October 21st Issue

THE

FOCUS

Midland High School | October 21, 2016 | Volume 39, Issue 2

Reach Higher

The volleyball team’s successful season.

pg. 12-13

Presidential Debate

6-7

Book Restrictions

10

Vic the Lion

16

Ian Andridge | Photo

CONTENTS

volume 39 issue 2

OPINION 3 Censorship:

1st Amendment issues arise with the limitations placed on freshman books.

NEWS

6-7 Presidential Debate:

Students who support Clinton and Trump debate why their candidate is the best fit for presidency

8 Political and Social Issues Club: The club focuses on educating students on the importance of activism.

9 Student’s Political Opinions:

Breaking down student opinions on the upcoming presidential election.

14-15 Sports zone:

Brendan Doyle recently broke the school record for most wins in tennis.

FEATURES 16

Vic the Lion: The story behind the school’s lion mascot.

17

Amateur Radio Club: Students interested in exploring technology in an interactive way.

A&E

10 Censored Books:

22 Drum Majors:

SPORTS

Swing Dancing: Many students have been swing dancing downtown.

The Midland Dow football game brings many traditions that the school has followed for years.

We visited some of the most paranormally active spots in Michigan.

A new book in the freshman English curriculum has had special provisions placed on it for questionable material

11 Midland Dow Week Traditions:

LeeAnn Rielle and Julianna Roller are both drum majors and pom captains.

23

24 Real Haunted Houses:

ON THE COVER Volleyball

The girls volleyball team is currently placed first in the Saginaw Valley League.

The players and coaches reflect on their success and hopes for the team’s future in the district playoffs. The first playoff game will take place on Oct. 27.

EDITORS Editor-in-Chief Ella Colbert Managing Editor Maddy O’Callaghan Photo & Design Editor Kayla Graham Features Editor Sonja Anderson News Editor Gwynne Ozkan Sports Editor Kady Volmering A&E Editor Hope O’Dell Opinion Editor Ellie Jensen Ads Coordinator Hailey Surbrook Exchange Editor Hayley Russell Adviser Jim Woehrle Printer Midland Daily News

23

F

OUR MISSION

ocus, established in 1977, previously the Vic Tribune, established in 1936, is the official school 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 Michigan Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA). Adviser membership also includes the Journalism Education Association (JEA). Focus is designed as a forum for student expression and as a realistic lab experience. Focus, however, reserves the right to contest the challenge of an administrator who attempts to censor and/or remove an article or graphic element.

8

17

12-13

Editorial

OP/ED

There is no place for restrictive reading

O

n the evening of Oct. 11, Midland Public Schools English teachers met with administrators to discuss the status of the young-adult novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. In the meeting, they talked about whether the book should be allowed to be taught in freshman English classes, or if some of the language and references used were too much for freshmen students to be reading.

Last school year, freshmen English teachers brainstormed possible new books in an effort to modernize their curriculum. They compiled a list of three books, one of which was The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. In order for the books to be eligible to be taught in the course, they went through a process of checkpoints on the way to adoption. Members of the Board of Education and people of the community had the opportunity to read through the books to make sure that the content was appropriate enough to be read in school. After the Board approved the novel in July, administrators were concerned that The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian contained too much explicit language, sexual references and racial slurs. Now, in order for the book to be studied in freshman English, students must have a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian allowing their child to read the book, and another book option must be presented to the students who are not granted permission to study the book with

the rest of the class.

The Focus staff believes that teachers should be allowed to add The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian to their curriculum and study in class without having to pass out permission slips to their students. As sophomores, many students read the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and To Kill a Mockingbird, which contain some of the explicit language and derogatory racial phrases that The Absolutely True Diary of a PartTime Indian contains. Therefore, it wouldn’t make much of a difference if students encountered some vulgar language in this book, when they are going to see similar ideas in books that will be read in the following year. Also, though the book does contain a few sexual references, it is not much different from when freshmen read Romeo and Juliet, which contains some sexual references, and when sophomores read To Kill a Mockingbird, which deals with rape.

We also believe that the content and lessons students will be able to take away from this novel will outweigh some of the inappropriate and tough language they will encounter. Not only does The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian cover issues with race that are prominent in our culture, but the book deals with problems stemming from alcoholism, and raises awareness at how serious the effects of alcoholism are. Another valuable lesson students will learn is finding

their own identity and coming to terms with who he or she is as a person, and being able to stand up for what you believe in.

Another issue that is raised is the worry that, by adding the permission slip and another optional book, what is going to stop administration from adding similar obstacles to books that are already in the curriculum?

This new permission slip policy might set a new precedent, possibly having a detrimental effect on the books that classes to come will or will not able to read.

The Focus staff acknowledges that some concerns are raised by administration regarding whether or not freshmen will be mature enough to handle some of the content of the book. However, we believe that adding a modernized book to the reading list would keep students interested in what they are reading, and be able to understand some of the bigger themes that appear in the book The Focus staff believes that we should take away the signed permission slip and optional alternative book. Instead, the teachers should be encouraged to type up a summary of the book, stating that the book raised concern from some of the administration, and explain what exactly raised the concern, and then state how they (the teacher) plans on overcoming some of the challenging scenes and content. By doing this, students and parents are aware of what type of content they will be encountering.

Student Opinions

Sophomore John White “If there is such a large problem with a book being read, it might be easier for the teachers to choose another book.”

Senior Erin Sheridan “I think that overall it should be up to the teachers on what they should be able to teach their students.”

3 | FOCUS |OCTOBER 21, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

THE BULLETIN @chritzOlivia “I just woke up from a nap and started getting ready for school because I thought it was 7:20 in morning not night”

5 THINGS TO MAKE YOU FEEL SMART

Song: 24K Magic Artist: Bruno Mars Date Released: August 20 Rating: Catchy but doesn’t top his big hit “Treasure”

@gomolabar “20 crew comin’ at ya”

NEWS BRIEF:

via Instagram

Song: Starboy Artist: The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk Date Released: September 22 Rating: Daft Punk adds a fresh twist on The Weeknd’s sound

1. All the blinking in one day is equal to having your eyes closed for 30 minutes.

2. Shrimp can only swim backwards.

3. Forty is the only number whose letters are in alphabetical order.

Corrections

4. Dogs can make about 10 sounds, while cats make about 100.

5. When a male penguin falls in love with female penguin, he searches the beach to find a pebble to present to her.

4 | FOCUS | OCTOBER 30, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

1. Quinten Greiner’s name was spelled incorrectly on the the table of contents.

The Midland Cross Country team plants a memorial tree outside the weight room in honor of Quinten Greiner on Wednesday, October 12. Amy Hutchinson | Photo courtesy

2. Mr s. W a un did no t purchase four pottery wheels over the summer, the art department did.

OP/ED

HALLOWEEN THRILLERS The Focus reviews some of the scariest movies just in time for Halloween.

Kady Volmering | Sports Editor & Ellie Jensen | Opinion Editor

The Conjuring 2

S

et in the late 1970’s, an English family begins to experience paranormal happenings within their household, connected to the spirit of a man who had previously occupied the home. The Conjuring 2, supposedly based on a true story, is centered around a demonic presence that starts to inhibit pre-teen Janet Hodgson. The movie begins by introducing the Warren couple, who are notoriously known for investigating paranormal activity.

Lorraine Warren is able to have out-of-body experiences to learn more about the paranormal, and eventually finds herself being drawn to the Hodgson family. Back in England the others think Janet is faking it, even though her conditions to worsen they attempt to banish the satanic spirits. As the Warren’s try to help the Hodgson family, their goal is to influence the church to aid in the banishing of the satanic spirits through Christianity. The film disturbed so many people that some movie theaters were forced to offer free religious therapy for those who had just seen it. Though the film is not as a good as the first movie, as the animation in some scenes were almost laughable, it does provide some genuine thrills.

D

Insidious

irector James Wan adds yet another horror movie to his belt that will have you jumping at the chilling, paranormal plot-line in the 2010 movie Insidious. This film focuses on a modern American family whose son, Dalton, inexplicably enters a paranormal coma. Dalton’s family members find bloody handprints, moving furniture, and other paranormal occurrences.

Spirits from an alternate realm are attempting to inhabit the body of Dalton.

The family moves into a new house hoping to leave the spirits behind. But the disturbing happenings get progressively worse. In a desperate attempt to save their son, Josh and Renai Lambert contact a woman to help rid the demonic presence of their home. Together they fight to save Dalton from the evil spirits threatening to take over his body, overcoming obstacles they hadn’t initially foreseen. Insidious achieves our highest ranking because of its suspenseful, authentic plot: the film is unique because, instead of the classic ghosthaunting-house scenario, the plot is centered around ghost-haunting-person.

This movie is for those who are not afraid of out-of-this-world beings and surprising twists and turns. Warning—it will make you dread going to sleep.

The Shining

A

s opening credits roll, footage of a car appears driving through winding mountains, a peaceful way to start one of the most classic horror movies.

Based upon the novel by Stephen King, The Shining follows a family who moves into a hotel during the winter season to maintain its facilities (when it’s closed) The film starts out slow and tranquil, adding details that foreshadow the later disturbing happenings in the film. These include events surrounding a young boy in who has an imaginary friend whom he calls Tony. Through Tony, Danny has psychic premonitions, called “the shining,” in which he sees the dark future that his family encounters at the Overlook Hotel. Once the family moves into the hotel, the pace of the plot quickens with the loss of sanity of Danny’s father, Jack. This film is a true a psychological thriller; there’s not a great amount of paranormal activity or pop-up scares, but can make your skin crawl with its sense of eeriness. Considered to be one of the most iconic horror movies, director Stanley Kubrick set the standard for dozens of scary movies, and started many horror cliches (the creepy twins, the “Here’s Johnny!”) The shining is an exercise in murderous isolation.

5 | FOCUS | OCTOBER 30, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

NEWS

Politalk

PRESIDENTIAL

Sophomore Mo Aloff and senior Nevada Walters debate for Hillary Clinton

Q

: What does your candidate stand for?

M: She says, “We are stronger together.”

That is her slogan. America is not at its best when the economy does not work for everyone, so the economy has to work for everyone, not just those in the top.

