ON CAMPUS PAGE 4 Left: Unique rooms featured throughout the building. Head to page 4 to find out more.
SYDNEY BENSON
NORTH
SYDNEY BENSON
SYDNEY BENSON
GROSSE POINTE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
POINTE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2016
SINCE 1968
PIXABAY.COM
State proposal allows students to choose gender By Jen Kusch & Trevor Mieczkowski SENIOR ASSISTANT EDITOR & ASSISTANT EDITOR
Michigan’s State Board of Education is currently debating new legislation which, if enacted would make schools adapt to the needs of their transgender and non-binary (such as genderqueer or genderfluid) populations. The proposed changes would overhaul these students’ experiences at school, melding their educational life with their identified gender. Students would be allowed to use the bathrooms and locker rooms of the gender they identify with (or be provided with non-gender facilities), as well as be called on in class by their preferred name, have an email and all school records correspond with their preferred name. All of these adjustments can also be made without notification of the students’ families, if the student chooses to maintain their privacy from their guardians. As of right now, according to superintendent Dr. Gary Niehaus, students in the Grosse Pointe Public Schools System are privately accommodated based on their individual situations. Sophomore Lee Daniel identifies as genderqueer, and does not identify solely as male or female. “I think the guidelines could be really beneficial to LGBT kids, especially those who don’t have very accepting families,” Daniel said. “I think it could make schools a safer and more inclusive place, it would be good for everyone involved.” Like Daniel, junior Annabeth Lombardi sees this as beneficial to his/her (Editor’s note: Lombardi asked to be referred to as he/ she) community. Lombardi was born biologically male but identifies as genderfluid. He/she does not identify as male or female, but as both, and this identity can often fluctuate. Lombardi feels that this brings more to his/her educational experience than just a safe environment. “To me this brings what I feel is a basic freedom to the LGBTQ community,” Lombardi said. “Having the school call you by the name that you are comfortable with is what most of the transgender and gender-queer kids dream of.”
Due to family issues, Lombardi uses his/her educational hours as a time to learn more about him/herself, and this legislation could help with his/her self-discovery process. “I’ve grown up in a conservative family so I have had to keep it on the down low at home,” Lombardi said. “But (at school), I am very colorful.” According to www.tgmentalhealth.com, high school is a particularly hard time for transgender and nonbinary student because the body is beginning to change and many of the physical changes don’t match with the mental changes. Daniel knows first-hand what it feels like. “It leads to a lot of self-esteem issues and a lot of discomfort
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Having the school call you by the name that you are comfortable with is what most of the transgender and genderqueer kids dream of. Lee Daniel SOPHOMORE
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because you don’t feel like you fit in with anyone else and especially if you are someone from an area where there isn’t a lot of conversation about being trans or nonbinary,” Daniel said. “It made me feel really alone.” Psychology teacher Jennifer Weisbrodt agrees that psychological damage can be done when students can’t be who they are. “Personally, after listening to accounts of transgender youth, and their struggles with depression and suicide, if there is something we could do to make their lives easier, like providing transgendered bathrooms, I think it should absolutely be done,” Weisbrodt said.
Some North students also have voiced concerns over the proposed changes. Junior Nick Burguron has reservations about the legislation. “I just mean I think it is weird, personally, having a transgender person being in my bathroom, I would just be weirded out,” Burguron said. “Instead of allowing them in the bathrooms and allowing them to do what they want in the bathrooms, they should make their own stalls and own area in the bathrooms, strictly for them.” However, Burguron doesn’t stand alone in his beliefs. There are opponents to the legislation in debate. State senator Tom Casperson has introduced an opposing bill that would limit transgender usage of school bathrooms. The law would require trans students to obtain written consent from their parents before they could use the restrooms that correspond with their gender identity. It would also forbid them from using these facilities if they are in use or could be in use. Casperson believes that his counter-bill will maintain other students’ privacy and parental oversight. The debate surrounding access to restroom and locker room facilities for students that do not identify with their biological gender has gained steam in recent years. Maine’s supreme court recently heard a case related to this issue and ruled that denying a transgender student the right to use a student bathroom that corresponded with their gender was discrimination. Even with these concerns, Daniel believes people opposing this legislation are overreacting. “I think that everyone’s biggest concern is always bathrooms and who is using with bathroom,” Daniel said, defending the guidance. “But the thing is, most people are using a bathroom that a transgender person has used without realizing it, and it doesn’t really cause any problems.” The debate over the guidelines, which are expected to be voted on by May, will continue to spark debate in schools across the state.
Students re-evaluate study programs after terrorist attacks By Alex Harring & Tommy Teftsis
ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR & ASSISTANT EDITOR
In the wake of the Brussels bombing, Texas Tech University officials cancelled their Belgian study abroad programs. However, terrorist attacks like the one in Brussels aren’t just concerning to college students studying abroad. High schoolers who go overseas face many of the same problems as those who attend universities. Sophomore Bella Gallant plans on traveling to Guatemala through Global Leadership Adventures (GLA) before she graduates. At first, her father was hesitant to let her go, but became more comfortable after he talked to someone who already traveled with GLA and understood the benefits and risks. “My dad met this girl in Mexico, and she she went on one, and he was like ‘now you can go,’” Gallant said. “Compared to studying abroad, I think it’s kind of different. This is more like service, compared to studying abroad. (Studying abroad is) getting an education about a different country or culture,
and this one is more about helping others.” GLA is a Peace Corps-inspired program for high schoolers around the world. According to their website, the company has a five-point system for staff members to follow while on the trips. The points ensure safe lodging and transportation, clean food and water, staff supervision, expert knowledge of the area and a fullservice hotline for parents. Junior Mackenzie Simon traveled to Thailand through GLA over the summer, after a friend’s brother told her family about the program. She is participating in GLA’s India program this summer. “We did cultural activities like riding elephants, visiting temples, talking to monks and just exploring the city,” Simon said via email. “We also did service such as painting an orphanage and playing with the kids at the orphanage and teaching English at an elementary school.” GLA devotes a portion of tuition into emergency evacuation so students can vacate quickly during crises. Staff members also set rendezvous points. These are locations where
IDEAS - PAGE 7
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everyone agrees to meet and tend to be the closest airport in the country. Participants stay at home bases during their trips, which are usually located in rural parts of the country students are visiting. Senior enrollment adviser Tim Easley believes that by housing students outside of city centers there is a lower risk of danger. “We keep safety at the forefront of every bit of thinking we’re doing, every decision we make,” Easley said. “Each country has its own very
REVIEWS PAGE 6
“I often overlook all the good Grosse Pointe has given me.”
Zayn’s album was released on March 25. Find out more on page 6.
specific emergency protocol procedure to follow—should there be some sort of catastrophic event—meaning we know the closest and quickest routes to the borders.” Many programs and universities have committees in place to review emergency procedures and study abroad locations. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
IDEAS - PAGE 10
“The most exciting time in our lives is also the most dangerous for many of us.”
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@thenorthpointe www.northpointenow.org
VOLUME 48 | ISSUE 12
News | 2 Calendar | 3
On Campus | 4 Life | 5
Review | 6 On Pointe | 7
Elections | 8-9 Editorial | 10
Sports | 11-12
2 – Wednesday, April 13, 2016 – North Pointe
Study abroad
NEWS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Michigan State University International Health and Safety director Christopher Daniel is a member of the Risk and Safety Assessment Committee, which is the board that evaluates the risk of travel abroad locations that Michigan State services. “(The committee is) made up of senior leadership and faculty who review all of the countries in the world who are deemed to have a high level of risk,” Daniel said. “With all the different stuff happening in the world, that list of countries changes almost on a daily basis.” According to Daniel, the Risk and Safety Assessment Committee uses risk assessment sources, security evacuation providers and the state department to help the board review countries with high risk levels. Most suspended programs are shut down because of travel warnings issued by the U.S. government. For a suspended program to be revived, Daniel says a student needs to apply for a travel warning waiver. The MSU study abroad office then works
with program members to ensure their safety. “We work with them — my office — to develop a plan that would have to do with where they are going,” Daniel said. “We kind of walk through from a security standpoint. How do we minimize the risk exposure to our students ... if we’re going to let a program go to a place that would have a travel warning issued by the United States?” Daniel recommends students research the area where they are studying beforehand, and pay attention to the news while abroad. He finds that most countries have government websites with useful information for travelers. Simon is aware of the dangers that come with traveling. However, she believes that the positives of studying abroad outweigh the negatives and attacks aren’t restricted to one region of the world. “My trip was a lot of fun, and I loved it. We did a lot of cultural and service activities every day, and I met some really cool people,” Simon said. “Obviously with recent terrorist attacks, it is scary traveling, but I mean, they could also attack Detroit. You can’t protect yourself from being in the wrong place at the wrong time and also can’t live your life in fear.”
Lack of funds means more students, fewer teachers By Allison Lackner and Ritika Sanikommu ASSISTANT EDITOR & EDITOR AT LARGE
Thousands of students present a problem with 30 fewer teachers. A district-wide drop in the number of teachers has resulted in larger class sizes. District enrollment increased from 1992 through the early 2000s and decreased again beginning in 2009 to match enrollment rates of the early 90s. Throughout this time, the district reduced its teaching staff by 30, causing repercussions for both students and staff. Senior Nicoletta Valenzano has been a student in the district since kindergarten. Valenzano is concerned about the harmful effects of the dropping enrollment rates on the community. “For the district, dropping enrollment rates after a certain amount is usually very detrimental to the district due to the lower amount of government funding since it goes by the number of students,” Valenzano said via email. “Less funding can then lead to less funding for the maintenance of the buildings or the lowering of the teachers’ salaries overall.” Decreased funding from the state has also led to larger class sites coupled with with the decreasing enrollment rates it has raised concerns among the community. Brendan Walsh has always been submerged in the Grosse Pointe community: helives here, went to South, was a trustee of the Grosse Pointe Public School System Board of Education from 2005 to 2013 and has a blog dedicated to uncovering educational trends in the state. Walsh is concerned by the declining student enrollment rate and increasing class sizes. This has prompted him to prod further into the district’s historical enrollment rates. “We must distinguish between class size and pupil-to-teacher ratio. There is a difference,” Walsh said v ia email. “We can say as a general statement that students are better ser ved when there are more teachers available to them. Hav ing fewer teachers may mean higher class sizes, but it may also mean fewer options.”
Junior Ryan Race transitioned from private school to public school his freshman year. W hen Race came to North, he noticed the stark contrast in class sizes which, allowed him to reach out and interact w ith more students.” “Large classrooms help more. Before I came here, I was ver y quiet, and I wouldn’t really go out of my way to talk to someone,” Race said. Valenzano thinks larger class sizes help open her eyes to different perspectives and inputs from other students. W hile these large class sizes were beneficial for Race and Valenzano, for social studies teacher Barr y Mulso, it has put an additional burden on both him and his colleagues. “Last semester I’m pretty sure all of my classes were over 29 kids. For years, my biggest classes were 24, 25, and so you can see the difference. It’s palpable,” Mulso said. “And you just can’t spend that indiv idual time w ith a student.” Valenzano sees the benefit in smaller class sizes for struggling students, but Mulso calculates the potential drawbacks of a class that is too small. “A class can be too small. I’ve never really experienced that, to be completely honest,” Mulso said. “It’s a balancing act. It’s simple economics that we have scarce resources with money, and the state has been playing games with money with us for years, and on the other hand, we have this unlimited want for education and time and classrooms but that all costs money.” When Mulso first started teaching at North, enrollment numbers mirrored the present. Walsh’s findings have led him to the consensus that although enrollment rates are dropping, it is not a problem that the district cannot combat. “When I look at historical enrollment levels in Grosse Pointe, I see that we are at the same levels as basically 20 years ago,” Walsh said. “So we’ve been here before. It’s not like we are at historical lows—far from it. So this tells me this is a manageable problem that should not need to rely on closing schools.”
