November 21st Issue

GIRLS Boxing | PAGE 08

millage | PAGES 14-15

focus

Adam white | PAGES 18-19

FIGURE SKATING | PAGE 09

the

Midland High School | October 24, 2014 | Volume 37. Issue 2

In the Spotlight With Rhapsody Rendezvous looming over the heads of its performers, the emcees explain how they are getting ready to take the stage tonight.

Page 21

SPECIAL REPORT: performances of dance and music performing at Rhapsody Rendezvous showcased Sarah Wontorcik | Photo Illustration

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

Volume 37, Issue 3

Re-read Past Issues

Contents N

E

W

S

12-13

PROGRAMMING

14-15

MILLAGE

16

CHEMIC KICK-OFF

S P O R T S

21-24 Rhapsody Rendezvous Tonight’s Spotlight

21

Masters of Ceremony

The variety of acts to bee seen in tonight’s Rhapsody performance are showcased.

22

Justin Solano

23

Taylor Fegan

24

Shannon DeGroot

8

FEMALES IN BOXING

9

FIGURE SKATING

10

SYDNEY GROSS

11

SPORTS CENTER

F E A T U R E S 17

RAVDEEP DHINGRA

18-19

ADAM WHITE

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

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

New ways to welcome

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Do you think the Kick-Off Mentor program is beneficial to students?

Freshman Colin Keit “It definitely helps - the mentors are good role models and you can tell that they really do care about helping us in any way that they can.”

The Focus reflects on the effectiveness of the Kick-Off Mentor program so far.

O

n orientation day, nervous freshmen pile in to the gym, taking their seats on the bleachers for the first time. In the past, they have been welcomed by teachers, administrators, and a group of student ambassadors. But this year, a new program has been implemented. Since orientation day, the Kick-Off mentors have been assigned to certain groups of freshman. But unlike the ambassadors of past years, these groups stay together much past their initial meeting. The days of vague memories of the “Skittle game” and students quickly forgetting the last name of their student ambassador are gone. With this new program, Midland High hopes to create a more lasting, beneficial experience for freshmen to ease the transition between middle school and high school.

For the most part, this new program has proved to be a positive experience for both the mentors and the freshmen.

It serves as both a great volunteer opportunity for upperclassmen and an inclusive way for incoming freshmen to grasp a better understanding of what

Midland High is, from its academics to its extracurricular opportunities. The program’s occasional meetings seem to keep the communication going past the orientation day; and the mentors, who were hand-picked after applications were sent in last spring, seem to be willing and enthusiastic to carry out their job throughout the year. We believe that overall, this revamp from previous years’ student ambassador programs is a good one.

However, since this is the Kick-Off program’s first year in practice, some kinks in the process are expected. Many of those involved in the program have expressed concern about their time at the meeding being used poorly. Kick-Off meetups usually take place during third hour. Time taken away from class should be used efficiently, and all organization should be taken care of beforehand. This ensures that all time spent away from their third hours will be used wisely.

Mentors should also be given a more regimented schedule for what to talk about with their mentees, especially those who have quieter groups. We believe the advice freshman recieve is worth

Christiana Haight | Illustration

missing a little bit of their third hours for.

It instills the idea in students that being a Chemic is not all about academics, but about pride, a sense of community, and participation in fun extracurricular events.

One concern expressed for the continuation of the program is the possibility of the grant money running out. However, we do not see this as too much of a problem. If possible, teachers could be trained to train incoming mentors, which would diminish the cost.

We believe that the success from this year’s Kick-Off is enough to continue this program next year. If the program continues to be successful, it should replace student ambassadors altogether, and more meetings should take place throughout the year. Perhaps these meetings could happen on a monthly basis and for longer periods of time.

Overall, we are pleased by the implementation of the Kick-Off program.

It seems to be much more beneficial than student ambassadors, and when the organization is worked out, we believe it will be a very valuable experience to new students at MHS. F

Sophomore Lauren Curtis “I think that having a friendly face in the hallway is so beneficial for the new students. It can really help them to feel welcome in a big school like this.”

Junior Brendan O’Connor “It has really helped the freshmen I work with, they are more comfortable coming into the school and knowing they have a friend to come to.”

Senior Elizabeth Parsons “It is a great oportunity - it helps the students realize that there are people there who truly want them to succeed.”

editorial | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 03

TIDBITS Random pieces of information told in less than 50 words

that are members of the ping pong club.

3 THINGS 1 2 3

you don’t have to worry about this month

Shaving.

Finishing that last minute extra credit assignment to help improve your 1st marking period grade just in time.

Tweet of the Month *during 4 corners icebreaker in RSVP* “...go to this corner for drama” “ Wa i t d ra m a l i k e t h e club or on twitter?” @jordanwilson_21

Trying out for your winter sport. Good luck to all those that made it on!

and one thing you still do...

Getting all your Chirstmas lights out from the deep corners of your garage and finding the warmest day to put them on your house.

@ECHICOSKY

4 | FOCUS | 11/21/2014 | op/ed

DEC

Senior pictures are due to Yearbook . Af ter this date, if you do not sumbit your senior picture, your school ID picture will be used instead.

NOV

28 18 DEC

The day all the s h o p a h o l i c s h ave b e e n waiting for, Black Friday.

Even though the stores are opening Thanksgiving day, the “holiday ” is still considerd to be on Friday.

This is National Bake Cookies day. It is pretty self explanatory what you should be spending your free time on this day/

CORRECTIONS

Haunted Memories said that Kelly Marsh, Amy Smith, and Hannah Welter dressed as creepy babies in six th grade. This was actually there costumes in eighth grade. Whether that makes their decision to w h e re t h o s e co s t u m e s we i rd e r o r not is up to you, but either way those babies are very creepy costumes.

On the cover last issue, you know, the very first thing you see, we made the typical mistake of mixing up “affect” amd “effect”.”

You would think a class with half seniors who have been in english for their entire education would be able to grasp the concept that “affect” and “effect” have two different effects on a sentances meaning.

E R E’

?I

S

@kayla_patnode

Follow THIS User ECHICOSKY Protect the coven

27 1

Follow THIS

Photo OF THE Month

55 likes

NOV

It’s Thanksgiving. Grab your family, grab the food and enjoy the wonderful family bonding. Also, look forward to that well deserved post dinner nap.

V

C

The number of Midland High students

BY THE NUMBERS

WH

45

Upcoming

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

Will Hackbarth

Maddy Wheelock

L

ast year in math class, I made the Their conversation reminded me of how mistake of eavesdropping on a few rape culture sustains itself. Rape culture is not of the boys next to me. necessarily rape itself; it is a phenomenon in These were the kind of boys which harassment, rape, or sexually violent who held their car keys like medals, lanyards actions are normalized in society due to hanging out of their pockets as a constant attitudes about gender and sexuality. And reminder of their superiority. People loved even if LGBTQ education or feminism isn’t them because their houses were big enough really your thing, this is important. This to hold parties. There’s nothing inherently concerns what we can all do to stop sexual wrong about this stereotype, but over the harassment. years I’ve spent in high school, I have noticed These boys are a perfect example of rape a pattern. culture. When they were still young, their As I was listening, they began discussing parents probably tired of correcting their the latest party they had thrown. This is what every action. Possibly dangerous behaviors they usually talked about on Mondays, so it were shrugged off with a “boys will be boys” didn’t seem very new to me. comment, and slowly, they began to realize When they laughed, they did so loudly that they wouldn’t be penalized for certain and in unison. High-fives were shared and actions. This is exactly how their fathers were I’m sure if it wasn’t in the middle of class, taught, and probably how they will someday there would teach their sons. They have been some don’t recognize their They don’t recognize definite chestsubtle violence and their subtle violence and bumping action. harassment because it’s It sounded like so normal to them. This harassment because it’s last weekend, mentality is continued so normal to them. they had set up through their life. a challenge for They’re told not to hit themselves. There was a group of “hot girls” or rape, but even more so, their sisters are told at the party the same size as their group, and not to get raped. In the boy’s conversation-- it the first one to start a conversation with them was not the boy’s fault for continuing and got to ask the hottest on a date. unwanted advance, it was the girl’s fault for The boy whose story stuck with me most not wanting to consent to it. She didn’t run was the one who was complaining. He had away, so secretly, she must have been asking approached who he described as “the fat for it. No one says anything because no one one” in the group, and she had given him really sees it as wrong. “Boys will be boys.” the cold shoulder. He seemed genuinely When he goes off to college, he’ll be buying taken aback that such an average-looking condoms, and her parents will be buying her a girl had the nerve to turn him, a car-key rape whistle. holding champion, down. He acted as though Rape culture is a vicious cycle so ingrained this situation was the apocalypse, like this into our society that we don’t even know girl should have given her limbs and selfabout it. Harassment can be subtle. It can be authority to love him and was just misguided an inappropriate comment in class directed along the way. The guys agreed with lowat someone who didn’t want it or going pitched grunts and blatantly heterosexual too far on a date because the victim was shoulder pats. anxious to say no. The boys in my math class By now I was blood-boilingly angry about will probably never understand that their the entire situation. They exchanged advice, behavior is harassment. All of their actions suggesting the boy bother her until she said will go unreported. “Boys will be boys.” And yes. It wasn’t like she ran away or anything, it’s true-- boys will be boys, because we will so she could have just been playing hard to continue to let them. If their parents don’t, get. Not one of them spoke up about how their teachers will or their peers will, and the incredibly inappropriate these solutions were. cycle of rape culture will continue.

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Feathers

A

seagull named Feathers is my Soon I realized he had absolute domain over life’s greatest inspiration. every seagull around him. No one could get I first met this motivational food before him, no matter how many times I creature on the delicate sands threw chunks of sandwiches at the group. His of Lake Michigan. I was sitting on a log, appetite was insatiable, and his power was snacking on a roast-beef and mustard absolute. sandwich while absently eyeing the horde of I learned upon further examination that seagulls congregating at what they believed to Feathers’ reign was sometimes contested be a safe distance. by other seagulls, but not once did he come Perhaps they thought, being this far away, close to being overthrown. No matter how I would believe their gathering was one of many brave, foolish birds would approach significant importance, perhaps relating to him- challenging his right to so much the establishment of some sort of seagull sustenance- all Feathers had to do was assume government. If so, that was a foolish notion his aggressive stance and slightly unfold his of those seagulls, because I was aware of their wings. At this demonstration of hostility, all true motives. For seagulls only ever have one seagulls flew away frantically, crying out thing on their mind: food. in terror, once again cementing the rule of Being so wise in ways pertaining to the Feathers. seagull’s brain, I was deeply inspired I gave them

by Feathers’ behavior, exactly what because he showed they wanted, I noticed something me the importance throwing a of gaining respect in that intrigued me. grape into their society. He was not midst. stronger, quicker, or There seemed to be a In the more adept than any champion among this fluttering chaos other seagull. Instead, he that ensued, possessed intelligence, colony of seagulls.