N: The popular slogan, “Make America

great again,”has been the driving support for the Trump campaign. The way I interpret it is creating a more economically stable, unified, and safe country to have during his presidency.

improve racial divide in the U.S.?

M: She really just wants to unify the

country. She said that we have a long way to go between now and having everyone be completely equal, just because of our prejudices, but I believe that she will work really hard to unite the country and get rid of the racial divide.

N: Donald Trump’s view on that is fairly

simple, it is just to create a compromise between the black community and the police.

It is to make amends to the police structure and how they function as a unit at a state and a local level.

What is your candidate’s stance What is your candidate’s on immigration policy on taxes? and why is M: Hillary believes that we need to restore that the best fairness from the tax code, we need to close approach? the loopholes for big companies and Wall M: We need a comprehensive

immigration reform with a pathway to full and equal citizenship. Her whole campaign is about bringing families together, and she says that if families are split up by the border, they want to make it easier for families to come across and have a full family in America if they need to.

Mo Aloff

Hillary Clinton supporter

6 | FOCUS | OCTOBER 21, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

N: Donald Trump’s immigration policy centralizes around more of an isolationist sort of ideology. There are many provisions under his policy, one of which is to build a wall on the southern border, between Mexico and the bordering states there. How he plans on doing the wall idea is to fund it by taxing imports from Mexico coming into the United States and also have the Mexican government pay for funds to help build the wall. They can’t go to another country to export their goods, because we are their primary exporter. Also, the second part of his policy is to deport non-citizens of the United States. If you are not a citizen of the United States, you do not belong here.

How will your candidate

Street. They aren’t paying their fair share. It is the lower and middle class that is paying the amount that they need to pay and the upper class is evading it basically. She also wants to cut taxes for small businesses just to make it easier for them to get started and employ more people.

N: Donald Trump’s tax policy, overall, is

based upon lowering taxes. It will still remain

“She has had a lot of experience in her field, she knows how politics works, she knows how the government works.”

Sophomore Mo Aloff

the progressive, graduated tax bracket that it’s always been, but it will be simplified to three brackets, which is the 12 percent bracket, the 25 percent bracket, and the 33 percent bracket. The 12 percent bracket will be for incomes lower than $75,000. The 25 percent bracket will be for incomes between $75,000-225,000. The 33 percent bracket will be for incomes of $225,000 and up. Trump’s tax policy plan will also increase the standard deductions. There are many taxes that have been created due to Obamacare, which he will repeal. There would be stuff he would repeal like the Child Care Tax, the Death Tax, the Alternative Minimum Tax he will repeal. He will also lower federal income tax from 35 to 15 percent.

How will your candidate deal with the issues of international terrorism, including ISIS? M: She wants to make sure that we keep our

nation secure. She says that we need to get a hold on ISIS. She was part of the group that was in the room with President Obama when they took out Osama Bin Laden and she was a huge part of that. She worked really hard to protect and rebuild the nation after 9/11. She wants to continue to protect our nation. For domestic terrorism, she would like to put in gun regulations. She believes that if you are on ISIS sites and the FBI has record of it, you should not be able to purchase a gun.

N: Donald Trump’s foreign policy is simple.

He plans on eliminating ISIS because it has proven to be a global threat across the world.

Whenever it becomes an international issue, it should be limited, and not an issue anymore.

He also plans on making America more of an isolationist country, making America safe, and going out and eliminating the external threats.

This will not only help the United States, but will help the world become a peaceful environment to live in.

What makes your candidate more suited for office than the other

FACE-OFF

NEWS

and Donald Trump. Ella Colbert|Editor-in-Chief & Bitsy Mammel|Staff Writer candidate?

M: Hillary got involved in politics when she

was in college. She attended Yale Law, so she knows a lot about how criminal justice and law works. She taught criminal law and criminal procedure in Arkansas for many years. She was the first female partner at the Rose Law Firm. She fought for many things as the first lady to Bill Clinton. She fought for the affordable health care reforms. She was the first female senator from New York. She helped secure $20 billion after 9/11 attacks to help rebuild the nation. In 2008, she ran for presidency and she had, I believe, 18 million votes. As Secretary of State, she visited 112 countries and negotiated a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. It just shows that she has had a lot of experience in her field, she knows how politics works, she knows how the government works, she knows how people try and use the polls. It has been her life.

N: Hillary Clinton is actually a very corrupt

person. There are a lot of incidents where she committed almost borderline illegal, some acts are illegal, that go back to when she was an attorney. Here are some examples of her corrupt personality. The famous Whitewater scandal, the private email server scandal, and The Clinton Foundation scandal, where she dealt with foreign entities in exchange for money. The 1996 “Filegate,” where she requested the FBI information on Republican officials, which were received illegally. She told the IRS to audit certain people with Republican affiliation under tax return and it was consecutive for every year. I would definitely choose a businessman with a fairly good record over a person who has misled people to invest into things that they probably shouldn’t have. Hillary has taken advantage of people.

M: So you’re saying that Donald Trump is

a pretty fair person, he treats people pretty well? Except for the small businesses that he scams and threatens to lawsuit. Basically, he builds these corporations, these casinos, and he has small businesses or people be a part of it, and then he says, “You gave me an underestimate,” when he doesn’t have the money to pay for it. He says, “I dare you to sue me for not paying you. I dare you to

do that.” Then he threatens them with his monarchy of money.

N: Subcontractors are under contract and they

are held to a certain quality of work. If the people do not perform the good or service that they promise in the contract, they are violating the contract. If you’re in violation of contract, you shouldn’t be liable to pay them for work that you have not agreed upon.

lower that down to zero in eight years, if he has the opportunity to. But, he will certainly set up the country in a position, in a different frame of mind, to lower it over time, which will be a very, very long time, no doubt.

The next thing he’s trying to focus on is to improve national security. You hear in the news about these shootings and knifings, and ISIS-related committed crimes and that’s definitely evidence of a deteriorating national security. Another scope of concentration is to help improve our infrastructure. And to lower regulation from the government on to businesses.

What does your candidate believe is the most important issue facing this country and how will they What makes your candidate’s character address it? suitable for being M: The thing that stands out to me most is president? her feminism and her feminist side. Breaking the glass ceiling is really important to me, I believe. She talked at the DNC, she said we put a huge crack in that glass ceiling, which is saying that we’re going to get to equal human rights for women. She is the first female to be the Democratic nominee, which is amazing.

She’s made it this far, she’s worked so far, it just speaks to me that she’s been so amazing that she’s been able to get through all the misogyny, the sexism of the government and politics and social media.

N: I believe Donald Trump is focusing on

lowering our national debt. Which, let’s be realistic mathematically, he’s not going to

“That’s what we need right now for the President of the United States, a business person.”

Senior Nevada Walters

M: I really believe that Hillary

is compassionate for people. I believe that she’s compassionate for those who are less privileged. Even though she’s white and rich, she knows that being a woman in society is hard. She knows what having hardship is like, so she has sympathy for people who have hardships in their lives.

She is really durable and she perseveres through a lot of things, like misogyny and sexism and everything that just goes on is constantly spewed at her. She has stamina, she definitely has stamina. She can stand in front of the senate for 11 hours. She can go to a 112 countries and fight for people in those countries, she can negotiate deals between nations.

N: Donald Trump, he’s not a nice guy, let’s

be real. It’s like ‘Wow, if someone treated me like that, I’d be pretty ticked.’ But really, the reality of it is that is business and that it takes a certain personality type to get stuff done. That’s what we need right now for the President of the United States, a business person. Someone who can take a firm hand to deal with people, like foreign entities and solve foreign problems and know how to make good trade deals. Someone who is soft are not going to be able to make a good deal because they are too sensitive.

Maddy O’Callaghan | Photos

Nevada Walters Donald Trump supporter

7 | FOCUS | OCTOBER 21, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

NEWS

Politalk

DISCOVERING DISCUSSION The Political and Social Issues Club discusses current social issues throughout the country and government. Hayley Russell|Exchange Editor&Emma McLaren|Staff Writer

J

unior Ethan Tuck arrives in the classroom ready to take on Donald Trump. Speaking as if he were Hillary Clinton, Tuck argues for points and rebuts his opponent.

Tuck is a founding member of one of the school’s newest clubs, the Political and Social Issues Club. He and other students started talking about the possibility of a club at the end of last year. They had the idea but didn’t know how to start. He thought it would be good opportunity to get the school involved with politics because they are involved in everyone’s lives.

“I​ ​know​ ​some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​other​ ​members​ ​I​ ​created​ ​ it​ ​with​ ​were​ ​also​ ​very​ ​interested​ ​in​ ​it​,” Tuck said. “​With​ ​our​ ​common​ ​interests​ ​we​ ​decided​ to​ ​make​ ​a​ club​ ​for​ ​all​ ​students​ ​at​ ​Midland​ ​High who​ ​are​ ​interested.”

The club plans to pick topics each week that can be discussed and debate the issues. On weekends, the members will do projects and activities for it. For example, if the group talked about domestic issues one week, they would go to a shelter house to volunteer. The club takes place in history teacher Joshua Criner’s room after sixth hour. Tuck asked Criner to be the advisor because he knew that Criner would be supportive of the club.

“I​ ​advised​ ​the​ ​club​ ​because​ ​former​ ​students​ ​ of​ ​mine​ ​came​ ​to​ ​me​ ​and​ ​they​ ​wanted​ ​to create​ ​some​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​political​ ​club,​” Criner said.

“They​ ​didn’t​ ​quite​ ​know​ ​how​ ​to​ ​do​ ​it​, ​so​ ​I​ ​gave​ ​ them some​ ​ideas​ ​and​ ​they​ ​asked​ ​me​ ​to​ ​be​ ​their​ ​ advisor.”

The main focus of the club at the moment is the presidential election. Later in the year,

Goals and events

Junior Ethan Tuck and senior Emily Kreusch discuss their opinions on the presidential nominees during the club’s debate on the 11th. Hayley Russell | Photo Tuck would also like the club to talk about environmental, social, and civil rights issues, and how these topics will impact the country.

