October 23rd Issue

FOCUS

THE

Midland High School | October 23, 2015| Volume 38, Issue 2

Rise Again

The varsity football team seeks redemption for last year’s loss against Dow High.

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Inside this month:

Local zombie 5K run

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School closes band lot

Girls gain American citizenship

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Halloween activity guide Julia Quinn | Photo

CONTENTS

ON THE COVER: RISE AGAIN

Senior Luke Delong and a fellow teammate, senior Shay Methner, celebrate a touchdown. Their record is currently 5-1, only losing to Lapeer. The team is hopeful that their chemistry and experienced varsity players will lead them to a win against their rivals, Dow High, on Friday, Oct. 23rd. (Page 11).

OPINION 3: Editorial

The Focus debates the issue of the band parking lot closing.

NEWS

8: Zombie run

Student council helps Midland Parks and Recreation plan an undead race.

9: Band parking lot

Administration closes the band lot for Parkdale demolition and disciplinary issues.

10: CAD club

CAD classes wanted to take their designs to the next level and formed an after school club.

SPORTS

11: Midland-Dow football

Midland and Dow go head to head in the annual rivalry football game.

12-13: Midland-Dow swim

15: Sports zone

The Focus features the best athletes of the month.

FEATURES 16: Ethan Deckrow

Sophomore Ethan Deckrow, under his company - 3[23] Studio Films - films weddings and other events.

17: Dual citizenship

Juniors Hypatia Swanson, SalomÊ Do, and Cassie Rammidi discuss differences in cultures that they’ve experienced.

18-19: Equestrian team

For the first time in ten years, the team competed at MIHA the state competition.

A&E

21: NAHS competition

The artists create decorations for an Alice in Wonderland themed Halloween party.

22: Halloween movie reviews The Focus rates classic, childhood Halloween movies.

23: Making mascots

Swim takes a unique approach to the traditional rivalry, both teams supporting Junior Emma Vanderlinden creates and each another for the love of their sport. sells mascot heads.

14: Midland-Dow soccer Midland lost to Dow on Oct. 12th, but plans to redeem themselves if they win the district opener.

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24: Halloween hotspots The Focus reports the best locations and movies for the best possible Halloween experience.

14 EDITORS

Will Hackbarth Editor-in-Chief Megan Nylund Managing Editor Ella Colbert Features Editor Katherine Vernier News Editor Maddy Pasche A&E Editor Kayla Graham Sports Editor Kirstyn Cotton Opinion Editor

21 Zach Noel Website Editor Julia Quinn Photo Editor Hannah McAtamney Design Editor Lexi Costley Ads Coordinator Anna Schultheis Exchange Editor Jim Woehrle Adviser Midland Daily News Printer

OUR MISSION STATEMENT Focus, 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 Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA), and Quill and Scroll. Adviser membership also includes the Journalism Education Association (JEA).

Focus is designed as a forum for student expression and as a realistic lab experience.

Focus, however, reserves the right to contest the challenge of an administrator who attempts to censor and/or remove an article or graphic element.

The parking problem OPINION

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Should the band parking lot be closed?

Freshman Kyle Burks “I don’t think it should be open during marching season, but once marching season is over it should be opened up.”

Gypsy Worrall | Drawing

The Focus addresses the school’s decision to close the band parking lot for the remainder of the school year.

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he congestion of traffic, scarcity of parking spaces, and risk of serious accident has hit an all-time high in the student parking lot. The closing of the band parking lot and the resulting consolidation of cars has created many increased safety risks that need to be addressed by administration.

It is not uncommon for a student to witness a collision between cars at lunch, a herd of students walking in from the furthest available spots, or an inexperienced driver struggling to exit a spot that is much too cramped. We understand that the parking lot was shut down to provide room for construction at Parkdale, prevent security risks involving illicit behavior, and provide greater safety to ESA buses and parking in general. These are completely valid reasons. However, the resulting chaos of the band lot’s absence demands that it be reopened.

It is logical to think that having two student parking lots would increase security risks, as it creates more entrances into the school and more area that security must cover. It is obviously impossible for our one security guard to regulate two parking lots at once.

We completely understand the reasoning behind this argument. But simply shutting down an entire parking lot and combining its cars with the other, without any efforts at increased security measures, is not an effective solution. This change will only compound the problem. Any illegal activities that occurred in

the band parking lot will not cease to happen in the student parking lot, just because there is one less lot to monitor. As there is much more space being filled in the student lot, one security guard will still be an inadequate amount of security to tackle the problem.

Even if this method did reduce the breaking of school rules, the philosophy is still punishing everyone for the poor decisions of a few. This reasoning, combined with the increased safety risks of an overflowing lot and the potential issue of a lack of spots, results in a clearly demonstrated need for two parking lots. We commend the school for trying new measures to reduce its problems, but it simply has not worked.

The construction occurring around Parkdale is also a rational concern, however we do not think this concern warrants the closing of all of the parking lot, and definitely not this early, as construction will not start for several months. It makes sense that students would need to get used to sharing one parking lot.

However, given the dangerous conditions of a parking lot overflowing with inexperienced drivers, we would prefer this not be done until deemed absolutely necessary for the efforts of construction.

The problem of safety is assuredly the most prominent issue that needs to be addressed regarding the two lots. It is evident that neither of the parking situations were as safe as everyone would wish. At this point, it is a

matter of deciding which option is safer. From our perspective as students, we feel safer with two lots available. The more full a parking lot, the higher the risk of accidents occurring, due to the increase of both pedestrians and traffic.

This problem is worsened by the fact that many of these drivers are inexperienced and not prepared for a parking situation as busy as the current one. These issues will only exacerbate as time goes on, as more and more sophomores begin to acquire licenses and start driving to school. If the entire parking lot is already being filled, it is a legitimate concern that, in time, there will not be parking spots for students who have paid for passes. While some dangerous aspects of the band lot have been solved, even worse safety concerns have been created by the combination of the two lots.

The majority of the Focus strongly recommends that the band lot be reopened.

We fully comprehend the reasons why it was closed, and applaud the school for their attempt to rectify prevalent problems.

Unfortunately, this solution has made the security and safety concerns of the school worse. If the band lot cannot be reopened, we would also support the opening of a smaller part of the band lot, or using another lot as an alternative. Regardless of what is done, it is clear that the current parking situation is dangerous and ineffective, and something must change.

Sophomore Hannah Rivet “It should have been shut down because the school has to if it’s a safety hazard.”

Junior Ellie Jensen “No, but I understand why they did.

Once all the sophomores get their licenses, the parking lot is going to be overflowing.”

Senior David Waier “I think it shouldn’t have been closed during non-marching season, because of its convenience to that end of the school and its ability to be regulated.”

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TIDBITS Photo OF THE Month

OPINION

Tweet of the Month “If ur telling me a story and it feels like no ones listening, just k now I always am bc I k now what it fells like to be ignored constantly ”

160 likes aksmith21 from MSU to hoco in only 2 hours

Follow THIS User

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@natalieyh1

3 THINGS

CORRECTIONS

you don’t have to worry about this month

1. Emily Kreusch’s name was spelled wrong on the Humans of MHS page.

We are kreushed by this mistake and hope you will forgive us.

1 The PSAT 2 Getting clothes for Spirit Week 3 Good weather and one thing you still do...

Finding a decent seat at the Dow game

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2. Hanbyul Johnson’s name was spelled wrong on the cover. Also, he did not train under Master Chang Soo Lim, but rather his mother.

Sonja Anderson

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Existential crisis

couple of weeks ago, I re-watched makes me feel pretty powerless. the movie Interstellar, starring the It’s like that scene in Zathura (fantastic delightful Matthew McConaughey movie) when Danny and Walter almost get and Jessica Chastain, and it’s basically a their house pulled into one. When I was little, film about the wonders of outer space. I was I used to watch that movie and think that it inspired to do some research, and to say the was all a fictional plot element. Nope, very least, it altered my perspective on things. real and very frightening.

We are on Earth. It’s the third planet from What is even in those holes anyway? the Sun. Venus before us, Mars after us, Just blackness? A time portal? Literally etcetera. We have a human population, land, nobody knows, because in order to gain that water, and an atmosphere. Simple enough. knowledge, you’d have to voluntarily be Our main energy source, the Sun, is sucked into one. Do you think that you, as a 149,600,000 kilometers away, and in the sky, fifth grader, with your big astronaut dreams, to our eyes, it’s about the size of a quarter. would be so keen to?

Well, the stars we see at night look much Okay and also, did you know that the smaller than the Sun looks. So how far away universe has no edge? No edge. It literally is a star? The nearest star to us, not counting never stops, infinitely. Scientists say that it’s the sun, is 4.3 light years away, One light year also growing by the second, which doesn’t is 10 trillion kilometers. That is 43 trillion make sense. kilometers of space between us and the

And to touch on the elephant in nearest star. the room, 43 million in a place millions. this vast and Complete extraordinary, and utter would “We are tiny. A mere speck of dust, floating around why emptiness, it make sense in a walless dark room, drifting sleepily around a that humans infinite blackness, are the only star, surrounded by continuous nothing.” with the ones here?

occasional That just asteroid can’t be floating true. I don’t about. I find know for that hard to comprehend. absolute certain that there’s life somewhere I mean, we know our solar system. NASA out there, but all logic points to a definitive and many other organizations around the yes. In fact, NASA predicts that they will world have spent years upon years and find extraterrestrial life in just twenty years. billions of dollars making sure of that. But, If they can do that in twenty, imagine what how well do we know what lurks outside? could happen in the next fifty or sixty or one Our galaxy, the Milky Way, contains hundred years. our solar system and a few stars. And it’s A fair amount of the things you repeatedly obviously incredibly significant to us because read in a science fiction novel or see in we live here. But really, it’s just another spiral movies could certainly exist. Maybe there are galaxy. One of millions, possibly billions Zorgons out there, or a Death Star. And why or trillions. We already know some of our not? Who are we to say we know about space neighbors. The Andromeda Galaxy, Bode’s when we are likely only seeing a tiny fraction Galaxy, and Cigar Galaxy, to name a few. of it? I hate to bring out the pessimism here, More incredible: There are black holes but I’m really struggling with this, so you can scattered about everywhere in the universe, too. which are basically parts of space where We are tiny. Little, little, little Earth. A gravity is so strong that not even light can mere speck of dust, floating around in a escape. The masses of some black holes can be walless, dark room, drifting sleepily around a twenty times more than the mass of our sun. star, surrounded by continuous nothing.

Also, we literally cannot see them. They can This really makes it hard to do pull virtually anything in, which personally trigonometry.

OPINION

@HumansofMidlandHigh A brief feature of students who have a story to tell. Follow the Focus on Instagram to see more.

Gabe Wise

“

The most influential person in my life is my grandmother.

Basically, when my mother passed away in 2007, she was there from the beginning. She came to our house, a two hour drive from Traverse City. She took care of me and my seven brothers and sisters, when my dad was working. She basically taught us right from wrong and how you would interact in public and just manners and stuff like that. ‘Put your napkin on your lap when you’re at restaurants’, something we didn’t really have much of because my mother and my dad were also split up. I’m just very grateful, we are all grateful. She means a lot to us all and it’d be

”

a bummer if anything bad ever happened so hopefully we keep her in our lives as long as we can.

Julia Quinn

Interaction with a side of passion

I will never forget the first time I held one to improve my photojournalism. For the hundred dollars in my hand, mostly made up next hour and a half or so, I listened to this of one and five dollar bills that I had worked complete stranger passionately describe his so hard to earn. I spent the summer mowing deep love and appreciation for astronomy. lawns, painting rocks, babysitting, and even He pointed to the sun as it set, while the attempting to sell stuff in front of my house moon replaced it in the bright evening sky. where cars never stop.

