March 31st issue

THE

FOCUS Midland High School | March 31, 2017 | Volume 39, Issue 7

Leland Blue The band recently recorded a song that will be available on Apple Music. pg. 5

Scholarships

Robotics Team

Emancipated Students

8-9 12-13 15

Fischer Genau | Photo

CONTENTS OPINION

3 Emancipated Students:

The Focus discusses students emancipating themselves from their parents.

volume 39 issue 7

24 Spring Break at Home:

FEATURES

A&E

The Robotics team competes in the FIRST Robotics competition.

A look at some of the best things to do in Midland for spring break.

12-13 Robotics

6 Gonzo Society:

14 Ben Hendrickson:

7 Shrek the Musical:

15 Independent Students:

Photographer Natalie Bond encourages creativity in students.

A closer look at the stars of the upcoming musical.

NEWS

8-9 Scholarships:

Senior Ben Hendrickson has lost a significant amount of weight.

Students Natalie Early and Alicia Morales live independently from their parents.

SPORTS

17

New Softball Coach: Many seniors have received Macy Merchant will be the new JV scholarships from universities for next softball coach fall.

10 BPA:

18 New Golf Coach:

11 Student-Made App:

19 New Soccer Coach:

Many BPA members qualified for nationals at the state competition.

14

Jeff Gandy will be the new boy’s varsity golf coach.

Students made a texting and driving Rodrigo Barassi will be the new coach for girl’s varsity soccer. prevention app.

ON THE COVER Leland Blue

Seniors Ben and Satchel, and junior Connor Robertson, along with MHS alumni Elliott Miller, recently recorded their single, “Sofia.” The song will be available on Apple Music. They hope to eventually create an album of original songs.

EDITORS

F

OUR MISSION

ocus, established in 1977, previously Editor-in-Chief Ella Colbert the Vic Tribune, established in 1936, is Managing Editor Maddy O’Callaghan the official school newspaper for Midland Photo & Design Editor Kayla Graham High. Focus is published monthly by the Features Editor Sonja Anderson journalism classes at Midland High and is News Editor Gwynne Özkan distributed free of charge. It is a member Sports Editor Kady Volmering of the Michigan Interscholastic Press A&E Editor Hope O’Dell Association (MIPA). Adviser membership Opinion Editor Ellie Jensen also includes the Journalism Education Ads Coordinator Hailey Surbrook Association (JEA). Focus is designed Exchange Editor Hayley Russell as a forum for student expression and Web Editor-in-Chief Jonah Dykhuizen as a realistic lab experience. Focus, Managing Web Editor Josh Danielson however, reserves the right to contest Web Photo & Design Fischer Genau the challenge of an administrator who Adviser Jim Woehrle attempts to censor and/or remove an Printer Midland Daily News article or graphic element.

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12-13

10

18

Editorial

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OP/ED

Emancipation can be beneficial

ome minors choose to emancipate themselves from their parents and live on their own. To be emancipated means to set a child free from the authority of their parents. To emancipate oneself is a very long legal process. Within in the school there are a few students who have been emancipated, some through marriage and some by choice. These students can choose to live on their own due to a number of reasons.

They could be living in a dangerous situation, or in some situations they have children and are married as minors.

At the age 16, minors can live on their own if they have a stable source of income; but until the age of 17, minors can be forced back to their homes if they are declared at-risk. At the age of 16, a minor can also get married or join a civil union with the consent of their parents, which automatically emancipates that minor.

According to the state of Michigan, minors can emancipate themselves if the minor’s parents do not object. If the minor’s parents do object, the minor can still be emancipated if the parent is not

financially supporting them and the minor can handle their own financial, social, and personal affairs; and if they understand their responsibilities as an emancipated person.

Being an emancipated minor allows that minor to live on their own and obtain the majority of rights that an adult has. They can live on their own, keep the money they earn, register themselves for school, get married, make a will, authorize their own health care, enter contracts (including leases), conduct business, sue someone or be sued by someone, apply for medical (including Medicaid), apply for welfare, and make decisions in regards to their own child.

Some people question if minors should be able to live on their own or emancipate themselves.

The Focus believes that as long as they can support themselves, minors should be able to live on their own. In order to be granted emancipation, you have to prove that you can function as an adult in society. Often times minors emancipate themselves to get out of a living situation that is unhealthy or dangerous. When minors are

forced to stay in an unhealthy Student Opinions living environment it could have a negative impact on their grades. If a minor can support themselves on their own, it will also teach them to be more responsible compared to living with their parents.

We realize that many teenagers are prone to changing their minds often, so they could regret choosing Freshman Cole Mcgraw to emancipate themselves later in life, but if these students are "Not really, because you’re emancipating themselves to get still going to need a parent to out of a dangerous living situation, then it is for the better that they get watch you in case something themselves out of it. Also, many of screws up and you don’t know these students have a child or are how to fix it" married, so they are taking on the responsibilities of a parent.

Overall, as long as students can support themselves and can prove that they are responsible, minors should be able to emancipate themselves. It helps to teach them responsibility, how to support themselves, and it can get them out of a dangerous living Senior Brynn Rhode situation, which can help their grades improve. As long as the can "Yes, depending on their home minor recognize the newfound life it might be better for responsibilities of living on their them." own, and it will be beneficial to 3 | FOCUS | MARCH 31, 2017 | mhsfocus.com them.

THE BULLETIN @riley_maksymiu “Cats are human beings too <3”

“Ok I’m calling it. East high wildcats vs west high knights in the final two. Might as well throw your brackets away now, boys” @erikagafke

5 THINGS TO MAKE YOU FEEL SMART 1. The highest point in Pennsylvania is lower than the lowest point in Colorado.

2. You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching TV. 3.The most common name in the world is Mohammed.

4. There are twice as many kangaroos in Australia as there are people.

5. A lion’s roar can be heard from five miles

Album: More Life Artist: Drake Date Released: March 18 Rating: Drake’s new album is a mixture of his old style with new upbeat verses

NEWS BRIEF:

via Instagram

Courtney Keyser, Elizabeth Parsons, and Jonas Morey recieving their first place award in Global Marketing at BPA states on March 19. They will be competing at nationals in Orlando, Florida along with 21 other MHS Students. Fischer Genau | Photo

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Song: Chanel Artist: Frank Ocean Date Released: March 10 Rating: The first single Frank Ocean has released since his 2016 album, Blonde, “Chanel” is a mix of catchy lyrics and moving vocals that you can’t help but to sing along with

A&E

OUT OF THE BLUE The band Leland Blue is taking their musical talents to another level by recording their own debut single.

Fischer Genau|Web Editor & Hadley Morden|Staff Writer & Theo Rammidi|Staff Writer

I

The never-changing core of the band; Ben, Connor, and Satchel Robertson.

Fischer Genau | Photo

n a matter of weeks, a high school musical group could have a professional audience of millions, albeit a digital one.

Midland High seniors Ben Robertson and Satchel Robertson, junior Connor Robertson, and Midland High alumnus Elliot Miller recently recorded their very own original song as the band Leland Blue. They are excited to do what few have by entering the studio at such a young age.

Leland Blue plans to expand their opportunities on stage in the near future, reaching people and establishing relationships.

“Being successful is a matter of networking; you need a lot of connections. Once we start getting stuff out there, that is really what is going to get us the gigs,” Ben, the lead singer and lead guitarist for the band, said.

By producing their own song, the members of Leland Blue now have a demo track that they can send to potential venues or festivals. The band currently has a show scheduled at Patchworks Music Festival in Saginaw this summer, and intend to schedule more performances.

“It’ll probably start out pretty slow but I want to start playing and start building up some kind of following,” said Connor, the drummer for Leland Blue (who occasionally sings harmonies and plays rhythm guitar).

The band’s debut track, “Sofia,” will appear on most major music platforms, including iTunes, Spotify, and Apple Music. The recording process took place at Reed Recording Company in Bay City, Michigan.

“We only recorded one song, and had a six hour block in the studio to do so," Ben said. "We were able to record all the parts and get a bit of mixing done.

According to Connor, the recording process is lengthy and extensive.

“It’s a lot of takes to get it right; drum sound is very important to me so I auditioned a bunch of different types of drums to get the sound down,” Connor said.

The brothers have been writing their own music for years before they reached a point where they felt ready to take their work to a studio.

“I’ve been trying to write original music since I’ve been playing guitar, but only recently have we come up with

tunes that we actually like,” Ben said.

Connor has written the lyrics for their original work so far, and begins the song writing process by first developing a chord progression on an acoustic guitar and composing words on top of that.

“Once I have the full song on an acoustic guitar, I bring it to the rest of the band and hear their take and what they add to it," Connor said. "Hearing all the parts come together, I think that’s super cool."

Ben and Miller alternate between adding solos to their songs in order to balance the spotlight between the two guitarists.

Miller is the most recent addition to the group, as the Robertsons have been playing together since sixth grade, with other band members entering and leaving the group since that time. Miller was known by the other band members for a time before beginning to perform with them at open mic nights at the Loch Coffee Company.