Senior Emily Kreusch is a new member of the club. She joined because some of her friends from Criner’s History of America class last year also joined the club and she thought it would be interesting. Kreusch is very passionate about politics and government.

“As​ ​citizens​ ​of​ ​America,​ ​we​ ​have​ ​inalienable​ ​ rights​ ​which​ ​allow​ ​us to​ ​speak​ ​out​ ​against​ ​our​ ​ government,​ ​and​ ​advocate​ ​for​ ​change,​ ​a​ ​right​ ​ many​ ​other​ ​people in​ ​different​ ​countries​ ​die​​ for,​ ​a​ ​right​ ​our​ ​forefathers​ ​died​ ​for,” Kreusch said. “​Therefore​ ​we​ ​should​ ​use​ ​our rights​ ​to​ advocate​ ​to​ ​make​ ​America​ ​a​ ​superpower​ ​for​ good,​ ​at​ ​home​ ​and​ ​overseas.”

The club prides itself on being a place where everyone can share and discuss their beliefs and thoughts about politics equally, without any

political side or group being favored.

“We​ ​needed to​ ​make​ ​it​ ​a​ ​club​ ​that​ ​includes​ every​ ​political​ ​group,​ ​not​ ​just​ ​one side,” Criner said. “We needed ​to​ ​make​ ​the​ ​club​ ​interactive,​ ​ so​ ​that​ ​students​ ​feel​ ​free​ ​and​ ​comfortable​ ​in​ ​sharing their​ ​ideas,​ ​and​ ​not​ ​just​ ​feel​ ​like​ ​it​ ​is​ ​a​ one-sided​ ​type​ ​of​ ​group.”

However, as the club has just begun having meetings and debates, one primary concern is low participation and membership. A big goal of the organization is to teach as many students as possible about the importance of politics in their lives, and the club needs more members to do that. To do this, the group plans on showing students that debating isn’t as negative as it is sometimes portrayed to be. The club wants students to see how beneficial debates really are to those who participate in them. They have recently hosted a debate about the election, by separating into two sides and debating the

Nov. 3 and 4

Oct. 10

School-wide mock election

Register voters

Oct. 4

Host first meeting 8 | FOCUS | OCTOBER 21, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

different policies that Trump and Clinton have. ”​ Much​ l​ earning​ c​ an​ b ​ e​ h ​ ad​ f​ rom​ h ​ aving your​ ​ beliefs​ c​ hallenged,” Kreusch said. “I​​ t can​ e​ ither​ strengthen​ ​them,​ ​or​ ​change​ ​them;​ ​it​ ​leads​ ​to helping​​students​​find​​out​​what​​they​​stand​​for,​​ and​ ​more​ ​importantly​ ​helping​ ​them​ ​discover themselves.​ ​[We want]​ ​to​ ​change​ ​the​ ​nature​ of​ ​debating,​ ​not​ ​as​ ​a​ ​way​ ​of​ ​fighting​ ​another person,​ ​but​ ​​understanding​ ​another​ ​person.”

As the club becomes more popular with rising numbers of members, Tuck, Kreusch, and Criner will come closer to achieving their goal of a school in which the students participate in the government and politics that affect them.

“Students​ s​ hould​ l​ earn​ a​ bout​ p ​ olitics​ b ​ ecause​ ​ the​d ​ ecisions​t​ he​p ​ oliticians​m ​ ake​a​ ffect us​a​ ll,” Criner said. “You​ ​can​ ​sit​ ​around​ ​and​ ​complain​ ​ about​ ​it,​ ​but​ ​if​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​actively​ ​get​ ​involved​ ​ then nothing​ ​will​ ​change.​ ​And​ ​people​ ​are​ ​just​ ​ going​​to​​make​​decisions​​that​​affect​​your life.”

Oct. 11

Host a Trump vs. Hillary debate

Nov.

Invite speakers from both political sides to come to the school

Whom you support

NEWS

Politalk

from a survey of 171 students

1.5 out of 3

students watched the presidential debate on September 26

20,539 5.8% 18-29 year olds voted in the 2012 election Source: US Census

39%

38%

None

of Midland High students are registered to vote

Donald Trump

6%

17%

Gary Johnson

Hillary Clinton

THE

CHEMIC CAMPAIGN

Political Identities

from a survey of 171 students

Other

Females

44%

Republican

9% 15%

None

A breakdown of Midland High’s political viewpoints. Sonja Anderson|Features Editor & Annaliese Hohner|Staff Writer

34%

27%

None

23%

Democrat

41%

None

42%

12%

Other

6% Other

Males

38%

Republican

9%

Democrat

9 | FOCUS | OCTOBER 21, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

UNDER QUESTION NEWS

A new book added to the freshman English class contains questionable material that now requires a permission slip and an alternative option.

Maddy O’Callaghan | Managing Editor & Olivia Drlik | Update Managing News & Lauren Curtis | Staff Writer & Jasmin West | Staff Writer

T

he Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” was adopted into the English 9 and 9A curriculum in July 2016, along with “I am Malala” and “The Book Thief.” 200 copies were ordered, stamped, numbered, and distributed to MHS and DHS. After internal questioning about the suitability of the book, it was temporarily removed from the curriculum. Some teachers were excited to teach the book and had already planned lessons around the book.

Teachers from both high schools put forth these books for approval, to bring more options to ninth grade teachers.

“The major reason that the books were added was an option to move away from a stale curriculum and bring some new things,” DHS English Department Teacher Leader Dawn Moulthrop said.

These titles were sent to the Coordinator of Secondary Instruction, Penny Miller-Nelson, and then to the Associate Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Brian Brutyn. After he approved these books, they were presented to the Board of Education in June. After a 28-day public review period, the books were officially adopted into the curriculum.

“After the process was completed, concerns were received regarding potentially sensitive materials included in the novel,” Brutyn said in an email interview.

Brutyn consulted English teachers at both schools to express concerns with the book.

Members of the Board of Education were given copies of the book to read, as well as copies to give to other members of the community.

“In general, members that reviewed the text a second time felt that there were strong morals and lessons included throughout the novel and confirmed the choice to have the novel in the curriculum,” the Board of Education said in an email statement. “It was also universally acknowledged that there is content that can be found offensive by some readers and families.

We trusted that administration would develop a pathway forward that would take the feedback into account.”

After the book was reviewed again, the decision was made to require an optin permission slip for all students and offer alternative option to students whose permission slip was not signed.

“We feel that the procedures developed are fair and acknowledge the original adoption and concerns on content,” the Board of Education said in the same email statement.

“The book remains as an option for staff to utilize while also being transparent to parents that the material may be viewed as offensive.”

Some teachers felt that the opt-in permission slip wasn’t a productive solution, due to the nature of having to simultaneously teach two different books.

“I was planning on doing it before, I had lesson planned the book,” DHS English teacher Coreen Thompson said. “But now that we have to have an opt-in permission slip, I’m not going to do it.”

MHS teacher Kelly Murphy felt that this solution magnified the sensitive material in the book.

“By beginning with a permission slip and notifying parents I feel like that draws too much attention to the book, and probably some unwarranted, unnecessary concern over the content,” Murphy said. “This book is not lewd, it is not vulgar for an any form of entertainment. Any decision that [author Sherman] Alexie made in his use of language is for a purpose, and it reinforces the themes directly too.”

Despite many teachers’ concerns with the permission slip solution, MHS Assistant Principal Amy Hutchinson feels that they reached a reasonable understanding.

“It’s probably at this point a good compromise,” Hutchinson said. “Because I think 99% of our kids and their parents will be just fine with this book, and they’ll see its value.”

Teachers from both MHS and DHS were hoping to share this book with their students because of the important lessons that can be learned from it.

“It deals with a lot of really good issues that are easy connections for high school students to make about culture, identity, and coming of age, and about dreams,” Murphy said.

“It pretty much could connect to any of our thematic units in the freshman year.”

“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” follows the story of a young Native American boy who grows up on a reservation before going to a majority-white school.

“What I like about it is it provides a window

10 | FOCUS | OCTOBER 21, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian was the most challenged book of 2014, and one of many challenged books. Maddy O’Callaghan|Photo Illustration into the life of a minority culture, Native Americans, and we live 45 minutes from a Native American reservation,” Thompson said.

Even though these teachers wanted to include this book in their lesson plans, it was removed mostly due to concerns over strong language.

“A set of procedures has been developed that include a permission slip and alternate text option to provide transparency to stakeholders that the novel contains sensitive materials that some may find offensive,” Brutyn said.

“We trust that staff will present the text in a meaningful and professional context that provides educational merit. At the same time, we need to be respectful to those constituents that would prefer an alternate choice.”

To some teachers and administrators, the strong language and adult material that led to the permission slip and alternate choice solution for this book is as mature as the content in other books that are being taught.

“You know, it’s curious that we have problems with some language, even though the message and themes are so powerful, yet we’ll read Shakespeare with all of its adultery and murder and incest, and because it’s in the King’s English, we don’t bat an eye,” Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson feels it is important to also look at the context of the language being used in this book.

“When I read the book, of course the context became clear, the voice of the narrator, the 14 year old boy becomes clear,” Hutchinson said.

“Where he’s been in his journey becomes clear and all of a sudden the words don’t have the shock value.”

Many teachers also feel that they are capable of teaching the sensitive material in a safe way.

“As teachers of English language art, we view literature as a vehicle to vicariously experience lives different of our own so that we can get a better world view, and better compassionate understanding of what the world is like, and we do not think there is a safer way to do that than through literature,” Murphy said. “So by constricting use of this that is not giving credence to those experiences.”

Another concern raised among the English department is that other books taught in the curriculum also contain similar sensitive material and could be restricted.

“Where do we draw the line?” Hutchinson said. “And that’s one of the big fears, is where do we draw the line? Well, as an immediate solution to the concerns that were brought internally, it has been offered up to do a permission slip. But the English teachers will tell you, does that mean we need a permission slip for this, and this, and this, and this, and teaching about the Armenian genocide? And does this mean that I have to put all of these objections in my syllabus? It’s a very slippery slope. And that’s one of the biggest concerns right now.”

Some MPS English teachers are confident that the overall book will help students more than hinder them.

