May 8th, 2014 Issue

BPA | PAGE 8

PROMPOSALS | PAGE 11

THE

FOCUS

Midland High School | May 08, 2014 | Volume 36, Issue 8

JULIA QUINN | PAGE 21

SISCO | PAGE 24

One team, one fight

Two schools come together from across town to work towards the same goal: the state championship.

Pages 12-13

SPECIAL REPORT: The community reflects on their opinions towards same-sex marriage laws.

Emily Fisher | Photo

Volume 36 Issue 8

FOCUS C O N T E N T S

12-13

MAY 8th WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE?

02 Table of contents 03 Editorial 04-07 Opinion 08 Business Professionals 09 Plagiarism prevention 10 Beautification club 11 Promposal quiz 12-13 Varsity lacrosse 14 Sports zone FOCUS EDITORS

19 21

23 10

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

15 Girls on the Run 16-17 18 Gay couples engaged 19 Student marriage debate 20 Advertisements 21 Julia Quinn 22 Longboarding 23 IB art exhibits 24 Mrs. Sisco tribute

Same-sex marriage laws

WRITE A LETTER If something annoys you about us, school, or life in general,

write a letter to the editor.

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

write a letter to the editor.

If we got something wrong,

write a letter to the editor.

If it’s coherent and under 300 words,

we’ll run it.

Drop them off at room 345 with your name.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT Focus established in 1977, previously the Vic Tribune established in 1936, is the official school sponsored newspaper of Midland High School. Focus is published monthly by the journalism classes at Midland High School and is distributed free of charge. It is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), the Michigan Interscholastic Press

Association (MIPA), and Quill and Scroll.

Adviser membership also includes the Journalism Education Association (JEA).

Focus is designed as a forum for student expression and as a realistic lab experience. Focus, however, reserves the right to contest the challenge of an administrator who attempts to censor and/ or remove an article or graphic element.

EDITORIAL

A policy for plagiarism

Plagiarism, an issue commonly gone unnoticed, is a growing issue. A school wide policy would help to eliminate confusion and set clear consequences.

What do you t hink?

Should Midland High institute a school wide plagiarism policy?

Just because you can’t always see it doesn’t mean that it’s stopped happening.

“No, because there are nice teachers who are more lenient on us.”

Freshman Ethan Getgood

“Yes, because if it is up to the teachers discretion then it can be influenced by whether the teacher likes the student or not.”

Sophomore Kyler Hanson

Christiana Haight | Illustration

W

ith only one month left of the school year, the motivation of students to complete assignments is at an all-time low. Rather than students completing their own assignments, some choose to take an easier way out and try to pass off someone else’s work as their own.

The Midland High handbook states “Cheating is a form of dishonesty and is clearly unethical. Taking credit for work that is not one’s own is cheating.” It continues to say later that each teacher will be allowed to specify actions that constitute cheating in their own classrooms and decide their own disciplinary action. We believe the administration should adopt a school wide policy that narrows down the definition of plagiarism and set a minimum punishment for any student who is caught plagiarizing.

Leaving the definition and discipline of plagiarism up to each teacher individually leaves a large discrepancy on what plagiarism actually is, and how plagiarism should be handled school wide. Some teachers can be more lenient when it comes to allowing plagiarism, allotting that one to two sentences should go unpunished, while other teachers give half to no credit for the assignment.

The difference between these two decisions can give an unfair advantage or a large disadvantage to the students. Just because one student has a teacher who is more lenient about plagiarism does not mean that their students should take the easy way out and plagiarize. Also, teachers in different departments see different forms of plagiarism, but not all the departments are as strict as the others when it comes to punishment.

We suggest that all teachers have a source of reference, so that when they come across a situation in which a student plagiarizes they will have a resource on how to fairly approach the issue. By having this reference, teachers can all have the same expectations and punishments so when a student walks into each of their classes, they know what is acceptable and what their punishment will be if they choose to not follow the policy.

The idea behind a school wide policy is to set a minimum bar punishment for students who decide to plagiarize their work. If a student is caught plagiarizing at least two sentences they should receive half credit on the assignment. If a student plagiarizes four to six sentences or more of an assignment they should receive no credit on it. This new

policy would only talk about the minimum punishment for plagiarism. It would still be up to the teachers and department heads to discuss further punishments if an entire essays, assignments, or reading notes are plagiarized.

However, there are benefits to the current policy that is set in place for cheating and plagiarism. By allowing teachers to decide the punishment in their own classrooms, they can adjust the punishment with the size of the assignment, the student’s habits in the class, and then figure the punishment out from that point. Also by keeping the situation between the student and the teacher, it allows the student to be responsible for themselves and learn from their own mistakes. However, a school wide policy would create consistency and clear rules With the large popularity of internet sources being used to find information, plagiarism is hard for teachers and administrators to keep up with. By adopting this school wide policy, it can allow students to understand what is expected of them at the college level. This policy will hopefully steer people who would normally plagiarize to do their own work. That’s how students learn.

“I think we need to enforce a schoolwide one because some teachers are too lenient with it and some are too strict.”

Junior Amelia Gullo

“I am for having a school wide policy because if my sister ever plagiarizes she will get in trouble. They call me the Judge Judy of the family.”

Senior Jess Walters

mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 03

O P I N I O N

Not so fast, ladies

CORRECTIONS Body build or bust

The sports zone

We said that apparently the body builders are cannibals and like to eat keratin, which is found in human skin, before they work out. They really use Kreatine for gaining muscle mass.

When Coach Sugnet was listing the top performers on the team, we misspelled Rebekah Walter’s name as Rebecca. As you can see, the more C’s in a name, the more confused we get.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor, Our society places too much value on physical appearance rather then the qualities of one’s being.

Every day, each person deals with the judgement of society. As a whole, people have become so obsessed with filling the unattainable goal of being beautiful rather than fighting the structures that enforce it.

But, what really is beauty? What is the factor determining who is a beautiful human being and who is not? No one really knows. Everyone has a different idea. If you were to travel the world, the standards of beauty shift drastically; from scarring one’s skin in Africa, to bleaching one’s skin in India, there is no consistent definition. Back in the Western world, many believe that you are beautiful if you are tan and fit, but are you really? Some believe that having many tattoos and piercing is beautiful, while others think that you are when you are larger and curvier. If you were to put a group of people in a room, you will find that every person has something different to say.

So, why is it that we strive so hard for something that doesn’t really exist? We are raised to believe that we need to meet certain standards to be successful in our lives. The pressure of society is the reason that so many people become depressed and suicidal. People need to take a step back and realize that what they look like does not define them. We need to enforce the idea that we are fine just the way we are. Remember that you are more than the visual worth people place on you. Your happiness comes from within yourself.

-Jasmine Bechtel To the Editor, Since the 1970s, America’s overweight population has doubled in both adults and children. If that doesn’t strike you, maybe the fact that one in three adults in America are either overweight or obese will. Contributing to obesity is overeating, poor exercise, and poor food preparation.

Being obese isn’t just the fact that you have a little extra love handles; the true problems that follow obesity are serious health problems such as diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and coronary vascular disease. But, what can we really do about this?

Try out a food program to learn about healthy eating, daily exercise, and nutritious facts about food preparation. One famous food program is sponsored by the First Lady herself, Michelle Obama. The Let’s Move! movement is also sponsored by The White House, US department of Human Services, United States Department of Agriculture, US Department of Education, and the US Department of Interior. At www.letsmove.gov/eat-healthy, you can find food choices such as snacks, lunch, or even dinner that don’t just taste amazing but offer the best nutritional value at a low cost. It also provides fun ways to exercise with the family. They keep children moving by creating the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award. The Let’s Move! program is there to educate parents, schools, community leaders, elected officials, chefs, and most importantly children, about creating and maintaining a forever healthy lifestyle.

-Alyssa Reader

hair doesn’t just grow on our face, it grows EVERYWHERE. Legs, feet, back, chest, armpits, stomach, toes... the list goes on.

Targeted shaving areas have a much higher risk of serious pain if the blade were to slip than the leg of a female, not to mention the cut would be more visible if done to the face.

It is a truth universally acknowledged (in the eyes of a woman) that the life of a guy is much easier than the life of a girl. Women often say that they would love to be a guy, and that it is so much more difficult to be a girl.

Well, I’m not going to say that being a guy is harder, but here are a few things to consider about the life of a guy that make it not as easy as it’s cracked up to be:

6)

God obviously made men differently than he did women. Now I am understanding that the female body presents them with some sizeable challenges, but men have several as well. One of the most annoying things for men is chafing. Any guy with chafing experience will tell you that the fun to be had for the day is over once you start to chafe.

In the armpits, of course.

Men also come equipped with a different package than women do, which presents a set of annoyances for us The region has plagued men for centuries by imposing the internally conflicting question: Boxers, or briefs?

5)

The harsh reality for men is that if we are looking bad in the morning, we’re going to school looking bad. Girls, on the other hand, can hide facial blemishes and pretty up their faces eyeshadow, foundation, concealer, mascara, and lipstick among many other facial products available for them. It’s not unheard of for a guy to wear makeup, but it’s a generally followed social norm that men do not.

4)

A common reason given by women as evidence why their life is more challenging than that of a man is the fact that they must shave their legs. I’m not quite sure why this is such a big deal, considering that I would much rather shove a sharpened piece of metal against my legs than against my face. And

3)

Society often holds men to a double standard. If a man is being picked on or prompted to fight, and chooses not to, he is often referred to as “soft,” or a “wuss,” or other choice words. However, men that do engage in physical violence in the same situations are referred to as “stupid,” “misguided,” “troubled,” or “Neanderthal.”

There’s really no winning in these situations.

2)

Although not as heavily in the days of old, men of today’s world are still relied on to initiate conversations and romance in this world. If a man is to get in line next to an attractive girl at a coffee shop, there is no way the girl would say hello, it is always the guy that has to make the move. The guy asks the girl to prom. The guy asks the girl to marry him. The guy pays for the tickets to the dance, pays for her dinner, etc. And even though guys are expected to try to start conversations and relationships, we have to be careful of how flattering we are. In order to swoon a babe, a man must be flattering, but if they are too flattering, they are dubbed a “creep,” or “weirdo.” And different girls draw different lines between flattering and creepy, so it is difficult for a man to know how to start.

1)

The number one reason why being a guy is harder than you may think is none other than taking shots to the groin.

Thousands of men daily are doubled over in agonizing pain after taking a baseball, high-heal, knee, backhand, or blunt object to the groin. The worst part about a hit to the weakness is that once you think the initial pain has subsided, the aftershock kicks in. I’m not really sure how to describe this to the ladies reading this column, but in simple terms, it’s a nauseating, lingering fog that overcomes your body, leaving you in a state of fear wondering,

WHERE’S VIC HIDING?

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

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

04 | FOCUS | MAY 08, 2014

*the Vic on this page does not count

O P I N I O N

Hole-in-the-wall Restaurants

You’ve most likely driven by U.S. Coney and Cone countless times in the past, but never thought to go inside. Located in a small building on Saginaw road, it seems to be meant primarily for drive-through customers.

However, once inside, it is clear that it is fantastic place to go with friends. It’s never very crowded but the staff is exceedingly friendly and the food is great for the price.

They specialize in American classics, like burgers, onion rings and a delicious pulled pork sandwich. They also have a variety of ice-cream based products and other frozen desserts.

Among these is the famous Dole Whip Twist, which is almost never found outside Disney World until now. This is wonderful news, as they are positively addicting. A Dole Whip is a soft serve frozen dessert, available at U.S. Coney and Cone in strawberry, raspberry, orange, and most notably pineapple. If you have yet to hear of this delicious creation, try one right away.

The next time you are craving a hot meal and some ice cream or someone utters the phrase “I don’t know, where do you want to go?” around lunchtime, try Coney. Pick up a $6 sweatshirt or $3 t-shirt while you’re there and enjoy the company of your friends.

Students regularly choose the same places when it comes to eating out, but here are some hidden gems that many have yet to consider. From new installments to forgotten favorites, Midland County has it all. Aelish Shay | Staff Writer

It’s one of those places that is too cool to even have a sign announcing its existence; you just have to be in the know.