WWW.BRENDANWALSH.US
NEWS
North Pointe – Wednesday, April 13, 2016 – 3
New disc golf club comes to North Colorful frisbees f ly around the soccer field after school as the disk golf club members practice and augment their skills. The disk golf club was started by special education teacher Michael DeCenso. “Disc golf uses the same format as golf, except discs that resemble Frisbees are throw n. The score and almost all the rules are like that of golf,” DeCenso said. “Frisbee is a trademark name so the sport is ‘disc golf’ and the major manufacturers in the sport are not related to Frisbee at all.” The club held its first meeting on Thursday, March 21 on the soccer field. Prompted by an interest in the sport and a desire to have fun, senior Amari Cook was one of the first students to join the club. “Disk golf is a ver y fun activ ity to do and anyone can play it,” Cook said. “I like it because it’s a fun use of my time and my friends are in it.” Cook was also motivated to join when he watched an episode of T V show Zoey 101.
CALENDAR
“I saw (the episode) and I thought it was ver y cool, and when the opportunity came, I took it,” Cook said. According to DeCenso, the club w ill spend its first year looking for new members and training them to acquire the basic skills. Professional disk golfer Brandon Redmond w ill assist DeCenso w ith training and help members find tournaments to compete in. DeCenso thought that creating a disk golf club would be a great way to involve himself and his autistic students in the school community. “I teach students w ith severe autism. I wanted a club where my students can play alongside other staff and students and feel part of the community. Many clubs rely on lots of communication and subject area expertise that can frustrate someone w ith autism,” DeCenso said. “ I also would like the opportunity to be part of the school community. I am new to disc golf, but I really like playing myself and I thought, ‘I do this any way, so why not inv ite others.’” By Gowri Yerramalli
WORK KEYS TESTING
Wednesday, April 13 for juniors
PARENT CLUB MEETING
Wednesday, April 13 from 7-9 p.m. in the Union
M-STEP
Thursday, April 14 at 8 a.m.
North hosts College Night Students hoping to learn more about their next step after graduation w ill find the annual College Night useful. It w ill be Tuesday, April 19 in the g ym from 6-8 p.m. Counselor Milissa Pierce hopes families w ill get an overall better understanding of what colleges have to offer. “(Students) wander around and get basic information about the colleges that (they) are interested in,” Pierce said. Representatives from over 100 colleges and universities w ill be at the event to give students a better idea of the schools they want to pursue. Sophomore A lyssa Dall is unsure of where she wants to go after high school ,but hopes College Night w ill help her decide. “I want to experience and become more open about colleges because I don’t know what I want to do yet,” she said. Attending College Night w ill also help students connect w ith the college representatives. “It becomes a real value for students to connect to the person who may be reading their application, or to simply find out more info about it,” Pierce said. “If a college knows you are interested in them, they are more likely to be interested in you, too.” College Night is open to all members of the district and is one of the more popular school events in the community for high school students and their parents. The organizers make sure a variety of colleges are represented to make the experience worthwhile. “It takes a lot of organization and a lot of commitment from a lot of different schools to get it to be as big as an event as it,” Pierce said. “The students and parents feel as if there are not a lot of colleges, it’s not worth coming, so the representatives feel ver y strongly about always being at North or South at the Grosse Pointe College Night.”
END OF THIRD QUARTER April 15
COFFEE WITH KATE
Tuesday, April 19 at 9 a.m. in the Union
COLLEGE NIGHT
Tuesday, April 19 in the Gym from 6- 9 p.m.
PARENT CLUB FASHION SHOW
Thursday, April 21 at the Yacht Club at 6 p.m.
By Caitlin Bush CAITLIN BUSH
Alumni give back to Metro Detroit After years of talk about starting a charity, alumni Wendy Ishmaku and Michael Marchiori are working to do just that. Marchiori and Ishmaku, who graduated in 2015, along w ith Marchiori’s friend Hannah Jones, began Giv ing Pack, a project wherein they create backpacks filled w ith school supplies for students at underpriv ileged schools in Detroit. “We take donations from local areas, for example, churches, local schools, small businesses,” Ishmaku said. “We either take the money that they donate or the supplies they donate to create these backpacks.” There w ill be packs for both students and teachers. Student packs w ill contain pencils, folders and other essential supplies. However, more creative tools such as markers w ill go to teachers to prevent students from losing them. The idea behind Giv ing Pack is that students cannot learn until they have the necessar y tools to do so. “How can you teach a kid how to do math if they don’t have enough paper or pencils to actually learn on?” Ishmaku said.
To spread awareness for their cause, the group is using social media and word of mouth to raise awareness. Marchiori also took the initiative to contact Student Association to try and involve North. “Michael contacted the executive board of Student Association, and he asked us if we would be interested in talking about it,” secretar y Stephanie Godoshian said. “At our next meeting, he FaceTimed us and gave us a rundow n of ever y thing he was doing, what he would need from us if we could help him out.” Godoshian said Student Association is hoping to organize a fundraiser or supply drive later this spring or next year to help out. In addition to reaching out to Student Association, Marchiori has started a Go Fund Me account to collect money for Giv ing Pack’s first Backpack Drive. A ll money raised w ill go toward buying backpacks and supply containers, which w ill be sent filled w ith supplies to Carleton Elementar y school. “We just feel very strongly that education needs help,” Ishmaku said. “Especially in the Detroit Public Schools System, it’s so awful … and they just lack supplies to have a good curriculum for the students.” By Billy Moin GOFUNDME.COM
24400 Jefferson Ave. St. Clair Shores, Michigan Ph: 586-778-7600 • JeffersonBeachMarina.com
SPORTS EVENTS BASEBALL Thursday, April 14 at Dakota High School at 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS Thursday, April 14 at Cousino High School at 4 p.m.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Friday, April 15 at Harrison High School at 6:30 p.m.
ON CAMPUS
4 – North Pointe – Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Hidden in halls
Take a look inside some of the unique rooms of North
By Sydney Benson
SENIOR ASSISTANT EDITOR
FACES IN THE CROWD
Charlie Bernas
The loud screams of thrash metal music echo in sophomore Charlie Bernas’s ears as he uses the heavy sounds to inspire his guitar playing. “I listen to a lot of rock music and metal music,” said Bernas. “So I thought playing the guitar would be a lot of fun.” After a couple of years of practice, Bernas has grown as a guitar player. “My biggest accomplishment is probably being able to play the whole song of ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ which is pretty tough,” he said. “I can (also) play the solos in the song ‘Floods’ by Pantera, it’s pretty tough.” Although he has accomplished what he wants, Bernas would like to continue his career as a guitarist. “Well if I had it ideal, I would be in a band but I don’t know anyone else who plays instruments that likes the same music as me.”
Carly Lemanski
ABOVE: Senior Julia Babcock tends to plants in the green house attached to room SCI102. “The greenhouse to me has just been a place where I can come in have some quiet time and recenter, it totally just lifts my mood, and it’s really close to my heart because I’ve worked on for a long time,” Babcock said.
ABOVE LEFT: For students with special needs, the sensory room, B121, is a unique place that allows students to calm down from being overwhelmed during the day. “A lot of our kids, especially with autism, have a lot of sensory needs and this is the only spaces that they have access to in their world and their environment,” school psychologist Christine Kuhl said. ABOVE RIGHT: The innovation lab, SCI304 is more than just a colorful lab filled with TVs and white board tables. Junior Lauren Archambeau believes that it provides a better learning environment than the average classroom. “It’s really open and you’re able to expand your knowledge through different ways other than sitting down in a class and taking notes.” LEFT: Room B312 is the dedicated meeting room of Student Association (SA). SA members meet there every Wednesday at 7 a.m. “I like the mural the best and our board of pictures, we have all the pictures from homecoming and the parade, and everyone who took part in the festivities. I think that it represents our whole student body,” said SA secretary Stephanie Godoshian.
Friends
Being in the dugout with the perfect white lines down the bases and the sounds of chants and fans cheering, are just the norms for sophomore Carly Lemanski who has been playing ball since she was 5. “I first started played tee-ball first, then I played baseball with all the boys, and then I started playing softball when I was 8,” Lemanski said. Playing baseball and softball is a family tradition for Lemanski’s family. “My mom played in the little league I played at, and my dad is really involved in that league, my brother played there and so did my sister,” Lemanski said. “It’s just kind of in the family, we all just kinda do it.” Although Lemanski loves the sport, she has had some rough experiences. “My dad was once the coach, and it was coach pitch, and he threw it down and it hit me in the knee. He didn’t mean to but he just threw it wrong and I ran off the field crying.”
Grace Sexton For junior Grace Sexton poetry has been a way of dealing with her emotions since she was young. “What inspired me to start writing was just certain periods of adversity,” she said. “Especially this year because junior year is so stressful all the time, and I had a lot of things going on, and it helped me get emotions out there if I were to write them down and when I did, it just took a more poetic form which was kind of unexpected.” Sexton has some far future plans involving her love of poetry. “Well I have a career in mind that isn’t poetry or english related at all, but I do imagine retiring, moving up north, buying a cottage and become a writer, perhaps a memoirist or just creating books of writing.” By Trevor Mieczkowski
Favorite TV show
FIVE MINUTES WITH
Foods teacher Julie Cutler By Billy Moin
MANAGING EDITOR
College
Purdue University
Last book read
Oh my gosh, this is so hard. Oh, you know what? This is kind of inappropriate but ... my husband and I just moved here from Connecticut, and the book is called, I don’t know if I can even say this, How to Live in Detroit Without Being a Jackass (by Aaron Foley).
Pets
I don’t have any pets.
Sports as a kid and now
Tennis, basketball and volleyball. And now I like to jog when I have time for my health.
