Senior Issue by MHS Focus

FOCUS the

Saginaw Transfer Teacher Michael Servinski moved to MHS this fall after teaching for 20 years at Saginaw High. Saturday, May 5, he released salmon in the Tittabawasse River with students. Photo: Maureen Aloff

the goodbye issue

Parking

Soccer Siblings

Illustration: Josie Kuchek

Summer Day Trips

Po l a r B e a r

Midland High School | May 18, 2018 | Volume 40, Issue 8

REMEMBER WHEN... Standout memories that happened in our middle and high school years that can never be forgotten. Sports Editor Hannah Smith | Staff Writer Will Shaffer

Homecoming Banner High School Musical Theme

Nick Pellegrino & Mr. Criner

Jacob Mutscher & Chloe Bean Middle School

Mitch Reid’s Middle School Girlfriends 2011 - 2014

Girls Volleyball Team District Champs 2017 - senior year Photos: Hannah Smith Photo Courtesy: Jacob Mutscher

senior issue

Midland vs. Dow football game 49-21 WIN - Flag runners & Vic

A cake with Mr. Muller & Nate Miiler’s picture on it May 18, 2018

FOCUS

May 18, 2018

senior issue

MARTIN MONEY Midland High all-time hits record Second Team All-State Baseball

H ALL of F AME

Honorable Mention All-State Football

Fluent in over 10 coding languages Coded two original Android applications: One for an education company as a Junior, another as a Senior for the A.H. Nickless Competition called Campus PASS

Varsity basketball captain

Two-Year Class Vice President

Student body treasurer as a junior

Midland Christian Varsity Basketball Captain

1st place leadership presentation at Student Council Regionals

First Team All-SVL Football

Organized the One Billion Concert at Central Auditorium

1st place leadership presentation at Student Council Regionals

LEADER S HI P

HANNAH BARTELS

4-year All-A Honor Roll

JOSH DANIELSON

National Honor Society (NHS) President

Created and directs the Cantus XI choir

Midland High Senior Chief Science Officer

Meistersinger President

DREW SPENCER

KADY BOOTH

9 MHS productions

2018 MHS Drama “Best Actress”

Favorite roles: Gomez Addams -Addams Family (2018)

11 lead roles in theater career

Lord Farquaad -- Shrek (2017) Thisbe -- Midsummer Night’s Dream (2014)

22 shows since fifth grade Board of Directors member for Teenage Musicals Inc.

Favorite show: Fly By Night (2018)

Marching Band Drum Major

NHS Scholarship National Semi-Finalist

Saxophone player in Concert Band and Jazz Band

Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens’ Scholarship

Earned a 5 on the AP Computer Science exam as a Junior

Student body President

Student-leader for the Christian Celebration Center youth group THRIVE

ATH LETICS

PRESTON MILLWARD

Senior class President

American Legion Baseball State Tournament Most Valuable Player

11 total Varsity sports seasons

These seniors have been recognized as the best in a variety of categories over their high school careers. Staff Writer Ben Woehrle | Sports Editor Hannah Smith

CALEB WOLFE

Sports editor for the FOCUS

First Team All-SVL Baseball

2018

HANNAH SMITH

Accepted into the Eastern Michigan University music program for Choral Conducting

ETHAN BRUCE

Earned top scores from judges in all choir and band competitions

Summa cum laude

National Merit Scholar Finalist

TECH senior issue

AC AD E M I CS

American Chemical Society Outstanding Chemistry Student U.S. Presidential Scholarship candidate May 18, 2018

FOCUS

MUSIC

FOCUS

May 18, 2018

DR A MA senior issue

MARTIN MONEY Midland High all-time hits record Second Team All-State Baseball

H ALL of F AME

Honorable Mention All-State Football

Fluent in over 10 coding languages Coded two original Android applications: One for an education company as a Junior, another as a Senior for the A.H. Nickless Competition called Campus PASS

Varsity basketball captain

Two-Year Class Vice President

Student body treasurer as a junior

Midland Christian Varsity Basketball Captain

1st place leadership presentation at Student Council Regionals

First Team All-SVL Football

Organized the One Billion Concert at Central Auditorium

1st place leadership presentation at Student Council Regionals

LEADER S HI P

HANNAH BARTELS

4-year All-A Honor Roll

JOSH DANIELSON

National Honor Society (NHS) President

Created and directs the Cantus XI choir

Midland High Senior Chief Science Officer

Meistersinger President

DREW SPENCER

KADY BOOTH

9 MHS productions

2018 MHS Drama “Best Actress”

Favorite roles: Gomez Addams -Addams Family (2018)

11 lead roles in theater career

Lord Farquaad -- Shrek (2017) Thisbe -- Midsummer Night’s Dream (2014)

22 shows since fifth grade Board of Directors member for Teenage Musicals Inc.

Favorite show: Fly By Night (2018)

Marching Band Drum Major

NHS Scholarship National Semi-Finalist

Saxophone player in Concert Band and Jazz Band

Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens’ Scholarship

Earned a 5 on the AP Computer Science exam as a Junior

Student body President

Student-leader for the Christian Celebration Center youth group THRIVE

ATH LETICS

PRESTON MILLWARD

Senior class President

American Legion Baseball State Tournament Most Valuable Player

11 total Varsity sports seasons

These seniors have been recognized as the best in a variety of categories over their high school careers. Staff Writer Ben Woehrle | Sports Editor Hannah Smith

CALEB WOLFE

Sports editor for the FOCUS

First Team All-SVL Baseball

2018

HANNAH SMITH

Accepted into the Eastern Michigan University music program for Choral Conducting

ETHAN BRUCE

Earned top scores from judges in all choir and band competitions

Summa cum laude

National Merit Scholar Finalist

TECH senior issue

AC AD E M I CS

American Chemical Society Outstanding Chemistry Student U.S. Presidential Scholarship candidate May 18, 2018

FOCUS

MUSIC

FOCUS

May 18, 2018

DR A MA senior issue

While the seniors reminisce over the good times that occurred over the last four years, they also take time to reflect back on all of the things that weren’t perfectly executed. Staff Writer Devin Granzo| Staff Writer Lillian Mohr

MHS Security Cards

The seemingly pointless ID cards are often complained about rather than praised. The thought of having to use one of them in order to be granted access into the building is almost laughable. Though they meant well, the cards that each student was given has yet to accomplish the one thing that it was originally designed to do: allow the student body and staff into the school with little to no complications. Has anyone used their cards? Ever? The doors are always open anyway, so there’s really no point.

Phone Pockets Though well intentioned, the phone pockets were one of the biggest MHS failures of all time. Easily avoided by keeping phones on one’s person (or behind conspicuous stacks of books and binders), approximately two people in any given class would put their phones in the pockets. Today, they remain a monument to the failures of the past.

Attendance Policy It was a brave experiment; allowing unlimited absences without affecting students’ grades. Legal concerns prompted the switch, which led to a total increase of absences from last year of more than 1,000. Needless to say, administration switched it back. The flip-flopping attendance policy is definitely a fail.

New Announcement System The announcements used to be great. Comprehension was never a problem. Then, everything changed. After a long period of the announcements being completely down, they triumphantly returned. But something was different. Beginning with a deceptively cheerful sequence of chimes, the sound quality now sounds like the intercom pilots use on planes, or perhaps how the parents would talk in Charlie Brown cartoons. But at least the class of 2018 doesn’t have to deal with it anymore.

The Bathrooms There are two types of MHS students: those who refuse to ever use the bathrooms and those who can’t hold it. Our bathrooms are disgusting. Everyone wonders why nothing has ever been done to fix the situation, and yet they remain in their current state of squalor. It’s not that they aren’t ever cleaned-- they are, but their filth and grime is far too ingrained to be removed by any mop.

senior issue

May 18, 2018

FOCUS

WHEN YOU WERE BORN...

18 years later we look back on the some of the highest grossing movies and music from the years 1999 and 2000. Opinion Editor Danielle Julien

1999

PEOPLE WERE WATCHING 2000 THE MATRIX REQUIEM FOR A DREAM

We can joke about living in a simulation all we want in 2018, but Neo (Keanu Reeves) knows first hand what that’s like. With only a $63 million budget, the Wachowski siblings created an iconic universe, full of black leather and freaky sunglasses.

THE SIXTH SENSE

From iconic director M. Night Shyamalan (director of 2017’s Split), The Sixth Sense is still one of the most iconic ghosts movies of all time. Featuring Bruce Willis as a psycholgist helping a young boy, played by Haley Joel Osment, who, guess what, has a sixth sense.

Presumably one of the most uncomfortable movies you’ll ever watch, Requiem For A Dream touches on the struggles of drug addicts in their daily life. It wasn’t the most popular movie of the year, but it’s one of the stand outs 18 years later.

X-MEN

Hugh Jackman. Patrick Stewart. Ian McKellen. Someone named George Buza. Who more could you ask for in a superhero movie? Actually, you could ask for many more people. Either way, the first X-Men paved the way for an entire franchise.

PEOPLE WERE LISTENING TO NO STRINGS ATTACHED 1999 by TheMILLENNIUM 2000 Backstreet Boys by NSYNC The third album from the boys, Millennium delivered exactly what their fans wanted, but nothing that anyone else really wanted. It delivered their best song, “I Want It That Way.”

FOCUS

May 18, 2018

NSYNC’S third album gave us two of the most ICONIC songs from the year 2000: “Bye Bye Bye” and “It’s Gonna Be Me.” 18 years later, we can all still bop to “Bye Bye Bye” in our cars.

senior issue

pop culture timeline

HONORABLE MENTION: frank ocean blonde

HONORABLE MENTION: post malone beerbongs & bentleys

beyonce - lemonade

kendrick lamar - damn.

cardi b - invasion of privacy

music

Pop culture has seen drastic changes throughout our four years in high school. Here are a few of the most significant occurrences in that time. News Editor Holly Stauffer | Opinion Editor Danielle Julien | Staff Writer Jacob Hartwick

HONORABLE MENTION: chance the rapper coloring book

taylor swift - 1989

“but that’s none of my business”

drake dancing

adele - 25 the dress

caveman spongebob

dat boi

what in tarnation

harambe

confused mr. krabs

jealous girlfriend

white guy blinking

movies

memes

ed sheeran - multiply

guardians of the galaxy ebola epidemic becomes global health crisis

senior issue

2014

nightcrawler

jurassic world first apple watch hits the shelves

the revenant hamilton takes over broadway

2015 May 18, 2018

FOCUS

finding dory rio hosts the 2016 summer olympics

2016

FOCUS

May 18, 2018

la la land

black panther

wonder woman

vine is shut down on january 17

2017

donald trump is inaugurated president

2018 senior issue

pop culture timeline

HONORABLE MENTION: frank ocean blonde

HONORABLE MENTION: post malone beerbongs & bentleys

beyonce - lemonade

kendrick lamar - damn.

cardi b - invasion of privacy

music

HONORABLE MENTION: chance the rapper coloring book

taylor swift - 1989

“but that’s none of my business”

drake dancing

adele - 25 the dress

caveman spongebob

dat boi

what in tarnation

harambe

confused mr. krabs

jealous girlfriend

white guy blinking

movies

memes

ed sheeran - multiply

guardians of the galaxy ebola epidemic becomes global health crisis

senior issue

2014

nightcrawler

jurassic world first apple watch hits the shelves

the revenant hamilton takes over broadway

2015 May 18, 2018

FOCUS

finding dory rio hosts the 2016 summer olympics

2016

FOCUS

May 18, 2018

la la land

black panther

wonder woman

vine is shut down on january 17

2017

donald trump is inaugurated president

2018 senior issue

TEACHER SEND-OFFS Teachers at Midland High share their impressions of the senior class along with some parting words of wisdom as graduation draws near. Exchange Editor Josie Kuchek | Staff Writer Alyssa McMillan

FINAL THOUGHTS JOSHUA CRINER ECONOMICS

WORDS OF WISDOM

“The graduating class that we have this year has done amazing things and have brought me a lot of great memories. I hope that they enjoy their graduation and they go out and have successful careers and lives. I wish them the best.”

HENRY MULLER PSYCHOLOGY “I am really impressed with how mature this graduating class is. They take responsibility when they don’t have their work done. They don’t make excuses, they own up to it. A lot of them also have jobs, which is cool.”