I noticed and the mentality that something that nothing would come intrigued me. between him and his There seemed to goals. So no matter how be a champion among this much opposition he faced, he colony of seagulls. I watched as he buried his never backed down, but instead looked it in neck deep into his belly, which was massively the face and crushed it. plump from the food he had stolen from other I realized the same mentality Feathers used seagulls, erasing any evidence of a neck. He in his seagull community could be applied to had taken his aggressive stance. my life. I resolved that no matter how much Slowly he began to place one three-pronged opposition I faced, or how many objects stood foot in front of the other, gradually __ in the way of my goals, I would never give increasing in speed, and soon it was all over. up. Instead, I would look these objects and For his entire gull brethren cowered before oppositions in the face and tell them, “Not his wrath, not one could withstand his charge. today!” in the same way I knew Feathers Instead, they flew squawking to land just a would. I would chase my aspirations with the few feet away from where they had been, same fervor Feathers had when chasing food. looking with a mixture of hatred and respect I knew that I would be a much better and at this triumphant warrior: the one which I much more successful person if I followed aptly named Feathers.

Feathers’ example. In fact, the whole world I was struck with awe at this seagull’s would be a better place if we all strove to be a power and continued to watch his behavior. bit more like Feathers.

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Boys will be boys

op/ed | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 5

Michaela Carpenter

Aelish Shay

this everyday simply because I now feel more was fed up when I picked up the 7-iron, prepared for them; the course gave me that. feeling its weight in my hands while I I was just one more person that discovered a turned it over and thought about what great place to blow off steam at the end of the to do. I was 14 and had never swung a day and connect with my peers. Competitions club before, but I was certainly done caring held there are unique because I spend several if I looked foolish or not. Every day I’d walk hours walking side by side with someone into school where everything was structured who may be from another team, but I never around student’s achieving a cookie-cutter really consider as an opponent. The more I get version of success. Schedules were packed to know them and relate to them, the better with AP and IB classes and brimming with mood I’m in and the better I play. This made extracurricular activities. I am thankful for it easier for me to socializing at school like I having access to a good education, but at that used to, which led me to be less stressed at point in my life I was struggling more than the end of the day and more eager to get to I cared to. My dad was deployed and my practice. grades were fluctuating and I was constantly Another thing that the course changed stressing about the future. I spent most days for me was the way I viewed the sport and either worried or distracted. I was fed up. So what it meant to be a good golfer. I used to sophomore year, I decided to join the golf think it was all about l team, and found low scores, but it’s really myself standing character. I had to in front of them The mental aspect of about be accountable for my on the tee box, clumsily clutchthe game is the most actions and the score they in. Bad shots ing a club and challenging and most resulted were less of an indication embracing the of my experience than moment. To be rewarding. my ability to own up to honest, I don’t rethem. Lastly, being on member how I hit the golf course makes me the ball or where feel appreciative. I can go there at the end of a it went (ok I shanked it) but the way I felt the school day when I feel good about what I’ve moment I took the club back and brought gotten done, or even when I need a reminder it swiftly down to meet the dewy, emerald that life gets better. I’m thankful that it’s a grass and gleaming, Titleist pearl is one that I game I can play the rest of my life. Because will never forget. It was the moment that golf began its steady transformation of my life, lift- when I’m out there, looking out over the rolling a weight from my shoulders and replacing ing green and towering oaks, I forget everything outside of that moment, and a simple it with skills that I will use for the rest of my happiness consumes me. life: on and off the course.

Ultimately, it’s not golfing that I care about.

The course forces me to concentrate, to not It’s the Michigan sunshine after a long day, let anything get to me. I love the significance the sound the club makes when it hits the ball of writing down a number and immediately in the perfect spot, and the way I feel now letting myself forget it, so I can focus solely on the present. It makes it easier in school too, when I pick up my 7-iron - long since learning how to handle it gracefully, but still feeling where I no longer compare myself to others the way I did with the very first swing. I walk or fret over what’s ahead. The mental aspect up to the tee box with confidence now, with of the game is the most challenging and most the comfort of knowing that however much rewarding. It is so easy to lose patience and the world changes around it, the course will so hard to persist but I look forward to facing stay the same.

6 | FOCUS | 11/21/2014 | op/ed

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N

ovember is Thanksgiving and It’s truly something incredible to see such a lots of food and saying we’re massive amount of these ready to be sent out, thankful for things that we so and yet I know that our contribution is just a often take for granted. It’s time small part of the movement that is Operation spent with family, and it’s usually the first of Christmas Child. an incredible amount of snow. But for as long I used to think of packing shoe boxes for as I can remember, November has also been OCC as just something that my family did shoeboxes. every year. I knew that it was important and When I was little, my family would it was good to help other kids, but I didn’t scrounge up some empty shoeboxes every really understand its impact. year around this time and fill them with toys, That changed in fifth grade, when I candy, soap, socks, and other little trinkets. made a new friend at church. She was from We would wrap them in the same brightlyKazakhstan, she had lived in a world far more colored paper that would later cover our own difficult than my own, and she had received a packages, stick a label on top, and take them shoebox. to our church to add to the growing pile of The shoebox didn’t change her life. It didn’t shoeboxes there. fix her circumstances or take away all of the All I knew was that we were putting pain that had been a part of her life for so together gifts to send to kids somewhere else, long. But I’ll never forget what she told some kids living of us when we asked her in a world about her favorite thing But I’ll never forget what much more in the shoebox. Soap. She challenging she told some of us when we was thankful for the soap. than my I was worried because I asked her about her favorite didn’t own. I didn’t think the toys and know how trinkets and candy were thing in the shoebox. Soap. the shoeboxes exciting enough, and She was thankful for the would get she was just glad to have there or when clean, nice-smelling soap. soap. they would Thanks to my dear arrive, and friend, I now see this I wasn’t whole process differently sure how much a new pair of socks or some than I ever did before. I’m not just sending pencils would really be appreciated. little gifts across the world—I’m sending love The small shoeboxes seemed to offer so in a shoebox. little compared to what I knew would be I still don’t know who will receive the waiting for me under the tree, and yet every boxes I help pack, and it would be pretty year I wanted to pack a shoebox because I ridiculous to try to keep track of all 1500 of knew that somewhere, a little kid just like me them, but I’ll still pack shoeboxes every year would be waiting for that simple gift. because, somewhere out there, little kids will Since then, things have changed quite be opening those boxes and enjoying the drastically when it comes to packing treasures inside. shoeboxes. Instead of putting together and They won’t know it, but they’ll also be wrapping two or three boxes to add to the receiving a little bit of love from those of us cause, I join with my discipleship group and here in Midland, MI. I’ll probably never meet many other friends from church in a “packing the kids who open those exact shoeboxes, but party” once a year to put together over 1500 I like to think that I can help remind them that small shoebox-sized bins filled to the brim someone cares, even if it just means providing with little gifts. them with a bar of soap.

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I

Love in a Shoebox

Back on Course

Noah Surbrook Julia Quinn

Q

uit screwing around and do your dang At first everything was really easy (aside warm up. from swimming around a mile from 5-7 God help you if you try to hug me every week day). I didn’t have to try super again. hard, as long as I completed all the drills I You need to do something to your page because wouldn’t get any flak from coach, usually we’re not running it like that. just from Jack. It was really laid back and it Some of the wise, censored, and slightly stayed that way for a while. In the first meet I hurtful words of Jack Russel Duly, my swim finished first in my heat, which was far from drill sergeant, managing editor and friend impressive but it sparked a competitive flame who graduated last year. I can still remember in me none the less. the first and last time he ever said something After that I was always competing with nice to me. It was in the locker room after one myself. Every practice I swam hard and I faithful away meet. “You were a beast in the every meet I had a pr in something, because hundred fly Noah.” Of all my swim memories I just had to be faster than I was at the meet this one has to be my favorite. before. I kept working hard all through the My heart was racing and I was trying to season. By the end all of my times were make sure no one could see my whole body fairly respectable and I managed to catch up shake. My heartbeat went up every step I most of the other junior year swimmers on took closer to the starting block. I curled up the team. Swim really showed me that I was and waited for capable of being what seemed more than just like a life time average. It felt My heart was racing and I was for that buzzer great to succeed to sound; at something new trying to make sure no one nervous and different to could see my whole body tension me and it was building up the best season shake. My heartbeat went up in my legs. of any sport I’ve every step I took closer to the I heard that ever played. I left sweet, ear that season with a starting block. piercing noise higher work ethic echo through and confidence, the room and ready to tackle launched myself into the freezing cold water. the track season.

It was the first time I had ever swam my Now the new season is upon us, my second favorite event; the hundred fly. and final season on the swim team. I think I remember how surprised I was with that we have a chance to do something truly my time and all the praise I got from my great this year. I think that this year we have teammates, who I assume, were just as a chance to have a winning season. Last surprised as I was. I had gotten time of 109 year our record was 3-7 and we lost some which was nothing to brag about, but I had very talented swimmers. With some hard qualified for the Saginaw Valley which I was work and leadership from our star swimmer very proud of for a first attempt.

Ravdeep, I think we can make up for last The whole season was nothing like I year’s embarrassing record. expected it to be. I didn’t really expect No matter what the record and no matter swimming to matter to me. I really just joined what anybody says about my favorite sport because it was no cut and I failed to make jv or my team, I’ve had and amazing time as basketball for the second year. I thought I’d a swimmer on our team and I’m sure this just goof off and have fun. I didn’t know that season won’t be any different. I’m proud to I’d fall so in love with swim. say that I’ve been a chemic swimmer.

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Baby Mama

A

ccording the Office of Adolescent for at least an hour now.

Health, 274,641 babies were born in Fin settled down and I finally rested 2013 from girls aged 15 to 19. Teen my head on the plump pillow when I got parenthood is not all it’s cracked home. That night was worse than I could’ve up to be and is often glorified through TV imagined. I had wakened over 4 times to take shows like 16 and Pregnant. care of that piece of plastic over and over For those who have taken the child again. It turned into an endless experience of development class here at Midland High they confusion with a hint of a child’s scream. To will have gone through the baby simulation. top it all off, the family decided this would be The baby documents how well you followed the weekend to go to Bronners for the annual through with the job of parenthood through Christmas ornament shopping trip. Bright the nonremovable wristband that connects and early in the car with Fin buckled up in the to the baby’s program. For me and for many back seat, we were ready for his first Holiday other students, it was an eye-opener. experience.

I was excited at first; I wasn’t expecting You would’ve been amazed at the amount the hardship of nasty looks I had gotten as that would I strolled around the store.

It turned into an endless come with Apparently, if you walk experiece of confusion around with a baby doll my weekend of “teen in a blanket, it can with a hint of a child’s wrapped parenthood”. look extremely realistic. It My first scream. was very clear that teenage encounter with mothers are frowned upon my doll, that I by many of the general named Fin, was when I was sitting in eyeball population.The most awkward encounter alley after school waiting for my mom to pick was when one of the workers told me to get me up. I really wasn’t sure if it was turned on my kid out of the cart because “children are because it had made a noise for some time. prohibited from riding in shopping carts”.