He described the science behind a lunar I was twelve years old and all I could think eclipse and their time intervals, along with about for months was buying my very own showing me the view from his telescope. I camera. As I handed the cashier my money learned about his publications and classes. for the cheap, small, point-and-shoot camera, His excitement even got me fired up about I had no idea that I was starting what would astronomy and I only knew a few simple become one of the most passionate aspects of facts. I could only relate with comments like my life.

“I like to stargaze with my friends.”

From that moment on and many cameras Occasionally I would snap a few shots or later, I have not only learned the technical ask another question but the photos were not side of photography, but have branched my main focus at the time; not the lighting, out to meeting people and experiencing the not the camera, not earth around the positioning, it me in a new was my interest light. in this man’s life Interacting how much of “As I handed the cashier my money for the and with strangers that life was spent cheap, small point-and-shoot camera, I had studying the sky. and new faces has never been I sat there on no idea that I was starting what would my strong the sidewalk in become one of the most passionate aspects awe about how suit. I’m that of my life.” person who someone could doesn’t know be so strongly how to start interested in their conversations and the queen of awkward career. silences. It was at the MIPA journalism Eventually, the sky darkened and I had camp at MSU where I really discovered how to get back to the dorms. As we parted impactful it can be to truly connect with ways and said goodbye, I could see his faint the people around me through my love for smile showing how much he appreciated our photography. time together. I turned and walked silently Our assignment was to photograph the back to our hall. humans of MSU and ask them to share I learned many things with that simple some simple facts about themselves. My encounter. I learned how valuable human classmates were determined to easily slide interactions are; how I need to have more through the work by asking their own staff conversation and meet new people. I learned members questions, rather than reaching out that everyone is gifted with passion, like our to strangers. hobbies, our beliefs, and our opinions, and I, on the other hand, was there to improve that these passions should be embraced. my social skills and determined to meet I learned that everyone I encounter in life, someone new that evening. As I walked will be approached with a kind heart and down the campus sidewalk, I noticed an open mind. I learned that I can use the thing approachable elderly man carrying what I’m most passionate about to connect with the looked like a telescope out of the planetarium. others and the world around me.

I rushed across the street, somewhat And I learned to thank my twelve year old nervous after being declined by so many self for buying my very first camera that has, people in our previous days at camp, and to this day, played such an important role in introduced myself as a MIPA student working my life.

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OPINION

Spencer Patrell

Ella Colbert

M

Reaching out

issy’s hearty laugh filled the garageand said her goodbyes as her cousin drifted converted space as she blew out into an endless sleep. At the exact time his her 39th Birthday candles in the heart stopped beating, the timer on the stove company of her family and six people she stopped, reading 8:32. had met less than a week before.

“I know it’s a sign from God,” Fae said.

Missy was a woman who I met over the “He’s looking out for me, letting me know summer of 2014, when I attended the annual when I should say goodbye.”

Outreach trip through my church, along with She shared her stories of loss and grief. An sixty others. uncle, a cousin, a brother, a niece, a child. It We were each split up among high seemed like she had experienced so many schoolers from various states into crews of hardships, but all the while a gentle smile roughly six and assigned a resident whom graced her face, even as she began to tear up. we would get to know, as well as a house on She remained upbeat and happy when so which we would be working. Our job took many things in her life should have left her place at a dismal, two-story house on the heartbroken and bitter. corner of a street in Maysville, Kentucky.

She welcomed us into her home and her My group and I were assigned to paint the family, introducing us to her sister Missy, resident’s back deck, paint the porch ceiling, who worked long hours at a low-paying job, put lattice below the deck, and construct a her husband, who spent the majority of his small set of stairs to replace the unreliable time lying on the couch due to an extreme set that lead to their deck previously. It was back condition, and her grandchildren, who tedious work, but our crew bonded well. really did not like me.

By the end Nonetheless, of the week, they all found what was once a way to help uncomfortable out, whether it silence, turned “At the exact time his heart stopped beating, was physically into easy the timer on the stove stopped, reading 8:32.” hammering nails laughter, inside into the lattice, or

jokes, and simply offering friendships. a cold soda to Our resident, cool off in the Fae, joined blistering heat. us for prayer some days, sitting beside The children diverted our attention from us in the circle, but not participating in the mindless work by running around the conversation. What she lacked in tirelessly, wrestling each other, or yelling conversational skills, she made up for in her obscenities at the other crew members. They warm smile. It wasn’t until Thursday that only sat still once, amused by Jason, a small she really began to open up. She started to blond boy on the crew, and his odd sandwich tell us about herself, explaining her religious combo- Peanut butter, jelly, sliced ham, beliefs and experiences; how she believed in lettuce, and mayonnaise. I still remember the supernatural, and had stories to confirm the way they laughed, a contagious, childish her belief. laughter.

She had a special intuition that gave her a Over the course of a week, the family had sign right before one of her family members felt so comfortable sharing their living space passed away. One of the times it was her with us, that they invited us to join them cousin, who had been pretty sick for a while, in more intimate moments of their life, like but nobody expected him to die. Fae did.

Missy’s 39th birthday party. Such a simple She had a dream the night before he died. act of kindness resonated so deeply with He was sitting in a rocking chair, his back our residence that they were willing to share to her, when the chair halted its easy sway, what little they had with people they barely and his head dropped to the side. Fae knew knew. I will remember their blind trust and that it was a sign, and her cousin was very unending faith long after I am no longer able close to death. The next morning, she woke to remember their faces or names.

6 | FOCUS | OCT 23, 2015 | mhsfocus.com

A

Leftism

lings being murdered in cold blood by round 90% of you reading this will manufacturing companies. Companies who never understand the eternal struggle knew the atrocities their machinery had of my kind. Feeling the cold metal of done. This radically shifted my outlook on a spiral ring notebook sink into your skin as handedness. you write on the front side of a sheet of paper I now saw that the rightees were on the is but a horror story to you. You have never verge of total world takeover, slowly weeding come face to face with the fact that scissors out their sworn foe. Evil spiral notebooks, are manufactured to torture those who dare three ring binders whose sole aspiration in use the right side of their brain for creating life was to destroy my arm, and the dreaded, paper snowflakes during the usually joyous disgusting, slap to the face that was the holiday season. Worst of all, you sit high upside down decals on pens. up on your throne of ignorant bliss as my It was then I saw that the supposed “right”’ people have the odious carbon from pencils side of society were deep in the wrong. The lacing the side of their palm after they write facade of equality had vanished, the veil of an essay. That is right, I speak for the left ignorant bliss that had blinded my view of handed. how truly disgusting life can be had forever I never really put much thought into my been destroyed. natural disposition for this five fingered I plummeted into an epoch of severe and thing on the non-right side of my body as total leftism. I criticized nearly every tool I a youngster. Not until one day, when my would encounter, cringed every time I saw family was saying how the only other person a can opener, and wished I could enter a in our family with the same infatuation for realm where the the left was my devoutly right grandmother. realized the This is when injustices they had I started to “It was full steam ahead, ignoring the fact that cast out into the notice how the odds were stacked against me, a single world, whenever scarce it was to see that drop in a sea of oppressors. This was my life’s I thought of those leftonians beautiful calling.” wronged by nuns event when with rulers. I

someone was was my own Che using a hand Guevara, planning out a revolution unlike that wasn’t their right. Knowing my hand set any the world had ever seen before. It was full me apart from everyone else, along with the steam ahead, ignoring the fact that the odds fact that it was rare to see, gave me a sense of were stacked against me, a single drop in a pride in my port side’s meathook. sea of oppressors. This was my life’s calling.

This was the golden age of handedness. I Needless to say, I soon realized this was was amazed as to how right-writers could a futile and astoundingly dumb quest. transcribe letters onto a paper using their Companies weren’t out to get us. If someone magical right skills. This, along with the isn’t leftian, it doesn’t matter in the grand joyous occasion when I would see a fellow scheme of things, it just meant they will left comrade in action, gave my life a certain never know the perpetual battle I face against balance. I saw the world as a place where certain gizmos. left and right handers could coexist, even if This isn’t to say I have abandoned my core it meant bumping elbows when we ate now values of leftism. I still have great pride to and then. However, when the seventh grade know which hand I write with and feel a bond reared its ugly head, my life changed forever. unlike any other with fellow left brothers I read on a probably unreliable website that and sisters. The shift in my philosophy is my kin of fellow lefters were at risk of death due to the realization that just as yin needs due to misuse of equipment specialized for yang, mac needs cheese, and English needs the righteous, majority of the population. I Sparknotes, my left hand demands to have was outraged. some things right.

The mere thought of innocent left-

Maddy O’Callaghan

OPINION

chivalry really that dead? Have we gotten to the point to where opening a door for someone isn’t simply an act of kindness, but rather a debt women need to repay? Now, don’t get me wrong, I love when guys are nice to me and I definitely appreciate it, but telling me that my hair looks nice isn’t going to make me want to bear your children.

All joking aside, obviously not all guys are like this. There are plenty of young men who treat girls in a respectable manner, simply out of their good character. But there is a bigger issue at hand here. The “friend zone” is no longer a place to mourn over relationships that could have been, but rather a place have never really understood the where guys demonize girls who don’t give complexity of what is now deemed as them romantic attention for doing what all “the friend zone.” Boys claim that this humans are supposed to do – be kind. mysterious Bermuda Triangle of relationships So much more goes into relationships than is a place where they are banished by just the first simple act of kindness. There’s evil girls who tricked them into thinking chemistry, physical attraction, emotional that there was a possibility of having a attraction and a billion other things that relationship. factor into liking Now, I totally someone. I’m understand that. all for pursuing “The “friend zone” is no longer a place to I personally your crush, have developed mourn over relationships that could have you’ll never crushes on guys been, but rather a place where guys demonize know unless you who aren’t totally aware girls who don’t give them romantic attention try, but if that person doesn’t that I exist. It for doing what all humans are supposed to do- like you back, sucks. However, that’s something be kind.” listening to that needs to more and more guys accounts of being friend zoned, I became be respected. If a woman doesn’t want to be with you, no amount of love letters or flowers slowly more annoyed as to what it really are going to change that. Like that cheesy, means.

Jennifer Aniston romantic comedy said, The problem with a lot of guy’s definition sometimes she’s just not that into you. And of the friend zone is that they were not just that’s not something that should be shamed upset by unreciprocated feelings; it’s that or something women should feel guilty for, they feel entitled to a reward from these girls sometimes it just happens. And sometimes, when they showed any form of politeness. girls just want to be friends with you. As They feel robbed when they provide rides bizarre as it may sound, guys and girls are home and don’t get a kiss. They feel used and fully capable of having awesome, platonic tricked when they listen to a girl’s problems relationships. The world we be such a better without going on a date after. There has been place if individuals could be nice to each this expectation set that being kind to a girl other without expecting anything in return. means that she owes you her affection. Is

The friend zone

I

Suzannah Koop

I

From mother to daughter

f winning the “cool mom” award was a legitimate thing, it would go to my mother hands down. Though it may be slightly unexpected for a teenager, she’s one of my best friends. I’m honestly so fortunate to have been brought up in such a loving household by two genuinely amazing people. I swear that I’m not saying I love my mom more than my dad, but there’s something inherent we

share that draws me so close to her. She’s probably the bravest and strongest woman I’ve ever known in my entire life.

I find myself listening in awe when I hear stories about my mother’s life in high school, and I discover myself aspiring to be at least one ounce of who she was at my age. My mom never cared about what other people thought, and she wore clothes that she had modified herself. She would always speak her mind, and advocated for those who lacked their own voice. Personally, I’ve never been one to actively and outwardly share my thoughts, and I do worry about what people think. As high school comes to a close, I’ve been working on speaking up more. I want my mother to be proud of me, and the things I do.

Never once has my mom told me I can’t do something. Whether it be some random sport

Anna Schultheis

ask: “So what do you guys, like, do?”

Ignorance about the sport has often left a lot up to the imagination and it is time to clarify some misconceptions.

