May 2nd Issue by MHS Focus

MISSION TRIPS | PAGES 12-13

SOCCER STARS | PAGE 08

focus

JON HAYNES | PAGE 16

NAHS | PAGE 24

the

Midland High School | May, 1, 2015| Volume 37. Issue 8

of Michigan high school students had sex in 2014. Pages 18-21

SPECIAL REPORT: Project 111 attempts to raise awareness of safe driving in Midland Public Schools The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy | Source

Michelle Demo | Illustration

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

Volume 37, Issue 8

Re-read Past Issues

Contents S P E C I A L R E P O R T

18-19

## SPORTS SUCCESS IN SPORTS

18-19

Star athletes Mackenzie Etienne, Marle Bringard, Brandon Dull, and Martin Money are featured this month in their respective sports.

20 21

DOCTOR PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY

F E AT U R E S 12-13

MISSION TRIPS

14-15

PROJECT 111

JON HAYNES BPA SUPERINTENDENT GREIF

SEX EDUCATION

THE MORALITY OF TEEN SEX

E D I T O R S

MULTIPLE INSTRUMENTS

YU-GI-OH! CARD BATTLES

NAHS: NATIONAL ART HONOR SOCIETY

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

O U R M I Sto SIO N away S T A Twith E M Estuff NT Disclaimer get SOCCER: MACKENZIE AND MARLE MARATHONS: BRANDON DULL 3 SEASON ATHLETE MARTIN MONEY

Focus, established in 1977, previously the Vic Tribune established in 1936, is the official school sponsored newspaper for Midland High. Focus is published monthly by the journalism classes at Midland High and is distributed free of charge. It is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), the Michigan Inter scholastic Press Association(MIPA),andQuillandScroll.AdvisermembershipalsoincludestheJournalism Education Association (JEA). Focus is designed as a forum for student expression and as a realistic lab experience. Focus, however, reserves the right to contest the challenge of an administrator who attempts to censor and/or remove an article or graphic element.

Conflict with Confidential The Midland County Health Clinic through the funding of Title X is able to give teenagers the opportunity to be treated for STD screening, emergency contraceptives, and birth control services, all for free.

s different contraceptives and preventatives have been released, the medical field has to shift in order to provide a variety of services to a large range of people. One medical practice that offers free, confidential services to all ages is the Midland County Health Department. No longer do people of any age have to go through a family doctor or purchase expensive emergency contraceptives at a drugstore when having the opportunity to receive them for free. In order to be able to serve to everyone who demands the services that the free Health Clinic provides, they offer many services ranging from Flu Clinics, Immunizations, Communicable Disease/Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Women and Children’s services. All these services, if the individual patient qualifies for it, can be provided for free. The free Health Clinic’s policy that if a person who is under 17 years old comes to the clinic, they have to fill out paperwork that asks whether or not the parents are informed that they are in need of the clinic’s services. If the teen is coming to receive medical attention and does not want their parents to find out, the clinic bases the cost off of the teen’s income. Often times the individual income is low enough to qualify for free. The Focus staff understands and acknowledges that this meets a need in the community, but also sees a downside to the free aspect of the clinic. The free services provides young teens the opportunity to keep their sex life separate from their parents and peers. Although this can be seen as a drawback, The Focus believes that this option is necessary for sexually active students who would be in danger if their families found out about their activities. This also gives teens who are afraid of telling their parents and peers that they are sexually active a free way to receive birth control and emergency contraceptives. As a staff, we discussed and voted on if we believe the Health Clinic should provide free products and services to those engaging in underage sex. The overall vote came to 20-7 in that we support the Health Clinic providing free services. We believe this because the resources they are giving out may help a underage or any student engaging in sexual activities. Many studies have been shown

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Should the Free Health Care Clinic provide confidential services to those having underage sex?

“Yes, because all people deserve the right to have free health care and have the choice to get help if they need it.” Freshman Jacob Mutscher

“No, because it makes it seem like it’s okay to have underage sex and always have someone to cover it up.” Sophomore Avery Jones

Michelle Demo | Illustration that easy, free access to birth control and other contraceptives helped lower the teen pregnancy and abortion rates. Another aspect that the free Health Clinic offers is the opportunity to have their services there stay completely confidential, regardless of the age of the patient and the services that are being provided. The clinic receives Title X funding, which mandates that the clinic must provide family planning, including services like pregnancy tests, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and examinations for birth control. Title X, along with mandating they provide family planning for their patients, also requires the clinic to provide these services to anyone who requests them without notifying parents when the request comes from a minor. The only time the clinic may notify the parents of the patient is if that patient has a serious health condition that needs more advanced medical treatment than what the clinic can offer them.

The Focus staff agrees and saw this point as an issue, that if the student’s health was at a serious risk, that parents should be notified that their child is going through serious health issues. The Focus proposes that the clinic notify parents of students under the age of consent (16). The staff voted and the majority agreed to the clinic informing parents of those having underage sex, but we as a staff believe that if the patient is above the age of consent that total confidentiality should be enforced. We believe that teens of all ages engaging in sexual activities need a safe environment they can turn to if they do not feel safe or comfortable talking with their parents about their actions. Overall, we believe that the Health Department fills a need in the community and is a safe environment for teens who need a place to turn in order to educate them on the decisions they are making and how it affects their bodies. F

“No, because if they make the mistake of having underage sex than they shouldn’t be privileged with free testing.” Junior Ethan Rule

“Yes, because those resources should be provided because they improve the overall health of the population.” Senior Cara Mitrano

editorial | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 03

TIDBITS Random pieces of information told in less

Upc��n�

than 50 words

19 & 27 Number of school days left for seniors and for non seniors.

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

I n t e r n a t i o n a l Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement exams start. IB exams last until the 22nd and AP exams last unitl the 15th

MAY

7:00pm in the little theatre, the Man Pageant takes place. Some events this year include talent, formal wear, and new this year is boyband karaoke.

4 Month 14

MAY

5 25 MAY

In the Instagram photo of the month, we used a picture that junior Pierson Joseph posted. Unfortunatley we credited the photo Piershon Joseph; thats not someone who goes to this school, sorry Pierson!

Waiting for Avengers 2 to come out in theaters (today)!

Follow THIS User

@tom_the_bomb97

4 | FOCUS | 5/1/2015 | op/ed

that corresponds to their genitalia. Is it easy for you to pee while standing? Go to the men’s room. Have monthly ovulations? Use the women’s. I am not attempting to deny anyone any right, and if someone feels more feminine, they can try to fit those gender roles. Masculine? Do the same. But even though you see yourself that way, it does not mean you should also expect the entire population to accept you. Toleration is important in protecting individual ideologies, and if someone still feels uncomfortable, a unisex bathroom sounds like a great solution. You are who you are and you should love yourself for that very reason, but how you view yourself “objectively” should not define you! There is definitely a clear distinction between who one is, and how you see yourself. I may see myself as suave, good-looking, and intelligent, others may not. But yet I am still a bassist.

ER E’S

?V I

tom_the_bomb97 Why waste time and money coming up with 5 different promposals when you and your five friends can lust build a rocket ship?

LETTER TO THE EDTOR

ome things just are. I am Scott Dennis Joffre. I play the bass. But it was not always like that. I once played the cello. One day, I was given the opportunity to change, and I became a bass player (much to the dismay of Hobie Fisher). That was certainly within the bounds of life, and now I am a bass player. I, as an individual, who I am and what I have become is not defined by this change, but I am who I am (and nothing will change that). As the Focus made clear in an editorial, “What do you think”, and a three-page article, some people see themselves as being held back by who they are. To clear up some confusion, gender is the societal role of an individual; sex is the biological make up. So with the bathroom, it doesn’t matter if you see yourself as feminine or masculine, or a mix of both (which everyone inherently is). A person’s sex defines their organs and how they excrete. So people should just use the bathroom

Memorial Day! This is our last three day weekend of the year. This weekend will be good preperation for your summer break.

Managing Edior, Michelle Demo, only gave credit to her last name for working on her story last issue. You aren’t a famous soccer player Michelle, you have a first and a last name

Waiting for the new Star Wars trailer

and one thing you still do...

The annual Dodgeball Tournament takes place after school. You better be at your best, this tournament is known for its high competition.

CORRECTIONS

Scavenging money for prom

Getting enough motivation to finish out the year just as strong as you have been

Photo OF THE

MAY

1 2 3

BY THE NUMBERS

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

Will Hackbarth

Maddy Wheelock

ear Gary Glenn, driven to create jobs for all of us? Or just the As my time as a Focus columnist residents who were uneducated enough to runs out and my ability to vote vote for you? comes closer, I would like to take Another one of your homophobic this opportunity to tell you why I will never comments that made news recently was vote for you. the gay “agenda alert” you posted on your When your name first started popping up facebook page after Tony Lascari, who is on my news feeds before the last elections, married to a man, was promoted to news I dismissed you as another Republican editor for the Midland Daily News. Lascari Midlander trying to make his way into responded with a professional, polite column. politics. Upon reconsideration, I realized how If I may quote your campaign pledge again, drastically I had underestimated you. You are you promised to “support values that what my Political Nightmares are made of, encourage strong families, neighborhoods, Mr. Glenn. and communities.” I know by this you Though I could make a long list of all probably meant Christian, conservative of our opposing viewpoints on education, values. But what is stronger than a man religion, unionizing, gun control, and more, like Lascari, who can bounce back from I’d really like to focus on just one aspect of the national spotlight you put him in by your campaign and candidacy: the multiple offering to “be just as fair to you as he would attacks you have have been before you made on a community issued your alert”? What I would like to take that is very important communities are you this opportunity to to me. It’s one thing supporting if not the ones tell you why I will to be against same sex that can be respectful when never vote for you. marriage, but honestly no one has done the same I’m not sure how for them in the past? you’ve gotten away with so many harmful Your ignorant comments have not been comments towards the LGBTQ+ community. focused solely on the gay community, In a 2011 interview, you shared your however. Just recently, you made comments opinion that hiring a gay person would about the events regarding transgender rights not be a good investment. You said, “being that occurred at Planet Fitness. You said, the ‘best and brightest’ is not defined by “Planet Fitness obviously should rethink its engaging in homosexual behavior, specifically anti-woman, anti-reality policy. If they don’t, because it’s not bright to engage in behavior they shouldn’t be surprised in a conservative medically associated with dramatically family-friendly community such as Midland if increased personal health risks.” This is they lose more female members.” As a female not only a worrying statement on the basis resident of Midland, I can honestly say that of equal job opportunities, but it’s also an your comment is what is anti-reality. Trans insult to the intelligence of the LGBTQ+ people exist and they exist in Midland and community. Mr Glenn, I promise every if you have a problem with that, you should queer person knows that people like you rethink representing your district. think AIDS is a “gay disease,” even though After seeing your countless negative it could be transferred through someone’s comments about the LGBTQ+ community, fluids of any sex or gender. Also, though you it saddens me that people can still vote for did not specifically say that queer people you in good conscience. I sincerely hope should not be hired, you did say, “I would that when the younger generation is able to not think of a homosexual person as a good vote, we will outgrow politicians who make employment risk, I just wouldn’t.” And yet, comments like these about members of the in your campaign pledge, you promised to district they represent. “create new, better, and higher-paying jobs Sincerely, a future voter of whoever is for families here in mid-Michigan.” Are you running against you.