Then there it was, eyeball went dead silent as The look on her face when I explained the the Fin released a deafening screech. People situation was priceless. The day was filled stared as I frantically tried to see what was with whispers about teenage parenthood. wrong. I went through a mental checklist, After listening to Fin wail on and off Bottle? Nope. Diaper? Nope. Burping? Nope. through the night, my best friend thought it “Well that was rough!” I thought to myself. would be best to sleep over with someone Little did I know, it was about to get worse. else for the following night. As the two of Way worse. Rhapsody was starting in 20 them left me behind saying that they would minutes and Fin sat in his car seat quietly by have invited me but couldn’t handle another my feet in the auditorium. interrupted night by my homework project, The show went on, and the performers I realized how lonely it must feel to have a were killin’ it. The singing was beautiful baby at an age where you should be attending and the bands had great energy but to Fin’s sleepovers where the only thing keeping you nonexistent mind, it was too much. Before I up all night is the laughter from your best knew it, I was sprinting through the row of friends. people to exit the show before it got worse.

I had never felt as relieved and free as Again, I tried everything. Twenty minutes of when I had turned in my child on Monday feeding, burping, and a diaper change later I morning. Being a parent was exhausting and could finally reenter to find out that the show unbelievably hard; and to think, I only had was nearly over. Rhapsody was over and the my kid for one single weekend and it wasn’t people pushed and shoved their way out and even a living baby. it started to cry again. The crying droned on

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Glub glub

op/ed | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 7

Hit like a girl

Two Midland High students, Melissa Draves and Rachel Hunter, experience the unusual challenges of being women in what is known as a generally male dominant sport: boxing. Noah Surbrook | Exchange Editor & Allie Smith | Staff Writer

F

reshman Melissa Draves pushes open the “My mom is definitely one of my heavy door and enters a padded, dimly-lit inspirations,” Draves said. “I also look up to room in the Midland Community Center my instructor Ben Walle. He really motivates basement. The sound of chains rattling echoes us because every time one of us isn’t working through the room. Draves reaches for a jump as hard as we should, he can see it and he calls rope and begins to warm up for her boxing us out and knows we can do ten times better. He lesson. really pushes us to work to our limit.”

Draves and sophomore Rachel Hunter have Walle is very involved in the training of his both been boxing for more than a year. Draves students. He stays involved and trues to make turned to the sport as a winter activity with her sure that they reach their potentials. mother, but it eventually became much more “I try to place them with people who will than that. push them too,” Walle said. “I try to give them “Boxing made me feel a lot safer,” Draves motivation. I try to keep things interesting and said. “I had heard about some girls that got in a introduce new things, which is easy in boxing.” fight last year, so it made me feel like if anyone Boxing is often viewed as a masculine sport, tried to hurt me, I would be okay. It was a great and because of that, Hunter and Draves face source of selfcertain challenges protection.” as women.

T h e i r “It can be hard instructor, sometimes, and It can be hard sometimes, and there’ll be B e n Wa l l e , there will be guys guys who think they’re better than me said boxing who think they’re because they can punch harder. I know that is a great better than me I can still do as good or better thn them. Just method of because they can becuase they’re bigger doesn’t mean they self-defense punch harder,” and strongly Draves said. “I can take me down. encourages know that I can more people still do as well as or t o g e t better than them. i n v o l ve d i n Just because they’re his program bigger doesn’t at the Midland Community Center. mean they can take me down.”

“Boxing teaches distance and how to avoid Walle agrees that women have certain punches,” Walle said. “It really teaches you advantages over the men in his class. how to avoid any attack with angles and escape “I would say that women have an advantage routes.” over men with the rhythm and the footwork,” Hunter also became interested in the sport as Walle said. “They seem to pick it up a lot faster. a method of self-defense. When her father told There are some exceptions, but for the most her to choose between boxing and Krav Maga, part its always been this way since I’ve been a self-defense training program, the choice was teaching.” easy for her. While she didn’t enjoy it at first, As women, Draves and Hunter have to deal she grew to love the sport during her first year. with the stereotype that boxing is “a man’s “It was a really hard workout, but now I like sport.” The negativity has not discouraged them it,” Hunter said. “I like the people in the class a from doing what they enjoy. lot. We box each other and do a lot of work, but “People think boxing is just punching each it’s also social and everyone’s friends.” other, but it’s not,” Draves said. “One person is Draves’ journey through her experiences of coming at another but you have to really watch boxing have only become possible because of where they move their arms and where they two people in particular, her mom and coach, move their feet because how you place your who both give her support and encouragement. feet feeds into how they’re going to throw the

‘‘ {

Freshman Melissa Draves

Types of punches: Learn about your basic boxing moves.

8 | FOCUS | 11/21/2014 | sports

}

Jab:

An overhand punch.

The lead fist is thrown straight ahead and the arm is fully extended.

Freshman Melissa Draves practices her uppercut during boxing class. Her class takes place Monday through Thursday from 6:30-7:30 at the Midland Community Center. Noah Surbrook| Photo next punch. It’s really a lot about focus and observation, instead of being all about how manly or strong someone is.”

Along with these struggles boxing comes with hardships and difficult task just like any other sport. The girls have to deal with these just like everyone else who participates in boxing.

“One of our daily quotes [in the class] is ‘repetition is the mother of skill’,” Draves said.

“We have to do things over and over again to drill it into our heads, so some classes we’ll have to do the same punch over and over again,

Hook:

Usually aimed at the chin; arm is swung at a horizontal arc.

Performed by turning back and core muscles.

sometimes up to 300 of the same punch, so it really hurts to do it over and over, and that part can get boring.”

Draves’ life has been changed by boxing.

Despite the challenges of the sport, she still has a great take away from it.

“It really gives me something to do, and it makes me happy,” Draves said. “It makes me feel really good and accomplished after going.

I’m always ready to go do something else, so it helps me focus on getting homework done and looking forward to what I have to do. It makes me feel accomplished after everything I do.” F

Uppercut:

A power punch at the bottom of the chin, usually more effective at close range.

Skating for glory

Freshman Maddie Patrell qualified for the National Showcase last year for figure skating. This year nationals is in Michigan and she plans on qualifying again with a harder routine than last year. Dylan Rocha | Opinion Editor & Ella Colbert | Web Editor-in-Chief & Lexi Costley | Staff Writer

Freshmen Maddie Patrell is demonstrating a flip during her weekly practice at the Midland Civic Arena. A typical practice will last for more than two hours with about 20 girls on the ice at a time. She has been working on putting more difficult jumps and turns into her showcase routine to qualify for the National Showcase that takes place on February, 15th 2015. Dylan Rocha & Ella Colbert | Photo Illustration

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he nerves are setting in; the frigid air does not affect her at this point. It’s her time to perform now and showcase the moves she has been practicing all year to perfect. Relaxing, she knows she has worked too hard to not give her all.

Freshman Maddie Patrell started figure skating when she was six years old. Although it was not first on the limited list of winter sport options her old town, Tawas, Michigan, had to offer, Patrell reluctantly signed up.

“My brother signed up for hockey and I wanted to do that too, but my mom wanted me in a more girly sport so she signed me up for figure skating,” Maddie said.

This seemingly unimportant decision has now helped Maddie become one of the best figure skaters in Michigan. Last year she qualified for the national competition in California, but decided not to attend because her coach couldn’t make the trip with her.

This year, Maddie plans on qualifying for the national competition again.

“She will qualify this year no doubt,” said Maddie’s mother Sherry Patrell. “Nationals are in Michigan this year so her coach will likely be able to come.”

To qualify for Nationals Showcase, Maddie must place in the top three at certain competitions. Her routine this year to qualify for the national competition is harder than it was last year.

“She is working on putting harder jumps into her program.” Coach Teri Hagg said.

Since she made it last year on an easier

routine, Maddie believes she will be able to qualify again this year. Maddie joining pom pon this year has also helped her do a harder routine this year.

“Because of the intensity of pom pon, it has helped me build a lot more muscle and core strength,” Maddie said. “This helps me with skating for my jumps and flying spins.”

Maddie also gets a lot of help from her primary coach Teri Hagg. Hagg has been Maddie’s primary coach for the past year and was her secondary coach before that. Hagg will give Maddie constructive criticism throughout each practice.

“We will each listen to music and later take our different ideas to the rink and get a feel for it,” Hagg said. “You can just tell when it’s right. Maddie is excited about performing it and I as a coach can say it looks good.”

Maddie dances in both Freestyle and Showcase in her competitions. Freestyle is more serious with instrumental music.

Showcase is a more theatrical routine with music that connects to one’s personality.

“I prefer showcase because it is more me.

Maddie said. “It’s also what Disney on Ice will be like.”

Maddie plans on continuing ice skating as a career and eventually performing in Disney on Ice. There are colleges that give out scholarships for figure skating as a competitive sports team. When she is 16 years old Maddie plans on getting her coaching license. “With her record, I don’t think it will be a problem to accomplish it,” Sherri said.

Maddie has been involved in her figure skating club for many years. During one practice session there are 20 girls on the ice at a time. There are over 15 girls in the club that are strict competitors, while others do it for the fun and leisure of skating.

Maddie has won first place this year at regionals in Hartland, MI. This competition had girls from five other states competing with Maddie. She has also competed in Detroit, Port Huron, and Bloomfield. During a typical showcase program there can be up to 300 girls.

“Figure skating has given Maddie an increased self-esteem,” Sherri said. “It has kept her in good physical condition and given her confidence in herself.”

There are certain levels the girls compete in and Maddie’s level group is the pre-juvenile test track. In this group, Maddie competes against as many as 20 other girls. She averagely places in the top 3 at every showcase and more often than not competes in state area competition instead of regional competitions.

“She has had a really good year this year,” Hagg said. “Maddie has won all of her freestyle competitions this year except one.

She is generally in the conversation for a medal at every competitions.”

The first showcase that allows Maddie to qualify for the national showcase is in Port Huron, MI on February 7th, 2015.

F

Figure skating hardware 40

1stplace finishes

2nd

place finishes

10

2 3rd place finishes

sports| mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 9

Diving into the record books Senior Sydney Gross was a gymnast for thirteen years before joining the diving team. The skills she had from gymnastics is what made her into the record breaking diver she is. Sam Robinson | Staff Writer & Mercedes Hussein | Ads Coordinator & Kaitlyn Stymiest | Staff Writer

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he Midland vs. Dow swim meet did not end the way the Chemics had intended as the Dow High swim and dive team went on to win eleven of twelve events against Midland High. Although the Chemics fell, through the course of the meet senior Sydney Gross had the best personal meet in her short diving career. Sydney was prepared and confident that she would have a successful day, but did not expect to give a record setting performance.

“The day of the meet was nothing but excitement. When I hit the water on my final dive I knew I broke the record,” Gross said. “But I had no idea I would be breaking two.”

In only her second season diving, Gross broke both the pool record, previously held by Saginaw Nouvel’s Kelly Henris set in 2007, as well as the school dive record (overall score of 276.25). Gross brought down the 21 year old record set by former Chemic Aly Susterka who posted a 273.65 in 1993. Something that sets diving apart from other sports is the way that it is scored. Throughout the Saginaw Valley season, each diver completes six dives per meet.

The score of each dive is determined by three judges who present scores between 0-10, which are added up and multiplied by a degree of difficulty. The score of each dive gets added up at the end of the meet to make up the final score.