If you tell a hormonal high school boy you are on the swim team, their minds automatically think Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Edition. Hair flowing, next to nothing on, splashing in crystal blue water.

So, to clear up this common delusion about us wearing itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny, yellow, polka-dot bikinis, I’m going to tell you that a one-piece bathing suit is required.

Swim is not a glamorous sport. You either t’s 10:10 a.m., late like always, by the time have no make-up or the remnants of black Julia Quinn’s white Ford Explorer rolls mascara streaming down your face from into the deserted Dow High parking lot.

The sun blazes with an intense orange light as the night before. All of your hair is perched in a snarly bun on top of your head and it peeks above the horizon. pushed into a silicone swim cap. At the end We both sit swearing and growling at of practice, after you’ve dried off, your body the thought of walking through the steamy reeks of chlorine and burns because you gates of lack so much Hell to the moisture. pool. The If that’s not grumbling bad enough, continues “Swim is not a glamorous sport. At the end of goggle lines all the way practice, after you’ve dried off, your body reeks make you look to the door, like you got where of chlorine and burns because you lack so much punched in both the pool’s moisture.“ eyes. You must filters are often question purring and whether your 30 girls are hair is wet from complaining pool water or sweat. about that day’s set. This is a typical weekday Now, I’m not ragging on other sports and morning in the summer for many high school saying swim is superior, because I believe girl swimmers at Midland High. each sport takes a different set of skills and Girls Swim at Midland High is often abilities. But maybe the next time you hear of hidden in the shadow of our legendary a swim meet, you will attend.

Football Team (except this past year) and our Or maybe the next time a girl tells you she exceptional Volleyball team (girls in spandex is on the swim team, you’ll think twice before = student section). We usually never have streaming an episode of Baywatch through more than thirty people in the stands during your head. our meets, and 98% of them are parents who Maybe, instead, you’ll think of 33 powerful feel obligated to go and watch their kid swim. girls getting up at the crack of dawn, jumping Many people, when I tell them I’m on the in an icy pool, and swimming their hearts out. girls swim team, either haven’t heard of it or

I

Sweat and chlorine

I played in elementary school, or an audition for my first high school play, I’ve never felt like my abilities were undermined. No matter what it was, my mom had been behind me 100%. She has raised me to be a kind and open-minded person, and I couldn’t thank her enough for that. My mom always encouraged me to talk to the kid sitting alone at lunch, to not judge or bully others, and to be myself. I think the most important thing I’ve learned from her is the importance of caring about others.

Around five years ago, my mom decided to switch jobs from a newsletter editor at the nature center to a real-estate agent. From this, she’s shown me that it’s absolutely okay to not know immediately what I want to do for the rest of my life. It’s vastly reassuring that I don’t have to pick something and stick with it forever. Of course that’s something we’re told

as we look into college majors, but it’s really nice to see a real life example of someone discovering something they truly love, even if its 30-40 years down the line.

It sincerely makes me so sad that some people will never have such a close relationship with a parent, or some other member of their family. I think it’s important to have someone in your life who makes you feel immense and extraordinary. On days when I feel small and insignificant in this enormous and confusing world, sitting down and talking with my mom can shift my feelings almost instantaneously. I love having somebody who knows the real me with no expectations attached, and understands what I go through.

If and when I have kids, I can only hope they feel the same way about me as I feel about my own mom.

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The running dead

NEWS Student Council is helping the Midland Area Parks and Recreation Department host the Zombie Run, which is a unique 5K where participants are pushed to their limits.

Katherine Vernier | News Editor & Suzannah Koop | Staff Writer

Dressed up as zombies, volunteers from the ROCK Center for Youth Development and Midland High’s Student Council get ready to chase and scare runners in the second annual Zombie Run. Julia Quinn | Photo

C

ars slowly pull up to the compound, hastily greeted by the Midland County Search and Rescue department.

Flashlight beams flood through the windows, looking for evidence of zombies. A voice overhead rings, “Please notify headquarters if you see any suspicious bites.” Hurrying out of their cars and into the site, individuals feel anxious as they prepare to run. This is what many people experienced on October 17th, as they tried to escape from City Forest with their lives during the second annual Midland Zombie Run. The Zombie Run was set up by Midland’s Parks and Recreation Department partnered with the ROCK Center for Youth Development, a teen-focused organization to help youth thrive and succeed. Marcie Post, Recreational Manager of Midland Parks and Recreation, was in charge of the logistics behind the operation. She was looking forward to seeing the transformation of the event from last year to this year.

“I’m excited to see everyone come in and get a feel for the compound,” Post said.

“We want to provide a fun, family event for Halloween.”

Midland High’s student council was a key contributor to the Zombie Run, providing volunteers to help prepare the location, register the runners, and act as zombies during the race.

“They had a lot of exciting ideas and wherever we can get help is always necessary,” Post said.

Senior Bryce Gandy was one of the volunteers partaking in this endeavor.

As student council secretary, he assisted the volunteers as they help set up the “compound” where the run took place.

“What they want to create is like the beginning of The Walking Dead,” Gandy said. “They want to put [in] an intimidation factor, so you’re walking into the race like, ‘What the heck is going on?’”

Their goal was to get people immersed in the run, and for the runners to motivate each other throughout the race.

“I think it will be cheesy and fun, but also make you jump a little,” Gandy said. “Give you a little bit of motivation to quicken up the pace.”

Junior Lauren Curtis also assisted with the zombie run through student council. She crafted decorations to help prepare City Forest for the run.

“A large part of leadership is service,” she said, “[Student council] often does what we can to give back to our community where we are able.

Besides community service, another main reason for student council’s participation in the event was for the Dow Gives Outreach Grant.

“We wanted to get more involved in the community this year, but we always do a Dow Gives project so we can have extra money to,

for example, buy stuff for dances,” Gandy said.

In order to achieve this grant, they had to submit 15 photos with individuals from student council in them, fill out a handful of paperwork, and all members had to work in two-hour shifts at the race. The grant is valued at approximately $1,000 and will help fund student council activities throughout the year.

In terms of the zombie’s appearance, Gandy said they got new makeup to help make the zombies look scarier, or at least more realistic.

Dow High Senior Lindsey Tipler assisted with the makeup for the zombies in the race. She spent 10-20 minutes on each zombie, going through various steps in order to make the zombies look as realistic as possible. She was most excited to see the finished product of the zombies.

“The basic look I was hoping to achieve was anything that would make the people in the race want to run faster,” Tipler said. “I made sure to keep a listening ear for any screams.”

How to create a Zombie

Step One:

Step Two:

Step Three:

How the make-up artists behind the zombie run were able to create a frightening look 8 | FOCUS | OCT 23, 2015 | mhsfocus.com

Put on a base of white face paint. Place black face paint under the eyes to look sunken

Apply liquid latex and tissue paper to make the skin look torn and textured

Fill in “wounds” with fake blood, and apply a setting powder so it stays longer

Par ki n g l ot ove rl o ad NEWS

Th i s s c h o o l ye a r, s t u d e nt s a re prohibited from park ing in the band parking lot. Because of this, the student parking lot is filled to its maximum capacity with vehicles.

Some students have taken to parking over at Parkdale. Claire Booth | Staff Writer & Kirsten Warner | Staff Writer

S

enior Kyle Taylor, on his way to his second hour, turns into the student parking lot and searches for a parking space among the rows of cars filling the lot. After locating one, he pulls into it and turns off his engine. He grumbles as he peers at the long hike he has to endure to the school. After opening up his car door, he slings his backpack over his shoulders and begins the trek.

Taylor is a part of a class called Advanced Business, which is considered a zero hour. This is a class where the students come in once every two weeks at seven in the morning. Except for that one day, the students participate in the class online.

“On days when I don’t have class, I come in fairly late, resulting in me parking way in the back of the parking lot,” Taylor said. “It’s not fun to walk in, especially if it’s cold outside. So I can’t imagine it in the winter. Right now it isn’t too bad, but once winter comes it’s going to be rough on people.”

In past years, Taylor arrived at school fairly early, and would usually park towards the front of the parking lot. Now, since he does not have a first hour, he is in the far back. Although Taylor has not been concerned about not being able to find a parking spot, he is worried about not having one in the foreseeable future.

“Since Parkdale’s going to be closed in the next couple months, as well as new students getting their licenses later on in the year, I think the parking lot will run out of room eventually,” Taylor said. “Also, I can definitely see the parking lot running out of room due to the fact that all of the snow is going to be pushed to the back of the parking lot in the winter.”

Taylor is one of many students having problems with the closing of the band parking lot. Senior Hannah White, a band member,

Walking around campus

The student parking lot is almost filled to full capacity, even without the many students parked over at Parkdale and the soon-to-be drivers. Come the winter, the students parking at Parkdale will have to return to the student lot, as construction workers start tearing down the Parkdale building. Claire Booth | Photo finds the closing especially inconvenient. be easier to not have used the lot and get the “The first couple days of school this year, I students used to all parking in the student tried parking in the student parking lot, but it parking lot, rather than having students use was already really full by 7:15,” White said. “I it for a couple months and then try to switch had to walk a lot further and then I had to walk everyone over to the other parking lot.” all the way to the The second opposite side of the reason the band school to my band parking lot is locker. Now I park closed is due to at Parkdale which “We wanted people to get used to the new past disciplinary is still closer to the issues. By routine, the way it stands now.” school than the closing the lot,

student parking administration is

Principal Jeff Jaster hoping to reduce lot.”

Administration the number of has closed the band disciplinary parking lot in hopes of solving past conflicts and conflicts. to prevent new ones from arising. One of the “Partly, we felt that we had disciplinary reasons for this decision is to accommodate the issues because our security guard spent about increase in construction traffic that will occur 80 percent of his time in the student parking when Parkdale is demolished this winter. lot,” Jaster said. “The band lot was often left “We wanted people to get used to the new unsupervised or was supervised less than the routine, the way it stands now,” Principal Jeff other lot. So, with only one person it’s easier Jaster said. “Even though the construction for them to just stay in this location here versus hasn’t started yet, we thought that it would trying to go back and forth.”

Steps from student lot to school:

564

Steps from Parkdale to school:

231

Lastly, the band parking lot was closed to ensure safety for ESA students as they travel to and from the school.

“There are buses that drop off students who are transported by the ESA,” athletic director Eric Albright said. “When there is two-way traffic on that narrow road, which doubles as a sidewalk, that’s very challenging and, frankly, hazardous.”

Administration has created special parking passes for traveling students, such as co-ops and dual enrolled students, so they can park in the staff parking lot. These passes are an attempt to alleviate some of the pressure built up in the student lot. They are larger than normal student passes and have a number written on them. Albright, who oversees the parking and security issues, signs and dates the pass after the student purchases them.

“We currently have 40-45 traveling students this semester,” Jaster said. “We can potentially issue up to 45 traveling student passes that lets them park in the staff lot. If we can free up 45 spaces, that’s almost a whole section in the student lot. I think it’ll work.”

Steps from staff lot to school:

91

9 | FOCUS | OCT 23, 2015 | mhsfocus.com

From class to club NEWS

This year, the Computer Aided Design class is creating a new club led by teacher Steve Last. With increased time to work on projects, the club hopes to pursue a more competitive mindset. Zach Noel | Web Editor & Spencer Patrell | Staff Writer

CAD designs 3D Printed

Bridge

(Left) - CAD teacher Steve Last instructing Jacob Miller, Jonah, and Max Dykhuizen on how to use design software (Top) - Last printing a dog with the 3D printer. Last says he would like to sell creations like this to fundraise for the club. (Bottom) - Last clarifying how to load projects to the printer. Zach Noel & Spencer Patrell | Photos

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fter being asked if he could come up and allow them to have more opportunities to details of how all the parts are fit together,” Last with a motto for Midland High’s new get involved with the activity. With the class said. “It would be like a real world problem Computer Aided Design club, Senior being restricted to the standard 55 minutes, the where someone comes to them and says ‘We Nathan Haut chuckled and said, “The CAD club’s two hour meetings will allow topics to be need this.’ There are no rules, just right.”