‘‘

Shards of Enlightenment

woman once existed, half a The two began to meet in secret, as my century ago, in the small town grandma gradually taught her how to read. of Zion, Illinois. To many of her Starting with the prices of items, so that fellow citizens, she seemed just she could know how much money she was as insignificant as that previous sentence. spending at the store, they continued to Through some auspicious convergence of practice until the woman could eventually fate, she met my grandmother and her life read the romance magazines that she had changed. Yet, the world at large remained always wanted to understand. Eventually, the same. The planet did not tilt off its axis, this woman was able to write a letter home the charted course of the universe was not to her mother all by herself, and gained some altered, and no story was forged destined to treasured independence from her husband. be etched eternally into the tomes of history. My grandma described it has her favorite But history consists primarily of these moment in her teaching career, to see this individuals and their stories, each with their woman blossom towards her full potential. own enthralling mysteries shrouded by the My grandparents have many of these mundane. The problem is that the past is fascinating stories, like their experiences in fleeting, and often we wish to forget it or Alabama during the forced desegregation choose not to pass it of schools, that all give on. Rarely do people amazing insight to the think to ask their time period, more so than I could have gone grandparents for a textbook ever could. my entire life without their most inspiring They told me how a gaining these insightful stories, or their dayblack person could not to-day experiences firsthand accounts, content legally stand in a white living in a time so household, since that with relying on the dry, alien from our own. meant they were a friend generalized versions that For the few that are and not a servant. They textbooks provide. told these stories, told me how a gas tank lit even fewer give any their yard on fire and my heed to them, and grandpa told his students so these valuable that the Ku Klux Klan did descriptions of the past are lost to us. I myself it, and they believed him. They told me of did not comprehend these stories’ importance how the school district in Wisconsin where until I listened to my own grandmother paint my grandmother taught did not allow her to vivid and inspiring scenes of her past. teach while pregnant, and how she hid that She spoke of this aforementioned woman, fact and taught anyway. whom she first noticed at a townhouse in I went a whole 16 years without hearing a Zion, trying to no avail to sign her kids up for single one of these stories. I could have gone school. She was a Hispanic woman from the my entire life without gaining these insightful South, and so received very little education. firsthand accounts, content with relying As my grandmother explained, many on the dry, generalized versions of history Hispanic parents at that time did not want that textbooks provide. I could have never their kids in the company of black children, understood how important it is to pass on the but they could not attend white schools, so stories of those who come before us, in order often times their parents kept them at home. to fully understand how we have got where My grandma was a teacher, so when this we are and where we still need to go. woman who did not possess the ability to I could have never reached this conclusion: write even her own children’s names finally Not a single thing exists that is more asked my grandma for help, she gladly important than the past. obliged.

‘‘

Open Letter to Gary Glenn

op/ed | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 5

Michaela Carpenter

Aelish Shay

t had been six days since I had been to by dysfunction of the Autonomic Nervous school. I had no cold, no virus, and to the System, which controls things like heart rate, rest of the world - no excuse. I started blood pressure, digestion, kidney function getting an increasing number of texts and temperature control. This is what my and snapchats, all asking the same question. pediatrician believes I may have, and 2 “Where are you?!” “Are you okay?” Most months ago referred me to a cardiologist to of them were ignored. I laid in bed that day confirm, whom I will be seeing on May 27th. unable to move with out my back seizing in The symptomology associated with this is the pain. I must have pinched a nerve the night reason I missed so much school, the reason before, when my whole body ached and for the texts and questions. The reason that I tensed and adrenaline trapped me in shallow quite literally could not get out of bed some sleep and vivid dreams. When I sat up, my mornings. It’s accompanied by a multitude vision blurred, my blood pressure dropped of symptoms including fainting, shaking, and my heart sped up to compensate. Out stomach aches and muscular pain and many of nowhere it would feel as if a knife where others. However, the most important thing twisting in my chest. I couldn’t think straight. to know about this chronic condition that I remember the anxiety attack I had in the it is what’s known as an “invisible illness,” morning, when I didn’t know what to tell meaning you can’t really tell someone has it my friends or unless they explicitly my teachers and tell you. I didn’t even I didn’t know know I had it, because I didn’t know about the how to go back on the outside there condition that... may be to school and didn’t seem to be make up for the anything different causing my body to react missed time. I between my friends to standing the way a remember my and me. It’s possible dad calling every healthy person’s body to grow out of but can hour afterwards take between 5 to 7 reacts to bleeding out. to check on me. years. Luckily, I had a I didn’t answer few things that would the texts because push me even on the I didn’t know yet. I didn’t know about the worst days. Things like The Focus, which I condition that, during a flare-up, may be looked forward to every single day and had a causing my body to react to standing the responsibility to. But when I couldn’t handle same way a healthy person’s body reacts regular responsibilities anymore, it helped to bleeding out. After that morning came to know that my friends would be there for a slew of doctors appointments. Hours me. Throughout every test I have to take of reading filled with medical jargon and and every specialist I see, I’ve got a group ugly colloquialisms like “painsomnia”. of people pulling for me and that’s a great The referrals, the blood tests, the note that feeling. said “What Aelish is going through is not I’m not worried about my next doctor’s conducive to a full school day. I recommend appointment. I’m going to be fine. I’m a reduced schedule at least until we find the sharing this because I worry about others. underlying medical cause” that effectively Just because someone doesn’t look sick ended my regular classes here at Midland doesn’t mean they aren’t – and you should High. always pay attention to your friends and most Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome importantly to yourselves – there’s no reason (POTS) is a form of dysautonomia affecting to ever invalidate anything you’re going roughly 1 out of every 100 teens. It’s caused through.

6 | FOCUS | 5/1/2015 | op/ed

‘‘

ave you ever met someone and region of Uganda, where Kony and the LRA known that your life would focused their attacks. Both of them had been never be the same? I have. abducted. Both escaped. This March I spent a week in Time stood still as they shared with us. I was Uganda. It surpassed anything I could have no longer sitting in that room, I was hiding imagined, and I saw God in incredible new under a bed with several young girls as the ways. It wasn’t always easy, though. Like one school Angela attended was raided. I was morning when I met two women who rocked listening to the sound of a cane coming down my world. again and again on Janet’s back. All I knew in I can’t completely explain it all, but I know that moment was what I was hearing; I could this story is meant to be shared. It starts see the pain in each woman’s eyes as they earlier in the week, in the little moments and shared their stories. In order to share these with small details that I didn’t pay attention to us, they had to relive it. What Janet and Angela until they were a giant, messy mountain in experienced was beyond anything I could front of me that ever make up. The horrors I didn’t know Only God could bring the of abduction and abuse how to handle. and rape and near-death kind of forgiveness and Uganda is still experiences were real to healing and strength that recovering from them. For eight years. they possess. a horriﬁc civil When they ﬁnished war that began speaking, my mind was in the 1980s reeling. What was I and lasted for more than 20 years. Our team supposed to do, thank them for sharing and discussed the war before the trip,but it was then just leave? Our team did the only thing just a history lesson to me. That week, things we could manage to do just then: we prayed. became much more personal. These women were not just victims, they were While driving, someone pointed out two survivors. They now provide counseling for tall trees standing next to the road; I learned others who experienced abduction just like they that the Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony had did. They have forgiven people who did things killed countless people between those trees. I can’t even imagine, and they give the credit One day we met a group of people who had to God. That was no surprise to me--only God met each other when they were forced to live could bring the kind of forgiveness and healing in an internal displacement camp that the and strength that they possess. Only God. government created to protect them during There were so many scars that my eyes the war. A man we met had eight children in were opened to that week--physical, mental, his family, four of which were the children of and emotional. And I can’t erase them his brother who was abducted and never seen because they’re scars. Permanent. I’ve learned again. something, though: scars don’t have to be a Everywhere I looked I saw the scars left by bad thing. What if instead of allowing scars to Kony and the LRA. I was overwhelmed by it be a reminder of pain, we used them to declare all, and I couldn’t do anything. I was too late. that we’ve been healed? That’s what Janet and There had been so much fear and pain for so Angela did. They showed us their scars through long, and I was only there to catch a glimpse their stories, and it was hard. But they weren’t of it. My heart broke for what these people just sharing their hurt with us. They were had experienced but I felt powerless to do revealing the beauty of the healing they had anything. And then Friday came. found in Christ. We all sat down to listen as two Ugandan That’s why I try to tell this story, even though women blessed us with the most beautiful it’s hard. Janet and Angela, through their scars, and painful and incredible gift that they continue to declare that God is their Healer. The could have given: their stories. Janet and gift of their stories to us was so that we could do Angela had both grown up in the northern the same.

‘‘

Beautiful Scars

Under Pressure

Noah Surbrook Julia Quinn

Graduation

‘‘

After that, I had this deep desire to o begin, I am not trying to force my understand how people could put their beliefs on you or start any debates; entire souls and lives into the hands of a I just want to tell my story of being they could not see or touch. This idea discovering faith through my long of proclaiming Jesus as my savior made me term, yet also recent, relationship with Jesus. crave more knowledge about God and his From a young age, I have attended church work through people’s lives. every Sunday. I was baptized within my first I researched contrasting beliefs and year. I went to Sunday school, learned about specifically testimonies about God’s help Jesus, sang songs, and memorized prayer; through tragedy and pain. These testimonies but it never seemed to interest me. Often I fidgeted and waited for mass to be over, never consistently proved to me that God is not evil, but God is the only light through so much listening to what our priest had to say. Every darkness. That through terrible things, we Sunday morning, I dreaded having to wake have access to peace and comfort through up early just to sit there and count how many God’s love! lights were on the ceiling. I once read that “the sufferings of Jesus Typically people walk away from religion show us that pain comes to us not as a due to a tragic event in their life. For myself, punishment but rather as a I didn’t suffer from testing ground for faith that depression or live transcends pain.” through a tragedy, God is the only I can’t think of many of but I began constantly light through so much people who would die for questioning the topic me in this world, but Jesus of God in the back of darkness. did. He suffered and this mind. proved to me that nothing If God is so good, will ever be able to separate us from the love why is there so much suffering? Does God of God that is in Christ. really have a plan? Is the bible true? Does I began to read my Bible on a daily basis God actually listen to peoples prayers? If God and it just fascinated and comforted me. really is the creator, why do so many of his Everything I read made me feel ways I children not believe in him? Does God exist? have never felt. Hopeful, fearless, and most These thoughts were nagging me to a point importantly, unconditionally loved. I truly where I thought about giving up on my faith began to believe with all my heart. completely. In my mind, I thought that if I I didn’t hear Gods voice from the sky, or just stopped believing that any of it was true, see and angel come down from Heaven but these questions would go away. Everything what I was feeling was powerful enough the church, my parents, and other people for me to pour my soul into the hands of a were saying sounded like nonsense that I being that I can’t see or touch, in a physical couldn’t wrap my mind around and, in all sense. It took a single moment for me to break honesty, it scared me. the barrier between Christ and me, and in I started attending a youth group because that single moment, I lay there in my room, some of my friends had gone and said it was crying, asking for forgiveness before I drifted always a fun time. I was nervous to go to to sleep. this place where my peers seemed to have so This is difficult for me to talk about, and much knowledge about scripture and faith, probably not the best explanation, but I know fearing that I would be an outcast. my life has been drastically changed ever But these young people did quite the since, and I think the best way to sum it up is opposite; they welcomed me with open through Psalm 18:16- He reached down from on arms and smiles. I attended more often and high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep I listened closer. I never understood that waters. accepting Jesus as my Lord and savior was op/ed | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 7 the most crucial part of my faith.