Meijer’s Grocery has been established in the Midland community for quite some time, but not many can say they have eaten in the little café tucked in the corner of the store. The venue is spacious and lends itself to superb fluorescent lighting. Lonely customers are free to strike up a conversation with the friendly old men who can often be found there while waiting for their wives to finish shopping.

Need coffee? Sick of paying four dollars and your dignity for a Starbucks specialty? At Meijer’s, just drop 69 cents in a box and pour yourself a cup; it’s on the honor system. The wait-staff reminds one of the latest Discover

commercials, “We treat you like you’d treat you” …because it is you; Meijer’s café is entirely self-service.

Most customers who stop by for a little while usually snack on a baked goods and pastries such as a donut, turnover or bagel from the bakery situated directly next to it.

Soft drinks are available at a machine inside, which serves the usual coke products.

On the opposite side of the eating area is Meijer’s deli. The deli has a wide array of salads and side dishes. In addition to this, Meijer’s also features a daily special for lunch, including a fish sandwich.

However appetizing and inviting this all sounds, it won’t be there for long. Meijer’s will soon be undergoing major renovations, and the café is to be removed, much to the

dismay of its elderly patrons. If you wish to take advantage of all the wonderful amenities that Meijer’s has to offer, stop by immediately.

For extra fun, try bringing a date; people watching is an excellent filler for those awkward silences.

You don’t even have to go out of your way to go there. Simply wait until the next time your parents go grocery shopping and tag along. Don’t be afraid to take a quick break and bond with them in the café.

So take a second look at the chain you thought you knew. To paraphrase Taylor Swift: Meijer’s has been dreaming about the day that you wake up and find that what you’re looking for has been here the whole time.

Face it; the Midwest is not the place to go for traditional Mexican fare, and even the most well-known Tex-Mex chains can leave you disappointed. But if you venture just outside of Midland to Sanford, a small yellow gem on an otherwise empty road will make up for all that and more. Elvira’s Mexican Restaurant has that southwest charm and matching feel-good food. Its dishes are prepared on site and are always piping hot when they get to you. Its cozy size and bright decorations make it perfect for a small group of friends or family.

Elvira’s is a great place to for a casual dinner where customers feel welcomed and comfortable. In addition, despite the extra time it takes to get there, Elvira’s has a devoted fan-base here in Midland. However, those fans need to share their love with more people in order to create the wide spread popularity it deserves. It is much more satisfying than fast food, and the best part is you can gorge yourself on free tortilla chips judgment free. They are guaranteed to have all your Mexican favorites as well as bringing a greater, traditional variety to the table.

The next time you are craving Mexican food, stop by Elvira’s Mexican Restaurant for an enjoyable meal whose equal isn’t likely to be found anywhere in this region.

The smell of house-made foreign foods and sausages fills the air on a brisk evening outside of Shier’s Artisan Foods, a relatively new food truck located outside of the Midland Brewing Company.

Food trucks are a new feature in the Midland area, and Shier’s Artisan Foods has only been here since February of 2013; however, its establishment remains unbeknownst to much of the student population. That is something that needs to change; this place is just too good to pass up.

Shier’s features a rotating menu of favorites such as the pasty, which owner George Shier learned to prepare while studying at the Culinary Institute of America, as well as Johnson and Wales University.

His food truck specializes in filling, hearty meals that are impossible to resist. Greek, Italian, Eastern European and particularly U.P. specialties influence his dishes. But if you are just looking for a snack, the thick cut potato fries will hit the spot. Shier puts time and care into dishes, which is evident in the taste and presentation.

The fries are quick to make, hot, and ready to be devoured. The fries can be found on both the regular menu and the kid’s menu.

Other kid’s menu items include a hot dog and a grilled cheese sandwich.

In the mood for a great tasting pizza, but not impressed with the greasy cardboard mess of the standard chain? Head to Shier’s for a non-traditional but perfectly prepared selection.

He has a separate menu for his pizzas, and among the most popular is the Yooper Italian (cudighi, pepperoni, green pepper, red onions, and mushrooms as well as the Greek (olive oil, gyro meat, feta cheese, black olives, red onion, and tzatziki sauce on the side.

Among Shier’s best dishes are the sandwiches. It helps that everything that goes into it is prepared by the owner.

Ingredients are always fresh and tasty. If you find yourself hungry around lunch or dinner, you can’t go wrong with the reuben, and they are large enough that not only are they filling, but if needed there will be some left over for a late-night snack.

Shier’s Artisan Foods is a recent addition to the food trucks in Midland, so very few know of it, but customers are loyal and rave about the business along with its friendly owner.

Head over there immediately so you can say you liked it before it was cool; because it will be.

mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 05

O P I N I O N

Kids on a plane I sat down in a chair across from the window so I could watch for the plane to come in. I had been up since early that morning in preparation to board my plane on time and looked forward to relaxing. As it came closer to boarding time, more and more people crowded the gate in hopes of choosing the seat of their choice. I looked around, noticing in the distance a family with three young kids.

Please don’t board this plane. Please, please, please!

As I was thinking this, the family came closer until they spotted the set of empty seats next to me; of course.

I wouldn’t have minded as much if the kids were well behaved – which they were not. What was even more annoying was the dad who sat there on his phone while his wife chased their kids around the airport, not even looking up once to make sure everything was under control.

As long as they don’t sit next to me, it will be fine…

My family and I were soon seated on the plane. I crossed my fingers as I watched every other passenger board, hoping and praying that the family with the small kids had either been in the wrong spot or decided for some unexplainable reason that they no longer wanted to reach their destination.

Finally I spotted them, watching to make sure they weren’t coming near me. Sure enough, the mom and her two youngest kids took their seats across the row from mine.

My heart sunk, my smile faded, and my excitement level went from ecstatic to pure annoyance.

As the plane began to take off, not only did my ears begin to pop from the elevated air pressure, but I think they began to bleed as I listened to the two young kids across from me scream about how they didn’t want to put

Ready, set, smile 6 | FOCUS | MAY 08, 2014

TIDBITS

Random pieces of information told in less than 50 words their seat belts on. I could already tell it was going to be a miserable flight.

Not only did the kids scream at the top of their lungs, they also begged their mom for a variety of snacks, continuously opened and closed the window shades, and galloped up and down the narrow aisle.

There are many things in this world that I don’t like. Certain foods, different genres of music, the feeling of certain fabrics, and the taste of bad coffee are just a few things on the list. However, holding the number one spot on my imaginary list of things I do not, and cannot tolerate, are kids. They smell and make messes; they scream and they cry; they hit and kick; and most irritating of all is that they don’t listen.

I will admit that I find kids cute and adorable – that is, when they’re either sleeping or not in the same vicinity as me. Yes, I’ve baby-sat my fair share of times and it hasn’t been extremely treacherous but there were a few instances when I considered leaving and never going back. A specific time when kids are definitely not cute and adorable, is on an airplane.

After a week of shopping, touring, and relaxing on the beach it was time to head back to the arctic wonderland of Michigan. I found my seat on the plane and got situated.

I looked down to buckle my seatbelt, only to look back up into the eyes of the same two kids that were on the first flight. They were sitting directly in front of me.

High school is one of those things that can drive you to the point where you spend the weekend in pajamas and eat your way through an entire bag of Cheetos. In an effort to forget the past week and stem the dread of the coming one, you can go through all the seasons of Parks and Recreation on Netflix, easy.

By no means has every moment of the past four years been miserable for me, but there are some days where after seven hours you feel like crap. I have to interact with—heaven forbid—actual living, breathing human beings for an extended amount of time. Considering I would not call myself a “people person”, it’s enough to shut me up in my room over the weekend and get me through all seven of the Harry Potter books.

No, but really. I’m obviously no genius but after going through all the years of high school, I’ve found some ways to cope with the not-so-awesome days. If you need a little extra boost, here’s what I suggest:

Exactly

$1,078 The average amount couples

BY THE NUMBERS

spend on prom (according to a survey done by USA today.)

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

1 2 3

The swim team’s student section getting too wild again.

Getting asked to prom by your boyfriend (hopefully).

Getting attacked by a pterodactyl after lunch.

and one thing you still do...

Tweet OF THE Month S/O to my mom for accidently giving me cough medicine I am extremely allergic to...

Follow THIS User

Bumping into that couple at prom who can’t stop making out for five minutes

@mikaelakram

1) Gratitude. When you feel awful, do all you can to find a silver lining. I usually make a physical list, but you can just rattle at least ten things off in your head too: clean water, good food, a bed, the fact that it wasn’t snowing today (knock on wood), your family, your friends, a great education, your new fuzzy socks, and electricity. The more I don’t take things for granted, the happier I am.

2) Appreciate simplicity. More is not necessarily better—you may like pizza and Starbursts but you wouldn’t want to eat them together. The same goes for life; even as you participate in a lot of really, really good things, sometimes having too much going on can make it so you don’t enjoy any of them. Don’t be afraid to take a break from something.

3) Be involved in something bigger than yourself. Whether it’s a religious organization, a job or just regularly volunteering, you can contribute to the greater good. You are important.

4) Use your personal strengths. I think this works for both talents (such as welding and piano) and your personality attributes (like integrity and a sense of humor). By taking part in things that you enjoy and are good at, you find achievement and happiness.

However, I also know that the more you try to use these strengths to uplift others, the better you feel as well.

5) Take care of yourself physically. It is scientifically proven that exercise produces endorphins, a hormone that will make you feel happier. Plus, when you take care of yourself physically, you have more control over your life.

The school year is almost over, but life brings challenges no matter what your circumstances are. I know that how you meet the tough times means a lot. I honestly believe that everyone is unique and valuable, and I wish it wasn’t impossible to make everyone happy all the time. Good luck in the last month of school—you’re going to do great.

Sitting out on the pledge

When I was little and I had to memorize my multiplication tables, my mom made me say them over and over again. I said them until I didn’t have to do the math. Each computation was only a recitation of numbers, until I could complete those two minute math tests with no thought at all.

I imagine this is the same thing that happened when I started saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Memorizing my multiplication tables was not math. Memorizing the Pledge of Allegiance was not patriotism. Saying something over and over again does not make it mean more. The formation of the vowels just became muscle memory, until I could “pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America” in my sleep. I had no idea what any of it meant. I can hardly define “liberty” now; I certainly couldn’t as a kindergartner.

I am not unpatriotic. I don’t think God hates America. When I think of my country, I don’t think of McDonald’s and consumerism before anything else. But I do think of diversity. I think of the Coca-Cola commercial with “America the Beautiful” sung in multiple languages. No one had their hand over their heart, hat off, standing with knees locked and face solemn. No matter how much some people want to think so, that is not American pride. We embody diversity, but the way we come together is not though the Pledge of Allegiance.

I spent four years of my life not saying the pledge during class, and it had no effect on my position as a citizen. When I started saying the pledge again, nothing changed.

So eventually, I stopped saying it altogether.

There was no need for me to promise my loyalty to America every day, because I don’t feel like that is something I have to prove.

The greatest metaphor

O P I N I O N

Floyd and Betty

The more influence we give to the pledge, the more opportunity there is to scare us with it. The speech, to many citizens, is sacred.

Words are easy to manipulate. When we give so much power to a series of sentences, we also give power to extremists, allowing them to take advantage of these words and make us feel unsafe. If we didn’t recite the pledge like a prayer, it would not be there for extremists to take. Power and patriotism belongs in the hearts of American citizens. I believe that if I am truly patriotic, I will know this in my heart without having to preach it every day in class.

Another problem I have with the pledge is the wording. Although certain phrases may only apply to one group of people, they are expected to be embraced by everyone. The words “under God” were not added to the pledge until 1954, in response to communist threat during the Cold War and the second Red Scare. These words were created in fear, which to me makes the pledge weaker. There is supposed to be a clear distinction between church and state in America, and yet we promise that we will stand united under God every time we say our pledge.

I am lucky to live in a country where saying the Pledge of Allegiance is technically optional. I will continue to exercise my First Amendment rights by staying silent during the pledge—not because I am unpatriotic, but because it does not prove my national fidelity.

The Pledge of Allegiance is not the multiplication tables. I do not feel obligated to recite it emotionlessly.

Hand in hand, they slowly shuffled through the line of pews and into the aisle. It was not a long walk, from their seats in the back of the church to where Communion was being served at the front of the sanctuary. It was not a difficult walk. Still, together they labored their way to the front of the church, step by step, her hands clasped around the arm of his tweed suit jacket as they made their way back to their seats.