"Music has been my main passion and release for as long as I can remember," Miller said. "It calms me and forces me to not think about any troubles in life."

“When Ben, Elliot, and I would play

together, or just Ben and Elliot, it was pretty obvious that there was some chemistry, musically,” Connor said.

All four band members are united by their love for music, and are able to partake in a unique experience in composing their songs.

“It’s been really sweet watching something we create come to life,” Ben said.

Although each musician has yet to see their dreams come to fruition, they enjoy the pursuit of them.

“Even if I don't become a rock star, I am still going to play to the best of my ability at all times. It's what I like doing,” Satchel said. “I never was one for the attention, I just really like playing my bass. If it ends up getting me famous somehow, I'd be absolutely be fine with it.”

Each band member will continue to play regardless of their future careers.

“Even if I end up doing something else with my life, music is always going to be there,” Ben said.

Leland Blue tweaks their song “Sofia” at Reed Recording Studio. Connor Robertson | Photo Courtesy

Connor plucks out a melody on one of his family’s many guitars in the band’s studio. Fischer Genau | Photo

Bonded through blood. Ben and Connor are brothers, and Satchel is their cousin. Fischer Genau | Photo

Ben and Connor groove with their former band at Party on McCarty in Saginaw. Fischer Genau | Photo

Leland Blue Instagram @lelandblueofficial

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A&E

BONZO FOR GONZO Photographer Natalie Bond has enlisted high school students to help her new growing business expand. Hayley Russell|Exchange Editor & Anna Wright|Staff Writer

S

ocial media has helped photographer Natalie Bond connect with high school students.

Last year, she was asked to photograph for the school production of To Kill A Mockingbird. After that, she wanted to create a group where high schoolers could come together with the freedom of creating art and inspiring each other.

“I want to teach people to get along with other artists and understand that we all can be more creative when we are together,” Bond said. “Also competition between artists, the most helpful relationships were when we were all cheering for each other, when people are competitive dwindles of creative energy.”

Bond’s goal is getting people who are artistic to have an outlet to let that creativity shine. From Bond’s perspective, she knew that high schoolers were all over social media. This is a perfect way for Bond to get more recognition in the community, and get more people familiar with her work. She has a websitephotolodico.com-where she shows her work and promote her business.

“High schoolers don’t have enough money to pay for shoots usually,” Bond said. “They have lots of creative ideas and they are all over social media. It is a good way to advertise and to connect with people. It is a great way to be creative and to push ourselves artistically.”

This past summer, Bond contacted sophomore LeVale Walker, via Instagram, for a photo shoot. Walker was hesitant but told her that he would be up for the photo shoot.

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“When I got in front of Natalie's camera for the first time, it was intimidating,” Walker said. “Every time it got easier.

The third time, I was confident. It didn't just show in photos, it showed it in my personality as well. I was more confident in myself. Photography and being around good people can do that to you.”

Freshman Kaitlyn Bremer fell in love with Bond’s posts on Instagram. They got in contact, and in November, Bremer and Bond had a photo shoot.

“We just started talking because I really admired her artistic view on things,” Bremer said. “The more we talked, we decided we needed a database for teenagers to go to express their creative ideas.”

Through this involvement with high school students, Bond created the Gonzo Society, place where there is no drama, and people are bouncing ideas off from one another. This past February was the first meeting. Walker, Bremer, Bond, and other high school students met in a field at the Chippewa Nature Center, to capture shots of movement, music and color. “ We a r e t a l k i n g a b o u t d e e p e r meanings,” Bond said. “You can come and just have fun, and not think about the deeper stuff, but for those of us that enjoy that we will be talking about isolation and how to connect with people at the first meeting. We are talking about issues that are important to humanity.”

During the shoot, Walker was in charge of directing people in the field, and invited people to participate. Bremer organized who was coming from a

The Gonzo Society gathered together to take photos on a playground despite the rain on March 26th. Anna Wright| Photo Google form, and finalized the time and date that best worked for everyone.

Bond had The Loch coffee shop bring hot chocolate to warm the people who showed up throughout the shoot.

“We want to get people who don’t feel like they have a place to express their art,” Bremer said. “We want more awareness for it because it is such a cool thing. It is a great place to make people feel like they belong and are able to talk about whatever is on their minds.”

The society got its name from “gonzo journalism,” which is when a journalist inserts his or herself into the story. Bond feels that is how she takes pictures.

She interacts with people while she photographs.

“The Gonzo Society is where we are all bringing something personal to it, and it is all part of my experience,” Bond said.

“Everyone is personally involved in it, and there is not objectivity going on. It is all a mess of everyone projecting their own stuff.”

In the future, Bond hopes that more high school students get involved. Bond is grateful for having this opportunity to take pictures. Bremer enjoys meeting new people with the same interests as her, much like Bond, and contrasting ideas off one another.

“That's what the Gonzo Society is about, giving everyone a chance to shine,” Walker said. “And actors love to shine, so I sent out messages to my theatre friends. It was a good mix of those who were used to the spotlight and those who had never been in it. It was refreshing to see the mix.”

A&E

MEET THE LEADS

Shrek the Musical is being performed on April 20-22 at the Bullock Creek Auditorium.

Hope O’Dell|A&E Editor & Bitsy Mammel|Staff Writer

Fletcher Nowak Shrek

Kady Booth Fiona Q: What about this role are you most excited for?

A: Fiona’s energetic personality

How long have you been performing?

Since fifth grade How many shows have you been in at MHS? Three How are you going to prepare for this role?

Develop Fiona’s personality What’s your favorite song from the show?

“Who I’d Be” or “Morning Person”

Foster [inspires me], she played “Sutton Fiona in the Broadway version but she’s an awesome person and she’s super super good, and she’s an amazing singer. I want to be her, she’s awesome.

”

Q: What about this role are you most

Drew Spencer Lord Farquaad Q: What about this role are you most

excited for?

A: Shrek’s awkward yet charming personality

A:

How long have you been performing?

Since eighth grade

How long have you been performing?

Since seventh grade

How many shows have you been in at MHS? Four

How many shows have you been in at MHS? Seven

How are you going to prepare for this role?

Practicing the songs and getting used to my own voice

How are you going to prepare for this role?

Getting knee pads, and working with my vocal coach to enhance my range.

What’s your favorite song from the show?

“Big, Bright, Beautiful World”

What’s your favorite song from the show?

“Forever” or “What’s Up Duloc”

it was my big brother, Sam, [who “Mostly inspired me], because he started doing shows. I thought it looked like fun. ”

excited for?

The comedy of the character and how similar our personalities are.

family [inspires me] because I know “My they like to see me on stage and it’s something that I enjoy. ”

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NEWS

After finishing applications, several seniors are being awarded with scholarships to major colleges and universities, with many more community scholarships to be handed out soon. Jonah Dykhuizen |Website Editorin-Chief & Danielle Julien| Staff Writer & Holly Stauffer | Staff Writer

S

electing the best, most qualified candidate to award thousands of dollars to is not a simple task, but it’s something counselor Nancy Bussineau must do many times each spring. As the head of scholarships, she has a lot of different jobs involving the creation and distribution of the hundreds of scholarships available.

“The scholarships first come to me, and then I give them to our secretary and she advertises them,” Bussineau said.

“But in some cases I’m on the committee for selecting who gets what scholarship, so I go to meetings after school and outside of school.”

The school receives scholarships from all over the community, and works to get applicants for all of them. “[Scholarships] come from all different directions,” Bussineau said. “We promote Midland Area Foundation ones, there’s some from the Midland Presbyterian Church, and Rotary Club… they just come from so many different directions this time of year.”

The counselors not only promote community scholarships, but Bussineau even helps to create new ones.

“If someone wants to establish a new scholarship, I will meet with that person and help them get it started,” Bussineau said. “Ones that I’ve helped to start are the Dostal Scholarship, which is through Delta, and the Bianca Larson scholarship through a lady at Northeast. These are all scholarships where someone has had a loved one who’s passed away and they want a scholarship in their honor. They’ll come to me and I’ll help them set up the

application and the criteria for them, and then help advertise it.”

There are specific sets of criteria for the different scholarships promoted by Midland High, and not all students may qualify for each.

“Some are financial need, some are based on grade point. Some are even based on specific field a student's going to study, like future medical students,” Bussineau said. “There are just so many, they have their own unique qualifications.”

While there a r e m a n y scholarships offered at M i d l a n d High, there are also even more provided through the Midland Area Community Foundation.

Heather Crowl is the scholarship coordinator at the MACF. She organizes the application for each scholarship season.

The MACF scholarships are a popular option for students at Midland High School. The foundation offers 293 unique scholarships and nearly $650,000 in financial aid. They received more than 400 applicants this year.

"We seem to be opening up [new] scholarships all year long," Crowl said.

"They seem to be the most popular types

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of funds, especially if there’s any kind of memorials. If a family has lost someone, if they’re going to start a fund at the foundation it tends to be a scholarship — it tends to be made in someone’s memory."

Each scholarship has a different process for selection. For the MACF scholarships, teams of local volunteers review and select applicants.