Spring’s arrival means more than just house cleaning and the end of winter. For foods teacher Julie Cutler, the new season also means planting a garden. Cutler, a lifelong gardener, enjoys simply spending time outside in the sun and fresh air. She also said she relishes in reaping the benefits of her hard work. “You do all this work, and then you get food from it,” Cutler said. “You have beautiful landscape. You get vegetables. It’s just nice getting the stuff.” Any food Cutler grows either goes straight into a meal or gets canned for later use. Of all the food she grows, one stands out in particular. “I use tomatoes like crazy. I make soups. I make marinara (and) bruschetta,” Cutler said. “I’ll do all kinds of stuff with tomatoes, so it’s really my favorite.” However, Cutler doesn’t simply plant tomatoes and other produce. She also makes sure to make time for working with decorative plants, including roses, shrubs and annuals. Sometimes she likes to gather a few flowers and bring them inside to brighten up her
dining room. But there is more to gardening than simply planting seeds and waiting for them to grow. One perennial challenge Cutler faces is keeping rabbits and other animals out of her garden. Her solution is to spread cat fur around the garden’s edge. She figures the smell scares them away. In addition to keeping out pests, Cutler must also put in countless time weeding and watering her plants. “I’ll get home from riding in my car somewhere, running errands, and I’ll pull weeds,” Cutler said. “I’ll do five minutes here, five minutes there.” Coming from a line of farmers and gardeners, Cutler has always been surrounded by planting of some sort. “I grew up with parents who were really into that, so I just kind of picked up on it,” she said. One of Cutler’s favorite parts of gardening growing up was simply spending time with her parents. She hopes she can provide the same experience for her 2-year-old twins, Lydia and Gavin. “I want to start those traditions with my children,” Cutler said. “Hopefully they’ll appreciate it like I appreciate it.”
SYDNEY BENSON
ABOVE: Foods teacher Julie Cutler enjoys working on her garden. “A lot of times I’ll just buy seeds from Lowe’s or Home Depot and I’ll start them myself, or sometimes I’ll go local nurseries and get plants. If I want one plant, I’ll go to a local nursery and buy a jalepeño plant or something.”
LIFE
North Pointe - Wednesday, April 13, 2016– 5
Life skills club wins state titles Seniors Laurel Kreuter, Nicoletta Valenzano and Lindsay Gallagher take home first and second place wins at the FCCLA state competition By Radiance Cooper SENIOR ASSISTANT EDITOR
STACY KRYZMINSKI
ABOVE: Senior Laurel Kreuter stands for her picture after she presented her design in the Recyle and Redesign category. and being selected for nationals. BELOW: The FCCLA club presents their creations at the state-level competetion.
Seniors Nicoletta Valenzano and Lindsay Gallagher will be spending three days under the bright skies of San Diego this summer. There they will represent North at the Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) national competition. Valenzano, Gallagher and senior Laurel Kreuter were all selected to attend at the state-level competition in March. Valenzano and Kreuter placed first, and Gallagher placed second. In the competition, students chose a specific category to make a project for, ranging from Career Investigations to Nutritional Science. Students were called into a room with two or three judges and had five minutes to present their creations or research. Students who earned first or second place in their category were selected to go to the national convention in San Diego. Valenzano received first place in Fashion Construction, which she chose because of the interest she developed in fashion design after taking classes such as Fashion and Fabrics. “I made a skirt and a top,” Valenzano said. “So I had to construct it before I got there, and I had to present it once I got there, too. I had to make a board about everything—all of the different fabric qualities and other properties of it.” For Kreuter, the opportunity to attend the national competition came as a pleasant surprise. “It was kind of cool because this was our first year doing it, so we didn’t really expect much,” Kreuter said. “We were really surprised when I won gold and Nicole won gold too … that was our ultimate goal. I know Ms. (Stacy) Kryzminski really wanted to go to San Diego. It’s a cool thing for North to be represented in. I was really surprised actually. It was a cool thing.” Although Kreuter is opting out of attending nationals for personal reasons, she ultimately decided to pursue the project after Life Skills teacher Stacy Kryzminski suggested it to her because of her
interest in pursuing a fashion-related career. For her category, Recycle and Redesign, the objective was to take an original article of clothing and give it a unique touch. “I found an old jean jacket at a Salvation Army, and I just (threw) stuff on. I painted it, I ripped it up a little, just kind of really personalized it and I think that was what the judges really liked the most about it.” Kreuter said. “It was really fun. It really tested my ability to be more creative in the design aspect of it. I like fashion—I like writing about fashion, not really creating it. It’s definitely a long process, but it was kind of cool to do it that way.” Gallagher participated in the Career Investigations category. Her project involved researching a career as a pediatrician and creating a presentation for the judges. Gallagher works as a nanny during the summer and took Applied Medical Research to help reach her goal of becoming pediatrician. The experience helped ignite a greater interest in the profession. “I’ve known that I’ve wanted to do something medical for a while, since I came into high school,” Gallagher said. “I think that this year I realized that I wanted to be a pediatrician, and doing the project helped me gain that knowledge that I didn’t know, and it made me have a much better understanding and even more of a desire to be (one) when I’m older.” Since this is FCCLA’s first year at North, members see reaching that national level as a major achievement for the club. “The fact that it’s our first year and we have a couple of people going is really good,” Valenzano said. “It’s also a really good learning experience for us because we were kind of just testing out the waters at the state level, and it’s really good that we got to nationals and we can see what that’s all about, too.”
STACY KRYZMINSKI
Seniors reach Eagle Scout status By Radiance Cooper SENIOR ASSISTANT EDITOR
Loyal. Disciplined. Trustworthy. Humble. These are some of the traits required to be an Eagle Scout. It is the highest honor in the Boy Scout hierarchy and is regarded as a great accomplishment. After working towards his eagle badge for years, senior A lex Owens received it during his court of honor ceremony last May. “I got to inv ite whoever I wanted. It was a big ordeal but it was a bunch of my friends and family and I would sit in front and receive the physical badge and the certificate and all of the official documentation and ever y thing,” Owens said. “A long w ith that I gave a speech about my time in Boy Scouts and my peers and (the) scoutmaster gave a speech about me, my experience in Boy Scouts and as well as giving a brief histor y of the Eagle Scout rank. It’s a ver y cool ceremony. It’s ver y official and structured. So, it was a lot of fun.” In order to be an Eagle Scout, one must earn all of their merit badges and execute a largescale project that can take any where from a few months up to a year. Earning the rank comes w ith a great amount of work and determination for all of those who work towards it. “It was a great achievement. I had worked really hard, I did a whole community ser v ice project,” Owens said. “I built some bookshelves for a volunteer literacy center in dow ntow n Detroit and just it felt like all of my hard work had paid off and that I had really achieved something that I worked so hard for. … It looks great on college applications, on resumes, it (is) a ver y respectable accomplishment.” Senior Jarrell Cunningham started dow n this road when he was a sophomore and earned the honor this past Januar y. For his project, Cunningham decided to work w ith Angel Tree. The organization is centered around prov iding Christmas presents for children whose parents are incarcerated. “It’s really touching. it’s really rewarding. You just organize this event for families whose father or mother is in prison and you give them Christmas gifts,” Cunningham said. “Mostly what they need (is) necessities and all that. Like clothes and whatnot and sometimes toys.”
For Cunningham, earning his ranking carried a greater personal meaning because he is a member of an all African-American boy scout troop. “I’m ver y proud to be an Eagle Scout because in the news and media, all you see is negative stereoty pes and negativ ity revolving around like the whole Black (Lives) Matter movement and all you see is negativ ity concerning African-Americans and whatnot and this moment, it defies stereoty pes and it shocks people,” Cunningham said. “It proves that we can actually do some good and we’re not all bad and I take pride in being an African-American male who achieved becoming an Eagle Scout because it’s not easy.” For ever y scout, the road to getting their eagle badge begins once they make the transition from Cub Scout to Boy Scout in sixth grade. From there, it can take around eight years to earn depending on how hard a scout works. Reaching the feat is a goal junior Andrew Kane is working towards. Kane has two older brothers who reached the rank and has been grinding towards his badge for five-and-ahalf years. “Becoming an Eagle Scout would be a big achievement for me because I’ve been working for so long to get it,” Kane said. “It would show that all of my work hasn’t been for nothing. It would show me that I’ve evolved as a person and that any thing you work for hard you can get.” Being a part of Boy Scouts and receiv ing his Eagle badge has left Owens w ith many valuable lessons. “One of the principles … of Boy Scouts is discipline, and it’s staying on track of your work for as much as you can as long as you can do it,” Owens said. “That’s not to mention all of the outdoor skills and sur v ival skills and enjoying the outdoors in general. I do appreciate the outdoors a lot more because of my years as a Boy Scout and Cub Scout but the principles that go along w ith it, like discipline and being trustworthy and loyalty, those are all deeply ingrained too.”
JARELL CUNNINGHAM
ALEX OWENS
ABOVE RIGHT: Pictured is the invitation is Senior Jarell Cunningham for his eagle scout honor ceremony. RIGHT: Senior Alex Owens holds up an Eagle Scout certificate awarded to him.
REVIEWS
6-Wednesday, April 13, 2016 – North Pointe
InSiDe ZAYN’s MiNd By Mora Downs
Former One Direction member releases new album Mind of Mine By Mora Downs MANAGING EDITOR
MANAGING EDITOR
A year ago, drowning in the blare of One Direction (1D) albums, fans sobbed into their Where We Are concert t-shirts and tore down their Zayn Malik posters in despair. Three weeks ago, these same fans downloaded the debut album of the same artist that broke their hearts. This year has been quite a rollercoaster for Malik. After cutting ties with his former bandmates, he chopped off his hair and broke off his engagement to Little Mix singerPerrie Edwards. A year later, with model Gigi Hadid on his arm, Malik has pulled a Madonna and ditched his last name. Malik pushed the boundaries even further than Madonna or Prince and made the artistic decision to morph the lowercase letters in his name to uppercase. For someone who proclaimed on Facebook that he wanted “to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight,” this doesn’t exactly fit the bill. The biggest difference between 2015 Zayn and 2016 ZAYN isn’t how he capitalizes his name. In one year, Malik has done a 180. One Direction’s and Malik’s music may both belong to the same genre in the iTunes store, but they could not have more different sounds. One Direction’s is definitely pop. While still good, it’s not very meaningful and mostly just geared toward mass public consumption. Malik, on the other hand, is soulful. There’s passion in his voice as he sings and Malik’s brooding persona is alive in his music. All of his songs sound very personal, probably because Malik wrote every song on the album. Mind of Mine sounds more like the Weeknd than 1D. Malik has created a new fan base for himself, comprised of older Directioners and new fans. The subject matter and R&B vibe of the album drew in a more mature audience, excluding a portion of Malik’s younger fangirls from his One Direction days. However, this allowed him to gain a wider variety of fans. The album art also leans away from 1D’s influence. Opposed to a shot of him with his hair professionally fluffed and posing, he imitates Lil Wayne circa Tha Carter III. In an effort to be even more unique, these song titles have random capitalizations within them and sometimes have words spelled incorrectly. But, this doesn’t distract from the rich quality of the music. Malik’s solo career truly kicked off with the release of “PILLOWTALK.” The single continues to dominate airwaves two months after its release and the music video featuring Hadid has been viewed over 300 million times. At the same time, Malik increased his social media presence by creating a public Snapchat account and posting more on Instagram. These social media tools allowed him to promote his solo album, which was released March 25.