BECKY KING ENGLISH “It doesn’t matter what you’re doing next year. Whether you’re going to a prestigious school or continuing to work in the same place you’ve worked at in high school, it’s all what you make of it. If you have bad expectations, chances are you’re going to have a bad year, but if you just try to take as much out of whatever the experience--whether it’s the military, college, or work, try new things. Go to your college classes, but go see a lecture at the student union that sounds interesting. If you’re working at a job this summer and they offer you an opportunity to do something different, take it. Don’t limit yourself, and make sure you’re leaving opportunities open.”

senior issue

ROSE SEVENER ENGLISH “Have something to do, have a goal, it doesn’t always have to be college. A job, a focus, a goal. Gap years are not successful. Always listen to that inner voice inside your head no matter at what point in your life, and that gut feeling if you know something's not right, it probably isn’t. That little voice that says ‘maybe I shouldn’t, maybe I shouldn’t,’ listen to that inner voice.” May 18, 2018

FOCUS

SENIOR STAFF STAFF SUPERLATIVES JOSIE KUCHEK - throw it back at prom...two years in a row.

The seniors on the Focus staff decided which of us would be most likely to... Exchange Editor Josie Kuchek | Managing Editor Hope O’Dell

HOPE O’DELL- be the next Ellen. FISCHER GENAU- be a photographer for National Geographic.

HANNAH SMITH- be on The Voice and get no chair turns.

HOLLY STAUFFER- get a restraining order from Big Sean... and frame it.

JACOB HARTWICK- disappear and show up with food.

LEXY LANG- be a YouTube beauty guru

LILLIAN MOHR - buy a haunted house. LIAM GRADY - wear a “kiss the chef” apron while grilling on the weekend.

GWYNNE ÖZKAN - subtweet her husband.

ALYSSA MCMILLAN - be a secret agent. DEVIN GRANZO - join an underground death metal band while being the CEO of Dow. WILL SHAFFER- ask you about your day and actually care.

BEN WOEHRLE - be on the Bachelor.

DANIELLE JULIEN- marry someone more than twice her age... Jake Gyllenhaal.

Illustrations: Olivia Ortiz, Aubrey Chambers

FOCUS

May 18, 2018

senior issue

HORIZON ON THE This year’s seniors are traveling in several directions, including college, work, military, and mission trips. Managing Editor Hope O’Dell | Photo & Design Editor Fischer Genau

H O R I Z O N 12

senior issue

A IR FORCE

Brendan Altman Mallory Campbell Cam Graves Colton Kaminski David Kluka

A LMA COLLEGE Aubrey Root Lauren Smit Allison Stevens

A LVERNO COLLEGE Alex McMath

A RMY RESERVE Ashleigh Gross

A UTO DIESEL INSTITUTE Tyler Brown

B ALL STATE UNIVERSIT Y Caleb Wolfe

B RIGHAM YOUNG

UNIVERSIT Y-IDAHO Alaina Hendrix Nathan Herzog

C ENTRAL MICHIGAN Courtney Rathbun Emilie Rohn Danielle Smith Kendalyn Town Jaclyn Varnes Claire Winslow Emily Yoder Trenton Zimmerman

C OLORADO STATE UNIVERSIT Y Drew Spencer

Tyler Neff Fletcher Nowak Madison O’Keefe Julia Olvera Currin Peck Sion Pizzi Kody Plarske Amanda Rabadue Allyah Ramos Dallas Reim Thomas Renfro Caitlin Rhead Hannah Rivet Alivia Rogers Dezirae Rupert Aaron Sachs Elisabeth Saint Onge Gillian Schloop Sarah Schulte Nick Semerau Dylan Sirrine Zachary Smerdon Brianna Smith Sidney Smith Halle Stanick Hunter Stilwell Mackenzie Strasser Tyler Thayer Jaclyn Townsend Chris Washington Evan Welter Dehlia Whitley Nathan Widmer Jabril Wiggins Ian Zapolski

Dalayne Ludwig Maggie McGee Jayden Schmitt

COLLEGE Cauy George

M ICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSIT Y

G RAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSIT Y

Madison Barrie Emily Corbat Mitchell Dominowski Allison Gray Mitchell Reid Carly Rinas Zane Warner

G REATER MICHIGAN

CONSTRUCTION ACADEMY Cam Donoghue

H ILLSDALE COLLEGE Drew Gandy

H OPE COLLEGE Marina Budinsky Matthew Gross Hannah Smith

Zach O’Dell

Thomas Schwartz

F AIRMONT STATE UNIVERSIT Y Abbie Fowler

F ERRIS STATE UNIVERSIT Y

Maddie Allen Kaylie Barton Ethan Deckrow Alex Feige Matthew Gach Ellie Goddard Liam Grady Emily Hanson Emma Jamrog Danielle Julien Nicolas Kerkau Alexis Lang Jenna Meyer Hope O’Dell Mia Pardel Eric Parsons Tommy Pritchett Hailee Swantek Andrew Taylor Brady Wing Ben Woehrle

I OWA STATE UNIVERSIT Y Melissa Draves

I TALY

David Mach

J ACKSON COLLEGE

S AGINAW VALLEY STATE UNIVERSIT Y

Tyler Benoit Chloe Byron Madisyn Danner Carlee Davis Matt Elliot Serena Fleming-Dittenber Peyton Gerstacker Mary Johnson Thomas Keckeisen Colin Keit Lucas Kraenzlein Joshua Lang Olivia Langley Martin Money Kailee Norton Reagan VanValkenburg Destiny Weddel Garrett Willis

Owen Barba Kayla Douglas Andrew Fridstrom Garven Huntley Nick Monroe Cesar Nakasone Zach Servinski

S IENA HEIGHTS

Vaughn Walker

S OUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE Chyna Leib

Justin Messner

N ATIONAL GUARD Corinne Dunsmore

K ENNESAW STATE UNIVERSIT Y

UNIVERSIT Y Karalyn Jobe Bethany Wilson

Gerard Bringard

L OYOLA UNIVERSIT Y CHICAGO

UNIVERSIT Y

RJ Allen Braedon Darland

Jacob Mutscher

T HE UNIVERSIT Y N ORTH POINT BIBLE COLLEGE OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO

N ORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSIT Y Micah Carroll Will Shaffer

Holly Stauffer Lexa Wild

N ORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN

M ARINE CORPS

Grace Brown

UNIVERSIT Y

Meggan Dice Kindaro Kilinton Scott Lewis Jaelen Skym

May 18, 2018

N ORTHWOOD UNIVERSIT Y Riley Rajewski Grace Rekeweg Damian Turowski

FOCUS

T AYLOR UNIVERSIT Y

Riley Legge

T EXAS CHRISTIAN

N AVY

Ethan Grabill

L AWRENCE TECH UNIVERSIT Y

Kady Booth Alyssa McMilan Em Thomas

Jordan Corner

M URRAY

K ALAMAZOO COLLEGE

O AKLAND UNIVERSIT Y

P ENN FOSTER

M ICHIGAN TECH

L AKE SUPERIOR STATE

E LMHURST COLLEGE

Jacob Gomola Dale Johnson Alyssa Laughton Jacob McClelland Josh McClelland JP Zaremba

Shaley Travis

Charlie Parsons

E ASTERN MICHIGAN Josh Danielson

M ESSENGER COLLEGE

Ethan Tuck

D OUGLAS J AVEDA INSTITUTE

UNIVERSIT Y

G ENESEE COMMUNIT Y

Tristan Tanzini

Guillermo Molina

Brandon Johnson

Breanna Chritz Farryn Cook Rachel Crowley Jordan Ensing Lauren Gullo Ben Haut Jordan Kohler Emma Lillie Luke Pajk Nick Pellegrino IV

Peyton Backus Sean Bendall Aaron Burt Hope Butler Emily Butters Taylor Chesley Cory Clark Emily Paige Clark Ryan Colston Adelaide Dietz Jeffrey Fillmore Janelle Gallier Aaryana Glover Elani Glover Mackenzie Granzo Jeni Grinwis Jacob Hackett Patrick Haight Jacob Hartwick Jessy Hays Gloria Heye Kaitlyn Hutchinson Taylin Jackson Madelyn Joswiak Jared Kaweck Bailey King Diana Kiselava Josie Kuchek Claire Laney Bishop Limon Maury Magbatoc Silver McKinstry Cade Methner Nate Miiller Kieran Murphy Cortaveis Nash

D EPAUL UNIVERSIT Y

CALVIN COLLEGE

UNIVERSIT Y

D ELTA COLLEGE

FOCUS

May 18, 2018

Rylie Johnstone

U NIVERSIT Y OF MICHIGAN Hannah Bartels Elizabeth Bott Emma Brown Ethan Bruce Madison Carroll Aidan Haase Gwynne Özkan Kristy Srodawa Kenneth Steinhilber Matt Waier

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-

U NIVERSIT Y OF VERMONT Sophia Berry

E XCHANGE Devin Granzo

Maddi Roberts

M ISSION TRIP Javin Gudmundsen Spencer James Preston Millward

LINCOLN

P ROTEGE

W ASHTENAW COMMUNIT Y

W ORKFORCE

Kelly Emery

COLLEGE Tristin Neeb Andrew Ray

W AYNE STATE UNIVERSIT Y Madeline Arnold

W ESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSIT Y Alli Dotson Collin Monville Meghan Rohn Quinn Seeburger

Olivia Barber

Taylor Cook Fischer Genau Connor Robertson

HORIZON ON THE This year’s seniors are traveling in several directions, including college, work, military, and mission trips. Managing Editor Hope O’Dell | Photo & Design Editor Fischer Genau

H O R I Z O N 12

senior issue

A IR FORCE

Brendan Altman Mallory Campbell Cam Graves Colton Kaminski David Kluka

A LMA COLLEGE Aubrey Root Lauren Smit Allison Stevens

A LVERNO COLLEGE Alex McMath

A RMY RESERVE Ashleigh Gross

A UTO DIESEL INSTITUTE Tyler Brown

B ALL STATE UNIVERSIT Y Caleb Wolfe

B RIGHAM YOUNG

UNIVERSIT Y-IDAHO Alaina Hendrix Nathan Herzog

C ENTRAL MICHIGAN Courtney Rathbun Emilie Rohn Danielle Smith Kendalyn Town Jaclyn Varnes Claire Winslow Emily Yoder Trenton Zimmerman

C OLORADO STATE UNIVERSIT Y Drew Spencer

Dalayne Ludwig Maggie McGee Jayden Schmitt

COLLEGE Cauy George

M ICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSIT Y

G RAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSIT Y

Madison Barrie Emily Corbat Mitchell Dominowski Allison Gray Mitchell Reid Carly Rinas Zane Warner

G REATER MICHIGAN

CONSTRUCTION ACADEMY Cam Donoghue

H ILLSDALE COLLEGE Drew Gandy

H OPE COLLEGE Marina Budinsky Matthew Gross Hannah Smith

Zach O’Dell

Thomas Schwartz

F AIRMONT STATE UNIVERSIT Y Abbie Fowler

F ERRIS STATE UNIVERSIT Y

I OWA STATE UNIVERSIT Y Melissa Draves

I TALY

David Mach

J ACKSON COLLEGE

S AGINAW VALLEY STATE UNIVERSIT Y

Owen Barba Kayla Douglas Andrew Fridstrom Garven Huntley Nick Monroe Cesar Nakasone Zach Servinski

S IENA HEIGHTS

Vaughn Walker

S OUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE Chyna Leib

Justin Messner

N ATIONAL GUARD Corinne Dunsmore

K ENNESAW STATE UNIVERSIT Y

UNIVERSIT Y Karalyn Jobe Bethany Wilson

Gerard Bringard

L OYOLA UNIVERSIT Y CHICAGO

UNIVERSIT Y

RJ Allen Braedon Darland

Jacob Mutscher

T HE UNIVERSIT Y N ORTH POINT BIBLE COLLEGE OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO

N ORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSIT Y Micah Carroll Will Shaffer

