LIFE PAGE 5 Lef t: Journa lism students took a night-time trolly tour in Washing ton D.C. Friday, Nov. 7. R ight: The Jef ferson Memoria l luminated by the moon’s glow at night with the Washing ton Monument in the background.
NORTH
POINTE DALANEY BRADLEY & AVA DELOACH
GROSSE POINTE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
FRIDAY, NOV. 14, 2014
SINCE 1968
wanna hook up ?
you look fi ne i n t hos e leggings
you should say thank you more
beaut y wit h a boo t y
aye
*whi st les*
called out AUDREY KAM & ANU SUBRAMANIAM
By Anu Subramaniam
For Winter sports. Monday, Nov. 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria
JUNIOR PRACTICE ACT
Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 8 a.m. in the gym
THANKSGIVING BREAK
Begins Wednesday, Nov. 26. School resumes Monday, Dec. 1 Contents 1-2 3 4
News Ideas On Campus
5 6 7 8
Life Reviews Sports Feature
“I INSULT “ IDEAS
DON’T THINK THAT THE
OF BEING
BASIC IS
AS AWFUL AS
SOME PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN IT
BE.
page 3
“
TO
“
They shouted, ‘Beauty with a booty,’ and ‘I see you, Martinez.’
“
MEET THE COACHES NIGHT
Martinez experienced catcalling her freshman year when she was heading to lacrosse practice. CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF “I had to walk by the varsity baseball team during my To the tune of rush-hour traffic, whistles and cat- lacrosse practice. They shouted, ‘Beauty with a booty,’ calls, 24-year-old Shoshana Roberts endured a 10- and ‘I see you, Martinez,’ after reading my name off of hour hike through Manhattan. In an effort to raise my lacrosse sweats. I felt completely violated,” Martiawareness, hollaback!, an organization dedicated to nez said. “When I went home, I told my mom what hapending street harassment, filmed Roberts’ trek and pened and described it as sexual harassment. She told posted it on YouTube in hopes to reveal the sever- me to brush it off, which I did. But being critiqued like a ity of street harassment. The video documented over piece of meat in a butcher’s window is a terrible feeling.” 100 catcalls aimed at her during the 10-hour span In the hollaback! video, Roberts wears a regular and i ncluded footage of Rober ts bei ng t ra i led by a black crew neck and jeans—a casual and conservast ra nger for f ive m i nutes. tive outfit—to show that even if a woman isn’t dressed provocatively, catcalling is still a problem. “Wearing skimpy clothing draws more negative attention towards a girl, but ideally, she shouldn’t have The following are senior Margo to worry about how men on the streets are going to Martinez’s reactions to the video. react to her outfit,” Martinez said. :13 [Roberts walks in front of four men sitting on a The video’s comments section included rape sidewalk.] threats aimed at Roberts as well as comments claimMartinez: She’s not even wearing anything inap- ing “boys will be boys” and that she was just overrepropriate that would call this sort of attention to- acting because she wasn’t getting the attention from the kind of guys she likes. wards herself. Social studies teacher Dan Gilleran believes certain gender stereotypes are okay but should :23 [Following a string of “How are not extend to catcalling. you” and “Hello” remarks, a man behind “There’s certain typical male behavior, Roberts tells her that she is beautiful and but that doesn’t mean that that behavior, should appreciate the remarks.] Martinez: Some of the comments may in particular catcalling, (isn’t) behavior seem like people are trying to be polite, that we want to encourage by any stretch. but you can tell they are not sincere and But there are obviously some behaviors not respectful towards her. that boys have that girls in general don’t have. And I’m talking generalities here, :44 [Roberts is receiving several combut certainly boys are much more physiments about her appearance from men cal. Girls are much better at listening, Margo Martinez not caught on camera.] speaking, communication skills, that SENIOR Martinez: They are treating her like type of thing,” Gilleran said. “So you an object being paraded through the know ‘boys will be boys’ is fine. As long as streets instead of another person. boys will be boys in a positive manner, that’s cool. Boys will be boys in a negative manner, you can’t just dismiss :54 [A man begins to follow Roberts for several it and say, ‘Oh that’s just male behavior.’” blocks.] Martinez said that the “boys will be boys” menMartinez: This part is so creepy. tality is true but should not be applied to catcalling, since catcalling violates the idea that women should :58 [Roberts has been followed by the same man for have self-respect, and men should respect that. four minutes.] “I believe catcalls are accepted by society, as disMartinez (shaking her head): Imagine how un- gusting as it is. Everyone’s seen the movie scene comfortable she feels right now. where construction workers whistle at a girl passing by. Her response is to smile, f lip her hair and continu1:23 [Another young man follows Roberts, accus- ing strutting. This is not the reality of catcalls. I think ing her of not responding to his comments because she that this video is the first official step taken towards thinks he’s ugly.] changing this, and I hope its impact can make a real Martinez : This is just so rude on so many levels, difference,” Martinez said. like who would ever actually have that conversation School psychologist Christine Kuhl believes that the w ith her? attention itself can be unwanted and can make women feel uncomfortable or unsafe in the situations they’re in. 1:44 [ Summary of 10-hour walk appears on screen.] “I think that when most people move through the Martinez: These people were objectif ying her and world, they shouldn’t have to put up with negative comjust commenting on any little thing that ran through ments, or even if they are positive comments, if they are their head instead of being respectful and treating unwanted, it’s a negative experience,” Kuhl said. her like a normal person, not something to catcall at. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