"The committees review and among the three of them they come to a consensus giving the top choices for that scholarship," Crowl said. "All we ask is that they follow the description of the scholarship as it appears online.”

The notifications f o r M A C F scholarships are released in the first week of May informing applicants whether or not they received the award.

In June, there is an award ceremony for recipients to be recognized in the community.

“It’s nice for the donors to get to meet the recipients of scholarship," Crowl said. "It’s a nice personal touch for some of them.”

Besides the many provided through the Midland community, most colleges and universities have scholarships available for incoming students or

"The more you apply for [scholarships] the better chance you have for at least getting a little bit."

Counselor Nancy Bussineau

seniors thinking about that school. These often have a higher monetary value as they are usually full ride or full tuition.

A full ride scholarship means all of their classes and dorm costs are paid for, while a full tuition only includes the class costs. They also have more specific requirements than the scholarships given through MACF or Midland High.

Senior Emily Kreusch was invited to the Centralis Scholarship Competition at Central Michigan University last fall.

She was accepted with a full tuition, and is excited to be apart of the Honors Scholar Program. She believes this is a good fit for her, as she has been heavily involved in extracurricular activities and working in the community, which is the main focus of the program. “[The Honors program] is academic based but they’re focused on making holistic students,” Kreusch said. “It’s a rigorous program but it’s about being involved in the community.”

Kreusch believes that knowing what you need to write about is the first step to filling out your applications for scholarships.

“Do your first drafts for your essay but go through it four or five more times to make sure it says what you want it to say about you,” Kreusch said. “When you’re filling out your application, make sure you describe what you did inside [clubs].

If you just say ‘I was a part of Key Club,’ then they don’t know what that means.”

Even with all of the scholarships readily available and people all over the school ready to help with them, Bussineau says fewer and fewer people

NEWS

Scholarship Recipients

Emily Kreusch

Hannah Striebel

C e n tr a l Mi c h i g a n University

Cedarville University

Scholarship: Centralis Qualifications: GPA, standardized test scores, and extracurriculars, as well as a scholarship competition Benefits: Full tuition paid, residence in Larzelere Hall

Scholarship: President's Society Fellows Qualifications: GPA, standardized test scores and general application, interview, scholarship dinner Benefits: Full tuition paid

are applying for scholarships.

“Unfortunately we have a bunch of scholarships that no one applies to,” Bussineau said. “This year we’ve got some that there’s not one applicant for, and that’s just money sitting there.”

She believes that many students fear they won’t get accepted, so they don’t even apply.

“If the criteria is that you need a 3.0 grade point average and you have a 2.9 but you meet all the other qualifications, just try anyway,” Bussineau said. “Kids are just not taking the time like they used to, to get out there and apply for

scholarships. The more you apply for [them] the better chances you have for at least getting a little bit.”

Many scholarships have multiple requirements, like grade point averages and extracurricular activities, to earn them, but some only have a few.

Senior Madeline Morgan received the Presidential scholarship to Oakland University’s honors program, and the main criteria for it was test scores.

“Oakland really values academics,” Morgan said. “I had to work hard to maintain the grade point and the test scores. It’s different, because most people

,

Madeline Morgan

Matthew Lile

Oakland University

Michigan State University

Scholarship: Scholarship: Distinguished Presidential Freshman Qualifications: Qualifications: GPA, application, and GPA, standardized test standardized test scores, application, scores competition, Benefits: Full tuition paid, residence in Oak admittance into Honors College View Hall Benefits: Full tuition paid go to competitions [for scholarships].

Doing IB and being involved academically my whole life was a big part of [getting the scholarship].”

Because the scholarship was based solely on academic achievement, Morgan felt that the straightforward requirements helped her push herself in school. Rather than focusing on aspects that other competitive scholarships are based on, she was able to dedicate her time to success in school.

“It kind of raised the stakes for me because if you go to a competition, you could get it or not, it’s depending on

who’s judicating,” Morgan said. “But for me, I knew what I had to get, so I was like, ‘if I get three A minuses this semester, I’m out,’ so it was really a lot of pressure on me.”

For Morgan, the most important thing, besides grades, to consider when applying for scholarships is knowing the requirements. “[Start] looking early so that you can plan ahead and know what you’re going to need to do,” Morgan said. “Especially if they’re looking at extracurriculars, you can get involved sooner.”

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NEWS

EMERGING LEADERS The student led BPA organization competed in the state competition on the weekend of March 17. Out of 47 students, seven teams and five individuals are moving on to the national competition in Orlando, Florida, in May. Kady Volmering|Sports Editor & Emma McLaren|Staff Writer

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unior Ethan Bruce was walking around downtown Boston with members from his BPA team last year when they got a notification stating that they had passed the preliminary round of their event, and were headed to the finals.

“We didn’t think we would make it past preliminaries at all,” Bruce said.

“After our final presentation, we got third. It was really gratifying when our name was called on stage.”

Bruce will get the chance to improve upon this place when he and 23 others go to BPA nationals in May. BPA, or Business Professionals of America, is a student led organization in which students compete against other students at a regional, state, and national competition level. The competitions are meant for students to show skills they might have in business, presentation, accounting, and computer programing.

The organization is currently advised

by Andrea Jozwiak.

“You don’t have to take a business class to be a part of BPA,” Jozwiak said.

“That’s something that students think, ‘Well I can’t be in BPA because I haven’t taken a business class yet,’ and that is not true.”

This year, 47 students qualified for the state competition which took place on the weekend of March 17, in Grand Rapids.

Bruce and his team were one of the four Midland High teams to qualify for the national competition, which will take place on May 10-14 in Orlando, Florida. A total of 24 students qualified for nations in individual or team events.

“Waiting on stage for our name to be called was nerve racking, but we obviously we were elated when we knew that we would move on,” Bruce said.

Bruce competes on a team alongside three other students in the small business management event. For this particular event, their team is given a list of external and internal challenges, and must create a plan for the business to solve these problems, which they present to the judges. His teammates are Madison Roberts, Ashton Doyle, and Carson Winter.

“We really work together well,” Bruce said. “We’ve had a lot of experience.

We know what we need to do, and we know what the judges are looking for.

Every time we present, we get a little better and learn a bit more.”

In order to prepare for the competitions, Jozwiak holds work sessions that last from 6-8pm in her classroom every Wednesday. Students can come in with their teams and work with Jozwiak on their presentation skills, or they can come in individually and work on interview skills and take old and practice tests.

“The best part of BPA is the collaboration of students,” Jozwiak said. “You’ve got your music students, drama students, academic students, and athletes coming together to collaborate to meet one goal and objective. They see each other’s strengths and they play upon those.”

To prepare for competition, Bruce and his small business management team practice their scripts frequently, and try to memorize them verbatim in order to present the information in the most fluent way.

Senior Hope Kessler also participates in BPA, and is a member of the Economic Research Team. This constitutes the team taking a stance for or against free trade policies. Then, the team must write a 7-page paper supporting a thesis and give a 7-minute presentation on the topic. Kessler and her team took first at the state competition this year and qualified for the national competition.

“We were pretty surprised and really excited,” Kessler said. “We knew we had a good paper and presentation, but it was still crazy when we were the last team on stage and got called for first place.”

Bruce said that the best parts of BPA are the competitions, because of the mix of nerves and adrenaline he feels when presenting, which is his favorite part.

“I’ve developed a lot more practical skills,” Bruce said. “I’ve gotten a lot more confident in front of judges, or just in different presentations in regular classes. I’ve also learned a ton about business and all sorts of different things relating to business.”

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Junior Ethan Bruce accpeting an award at the state competition. Fischer Genau|Photo

NEWS

ROAD TO INNOVATION

Seniors Matthew Lile, Hannah Striebel, and Ashton Doyle have been working on their project for AH Visualist Organization Award Competition by creating an app to prevent texting and driving. Paige Murphy | Staff Writer & Maddy O’Callaghan | Managing Editor & Hannah Kohtz | Staff Writer.

Hannah Striebel, Ashton Doyle and Matt Lile work on collecting data for their app during programing club. Maddy O’Callaghan | Photo

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ince last summer, Seniors Matt Lile, Hannah Striebel and Ashton Doyle have been working on their texting and driving prevention application for the AH Visualist Organization Award Competition.

The competition was started

by Arthur Nickless to encourage innovation in adolescence, and includes high schools from four counties in the region. The team was encouraged to participate by computer science teacher Bob Fox. “There’s just something about doing a real project, something that no one has ever done before, and something that is designed to help people, that impacts you,” Fox said. “It’s a project that’s bigger than you, and it forces you to take risks. It combines science and technology with writing, business, public speaking, and creativity. It’s all there, and it gives you a taste of what life is like after you’re out of school.”

The competition began with phase one, where teams choose a problem in the world that they wanted to solve and wrote a summary of their plan on how they would fix it. After that was submitted in October, 20 teams became finalists and were given $1,000 to spend on their project. With their money, the team chose to buy two phones to test their algorithm.

After, the team had to create a prototype and write a research paper that they could then present to a panel of judges.