“Just a few more steps Doll,” Floyd Campbell would whisper to her as her hands shook during the last few steps before they returned to their seats. Her glazed eyes focused only at him.

At the age of 92 and 90, Floyd and Betty Campbell, two members of my church, will forever be the greatest examples of true love that I have ever seen. I had spoken to them maybe twice in my life, but still they have stuck in my mind as one of the few reasons that allow me to believe that actual love exists.

They were completely devoted to one another like no other couple that I had ever seen. Their love was something that can only be found in Nicholas Sparks’ novels and the chick flicks that come out on Valentines Day. Floyd’s unending dedication to caring for Betty despite her Alzheimer’s and the fact that she could not remember most people was astounding. Even though she could barely hobble along next to him, he was always there to hold her up and guide her along.

They didn’t have much. My youth group once went around Christmas caroling and we stopped at their house. They lived in a trailer residency area, with a live in nurse and not much else. It didn’t matter though. Floyd still never let go of Betty’s hand the entire time we visited with them. He still offered her ice

“Wasn’t it at noon?”

“No, I’m positive it was at 3p.m.”

“There’s no way. Christ was risen from noon to 3!”

Easter Sunday this year I sat at a table filled with my older cousins, all around the age of 20 and older. They first started talking about childhood memories, eventually coming to the topic of Christ and what time of day he rose from the dead. I just watched as they argued about this little detail that was so important for them to know was correct. I let it go on for a few minutes until, finally, I spoke up.

“Guys, don’t you think you might be looking into this just a little too much?”

They all just stared at me as if I was crazy.

Just the thought that I was questioning the Bible was too strange to them.

My cousins were born and raised Catholics.

My uncle is a priest and my grandma taught at Blessed Sacrament for years. Most of my family goes to church every Sunday. On top of this, their kids all go to Sunday school

and attend Catholic elementary and middle schools. Everyone except me.

However, I did have my first communion, I was baptized into my Christian family, and at one point I actually did go to Sunday school.

I couldn’t really say why we stopped going to church as a family; but after moving around so much when I was younger, it seemed strange to emerge myself in a completely different church every few years.

It’s not a terrible thing to not go to church.

I turned out pretty normal without God’s influence on my every decision. Yeah, I do sometimes wish that I knew what my cousins were talking about at family dinners, or I knew the words to the hymns they sing with prayers. But the lack of “religious guidance” gave me a chance to step back and really look at the idea of religion.

I can’t fully say that I believe in God, and I can’t say I don’t either. In my opinion, the Bible was created to give hope to those on the verge of giving up, those who need someone

cream, as he did every other night. He still introduced her to us all, even though most of us had gone to church with her for years.

I cannot imagine having that. I cannot imagine having someone who loves me so thoroughly and completely that they take joy in spending their life caring for me. I cannot imagine spending 65 years with the same person and still having them look at me and their eyes light up. I cannot imagine having someone that calls me “Doll” at the age of 92.

I very well may never find that; most people don’t. But whether or not I have someone beside me when I can’t walk, I don’t think that I will ever forget Floyd and Betty. They are the only couple that I have ever seen that truly exemplifies “in sickness and in health, till death do us part.”

Betty passed away last year. I have not seen Floyd since then. Without Betty to guide to Communion, he doesn’t come to church anymore. It would be strange to see him walk down the aisle without her frail arm wrapped around him. I can’t even picture Floyd without Betty there. Their two lives were so intertwined that it seems impossible for one to go on without the other.

Even though Floyd and Betty are the only couple that I have ever seen that spent over 60 years cultivating their relationship to the point that they were inseparable, it gives me some hope. Though it is rare, some people do actually find their soul mates.

to trust their fears and dreams with. I don’t think someone created the Bible in belief that masses of people would rewrite their life based off the text, and look down on those who don’t run to do the same. Granted, not all religious followers do this, but enough to have started wars in the past.

It’s almost as if God is a metaphor. The Bible is there to give you stories of one man’s journey, and set examples on how you should follow in His footsteps. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you should memorize His entire life story and beg him to respond to your unanswered questions in life.

Christ’s story gives us hope. His resurrection makes people believe there is a chance of survival. His creation of land and life gives an explanation to all of the unknown in the world. And the stories in the Bible are just that-stories.

mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 7

Taking care of business

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Senior Joey Adams became more anxious “I always go through the human resources as names were announced from third to manual they give us and re-highlight the entire first place at the Business Professionals of things with things that I predict I might need,” America nationwide competition. Adams was Adams said. “Also what’s important is during competing against other students from around my prep time before I present to the judges, the nation who had achieved first or second I practice in front of the mirror before, which place at the state level. As Adams heard his really seemed to help.” name announced as first in the nation for his The video production team composed of category, human resource management, he was seniors Justin Butler, Quinten Greiner, Varilek, ecstatic as he accepted his award and stepped and sophomore Jonathan Haynes took a onto the podium. different approach to prepare. They got ready a “ I owe it all to my advisor, Mrs. Jozwiak. She few hours before the competition by reviewing put me in this event knowing I could go far with their materials and having a rehearsal of their it, though truthfully I don’t think either of us performance. though it would amount to this,” Adams said.

“We haven’t had any real competition, not “It was an amazing way to end my BPA career, everyone has been as well edited as us,” Varilek I’m proud to call myself a Chemic.” said. “But at Nationals we will be competing BPA had 14 members from Midland High against the best from every state.” who advanced to Nationals, along with one Although only the best group attended member from Nationals, the MHS Dow High. Those “ESPECIALLY WITH MORE KIDS GOING chapter of BPA was 15 members confident about their were on multiple THIS YEAR, AND SO MANY TALENTED competition. Teams teams, including ONES AT THAT, I THINK IT’S NOT OUT need to place in the t h e c a t e g o r i e s OF THE QUESTION. MIDLAND HIGH top 10 to win an human resource IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH.” award. management, “I definitely hope JOEY ADAMS to see a few Chemics video production, a n d C + + up on the podium on programming, among others.

Sunday.” Adams said, “Especially with more BPA brings students together to learn about kids going this year, and so many talented ones professional business practices. Students in the at that, I think that it’s not out of the question. club compete against other schools in different Midland High is a force to be reckoned with,” categories related to business.

The club’s meeting schedule is very different “BPA is a program in which you can have from the schedule of other activities. The first is a lot of fun, be serious and discover a lot as a at the beginning of the year, when the members person. You get to be yourself,” senior Brendan sign up for the events they want to participate in.

Varilek said.

Some of the events include web design, digital This year was BPA’s second largest group media production and database applications, to go to Nationals, which took place April 30 – along many others. BPA has optional meetings May 4 in Indianapolis. throughout the year. The first meeting takes Each section of BPA prepared for the place two weeks before states where they competition in their own way. Adams, prepared discuss their event and the trip. The second for the competition in a practical way. type of meeting, which is the largest, takes

BPA Categories There are over fifty categories in BPA. Here is a quick preview of three of them.

8 | FOCUS | MAY 08, 2014

Extemporaneous Speech

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Members of Business Professionals of America traveled to Indianapolis to compete against the best in the nation. Due to the extensive fundraising throughout the year, BPA is able to attend the Nationals convention this year. Caroline Swiercz | Staff Writer & Nick Wright | Staff Writer

Keegan McGuire (third from left) stands with other top finishers at BPA nationals in Indianapolis. McGuire place 7th in Extemporaneous Speech. Nate Fisher | Photo place during winter vacation where everything becomes finalized for States. There are also optional work sessions on Wednesday nights.

Because BPA’s competitions cost a lot of money, the members do multiple fund-raisers to meet the budget. Popular fund-raisers include selling popcorn and root-beer floats at school.

They do fund-raisers throughout the entire year, which can sometimes be time consuming for the members.

“Fund-raising can be a lot of work, but creating connections with fellow peers and with the community makes it all worth it,” sophomore Jonathan Haynes said.

BPA also has a McDonald’s night where they serve the restaurant for about four hours, doing janitorial services and greeting customers. At the end of the night, they receive a percentage of profit that goes towards their trips.

There are competitions BPA must do before

Java Programming

Participants pull a random This category involves using business topic from a hat. They structured designs to have 10 minutes develop software to prepare for a speech using the Java program. that lasts from 1 to 3 minutes

they reach Nationals. The first is Regionals; it takes place at CMU and is an all day event.

It is very crowded because no teams have been eliminated at that point. The members compete against other schools and in front of the judges and then awards are presented in the evening. Only the top six in each event are able to advance onto States.

The competitions at State level take place over three days with only the top two in each event advancing to Nationals.

“At first, we thought we were up against some stiff competition at States, but after getting first place, we knew that we had killed it,” Varilek said.

There were many top finishers from Midland High at BPA nationals this year. Finishing first in the Nation for human resource management was Joey Adams. The video production team placed 13th out of 33 teams.

Global Marketing In this category the participant develops a

marketing plan

for a business and places all its components into a portfolio.

Nick & Caroline | Infographic

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“Falling down the

rabbit hole”

87%

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lagiarism comes from the Latin root of plagiārius, meaning kidnap. Often times the definition of plagiarism is confused with that of cheating. The school’s handbook has a policy for cheating states that taking credit for a work that is not one’s own is considered cheating and will result in consequences determined by the teacher.

Although plagiarism may be a form of cheating, cheating is not a punishable offense by law.

Plagiarism infringes on copyright laws, meaning potential fines, jail time, and community service if laws are seriously violated.

On a lower level, when high school students are caught with plagiarized work they are not only punished for their dishonest work, but there are also unseen consequences. Not all teachers choose to give severe punishments, but their views of that student may change afterwards.

“After working with teenagers all these years, I know that even good students can make stupid choices,” English teacher Becky Thomas-King said. “But, in my heart, it really upsets me. I know that I worked really hard to get through school and that many of my students do. For someone else to cheat their way through is really insulting to me.”

Recently King spoke to her classes about a student who had been caught plagiarizing an assignment. She warned the students about the repercussions of passing off another’s work for their own in her class, in hopes of deterring the act altogether. Although King has worked to identify plagiarized work since then, she refuses to lose her focus as a teacher.

“My job is to teach, not to be a homework policeman,” King said. “If I spent all of my energy trying to track down cheaters, I wouldn’t be doing as much good as I should be.”

IB Coordinator and teacher Carol Neff has

With the rise of technology in today’s society, teachers have to try even harder to convince students to have confidence in their own ideas and prevent plagiarism in their classes. Scout Parsch | Editor in Chief & Casey LaValley | Staff Writer of MHS students have let others copy their school work and turn it in

also had issues with her students plagiarizing ”It assumes that if you don’t check on people their assignments in the past. Neff chooses they will do it. I know people have said it’s very to monitor students by employing writing valuable in terms of feedback, but it bases itself processes. These include an outline, rough off of the ‘We’ll monitor you, we’ll check you draft, and final draft for each paper they write because otherwise we know you’ll try to get for the class, minimizing the chance of students away with something.’” Hastings said. stealing the work of others. Neff believes Rather than using programs like turnitin.com, that for a major essay, Hastings decides requiring students to to trust herself hand things in along when identifying Most common the way, may not cut plagiarism in her forms of Plagiarism down plagiarism, but students’ work.

1 Accidental Plagiarism it will help teachers to Often times it is very misciting works identify it. clear to her when a Many high schools student has passed 2 Self Plagiarism and colleges, will off another’s work as using one’s old works use websites such their own.

3 Intentional Plagiarism as turnitin.com to “It becomes using others without citing help with identifying obvious when the Avoiding assignments that have style and perspective accidental been plagiarized. are clearly not that plagiarism Turnitin.com scans of a student, but that documents that of a professional,” Know how and when to cite your sources are submitted and Hastings said. “I’ll evaluates the student’s find a unique phrase Use quotes when including a statement word for word work compared and google it and it’s to others. In the usually fairly easy.”