Mind of Mine is truly an auditory adventure. Malik includes an intro (“MiNd Of MiNdd”) and an intermission (“fLower”) that are mostly surreal beats laced occasionally with airy vocals. These create a dreamlike state for the listener and make listening to the album more of an experience than a mindless activity. The full-length songs on the album are virtually flawless. Songs fall into two categories: slower emotional ballads and faster tunes with synthetic beats and killer bass. Ballads include “iT’s YoU,” “fOoL fOr YoU” and “BLUE.” “iT’s YoU” sounds like the song angels would sing as you ascend into heaven, complete with harps. “fOoL fOr YoU” is raw and arouses sadness and desperation in its audience. “BLUE” is tranquil and placid. These songs contrast beautifully with the others on the album. The more upbeat songs on Mind of Mine include “sHe,” “TiO” and “LIKE I WOULD.” These songs combine pop, R&B and dance into one, and speak to the overall honest and personal message of the album. Almost every song hooks its audience in its first 10 seconds. Two songs, however, don’t immediately draw the listener in but should not be missed. “BoRdErZ” proves to have catchy lyrics, while “tRuTh” alludes to Malik’s past in One Direction and features falsettos reminiscent of the Bee Gees’ disco hits. What’s remarkable about Malik’s debut is the lack of collaborations with other artists. Only one song features another artist. This makes the album feel more authentically “ZAYN” and proves that he can make successful music without the help of his former bandmates. Mind of Mine is truly a musical masterpiece that serves as a wonderful introduction to Zayn Malik’s solo career.
ZAYN Mind of Mine RCA Records 2016 HYPERTRAK.COM
MOVIE
GAME
BOOK
APP
BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE
DEFY GRAVITY EXTENDED
LADY MIDNIGHT
HEADSPACE
After nearly three years of production and enless hype, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice barely avoids falling flat on it face. The movie takes I.YTIMG.COM place approximately two years after the events of Man of Steel, where Superman (Henry Cavill) saved the world, but in the process destroyed Metropolis. Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck), who saw many of his friends perish that day, comes to hate Superman and seeks revenge. The first half of the movie focuses on whether or not Superman can be trusted. Many people, Wayne included, argue that he is too powerful to be acting on his own and needs to be controlled by the government. Like Wayne, Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) believes Superman must be controlled, and using Wayne’s anger, Luthor pits the two heroes against each other. However, there is no explanation of Luthor’s motivation. While there are a lack of them, and they come late in the game, the action scenes are by far the best part of this movie. Fights are fast paced and supported by high-quality effects. However, for a movie that claimed to be all action, there is disappointingly little of it. A lack of action should open the movie up for a strong plot, but instead this is where the movie falls apart. Where it should be giving background information and developing characters, it focuses on setting up future movies and dropping Easter eggs that are confusing for the casual fan. Another problem is the lack of explanation it gives character motivation. Instead of explaining why Luthor hates Superman or why Superman hates Batman, the story focuses on scenes with role characters that don’t add anything to the movie. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice excels in its action scenes. But when it abandons those to focus more on the storyline, it becomes obvious how cramped and confusing the plot actually is.
Defy Gravity Extended is an online side-scrolling puzzle platform in which the player controls an astronaut while exploring a strange planet. The main gimSTORE.STEAMPOWERED.COM mick of the game is the use of a gravity gun that fires gravitational fields. These fields can either repel or attract certain objects, including the astronaut. By holding the right or left mouse buttons, the player can control when the field stops and forms. This idea opens up an enormous range of possibilities when it comes to puzzle variety. The levels are varied and interesting, with each putting a new spin on the concept of manipulating gravity. Enemies and objects can be affected by gravity, so players should take this into account when creating fields. This simple mechanic lends to a very addictive experience that will keep the user pushing through levels. One aspect of Defy Gravity Extended that is not as clever as its gameplay is the art style, or rather lack thereof. The game is composed of very generic, almost stocklooking objects, and the backgrounds are simply pictures of space. Animation is stiff and unnatural, with the astronaut’s gun snapping to fixed angles depending on where the player points it. The whole presentation is uninspired and does nothing to capture the mesmerizing feel that a surreal space-platformer could have had. However, one thing that does help the game’s atmosphere is its soundtrack. While sparse, the music is simply beautiful. Piano mixed with synthesized beats and even a dash of rap instrumentals give the player a desire to continue playing if only to keep hearing the gorgeous melodies. Defy Gravity Extended is a solid puzzle platform that will hold a player’s attention for a sizable amount of time, but it does hinge on one’s enjoyment of the gimmick.
From Cassandra Clare, the author of the Mortal Instruments and the Infernal Devices series, comes a new novel that continues the storyline of the ShadowhuntSHADOWHUNTERS.WIKIA.COM ers with the Dark Artifacts series. In the first book Lady Midnight, Clare brings back a group of young characters that had been introduced to Clary Fray and Jace Lightwood during and after the Dark War. The story picks up five years after the Dark War ended, when a string of mysterious murders in Los Angeles are eerily similar to the murders of main character Emma Carstair’s parents. She struggles alongside her parabatai, a lifelong partner who swore an oath to protect the other, Julian Blackthorn to hold their makeshift family together after the loss of Julian’s elder brother and sister. With an insane uncle overseeing the Institute and the promise of revenge against her parents’ murders, Emma and Julian are all too willing to aid the faeries with solving the murders in return for Julian’s brother Mark. Lady Midnight continues the concept of forbidden love that was present in both of Clare’s other series. But this time, main character Emma’s feelings towards Julian are not just taboo, it’s strictly forbidden for parabatais to fall in love. As they both are determined to deny their feelings for each other even after they admit them, the reader is often left feeling frustrated and disappointed with their relationship throughout the novel. Clare makes up for this though with lovable characters that are fully developed. Each has such a unique and likable personality. Even with this host of new characters, Clary, Jace and all the others make recurring appearances in the story line, allowing old fans to see what has happened with their favorite characters. Fans new and old alike will enjoy Lady Midnight with its surprising developments and rather satisfying ending. Clare outdoes herself in this sequel with an entertaining and original story.
Today, mindfulness and meditation are resurfacing as a balm for modern stresses, with the optimum delivery method already resting in users’ palms. Headspace is a crossITUNES.APPLE.COM platform tool for those wishing to learn the art of meditation on the go. With a mobile app, a slick desktop interface and a cute animated character to coach you through your meditation, Headspace hopes to make lessons in mindfulness and mental health awareness more accessible to the public. Refreshingly simple (and a calming creamsicle orange), the interface of both the desktop site and the mobile app embodies the idea of “quiet.” Animated movement is gradual and soft, lending to a feeling of absolute safety. But the charm starts wearing off almost as soon as the user gets past the tutorial blip on the mobile app. Without more than a cursory glance at the app overview, users may be misled as to what they’re getting. The only free part of Headspace is the 10-step guided meditation for beginners, designed to give users a taste of everything they can have for the low price of $8 per month. Unfortunately for Headspace, their hook is baited ineffectively, offering too few free samples and no advantages over less expensive subscription meditation apps/services on the market. Additionally, the free sample material is boring and uninspiring. As an app designed to get users more interested in regular meditation, Headspace’s strategy is too spartan to spark any new interest. For consumers on a budget, apps like Calm deliver more “breathe deep” for free. Next to Calm, Headspace pales in comparison. Headspace offers no ambient noise, and the “S.O.S.” sessions (designed to assist users in mental emergencies) are only for premium members. Even the free version isn’t worth downloading, since other apps give users more perks for the same price. Bottom line: If you can live without a nasal, British man telling you to focus on how you’re breathing, save yourself some storage.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice; 2016-,PG-13; 153 minutes; Director, Zack Snyder
Defy Gravity Extended; FISH FACTORY GAMES; ; Available on Steam; 2011
Lady Midnight; By Cassandra Clare; 720 pages; 2016; $14.99
Headspace; HEADSPACE INC; 2016; Available for Apple and Android
By Billy Steigelman
By Giuseppe Parison
By Katelynn Mulder
By Rey Kam
IDEAS
ON POINTE
North Pointe – Wednesday, April 13, 2016 – 7
Top 10 things we are talking about this week By Trevor Mieczkowski
1
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Returning back to the spotlight, alternative rock band Weezer Music dropped their new selfWEEZER titled album Weezer. Going back to their famous 90s-vibe, the album has sparked old fans’ interest and garnered new fans’ attention.
2
Technology IPHONE SE
4
3
With Apple’s phones getting larger, many people began to ask Apple to create a smaller iPhone, and they did just that. The new iPhone SE has a 4-inch retina screen, the same design as the iPhone 5s, but with the power of a 6s. This new iPhone has a starting price of $399.
Book
THE HATERS From the author of Me and Earl and The Dying Girl, Jesse Andrews, The Haters outlines the problems of two young musicians trying to balance their love of music, friendship and love life. Pick up The Haters at Barnes and Nobles for $12.23.
Movie
THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR When two evil sisters set out to conquer a kingdom, Eric the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) has to venture to stop them. If you enjoyed Snow White and the Huntsman, this movie is sure to provide a similar thrill when it airs in theaters April 21.
AMAZON.COM
APPLE
5
Event
Event
COMINGSOON.NET
7
8
Streaming
HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER
Movie
THE JUNGLE BOOK
On April 15, the former animated story of a boy lost in the wilderness will come to life in theaters. The liveaction Disney movie is a is a remake of the classic 1967 film.
Shonda Rhimes’ thrilling drama about law students solving cases and problems of their own comes back to Netflix with season two on April 16.
9
Technology IPAD PRO
6 PTO FASHION SHOW
DOWNRIVER DASH On Saturday, April 16, the sixth annual Downriver Dash 5k will be held. It will begin and end at the Wayne County Community College District Downriver Campus. Organized by The Guidance Center of southeast Michigan, this run promotes physical activity and wellness. Sign up fees are $35.
POPMATTERS.COM
GUIDANCE-CENTER.ORG
Held at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club on Thursday, April 21, North’s PTO will host its annual fashion show. Patrons will be able to enjoy a silent auction and fashion show during dinner. For more information, visit gpschools. schoolwires.net/gpnorth.
Along with the iPhone SE, Apple has also released its newest edition of the iPad family, the iPad Pro. The iPad Pro comes in two sizes, the typical 9.7 inch and a new 12.9 inch version. The starting price are $599 for the 9.7-inch and $799 for the 12.9-inch. GPSCHOOLS.ORG
10 Music JUNK
STEREOGUM.COM
APPLE DISNEY.
WIKIA.COM
After basking in the fame of “Midnight City” from their album Hurry Up We’re Dreaming, alternative electronic band M83 has returned to the music scene with their new album Junk.
SUBSCENE.COM
Be the good in the Grosse MY TURN ANU SUBRAMANIAM
The words “I’m from Grosse Pointe,” have become the punchline to a long-standing joke. Kids grow up serving their 18-year sentence and hurriedly rush out to shed themselves of that claim, embarrassed by the joke surrounding it. As they kiss their pearl-wearing mothers and suit-donning fathers goodbye on the steps of their college dorms, they say with disgust and affirmation, “I’m never coming back to Grosse Pointe.” But why not? I may be guilty of threatening the same, I often overlook all the good Grosse Pointe has given me. I could ride my bike on the streets as a kid, feeling safe knowing drivers yielded and that my front yard was protected.