The team’s application works as a sensor in a smartphone that can detect

facial movement. The algorithm that they have been working on since the summer is able to detect the frequency of facial movements when someone is looking at their phone while driving. If the application senses too much facial movement, it will turn off the driver’s phone.

The team wanted to do something to prevent texting and driving after Striebel was contacted by an executive

“It’s just really good hands-on experience to actually make something.”

Senior Matt Lile

who is involved with Project 111.

After Striebel and Lile participated on different teams for the same contest last year, they decided to collaborate on their computer programming skills to create something that could prevent this issue.

“It’s just really good hands-on experience to actually make something,” Lile said.

Doyle then joined the team to assist with her writing and business skills.

While Striebel has been participating in computer programing since her sophomore year, and Lile since his freshman, Doyle began taking programming this year. She feels the experience has helped her become more advanced in her programming skills.

“It’s just been really cool to see the application of computer science and programming,” Doyle said. “For me in the first year I don’t get to do a whole lot with it outside of it. But seeing what they’re doing and learning from that, and being part of this team is just really cool to have the opportunity to do these competitions that are challenging, but also really fun at the same time.”

All members found the creation of the app to be the most challenging aspect of the contest. They were able to create a successful algorithm after getting permission from Officer Jeremy Davis and Principal Jeff Jaster to collect data from students. In February, they set up a course for students to text and drive on. From this, they were able to collect data to train the application to understand the difference between the facial movements of a passenger and a driver, and to know the frequency of their facial movements. The team was pleased with their results.

“After we collected all the data, it’s just a massive amount of numbers and looking at those numbers makes no sense,” Striebel said. “But plugging it into this software that visualizes it and seeing that there actually is a difference between the driver and the passenger validates [that] the numbers actually

mean something and it’s going to work.

That was really exciting.”

Right now, the team is focused on improving the accuracy of the app.

They will present to a panel of judges at the end of April, and they feel that their chances of winning are strong. The first place winners will get $20,000 for the school and $5,000 for each member. The second place team gets $5,000 for their school and $2,500 each.

They hope to eventually release their project on the app store, and are planning on submitting it to several other competitions, like the Google Science Fair. Their work on the application has validated the desire for all three members to study computer science in college.

Fox is proud of the work of his students, especially their teamwork.

“They have been very proactive, not waiting until the last minute to do anything,” Fox said. “This team has taken total ownership of the project. Almost T e every time I d x t i n g rivin g de a n d have come tecte to them and d. suggested they do something, they’ve already started working on it.”

Pho Lock n e ed.

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FEATURES

BATTLE OF THE BOTS

The robotics team will be competing at Lake Superior State this weekend. Ella Colbert|Editorin-Chief & Annaliese Hohner|Staff Writer & Devin Alexander |Staff Writer

S

ince the Robotics Team started now serves as President of the team. up three years ago under the “I was never really into robotics, I leadership of Math Teacher Ben was always playing sports,” Zaremba Younkin, the team has prided said. “My math teacher persuaded me itself in the diversity of its membership. to come. I showed up once or twice and Younkin often compares the makeup of I said, ‘I can’t do this. This isn’t for me.’ the team to The Breakfast Club.

I forced myself to keep coming back “There are so many different people in and ended up falling in love with it robotics for so many different reasons," and having a big role on the team, as a Younkin said. "Some are looking for a freshman, being on the drive team.” club to be in, some are looking to actually Senior Jacob Chapman had a similar be engineering some day, and some apprehension towards joining the team people just want to act nerdy. There are due to previous misconceptions about so many skills that we need, we need kids robotics members, but joined after that are mechanical, electrical, business Younkin’s suggestion. design oriented, driven people we need “I think that a lot of people have just people of all kinds. People that are kind of a nerdy stereotype or think that crafty, artsy, and we all come together robotics is just for weird people, but they very different, and by the end of the would really change their mind if they season we’re a pretty tight group of kids. came to a [competition or meeting],” It’s pretty cool to see.”

Chapman said. “I thought the same thing Junior JP Zaremba was apprehensive before joining robotics, like, ‘I’m a sports to join the team his freshman year, but guy, I’m not going to do robotics.’ But it’s 12 | FOCUS | MARCH 31, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

The Robotics Dow High Sc really awesome.”

Senior Kevin Coombs, the team’s lead programmer, said that his favorite aspect of the team is the diversity.

“Just the fact that it doesn't matter who you are or what you can do, there's always something you can do,” Coombs said.

The team is made up of different groups which eventually come together in order to compete in the robotics competitions. Students specializing in safety, building, programming, and business work in their respective fields to contribute to the creating process.

The team participates in two regional competitions. This year, the first was held at Dow High School on March 24-26.

The second competition will be held at Lake Superior State on March 29-31.

Depending on how well the team does at both competitions, they will have the ability to compete at the state level. Given

their success at the state level, the team will have the opportunity to compete at the world competition. In the team’s first year, they made it to worlds.

“It was our first year, and we didn’t really know what we were doing, but we did put a robot together,” Zaremba said.

“We didn’t expect to go very far and it turned out we actually did. We were a very small team, maybe 10 to 15 people at most, and we did go far. It showed that hard work does pay off.”

Presently, the team consists of between 25 to 35 members. The robotics meets are structured so that the team spends the first day as a half-day taking precautions so that the robot will pass judge’s inspection and preparing for the competition. The second day consists of qualification matches where they compete against other teams. Typically, there are 40 teams at a competition.

The various qualifications help them

FEATURES

s Team prepares their robot for the competition at chool on March 23. Maddy O’Callaghan | Photo to see where they rank against those other teams. On the third day, the top eight teams pick different teams to play with them to form 3 on 3 alliances to participate in elimination rounds. This year, Younkin said he thinks the team will do well at their competitions due to their competitive nature.

“Our team strengths are mechanical mindsets, programming, design, and just being competitive,” Younkin said.

“We’re just very competitive. Especially this year.”

Although the team typically works well together, Chapman said that they sometimes face issues of overcompetitive spirits.

“Sometimes we might get a little too competitive with each other and yell at someone or something, but it just shows the passion that we have in that we really want to do well,” Chapman said. “Sometimes we care so much that

when something happens we might get frustrated by it, but it’s just because we really want to do the best that we can.”

In addition to Younkin and the students, the team consists of several other adult mentors who help in things like business and marketing. According to Zaremba, one of the biggest things that the team prides themselves in is the fact that the students do most of the work in building and programming the robot.

“We like to have all of our students do the work,” Zaremba said. “The mentors help and they give us suggestions, but at the end of the day, the students are doing the work. We’re doing the welding, we’re doing the electrical, we’re putting everything together.”

One of the mentors is Zaremba’s father, John Zaremba. He helps to drive the team's safety program. Along with safety captain Brendan Powers, John has been working to improve the safety manual

by implementing new procedures to "I think the most challenging part is ensure members do not get hurt, and when you have a plan in your head of are properly trained and confident in what you plan to do, but then it doesn't operating power equiptment. really pan out," Powers said. "Sometimes "I got involved in the Midland High designs or mechanisms or ideas don't Robotics Team in 2015 during their work, and that's okay. It's just something rookie season," John said. "I attended the to work on, to improve to make the best meeting with my son and appreciated the robot you can." concept behind FIRST Robotics program.

Despite the fact that Chapman It's a wonderful way to get high school sometimes faces difficulties, he said it is students more passionate about STEM." worth it in the end.

Since joining the robotics team, JP said “It’s just a challenge,” Chapman said. he has seen himself grow, not only in his “They don’t give you any instructions, confidence level, but also in the way he they just say, ‘Your robot needs to be able deals with challenges. to do this, here’s the rulebook of all the “It’s helped me with accepting failure stuff that you can’t do, now make it.’ It’s because you will try so hard at one thing just really cool to work together and try and you think it’s the best prototype, and to make something however you want it just keeps failing,” JP said. and to just have that freedom. Sometimes S o p h o m o r e J u l i a P o w e r s h a s that freedom is also a challenge, but experienced similar feelings while somehow it all comes together.” running the wires from the central control to the various parts of the robot.

13 | FOCUS | MARCH 31, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

FEATURES

THE BIGGEST LOSER Senior Ben Hendrickson has lost 125 pounds in the past year and a half.

Josh Danielson|Managing Web Editor & Shelly St. Louis|Staff Writer & Alli Grumbley|Staff Writer

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ou don’t need that, you’re fat.”

These words, spoken by a friend, launched Senior Ben Hendrickson’s weight loss journey Hendrickson and his friend were standing at the concessions stand, to get a snack for a football game in October of 2015. Ready to order, unexpectedly, Hendrickson’s friend responded with words that changed Hendrickson’s entire perspective on his life.

For Hendrickson, this was the tipping point. The brutal honesty kickstarted his process of losing close to 125 pounds.

“I didn’t want to be that fat kid in the back of the line anymore,” Hendrickson said.

Soon after launching into his year and a half long weight loss journey, Hendrickson joined the varsity football team; a decision that would force him to push himself past his limits, both physically and mentally.