‘‘

It’s my fourth year at Midland High and if you don’t it’s a sign of failure. It makes School and in a matter of weeks I will be graduation a more negative experience, and graduating with all of my fellow seniors. I’ve puts people down, only praising one group of loved my time at Midland High. They give people. so many great opportunities in the form of What if you could only wear a ribbon if you extracurricular activities and a spectacular were an athlete? You got a yellow ribbon for staff. I’m happy looking back at my time here starting on a varsity team, a blue one for being but I’m upset looking toward graduation. a captain, and a white one for being signed to As you may or may not know, you are not a major university. There would be a bunch able to decorate your gowns with anything of great people who wouldn’t get to show aside from the ribbon that marks you as off their strengths and skills because the only graduating an honor student. A 3.8 weighted skill that the school wants to show off is this GPA is the minimum requirement to decorate one skill specific to one group of people. Only your gown. You get to sport a yellow ribbon one demographic would be receiving the and graduate cum laude. If you get a 4.2, you praise that so many more deserve for different are permitted reasons. to wear a blue Graduation is a I want to decorate my gown ribbon and ceremony that sends us graduate magna. and show the important things into the adult world. You If you were able that I’ve learned. I want to show go from a high school to manage a kid to someone who is whopping 4.5 that things that shaped me and studying for the career GPA, you get that they will have for helped make me who I am. a white ribbon the rest of their life, and have earned or someone who is an summa cum adult and member of laude. the workforce so fast. I want to decorate my Obviously these are all great gown and show the important things that I’ve accomplishments and they deserve praise learned from high school. I want to show the and the ribbon. But if you’re like me and things that shaped me and helped make me your GPA is below 3.8, then you get to look who I am. forward to graduating as just part of the For me sports and journalism played a big crowd. role. For others it may be art, music, welding, I’m a member of the midland high track drama, etc. It makes me want to scream that team, an editor on the school paper, and a nobody can wear so much as a button to show captain of the varsity swim team. I like to what has played a role in their time at high think of myself as an above average person, school. but when I walk down that isle and spend Midland High is an amazing school and I my final hours at midland high, I’ll just be don’t have a big list of complaints for them, another member of the crowd. but this is important to me and I need to voice It’s not just extracurricular activities that I my opinion. want to express. These four years are such an amazing time Growing up you’re always told to be unlike anything else I imagine seeing in my yourself. You’re encouraged to find out where future. In high school you learn so much you fit in and do what makes you happy, about the world and yourself and who you but I can’t show any of that at graduation. want to be, and at graduation this is presented Nobody gets to show how they’re different for all of your peers and families. I want to and unique, or what they value. They only show them my accomplishments and what get to show their grades. To me that seems I have learned and experienced over these like it’s just showing who the school values crazy four years. But I can’t. All I can show more. That if you have a ribbon you’re better them is that I wasn’t a stellar student.

Deep Water

Committing to success Varsity soccer players senior Mackenzie Etienne and junior Marle Bringard are both planning to continue playing soccer at division one colleges in the future. Dylan Rocha | Opinion Editor & Allie Smith | Staff Writer

h e n M a r l e B r i n g a r d wa s a freshman starting on varsity in her first game against Dow High School, her nerves were at an all-time high. Dow games are unlike any other soccer games. Knowing this, Bringard knew she couldn’t afford any mistakes and these nerves cause her stomach to churn. With ten minutes left in the first half, Bringard shot the ball over the goalies head from more than 18 yards away. After the goal, her teammates ran over to her and celebrated. Neither team scored later in the game and the final score stayed at 1-0. “It was the most nervous I had been for a game. After the game the seniors cried because it was the first time in their four years that they beat Dow,” said Bringard, now a junior. “I felt so amazing knowing I scored the goal that won the game. The whole team played amazing and it was such an intense game.” This continues to be Bringard’s favorite soccer memory because of its high importance and how exciting the moment was. This season was the start of a journey of the recruitment process that led Bringard to verbally commit to play soccer for Central Michigan University (CMU). Bringard was also receiving many offers from colleges to play soccer for them, but CMU stood out from the rest. “I think they have a really good soccer program from what I have seen,” Bringard said. “They are very strong believers on education before soccer. I also like that it’s not too far away from my house and my family.” Marle’s dad, John Bringard, is also a huge fan of the school’s emphasis on education for student athletes. “The coach said there was mandatory study time for the student athlete. If the athlete was having problems in certain classes they could let the coach know and a tutor would be arranged by the coach,” John said. “This was really comforting for us to know the pride the coach took in having his athletes know the reason why they were attending the school.” Marle has been playing soccer on many travel and school teams since she was three years old and she has had a passion for it ever since. “I’m excited to be able to continue doing what I love in college,” Marle said. “I am excited to meet new people and be competing at a higher

8 | FOCUS | 5/1/2015 | sports

level.” Since her freshmen year, Marle has been playing for the varsity team. Her previous experience on two travel soccer teams, Midland Fusion and WAZA FC, has really helped her develop her skills. “My favorite part about playing soccer is the atmosphere. I am surrounded by my best friends and I just love playing,” Marle said. “I have been playing since I was three and I have never stopped loving it since.” Marle’s parents are both very pleased with her decision to play in college. “We are so proud of how she set her goal to play college soccer and achieved that goal,” John said. “We really like the education opportunities CMU oﬀers and are glad she has only a short drive to her mom and dad.” Like Bringard, senior Mackenzie Etienne verbally committed to a college her sophomore year. Last April, Etienne signed her letter of intent to play for Eastern Michigan University (EMU). “I didn’t plan on going to a smaller school, but once I started visiting colleges I realized I liked the smaller schools with smaller classes and how the teachers work really well with the student athletes,” Etienne said. “All those perks drew me in. The big schools were never really what I wanted.” The environment of the small school and the fact that EMU has a major in sports management and entrepreneurship that Etienne is planning on majoring in is what ultimately led her to committing there. The EMU Women’s Soccer Coach, Scott Hall, is very happy to have Mackenzie on his team next year. Hall is excited to see what she can bring to the team and is ready to see what impact she will have on the program. “Mackenzie is a bright, hard-working individual who will work hard to help continue our high standards on the field and in the classroom,” Hall said. This is the first year that Etienne is on the girls’ varsity soccer team. She had previously played varsity soccer at Dow High School her freshmen year. “I’m really excited because my teammates all get along really well,” Etienne said. “It’s always fun playing with new people and meeting

1. Senior Mackenzie Etienne rushes to beat an opposing player from Nouvel Catholic Central High School to the ball. 2. Etienne dribbles the ball up the field. 3. Junior Marle Bringard gets around and avoids a defender from Nouvel to continue bringing the ball up to the forwards up field. Dylan Rocha | Photos others in soccer.” This is the first year Etienne and Marle have been teammates. This season the team’s formation is a 4-3-3. This means there are four defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards. Etienne and Marle play as two of the three midfielders, both playing a more offensive midfielder. “I think that we work well off of each other it’s really good that we both get to work together in a position with the talent we bring from both playing competitively in Detroit,” Etienne said, “I also think that helps the team.” Both girls enjoy being each other’s teammates this season and believe they can help lead the team towards reaching their goals for the season. The team’s goals for the season are to win the Saginaw Valley League championship and improve enough to make a run at the state championship. Varsity Soccer Coach Richard Campbell said Marle and Etienne will each help the team achieve these goals in their own ways. “They are both skilled players. They are each aggressive, accurate passers, and show great leadership on the field,” Campbell said. “The team looks to them for leadership and they are both excellent players on the field.” F

Mackenzie and Marle’s soccer journey Mackenzie Age started playing Age started playing travel Years spent on Midland Fusion Years spent on WAZA FC Years spent on MHS Varsity soccer Years spent playing soccer

Marle

3 3 8 10 3 4 2 5 1 3 14 14

Running with a purpose Senior Brandon Dull began running two years ago when he was an exchange student in Spain. He has since lost 65 pounds and has run a half marathon. He is currently training for the Chicago Marathon. Noah Surbrook | Exchange Editor & Lexi Costley | Staff Writer

eadphones blast music into senior Brandon Dull’s ears as his shoes hit the pavement. His sister Chelsea runs next to him; her form of silent support for her brother’s new hobby. They usually run alone but get together to train as often as they can. “I think we’re both really good at supporting each other,” sid Chelsea, a 2010 graduate of MHS. “It’s cool to know that we can help each other train for big races, and to be able to say that we finished together. That we helped support each other throughout the training and just keep each other going.” Dull began running two years ago, when he was an exchange student in Spain. “I had a lot of free time because I didn’t really know anybody so I decided to start running,” Dull said. “I loved it, so I still continue doing it.” After he returned home, Dull started running more often and completed his first half marathon in Midland. “It was really difficult because I didn’t train very well,” Dull said. “It was still really rewarding though. I’m training a lot harder for my upcoming marathon.” Currently, he and Chelsea are training to participate in the Chicago Marathon in October. He has several people in his life who help him train and keep him motivated: his mother, sister, and stepfather are all runners too, and try to keep him working hard to improve. “I offer as much advice as he will allow me to,” said Brandon’s mother, Jennifer Suarez. Senior Brandon Dull runs around the Midland High Schoool track to practice for his marathon. He would “I have run marathons before. I am trying to need to do 48 laps (12 miles) to complete his full workout on a standard track. Noah Surbrook| Photo help guide him with planning long runs and how to avoid injuries. I offer advice and I try to tell him how to fuel said. “He has the potential to become quite fast,” Suarez said. during the run. I also “When he first competitive.” gave him big stack of In addition to his agility, Brandon’s family started running, marathon books.” also are proud of his planning skills and work He comes up with a he was very slow. To train, Brandon His distance has ethic. plan and he follows it runs an average of “He comes up with a plan and follows it, increased a lot and and typically that’s what 30-35 miles per week. just like a marathon runner would do,” Suarez he’s grown in speed a marathon runner will One day, he runs said. a lot, too. He can run do. a long distance— “He just does it. I’ve seen him increasing in an 8-minute mile or about 10 miles. The his miles and I’m happy about it.” Jennifer Suarez under.” other days of the Brandon plans to continue running with Brandons step week, he runs about father Andres Suarez his family and on his own, and is glad that he 5-6 miles. also notices that began his training journey. He tries his best “I’m very proud of him,” Suarez said. Brandons times have to stay in shape to prepare himself for the run “It’s very impressive to watch the dropped significantly since he started. with his sister. He has lost 65 pounds since he transformation that has happened. He’s “With the pounds he has lost and the fitness began running two years ago, and his family he has gained since he started training, he become so much more confident, and his says that his skills have improved drastically. has become a much faster runner,”Suarez running has improved so much. I can’t help “What’s most impressive to me is that he’s but be proud of him.” F

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B r a n d o n’s R u n n i n g Station

Feel so Close Calvin Harris

Budapest George Ezra

Divine Sorrow Wyclef Jean

Habits (Stay High) Tove Lo

Don’t

Ed Sheeran

Lean On (feat. MO & DJ Snake)