More specifically, CAD club sets out to use club super power: From mind to matter - 3D approached with greater detail, bringing a more competitive aspect to CAD with competitions the basics of geometry to create 2D objects and printing.”

Although he admits it sounds corny, after in which the club will participate. The club will blueprints that, through the usage of more in three years of experience with CAD, Haut also allow the student to experience a similar depth and advanced techniques, eventually says that it captures the basic spirit of what the feel of the class without needing to sacrifice an create projects that deal with various concepts of architecture. With the advent of 3D printing club sets out to do: create things from nothing hour from their schedule.

While all this can seem daunting to the technology, even more concrete projects can be but a computer and an idea. Whether it be a house design saved to a computer’s hard drive outside observer, Haut has said that no done through the software, such as interlocking or a plastic gear forged from the futuristic 3D experience is required to join the club. Problems gears and bridges that test how much weight various bridge designs can hold. Other printer, these activities contain the essence examples of projects CAD students have of what computer-aided design seeks to worked on include a boat trailer designed accomplish.

“I actually exhausted all the CAD classes at from a photograph found online, and “The club is meant to be less stress and Midland High. I needed an outlet to use my individual cabooses of a train. fun,” CAD teacher Steve Last said. “[It’s] Competitions for the club will involve a chance to explore things on your own design skills that I acquired these past two years.” doing tasks in a professional manner, based versus some of the classroom stuff. [It’s] a off of information obtained from both the chance to play around with the 3D printer, do some things independently, [and] play Junior Jonah Dykhuizen club and class, and doing so in a timed scenario, usually lasting somewhere around with the software more on your own.” three hours. The club plans to fundraise The idea of starting a club was not new, and had been wanted by CAD students for that are provided to new competitors are to acquire resources and materials for the 3D a few years until it came to fruition this year adjusted according to the competitor’s skill. For printer, and also purchase more 3D printers. when Junior Jonah Dykhuizen helped start the a competitor with no experience, simple two- Other than competitions, the club wishes to club because he wanted a place where he could dimensional problems are given that help teach seek out other ways to get out of the classroom.

“We can do community service projects and effectively advance the skills he had already how the CAD program works, such as drawing straight lines and basic angles. As the student try to seek those out, [we] could do projects learned in class.

“I actually exhausted all the CAD classes at continues to progress through the program, for other clubs in the school,” Last said. “They Midland High,” Dykhuizen said. “I needed an they will be able to work on more advanced and could try to find contests and enter those, where outlet to use my design skills that I acquired elaborate projects and eventually work with the there might be prizes involved.”

3D printer in the lab.

CAD club meets every Thursday evening these past two years.”

“There are no dimensions given; they have from 6-8. It is an open lab and is available to The club’s main goal is to attract students who are interested in computer-aided design, to conceptualize it, and then work through the anybody of any skill level.

10 | FOCUS | OCT 23, 2015 | mhsfocus.com

House

Computer designed

Any Angle Lathe

Mechanical Pencil

Cross-town Showdown Meet the Chemics Luke Payton Dewildt

Grade: Senior Position: Quarterback Predicted Score: 49-7; Chemics Season Highlights: 1600 Yards Passing

SPORTS

Delong

Virgil Walker

Max Klemish

Grade: Senior

Grade: Senior

Grade: Senior

Position: Slot Receiver

Position: Wide Receiver

Position: Middle Linebacker

Predicted Score: 42-7; Chemics

Predicted Score: 28-14; Chemics

Predicted Score: 35-0; Chemics

Season Highlights: 4 Touchdowns in a Half

Season Highlights: 14 points in one game

Season Highlights: 12 tack les against Carman-Ainsworth

S

enior Luke Delong knows firsthand what it is like to have an entire school’s hopes and expectations on his shoulders. Delong was Varsity Football captain last year and is excited about the team’s progress and improvement. He believes they will have more success than last year, when Midland ended the school’s 37-year streak of having a winning season.

“We are bigger, faster, and stronger,” Delong said. “The work we put in the off season is definitely paying off.”

Since many of the starters are returning, the team has more experience and is able to adapt on the fly.

“Last year we were an inexperienced football team,” Methner said, head coach of the Chemics. “We started a lot of juniors without Varsity experience.”

In addition, the Chemics believe their speed has given them an edge over their opponents.

“We aren’t a big team so we don’t try to

overpower people; we just spread people out and make plays in space.” Delong said.

Delong is a captain on the team again this year, and even though he has been unable to play in recent games due to injuries, he is still optimistic about this year’s match-up.

Delong is currently suffering from a broken pinkie and a serious quad contusion that was beginning to calcify.

“I am going to physical therapy so I should be back by Dow week,” Delong said “The pain

isn’t bad, but the range of motion is limited”.

Even without Delong playing in recent games, the Varsity team has adapted and is planning a dangerous attack against the Chargers’ defense.

One of Delong’s biggest concerns is Dow’s dangerous slot receiver and safety, Justin Cook.

“He is a pretty explosive slot receiver and often time’s people forget about him because of the two big receivers, Devontae Stine and Mike Robb” said Delong.

Methner said it will take a team effort to bring home the victory, and he said the leadership this year is exceptional.

“This is a pretty close-knit group who really support one another and enjoy seeing each other have success,” Methner said. “They are also very team-oriented. Everyone is committed to the team. We don’t have any guys who care more about personal glory than team success. I admire that with this group.”

Justin Cook

Mike Robb

Spencer Stephenson

Grade: Junior

Grade: Senior

Grade: Senior

Grade: Junior

Position: Quarterback

Position: Slot Receiver

Position: Wide Receiver

Position: Inside Linebacker

Predicted Score: 100-0; Chargers

Predicted Score: 31-28; Chargers

Predicted Score: 42-28; Chargers

Predicted Score: 35-21; Chargers

Season Highlights: 1500 Yards Passing

Season Highlights: 8 Touchdowns This Year

Season Highlights: 1 Tackle this Year

Season Highlights: 80 Tack les this Year

The Varsity Football team is in search of redemption against rivals Dow High. In order to do this the Chemics must...

Out hustle out hit out play Anna Schultheis | Exchange Editor & Jacob Presson | Staff Writer & Ian Andridge | Staff Writer

Meet the Chargers Bruce Mann

“We are bigger, faster, and stronger.

The work we put in the off season is definitely paying off.”

Senior Luke Delong

Ian Andridge | Photo

11| FOCUS | OCT 23, 2015 | mhsfocus.com

Cross-town showdown

SPORTS

F l y i n g

towards the finish line

A Midland versus Dow matchup is very intense and sometimes hateful, but the girls’ swim meet was different. The girls from both teams supported each other and celebrated their sport together. Hannah McAtamney | Design Editor & Sonja Anderson | Staff Writer & Chloe Gall | Staff Writer

1

Junior Alexis Leigeb practices her breaststroke technique at an after school practice for Midland High School’s g

W

2

1) Dow High senior Kelly Ballard practices her freestyle set during swim practice. The team practices every day after school, and some mornings before school. Ballard specializes in the breaststroke and is one of Dow High School’s top swimmers. 2) Junior Alexis Leigeb during a lull in practice with her fellow Chemic swimmers. Leigeb swims breaststroke for Midland High. Hannah McAtamney | Photos

12 | FOCUS | OCT 23, 2015 | mhsfocus.com

hile most Midland versus Dow games are weighted with tension, severe competition and slight hatred, the Dow versus Midland swim meet was instead full of compassion and respect. The girls sat at the edge of the pool cheering each other on, and blue suits and green suits exchanged hugs in congratulations of the perseverance and hard work displayed in the lanes. This atmosphere is reflective of both teams’ attitudes toward the sport Midland High’s head coach, Buffy Hall, as well as Dow High’s coach, Renee Allen, are very persistent on keeping the meet fun for all of the girls on both teams.

“Midland High will be competitive with Dow High, but the focus of this meet is friendly competition,” Hall said. “Many of these girls have swam together since they were in elementary school.”

The focus on keeping this meet friendly is a new concept, due to both schools getting new coaches for this season. The program as a whole has experienced many changes because of the new ideals that the two coaches wanted to bring to the teams, including scheduling senior night on the same night as the Midland versus Dow meet.

“Coach Hall and I are starting new traditions to develop positive relationships between both teams,” Allen said. “We both believe that it does not matter what color of suit a young

lady is wearing. We both care about the girls, regardless of what team they swim for. For the first time, both the Dow girls and the Midland High girls are lining up to pay their respects to the opposing school’s seniors.”

Coach Allen was Coach Hall’s swim coach her junior year in high school and Dow High’s assistant coach, Carl Smith, was Hall’s Dolphins coach at one time. When they found out they were to be coaching opposing schools, they knew they wanted to unify the teams.

The girls on both teams are thankful for the kind of changes that the new coaches have brought to both of the teams. Junior Alexis Leigeb said the team has changed for the better since getting a new head coach.

“Coach Buffy Hall and Coach Pat Welter are a positive influence on our team as a whole, and for me individually,” Leigeb said. “They are both very good at identifying swimmers’ strengths and because of that our team has been scoring well at meets. I would even consider them the ultimate dynamic duo.”

Senior Kelly Ballard, who swims breaststroke for Dow High, noticed a number of changes in her team due to new coaches as well.

“A lot of the practices have changed and how the team is run has changed,” Ballard said. “Some practices have become harder, but the harder they are the more it pays off. The coaches are more involved and they want you to work hard.”

SPORTS

girls Varsity swim team. Her best breaststroke time is one minute and 14.5 seconds. Hannah McAtamney | Photo Dow High’s assistant coach, Carl Smith, says that both schools’ coaches have done a great job of training their athletes in the correct way.

“Both coaches have brought across the importance of each practice and made sure each athlete tries their best,” Smith said.

Smith also wants the girls to understand why coaches changed their practices and how much he thinks it will help them out in meets where they will face tougher opponents.

“Our goal is to out-train our opponents,” Smith said. “I want the girls to learn something that makes them faster at each practice. I want them to understand why we have the types of practices we do. If they understand the ‘why,’ they will train harder.”

Coach Smith sees the value in training inside and outside of the pool. He makes his girls participate in what are called “dry lands”, which consist of lifting weights and doing ab workouts to strengthen their muscles they use for swimming.

Leigeb’s practices consist of drills, sprints, distance, individual medley (IM) and working on dives and turns. She said that these are the things that prepare her for a meet, as well as mental preparation.

“I listen to music to get myself ‘in the zone’, or I take a nap because that is the only way I can shut my brain off when my mind is going a million miles an hour,” Leigeb said.

Both Leigeb and Ballard understand the importance in training hard to reach their

goals. Both girls have been training for 100 meter breaststroke, which is four lengths of the pool. Leigeb enjoys the short events and that is why breaststroke is her favorite.

“I’m not a fan of distance,” Leigeb said. “I like the adrenaline you get from swimming short events.”

Ballard loves swimming breaststroke as well, but for different reasons than Leigeb.

“I’ve been swimming since fourth grade, and I’ve been swimming breaststroke for a long time,” Ballard said. “I’ve been able to perfect it.”

Leigeb was nervous about the Midland versus Dow meet because she and Ballard were closely matched as swimmers, but she was excited to compete and possibly win her events.

“We have such close times, but only one will win,” Leigeb said of her and Ballard’s competition at the Midland versus Dow meet.

“I get to swim against my friends that I grew up swimming with, and the crowd is bigger and louder than normal.”

While most teams were preparing for a tough match up, these teams were preparing to have a fun night, celebrating the beauty of their sport with healthy competition.

“This is not a stressful meet to prepare for,” Allen said. “It is actually one of the most fun meets that we have because both teams are home town teams. The bleachers will be full of fans from both teams. It will be a fun night.”