“Football taught me to stay disciplined, it kept me on track,” Hendrickson said.

“But, it also taught me to not get too high on the highs, and not get too low on the lows.”

Va r s i t y f o o t b a l l coach, Eric Methner has witnessed many of the changes in Hendrickson, and was a large part in motivating him to keep losing weight.

“I’m so proud of Ben,” Methner said.

He really started this journey last year during second semester in weights class.

He worked extremely hard, and you could just tell he was very determined to make some changes.”

Toward the end of his junior year, Hendrickson approached Methner about coming out for football his senior year.

“I told him I thought it would be great, and that he would really enjoy it,” Methner said. “ He attended every summer workout. The running and conditioning was not easy for him, but he kept working anyway. By the time school started, and the season was in full swing, you could really see a difference

in Ben. I think his confidence soared, and he had a very positive experience as a member of the varsity football team.”

After joining the football team, Hendrickson created an intense workout schedule in order to keep up with his consistent weight loss.

“I do five days of cardio, and I do three days of lifting,” Hendrickson said.

“Monday, Wednesday, and Friday is lifting, and Monday through Friday is cardio.”

In October of 2015, Hendrickson weighed 320 pounds. With his hard work and dedication, he now weighs 195 pounds, having lost over 125 pounds and counting, close to meeting his goal of 185 pounds. Over this time, he has had to motivate himself in many ways to keep pushing himself to meet his goals.

“When you want to lose weight, you think that it will be an overnight thing, it is not,” Hendrickson said. “I usually make a weekly goal, and no matter what, I make sure that I meet my goal and celebrate the small victories.”

Hendrickson’s girlfriend, senior Hannah Price, has played a significant emotional role in his weight loss. She frequently works out with Hendrickson and has played a large role in motivating Hendrickson to push himself more and more.

“I make sure that he’s meeting his goals, and we work out together,” Price said. “I also try to give him lots of compliments, like, ‘Hey you look really nice today.’ I try to make sure that he knows that he’s doing a great job.”

Price has also noticed many changes in Hendrickson’s mood and outlook.

“Ever since he’s lost the weight, he has become more confident,” Price said.

“He’s also more willing to take risks now.

He does things that he wouldn’t have done before.”

Hendrickson said he has experienced immense personal growth through this journey and continues to strive to become even more fit. With his weight loss, he too has noticed that his mood has changed, and he is much more confident.

“I’m a lot happier,” Hendrickson said.

“I feel like I don’t have anything to worry about. A year ago, I was depressed. I was just the slow fat guy, and now, I’m much happier.”

BEFORE

“I didn’t want to be that fat kid in the back of the line anymore.”

Senior Ben Hendrickson

14 | FOCUS | March 31, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

Hendrickson in 2015 when he weighed 320 pounds. Ben Hendrickson|Photo Courtesy

AFTER

Hendrickson in March 2017 weighing around 195 pounds. Josh Danielson|Photo

FEATURES

INDEPENDENT STUDENTS

Alicia Morales and Natalie Early support themselves while living away from home. Ellie Jensen | Opinion Editor & Hannah Smith | Staff Writer & Olivia Barber | Staff Writer After a long school day, Alicia Morales and her husband Michael Ripke watch their daughter Faith play outside in the front yard. With help from the government, Morales and Ripke can afford a house in Midland and support their daughter. Hannah Smith | Photo

Alicia Morales assists her daughter while on a slide in her playroom. Ellie Jensen|Photo

fter school, senior Alicia Morales cannot just go home and start working on her homework.

Instead, she has to pick up her child from daycare, prepare dinner for her child and husband, and do any chores that are needed around the house. Morales finds a way for her lifestyle to work, even with the multitude of bills to pay and added responsibilities.

“Moving out was a good choice because it gives us more freedom and we are doing fine on our own,” Morales said.

Morales is one of the growing number of students who have chose to live independently from their parents while still minors. She lives with her child and husband Michael Ripke in a house they have rented. She is 18 now, but has been living with her husband for two years.

Ripke is a manager at Taco Bell and supports the family. Both Ripke and Morales’ parents live outside of Midland,

because they don’t know if that’s the place they are going to stay.”

Theisen found that the biggest struggle of students moving away from home is the financial struggles. With help from the counselors, students who move away from home are provided with free busing and hygiene products.

“We [counselors] get those students who move away connected with the Department of Human Services,” Theisen said. “They fill out paperwork to get a bridge card, which helps them pay for food and medical insurance.”

Counselors try to guide these students more because they no longer have a strong parental guidance. These students are considered at-risk, and it is common to see that their attendance and grades slip.

“As counselors we are the central port, we connect them to all the different places they can get help,” Theisen said.

A

so the couple is very independent.

Despite the distance, Morales still keeps in touch with her parents. They were supportive of her decision to move out with her husband.

Similar to Morales, junior Natalie Early lives on her own with her boyfriend whom shares apartment rent with her.

Early has only been away from her parents for two months, but has no regrets in her decision. She has not spoken to her mother a significant amount since she has moved out.

“It was the best decision I made,” Early said. “It has helped me realize who I want to be, not who my parents want me to be.”

Early describes her typical day as one with an early morning and late night.

Early works at Big Boy as a waitress to support herself, and her boyfriend works for a landscaping company. Although Early lives on her own, she isn’t

A.M. Takes her daughter to daycare

emancipated because she is content with the hours she works and doesn’t need the ability to work more. Emancipation frees children from their parents’ support.

Early said her lifestyle requires a great deal of independence and responsibility.

“You’re your own guide and director,” Early said. You have to be very selfdisciplined. I clean the house, do the dishes. I don’t have anyone to do that for me anymore.”

Lately, Counselor Misty Theisen has seen more cases of high school students breaking away from their parents.

However, many of these cases don’t include a stable shelter or income. Just recently, Theisen has had two of her students move out of their parents’ home. In some cases, students move from one friend’s house to another, looking for a place to belong.

“It’s a hard road for some students,” Theisen said. “It creates an anxiety

Alicia’s Daily Routine Goes to school

Prepares dinner for family

P.M. Starts homework

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The Sports Zone The Best Time of the Year Hannah Smith

M

arch. It’s a great time of year.

The month with St. Patrick's Day and the first day of spring. But for myself and other avid sports fans, it’s the month of intensity; also known as March Madness.

March Madness is a time where all sports fans (even those who are not specifically basketball fans) fill out their brackets for the NCAA tournament.

From one to sixteen seeds, all of the best teams in the nation compete for the title--and the opportunity to cut the net off the rim at the closing of the

tournament.

My family's tradition is for all of us to fill out a bracket and pay $5. The person with the winning bracket gets the money. Before the tournament starts, we all sit down together and fill out our brackets. My dad always has an advantage due to him constantly watching ESPN and listening to Mike and Mike in the morning on the radio.

It’s fair to say he can call most of the upsets.

The first two days of the tournament are madness (the name suits it well),

Upcoming Events Baseball

April 13 @ Home vs.

Mt. Pleasant, 3:30 p.m.

April 17 @ Saginaw Heritage vs. Heritage,

Girls' Lacrosse

3:30 p.m.

April 12 @ Flushing High School vs.

Flushing, 4;00 p.m.

April 13 @ Davison vs.

Davison, 6:00 p.m.

Softball

Track

April 13 @ MPHS vs.

Mt. Pleasant, 4:00 p.m.

April 15 @ Swan Valley High School vs. Swan Valley, 10:00 a.m.

April 11 @ Home vs.

Bay City Western, 4 p.m.

April 13 @ Davison Invite, 3:00 p.m.

16 | FOCUS | MARCH 31, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

with nonstop games the whole day.

During those days, I am constantly checking the scores to the games to see how my bracket is doing in comparison to my family members. My phone is always blowing up on those days with all of the text messages from my family group chat. The typical text says either “I predicted _____ team would win” or “_______ is about to upset _______.”

While reading these texts I had a slanted smirk on my face, as I was thinking about my family members boasting about their brackets.

After the first two rounds, the Sweet Sixteen approaches. At this point in the tournament, every single team remaining must play the best basketball they have played all season. If not, they will find themselves at home just shy of a national title. All of the hard work, sweat, and hours in the gym start to pay off at this moment.

Being a competitive basketball player myself, I love watching the nail-biter games that come down to the very end,

or the classic upsets that ruin a No. 3 seed's season. The athleticism and competitiveness displayed during the tournament is truly amazing. I think about the high-pressure situations these athletes are put through during the tournament, and it reminds me why I love the game.

Similar to when Trey Burke (of the Michigan Wolverines) hit a step back three to send his team into overtime against the Kansas Jayhawks on March 29, 2013.

No matter what the level of play it is, the high-pressure situations are what shape an athlete. These types of situations and close games that go until the end are what an athlete lives for. I can say personally, a game that is back-and-forth until the very end is a lot more fun than beating a team by 20 points.

To all athletes: Next time you’re in a close game, cherish it, and think of it as a little taste of what March Madness is like.

Athlete of the Month Sarah Maschino Grade: 12 Season Highlight: "Getting a medal at our first meet."

