October 24, 2013 Issue by MHS Focus

YOUTH GROUPS | PAGE 9

FANDOMS | PAGE 12-13

LOOSE CHANGE | PAGE 22

THE

FOCUS

A CAPELLA | PAGE 23

Midland High School | October 24, 2013 | Volume 36, Issue 2

Dancing With Molly

The use of the party drug MDMA is increasing within the city of Midland. MDMA, the purest form of ecstasy, can be taken in either pill or powder form.

L L O

lly

SPECIAL REPORT: The cross-town rivalry is electrifying the community. Jack Duly | Photo

Volume 36 Issue 2

FOCUS C O N T E N T S

18-19

OCTOBER WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE?

03 Editorial 04-07 Opinion 08-09 Dare and Molly 10 Michigan Apps 11 Youth Groups 12-13 Fandoms 14-15 Multi-lingual 16 Football Head to Head FOCUS EDITORS

17 22

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

17 Football Fans 18-19 Football Team Prep 20 Sports Zone 21 Ads 22 Loose Change 23 A Capella 24 Froyo vs. Ice Cream WRITE A LETTER If something annoys you about us, school, or life in general, write a letter to the editor. If something amuses you about us, school, or life in general, write a letter to the editor. If we got something wrong, write a letter to the editor. If it’s coherent and under 300 words, we’ll run it. Drop them off at room 345 with your name.

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

Association (MIPA), and Quill and Scroll. Adviser membership also includes the Journalism Education Association (JEA). Focus is designed as a forum for student expression and as a realistic lab experience. Focus, however, reserves the right to contest the challenge of an administrator who attempts to censor and/ or remove an article or graphic element.

EDITORIAL

Daring to change

What do you think?

How beneficial do you think that the D.A.R.E. program is for students?

With drugs on the rise amongst teens, debate has risen about whether the D.A.R.E. program has adequately educated students about the effects of drugs and other substances or if further precautions should be taken. “I think they should do it when they’re older because people are more exposed to drugs as they get older.” Freshman Julia Gross

“It was beneficial at the time but they should do it later on because in fifth grade we weren’t really thinking about doing that kind of stuff yet.” Sophomore Connor Legge

alking through the halls of any high school across the nation you will encounter peers ranging from either side of the spectrum. A scholar carrying a stack of books almost equivalent to their own height. A jock walking through the hallways with a little smirk who gains the attention of any girl he makes eye contact with. The people skipping out of class singing the song they have just practiced for chorus. And then there’s the boy who sits in the front row of class who hasn’t bothered to come to school in four days. When he does decide to show up, he’s six minutes late. As you notice these people, it is not apparent what these students do outside of the classroom; but with drug and alcohol abuse on the rise in teenagers, it is guaranteed that at least one of your peers was the life of the party last Saturday night. It can be argued that students come from a poor home life or that students do not have an authoritative figure in their lives, but we the Focus believe that the reason that drug and

alcohol abuse is on the rise is due to the lack of education about the effects that drugs and alcohol can have on a person’s body. If you have grown up in the Midland Public School district, you have completed the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program known as D.A.R.E. Though D.A.R.E. does a fair job scratching the surface of what drugs and alcohol can do to a person’s life, they do only that: scratch the surface. Because the D.A.R.E program is taught to students at such a young age, officers are unable to go in depth about real drugs that students will encounter as they get older. They are only able to inform a room of nine and ten year olds that cigarettes and alcohol are bad for you. This drug resistance program is beneficial in many ways for a fifth grader; but as students start to get older, they will not remember the blurbs of information that had been taught to them when they were sitting in a classroom wide-eyed because there was an officer in their presence. What about heroin? What about marijuana? What about LSD and ecstasy? Without being able to go in depth about drugs like these that

are on the rise, the education service has little impact. When a freshman is first introduced to these drugs as they enter the doors of high school, they are not going to remember that in fifth grade they made a promise. In fifth grade, they graduated from the D.A.R.E program. All of that will become just a hazy memory as they take one more shot, because it is what they know to be cool. We the Focus feel that if the Drug Abuse Resistance Education was taught at a higher grade level where officers would be able to give more information about real drugs and real life situations, it would become more realistic to all students. Providing students with more knowledge and more awareness about the long-term effects of drugs and alcohol will help to stop the rising number of usage among teenagers in Midland. Showing students real life situations of people their age who have overdosed from doing the same things that they are currently doing, will have much more of an impact than a fifth grader hearing about how alcohol will have a negative effect on their liver.

“I think that we’re taught about drugs too early and that it should be taught later in life when we’re older.” Junior Kate Waskevich

“It teaches kids some of the effects of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco at a young age to try and help lead them down the right road. Senior Warren Elmer

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

O P I N I O N

The school year is back in swing, but I can’t help but feel like something has been missing. Oh wait…I know: Music in the halls. Where did it go? I don’t know all of the details, but I hear rumors that a bad song was played and it went away for a while. Let’s say this rumor is true. Is it really fair to punish the many for the sins of the few? Music on Friday is something everyone (or at the very least, most people) really enjoyed. I always loved to listen to music on Friday. It would make me smile and renew my spirits in general, getting me through the day. I’m sure a lot of people felt that way; but because one numbskull did something stupid, everyone had to suffer. If anyone had to be punished, how about the one who played the song? Replace the offender with another more responsible student – that’s the solution. But my opinion doesn’t change much whether or not the rumors are true. It doesn’t change the fact that the halls were quiet for a few weeks, forcing us to continue on without something like music to get us to the end of the day. Sincerely, Jared Owen

PUZZLE OF THE MONTH Common Girl Word Search: Fall Edition

TWO SENTENCE HORROR STORIES My son keeps getting scared at night, and will crawl into bed with my husband and I. But tonight, after he’d been lying with us for a good hour, my son knocked on our bedroom door, and asked if he could come in. By: Christiana Haight

I At the family reunion you were able to hug your grandmother you haven’t seen in three years. Only to remember that she has been resting 6 feet underground the whole time.

The clown at the carnival was ver y entertaining. What wasn’t so funny, however, was when I saw him at the window last night.

I was lying in bed and put my hand out to let my dog lick it. Then a few seconds later I heard my dog barking downstairs.

By: Maddy Wheelock

By: Mercedes Hussein

By: Michelle Demo

Beads of sweat roll down and off my g face and plop down on the hardwood floor. Exasperated and in need of a tremendous supply of oxygen, I look up at the scoreboard to watch in agony as the final seconds tick off the clock and the final buzzer sounds. No noise can break a heart quite like the final buzzer when you are on the losing end of the stick. The Jefferson Huskies had defeated the Northeast Vikings in an all-out, battle to the finish, game of basketball. While seeing the opposing team- kids that I will be facing off against for the next six years- celebrate while we sulked in a forlorn state, I came to the realization that I didn’t have a particular liking for Jefferson, or soon to be Dow High, to put it lightly. ow it’s not like I have a dislike for everything at Dow. I have some pretty good friends that go to Dow High. I respect the school; they have great academics and quite the swim and tennis programs. H.H. Dow High School just has such a connotation with it that irks me. I mean, they even have “National Exemplary High School” displayed in huge letters on the outside of their school, right below the name, as if to try to stick it in Midland’s face that they are smarter than us. I can usually tell if someone’s a Dow High student just by looking at them. The way they act, dress, walk, talk, reason, smell, breathe, eat … well maybe not all of those things, but most of them can be distinguishable traits that let me know they aren’t from the same side of town as I. One of the most significant parts of the Midland-Dow rivalry is all of the trash-talking that occurs. It gets nasty. Since we live in the same city, the players know a good deal about the other teams’ players, which makes it easy to target people for their weaknesses. Anything that someone can say to get inside

What Midland vs. Dow means to me the opponent’s head can and will be said. I’ve always been one of those guys who doesn’t try to go running his mouth in order to bad mouth a team, but for Dow High, I’m no saint; I would consider this column a form of trash talk. Trash talk just comes so easy against Dow. When having a conversation with a Dow High football player during the season, there is automatically tension. And when the conversation turns to football, which is pretty much inevitable, each person gives strong effort into trying to make their team sound better than the other. A specific trait of Dow High that really sets me off is their lack of ability to get over one game. For example, in 2011, Dow defeated Midland High 24-0 in football. For the ensuing school year, they would bring signs to all other Midland vs. Dow sporting events with 24-0 displayed in huge numbers, just to rub it in. Their comeback for anything related to Midland High was always “24-0.” I understand that they should celebrate the rare triumph, but not only did they bring up that score in the 2011-2012 school year, but they have brought it up the next two years after that and I’ve even seen it this year. Dow, in general, just has a lack of class. One could say this might be the biggest week of my life. My last time stepping out on the field against the so-called “army” suited up in the green and yellow. My last spirit week, my last yell night, my last time having my house decorated, my last hall decorating, my last taste of the Midland vs. Dow rivalry (at least from a player’s perspective). This year is extra special due to Dow’s impressive season thus far; they will not be an easy win as they were in the past. Lose, and I will have to live with the fact that I lost to Dow High my senior year, which makes my stomach turn just thinking about it. I’m not even sure if I would be able to show my face at school the next week if we lose. Since that basketball game in 7th grade all the way to present day, I’ve been looking forward to this game more than anything. I want to get the last laugh in this last rivalry game I will be a part of, and am determined to do so.

WHERE’S VIC HIDING?

This year the Focus is trying something new. Similar to Where’s Waldo?, Vic will be hidden anywhere throughout the paper each month. The first person to find Vic, take a picture, and tweet it at @MHSFocus1 wins a free 44 oz. Speedway slurpee. Make sure to tweet it with a flavor and your 5th hour teacher. Happy hunting, and may the odds be ever in your favor. 04 | FOCUS | OCT 24, 2013

*the Vic on this page does not count

O P I N I O N

yths & onsters

Halloween is just around the corner, and this year the Focus has reviewed the scariest and most infamous mythical creatures that are out there. We suggest sleeping with one eye open this Halloween. Christiana Haight| Staff Writer

Bloody Mary: Urban Legend

“Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary... Bloody Mary.....” Step one: Light a candle. Step two: Turn off the lights and close the door behind you. Step three: Look into your bathroom mirror and say her name. After that, close your eyes and turn around. Now, when you open your eyes back up, she’ll be staring back at you. Legend has it that if you stare at that mirror and chant her name three times, you will conjure her spirit, and Bloody Mary will appear in your mirror. If she comes when you

call, she will claw your eyes out, or drain you of blood on the spot, so they say. Although there is no solid proof, some say that this legend is one of the scariest out there, at least from the stories that people have told. It has been used in many horror movies, and even been featured on some popular television shows. For some reason, taking on the form of an eerie chant similar to the 1992 movie Candyman, this myth has become one of our favorite Halloween night games to play with our friends. Teenage girls huddled in the bathroom at midnight, the room lit by only a candle as they whisper the chant to themselves. But there is more to this myth than meets the eye. The original legend is often based off of a woman named Mary Worth, who was

disfigured and blinded in a horrific car crash. Others argue that it was tied to Queen Mary I --often referred to as Bloody Mary of England. Some tell tales of a woman who was accused of witchcraft, blinded and then burned at the stake. With every new identity that Bloody Mary possesses, new stories and legends are born, and there are endless versions of this so-called spirit. However, though Bloody Mary’s identity is still a mystery, it doesn’t retract from the fear that the legend has left behind--we would advise you not to be chanting her name near a mirror any time soon. Even though there are doubts, it is said that if you have performed the chant at any time in your life, when you turn your back, Bloody Mary is still in the corner of your mirrors watching you.