Dow High Senior Kelly Ballord (far right) and fellow teammates listen for instruction from Head Coach Renee Allen during an afternoon practice at the pool. Dow High’s Varsity swim team has been practicing very strenuously, sometimes swimming more than two miles in one session. Hannah McAtamney | Photo

B r e a s t s t r o k e H o w To : Glide Phase

Out-sweep Phase

Catch Phase

In-sweep Phase

glide forward with the body with arms extended as much as possible

arms turned slightly outwards, making a Y shape with the body

forearms vertical and facing backwards with palms in-line with forearms

hands below chest and elbow against rib cage with palms facing each other 13 | FOCUS | OCT 23, 2015 | mhsfocus.com

Cross-town Showdown

SPORTS

Fighting for a second chance The Varsity soccer players stay hopeful for the future after recently losing to Dow High 3-0. The team looks back on the mistakes made during the game and works on improving their skill, in hopes to play Dow in the district semi-finals on October 21. Maddy Pasche | A&E editor & Kady Volmering | Staff Writer

Key Players

Austin Cochran Midland High

Position: Forward/outside midfield Strengths: Versatility, intensity, and being able to score at any time during a game.

Weaknesses: Height, and failing to check back to the ball as a forward Favorite Moment of this season: Coming back from 1- 0 down to beat Saginaw Heritage at home

Daniel Haines

Senior Brendan O’Connor listens to his coach after the game on Oct. 12. The Midland High Varsity boys soccer team lost after a tough battle against Dow. The team will continue to practice strategies and improve their skills for the upcoming game against Western, in hopes to make it to district semi-finals and move past the loss against Dow. The team advances into the remainder of the season with a record of 13 wins, 6 losses, and 4 ties. Hannah McAtamney | Photo

Po s i t i o n : Ce n t e r m i d fielder

fter months of hard work, senior Jared Hohman felt devastation and loss as he and his team mates stepped off the soccer field. The reality of a 3-0 loss to crosstown rivals Dow High School in the fight for the Saginaw Valley League Championship, was setting in.

“Winning the SVL is and always has been the first goal of this team,” Hohman said.

“We had won the SVL the past four years, so we had hoped to continue the legacy and dominance.”

The Varsity boys soccer team saw its four-year reign as top of the SVL end against Dow High on October 12. Head coach Rodrigo Barassi hoped to ensure a win for the team by preparing them for the game since December of last year, when they began to meet once a week to practice.

“Each season brings new goals and challenges,” Barassi said. “As a four year Saginaw Valley League champion team, MHS becomes the team to beat. This year we are again in the fight for the championship.”

The Chemics prepared for the game against DHS by watching tapes of previous games against them. This helped the team and Barassi

Dow High

Years playing soccer: 11 Key to success: “Our team strives to work together and give 100%, all the time, every time.”

Favorite Moment of this season: “Our win against Holt, where the whole team played exceptionally well. “

14 | FOCUS | OCT 23, 2015 | mhsfocus.com

A

to point out and improve their skills and prevent crucial mistakes that have been made in the past.

The team also prepared by learning how to take advantage of the other team’s weakness and excel in the skill needed to beat it. The team’s success is also attributed to different players, like junior Austin Cochran, stepping up to the plate and taking on roles that are vital to better team play.

Barassi said the goal heading into the season was to schedule challenging non-conference games against teams like Traverse City West and Traverse City Central in order to be prepared for the SVL. “We have a mixed schedule of teams that we play in the earlier part of the season,” Barassi said. “Each year the group is different and one must develop a different style of playing that fits best with the group.”

DHS senior Josh Stauffer knew that the game between MHS and DHS would be close, but overall accredits their win to the team’s ability to play as a cohesive unit on the field. Stauffer also noted that their attacking threats have improved and the effort from everyone on the team also helped the team gain the win over

Midland.

“It felt fantastic to win,” Stauffer said. “We’ve lost to them the last three times we’ve played, so to win in front of the crowd and under the lights was incredible.”

Hohman said the team’s loss occurred in the middle of the field where they were second to every ball and overall had trouble connecting passes and getting anything substantial offensively. Hohman says that Dow’s ability to possess the middle of the field well allowed them to put the ball in the net when it mattered.

“Our defense played a little sloppy,” Hohman said. “The whole team played a little defeated after they got up on us. We played physical and the ref was calling a tight game.”

Midland High’s season isn’t over yet though.

The team will continue on in hopes of facing DHS again before the season is over. The team plans to re-look previous strategy and practice on their positioning and passing, if the game is to come.

“Our season is still successful,” Hohman said.

“And if given the opportunity, we still have our chance to beat Dow again and prove we are the best team in Midland.”

SPORTS

THE SPORTS ZONE

Quick facts about the fall athletes and upcoming events. Madelyn Groulx | Staff Writer & Gypsy Worrall | Staff Writer

Athletes of the Month

Riley Legge

Grade: Sophomore Sport: Cross Country Stats: 20:33 best time Favorite Memory: “Going to cross camp my sophomore year. It’s a great way to get to know and bond with everyone on the team.”

Coach’s Take: “She is a great young lady, a very focused and determined runner.

She is an all around awesome Chemic.”

Key to Success: “When running, it’s important to have proper motivation and perseverance.”

SPORTS Tweet of the

Month “Thanks to all the fans and the pep band for coming out tonight. It was a sweet atmosphere to play in.”

@jrdhhmn

Ian Andridge | Photo

Favorite Memory:

Grace Rekeweg

“At a l l o u r tournaments we try to get other teams to have dance and sing-offs with us. It’s just a way we leave our mark.”

Coach’s Take: “She worked hard at making herself into a strong attacker. She is very quick to set the explosive off the floor when she is hitting.”

Key to Success: Putting your 100% into everything you do on the court.”

Ian Andridge | Photo

Volleyball: October 24 at North Branch, 8:30 a.m.

Girls’ Swim and Dive:

Sports Poll

Hannah McAtamney | Photo

record 5-0

October 23 vs. Dow at 7 p.m.

Cross Country: October 31; Regionals at Delta, 9 a.m.

after last year’s district Dow game. We really came together as a team and it helped build our team chemistry.”

Coach’s Take: “He has a strong touch on the ball. He is a clutch player and his size deceives the opposition.”

Key to Success: “Hustle. Loyalty.

Respect. Never give up.”

Grade: Sophomore Sport: Varsity Volleyball Stats: Tournament record 25-13, SVL

Varsity Football:

November 5 at SVSU, 5 p.m.

Grade: Junior Sport: Varsity Soccer Stats: 12-5-4, 3-0-1 in conference Favorite Memory: “The team shower

Luke Waskevich

Upcoming Events

84% 55% 86% 62% Out of 122 students

Chemics said they are planning on going to the Midland vs. Dow varsity football game.

Chemics said they will participate in the student section spirit wear at the Dow game.

Chemics think Midland will beat Dow High in the varsity football game.

Chemics think being on the away side will lessen the experience of the Dow game.

15 | FOCUS | OCT 23, 2015 | mhsfocus.com

Wedding watch

FEATURES

Sophomore Ethan Deckrow started filming and editing videos through his company, 3[23] Films, after completing the Young Entrepreneurs Academy.

Ethan films events, such as weddings, and edits them to turn the video footage into stories. Kirstyn Cotton | Opinion Editor & Gabe Severson | Staff Writer

A

lthough he’s only a sophomore, Ethan hours versus thirty hours [for a wedding] and Deckrow has already made enough it was more fun.” money to purchase his own car.

Ethan’s pastor, Keith Grabill, was very Deckrow has been filming events, such as impressed by the video because of the quality, weddings, since he was thirteen years old, time, and effort he put into it. Grabill also liked through his business, 3[23] Studio Films. that Ethan went out of his way to ensure that The business got its foundation through the each and every person who went on the mission Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!), a year trip was seen in the video. long class that assists students in developing, “The videos were high quality, which pitching, and launching business plans. showed Ethan has had considerable experience D e c k r o w ’ s p a r e n t s o w n C a p t u r e d producing videos,” Grabill said. “He invested Photography and Captured Productions, which a lot of time ensuring that each person on the helped to get him involved in filming and missions team appeared in the video.” editing. Deckrow’s father, Aaron Deckrow, is The video for Ethan’s church’s mission proud of his son and enjoys watching Ethan trip expresses his desire to move away from transform his videos into stories. shooting weddings, due to the lack of his “I have loved seeing Ethan take raw footage creative input. and tell a story with it,” Aaron said. “He blends “I’m trying to get away from weddings the creative aspects of storytelling with technical because it’s a lot of work for one video,” Ethan expertise very said. “It’s not well.” very creative and Through his I want to do more business, Ethan creative videos.” films events and How much “I love how [the business] allows me to edits the videos to Ethan charges is make them more express my creativity and capture timeless not set in stone, appealing. Even however he is memories for years to come.” though it takes him saving most of the

around 30 hours to money he makes edit each video, he Sophomore Ethan Deckrow for college, and enjoys running the recently used business and being some to buy his creative. first car.

“I love how [the business] allows me to “I’m still working on [prices] but it depends express my creativity and capture timeless on the hours and what kind of event it is,” Ethan memories for years to come,” Ethan said. said. “My dad helps me a lot with the business Although there is nothing Ethan wishes to aspect.” change about the business itself, if he could go Aaron assists Ethan by continuing to reinforce back he would have waited to get involved with the concepts that Ethan had learned in YEA!. the YEA! because he thinks he was too young to “My wife and I have a business background know what was going on. with Captured and continue to encourage him “If I could change one thing, I would’ve and reinforce the business concepts that he had started [the business] earlier but taken the class learned [from YEA!],” Aaron said. later because I would’ve been more mature,” Aaron has enjoyed watching Ethan expand Ethan said. “I wasn’t very mature in seventh his business, 3[23] Solutions, where Ethan grade so I didn’t do any of the work and I didn’t helps his clients with solve everyday problems know what any of it meant.” such as detailing cars, mowing lawns, and One of Ethan’s most recent projects was raking leaves. Aaron says that Ethan will use making a video using footage from a mission everything he has learned from both businesses trip. Although he didn’t do the filming, he was in future situations. able to edit it by adding music and compiling “Ethan has an entrepreneurial spirit and all the clips together. continues to expand his business into other “I did a video for my church; we went down opportunities,” Aaron said. “What he has on an Atlanta mission trip and I did a video found in the power of video media will likely there,” Ethan said. “It was easier than a wedding continue with him in future businesses as a tool because I edited [the mission trip video] in ten for promotion and communication.”

16 | FOCUS | OCT 23, 2015 | mhsfocus.com

Sophomore Ethan Deckrow has been filming and editing videos since he was 13. His business, 3[23] Films, has become very successful, making him enough money to purchase his own car. In the future, Deckrow hopes to get away from filming weddings to allow for more creativity. Kirstyn Cotton | Photo

Ethan’s

Polish and

Process 1 Film Analyze

the raw

Cut the

2

Footage

5

Finalize Add 4Music

Clips 3 Put the

together

Worlds away

FEATURES With at least one parent born in a foreign country, Juniors Hypatia Swanson and Cassie Rammidi automatically qualified for citizenships in both, one being America. Alternatively, junior Salomé Do came from France and obtained a green card, but doesn’t plan to get an American citizenship. Megan Nylund | Managing Editor & Cara Spencer | Staff Writer & Kalie Dornbos | Staff Writer

T

ightly grasping a picture dictionary that are in English. I think it will be helpful to against her 8-year-old body and cowering still speak English, but be in France. It will help shyly behind her dad, Salomé Do found me adjust.”

Similar to Do, Swanson was born in another her first day in the American school system, as a third grader, frustrating. Her challenges began country and has grown up in America’s differing with answering the question of what her name culture. However, Do was born in France to parents originating there, while Swanson was in English.