In the opening event of the meet, one of the six dives she completed included a judge’s score of 8; the highest individual score she has ever received. Despite the team loss, Gross came away with a personal victory and accomplished all of the goals she had set for herself at the beginning of the season.

From the beam to the board

Because of the techniques both gymnastics and dive athletes use, Sydney has been able to make a near seemless transition.

10 | FOCUS | 11/21/2014 | sports

“The feeling was unreal knowing I now hold the school record. I set the goal of breaking the record at the start of the season, even though I thought it was unrealistic, but I still wanted to give it a shot,” Gross said. “As the season progressed, I knew I could break it”.

Gross not only showed improvement from her first year to now, but also from the beginning of the season with a score of 179.25 in the beginning of September to her new score of 276.25 that she posted against Dow. Along with the pool and school record, Gross’ performance beat her old personal best mark of a 230.05.

“Sydney’s biggest improvement has been learning new dives that she did not even think she was capable of,” Gross’ coach Kayla Williams said. “Two of the dives she did at the Dow meet had never been completed before.

[She] had learned [them] just a few weeks prior.”

Gross credits dedication and hard work to her recent success in diving. She also notes that her thirteen year career in gymnastics has contributed to her natural skills in diving. Gross began diving last year after she was encouraged by a couple of friends who were on the swim and dive team; they thought that her days in gymnastics would translate to success in dive. “[Her friends] knew she was a gymnast and wanted her to try diving. Sydney thought diving looked interesting and she decided to join the team,” Her mother Judy Gross said. “From gymnastics, Sydney knew how to tumble, twist, and tuck and she was not afraid to try new skills.”

Gymnastics and dive have many similarities stemming from the parts of the body used for

Flexibility

A technique used in both sports is visual spotting. The athlete locates objects in the gym or the pool to use as visual cues to help them perform without getting disoreintated.

Most female gymnasts are between 14 & 18 years old

Sydney Gross practices her diving at the Dow High pool after breaking two school records. Being a gymnast made diving easier for Sydney since the two sports are intertwined with skills. Emily Fisher | Photo tumbling. Sydney has learned how to hone all of her skills she has brought from gymnastics into diving to make a seamless transition into her new sport.

“Both sports require a ton of focus and I naturally transferred that over to diving.”

Sydney said. “It has definitely helped me achieve my goals this season.”

A strong core that Sydney had developed from being a long time gymnast is one of the most important assets to dive Sydney commented. Having a strong core is essential to sticking different positions quickly while in midair. Body control and awareness is another skill needed in the sport of diving. Practicing these skills for thirteen years in gymnastics has given Sydney an advantage while learning dive.

“There are a lot of similarities the two sports,

Sydney’s SVL scores week by week

9/06 9/09 10/07 10/23

Ogemaw Heights

179.25

Flint Powers

190

Bay City Central

217.3

Dow High

276.25

but there are also some added challenges,” Williams said. “Sydney’s willingness to try new things has helped her diving skills. She’s incredibly tough mentally and that is one of the most important skills she brought over from gymnastics.”

Sydney had little time to celebrate her record shattering performance at the Dow meet because of preparations for her upcoming meets. After advancing in the Valley and Regional meets, Sydney will compete in states this weekend.

“I’m not doing anything different to prepare for my upcoming meets, since I have done each dive so many times, my muscles know what they are doing; so I have to turn my mind off and let my muscles takeover” Sydney said.

“Since it’s such a mental sport, the key is to not overthink anything.” F

Types of dives:

Pike Tuck Straight & Free

Tumbling

In gymnastics, tumbling is done on the floor, balance beam, or in the air off the vault. In diving, the tumbling occurs either off the diving board or the platform. isport.com | Source

THE SPORTS

ZONE

Photo OF THE Month

November 25, 5:00-7:15pm @ DHS pool

Pom Pon Tryouts:

Of Chemics think the Detroit Lions will beat the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving.

Out 150 people

Jeff Brown

December 3, @ Essexville Garber High School, 7:00pm

“Every other fall sport is either done or in playoffs/regionals, but girls swim season is still going strong.”

Of Chemics say they will be watching the Thanksgiving day football game.

A look into how MHS coaches Jeff Brown, Elaine Mahabir, and Eric Krause are preparing for their upcoming season

Boys Swim Tryouts:

Hockey:

Of Chemics say hockey is their favorite winter sport.

Coach’s Corner

Upcoming Events

November 24, 5:30-8:30pm November 25, 5:30-7:30pm Auxilary Gym

Sports Poll

40% 73% 72%

Necessary statistics and quick facts to know about upcoming winter sports at MHS. Mackenzie Jodain| Staff Writer & Larissa Kalinowski |Staff Writer

@Tayfegan

162 likes hannah_smith2425 Those halftime talks

Elaine Mahabir

Eric Krause

Sport: Boys Hockey

Sport: Girls Varsity Basketball

Sport: Boys Varsity Basketball

What you are looking forward to this season: “Continueing to improve from where we left off last season.”

What you are looking forward to this season: “This group with their energy in the gym. I’m just ready to get started.”

What you are looking forward to this season: “To see a young team reach its potentials.”

How well will the team do: “I think we will do well. I think they will have close games because we are young. We are going to be good.”

How well will the team do: “I expect them to do well, but there is a lot of work that needs to be done.”

How well will the team do: “We should compete for the top spot in the SVL” How many years coaching: 18 years What do you hope the team will improve on this year compared to last: “We hope to imporve every week and be playing well when the tournament starts in late February.”

Which player(s) are you looking forward to watching this season: “I am looking forward to all of the players. We need leadership from our older players, as we are still pretty young as a whole.”

How many years coaching: 14 years

How many years coaching: 13 years as head coach.

What do you enjoy most about coaching: “I really like the feel of family. I like getting to know the girls. It gets very hectic, they are my people.”

What do you hope the team will improve on this year compared to last: “This team has to mature quickly, not a mentally strong group and I intend to change that.”

Which player(s) are you looking forward to watching this season: “I don’t think we have a number one, Jess has been our leader. I think every night we will have someone new.”

Which player(s) are you looking forward to watching this season: “To see substantial improvement from the three juniors that were on the team last season.”

sports| mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 11

<Headed> towar

Students strive to succeed in programming inside and outside of the classroom. Through club, class, and personal preparation, they have gone above an

T

Computer Science teacher Robert Fox instructs senior Kyle Henegar on how to fix a coding problem for his AP Computer Program assignment to successfully create a Yahtzee game. Megan Nylund | Photo

12| FOCUS | 11/21/2014 | news

hey’re not your stereotypical geek squad. They’re simply students who have found a place in the school that challenges them: creatively, analytically, and competitively. They are programmers.

As defined by computer science teacher Robert Fox, Programming Club is a prime example of a welcoming environment of ‘geeks’ working on something they love – coding. “[They’re] not your stereotypical quoteunquote ‘geeks,’” Fox said. “I think anybody in the class from Varsity football player all the way to hardcore gamer would probably be forced to admit they’re a geek, and I would hope everybody’s a geek about something, whether it’s programming or journalism or whatever it is. But that diversity makes us better, and makes the class more attractive to people.”

In order to accommodate the variety of students in his programming classes, Fox attempts to work with each students’ needs and way of learning. He also attempts to prepare his students for college and career lifestyles by ensuring that the students work with each other in order to find the answers that they need.

“The reality is, I don’t care what field you go into - teamwork is key,” Fox said. “It used to be, 20-30 years ago, that computer programming was sitting in a cubicle by yourself. That’s just not true anymore. Now, most of the work spaces are open, and you are expected to work with people, to minimize the likelihood of mistakes, and increase the clarity of thought.”

Programming club began in 2005, and gradually increased in size from there. The club has now competed in national and even global competitions. They have been coming in second behind a team from Romania for the past few years. “[The club began] when a group of my students approached me and decided they wanted to do this competitively,” Fox said.

“I don’t think I ever would have thought that students would have found this particular activity to be fun - at least not that early on in my career. But they pushed me into doing it and got it started, and it’s only grown since that time.”

The club meets every Thursday at 6 p.m., where the students get into groups of three, all sharing one computer. Fox passes out a packet with practice problems from old competitions,

puts 100 points on the board, and starts a timer.

One student starts coding on the computer and the other two begin hand writing code for when it’s their turn. For every five minutes that passes, one point is lost. This has aided students in their skill development and ability to work through problems quickly.

The students work on strategy and try the problems that are going to get the most points up on the board first, all the while trying to ignore the ones that take too long. One of the most important aspects of programming club is time management.

“Mr. Fox’s theology is that once you get to the computer you should only be typing what you’ve written down,” Senior Zach Purtill said.

“You shouldn’t stop and have to think about things when you’re at the computer because that’s going to waste time.”

After the students began competing, Fox was

<‘‘

Programming has prep outside the box and fin problems when time i

Senio

able to see their appreciation for competitive programming grow, and as Purtill explains, most of the reason for this was the mental challenge of programming.

“I really like how [the competition] forces you to break down your thinking step by step,” Purtill said. “Coming up with how to solve a problem, like the abstract idea of how to solve something, isn’t hard. It’s coming up with a step-by-step routine of how to do it, and how to do it effectively.”

While the challenging atmosphere is an alluring aspect of the programming club, Fox acknowledges that it can have its more stressful moments. Dealing with the stress of not knowing the answer to a problem right away is important to be comfortable with the students’ futures.

“If my students don’t see it in the class or the club, they will see it in college. There will be that point of ‘I just don’t know what to do.’ You persevere, and you problem solve, and you get it right, and that’s so intensely

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nd beyond what was ever expected. Aelish Shay | News Editor & Michelle Demo | Managing Editor & Megan Nylund | Assistant Web Editor

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Midland placed 1st in the Advanced competition at E M U. T h e t e a m incuded Max Dykhuizen, Jordan Smith, and Joh Reeves.

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teaching, the students feel more comfortable with competing and thinking through problems, according to Senior AP Computer Science student Rachel Grunder. Grunder finds programming helpful in other areas of her life as it makes her more of a well-rounded thinker. “[Programming] has taught me a lot about patience, perseverance, and problemsolving. When a program doesn’t work, I’m forced to assess the situation, figure out why it isn’t working, and find and try potential solutions until it works,” Grunder said. “This has especially carried over to my duties as chairperson and stage manager in the drama club. As stage manager, it’s my job to find a solution when things go wrong, whether it be with the logistics of a scene change, an injured actor, a broken set piece, etc. Programming has prepared my brain to think outside the box and find the best solution to backstage problems when time is not always an ally.”

Looking around the classrooms during Programming One and Two, one would find

26%

o f wo m e n i

or Rachel Grunder

Power of Programming Bits of informations helpful to know about the programming world tag e

>

pared my brain to think nd the best solution to is not always an ally.”

an even ratio of boys to girls; however, in AP Computer Science and the Programming Club, there are fewer girls who continue to stay active in Programming. The three girls for every seven boys ratio is found rather upsetting to Grunder.

“I think women are an asset to technology that are, unfortunately, rather scarce,” Grunder said. “The fact that so many women have been discouraged from pursuing these careers just because they’ve been told for so long that men are inherently better at math/science/ engineering is not acceptable.”