1. The Grudge 2. Clowns 3. Chupacabra It is said, that when someone dies in the grip of a powerful rage... a curse is born. The curse gathers in that place of death, and anyone who encounters it will be consumed by its fury... Anyone who is a fan of terrifying horror movies knows where this quote is from: The Grudge. What was originally a legend in China has become one of the most well-known horror movie plots. The basic story line of this myth is more complex than it may seem. As the story goes, a woman and her family live happily in Tokyo; but she falls for her son’s teacher. She writes about him continuously in a journal but never actually talks to him. Her husband comes home one day, finds the diary and assumes that his wife was having an affair. When his wife and son get home that night, he brutally murders his wife, drowns his son in the bathtub and hangs himself. This gruesome story isn’t even the plot of these movies; it is just the tale of how these vengeful spirits were born. Throughout the movies, the wife and her child terrorize anyone who has come into contact with the home where they were killed.

One word: Clowns. Now, in many opinions, this is basically the most terrifying monster and Halloween costume option out there. We don’t know what it is about putting on a big red nose, but it sends shivers down many people’s spines. Some argue that technically, Clowns shouldn’t be ranked among the typical Halloween legends. But with all of the movies and campfire stories that are told about them, and the fact that a clown is also the main villain in the classic Stephen King novel and movie, “It.”, they deserve to be on this list. Over the decades, these masked monsters have transformed from simply being an occasional guest at a child’s birthday party, to the horror movie material that haunts your nightmares. In most of the stories told about clowns, they aren’t just serial killers hiding behind masks, but almost personified as their own species. The reason they have such a high rating, is because unlike the Chupacabra, The Grudge, or Bloody Mary, clowns live among us today and could decide to strike at any moment.

Now, honestly, this monster isn’t as intimidating as the legend makes it seem. The Chupacabra is supposedly a creature that should make you tremble in fear at the thought. However, it doesn’t always succeed when its name literally translates to “goat sucker.” Ooh, scary. People will never go to sleep again because they are too afraid of the goat sucker. Since the very first attacks, more stories have been piling up, not only depicting the deaths of animals and pets, but also targeting humans as well. The Chupacabra is said to have the appearance of a wolf from afar, but has reptilian, leathery, and scale-like skin. It is said that it has spines or scales coming from its back, but that the face of the Chupacabra resembles a dog with large fangs. People try to say that the supposed “Chupacabra” sightings could just be other types of animal attacks, but people argue over the fact that the victims are drained of blood entirely. There aren’t really any normal animals that do that to their prey. This legend has exploded across the world since the first known report of an attack back

in 1995, which occurred in Puerto Rico. After that first report, another sighting followed a few months later, when nearly 150 farm animals and pets were found killed, with the Chupacabra’s signature. Supposedly, this reptile-like creature leaves three tooth marks in the form of a triangle on the neck or chest of the animal that it kills, and when the body is found, it has been completely drained of blood. Now at first, this incident resembled a case from 1975 that was credited to “El Vampiro de Moca”, or The Vampire of Moca, which was an urban legend in that town. But the new evidence about the chupacabra raised questions as to exactly how long the monster has been around. Some people say that the Chupacabra is an alien, while others say that it is a type of mutated wolf. There are hundreds of stories of people who have witnessed Chupacabra attacks or seen this monster, so we wouldn’t recommend going out alone at night this Halloween.

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O P I N I O N

Back to the Basics When we first arrived, I had no intention of even getting out of the car. I sat in my seat just staring at the rundown shack. We’re not buying this. I thought to myself. This is ridiculous. After the papers were signed for new cabin, I made my first step into the oneroom house. I saw the drawers littered with trash and mouse waste and above me was the ceiling, looking as if it were about to cave in on me. Going from our 3,200 square foot house to a 500 square foot shack with an outhouse that was falling apart, no television, no cell phone service, and absolutely no heat other than a wood burning fire, this cabin seemed like a nightmare for any teenager. Now, five years later, I look forward to each chance we have to carve out a few days to spend time there. It’s not just another house we like to stay at every other weekend. With no running water, one room to share amongst five people, and not even enough cell phone service to make a short call, this is what I like to call a ‘hard-core cabin’. A cabin should be used to bond with your family, not to be an exact representation of what goes on at home as well: everyone going off on their own, ignoring the fact that we actually live in the same house. Besides, it’s almost impossible to ignore each other when we all sleep in the same room. I really don’t mind being taken away from the real world for a few days, even if it’s with my brothers. It forces my family to actually get to know each other and laugh together, rather than at each other. Whether it’s staying up until 3 A.M. playing Dominoes, listening to Eddie Murphy comedy tracks, or laying out in the river that goes up to your knees (if you’re lucky), spending quality time at the cabin relieves me of my busy schedule for a few days and makes me really appreciate what I have at home. Even though my cabin is five hours

Twinning 06 | FOCUS | OCT 24, 2013

TIDBITS

Random pieces of information told in less than 50 words

737 Around

away, in the middle of nowhere, with the closest store being a half an hour away, I wouldn’t imagine having it any other way. Some people believe that having a cabin is literally another house: same size, same quality, and same appliances. The best part about my cabin is that it’s small, homey, and takes you back to basics. The basics of life, worrying only about what is going on in the moment with my family and not caring about how I look or act. The basics of just laughing at yourself, and nothing could make me want more than my rundown shack. I guess I could consider it to be my second home, but one without all the gossiping, stress, and drama of my everyday life in Midland. The cabin has made me the person I am, and I really couldn’t care less about materialistic things such as my jeans brands and car quality. I’m proud to say that not only does my suburban have a giant hole in left side, but it also doesn’t have a handle on the driver’s side door. I’m proud to say that half or my clothes are from Kohl’s and the other half I have collected over the years from discount stores. I’m proud to say that throughout my four years in high school I have never gotten my hair done for any school dance and I have spent a total of $140 on dresses for them. And, I’m proud to say that my cabin is a rundown shack in the middle of nowhere with no running water. I have been asked an embarrassing amount of times if my twin brother, Ben, and I are identical. Luckily for the sake of the human race, it’s gotten less common as I’ve grown older; but I’ve probably been asked that same question five times since I started high school. Can I please just point out the obvious? I am a girl and he is a boy. There is absolutely no possible way that two separate genders could have the same DNA, which, heads up, is what identical twins share. But aside from that crucial detail that everyone seems to overlook, we also don’t really look alike. Ben’s more than half a foot taller and is tanner in the dead of winter than I could ever hope to be in the summer (unfortunately). I have curly hair and a rounder face. I guess we both have blue eyes and brown hair, but so do a lot of people. The biggest difference, though, comes in our personalities. Ben actually tries to look

The number of points MHS has scored against Dow since 1971

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

1 2 3

BY THE NUMBERS

Tweet OF THE Month I just had a cup of water in one hand, and my phone in the other..guess which one I tried to take a drink from? #thephone

Buying candy to snack on after school. Getting electrocuted from hanging Christmas lights Collapsing in your car from heat stroke during lunch

and one thing you still do... Hitting that one house on your street that gives out raisins and toothbrushes. I mean, seriously. decent in public while I would happily wear a T-shirt and put my hair up every day if I wasn’t co-oping. I can passionately go off on tangents about practically anything while Ben just stares at me like he has absolutely no clue why I’m wasting my breath. Ben’s really good at sports while I love to sing, read, and write. When I get freaked out about school, I make a schedule of how I’m going to get everything done and spend as long as it takes completing it. I’m probably going to have gray hair when I’m 30 from all the stress I feel from group projects. Ben, on the other hand, is really good at going with the flow and doing his best without going completely crazy. Probably one of the biggest challenges that comes with all these differences is having to be around each other almost nonstop. We’ve had lockers directly next to each other since seventh grade, and we both do cross country

Follow THIS User

@BrittanyBauer1 after school. One of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share in my life is the car. We have this really awful-looking ‘95 Nissan Maxima that has a host of problems including a faulty car alarm, the smell of gasoline when you turn on the heat, and randomly going into security mode so that the car won’t start. But it has a decent stereo system, so, as you can imagine, there is constant friction deciding who get to choose the music. Ben’s taste is more mainstream and sometimes I can deal with it, but when I’m listening to Jason Derulo for the 57th time, I feel like jumping out the window. I love my twin brother, and I wouldn’t choose to exchange him for anyone in the world. We may have the same age (actually I’m 26 minutes older), the same last name, and the same hair color, but, contrary to popular belief, we are not identical. And I love it.

O P I N I O N

What’s Missing

Total Exclusion It was another Sunday where I woke up with the awful feeling of being overwhelmed. My backpack lay untouched next to my bed full of assignments that I should have been working on all weekend. Most people look forward to Sundays as a day of relaxation with plenty of time for homework, but for me, two hours each Sunday are spent at church. I like church; however, the fact that I have to sit in an uncomfortable pew that somehow seems as if it messes up the alignment of my back is not something I look forward to. After dragging myself out of bed, throwing myself in the shower, and walking out the front door with wet hair, I managed to arrive at church, where I was handed the bulletin. It was interesting to me that the sermon was simply entitled “Leprosy”. I sat down in the pew and waited for the service to start. “Leprosy,” said my pastor, “is translated from the Greek meaning ‘total exclusion.’” A few muted coughs were heard throughout the congregation as well as the turning of thin, tissue-like pages. I looked around the room, partially listening to what my pastor was saying as I started counting how many bricks were on each wall of the octagonal room. “As you know, Lepers are people who cannot associate with the rest of society because of their contagious disease,” my pastor continued. “They are looked down upon and excluded from everyone else.” He proceeded with the sermon by showing the congregation a video commercial for a gym in Chicago that only accepts those people who need to lose more than 50 pounds.