Favorite Memory: "Winning regionals in the 100 m hurdles and getting to know new people that I wouldn't get to know outside of track.”

Goal for the Season: “Be able to be a good influence for everyone on the team as a captain, and make it to states again."

Coach’s Take: “Sarah has worked very hard in the off season by lifting, working on her hurdling technique, and conditioning. I look forward to seeing what she can accomplish this season." - Diane Sugnet

Under New Management

SPORTS

STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE S New JV coach Macy Merchant continues her career as the newest addition to the softball program. Quinlan Cox|Staff Writer & Lauren Curtis|Staff Writer & Matt Olenczuk|Staff Writer

oftball was just another part of growing up for new Junior Varsity Softball Coach Macy Merchant. With her family owning two softball fields, she became very acclimated to the sport and culture. Growing up in a family of coaches, she aspired to be involved with softball throughout her life.

“I love seeing people grow,” Merchant said. “I love the sport and I want to spread the sport; what it’s given me.”

She began her softball career with tee ball, and continued playing into college, playing for Central Michigan University for four years before pursuing coaching. For the past two years, she has coached for the University of Minnesota.

Merchant was hired as a physical education teacher at Northeast Middle School last year. In addition to P.E., she currently is an assistant coach for both the seventh grade volleyball program and the swim team.

Merchant is now looking forward to broadening her coaching experience as she joins the Chemic softball program.

“To share the game is my passion, especially [with] younger high school students,” Merchant said. “Watching tryouts - they are so raw, they have talent. I can’t wait to work with them and improve their game even more.”

Athletic Director Eric Albright believes she will be a positive addition to the JV softball team because of her experience with the sport and ability to communicate effectively with players and their parents.

“Her softball background is outstanding,” Albright said. “Her experience with softball is at a very high level and is second to none.

She fits in well with our mission. She brings new techniques to our youngest players.”

Merchant hopes to employ team-bonding exercises to bring the JV and Varsity teams closer together.

“It takes a whole team to win, not a single person,” Merchant said. “You have nine players on the field, but you need more than that. You need all these players in order to

be successful. That’s what I love about it so much. You have to come together as a team to be successful.”

Her passion for the sport is evident, but for her, softball is much more than that.

“One, I’m meeting all these great people and, two, it’s taught me a lot about life,” Merchant said. “Sports do that. They’re life lessons. They teach you more; how to handle adversity, how to handle injury, how to bounce back, how to persevere, how to become a team even when it’s hard.”

Merchant is also excited to be working with Allen on bringing the JV and Varsity teams closer together to form a cohesive program. Merchant said if the teams work as more of a unit, the JV team would benefit from the Varsity’s guidance.

“I’m looking forward to developing my players to be ready for him,” Merchant said. “Our whole focus is that we’re a program. Yes, it’s two teams, but eventually my players will be on his team and I want them to know what’s expected. He and I have become a great team as well. I don’t plan on changing much, just adding what I know. He’s teaching me the same way. He’s teaching me what he knows.”

Allen looks forward to working with Merchant and using their combined experience to improve the system. He believes that Merchant’s positive demeanor and her background in softball will be fundamental in enhancing the program.

“Coach Merchant is an excellent communicator and her players will benefit greatly having her as a coach,” Allen said. “I am always looking to improve the program every year. Coach Merchant will be a big part of making improvements.”

Merchant is anticipating her new coaching career at Midland High, and is ready to be a positive addition to her team.

“I’m really excited to be a part of this program,” Merchant said. “Coach Allen does an amazing job and I’m excited to join his staff.”

“To share the game is my passion, especially [with] younger high school students.”

Coach Macy Merchant

Lauren Curtis| Photo

17 | FOCUS | MARCH 31, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

Under New Management

SPORTS

GOLFING WITH THE GANDYS Jeff Gandy takes over the head coach position of the Varsity golf team for the upcoming season, overseeing talented returners and newcomers, including his son, Drew.

Gwynne Özkan|News Editor & Jasmin West|Staff Writer

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fter Golf Coach Jeff Babin moved to South Carolina last summer, taking with him not only his World History posters but his golf clubs too, Coach Ken Rose was hired in July 2016 as his successor. The 2017 boys golf season was just beginning, but in November, Rose unexpectedly turned in his letter of resignation, leaving the golfers coach less. Jeff Gandy, part-time Physician’s Assistant and parent to junior golfer Drew Gandy, digested this news with great concern and began his search for a replacement.

“Unfortunately my search was unsuccessful, and at that point I felt like I should get involved because I didn’t want to see returning players miss out on opportunities for the 2017 season,” Gandy said.

After going through the application process for the position, Gandy was hired in January 2017. As tryouts came to a close, he decided on a team of eight players. Having past relationships with a large portion of the team helped to ease this abrupt transition from coach to coach for everyone. Jeff has gotten to know senior Nevada Walters-who has been playing for seven years-over the past couple of years and said he is a solid young man.

“Coach [Gandy] just has this enthusiastic attitude about the game that just motivates me to the maximum,” Walters said.

For the past two summers, Gandy has spent a significant amount of time with senior Ben Franjione through the Outreach Program through the Blessed Sacrament Church. He has also acted as a soccer coach for senior Jacob Chapman in previous years.

“I have known Jacob Chapman for a long time,” Gandy said. “Nothing would make me happier than seeing him have a successful senior campaign.”

Junior Drew Gandy is beginning his third year on the varsity golf team. He has played golf for 12 years, the sport beginning as casual outings on the course with his dad and developing into an independent, important hobby of his own with time. Drew sees his father’s new position as an opportunity for their

Coach Jeff Gandy poses with son, Drew, in the middle of a golf lesson. They’ve shared endless moments together on the golf course, in competitions, practices, and for sheer pleasure. Although, this season marks the beginning of his coaching role. Fischer Genau| Photo relationship to grow and expresses his excitement for the upcoming season.

“He’s always been there to support me and he’s always been a positive influence in my life,” Drew said. “I know that with whatever he’s doing, he’s looking out for my best interests.”

The coach in golf has a limited amount of hands on control of the game Drew said, so he doesn’t foresee any substantial differences impacting himself personally as his father shifts from the spectating role to the coaching role. Rather, his sights are more geared toward seeing how the season goes as a whole.

“I’m excited to see what new things will be brought to the table on his end,” Drew said.

Despite the anticipation for Jeff’s debut this year, there are characteristics specific to Babin that will be missed.

Singling out his humor and reminiscing on past memories, Walters describes Babin as unforgettable and purely great.

“I will miss the positive energy he would bring and his work ethic,” Drew said. “[I will miss] how proud he was of golf and how much he loved it. It’s rare to see a high school coach care so much about the game.”

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Jeff is looking forward to coaching the returning Varsity players and having the opportunity to coach the four new Varsity players. Jeff’s main focus for the team is in securing their third consecutive Saginaw Valley League Championship title and playing as a team at the State Championship Tournament. Since Midland High golf has won the most SVL Championships, 23, and the most State Championships, 4, of all other sports, expectations are high. Jeff feels the biggest challenge lies in accomplishing the short term goals set while simultaneously developing inexperienced players to continue the legacy set forth in previous years.

Essentially, balancing opportunities between the four returning players, the four incoming players, and a select few of the junior varsity team to ensure success and competition in years to come.

“We have excellent ball strikers, but we need to be able to put the ball in the hole and score.” Jeff said. “We are confident the drills will help inject some serious competition during practice and ultimately, to have tournament success you need to be able to execute golf shots in pressure situations.”

Drew Gandy practices swings at the Country Club. He is the top returning golfer on the Varsity team this season. Fischer Genau | Photo

Under New Management

SPORTS

PRESSURE ON THE FIELD

New varsity coach Rodrigo Barassi has a new, intense coaching style that is different from previous years. Barassi uses practice time effectively to help the girls. Fischer Genau | Photo

New coach Barassi will have the team play the best competition and push the girls to be at their greatest potential for practice and games. Kayla Graham|Photo & Design Editor & Kaylee Zariski |Staff Writer

W

ith a unique and high pressure playing style, new Varsity soccer coach Rodrigo Barassi is eager to prepare the girls for the upcoming season.

“I approach my team with a South American style of playing,” Barassi said. “Depending on the team we play is the formation we use. I study previous seasons, games, and also study drills and exercises that will be implemented in the practices.”

With Barassi’s style of coaching, he has high hopes to win the SVL and Districts.

Barassi wants to keep a smaller bench of 18 to 19 girls, which will allow all the players to show the talent that they possess.

Barassi has been coaching for over 20 seasons. He wishes to continue the strong reputation that the soccer program holds.

“Becoming the head coach for the Midland Chemics was an honor to me and a long goal,” Barassi said. “I had been the JV Girls coach for three years.

The Chemics have a great reputation for their soccer program.”

Senior Emma Wolf, who has been on Varsity for four years said team unity and help from Barassi will allow them to advance further in competition than they have in past years.

“My goal for this team is to not play easy and take teams lightly,” Wolf said.

“Since we lost last year in an upset game,

I don't want the same thing to happen this year. I think we can make it far this year with all of the talent we have.”