Holly Stauffer Lexa Wild

N ORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN

M ARINE CORPS

Grace Brown

UNIVERSIT Y

Meggan Dice Kindaro Kilinton Scott Lewis Jaelen Skym

May 18, 2018

N ORTHWOOD UNIVERSIT Y Riley Rajewski Grace Rekeweg Damian Turowski

FOCUS

T AYLOR UNIVERSIT Y

Riley Legge

T EXAS CHRISTIAN

N AVY

Ethan Grabill

L AWRENCE TECH UNIVERSIT Y

Kady Booth Alyssa McMilan Em Thomas

Jordan Corner

M URRAY

K ALAMAZOO COLLEGE

O AKLAND UNIVERSIT Y

P ENN FOSTER

M ICHIGAN TECH

L AKE SUPERIOR STATE

E LMHURST COLLEGE

Jacob Gomola Dale Johnson Alyssa Laughton Jacob McClelland Josh McClelland JP Zaremba

Shaley Travis

Charlie Parsons

E ASTERN MICHIGAN Josh Danielson

M ESSENGER COLLEGE

Ethan Tuck

D OUGLAS J AVEDA INSTITUTE

UNIVERSIT Y

G ENESEE COMMUNIT Y

Tristan Tanzini

Guillermo Molina

Brandon Johnson

Breanna Chritz Farryn Cook Rachel Crowley Jordan Ensing Lauren Gullo Ben Haut Jordan Kohler Emma Lillie Luke Pajk Nick Pellegrino IV

D EPAUL UNIVERSIT Y

CALVIN COLLEGE

UNIVERSIT Y

D ELTA COLLEGE

FOCUS

May 18, 2018

Rylie Johnstone

U NIVERSIT Y OF MICHIGAN Hannah Bartels Elizabeth Bott Emma Brown Ethan Bruce Madison Carroll Aidan Haase Gwynne Özkan Kristy Srodawa Kenneth Steinhilber Matt Waier

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-

U NIVERSIT Y OF VERMONT Sophia Berry

E XCHANGE Devin Granzo

Maddi Roberts

M ISSION TRIP Javin Gudmundsen Spencer James Preston Millward

LINCOLN

P ROTEGE

W ASHTENAW COMMUNIT Y

W ORKFORCE

Kelly Emery

COLLEGE Tristin Neeb Andrew Ray

W AYNE STATE UNIVERSIT Y Madeline Arnold

W ESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSIT Y Alli Dotson Collin Monville Meghan Rohn Quinn Seeburger

Olivia Barber

Taylor Cook Fischer Genau Connor Robertson

7 things Holly Stauffer

onsidering I’ve spent my due time here at Midland High, I’d say I’m pretty qualified to offer up a review of the school. Rather than a brief, Yelp-style rating, I’d like to provide a more thorough review, loosely inspired by Miley Cyrus’ hit song “7 Things.” Midland High is very near and dear to my heart, but just like everything I hold close, it has its ups and downs. Without further ado, here are the 7 things I hate about you: 1.) The bathrooms. We don’t even get full-length mirrors. If the soap dispensers aren’t empty (which they always are), then one of the locks on the stall doors isn’t working. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve set foot in a bathroom this year, because I make it a point to keep out of those slimy dungeons. 2.) The fact that I would drown in homework every day for a week straight, and the next week I’d barely get any. It’s like teachers planned assignments on top of one another collaboratively. 3.) The Chromebooks. “First one’s free” isn’t exactly an accurate policy if they charge us $30 for one slight crack in the $15 case. 4.) The embarrassing lack of cell phone service. If there was a zombie apocalypse, I wouldn’t be able to call my mom. 5.) The attendance policy. There were more than 10 pointless days in my classes, especially during the final weeks of senior year. 6.) The group of kids who called me a “snake” for two years. 7.) The same people get recognized for the same things over and over. There are a lot of students doing amazing things who go unrecognized. Share the wealth. The 7 things I like about you: 1.) Chemic Pride. The magic in the air at football games, assemblies, BPA competitions, swim meets, and everything in between is unlike

anything I’ve ever experienced and makes me truly proud to be a Chemic. 2.) The sense of unity my class shares. “Yeah, we’re all going to fail this test. But at least we’re all going to fail together.” 3.) Student Council. I’ve been asked many times, “What do you guys even do?” We do it all, even if a sense of fulfillment is the only reward we receive. 4.) Mr. Fox’s AP Computer Science class. No other school has a class as advanced and in-depth as this one, and I’ve learned so much because of the clarity of the lessons. Thanks to this class, I’ve found a subject I’m passionate about. 5.) All of the opportunities. So many different clubs and programs were at my fingertips throughout my four years here, and taking advantage of as many as possible was the best decision I’ve made thus far. Each extracurricular I did impacted me in its own way- whether it was traveling to state competitions for BPA or leading my swim team in meet warm-ups. 6.) The teachers. We all love to rant about them, but at the end of the day, most of them care more than they have to about our success and really are passionate about their jobs. 7.) The Focus. This staff has become a second family to me after all of the production weeks and problemsolving we’ve taken on together. Most importantly, I’ve been able to have an outlet for my writing which allowed hundreds of eyes to grace it, and I will never be able to express my gratitude for that enough. Despite the list of all the bad things, the abundance of good things stands out even more when I think about my time here, and that’s what I’ll remember most when I leave. So, with that, the thing I hate the most that you do, Midland High, is that you make me love you.

dream come true

in a van by the river Fischer Genau

ather than opt for a traditional postsecondary experience, this next September I’ll be out in Colorado, sleeping in a van, and filming weddings with one of my best friends, Ian Andridge. For the past eighteen years of my life, I’ve been hurtling along the same track as every other teenager. A track that ultimately intends to guide me through high school and onto a decent college and degree, then land me a job, enabling me to enter a dry little workplace until I prune up, a real raisin in the sun. Oh and then retire somewhere warm so my death can be much the same as my life; of little consequence. Somewhere along the way, I became disillusioned with society’s ideal of success. It aims to put us on the path of least resistance, tailored for comfort and not fulfillment. In lieu of this, I decided to take a walk on the wild side. Rather than attend a university next year, Ian and I are venturing out into the vast unknown, armed with nothing but our wits and our cameras. Our plan so far: film one to two weddings each month, providing just enough income to gas up the whip and put food in our bellies. The remaining time is left for us to spend or squander how best we see fit. Our purpose: allow our creative impulses to run wild about the open spaces, the fresh air giving us new life and purpose to carry with us for the rest of our days. We don’t have a set itinerary, a fallback plan, or an easy out. We’ll have each other and the road. The nature of our experiment is surreal to me. In order to grow and learn, I am clearing my schedule of responsibilities rather than filling it. When I first sat down with Ian to hash out this idea of ours, I was in a constant state of giddiness. Often, one of us would make some remark acknowledging the boundless possibilities that will come with our way of life, our eyes would meet, and we’d laugh in awe and disbelief. More than ever, I felt like I had the reigns in life. I was calling the shots, answering only to myself and divine intervention. For the first time, choosing how I wanted to live. I think we all yearn for an opportunity to define our own lives, but I’m starting to

it’s not me, it’s you

Hope O’Dell believe that the way of the common man doesn’t lend itself to such a moment. Following high school, college can be an illusion of real choice. Yes, there is that moment of resolve when someone finally picks the school that will inevitably shape the next four years of their lives in a big way. But ultimately we’ve merely earned our freedom from high school to proffer it up to another institution. Doing this lightly, simply because it’s what society expects, is nothing short of foolishness. I don’t mean to say these things to entirely condemn college. I intend to go to one following my year as a rolling stone. But I want to do so filled with clearly defined purpose. At first, I planned on applying to all of my top schools, then deferring admission until the next year. However, as I filled out my application to New York University, I was stopped short. I was chugging along on the Common App, when I reached a question asking me why I wanted to attend. I didn’t have an answer. Sure, there are scores of logical answers to this question out there, and we all know why we should want to go to these schools. College is supposed to equip us with the skills to earn good, respectable jobs that will firmly establish us into society as reputable, hard-working citizens. What I want to know is why we, as woefully ignorant young adults, are supposed to believe that this is what we want in life. The trajectory of life in a place such as Midland gives us very little room to breathe, to listen, to discover. There are countless places we have yet to see, people we haven’t had the fortune to meet, and endeavors we have yet to undertake, and each one has the capacity to turn the way we see the world on its head. Accepting the common knowledge that college contains the answers to all of our questions and holds the key to our future does not seem wise to me. I would rather pursue out a life that inspires me each and every day, and I aim to do so behind the wheel of a van as I follow the rivers and roads that weave across the country. May 18, 2018

FOCUS

hen I was a toddler I used to spend every day at my grandma’s, so I was forced to use my imagination to make each day interesting. Sometimes I would be a detective ordering a drink (orange juice) while spilling my woes to the bartender (Grandma) or a superhero saving the world from an evil villain (Grandma). But most days I was a teenager, going to high school (the living room) and doing homework (scribbling into a textbook from Salvation Army). To me, being a teenager was the best thing I could ever be. I dreamed of being in high school, living life I saw on Disney Channel. I always imagined myself as the main character. I guess I can die now, because all of my dreams have come true. I went to high school, looks like I’m done. However, high school was not what Disney advertised. The discord between Disney and reality wasn’t being the girl, it was the idea I also wanted to get the girl. When I was five I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to have a crush on Gabriella in High School Musical, I knew I wanted to be Troy Bolton so I could have Gabriella. This complicated my first few years of high school. Also, I wasn’t as good at basketball as I thought I was going to be. Goodbye Troy Bolton, hello benchwarmer. In retrospect, it makes sense. I was clumsy, slow, and confused all the time. But my Generation Z entitlement worked miracles on my ego. I spent my seasons dreaming of shooting the game winning shot, but that’s hard to do from the sidelines. So high school wasn’t a Disney movie. As I reached middle-school age, high school became a collage of youth rom-coms I watched. They all had the same plot, but different actors, so they were different (not really). The rom-coms all had one thing in common--high school was depicted as a series of trials and tribulations the main character overcame to come out on top as the most popular kid in school with an outof-their-league significant other. It’s my last day here and I’m still waiting to come out on top, so I don’t think it will happen. Don’t get me wrong, I faced many trials

in my four years in high school. I watched a coach who shaped my character get fired for no reason other than politics. I came out, and although I got support, I almost lost a best friend because of it. I watched old friends who I thought would be in my life forever succumb to drugs and alcohol, pushing them out of my life for good. I also never got into Rhapsody--yes, I’m still bitter. Now, as I prepare to walk across a stage to get a piece of paper that signifies I did all the things I was supposed to do, I’m taking high school for what it was: a mess. Not good, not bad, just a mess. But there were some beautiful moments in that mess. I never got to hold a district championship mitten over my head as my sweaty jersey stuck to my back. But I got to hold an award with some of my best friends for having one of the best student newspapers in the state. I was sweaty then, so it’s pretty much the same thing. I didn’t end up the most popular kid in the class, and that’s for the best because by now I would’ve used my power to overthrow the administration in anarchy. But I met people I hope will be in my life forever. People I have spent hours with doing last-minute homework and eating food that will clog my arteries. People I love more than I thought I could ever love anything. But what I may love even more than my friends is journalism, the Focus. I didn’t know what I was going to end up doing with my life when I was a freshman, and it terrified me. But taking Beginning Journalism sophomore year took fear out of me, it introduced a passion into my life. A passion I intend to turn into a livelihood. More than just a career, the Focus has given me a family. I know it’s lame when people talk about “the Focus Fam,” but we are a family. The people I have met and worked with are my brothers and sisters, and I wouldn’t be who I am without them.