This gender gap is one of the main things that Fox has been trying to fix in his classes.

“One thing I’ve tried very hard to do throughout my career is increase women in computing, because, of all the fields, the biggest gender gaps are in computers and engineering.

I think nationally, the female population of computer scientists is between 10-20 percent, so it’s taken me a few years, but I’ve finally gotten my intro class up to 50 percent girls,” Fox said.

In order to help the number of women in technology grow, the National Council for Women in Technology has offered a nationwide award to women looking to pursue a future in technology.

“Mr. Fox strongly encouraged all the girls in our AP Computer Science class to apply for the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Award,” Grunder said. “This is a really cool award because not only does it give money for college, but it also provides the opportunity to gain a lot of networking connections in the industry.”

Along with Fox and Grunder, Senior Joh Reeves notices the gender gap, and also wishes more females would join the club.

“There’s not much we can do to change it, but programming club tends to be more male heavy, but there’s a lot of opportunities that Mr. Fox presents to his girl students,” Reeves said. “ I’m not saying that we’d be a better club with more girls, but it’d be nice to be gender balanced.”

Reeves goes on to explain what makes a good programmer isn’t based on gender, but how well one can work with computers.

“There’s no rule saying that guys have to be better programmers, I think there’s plenty of girls that would be good at programming,” Reeves said, “Programming isn’t, ‘are you good at computers?’ It’s ‘are you good at problem solving?’” F

Pe rce n

satisfying,” Fox said. “That’s what keeps kids coming back. That’s why they say they like the club. Because of that feeling that ‘I actually accomplished something. I wasn’t doing busy work. I wasn’t doing something I knew the answer to. I actually did something. It was me.’

That’s pretty satisfying.”

Fox goes on to discuss how guiding a student to an answer, rather than simply telling it to them, can be stressful to him as well.

“When I know the answer, it’s easier to just give them the answer than to say, ‘Hey I think you can figure this out,’” Fox said. “But then they didn’t learn anything. So, I don’t have this natural tendency to say no to people. But, when they’re learning programming, it’s really important that I say no to them, because I have to let students who have the ability to do it, do it.”

With the experience gained from self-

ing

50% Computer science teacher Robert Fox’s programming 1 class has a balanced gender ratio; compared to the large, real-life deficit in Science, Technology, Engineering, and M at h ( S T E M ) o cc u p at i o n s.

November

15

The programming club has been active since 2005.

Throughout that time, the club has won nearly 45 awards and has placed second at ACLS competition the last few years.

Visual Basic (VB), along with C and Java are the programming software used by the computer programming classes.

V B + C ++ + J a v a

The Bro Code

Fun with Fractals

One of the main projects that AP programming completes are a series of fractals. Broken down, a fractal is a series of repeating images in order to make a larger o n e. Th e a b ove f ra c t a l s a re designs of Senior Andrew Kim.

97%

Ac c o rd i n g t o J av a’s we b s i t e, most computer tech. Businesses code their programs through the Java programing software.

news | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 13

Planning for change With the passing of the renewed operation millage on November 4th, the next thing on the district’s to-do list is the problematic age of MPS facilities and what to do with the schools that have been closed. The Board of Education has come up with a plan that will influence future generations of Midland Public Schools. Sarah Wontorcik | Features Editor & Maddy Wheelock | Editor-in-Chief & Luke White | Staff Writer

The first grade students in Tricia Clancy’s class at Eastlawn Elementary work on their addition problems. These students often deal with the issues that arise in such an old building. If the February millage passes, these kids will hopefully move to a new building entirely, and work in a clasroom that will allow them to learn better. Sarah Wontorcik and Maddy Wheelock| Photos

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emolition, new programs, refurbishing and upgrading schools, and closing and combining the old; this is what’s in store for Midland Public Schools. With the operating millage renewed on Nov. 4, Superintendent Michael Sharrow has wasted no time informing the public on his next move, a $120 bond proposal that will go before voters on Feb. 24.

“I’ve been gathering opinions and enough information,” Sharrow said. “I’m a pretty confident guy anyway. I’m going to be out there presenting this. Do we have our work cut out for us? Absolutely, that makes sense. But what happens if we don’t pass this? We’re just kicking the can down the road.”

MPS has a big plan, and one that Sharrow feels needs to be carried out as soon as possible.

14 | FOCUS | 11/21/2014 | news

“We’re going to remove those classrooms,” Primarily, his plans concern important renditions to the schools that need them, and Sharrow said. “They’re going to completely doing something about schools that have remove them. So when they first do their demo, there’s going to be the auditorium, the already been closed down. gymnasium, and Since Central the cafeteria left, Middle School and from there it’s closed down, going to be rebuilt the community Our community has been loud around that.” h a s b e e n and clear about wanting a long The ultimate questioning goal for Central is what will term plan for school facilities. to close Carpenter happen to the Board Trustee Pam Singer and Eastlawn building. The Elementary School Board Schools, as they are does plan to preserve its best attributes, but if the millage the two oldest in the district, and combine them passes, some major renovations are going to into a newly rebuilt elementary school where Central is currently located. take place.

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Carpenter and Eastlawn will be closed down because are so out of date that the district would be saving millions by closing them, simply due to their lack of energy efficiency. The amount of money it would take to update the schools every few years is much higher than the amount it would take to close them and rebuild Central to modern standards.

“I drive a car with 290,000 miles. I know I’m unusual, but if I put a set a brakes on that car– will I get my money’s worth out of those brakes?

Probably not, it will probably last me another year and it’ll be junk,” Sharrow said. “It’d be like putting a lot of money into a car that’s shot, it wouldn’t make a lot of sense to do that to Eastlawn and Carpenter.”

Tricia Clancy, a first grade teacher at Eastlawn Elementary, agrees that at this point, Eastlawn

The plan for Central Middle School • Replace Carpenter Elementary and Existing Cafeteria Newly renovated Performing Arts Center

•

Newly constructed 21st century learning • facility

•

Existing Gym

•

• Sarah Wontorcik | Infographic isn’t really worth the money MPS would have to put in to renovate it.

“Because you have such an old building with lots of holes, you just can’t keep on top of it,” Clancy said. “A lot of time and energy and money is spent that could be spent on other things.”

Clancy hopes that the new learning environment at Central would be more conducive to the students’ education. Unlike in her classroom at Eastlawn, students may be able to have access to things like sinks for science projects, more outlets for the iPads they have in their classroom, and other updates to keep up with the different kinds of learning that kids are participating in during this era.

“We don’t have kids sitting in rows anymore,” Clancy said. “In order to do 21st century learning, kids need to be meeting in small groups, they need to be working on projects, they need to be able to charge their mobile devices. [Eastlawn] just isn’t set up for that. We need more space.”

Before any of this happens, though, the basics need to be taken care of. Students at Eastlawn have experienced many interruptions in their day at school because of the difficulties the building brings. In Clancy’s classroom especially, it is almost a daily stuggle to keep the classroom at a bearable temperature. This is mostly due to the fact that the boiler is as old as the school. It has been renovated, but not replaced.

“Once you get to this time of the year and they have to turn the boiler on, it’s very hard to regulate the temperature across this large of a building,” Clancy said. “So a lot of the time, it gets up to about 80 degrees in here and it’s

really uncomfortable. But the teachers across and Eastlawn will be closed. Central will begin the hall might be putting on three sweaters and its renovation after in-depth planning with architects in the community. freezing.”

Not only will a new school be built, but This is only one of the problems that come with the building. Air blows through the Sharrow also plans on transforming the windows, last year mice got in to some of the auditorium into a modern day performing classrooms, and during the spring, some of the a r t s c e n t e r a n d r e f u r b i s h i n g b o t h t h e classrooms flood. This is especially problematic, gymnasium and the cafeteria. Sharrow also since instruction time is wasted trying to carry hopes to bring the STEM/STEAM (Science, important things out of the flooding classrooms. Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) program “Of course in Why do things need into the new school. This elementary school we fixing? program is a new way sit on the floor a lot, so for students to learn, that eliminates a lot of of all buildings at MPS are much like the reasoning our space,” Clancy said. more than 52 years old behind the International Wi t h a l l o f t h e s e Baccalaureate program. problems getting in the “It’s a whole way of the school day, Average age of all of p h ilosophy shift,” Clancy is excited at the the facilities at MPS years Sharrow said. “We’re still possible opportunity teaching math, science, to have a learning and English, but it’s how enviornment that will work better for everyone. But this will only they approach it. They say that’s where the jobs are needed in our state and will be for happen if the millage passes.

“I hope that the community understands quite some time. STEAM adds in the arts, and that we’re under different leadership now than we were thinking that might work with that we were when we closed buildings before,” auditorium being right there as well.”

Before this plan can start, however, Sharrow Clancy said. “I think there’s some mistrust in the decision making of Midland Public Schools... has the important job of convincing the but they’re being much more transparent about community that carrying out these plans is the how the money is going to be spent now. As right choice. The first step is the next millage an employee, I have confidence in the way the vote on February 24. This will decide if the plan that’s being put forward. It’s time to invest district will be able to sell bonds in order to pay in schools. They can trust that we can use the for these changes.

“Our community has been loud and clear money wisely.”

If the millage passes, all safety issues and about wanting a long term plan for school renovations in schools remaining open will be facilities,” Midland Public Schools Board done as soon as possible. Eventually, Carpenter Trustee Pam Singer said. “Community members

80%

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Eastlawn Elementary Replace existing classrooms with new classrooms, media center, collaborative learning environments, and support spaces Improve learning environment with temperature controlled rooms, enhanced indoor air quality, and natural lighting upgrade technology Improve safety and security of students and staff Conserve resources by utilizing existing gym and cafeteria structures

have voiced concern about not wanting bandaid fixes, [and] rather [wish for] a well thought out 15-20 year plan.”

Sharrow agrees, but because this will ask voters to pay more in taxes, and he is a bit apprehensive. Still, he remains confident that the public will see the long-term value of what he is proposing. “[If this doesn’t pass,] then I go out and ask ‘What can I redo?’ and bring it back to them, because we don’t have a choice we’ll be in such bad shape down the road,” Sharrow said. “It means that we must have asked the wrong thing.”

Another issue is that of the number of students has been decreasing over the past few years. Sharrow believes that this new potential STEAM elementary school will draw in more families and allow the Midland Public Schools district to remain one of the most highly regarded districts in the state.

Senior Alex Jewell hopes voters approve the millage in order to restore MPS back to excellence.

“Midland Public Schools has clearly taken a hit in all areas because of the economy and the lessening numbers in terms of students,” senior Alex Jewell said. “Programs have been cut and money taken away, which with no doubt hurt this district. We must keep in mind though that there is a reason this district was once regarded as one of the premier in the state and Midwest, and I think we can get back to that point. Will it be next year? No. Five years? Probably not, but I think within the next 10-12 years Midland Public Schools will be back on the rise, and I’ll surely consider sending my kids here, if at all possible.” F

news | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 15

Preparing for the future

The Kick-Off Mentoring Program is intended to give incoming freshmen an upperclassmen they can trust which provides an easier transition for new students coming to the high school. Kirstyn Cotton | Staff Writer & Kayla Graham | Staff Writer & Zach Streitmatter | Staff Writer

T

he Kick-Off Mentoring Program, also known as the KO Program, was introduced for the first time this school year to replace the Student Ambassador Program. Their motto states:

Assistant Principal Kandis Pritchett said another important element of the program beyond informing the new freshmen about their school, is that it is almost entirely student-led which is the key to the success of “Failure is not an option for my freshman”. the program.