I could go to school where I didn’t have to worry about gun violence or being hungry because we have a school system that cares, provides for and protects its students. I didn’t grow up paranoid, because I trusted the community. Although ours takes a lot of hits for its stifling stereotype, it is another merit we take for granted. We may feel suffocated by the sea of Vineyard Vines we constantly see, but we fail to acknowledge the supportive parents and community members that rally behind us. They taught us our values, gave us our sense of tradition and wanted us to feel the safety they crafted for us. However, I still get it. It’s hard to be a teenager and feel trapped by a bubble, especially when we pretend the suds are toxic. When we go on Twitter and Facebook and make fun of our town, we allow others to do the same. Every 140-character statement mocking GP slowly chips away at our town’s shiny veneer. Grosse Pointe is all about what you make it. So even if you fit the boat shoes and yacht club stereotype, you have the freedom to be your own person. And even if you stray from what is thought to be the typical Grosse Pointer, you still have the support of GP behind you. Tearing our town down
only fuels our feelings of resentment and makes others see us poorly, too. We may be born into a “mold,” but we have choices beyond Lilly Pulitzer. It is our job as products of our environment to shape our image into what we want it to be. If we all have an issue with Grosse Pointe, then we all have a chance to change that. Our complacency towards our stereotype is what allows the ragging to go on. When Duke and Yale University were going up against each other during March Madness (another game that completely ruined my bracket) people all over the country took to Twitter to make fun of them. Instead of agreeing with the naysayers, students turned around and pointed out that their schools are ranked #9 and #3 in the country respectively. The tweets remained as a humorous joke, but their implications faded as their student bodies stood strong, especially in the stands. We may not all love Grosse Pointe, and some of us may truly not want to come back, but we should try and make the most out of our time here. Be what you want to see Grosse Pointe become: be the good in all the Grosse.
ELECTIONS
8-Wednesday, April 13, 2016 – North Pointe
Alex Harring VICE PRESIDENT
Class of 2018 and Student Association senator, North Pointe editor, Drama Club officer, Interact club, S.A.V.E., musical stage crew, Pointe Chorale and soccer. My goals include making North an inviting place for all students and staff and ensuring that everyone’s voices are heard. You should vote for me because I am open-minded and am dedicated to making our school the best it can be.
Lauren Miller VICE PRESIDENT
Here at North I’m currently in student council, KNOTS, S.A.V.E., Link Crew, DECA, Spanish Club and WILLOW. I play golf and tennis for North. My goal is to make everyone’s time in high school very enjoyable and memorable. Dedicated. Responsible. Organized. These are three words that describe me, and three reasons why you should vote for me.
Lauren Sickmiller VICE PRESIDENT
Lauren participates in many activities in and outside of school. Lauren participates in cross country, track, varsity soccer, French Club, full orchestra, travel soccer and is currently a class senator. Lauren’s goals consist of getting more students engaged in school functions, along with making sure council meetings run smoothly and stay on track. Lauren advocates school involvement and spirit. Lauren is a very dedicated and hard worker as shown by her many extracurricular activities and academic standing. She is very persistent, outgoing and eager to hear ideas from different students.
Carmen Castronero SECRETARY
I am involved with Student Association, student council and I play varsity field hockey. I’m running for student council because I’ve loved my past three years on council and I’m truly dedicated to North, the faculty and my fellow students. People should vote for me because I’m dedicated, hard-working, and want everyone’s high school experience to be a great one.
Sydney Semack SECRETARY
Member of Student Association, student council, Willow CEO, Link Crew officer, NHS, Freshman Assist, DECA and Knots. I hope to inspire strong school spirit all throughout the year. I want to help students be proud of North and work to unite their community. I am a very hard worker and definitely passionate about student council as I have been a member since my freshman year. I have exhibited leadership in other organizations and aspects of school as well, so you could be confident in my ability to represent our school strongly.
Student council, Student Association, KNOTS, Interact club, SERVE volunteer, sailing team. As Student Association secretary I will emulate the reputation Student Association has by helping plan successful fundraisers, getting students more involved in scheduled spirit weeks and keep the school organized and informed on events. My record as a senator demonstrates consistent attendance at meetings. I am deliberately involved in school and community outreach events. I am a positive influence on students.
Lindsey Lesha TREASURER
Olivia Randazzo PRESIDENT
STUDENT ASSOCIATION
I am currently the treasurer of the Class of 2017, an NHS member, Link Crew leader, and WILLOW member. In addition, I play field hockey and soccer. My goal for the upcoming school year is to utilize experience from my past treasurer role in order to become fiscally responsible for the happenings of the entirety of Student Association operations. Vote for me because I have a round understanding of financial responsibility, economics and fundraising that I can use to take my treasurer responsibilities to the next level.
Candidate profiles were edited for length and AP style only.
Nicole Fazekas TREASURER/ SENATOR
Shannon Gabriel
Carmen Castronero SENATOR
I am running for president. This will be my third year being on student council. People should vote for me because I’m very involved with activities for our school and I’ll work hard to make sure our class has an amazing senior year.
Diversity club, Art club, French club, NHS, Geocaching club, Photography club. If elected to Student Association, I want to connect every student to the student government to make North the best place it can be for every one of its students. I think it’s important for students to be involved in their school, I am dedicated to communicating with my peers to get everyone involved.
As vice president, I will contribute my time and effort to bettering North, and advocate my peers’ concerns in student council meetings. I am active in Drama club, Willow, NHS, Spanish club, varsity tennis, choir, NAC and the school musical. I have also put in countless hours towards our class’s homecoming events. Having been our vice president for two years, I am well equipped with the qualities it takes to lead this class, such as dedication, responsibility and motivation. Here at North I’m currently in student council, KNOTS, S.A.V.E., Link Crew, DECA, Spanish club and WILLOW. I play golf and tennis for North. My goal is to make everyone’s time in high school very enjoyable and memorable. Dedicated. Responsible. Organized. These are three words that describe me, and three reasons why you should vote for me. I am involved in NHS, Link Crew, choir, and student council as secretary of our class My goals include continue on projects that we have started for senior year and to ensure to set up great memories to be made for our last year here I have held the position of secretary for the past three years so I fully understand my role in the council, having an experienced council ensures everything to go smoothly, and I would love to stay in this position for a fourth year to continue to succeed in making it a great year.
SENATOR
Olivia Randazzo
SENATOR
Rachel Mourad
As a well-rounded student, I am involved in many beneficial activities at North like Interact club, WILLOW, Link Crew, NHS, student council, field hockey and lacrosse. My goal is simple for next year, and that is to make sure the Class of 2017 has an incredible senior year that they won’t forget. I want to make sure all voices and opinions are heard and considered. I had the privilege of serving my class this year and hope to continue my journey in the year to come. Student Association, student council, WILLOW CEO, Link Crew officer, NHS, Freshman Assist, DECA, KNOTS. I hope to inspire strong school spirit all throughout the year. I want to help students be proud of North and work to unite their community. I am a very hard worker and definitely passionate about student council as I have been a member since my freshman year. I have exhibited leadership in other organizations and aspects of school as well, so you could be confident in my ability to represent our school strongly. I am a member of yearbook, Link Crew, choir, Student Association and the varsity field hockey team. As a council member I hope to continue to be the voice of the students of our school. Also to contribute to the bettering of our school and our community. I am reliable, organized, devoted and more importantly I am a leader. I don’t hope to watch others make change, I want to be the one making the changes that best benefit our students and North as a whole.
SENATOR
SENATOR
SENATOR
SENATOR
Francesca Leone Katie Lesha
I am involved in our school through DECA, Interact club, WILLOW and field hockey. I am very responsible and love being a part of our school
SENATOR
TREASURER
I participate in field hockey, lacrosse, KNOTS, NHS, Link Crew, Student Association and student council. My goals for council would be to make the best decisions possible for the Class of 2017. People should vote for me because I have been on the council for three years and I have lots of experience with student council.
Sarah Scott
PRESIDENT
Chloe Ribco
Natalie Shenkosky VICE PRESIDENT
Nadya Herfi Lindsay Lesha
I have been the Class of 2017 treasurer for the past two years. I’m involved in NHS, Link Crew, and Willow. I also play field hockey and soccer for North. My principal goal as treasurer is to manage and raise money in a manner that allows our class to put on events, such as prom, in the best way possible. Vote for me because I possess experience and skill at the treasurer position. I desire to finish what I have started as treasurer through incorporating ideas from the student body.
TREASURER/ SENATOR
Andrew Kane
Cross country, student council, NHS, archery, choir (Pointe Chorale and Acafella), Gearheads. As a representative of our class, I would make sure every voice that has something to say is heard. You should vote for me because I am a responsible, approachable person who will be dedicated to our class and our school.
SENATOR
Mora Downs Hannah Engels
In school I participate in student council, Student Association, Norsemen KNOTS, Link Crew and I also swim on the varsity synchronized swimming team. My goals for the student government are to get students exited to participate in school advents and fundraising activities. I believe the more people we have participating will help the school and student body tremendously. I think that people should vote for me because I really love to be involved and am willing to put my best foot forward.
Ashley Carroll
Vincent Alibri PRESIDENT
I’m involved in student council, yearbook, choir, stage technology, spirit dommittee, Spark Innovation Club, lacrosse. My goals for student government are to unify the class, get feedback and ideas from the student body and make sure that the Class of 2017 has the best senior year possible. People should vote for me because I’m dedicated, driven and I always have the best interest of the class in mind.
PRESIDENT
I participate in student council, Student Association, NHS, Link Crew, Freshman Assist and I am an editor for the North Pointe. I want to make our senior year as fun as possible. I want to make sure our entire class is spirited and we win homecoming float and the spirit jug. I also want to plan a great prom and senior all night party.I have been a senator for the Class of 2017 for three years and I know how student council works. I am willing to be at school at 7 a.m. twice a week and devote my evenings in the fall to float building.
VICE PRESIDENT
Senior year is the hardest year to be president, and having experience as president is key in making it an incredible year. I hope you vote for me because I’m the only candidate with experience as president (two years) to know everything this job entitles. I’ve invested countless time and effort into projects for our senior year and I want to be able to carry them out so they result in giving you the best year. I hope that my three years on council convey my commitment and dedication to truly trying to make your only high school experience the best possible.
I’m involved in Student Association, student council and I play varsity field hockey. I’m running for student council because I’ve loved my past three years on council and I’m truly dedicated to north, the faculty and my fellow students. People should vote for me because I’m dedicated, hard working, and want everyone’s high school experience to be a great one.
Lauren Miller
Involved in: field hockey, lacrosse, student council/association, NHS, spirit committee (pep assembly), Link Crew, WILLOW. My goals for being on council is to get all students more involved. I want students to have a fun school year and for them to have a say in how their senior year is. Senior year is a big year and I think I will be a good leader for the Class of 2017 and it will be the best year yet.
Choir, Interact club, sailing, North Pointe, yearbook, volunteer for the Macomb bike fundraising events, volunteer at concessions, rock cimbing, painting/drawing, photography. Many students don’t participate in the fun or sports events during spirit week. My goal is to incorporate more spirit into the school. People should vote for me because of my good work ethic and strong voice. I will make sure your opinion is heard and will try my best to do something about it.