“I didn’t know how to talk to anyone and was born in St. Vincent in the Caribbean to a [my dad] had to leave, so I sat in the corner,” mother born there and a father with American Do said. “I had to use picture dictionaries to citizenship. Therefore, Swanson qualified to be communicate. I would point to a picture and a U.S. citizen.

“My dad wanted me to have better schooling try to get my message across.”

Three months into her school year, Do was and better job opportunities, so my mom, dad, speaking English fluently. She later found and I moved,” Swanson said. “We had to go to more than just the language in Midland to be a U.S. port [which was Barbados since] you can unlike Geudertheim, France – including how fly there from the U.S. I had to get verified that big everything was, specifically cars, food, and I was an American citizen.”

As she also roads. returns often to St. Now a junior Vincent, and can in high school, “I had to use picture dictionaries to recall events from Do notices more differences communicate. I would point to a picture h e r c h i l d h o o d there, Swanson between the and try to get my message across.” said America has a countries during stricter culture. her annual visits “In St. Vincent, t o F r a n c e . I n Junior Salomé Do I could hang out agreement with with whoever and juniors Cassie Rammidi and Hypatia Swanson, she finds the it wouldn’t be a big deal,” she said. “Everyone’s lack of communication with their extended more carefree. Coming to Midland is kind of families as a difference. Yet Do finds security depressing because there isn’t anything to do and in St. Vincent I could go to the beach, into the biggest distinction.

“When we went to Paris, we were really town, or hang out with friends.”

Very recently, Rammidi had a chance to careful because Romanian or Arab children steal for their parents,” Do said. “I can’t have join Swanson in the experience of having two my phone in my back pocket [because] someone citizenships.Yet, unlike Swanson, Rammidi was is going to take it for sure, but [here] I leave my born in America and had the privilege of visiting her father’s native country of Botswana, Africa, car unlocked if I need it.”

Although Do has adopted both countries as in seventh grade. “[My dad] was funded by the government her homes, she and her family do not feel the need to test for citizenship, as they are moving because his dad died in service and his family back to France for Do’s college. They previously paid taxes,” Rammidi said. “He was brought over by education and the country supported had visas and currently live with green cards. “[I plan to attend] INSA, a computer science him, like they are going to support me.”

Although only having visited the country and engineering school,” Do said. “They have an American branch where students who come once, Rammidi found several differences in from English speaking countries can take classes the countries – mainly her family’s unique

Steps to

Be 18, able to comprehend English, and have knowledge of U.S. history

citizenship

Most immigrants do not automatically qualify for citizenship through their parents and must follow these 8 steps for American citizenship.

Junior Salomé Do and her family travel to France every year during the summer months and sometimes for Christmas break. They visited the Notre Dame in Paris during Christmas 2013 and spent time with her extended family that they don’t see often. Salomé Do | Photo Courtesy traditions. These extend from killing and eating goat for Christmas dinner to her grandmother’s gift of long life.

“She gave me a blessing of her hair as she was speaking in Tswana that I couldn’t understand at the time, and still don’t now,” Rammidi said.

“She pulled out part of her hair and kissed it before she put it on my head.”

Similarly, Swanson brought traditions from St. Vincent, which include cooking traditional meals and listening to music originating there.

Likewise, Do celebrates King’s day, a European holiday, every January.

“It’s where the kings went to Jesus and gave him gifts,” Do said. “We have a huge pie and there’s a statue in it and whoever gets that becomes the queen or king.”

Although the girls come from different backgrounds, Swanson and Rammidi both

Get

2 standardized, Complete a 21 page

Naturalization

Application Form (N400

form)

passport-style color

photographs

Get

fingerprinted by the USCIS

Be interviewed

by USCIS and take an English language test

find quick lines of immigration a perk, while Do has to face long lines and standardized bag checks. Rammidi jokes that another perk is the right to flee.

“If I get arrested, I can always fly over to Botswana,” Rammidi said. “That’s going to be on the charges one day; they’re going to reprimand me. Overall, I can say I’m a citizen of two countries and I get a passport with two zebras.”

Additionally, Do finds American schooling a benefit. In France, schooling is solely a learning environment, but she has found in her seven years here that school is also social. “[America] made me open minded,” Do said.

“For example, Chemic pride. There’s no school pride in France and we don’t have school sports.

I love my school so much more than I would have in France.”

Attend ceremony and take USCIS will grant or

Oath of Allegiance

deny the

application at end of interview 17 | FOCUS | OCT 23, 2015 | mhsfocus.com

Questing for greatness FEATURES

For the first time in ten years, the equestrian team advanced to the state competition, winning regionals by nearly 180 points. The equestrians had never before experienced the level of competition they faced at states and finished fifth overall, their best showing ever. Will Hackbarth | Editor-in-Chief

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n the hoof-driven dirt of the Midland County Fairgrounds, beneath the excited eyes of a stadium of spectators, the equestrian team faced their greatest challenge yet. They were competing at regionals, a tournament with a level of competition and organization that much of the team had never seen. Having received their competition patterns less than a week before, senior Marina Nadobny, junior Morgan Letzkus, sophmores Madi Pfhal and Serena Fleming-Dittenber, and freshman Maureen Aloff, struggled with nerves and pressure to perform. Competing in more than 40 different events collectively, the team was able to acquire that which has eluded Midland High for over a decade: a regional title.

“My first reaction was to cry,” Nadobny said.

“I was so happy that we had won, considering this is my last year. So I got super emotional at first. And then after the initial shock, I was just super proud and relieved.”

The equestrians defeated all their competition, taking first place by nearly 180 points. The girls felt proud of what they had accomplished with their coaches, teammates, and horses, and were excited to move onto the state competition.

“We really couldn’t stop smiling,” FlemingDittenber said. “We were trying to be serious at the closing ceremony and we couldn’t. We just sat there and couldn’t stop smiling.”

The team attributed the success they experienced during their season to the cohesiveness of the team and skillful coaching.

Because all of the team members got along well, practiced frequently, and brought different aspects of equitation to the team, they have been able to score many points at highlevel competitions.

“We’re a really diverse team,” Pfhal said.

“We’re all really good at something different, so we bring a lot to the table.”

Letzkus also saw that the team had a beneficial amount of diversity and a valuable balance of skill and depth. She, along with her teammates, understood that each member of the team provided something unique and necessary for their success.

“We’ve been pushing really hard,” Letzkus said. “Everyone has helped and contributed.

If even one person wasn’t there, we probably wouldn’t have made states this year.

Everyone’s really pulled their weight. We’ve all earned a ton of points.”

Head Coach Bonita Johnston witnessed this hard work over the course of their season,

18 | FOCUS | OCT 23, 2015 | mhsfocus.com

and all the improvements it fostered. The team began practicing in March, about once a month. Over the summer, the team started to practice at least once a week. Throughout the entire season, the team members also showed their horses at other shows and practiced by themselves nearly every day of the week.

“They have worked very hard to get where they are,” Johnston said. “It’s like practicing a musical instrument, but they have to work with their horse. So, even though we only practice once a week, they are practicing a lot.”

Johnston acknowledged that it was this work ethic, combined with natural showmanship talent, which made the equestrians as competitive as they were.

“They have a lot of depth that we haven’t had, and they all work very hard,” Johnston said.

“Their improvement has been astounding. It’s a combination of their horsemanship, but also that we know what we need to practice now.”

The team credited Johnston and the other three coaches with providing the instruction they needed to accomplish their goals. The hard work, experience, and guidance they received from their coaches was one of the primary reasons they were able to qualify for Head coach Bonita Johnston gives advice to senior Marina Nadobny (left) and sophmore Serena the chance to be state champions.

“We have such great coaches,” Fleming- Fleming-Dittenber (right) during their practice for the MIHA state competition. Will Hackbarth | Photo Dittenber said. “They all help in their own connection between equestrian and horse is asking for,” Fleming-Dittenber said. “You way. They don’t give up if you can’t get it; they imperative for success. Johnston, Pfhal, and just have to know how to communicate with keep pushing for us to get something.”

Letzkus said they consider their horses to be them. If you don’t ask just right for a certain The support and dedication that is shown by their best friends, and a source of constant movement, they’re not going to understand the coaches is also reflected in the equestrian’s support in their daily lives. and they’re going to get confused and you’re attitudes towards each other. All members “I love the team, but I also love the going to get stressed because they’re not doing of the team consider themselves to be great relationship you build with your horse,” Aloff what you want.” friends, and are able to socialize outside of said. “Some people think that animals don’t For Nadobny, this relationship with school and equitation without drama. Aloff really have personalities, but they do, and it’s the horse is one of her favorite parts of describes the team’s relationship as that of really easy to build a relationship with them.” equitation. Because it is often times difficult to a family, which If a rider hopes communicate, it is rewarding for her when she makes competing to perform well is able to connect with the animal. even more of in competition, “It’s not easy being able to ride a horse an enjoyable “We’ve been pushing really hard. Everyone she must have and tell it to do certain things, when in the experience. has helped and contributed. If even one a complete wild they’re not supposed to be doing this,” “It’s not only person wasn’t there, we probably wouldn’t understanding Nadobny said. “This is super unnatural for your coaches of how her them. So for us to be able to communicate have made states this year.” helping you,” horse will react with them to do certain things is really great.

Fleming-Dittenber situations It’s good knowing that you have an animal junior Morgan Letzkus to said. “Your team and listen to underneath of you that’s listening to you and members help you i n s t r u c t i o n . willing to cooperate with you.” too, and they’re right there along with you the If anything goes wrong with the horse, Using what they had learned from regionals whole entire time. Even if they don’t have to and the equestrian does not know the and the relationships they had forged with show at seven in the morning, they’re still up appropriate response for their animal, their themselves, their coaches, and their horses, and they’re still cheering you on and getting misunderstanding could cost many points. the equestrian team began to prepare for ready at the same time.”

“If you don’t have a good relationship with the Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship In addition to the relationship between your horse, you have no way of communicating Association State Championship.

The team members and coaches, the emotional with each other to figure out what you’re equestrians received their patterns on the

FEATURES

Specifics of States An overview of the Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association state competition.

Midland High competes in

Division B

against

9other schools from 5 regions Classes Speed Senior Marina Nadobny riders her horse, Boomer, preparing for one of the eleven events she will compete in at states. The equestrian team began practicing in March, and continued to work hard throughout the year, all in preperation for this compeition, which occured Oct. 15-18. Ian Andridge | Photo night of Monday, Oct. 6, which gave them a little over a week to practice for this statewide competition, which began on Oct. 15 and ended on Oct. 18. Because many of the riders compete in 12 or 13 different classes, each of which require a different pattern to be executed, quick memorization skills were required, as well as effective time management.

“They’re nasty. They’re big, brutal patterns,” Letzkus said. “These patterns are more complicated than most of the patterns I show, and they’re testing every single skill you should have to ride a horse. They’re testing to see the average riders, and who’s going to be set apart as the better and the best riders. I’m excited for these patterns because they have things that I haven’t had to show before and I want to see how far I can push myself, and I want to see how well our team can do together too.”

At this competition, the team competed in Division B, in which every team can compete in up to 42 classes with anywhere from five to ten riders. The equestrians could have chose to compete in Division C, which only has 24 classes, but they chose to compete in B so that they could ride in more events. In this division, the equestrian team faced the top two teams from each region. Of these two teams they knew very little, other than they would be a level above the teams they had competed

against before. Going into states, the team was confident that they would be able to place well, facing fierce competition. They believed it was possible for them to win, but it would be an incredibly difficult feat.

“I know competition is going to be a lot harder,” Letzkus said. “Our team’s goal is to at least place in a few classes, and have everyone place. Of course our goal would be to win states, but that would be a very hard goal to achieve. We could do it if we worked and pushed really hard.”