Don’t assume any fact is past, Midland High Neff also uses common knowledge. When in doubt, cite it experimented with the this technique if she program, but thought is suspicious of a Don’t reuse any old papers or projects it was too expensive for student’s work being the district to use. plagiarized. She Casey LaValley & Scout Parsch | However, one of the believes that most Infographic schools implementing times a student is this program is Saginaw Valley State University, caught plagiarizing, they admit to not planning with over 50 percent of their professors utilizing enough time or panicking with the feeling of this website in their classes. On the other hand, needing to turn in something.

English professor Phyllis Hastings disagrees “I prefer for students to learn,” Neff said. “I with her school’s usage of the website, stating don’t think students learn if they plagiarize and that it is controversial for students taking her they don’t learn if they don’t hand anything in. composition writing class.

So, I prefer learning always.”

Turnitin.com | Information Casey LaValley | Illustration Survey conducted of 182 students In addition, King considers self-confidence as a role in the temptation to plagiarize as well as time management.

“Sometimes students don’t have confidence in their own ideas because there is so much information out there. If they have an idea that isn’t on Sparknotes, they think that they are wrong.” King said.

As teachers are becoming more aware of the various ways a student can find new ideas other than their own, they work to find a punishment that is both fair but still teaches a lesson. Because plagiarism can vary from forgetting to cite a source to copying an entire essay, it is difficult to choose one punishment. Many people believe that if caught plagiarized in college, you will be dropped from the class. However, Hastings does not agree with this statement because she thinks a failing grade is too severe, and chooses to not give a zero for the assignment.

“I feel that a failing grade for the assignment seriously lowers the grade, nearly an entire letter,” Hastings said. “I think the warning, as far as I’m concerned, is sufficient because they realize that they are in jeopardy.”

In order to prevent the act of plagiarism occurring, Neff believes the more organized a student stays, the less they will procrastinate, and the easier it will be for them to fight the temptation. King agrees that teachers should push students to be more organized, and tries to remind her students of the consequences of plagiarism.

“I would want them to think about why this is an option, because at some level, it means that they don’t value the assignment,” King said.

“There are a lot of unintended repercussions.

It’s like falling down the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland, it’s hard to dig your way out.”

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Blue, gold, and green

In efforts to make Midland High a more environmentally friendly school, and go green, students in the Beautification Club meet every week to clean up the school grounds. Natalie Schwartz | Staff Writer & Kevin Sharpe | Staff Writer

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ix misshapen piles of leaves, trash and other strewn items dot the front lawn of MHS. The Beautification club is hard at work fighting the cold and pollution. Junior Audrey Thomas and sophomore Emma Jacob discuss their Friday plans while participating in their weekly task of cleaning up the campus.

“We are all pretty good academically, but we need to be good physically too.” Thomas said while raking at her pile. “And we get to make Midland High a better place at the same time.”

Beautification club was started in the spring of 2013 after the student and teacher trip to Taiwan.

“The schools we visited in Taiwan all focused on beautifying their campuses by creating green environments and by bringing in internationalism into their buildings.” Advisor Georgina Leach said. With that inspiration, the Beautification Club was created.

Club advisor Melissa Toner said schools in Taiwan took beautification very seriously.

“We realized that beautification is really important, and we loved the environment and the plants and the artwork. They used a lot of the students talents to improve the campus.”

Advisor Melissa Toner said. “We brought it back to Midland High because we have so much chemic pride, and we know that some students would help us beautify the campus.”

So far, this club has planted flowers, raked

Re c y c l i ng: By th e N u mb e rs

Some things you may not know about recycling.

10 | FOCUS | MAY 08, 2014

the front lawn, picked up trash, and create environmental awareness amongst the student body.

“The students who participate are generally good students with high hopes of making the world a more beautiful place,” English teacher Rose Sevener said, placing a piece of trash into her bag during on of the clean ups.

Beautification Club secretary, junior Audrey Thomas said, “[Beautification club] is a happy environment for the environment.”

During the next year, the club plans on maintaining the progress made as well as improving certain aspects of the school; they look forward to planting plants, putting planters throughout the building along with continuing the raking and tidying up. Thomas, Leach, Jacob and the rest of the club, as well as any student who wishes to participate hope to influence the rest of the student body and eventually the other schools in the district.

Although not a part of the club, some teachers take time out of their day to help assist cleaning up the campus. Sevener will sometimes pick up a trash bag and help out between grading papers.

“Once you have a club like this, more schools follow. It’s like a trickle effect. And once the campus is clean, more students will want to keep it clean, and have more pride in their

Only

27% of all

newspapers are recycled in the U.S.

Senior Ashton Rapanos fights the chilly weather, as she rakes up pine needles.

Beautification Club welcomes all newcomers to help out. Natalie Schwartz | Photo school.” Sevener said, “The front of the school is the first thing people see, and the first thing people see when enrolling their children.”

Sevener as well as other members of the club believe that if more students pitch in and help, their grades will improve. Where the better the school looks, the better the students feel, therefore increasing their will to succeed and represent the school. Leach hopes that the Beautification club will give more students the opportunity to become involved in the school as well.

“I like [Beautification Club] because it appeals to people who don’t fit in other clubs and don’t have a club to relate to,” Jacob said, “It gives kids who don’t have a place find a place. It helped me become more involved.”

Jeanne Henderson, a naturalist at the Chippewa Nature Center, is always concerned

84% of all

houshold waste can be recycled which will reduce landfills.

about the health of the community, as well as the animals that inhabit Midland.

“Lots of birds can get sick and die from eating pieces of plastic, paper, and spoiled foods. If kids learn about what pollution like this can do to the planet, and what they can do to help, that will help them make better choices as adults.”

Henderson was personally impressed with Midland High’s involvement and interest in helping beautify their campus.

“One high school club can impact other schools’ clubs by the enthusiasm generated by the club members about the activities they plan and complete.” Henderson said, “Publicity such as word of mouth, Twitter, newspapers and Facebook can help spread goals and invites other schools to participate in your activities.

Then, the impact is further amplified.”

34 billion sheets of paper are used in U.S. schools each year Natalie Schwartz | Illustrations

Which promposal suits you?

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With prom right around the corner, students are looking to ask their special someone in a creative way. While taking this quiz, keep that person in mind to find ideas about how to ask them to prom in a way that best suits them. Emily Fisher | Ad Coordinator & Sarah Wontorcik | Photo Editor

If you go to Buffalo Wild Wings together, they’re there for...

Those eyes...

Write “prom” on a basketball Spell out “prom” with lacrosse balls Surprise them before their big game on the loudspeaker Go for a run and make signs that say “Will you run to prom with me?”

...seywallpaper, No, they would Yes, .. e eso yes. ebeen hT e never seen photos, s o h T decorating everything

What appears (or would most likely appear) on their Instagram?

A photo of their A ton of ideas . .. s breakfast,slunch, for crafts and e e ey Tho and dinner DIY projects

FOOD

Ideas:

Build the word “prom” out of their favorite food Make a heart-shaped pizza Take them to dinner and ask the waiter to say “Will you go to prom with [your name]?” at the end of the dinner

hT

Ideas:

Is their locker decorated to match their personality?

eso

SPORTS

themselves

ye ...se

oh T

When at a sporting event, they can almost always be found...

In the student At concessions, section, es... leading eating pizza e ey s o Th a chant. esohT

es

The wings, obviously.

Verified celebrities

...seye

The big game, ...s ey go team! e

..

Parody/comedy yes. se e o accounts h T

a catalog

On a rainy day, your special someone would...

Take a nice, long, and relaxing nap.

Those eyes...

Bake or take on an artsy project.

ey es ...

..

eyes.

Those eyes...

Thos e

Italian: pasta, lasagna, and pizza

Those eyes...

Sports grill: burgers, wings, and fries

What kind of accounts do they (or would they) follow on Twitter?

Draw out an eyesa...T-shirt to eFind Thosuse original design in-store or in

se

Those eyes...

Which type of food does your special someone prefer?

Drama or musical

Th o

A night out A night in, Action/ and about in the saying home ... es adventure ey e os Th town. and hanging out.

Your class needs a T-shirt design, what would they do?

s... ye

...seye esohT

What type of movie is your special someone more likely to watch?

ee os Th

What would be your special someone’s perfect Saturday night?

...seye esohT

Those eyes...

START:

On Valentine’s Day, your special someone prefers...

Chocolate, A handwritten candy, or note or a es... e ey s anything sweet homemade card o Th Those eyes...

CRAFTY

Ideas:

Organize their apps to spell the word “prom?”

Make a puzzle that spells out “prom?”

Organize a flash mob Use Legos to spell out “lego to prom?”

Juniors Mitchell Smith and Natalie Jamrog

Seniors Drew Cullison and Katie Kochanny

Juniors Natalie Landis and Max Kidd

Smith asked by spelling “prom” with tennis balls.

Natalie Jamrog | Photo Courtesy

Cullison asked by spelling “prom” with cupcakes. Drew Cullison | Photo Courtesy

Kidd asked by setting up an Easter egg hunt with a note in the last egg that said, “Will you go to prom with me?” Natalie Landis | Photo Courtesy

mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 11

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2.

1.

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[1] Dow high senior Josh Tomsich is preventing the defender from running the ball to the other side of the field. This maneuver is commonly known as riding. [2] Dow high junior attackman Brett Brillhart is fending off a pressuring defender from Lake Orion High school. The varsity boys lacrosse team beat Lake Orion 14-3 on April 25. [3] Junior Mason Money defends against senior Anne Trapani, who is the attacker, as they practice the zigzag drill. This drill is used to work on defensive shuffling and offensive dodging. Trapani has been playing lacrosse for six years and Money has played for four. [4] Freshman Annalise Hohner and freshman Courtney Keyser are practicing the three man drill. This drill works on dodging and over the shoulder passing. Jack Duly & Emily Fisher | Photos

One town. One team.

The varsity boy’s and girl’s lacrosse teams both unite two schools who are normally cross-town rivals into one program Nate Fisher | Staff Writer, Emily Resmer | Sports Editor, & Jack Duly | Managing Editor

T

wo teams. Two schools. One goal.

The varsity boy’s lacrosse team was founded in 2005 as a club and included athletes from both Midland and Dow high school. Two years later the program gave girls a club of their own. During the 2010-2011 school year it was recognized as an official varsity sport. The program has grown from around 20 athletes total to more than 278 male and female athletes with opportunities for kids to start as young as first grade.

“It’s not just growing in Midland, it is growing everywhere,” senior Dakotah Costley said. “It is more televised now than it ever used to be, it’s even on ESPN. Now a bunch of schools are picking it up. With more schools it is going to spread, and it has.”

With increased participation in the sport, more competitive talent has been brought in; both programs have a common goal of making it to the state championship game in June. An advantage that both teams share over other teams across the state is that they are able to draw players from both high school’s.

“Having athletes from both schools contributes to our success because we have the best athletes from both Dow and Midland, instead of just having moderate athletes from one school play on a team,” junior Taylor Jensen

12 | FOCUS | MAY 08, 2014

said. years because we have been playing together Upon trying to reach the goal of making it since sixth grade and over the years we have to the state championship, the boy’s team has been getting better and better,” Diment said. also come up with a series of goals, including “Last year some of the guys on the team we being undefeated, winning the Saginaw Valley, didn’t share the same chemistry that we have increasing each player’s lacrosse IQ, and having now.” seniors win their last game.

Bob comments that another aspect of Although one goal is already out due this year’s team that contributes to the loss of their season to its optimistic outlook on opener, assistant coach the season is a veteran Bob Costley has a bright group of starters and outlook for the remainder experienced second line of the season players who contribute to GIRLS GUYS “ We h a ve a ve r y the team’s success.

-May 12: -May 8: Bay experienced and talented “We can’t just select Oxford City Central group of seniors that have from one school, we have played together for many so much more talent when -May 13: Grand -May 12: Bay years,” Bob said. “Most of we are put together,” Blanc City Western our starters have played junior Brett Brillhart, a together for 7 years.” student at DHS said. “It -May 16: East -May 15: East Senior Tanner Diment makes us a better team Lansing Lansing said that this group of overall, and I like it better starters have exceptional than if it was just one Girls at Northeast, guys at Central group chemistry, school.”

Middle School surpassing levels of past Brillhart states that with years. Due to the familiarity an already strong foundation with each other’s playing of team chemistry the lacrosse styles, they are able to perform at a higher level. team has more time to focus on another one “I feel like this year is better than previous of their goals; to increase their lacrosse IQ.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES

Lacrosse IQ is being aware of the surroundings on the field and knowing where they need to be at any given moment.