SECRETARY
I am an active member of NHS, student council, and Interact club and a volunteer at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. I attend many school functions and am involved in class projects. As student council president, an important goal would be to uphold the rules of this administration. Some of my best qualities are that I am compassionate, empathic and I believe I can make a difference. I am fair, but determined, and I believe in a democratic way of running government.
LaurenArchambeau PRESIDENT/ SENATOR
CLASS OF 2017
Alanah Herfi PRESIDENT
CLASS OF 2017
EDITOR’S NOTE:
ELECTIONS
Eva Ciaramitaro
Class of 2018 president, basketball, soccer, WILLOW, Interact club, Freshmen Assist. My goals for our student council is to have more successful fundraisers, bring our class together and motivate everyone for these next two crucial years. People should vote for me because I am experienced in this position, as well as being a respectful and involved student, ready for any task thrown at me.
Lindsey Ramsdell
I have student council experience as a senator, and am on North Pointe. I play ice hockey and sail for North and was a co-captain of the field hockey team. My goal is to motivate students to be spirited and involved with school activities. Also to inspire class unity to positively represent our school. As treasurer I will help the council stay on track with our money goals to ensure that we can afford to sponsor fun opportunities for the class and give back to the community.
Lauren Sickmiller
Lauren participates in many activities in and outside of school. Lauren participates in cross country, track, varsity soccer, French club, full orchestra, travel soccer and is currently a class senator. Lauren’s goals consist of getting more students engaged in school functions, along with making sure council meetings run smoothly and stay on track. Lauren advocates school involvement and spirit. Lauren is a very dedicated and hard worker as shown by her many extracurricular activities and academic standing. She is very persistent, outgoing, and eager to hear ideas from different students.
Brendan Berger
I play football and baseball. I have two brothers and a younger sister. I like to go to sporting events, particularly for North, University of Michigan and Detroit sports. I hope to help student council gain more funds for the school. I’d like to help students have a bigger voice in how to positively change things in and about the school. People should vote for me because I apply myself, I enjoy helping others, I am very organized and I am a good leader.
Mikey Ciaravino
VICE PRESIDENT
Student council, actively participate in Interact club, help lead a Christian Club, cross country, track. My goal for student government is to continue the tradition of excellence at North. Also, I hope to act as an example for my classmates In and out of the classroom. As the incumbent, it has been made evident that I am capable of leading the Class of 2018 thus far and will continue to do so when I am re-elected.
Tim Bowers
SENATOR
Interact club, tutoring, hockey, occasional visits to Gleaners Food Bank. To put my views in student council and contribute to the planning for senior prom. Plus, I think the student council could use more of a male influence. I am a fresh face and can bring new ideas to the council. Most people know I am trustworthy, a good student and committed, so I could contribute a lot.
VICE PRESIDENT/SENATOR
I’m loyal to North. Not only do I participate in clubs and sports, but also I can be found cheering for our sports teams or participating in after school events/fundraisers. I plan to organize fundraisers to raise money for our Senior All Night Party and prom. It concerns me that we will not have enough funds for these high-ticket events. I will develop fun events for our class, while earning money for our senior year. A vote for me will be a vote for a fun future for the Class of 2018.
ElleAnna Ccasterline
Attend student council meetings, WILLOW, school play, float building, S.A.V.E., Elite Dance Program at Grosse Pointe Dance Center. I will work to strengthen the communication between students, faculty and administration. I will help promote the concerns of all students and try to improve the North experience for everyone. I want to be a voice for all students and provide the leadership necessary to develop new ideas and activities that will increase student morale and school pride.
VICE PRESIDENT/ SENATOR
Sam Stafford
I participate in S.A.V.E., Interact club, KNOTS and Latin club. I am in these clubs because I feel like I’m making a difference and helping others. My goals for becoming apart of student council are to create equality and let everyone’s voice be heard. It’s important because then their suggestions could benefit the school. I think people should vote for me because I’m good at working with others and I stay committed .
Jala Daniel
I’m a part of WILLOW and Interact club. I also run track in the spring. My goal is to try and get more social events and activities for students and overall to make North a better place. People should vote for me because I’m a leader and I will be the voice for my class. I will make sure that all ideas from my classmates are being considered.
Allison Blaine
Student council 2015-2016 , Interact club. I want to help our class raise money and make an impact on the community. People should vote for me because I’m responsible and have experience of being on student council.
Alex Harring
Class of 2018 and Student Association senator, North Pointe, Drama club (officer), Interact club, S.A.V.E., musical stage crew, Pointe Chorale and soccer. My goals include making North an inviting place for all students and staff and ensuring that everyone’s voices are heard. You should vote for me because I have an open mind and am dedicated to making our school the best it can be.
Lynlee Duquet
SECRETARY
S.A.V.E., Interact club, KNOTS, student council, last year I played North softball, and this year I will be starting North lacrosse. My goals for student government at North are to encourage other students to have pride in North, to embolden positivity with school learning and create efficient ways to improve the school. Vote for me because I will work hard to achieve goals of the Class of 2018 and North as a whole.
Sam Lopiccolo
I participate in WILLOW, Interact club and KNOTS. Participating in these clubs make me hope that I can make a difference and be a help to others. My goals for becoming apart of Student Association would be to let my classmates have their voices heard. Their suggestions are important, and can be beneficial to our school. I think people should vote for me, because I am a hard worker. I am committed and always give my best effort.
Charlotte Duus
SECRETARY/ SENATOR
Currently a senator for the Class of 2018, I also run with the cross country team, am part of WILLOW, KNOTS, Student Association and Drama club. I also teach Sunday school. My goals are to further unite the Class of 2018, inspire those who have never been involved to become part of class activities and act as an ambassador of our class to the community. Vote for me because I help continue to unite the Class of 2018. I will make sure all voices are heard, and all people are included. Lastly, I will help make junior year at North a year to remember.
Nick Marchiori
I come out and support our school for most of the sporting events we have. I really enjoy the pep rally and the dance during homecoming week. I want to get involved more so I don’t miss out on enjoyable parts of high school. I want to make decisions and help provide an amazing time to my classmates. I think people should vote for me because I will take this very seriously and be as productive of a student governor as I can be.
Sonny Mulpuril
SECRETARY
Interact club, Quiz Bowl, Orchestra, piano, violin, DECA, tennis, basketball, baseball, North Pointe. I want to make North safe, fun and the best environment it can be. I want them to have even more freedom and say when making decisions for North. I’m a very dedicated and hardworking person. I will try to do everything I can in order to fulfill the needs and wants of my classmates.
Taylor Mitchell
Float design, help during church functions, reading and teacher help at an elementary school, babysitting, watching old movies, participate in school events. My goals are to encourage the less involved students to become more aware and active in our school, creating a diverse and accepting high school experience. I’m a highly motivated, dedicated and education-oriented person, who will help all students become confident in participating in school functions, have fun and enjoy high school.
David Bahr
I participate on the lacrosse team, Adopt-a-Family, float building, donated blood, helped at Impact club, and work odd jobs for landscaping outside of school for the elderly. I want to help our class stay connected, even as we finish and go to college. We need to be a strong class and work together to make change happen. I’m a hard worker, team player and am good at math. I will ensure that we have enough money for our prom, and would like to be part of the fundraising team.
Sydney Semack
Student council, Student Association, KNOTS, Interact club, SERVE volunteer, sailing team. As senator, I will keep the students connected to the events and happenings in and out of school while continuing to represent our class in a positive tone. My record as a senator demonstrates consistent attendance at meetings. I am deliberately involved in school and community outreach events. I am a positive influence on students.
KNOTS, WILLOW, Interact club and GSA/Diversity club. I’m a goalie for the varsity girls hockey team, run cross country and am on student council. My goal is to keep us organized and in control of our finances. I want to ensure our class maintains a healthy amount of money by raising and saving funds for prom. I really want to be involved in our class government, and math is my best subject. I want to be involved on our council and contribute as much as I can.
TREASURER/ SENATOR SENATOR
SENATOR SENATOR SENATOR SENATOR SENATOR SENATOR SENATOR
PRESIDENT
PRESIDENT/ SENATOR
Wesley Peters
SECRETARY/ SENATOR TREASURER
TREASURER] SENATOR
Maggie Bowers
Grosse Pointe United Gymnastics, Class of 2018 student council, T.V. broadcast, cross country, tutoring Geometry students, German club, working at Elan and traveling. My goal for the Class of 2018 is to create the best high school experience for everyone by unifying our class through class activities, fundraisers and new experiences. Vote for me because I have been on the council twice, as treasurer and fundraising officer. Even when I was an appointed officer, I was dedicated to my class.
PRESIDENT/ SENATOR
Catie Archambeau
I am a current senator for the Class of 2018, a member of Student Association, the lacrosse goalie, boys soccer team manager, and a member of WILLOW and Interact club. My goal for student council is involvement, fundraising and donating. As a class, I believe we should be connected with each other and raise money to better our high school experience. You should check my name for class president and senator because I am involved and in love with North. I am looking to make our last two years of high school exceptional.
TREASURER/ SENATOR
CLASS OF 2018
Erika Benoit
CLASS OF 2018
Wednesday, April 13, 2016 – North Pointe - 9
CLASS OF 2019
SENATOR
Active member of Italian club, Counter Pointe, Student Association, AAU & GPN basketball, piano lessons and voice lessons. My goals are to ultimately unify us as a class. I will constantly be seeking new ideas from everyone who wants to make a positive impact towards the school. I’m a hard worker and extremely dedicated in everything I do, as shown in my grades balanced with my many extra curricular activities. I’ll apply those qualities to student council.
SENATOR
SENATOR
Will Hofmann
Owen Martinbianco Joe Paglino
I participate in Orchestra, I work the Union, I am doing track and field, I am a senator in student council, I helped with running the halftime at basketball games, My goals for our Student Council is to raise money for our class. We should raise money for homecoming and our prom. Fundraising is important for our student council. I will help out with the grade coming closer together and make sure we have fun things planned to help unifying our grade.
SENATOR
SECRETARY
TREASURER /SENATOR
I am a competition dancer, involved in my church youth group and served as treasurer this year. My goals for student government are to bring our class together so that we experience the best high school years of our lives. People should vote for me because I will work hard and be dedicated to making us one of the most unforgettable classes to go through North.
Garrett Schreck
Olivia Peruzzi
Meaghan McSkimming
This school year so far I have ran for cross country, I am freshman secretary and am going to play lacrosse this spring. My goals are to continue the great things we are doing this year in student council and work on even better things for next year. People should vote for me because I was a part of it this year, I know how it works and I want to be apart of it again.
Activities don’t define a person, character does. I am very active at North and I have character. I am ready to work and persevere for the Class of 2019. My goal is to make North a place full of opportunity and culture. I support new school events, activities, sports and clubs for all. Vote for Garrett because of his hardworking character. Vote for Garrett because of his approachable character. Most of all vote for Garrett because you know it’s right.
SENATOR
PRESIDENT/ SENATOR VICE PRESIDENT
This fall I swam for North and now swim for Pointe Aquatics. I am the vice president for the Class of 2019. I’m very organized and I communicate well with others. I would like to represent North by being a leader that incorporates a positive school environment and builds camaraderie. I’m dedicated to help make our sophomore year successful. Vote for me because I will be committed and passionate in making the journey at North for Class of 2019 one that is positive, spirited, rewarding and memorable.