Gwynne Özkan

or the last four years, I’ve been subject to something dangerous: repetition. Drowsy and half-heartedly stepping through the atrium doors in the morning, only to shuffle out after six short bells. A quarter of my life is past, and my locker is still broken. I’ve never had to eat lunch before 11:47. My years of attention-seeking have predictably earned me the “Biggest Drama Queen” crown. This same-old sameold brings me back to the cliche: “I can’t wait to get out of this town.” It’s been in and out of my ear since, well, forever. And on my last day, it would be easy to feel relieved, and I do. I find solace knowing that I am getting out, but my reason isn’t rooted in regret. My escape isn’t forced. Rather, it’s inspired by the takeaways this town has given me. I’ve learned that everything ages. Things get old, especially our environment, and I can’t grow in the cushy comfort of familiarity. I need the new, the not knowing. I think we all do. And considering the spontaneity is all used up, Midland just isn’t that to me anymore. What was first an unexplored chart has been covered in black ink and riddled with X’s and O’s. My eyes, now narrow with experience, were once wide with naivety - back before my high school journals were all filled up. Count four steps back. The chain link fence that once separated me from the student section was finally penetrable. Smushed in the back, it was a blur. I heard boisterous chants, saw brightly colored shakers, and followed vibrant leaders. Jump four steps forward. Suddenly standing on top of the wall, I joined in with the scoreboard, bragging of our 3-year comeback against Dow. The chants came with ease and the shakers were made by me and those leaders were my best friends. I used to be notorious for not wearing my chemistry goggles with the crippling fear that I’d have marks on my face for next hour, and was put on probation for breaking two crucibles in 12 minutes. And now? I wear my goggles to class, through class, and back to my locker. It makes Mr. Yoder laugh. And I’ve only shattered a graduated cylinder, so despite my low test scores from .3 to AP, there’s growth. Back and forth, back and forth. I snicker

at the shrimp I used to be, juggling my obsession over my reputation with the target mean girls so nicely taped to my back. But I smile at the growth, embracing the confidence I’ve gained in myself. But by now the growth is all used up. With a Spartan shining in the journalism room beside 8 beautiful issues. A Nickless plaque with ‘JPEG’ engraved on the front. An undefeated soccer season. A golden gavel representing Parli Pro being top 2 in the nation. I’ve checked all my boxes, May 24 officially deeming Midland too crowded with comfort. All of the things I’ve been looking forward to are now merely memories I look back on, so I know it’s time to jump. For my whole life, Midland and its small confines have made me promises. Going out in public, I’m subject to seeing on average 2-3 people I know (or avoiding 2-3 people I know). Sundays past seven at Espresso Milano mean fighting for a table. I know Mr. Hollenbeck’s answer before I even ask, “How are you?” and the rail trail will be full of rollerbladers come Cottage Creamery season. But planning to pack up has made promises too: to turn my peers into strangers again, to give me empty boxes that need checking, to provide potential I can no longer access here. I’ll pop the Midland bubble, because I can’t cure diseases or write novels in the same house I peed the bed and whined about burntout boyfriends in. I want to step out so I can reach the potential that so many other people have instilled in me - potential they convinced me I have. Teachers, advisors, family, friends - they’re people that will never come to collect. Still, I owe it to them to indulge in opportunity, feast on newfound freedom, and break through barriers. I’m not counting down the days because there’s nothing left to count. I’m not waiting to be sad - I am sad, because my time here is no longer dwindling. It’s gone. I can’t wait to get out of Midland, but I can accept all that Midland has given me which allowed me to leave. senior issue

7 things Holly Stauffer

dream come true

in a van by the river Fischer Genau

it’s not me, it’s you

FOCUS

Gwynne Özkan

SENIOR SUPERLATIVES

Seniors voted each other the best, the worst, and the most likely to... based on their overwhelming, stand-out qualities. (Students were allowed up to three individual categories each). Editor-in-Chief Gwynne Özkan | Photo & Design Editor Fischer Genau

BEST HAIR // tommy pritchett & kady booth BEST EYES // javier perez & gloria heye BEST DRESSED // matthew gross & lexy lang BEST SMILE // ben woehrle & corinne dunsmore BEST MUSCLES // jeffrey filmore & alison gray BEST LEGS // aidan haase & peyton gerstacker BEST FACIAL HAIR // ethan tuck BEST LAUGH // brady wing & hannah smith BEST LIAR // jerry bringard & jaclyn townsend WORST LIAR //lizzy bott BEST SINGER // josh danielson & corinne dunsmore WORST SINGER // charlie parsons & emma jamrog BEST CAR //matthew gross & dalayne ludwig WORST CAR // aidan haase & grace rekeweg WORST DRIVER // javin gudmundsen & lexa wild BEST COUPLE // hannah bartels & matt waier BEST COUPLE THAT NEVER DATED // claire winslow & caleb wolfe BEST GIRLFRIENDS // gwynne özkan & corinne dunsmore BEST BROMANCE // mitchell reid & quinn seeburger & drew gandy BEST STORYTELLER // hope o’dell WORST STORYTELLER // charlie parsons BEST PERSON TO BRING HOME TO YOUR PARENTS // matthew waier & hannah bartels WORST PERSON TO BRING HOME TO YOUR PARENTS // cade methner & katelyn herman GET MARRIED RIGHT AFTER HIGH SCHOOL // thomas schwartz & em thomas DISAPPEAR AFTER GRADUATION // david mach & kelly emery BE IN A FRATERNITY // drew gandy BE IN A SORORITY // holly stauffer BE SEEN ON COPS // cade methner BECOME A MILLIONAIRE // preston millward & emily yoder BECOME AN MHS TEACHER // nick pellegrino & marina budinsky MARRY FOR MONEY // drew spencer & grace rekeweg BIGGEST DRAMA QUEEN // gwynne özkan & drew spencer BECOME A STANDUP COMEDIAN // brady wing & hope o’dell FIND A CURE FOR CANCER // ethan bruce & hannah bartels WORST ATTENDANCE // fischer genau & courtney rathbun MOST GULLIBLE // jacob mutscher & lizzy bott HAVE THEIR OWN TALK SHOW // josh danielson & maddy arnold GET A NOVEL PUBLISHED // fischer genau & karalyn jobe BECOME THE PRESIDENT // joshua lang BECOME A FAMOUS MOVIE STAR // drew spencer & kady booth BECOME A PRO ATHLETE // martin money & maddie barrie CLIMB MOUNT EVEREST // micah carroll & madison carroll LIVE A SHORT AND SCANDALOUS LIFE // matt elliott & abby sirrine MOST LAID-BACK // jordan kohler & mackenzie strasser

MOST CHEMIC PRIDE // caleb wolfe & gloria heye WIN THE LOTTERY BUT LOSE THE TICKET // jessica herron SHOCK EVERYONE AT REUNION // preston millward & emily yoder LEAST RESPONSIBLE // charlie parsons & lexa wild MOST COMPETITIVE // garrett willis & abbie fowler BIGGEST FLIRT // mitchell reid & gwynne özkan SOCIAL MEDIA KING & QUEEN // drew gandy & lexy lang MOST CHANGED IN 4 YEARS // javin gudmundsen & peyton gerstacker MOST MEMORABLE // quinn seeburger BECOME THE NEXT CARDI B & OFFSET // kody plarske & tayor chesley NICEST PERSON // will shaffer & rachel crowley MOST SARCASTIC // ben woehrle & hope o’dell BIGGEST TEACHER’S PET // aidan haase & hannah smith MOST LIKELY TO GET ID’d AT AGE 30 // joshua lang & melissa draves BIGGEST EGO // garrett willis & melissa draves MOST UNLIKELY COUPLE // tristan tanzini & claire winslow MOST ABSENTMINDED // martin money & jeni grinwis CLASS MOM & DAD // caleb wolfe & hannah bartels MOST LIKELY TO YODEL IN WALMART // tyler benoit & madison carroll MOST LIKELY TO BE A STARVING ARTIST // connor robertson & alex mcmath APPEAR NAKED IN PUBLIC // mitchell reid & katelyn herman MOST OUTGOING // josh danielson & gloria heye BIGGEST GOSSIPER // liam grady & emily corbat BIGGEST PARTY ANIMAL // matt elliott & jaclyn townsend CLASS CLOWN // jeni grinwis MOST LIKELY TO START A CULT // nick kerkau & maury magbotoc MOST PHOTOGENIC // ben woehrle & lexy lang ACCIDENTALLY BLOW UP DOW CHEMICAL // spencer james & jessica herron SLEEP THROUGH COMMENCEMENT // tommy pritchett & mackenzie strasser DIE FIRST IN THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE // holly stauffer ANNOYING BUT LOVED // jacob mutscher & lizzy bott MOST LIKELY TO BE CATFISHED // jacob mutscher & dezirae rupert MOST LIKELY TO BE THE CATFISH // olivia kish MOST LIKELY TO BE INTERNET FAMOUS // luke pajk MOST LIKELY TO LIVE IN A VAN BY THE RIVER // fischer genau & jeni grinwis BIGGEST HEARTTHROB // ben gordon & corinne dunsmore BIGGEST HEARTBREAKER // mitchell reid & gwynne özkan BEST NICKNAME // quinn seeburger | xerxes & kelly emery | sexy body goddess BEST SHOULDER TO CRY ON // caleb wolfe & riley rajewski BEST CELEBRITY LOOK-A-LIKE // charlie parsons | benji from pitch perfect (Ben Platt)

be the next cardi b & offset

most chemic pride

senior issue

May 18, 2018

FOCUS

most photogenic

biggest drama queen

May 18, 2018

senior issue

17 17

SENIOR SUPERLATIVES

be the next cardi b & offset

most chemic pride

senior issue

May 18, 2018

FOCUS

most photogenic

biggest drama queen

May 18, 2018

senior issue

17 17

After 20 years at Saginaw High,Michael Servinski transferred to Midland High this fall. Popular among his students, Servinski’s main goal is to maintain strong, supportive relationships. Staff Writer Madylin Sherman| Staff Writer Mo Aloff | Staff Writer Jacob May

hile teaching in Saginaw, many of science teacher Michael Servinski’s students were focused on survival, not

their GPA. “There were kids who were there on Friday but didn’t come back Monday because they were killed in gang violence,” Servinski said. “You became numb to that stuff, not that you don’t care, but because it happened a lot. You didn’t worry about what specifically happened, you worry about the kids that you have in the classroom the next day, making sure you can provide and do the best you can for them.” After graduating from Saginaw Valley State University with a degree in biology, Servinski spent the majority of his career at Saginaw High School. He transferred to Midland High this fall, after he was offered the position of a biology and geoscience teacher. “Teaching is a service-oriented career,” Servinski said. “I served in Saginaw for 20 years and my hope was to make some impact on the students that I came in contact with. Even though I loved and enjoyed my 20 years there, I have always wanted to be of service to the community that I have called home for my entire life, so when I was presented with the opportunity last August, I did not hesitate to accept the position.”

was changing. When I started, we had 1,300 kids. When I left, there were less than 600,” Servinski said. “You have the dynamic of businesses moving out of town, and the Michigan Department of Education coming in and wanting to potentially close the school. That added another layer of stress, not just for the teachers, but for the community itself and you could see it in the kids.” Servinski said that he wishes Saginaw High had more opportunities for kids succeed. He said when the population started fading away, the number of opportunities faded as well. However, Servinski wishes that the students of Midland High would not focus all of their energies in their academics. “Kids in Saginaw are pretty tough, there’s not a lot that phases them,” Servinski said. “Here I see kids stressed over a simple test or a grade. There’s a lot more to life than that test that you took that you didn’t do well on. Grade point isn’t everything, you’ve got to see the big picture.” Business owner Anesha Stanley had Servinski as a teacher while at Saginaw High. Today Stanley regards Servinski as one of her favorite teachers and remembers his teaching style and overall charisma. “His teaching style was down to earth, hands on, and very interactive,” Stanley said. “He

service & science

He loves his students and cares about their grades, goals, and dreams.

-Anesha Stanley

Servinski said his favorite part about teaching is being able to interact with and impact his students. He believes that he should always be there for the students, and he wants to be able to provide some kind of stability in their life. Junior Brianna McGillen has known Servinski since she was two years old, when she and Servinski’s son, Dominik, attended daycare together. She has grown closer with Servinski this year as he was her geoscience teacher. “He’s a very nice, effective, and supportive teacher,” McGillen said. “If you ever have a question he always has an answer and will always help you in any way he can.” McGillen said that not only is Servinski her favorite teacher, but he is also a great person and easy to get along with. Servinski said the atmosphere during his time at Saginaw High could often be stressful, but he felt a shift in the atmosphere after coming to Midland. The stress was gone and Midland High has an overall better environment for students to work in. “Saginaw was difficult because the city

FOCUS

May 18, 2018

loves his students and care about their grades, goals, and dreams. He was never too hard on us and was always there to encourage us. He was always calm and approachable.” Stanley said that Servinski has supported her business, Sweet Creations BakeShop, since its opening and has always been a loyal customer, often buying cakes from Stanley as well as supporting Stanley and her family by attending personal events of theirs. “As an adult, just having him excited about me fulfilling my dreams and being there to support me was what I needed at the time,” Stanley said. “He was there for me when I was just getting started, he believed in me. It’s a great feeling to know you’ve made your teachers proud.” Servinski said his students that provide the energy in his life, so he always tries to support them in any way he can. Servinski says he can do this best through his teaching. “A great thing about teaching is that you get to see the potential that all students have, even when they can’t see it themselves, and you can help them realize what that potential is through your teaching,” Servinski said.