“Mr. Scurfield, the counselors, and I could This new mentor program’s commitment to stand up in front of the kids talking about rules freshmen success and policies and all the fun that is a result of they are going to administrators’ have at Midland By being a mentor, I could help desire for a High,” Pritchett better connection freshmen with information said, “However, b e t w e e n a student will be upperclassmen and advice that I wish I had more likely to and new listen to a student been given my freshman year. students. over an adult,” “I was part This ability for Senior Michelle Plaver of the Student upperclassmen Ambassador to lead other p r o g r a m my junior year and e-mails were the most students and get to know them from a mentor interaction there was after Freshmen perspective gives them useful leadership Orientation,” senior Michelle Plaver said, experience. The goal of the program is to try “With KO, mentors and mentees are able to to ensure that freshmen feel involved in the stay in touch and build on their relationships.” school, as well as checking in on freshmen In the new Kick-Off Mentoring Program, students about their grades and attendance.

Both Pritchett and counselor Misty Theisen mentors meet with their freshmen monthly.

Each meeting consists of the mentors receiving agree that the encouragement of the mentor an agenda for the session, that usually program has helped improve attendance and grades in the freshmen class. discusses upcoming events.

“Any time you can have follow up within a “When we meet we discuss any problems program year round it’s always a good thing,” we’ve had, extracurricular activities that we participate in, and how we’re doing in our Theisen said.

In order to obtain the funds needed to classes,” freshman Ben Woehrle said. start the Kick-Off program, Midland High This regular interaction between mentors and their mentees is also intended to grow had to apply for a Midland County Youth the bonds between the freshmen and their Action Council grant. This grant can only be awarded once, but when the money runs out, upperclassman.

“I think [Kick-Off] helps freshmen feel more the administration plans to secure other funds comfortable to talk to their mentors if they in order to continue the program. This grant have any other questions at school or at home money is used for the trainer who instructed the mentors on how they should interact that they want to bring up,” Plaver said.

Both Plaver and Woehrle think that having with their freshmen on orientation day and the mentors at freshman orientation was very throughout the entire year. This training helpful because this is the time with the most focused on the important aspects of being a mentor, dealing primarily with confidentiality uncertainty and confusion.

“I think the program helped because it gave and how the mentors are to present the school the freshman a chance to bond and be together rules.

Currently, there are 80 junior and senior before the school year started,” Woehrle said.

‘‘{

16| FOCUS | 11/21/2014 | news

}

Jordan Ensz leads the Kick-Off mentors in their Chemic Idol routine to start off the school year. By participating in Chemic Idol, the mentors displayed their Chemic Pride. Kayla Taylor | Photo Courtesy mentors who each have been assigned between three and five freshmen each. Plaver wanted to be a mentor to help ease the transition for new students from middle school to high school.

“By being a mentor, I could help freshmen with information and advice that I wish I had been given my freshman year and show them that high school can actually be fun,” Plaver said, “especially when you get involved in the school.”

So far this school year, the KO program has only met twice, but they plan to continue to meet throughout the rest of the school year in order to continue to positively influence the now not so new freshmen and continue to nurture the relationship between mentors and their mentees.

“I always look at it as, isn’t it nice to know that there’s at least one upperclassmen at the school that you know you can count on, and really cares, and that you can go to,” Pritchett said.

Because this program is so new, there are still things that could be improved; it is sure to improve with time as current juniors continue with the program.

“I think there also should be more interactive activities so that the freshmen don’t have to just sit and listen to their mentor ramble on about what is on the agenda,” Plaver said.

Another potential improvement was suggested by Woehrle.

“One thing [that could be changed] is that they need more times for the freshmen to meet with their mentors,” Woehrle said.

Overall, The Kick-Off Mentoring Program has gotten a lot of praise from administrators and students alike. As a result, Midland High hopes to continue the success of this program for years to come.

“Even if it only changes one person,” Pritchett said, “it’s worth it.” F

The

Average

Meeting

The mentors meet with their freshman once a month at the beginning of third hour.

Each mentor receives an agenda with things that they need to talk with their freshman about.

The agenda changes based upon the upcoming events at Midland High. So far they have discussed homecoming and spirit week. October The last time they discussed activities was October 21st.

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Report Card A A A

The mentors always ask about their freshmen’s grades and attendance.

At the end, the freshman are asked if they have any questions or problems that they want to bring up.

?

Senior Ravdeep Dhingra, is an active swimmer on the MHS swim team, runner on the cross country team and also a viola player in the orchestra.

In the next year, Dhingra must decide whether he wants to enlist in the US Army or Navy.

Not being able to choose both, Dhingra must...

Push through the pressure Senior Ravdeep Dhingra keeps in shape throughout the year to be prepared for military training. He trains many days a week to be ready. Aleisha Jones | Photo

Aleisha Jones | Staff Writer & Lydia Dornbos | Staff Writer

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he music blares and it’s go time. Hearts begin to pound and it’s only 5:30 in the morning. The sun begins to rise and the daily physical training has begun and the day is nowhere near over. After a shower and breakfast, classes begin for the rest of the day, including military history and other military related courses. After that, dinner and a little free time before lights out. Wake up the next day and repeat.

The busy schedule and long day sounds like the perfect place to spend the next four years for senior Ravdeep Dhingra.

Dhingra has decided that for the next four years after high school he would like to be in training for the army or navy. As of now he is undecided.

“I got a letter of assurance from the Naval Academy, but I am still looking heavily at the military academy,” Dhingra said. “As of now I’m waiting for a congressional nominationwhich is required to get in the Naval Academy.”

Dhingra’s nerves are low about going forward into this naval academy, then to follow into the army or navy. Dhingra says he believes it will be challenging to survive the academy, but he’s not too worried about the actual combat.

This summer Dhingra attended the Summer Leadership Experience at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. This is how Dhingra got to experience the army. During this camp

he went through a lot of the basic things he will be doing when he goes off to training after high school.

When Dhingra goes off, he will be leaving his family behind, and they have to watch and let him go, which would be difficult for any family.

“My dad was pretty supportive about the whole thing; but as for my mom, she’s still trying to convince me not to go,” Dhingra said.

Dhingra has had the interest of going into the army or navy since he was in eighth grade.

U.S. Air Force “In eighth Academy in grade Osama Colorado Springs, Bin Laden got Colorado assassinated by the Navy Seals,” Dhingra said. “Then I realized I wanted to keep America safe and that’s what I wanted to do.”

After this, Dhingra did a lot of research regarding the navy and army. The deeper he dove, the more he fell in love. Dhingra said there was just a spark when he discovered what he wanted to do with his life.

“I also believe in serving a purpose that’s bigger than yourself,” Dhingra said.

Dhingra’s Naval Officer, David Summers, explains that in order to get into the Naval Academy you must have high ACT/SAT scores, fill out a long application, and most importantly, get a nomination from a senator, congressman, or the vice president. Once that is done, the application can be considered.

“Ravdeep h a s t h e intelligence, West Point Army the leadership Academy in skills, and most We s t Po i n t, importantly of New York all, the desire,” said Summers.

United States “ O n e m u s t Naval Academy p o s s e s s t h e in Annapolis, intelligence to Maryland be successful Aleisha Jones | Infographic a t o n e o f the toughest universities in the country, and he must want to be there. This cannot be something he kinda wants to do. He must be one thousand percent committed and prepared to work very hard.”

Dhingra is very thankful for having such an involved Officer such as Summers.

“I am very grateful towards Officer Summers because he helped me during the long

Where will Ravdeep go?

application process. I hope I am ready. The best I can do is prepare by staying fit and keep my academics strong,” Dhingra said.

Going into the military is not the only thing that Dhingra is interested in. He also has been swimming since he was eight years old and has been successful on the Midland High swim team since he was a freshman. Dhingra, along with alumni Connor Patnode, Richard Dockycz, and Jay Hendricks broke the school record in the 200 freestyle relay last year by fifteen milliseconds.

“We were really excited and surprised at the same time,” Dhingra said.

Throughout high school Dhingra has also been a very talented viola player. He began playing in fifth grade and continues to play for the school orchestra.

Dhingra also has ran track and cross country for four years. It helps keep him in shape for his training, he’ll have to endure merely months from now. Cross country coach Marty Hollenbeck said he will do great when he goes off to training.

“I cannot think of a better candidate for an academy because of the many qualities he possesses- integrity, great work ethic, selfdetermination, leadership, and empathy,” Hollenbeck said. “Ravdeep is not afraid of hard work and he is able to push through the pain.

He also has a great deal of self-determination to be the best he can.” F

features mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 17

First class inspiration Living with both down syndrome and type one diabetes doesn’t slow down sophomore Adam White.

He is heavily involved around the community with sports, church activities, and boy scouts. Maddy Pasche | Staff Writer & Evie Wagner | Staff Writer & Emily Fisher | Sports and Photo Editor

W

ith liberty and justice for all.

As the last lines of the Pledge of Allegiance echo through troop 768 and the saluting arms start to fall, sophomore Adam White steps back from leading the pledge that week among his troop, proudly displaying his First Class rank as Assistant Patrol Leader. Being diagnosed with Down syndrome, type one diabetes, and Apraxia doesn’t stop Adam from actively participating in what he loves among friends.

“It’s fun [having Adam in my troop],” sophomore Greg Corrion said. “ I get to see him at all the events we go to and just have a good time. I get to help explain his thoughts and help present them to the troop.”

Adam was born with Down syndrome, his parents Paul and Kim White only had two years to learn the differences in parenting a child with special needs when he was diagnosed with type one diabetes at age two. According to Dr. Inas Thomas, Pediatric Endocrinologist at the University of Michigan Mott Children Hospital, type one diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s pancreas stops producing its own insulin. Insulin is the body’s natural way of keeping the sugars and energy in the body stable. In type one diabetes, insulin needs to be injected by patients based on their body’s current blood sugar level, which varies depending on the sugar and carbohydrates taken in by the body when they eat. Self-regulation is needed, meaning the patient must prick a finger to draw up a blood sample, check their sugar levels, and adjust insulin when needed.

“What we have tried to do is come as close as possible to eliminating his blood sugar from being a determining factor in his performance and his ability to perform,” Paul said. “But there are times when you’re out of what is considered a normal range of blood sugar, which might be like 90-150. So if his blood sugar goes up to 300, he’s just not feeling good.”