S.A.V.E, Interact club, senator for student council, basketball team, JV soccer team, sandwich making for the homeless, volunteer at Sunrise Assisted Living. My goals for the class would be to unify the freshmen into one. I want to improve the school’s relationship with the students to create a better and more welcoming environment. You should vote for me for senator of the sophomore class because I can unify us together and we can make this school a better place by developing a more friendly environment.
Morgan Semack
Hope Miller Hunter Williams
I am on the varsity tennis team. I want to bring the Class of 2019 closer. People should vote for me because I am a hardworker and I am dedicated to make the school better.
I participate in basketball, football, and baseball, I also am involved in KNOTS. My goal for for student council is to make the school a better place and to do good things for my community. People should vote for me because I am a hard worker and will do good things for North.
SECRETARY
Tiara Lang
PRESIDENT/ SENATOR
Current class president, Orchestra, charity week, KNOTS, lacrosse, assistant karate instructor, demonstration team (karate), leadership team (team to learn to be a better role and helps with the community). I would like to find unity throughout the class. While doing more class events as a whole and making rest of our years the best. People should vote for me because I’m an outgoing and free-spirited person, but I do know when to be serious and will take this position seriously.
Cross country, Norsemen choir, participated in Interim Council, Youth Group at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, freshman Student Association senator. I want to improve on great ideas that have been made as well as produce new ones to bring out the greatness of our entire class. People should vote for me because I promise to work hard and try my best to benefit the Class of 2019.
Rachel Sexton
PRESIDENT
Student council, Gearheads, Spartan Teen Jazz Band (Wayne State University), Math Corps (Wayne State University), swim team, Youth Connection. My goals for student government are to work as a team with my peers to enhance our high school experience. It is my hope to be successful in improving the issues in our school. I believe people should vote for me because, I am hardworking, dedicated and confident.
Max Driscoll
PRESIDENT/ SENATOR
I was a very active member in the freshman student council and the Student Association this school year as a senator. I also participated on the North tennis team. For my goal, I would like to focus on organization/productive planning for the council, while also unifying the class. Both are crucial in making this upcoming year great. I am an extremely outgoing person and that is beneficial when working with students to get projects completed. I am very organized and would love input from the entire class.
Evie Mourtos
CLASS OF 2019
IDEAS
10 – Wednesday, April 13, 2016 – North Pointe
“Grosse Pointe Public School administrators and teachers are responsible for encouraging and ensuring freedom of expression and freedom of the press for all students, regardless of whether the ideas expressed may be considered unpopular, critical, controversial, tasteless or offensive.”
State proposal should pass, will strengthen personal freedoms
BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY Lindsey Ramsdell EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Mora Downs MANAGING EDITOR
Billy Moin MANAGING EDITOR
Ritika Sannikommu EDITOR-AT-LARGE
Alex Harring ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR
Caitlin Bush NEWS EDITOR
Gowri Yerramalli LIFE EDITOR
Abbey Cadieux IDEAS EDITOR
Anna Post SPORTS EDITOR
Katelynn Mulder ASSISTANT EDITOR
Lauren Sexton PHOTO EDITOR
Our editorial represents the opinion of the North Pointe Editorial Board consisting of the editors above. Members who have a conflict of interest with an editorial topic do not partake in that meeting or vote.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Lindsey Ramsdell MANAGING EDITORS: Mora Downs, Billy Moin EDITOR-AT-LARGE: Ritika Sanikommu ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR: Alex Harring DESIGN EDITOR: Emma Brock SECTION EDITORS : Caitlin Bush, Abbey Cadieux, Anna Post, Gowri Yerramalli DIGITAL EDITORS: Erin Kaled, Sonny Mulpuri, Lauren Sexton PHOTO EDITOR: Lauren Sexton ASSISTANT EDITORS: Josie Bennett, Alison Lackner, Bella Lawson, Trevor Mieczkowski, Katelynn Mulder, Montana Paton, Billy Steigelman, Tommy Teftsis SENIOR ASSISTANT EDITORS: Olivia Asimakis , Yena Berhane, Katelyn Carney, Radiance Cooper, Rey Kam, Jennifer Kusch, Emma Puglia, Olivia Robinson, Anu Subramaniam STAFF REPORTERS: Darcy Graham, Nathan Lonczynski, Giuseppe Parison, Michal Ruprecht, Asia Simmons, Addison Toutant INTERNS: Nicole Fazekas, Katie Link, Alyssa McLarty, Cate Troost The North Pointe is edited and produced by Advanced Journalism students at Grosse Pointe North High School and is published every two weeks. It is in practice a designated public forum without prior review. Comments should be directed to the student editors, who make all final content decisions. The views expressed are solely those of the authors or the student editorial board and do not reflect the opinions of the Grosse Pointe Public School System. We are a member of the Michigan Scholastic Press Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association and Student Press Law Center. We subscribe to McClatchy-Tribune Information Services and iStockphoto.com. One copy is available free to all community members. Additional copies may be purchased. Our editorial policy and advertising rates are available online at northpointenow.org. The North Pointe is printed on 100% recycled paper. CONTACT US 707 Vernier Road Grosse Pointe Woods MI, 48236 Phone: 313.432.3248 Email: northpointe@gpschools.org Twitter: @thenorthpointe Website: NorthPointeNow.org FACULTY ADVISER: Shari Adwers, MJE
YENA BERHANE
From legal marriage to adoption rights, our generation has seen some of the most dramatic changes concerning the personal liberties of the LGBTQ community. But, as the government adapts to accommodate for all people—regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation—local institutions, like schools, need to as well. Last month, the Michigan Board of Education proposed a policy that extends protection and supports LGBTQ and gender fluid students by creating a more comfortable school environment for them. Gender fluidity is a gender identity which varies over time. Someone who is gender fluid can identify as male, female or any other non-binary gender at any time. This policy would provide services to those students and their families to help them overcome obstacles within school and in their personal lives, such as bullying, harassment or mental health problems. The policy also requires schools to adjust conditions to accommodate for a student’s gender identity. This includes allowing the student to choose which gender they identify with on school documents, what name they go by, which bathroom and locker room they use and which sports teams they play on. However, certain aspects of this bill have sparked controversy. Specifically, the debate over how the student can request gender or name changes and a concern over bathroom and locker room accommodations. Some do not agree that LGBTQ students should be able to request gender or name changes without the consent of a parent or professional. However, to create a more accepting society, it is vital that we allow these students to express themselves as they choose to, not as their guardians want them to. To do this, they need to be able to validate how they want others to address them, and school members should be ready to assist them in that process. This may include letting them change the name they want to be called in class and on team rosters
and noting which gender they identify with. Since LGBTQ students express themselves as individuals, they should be able to make their gender orientation official as an individual as well—without needing the consent of their parents. The policy would require the needs of the LGBTQ student. And parents, while perhaps not agreeing with their child’s requests, should respect them as well. Although the proposed policy does not require parental consent on these changes, the types of support programs it calls for will help break down the barriers that stand between parents and students in their homes. Having those services available upon the request of the student is much more accessible than if the student had to find them on their own. Another critical part of adjusting for genderfluid students involves letting them choose which bathroom they feel comfortable in. While this does promote equality among their peers, the comfort of their fellow classmates should also be considered. Even if the law suddenly changes to allow gender fluid students to use other bathrooms, that does not mean everyone will be accepting or welcoming, especially when it comes to a place as private as bathrooms. The policy change could also stir up backlash from students. LGBTQ students could be harassed or bullied, and if it occurs in the bathrooms, administration has no way to fully monitor that. For these reasons, the formation of a genderneutral bathroom should be considered as an alternative. This would be a bathroom that is not assigned a gender and is open to all. Converting a couple of the bathrooms into gender neutral ones could be an easy fix. It is important that all students can express themselves accurately. Our school system should advocate that by supporting this policy. With minor adjustments to the bathrooms and other points that can be modified in a case-by-case basis, all students will feel that they have been recognized equally.
“I think it’s alright. I mean people should be able to do what they want to do if they can do it. It’s going to impact North for better and for worse.”
“I think it would be a good idea but a lot of people would be uncomfortable with it for the first five to ten years of it, but after a while society will get used to it.”
Anthony Diamond
Dennis Martin
“I think it’s their choice what gender they want to be, but at the same time we aren’t discriminating them because of their genders, we discriminate by personality if that makes sense.” Rachel Joy
FRESHMAN
SOPHOMORE
JUNIOR
YOUR TURN: Do you think that gender
Instant Norsemen Updates
fluid people should be able to pick which bathroom they can use in public places? By: Gowri Yerramalli & Nicole Fazekas SECTION EDITOR & INTERN
Follow us on Twitter
@thenorthpointe
“I think that it will give students the opportunity to express who they believe they truly are, instead of them having the possible feeling of being confined to what their parents check them as. “ Lauren Frezza SENIOR
“I don’t think there’s any harm in that. I mean, I think that if you identify a certain way, you shouldn’t be restricted in terms of bathroom use.” Alyssa Sandoval ENGLISH TEACHER
“I would say that as long as the privacy of the person who is making a choice is respecting my privacy as well, then I’m okay with whatever bathroom they are most comfortable going into.” Nicole Sturgeon MATH TEACHER
EDITOR’S DESK JENNIFER KUSCH
Co-ed in the crosshairs College decision announcements flood your Facebook timeline and Twitter feed. The halls brim with crisp college spiritwear. The questions “Are you rushing?” and “What are you studying?” float through the hallways. Seniors are moving on to their next chapter, lives and campuses and schools filled with new people and new experiences. But every commitment, every deposit made and door opened, leaves me with a sinking feeling. The most exciting time in our lives is also the most dangerous for many of us. We simply don’t see the crosshairs we are rushing into. When I sat down to watch the documentary The Hunting Ground, an exposé on the pervasive issue of campus rape and administrative negligence, I did not expect to see one of my first-choice schools profiled as complicit in campus rape. But as soon as the golden dome that is synonymous with the University of Notre Dame campus came onto my television, I understood. When I toured its sprawling campus, there were no ominous warnings of football players and negligent administrators. There was no mention of the student who had recently taken her life after being assaulted by a Notre Dame athlete. When my admission letter came in the mail and I read the words “Welcome Home,” I felt as though I was where I was supposed to be, not that I could be living on a campus brimming with a culture that has permeated through our education system. The problem of campus rape had seemed isolated to far-off schools like FSU and the University of Montana (as profiled in Missoula, by Jon Krakauer), schools whose headlines I had only vague memories of. An internal survey at the University of Michigan found that more than 20 percent of undergraduate females had been the victim of sexual misconduct. When I first donned my Michigan hoodie, I didn’t do so thinking that one day on campus it may be grasped by a future attacker. Nearly one in five freshmen girls will be the victim of an attempted sexual assault in just their first year on campus. One in five of the celebration posts on Instagram or happy Snapchat stories of college acceptances will lead to a horrifying crime. So many of these victorious declarations of academic prowess will eventually lead to stunned silence, as the vast majority of rape victims do not report their assault, and their perpetrator will be left to stalk the campus that they made into a hunting ground. A time of celebration and relief for my family has now begun to ring hollowly as the reality of the situation I am embarking upon sets in. Many kids enter college afraid to become a just a number to the school, a dropout statistic or victim of the student loan crisis. But all of us—men and women—can fall prey to the rape culture prevalent on college campuses, a culture that colleges often turn a blind eye to in order to preserve their Greek life systems, alumni donations and sports dynasties. While this controversy is gaining megawatt support with stars like Lady Gaga and Orange is the New Black’s Matthew McGorry speaking out against this epidemic, campuses still remain a land of illegal hunts and poached potential. So as I buy my spirit wear and make my security deposit, I wonder which of my friends will have to face this fight, and whether they will do it alone or with an administration behind them. I see the Big House and I weigh my own worth against that of the legacy of Michigan athletics. They say that college changes your life, and that you learn things you could never glean in a high school classroom, and that is what scares me.