Going Green

Created as an alternative to the typical gym where people are lifting, grunting and looking at themselves in the mirror admiring their physiques, it can be terribly intimidating for the people who are not so fit. It’s easy to understand how a person entering such a place would feel intimidated. Like the lepers, the overweight people wanted to fit in, feel accepted, and not be excluded by those who were already fit. I begin to think. Everyone experiences the awkwardness of middle school. Three years of physical and emotional change that is unavoidable. One day we wake up, look in the bathroom mirror and see strange large metal wires and colorful rubber bands binding our teeth plus the over-night addition of reddish mountains throbbing on our forehead. Our hair won’t cooperate, our mood swings with every tick of the clock. Even though everyone is going through these same awkward times, we feel like the only one experiencing the hardships of maturing. The sermon was starting to make sense. I understood the feelings of the leper, how they felt excluded, how they felt as if they didn’t belong. I realized that I had felt the same way at one point in my life. It wasn’t just about the lepers who were purged and shunned by society because of their disease. We all experience the isolation of not belonging, the angst of rejection. We all experience exclusion. My palms are sweating and my face is flushed with fear. I unbuckle my seat belt, hoping to God that the car stops and I can get out before the smell hits. Or before I have to see it. I shut my eyes when I hear another groan. As soon as I hear my aunt shift into park, I’m out—over my little cousin, as far away from the scene as possible. The first words my best friend says are not about how sick she is, but instead, “Maddy, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?” She’s spent enough time around me to know my biggest fear: vomit. I feel bad, albeit stressed, that I’m keeping this much of a distance from her. She’s my best friend and she just got carsick. I should be comforting her, but I can’t bring myself to do it. There’s puke on the ground, I’m holding back tears, and all I can think about is how I’m going to have to sit in the smelly car until we can make it home.

The doors of the burgundy Grand Prix creaked open. I trudged through the snow, trying to step in my footprints from when I had left for school in the morning as to not get my feet wet. By the time I got to the door, I realized that my brother was no longer beside me. Then the snowballs came. He laughed as I try to use the screen door to shield myself from the attack. Considering my brother had the key to the door, I was left helpless until he decided that he had pelted me with a sufficient amount of snowballs and unlocked the door for me. This was a daily occurrence. He would laugh and I would yell as siblings do, as best friends do. He was my best friend. But now it’s different. Now we lead such separate lives, him in college, me in high school. Now I hardly see my best friend. Ryan and I didn’t go out of our way to do nice things for each other. We didn’t compliment each other. He never gave me brotherly advice or even really expressed interest in my life. We never hugged or said, “ I love you.” We knew. We had a comfortable relationship in which I would see him in the hallway at school and smile and he would throw a wad of paper at my head and then grin back. When I was having a bad day, I would rant and he would nod at the appropriate times. No one could make me laugh like Ryan. We had the exact same sense of humor. I was good at laughing at myself and he was good at laughing at me. And we were both good at laughing at other people. Every day on the ride home from school I would dive into the stories from that day that were things that I could only tell Ryan. No one else would get it. The past two years I’ve begun to forget Okay, yes, I know it’s stupid. Puke can’t come alive and hurt me. There’s nothing to be afraid of. I’ve heard it a thousand times. But I still can’t sit through that puke-angel scene in Pitch Perfect without wanting to cry. I can hardly watch the movie at all, knowing its coming. This phobia has plagued me for as long as I can remember. Kids in elementary school get sick a lot, and if you’ve ever puked in front of me, I guarantee I remember it. Don’t worry; I won’t hold it against you for too long. But if I flinch whenever you say “I don’t feel well,” well, you know why. Unfortunately, I’m just as grossed out by my ow puke as I am by someone else’s. I don’t remember the last time I threw up, but I remember that I was wearing a Fairly Odd Parents tee shirt and watching the karaoke scene in High School Musical, so it must have been a long time ago. It’s not that I haven’t gotten sick since

those things. I no longer mentally compile thoughts, jokes, and stories for him. The jokes in my head that others wouldn’t understand don’t have an audience anymore. When we took Ryan to Michigan State two summers ago, I knew that I would lose my best friend. I knew that it wouldn’t be the same anymore. I knew that while he opened a new chapter in his life, I would be left behind in my old one, miles and miles away. I blocked out the scene around me. I didn’t want to look at his new room. This wasn’t his room; his room was next to mine. I didn’t want to see his new computer or his new T.V. I did not want to acknowledge anything that helped to build his new life that I wasn’t a part of. After procrastinating our departure for as long as possible, my parents hugged him and said their good byes. I did not hug him. I did not say goodbye. I couldn’t. I coldly mumbled, “See you later,” as I edged towards the worn wooden door of the dorm room. A dramatic goodbye wasn’t our style. The house is different without him. The door to his room stays shut. The constant drone of ESPN has faded to silence. When I don’t understand a math problem, I now have to Google it instead of shouting for Ryan to come help me. Walking to the door after school last winter was also different. There were no snowball attacks. I got out of that same old burgundy Grand Prix, walked to the door, unlocked it, and let myself into an empty house. then, though. This summer, I got nasty food poisoning. I wasn’t frustrated about the bad food, but terrified. If I threw up, I’d be breaking my long track record, and involuntarily facing my greatest fear. So I sat my bean bag chair in the hallway and began staring blankly at the wall as I forced myself not to puke. For four hours. I’m too afraid to google this in case I come across a picture of someone getting sick, but I’m pretty sure that wasn’t the healthiest decision. Anything was better than throwing up, though. I wasn’t about to hang my head over the toilet shame. Maybe someday I’ll be able to hold back the hair of a sick friend, or even (I can hardly suggest this one) clean up my cat’s puke. But for now, I’m stuck with this phobia, jumping out of my seat whenever someone so much as gags.

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Popping the party drug N

Molly can be taken in the form of a pill, or by powder either by putting it on the tongue or in a drink. It can also be snorted or wrapped in tissue and swallowed (parachuting). Katie McIntyre | Photo

MDMA, better known as Molly, is on the rise in Midland. Despite the lack of arrests, police are aware of the increase in usage. Preventative steps such as DARE have been in effect; however, the drug is still prevalent in the Midland area Katie McIntyre | News Editor & Hannah Lasky | Exchange Editor The night began with an MDMA capsule. As the white powder inside entered his bloodstream, a stupor-filled euphoria blanketed the night. Everything was soft. Everything was happy. However, beneath the overheating surface of his skin, junior Jared Scheiber was two heartbeats per minute away from cardiac arrest. “I was just sitting down. I had not ran or done anything, I had just been sitting in a chair for an hour and my blood pressure was that high,” Scheiber said. Despite the lack of arrests in Midland,

08 | FOCUS | OCT 24, 2013

MDMA, better known as Molly, is a growing trend among high school students. It is a controlled substance, which means that containing it is a felony. Molly contains a single ingredient, MDMA, which is one of the main ingredients in the commonly known drug, ecstasy. MDMA is known as the pure form of ecstasy and has many of the same side effects such as euphoria, enhanced senses, increased core body temperature, confusion, anxiety, paranoia, jaw clenching, and blurred vision. Despite the array of side effects, different people are affected in different ways.

“I just feel really happy. I can tell that it’s starting to work when my legs start to tingle. I don’t ever feel sick, I just get tingly,” said a student who wished to remain anonymous because of the illegal nature of the drug. Others have more a more intense experience. “It was super euphoric. All my senses were elevated, especially my sense of touch,” Scheiber said. “Everything feels very soft and there is a pressure over me, but a really good kind of pressure.” Though the drug seems stimulating, the harmful side effects can be both short term and

lasting. MDMA interferes with the body’s ability to regulate its temperature. “It can raise the internal body temperature to 105 or 106 degrees,” Police Officer Jeremy Davis said. While overdoses are uncommon, overheating is the primary cause of death in users, especially those who take MDMA at parties, concerts, or other crowded areas where the potential for body temperature to raise is greater. Other short-term effects include seizures, due to ample amounts of MDMA in the bloodstream, and greater risk of an irregular heartbeat.

N However, long-term effects pose an even greater risk. The drug alters serotonin levels in the brain, which can impact future memory and learning abilities. Along with effects on the brain, the body’s inability to regulate temperature can lead to hyperthermia, which can in turn, lead to issues with the liver, kidney, and cardiovascular failure. “I sometimes worry about my liver. I haven’t had problems with it but I sometimes just wonder what it looks like right now,” Scheiber said. Although sometimes the parties, concerts, and good times now, leave users left with a lack of concern for their futures. Some are swept away by what is fun at the time, and forget about all else. “I don’t worry about future side-effects. I should think about it, but I don’t,” the anonymous user said. Along with the hazardous side effects, risks also lie in the easily mistakable appearance. MDMA can come in pill, and powder form. Due to the common appearance and side effects of the drug, it is hard to know what is being ingested until it is too late. For example, MDMA has similar side effects to bath salts and methamphetamine. Most users are at the liberty of their drug dealers to provide them with the correct substance; however, sometimes this tactic proves unreliable. “I don’t trust powders because I don’t know what I’m about to take. You never know who had it last and what they put into it. I once tried a powder form and it ended up being bath salts,” Scheiber said. “I started freaking out because I realized what I was on and I didn’t want to be on bath salts.”

Scheiber was not the only one who was dealt faulty products. It is a common occurrence due to how easily other substances can be disguised. “I know someone who got it and it ended up being baking powder,” the anonymous source said. “The person that I get it from always tries it first and then tells me whether or not it is actual Molly. But once he got something called Jasmine instead of Molly, which made him really dizzy and it also made him throw up.” The generic look of the drug is part of the police force’s concern with it as well. “People could be taking whatever they want and crushing it up into a powder and saying it’s Molly,” Officer Davis said. “It could be crushed up aspirin for all they know.”