Servinski holds a bag of Shanook Salmon, over 100 of which he raised in his classroom and then released into the Tittabawassee River on May 5. Servinski praises the DRN’s salmon raising program, saying it helps to teach students through real life experiences Photo: Mo Aloff

features

the man behind the wheel

Kevin Revard has been a driver’s instructor for five years, where he has made a major impact on his students. Revard is known for the way he lights up his classes with laughter and includes humor in his teachings. Web Editor Hadley Morden | Staff Writer Ethan Ohlrich | Staff Writer Carter Hazen

fter retiring from his 23- year career as a police officer in Saginaw, Kevin Revard had been moping around the house for a year, he was unsure of what he wanted to do for the remainder of his life. With encouragement from his wife, he started his search for a new purpose. Revard was flipping through pages in a newspaper and came across advertisements for job openings. Wanting to find something that would keep him entertained, he read on. “I wanted to do something where I was out and about, like how it was when I was a cop,” Revard said. “I didn’t want to be in an office all day. I saw an ad for a driver’s instructor, I called the guy, and here I am.”

Before beginning his new venture as an instructor five years ago, Revard was required to take a five-month long course at Delta College, where he student taught to develop his own style of teaching. Since then, Revard has been a driver’s instructor through the Mid Michigan Drivers School (MDS). In his class, Revard uses his experience as a police officer to influence his students to make the right choices. Revard said the one story he always makes a lesson out of is when he fell asleep while driving. “When I worked at the police department, I worked nights. I was always tired,” Revard said. “I got out of work one morning around seven o’clock and I was going to go deer hunting. I had my cruise set and I fell asleep, and I rear-ended someone that was stopped at a light. We both got hurt, I got a ticket, he sued me, and my car was

Revard and Maylan talk about the process of getting a level one driver’s permit. Revard gave Maylan suggestions about which Secretary of State offices to go to. Revard also informed him of what documents Maylan would need to get it. Photo: Hadley Morden

14 features

totaled.” Tyler S m i t h , a Northeast Middle School eighth grader who is currently in Revard’s segment one class, said that Revard centers his class around advocating for safety. Revard incorporates a comical aspect to his lessons to help his students remember his teachings. “He makes it very clear that you can lose your life in certain situations,” Smith said. “When we are driving, he makes jokes about being safe so you won’t kill him. He sends his messages with humor.” Smith said Revard’s class is constantly erupting with laughter. Smith also said that the class has a casual, comfortable atmosphere, which makes the class easier for him to go to. “Everybody is nervous when they take driver’s training; so I like to be laid back, I like to joke around, and I like to make you guys relax because you will drive better,” Revard said. “If you have an instructor that is yelling at you all the time, it’s hard to learn.” Jack Wilson, a fellow driving instructor through MDS, has worked with Revard during the summer sessions of drivers training. Wilson shares Revard’s laid-back style and has noticed how much his students admire Revard. “He really is an asset to the company,” Wilson said. “The children love him because of his fun classes. We think the same way; we both like to get in on what the children are doing.”

Sophomore Brendan Maylan and Revard go for Maylan’s last drive. The two listened to classic rock as Maylan drove to Beaverton. Maylan received his segment one certificate after this drive. Photo: Hadley Morden

Matt Hebert, another Northeast eighth grader, agrees with Smith’s view on Revard. He said that before his class started, he had heard from his friends that Revard was great to be with and that he is a legend among students. “Driver’s training is usually a very boring class, but he makes it the opposite,” Herbert said. “Everything about him is so great.” Revard said that he plans on retiring within the next three years, but this year may be his last. He hasn’t left yet because of what he will miss most about his job. “I will really miss hanging out with young people,” Revard said. “I love talking to them and I try to pick up on their lingo. I try and act like I know what I am saying and they all just laugh at me.” Smith feels lucky to have had Revard as an instructor and that Revard has held a heavy influence on him. Revard’s driving lessons have been imprinted into his mind and he will apply them when he drives. “He has made a really big impact on me,” Smith said. “Thanks to him, I am learning to drive really well and has helped me a lot.”

May 18th, 2018

FOCUS

programming improvements

The Computer Programming curriculum is undergoing several changes to accommodate a wider range of students. This will include changes to class titles and the addition of an alternative beginning class. Staff writer Katie Gibbs | Staff writer Jenna Spencer

n recent years there has been an increase in the number of students taking classes in computer programming. In 2004, there were only 36 students in the programming classes, now there are nearly 150. Next year, the computer science program will see a variety of changes in order to accommodate a larger influx of students, and to make it more inviting to those who have no prior experience with computer programming. The current beginning class is Computer Programming 1 and 2, both of which are semester classes that are offered at the .3 level. They are both moderatepaced classes and require higherlevel thinking. Computer science teacher Robert Fox has been teaching this class since he first came to Midland High. “Computer Science 1 and 2 have .3 level problem solving, and those courses serve a large population of students very well,” Fox said. “However, not every student is ready for an accelerated level of problem solving.” Sophomore Andrew Scheffer is currently taking Computer Programming 2 and says he notices the initial difficulty of the beginner level class. He thinks that the changes being made to the program are going to help the people who need a less intense class. “Right now, it starts off pretty advanced, and for some people it starts off too fast-paced,” Scheffer said. To accommodate students who do not have the math or problem-solving skills, a .2 class called Computer Science Essentials is being offered to students who are planning to take a computer programming class and are in a .2 math class. Students who are in .3 or .4 level math class will have the option to take either Computer Science Essentials or Computer Science 1 and 2, depending on their experience

with computers. Fox said this class will help bring in new students who may have not taken a programming class because they thought it would be too difficult. “I find it frustrating that students walk by my door and assume they will hate it or not be good at it because of preconceived notions,” Fox said. “Computer science is a very creative field that benefits from diversity.” The new class was designed by an organization called Project Lead The Way

creating a K-12 approach for three pathways in the broader are of STEM, and that those pathways are going to be Biomedical Science, Engineering, and Computer Science. She also noted how students not only learn how to code and program in the class, but also learn important life skills. “While students will definitely gain technical knowledge and skills related to computer science, they will also grow in the areas of problem solving, critical thinking, and collaboration,” Miller-Nelson said. “All of these skills are transferable to multiple career areas, so this is not exclusively about preparation for college programs and careers related to computer science.” The increase in the number of students taking computer programming classes is partially due to the increase in STEM promotion. Fox has also contributed to this by giving classroom presentations about the various courses, and by sponsoring the Computer Programming Club, American Computer Science League team, and advising software development teams in the A.H. Nickless Project. Scheffer believes that the additional class will benefit a lot of students. He said computer science classes are good for students to take regardless of what they are planning to do outside of high school. “With the world advancing as fast as it is a lot of people are going to need to know these skills,” Scheffer said. “Even if you’re not going into a computer science field, taking the class is still a good idea because you’re going to learn those critical thinking skills.” Fox said that careers in all levels of education and industries use coding, and that the class isn’t meant for one person. “From discovering new cancer treatments, to self driving cars, to phone apps, almost every industry uses programming,” Fox said.

I find it frustrating that students walk by my door and assume they will hate it or not be good at it based on preconceived notions.

FOCUS

May 18, 2018

-Robert Fox

(PLTW), a non-profit organization that develops Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) curriculum for elementary, middle, and high schools. They have been working with Midland Public Schools for several years to have this class added in order to promote the Computer Science program, along with putting an emphasis on STEM learning in the district. The addition of the new class is part of a larger project to increase STEM-related classes and programs within Midland Public Schools. Coordinator of Secondary Instruction Penny Miller-Nelson is part of the movement and hopes that this class will help be a step in that direction. “MPS elementary schools recently implemented PLTW curriculum, and the next step is for our middle schools and high schools to implement courses that continue the learning experience for students,” MillerNelson said. She said that the district was deliberate in

news

Teacher Johnny Chatman, with the help of administration and students, launched a google classroom dedicated to discussion on race and self-reflection. Features Editor Bitsy Mammel | Staff Writer Adelyn Dunsmore | Staff Writer Brady Woods

eacher Johnny Chatman had just started working as an administrator in MPS at Dow High School when he saw a certain word carved into the walls of a boys’ bathroom. He was taken aback, but didn’t immediately say anything to the school. Although he considers it the most unpatriotic word in the English language, he was interested to see the behavior of his new district. He wanted to know how it would react, if at all, with the N-word imprinted on the walls. “My first thought seeing that, since I was new to the district, was how long will this stay on the wall and no one say anything,” Chatman said. “That was in August. I waited around until April until I brought it to someone’s attention.” Instances like this one are the reason that Chatman wanted to stimulate conversation about race with students. He believes that a reason for racially insensitive comments could be that the person is not educated about racial issues enough to understand the severity of their words. After talking with his son, Avery, Chatman at first decided instead to stay silent in school. Avery told his father not to say anything about race and to let any insensitivities he faced go. Chatman listened to Avery. “For the first time I realized as an African American student, you’re just like anybody else, you just want to fit in,” Chatman said. In order to combat this ignorance, Chatman recently found a solution in a Google Classroom forum. He wanted to create a space to help students from all ethnic backgrounds to understand how race impacts their views of things and other people. He also wanted address how to sit down with other people and have a common perspective and goal where they do not have to be hostile towards each other regarding these issues. Chatman’s main goal for the classroom forum is to instigate self-reflection, instead of creating a platform for students to blame each other or attack one another. “[To be successful this classroom should] stay focused on being self reflective, meaning that there is not someone accusing someone else of an attitude,” Chatman said, “but each individual looking within their own selves in their own private situation and saying, ‘Do

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I have some sort of racial attitude?’ or ‘How should I look at this racial issue?’” To help achieve this success, Chatman asked for the help of both students and administration. Principal Jeff Jaster was

approached by Chatman to oversee the classroom and help monitor comments and posts. “Doing this via google classroom allows for staff oversight and we are able to guide it so there are positive conversations,” Jaster said. “Mr. Chatman wanted us to be aware and be able to join in if he needed our help in case something was to turn into a possible

they’ve had as minorities. “He’d like us to give examples of situations or things we’ve encountered and how we have handled them,” Laforet said. “He mostly wanted our feedback and for us to advertise it and come up with ideas and topics for discussion.” Laforet said Chatman has helped her

Most of what has happened here is just a reflection of what has been happening in society.

Illustration: Noah Jacobson & Bitsy Mammel

and one is a video of Chatman and teacher Kendall Root. Root and Chatman discuss the idea of “unshared experiences” between races and how everyone should try to understand things from another’s perspective. Along with the two posts there are a handful of comments both trying to instigate conversation and welcome students. In the future, Laforet hopes to expand the classroom to not just discussions of race, but of all types of minorities. Chatman is open to all suggestions for the future as long as they help achieve the goals of the classroom. “I am enlisting the input from any and all about how we can get people to see the importance of this, and to shape the direction of it so that it does become a reflective tool so that students can really look at themselves and ask themselves about race,” Chatman said. Jaster believes that though the classroom is starting now, it does not mean that racial issues are necessarily getting worse or better in the Midland community. “I don’t think that we have issues at Midland High School that are any different than anywhere else in the country,” Jaster said. “Most of what has happened here is just a reflection of what has been happening in society.”