“A quarterback for football knows that when he drops back that either this guy or this guy is going to be open. So he has his first look and then his second look and if neither of them are open he knows to tuck it and run,” Dakotah Costley said. “In lacrosse you have to know that you can go here or here and if not then you need to know what to do next. You have to be smart about things.”

Brillhart comments that Birmingham Brother Rice is the top contender for the 2014 state title.

Even though Brother Rice has not lost to a Michigan lacrosse team in nine years, the team is still determined to make it to the state playoffs and challenge the defending state champions.

“I think we can definitely take them by surprise,” Brillhart said. “We know it can be done, we just have to believe we can beat them.”

Also on the same track to achieve their goal is the girl’s varsity lacrosse team. Featuring a new coach and new team dynamics the players comment that they are looking forward to continuing their successful season with a record of 6-1 and being ranked ninth in the state.

“I couldn’t ask for a better group of girls in our program. They work hard and rarely

S P O R T S

MEETTHE DEFENSE

PLAYERS BRADLEY BELSON

6.

5.

ATTACK

[5] Dow high attackman Josh Tomsich charges up the field while being defended by a Lake Orion player. This is Tomsich’s seventh year playing lacrosse. Tomsich is attending Capital University in Ohio next year and plans play lacrosse in college. [6] Junior Taylor Jensen practices handling the ball. The girl’s lacrosse team practices at Northeast Middle School Jack Duly & Emily Fisher | Photo

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GUYS AND GIRLS LACROSSE GIRLS

-Is a contact sport, so body checking and high impact stick checking is allowed.

Players can also be hit by the ball.

-All players wear helmets, padded gloves, arm guards, shoulder pads, and mouth guards -The pocket in the boys stick is deep to hold the ball in while running and offer more powerful shots.

-Defensive players have six foot long sticks .

-Is a non-contact sport. One punishment for checking is having the offender move four meters away from the player.

-Players wear only goggles and a mouth guard.

-The pocket in the girls sticks are shallower then guy’s sticks.

-All players have the same length of sticks.

There is no distinction between offensive and defensive player’s sticks.

Jack Duly | Illustration

COLIN WALTERS

MADISON HAYES

HAYLEE DIMENT

ATTACK

GUYS

JOSH TOMSICH

MIDFIELD

definitely have the potential to beat them.”

With the growing popularity of the sport the question has been raised of whether, in the future, the two high schools will have their own individual teams. This has been discussed by both schools’ athletic directors and the team’s coaches.

For this to happen each school would have to have approximately 60 athletes try out for the program. This would allow for there to be around 20 athletes per level to fill out a roster.

While the separation of the team is likely to happen in the future it will not be because of conflicts between the two schools. Although tensions between Midland and Dow are often high the program serves as a bridge between the two schools.

“Talking to the lacrosse coaches they have a long term goal for each school to have their own team. I think everyone feels that, that would be best,” Midland athletic director Eric Albright said. “However, until each school can fill three levels of the sport: freshman, junior varsity, and varsity, the lacrosse club would prefer to continue to have just one team.”

ATTACK

This is Baach’s second year in the lacrosse program and first year has coach of the varsity girls team.

“She pushes us. She knows how to analyze different situations and play us to our best ability,” senior Kayla Keyser said. “She always says that if you are out of your comfort zone then that is the point. We had this talent last year it is just now our coach is utilizing it.”

Working with Baach the team been able to create different ways of pushing the ball up the field, Forgus comments.

“Our transition game, which is being able to get the ball up the field, is really good,” Forgus said. “We never had this before, which means now we can pass and catch instead of one person running the ball down the field.”

Keyser comments that their toughest competition this year is Flint Powers.

“Flint powers is our Brother Rice. This year we are hoping to put up a real good fight. They have a new coach and some of their best players who scored all their points graduated,” Keyser said. “Their program is rebuilding, I don’t know how severely they are rebuilding but we

GOALIE

complain,” varsity coach Hannah Baach said.

“Having a program through two schools creates different concerns most other sports don’t face, and they do a great job of adjusting.”

The girl’s lacrosse team capitalizes on their advantage of being able to bring athletes from both sides of town. Merging the two schools has allowed a bridge to be formed between schools that are normally viewed as competitors.

“Personally, I like it because all of my friends go to Midland High so I now get to see them everyday,” said Mallory Forgus, a senior from DHS. “Rivalries are fun but we can have rivalries with other schools instead of having to hate the school across town like every other sport. It is like camaraderie between all of us.”

Senior Anne Trapani also agrees that a blended team is beneficial for the success of the program. Though the team has defeated each opponent by a large margin so far this season, Trapani comments that they will need to continue to improve in order to obtain the title they are working for.

Trapani, Jensen, and Forgus attribute the success that the team has achieved to Baach.

AMY SKLENAR mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 13

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With the spring sports season underway , coaches and athletes comment how their season so far. Whether on the track or the field, teams prepare to compete.

THE SPORTS

ZONE

SPORTS BRIEFS GIRLS VARSITY SOFTBALL

Eric Albright Top Performers: Jonathan Hentschel, Tanner Gross, Michael Alexander, Austin Rapanos

Coach: Robin Allen

Top Newcomers: Jordan Patty, Cheyne Maier

Top Newcomers: Robyn Elsen, Ashley Herman

Coach’s Quote: “Our goal is to compete in the Saginaw Valley League Championship and to get the district title.

Eric Albright By: Kaitlyn Stymiest

Coach’s Quote: “Our goal is hoping to compete for the conference and district title.”

Robin Allen

Stars of Spring This season’s top athletes 1. Junior Jake Greer runs as part of a distance medley at the Graves-Swayze invitational.

The boys track team placed first at the invitational.

2. Junior Taylor Jensen practices running with the ball and over the shoulder passes. The girl’s lacrosse team practices at Northeast Middle school.

3. Senior Lindsey Defrancesco does a drill called one-hoppers, where she catches the ball after it bounces once.

Jack Duly & Nick Wright | Photos

14 | FOCUS | MAY 08, 2014

Robin Allen Top Performers: Alyssa Westphal, Kaely Simmons, Lindsey DeFrancesco, Cheyenne Quinn, Bryanna Collins

By: Claire Booth

Freshman Jayden Williams’ personal record in the 400 meter dash The score of the boys JV A lacrosse team against Bay City Central.

Junior Jon Becker’s personal record in the 800 meter run

1.

Jake Greer Grade: Junior

TWEET of the MONTH Our 4x4 is ranked 7th in the state #BeRadiant @Tampax @Walmart @midlandchemics @amy_smith1111

STAT CENTRAL

BOYS VARSITY BASEBALL Coach: Eric Albright

SPORTS

By: Molly Sanford

2.

Taylor Jensen Grade: Junior

By: Mary Wandor

59.2 10-0 2:06

3.

Lindsey DeFrancesco Grade: Senior

By: Jack Duly

Sport: Boys varsity track

Sport: Girls varsity lacrosse

Sport: Girls varsity softball

Stat: 1 mile personal record- 4:32 2 mile personal record- 10:02

Stat: Scoring nine goals in one game

Stat: .425 batting average

Favorite Memory: “Racing with Miles Kilbreath last year because he is my idol.”

Favorite Memory: “Team bonding at Amy Sklenar’s house because that is the first time that we bounded as a team.”

Key to Success: ”Training in the off season so I am in shape at the start of the season and listening to the coaches during the race.”

Key to Success: “My leadership skills, my competitiveness, and hard work.”

Favorite Memory: ”When I made a diving catch during a game and I held the ball up and Bry Collins grabbed it from my head and threw it to first.”

Coach’s Take: “He trained all winter to prepare for this season and he is reaping the benefits for his hard work.”

Keith Seybert

Coach’s Take: Taylor is a very aggressive player, but is also a smart player with impressive and sick skills. She is also a positive team player who consistently works hard.”

Hannah Bach

Key to Success: “I always put the team before myself.”

Coach’s Take: “She has an excellent attitude and an absolute team player. In my opinion she is the best third baseman in the Saginaw Valley.”

Robin Allen

Girl Box

S P O R T S

etting out of the

W

hen Girls on the Run began, its intention was not solely to encourage young girls to exercise.

Through the sport, four time Ironman triathlete and Master of Social work Molly Barker believed that she could do an amazing thing: get her runners out of “The Girl Box”.

“We define ‘The Girl Box’ as the place where all too many pre-teen and teen girls find themselves as a result of the barrage of messages about image and conformity to which they are exposed,” said Jennifer Naegele, coordinator of the Saginaw and Bay Area Girls on the Run groups. “The result has been a generation of girls with unrealistic and often unattainable standards for themselves and their peers.”

Being a female athlete, Barker has recognized a dire need for an incorporation of feminism and healthy activity. She founded Girls on the Run in 1996 with the intention of teaching young girls how to take care of themselves and build confidence, and reject the need to look and act perfect and stereotypically feminine.

Barker realized the damage that could be caused by the media’s increasingly unattainable images of women, and set out to change the lives of girls by starting Girls on the Run. By joining together her love of running with her knowledge in counseling and teaching, she created the program and was set on encouraging girls to be strong, confident, and self-aware.

“She wanted to help girls avoid some of the problems she experienced in her life and used running as the activity to help teach all sorts of wonderful life lessons,” said Sara JacobsCarter, coordinator of the Midland and Gladwin township Girls on the Run groups.

The first Girls on the Run group took place in North Carolina, and consisted of only 13 girls. Since 1996, Girls on the Run has spread across the country. Midland’s first team started in the fall of 2007, and started in Gladwin in 2012. So far, the program has helped more than 2,000 girls county-wide to become healthier and happier with themselves as individuals.

However, Girls on the Run does not only benefit the girls, but has made a difference in the community.

“Each team chooses a community project each season - we’ve had over 115 teams, each doing something to give back to the community,” Jacobs-Carter said. “Whether it’s picking up

Girls on the Run is a program that strives to increase self confidence and promote a healthy lifestyle for girls everywhere. The girls are preparing to participate in the Dow Run/Walk on May 17. Christiana Haight | Staff Writer

Two girls and one of their high school volunteers walk through the neighborhoods near Adams Elementary during a Girls on the Run practice after school in preparation for the upcoming Dow Run/Walk that they are participating in on May 17. Noah Surbrook | Photo litter on school grounds, writing letters to our service men and women overseas, or raising money to donate to the animal shelter, our girls have made their marks on the community without a doubt.”

According to their official website, the mission of the program is to show all girls that they can do anything they set their minds to, and to provide the skills necessary to fight bullying, and to show girls how to stand up for their peers. Girls on the Run envisions a world where every girl knows and activates their limitless potential and is free to pursue their dreams.

Emily Ammerman, a third grader attending Adams Elementary, first heard about Girls on the Run during her daily announcements. Since joining Girls on the Run, her mother, Sudie Ammerman, has seen great strides in both her daughter’s confidence and the respect she has for her friends.

“I think that it is a really great program,”

Sudie said. “It is teaching young girls how to love and stand up for themselves. I’ve always told [Emily] that the most important person to love is yourself.”

The Girls on the Run program is offered for third through fifth graders at most public elementary schools in Midland, as well as some parochial schools such as St. Brigid’s and Blessed Sacrament.

The program runs for roughly two months.

The girls meet at Adams Elementary with their groups twice a week. During each practice, they work on the girl’s running skills. Coaches will also conduct lessons that cover self esteem, bullying, and a wide variety of topics that can help educate girls on how to handle pressures put on them by society’s expectations.

“It combines one thing I really like, with another thing that I don’t like as much,” Emily said. “It’s showing me how to stand up for my friends, and also showing me that I sort of like

running.”

Caroline Chappell, one of the coaches for Adams, has seen girls come out of the program feeling more confident in themselves.

“I’ve seen girls gain confidence, self esteem, and in some cases overcome shyness with their peers,” Chappell said.

The two groups of girls from Adams are going to complete their lessons with Girls on the Run on May 17, when they participate in the Dow Run/Walk 5k race.

Each girl chooses a partner to run the 5K with.

The partner is meant to be someone that girls look up to in their lives, and also someone who will stay with them throughout the race. The coaches recommend a sibling, parent, or anyone else influential in their lives.