According to Midland County police records, there has been only one reported arrest for possession of MDMA in the past year. However, under the radar the drug usage has been escalating quickly within Midland High. Despite the limited number of charges, police officials are not oblivious to the increased use. “From last year to this year it has already become much more popular,” Officer Davis said. “I hear two to three things per week now as opposed to last year when I heard two or three things total, and there probably will be even

Paranoia

Anxiousness

Depression

Nausea

Enhanced Senses

Chills Death

Memory Difficulties

Sadness

Euphoria

Muscle Tension

Increased Heart Rate

Sweating

Confusion

Increased Blood Pressure

22,498

Emergency room visits due to Molly in the United States Statistics courtesy of foxnews.com

Teeth Clenching

Increased Body Temperature

Dizziness

more of a problem in the future.” The Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (BAYANET) has also been searching for evidence of this growing trend; however, they have only been able to obtain one buy of Molly. Police have bought some on Saginaw Valley State University campus but haven’t gotten any in Midland. However, police are anxious for information from local high schools, given that drug trends tend to originate from the younger population. In hopes to prevent future generations from continuing these trends, the DARE program has been recently updated. DARE is a program which is enforced in all fifth grade classrooms to educate students about how to make good

“I DON’T KNOW WHY THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS FEEL THAT THEY NEED TO EXPERIMENT WITH DRUGS WHEN THEY HAVE SO MUCH GOING FOR THEM. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE NOT WORTH THE SHORT TIME OF FEELING GREAT. ” OFFICER DAVIS

Possible Side Effects Blurred Vision

choices and about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. DARE is taking a new approach by focusing more on the aspect of surrounding students in a healthy environment with positive peer groups in an effort to stimulate good choices and positive instead of negative peer pressure among teens. “It is hard to measure prevention. Some kids are going to do drugs no matter what you say to them, and other will never do drugs even without the influence of DARE,” Officer Davis said. “DARE is aimed at the kids that

Average body temperature

98.6°

are in the middle and could go either way. It is one more place that they will hear positive reinforcement.” Though one of the main focuses of the DARE program is avoiding addictions, addictive drugs still circulate the high schools. Molly does not form a chemical dependency; however, many users can form a psychological addiction to this drug. “It’s addictive in the sense that I like how I feel when I’m on it and everything is better on he drug but it’s not like I ever needed it,” Scheiber said. However, with increased use, MDMA can loose some of its potency. The more accustomed a body is to the drug, the less strongly it will feel the side effects. “After taking it for a while I don’t feel is as much anymore so I don’t take it as often because it isn’t as strong,” the anonymous source said. The fact that Molly is not chemically addictive makes the drug easier to stop for Scheiber, who is now on parole and looking to take his life in a different direction. “I just tried it to try it but it wasn’t ever something that I did regularly,” Scheiber said. “I don’t think that it’s worth it. There’s a point between having fun and ruining your life. I really believe in self control.” Most users try MDMA for the first time simply for the experience. They hear about what it is like from other users and decide that it is worth trying to see for themselves what it is like. “I don’t see why the younger generations feel that they need to experiment with drugs even when they have so much going for them,” Davis said. “The consequences are not worth the short period of time that you feel great.”

Body temperature on Molly

105°

Body Temperature Katie McIntyre & Hannah Lasky | Infographic

mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 09

Programming pays off Even against professional programmers, four Midland High members created an app that took home half of the awards from Code Michigan. Kelsey Pennock | Staff Writer & Colton Dexter | Staff Writer

Richard Doktycz, Aaron Green and Thor Russell battle against exhaustion in order to complete their app for Code Michigan in under 40 hours. Robert Fox | Photo

ere’s an addition problem: 3 days + 4 programmers + 7 hours of sleep + 1 newly created app = $7,500. Computer science teacher Robert Fox and seniors Richard Doktycz, Aaron Green, and Thor Russell spent a solid weekend programming for Code Michigan, a competition that requires teams to create a mobile app from scratch in a little under 40 hours. “We started Friday night and we had to be done by 10:30 Sunday morning,” Doktycz said. “You had that amount of time to code. You could sleep whenever you wanted but most of it was just coding.” Code Michigan ran from Oct. 4 - 6 in Grand Circus, Detroit. After creating the app and a short video to pitch the idea, competitors were judged to see who would win the grand prize of $20,000. Fox’s group of students decided ahead of time to create an app called miLegi, a congressional app that informs Michigan residents about the decisions the state Legislature makes on bills. “Basically, we wanted to let Michigan residents know exactly what their senators and representatives were voting on so that the average person can be more involved in the democracy of the state,” Russell said. All three of the boys have had experience in coding, taking both Computer Programming 1 and 2, along with AP Computer Science. Doktycz mentioned that this was part of the reason why he was so keen on competing in the event. “I wasn’t doing any other programming and it seemed like a good way to keep up with it since there’s no other class in the school,” Doktycz said. He added that they were the first students

10 | FOCUS | OCT 24, 2013

from Midland High to do the Code Michigan event, so the uniqueness of it appealed to him. Green agreed, joining the team for similar reasons. “It seemed like a really cool experience,” Green said. “I wouldn’t get the opportunity to do this ever again.” Fox and his group prepared for the event by

m iL e gi

Though currently unavailable to the public, here are some main features of the app.

for the app, so we practiced that ahead of time; but when the time came we had to redo it for the actual app,” Russell said. Going into the competition, Fox was confident that they would do well, despite the fact that they were the only high school group that entered the competition. “I needed students that took my class their junior year, and these three did really great in my class before,” Fox said. At the competition, the team worked fast and hard, putting their best programming into the Kelsey Pennock | Infographic

A brief, simple explanation of what the bill is compromised of.

Whether the bill originated in the Senate or the House of Representatives.

The date of when the most recent action to the bill took place.

talking about how they planned on creating the app. They decided to split up the topics, such as legislation or bills, among the four of them, taking advantage of the fact that they were the largest group to compete. Next, each person would get the necessary information from the Application Programming Interface in order to obtain raw data from different sites. Last, the team members would combine their work to create the final app. “We knew what we were going to need to do

The committee the bills are sent to. Each house if compromised of over 20 committees.

app. Although they were competing against people with ten to twenty years of experience, the four were able to work through the night and produce an app that they were proud of. “There were a lot of times where you just wanted to go to bed instead of staring at a computer screen,” Doktycz remarked. Doktycz related that the sleep deprivation was one of the biggest challenges of the competition. In the entire weekend, the team only got seven hours of sleep. Russell noted

the mental exhaustion as well. “I would basically compare it to taking a 30 hour ACT test,” he said. “By the end of it, it was taking me 20 minutes to do things that would normally take me 30 seconds.” Fortunately, the team’s hard work paid off when all the competitors voted their app the best created, winning them $5,000 for Crowd Favorite. The team was even more surprised when the judges announced that they had won an extra $2,500 for the Civic Involvement Award—a criteria that was created especially for their app. Along with the prize money, the programmers were approached by a lobbyist about officially finishing the app while also getting job offers from a tech start-up company. They were even offered internships by the University of Michigan. The three seniors acquired personal lessons as well. Doktycz learned to rely on his crew despite the challenges that arose. “I learned the effects of sleep deprivation, that’s for sure, but also, really working together as a team. Even when you hit a lot of walls, you still have to work through it together,” he remarked. Green appreciated the recognition that he and his friends received. They were able to take home half of the awards available at the competition despite their inexperience and age. By working hard, Green was able to gain a deeper appreciation for the skills necessary to excel. “It was a really positive experience with programming,” he said. “I wouldn’t call it a good time because it was really painful, but I’m really glad I did it.” Russell was proud of how his team handled the pressure. “One of the big things I learned from this is how much ideas matter,” he said. “There was no doubt about it that the other people there were better programmers than us, especially with some of the things they brought up. But it was our idea and our teamwork that let us put together an app that was better than theirs.”

You t h G r o u ps i n M i dl a n d

Fueled by faith F E A T U R E S

Youth Group: Senior High School UMYF Church Sponsor: First United Methodist Meeting Time: Sundays 6:15 – 7:40 pm

1. Students watch as guest speaker Shan Mahawan shares the engaging story of his youth and of his multiple baptisms. 2. Junior Harleigh Pellegrino sings along to a song of praise, as a vocalist in the X-treeme band. 3. Sophomore Amanda Webb is greeted excitedly by fellow members of X-treeme as they anxiously await the start of group time. Nick Wright | Photos

Youth Group: The Edge Church Sponsor: Eagle Ridge Church of God Meeting Time: Sundays 6:15 – 7:40 pm

Youth Group: Thrive Church Sponsor: Christian Celebration Center Meeting Time: Wednesdays 6:30 pm

Midland High students involved in the evangelical youth group X-treeme find that their experience has changed them, often contributing positively to their lives in many ways. Aelish Shay | Staff Writer & Will Hackbarth | Staff Writer

nside the massive walls of Midland Evangelical Free church, students begin to file in on a Sunday evening. They congregate in small groups and chat with friends as their Youth Pastor, Jeff Andridge, and one of the adult leaders, Ashley Masten, make their way through the crowd, stopping to converse with each of the kids as easily as if they were their own. Students come from all over town, to strengthen their connection with each other and with their God, and everyone is welcome. This is X-treeme. “X-treeme’s overall purpose is for students to come into a saving relationship with Jesus. They learn more about who he is and what He’s done for them, and connect with one another,” Masten said. Many students attending X-treeme believe that their involvement in the youth group has positively influenced them. “I have peers around me who encourage and strengthen me in my Christian walk, who I can turn to whenever I need help or am struggling with something,” senior Annie Lloyd said, “X-treeme has allowed me to build amazing relationships with these people as well as given me a place to bring my friends with whom I want to share the amazing message of

God’s love.” To junior Harleigh Pellegrino, this group has had a profound effect as well. “Fellowship was the biggest change. I was a lot more antisocial before,” Pellegrino said. Youth Pastor Jeff Andridge has seen many students come through the youth program, and believes that they do change. “I have seen students grow in their love for God. This translates into a desire to love people more,” Andridge said. The students believe that X-treeme has improved themselves. However, according to Masten the students are not the only ones who feel they’ve benefited from their involvement with the youth group. “I’m becoming more like Jesus as he teaches me his character qualities through loving teenagers,”Masten said, “I’ve learned to be more compassionate and patient,” Masten said. Andridge believes there are two key things that they accomplish for the students. “First is to introduce them to a relationship with Jesus,”Andridge said, “Second, we work to provide a fun environment so students can build great friendships with each other and our youth ministry staff.

The groups take part in many activities in an effort to strengthen these connections. Among these are monthly events, chosen each year by the seniors such as food fights and turkey hunts. They also try to serve the community in more direct ways. X-treeme has a rummage sale each April, and have partnered with the North Midland Family Center for service projects. Every week, the group meets at Midland Evangelical Free Church from 6-8 PM. X-treeme begins with a game and moves into a time of singing and lesson. The students then assemble into small groups to talk. After the meeting is over, they head to a local restaurant until 9 P.M. to eat and hang out. X-treeme also tries to help out around the community in subtle but significant ways. “As many of our students are involved in many places throughout Midland; schools, jobs, sports teams, volunteer groups and more, we strive to equip them to really make a helpful, loving difference in the people they build relationships with and serve,” Andridge said, “We encourage and teach them to know Jesus of the bible and to represent him well.”

mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 11

Enterta

FOR OUR

Fandom: \’fand-dem\ noun 1. the community that suro attidtue of being a fan. Maddy Wheelock| Features Editor

The title of every episode of Hannibal is French for different

meals.

The Doctor has been played by brunettes and blondes, but he has never been

ginger.

The famous Star Trek phrase

“Beam me up, Scotty”

was never actually spoken in the original films & series.

Senior Courtney Froelicher, enjoys dressing up, or cosplaying, as her favorite television show characters. The character above is the fourth Doctor, acted by Tom Baker, from Froelicher’s favorite show Doctor Who. Michelle Demo | Photo

12 | FOCUS | OCT 24, 2013

Typically, when the television is on, senior Alex Biedenbach’s mind is preoccupied with other things: homework, her latest favorite novel, or talking to her friends. But when it’s time for her favorite show to air, everything else disappears. She sits in front of the screen and immerses herself in the fictional world. “[The best shows] are so well written and so intense that you get emotionally connected to the characters until you want to fight people about it,” Biedenbach said. Biedenbach, like many other students at Midland High, follows many television shows with cult followings. The group of fans that follow any given show is often referred to as a fandom. The group that Biedenbach currently follows most enthusiastically is the Hannibal fandom.