The diabetes hand in hand with the Down syndrome is often where the difficulties come

18 | FOCUS | 11/21/2014 | features

Adam, along with his mother, Kim, attend troop 768 Boy Scout meetings Thursday nights at St. Brigid Church. Adam is ranked first class along with being assistant patrol leader. Adam hopes to eventually earn his eagle scout status. He comments he loves sleeping in tents with the rest of his troop. Emily Fisher | Photo into play for the Whites. Unlike people whose only diagnosis is diabetes, Adam isn’t able to feel the effects of a ‘high’, when the blood sugar level is above normal, or a ‘low’, when blood sugar levels drop below the average levels. Down syndrome causes Adam to not be aware of his blood s u g a r l e ve l s , which in turn, has Paul and Kim constantly checking on his blood sugar levels around 10 times a day. As Adam continues to grow, it is harder to keep the numbers in check.

“He’s an eating machine right now, so you think you have it under control,” Kim said.

“He eats so much and is growing so fast so it’s not perfect.”

Although Adam cannot fully regulate his own

‘‘{

levels, this does not prevent him from being able to participate in daily activities.

“It doesn’t limit him, he doesn’t miss school because of diabetes, he doesn’t miss sports because of diabetes,” Kim said. “Can he be late?

Does he need to be pulled out? Does he need to be checked? You betcha.”

T h e condition Adam was born with, D o w n syndrome, presents daily challenges as well. The disorder is a genetic condition in which the individual has a partial or full extra copy of chromosome 21. This condition presents daily hardships such as delayed speech development, short attention span, and slow learning. Children with Down syndrome do develop communications skills, but at a slower

}

When they see Adam, I think it gives them hope. He’s been such a gift and such an advantage for us that we’ve taken into our hearts, and not everyone does that.

Father Paul White

pace compared to a child without the syndrome.

Although patients with Down syndrome develop a slight speech impediment, Adam was also diagnosed with Apraxia at the age of five.

Apraxia is a motor speech disorder in which makes it hard for those diagnosed with it to pronounce syllables and words.

Adam is an active member throughout the community, being involved at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with their youth ministries. He also served as an alter server when he was younger helping assist during the mass. Through the church, Adam volunteers to help with things such as home bound ministries, where he and his family visit people who are ill or unable to attend church. He also helps alongside his family in a soup kitchen. Paul comments that Adam doesn’t get a free pass on the activities that the family participates in. He is right alongside the rest of the family volunteering. “ I t ’ s a m a z i n g . Yo u t a k e a k i d i n t o a homebound person and kids start praying (Our Father). It’s amazing what that does for them,” Paul said. “When they see Adam, I think it gives them hope. He’s been such a gift and

Diabetes in the Body

A closer look on the specific points in the body that diabetes affects

Pancreas: Produces insulin, which helps to regulate blood sugar, Adam’s pancreas no longer self-produces its own insulin.

Emotions: When Adam is experiencing highs and lows, it is often reflected in the facial expressions he is showing at the time.

During Boy Scout meetings, Adam is able to catch up with troop members. He displays his class A dress attire, consisting of the rank, the unit number, and the council that he is on. Emily Fisher | Photo such an advantage for us that we’ve taken into our hearts, and not everyone does that.”

Adam not only is immersed in his church, but also at school. He is enrolled in regular courses among his classmates with help from special education services, rather than in a cognitively impaired class.

“Special education is not a place, it’s a service that helps kids wherever they’re at,” Kim said. “This is where Adam learns best. He is learning tons and leaps and bounds, progressing beautifully through his educational process.”

The Whites believe that they should be making Adam’s educational route not with his down syndrome in mind, but rather what his best working environment is.

“We always try and ask ourselves; what decision would we be making if Adam didn’t have Down syndrome [or diabetes]?” Paul said. “That’s a really great place to start. Why would we want to change our decision because of that?”

Immersing Adam into general education classes not only provides him with the best way to learn, but it also provides opportunities for him to be able to make connections with his classmates and teachers.

“My favorite class is science,” Adam said.

Biology teacher Mark Camilleri said he sees Adam as a good role model to the rest of the class.

“He sets an example for the other students to be willing to try things they wouldn’t want to try,” Camilleri said.

Having students in the past with an array of different disabilities, Camilleri has never had a student with Down syndrome before having Adam in class this year.

“In all my years of teaching I’ve had many diverse students, blind, deaf, quadriplegic, autistic, and Asperger’s syndrome,” Camilleri said. “Adam is a huge blessing in my life and I

love having him in class. Adam is like icing on a very delicious cake on the end of my career.

He made my whole career complete.”

Adam’s determination despite the various c h a l l e n g e s h e face s e ve r y day a n d hi s consistently positive attitude in the face of adversity is enlightening to his fellow students, athletes, and everyone he comes in contact with.

He differs from other kids with Down syndrome in that he is able to be positive every single day.

“Adam just happens to be a happy kid and it has nothing to do with Down syndrome, it’s just the way he’s wired,” Paul said. “He’s always positive.”

A factor that contributes to Adam’s constant positivity is the atmosphere in which the entire family creates. Everyone in the family feels that since Adam is able to stay positive through all the obstacles he faces, they are further inspired to face daily challenge with an optimistic point of view.

“Our whole family is kind of like that [positive] though,” Kim said. “Maybe it’s the atmosphere around here. We’re not happy every minute, we just don’t have down days, we have down moments.”

White’s influence and leadership impacts those who are around him and closest to him.

His leadership skills were prominent when he was given the honor of being the JV football captain at the Midland vs. Dow football game this year.

“I definitely think he has impacted my life. He makes me see how other people with disabilities still do everything we do. They just do it differently,” Corrion said. “Adam may not be the fastest or strongest kid on the football team but he has still scored a touchdown. I also see him as a role model. He just loves to be a part of a team and loves to put a smile on people’s faces.” F

Insulin Pump: Adam wears his insulin pump on his hip so he or a family member can readily regulate the insulin delivered to his body and control his blood sugar level.

Pricking site: The fingers ser ve as the site for periodic blood sampling to check up on the blood sugar level.

Circulation: If patients with diabetes experience high blood sugar levels over a number of years, blood c i r c u l a t i o n t o t h e fe e t becomes poor, resulting in amputation.

features | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 19

Who:

What:

Anyone interested in running indoor track during the winter.

A track club for this w i n t e r ’s i n d o o r season.

When:

Where:

Mr. Hollenbeck’s classroom (room 135).

Thursday, Oct. 23rd, after 6th hour.

Why:

This will get runners ready and in shape for spring’s track season.

Need for Birth Control or Emergency Contraception Services?

Call Midland County Health Dept.

832-6661 Absolute Confidentiality Midland Coalition for Choice Box 2386 Midland, MI 48641

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MHS YEARBOOK QUESTIONS? CONTACT: kingbj@midlandps.org 20 | FOCUS | 11/21/2014 | a&e

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Contact Mercedes Hussein @ 989-615-1286 or ads@mhsfocus.com

Embracing the Arts T

Rhapsody: emcee entertainment

he stage lights of the Center for the Arts beat down upon the high school students performing in front of a large crowd, entertaining them between acts with more than two dozen humorous skits. It was a past edition of Rhapsody Rendezvous, and Senior Jared Lane, then just a member of the audience, felt inspired. He dreamed that, one day, he would be one of the students on that stage.

“Since the sixth grade when I first saw Rhapsody, I’ve always really wanted to be an emcee,” Lane said. “It just always seemed like a lot of fun and I wanted to audition.”

Six years later, Lane has had his dream fulfilled. He will be one of the emcees performing in this year’s Rhapsody, along with seniors Emily Entner, Sam Bork, Megan O’Connor, and Maddy Wheelock.

O’Connor and Bork, much like Lane, have wanted to be Rhapsody emcees for a long time.

They were also inspired by other emcees of Rhapsody, and enjoy public presentations.

“I really like performing [and] speaking publicly,” O’Connor said. “Rhapsody came up and I [thought], ‘I gotta do that, I gotta be an emcee.”

Entner has wanted to be an emcee ever since she saw last year’s Rhapsody. She viewed it as a great honor, and one that she was capable of fulfilling, however she did not think she would get the part.

As this year’s Rhapsody Rendezvous approaches, the emcees are working to incorporate an extra emcee, preserve tradition while mak ing it unique, and accomplish their personal goals.

Will Hackbarth | A & E Editor & Ashley Cline | Staff Writer

“I thought that other people auditioning were just more what they wanted,” Entner said. “I really didn’t think I would get it, so I’m surprised.”

During the audition to achieve their dreams and become Rhapsody emcees, the candidates had to read a poem and make up an introduction for an act. According to Lane, the judges were looking for clear pronunciation, stage presence, and confidence, as well as the use of expressions, movements, and voice changes. Bork says they were also looking for flexible, humorous people who were talented at improvisation, while O’Connor mentioned they were seeking enthusiasm. “[The perfect emcee] is someone who works well with others and feeds off of their stage energy, and can use that to be creative,” Entner said.

“Someone who isn’t mortified if something isn’t perfectly as planned.”

This year, five candidates fit these requirements and became emcees, as opposed to the usual four. While many of the emcees agree it is a change from the traditional dynamic, they believe it is actually working to their advantage.

“Usually they do two girls and two boys just because I think they want to keep it balanced,” Bork said. “Having five is kind of nice, because you have such a difference of people.”

O’Connor agrees with Bork that a differentiation in emcees is helpful, and says

The five emcees performing in this year’s Rhapsody Rendezvous are working hard to prepare for this year’s performance, and having fun doing it. From top to bottom: Sam Bork, Jared Lane, Maddy Wheelock, Megan O’Connor, Emily Entner. Sarah Wontorcik | Photo Illustration there is an especially large differentiation planning on a few unique acts that they believe because all five emcees vary in personality and will be surprising. For the most part, though, the humor. emcees are trying to stick to tradition.

Lane says this dynamic of emcees has helped “I think that we have a good tradition of them get their work done and allowed them to emcees and I think were going to follow a couple do new things with their skits. of skits that have a tradition with them, like the “It’s actually helped a lot, having five of us, faculty skit,” Bork said. because all of us are pulling our weight. It’s not Above all, the emcees want to make Rhapsody like four [emcees] were limiting anything, but run smoothly, make it entertaining and with five people you can do a lot more than memorable, and to have fun while doing it. what you normally could,” Lane said. “We have “I want to do something to be remembered a couple jokes playing off of how there usually by,” Lane said. “Like a particular skit that would aren’t five emcees for rhapsody, [and] that gave really just be like, ‘Oh wow, I really loved that, us a couple ideas for skits.”

I’ve never seen anything like that before.’” F Besides the change in numbers, the emcees are

Emily E n t n e r

Jared L a n e

Club, Drama, Amateur Radio, IB Activities: Key Diploma, Beautification Club

Activities: Band, Drama, X-treeme Youth Group

Meisters, Boy Scouts, Band, Activities: Choir, Photography Club, Hunts with a Activities: Forensics, Bow & Arrow Drama

as two different people by Audition: Acted taking a hat on and off

Audition: Read her poem in an Irish accent

a short skit while acting as Audition: Created multiple people

‘‘ {

}

[The perfect emcee] is someone who works well with others and feeds off of their stage energy and can use that to be creative.”