Johnston had faith that her team would do well, but ultimately just wanted to see them do the best they possibly could. Her favorite part of coaching is seeing the girls improve, gain confidence, and be happy, whether or not they win. Johnston was only worried that they had not seen the level of competition they were going to see at states. She said this was the best team she had ever coached, and so they stood a chance of being a tough team to beat at the state level.

“To win would be phenomenal, but the competition is a little different,” Johnston said.

“Downstate, a lot of the girls will try out for teams. They have to show in circuit shows, unlike what we do here. A lot of those girls, they actually don’t use their own horses, they get horses from other trainers, just for the team. I think we have a shot at being very

competitive, absolutely.”

The equestrians earned many top ten finishes. Aloff and Fleming-Dittenber won third place in the two person relay, while Nadobny and Letzkus took a first and third place. Pfhal won second place for hunt seat bareback and first place for western bareback.

Letzkus took first in saddle seat equitation.

Overall, the team took fifth place, earning 171 points, just one point behind fourth place.

“We gave it our all in everything we did,” Nadobny said. “I couldn’t ask for a better first experience at MIHA states.”

Johnston is very proud of her team, and is impressed and thrilled with their showing and attitude during the competition.

“They had a great performance,” Johnston said. “It was very tough, so stress was a big factor. Despite it being tough, they kept on going and had a great attitude. They learned a lot about competition, success, and failure.”

Letzkus agrees that the state competition was a great experience. She hopes to maintain the level of success the team has achieved in future years, in order to help the team attend the MIHA state competition once again.

“States was a really good experience for me and the entire team,” Letzkus said. “We all learned a lot about showing and each other.

Overall, the state meet was fantastic and I can’t wait to see if the team makes it next year.”

These equestrian events are decided by the fastest time achieved during assorted races, such as the Cloverleaf Race, Flag Race, and the Barrel Race.

Jumping Events in which riders vault their horses over different obstacles, such as the Hunt Seat Over Fences

Equitation Horseriding focused on the execution of patterns, with distinctions between clothing and riding styles, such as English, Western, Showmanship, Hunt Seat, and Saddle Seat

Trail

A longer event which tests the agility and manners of horses with various obstacles, such as fences and bridges.

19| FOCUS | OCT 23, 2015 | mhsfocus.com

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20 | FOCUS | OCT 23, 2015 | mhsfocus.com

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Gwynne Özkan Write it all down

When the stresses of life become the closing line to a story weeks in the making, overbearing and you feel the pressure, nerves, my mood lightens and I feel like I can breathe and worries breathing down your neck, what again. My worries diminish and I’m left with is your outlet? How do you escape? the feeling that I’ve left my mark on the world.

The key to this question for me lies in Despite the insignificance my words writing and it always has. My sense of relief may hold to those who dwell around me, at is buried in the stack of journals on my the very least they hold potential - potential nightstand. Journals filled with memories to be great and impact others. They possess dating back to 2005, when they were written the capability to brighten someone else’s day in backward letters and illegible words. It is or pull them away from their own unwanted with crumpled up sheets of half written stories feelings. that I could not fix and thousand word essays At least for the brief time their eyes graze I proudly sign my name to. My consolation across my words. I hope my writing acts will even find itself in the pesky chicken as an escape for someone else, brings them scratch notes I’ve left on my desk or birthday pleasure, or even enlightenment. I recognize card headings. the importance of The day I stop this potential. The writing is the hope of achieving day my mind this goal keeps my stops turning head on straight “Each unwanted emotion morphs into a and my and my pencil on identity is lost. character of my imagination. Every seemingly paper.

While unsolvable problem I stumble across becomes Documenting others deal moments in my the center of my next story.” with pain life or fictitious through foods events inspired with four by bad days or figure calories, gnawing on their raw finger fits of anger are important to me. Not because tips, or even inflicting pain unto themselves, I I feel if I don’t write them down they don’t take a more unique route. The feelings I want have meaning, but more so if I don’t write to push away are exiled into each word I grace them down, there’s no possibility of anyone on paper. else identifying with them, and that’s my sole Each unwanted emotion morphs into a intention. To have something I truly love to do character of my imagination. Every seemingly have a significant effect on someone else, no unsolvable problem I stumble upon becomes matter the money and no matter the margin. the center of my next story.

If what I write down touches any one The emotions inhabiting my head translate person, changes their perspective, or makes down my arm, through my pencil. They blend them feel something new, I will be content. into my pieces, creating the tone and the Knowing my outlet for stress and sadness mood. My problems become ‘their’ problems; grants another person a sense of relief or characters gallivanting through the worlds I enjoyment is reward enough. create for them.

For me, writing is more than a chore and For the portion of time my pencil is gripped more than fifty points added into my grade too hard in my hand, my neck is craned, and book.

I have eyes only for my sheet of paper, I am It is memories bound in handwritten untouchable. Regardless the topic and no journals with pages torn out. matter the length, I get lost in the words I It is short stories written that please my create and am safe from the trenches of reality imagination and bring comfort. for the time being.

It is courtesy of the hardships my life entails Each line written is the equivalent of and my ability to channel them into works inhaling a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream with positive avenues that I appreciate. for some. Every page turned allows a deep Writing is who I am and I am thankful breath paired with a sigh of relief. Whether everyday that I am able to share it with those it’s conjuring up witty dialogue or finishing around me.

Alice in the art society

A&E

The National Arts Honors Society takes on a new challenge of creating a set for the Rock Youth Development’s Alice in Wonderland themed Halloween party.

The members have learned to work together and use each of their different abilities. Maddy O’Callaghan | Staff Writer & Lexi Costley | Ads Coordinator

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his year, the National Art Honors Society is going down the rabbit hole for the Rock Youth Development Initiative fundraiser, where art clubs from across the district will make pieces for the Alice in Wonderland themed Halloween party in hopes of winning the $500 prize.

Senior Caitlin Wejrowski, an elected officer of NAHS, is excited to have the opportunity to participate in the competition.

“It is to experience Alice in Wonderland at its finest,” Wejrowski said. “There are different schools coming together to show what they can do. We thought it would be a good experience.”

The competition is one of the largest that the club has participated in, with 400 adults attending October 29th at Valley Plaza to see various schools projects and abilities. The exhibit will be set up in the order of the story, starting with the scene where Alice falls down the rabbit hole. Each school was assigned a different part of the book, MHS being assigned the enchanted forest scene where Alice first comes across the caterpillar and the Cheshire cat. Junior Megan Zastros, who has been involved in NAHS for two years now, feels that this was an advantage.

“With this, we have so much more that we can do, like with the mushrooms and the caterpillar,” Zastros said. “We also have 300 square feet of background we can paint,” After being contacted by the Rock with the proposal to participate, the club members started the project in the summer when some of the officers began to come up with ideas.

The rest of the club members began to make the ideas come to life by working on the set everyday after school since the beginning of the academic year One of the advisors of the club, Jeanne Townsend, is impressed and pleased by the dedication of the club members despite the challenges they’ve encountered.

“We have had students in everyday after school since the first week of school. We’ve stayed at school to 5 o’clock on some days.”

Townsend said. “It’s great to watch the students problem solve together. Someone will make a suggestion and that will spark an idea by another student and it just snowballs.

The students are also learning from each other with their different strengths which they are very willing to share as we work together towards our common goal.”

The Rock was able to fund the club with 200 dollars for materials for the artwork. So far, they have spent the majority of the money on the backdrops which will portray the forest.

Many of the pieces they have made so far have been from recycled or donated material, like a large pipe and cardboard for a tree, or the umbrellas used for the top of mushrooms.

Both Zastros and Wejrowski feel that, although it is troublesome at times to agree on ideas, the members of the club have grown together in their teamwork.

“We have a lot of different types of artists, and each are amazing in their own way,” Wejrowski said. “But through this experience, we’ve really improved on our teamwork, which is awesome.”

The enchanted forest scene has seven feet of wall space in the Great Hall at Valley Plaza to use for their set, including a mirror, which they plan to use to create an optical illusion with 3D fake trees. These different ways of utilizing artistic abilities is a big reason why Townsend wanted the students to participate in this competition.

“The scale of the set has been a new experience to the girls.” Townsend said. “The three dimensional materials have offered an opportunity to work with different materials in some unconventional methods.”

The members hope these new methods bring them the first place prize. Any of the money they make off of the fundraising will be used to fund NAHS’ annual trip to an art museum, alternating every year. This year, the artists will be going to various museums in Grand Rapids. Junior Ellie Olken, first year member, feels this is a good way to use the money.

“I think it’s beneficial because it gives us the opportunity to see more great art work,” Olken said.

Because the competition takes place at an event for individual’s 21 years or older, many of the club members were concerned that their hard work and effort was not going to be recognized by their peers. However, Townsend tries to find various ways to use the art created from this project in ways to benefit the school and community, like the giant mask they made last year that is now being used by the Midland Community Foundation for their annual Mardi Gras celebration. This year, the club hopes to be able to use the pieces they’ve created for prom. Zastros feels that this is a good way to get the recognition that the club rarely receives.

“It’s difficult because all the work we put into things, a lot of it doesn’t get recognized,” Zastros said. “That’s why I’m glad we’ll be doing this for prom as well. People will be able to see what the art programs can do”

Artists Juliana Rowley and Madelyn Shroeder work together to create the ‘this way that way’ signs for the enchanted forest set, which were inspired by the Disney cartoon version of the story. The set will also be featuring the famous Cheshire Cat and the hookah smoking Caterpillar. Maddy O’Callaghan | Photo

Wonderland of art

The Pencil Birds that warn Alice not to step on Mome Raths will be hanging from the trees.

The mushrooms were created from cardboard, paint, umbrellas, and fabric.

The artists reference stills from the Alice in Wonderland cartoon to create several large backdrops that depict the forest.

The “Bread and Butterflies” were created by painting cut out pieces of styrofoam and attaching them to tubes.

21 | FOCUS | OCT 23, 2015 | mhsfocus.com

A&E

Disney Halloween Movie Reviews

H

ocus Pocus is one of those movies where everyone is in on one little secret, but you’re the one person who doesn’t know what’s going on and no one will explain it to you. Hocus Pocus is an eye-catching movie right from the start, with the action-packed opening of cackling witches crafting bubbling potions.

The plot of the movie , released in 1993, involves three witches who are sentenced to die in Salem, Massachusetts for participating in witchcraft 30 years ago. Their bodies are now placed under a curse. During the same time, a boy is turned into an immortal cat. The movie flashes forward 300 years, the witches are resurrected at Halloween time. Two teenagers, Dani (Thora Birch), and Max (Omri Katz), become targets of the witches.

The sidekicks Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy) play a much less significant role, effectively depicting Dani as a controlling force. With these well-rounded, different characters, the movie creates personas and situations to which everyone can relate.

I

n a world where witches fly on brooms and skeletons drive taxis, HalloweenTown is filled with great adventures featuring a young girl named Marni (Kimberly J. Brown) and her two siblings, Dylan (Joey Zimmerman) and Sophie (Emily Roeske). Marni is obsessed with Halloween, though her mother, Gwen (Judith Hoag) never allows her children to trick-ortreat or attend parties.

This dynamic provides perspective that not everyone celebrates the same way for Halloween, and that many parents are strict to keep their children safe on Halloween night.

On Marni’s thirteenth Halloween, she is rebellious and argues with her mother, asking why she and her siblings are not allowed to enjoy Halloween like a normal family.

Having the kids in the movies being around high school age, students can relate to the story, which makes the audience to me more enthused. The movie brings much attention to the festivities of Halloween, but also shows the family issues that many people encounter.

In the movie, released in 1998, a valuable lesson is taught, which states that you should always stick by your family, because they will be the ones by your side in the end. Even

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Hocus Pocus, being an older movie, allows people to get a piece of history, which makes this movie a Halloween classic. The actors that portrayed the characters did a great job of capturing the overall spirit and characterizing the protagonists as relatable to the viewer.