Major Lazer

The Heart Wants What It Wants

Selena Gomez

sports | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 9

Yo u n g A b i l i t y

As a three season athlete, Freshman Martin Money as been on Varsity for both basketball and baseball and played an instrumental role. Sydnie Meath | Staff Writer & Emily Fisher | Sports Editor and Photo Editor

tepping up to the plate has always been Martin grow over the years by watching both Freshman Martin Money’s strength. in the stands and as his coach. Whether it be when he was a 12 years old “I’ve enjoyed just seeing him progress playing for the Northeast Little League throughout the years and I just enjoy working All-Stars, or now, as a freshman in the Varsity with him and his friends and seeing them enjoy baseball program. the game as much as I do,” Brian said. “He’s an infielder and we are light on As Martin’s father, Brian is able to see a infielders right now, so that played a component different strong suit of Martin than some other [in Martin making varsity], but he also is a good coaches see. hitter,” Albright said. “His love for the game is one of his big The sport of baseball has been Money’s strengths and his passion to win and do what passion for as long as he can remember. He it takes for himself and his teammates,” Brian started playing at the age of four and has said. played on the Northeast All-Stars team since This season, Martin was the only freshman he was eight years old. This past summer to be pulled up to play on the varsity baseball he played on a separate team. All-Star team, where “His skill level is His love for the game is one they traveled to Taylor, advanced enough to be Michigan and competed on the varsity team, he of his big strengths and in the 14-year-old World is strong and physically his passion to win and do Series. As two-sport he is not a small ninth whatever it takes for himself Varsity athlete who has grader,” Varsity coach played both baseball and Eric Albright said. “Also and his teammates.” basketball his whole life, his physical and mental Father, Brian Money he has more passion for maturity, playing on the sport of baseball. the varsity basketball Although Money was on the Varsity team has something to do with that. He could basketball team this past season, he expresses handle it physically and he could handle it his love of the game of baseball is the reason emotionally.” he favors the sport of baseball over basketball. Albright said Money’s strengths go beyond “Baseball [is the sport I favor] because I like his ability to hit. being with my teammates and how close I get “Martin really loves baseball, and he really with my teammates throughout the year,” he wants to get better. He is going to work tiredly said. “I just like playing the game.” at it,” Albright said. Money doesn’t let making two Varsity sports Although his high school baseball as a freshman impact him negatively in that career has just started, he sees much room he lets it get to his head. Rather, he uses the for improvement. There will still be high opportunity to improve and develop himself expectations for Money because he is on at a young age. Varsity, but Albright knows not to put too “It’s definitely been fun and it makes me work much pressure on him this early in the season. harder and it drives me to be better,” he said. “I’m expecting him to get better throughout His father, Brian, has had the greatest impact the season and I have to be careful to not put on his sporting career, Martin said. too much pressure on him earlier in the year,” “He’s taught me since I could walk on how Albright said. to play sports and my work ethic,” Martin said. Aside from baseball, Martin also excels in “We go out on the weekends and practice every basketball, making and playing varsity as a weekend together.” freshman and received a quality amount of Brian has had the opportunity to watch playing time. Varsity basketball coach Eric

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Freshman Martin Money defends third base during practice. These drills help to improve the teams defensive plays, Money has to decide where to throw the ball in game situations. Emily Fisher | Photo Krause said Martin had a large impact on the Varsity team this past season. “His passing and vision allowed the offense to flow better than when he was not on the court, “ Krause said. “He also contributed positively to the team with his rebounding as well.” Martin’s mental makeup helped the team greatly. His positive mindset throughout the season and skills he showed in practice and the games, stood out to Krause. He had that special quality that Krause classifies as “it,”which Krause had been looking for in a player. “He expects to win, and has the unique quality of being able to understand what needs to be done to help the team at a crucial time in the game,” Krause said. “When I would discuss how the team was playing at different times throughout the year, Martin would amaze me with his assessment of the team and his own play. His understanding of the game is excellent, and the fact that he is a freshman makes his comprehension quite amazing.” F

Martin’s accomplishments over the years Won 3 district titles on The Northeast All-Stars Little League Traveled to Taylor, Michigan and competed in the 14 yearold World Series Made the JV football as a freshman Made Varsity Basketball as a freshman Won Districts in Varsity Basketball Made Varsity Baseball as a freshman Sydnie Meath | Infographic

THE SPORTS ZONE

Quick facts and statistics to know about the spring athletes and upcoming events.

Athletes of the Month SPORTS Grade: Senior

Sport: Varsity Baseball Stats: .529 batting average Coach’s Take: “He is off to a hot start this season and plays great defense.” -Eric Albright

Jordan Jachens

Tweet of the Month

“Having an injury sucks

May 4 vs. Frankenmuth

Varsity Baseball:

because you have to watch

May 14, 3:30pm vs. H.H. Dow

people do the thing you

Key to Success: “No matter how bad I’m playing, I’m always trying to do better.”

want to do most.”

Girls’ Varsity Track:

@AlyCoffeyam2

May 6 vs. Mount PleasantHigh School

Grade: Junior

Boys’ Varsity Golf: May 5th SVL Jamboree #3

Coach’s Take: “She has played four different positions, hit a home run and three triples, and is an awesome team player. She always has a great attitude and gives maximum effort at all times.” -Robin Allen Favorite Memory: “My favorite memories come from building friendships with my teammates.” Key to Success: “Motivation is what gets you started, passion is what keeps you going” Yearbook | Photo Courtesy Grade: Junior Sport: Girls’ Varsity Tennis Stat: Co-captain Coach’s Take: “Flight champion of last week’s trounament and she is the co-captain of the team. She is always hardworkig.” -Linda Heinrich

Sports Poll

47% 29%

Key to Success: “Practicing on the off season.”

10% 24%

Emily Fisher | Photo

Out of 150 people

Favorite Memory: “Definitely meeting all thr girls and hanging out eith them at tournaments.”

May 6th SVL TRI vs. CA, Powers

Girls’ Varsity Soccer:

Kaitlyn Stymiest | Photo

Stats: .500 batting average

Melissa Henning

Girls’ Varsity Tennis:

Favorite Memory: “When we got to play a bunch of teams from out of the country.”

Sport: Girls’ Varsity Softball

Zoe Manary

Upcoming Home Events

of students play sports over the summer. of students participate in camps or programs to improve their athletic abilities. of students have siblings playing at collegiate level sports next year. of sudents’ parents played sports for Midland High. sports | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 11

Mission possible

Seniors Ally Jasin and Mason Money along side Midland High graduate Malissa Garland and their youth groups visited the third-world countries of Haiti and Jamaica to offer their help in both building relationships and construction projects. Senior Mary Andridge traveled to Haiti, but also to Uganda with the adult portion of her church to give encouragement to the natives. Megan Nylund | News Editor & Claire Booth | Staff Writer

s disabled adolescents invaded the area surrounding the 12-person van, hands were grabbed and bruises started to form on the nine youth group members serving in Jamaica. Orphans begged for the attention they had been neglected of. Malissa Garland was pulled down the hallways of West Haven, a Jamaican orphanage for special needs, and saw the neglect that the adolescents faced. All of the workers they passed glanced at the child, but ignored her presence other than expressing a quick hello to send the girl off on her way. Here, Garland saw the life of orphan named Disha and the neglect she experienced day in and day out. Garland wanted to bond with Disha as best as she could within her week-long mission trip. “Some [workers] would acknowledge her, but others wouldn’t,” said Garland, who graduated from MHS in 2014. “I didn’t understand at first, but they see those kids every day, but it was an eye opener.” Garland, along with eight other youth group members from United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF), traveled to Jamaica last summer to rebuild bunk beds that were below the government’s standards for an orphanage called New Hope Children’s home. The youth group was asked to change their schedule to help with this project, otherwise the orphanage would be shut down. The group originally planned to help make a stable church for the Jamaican community, before the orphanage owner asked for their help. The teenagers soon found themselves attached to children of both New Hope Children’s home and West Haven Orphanage. These children do not receive the attention they need and therefore were very eager to be noticed by the members of the youth group. “[Senior] Ally Jasin was outside on the swing set that had two benches and she had a lot kids on that somehow and two in each hand,” Garland said. “The kids just latch on because they don’t have anybody. They get a diaper change and that’s the only time they get contact. It’s really sad.” However, the group was not only there to give attention and show affection towards the kids, they were also providing assistance to the orphanage workers. Their help gave the workers a chance to sit back and take a break from their responsibilities. The teenagers took over and showed love to the children, while relieving to the workers who spend their days caring for the children. “It’s easy to pick up a two or three year

12| FOCUS | 5/1/2015 | news

Senior Mary Andridge carries a jerrycan in the district of Gulu in Uganda. Here she met her family’s sponsored child Agnes and was able to visit with an HIV-infected group of people that lived in the district. Mary Andridge | Photo Courtesy old and play with them because then you’re speaking their language, but it’s harder to go up to one of the adults and try and start a conversation with them,” Jasin said. “We tried our best to not only help the kids, but also help the workers.” Jasin, along with the rest of her youth group, was impacted not only by the country and the difference between the native’s lives and theirs, but also by the orphanage itself. They formed close bonds with the children that made them realize how blessed they are. “Going to the orphanages made me think ‘how could someone ever want to give up

a child?’” Jasin said. “The kids [in Jamaica] couldn’t find a family to love or care for them in a way that a lot of us here have been able to have.” Team leader John Engler, director of youth ministries at FUMC was so impacted by Jamaica that he traveled there annually since 2000 to help the community out, and eventually felt the need to bring a piece of Jamaica home with him. “I adopted a son from [there],” Engler said. “He has and always will be a reminder of how much God can use us.” Jamaica is one of the several third-world countries that MHS students have traveled to on mission trips. One of these countries was Haiti, which was helped by X-treeme. Senior Mason Money attended this mission trip and found herself having a different approach on Haiti’s community than others would view it as. “One word I would use to describe Haiti is beautiful,” Money said. “People think ‘Oh it’s so gross because they had an earthquake’, but it’s not. You just look at the mountains and you feel at peace.” Along with the beauty of the country, Money also found peace within the differences in the community. The welcoming of the people in the city of Fond Blanc led the mission to be a greater and more impactful experience for Money and her youth group. “The biggest difference is that they have nothing, and they still have way more joy than we have here,” Money said. “They don’t know if they’re going to have shoes or where their next meal is coming from. We are so fortunate here, but they are honestly the happiest people I have ever met in my life. I learned to have joy and learned that we might not have something we want, but our happiness shouldn’t depend on if we have it. We should let relationships make us happy and our faith make us happy.” X-treeme trip leader David Hoag found Haiti to hold great differences from America. Haiti has very independent and non-materialistic natives, and the people there are struggling much more in their daily lives. “Watching the kids grow spiritually, mentally, and physically [was the best part of the experience],” Hoag said. “We have phones and iPods and computers. In Haiti, they have sticks and stones, and that’s what they play with. The kids in Haiti aren’t living; they’re surviving. They have to worry about where their food’s going to come from, and what they are going to do [to survive] as a day-to-day thing.” Senior Mary Andridge also felt this comforting effect upon her arrival in Haiti.

She felt that she belonged there and looked forward to her future where she plans to move to a country with similar conditions. “It really put my heart on the passion for going outside of my comfort zone, which really hasn’t become a comfort zone anymore,” Andridge said. “It’s very expanded now because I’ve gone to a country where I couldn’t drink water out of the tap or I couldn’t brush my teeth out of the tap. That’s very uncomfortable for some people, but I was very comforted by it. It was really weird. I really felt like I was at home.” Andridge also attended a mission trip to Uganda, in which her and a few members of MEFC were able to experience their sponsored district of Gulu. For a week, she was able to visit the child that her family sponsors, Agnes. Andridge was also able to participate in opportunities that she wouldn’t be able to do back in America. She was able to see the lifechanging effect of clean versus dirty water and how it affects hygiene. Andridge also was able to listen to two women who were formerly kidnapped during a civil war in Uganda. She also met HIV-infected citizens and was able to learn about their support group that they have created for one other. This too had a different effect than Andridge’s previous mission trip to Haiti, where she was able to create close bonds with the orphans there and found it hard to leave, she found this trip confirming her future. After going on two third-world country mission trips, Andridge confirms that the mission trips are completely different with the interaction that is received from the natives than mission trips than in the United States. She finds it better to empower the natives to be able to keep using the skills that they’ve learned even after the mission trip is over. “[For third world mission trips], it’s more geared towards let’s do this together, but let’s have the people who are native to the country be the leaders of it,” Andridge said. “For mission trips in America, they were more geared towards we’re going to do this for you and we’re not going to let you do it with us.” Andridge looks forward to being able to continue mission trips outside of the United States and finding her career pathways in it as well. She said Americans are too set in their ways and she enjoys the flexibility of the out of country missions. “I think it is just so cool and inspiring too,” Andridge said. “Which is one of the reasons why I want to do missions, is that I honestly hate living in a country where we are so selfconsumed and so ‘My path is my path’.” F