Hannibal Hannibal Lecter first appeared in 1981 as a villain in the thriller novel Red Dragon. Since then, he has been a prominent antagonist in horror. He has been played on screen by four different actors, and currently stars in the NBC television show Hannibal, which is a prequel to Red Dragon and its sequel Silence of the Lambs. It follows the relationship between Lecter and special investigator Will Graham. Bienbach loves Hannibal specifically because there is so much to know about the characters from all the adaptations that have been made. She and many other members of fandoms enjoy being able to point out scenes in the episodes that foreshadow and correspond with scenes from the other novels and movies. “I also love knowing what’s going to happen, since Hannibal is a prequel,” Biedenbach said. “You really want to like Hannibal Lecter, even though there are scenes with him taking a rolling pin to lungs.” Although Biedenbach is attached to the characters, the most important aspect

of television to her is the script. After episodes air, she looks for interwoven meanings within the writing. She really enjoys the Hannibal script and all the thought that goes into it. “I watch shows for the writing,” Biedenbach said. “It can be the worst looking show, but if it’s written and acted well, I will watch it.” Through her love for Hannibal and the other fandoms she is associated with, Biedenbach has made many friends. “I think it’s really nice to POLICE find people [that share] your common interests,” Biedenbach said. Although she has grown closer to people through fandoms, sometimes, she and other fans receive judgment from people who don’t understand why they love what they love. She knows that not everyone will be interested in the same things she is, but she won’t let anyone tell her what she should or shouldn’t like. “There are people who are just rude,” Biedenbach said. “They say, ‘What are you even doing with your life?’ and I say, ‘Being happy. What are you doing? You have fun with what you like. I’m going to wear my Keep Calm and Don’t Blink shirt, and you try to figure out what that means.”

Doctor Who Another television show that holds a big fan following is BBC’s Doctor Who. Episodes have been airing since 1963 and ended in 1996, but the series was revived again in 2005. Since then it has been a hit in both the United Kingdom and America. The show follows an alien simply called “The Doctor,” who travels through time and space in a police box to save the

PUB CA

ainment A

ounds a television show movie/book/etc. 2. the state or r , Michelle Demo| Web Editor & Kevin Sharpe| Staff Writer

BLI C ALL

universe. This police box is known as the TARDIS, which stands for Time And Relative Dimension In Space. The Doctor has the ability to “regenerate,” where he receives a different body. This means he has played by many different actors, which lends to a long lasting series. Senior Samantha Cockrum is one of the many people who has fallen in love with Doctor Who. Even though there have been so many episodes, she’s never bored when watching. “There is always a new time, a new place in space to go to,” BOX Cockrum said. Cockrum began watching the show three years ago, when a friend recommended it to her. She has now watched every episode, and like many other fanatic viewers, has fallen in love with The Doctor as a character. “[The Doctor] is a really compassionate person,” Cockrum said. “He is over a thousand years old, and continues to fight for the human race, despite the fact that he doesn’t have to.” Senior Courtney Froelicher also loves Doctor Who. She began watching the show last summer. She often watches the show to bring up her mood on bad days. “The Doctor says everyone’s important, and there is nothing about anyone that makes them unimportant,” Froelicher said. “That makes me feel good about myself. I know when I’m feeling sad, I can listen to the sound track or look things up online, and it makes me feel better.” As for the people who dislike the show, Cockrum and Froelicher have a similar opinion to Biedenbach. “Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion,” Cockrum said. “I probably don’t like what they like either, so it doesn’t really matter to me.”

Star Trek One of the most famous fandoms in television history is the Star Trek fandom. There have been a multitude of different television shows and movies following this story, beginning in 1966 with junior Shelby Burhans’ favorite adaptation, The Original Series. Like Biedenbach, Shelby cares most about the plot on television shows. She doesn’t mind the minimal special effects in this older show, because the writing is so impressive. “I started watching [Star Trek] when I was ten,” Shelby said. “My dad got me into it, since he grew up watching the show.” Shelby’s father, Mike Burhans, has been watching the show since it aired. He was interested in the space travel because when he began watching, astronauts were beginning to land on the moon. “I loved it from the start,” Mike said. “The Original Series is my favorite, it started it all.” As soon as Shelby was old enough to start watching the show, Mike introduced it to her. Many of the show’s dedicated fans have shared the enjoyment with their children. “[Shelby and I] have always shared books, movies, music, and TV shows we loved with each other,” Mike said. “We have always seemed to have similar taste in the arts.” Although he loves the writing and characters on the show, the most important part of Star Trek: The Original Series to Mike is the message it conveyed. “On Star Trek we saw a vision of the future where nobody cared what gender or color you were,” Mike said. “It was all about competence and expanding knowledge. It showed we could be a better people than we were, and that message resonated with me. It still does today.”

There is a

The Incredible Hulk in the pilot reference to

episode of Hannibal, when a character says: “Don’t psychoanalyze me, you wouldn’t like me when I’m psychoanalyzed.”

Royal Mail

The service offers various Doctor Who memorabilia, including postage stamps.

Star Trek actress

Nichelle Nicholas was an

official spokeswoman during NASA’s first space shuttle launches. The 11-foot model of

The Enterprise space shuttle from Star Trek is on exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum in D.C.

The Weeping Angel is among the enemies that The Doctor has had to face through the television show Doctor Who. enior Alex Biedenbach created a Weeping Angel costume last year for Halloween. Michelle Demo | Photo A sonic screwdriver (bottom middle) is the tool that The Doctor uses as a multifuntional device. Sonic screwdrivers can pick locks, project sounds, etc. The screwdriver pictured is Matt Smith’s for his role as the 11th Doctor. Greta Strand | Photo

mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 13

F E AT U R E S

Sophomore Kostandi Stephensons one of the many students to have participated in the American Sign Language classes at Midland High. Stephenson says that sign language has helped her make connections in her French class as well. In learning ASL she has gained a whole new respect for Deaf Culture Sarah Wontorcik | Photo Illustration

Learning to be multilingual Many students have taken a foreign language class, but some have taken a step further by adding multiple languages to their studies. This has helped them gain more knowledge about other cultures around the world. Michael Adams | A&E Editor & Sarah Wontorcik | Photo Editor A full-sized class of students occupies one of the computer labs on the first floor of Midland High School. The hour isn’t dedicated to just one course: the students are taking many different online classes. Out of these students, a few of them have chosen to take American Sign Language. American Sign Language, otherwise known as ASL, has been used in the Deaf community since the nineteenth century. Before ASL was created, the Deaf community often created

14 | FOCUS | OCT 24, 2013

their own forms of sign language which were unique to certain regions. The creation of ASL helped to establish a common language for deaf Americans. Since its creation, ASL has spread to Canada, West Africa, and Southeast Asia. Students taking the class at MHS have benefited from learning ASL in unique ways. Sophomore Kostandi Stephenson was able to use the class to make connections with other languages and cultures. “You definitely get to enrich yourself in Deaf culture, [which is] the culture of those who have accepted being deaf and do not see

it as a disability. Deaf culture is actually quite amazing. People in the Deaf world do so many things that as a part of the hearing world, we cannot do,” Stephenson said. “For example, if you are part of Deaf culture, you will have a name sign completely unique to you. It is a huge honor to be given one. I hope one day that I will receive one.” Learning ASL also helped Stephenson to make connections in her French class, because ASL is partly based off of French Sign Language. Senior Tyler Freed had an added advantage when he started taking the ASL class, because

of his connection with music. “With music I’m used to having to contort my hands in a specific manners to produce the desired outcome of sound, and this music control has kind of transferred over to singing,” Freed said. “Since I’m so used to the muscle memory of songs I am able to memorize signs much easier.” Both Freed and Stephenson recommend the online course, which is offered through Brigham Young University. They appreciate both the language and the opportunities it offers to experience a new culture.

F E AT U R E S “[Deaf] culture is far more closely knit than ours. Most of the time they live near each other. If you were to try to institute that with hearing people, it would crash and burn,” Stephenson said. “That’s one thing I really respect: that they time for one another. I think that they are far more appreciative than us. I’m upset when my headphones break, yet they are content without ever having the need for them. [ASL] gives you a new level of respect. It gives you just a tiny piece of what life would be like without hearing; don’t take it for granted. When junior Callie Meath found out that her family would be moving to Thailand while her father led a manufacturing site in the town of Map Ta Phut, she only felt excitement. “It was just a chance to go somewhere new,” Meath said. “Almost like a vacation.” Homesickness began to set in after Meath’s first week of living in Thailand. However this was helped by the gentle and welcoming nature of the people of Thailand. “I think the biggest difference [between America and Thailand] is the culture of the people,” Meath said. “Over in Thailand they’re really gentle, caring people. They’ll do anything for you.

Thailand’s primary religion is Buddhism, a system of beliefs that focuses on happiness and to be mindful of thoughts and actions. This religion influences the people of Thailand to be very caring. Another difference that Meath noticed was the poverty in Thailand compared to the poverty in America.

Meath is not the only student to have lived abroad. Senior Caroline Mulvaney visits Russia for about a month ever summer to see her mother’s family. Mulvaney took an online Russia course in her sophomore year, but is able to learn the language when she is visiting the country. “The online class didn’t help much,”

“IN AMERICA, I THINK PEOPLE CONSIDER IT IMPRESSIVE TO KNOW TWO LANGUAGES. IN OTHER COUNTRIES IT’S NORMAL FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW MORE THAN ONE LANGUAGE.” CAROLINE MULVANEY “The average person in Thailand would make about three dollars a day,” Meath said. “They make less than a thousand dollars a year. The poverty level for people here is about twenty thousand dollars.” Meath hopes to incorporate the gentle and caring aspects of Thai culture into her career. “I want to go into the medical profession, so hopefully that will help me to understand the situations that people are in,” Meath said. “Even if I don’t use it in the medical profession, hopefully I’ll use it as a person in general.”