“I really like the program’s goals,” Sudie said.

“It’s teaching and encouraging the girls to be who they are, and love whoever that may be.”

mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 15

F E AT U R E S

Defining love A trending topic

H

undreds of same-sex couples in Michigan are currently in limbo.

On March 21, when the ban on same-sex marriage and civil unions in Michigan was struck down in court, marriage between same-sex couples became temporarily legal. The following day, 323 of these couples applied for marriage licenses before Attorney General Bill Schuette asked for and was granted an emergency stay on the case. Three days later, the stay was made permanent.

Marriage licenses for the same-sex couples issued during the brief time in which their marriage was legal will be considered legitimate by the federal government, but no new marriages will be allowed. For the last few years, this topic has been a huge subject of debate across the nation.

Even though same-sex marriage has not truly been legalized in Michigan, United Church of Christ pastor Roger Pancost can still be seen holding ceremonies between two people of the same-sex. Though not legally bound, many couples still wish to participate in a spiritual promise to each other. Midland’s UCC congregation strives to be welcoming to everyone, regardless of race, gender, physical abilities, or sexual orientation.

“We are open and affirming to all people to participate in the full life and ministry of our church,” Pancost said. “Our congregation is very diverse and it brings all the talents and the creativity of a variety of people.”

Midland’s UCC has been officially open and affirming since February of 2004. The church is actually a denomination in itself, and each individual congregation governs itself. UCC is the only church in the tri-city area that holds to the open and affirming statement. Pancost believes this statement is very important, especially for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

“I know a lot of people will say we love our neighbor but we hate the sin,”Pancost said. “But we don’t see homosexuality as a sin.”

Especially in recent years, Pancost has seen an increase in the diverse environment at UCC. As the nation becomes more accepting to samesex marriage, more people begin coming to the church for the ideas it holds.

“We see people who are gay and lesbian coming to our church,” Pancost said, “but we’re also seeing young, heterosexual families who are saying that they want to raise their children

16 | FOCUS | MAY 08, 2014

in an open environment where people are not condemned for their sexual orientation.”

Pancost believes it is one of his jobs as a pastor to be open minded and comfortable with all members of the church. He sees God’s teachings as guidelines for how to be kind to others. To him, it is very important not to judge others for their lifestyles.

“I believe that God is open and affirming of all people,” Pancost said. “I appreciate being able to serve a church that reflects that. My understanding of who Jesus was is that he was always reaching out to all people and not condemning anyone.”

Recently, many people around the United States have started to think more like Pancost.

Since 2004, states have made steps towards legalizing marriage between people of all genders. Currently, 17 states have legalized same-sex marriage. Seven more states are currently pending appeal—including Michigan.

This pending of an appeal means that the local US district court in Michigan has sided on the approval of same-sex marriage, but the state of Michigan has challenged that opinion. The court of appeals is currently deliberating the decision of the issue. If they decide to legalize same-sex marriage, Midland County Clerk Ann Manary will be issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Politically, she is for the legalization of same-sex marriage.

“Legalizing marriage would only affect my office in the sense that we would issue licenses to [couples] who are of the same-sex,” Manary said.“Personally, I don’t believe it would affect anything other than to allow individuals to adopt children and have some of the same benefits other married couples have.”

Many people have strong opinions on this topic, especially those with religious beliefs.

With the recent push to legalize same-sex marriage across the nation, the argument has been prevalent : what defines love?

Many Midland residents believe that the legalization of same-sex marriage will largely affect Michigan’s society. Maddy Wheelock | Features Editor & Will Hackbarth | Staff Writer

Maddy Wheelock | Illustration

CURRENT MARRIAGE RULINGS

Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage

Ruling against same-sex marriage ban stayed pending appeal

Statutory ban on same-sex marriage

No ban on same-sex marriage

“I have all the background that I need to have an argument with someone,” Pancost said.

“But I don’t know how fruitful that would be.

We don’t try to necessarily change any other churches’ viewpoints, we simply try to be true to who we are and share our understanding of God’s love.”

“WE SIMPLY TRY TO BE TRUE TO WHO WE ARE AND SHARE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF GOD’S LOVE.” UCC PASTOR ROGER PANCOST Due to different interpretations of the Bible, churches hold opposing viewpoints on whether or not same-sex marriage should be allowed.

Many churches interpret the scripture to mean same-sex marriage is a sin, while others, like UCC, do not agree. Pancost is adamant in his belief that it should be legal, but he does not wish to force this belief upon people who may disagree.

Pastors Jeff Andridge along and Gib Giblin at Midland Evangelical Free Church also strive to help others in their faith. However, their approach to the topic of same-sex marriage and attraction is much different.

“As we strive to apply and follow scripture, we would say that the issue of marriage holds to a union of one man and one woman,” Andridge said. “When it comes to the topic of

homosexual marriage, it is not like we wouldn’t acknowledge it, but we wouldn’t support it.”

Andridge and Giblin do not support samesex marriage because of their beliefs that the best environment for a child to be raised in is with one mother and one father. Andridge does not agree with the argument that two parents of the same-sex can provide both of these roles for a child.

“A mom’s job is to nurture and a dad’s job is to validate,” said Andridge, the church’s youth pastor. “When a child gets that in a healthy way, it creates a lot of good stability, leadership, and growth. [With two parents of the same-sex] it’s just not going to happen because men and women are different and you’re going to have some significant absence if you don’t have both.”

Andridge and Giblin also do not support same-sex marriage because they think it goes against scripture and is therefore a sin. They believe that even if homosexual feelings are predetermined, having a predisposition

F E AT U R E S

LAYING DOWN THE LAW The road that Michigan has taken in the legality of same-sex marriage

2004 Michigan voters approve an amendment banning same-sex marriage and civil unions

August 2012

March 22nd, 2014

The lesbian couple amends their suit to challenge the ban on same-sex marriage, not just adoptions

Four country clerks begin issuing marriage licenses. After 323 are granted, the court issues a temporary stay of the ruling

March 28th, 2014 The federal government says it will recognize the marriages done when same-sex marriage was legal

1996

January 2012

March 21st, 2014

March 25th, 2014

Laws banning all same-sex marriage in Michigan are

The ban on same-sex marriage couples in Michigan is challenged by a lesbian couple

The court rules to remove the ban in Michigan. The attorney general makes an emergency motion for a stay in the case

A federal appeals court makes the stay on the ruling permanent

towards an action does not excuse that action many families for which he will immediately in the sight of their God. be holding ceremonies. Many of these families’ “Just because you want to do something, or biggest concerns currently are about the custody you feel that way, or you even believe that you of their children, when one partner has custody are created that way, doesn’t mean that you of the children and the other does not. have to live that way,” “If we could legalize Andridge said. marriage for same-sex Pancost has an couples in Michigan it opposing opinion would then give those on the issue. He families that protection does not agree that of being there for their homosexuality is children,” Pancost said. a sin. He believes H e a t h e r Av i l e s , it is an intended advisor of Midland predetermined High’s Gay-Straight orientation, and Alliance club, also people who experience believes the legalization of students at MHS believe i t s h o u l d b e g i ve n of same-sex marriage the same rights as would have a positive same-sex marriage should be anyone else. Pancost effect, particularly legalized in Michigan. also states that many for Midland High. of the references Legalization would Based on a survey of 154 students to homosexuality in allow the parents of some the Bible are outdated students at Midland High to and more about building a society than the get married, and students of gender, sexual, definition of morality. and romantic minorities that they could have a “I think in Biblical times they didn’t have family and a marriage in the future, Aviles said. any kind of understanding of psychology or “[The topic of marriage equality is orientation,” Pancost said. “As a human being so important to me] because of the word, in the 21st century, I see all sexuality as just an ‘equality,’” Aviles said. “We can’t move forward orientation, not a sin.” as a society until we recognize that everyone Pancost thinks the legalization of same-sex is equal.” marriage would be beneficial for Michigan Andridge and Giblin hold a different view and expects this change to happen in the near on what is good for society and the effect the future. When it does occur, he says, there are legalization of same-sex marriage would have

71%

on Michigan.

“God created male and female to be able to come together and have children, and ideally you would follow through on that pattern,” said Giblin, Connections and Care Pastor at Midland Evangelical Free Church. “Our culture is falling apart, [legalizing same-sex marriage] is not helping the culture to be more solid, it’s just letting people do what they want to do.”

Contrary to Pancost’s belief that the legalization of marriages would benefit the children by allowing both parents to have legal custody, Andridge believes the legalization of same-sex marriage would be a detriment to children more than anyone else.

“I think part of the difficulty would be continued disintegration of the nuclear family,” Andridge said. “That’s what I think would happen more and more, because [of the] hurt that children are already under without being raised in a two parent home with a mother and a father.”

Andridge and Giblin believe it is most important to treat others with love and respect.

They are embarrassed by those who use God’s name to produce hate speech about homosexuality.

“Those [who practice hate speech] have represented Jesus in an unhealthy, un-Biblical, judgmental way,” Andridge said. “It’s embarrassing and it’s sad, but it makes news. It’s sensational, it’s controversial, it’s outspoken, so they get press time. It is unfortunate and they’ll stand before the Lord, just like we all will.”

Staff | Photo Illustration

W H AT DO Y OU TH I N K ?

Social studies teachers John Mulvaney and Katherine Stearns share their opinion on the social aspect of same-sex marriage.

How do you think US opinion has changed throughout the years?

Mulvaney: Young people especially are leading the way.

We look at a person’s preference as something that is part of them vs. anything else, so there is controversy on whether or not we should compare this to civil rights movements. In the last 10 years people have been looking at homosexual partners, regardless of whether they are married or not, as deserving 100 percent equal How do you think students in the future will study same-sex marriage?

Stearns: I would liken it to segregation laws. We can’t wrap our heads around separate drinking fountains, separate schools, and separate food counters.

This is similar to how we will one day view the gay marriage ban.

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F E AT U R E S

Defining love Two sexes, one right As the ruling of same-sex marriage being legal in Michigan goes under review, homosexual couples are dealing with the repercussions of the controversy. They remain hopeful that the law will be passed soon, allowing same-sex marriages to be legal in the state of Michigan. Mercedes Hussein | Design Editor & Katie McIntyre | News Editor

T

ravis Sweet and Mark Speed once drove from Bay City to the Midland movie theatre for a date. As The Blair Witch Project ended and the credits began to roll, Sweet and Speed sat still in their seats. They were not holding hands; they were not flirting.

They were simply sitting.

“Faggots,” spat a girl as she walked by.

Sweet and Speed stared at her, stunned.

“I wasn’t even sure how she knew [that we were gay,]” Speed said. “We weren’t doing anything so someone would be able to tell.”

Speed and Sweet, current Midland residents, have been officially dating for 15 years now.

Though they have been together for a long time, they have never really considered the option of being married due to the legal restrictions in Michigan.

“I’ve thought about marriage, but I’ve never really considered it an option until recently,” Speed said.

However, other couples are taking matters into their own hands. Partners of 20 years, Ann Cramer and Mari Latozas are traveling to New York to be married this spring instead of waiting for same-sex marriage to be legalized in Michigan.

For those who are hoping to be married in Michigan, with new legislation being set in place, the idea of same-sex marriage being legal

Same-sex Statistics

Facts gathered about the LGBT community represent the differences in the lifestyles they lead because of their sexual orientation.

CNN | Source

18 | FOCUS | MAY 08, 2014

Though same-sex marriage was originally ruled legal in Michigan, the court case is now is beginning to seem within grasp. Same-sex under review and the conclusion could take a year or two. Katie McIntyre | Illustration marriage was ruled legal in Michigan; however, the ruling had a stay put on it so that it could and sexual orientation. Sweet’s mother, a come to the decision to legalize gay marriage not immediately take effect. The stay was then Mennonite Christian, does not support her son’s in Michigan. Similar to Sweet and Speed, turned into a review. Though it could take some relationship due to her religious convictions. she believes that everyone should be equal, time, Sweet and Speed are hopeful that the The Mennonite religion branches off of the regardless of their sexual orientation. original ruling will stand.

Amish and they are very conservative.