“I don’t think this book in any way persuades a kid to do wrong,” Thompson said. “I think it overwhelmingly helps them see what’s wrong with society, and helps them develop compassion for people that aren’t like you, which I think we could really use more of. I don’t like what we’ve done to it already, made it a taboo.”

SPORTS

RIVALRY RITUALS

(Left) Senior Laura Alexander paints part of the Senior hallway in relation to the theme of space on Sunday night in preparation for Spirit Week. (Top Right) Freshman Class chose Nintendo as their hallway theme. (Bottom Right) The Sophomore Class created a paper sakura tree for their hallway theme of Mulan Lauren Curtis | Photo

Midland High has many special traditions every year during the week of the Midland versus Dow High football game. This includes hall decorating, spirit week, and yell night.

Jonah Dykhuizen|Staff Writer & Lillian Mohr|Staff Writer & Paige Murphy|Staff Writer

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he bleachers are packed with blue and gold. On the gymnasium floor, a handful of students desperately grip a rope and pull it four different directions, one for each grade. The gym is heated from the sweaty bodies and fierce competition, and the roar is deafening.

The pep assembly on Friday afternoon is one of the many traditions that Midland High has during the week of the Midland/Dow football game. The assembly includes an obstacle course beginning with the tricycle slalom and ending with the flag run. There are many rounds of tug-of-war between all the grades and the staff.

This year not only is the school sticking with the old traditions—like hall decorating and yell night—but also trying out a new one called the Super Chemic. Third hour classes have the opportunity to create a skit and audition to judges. The top three skits will perform at the pep assembly.

Junior Caleb Wolfe is a part of Student Council and the Student Leadership class and is one of the students that will help run the new tradition that they are trying out.

“Super Chemic came from a similar competition that Dow’s leadership class did a

few years back,” Wolfe said. “I think that it is a fun, new idea that will get classes and students hyped for the assembly and the football game.”

Va r s i t y f o o t b a l l c o a c h E r i c M e t h n e r appreciates all the effort from the students to prepare for the big week, which he addresses to the student body in a speech to inspire the students and staff for the football game later that night.

“I am blown away every year at the creativity and attention to detail that goes into all of the decorations and activities put on by our student body and staff,” Methner said.

Not only do the Midland/Dow rivalry week traditions get the students more excited for the game, but it also boosts the morale of the football team. Senior football player Greg Landis agrees that the week brings out the unity and team spirit from the entire student body.

“As a unit, the football team comes together a lot,” Landis said. “But it’s a lot of help when we have the whole school and other organizations rallying around us for the big week.”

Another spirit week tradition is Yell Night. Assistant Principal Kandis Pritchett is particularly fond of the event. Pritchett sees Yell Night as healthy competition between the

grades and a stepping stone for students to get involved with the school.

“The whole goal is to create an atmosphere where we are all one,” Pritchett said. “We have a lot to be proud of and let’s take this healthy rivalry and have some fun with it.”

Other traditions that have been a part of the Midland/Dow week for years past are hall decorating and spirit themed days. Student council and the student leadership class work hard starting weeks before to plan Spirit Week as a way to support the football team and get the students excited. Multiple planning meetings and the full day Sunday are spent decorating the main floor of the school to the designed theme that each class choose.

“My favorite thing is to see so many people participating,” Wolfe said. “It’s so awesome to see so many people showing their Chemic Pride.”

The traditions serve to bring the school together with a common goal: to beat Dow High.

“It is a culmination of all the energy and passion that has gone into Spirit Week,” Methner said. “The players are totally jacked up.

There is a tremendous crowd every year, and the electricity in the stadium is like no other game.”

Spirit Stats

73%

of students say they are attending the football game tonight

Students’ favorite Midland/ Dow week tradtion

49%

of students planned on a t te n d i n g Ye l l Night

Out of 150 students surveyed

11 | FOCUS | OCTOBER 21, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

TALENT AND TEAMWORK

T h e g i r l s vo l l ey b a l l team has been playing together for two to three years, contributing to their current first place standing in the Saginaw Valley League.

Hope O’Dell|A&E Editor & Holly Stauffer|Staff Writer & Hannah Smith| Staff Writer & Hadley Morden|Staff Writer

SPO

D

iscouraged yet determined, the varsity volleyball team did not accept defeat, losing two sets against Saginaw Heritage. They went on to win the next three sets, ultimately clinching the win in one of their toughest Saginaw Valley League match ups., improving their league record to 6-0.

Assistant Coach Angela McMath said the win against Heritage is her proudest on-the-court moment of the team. Throughout the game, she continued to reassure the team to stay positive and to remain focused on each play.

“Coaching-wise, you just remind them one point at a time [when they were down against Heritage].” McMath said, “In a tight game you can’t get nervous, you have to go hard and at it.

They didn’t stop swinging and they fought their way back to win the game.”

The most impressive part about the win against Heritage, McMath said. Was the full team effort.

“There was not a superstar in that game,” McMath said. “Someone would go on a serving streak, another would make an offensive play, a defensive play, and there were the unsung heros who were putting themselves as blocks.”

McMath said the girls are close outside of volleyball. The team spends free time together and bonds before tournament games. They do many activities together, not only as teammates, but also as friends.

“Off the court they have very energetic personalities,” McMath said. They are very entertaining and fun to watch. They know how to have fun and enjoy each other’s company.”

Senior Emma Wolf said that their team is one big family. Off of the court, the team spends a great deal of their free time together, enjoying activities that include singing, dancing, and going to places such as SkyZone.

“We work together really well.” Wolf said.

“We may not be the tallest team or the strongest hitting team, but everyone knows everybody and we are all really good friends.”

The fact that the teammates have played together for two to three years contributes to the closeness of the group and has created many memories that the girls share together. Some

Senior Emma Wolf jump serves in a home game. Ian Andridge|Photo

Seniors Wolf and Erin Sheridan jump to block a hit return in a close home game Pleasant took the first set by two points, and Midland won the remaining three se

members of the team have even played together since middle school.

“My favorite memory is playing Little Sally Wa l k e r b e f o r e w e p l a ye d D o w a t t h e Cadillac tournament,” Wolf said.” It got us all excited to beat Dow.” Head Coach Tim Zerull has been coaching the volleyball team for 15 years, and he also said that the team chemistry has been outstanding this year.

“I am a believer that a team needs to be great teammates to be a good team,” Zerull said.

Along with teammate Wolf and Assistant Coach McMath, Junior Grace Rekeweg stresses the importance of team unity and its impact on the game.

“You have to have good team chemistry in order to win and dominate in matches.”

Rekeweg said. “It’s fun because in order to dominate you have to know how everyone plays and what they play well.”

While the team unity has been outstanding this year, they have also been very successful in other aspects of game p l a y a s we l l . T h e i r tough tournament schedule has prepared them for league games, and as a result they hold first place in the valley so far. Playing teams such as Novi, Cadillac, and Macomb Dakota, who are previous state champions, in tournaments has assisted the girls in close league games.

12 | FOCUS | OCTOBER 21, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

“I think the progress and the process we have made from the beginning of the season has been very worthwhile.”

Head Coach Tim Zerull

“Our team goal is just to play as hard as we can every time we get on the court,” Rekeweg said.

Zerull said the team’s record isn’t flashy, with an overall record of 21-14-1, but he believes that the team has grown throughout the season.

“I think the progress and the process we have made from the beginning of the season has been very worthwhile.” Zerull said.

With six seniors on this year’s team, they are working hard to make the most of this season.

“Everyone is going to try their hardest because there is not another season to do better,” Wolf said.

Terri Dulude, a previous assistant coach, has coached and played volleyball since middle school. Dulude still follows the current volleyball team and highlights the importance of teamwork.

“I love how teamwork is absolutely necessary since three teammates usually have to play the ball on each possession,” Dulude said Her daughter Lindsey Dulude graduated from Midland High School in 2008, where she continued her volleyball career at CMU. Dulude sees a lot of similarities between this year’s team

ORTS

e against the Mount Pleasant Oilers in a Saginaw Valley League matchup. Mount ets. Midland has beaten Mt. Pleasant the past three years. Ian Andridge | Photo (above) Junior Alex McMath, Senior Julia Gross and Wolf celebrates a very important point, improving their league record to 6-0. Gwynne Ozkan|Photo and her daughter’s team that made it to the quarterfinals.

“The only real difference I see in this year’s team to Lindsey’s senior year team is that this year’s team has more depth,” Dulude said.“Both teams were outstanding and favored to win a lot.”

The girls aren’t the only ones benefiting from the victories this season. Zerull recently coached his 600th winning game on Oct. 11th.

“One hundred twenty athletes in 27 years made it happen,” Zerull said.

The girls have enjoyed playing for Zerull this season, and feel that his coaching is a great asset to their team’s achievements.

“Most of us have been playing for Coach Z for 2-3 years so we all get along really well together,” Wolf said. “We are all kind of a family in a weird way,” said Wolf.

Rekeweg and McMath said that the quality and unity of the players and coaches both contribute to the accomplishments of the group so far this season.

“More people on this team want to win,” Rekeweg said. “We have more girls this year who want to dominate out there, and overall

we have really good dynamics with both our coaches.”

McMath compared this year’s group of girls to another that she took to quarterfinals in 1997.

That team featured Erin Hartley, who went on to play at Michigan State and was recently inducted into the MHS Hall of Fame.

“This year’s team has a little bit more height and a deeper roster than the team from 1997,” McMath said. “How far they can take it is going to depend on their heart, drive, and desire, and sometimes just the luck of the draw of the game, but I would say that they are very comparable to the one that I would say was my best from my nine years of coaching.”

The team’s record has set them up to at least share the first place title in the SVL. Zerull hopes for more than a shared title.

“I hope we have the ability to make a decision to be selfish and demand ourselves an outright SVL title,” Zerull said.

Hoping to carry their momentum into the playoffs, both McMath and Zerull said this year’s team has the ability to make it back to the quarter finals. Their first district game is Thursday, Nov. 3 at Heritage High School.

(below) Seniors Marie Plaver, Paige Murphy, and Sheridan watch their team compete in a winning home match against Mt Pleasant. Ian Andridge|Photo

13 | FOCUS | OCTOBER 21, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

The Sports Zone The Next Simone Biles Hannah Smith

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n 4th and 5th grade, we did a set of tests in gym class to test our athletic ability, called the Presidential and National Physical Fitness tests.