Nations by the Numbers: What’s trending with languages around the world

France: French is the official language of 29

Mulvaney said. “To learn the language, you have to learn it in the actual country where it is spoken. Mulvaney also noted differences between American and Russian culture. “One of the main differences is the food,” Mulvaney said. “In America, everything is packaged. It’s full of sugar, salt, and anything and everything. In Russia, everything is natural. It is a common practice in Russia for people living in the cities to own “garden homes” just outside the city, where they grow their own

vegetables and keep livestock. M u l va n e y p l a n s t o h a ve a c a r e e r i n international relations, where it is useful to be fluent in multiple different languages. “In America, I think people consider it impressive to know two languages,” Mulvaney said. “In other countries it is normal for people to know more than one language.” Both Meath and Mulvaney are taking IB Spanish, and Mulvaney plans to incorporate both languages into her career. Meath was strongly affected by the people she met while attending an international school in Thailand. “[There were] only 400 kids from kindergarten to 12th grade, from 26 different countries,” Meath said. “So we had strong different strengths and weaknesses, cultures, and religions. So in the lunchroom people would have conversations in many other languages but the classrooms were in English. The classes were only 16 people, so learning was more personal, a closer relationship with your teachers and classmates. I gained a tolerance and acceptance for others’ beliefs and opinions as well. Everyone there is a new kid, so they’re all welcoming. It’s kind of like a big family. Hopefully I’ll have those bonds for the rest of my life.”

Russia: 854,955 people in the United States speak Russian

countries

America: This is where American Sign Language originated. 70 million people now use it as their first language South America: has a total of 11 spoken languages in the 15 countries that make up the content

Michael Adams & Sarah Wontorcik | Infographic

Thailand: Thai, the official language of Thailand, has 9

different dialects

Spain: 20 million choose Spanish for their foreign language

Boatswain: The language with the most sounds is !Xóõ , with 112 phonemes

Vistawide englisch-hilfen.de & World Federation of the Deaf | Information

mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 15

S P O R T S

Cross-town clash Head to head

As the Midland dow football game approaches, both teams are ready to fight for victory

With the big game right around the corner, look here for the stats on Midland and Dow’s top performers. Emily Fisher | Ad Coordinator & Noah Surbrook | Staff Writer

Kicking comparison: Wandor’s powerful leg allows him to connect on field goals near 50 yards. Kidd’s background in soccer has given him both accuracy and the power to kick up to 60 yards.

Receptions 17

Yards rushing 948

Yards receiving

Extra Points 32 Field Goals 5 Total points 47

Extra points 32 Field Goals 2 Total Points 38

PHILIP WANDOR

MAX KIDD

kicker

235

Receptions 33

Yards Receiving 520

Yards/Receptions 15.8

Touchdowns 3

AUSTEN IRRER wide receiver Emily Fisher| Photos

16 | FOCUS | OCT 24, 2013

592

Yards receiving 6

Quarterback comparison:

WILL WILLIAMS

Williams can run and catch the ball out of the backfield. The receiving corps led by Irrer, whose size (6-5) allows him to get open at anytime.

Yards rushing Touchdowns

Chemic offense: The agile

Receptions

641

Touchdowns

running back

“They bought in to the offseason workouts and they have embraced the changes on offense. They push themselves hard, but they also take time to have fun.” -Jason Watkins, DHS head coach

CALEB RICHARD

Gross’s strong arm and patience in the pocket make him a very efficient passer. Miller is skilled and quick with three years of varsity experience.

running back Charger offense: Richard is a

powerful runner who also has big play ability. McNally is the go to receiver, his quick hands make him a reliable player.

Rushing Yards Rushing Yards 469 150 Passing Yards Passing Yards 1519 1264 Touchdowns Touchdowns 26 12 Interceptions Interceptions 3 4

Receptions 24

Yards Receiving 405

Yards/ Receptions 16.9

Touchdowns 7

TANNER GROSS quarterback

BRENNAN MILLER quarterback

TRAVIS MCNALLY wide receiver Jack Duly | Illustration

S P O R T S

Cross-town clash

More than faces in the crowd

Alumni Mark Paulus, Bobby Lanning, and Adam Goodwin sleep, eat, and breathe Midland High, especially Chemic football. The team appreciates their consistent support at practice and games. Kyle Blackwood | Opinion Editor & Nate Fisher | Staff Writer

t was the Midland vs. Dow football football sprouted from a very young age. Before game, 1993. Temperatures were well he had even seen a Chemic football game, below freezing. The stadium was Lanning spent most of his childhood free time filled with shivering fans, and though in an area known as "the weeds." "The weeds" their fingers were losing feeling, their strong were undeveloped parts of land within the will and love for their team allowed them to Barstow Airport property, which was where continue to cheer on the Chemics. Midland the current Midland High currently resides. was down 14-0, Lanning would love and there was to play in “the weeds” only five minutes as a young boy, and remaining in the considered it the game. Dow was in playground of his the driver’s seat in childhood. When consecutive seasons Mark Midland Stadium was this much-hyped Paulus has attended each later built where “the showdown. With h o m e a n d a w a y M H S weeds” were, Lanning the frigid weather football game and a seemingly was destined to spend unwinnable a great deal of time at situation, it took this location. truly dedicated fans "Midland High is my to stick out the final minutes of the ballgame. life away from my family," Lanning said. "They The fans who stayed were rewarded as Midland of course come first, but after that everything I put together a remarkable comeback to win the do revolves around Midland High. I know that game with a final score of 21-14. Two of these might sound ridiculous, but it’s just the way it dedicated fans were alumni Bobby Lanning and is." Mark Paulus. Paulus’s childhood story is different. Living Both Lanning's and Paulus's love for Chemic on Airfield Road near Midland High, he would

Bobby Lanning High School: Midland High School Year Graduated: 1957 High School Activites: Football Manager, Swim Team, Baseball Career: Navy; Construction Retired: 1991 Other community involvement: Chemic & Berryhill baseball scoreboard operator Personal life: Two sons, two daughters, seven grandchildren Other info: hen living in Holland, would return for every Midland vs. Dow game

Since returning to Midland in 1988, Lanning has missed very few home or away football games, and has been the baseball scoreboard operator

Mark Paulus High School: Midland High School Year Graduated: 1968 High School Activities: Varsity football manager, avid follower of all Chemic sports Career: Taught at Siebert Elementary (24 years), and Central Middle School (10 years) Retired: 2006 Other community involvement: referees basketball games Personal Acknowledgement: The entire coaching staff for letting him be a part of Chemic Football. Fun Fact: His wife, Sally Paulus, is the gym teacher at Chestnut Hill Elementary

Since the young age of six, Paulus has not m i s s e d a s i n g l e h o m e o r a w ay fo o t b a l l game. He also attends nearly every practice.

(From left to right) Adam Goodwin, Bobby Lanning, and Mark Paulus stand observing the Chemics’ during their afternoon practice. Kyle Blackwood | Photo walk the short distance over to the developing Midland High campus and attentively watch as mounds of dirt were monotonously moved back and forth in the process of building the Midland Stadium. This fascination in the building of the stadium turned into a fascination in the football team. Since then, at the age of six, he has attended every single Midland High football game- home or away. Furthermore, he has regularly attended practices. With each new age comes newly dedicated Chemic football supporters. Adam Goodwin graduated from Midland High in 2013, and served as the varsity football equipment manager all four years of high school. The program and the team were too sacred to him to give up, so he was able to schedule his college classes to fit around the football schedule.

Adam Goodwin High School: Midland High School Year Graduated: 2013 High School Activities: Varsity baseball, varsity football equipment manager varsity hockey manager Other community activities: Berryhill baseball manager, United Way College: Delta College Future plans: Transfer to SVSU, continue being equipment manager for MHS Other info: Has a twin brother, Alex, who played football and baseball at MHS

G o o d w i n h a s b e e n t h e v a r s i t y fo o t b a l l equipment manager the past five years, setting his college classes to allow himself to continue.

“Coach Methner [and I], we kind of had a plan, fortunately enough, he gave me the opportunity to come back and help out, and I’m very grateful for that,” Goodwin said. “Being able to come here and be around the team and kids is a lot of fun,” Goodwin said. “The program itself is surrounded by great people.” Along with Lanning and Paulus, Goodwin’s connection with Chemic Football also started at a young age. His first experience with Midland football was in 2002, when he served as a water boy for the varsity team. “As a program whole, I think we’re fortunate to have such great community support, and I think we have a pretty good fan base,” Goodwin said. “It’s a very special program. It has a very special place in my heart; it means so much to me and a lot of other people.” Paulus as well finds things to be particularly special about Midland High. “There’s just something special,” Paulus said. “A bond [formed] when you see someone and [you’re] wearing a Midland Chemics shirt, or you say, ‘Where did you go to school?’ and they say, ‘Midland High’.” The team values these three, along with all other dedicated football fans. "It makes playing sports for Midland High more of an honor knowing that people like that are out there watching me," Senior Matt McInerney said. As the Midland-Dow rivalry approaches Lanning is excited to see what this year’s rivalry brings. "That’s a football game you’ll remember the rest of your life," Lanning said, who has attended every Midland vs. Dow game since graduation. "Win or lose, someone’s going to remind you 20 years from now, and if you happen to lose, you can bet for sure they’ll remind you."

mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 17

S P O R T S

Cross-town clash Preparing for battle

With the Midland-Dow game approaching, the tensions between the cross town rivals escalate as each team prepares for kickoff. Emily Resmer | Sports Editor & Nick Wright | Staff Writer

Junior T.J. Cooper leaps past Saginaw High School defenders to score a touchdown during the homecoming game on October 11th. The team fought to defeat the Trojans 49-18, improving their season record to six wins and one loss. Emily Resmer | Photo

long drive up the field comes to an end, varsity football coach Eric Methner emerges from the sideline and yells an order to his team. The team lines up in the ordered formation looking onward towards the goal line which is not far out of reach. The ball is snapped; Senior Michael Alexander bolts across the field to receive the ball. As it falls in his possession, he pushes towards the frontline searching for any nook he could possibly sneak through. The defense scatters. Alexander locks his eyes on the end zone and takes one last look at his defender before darting through the hole left by two Saginaw High players, scoring a touchdown for his team. “I was very excited when I scored,” Alexander said. “I don’t get very many carries per game so when I get the chance to put points on the board for the team it’s just a great feeling.” This 49-18 win over Saginaw High School marks a continuation of success carried on from years past. With this win, the varsity football team has guaranteed themselves a spot in post-season action. This is the twelfth consecutive season they have been able to do so. “This is the 37th straight year we have had a winning season,” Senior nose guard Tanner Diment said. “It is a great accomplishment. We are carrying on tradition of past years, and making history.” The football team’s strategy for success can be described with one word: practice. From week to week, the team follows a strict routine in order to prepare them for game day. This year’s team has had to work especially hard to fill the void left by last year’s members. The

18 | FOCUS | OCT 24, 2013

main thing they have had to work on this year other team is in so we can try to counter it.” is creating a faster paced game due to their During practices, the team does a lot of work lack of bigger players. with what they will be expecting to see against “I am having a lot of fun with this group their opponent in their next game. of kids. They are very competitive and they “Mondays are walk-through days where we prepare with a lot of dedication and pride,” line up the opposing teams offense and defense Methner said. “They are very coach able. They for the first time so we can adjust to their come to practice every formations,” senior day ready to work.” outside linebacker As the clock hits Matt McInerney Dow has only 2:50 p.m., all players said. “Tuesdays and report to the little Wednesdays are beaten Midland theater to watch always full pads and film together before tackling. Practices times heading out to the tend to be more like field. On Monday’s scrimmages on those since 1970 they watch film from days.” their game on the As Thursday previous Friday and rolls around, the every other day they watch film on the team countdown to game time begins. Players put they will be competing with that coming on “shells” which consist of only the shoulder Friday. pads and helmets of their uniforms. As their “Film helps to show us what we did wrong pre-game practice begins, the team works on a play to make sure we don’t do it again,” on running through kick-off and punt return Diment said. “It also shows the formation the formations and they also run through plays in

order to perfect them before game day. Every week after pre-game practice is finished, the team files over to the Moose Lodge to have a spaghetti dinner. Along with the dinner, milkshakes known as “milky dogs” are available for the team, but only if they posted a win the previous week. “Pre-game dinner helps to make us feel more like an actual family,” senior left tackle Jacob Dostal said. “It just gives us that brotherhood feeling to play harder for each other.” When game day has finally arrived, a sense of determination and pride lingers around the locker room. Time to prepare is dwindling away as the seven o’clock kickoff time draws near. The clock rolls onto 3:10 as all players and coaches take a seat in the little theater for one last film session. After each person’s jobs are assigned, the team, along with the coaching staff and athletic trainers, make their way up the stairs to the cafeteria where they are served a game-day dinner. These dinners help to bring each player together before game time to remind them the importance of working as a team.