Hocus Pocus is a must-watch movie because of the diverse cast of characters, its relatable nature, easy to watch, and organized structure, which allowed the Halloween spirit to be captured throughout. (KG)

8/10

though the kids wanted to go to parties, they never went.

HalloweenTown has an interesting plot, which catches people’s attention right from the beginning. The skeletons driving taxis, and the witches flying on brooms, captures the Halloween spirit. The movie incorporates this spirit with an action-filled story, and characters that have an interesting spark.

The movie appeals to a large audience because of the relatable, yet unique dialouge, and impressive special effects, which puts viewers to get into the Halloween spirit. (LM)

8.5/10

With Halloween just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start watching your favorite classic Disney Halloween movies. Hocus Pocus, Twitches, HalloweenTown, and Casper the Friendly Ghost are the top four movies that were chosen.

The four movies allows the audience to get a little piece of Halloween spirit and allows the people to notice all the different movies that are played throughout the fall season.

Kayla Graham | Sports Editor & Lillian Mohr | Staff Writer

S

eparated at birth and never told that they were identical twin sisters, two confused witches discover the secrets of their magical past upon being reunited on their 21st birthdays. The twin sisters are Alex Fielding (Tia Towry) and Camryn Barnes (Tamera Towry).

Twitches tells the tale of these two, reunited sisters as they set out to discover the true potential of their powers while battling the dreaded force of darkness in a bid tosave the enchanted land of Coventry, where Alex and Camryn were born.

The movie, released in 2005, contains mildly scary moments in which vague, smoky darkness threatens the main characters and causes small fires. The loss of their two parents causes sadness between the two twin sisters.

A lesson is captured throughout the movie.

The twins teach what the real meaning of a relationship is. When seeing true ‘sister-love,’ it allows the audience to watch a heart-felt movie, while still getting in the Halloween spirit.

Because it contains aspects of improving

familial reltionships, as well as a darker, scarier side, this gives the viewer an entertaining mix of heartwarming emotion and eery action. The movie focuses on direct dialouge that is interesting and easy to follow. With precise dialouge given from each character, who are around the same age as high schoolers, the audience was able to relate to the movie.

Twitches ends and the audience can smile once again because of the realationships that were made the Halloween spirit that was

asper the Friendly Ghost, released in 1995, follows the story of a young ghost who meets the daughter of a paranormal therapist and befriends her. The paranormal therapist James (Bill Pullman) and his daughter Kathleen (Christina Ricci) have an awkward relationship, due to the fact that James’s wife and Kathleen’s mother, Amelia, passed away.

Kathleen feels left out and lonely due to the fact her and her father move so often that she can never keep any friends.

Carrigan Crittenden (Cathy Moriarty) is the antagonist of the movie, a woman who discovers that the house James and Kathleen live in carry important treasures. She hires Dr. Harvey (Bill Pullman) to get rid of the ghosts, in order to get the treasure.

While watching this movie, even though people can’t relate to having a ghost friend or living in a house full of undiscovered treasures, it doesn’t take away from the fact that students can relate to relationships and the passing away of loved ones.

The movie also provides a valuable lesson.

It shows that you would be able to make friends if you know where to look, and there will always be someone by your side to help

you thoughout your life.

However, the movie was rated a 4/10 because the acting and special effects could have been vastly improved. The actors didn’t express emotions well or deliver a believable performance. The movie was not well developed because the actors’ lack of emotion drew back from the audiences satisfaction of watching.

Another reason why the movie isn’t well developed is because the movie is difficult to follow and it doesn’t focus very well on the story line. The plot isn’t specific enough. It has poorly done special effects and computer generated images that make it seem less believable and entertaining to all. (LM)

C

8/10

4/10

Crafting a profit

A&E

Senior Emma Vanderlinden creates full size animal suits, which includes a head, body, sleeves, paws, and tail. She has made over ten suits in the past six years and has begun to sell her creations to people locally and online for about three hundred dollars. Ella Colbert | Features Editor & Hayley Russell | Staff Writer

S

enior Emma Vanderlinden sat anxiously supplies online. She buys the faux fur on fabric. as 6,000 people in various stages of com, and goes to Joann’s Fabric for the rest. costume passed by and examined the Vanderlinden said she spends upwards of artwork she was selling. Vanderlinden two hundred dollars on each mask, which she was attending Anthrocon, a costume convention typically sells for around $300. focused on anthropomorphism giving human Vanderlinden has created a solid costumer traits to animal characters- which she has done base on online forums, where she sells her for the past four years. At this event she has sold mascot heads and suits. She uses websites her artwork and collaborated with other people such as thedealersden.com and furbuy.com to who share her passion. display her work to a broader base of people “The atmosphere is very welcoming to me interested in anthropomorphism. She has also whenever I go,” Vanderlinden said. “There are built a local base in the fur community and sold so many extremely nice people that I am able a Channel Island Fox head, paw and sleeves, to talk to.” and tail to former Midland High student Jordan After originally selling her drawings, Penny.

Vanderlinden progressed to a bigger project: “Considering that was the very first building and selling fur suits. Since beginning commission Emma had done for someone else, her business in sixth grade, she has crafted more she did an excellent job,” Penny said. “She has than ten mascot heads, improving in her design been very flexible with repairing any wear and techniques with the construction of each one. tear or hiccups that occur.”

Vanderlinden is Penny had self-taught, using purchased the a combination suit for $250 and of internet was pleased with “Emma has immense talent and suggestions and how closely the a great deal of creative ability. The way she can take a f i n a l p r o d u c t trial and error. atched the concept and turn it into a full costume is m “ T h e r e initial drawings. incredible.” are a lot of “Emma has different artists immense talent in this field,” nd creative

MHS Graduate Jordan Penny aability,” Va n d e r l i n d e n Penny said. “I get my said. “The way inspiration she can take from Disney art and online. The field is very a concept and turn it into a full costume is specialized, so it’s mostly online.” incredible. Working with the materials she uses, Each head takes approximately a month they are very unforgiving. For me, an important to construct, all depending on the amount of aspect of art is how much joy in any form it school work she has. Vanderlinden begins with can bring to the consumer. That’s what these a drawn reference, complete with a front and costumes are - wearable works of art.” side view of how she wants the mascot to look.

Vanderlinden and Kirchmeir go to a few Determined by the design, the mascots are made conventions a year, usually during the summer, in different ways. Typically, she gets upholstery as not to cut into school time. For the past four film to make a mold of the mascot’s head, and years they have gone to Anthrocon, the largest determine that the head is able to fit a human. furry convention in the world, in Pittsburgh.

The next step is to pattern the model with duck This year, they plan on going to the second tape. She is then able to sew on the fur and shave largest convention, the Midwest FurFest in parts of it to fit her needs.

Chicago.

Vanderlinden does her work in an open space “I’ve grown a lot, artistically, through my beside her family room, where she has a table work,” Vanderlinden said. “At the conventions for crafting, as well as shelves lined with heads I’m given a better perspective of how to in varying stages of completion. construct my mascots based on other people’s “I’ve given her space in our house so she work. It gives me inspiration to see the actual can keep working on her projects,” her mom, costumes in person.”

Katheryn Kirchmeir, said. “She doesn’t have The conventions host panels to discuss various to clean it up and put it away, she can just methods of mascot construction, as well as continually work on it.” comedians interested in anthropomorphism. Art Vanderlinden buys the majority of her and costumes pertaining to the fur community

Senior Emma Vanderlinden brushes the fur of one of her most recent creations in her home workshop.

The head is a pink border collie dog, and it is her mother’s all time favorite creation. Ella Colbert | Photo

How the head is made:

White luxury shag fur Plastic and acrylic

White flokati type fur are on sale in the Dealer’s Den. During some of the conventions, Kirchmeir attend sessions that aim to inform parents about the fur community and explain the benefits of exposing their children to such an environment.

“There are quite a few kids that have autism or very extreme social anxiety who feel that being behind a mask they are freed from that,” Kirchmeir said. “It gives them a lot of confidence in their early years to be able to build these suits and have this community of people who supported them, and gave them courage.”

Senior Gina Ennis has noticed Vanderlinden, in costume, becoming a different person and exerting more confidence than usual.

“When she’s in her suit she is a lot more outgoing,” Ennis said. “She is pretty shy and reserved normally, but when she suits, she gets this great energy and is super bouncy and fun.

She seems a lot more relaxed and happy.”

In the future, Vanderlinden does not plan to pursue her business as a full time career, but would consider it if necessary. As of now,

Pink faux mink fur Lycra and foam Anti-pill fleece the business is a hobby that has helped her strengthen her business and communication skills.

Recently, Vanderlinden has taken steps to potentially recreate Vic the Lion, the school’s mascot. She would like to make the mascot more appealing and believes it would display more Chemic Pride if the mascot was created by a Midland High student.

“I wouldn’t charge the regular commission cost because it is expensive,” Vanderlinden said.

“The old mascot is really nasty, and I think it would be cool to have one made by an MHS student.”

Despite the negative connotations that the fur community has received, Vanderlinden has had the opportunity to work with something she is passionate about and believes that it deserves more respect.

“Art is valuable to somebody,” Vanderlinden said. “Art should be valued in society in whatever form it may be.”

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A&E

Chills and thrills

From the best horror movies to most popular spots to get your cider, here is your guide to the best Halloween experience. Julia Quinn | Photo Editor & Paige Murphy | Staff Writer

Scary Movies

Trick or Treat

ll FavoritesFoaf Candie ents MHS Stud

34%

25%

62%

of MHS Students plan on Trick or Treating this year.

45% 21%

Leaman’s Apple Farm

7475 N River Rd., Freeland

What to do:

Admission includes a hayride, the Apple Barrel Express, the ABC Maze, a scavenger hunt, an Educational Lane filled with apple facts, the corn maze, the playground, putt putt golf, and animal viewing. There are 20 different kinds of apples covering just over 10 acres of land, cookies, pastries, donuts, pies, and breads. ($5 admissions)

Tour it:

Tour includes picking your own apple, sorting the apples, making your own cider on a hundred year old press, having a snack, making a craft, a hayride, corn maze, and time to play on the playground.

Upcoming Events:

Oc t. 24-25 Veterans Weekend-free administration Oct. 31: national caramel apple day-free caramel apple 12 & under

of MHS Students love to watch scary movies.

Best Horror Movies Classics

1: Psycho 2: Children of the Corn 3. The Shining 4: The Birds

Gore

1: Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2: The Evil Dead 3: Human Centipede 4: Saw

Paranormal

1: The Sinister 2: The Conjuring 3: A Haunting in Connecticut 4: Poltergeist

Psychological

1:The Shining 2:The Ward 3:Rosemary’s Baby 4: Black Swan

Funniest

1: Rubber 2: Scary Movie (1,2,3,4) 3: Scream 4: The Haunted Mansion

Grandma’s h atc Pumpkin P 4277 N Eastman Rd What to do:

Activities found at this patch include the 3 acre corn maze, cow train rides, inflatables, pig races ($7 admission). Food can be found at the Feed Through: Caramel Apples, Donuts, Pumpkin Rolls, Apple Dumplings, Chilli, Chicken Dumplings, Fries, and Nachos.

Upcoming Events: Oct. 24-25 : Cosmic Corn MazeAdmission: $7 Music and dancing.

(Corn Maze open from dusk to 9 p.m.)

Haunteesd Hous

Erebus: 18 S. Perry St., Pontiac (prices vary)

Xavier Haunt: 121 North Hamilton St. Saginaw ($8 admission) Bates Haunted Saw Mill: 7240 State Rd. Millington ($14 admission)

Saint Lucifer’s Haunted Asylum: 5290 S. Dort Hwy, Flint (prices vary)

Exit 13 Haunted House: 6069 N Saginaw St., Flint ($18 admission) Survey of 179 MHS Students

24 | FOCUS | OCT 23, 2015 | mhsfocus.com