-Jeff Jaster

discipline issue or somebody was misusing it.” Chatman wanted to get student perspectives before launching the classroom for multiple reasons. First, he wanted to be conscious of the fact that minority students could face backlash or unwanted attention from the classroom; he didn’t want them to feel ostracized. One of these students that Chatman talked to is junior Annie Laforet. Laforet said Chatman asked for their opinions on many aspects of the classroom, and wanted them to provide personal experiences

understand others who may say or do racially insensitive things, and hopes the classroom will do the same for all students. “He wanted us to understand we cannot just dismiss everyone, and he wanted us to understand people have not been educated,” Laforet said. “We should try to have discussions with these people rather than just thinking we can’t just work with that person.” Currently there are two posts on the classroom, one welcoming students and providing a set of guidelines for discussions,

May 18, 2018

FOCUS

between the lines After many student complaints this year, the student parking lot system will undergo several changes in the fall. Although the outcome is not completely settled, Principal Jeffery Jaster and Athletic Director Eric Albright have considered an electronic parking permit system for the future. Ads Coordinator Olivia Freidinger | Staff Writer David Draves

hen the school year began, economics teacher Joshua Criner could not ignore the echoes of complaints that filled his classroom. Students would rustle into their seats, their moods sour as they conversed about the new parking spot system that they felt was unfair. After students camped out for hours overnight, in efforts to get a closer parking spot, many were still left unsatisfied. Criner saw this as an opportunity for students to construct and demonstrate a new plan that would be both just and financially supportive to the school. “I heard students complaining about the parking spot system this year,” Criner said. “With everything that was being said, I thought, if they want to complain, why not see if they can do a better job?” Bot h of C ri ne r’ s se cond-se me st e r .4 Economics classes were to create a presentation on how they would change the parking spot system for the better. Groups were required to take surveys of the student body opinion, consider the various costs and revenue that their plan would generate, and also present it to a panel consisting of Principal Jeffery Jaster, Assistant Principal Robert Scurfield, Assistant Principal Amy Hutchinson, and Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Eric Albright. Criner normally has students do a Project Based Learning Assignment, or also known as a PBO, each semester. However, this was the first time that he has had students take on the responsibility of constructing their own parking plan. He said that after listening to their complaints, he wanted students to realize that the organization of the system was more complex than it might appear to them. “Let them realize that it’s not an easy task,” Criner said. “I wanted to make them figure it out on their own, so they could see the actual thought process behind everything.” Jaster is one of the main figures behind implementing this thought process. After listening to grievances made throughout the school year as well, he said that he has taken student feedback into consideration.

Although some students have been upset by even having to pay a fee at all, he said that the main concern and focus for the reforms are on the effectiveness and ease of the system. “If we can improve just the overall efficiency, then I really think it’ll be a huge success,” Jaster said. “The fee has been in place for years, so that’s not a new thing. This is more of an effort to improve efficiency and compliance.” Jaster is not completely certain of what will be in place next year, because he said that the parking spot system is not just an issue isolated in the building. He is required to get feedback and secure any of the new ideas with Central Office Administrators and the Superintendent. As of now, he said the school is most likely going to do an online sale of tickets to avoid any more extensive waiting like what occurred this year. That is still in the process of being approved, however. “If we had a system similar to StubHub or TicketMaster where students can see the different parking spots available, and simply put in their billing information, then I think that would save a lot of time and energy all around,” Jaster said.

many of the student projects, Jaster and Criner both recognize and see arguments from the opposing side. Criner said that although some students may deem that idea to be unfair, he said that he was still impressed with the groups that had come up with it. “The best plan that I saw was one where they suggested having people pay more for a closer spot and less for a spot farther away,” Criner said. “Some students argued and complained that it wasn’t fair that you could get a better parking spot if you have more money; but that’s a good lesson in life. That’s how our country and our economy works.” Albright, who worked with Office Professional Sara Kuch at the start of the system and throughout the school year to assign and confirm valid parking spots, agreed that the suggested tiering method is based off of economics and would help eliminate other problems that might arise financially with some of the other suggested methods. However, he cannot confirm whether or not what decisions will take action next year. Despite still waiting to hear back on the disapproval or approval of the submitted ideas, Albright said that the school can be certain of the plan for when the current seniors leave, and what will happen to their empty spots. “When seniors leave, there is no change of parking,” Albright said. “We want to still be able to identify the automobile, the spot, and the driver. That is still their spot; so they can’t pass it down to their little sister or little brother.” Although there have been many different suggestions and concerns regarding the parking system as a whole, the main responsibility is on the safety of the students. Jaster and Albright both said that they want every student to feel safe as they pull into their spots early next fall. Jaster said that regardless of the exact plan that is selected for next year’s school year, all of the money generated from the parking permits will go towards the security guard. “For me, as the principal, I believe that it’s all worth it,” Jaster said. “Collecting the fees for parking and everything else that we might have to fix, does not compare to the paramount issue that is the safety of all students.”

I thought, if they want to complain, why not see if they can do a better job?

Cars are parked systematically in the student parking lot. Students waited overnight to get a closer spot to the entrance. Photo: Olivia Freidinger

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May 18, 2018

-Joshua Criner

The electronic or online paying method was an idea seen in many Economic presentations. Even more popular was the suggestion of making students pay more for a parking spot that is closer to the building, and offering cheaper prices for the spots that are farther away. Jaster said that this idea was submitted and is also being considered. “There are some students that are willing to pay more because they hate walking in the cold, or for whatever other reason there might be; there are some students that would rather not pay as much and are fine with walking,” Jaster said. “It was part of the idea and our discussion, but it may be more difficult to generate an adequate revenue this way.” Even though this suggestion was seen in

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driving anxieties Jenna Spencer

don’t have my license yet, but I do have my drivers permit, and I’ve still logged quite a few hours behind the wheel. Through these hours, I’ve run into quite a few idiots on the road. One time when I was following someone at night on the highway, they randomly dropped their speed from 75 to 60 in a just few seconds. There was a decent gap in between us, but after I glanced in the rearview mirror, there was no gap. I almost had a heart attack. For a moment I thought I was going to crash into them, which terrified me- I do not want to get into a car crash. These type of drivers make me feel like yelling, but they also make me anxious, like randomly dropping your speed, especially on a highway when it’s

pitch black. Please, if you’re driving, at least attempt to think about the people around you. Another time when I was driving on a three lane highway, I ran into a person who was all over the place. First, he tried to merge into the middle lane from the left the same time I was trying to merge into it from the right. I quickly jerked the wheel so I moved back into my lane. They then proceeded to drive in my blind spot for a few minutes. At this point I don’t even know if they were trying to pass me or not, because they kept speeding up then slowing down. The only thing I could see was him crashing, and it not looking pretty. I’ve learned that the main thing that gives me anxiety when driving is the other drivers around me. I can’t predict their moves, or control them- and some of their moves are just bad. I’m pretty sure that I can drive better than they can, and I’m only sixteen. Don’t be that driver. There are other people on the road too.

cheater culture Maureen Aloff

and onward that person cannot trust their partners, or at least they have a harder time doing so. This is understandable because they gave the person who cheated on them their trust and then it was thrown to the wind. Every t feels like every aspect of our culture action has consequences and people who is filled with the idea that it is okay to get cheated on feel those consequences for be unfaithful to your partner. Whether a long time after everything is over. it is on our twitter timelines or in our Social media glorifies disloyalty. It music, we are constantly being told that it disgusts me how terribly people treat is acceptable to have affairs outside of our their significant others. Social media tells existing relationships. Even our president us that it is okay to treat our loved ones perpetuates the culture. poorly. Too often do I see cheaters being It disgusts me that people can cheat on praised on my Twitter. They treat their their loved ones. I’m not talking about partners like garbage and they receive going out on dates with a few different congratulations for it. When people don’t people at the same time, I’m talking about think before they act they hurt the ones being in a monogamous relationship and they love. We need to remember how knowingly cheating on a partner. It sickens much our actions can make or break me. someone. We need to have more respect The thing about cheating is it doesn’t for our significant others and we need to just ruin the relationship it occurs in, it be more loving. We need to get rid of the hurts the relationships to come. From cheater culture and treat our loved ones the point that someone is cheated on right.

opinion

being short

Jacob May

y best friend is 6’4”. If you’ve ever seen us walking downtown, I'm sure it's a sight to see. Last time I went in for a checkup, I was told I haven't even broken 5’1”. That's a difference of a foot and three inches, we wouldn’t be the same height even with a small child on my shoulders. You can only imagine how ridiculous it looks. Being short is awful, and a plague I wouldn't wish on even the worst of my enemies. When someone sees a tall person, it's with amazement and awestruck wonder that they say, “Wow, how tall are you?” The same thing happens to me, but it's less amazing and slightly more condescending, and comes out more like, “Wow, you're short.” Trying to play basketball creates an even more problematic situation. Long summer days spent playing pickup have helped place me in a community where I’m recognized as “Lil’ Man.” It could be worse, at least they don't call me “Lil’ Boy.” Don’t get me started on group pictures. Always front and center, smack-dab

in the middle. Getting pushed into the center of attention can get annoying, but there I am in most pictures. But all of this isn’t even close to the embarrassment that I overcome when I can’t reach the top shelf. It happens in grocery stores, in my school locker, and even in my own home. I’m proposed with a dilemma in stores. I either climb the shelf, ask for help, or just give up and walk away. I usually swallow my pride, and ask for help from a taller customer. Being short is a big setback for some people in everyday life, but it’s a tragedy that I try not to think about too often. It’s something you learn to accept after having been given the short end of the stick, no pun intended. But still, only God knows what I’d do to be tall.

hi welcome to chili’s Kelly Craig

fter picking up my prom dress in Saginaw, my dad made the executive decision to go to Chili’s for dinner. My night had been going pretty swell up until then, but my quiet night at Chili’s was to be rudely interrupted by a stern and unfriendly voice coming from the booth behind me. For five stiff and unbearable minutes, we listened to a “professional food critic” verbally attack our waitress as he complained about how disappointing the food was, going as far to personally insult her about her appearance, her personality, and her occupation. After wondering how much longer this poor woman was going to go before she snapped, she finally excused herself to the back room, head down and in tears. Thinking about that night in particular always puts me in a terrible mood. I have noticed a recurring pattern, especially in chain restaurants, with how people treat employees in the food industry. It’s

extremely disheartening to watch workers get verbally abused on the daily and watching them put up with it through gritted teeth because, as always, the customer is always right. And for the love of me I can’t understand why. I don’t understand what kind of power trip people get by getting unnecessarily angry at people who are working a minimum wage job. Just because you’re angry over not getting barbeque sauce in your McDonald’s bag, or getting a diet instead of a regular, or the line is slow, doesn’t mean that you should throw all human decency out the window. Workers in the food industry are working to support themselves just like everyone else. May 18, 2018

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the great escape Despite how boring Midland can become when school gets out, the state of Michigan and surrounding towns offer lots of solutions. Get inspired and give it some gas. Staff Writer Noah Jacobson | Staff Writer Caitlin Quinn

BAY CITY STATE PARK Distance: 18 miles, 26 min

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This protected park is home to wildlife and an amazing place to explore during summer break. Visitors can go on adventures by bringing their own recreational gear to the park. Bikes, hammocks, and camping equipment are all welcomed. Basketball courts are near the visitor center, and volleyball is on the shore. A small spray park, boat launch, and well-maintained beach offer a nice, cool break from hot days. Picnic areas are available providing a comfortable place to eat a packed lunch. With more than a thousand feet of sandy bay shore and over 2,000 acres of different wetlands, Bay City’s park is the perfect place for nature lovers. Seven miles of hiking trails, three of which are paved, offer visitors the chance to truly explore the area’s unique environment. Well known for being a safe haven for migrating birds, deer, and other wetland wildlife, the park works to educate guests on how to protect nature through interactive activities, which can be found in the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center and its exhibits.

SCULPTURE MUSEUM Distance: 21 miles, 23 min

The Marshall M. Fredericks museum, located on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University, revolves around his career work as a famous American sculptor. On display are over 200 of Fredericks’s original works. Many of which are plastered molds used to cast the sculptors work in bronze. The Main Exhibit Gallery houses Fredericks art year round. Some of his most popular pieces include “Spirit of Detroit” and “Boy and Bear,” both of which are bronze statues. Along with the main gallery, the museum displays temporary exhibitions. The first one is, by artist Gerhardt Knodel, Minglings: A Journey Across Time which focuses on three-dimensional works of fabric based on original textiles. The second display is Chinese Folk Pottery: The Art of the Everyday, a distinctive group of modern folk pottery. Regional Biennial Juried Sculpture Exhibition, the next exhibit, will be available from June 2,2018 until September 22, 2018 just in time for summer.

TAWAS

LELAND Distance: 150 miles, 2 h 45 min

Leland serves as a home to various beach fronts and private nooks with views of stalking dunes as far as an individual could see. Originally founded as a commercial fishing village, the town’s dock strip holds authentic shanties and smokehouses. Leland is commonly highlighted for their lake trout and salmon fishing. This town offers restaurants such as The Cove and The Early Bird, which have faithfully been serving the freshest fish money can buy with their highest priority set on service for as long as the locals can remember. Boutiques are plastered with unique home decor accents and homemade fudge while dually highlighting jewelry, fashion and art. Surrounding attractions find Leland conveniently located in the center of it all. Neighboring Glen Arbor Cherry Republic offers a unique atmosphere surrounding their world famous cherries. Route M-22 runs around Leelanau Pensinsula and is widely recognized for it’s scenic views. Leland is a place to kick back and leave your worries behind.