Senior Jessie Brown has been on Varsity for four years and has high hopes for Barassi.

“Barassi is really going to challenge us as a team,” Brown said. “He will set us up with many opportunities to play teams that have been very successful.

He will also challenge us physically and focus on our fitness as well as our skill.

As the season is fast approaching, Brown and Wolf agree that getting into shape before season is one of the hardest parts about playing. Barassi encourages the girls to stay healthy and expresses how they must be safeguarded. If the players are healthy, then the rest falls into place.

“Soccer is more than jogging for 90 minutes,” Brown said. “You need to be able to sprint, run, and jog all within 30 seconds, so it's hard to build that endurance.”

Captains Brown, Wolf, and senior Makenzie Rajewski have high expectations for the upcoming season.

“I am excited to have Barassi as my coach, he has high expectations for us because of all the talent that we have on the team,” Rajewski said. “He has a lot of soccer background which will help and he pushes us hard at practice to be at our greatest potential.”

Goals for the season 2016-2017 Captains:

Emma Wolf, Jessie Brown, Makenzie Rajewski

Coach Rodrigo Barassi

Senior Emma Wolf

“ To w i n t h e SV L , and Districts, plus continue to win in post season play.”

“I do not want to take teams easy and lose in a upset game like last year.”

Senior Jessie Brown

“I want my team to go as far as we can in the district and region.”

Upcoming Home Games:

A p r i l 1 2 @ 7: 0 0 p . m .

Carman-Ainsworth High April 19 @ 7:00 p.m. Mt. Pleasant High School

Barassi’s Coaching History: Travel at the club CMU Women’s travel club Freeland Varsity Girls Soccer Boys Varsity Soccer Team Delta College

19 | FOCUS | MARCH 31, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

Betsy and Me Sonja Anderson

I

have now attended public school for about 13 years, my mother and my stepmother are both teachers, I have learned and reported on school budgets, rules, and curriculum, and I am relatively familiar with the idea of common sense. And I never thought I would say it, but I think all of that means I might be more qualified for the Secretary of Education than its current possessor.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Dee DeVos was appointed Secretary of Education in February, thanks to a 51 to 50 vote, (the extra one being Vice President Mike Pence).

It was the first time in history that the Vice President had to become the tie-breaker in the confirmation of a cabinet member, and it was also the first time that I have ever, uncomfortably, wished that I was Mike Pence.

See, Betsy Dee supports charter schools, which are basically schools that get government funding but are independent of public oversight in the form of an elected school board. Like the Midland Academy, for example. That all seems good and fine, but charter schools cannot exist without the siphoning of government funds: out of traditional public schools and into themselves.

And the money that they get often causes the schools to profit. Heavily. That is not supposed to happen, but nonetheless, Pennsylvania Cyber Charter (an online charter school) founder Nick Trombetta spent $8 million of taxpayer dollars on houses and

an airplane. He was charged with tax fraud, and the case shows the impact a lack of monetary regulation can have.

Overall, charters can cost public schools a lot. When parents choose charters, the public schools lose a lot of valuable money, which seems to be heavily accredited to charters. In Pennsylvania, the New Hope-Solebury School District pays $19,000 for every general charter school student and almost $40,000 for every special education charter student. For public school children, they pay $10,635.77 for general students and $22, 886.44 per special education student. And on top of that, charters don’t have to comply with government regulations: they don’t have to provide free lunch or transportation, as public schools do, which puts them at an even greater advantage. Seem a little fishy?

Betsy DeVos grew up very wealthy, and married into the Amway fortune, so you could say she doesn’t have a lot of experience with those less fortunate. She’s never attended public school, only private, nor have her children.

There’s a reason that teachers and students of public schools across the country protested her appointment. She doesn’t know them, she doesn’t like them, and she doesn’t have much of a plan to care about them. She cares about money.

Hailing from Michigan, her personal advocacy for charter schools, (we’ve been over those) began the 20-year-old, least regulated charter system in the country, two thirds of which are run by for-profit

20 | FOCUS | MARCH 31, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

@HumansofMidlandHigh

OP/ED

management companies. And despite all of that money, charter schooling is not going so well in the face of, well, actual learning. According to the New York Times, (fake news, fake news! blasphemy!), Michigan is “among the worst places to argue that choice has made schools better.” Most charter schools perform below the state average.

Also, DeVos has never been involved in any sort of school, even private. Unlike past Secretaries of Education - for example, her predecessor John King, who was the president of a university and Commissioner of Education for New York - DeVos has never been involved in any learning institution. I wonder then, what makes her qualified to know what is best for one student, let alone all of the children in America. One of my favorite quoted ideas of hers is this: “In the Internet age, the tendency to equate ‘education’ with ‘specific school buildings’ is going to be greatly diminished.” You know what, you’re right Betsy!

Why even have schools? I bet first graders would have the time of their lives learning how to read online by themselves.

Working parents would love it, too.

Really, I’m just tired of the lack of respect for school. For public school, for teachers, for the needs of students.

Choosing to go to a private school isn’t an option for poor people, and taking the funding away from the only institutions they can choose is despicable. Public schools are important. Without them, I would’ve never learned the Always Verbs from Mrs. Brewer, or “chunky nuggets” from Mrs. Jones, or seen Mr. Gledhill sing Happy Birthday, or act out Shakespeare in Mrs. Murphy’s class.

Our kids deserve the best, no matter where they grow up or how much money they have, and I just don’t think that the Secretary of Education knows how to do that.

I hope I’m wrong.

A feature of Chemics who have a story.

Jessie Mathewson

“

My favorite fictional character is from anime. His name’s Rin Okumura, from a show called Blue Exorcist. He is kind of out there. He impacted me because I learned that I can be myself. Because in the show, he would always be himself.

Even though he’s a fictional character, I went, ‘why don’t I just try?’ I used to hide my emotions and always pretend to be someone else. And once I actually started being myself, after watching the show, I found my friends, the friends that I have now.

”

OP/ED

Thanks, Mom Maddy O’Callaghan

I

remember absolutely sobbing in a church parking lot when I was fifteen. I was trying to learn how to park a week before my drivers test, and I couldn’t get the car in between the yellow lines to save my life. After countless times trying to aim my car just right, I collapsed on the steering wheel. I started freaking out, convinced there was no way I was ever going to get my license. My mom was in the driver’s seat, and amidst my 2nd grade level freak out, she looked at me and said, “Do it again. Just keep trying until you get it right.”

She was stern but wasn’t harsh. She was compassionate but she wasn’t enabling.

In that moment, she was everything a parent should be.

My mom was the one who raised me. My dad was constantly in and out of the country through the army, and even when he was in America, he always lived near Lansing, so I only saw him every other weekend. The majority of my childhood was spent under the wisdom of my amazing single mom.

When I tell people I live with my single mom, there’s always this flash of judgement that I can sense. Sometimes people feel bad for me, and make comments about how unfortunate it is that my dad wasn’t always there to play

catch with me in the front yard. Other people question how responsible my mother can be if she got divorced at such a young age. The reasons for their reactions are always different, but nine times out of ten, they’re negative.

The myth of needing two parents is one that’s been used since the dawn of time. The Westboro Baptist Church and

“It’s about the quality of the parents, not the quantity.”

other homophobic people argue against gay marriage with the claim that people need a mom and a dad, and kids will grow up all messed up without both. It’s the same argument that keeps people from getting divorced, because how could a single mom or dad ever be capable of raising a child on their own? And to an extent, I understand where people are coming from.

Granted, it’s annoying, but I understand it. I was definitely disappointed my dad didn’t get to take me to the Daddy Daughter Dance for Girl Scouts, and I have no idea how

I would have gotten through the early stages of puberty without my mom.

While there are moments in my childhood that would have been nice to have my father in, I had an amazing upbringing thanks to my wonderful mom.

When I think about growing up, I think about waking up to chocolate chip pancakes on fancy plates on Sunday morning, and I think about the countless dance parties she held with me and my brother in the living room. I don’t really think about the ‘what ifs’ because the ‘whats’ were already good enough.

I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s about the quality of the parent, not the quantity.

My mom is my best friend and my inspiration, and I have no idea who I would be without her. And despite the fact that my dad never got to be a central part of my life, my mom was there for all the important moments.

She has the compassion of a mother and the stern nature of a father, and I know a lot of other single parents do too.

And I know Sigmund Freud and Bill O’Reilly might disagree with me, but I don’t think you need two parents.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is to feel loved and safe in your home. You don’t necessarily need a mom and dad present for that to be possible.

Because I eventually figured out how to get my car in between those two yellow lines, and I passed my driver’s test with almost a perfect score. And now, I know how to park (kinda). My mom was there to teach me how, just like she was there to teach me how to tie my shoes and make a fried egg.

Famous Single Parents J.K Rowling Kate Winslet Jodie Foster Al Pacino Liam Neeson

1 4

of families are led by single moms

The U.S. has the highest percentage of single parent households

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

TAKE IT

MHS alumnus Joey Adams appeared on “Good Morning America” for creating a “dating resume.”

