leave It

the show must go wrong

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

TAKE IT

Jenna Spencer

t’s finally that time again. The coming of a season for theater: high schools begin preparing to put on spring shows, dance studios all over start choreographing for their recitals, professional broadway shows are opening up in New York City. It’s the coming time of perfection, making sure that everything runs smoothly. That everyone knows what to do and when, that costumes fit, and that everything is going, well, perfect. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying before“The show must go on”. It basically means that no matter what happens, you can’t stop performing. With the coming of this season, many performers are all hoping that it’s a time where you will never hear the phrase “the show must go on,” directed at your show. But maybe, the phrase should be “The show must go wrong,” and that it would be used pretty frequently. For me, at least. Because no matter how hard you try to get things perfect, no matter how many rehearsals go perfectly, trust me, something will go wrong when it’s performance time. It’s always going to be something completely random, too. On one of our recital days, a performer’s partner said that he wouldn’t be able to make it to the show. She had to scramble to teach a new partner his part less than an hour before showtime. I went to see a professional broadway singer once. He told us that he was going to be performing one of his favorite songs. The first verse was going great, but then there was this awkward pause. He walked over to talk to his pianist, came back to the microphone, and proceeded to tell us that he had forgotten the lyrics. He ended up looking them up on his phone, holding it in his hand to use as reference as he redid the song. I once lost a costume the day of our first recital. It was a scene with glow-in-the-dark props, so we had to wear all black outfits. But I lost my black outfit. Of course, I didn’t realize it until I went to change during the

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March 9, 2018

All-Star basketball player Kobe Bryant received an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film, ‘Dear Basketball.’

LEAVE IT short intermission, and that dance was the first one. Cue my mad panic to find it. Shoutout to my sister who had an extra shirt backstage which she let me borrow. My friend and I were leading the little kids offstage, but we had to go behind the curtain in the back to get to the dressing room. It was already a tight squeeze because in one spot there was a fog machine a few inches from the curtain. My friend ended up getting her costume stuck on the fog machine, but it was so dark I couldn’t get her unhooked. Thankfully a stage hand came by and used a flashlight on his phone and helped us out, and a lady in the dressing room hot glued her costume back together. I watched a youtube video of another broadway actor. During on of the shows, he forgot the lyrics to one of his songs (before the album came out, so no one in the audience knew the lyrics yet). He just sang the same verse over and over again for the rest of the song. Even if no one knew the lyrics, it would definitely have raised a few eyebrows. But sometimes it’s outside factors. I was at a show at the Center for the Arts when the fire alarm went off in the middle of a song. Everyone had to go stand outside in the middle of winter for five minutes while they checked the building. Not exactly the definition of a perfect show. Basically, something going wrong during a performance is inevitable.Costumes will be sewn backstage, lyrics and words and dances will be forgotten, cues will be missed. You just have to come up with a back up plan. Think quick on your feet, and hope the audience doesn’t know. You can’t prepare for it, no matter how hard you might try. Like I said, it’s always something that you never think would happen. Because after all, the show must go on.

TAKE IT

Fights broke out as white nationalist Richard Spencer gave a speech at Michigan State on March 5.

LEAVE IT

Black Panther, the first Marvel movie to have a majorityblack cast, broke box office records.

A late-February DNA study has recently proved that wild horses no longer exist.

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opinion

the up and comers

Maureen Aloff ELENA ORDENES Junior The simplicity of the town [is what I like most about Midland]. I come from a big city and the fact that here there’s mostly houses and neighborhoods where you can go for a walk or a bike ride and feel safe energizes me. I like the hidden corners that Midland has and I can’t wait to keep discovering them.

MADISON ROBERTS Senior I’m really excited for all of the new experiences I will have while I’m in Turkey. I think the Middle East is perceived negatively by Americans in general so I’m excited to have this opportunity to form my own opinion and see it for myself.

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MIDLAND HIGH 22

opinion

haky handheld footage showed a group of students huddled in the corner of a classroom, not five feet to their right was one of their classmates on the ground. In a pool of her own blood the girl remained unmoving as another injured student was carried out by a police officer. The remaining students were escorted into the hall where the video shows four or five more bodies, limp on the floor. The students are told to run to the door, leaving behind a school forever changed by the events that unfolded that day. This was a video taken by a student inside Stoneman Douglas High School. A wave of shock passed though the nation as the news of the massacre reached every television screen and every smartphone. At first, I was numb to it, as if it wasn’t real, until I watched this video. I realized that that pool of blood was the first time I had seen real blood in such volume. This horrible realization woke me up. Most people, including myself, assume that death will come after long, full lives have been lived. We will be laying in our beds surrounded by our sons and daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren, taking our last, calm breath, and drifting off peacefully. This was not true for the 17 students and staff murdered at Stoneman Douglas on Feb. 14 in Parkland, Florida. That video was what finally made it real for me. I felt betrayed and scared. I did not fear that Midland High would be shot up, I feared that the changes necessary to prevent situations like this would never come. Conservative public figures shouted “Respect the dead!” and “Their bodies haven’t even gone cold and you’re politicizing their deaths,” but the students of Stoneman Douglas shouted back for one thing: change. They’re still shouting. Emma Gonzalez, an 18-year-old student at the school, delivered an 11-minute speech in Fort Lauderdale only two days after the tragedy. “He wouldn’t have hurt that many students with a knife” she said after wiping tears from her eyes. Yes, tears of sorrow and pain, but