Distance: 73.7 miles, 1 h 20 min

The Tawas Bay area is a great place for a day on the beach, but it also offers many local attractions including museums, historical sites, and many hiking trails. The Lumberman’s monument is a 14 foot tall bronze statue which overlooks the shore of Au Sable River. This statue was placed on display in 1931 to memorialize the lumberman who gathered Michigan’s white pine. Another potential place to visit while in Tawas would be Iargo springs. Individuals walk along the elevated boardwalk after ascending the many steps to the forest floor. The city offers multiple beach front restaurants such as Tawas Point Grille, Whitetail Cafe and G’s Pizzeria, which offer a variety of dishes, perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. Along with being a historic stop, this town offers various settings of nature which can be viewed at anytime of day. People are encouraged to hike, bike, and camp. With so much to do in one area, travelers may want to spend an entire weekend here.

MEIJER GARDENS Distance: 116 miles, 2 h 13 min

Frederik Meijer gardens has increasingly grown into its reputation as a glorified theme park of variety and the arts. Its 158-acre campus displays more than 200 works internationally known and appreciated. The park offers both indoor and outdoor exhibitions of both modern and traditional art. What makes the gardens stand out is their consistency of incorporating pieces of man-made art with the flowers themselves to give a whimsical effect to the gardens. For example, one Sculpture Collection uses elements of nature and water to create lively pathways and an overall peaceful atmosphere. The gardens double as an indoor butterfly house, promoting a family-friendly environment. During the Summer, concerts are held in the evening. They bring talent from all across America and the world for its visitors to enjoy. Frederik Meijer Gardens welcomes those of all ages. The parks are constantly adding to its already vast collection, so there is always something new to see.

1) Over the weekend of May 5th, a man walks down the beach at the Bay City State Park. Locals frequently commute to this area to hike along trails and enjoy a day of recreation. Photo: Hadley Morden 2) On May 7th, Frederick M Sculpture museum assumed it’s usual hours and was opened to visitors. The museum celebrates it’s 30th anniversary this year. Photo Courtesy: Ally Noel. 3) Over a summer camping trip in 2017, the sun sets over Lake Michigan. Families gathered to hike up the dunes to see the view. Photo Courtesy: Everett Jacobson. 4) Tourists often gather to observe this historic lighthouse which continues to be in operation. The structure offers a lookout to enjoy sunsets over lake Huron and Tawas Bay and simulateously serve as a popular bird watching destination. Photo Courtesy: Heidi Zanner-Dewald. 5) Tourists from all over the world attend the gardens to admire artwork and listen to music of all genres. A giant Leonardo DaVinci horse statue replica has proved to attract a lot of attention. Photo: Anthony Norkus Photography, courtesy of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

May 18, 2018

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May 18, 2018

September 29, 2017

opinion

BAY CITY STATE PARK Distance: 18 miles, 26 min

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SCULPTURE MUSEUM Distance: 21 miles, 23 min

TAWAS

LELAND Distance: 150 miles, 2 h 45 min

Distance: 73.7 miles, 1 h 20 min

MEIJER GARDENS Distance: 116 miles, 2 h 13 min

May 18, 2018

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May 18, 2018

September 29, 2017

opinion

ike most siblings, junior Carina Gallagher and freshman Cara Gallagher bicker, steal each other’s clothes, and are competitive in many aspects; but their rivalry stems especially in the form of being flutists for the symphonic band. On most days after school they can be found together in the band room, either practicing a new difficult piece or exchanging jokes with each other. “I think sometimes we’re more competitive than we realize,” Carina said. “Maybe not so much academically, but we get really neckand-neck when it comes to music.” Both of the sisters have been playing since elementary school, and have developed into well-accomplished players. Carina immediately showed prowess as a musician by having joined symphonic band her freshman year, making a name for herself among experienced players right out of the gate. Likewise, Cara has also performed well in symphonic band her freshman year, having taken second chair only behind her older sister. This type of talent has pleasantly surprised band director Bill Monroe, who notes that the sisters are a unique brand of student that he doesn’t get to see often. “I’ve only had students like the Gallaghers a couple of times in my career as a teacher,” Monroe said. “Whenever that opportunity comes up, I relish the time that I have with them because I know I’m experiencing something spectacular.” Monroe notes that one of the many reasons behind the Gallaghers’ success at flute is in part thanks to the education they get from their private tutor, Wendy Hohmeyer. Hohmeyer teaches private lessons to students in the

Midland County area and has an extensive and accomplished career both as a flutist and as a private teacher. Some of her most notable feats include having played in numerous bands and orchestras across the state, including the Lansing Symphony Orchestra and Midland’s own community orchestra. The teachings have been very beneficial for the sisters, and helped with their practice schedule and their love for music. “I like the sense of satisfaction I get from seeing my progress as I practice,”

but each time it gets easier to let it go and look forward to future opportunities.” Cara finds that she has started to make music a larger priority in her life, and that her performance skills have strengthened. “I learned how to deal with nervousness and stress before the performance.” Cara said. Most noticeably, both sisters earned perfect scores in this year’s State Solo and Ensemble festival in March, an accomplishment that is no small task. Monroe believes that this

I relish the time that I have with them because I know I’m experiencing something special.

-Bill Monroe

Carina said. “It is the greatest feeling in the world when you have an ability like playing music in your back pocket. I think that’s what also drew me to play music in the first place.” While the sisters feel that the expectations put on them are high, the drive to succeed in performances pushes them even more. Each setback has been a learning experience to better their skills as musicians and to learn from mistakes. “I have definitely learned how to play with more emotion,” Carina said. “I’ve learned that you can’t always win. I’ve had bad performances and losses for scholarships,

accomplishment is not just due to the sisters’ skill in the classroom, but their overall work ethic, time management, and maturity that has flourished during the time spent under their teaching. “Not only have they grown musically, but they’ve also become more mature as a result of the expectations that have been put on them,” Monroe said. “Growth of character is just as important as academic or skill-based growth.” Monroe agrees that the siblings have received some pushback for their initiation into the bands, but that they have earned their places through skill sets that set them apart

fantastic flutists

from other students. “It can be kind of daunting when a younger person suddenly shows up with a lot of talent,” Monroe said. “But, like most teachers will tell you, practice is the key when it comes to music. Being a good musician requires a lot of time, drive, and energy, which is something that the Gallaghers have managed to continue to bring to the table time and again.” Monroe also acknowledges their achievements as being helped by their parents, who have encouraged them to keep up with the hobby and have given them a great deal of support. “A lot of great musicians have a number of other factors that determine their success, including a strong family background,” Monroe said. “What I’ve noticed in my students especially is that they get a lot of encouragement and praise, and that can do wonders in the long run.” Monroe said music in an educational curriculum should be protected in that it is just as important of a learning environment as any core class in a high school. “Music teaches a lot of things that sometimes you can’t find in other classrooms,” Monroe said. “Leadership, responsibility, and commitment are some of the biggest lessons that you can get out of music. Think about students not having such an opportunity like that is heartbreaking.” While the sisters are unsure of their postgrad plans, both of them agree that learning flute has been a valuable skillset that they do not want to give up in the future. “I have spent so much time working on this skill that it would be wasteful to throw it all away,” Carina said.

Sisters and flutists Carina and Cara Gallagher have earned significant praise for their skills as musicians in band. Staff Writer Kelly Craig | Staff Writer Abbey Brooks

Carina (left) and Cara Gallagher (right) have been playing flute since elementary school, sitting first and second chairs. They have experienced significant growth as musicians. Photo: Kelly Craig

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May 18, 2018

arts & entertainment

drumming the line For 34 years, the Polar Bear program has served as a time for band drummers to sharpen their skills and provide coverage for one another. Staff Writer Spencer Isberg | Staff Writer Aleah Ward

During a morning polar bear session, percussion specialist Judyth Peterson helps the drumline with their technique for next year’s marching band season. Photo: Spencer Isberg

or most Midland High students, Sixthirty in the morning seems like a very early time to arrive at school. But for junior Jack Light and senior Carly Rinas, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, it’s completely normal. For Light and 33 other percussionists, they start their day by playing their instruments in a before-school program known as the “Polar Bear Program”. It was designed 34 years ago, exclusively for the Midland High percussion section, in an attempt to prepare the next year’s incoming freshmen and already existing members for next season’s challenges. “It’s a chance to get the music and work on it for months before we play it in then fall,” Light said. Currently run and overseen by percussion instructor Judyth Peterson, the section meets in the morning on Tuesdays and Thursdays from early February to May 28th, to practice their skills in preparation for the current and the next school year’s marching and concert seasons. Over the time that they play, the pieces get progressively harder for the younger members to help them play with an even playing field. “It’s meant just to give everybody a leg up on their skills and help incoming freshman become acquainted with our routine and the way we work,” Peterson said. “This is the one time where we can really zero in on fundamental skills and technique. And when school starts in the fall and we are putting together a show, there is no time to do those kinds of things. It gives you that foundation to be able to perform really well when you get into marching and/or concert season”. The program gives the newer and less experienced players a chance to practice

arts & entertainment

alongside the longer standing members. This extra contact between both sides lets newer players have an outlet to receive feedback and get more time to practice the next year’s music individually. “The better players are also able to work with the beginners on details like drumming technique and such,” Light said. “Which is a huge advantage over practicing by themselves.” The program’s aim is not only to create skills, but also connect each percussion member while playing, as the program offers the students time to be able to bond with each member of the

to practice as well. Condensed sessions on Wednesday’s called “Solar Bears”run through summer break until band camp. These sessions help the drumline learn and keep up to speed with the band over vacation, where as other band members might become rusty by not practicing. The group has two sessions left this year. Peterson plans to run the polar bear program for as long as she can, as she sees the skills extremely valuable to new members, and believes it really gives them a boost for the following year. “Ultimately, as long as you show up to polar bears, there’s no way that you won’t get better,”

in events like football games, pep bands, and concerts. These skills will be used “It’s for anybody who is willing to get up early in the morning, like we do at 6:30,” Peterson said. “They all have the same goals, and they like and all enjoy the same instrument. They are all playing percussion, so it’s like-minded people getting together and getting to know each other, because we are making music together. They become very dedicated and I really believe it’s all something they really care about.”