Although I received Presidential both years, the process to get there nearly killed me.

We would start off doing a traditional mile run, which equalled 4 laps around the playground at Chestnut Hill. With little difficulty, I finished the mile run with nearly 2 minutes left within the Presidential standards. Next came the shuttle run, which was performed in the miniscule gym of the school. Our teacher would place two chalkboard erasers thirty feet from the starting position, essentially testing how quick we could slide across the dust-coated wood floor. Despite the conditions, I

finished the exercise with time to spare.

After testing two sets of endurance and speed, it was then time to measure our overall core strength.

Curl ups didn’t necessarily kill me, but they certainly gave me stomach pains in the process.

As a self-driven elementary schooler, I was always motivated to do my best. With that being said, during the curl ups I would not stop, even if that meant my face beginning to bulge and turn the color of a tomato. Although my stomach muscles got sore, I eventually obtained the right amount of curl ups to qualify for the Presidential award.

Once I completed those three tests, there were only two more to complete; pull ups and the sit and reach. Only needing three pull ups for my

Upcoming Tryouts Boys’Basketball

First day of tryouts: Nov. 14th Contact: Eric Krause

Girls’ Basketball:

First day of tryouts: Nov. 7th Contact: Elaine Mahabir

Girl and Boys’ Bowling:

First day of tryouts: Nov. 14th Contact: (boys): John McClelland

(girls): Trevor Terrill

Gymnastics:

First day of tryouts: Oct. 31st Contact: TBD

14| FOCUS | OCTOBER 30, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

Competitive Cheer:

First day of tryouts: Nov. 7th Contact: TBD

Ice Hockey:

First day of tryouts: Oct. 31st Contact: Steve Witt

Boys’ Swimming:

First day of tryouts: Nov. 21st Contact: Pat Welter

Wrestling:

First day of tryouts: Nov. 14th Contact: Mike Donovan

age at the time didn’t sound too hard, but having a long body makes this particularly difficult. As I pulled myself up to a ninety degree angle, my body began to shake violently.

So I did what any natural competitor would do: I found a way to maneuver around my exhaustion. I wiggled my body in a worm-like motion, using every muscle to pull my body closer to the bar. When I finally made it to three pull ups, I was so relieved, because I was one step closer to my goal of the presidential fitness award.

This last physical examination was the hardest of them all: the sit and reach.

The idea that I had to reach eight inches past my feet was mind boggling, realizing this would be a huge hurdle I would have to conquer in order to accomplish my mission. So I worked for it, stretching nearly every day, reaching further every time I practiced. I tried every technique possible, because I had one goal on my mind.

When the test day came, my palms began to sweat and my muscles felt extremely tight. Bending down to stretch, I could feel that it would be tough

to go eight inches past my toes. I stepped up to the testing area, placing my feet at the end of the box.

I reached as far as I could, working against my straining muscles. My hamstrings began to scream, so I let up, and announced “That’s as far as I can go”. Mrs. Paulus let out a sudden breath of air and replied, “You did it, you barely reached eight inches”.

Looking back at it, I was so excited, feeling like the next Simone Biles (except a lot less athletic and flexible). Although today I could not reach eight inches past my toes, even if a thousand dollars was on the line, it satisfies me to think that I could once reach that far. Carrying through to my high school sports career, the Presidential tests taught me to strive for my goals, no matter how impossible they seem at the time.

I still skim through my scrapbooks from elementary school and see my presidential badge, reminding me of the simpler times when all I needed to worry about was how far I could reach past my toes.

“So I did what

any natural competitor would do: I found a way to maneuver around my exhaustion”

Follow Hannah Smith on Twitter @HanSmith24 and on Instagram @Hannah_Smith2425

Athlete of the Month Vince Walker Grade: 12 Position: Wide receiver and outside linebacker Favorite Memory: “Beating Mt. Pleasant.

Gavin’s kick at the end to win it...that was great.”

Record: 4-3 Coach’s Take: “Vince is extremely athletic.

He has exceptional quickness and instincts that allow him to make a lot of plays. He also has a great passion for the game of football, and for the success of our team.

He is extremely competitive, and plays with tremendous desire.” -Eric Methner

THE LAST SWING

Senior Brendan Doyle breaks the male career wins record with ninetyeight wins finishing out his senior tennis season.

Devin Alexander |Staff Writer & Hannah Kohtz |Staff Writer Brendan Doyle plans to continue playing at Aquinas college. Josh Danielson| Photo

W

hen senior Brendan Doyle was only two-years-old, his mother signed him up for tennis lessons, and he picked up a tennis racket for the first time. He took lessons until the eighth grade when he quit lessons and instead opted to just practice with his teammates.

When he came to Midland High, he started tennis to have fun with his friends.

This year, Doyle broke the school record of ninety 98 wins at Midland High on Sept. 24 in Cadillac. Doyle said, “It is an honor and a great accomplishment.”

Doyle did not set out to beat the school record, he just wanted to be the best he could be.

“Doyle’s ability to stay poised even in high pressure situations or when he wasn’t playing his best was a great asset to his game. Doyle also had great consistency and patience rallying from the baseline,” said Coach John Telfer.

Doyle didn’t even know that he had a chance to break the previous record, until last year’s tennis banquet when his coach, John Telfer, told him that he had a chance.

Doyle accomplished a milestone this year and continued to win matches throughout the rest of the season which ended on Oct. 6th.

“Brendan is a great leader and sets the tone for the whole team. He shows maturity on court well beyond his age which we will greatly miss and made it so I never had to worry about our success at his flight,” John Telfer said.

Doyle played singles this year, but he did have a partner for his freshman through junior years. Midland High Alumni, Josh Hentschel, Doyle’s tennis doubles partner thought of Doyle with respect. The pair had a record of 81 and 14 in total.

“He paid attention to detail,” Hentschel said.

“He was very focused on making sure he did the little things right. Fortunately, we worked extraordinarily well together. We clicked on the court and it led to a high level of success. When he played the game he made sure he worked hard until he got it perfect. That led to him having a phenomenal groundstroke.”

“He always worked hard and made others better. Doyle set an example for everyone.

We expected the best from each other, so we pushed each other harder and harder to improve,” Hentschel said.

Doyle is still sustaining his winning streak to add on to the already impressive milestone.

This has made Doyle proud that he can contribute to his school. He continues to work hard thought the season has ended.

“The most important thing I am going to take away is leading by example and that hard work really does pay off,” Doyle said.

Taking a Look Back

Seniors Spencer Houle and Luke Waskevich recollect on the Midland Dow soccer game that happened on Oct. 13

“The most intense moment was when Dow shot off the cross board of the goal, but Ethan saved the day.”

Spencer Houle

“I thought we executed the game plan well in the first half, but we had a few slip ups in the second half that cost us the game.

I’m proud of the boys, and think we can beat Dow in districts.”

Luke Waskevich 15 | FOCUS | OCTOBER 30, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

THE LEGACY OF VIC FEATURES

Vic the Lion’s origin has been forgotten over the years, but he still is a symbol of Chemic Pride. Matt Olenczuk|Staff Writer & Shelly St. Louis|Staff Writer & Quinlan Cox| Staff Writer

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. he game against Dow will contain roaring fans, two marching bands, and thousands of supporters pouring into the stadium. But, in front of the student section, leading cheers, will be a character that might seem out of place, but in fact, has been a school tradition that began more than 70 years ago; Vic the Lion.

In 1938, when the new high school was built where Central Middle School now stands, the Student Union decided to start some new traditions in order to display pride in their new high school.

The school purchased a stuffed lion - a symbol of pride - to be used as a mascot. The name Vic was chosen for the mascot in short for the word “Victory,” voted in by the students.

The stuffed mascot had a collar, in which each class would have a competition every year to see which year would be engraved [in his collar]. Other traditions surrounding Vic have since been discontinued, such as the Midland High yearbook being named “The Vic” as well as the newspaper being named “The Vic Tribune.”

In the fall of 2007, former student council president Chris O’Brien came up with the idea of bringing Vic back while going through some

old Midland High Newspapers. The school had celebrated it’s 50th anniversary the previous year.

“I remember seeing notes about Vic the Lion for a Focus article and I thought wouldn’t it be cool to bring him back in the form of a mascot.” O’Brien said “ ‘Chemics’ has always been a tough name to turn into a mascot. We had Captain Chemic, but logistically it’s hard for Coach Krause to be Captain Chemic at the beginning of the game then say, ‘All right, gotta go coach the team now, see ya at halftime!’”

O’Brien said.

Introducing the topic to the student body was not all that easy. “ We r o l l e d o u t this story line in the magazine drive assembly where the villain (played

by Andrew Maxwell) had kidnapped Vic the Lion and wouldn’t release him until we sold a certain number of magazines.” O’ Brien said..”So I’m thinking there was probably a little bit of confusion; people wondering, “ ‘Wait, our quarterback kidnapped a mascot that I didn’t know we had?’ “ The purpose of having the mascot is to and get the students more involved in the student section and spirited at the assemblies and games.

“The name ‘Vic’ was short for Victory. I like the purpose. I think Vic represents Midland High’s long history of success.”

Chris O’Brien Class of 2008

How has Vic the Lion impacted you?

16 | FOCUS | OCTOBER 21, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

Vic the Lion supporting the Chemics at the Midland High football game. Photo Courtesy|Ian Andridge “The name ‘Vic’ was short for victory.” said O’Brien, “ I like that as the purpose. I think Vic represents Midland High’s long history of success from sports, to theater, academics, band, The Focus, the list goes on and on.”

Vic the Lion also thinks that having a mascot is beneficial to the student section. Vic said that by dancing around and hyping up the student section that it really gets the crowd pumped up and excited for the game.

“Vic gives the students something to look forward to every game, seeing Vic going crazy gives inspiration for the [underclassmen] to not be afraid to get involved.” Vic said.

O’Brien agrees with Vic in believing that the mascot is another way to pump up the crowd and becomes part of the identity.

“Between the team, the band, the cheerleaders, pom team, drumline, flag runner and now Vic, there’s a lot going on for fans.”