What makes a third-world country, a thirdworld country? h of ipgh le ove vels r ty

lo deevconow elop mic me nt

avyence hen e dn ed p e o ializ d strions u d in nat

e tabml ent s n u ern gov low utilization of natural resources

ign e r fo bt e g lar de

Megan Nylund | Infographic

Senior Mason Money hugs a Haitian child during her mission trip in Haiti. Here she gave attention to the children who receive little from the workers all while constructing the start of a building near the orphanage in mountainous region of Fond Blanc. Mason Money | Photo Courtesy

news | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 13

Dream to a

reality A

Project 111 is a program designed for teenagers dealing with safe driving and promoting good choices rather than reprimanding for the bad choices. The project was designed by Officer Chad Schieber before he passed away while running the Chicago Marathon back in 2007 Hannah McAtamney | Staff Writer & Mercedes Hussein | Ads Coordinator

s School Resource Officer Jai Mahabir for seniors. Each month the School Resource sorts through the names that have Officers at both high schools pull four seniors been drawn to receive prizes, his names to give the prizes out to. eyes come across a name that is Another big thing that he noticed was ineligible because of their traffic violation. But that teenagers were not having any positive then this gives Mahabir the opportunity to have interactions with officers, all officers were doing a positive interaction with a student that might for teenagers was pulling them over followed need to hear the simple, yet very impactful by then writing a ticket for their wrongdoing. words of ‘I believe in you and I know you can He had wanted to mend this relationship do better’. This then gives students the chance between officers and teenagers and remind the to redeem themselves and to be eligible to win community what officers were intended for. these prizes the following month. This is one Chad began working very hard and wrote out of the bigger goals of Project 111 and Chad his entire idea and plan for the project. Chad Schieber. then started to go visit local businesses asking Project 111 is a new program designed to them to donate prizes monthly. He became reward teenagers for their good choices in frustrated that he could not get this project off driving and in life. The whole dream started the ground. with Officer Chad Schieber when he first became In 2007, while running the Chicago Marathon, a Community Chad had a Relations heart attack and Officer for the unexpectedly city of Midland. passed away. Back when he Chad left behind first started, three children there were no and his wife School Resource Sarah. O f f i c e r s . Shortly after Schieber wrote the death, a paper and did Craig Elford presentations from Active Nancy Money trying to get Orthopedics of these officers into the public schools. He was Midland thought that the family may need sent to many teaching seminars in his first few some help. He then founded the Chad Schieber years of working in the police department. In Memorial Race. Family friends, Sara and James one of these seminars he was taught about how Damude, took on the role of organizing the teenager’s brains are not fully developed when race. The original intent of the race was to raise it comes to realizing the consequences of the college money for the three Schieber children. choices they are making. Officer Chad related After the race, Sarah remembered her this to driving and started crafting his dream husband’s dream and realized that this is what project. This is where Project 111 was formed, she would put the money towards. but at the time it was known as Youth Drivers “It was now my dream to make Chad’s dream Incentive Program. come true,” Sarah said. Every month Project 111 gives out four Sarah then went to The Midland Area different prizes; three gift cards from various Community Foundation and pursued Chad’s places around Midland and then the grand dream. When she went to the foundation they prize, an iPad. Also, at both Midland and Dow’s told Sarah that her first step was to raise $5,000 graduation there will be a scholarship of $1,000 for the project to get underway. A year and a half given to one senior. These can be earned by ago they were able to meet that goal. being in good standing at school and by having Before the project started to commence, Sarah a clean driving record. The program is designed knew that they needed an official name for the

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So many times as adults we are quick to hand out criticism and negative consequences for certain behaviors.

Dow High School’s School Resource Officer Jai Mahabir takes the opportunity at Prom night to have positive interactions with both Midland High and Dow High students by talking with them about the good choices that they will make on this night. Hannah McAtamney| Photo

14| FOCUS | 5/1/2015 |news

How safe are teenage drivers?

70%

of teens admit to talking on the cell phone while

driving

94%

More than 50%

of teens keep their cell phones on while driving of teens admitted to reading a text message while driving in the last 30 days

Source: AAA project. “Chad’s badge number was 111,” Sarah said, “And so I thought that there could be no better way to honor and include Chad in his dream than to keep his badge number involved in the project.” After coming up with Project 111, Sarah realized she could not be in this alone. She then approached Police Chief Cliff Block about progressing the idea. Chief Block was very excited about the project and wanted to help however he could. He gave Sarah quite a few names, including the owner of Roth Cleaners, Paul White, to make up a board that would help fundraise and make decisions concerning the project. This board began with 14 members; Sarah was overjoyed with the overwhelming support. As of now the board is smaller, but is planning some big things for Project 111. “What would high school kids really appreciate?” White said when the board was trying to come up with a grand prize that would be beneficial for students. “An iPad has endless opportunities and it may not be in the finances for some kids,” White said. White has been willing to do whatever it takes to get this project off the ground, including buying every iPad that has been given to the students of both Midland High and Dow High. White believed in this program, and all of the potential it had. “I want our company connected to this project,” White said, “I committed to purchase the iPads for eight months [for both schools].” Nancy Money, a board member for Project 111, first heard about the program when School Resource Officer Jai Mahabir came to her regarding a grant for Project 111. This was the first grant for this program, and Mahabir was so excited about the idea that when Chief Block approached him with the ideas from Sarah he started writing the grant. The grant that Money led him to was through the Midland County Youth Action Council (MCYAC), where young adults are able to grant money to programs that come to them in search of money. had to present to MCYAC, who then gave the grant to Project 111, which was enough to fund the first year of the program. Mahabir was intrigued by the program

because oftentimes teenagers feel they are young and invincible. “So many times as adults we are quick to hand out criticism and negative consequences for certain behaviors,” Money said, “Project 111 is changing the way we think about this. Students are rewarded for good choices rather than being dealt consequences for poor ones.” The program wants to encourage teenagers as whole and not to just focus on driving, but to focus on healthy life choices. “Chad had a vision for what this would look like and we are very blessed that Sarah has been this determined. She has worked diligently to fulﬁll Chad’s dream,” Money said. For junior Noah Schieber, this program is a way to remember his dad and to keep his legacy going. Sarah and Noah both agree that this is an amazing way for the kids to remember their father. “This program makes me want to pursue my dreams more and work harder, in a way that my Dad would be proud of,” Noah said. The initial goal was to get kids excited about Project 111, but now the goal is to get parents and the community excited about the program. Giving out gift cards and iPads every month makes for an expensive program and it’s running low on money. But, community members have a special opportunity to fuel the program. On May 5th, Give Local Midland is going to be happening. This day means that any person can go to The Midland Area Community Foundation and choose to donate to Project 111, and on this day every dollar that someone gives will be matched. A big dream for the entire committee, especially Sarah, is to have Project 111 become stable and to have the program be able to run itself. The next dream is to have this project spread to the entire nation because that was Chad’s original goal. Project 111 isn’t just about driving, when it comes down to it, the program is about teaching kids how to make good decisions and how rewarding making those decisions can be. These positive decisions help communities grow and Project 111 is a program that hopes to instill that into the younger generation. “I’m trying to keep living how he [Chad] would want me to live my life,” Noah said, “because he’s always watching.” F

Need for Birth Control or Emergency Contraception Services? Call Midland County Health Dept. 832-6661 Absolute Conﬁdentiality Midland Coalition for Choice Box 2386 Midland, MI 48641 news| mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 15

Leading the way

ll eyes were on junior Jonathan Haynes as he walked up on stage in front of 2,000 students from all over Michigan to deliver his opening speech as the new Michigan President for the Business Professionals of America (BPA). This was a moment Haynes was waiting for, and certainly one he would never forget. “I kept going over my speech in my head and visualizing saying all the words perfectly,” Haynes said. “I prayed, and that really calmed my nerves. God took care of the rest.” Haynes first joined BPA his sophomore year. Since then, he has been a part of multiple BPA competitions and has risen very high in the standings in just one year. Now for his upcoming senior year, Haynes will represent Michigan in 170 schools as President of BPA. This new chapter for Haynes began last year when he was contacted by the BPA state director, who explained to Haynes that a judge from his individual event at the state competition was very impressed with Haynes’ speaking skills. The judge recommended Haynes’ to run for state oﬃcer next year. When Haynes made it to BPA nationals, the same judge was there and he again was very adamant for him to run. This ultimately pushed Haynes into making the decision to run for oﬃce. “I had to fill out an application and went through multiple phone interviews,” Haynes said. “Once I got there, this year, I had an interview with the current state executive council.” Haynes also had to arrange a campaign rally with his managers, senior Adam Talbott and Dow High School student Mia Yamamoto. Midland High School’s BPA advisor, Andrea Jozwiak, said Haynes’ personality sets him apart from other BPA students. “For one thing everybody knows Jonathan,” Jozwiak said. “He’s very accepting and people just want to be around him.” Haynes’ next step was to take a test on his knowledge of BPA and also meet with voting delegates. Haynes told them about himself and why he wanted to be president. Once that was complete, the voting took place and it was the next night Haynes would receive the news that he won the state presidency, and would be representing more than 4,000 students. “It was very surreal and I was really excited to be a part of something bigger than myself,” Haynes said. “I was proud of myself and grateful for Mrs. Jozwiak, who helped me to reach where I am now.” Now that Haynes is Michigan’s BPA President, he will have to spend next year visiting all of the 170 Michigan schools he’s in charge of. He will have to visit once every month, usually over the weekends, to make

16| FOCUS | 5/1/2015 | news

Junior Jonathan Haynes has been made the new Business Professional of America president of Michigan. Aleisha Jones | Staff Writer & Ericka Reder | Staff Writer

Jonathan’s words to

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These words help Jonathan to make the right decision and drive him to do what’s right.

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, truggle s o n s i e “If ther s no progress.” there i ick Douglas -Freder Jonathan Haynes works hard in his third hour leadership class to improve his leading skills for BPA. As well as being BPA President he is also the Vice President for Midland High School. Aleisha Jones | Photo sure everything with that school is on track. He also is part of the career and technical training and has responsibility of full planning for many leadership conferences. “I’m really excited for what I can do from BPA,” Haynes said. “I love this organization that’s done so much for me and I’m excited to give back.” Haynes learned a lot from his whole experience so far in BPA and recommends it to anyone because business is a large aspect of the world. “It was a really cool experience, I was able to convey myself in the most positive way and learn how to get people to know more about me and get them to like me in about ten seconds,” Haynes said. “It was a really interesting and strange to go somewhere and have so many people know who I am and want pictures of me.” And for Jozwiak, Haynes’ accomplishment was a very proud and emotional moment. “The BPA students become like my children,” Jozwiak said. “I have never had student be a part of the state council, let alone the president. It was exciting, emotional, just every feeling all at once.”

Haynes’ parents are very proud of what he has accomplished. His father, Leonard Haynes, says that Jonathan is a very successful person and the sky’s the limit for him. “As long as he remains humble, he will go far in life, “Leonard said, “Being elected the President of BPA is an incredible feat. We are extremely proud of him. This will be a good opportunity for Jonathan to expand his leadership skills.” Leonard says that he saw something amazing in his son when he was just two years old. Jonathan could spell, read, and ask brainstumping questions. “His questions sometimes would leave an adult scratching their heads, “Leonard said, “He was always excited to learn about new things. Jonathan, never was in to video games he was more into reading newspapers, books and watching the Discovery Channel.” It is evident to Leonard that Jonathan will take charge and be efficient as the new BPA President. “He is a driven, focused young man,” Leonard said. “He is respectable, kind, thoughtful and always willing to help others.” F F

Midland High’s

National Contenders

The following students will be going to Anahem, California May 6-10 to compete in a wide variety of events at the National BPA conference .