S P O R T S 1.

1. Senior Jarred Lachance watches his team eagerly from the sidelines as the end of the game approaches. 2. Senior Ben Luzar sacks the opposing team’s quarterback during the third quarter. 3. Sophomore safety Jordan Wilson secures the ball and darts toward the end zone to move the play up the field in search of a first down. Emily Resmer | Photos “All teams are different and share different bonds,” sophomore receiver Luke DeLong said. “I feel like everybody on this team hangs out with each other and we’re all good friends.” As they head out onto the field as a team, each person knows their job. It is their time to prove that all of the preparation done throughout the week has not been a waste. The team approaches every game the same and remains focused as they set foot onto the turf with the gleam stadium lights shining down on them. Though it has not been a main focus, both teams in the city of Midland know that all of their preparation will lead up to the final game of the regular season where they will finally face-off in what is said to be the biggest rivalry game of the city. The Midland vs. Dow game dangles in the back of every players mind. “The players are always excited for this game week,” Dow High varsity football coach Jason Watkins said. “They know the players on the other team from growing up together playing sports, attending the same churches, and sometimes going to the same school.” Methner also feels fortunate that his team has the opportunity to play in such a highly anticipated game. “Not many kids in the state of Michigan get to play in a game as big as this, and in front of the kind of crowd we get for this game.” This year’s game against Dow will be different than in past years. Both teams are very comparable skill wise and record wise, both currently holding the record of six wins and one loss. Mount Pleasant has been the only team to defeat both teams by a marginal difference of one point. “I think that Dow being a better team this year is awesome, it just adds to the rivalry

between us,” DeLong said. “It should be a really great game.” Through the continued preparation the team has made large amounts of progress since week one. “We need to stay focused on getting better each day. We need to take advantage of every practice opportunity to prepare ourselves for the remainder of the season,” Methner said. “I have liked our team’s work ethic, and their commitment to practice. They have done a great job of preparing each and every week, and they have focused on our team goal of improving every week.” Though the team continues to make progressive strides, they still have some tactics they need improve upon before going up against the toughest team left on their schedule. “Against Dow we will need to do a great job of tackling on defense. They spread out your defense, and force you to make plays [tackles] in space,” Methner said. “We will also need to run the ball and win the time of possession on offense, as we try to limit their offensive possessions. Special teams will be crucial in the Dow game. Field position is always critical.” The excitement of the Midland-Dow game is one that emanates throughout the entire school. From spirit week, and hall decorating, to yell night, and class competition, the hype felt as each team member walks through the hallway increases as October 25, the day of the Midland vs. Dow game, approaches. “It’s very exciting, so many people come to watch this game and the atmosphere is awesome,” Alexander said. “Playing against kids who live in the same town just different schools, it is a big test to see who is the best.”

Comparing the Competitors

Midland

51 Midland

42 Midland

Arthur Hill

H.H. Dow

21 42

Mt. Pleasant

H.H. Dow

50 28

Bay City Central

H.H. Dow

14 63

Arthur Hill

- 35

Mt. Pleasant

- 21

Bay City Central

Emily Resmer & Jack Duly | Infographic

mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 19

S P O R T S Photo by Matt Beale

THE SPORTS

ZONE

STAT CENTRAL Number of sets Luke Mills lost against to the number one player in the state Number of years Amanda Walko has been working on her full twisted layout The last time the MHS Equestrian team went to regionals before this year

Faces of Fall This season’s top athletes 1. Senior Amanda Walko nailed her full twisted layout that she’s been working on for five years. 2. Junior Luke Mills puts a little spin on the tennis ball in a return against a top opponent. 3. Senior Rachel Mervyn noting her golf ball soar through the air after teeing off. Emily Fisher | Photos Photos courtesy of Mark Kotanchek

20 | FOCUS | OCT 24, 2013

2 5 2005

Amanda Walko

As the fall sports seasons wind to an end, the top athletes are looking to end the season strong. Mercedes Hussein | Design Editor & Ben Luzar | Staff Writer

INJURY PROTOCOL EXPLAINED

It’s common practice. A player goes down with an injury in a sporting event, everyone else takes a knee. Athletes have been doing it since they were four years old. Many see it as a sign of respect, but in Midland among the football team it has become controversial whether it is the best way to handle an injury or not. During the Traverse City West football game there was a player from the opposing team who was injured and down on the field. As the player went down, the Traverse City West players, coaches, and cheerleaders on both sides all took a knee to show respect towards the injured player, but Midland High’s players did not. While the player was lying down, parents of Midland High were aggravated at their sons who remained standing. Some people in the home crowd yelled out to the players to take a knee, putting the players in a situation of whether to listen to their parents or their coaches. Many people believe that while an athlete is injured, that the common procedure is to take a knee. Varsity football coach Eric Methner’s protocol is opposite. He believes that his team does not have to take a knee to show respect to the injured player. “Taking a kne e does n ot ben ef it the injured player,” Methner said. “We stress accountability, work ethic, punctuality, respect, academics, behavior, sportsmanship, and leadership. Taking a knee or not taking a knee has nothing to do with respect for the injured

player.” Staying down on one knee could potentially be detrimental to the player’s future performance or safety to the game. “If the football team stays down on a knee for a long period of time then it will not be good for the muscles,” said athletic trainer Helen Oikarinen,. “The players need to stay stretched for when the game resumes.” After receiving many emails from heated parents after the game, Methner decided that the best way to get past this was to send out an email explaining his philosophy. This email was sent to parents of all players of each Midland High football team. “Our kids will not goof around. They will be attentive to the injured player. They may stretch and keep themselves ready for action when the play resumes,” Methner wrote. “We will not be taking a knee.” Methner is not the only coach with this philosophy. Varsity basketball coach Eric Krause also agrees that taking a knee is not necessary in showing respect. “For some reason certain people feel it’s the common procedure and I strongly disagree,” Krause says. “Volleyball, baseball, basketball etc. doesn’t do it so why should football?” Methner ended his email by saying to the parents that he isn’t asking for them to agree with it, just giving all the parents reasoning on why this is how they’ll be doing things.

Luke Mills

Rachel Mervyn

Grade: Senior

Grade: Junior

Grade: Senior

Sport: Varsity Cheerleading

Sport: Varsity Boys Tennis

Sport: Varsity Girls Golf

Stat: Has been in gymnastics since she was two and in cheerleading since she was twelve.

Stat: 14 wins, 4 losses.

Stat: Averages a 94 best.

Favorite Memory: “During a match against Grand Blanc’s top player, Luke battled against the flu and took their top player into three sets. I was very impressed.“

Favorite Memory: “Various girls breaking a personal best.”

Favorite Memory: “Landing the full twisted layout.” Key to Success: “Communication skills are necessary to build relationships with each other and is a necessary skill to be a leader.” Coach’s Take: “ A m a n d a h a s g r e a t determination, and a positive attitude. All of these qualities are what make Amanda great to be around and make her a successful leader.” Holly Pashak

Key to Success: “They knew it was going to be tough competition heading into tryouts so they worked harder than they ever had in off season.” Coach’s Take: “He goes out and gives 100 percent effort every time. He is really skilled and the best player on the team.” Nate Schwarzbek

Key to Success: “Girls work all summer and keep it fun.” Coach’s Take: “It looks like she will play division three golf in college. She is the hardest worker over the past couple of years and does it all with a smile and grace.” Jeff Babin

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check us out at mhsfocus.com like us on Facebook at Midland High School Focus Follow us on Twitter! @MHSFocus1

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All the right

NOTES Loose Change is a classic rock and pop cover band that has played all around Midland and is preparing to record their first demo. Natalie Schwartz | Staff Writer & Jack Duly | Managing Editor Cords are wrapped around the musical equipment, and lay tangled masses across the floor. The only source of incandescent light is emitted from a fixture hanging from the middle of the ceiling, leaving the corners of the room shadowed. Senior Elliot Miller beats the kick-drum on his drum set repeatedly, forming a steady beat. Using this as queue, the rest of the musicians of the band, Loose Change begin to slowly join in to play “Forget You” by Cee Lo Green. The room suddenly becomes alive with music, too loud to be confided in such a small space. In the corner, leaning up against the door, music instructor Mark Shelley nods his head along to the music while sipping coffee. As the final notes of the song strum to a close, the musicians turned their heads to look at Shelley for his feedback. “Good, but next time end it quickly, don’t hold your notes,” Shelley said. Loose Change is a band specializing in classic rock music. A majority of the songs preformed by them are famous covers. Playing all around Midland at: Journey’s, Rhapsody Rendezvous, charity concerts, and Battle of the Bands a rock concert down at the tridge. The band consists of seniors from both Midland and Dow High. Students from Midland High are: Miller, Nick Shahin, and Jimmy Bergmooser. The students from Dow High are Abby Drumright and junior Trystyan Owen. Loose change has also started composing its own music, and on October 22 the band will be recording their first album at Woodshop Studios in Mount Pleasant. “I’m so psyched. We’ve been working on