O’Brien said.

“Vic the Lion’s enthusiasm motivates me to do the best I can at my games; he really brings out everyone’s Chemic Pride” Senior Julia Gross

Having Vic in the student section not only has had an impact on the students in the past, but it has also impacted current students, much like Senior Jordan Patty, who is the current leader of the student section.

“Vic shows students that you can show Chemic Pride without being ashamed.” Senior Jordan Patty said. “As a Freshman I was always afraid to show my Chemic Pride, but now I don’t care because Vic is always out there pumping me up and it makes me feel proud to express my Chemic Pride.”

Vic has become a very essential part of Chemic tradition. At a typical game, Vic normally cheers along side the cheerleaders, helps lead the student section chants, and dances with drumline.

“Vic is an awesome attribution to Midland High,” says Patty. “He makes students feel more comfortable, and he’s not afraid to do whatever it takes to bring out everyone’s

“His constant enthusiasm and positivity during sporting events really defines what Chemic Pride is all about” Junior Drew Gandy

FINDING A FREQUENCY

FEATURES

The Amateur Radio club helps students further their interest in wireless communications.

Josh Danielson|Staff Writer & Kaylee Zariski|Staff Writer & Alli Grumbley|Staff

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earning more about the world of programming was all the incentive that senior Salome Do needed to check out the Amateur Radio Club.

“I joined it to learn how to code in a new language, because that’s what I’m going to go into,” Do said. “Here we code in C. At school we learn C++ and Java, so at the club we learn something that isn’t taught at school, and that’s really cool.”

Throughout the year, students learn how to code and build a balloon from beginning to end that they create and eventually send up into the atmosphere. This balloon collects weather information, as well as allows the students to track and gather data from the balloon. These balloons can reach up to about 100,000 feet into the atmosphere. Head Adviser Dr. Dennis Kilpa has headed the club since its founding four years ago, and has been teaching in the club ever since.

“Last year we launched our balloon near Gladwin, and it landed down by Breckenridge and we can track it by amateaur radio, and you have to triangulate it and then locate it,” Klipa said.

In order to practice this, the club will hide a transmitter in the woods which they let students practice their triangulations on. They call this “fox hunting.”

Not only does the club find and launch their own balloon, but they help out the Radio Club at Northeast launch and track their balloon as well.

“At the end of the year, they build their own balloon and they launch it with us,” Do said.

“So basically at the end of the year it is Midland High and Northeast collaborating to launch and recover the balloons. It’s really cool to work with the younger kids.”

The Amateur Radio Club was started in hopes of further educating kids in technology, along with the science that goes behind it, while also exposing students to the world of 17| FOCUS | OCTOBER 21, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

electronics and amateur radio communications.

“We’re surrounded by electronic devices and wireless communication; your cell phones, T.V. remotes, any kind of remote device, yet at a high school level, there’s very little, if anything, taught about electronics,” Klipa said.

The club has now met for four years, and runs the whole school year which allows students to come and go as they please. The club is a great way to expose students to other career options, or to just simply learn more about electronics and the services they can provide.

The Amateur Radio Club meets once a week on Tuesday evenings to help teach willing students about electronics, how to build them, and what they can do in certain situations.

“The purpose of the club is to expose students to the world of electronics and amateur radio,” Klipa said. “I would go on to describe Amateur Radio as a service.”

Klipa explained the three main aspects of the club to be radio communication, learning about electronics, and the club posing as a public service. He went on to elaborate on how, with the current conditions of Hurricane Matthew, Amateur Radio operators are providing communication into and out of those damaged areas where main or normal ways of communicating have broken down.

“Students learn about programming and programming electronics, they build things, and they learn about sensors and how to measure,” Club Adviser Will Halphen said.

The club is a great way to expose kids to career or college options, being that a lot of the students who join gain more experience with this type of work and can explore many opportunities to further themselves in this field.

“It’s pretty exciting and gratifying when a student who seems to be hesitant or not sure that they can do something or build something that can work, and then they do,” Halphen said, “it’s always exciting to see them progress.”

“The purpose of the club is to expose students to the world of electronics and amateur radio.”

1

Head Adviser Dr. Dennis Klipa

2

1. Students help with setting the balloon to launch. Dr. Dennis Klipa Photo Courtesy 2. Isaac Fortier works on a project during a club meeting. Maddy O’ Callaghan Photo

OP/ED

The Longest Race

W

hen I was four years old my family spent Christmas in New York City. We watched The Lion King and Wicked on Broadway and I regularly asked my mother whether or not she thought Santa Claus would be able to find us at our hotel. She assured me that he would, and he did. I remember receiving Junie B. Jones books, and two Bratz Dolls.

I played with the Bratz Dolls in the hotel room. I got a boy and a girl doll; one of them was black and the other one was white. Naturally, I made the two dolls romantically involved, but when the boy proposed to the girl, she said, “No. We can’t get married. I’m black and you’re white. We aren’t the same.”

My mother overheard and quickly scolded me, grabbing the dolls from my grasp. “Don’t ever say anything like that again,” she said. “There is no difference between a black and a white person.”

I remember being upset with myself and replaying the scene in my head. I wasn’t racist. My parents raised me to treat everyone equally despite race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. I had no prejudice and had never felt hateful or racist thoughts before. So why did I say that the dolls couldn’t get married? Why did I separate two people by the color of their skin?

I still think about that moment today, 13 years later. Racism is still relevant, and a major issue in this country, but some people do not recognize it. Some people grew up in households where no one told

Percentage of Americans that lack specific ID required for voting

Ella Colbert them not to say racist things or to discriminate. Society may have told them it was okay. Despite vibrant and compelling movements like ‘Black Lives Matter,’ the country has repeatedly showed that they don’t, through the injustices in our legal system and other aspects of life.

Some people believe discrimination and racism is the

“Despite vibrant and compelling movements like ‘Black Lives Matter,’ the country has repeatedly showed that they don’t”

worst it has been in decades.

According to Pew Research, 50 percent of Americans consider racism to be a “big problem” today.

Just because slavery and segregation have ended does not mean that there is no racism. It still exists.

Nearly 200 black people have been killed this year by police. Of that number, fewer than one in three were suspected of a high crime or armed and 97 percent of these cases did not result in an officer being charged for a crime. Even fewer officers were actually convicted after

being charged. Is this justice? I find myself wondering.

And it’s not just with police, it’s everywhere. Yes, progress has been made, but, no, it is not enough.

Although black people were finally granted the right to vote in 1965, there is still discrimination in the election polls. The identification regulations have made it difficult for minorities, particularly AfricanAmerican people, to vote. In some states, such as Texas and North Carolina, ID regulations may have actually been put in place with discriminatory intent. I understand that voter fraud may be a problem, but a bigger problem is denying part of the population the right to vote.

And yet, some Republicans believe the country has spent too much time focusing on race relations. According to Pew Research, one in six white Republicans believe this. I’m convinced these people see a different America than I do, or they choose to ignore it. Because, if we did see the same country, they would recognize the fact that racism still exists.

This issue will not be healed by the next President, no matter how much we need healing. It really doesn’t matter whether Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump becomes President. Not even Barack Obama’s presidency could create the “postracial” society that people wanted.

And how could it? He is one man with one job (though an important one).

It takes much more than one man to truly reach a “post-racial” society.

Because this goal requires the support of the entire country, it may not even be achievable. It would require that all people, myself included, be free of all prejudice and subconscious bias. And that will never happen if people do not recognize racism and speak out against it, like my mother did 13 years ago.

Follow Ella Colbert on Twitter and Instagram @ellacolbert9

8%

25%

White

African-American

18 | FOCUS | SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

From MSNBC.com

Fewer than 1 in 3 black people killed by police in America were allegedly armed.

From mappingpoliceviolence.org

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

TAKE IT

A surgeon in New York successfully separated 13-month-old twins who were conjoined at the head.

TAKE IT

LEAVE IT Clowns have been spotted in various locations across the country, and many have attempted to attack people with knifes.

LEAVE IT

Bob Dylan won a Nobel Prize in music and literature for “creating new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.”

Conspiracy theorists are accusing Kim Kardashian of faking her recent robbery in Paris.

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All About Coming Out Hope O’Dell

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ne of the most defining moments of my short and cynical existence so far happened at probably the worst stage of anyone’s life. I realized I was gay at the beautiful, acnefilled age of 13. I was laying in my loft bed, chipping the paint off my textured ceiling. And as a piece of ceiling fell into my eye, I realized I was in gross, pubescent love with one of my best friends at the time.

I wasn’t particularly surprised when I realized it. I had kind of known for a long time, so coming out was almost as painful for me as half-heartedly pretending to be straight was. Almost. But in the end I decided I might as well bite the rainbow bullet and just get it over with. I didn’t want it to be a big emotional thing where my friends and family burst into tears and tell me they love me no matter what; and I really didn’t want them to tell me I was going to burn in hell. No matter how they reacted I didn’t really care. I was gay no matter what, and no amount of acceptance or condemnation would change that.

When I came out to my parents, I tried to keep it casual, which I understand is kind of hard to do when coming out. But I tried. It was me, my mom, and my dad sitting in the living room early in the morning, and we were getting ready to go to an archery competition where my father and I were competing. I had my earbuds in so they knew it was too early to

talk to me, and the song “Girls” by the 1975 came on. How ironic. Then I felt this pressure in my chest and blurted out, “Mom, Dad, you know I like girls, right?’ Of course they did, I wasn’t exactly good at pretending to be straight. My mom told me that she didn’t care as long as she got some grandbabies (which will never happen regardless of my sexuality).

My dad didn’t really say much, which was exactly what I wanted.

My parent’s lack of emotion when

“I want to work towards a future where gay people and other members of the LGBT community don’t even have to come out, because being gay is as natural as being straight” I came out to them encouraged me to continue telling my friends and family.

All of my friends were so okay with it that I didn’t even have to officially come out. It was just this thing between us that was known.

No one talked about it because we didn’t have to, my sexuality was as irrelevant as theirs.