LEAVE IT Five people died in a terrorist attack on Wesminster in London on March 22.

LEAVE IT

TAKE IT

Rosie the Riveter Day has been designated as March 21, due to a Senate resolution.

22% of the Great Barrier Reef has been pronounced dead.

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Not Everyone is a Winner

S

tanding at the podium of Adams Elementary, my hair a mess of tangles and barrettes, I projected what I wished was a fifth grade version of the ‘I Have A Dream’ speech with hopes of being elected school treasurer.

I didn’t get the votes, and rightly so considering my lack of preparation, sealing my spot as treasurer to someone else. I was a loser that day.

Standing at the podium of Midland High, my hair straightened and my speech better memorized, I again tried to convince my freshmen peers to hand me some type of power, and again, I didn’t get the votes. I tore down my signs and realized student council was not my calling. I was a loser that day too, but I could accept that. I still can.

However, I look around and I see people in constant denial to any source of failure when it comes. Rather than frantically grasping for participation medals and conjuring up excuses as to why something didn’t go as planned-forcing blame on anyone but ourselves--we should instead skip ahead to the progress that comes with the acceptance of losing. If an assignment didn’t get an A, subjective grading can’t be seen as an excuse.

Simply take the mistakes and correct them. Competition drives success undoubtedly. It breeds advancement. No one is a loser; we all have value and talent in some regard.

Nonetheless, we should have the capability to accept that not everyone wins at everything.

Fr i v o l o u s Awards & Standards

OP/ED

People are easily spoiled, missing the sheer pride and happiness that stems from failing and failing and finally seeing success; true, earned success. The gratification is reward enough.

The word ‘mediocrity’ is never on plaques, though in many cases it should replace what’s stenciled in gold.

Gwynne Özkan Making people feel included is Too often I see whining act as seemingly becoming a priority a successful cop-out for failing. over skill sets and intelligence, Angry emails from Mom and which is twisted. The honor Dad can bump their child’s roll cap is shifted down to a B+ to an A. Coaches with 3.0. The All A honor roll has the perfect mix of too much been softened to accepting A sympathy and nagging parents minuses. Although it seems adds an extra name onto the counter intuitive to bump bottom of the roster. These widespread acceptance down common acts of what seems on the list of priorities, it really like generosity are merely isn’t. Not everyone is equally misleading in the grand scheme talented in everything, so why of things, eventually hurtful go to such lengths to convince to the person on the receiving us otherwise? end.

Medals are bronze, silver, I believe in unequal playing and gold; good, great and time and I believe in the cuts. I better respectively. Rather believe in playing the players than spewing praise toward best suited to reach the goal: everyone else, we should winning. This translates funnel attention to the directly to life in the sense medalists. Honor those who of almost everything. Jobs are honorable, not those who will go to the best qualified, adhere to the false entitlement period. Being rewarded for that living and breathing nothing defeats the purpose constitutes a trophy. of an award, and often this Not everyone is athletic. award takes the form of Not everyone can escape Mr. money. Money isn’t given to Fawcett’s class with an A. With greedy hands, brought up hard work and commitment, with the arrogant assumption improvement is attainable in all that asking is the equivalent areas; although even the extent to achieving. Raises and to which we improve is limited. promotions are given to those LeBron James could have spent who work to set themselves his entire life working to gain apart, not those who coast in the intelligence of Bill Gates normality. People who work and not even come close. Bill harder, longer, more efficiently, Gates could spend countless should be paid more than those hours in the gym and still who don’t. Innovative thinking get obliterated one-on-one. and perseverance, not slothful, Everyone is good at something, middling performance, but because our virtues come generates six digit salaries. with vices, not everyone one Not everyone gets a prize; is good at everything. Though not everyone should for these virtues breed success, the sake of spared feelings. the vices beckon failure. The Don’t cry about it and expect way in which we handle our problems to dissipate. Fix and failure is just as, if not more so, fight for goals, earn success important as the way we revel through work, not whining. in our successes.

22 | FOCUS | MARCH 31, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

@HumansofMidlandHigh A feature of Chemics who have a story.

Ryan Freed

“

My favorite family memory is when my whole family went to Florida for spring break.

We got to stay in this hotel in Disney World. At our hotel, we had a huge pool with water slides and everything.When we were done with Disney, my family and I got to go to our condo in Madeira beach.

My family and I got to play volleyball on the beach and swim in the ocean all day .

There was an ice cream store down the street which we got a lot.

”

OP/ED

To What Extent Jonah Dykhuizen

S

econd Grade Math— Jonah Dykhuizen” The Sharpie marks on my blue homework folder signified my pride, my struggle and set the pace for the rest of my academic career.

The words seem pretty insignificant until you realize the folder lay in the hands of my first-grade self. I excitedly gripped Mrs. Gibbons’ hand as she took me down to the second-grade hallway for my first day of Accelerated Math.

My next year of math was defined by skipping down to the second-grade hallway at eleven o’clock each day, learning the basics of long division, and stressing out and failing test “Q” for Rocket Math, only to return to my regular first-grade coursework.

At Adams Elementary, along with other elementary schools in the district, students who showed an aptitude towards either math or literature were placed in the Advanced and Accelerated course track (A2), jumping to the next grade level to learn materials for the subject. It’s a way for students to learn at a level that they can handle and a way to cater the learning experience to the student—something that researchers agree has a positive impact.

The arrangement was great. Before joining the accelerated program, I was praised by my peers for

always understanding the core concepts as they were taught.

But it came at the cost of long hours of boring lectures (or as long and boring as an elementary school lecture on addition can be), having my potential held back and my sense of self-importance reaching astronomical heights.

By going up a grade in math, I was allowed to learn math at

"By learning at the appropriate level, education was rewarding and exciting." the appropriate speed. I wasn’t bored in class and weighed down, and my ego wasn’t inflated by always being the best in the class.

My elementary academic career was largely defined by my experience in accelerated coursework; by learning at the appropriate level, education was rewarding and exciting. But now, with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) being implemented at the elementaries, I fear that kids in Midland Public Schools will not receive the positive learning experience that I got through the A2 program.

Put simply, PYP is a an extension to the IB program to prepare elementary students for a holistic academic education. With a focus on multicultural and metacognitive teaching, the studies shown that students who participate in PYP outperform non-IB students in reading, writing and mathematics national placement test.

That sounds dandy and all, but the implementation of PYP will result in the elimination of accelerated programs in elementary. PYP has a uniform curriculum which hopes to increase the overall level of all students, but at what expense? The high achieving students will be forced to sit back and suffer through tedious coursework instead of being fueled to achieve more and being fostered to enjoy learning.

On top of that, PYP severely limits the freedoms of the teachers. From incorporating an international world-view to requiring teachers to display a poster of the “IB learner profile” in their classroom, IB infringes on the free-flowing learning environment that contributed to Midland Public School’s academic success.

Modern education is a flawed system. The goal seems to be to increase test scores through a one-sizefits-all curriculum rather than to foster a positive learning environment. While PYP takes a positive first step to change the path of education to focus more on the learning process, eliminating the advanced programs at the elementaries gets rid of the personalization that allowed high-achieving students to flourish.

Follow Jonah Dykhuizen on Twitter and Instagram @jonah_dykhuizen

Benefits of A

Improved socialization skills and self-esteem

71%

Reported a positive acceleration experience

2

Higher

academic achievement and test scores (nagc.org)

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@MHSFocus1 @MHSFocus1 mhsfocus.com

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OP/ED

Rock Climbing

Strap in a harness and conquer as many courses as you can in the indoor rock wall. Events, classes, and private lessons are also available.

Where: Greater Midland Community Center When: M/Tu/W/F 6-9pm, Sat/Sun 1-4pm Expenses: $8 per person

Check out the exhibits, like Design Zone, or book tickets to Beauty and the Beast the musical.

Where: 1801 St. Andrews Street When: Museum hours vary, Beauty and the Beast runs through April 2 Expenses: $9 museum admission, $18 - $33 student tickets to Beauty and the Beast

e h t r

fo r te

MIDLAND STAYCATION

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e C d

n a l ds i M rt A

If you are staying in town this Spring Break, here are some things to keep you busy.

Sonja Anderson| Features Editor & Hailey Surbrook| Ads Coordinator & Lillian Mohr | Staff Writer

Rollerblading

Grab some ice cream at Pizza Samâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and enter near the Tridge, or enter at Cottage Creamery, and enjoy your treat while roller blading on the Rail Trail with a friend.

Where: Entrances downtown, at Cottage Creamery, etc.

When: open all day, every day Expenses: rollerblades needed

24 | FOCUS | MARCH 31, 2017 | mhsfocus.com

Dow Gardens

See the fresh blooms of Spring in the beautifully planted garden space. Stop at the butterfly house to see hatching chrysalises and flying butterflies.

Where: 1809 Eastman Ave When: gardens open 9:00am-4:15p, every day, butterfly house open 10-4 Expenses: students (with student ID) or children 6-17 pay $1 admission

Maddy Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Callaghan & Fischer Genau | Photos