Senior Emily Entner

Sam B o r k

21 | FOCUS | 11/21/2014 | a & e

Megan O ’ C o n n o r

Audition:

Acted as Beyoncé by painting a fake baby blue & wrapping it in ivy leaves, after Beyoncé’s baby, Blue Ivy

Embracing the arts Rhapsody: picking a path

Senior Justin Solano has a passion for music and a love for playing the guitar in particular. His next performance will be a guitar solo in Rhapsody Rendezvous for his fourth year in a row. Natalie Schwartz| Design Editor & Michaela Carpenter | Staff Writer

T

he audience took their seats and waited excitedly for the performance to begin.

The three-person band took their places and together they started to play what they knew would become an instant hit: an original song called “My Tin Can”. The band featured a young Justin Solano strumming on a guitar, along with one girl playing the drums and one playing the tambourine. None of the kids knew how to play their instruments at all, but their debut was a hit with their audience, comprised of several neighbors sitting in lawn chairs on the driveway.

Justin’s first song may not have brought him success, but his love for music has only continued to grow since that first performance for his neighbors in the driveway. While he did not know how to play the guitar at that point in his musical career, he began taking lessons a few years later.

“I started taking lessons in sixth grade, but didn’t take it very seriously until seventh, and then I was basically self-taught by listening to records and starting from there,” Justin said.

Since then, both his interest in guitar and the time he spends practicing have both increased.

On a typical weekday, Justin practices for two or three hours, and on the weekends it’s closer to four or five. Days when he has band practice or a rehearsal in the studio result in nearly six hours of practice.

This passion for music and the hours of practice that it entails has had a significant impact on not only Justin, but his parents as well. His mother, Charlotte Solano, believes that this change has been a good one.

“It has impacted all of us in a positive way,” Charlotte said. “We are thrilled with Justin’s passion for music and love for guitar. We think he is quite talented and love to hear him play.

We always go to watch him play and perform.”

A few more

NOTES

Charlotte and her husband, Simon, are very involved in Justin’s music. Charlotte discusses venues, marketing, and song ideas with Justin, while Simon is more involved with the technical side of things. He is the one to transport, carry, and set up the equipment at Justin’s performances.

Performing has become a regular occurrence for Justin, who plays guitar solos, was in a band for a few years, and also plays the clarinet in the Midland High concert band. He has played in many different locations for a variety of people, including performances in Rhapsody Rendezvous since his freshman year. His favorite performance, though, was not for a massive crowd, but for a smaller audience several times his age.

“My favorite performance was when I played at the 702 club because I played with a bunch of 70-year-olds and jammed on an old blues song, and it was inspiring to hear them enjoy whatever I was playing,” Justin said.

For Justin, playing the guitar is more than just a pastime or a hobby. Music has become a very important part of his life over the past several years, and is something that he plans to continue doing in the future.

“Music is expression,” Justin said. “More than anything else it is an art form. I know it’s cliché to say, but it’s a way of life. It is something I have to do.”

For now, though, Justin is focused on preparing for his upcoming Rhapsody performance. Those who know him and have seen him perform are confident in his ability and eager to see his contribution to the show.

“He’s a great example of a polished, accomplished musician,” Midland High music teacher and Rhapsody judge Jennifer Breneman said. “He is playing at a very high level and his musicality is outstanding.” F

40

Senior Justin Solano practices his guitar solo for Rhapsody Rendevous. Natalie Schwartz| Photo

effects pedals currently make up Justin’s collection.

Berklee is Justin’s dream college; he hopes to study music performance and film score.

Justin is working on an album right now.

He hopes to have it done by

March.

22 | FOCUS | 11/21/2014 | a&e

Natalie Schwartz & Michaela Carpenter| Illustration

Embracing the arts I

Rhapsody: through the strings

n orchestra class almost two years ago, Midland High orchestra teacher Kathy Peretz asked her students if anyone was interested in learning to play the harp.

At the time junior, Taylor Fegan was a cellist, but she was the only student to raise their hand and commit to learning. This decision took Fegan into a completely different musical world, along with challenges she had never faced before.

“I had heard that the only harpist graduated, and I thought [playing the harp] sounded really cool, so I just went with it,” Fegan said.

The first challenge Fegan had to face when switching from the cello to the harp was learning how to read harp music. In fifth grade she was taught how to read bass clef for the cello, but the harp required her to read treble clef.

“It felt like I had to start over. It took me about six months until I felt comfortable with it,” Fegan said.

The next thing Fegan needed to do was to learn how to properly pluck the strings, and how to change the foot pedals when certain strings were vibrating. Luckily, Fegan found Karen Parelius, a private harp teacher in Midland, to help her learn how to play this challenging instrument.

A typical harp lesson with Parelius begins with working on orchestra pieces that Fegan needs help with. Then, if time permits, Parelius and Fegan play solo harp music. Parelius pointed out that to play the harp well you must practice a lot. Fegan does this by playing at least one hour, sometimes more, a day.

“To grow as a harpist you must first of all have the physical facility, the desire to play the instrument well, and the willingness to work on the technique,” Parelius said.

Every day in orchestra class, Fegan goes into her own small room, about the size of a house bathroom, to practice the piece for class. In this room Fegan has fewer distractions. Once she feels comfortable with the piece she comes out and plays with the entire orchestra.

“The harp’s role in the orchestra is to carry the melody with the violins,” Fegan said, “I can’t stand alone because all the other instruments would cover me up.”

Peretz explained how each instrument is

Quick Facts

About the harp world

important to the orchestra, but the harp’s role is more unique.

“Harp music is written to enhance the harmonic structure of the orchestra,” Peretz said.

Fegan also made the point that having a harp in the orchestra is very useful when going up the scale because all a harpist has to do is run their fingers through the strings. For other instruments, going up the scale is harder.

However, being the only harpist in the orchestra comes with its own challenges.

Fegan explained how she has no other students to help her when she does not understand a note in class. Fegan has learned how to see the positive side of this downfall though.

“Playing the harp, and especially being the only one, has really taught me to figure things out on my own,” Fegan said.

When asked on her feelings towards the orchestra’s Rhapsody performance, Fegan responded that she felt comfortable and confident. She commented that she typically does not feel nervous to play in front of an audience and since it will be her second Rhapsody playing with the orchestra, she is not very stressed.

“I feel better this year because I have already been through the process,” Fegan said. “I’ve been working on the piece for a while now and I’m starting to feel comfortable with it.”

Midland High has made Fegan’s ability to practice the harp for her performances much easier this year. The school has provided two harps for Fegan so she can have one at home and one at school. This way she doesn’t have the hassle of packing the instrument up and taking it home every day.

Fegan does not plan on becoming a professional harpist, but she does plan on continuing to play and practice the instrument. Fegan says her favorite part about playing the harp is that she is the only one in the orchestra, and the fact that it is so different than anything she has ever done.

“I don’t feel like I’m being covered up when I play because it’s so unique,” Fegan said.

“It’s just such a beautiful instrument and I don’t feel like I fully appreciated music until I started playing the harp.” F

Harps cost around $22,000

Juinor Taylor Fegan is the only har pist in the M idland H igh Orchestra. She practices for an hour or more a day and takes lessons from her own harp teacher. Ericka Reder | Staff Writer & Kevin Sharpe | Staff Writer

Junior Taylor Fegan practices playing the harp in orchestra class. Fegan has been playing the harp for two years and will be performing in Rhapsody this year with the orchestra. Emily Fisher | Photo

A harp is 6 feet and 2 inches tall

There are 47 strings on a harp features | mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 23

Package titlethe here Embracing arts

Junior Shannon DeGroot prepares for her third Rhapsody Rendezvous with a story to tell. Hannah McAtamney | Staff Writer & Sydnie Meath| Staff Writer

Rhapsody: a dancer’s story

Junior Shannon DeGroot will express herself tonight through her Rhapsody Rendezvous lyrical dance performance. Hannah McAtamney | Photos

E

ngaging the audience while telling a story is one of the many challenges faced by a dancer, and a dancer may only have a few moments on stage to do so.

Accomplishing this was one of the personal goals for junior Shannon DeGroot as she crafted her performance for the upcoming Rhapsody Rendezvous.

DeGroot will be performing to the song “Human” by Christina Perry. The first time she heard this song she immediately envisioned someone dancing on stage to it. The song has become very personal to her.

“The meaning I found in this song is that I’m only human, I can only do so much. I’m not perfect, and I am not immortal. I have limits and that’s okay,” she said.

DeGroot then sent the music to one of her teachers, Christina Stefanic. Stefanic works at the dance company, Young People’s Ballet Theatre, a dance company in Flint where DeGroot trains.

“I was very flattered that Shannon and her mom, Heather, asked me to choreograph a piece for Shannon,” Stefanic said.

Stefanic choreographed a lyrical piece for Shannon to perform.

“Lyrical dances blend both ballet and jazz; this type of dance is typically used to convey more emotion than many of the other types of dance,” Stefanic said.

24 | FOCUS | 10/24/2014 | a&e

Shannon and Stefanic talked over the choreography, and decided that they wanted the movements to directly correspond with the lyrics. At one point there are lyrics stating “knives in my heart” and Shannon pretends be to stopping someone from sending a knife into her chest. Movements like this are intended to encourage the audience to dive into the story the dance tells. Shannon also choreographed in a few jumps scattered throughout the piece since “most find it very boring to see a dancer remain upright for the whole piece,” she said.

After the piece was completely choreographed, Shannon and Stefanic began running it together to try and tweak various parts of the dance in order to make it better.

Shannon says that she is still working on the piece and will continue to do so until the day of the performance.

Dancing isn’t a newly acquired hobby for Shannon. This is Shannon’s third Rhapsody performance. In her 13 years of dance she has learned multiple different styles, including ballet, highland, and much more. Heather says she has been dancing since she could get up and move.

“I knew she would love it, but we didn’t know she’d consider it as a career,” Heather said.

Shannon started with classical ballet, which led to her interest in other types of dance.

Shannon is currently in her second year of dancing at Young People’s Ballet Theatre

(YPBT) in Flint, as well as part time at Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy (SASA) for part of her school day. To get into SASA there was a number of tests that Shannon had to pass such as a math test that included general problem solving, and a written portion. She also had to perform a vocal/keyboard audition in addition to her dance audition. Along with her going to SASA for her dancing everyday, DeGroot has three technique classes a week that she attends at YPBT with full company rehearsals on the weekends.

“My favorite part in working with Shannon was Shannon herself. Shannon is an extremely hard worker, you can’t ask for more,” Stefanic said.

Shannon hopes to convey this through her dance after all of her hard work that has gone into this piece.

Through this year’s Rhapsody performance she can also convey a very important message.

Shannon sees this piece as an outlet for her, and she allows herself to feel the emotions that many people ignore, such as anger, sadness, and fear, etc. She hopes that others can learn from the story that she will be telling without words on the night of Rhapsody.

“I hope when Shannon performs her piece that she really feels connected with the song and choreography,” Stefanic said. “So that everything looks and feels exactly as she had envisioned.” F

Quick facts about Shannon’s dance: The song she will be performing to is:

Human

by Christina Perri

It will last:

4 minutes and 23 seconds Jumps 17 times 12 types of jumps

3rd Rhapsody performance