SPORTS
11 - North Pointe – Wednesday, Apr. 13
Tackling football controversy Link between football and brain disorders officially recognized
SYDNEY BENSON
By Katelynn Mulder & Olivia Robinson ASSISTANT EDITOR & SENIORASSISTANT EDITOR
For decades, researchers and representatives of the National Football League have fiercely debated whether a link exists between playing football and degenerative brain diseases such as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a disease caused by numerous strong blows to the head. It is found most often in athletes, and especially football players. Its symptoms include memory loss, depression, impaired judgment, confusion and eventual dementia. During a meeting between the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky asked NFL senior vice president for Health and Safety Policy Jeff Miller whether the brain diseases found in NFL athletes were caused by their careers. Miller’s response was ground-breaking. “The answer to that is certainly, yes,” he said. This was the first instance that an NFL representative had ever recognized a link between the sport and brain disease. As an NFL quarterback, Ken Stabler had been more protected from serious blows than most of the other players in the game. However, according to the New York Times, after his death in 2015, Stabler’s autopsy revealed that he had severe CTE. American football evolved from the British sport Rugby, which thrives off of tackling, physical contact, aggressiveness, etc. This aggressiveness leads players to receiving many injuries throughout their careers. A study by www.nationalacademies.org found that for every 10,000 games and practices, high school football players recieve 11.2 concussions. Varsity football coach Robert Wozniak is well aware of the effects of CTE and other brain injuries. To protect his players, Wozniak uses drills that limit head-on
contact and repeatedly instructs his players to protect their heads. “At North, the coaches take every precaution to ensure our student athletes play safely,” Wozniak said. “We preach constantly to keep your head out of contact on a daily basis when our student athletes block and tackle.” Wozniak and his staff demonstrate safe tackling methods with a step-by-step process using dummies
“
Coaches take every precaution to ensure our student athletes play safely. We preach constantly to keep your head out of contact on a daily basis when our student athletes block and tackle. Robert Wozniak NORTH FOOTBALL COACH
“
and hand-shields. The coaching staff uses progression drills that slowly build in intensity, ending with gamelike scenarios. This ensures that Wozniak’s players know how to avoid head trauma before coming in contact with each other. Despite the risks, over 1 million high schoolers play football. Junior Tony Millican began his football career in sixth grade and now plays left tackle. Regarding safety, Millican believes the NFL should modify the game without ruining its integrity.
“I don’t ever want them (players) to be running around with a caution helmet and bubble wrap around them,” Millican said. “That would destroy the whole point.” However, Millican still supports the NFL for its strides in protecting its players in recent years. In the past, the NFL has been proactive in promoting a safer game for athletes of all ages, and has donated millions of dollars to research CTE and other brain disorders. According to the New York Times, the NFL sponsored USA Football with a donation of $45 million to spread awareness for safe tackling and to give parents peace of mind. Junior John Cobau’s parents were concerned about the risks of their son playing football. Although Cobau suffered a broken leg in fifth grade that stunted his football career for three years, his parents were more concerned about the threat of concussions when he decided to continue playing as a freshman. According to a 2014 Wall Street Journal poll, 37 percent of parents would encourage their children to play other sports instead of football for fear of concussions. “Brain injuries are pretty serious, and it’s very scary because you can die from playing,” Cobau said. Helmet-to-helmet hits caused 59 concussions for NFL players, according to ESPN, which is half as many as two seasons ago. This is the result of rule changes that ban players from leading with the crown of the helmet when tackling and neurologists present during games. With the NFL finally recognizing the dangers of football, Wozniak is optimistic about the NFL’s efforts towards protecting its players now and for future generations. “The equipment has never been safer,” he said. “I believe the game of football is better and safer than it has ever been.”
KATELYN CARNEY
SPORTS
12-North Pointe – Wednesday, April 13, 2016
ABBEY BRADLEY
ABOVE: Coach Abbey Bradley with her team after a game.
O NS .W IK IM ED IA .O RG
Some siblings experience playing on the same team, but for senior Dalaney Bradley and North alumna Abbey Bradley, the dynamic is a little different. Abbey graduated in 2011 and has returned to coach the girls JV-B lacrosse team. “It’s just kind of funny seeing her around because me and her have never gone to the same school together except for when I was in kindergarten,” Dalaney said. “Now I will occasionally see her at North, and we’ll just be like ‘Oh hi,’ and it’s kind of funny.” Although Abbey isn’t Dalaney’s coach, Abbey supports her by coming to the varsity games and helping her improve skills. Immediately after graduating from Michigan State University, Abbey was interested in coaching. After being contacted by girls lacrosse coach and math teacher Lauren Nixon, Abbey came back to coach the sport she loved. Nixon and Abbey played together during their time at North, as Nixon graduated in 2008. Nixon has been coaching lacrosse for
M
SPORTS EDITOR
M
By Anna Post
North alumna Abbey Bradley comes back to coach girls lacrosse team
CO
Returning to home turf
KENNEDY WILLIAMS
ABOVE: Abbey Bradley alongside sister senior Dalaney Bradley. “I respect that she is such a positive role model for her players,” Dalaney said. “She encourages her players to never give up and to always work hard. She teaches them teamwork skills and is an all-around positive influence in their lives.”
several years, starting as an assistant coach and is currently the head coach. She feels Abbey will make a great addition to the lacrosse coaching staff. “My favorite part about working with Abbey is that she shares the same passion that I do for coaching and for the sport of lacrosse. She is always so positive and encouraging to her players and pushes them to play to their potential,” Nixon said via email. “I respect that she is such a positive role model for her players. She encourages her players to never give up and to always work hard. She teaches them teamwork skills and is an all-around positive influence in their lives.” Abbey is the first in her family to coach lacrosse, a game that originated in Native American culture. Abbey’s family is part Apache Indian. “My Papa, my grandpa, actually found out that lacrosse was founded by Native Americans and was excited because of our Native American heritage,” Bradley said. Being able to be on the other side of the field is what interested Abbey from the start. Abbey focuses on teaching her players the basic skills such as cradling, shoot-
ing, throwing and maintaining a positive attitude. “I think it’s just really special for me to be back at North,” Bradley said. “I feel really comfortable in that environment because I know what the community is like ... and being a part of a sport I loved so much while I was in high school, so it’s been great.” Despite her sister being a North alumna, Dalaney also sees her sister’s knowledge in biology and nutrition as a unique contribution to her coaching style. She majored in human biology and human nutrition so she knows all about health and fitness and all that,” Dalaney said. “I think she definitely helps her team stay in shape and stay healthy.” Freshman Meghan McSkimming has been playing lacrosse since fourth grade and admires her new coach’s teaching style. “I appreciate Abbey’s funny personality and smile at practice because she always makes it fun to be there, even in the pouring rain,” McSkimming said. Abbey joining the coaching staff isn’t the only change this season. Instead of the
usual varsity and JV teams, there are three, including a JV-A and a JV-B. “It is still a growing sport, especially in Michigan, and I was so excited to have three teams this season,” Nixon said. “I also enjoy being able to share my knowledge about the sport with others to help them become a better player.” Looking further in her coaching career, Abbey plans to not only teach her players the basics of the game, but also them experience the same passion and friendships she had when she was in high school. “I hope that they gain more skill and become more knowledgeable, but I really hope that they gain, I guess, knowledge of teamwork,” Abbey said. “I think what’s special about being in a sport in high school is that it brings a mixture of different people together who you don’t really hang out with outside of your sport but just a good team bonding. I guess it is really important to me, and we had that when I was in high school. I hope my girls have that on my team as well, even if they’re not friends outside of the team that they’re able to come together.”
Archery team aims for new opportunities By Sonny Mulpuri & Darcy Graham DIGITAL EDITOR & STAFF REPORTER
Athletes each have their own reasons to pursue a sport. Archers are no different. After three years, junior Shannon Gabriel and her teammates are motivated to get their sport—archery—officially recognized at North. “If it did become a sport, I would hope we would practice more and give us more opportunities,” Gabriel said. The team only practices for one hour once a week. Meeting locations change and move between North’s tennis courts and South Lake Middle School, depending on which space is more accessible. Since archery is currently just a club, members aren’t required to meet on a regular basis. Although there are some disadvantages to practicing once a week, junior Grace Guthrie believes it brings the team together and makes them better. “Last year we were a very close group,” Guthrie said. “We were starting to get comfortable with each other as the season went on. We were all cheering each other (on) when we were getting our awards in some of matches we went to,” Guthrie said. “We are just starting to get better because we only have the availability to meet once a week currently.” However, turning the club into an official school-sanctioned sport could pose some problems, starting with coach Nick Di Cresce. Di Cresce has 22 years of experience as an archery coach and has been with the club for all three years of its existence. However, Di Cresce also coaches both the Wayne State
archery team as well as he Motor City Archers, one of the largest junior archery programs in the state. In addition to that, he runs a range in Farmington Hills, which would make it impossible for him to be at practices for an actual team at North. Because of his limited availability, Di Cresce said that the change from club to official sport would not affect him as much as the school. “The spring archery season for high school is 10 weeks, so it’s not that bad. It’s 10 weeks in the spring, so you keep busy. It’s one day a week as a team, but they can practice as much as they want for four to five days a week,” Di Cresce said. “The ones who want to put in time can, so it won’t affect me so much. It will mostly affect the school because it’ll take up more space for the school.” On the other hand, turning the club into a sport also presents certain benefits. The possibility of earning a varsity letter is intriguing to some members. Once a team grows enough, it will come down to the top five archers to earn most of the points in matches. But before any competition can develop, current members must recruit more students to the club. This will increase their likelihood of becoming an official team. As the team grows, more students will be able to push to make archery an official sport. When new people join, Gabriel and the other veterans make sure to guide them and make them feel comfortable. “When you first start archery, you’re not all that great,” she said. “But after a couple of weeks ... it steals your heart, and it’s a wonderful sport, and they should keep going with it.”
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ABOVE: North students sit in front of the Motorarchery tournament banner.
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ABOVE: Junior Grace Guthrie aims for a target during archery practice.
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Junior Grace Guthie standing next to her teammates. “I joined the club because I enjoy sports,” Guthrie said. “Not only that I’m great at them, archery is something you can practice and get better at.”
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