Follow Hope O’Dell on Twitter @odell_hope and on Instagram @hope_odell11

Hope’s Gayest Moments 8th grade: First “boy” haircut

7th grade: Fell in love with my straight best friend

19 | FOCUS | OCTOBER 30, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

@HumansofMidlandHigh

OP/ED

But when I came out to my grandma, I think she just about had a heart attack. I think that was my fault more than my sexuality’s fault. I told her while I was in the middle of eating and she was cleaning up the kitchen. I said almost the same thing to her that I said to my parents: “Grandma, you know I’m gay right?” But, unlike my parents, she didn’t know. So randomly blurting it out while she had her back turned to me probably wasn’t the best approach. Once she recovered from the shock of my outburst she just said, “Okay,” and asked what I wanted for dinner the next time I came over. Once again, very casual.

The best response I got was probably from my grandpa. He patted me on the back and said, “Well, you’ve always been a tomboy.” My little gay heart was overjoyed with how casual he kept it.

I know it sounds kind of callous and rude to be grateful when people don’t get emotional and super supportive when I come out. But there’s no need for that when I’ve already accepted myself for who I am. Support from others is great, but with or without the support I am a proud gay woman. I just want to love who I love without anyone making a big deal out of it; whether that big deal is made in a positive way or a negative way makes no difference to me. I want to work towards a future where gay people and other members of the LGBT community don’t even have to come out, because being gay is as natural as being straight.

So I apologize to all you rainbowwearing pride-goers who scream your sexuality from the rooftops and demand for the heterosexuals to bow down to you and kiss your feet.

That’s just not what I want.

I don’t want undying support, I just want indifference.

10th grade: Wore my first bow tie to Homecoming

9th grade: Came out to parents and friends

A feature of students who have a story. Follow our Instagram for more.

Ashley Phillips

“

My proudest moment was this past summer on my trip to Guatemala. I love kids it was my summer job as a counselor, so naturally I wanted to be on the orphanage or VBS team, but instead I was on a construction team. After a frustrating week of not getting along with my teammates and struggling to learn Guatemalan construction, we had a dedication ceremony for the family. They cried and prayed over us saying they could not feel more blessed nor could they repay us in anyway. I was so blinded by my own frustrations I didn’t even see the wonderful things going on around me. In that very moment I was proud to see how God moves and has a plan that is far greater than our own plans.

”

Point Taken

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Josh Danielson

he point level system was created to have class options that challenge students who need more academic rigor, as well as to offer more support and engagement for students who need it in the classroom. This was intended to be a positive thing for the school system and was a good first step towards more individualized education. However, this had many unintended consequences.

Primarily, the separation of classes into three different point levels segregates the students from each other. By splitting kids up into .2, .3, and .4 classes, students are separated from interacting with people of different learning styles and abilities. By doing this, it creates an “us” and “them” mentality amongst the student body.

Over time, students in .2 classes distance themselves from students in .4 classes, the same going from .4 students to .2 students. Not only is this ingrained in how students are split up, but over time, becomes a part of students identity.

For me, this separation was most evident in my world history class freshman year. In the class, students from .4 classes would sit off to one corner, not engaging with anyone else in the class, as if they were some sort of elite upper class.

As early as freshman year, these students had adopted a mentality that put themselves above their classmates, because they were “.4 kids.”

Even worse than separating

themselves from other students, these arrogant upper level students degrade those in .2 classes by verbally insulting their classmates.

These students call these lower level classes “a joke” or “stupid easy.”

This unbelievable level of arrogance is detrimental to the students making these remarks, as it only worsens their hubris.

This sense of superiority marginalizes students in .2 classes, by making them feel not only inferior, but also gives these students a sense of insecurity and

“By doing this, it creates an ‘us’ and ‘them’ mentality amongst the student body.” anxiety about even saying what classes they are in.

All three years of high school, I have taken classes from all three point levels every year. The classes in which I have enjoyed the people the most, and learned the most, have been the .2 classes. This is entirely because the kids in these classes don’t have a sense of entitlement that has been bred into the “higher” level students by the school system.

Not only is this gross air of

174

Seperate hours of core classes offered at Midland High

Follow Josh Danielson on Instagram @josh.danielson and on Snapchat @josh_danielson

3 26

20 | FOCUS | OCTOBER 21, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

@HumansofMidlandHigh

OP/ED

superiority evident in the students of “higher” level classes, but it is also evident in the acts and attitudes of the teachers of these classes.

Many times in the AP and IB classes I have been in, teachers have openly insulted their .2 level classes in front of us all. Usually this starts out as a conversation between the students, simply talking about their favorite and least favorite classes. Almost always the teachers enter the conversation with only condescending comments.

“Unintelligent, lazy, and slow.”

These are just a few unfitting adjectives that I have heard teachers call their .2 students.

This might sound like something that would be impossible to happen at a place like Midland High, but, this story is a reality that many witness here.

A large part of this mentality is not the fault of the students or teachers who think this way, but is an inherent fault in the mere existence of the point leveled classes.

The broken system that we live with subliminally encourages both the social segregation between the students of these different point levels, and the arrogance within the students of higher point level classes.

Furthermore, it has been so ingrained in the school system that even the administration has a mentality that separates these students, and makes it somehow acceptable to openly insult lower point level students.

I believe that the point level system was a good idea at first, but the unintended side effects are great enough that the system needs to change. No one is above anyone else, and a system that encourages that thinking should never be used anywhere, much less in a public school setting.

Seperate hours of point four core classes offered at Midland High

Number of point four Science classes offered at MHS

A feature of students who have a story. Follow our Instagram for more.

Matthew Lile

“

By far the coolest place I’ve traveled was Boston for BPA last year. The city itself was beautiful and exciting, but my favorite part was the people. Flying into Boston, I only really knew one person, but I flew out of the city with some of the closest friends I’ve ever had. The Boston Breakfast Club, we called ourselves.

From late night tag games to rollerblading through the streets, I will never forget the memories I made with the most unexpected group of friends. I can’t wait until Thanksgiving when we’ll all be in town together again.

”

Of Passions and Pumpkins

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he moon’s milky glow cast a shadow on the ground, giving inanimate objects eerie shapes that made my skin crawl. The icy weather brushed past my skin, eliciting goose bumps and causing my entire body to shiver violently.

Monsters of all sorts walked past me: vampires, ghouls, werewolves, and zombies—each one emitting an odd sound that sounded similar to every creature described in folklore.

Halloween was here, and everything was picture perfect.

The plain cement below my feet seemed bare and boring, aside from the patches of brightly hued leaves that crunched under my toes.

I skimmed the dewy grass with the tip of my sneaker and trudged onwards down the neighborhood, clutching my candy bag tightly in my bony hand.

My seven year old self was proud of the gothic bat costume I donned, and I was oblivious to the odd stares I received. I felt confident in what I wore, which included the smudged black lipstick around my lips that just looked like charcoal surrounding my mouth.

That was the beginning of a long-time obsession with special FX makeup that I soon grew into.

Dozens upon dozens of brushes, bottles of spirit gum, and runny face paint would soon find their way into the trash can.

Many years later, countless hours would be spent on Youtube, looking up simple ways to transfigure my face into a gorgeous mermaid or how to apply a bloody, bruised zombie bite onto the crook of my arm. I would involve my friends in the fun too by drawing simple geometric shapes on their arms, pretending that they were a robot from the future. I would practically

Lillian Mohr beg them to talk in a slow, monotone voice until the marker rubbed off. Most of the time they denied, claiming it would ruin their image.

It was disappointing to say the least, because it was almost as though they cared more about how people portrayed them rather than just letting go and having fun every once in a while.

Throughout the years that I have been caking makeup on my face and indulging in endless amounts of

“Instead of being a normal, everyday teenager, you can transform into something greater-something you want.”

candy corn, dozens of people would tell me that Halloween isn’t as big of a deal as I make it out to be.

The costumes and the flow of artistic ability that always shine during this day seemed pointless to others, much to my dismay. A majority of the time, seeing different personalities is an astonishing thing.

You can tell a lot about a person just from the way they carve their pumpkin, what they decide to dress up as, or what type of candy they pass out throughout the night.

For example, if they pass out apples, they’re probably someone who doesn’t exactly know the definition of ‘trick-or-treat’ or

OP/ED perhaps it’s just an elderly woman who enjoys a good game of trying to guess who you’re dressed up as.

Every year, instead of going trick-or-treating like some of my classmates (who are also quite fond of the holiday) recommend I do, I lock myself indoors and haul out my collection of face paints and eyeshadow and transform myself into something completely different, something inhuman, something we can only dream of becoming.

There’s something satisfying about looking in the mirror and not recognizing the person staring back at you.

You can become anything you wish to be, and there are really no limitations to that. Anything you can conjure up in your mind can be outwardly presented to the world, and you can show people who you really are.

October 31st sticks out to me because it’s always enjoyable impersonating someone you’re not. There are definitely not many occasions in which you can switch out of your everyday attire and portray a completely different person ranging from the Mad Hatter to a cliché vampire with glow-in-the-dark fangs.

Most young girls giggle with glee at the thought of becoming a wealthy, well loved princess in a sparkly chiffon dress and multiple teenagers dream about morphing into their favorite fictional character. Halloween is the one day where those dreams can become reality.

Instead of being a normal, everyday high school teenager, you can transform into something greater—something you want.

Nobody can stop you because becoming something else is the one thing that you have control over.

Perhaps the fact that you can quite literally be anything you could possibly desire on this day is what draws me in, or maybe it’s just the re-runs of The Addams Family on multiple television channels, but it is something that will always hold value to me; maybe it should to everyone else too, because the limitations of who you can be are endless.

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21 | FOCUS | OCTOBER 21, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

A&E

PERFORMING UNDER THE LIGHTS

The two girls pep the band up at Friday nights game before they get ready for their half-time performance. Kayla Graham |Photo

Juliana and LeeAnn end their senior year on a high note by being able to conduct the band at half time, and performing with the pom team. Kayla Graham |Photo

With little free time outside of school, seniors Juliana Roller and LeeAnn Rielle balance being drum majors and captains for the varsity pom team. Kayla Graham |Photo & D e s i g n E d i to r & T h e o R a m m i d i | S t a f f Wr i te r & O l i v i a B a r b e r | S t a f f Wr i te r

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s the spectators in the stands go and I am honored to be a part of two amazing silent, seniors Juliana Roller and programs. Even though it can be stressful, to me, LeeAnn Rielle get a rush and a sense it is so worth it.” of pride knowing that it is time to Late nights doing homework and practicing put on a show. What separates them from all do not phase them, as Roller and Rielle are other halftime performers is the fact that they happy about being a large part of two teams must lead two separate teams: marching band that work closely together. and the pom team.