tears also of passion and valor. Gonzalez’s bravery and message reached millions. The most impactful part of Gonzalez’s speech was the repetition of the line, “We call BS.” Never had I heard a line more fitting. We call BS on the continuation of unrestricted firearm sales. We call BS on the politicians sitting on Capitol Hill, doing and saying nothing. We call BS on the lack of change following every tragedy like this one in America. We call BS. Gonzalez’s words brought me hope but they also made me realize something. My generation has the power to inflict the change that I feared would never come. We are the up and comers in engineering, medicine, marketing, and politics, and we can and we will make the changes this nation needs. Anyone from my generation can make a difference if they choose to, and the students from Stoneman Douglas have done exactly that. They have forced a CNN town hall, pressured Marco Rubio and Trump for comments and changes to regulations, pushed NRA advisors to resign, and raised millions to “March for their Lives.” These children (most of them under the age of 18) have been a pivotal part of the conversation following the shooting. It is inspiring. Many adults have tried to write the actions of the children off as naive and ignorant, but how naive can they be having been the ones who have suffered. How can someone the same age as these “naive children” legally buy an automatic firearm when he couldn’t even legally buy a beer? In the wake of the Parkland tragedy, I have seen exactly what my generation is capable of. We will not be bullied into submission. We will not be scared into silence. We will change America. This has been the stepping stone of revolution and this will not be the only change my generation inflicts upon america. It is clear that some of the older generations are not ready for change but change from generation to generation is inevitable. So to all those who call for a stagnant society, I call BS. December 15, 2017

FOCUS

foreign policy Fischer Genau

e, as a nation, have cast aside basic morality when it comes to our attitude towards foreign nations, turning inwards and valuing our own exuberant lifestyles over humanitarian needs. Now foreign policy is an issue with a number of factors to consider, and hours of media coverage, fierce political debate, and heated tweets from our own President convolute and distort the matter further. But ultimately, it comes down to simple moral principle. Psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg devised a scenario called “Heinz’s Dilemma,” and I believe that it carries a great deal of insight to the pressing, sensitive, and hotly-contested matter I just mentioned. It goes as such: A man’s wife is dying slowly, agonizingly, from a curable disease. A nearby pharmacist had manufactured a drug capable of curing the woman, but he was charging ten times what the drug costs to make, and the man could not afford it. Despite the man’s pleas, and offers to pay what little money he had, the pharmacist wouldn’t concede. Finally, the man broke into the pharmacy, seizing the drug for his wife and saving her. Of course we wonder if he was right to commit this crime. He may have violated written law, but he did so to save a life. After all, the pharmacist was acting out of greed, unable to cede his right to capital for the right of a woman to live. General consensus among youth finds that ultimately, the man was in the right, as the right to life largely outweighs the pharmacist’s desire for money. While stealing is widely considered to be wrong, the man’s actions were justified under the circumstances. The majority of students in my psychology class arrived at this conclusion when presented with said scenario. Morality dictates the preservation of a human life, along with their hopes, dreams, aspirations, and potential, rather than the selfish interests of someone in a position of wealth. Take this very same principle, and apply it to our foreign policy. A group of African citizens, hailing from impoverished countries, robs a string of pharmacies in the United States. They break in and steal a stockpile of pharmaceuticals, bringing them back to their homeland to help heal and cure their sick, as they lack sufficient

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March 9, 2018

resources to do so by other means. We would likely retaliate, bringing “justice” to these thieves and attempting to restore what they stole, as their actions violated established law. However, majority rule just deemed this course of action to be morally correct. This “band of thieves,” if you will, had a mission to preserve human life, taking from a rich and chiefly self-serving population to serve the better interests of the misfortuned. And don’t hastily argue that these pharmacies may have been run by good, decent-hearted people who are simply providing for themselves and perhaps their families and don’t deserve such misfortune. By global economic standards, they are living in abundance and wealth. The average U.S. pharmacist makes upwards of $100,000 a year, while the average Ethiopian citizen makes only $660. Of course we are unlikely to withstand a large scale invasion from a troop of foreign Robin Hoods, but I say this to outline the contradiction between our country’s global policy and our understanding of morality. We are the pharmacist, and the desperately sick and starving are the woman. We may balk at the greed of the pharmacist, clinging on to his stores and neglecting to reach out and save someone, but truly are no better. We would rather covet and hoard our resources, resources capable of helping so many, than risk any fiscal consequences of carrying out the actions that morality demands of us. Now, we manage to appease our conscience by observing charitable efforts overseas, perhaps contributing a sliver of our own hardearned salary to the cause. For no matter how many wells we dig, or medical relief efforts we organize, we are depriving those in need of our vast stores of resources. We cling on to them, and let our power to save lives go to waste. A human’s right to life trumps any selfserving agenda that another may harbor, and I think we know this to be true, yet continue to turn a blind eye to the widespread need of fellow men and women on this planet. We’d rather close our borders, truncate relief efforts, and sit smugly on towering piles of riches, sweeping up loose change into charities and patting ourselves on the back for it.

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

the

Midland High School | March 9, 2018 | Volume 40, Issue 6 k

Young Activist Junior Adia Haynes has been trying to start a conversation in Midland about race. through activism and awareness.

Teacher Shortage At te n d a n c e Po l i c y Military Recruitment

B ow l i n g