Adam Talbott Hayden Clark Jonathan Haynes Joh Reeves Matthew Bott Max Dykhuizen Vincent Perez Zach Church

A new challenge

Midland High principal Janet Greif will be replacing Doug Newcombe as the next Bay City Superintendent. Greif doesn’t have any experience as a superintentdent, but is looking forward to the new opportunity. Sam Robinson | Staff Writer & Kirstyn Cotton | Staff Writer

Mrs. Greif’s

Education

Timeline

Midland High principal Janet Greif talks with a student in her office. Greif has been a principal since 2000 and has been at Midland High since 2009. As she gets ready to move on to her new position as superintendent, she says what she will miss most about Midland Public Schools is the students. Sam Robinson | Photo

hen Bay City Public Schools contacted principal Janet Greif about applying for the superintendent position, it was an offer she couldn’t refuse. Greif has been a part of Midland Public Schools for 11 years and is sad to leave, but is looking forward to reconnecting with the Bay City district after being an elementary school teacher there for four years. Although Greif has been in education for 20 years, she does not have any prior experience as a superintendent. Because of this, she did not see herself being hired over the other potential candidates for the position. However, after multiple interviews in front of the Bay City school board and the community, to showcase her skills showing she was fit for the job, she was unanimously selected to take over in July. “All superintendent interviews are done in public, so I interviewed the first time with the seven [Bay City] school board members,” Greif said. “The community is also welcome to come so there was probably about 40 or 50 people in that interview. I thought I was a long shot though since I didn’t have any previous superintendent experience.” Greif’s hire ended the six month search after current superintendent Doug Newcombe announced his plan to retire last fall. Midland High assistant principal Kandis Pritchett said that Greif’s passion for education and kids helped her land the job in Bay City over the other candidates. Pritchett has seen Greif’s impact on students and staff not only from first hand accounts, but also through letters from graduated students seeking to congratulate

Greif on her new position and to thank her for the impact she had had on them. “[Greif] is not afraid of a challenge; she’s never afraid to try new things,” Pritchett said. “She’s a great leader, incredibly passionate, and loves being a part of all of this. I will miss that.” Greif said one of the biggest challenges she expects to face in her new role as a superintendent will be the responsibility of dealing with the ongoing budget cuts to public education in Michigan. As well as finances, Grief will also take on the challenge of raising academic success for Bay City Public Schools.

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[Greif ] is a great leader, incredibly passionate, and loves being a part of all of this. I will miss that. Asst. Principal Kandis Pritchett

“It’s a big challenge, and I like challenges,” Greif said. “I’m fortunate to know the majority of the administrative staff [in Bay City], having worked there. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with them and seeing what good things we can make happen.” Although Greif had been an elementary teacher and an elementary principal in the past, she had never thought of being a high school principal until ﬁve years ago when she started working at Midland High. During those five years, along with the seven other years she spent being a part of Midland Public Schools in other principal positions, building relationships with

the students has been one of Greif’s greatest attributes, students said. “It’s always nice knowing the person in charge,” senior Haylee Diment said. “When I see [Greif] in the hall, she still remembers me from middle school and elementary school and she always says ‘Hi, Miss Diment’.” Diment has had the opportunity to have Greif as a principal in elementary school at Plymouth, in middle school at Northeast, and throughout high school at Midland High. She noted that although she was sad when she heard about Greif leaving, it was cool for her because every time Diment had left a school in the past, so had Greif, so she felt as if Greif leaving Midland High was like a bookend to her Midland Public Schools career. Diment says because Greif is so genuine, she will be greatly missed by Midland High. She says she will miss Greif reading the announcements and seeing her be so interested in everything that is going on around the school. “You can tell that [Greif] is really enthusiastic about the school and she really does care about her students,” Diment said. “She wants them to be the best they can be.” For Greif, one of the hardest things about leaving Midland High is leaving behind the students she has watched grow up. She hopes that she will be able to take everything she has learned during her time as a Chemic and apply it to her next position. “I have loved my five years of being a Chemic,” Greif said. “I’ve loved high school. I’ve had a lot of jobs, but my favorite one I’ve ever had has been these last ﬁve years at Midland High.” F

1995-2000

Westdale Elementary Teacher, Saginaw

Woodside Elementary Principal, Bay City

2000-2002

2002-2004

McAlearSawden Elementary Principal, Bay City

Central Middle School Assistant Principal

2004-2006

2006-2009

Plymouth Elementary Principal

Northeast Middle School Principal

2009-2010

2010-2015

Midland High Principal

Kirstyn Cotton | Infographic

news | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 17

Truth about the talk I

Doctors, parents, and students discuss the ideal amount of communication between each other involving teenage sex. Will Hackbarth | A&E Editor & Ella Colbert | Web Editor in Chief

Disclosure from doctors

f one of Dr. Naheed Rizvi’s teenage patients ever needs someone to talk to or pick them up, she’ll do it. No questions asked. Unless the teen has done something to seriously harm themselves or another individual, Rizvi is legally obligated not to notify their parents, regardless of what they needed. “If there is ever a situation where a teen feels they cannot discuss anything with their parent or they’re in a situation [where] it’s ten o’clock at night and they can’t call their parent, they should always call me,” Rizvi said. “I tell them, ‘Call the office, I’ll come and pick you up [and] make sure that you’re safe.” This confidentiality between doctor and patient is due to HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Because of HIPAA, if a minor does not wish for their parents to know something about their sexual activity, their doctor must keep the information private. This includes the use of birth control pills or the contracting of a sexually transmitted disease. However, if the teen fills a prescription for birth control pills or receives treatment for an STD through their parent’s insurance providers, the information will be sent to their parents on their insurance statement. “I encourage teens to share it with their parents,” Rizvi said. “However, if there are financial circumstances or circumstances in which the teen is scared of their parent finding out, we refer them to the Department of Health where they can get birth control pills and the parents don’t know. We want to make sure that the patient gets all that they need.” Rizvi and many of her colleagues’ philosophy is that teenagers should know all their options regarding sex. Though she understands that parents often hope their children will stay away from sex, she believes it is important that kids are still educated on the subject. “I always tell them about all their options,” Rizvi said. “Abstinence is golden, but it’s also impossible.” Since drug stores always run purchases through insurance, the only way for teenagers to get these prescriptions without their parents knowing is through the Midland County Department of Health. Mary Macinnes, a director at the Department of Health, says they have any type of contraception, including male and female condoms and all hormonal types of birth control, available to anybody who asks for them.

18| FOCUS | 5/1/2015 | features

Dr. Rizvi informs all teenagers under her care of all their options regarding sex. Usually, the parents are absent for this discussion. This has caused problems in the past with parents not wishing their children to hear her speech. Rizvi usually says it regardless, as she views it as important. Emily Fisher | Photo Illustration Workers at the Department of Health are also bound by the standards of HIPAA, meaning they cannot inform teenagers’ parents or any one else of the services they have requested, unless the teen is in need of more involved medical treatment or they need to report abuse to the authorities. “I get occasional complaints from parents about our providing services to their children without their knowledge, but usually I just have to explain that legally I’m not allowed to notify them,” Macinnes said. “There are teens in our community whose parents might hurt them if they found out they’d been to our clinic or that they were sexually active.” Alternatively, junior Madelyn Groulx said that parents will usually have their kid’s best interests at heart, and so should be informed if their child has a sexually transmitted disease. She said parents will be able to provide valuable

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guidance if they are informed. In Rizvi’s experience, although parents are usually disappointed, they understand and try to help their child.

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Wh e n i n fo r m at i o n i s gi ve n separate from values, then it is of very little use and becomes extraordinarily ineffective in helping students make decisions that are going to drastically affect their health. Pastor Bill Greiner

so together the parents and child can take steps to handle the situation.” When anyone under the age of 17 goes to the Department of Health, they fill out paperwork that denotes whether or not their parents are aware of them seeking services. If the parents are unaware, the clinic bases the cost of treatment solely on the teenager’s income, which is usually low enough to allow them free services. Macinnes believes that these aspects of the Department of Health are beneficial to the community. “There are quite a few teens who need our services or other medical care we offer who wouldn’t come to us or be honest about their behavior if we had to inform their parents – which might be dangerous for them,” Maccines said. “One of the biggest benefits of what we do is that teens can get accurate, non-judgmental information from us about birth control, STDs and sexuality which

“As soon at the child’s health is at harm, the parents should be notiﬁed, no matter how messy it may get,” Groulx said. “Regardless of how mad or disappointed the parents will be, they care and love their child. They deserve to know,

Services of the Midland County Health Department A few of the many services available at the Department of Health in Midland, affordable for every person who needs them.

Can improve or worsen acne. Also has the possibility to cause a brown pigmentation of the skin.

Walmart:

$2.94 Health Department:

Latex Male Condoms

*Free Birth Control Pills

Walmart:

$7.47 Pregnancy Test

Health Department:

*Free

Effects of Birth Control

Walmart:

$4.00

Health Department:

*Free

Reduces the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer. May increase the risk of cervical and breast cancer.

*Free if income is low enough helps them make informed decisions about the way they want to live their lives. They can ask us things they don’t feel comfortable asking anyone else.” Groulx agrees with Macinnes that the Health Department’s services are beneficial to the community. She also believes that they would not be as effective if they had to inform teenagers’ parents. “If a student is having sex, and they come for help, at least they are taking some responsibility for their actions,” Groulx said. “If the Health Department started telling parents, I think that students would not ask for the protection, leading to a whole bunch of trouble.” Contrarily, Eagle Ridge Church of God Pastor Bill Greiner believes that the best resource for teenagers to utilize is their parents. He says that because parents are held accountable for their child’s behavior when it comes to truant and physical issues, parents should also be held responsible for the sexual health of their child. “Statistics show that parents are the number one influence of their kid,” Greiner said. “I don’t think you can make a good decision on behalf of your child if you don’t know what’s going on.” Sue Barrons, a mother of four children who have attended Midland High, thinks that the Department of Health’s contraceptive services are a benefit, compared to doing nothing. However, she agrees with Greiner that they should notify the parent if the child has a sexually transmitted disease. She feels that if the parents are aware of their child’s affliction,

they can provide guidance and help them ﬁnd the best doctors to help them. “I want to know what’s going on with my kid so I can make the choice [about] what’s good for them,” Barrons said. “I would go to the best professionals that would know a lot, [to make sure they’re getting the] right information and the best treatment that they can have.”

very little use and becomes extraordinarily ineffective in helping students make decisions that are going to drastically affect their health. It potentially could risk their lives.” Barrons thinks that doctors should tell teenagers everything about sex as well. She thinks doctors can help dismiss common misconceptions teenagers are told. “There’s so many rumors and made up stories about ‘You won’t get pregnant by this or that’, and it’s all false and kids believe that stuff,” Barrons said. “They should know [about sex].” As a parent, Greiner believes the doctor should encourage teenagers to discuss sex with their parents, as well as help them figure out how to do so. He believes that teenagers can often be advised by health care professionals to make decisions, such as taking birth control, which they might not have thought about enough before. G r e i n e r d o e s b e l i e ve t h e r e i s a Source: health.state.tn.us certain point in which doctors should be obligated to inform parents of their Greiner does agree with Rizvi that it is child’s sex life, if it will harm them in any way. important for doctors to share all information “If a doctor is going to do anything medical, regarding sex with teenagers, especially in from that point on, as a parent, they have to tell conjunction with the parents, as it will be me,” Greiner said. “The risk is so high of having more effective that way. But, he believes that a real medical issue.” informing teenagers of different contraceptive Ultimately, both medical staff and parents options is unnecessary and overrated due to want their kids to be comfortable and safe. extensive emphasis on the issue already. He Though there is disagreement about the feels that people are willing to inform teenagers methods, all involved parties want a blend of of their options regarding contraceptives, but positive influences that will be best for the child. are more hesitant to share the consequences. “The hope is that every teen can feel “I’m not about keeping information from comfortable to ask their parents . . . and share kids,” Greiner said. “But when information with their physician,” Rizvi said. “There is no is given separate from values, then it is of question that should go unanswered.” F

Goals of HIPAA

1. Increase ease of maintaining health insurance 2. Ensure confidentiality of healthcare information 3. Control healthcare costs

Appetite can increase or decreases. Weight can also change.