“Whether a person is gay or straight, we “Everyone should be equal,” Sweet said. “But “Even if gay marriage were legalized, I don’t all have the same dreams of prosperity, love, I had a feeling with the original ruling that they think that it would change her mind,” Sweet and a piece of mind that all people are treated would find a way to get around it.” said. equally,” Searles said.

Not only does the couple face disapproval for “She still won’t even acknowledge me,” As the number of states that have legalized their relationship from a legal standpoint, they Speed added. same-sex marriage increases, many couples, believe that it is more difficult to be an openly Unlike Sweet’s mother, Patty Searles accepts including Sweet and Speed are becoming excited gay couple in Midland as her son’s marriage, by the prospect of becoming part of history and opposed to other towns.

“HE WAS THE SAME PERSON despite the fact that the being able to witness this movement.

“I would never walk down THE FIRST 19 YEARS AS HE state of Michigan does “Eventually I am hoping that it will be the street holding hands,” not acknowledging recognized at a federal level,” Speed said. “It’s Speed said. “You just don’t WAS THE DAY HE CAME OUT.” same-sex marriages going to be a continual struggle but I’m excited ever see that kind of thing in PATTY SEARLES as legal. Searles has to be a part of the change.”

Midland. It’s sad, but true.” a homosexual son, Cramer is also optimistic about the future of Cramer agrees that it can be challenging at Garit, who has chosen to go to Chicago to be Michigan legislation on this issue. She is excited times to be openly homosexual in her hometown married. Searles fully supports her son in his for the future and the changes that she believes of Grosse Pointe South; however, she tries to decision and his lifestyle. are being made. rise above it.

“My love for him goes far deeper than to “It’s going to happen. It might take another “It is difficult at times, but we are at the age criticize him for his lifestyle. As a mom, I am not year or two but it will happen,” Cramer said. where we don’t really care too much what here to judge Garit, I am here to love him and “There are people who will never accept gay people think,” Cramer said. accept him as a person,” Searles said. “He was marriage no matter how many laws are passed.

Along with facing disapproval from the the same person the first 19 years as he was the But I do believe that the following generations community, some couples also face scrutiny day he came out.” are more accepting in general.” from their own families about their lifestyle Searles hopes that soon legislation will

9

Out of

10

LGBT students have experienced harassment throughout school.

LGBT =

Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender

LGBT students are four times more likely to attempt suicide than straight students.

11.7

4x

million Americans recognize themselves as a LGBT.

54%

The percentage of Americans who believe that gay marriage should be legal.

The percentage of young Republicans who are deciding to favor gay marriage.

61%

Mercedes Hussein | Infographics

F E AT U R E S

Defining love The great debate

Students debate their opinions about the topic of same-sex marriage and whether or not it should be legal in Michigan. Michelle Demo | Web Editor Senior Melinda Kothbauer [right] and, junior Michaela Carpenter [left] argue their stances on same-sex marriage. A podcast of the debate will be featured on the Focus website, as well as a follow up article on mhsfocus.com Michelle Demo | Photo

S

enior Melinda Kothbauer and junior Michaela Carpenter met together to debate their beliefs on the topic of samesex marriage. Throughout the debate, both Carpenter and Kothbauer had to follow a set of guidelines throughout their arguments. This included answering three broad questions, and then going in-depth about their views on same-sex marriage.

The first question was to briefly explain what their individual stances were, and to explain the benefits of their beliefs. After a coin toss, Carpenter was given the chance to argue her stance on same-sex marriage first.

Michaela Carpenter: Well, I do believe that homosexual relationships are wrong, and believe that it is a sin. I believe in the Bible and it to be true, and that we need to obey what it says.

In the Bible, it does say that homosexuality is a sin; however, I do not believe that those who are participating in homosexual relationships need to be treated poorly. They need to be treated with love, kindness, and respect. But that does not mean we need to condone their actions.

It is very important to treat them just like any other human being, but still recognize that their behavior is wrong. [We need] to address that, and help them to work through it, instead of just criticizing them for it.

I think there needs to be a balance between the two. I believe that relationships need to be between one man and one woman. That being said, it is a sin, and it needs to be addressed, and I do think that those participating in that need to stop behavior, and participate in other behaviors.

Melinda Kothbauer: I believe that gay marriage should be legalized because we live in America. Our constitution guarantees equal rights for all our citizens, and I think that samesex couples should be able to publicly celebrate their commitment in the same way hetero couples do.

The reason so many people are against it is because of their religion. You have a right to your opinion, and you have a right to believe what you believe; but, that does not mean that you can infringe on other people’s rights because of that religious belief. It allows for people to celebrate their commitment and

celebrate their love just as anyone else would.

C: I a g r e e t h a t p e o p l e w h o d o h a ve homosexual desires need to be treated with respect. Right now, this seems like more of an issue that is prevalent in society. People are talking about it, and that is why we are continuing to address the issue. People are trying to figure out how to handle this issue.

I did find that the Center for Disease control says that there is a higher rate of substance abuse, and intimate partner violence for LGBT relationships. While I understand that we can’t assume that’s true for everybody, I think that it does show that it will add to the problems we are already seeing in marriages, families, and relationships.

K: I hear what you’re saying about treating LGBT community with love and respect; but by denying the couples the right to marry, it

Michaela Carpenter

Melinda Kothbauer

CON

PRO

‘This is wrong’.

Should gay marriage be legalized, what would some of the benefits, or disadvantages be to your side?

K: Gay marriage should be legalized. It’s the moral thing to do. To be able to accept everyone as equal, and give them equal rights under the law. Because that’s really what the constitution was put in place for.

I actually have a source here that says gay marriage is correlated with lower divorce rates, while gay marriage bans are actually correlated with higher divorce rates. Massachusetts, which was the first state to legalize gay marriage in 2004, had the lowest divorce rate in the country in 2008. Four years after gay marriage was legalized. Its divorce rate declined by a whopping 21% between 2003 and 2008.

The American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and others

DOES THEthe CHURCH AFFECT THE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE? How does Church affect same-sex marriage?

Michaela Carpenter “The church believes the Bible to be 100% true, and I think that’s where a lot of this is coming from. And so he created everything to be perfect.

That’s where we are getting this standard of one man and one woman married, and enjoying their relationship.

I think is important, because that’s not only what the Bible says our relationships are supposed to be, but it’s also very important to the church.” really stigmatizes the gay and lesbian families as inferior, and sends the message that it’s okay to discriminate against them.

At the time, when the Bible was written,They were trying to procreate and populate the earth with Christians. It made sense to not allow homosexual relationships. That goes along with other rules and regulations. Such as, not eating shellfish, not wearing mixed fabrics. So, it seems there are a lot of things that are considered a sin in the Bible that are not brought to the attention of the population and are not continued to say

Melinda Kothbauer “The main thing that we need to remember is that marriage is a legal contract. It’s a secular institution which is enhanced through your religion. And [the state] gives the authority to marry people in the state.

Therefore, I think that the church is having too much influence on the legalization of gay marriage because they should be separate.”

wrote in September 2011 an article that quote, ‘allowing same-sex couples to marry, would give them access to the social support that already facilitates and strengthens heterosexual marriages. With all the psychological and health benefits associated with the support.’

Another report from the American Journal of Public Health found that after states that had banned gay marriage, [LGBT] people suffered from a 248% increase in generalized anxiety disorders. [It] shows what a mental strain it is to be stigmatized. Like I talked about earlier.

Because you are not given equal rights as someone else. There are many benefits, both psychological, as I expressed, and just morally for society to accept gay marriage, and to legalize it.

C: Because the idea is that we want these people to be happy, and to enjoy their life. But the problem with that, is that we cannot change our laws, change our standards, based on what makes people happy.

I have statistics right here that say the exact opposite of what you said, saying that, different examples where having same-sex marriages caused more problems in marriages, and therefore led to more divorces.

There might be something that makes me happy, but maybe it’s not right. Maybe I would be happy if I did really well on a test, but that means cheating. I don’t think that I should cheat.

I’m not saying they’re the same thing, but I do think we need to have a better standard. What is right, what is wrong, and what is true.

To close, please present a closing statement about your position on same-sex marriage.

C: The issue is, that I understand that not everybody believes the same thing that I do. But, I do think that if we are not basing our beliefs, and our laws, and what’s right and wrong off of something, then it’s very easy to get lost.

[Melinda] mentioned other religions, like the Torah, and Allah. A lot of other religions would agree the moral standards that are in the Bible.

Obviously we have a lot of different beliefs, and I think that the moral standards are often the same.

K: This is [Michaela’s] interpretation of the Bible. In a country where we have the privilege of practicing religion, or not practicing religion, we need something to go by, but yet if we go by the Bible, then aren’t we excluding those who follow the Torah, and all these other religious texts, and religious beliefs. I see what [Michaela’s] saying, being it a useful tool, and for a lot of things, a good place to start. But religion is inherently about morality, and so I think that what you say is true. It is a valuable place to go to for guidance. But yet, we can’t base it solely on that for our country.

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The Paper Place 132 Ashman Circle Midland, MI | 989-835-4861

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1714 Eastman Avenue Midland, MI 48640 (989) 631-5390

Party Supplies: Local school • Graduation logo balloons • Kids characters • Cake decorations • Baby & Bridal Shower • 30 colors of tableware • Wedding • Over the hill • Luau • Fiesta • Retirement

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An eye for the prize

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sense of excitement rushed over freshman Julia Quinn as she darted through the front door of her house one summer afternoon and plopped herself in the middle of her living room. After ripping open the box and removing foam and cardboard packaging, Quinn dug her hands into the package and assembled the pristine lens and camera body. It was a Nikon DSLR, her first camera.

"I was so happy because I’d worked all summer baby-sitting, mowing lawns, and doing weird chores for my neighbors and then I finally had what I wanted so badly and it was so worth it," said Quinn, now a sophomore. "I ran around my yard taking pictures of absolutely everything, all I wanted to do for the next week was document anything I could find."

Quinn's interest for photography first began when she was in fourth grade. She used to play with any camera that she could get a hold of at the time.

"I loved taking pictures with my mom’s old camera so I decided to save up enough money to buy a little digital camera for myself," Quinn said. "My mom also let me use her nicer camera and my cousin let me mess around with her DSLR Nikon."

Since getting her own camera, Quinn has found various ways to learn more about photography and many ways to get involved with taking photos. She has job shadowed Craig Jean, a professional photographer. With his guidance she was able to take many photos during football season that have been submitted to the yearbook. Quinn has also been exposed

to the more professional and business side of photography while working with him.

“I owe the most to Craig Jean for being such a great mentor to me. I know that I can go to him with photography-related questions as well as about the business,” Quinn said. “He often lets me practice shooting on his clients, too.”

Jean has taught Quinn many things, including how to position people and work with lighting levels. He has noticed a large difference in her skills as a photographer and notes that he wouldn’t hesitate to give Quinn her own clients.

“The biggest improvement that I’ve seen her make in the past year is that she has worked with me is that she has really been coming

events, including homecoming, field trips, and other various events.

“To be a good photographer you have to have an eye, and Julia has that eye,” photography club advisor Kay Rogers said. “She can take things that would otherwise be boring or passed over and make them look interesting.”

In addition to her time spent in photography club, Quinn often spends time photographing students in the spring, summer, and fall. She has created her own website for potential customers who are interested in doing photo shoots so they can look through the different kind of shoots that she offers. These include: family portraits, teen portraits, friend sessions, and

“TO BE A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN EYE, AND JULIA HAS THAT EYE. SHE CAN TAKE THINGS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE BORING OR PASSED OVER AND MAKE THEM LOOK INTERESTING.” PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB ADVISOR KAY ROGERS out of her shell, especially while working and communicating with clients,” Jean said. “She’s able to direct clients towards the vision she has for the picture.”

Due to Jean’s help, Quinn will have the opportunity to photograph weddings this summer as well as helping with his business.

Along with job shadowing, Quinn has gotten involved in photography at school. She has been a member of the photography club for the past two years, which has helped her to create her own portfolio. In her time involved in the photography club, Quinn has taken pictures of

sports sessions. Clients are also able to e-mail her through the website to set up a session time and discuss pricing options, which students find very helpful.

“I liked having Julia take my pictures because I was more relaxed around her and I could really just be myself and have fun,” said sophomore Hannah Welter, one of Quinn’s clients. “She could really relate to what kind of pictures that I was comfortable taking and what kind of pictures I would want.”