It’s meant just to give everybody a leg up on their skills and help incoming freshman become acquainted with our routine and the way we work - Judyth Peterson section and a chance to let members become more familiar with the section as a whole. “The best experience has been the relationships I’ve built with people over the years in drumline” says Rinas. Polar Bear also gives newer members an advantage by being able to meet their bandmates early; other instrument sections cannot meet their new members until band camp in August. In summers, the group also takes some time

Peterson said. “There are universal ways of improvement for everyone, no matter what their level is at Midland High. It’s basic strengthening.” As the incoming freshmen in the program get integrated into the band, the skills they learned such as rhythm and drumming technique will be used as they enter band tryouts to help decide which class they will be put into, Such as the lower concert level, and the higher symphonic level. They can utilize the skills they learned

Junior Jack Light practices his rhythm speed and helps guide his members around him during a Polar Bear session. Photo: Spencer Isberg

May 11, 2018

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a shared passion

Luca Jolly has been dancing for thirteen years and has been strongly influenced by her mother, who has danced her whole life as well and choreographs for local productions. Their relationship has grown through their mutual love of dance and they provide each other with insight and help each other’s appreciation for dance grow. Staff Writer Hannah Woehrle | Staff Writer Adrienne Gray

or sophomore Luca Jolly, dance runs in her blood. Both she and her mother, Kelli Jolly, began their dance career at the age of three, and Kelli still teaches dance at the Dean/Black School of Performing Arts and is a choreographer for many local productions. Dance is something that strengthens their bond, and they have enjoyed sharing their passion. “At a young age she would show us dance movies like Cats the Musical and The Nutcracker,” Luca said. “That inspired me to love dance from a really young age.” Kelli said that she always tried to show Luca how much fun dancing can be. Whether it was signing her up for dance classes or bringing dance into the different aspects of their lives, Luca and Kelli were always dancing. “When she was little, we used to just turn on music and dance all the time, when we would clean and cook dinner,” Kelli said. As Luca has grown, both she and her mom have noticed that they share similar strengths and weaknesses-as dancers, such as their flat feet, which requires them to work even harder at ballet. Luca said that they often remark on how interesting they think that their flat feet are. Another one of their similarities is their favorite styles of dance: tap, jazz, and especially, musical theatre. “I like the aspect of performing while you are dancing,” Luca said. “Being able to act with facial expressions just feels more like you’re performing when you do musical theatre.” Kelli agrees that it was her love of performing that gave her her passion for dance. However, she said that she prefers choreograph-

ing and the behind-the-scenes work over being on stage. Her first job choreographing for a show was in 2008, in Teenage Musicals Inc’s production of Oklahoma! Sandra Black, co-owner of the Dean/Black School of Performing Arts and Luca’s dance teacher of twelve years, suggested Kelli for this job. “Kelli had told me that she was very fond of musical theater and would love to be able to get back and involved with it somehow when they moved to Midland,” Black said. “When the director called me asking if I knew of anyone that might be willing to help with a show, I knew instantly that Kelli Jolly was that person.” Luca said that she really enjoyed watching her mom choreograph shows, and that she was always trying to learn the dances. Kelli said that she enjoys choreographing even more now that Luca is able to audition for shows that she is working on. That’s because they get to spend so much time together and give each other advice. “It is amazing when I am able to choreograph for her, and now we actually choreograph together,” Kelli said. “I think she sees how much I love it, and how much fun I have, and she enjoys it too.” Luca said that she also loves being in shows with her mom and that they always have a good time working on new things together. “It’s really fun when she’s working on a show and I’ll watch the choreography process and she can help me with my dancing,” Luca said. “If I am having trouble with a step or something that were doing in a number, I can ask her and she can help

Kelli and Luca Jolly discuss Luca’s upcoming performance with Dean/Black School of Preforming Arts where she will dance ballet, pointe, and tap. She attends classes year-round where they not only prepare for their performances, they learn technique and new skills. A performer herself, Kelli always enjoys watching Luca take the stage. Photo: Hadley Morden

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May 18, 2018

me out.” Luca said that she would not feel as strongly about dance if it weren’t for her mom’s influence. As a dance teacher herself, Kelli has always told Luca that she did not have to dance and if at any point she wanted to quit, she could. However, her one rule for Luca is that as long as she is dancing, she must take ballet. “Ballet is the basic for all dance, and it helps you with everything,” Kelli said. “It is the best discipline, it helps your body and if you go on to become a professional dancer, they weed you out right away if you don’t have ballet.” Even though she doesn’t want to become a professional dancer, Luca said that she would be interested in choreographing for community theatre, just

like her mom. She also said that she has taken away many important lessons from being in dance. “Dance has taught me a lot about patience and discipline,” Luca said. “With dance, you have to pay attention to every little thing you are doing, your arms, your legs, your feet, everything. That’s really helped me concentrate on the world around me and not just one thing.” Kelli said that Luca’s love for dance is what keeps her going, and that there are times when she doesn’t want to continue with the choreography, but Luca gets her excited to keep doing it. Luca also said that she admires her mom as a choreographer and as a person and she hopes to be like her when she gets older. “She’s just a really positive person, and she makes everybody feel welcome and loved and she’s such a positive influence in my life,” Luca said.

Luca performs a souté, one of the many moves that she has picked up over the years. She wears pointe shoes, which are used for its specific style of dance. The shoes contain a block of wood at the toe to help the dancer stand and they have to be replaced as needed. Luca is currently on her fifth pair of pointe shoes. Photo: Hadley Morden

arts & entertainment

seeing double

Freshmen Jackie Brown and Lucy Cripe are playing varsity soccer with their older sisters, juniors Boppy Cripe and Josie Brown for the first time. They are two of the three pairs of siblings on the varsity soccer team, along with senior Riley Rajewksi and freshmen Chloe Rajewksi. Arts/Entertainment Editor Hailey Surbrook | Staff Writer Devin Alexander| Staff Writer Mary Kent

Younger sisters:

Jackie and Lucy

reshmen Jackie Brown and Lucy Cripe have been playing soccer for most of their lives, but this year for the first time, they are playing alongside their older sisters on the varsity soccer team. Brown said that playing with her older sister has been a different experience since this is the first time they’ve played together, but she’s enjoyed playing along side her sister. “I’ve played soccer since I was three, and so have my two sisters, Jessie and Josie, but we’ve never played with each other,” Brown said. This year we finally get to play with each other, and it’s different, but it’s more fun.” Cripe said that she was excited to be on varsity as a freshman. Having her sister Boppy on the team was an added bonus, and has made practice a lot more fun because they are very close. Freshman Chloe Rajewski is the other freshman on varsity along with Cripe and Brown, and she is also playing with her older sister, senior Riley Rajewski. Brown said that having her older sister on

the team has made playing on varsity easier because having her there has allowed Brown to be more comfortable. “When I first joined the team, I had someone,” Brown said. “There’s two other freshman who are my friends, but it’s my sister so it’s more comfortable.” Cripe says that she can go to her older sister for help during games and ask her about what she needs to fix. “It’s almost like another friend is on the team,” Cripe said, “During games I can look at her and she will give me an honest opinion on something that I need to work on.” Varsity soccer coach Rico Barassi coaches both pairs of siblings. Barassi said that he doesn’t see much of a difference in team dynamics with having siblings on the team. However, he feels that having siblings on the team is a good asset. “They are very supportive of each other,” Barassi said. “They have played in the same clubs together, and traveled for the same teams, thus they know a similar routine.”

Freshmen Jackie Brown(left) and Lucy Cripe(right) have played soccer since they were 3 years old. This year, they are joining their older sisters on the varsity soccer team. Photo: Fischer Genau

Older sisters:

Josie and Boppy

Juniors Josie Brown(left) and Boppy Cripe(right) both played on the varsity soccer team last year as sophomores. They now play alongside their younger sisters on the team. Photo: Fischer Genau

sports

fter watching their little sisters grow up playing soccer over the years, juniors Boppy Cripe and Josie Brown are finally playing alongside their younger sisters on the varsity soccer team. Cripe said playing on varsity last year made the atmosphere feel very serious. Now, she is playing with her younger sister Lucy for the first time, and feels it is a lot more relaxed. “Now that I’m older and I have a freshman sister on the team, it’s definitely a lot less pressure and it makes it a lot more entertaining,” Cripe said. Cripe said that having her sister on the team makes playing easier for her. She thinks having her sister there makes playing easier for her. “Having her there is like a calming presence. Even if I yell at her or she yells at me, there’s not going to be any bad blood afterwards,” she said. Brown has been playing soccer for a large portion of her life along with her younger sister Jackie, and she said that playing with

her sister for the first time has made the game more entertaining for her. Brown has looked forward to playing with her sister for many years. “I played with my older sister last year, so I knew what to expect when Jackie became a part of the team. It makes the game more fun when I’m on the field playing with my sister and I’ve gotten closer to the other freshman on the team through her,” Brown said. Varsity soccer coach Rico Barassi said that the sisters support each other, work well together, and overall very helpful to the team. “All in all having siblings on the team is an enhancement to the group, but it does not change how we approach the game.” Barassi said that having siblings on the team has not affected the way he coaches. He approaches the game in the same way and does not treat the siblings any different. “In regards to coaching styles, the way we coach the team with or without siblings will not change,” he said.

May 18, 2018

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AT H L E T E O F T H E M O N T H : A s h l e y We l s c h

S 137’11” Senior Bethany Wilson set a new school record in discus at the home meet held against Dow High School and Mount Pleasant on the 14th. The previous record was 137’ 7”.

76 Senior Drew Gandy shot a 76 at the Schwartz & Co invite on the 8th and placed 2nd out of 89 golfers for the day. They will be competing at the Grand Blanc invitational on the 21st.

13 The boy’s junior varsity baseball team has 13 wins for the season with a 9-3 record for the conference. Their next game is an away game on the 19th at Canton.

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May 18, 2018

ophomore Ashley Welsch went through an Season record: 8-10 abundance of different sports like softball and gymnastics initially, until she found High School record: tennis. In recent years she started playing competitively. Welsch is a captain for the varsity tennis team, and the top singles player on the team this year. “I started playing tennis when I was three, but I didn’t start taking it seriously until seventh or eighth grade”, Welsch said. Welsch said this year the team has a lot of energetic girls who are really determined. They keep everything up and are always laughing and having fun. “The team is serious enough so we’re doing well, but it’s also really fun so it takes the stress off,” said Welsch. Welsch said her favorite memory of playing tennis is when she played in the United States Tennis Association (USTA) tournament two years ago. She played five rounds in the tournament, and in the final round, she barely beat her opponent in a tough match. In the end, she was rewarded with a first-place trophy. The people with the biggest impact on Welsch’s tennis career are her current coaches, coach Adam Ford, and varsity coach Morgan Groulx, because of their support over the years. They’ve lifted her up when she lost matches or felt the urge to give up. Welsch said she stayed through all of the struggles because of her coaches. Groulx said Welsch goes above and beyond for her teammates by bringing them together outside of practice with team bonding activities, and really solidifies a team comradery. Groulx has been coaching Welsch for the past two years, and said Welsch is coming into the game as one of our younger players. “Ashley really cares about her team,” Groulx said. “She’s very mature for her age and easy to be around.” Groulx said Welsch has great sportsmanship, concentration, and mental toughness. “Ashley is very level headed and has very strong mental game, which is huge in tennis,” said Groulx.“ She’s fun-loving, works hard but doesn’t take herself too seriously”. Welsch is looking to go to college at either Florida Southwestern, or University of Tampa. She plans to study marine biology. If Welsch goes to one of the Florida schools of her choice, she wishes to pursue furthering her tennis career.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Staff Writer Theophilus Rammidi

Photo: Hadley Morden

tweet of the month

@midlandchemics

Congratulations to these Chemics who have committed to continue their athletic careers at the next level.

9 retweets

43 likes

Boys/Girls MHSAA Regional Track Meet

May 18

12:00

Home

Girls Softball Blue Chip Tournament

May 19

10:00

Away

Girls Soccer Conference Game

May 19

12:00

Home

Boys Baseball Conference Game

May 21

4:00

Away sports

in this issue volume 40 | issue 6

sports

letter to the

editor

3 Sportszone 4 Varsity Soccer Siblings

Ashley Welsch

To Focus Staff: While I appreciate the March 28 editorial advocating for more mental health services at Midland High School, there is one sentence attributed to CMH Youth Intervention Specialist Jackie Warner that is misleading and needs to be clarified. Mrs. Warner was quoted as saying that “high school counselors are not properly equipped with correct training to handle current mental health problems.” This is far from the truth. The reality is, that our three counselors are skilled in this area with a keen awareness of students’ needs. Mrs. Warner communicated her concerns to me of how this sentence was misinterpreted from her written responses to the newspaper; she said she never had a face-to-face discussion with a Focus staff member. She said, “I started by writing (email) that all youth are able to access mental health as needed. I believe that our schools are helping youth access resources. The only thing I said about school counselors was that they are also academic counselors and don’t have enough time. I mentioned that they don’t have expertise for ongoing mental health needs because they are not licensed therapists and haven’t had that training. I never said, ‘High school counselors are not properly equipped with the correct training to handle current mental health problems,’ as I do not believe this to be true.” In addition, I would like to correct the sentence which read, “... she is constantly overbooked. This forces students in need onto a several day waiting list.” The words themselves were not what I said, however, the general idea did come from me based on inaccurate information I had. According to Mrs. Warner, she does not have a long wait list and can see emergencies as needed.

arts & entertainment

5 Luca Jolly 6 Polar Bear Drums 7 Carina & Cara Gallagher

opinion

10 Rants

news

11 Parking 12 Racial Issues Classroom

13 Programming Changes

Sincerely,

Amy Hutchinson, Assistant Principal

May 18, 2018

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Left Hand - Even number page

FOCUS the

the goodbye issue

Parking

Soccer Siblings

Summer Day Trips

Po l a r B e a r

Midland High School | May 18, 2018 | Volume 40, Issue 8

Illustration: Josie Kuchek