99% chance of preventing pregnancy if taken ever y day at the same time

Source: www. healthline.com features | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 19

Truth about the talk Educating the uneducated

What the state requires to be taught in terms of sex ed and how this curriculum differs from others in the area. Michelle Demo | Managing Editor & Sarah Wontorcik | Feature Editor

Learn the Facts Understand the basics when discussing sex ed., and know where Michigan lines up to the other states.

Michigan has The state of not adjusted its Michigan does not require sex ed to reproductive health be taught in public requirements since 2007 schools

7872 ,

teens gave birth in Michigan in 2013

Health teacher Martyn Hollenbeck instructs a class of Health and Wellness students on the anatomy of the reproductive system. Michelle Demo | Photo

s health instructor Martyn Hollenbeck teaches at the front of the room, students fidget uncomfortably in their worn out seats. For two weeks, they will be learning about sexual health and the reproductive system. Hollenbeck believes that it is important for students to take a health course in high school so that they are educated on how to protect themselves from the risks of having unprotected sex. Hollenbeck teaches against various common misconceptions regarding sexual health, one being that birth control has the ability to prevent sexually transmitted infections and diseases. “There is a world of diﬀerence from protecting yourself against pregnancy and protecting yourself from a sexually transmitted infection,” Hollenbeck said. “And students need to know that. They won’t know it unless we speciﬁcally discuss birth control methods. There is no 100 percent birth control method except abstinence. There are a lot of myths and misconceptions, and I am willing to answer any questions [students] have.” The state of Michigan does not require districts to include sex education in their curriculum. Instead, there are mandates on what a school district must and must not cover if they decide to teach reproductive health. Scott Cochran, Curriculum Specialist for Auxiliary Education, notes that health class has the most curriculum regulations from the state of Michigan. The state regulates very clearly what is required, what is permitted, and what is forbidden. “I would say the health class is just about the most structured [curriculum] from the state of Michigan of all the classes that we teach,”

20 | FOCUS | 5/1/2015 | features

Cochran said. “Whenever we talk about health and sex education, in any setting, there is a box that we stay in and the state sets that box.” Some of the state requirements include: opportunity for a student to opt out of the lessons, curriculum that emphasizes abstinence, no requirement to teach methods of contraception, and teaching how to refuse sex. “We spend time on abstinence because that is the focus,” Hollenbeck said. “We talk about consequences, sexually transmitted infections, the emotional part, and we talk about refusal techniques and how to say ‘no.’ We cover birth control as well, because there’s a lot of misconceptions out there.” Sara Martinez, the Saginaw Valley State University Peer Health Education (PEH) Team director, has made it her mission to educate SVSU students about body health. “The Peer Health Education team as a whole strives to educate fellow students so they can make informed decisions on how to live a healthier lifestyle,” Martinez said. “We cover topics such as sexual responsibility, alcohol education, tobacco and other drugs prevention and education, and overall general wellness.” Although that abstinence is an important factor to sex ed.,it is equally important to provide students with a well-rounded understanding of their options, Martinez said. “Even though research has shown time and time again that abstinence only programs do not work, I would rather a school teach abstinence than have someone [teaching] who lacks the credentials to educate about sexual responsibility,” she said. “Here at our university we do a comprehensive-based sexual

education program that covers abstinence and gives information for people who are sexually active. Abstinence is still very important in the discussion, it just isn’t the entire discussion.” Along with covering abstinence, the state of Michigan requires that its health courses stay as up to date with medical discoveries as possible. The state requires that the districts maintain a board of reproductive health administrators to assure these updates happen when necessary. Cochran is a district representative on this board of health. It is due to these specifications that Cochran believes that the reproductive health lessons are one of the most structured by the state. The MPS board regarding the reproductive health rarely meets; they met twice last year and not once yet this year. The board is comprised of district employees, health teachers, medical professionals, parents, and clergymen. This range of people is designed to equally represent the views of the district, Cochran said The state of Michigan has not updated or made any changes to its reproductive health curriculum guidelines since 2007, which has kept adjustments to the district’s curriculum at a standstill. Cochran believes that even though the class has a strict guidelines, teachers offer enough guidance to their students that they should feel comfortable with their knowledge of the reproductive system. “[Teaching is] a science and an art,” Cochran said. “The great teachers are always going to be trying to ﬁnd ways to make what they’re teaching be more applicable to their students. So, there are lots of things you can do within the structure [required by the state] to make that happen.” F

states don’t require sex ed. be taught

What states require sex ed?

states require sex ed. be taught

teen birth rate has fallen

60% since 1991 $662 million

taxdollarsspentonhelpingmothersand fathers with unplanned pregnancies

Should a Michigan public school teach sex education, the districts is required to be medically accurate

states do not require medically accurate curriculum

Abstinence

is the state’s required focus for sex ed. Michigan CDC | Source Guttmacher Institute | Source Michigan.gov | Source

Truth about the talk W

The morality of the “sex talk”

hen junior Emma Vanderlinden about driving a vehicle, where they can injure was ten, her parents started giving someone or something else, than we do on sex her books and having conversations education, where they can do the same thing. w i t h h e r a b o u t s e x a n d t h e Why should we not share scientifically backed importance of healthy relationships. According information with them?” to a 2011 study done by planned parenthood, 18 Senior Lauren Maschino didn’t learn about percent of kids never get “The Talk” from their sex until she was twelve, and her mother taught parents. For Vanderlinden, the experience was her what she thought was important to know. much different. She was given a purity ring then, and has worn “I don’t think I ever felt like it was an it ever since. awkward subject,” she said. “I just wanted to “I like to think of my virginity as a gift to my know more about my body, honestly. I wanted future husband,” Maschino said. “I want to be to understand myself and know how to take able to experience my first time with him.” care of myself.” Lauren says the only other sex education Vanderlinden’s mother Katheryn Kirchmeir she received was a 15-minute meeting at the wanted to make sure that her daughter had all Midland Evangelical Free Church and Midland the information she needed in order to live a High’s Health and Wellness class. safe and healthy life. For her, teaching the way Lauren’s mother Lisa Maschino, a member that sex works is the easy part. The challenge of the Hopevale Church in Saginaw, also comes with equipping her daugher with the recognizes the delicate emotional connection knowledge to make smart decisions about that comes with a sexual relationship, but relationships. believes the best way to protect her children “Sex is at the center at the most important from any potential trauma tied to sex is to raise thing in her life: her relationships,” Kirchmeir them with the Christian value of premarital said. “Sex is just the physicality of it. It’s abstinence. not a morality issue, it’s a partner issue. My “Because our family understands that God is worst nightmare is her being in a relationship a loving father and He wants what’s best for us, where she feels isolated we understand that His or abused.” wisdom about waiting We put more of an Kurt Sonoras, a to have sex before emphasis on educating certified Our Whole marriage is a loving act our youth about driving a L i ve s s e x e d u c a t o r , not a cruel restriction,” vehicle... than we do on sex agrees that sex education Lisa said. “This loving and relationship act protects our hearts education. education should be from major heartbreak.” Sex educator Kurt Sonoras taught together. Our Like the Maschino Whole Lives (more family, Tina Jackson, the commonly known as OWL) is a comprehensive Abstinence Education Director at the Pregnancy sex and puberty education program taught at Resource Center, believes abstinence until the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. marriage is the only way to truly enjoy sex. “Sex and relationships are more than just a “I think the best place for anyone to enjoy straight line, they’re like a tree,” Sonoras said. sex is in the lifelong, mutually monogamous “They have so many branches. And if you had a relationship we call marriage,” Jackson said. “It blindfolded person put their hands on the trunk is the safest place to enjoy sex. I also think it’s of a tree and describe it, they would just say it good to learn self control.” was like a round, straight line. But in actuality, Jackson says parents should teach their kids it goes below the ground as well as above. That about sex and answer all their questions, but also is the premise of OWL - getting the full picture set up boundaries for their children to let them of all the branches and roots. Understanding know what their true goals are. good relationships and sexual habits can be a “Recreational dating has a lot of risks,” beautiful thing.” Jackson said. “When parents let their kids Sonoras says that the best way to learn about date, there needs to be very clear and set up sex is to start the education early, and gradually boundaries about what that relationship looks teach kids absolutely everything that he feels like if your goal is sexual purity.” they need to know. Though Jackson understands that sexual “We’re very comprehensive,” Sonoras said. thoughts will occur naturally, she says that some “How many people would just take the keys to things are better left unthought and unsaid. To their car and thrown their kid the keys and let her, it is vital that parents be the sex educators. them drive without driver’s education? We put She says kids having conversations about sex more of an emphasis on educating our youth could be dangerous.

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Sex can be a very personal topic, and many have differing opinions on how it should be taught. Maddy Wheelock | Editor in Chief & Evie Wagner | Staff Writer & Maddy Pasche | Staff Writer

Senior Lauren Maschino has worn a purity ring since she was twelve. She and her long-term boyfriend both want to save themselves until marriage for religious and personal reasons. Maddy Wheelock | Photo “Sex is a sacred thing to be protected,” Jackson said. “Talking about it is not a beneﬁt, it might stir feelings when it’s not time. Especially when you’re talking to the opposite sex. It’s the boy-girl factor. They can say they aren’t attracted to that person, but she’s still a girl and he’s still a boy. When you talk about things of a sexual nature, you’re automatically going to stir up sexual desire.” Though she believes parents should be teaching their children, Jackson knows this doesn’t always happen. To help educate everyone about the dangers of premarital sex, she often does 3-day sessions of sex and abstinence education in the health and wellness class. “I love teaching in the public schools, because I’m teaching God’s design for sex,” Jackson said. “When we live inside his design, it’s going to be for our beneﬁt. I absolutely don’t teach religion, but I’m teaching the biblical design for sex and seeing the value to that.” Conversely, Sonoras believes that conversations about sex are vital to comprehensive understanding. He grew up in a Catholic household and at 44 years old, he says he still feels uncomfortable talking to his parents about sex. “Abstinence was what was being taught in my community, and sex was what was happening,” Sonoras said. “That’s what’s been going on since the beginning of time.” F