Pricing for Quinn’s photos often depends on how many pictures people may want, where,

Sophomore Julia Quinn has had an interest in photography since she was nine years old.

Starting out with smaller projects, Quinn has worked to turn her raw talent into an artistic passion, business, and a hobby which she will enjoy for a lifetime. Ben Luzar | Staff Writer & Emily Resmer | Sports Editor Julia Quinn laughs as she holds her Nikon DSLR. Quinn enjoys taking photos of many Midland High students, sporting events, and families and is looking forward to getting more shoots in this summer at various weddings. Emily Resmer | Photo and how long the session would be. Currently she has only been able to give her customers a disc containing the photos she has taken but she is researching to find more information about investing in a professional printing lab so she can provide that for her customers as well.

“I believe that everyone should be able to have an affordable senior or family photo shoot,” Quinn said. “I think it’s unfair sometimes that people have to settle for not as good of a quality due to the price it costs.

Quinn is unsure about her future in photography but she knows that it will always be a hobby of hers.

“I know it’s cliché but I love being able to capture a moment as it happens,” Quinn said.

“Although I have a passion for photography, my main focus right now is school. I know it will always be a part of my life but I’m not sure if I’d ever want to pursue it as a full time career. For now, I would love to do it for as long as possible.

Definitely through high school.”

Scan this with your smart phone to view Julia Quinn’s website for photo galleries, contact information, and more!

Link: http://juliaquinn98.wix.com/jkqphotography

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Steeze (n.)

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1. a combination of the words ‘style’ and ‘ease.’

2. a term coined by longboarders, who use the word to model their lifestyle.

As longboarding becomes a growing trend, students who are serious about the sport attempt to gain more exposure for their skills by posting videos online in order to gather a fan base and attract sponsors. The videos are also a way to keep track of how much the longboarders have progressed. Hannah Lasky| Exchange Editor & Michael Adams | A&E Editor

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Freshman Ian Andridge slides down the hill at the Midland Community football stadium near Midland High. Andridge has been skating for five years, and initally picked up the sport after watching his brother and his friends participate in it. Noah Surbrook | Photo

L O N G B O A R D I N G VS. S K A T E B O A R D I N G

- Longer and wider - Consist of decks similar parts - Primarily used (deck, wheels, to cruise on the bearings, and streets because trucks) they hold - Both originated momentum from surfing - Have larger and less dense wheels

- Shorter and narrower decks - Skating in parks is more common because they have less momentum - Have small and dense wheels

Hannah Lasky & Michael Adams | Infographic

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s the film rolls, it captures fast speeds, long slides and quick flips while the longboarders cruise down the hill.

Senior Turner Anderson and freshman Ian Andridge take turns behind the lens, filming each other for their latest video. Though these videos capture their physical abilities, their true feelings regarding longboarding cannot be seen on film.

“I feel super steezy when I longboard,” Anderson said. “I feel free and it’s a rush when the wind is just flying by me, especially up north where the hills are so big. You feel complete freedom.”

Anderson has been longboarding for three years and Andridge is now on his fifth year.

While learning new tricks they decided to document their abilities by filming videos and posting them online for others to view. It has been helpful for them in showing their peers what longboarding is truly about.

“It’s a good way to get yourself out there if you want to do it for the rest of your life,” Andridge said.

According to Anderson, longboarding is much different from other sports because riders are on their own and they are able to do what they want, when they want. They have the ability to move at their own pace, and there are never any coaches instructing them.

“Filming is a great way to capture everything you do because there is not an audience there watching like there is in normal sports,” Anderson said. “You have to find a different way to reach everybody, and with film you can do that.”

A common goal among many longboarders is to get sponsored by a longboarding company, which often happens as a result of online exposure. Being a sponsored rider is usually accompanied by free merchandise from the companies, as well as the possibility of riding in competitions to represent them.

Anderson is currently sponsored by Soigné Cakes Clothing, a small longboarding company. Freshman Parker Genau has similar aspirations.

“I would love to be sponsored. It would be sweet to get some free clothes and ride for a reason,” Genau said. “I also really like to take

pictures of me and my friends longboarding because it is cool to showcase what we do.”

Longboarders who record their skills on film become deeply invested in the hobby. They use the videos to hopefully gain publicity.

“I want what everyone else wants: respect. I hope people respect what we do and think it’s cool and get other people interested in the thing that brings us so much happiness,”Anderson said. “It’s a great way for everyone to see how you progress as well. It’s so rad how you can see the worst riders progress into super gnarly shredders through every video, and eventually you gain respect from people.”

The process of creating the videos differs depending on the situation. In Anderson’s experience, some of his videos have taken a month to get enough footage for, and others have been completed in a week’s time. The duration of the film-making process greatly depends on where and when the footage can be shot. Anderson primarily tries to incorporate riding styles of him and his friends, but he also attempts to include artistic shots to make the videos more enjoyable to the viewers.

“I try to incorporate our riding, but I also like to include artsy shots like sunsets and time lapses,” Anderson said. “Anything that looks cool and adds to the edit makes it a lot more enjoyable to watch when there are a lot of different types of shots, mainly riding shots of course.”

In order for these videos to be processed properly, many measures must be taken to ensure that it will be high quality. Anderson believes that the best methods are filming at the correct angle, getting a substantial amount of light in the shot, and trying to make the rider look like they’re going as fast as possible.

“You begin with a blank canvas; filming and editing is truly an art,” Anderson said.

“Making their tricks look stylish is also a big part because everything looks less impressive on film. Sometimes it can take five minutes to get a trick to work out, and other times it can take an hour or two. Patience is key. When people come up to me at school [about my videos] it keeps me going and pushing myself to ride more, progress farther, and make better videos every time.”

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Cali Winslow | Illustration

Senior Cali Winslow explains her artwork, titled “Individuality”, to those visiting the IB Visual Arts Capstone Show. “Individuality” is a collection of 15 watercolor portraits created to celebrate how uniqueness makes people beautiful. Kelsey Pennock | Photo

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IB Visual Arts students are given complete freedom in creating their projects. In this environment, artists are able to gain a deeper love of art and a different way of thinking. Kelsey Pennock | Staff Writer & Dylan Rocha | Staff Writer

ith all of her art projects in front of her, senior Cali Winslow had a decision to make. After spending countless hours inside and outside of school on pieces that she designed herself, Winslow now needed to choose how she would represent her identity in the IB Visual Arts Capstone Showcase.

“For me, art is a very intimate business and you leave a little piece of yourself behind on every canvas,” Winslow said. “I don’t think I could ever become a professional artist because it would be too painful to sell something I worked so hard on and know I would never see it again.”

Winslow’s attachment to her art was greatly sparked by her past year in IB Visual Arts. IB Visual Arts is different than other art classes because of the freedom it grants its students.

Instead of assigning specific projects, the students are asked to complete a certain number of pieces for their portfolio, which is sent to be graded for IB credit at the end of the year. The artists can also choose to have some of their artwork displayed in the IB Visual Arts Capstone Showcase as well.

IB Visual Arts teacher Mark Francisco has taught the class since 2007 and remarked that he acts as a guide, providing materials and opportunities. He does this in order to let the artists more personally express themselves.

“The best part is that students can identify and carry out what they are really passionate about researching and creating in art,” Francisco said. “It is a rare opportunity to have the time to do this within traditional educational institutions.”

Winslow said that although the amount of freedom can be unnerving at first, she has found that having to completely construct her own projects has ended up enhancing all of her work and her experience with art as a whole.

“Other art classes have had assignments to do something impressionistic in watercolor or paint a landscape in acrylic. IB art simply says, ‘create,’” Winslow said. “Developing the idea is one of the most creative elements of art and is essential to being successful as an artist; IB Visual Arts is the first class that has truly fostered this.”

Senior Emma Krueger is another IB Visual Arts student who has not only put countless

hours into her creations, but elements of herself as well. In the class, students are required to do research, sketches, and journaling in a sketchbook that they fill throughout the year.

Krueger admitted that she can hardly go anywhere without her sketchbook with her, ready for any idea that may strike.

“I actually like going [to the class] because no one tells you what to do and you can put yourself into your art,” Krueger said. “You have so much freedom.”

Winslow and Krueger both chose the theme of identity for their portfolio, meaning that all their art throughout the year has to revolve around and enhance that idea.

“I love being able to show my work and know it represents a part of who I am, a concept I researched, or a principle I believe in rather than just something I created,” Winslow said. “Much of my work examines stereotypes of beauty, societal pressures on women, confidence, faith, feminism, fusion of multiple cultures, the beauty of imperfection, and expressions of personal identity.”

Although Krueger and Winslow’s themes are the same, there is still plenty of room

to make it original because of the unique technique and ideas that each artist has.

“It’s personal because you have your own style,” Krueger said. “I love art because you can express yourself through it easily and in a variety of ways.”

While it is enjoyable to create the art, the experiences have long term effects for the students as well. Many of the skills that are learned in the learning environment of IB Visual Arts can be used for the future.

“IB requires the student to be very selfdirected,” Francisco said. “The process matches how professionals learn in their field and thus prepares art students for most any career pathway.”

Winslow agreed that IB Visual Arts has been beneficial for her future. She remarked that the skills she learned with developing and defending ideas in her art will transfer to whatever field she chooses to pursue.

“Language has its limits when it comes to conveying emotion, but art does not,” Winslow said. “There are really no limits besides one’s imagination. Art is a world where you can be free.”

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1. Junior Haley Allen drew this realistic portrait of her nephew. 2. A paper lantern created by junior Andrew Kim. 3. An abstract self portrait done by junior Kajsa Ryne. 4. Senior Alyssa Ivan exhibited her four pieces of blown glass. All of these projects were submitted by their artists into the IB Visual Arts Capstone Show for display. Kelsey Pennock | Photos

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In memory of

After three years of battling breast cancer, Jenifer Sisco passed away at home on May 2. She was not only passionate about her job, but was also an inspiration to her students and colleagues.

I had Mrs. Sisco in advanced algebra this year. Whenever I went in after school, she was the nicest, most patient person ever. I wanted to give up, but she told me that I could get through this, and I would get it. She was right. She helped bring up my grade from a C-minus to an A. The only reason I am doing well in math is because of her. She was the best math teacher I have ever had, and I will always remember her, not only as a teacher, but as a hero for being strong even when it was hard.

What I remember the most is the moment she told us that she had cancer.

She cried and told us she was going to be gone several times that year. She stayed true to that, and missed every few Fridays and Mondays.

She wore a wig and later refused to wear them because they were itchy.

Instead, she started to wear hats and bandanas. Some teachers gave her hats and she started a collection. She was my favorite teacher because she was very optimistic and had a great impact on the school.

Mary Wandor, sophomore

Megan Nylund, sophomore

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Mrs. Sisco We organized the staff dance for Rhapsody together, and she always wanted to make sure the dance was very creative. She and I wanted to twerk down the aisle. The next day, we got called into the office of Dr. Frazee. He asked, “Was that really the best choice of dance moves?” Mrs. Sisco blurted out, “It was Katy’s idea!”

On another topic, she and I were pregnant at the same time. We came to school dressed as pregnant nuns. Mrs. Sisco was worried about offending people, but I said, “Let’s do it!”

Mrs. Sisco always welcomed us in with loving arms. I remember every time she had to be gone, she had a smile and a positive attitude. She told us she would be back soon and she always was. No matter what she went through, she came back to our class with that smile she gave me my first day of high school.

She was excited to wear new cute hats when she lost her hair. Every day she would model off her new sparkly baseball hats or knit caps. Whatever she went through, she always embraced it with a smile.

Katy Stearns, English teacher

Maddy Pasche, sophomore

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[1] Sisco and Georgina Leach pose at a photo booth held in her honor. [2] Sisco and Elaine Mahabir show their school spirit by dressing up during spirit week. [3] Varsity pommers form a pink ribbon at the football game pink out . [4] Football fans show off their love for Sisco by dressing head-to-toe in pink. [5] The girls’ basketball team showed off their “All in!” shirts with Sisco in order to support the fight Sisco made. [6] Memories of Sisco currently up in Eyeball Alley. [7] Students and staff signed a heart of love in support of Sisco this past year. Yearbook | Photos