Monroe has seen the girls grow ever since “Every person’s contribution is important in they were freshmen on the band. Now they are every performance,” Roller said. “Nobody sits contributing so much time and effort into being on a bench. We practice so much to make it look drum majors. Monroe has confidence in the two effortless, but it takes a lot of hard work, timing, girls this year being able to both conduct the teamwork, and skill. In addition, I love being band and perform with the pom team. a part of the band and conducting under the “Being on the Pom team and drum majors, Friday night lights. I love feeling the excitement that’s hard to do,” Monroe said. “They are in the air at football games and sharing our two of the pom captains and two of four drum passion for music with the crowd.” majors, that’s hard to juggle that, but they Participating in multiple extracurricular were willing to take on the whole thing head activities can be difficult to manage, but Roller on. Drum majors are to lead by example and and Rielle are serving both as drum majors and encourage others. The drum majors help make captains for the Varsity Pom Pon team. the band better. They conduct the band on the “It can be hard to be so involved,” Rielle said. field and conduct the band in the bleachers.

“There are times where I think to myself ‘I just These two girls help make the band more want a break’ or wish I didn't have practice or positive.” rehearsal, but in the end I wouldn't want it any Being a part of the band program comes with other way. When I look back on high school in commitment, band puts in hundreds of hours ten years, I am not going to think about how I of practice during the school year and starts stayed up until 2:00 am doing homework every to meet two weeks before school starts. Band night. I am going to think about things like does three a days (practicing from 9 a.m. until dancing in the stands, or performing under all of 9 p.m.). On Tuesdays the band practices from the lights at a football game. The majority of my 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. On top of band practice, best memories come from these two activities pom practices everyday from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m.

22 | FOCUS | OCTOBER 21, 2016 | mhsfocus.com

With the pressure of going to practice everyday and getting homework done every night, little time is left to be able to socialize with friends. Roller and Rielle help each other lower the pressure of all the work and keep each other calm when hardships occur.

“Sometimes I struggle to manage my time,” Rielle said. “I try to get ahead on my homework when I can. I frequently find myself staying up until one in the morning finishing my homework, but I never get behind. I can catch up on sleep on the weekends, but it can be hard to catch up on homework. It also helps that I have Juliana. She goes through the same things as me. We kind of help to calm each other down.

When she is stressed about school, I help her to realize everything will be okay, and she does the same for me.”

Although Roller and Rielle are very busy, they manage their time well and try to keep their stress levels low. With the help of Monroe and coaches, they are able to do just that.

“Mr. Monroe notices when you don't get enough sleep, or are super stressed and aren't acting like yourself,” Rielle said. “He always reminds me that getting all A’s is not as important as taking care of myself. My pom coaches are also very good about making sure that we are not overdoing it. I think that having these authority figures that care so much about my well-being makes it easier to cope with the stress that could be added.”

Day in the life of a drum major

11:30- Guide the band during hall marching.

5:30- Practice the halftime show set until it is perfect.

6:30- Pre-game. Band and Pom march in performing the cadence, then the National Anthem, and the fight song.

8:00- Conduct the band while they perform their music set at half-time.

9:30- Band leaves playing the alma mater and goes to the tennis courts. The drum majors give a mini speech.

A&E

THE SWING OF THINGS

Many students like to swing dance in their spare time. They find it an enjoyable activity where they can relax and hangout with their friends. Hailey Surbrook| Ads Coordinator & Danielle Julien|Staff Writer

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pair of dancers can be found jumping and spinning to a fastpaced song to relax after a hard day’s work while on a mission trip in Sumpango, Guatemala. Over the summer, senior Anna Wright practiced swing dancing with her partner Ian Andridge at the retreat center they were staying at on their trip. Even so far from home, they could enjoy swing dancing, an activity that they do along with other students.

Midland has hosted freelance swing dancers at varying venues over the past few years.

Swing dancing used to take place in the studio over Twice Is Nice, and is currently being hosted at Captured Photography.

Swing dancing is normally done with a partner, but it’s not as intimate some think. Junior Micah Carroll was unsure if the experience of dancing with a partner would be awkward or unnatural, but he learned that it is a fun way to dance.

“It’s really casual,” Carroll said. “I just laugh a lot because I make a lot of mistakes. I think it’s more unique compared to slow dancing because slow dancing is super intimate but swing dancing is just really laid-back.”

The students go together as a group to Captured Photography, paying five dollars per person a visit, just to dance. Because there is no dance studio in Midland that provides swing lessons, there is no formal teaching involved.

Swing dancing may look intricate and hard to learn, but to most it’s not that way at all. Senior Sarah Maschino had little dance experience before starting to swing dance and found it very easy to learn.

“It’s not too hard because you can learn new moves each time,” Maschino said. “The basic steps for it are pretty easy and other that, you can learn new moves. I’m not very good at memorizing it, but it’s easy for me because the guy is the one who leads, so I don’t really have

to know the moves as long as the guy does.”

Wright has been dancing for years but says it doesn’t require an expert to learn swing dancing.

“I’ve been doing ballet since I was three,” Wright said. “It’s helped me, but people that haven’t done any type of dancing are equally as good at it.”

The students have been able to have fun while swing dancing, even if it’s something they’ve never experienced before. Junior Sarah Evans’ first time swing dancing was at the end of last year in an unfamiliar place with new people, but she was pleasantly surprised when she walked into the room.

“It was really hot and it was really sweaty, but there was a lot of people there and it was a ton of fun,” Evans said. “It was really fun and crazy because I was with people I didn’t really know in a new place that was like an underground dance.”

The students have made a lot of memories with their friends, even though they were uncertain about trying swing dancing.

“One time the venue that was holding [swing dancing] was too far out so Anna Wright hosted in her backyard,” Carroll said.

“It was nighttime, and we had the porch lights on, and that’s all we had so we just danced in the dark.”

Swing dancing is an activity that has many different aspects for students to enjoy. Carroll and Maschino enjoy swing dancing because of the social aspect, and being able to spend time with their friends. Wright enjoys it because she is able to dance with a partner. Evans enjoys swing dancing because not many people dance anymore.

“It’s nice because it’s something that’s dying,” Evans said. “Nobody really dances anymore, so it’s really nice to be able to go somewhere where people are dancing casually just like when our parents and grandparents were kids.”

“It’s nice because it’s something that’s dying.

Nobody really dances anymore.”

Junior Sarah Evans

Seniors Anna Wright and Ian Andridge swing dance in the street. Lauren Curtis | Photo

23| FOCUS |OCTOBER 21, 2016| mhsfocus.com

Michigan is home to various locations inhabited with ghosts and spirits on more than just Halloween. Gwynne Özkan|News Editor & Fischer Genau|Staff Writer

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The eerie underground of Meyer Hill is teeming with tales of murder and lingering spirits.

Fischer Genau | Photo

MICHIGAN MYSTERIES One of the two entry ways into the remains of the Meyer Hill basement. Fischer Genau | Photo

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Meyer Hill 4001-4299 E Wheeler Road, Midland 24 | FOCUS | OCTOBER 21 , 2016 | mhsfocus.com

ating back to 1980, a three story house stood here and was home to a family of five. Since then, the father of the house allegedly murdered his entire family for a reason which is unknown. He chained his son to the basement floor, starving him to death. With five blows to the head by a hammer, he murdered his wife in cold blood and then stored her rotting body in the attic, wrapped in a bed sheet. He killed his daughter and his infant, then shoved their remains in the bathroom walls. He then committed suicide.

The house has burned down since and what is left are the remains of the basement and the spirits of the family. Meyer Hill is fully accessible to the public off of Wheeler Road.

After passing through tall grass and thorn bushes, there’s a hidden path to be found.

Following this leads back into the large field until the remnants of the building come into view. Two entry ways drop down into what is now a crawl space, due to built up sediment.

It’s separated into two rooms with the remains of furniture, broken wood, and glass strewn around.

Supposedly, the second or third time you visit, certain visions and demonic feelings are triggered. There are reports of chains seen in the basement corners which shackled the son to the floor. Also the face of the infant has been seen in the walls. Issues are not only reported on the scene, but often follow you on your escape route home. Issues of car trouble have been reported as well as near car accidents.

The family of five may now be dead, but their spirits are active and the aura is almost tangible.

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he number one most haunted attraction in all of Northern Michigan is an aged, two-story building that acts as a hotel, lounge, and a bar. More importantly, throughout the 100 years it’s stood it has been inhabited with ghosts, spirits, and apparitions.

“We are one of the most active buildings in Michigan; we are number two if we aren’t number one,” co-owner Ronda Spears said.

The Spears couple hosts haunted tours, and a haunted house during Halloween time. One of their offers include a two and a half hour ghost hunt with high-tech cameras and professional equipment for paranormal activity. The two most common full-body apparitions seen coined the names The Creeper and The Watcher. They’re consistently seen lurking around, taunting guests and watching their territory. Every nook of the building is active, from indentations on the mattresses, guests locked in bathroom stalls, footsteps pacing through the halls and faucets turning on and off. Since the 1940s, guests are touched, shadow figures, orbs, and objects moving are seen, and voices are heard. The reasoning behind this activity is the placement less than 100 feet from Houghton Lake, as Ronda claims that water holds energy.

Anchor Inn is also located on the intersection of two main geographical ley lines that span the globe. They say that where two cross, it’s a portal to the other side. Al Capone and The Purple Gang also used the basement as a private club, gambling and drinking; exclusive members only. This combined with murders and family spirits make The Anchor Inn home to more than just the living.

The Anchor Inn 1781 Heightsview Dr, Houghton Lake, MI 48629

A dark omen of The Anchor Inn’s past, the Suicide Door welcomes guests. Gwynne Özkan | Photo