22 | FOCUS | OCT 24, 2013

three originals and we’ve preformed one of by Shahin and Miller and the great chemistry them twice already,” Shahin said. “The other within the band. two [recordings] have the music down, we are “Our band is unique because we play a lot of just waiting on [a bandmate] to have some free classic rock, which isn’t usually what people our time to come in and write the lyrics.” age would play, and we have very prominent The band was put together three years ago. background vocals as well,” Miller said. They went through a rock band program run by The band has not always gone by the name Shelly through Fulkerson Studios. Twice every Loose Change. Up until two years ago, they had year, Fulkerson studios puts on a performance no concrete title and they would change their at Big D’s bar and grill name every couple of gigs. where they showcase At one point, they had gone every band involved in by Three Chemics and a the program. Originally Charger. Eventually the consisting of only Shahin, time came for Fulkerson Bergmooser, Miller, and studios to have its Upcoming Gigs Owen, the four musicians biannual showcase. Shelley of Loose Change took requested that they solidify lessons from Shelley, who their band name for the saw the chemistry the four Nov. 2nd | Journey’s promotional poster. At the of them had as a band time, Shahin, Miller, and Nov. 16th | Journey’s and saw the potential Bergmooser all had Donald they posessed. Two years Nov. 22nd | Rhapsody Demko as their English later, Drumright joined a Dec. 6th | Battle of the Bands teacher. They asked if he practice as a guest vocalist had any suggestions for who was then asked to Dec. 14th | Journey’s the band’s name. Demko only sing one song. After Dec. 15th | Big D’s sports bar suggested Loose Change the performance, the band because it was an idea for realized that she would be a band name that he gave a great asset to the band. to a friend as a kid that was She became the fifth member of the group. never used. “She is a good performer. She has had practice “Nick really loved it. I’m glad it lived on,” performing in the past so she is kind of the full said Demko. “A butt-kicking name for a buttpackage,” Shelley said. “Lead vocals are the kicking band.” things that the audience remembers the most During practices, Loose Change is always about a band. It’s the thing they want.” trying to improve its sound. They practice Along with the lead vocals, Shelley comments whatever songs they will be performing that that some of the strengths Loose Change has week and spend anywhere from half an hour comes from the background vocals provided to forty-five minutes breaking down a song

LOOSE CHANGE

Loose Change practices a Jon Bon Jovi song “You Give Love a Bad Name” during a Monday night practice session at Fulkerson studios. Nick Wright | Photo individually, dissecting which parts that need work and finding ways to improve them. While performing, Shahin is constantly listening to the balance of all the instruments together. “I’m making sure my background vocals and Elliot’s background vocals are good and I’m always trying to make it better for next time,” Shahin said. “I’m also trying to keep the energy going, because there is nothing more boring than a guy who just stands there and stares at the neck of his instrument while he plays.” All of the time and hard work they put into their band has paid off whenever they get on stage to perform. Shahin’s favorite moment from being in Loose Change was a performance they played last December at Journey’s coffee shop. He remembers the café being packed to capacity with not a single seat open and the room alive with energy. “The picture of that night was perfect, just being on stage and looking out seeing all your close friends and the place is packed,” Shahin said. “People were having a good time and that is what I like to see, being on stage playing music and seeing people having a good time. That is the best feeling.” Although their friendships will last forever, all good things must come to an end. A majority of the members are seniors, so collage is in the future. The seniors plan on attending different colleges. A breakup may be inevitable, but they are trying to continue playing together as long as possible. “We will probably have to break up before college because we don’t want to go to the same colleges,” Miller said. “I personally want to play for the rest of my life.”

Man-made melody

T o n e typ es of A cappel l a

Midland High’s newest music group is bringing a fresh approach to vocals by singing and making the instrumentals with their voices alone. Casey LaValley | Staff Writer & Caroline Swiercz | Staff Writer

Senior Breezey Belay-Loftis along with the rest of the Unaccompanied Minors, practice for the group’s debut at this year’s Rhapsody Rendezvous. Caroline Swiercz | Photo

he halls are devoid of students, with janitors casually sweeping away the day’s chaos that has passed. All is silent, except for the melodic sounds streaming from a room at the end of the hall. The harmonies carry on without any instruments to guide. Unaided music is being made from the vocals alone. This is the work of the new a cappella group, the Unaccompanied Minors. The idea to start the club came about two years ago when senior Tyler Freed was a sophomore. However, the plan initially fell through due to the busy lives of everyone involved. Nevertheless, Freed was determined to make his vision become a reality during his final year at Midland High. Freed, along with his friends, seniors Lindsey McQuarter and Charlotte Damocles, began to establish the foundations of the club. They then started to search for the music that they would need with the help of their advisor and music

teacher, Jennifer Breneman. “I want the group to be largely student run, but with help and guidance from me,” Breneman said. “I’ve sung in a small professional group for the last twelve years so I can share what I have learned from that experience to help guide this group. The group members and especially the officers have a lot of input in what music we do, where we perform, and what we want our focus to be.” As of today, the group consists of 28 members who have made it through the audition process. To make it into the new a cappella group, potential members had to meet three different pieces of criteria, pitch matching, singing in rounds, and a choice piece. As intimidating as this process sounds, the officers tried to make it as minimally nerve wracking as possible. “Actually, if [singing in the shower is all you have], you really could still make it in. Being able to read music isn’t that big of a deal because

you have people there that can read music,” Freed said. “So we just help out those people who can’t read it as well. As long as you know the rhythms and can sing the pitches, you’re good.” They hope to differentiate themselves from other music groups, such as Meisters singers and chorus, by singing more modern tunes by artists such as Gotye and Imogen Heap. This contrasts against the foreign and classical songs that are often sung by the Meisters singers. “Meisters only branches out into more modern stuff for Rhapsody and singing valentines,” Freed said. “With Unaccompanied Minors, we’re hoping to get between the 50’s and now for all of the performances because Meisters has the rest covered.” Because the group is so new, they have no intention of participating in competitions any time soon. But, the possibility has not been ruled out completely. “It’s hard to do stuff like that just because this is the first year and we only had the three officers at the start. It was just so last minute,” McQuarter said. “We can have auditions at the end of this year and pick new officers. So I think that the group will be able to do more with that next year.” For this year, the group is choosing to participate in both in-school and outside performances. They also hope to do some smaller community centric events sometime down the road. Because they require no sound systems to perform, the group has had many requests to play at Journey’s and small group meetings through the fundraising that the officers did during last summer. The Unaccompanied Minors will be performing at this year’s Rhapsody Rendezvous and hope to have a smooth debut. They have been practicing for this group performance since the year began. Although their plans have been kept mostly confidential, assume that something amazing will take place. “We’re starting to get more focus out of people. During the first couple of weeks, people really weren’t sure if this was a serious thing or not. But now we mean business,” McQuarter said. “This is something that you put yourself into and you have got to stick with it. The group is finally starting to live up to that.”

Sopranos are at the top of the scale and sing the main melody.

Altos are slightly above the middle of the vocal spectrum.

Tenors are a dynamic low group than can include both guys and girls.

Basses sing the lowest notes and add to a richer group sound. mhsfocus.com | FOCUS | 23

Frozen Delight

As frozen yogurt shops continue to grow in popularity, many people wonder if it is truly healthier than ice creams. Scout Parsch | Editor in Chief & Dylan Rocha I Staff Writer

Nuts

Walnuts may not be the healthiest nut, but are still healthier than candies. The best nuts are cashews, almonds, and pistachios. These are all low in calories and packed with protein, helping to fill you up and feel satisfied.

2,000

calories a day

is the average teen diet

320 calories are

eaten a day in extra

Fruit

Strawberry slices are low in calories and fat. They are also filled with nutrients, fiber, and disease fighting phytochemicals. The average serving size for fruit is between one tablespoon and 1/4 a cup.

SUGARS

That’s equivalent to eating

20 teaspoons

of extra sugar a day

Granola

Granola has extra fiber while also providing a crunch to the frozen yogurt. An alternative to granola can be any cereal, but stay away from ones with added sugars. Some of the worst have more sugar, by weight, than a chocolate chip cookie.

A healthy amount of frozen yogurt is 1/2 CUP = $1.50 at Cherry Berry

The average amount spent at

Cherry Berry

(four times the healthy amount) Scout Parsch | Infographic

“A guilty pleasure without the guilt!” is written on the inside walls of the frozen yogurt shop. People make a line through the door to try the new healthy dessert. Many people believe frozen yogurt is a healthy alternative to eating ice cream. However, when buying from a frozen yogurt bar, it is easy to go overboard on the toppings. This can cause the “healthy” snack to be deceiving. Ice cream and frozen yogurt are both frozen treats made from dairy, but there are some significant differences which set them apart. In order for a frozen treat to be legally labeled as ice cream, it must contain at least ten percent milk fat. This is usually met through the addition of cream, unlike frozen yogurt. Ice cream is considered unhealthy because of the cream added, but frozen yogurt can easily reach the same amount of fat and calories with the additions of fat-laden syrups, chocolates, and other candies. “Sometimes frozen yogurt can be lower

24 | FOCUS | OCT 24, 2013

in calories,”nutrition counselor Lynda amount of calories at the shop is still half of the Wolschlager said. “But not unless you stay amount of vanilla ice cream, at 150 calories per away from the toxin filled syrups.” half cup. However, restaurant leader Meghann Hale “Because we offer so many varieties of of Cherry Berry, a popular frozen yogurt flavors, there really is no healthier option,” shop in Midland, commented that their Hale said. “We have gluten free, sugar free, yogurt is homogenized and dairy free, and fat free, which are mostly made pasteurized, which makes it for allergies instead of healthier and safer than ice healthiness.” cream. Although most “[Our yogurt] also has four frozen yogurt flavors charges types of friendly culture and may be healthier than good bacteria too, which ice ice cream, the toppings cream doesn’t.” Hale from the yogurt bars per ounce said. are what can affect the of frozen nutritional value most. Cherry Berry yogurt Cherry Berry offers provides a wide 36 toppings ranging variety of flavors and from hot fudge to toppings. In order to cheesecake and other keep the frozen yogurt healthier than ice cream when flavoring and candies. Choosing toppings such as fresh fruit, syrups are added, all yogurts are either non-fat granola, and nuts to get the antioxidants of fiber or low fat flavors. The flavor with the highest and protein are the healthiest choices amongst

Cherry Berry

$0.46

these. Because frozen yogurt is lower in fat, people often overload on toppings and the amount of yogurt. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a suggested healthy portion size is one-half cup of frozen yogurt. This will not only save each customer the calories, but also the money to buy a large amount of frozen yogurt. Wolschlager says that it takes the brain chemicals 15-20 minutes to register how full the body is. The best way to keep a smaller portion size is eating with a baby spoon. This will force the customer to eat slower while also filling up faster. This not only curbs the sweet tooth, but also prevents the customer from going overboard on portion size. “Also try to look at the [yogurt cup] size and divide it into a protein, fruit, and fats portions,” Wolschlager said. “Fats should only be the size of your thumb or you’ll fill up on the fats instead.”