FROM A CHEMIC PERSPECTIVE

MY PARENTS HAVE NEVER TALKED TO ME ABOUT SEX

29%

I AM 29% 41% SEXUALLY ACTIVE

47%

I AM WAITING TO HAVE SEX UNTIL I AM MARRIED

52%

I FEEL AWKWARD TALKING ABOUT SEX WITH MY PARENTS

I GOT MOST OF MY INFORMATION ABOUT SEX FROM THE INTERNET

28% BASED ON A SURVEY OF 137 UPPERCLASSMEN

features | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 21

Instrumentally

inclined

There are several musicians at Midland High who have gone the extra mile and learned additional instruments in order to take an extra hour of band. Staff Writer | Kevin Sharpe & Staff Writer | Zach Streitmatter

or most people, the first few months of while Bowen is planning on majoring in music playing an instrument consist of making therapy and McDonald is hoping to minor in nasty noises and struggling their way music therapy. Music Therapy is another outlet through a few simple songs. of physical therapy but instead of exercising Several experienced musicians in Midland muscles, a therapist will teach a patient how High’s band have decided to go through to play an instrument or play music for them. that struggle all over again in order to learn The goal of music therapy is to work every a additional instrument. For some of these part of the brain so it is used for people with musicians, learning a second instrument was psychological disorders or mental handicaps. considerably easier than learning their first due Because of the way music works the brain, to their prior experience. music therapy can help people with speech “When I learned mellophone for marching disorders and even Alzheimer’s. band… when you learn the fingerings for that Knowing multiple instruments is extremely you can play any other brass instrument because important to Bowen and Gullo for their it’s all the same fingerings,” senior and Drum potential careers. Both music therapy and music Major Amelia Gullo said. education involve teaching others instruments Fingerings are the combination of valves so as much experience and versatility as possible depressed to make a note. is important. In addition to a “I’m [also] going to have second instrument to learn to play the guitar The two hours I have [of usually being easier if I’m going to take this to learn, experience career seriously,” Bowen band] are my favorite part learning a second said. of the day… if I’m stressing instrument can help Not only has their out about something I have with their first. For future played a part in some time to chill. senior Bre Bowen, their decision to learn Senior Amelia Gullo experience with her multiple instruments, but second instrument, the also a love for music and saxophone, has increased her abilities on her a desire to be even more involved with band. first instrument, which is percussion. “I was bored, I wanted more music, that’s “One thing I’ve realized through playing the pretty much it,” McDonald said. saxophone is that it’s helped me remember notes Gullo also decided to take up a second and chords for percussion-based instruments instrument so she could have another hour of like xylophone and marimba,” Bowen said. band. For her, band breaks up a stressful day. When learning a new instrument, the process “The two hours I have [of band] are my starts with small steps, which Bowen did when favorite part of the day. If I’m stressing out she began learning the saxophone. about something, I have some time to chill,” “I learned a scale, the first scale, and then Gullo said. after that I took music home and practiced,” The two hours of band gave her more time Bowen said. in a fun relaxing class during a stressful junior After doing this for a while, Bowen began year. Bowen, who has also been playing piano playing in Midland High’s blue band during from a young age, decided to learn another fifth hour. She already was in fourth hour instrument because of her love for music and symphonic band as a percussionist. because her sister played saxophone when she For Bowen and Gullo, as well as senior and was in high school. Because of her sister there trombone section leader Brenden McDonald, was a saxophone at home that Bowen could use, their decision to learn a second instrument so she began to teach herself. stems from their desire to continue with music “I guess I just wanted to try a wind instrument through college and afterwards. as well and the saxophone was the most “If I go into music education, [knowing a appealing and we had one at my house that I second instrument] will help a lot because you could play on,” Bowen said. need to know multiple instruments when you’re Playing music and learning new instruments teaching, so now I just need to learn woodwinds is always a challenge but there’s also a great and trombone slides and that’s it,” Gullo said. reward. Bowen’s passion for music was enough Bowen, Gullo and McDonald currently intend for her to want to learn multiple instruments to pursue music as a career in some form. Gullo and pursue muisc as a career, plans on going into music therapy or education “I just love music,” Bowen said. F

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Senior Bre Bowen warms up on the saxophone for her second hour of band. Saxophone is actually Bowen’s third instrument as she has been playing piano from a young age. Zach Streitmatter | Photo

Bryan Rombalski Guitar instruction/ theory Beginner to advanced Performs for concerts, clinics & parties

Call Bryan for bookings and lessons!

989-430-9742

Senior Matt Pajk plans his next move as he faces junior Kyle Taylor in Yu-Gi-Oh! and the other duelists watch them play. Natalie Schwartz | Photos

Returning duelists Over the past several months, an increasing number of students at Midland High have started taking out old collections of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards and returning to the game of magic cards that used to be very popular during their elementary school years. Natalie Schwartz | Design Editor & Michaela Carpenter | Staff Writer

t all started with Netflix. After watching the Yu-Gi-Oh! show several months ago for the first time in many years, senior Matt Pajk decided to pull out his old cards and try to play the game again. For junior Kyle Taylor, the show sparked his renewed interest as well. These two are not the only ones to start playing the game again; over the past year, Yu-Gi-Oh! has become increasingly popular among students at Midland High. “We realized that as kids we used to have cards and duel but not with the correct rules, so we decided to find our old cards and see what it was actually like, “ Taylor said. “We all just kind of found it to be fun and mentally challenging.” Yu-Gi-Oh! is a card game in which two players face each other, and each one starts with a certain amount of life points. The goal is to maintain one’s life points while reducing the opponent’s points to zero. All of this is done through the use of three basic categories of cards: Monster cards, Trap cards, and Spell cards. Each of the duelists can have from 40 to 60 of these cards in their deck, and there are thousands of different types of cards to choose from. “Monsters are used to destroy opponent monsters and inflict damage to their life points,” Pajk said. “There are also Magic and Trap cards which allow a player to block attacks from opponent monsters or help boost your

monsters’ attack and defense.” Pajk’s favorite cards are “Toon World”, which is a Spell card, and “Blue Eyes Toon Dragon”, which is a Monster card, mainly because of their nostalgia. He has had these cards since he was young and ﬁrst started to collect and play with Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. For Taylor, the best card is “Fencing Fire Ferret”, which is a newer generation card and a powerful monster to use when playing the game. The thousands of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards can be purchased in a variety of places; Target and Meijer sell cheap packs, and many duelists buy their cards online to get the ones that they want. The cards also have a wide range of prices. Some sell for $50-60, while others are worth mere change. Pajk has not spent much money on cards since he started playing the game again several months ago, because he had kept many cards that he collected when he was younger and used to play the game. Taylor has more than 1,000 cards, which is the largest collection in the group of duelists at Midland High. For Pajk and Taylor, this group is one of the best parts of playing Yu-Gi-Oh!. “I love playing Yu-Gi-Oh! because it requires a lot of strategy and thinking, “ Pajk said. “The most fun part, though, is just hanging out with the boys and having a good time together.” Pajk usually plays the game once or twice a

week. Normally this is with his brothers, Jake and Luke, but he also plays with friends and fellow duelists from school. On “Deul Nights”, when all of the duelists meet play Yu-Gi-Oh!, there are typically 10 or more people each time. There is even a Midland Duelists Twitter account that tweets out the results of the Duel Nights. For many of the Midland High Duelists, Yu-Gi-Oh! has quickly become a favorite game and brings back memories of its popularity several years ago. Junior Jack Somers was reintroduced to Yu-Gi-Oh! several months ago by a friend who had returned to the game after watching the Yu-Gi-Oh! show. Now he enjoys playing with friends when they hang out, in addition to going to tournaments to get more cards. “The game is fun and also has some major nostalgia,” Somers said. “Back in the day everyone had Yu-Gi-Oh! cards, but no one really knew how to play it.” The game has regained popularity for more than its sentimental value. The duelists enjoy the challenge it presents and the strategy it requires, but the best part for them is typically just the time spent with the other duelists. “I like it cause it’s fun and I have a great number of friends that also play it,” Taylor said. “Also at duel nights it provides just a good night with friends, especially when the ladies come to watch the duels.” F

The Basics

Simple facts about Yu-Gi-Oh! cards for those who don’t know anything about the game

Monster card:

Each is orange or yellow in color Symbol at the top indicates its attribute N u m b e r o f s t a r s re p re s e n t s i t ’s s t r e n g t h

Spell Card: Each is a bluegreen color

Symbol at the top indicates its attribute There are six types of spell cards

Trap c ard:

Each is a purple color Symbol at the top indicates its attribute Can be activated during the o p p o n e nt ’s t ur n

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National Art Honors Society students are given the opportunity to make their own personal artwork, but students are also allowed to benefit the school. In NAHS artists are given the chance to gain a deeper love for art and use a different way of thinking. Overall the artists get to learn new techniques while creating their artwork. Kayla Graham | Staff Writer

rt isn’t something that you create and then forget about. Art is a creation that you can look back on and realize that you accomplished something amazing. Senior Kylie Workentine has been in National Art Honors Society [NAHS] since her sophomore year and said that being in the art organization allows her to be unique when creating personal artwork. “NAHS has given me the opportunity to experiment with new techniques to make pieces that I can proudly display around the school,” Workentine said. Workentine does not get a chance to interact with a lot of artists in her regular core classes, but being in NAHS was allowed her to have that interaction. NAHS allows students to express themselves through art, but also students get to help benefit the school, all while they develop their own artistic skills. NAHS meets after sixth hour and seventh hour and the group of artists work on all different kinds of art pieces. To be able to join NAHS, students must be in an advanced art class which includes IB, 2D, or 3D art. Being in NAHS allows students to branch out and do something more than just homework assignments. Senior Jade DuFort is the co-president of NAHS and said that being in NAHS has been a good learning experience. NAHS has allowed DuFort to learn new art techniques that she is able to use when working on her own personal artwork. With NAHS giving DuFort experience, she has been able to make many memories with different artists. “I really like working on the project we did for Homecoming,” DuFort said. “All of us had fun painting them and coming up with ideas. We did characters from toy story that you could put your head in and ‘be’ that character.” Many different types of art are created, including: cellophane window displays, music fest posters, and Homecoming parade floats. Artwork is created independently, but students can get other opinions from their peers. “I’ve done everything from sewing soft sculptures to working with scratchboard. Applying yourself in a multitude of ways is really what being an artist is about,” Workentine said. ”However, I would say that my favorite pieces are the ones that I didn’t think I could do. Those are the pieces that you look back on and smile because you know you accomplished something amazing.” Workentine explains that NAHS students are allowed to not only work with one type

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of art, but students are allowed to explore all different kinds of art. NAHS students aren’t limited to what they create, they are allowed to have choices. Sophomore Lauren Curtis is another member in NAHS. This year is her first year participating in the club and has already been able to create many projects of her own. “My absolute favorite part was creating cards for soldiers around Christmas time,” Curtis said. “I love that my hard work could benefit a person in the military who is away from their loved ones during the holidays and NAHS has allowed me to do that.” Curtis and other students in the program have had the experience to help many people schoolwide with. NAHS allows students to not only be able to benefit themselves, but they also get the experience to help others through making art. Dufort has done many different kinds of style of art, but overall she has one favorite piece of artwork that she created this year. “My favorite project probably has been the music fest posters,” DuFort said. “I think they look really nice and they were also really easy to make.” Curtis, Workentine, and Dufort, put countless hours into their creations, but all students get to put elements of themselves in their art as well. Having their own personal touches into artwork allows the art piece to be unique. “It starts with an idea,” Workentine said. “Integrating symbolism or personal touches into a piece makes it that much more special. I experiment with different media, techniques, and compositions. I also like to research different artists to get inspiration.” Although Workentine and Curtis work on similar artwork, there are still plenty of ways to put in their own personal touches. Having their own personal touch allows the artist to make that specific piece their own. “Sometimes the best art pieces are the ones that evolve with how you are feeling and that include your own personal touch,” Curtis said. While creating art in NAHS is enjoyable, many of the skills that each student learns can have a long-term effect. NAHS can give the students practice for an artistic future. “People need to know that art is what you make of it,” Workentine said. “Many people turn down the opportunity to take art because they think they have to fit in this box of what an ‘artist’ is supposed to be, but students can benefit from art. Students have different viewpoints so everyone’s work will be unique, and that is all it takes to become a great, unique artist.“ F

Sophomore Lauren Curtis works hard and independently on her personal canvas that says “Because your love is better than life my lips will glorify you” which is referenced from Psalm 63:3. Chloe Gall | Photo

Facts about

NAHS

Number of members:

20-30

MHS students

NAHS is an organization where students are able to share their love for the arts while working with other talented artists. NAHS allows students to create their own personal artwork and their art benefits not only them, but their school and environment too.

NAHS meetings

after sixth and seventh hour

Christmas cards

Music fest posters

Types of artwork created

Homecoming parade floats

Cellophane window display