@myGPN
www.myGPN.org
VOLUME 47, ISSUE 5
At end of quarter, students weigh pros, cons of dropping classes By Olivia Asimakis NEWS SECTION EDITOR
From small talk in the hallways all the way down to the principal’s office, students are talking about the “drop.” Under the pressure of new classes and the need to acclimate to different teachers’ styles, junior Justin Kusch decided that the honors math track he was previously on wasn’t best suited for him. “I wasn’t doing as well as I thought I would,” Kusch said. “I mean, I was gonna stick it out, but then I realized that that would not look good on the transcripts.” Kusch spent the first quarter of his junior year in Honors Precalculus. As students adjust to their new surroundings at the beginning of the school year, they may realize the course isn’t working out.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
© 2014 North Pointe
NEWS
2 – Friday, Nov. 14, 2014 – North Pointe
Dropped Classes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
AP P hysic s Honors Algebra II
The difference between dropping an honors class and an Advanced Placement (AP) course is that with an honors class, a student can meet with a counselor to work together to take necessary steps to fix the schedule. However, dropping an AP course requires a meeting with Principal Kate Murray. Since Kusch wanted to drop an honors cass, that meeting wasn’t required. “It was really easy, a lot easier than I thought,” Kusch said, “I thought I had to talk to the principal. I just had to talk to Ms. (Milissa) Pierce, and she gave me a new book.” AP courses demand extra work, time and dedication, which can lead to high school students worr ying if they are investing in the right course. Stanford education expert Denise Pope shared her anaylsis of the value of AP courses for high school students in an inter v iew w ith the Stanford News website. “Frank ly, many high-achiev ing high school students are really stressed out. They have a lot to do between extracurricular activ ities and homework and also tr ying to get the sleep they need. They need to be prepared for what an AP course involves. The extra tests, extra homework, on top of an already demanding schedule, can be brutal,” Pope said. “A ver y low grade on your transcript from an AP course may hurt y o u m o r e in the l o n g r u n than not taking an AP in that subject at all. If you are truly interested in the subject, there’s a good teacher, and you’re surrounded by other motivated students, then you’re probably going to have a good experience from taking a more advanced class. But if you’re pushed into it w ithout good preparation and w ithout a safety net in place at the school to help you if you get in over your head, then it may be more harmful than helpful.” Counselor Brian W hite deals w ith students looking to either drop or sw itch into a class. “I don’t know a class most dropped, I know the class that is least likely dropped (is) psych,” W hite said. “But kids, when they drop a class, generally don’t know what they are getting into, and ty pically it’s because they have a high homework load, and they realize a tutorial could be really helpful. So I don’t see them coming in to drop a class, I see people coming in possibly to make room for some study time due to how busy kids are and how great a tutorial really can be if you use it well.” Honors Precalculus teacher Dev in Cox encourages students to stick w ith harder courses on behalf of the challenges they present. “I hope that they continue on,” Cox said. “I think that especially the first quarter, it’s different than maybe their past math classes, and maybe sometimes instinct is to drop it—‘Oh I want to get a good grade’—and go into the easier class.”
AP Lang AP Psych AP US History
Pope ref lected on studies done concerning rigorous AP courses. “To the claim that they help students in college, it is true that students who take AP courses are more likely to succeed in college. But when you look deeper into the research, it’s really hard to establish causation,” Pope said. “It could just be that kids who take APs are kids who come from better high schools or high schools that better prepare them for college work, or they have better teachers, or they’re naturally more motivated. Ver y few studies use methods where they take these factors into account.” The ultimate debate centers around taking the lower grade in a harder class or excelling in a less challenging one. Kusch focused on his personal goals to make that decision. “I could have just stuck it out, and it might have looked good like, ‘Oh, he tried to stick it out with honors.’ But I’d rather have an A than a C. That would look really bad. That’s like a two-point (GPA),” Kusch said. However, many teachers prefer that students embrace the difficulties the course presents. “I think the kids that stayed are glad that they stayed ‘cause it does challenge them. It is a fun class once you get used to it,” Cox said. “I think that they are happy they stayed because working through a challenge, coming out the other side, is always AUDREY KAM AND BILLY MOIN a better feeling than just taking the easy way out.” Although there are many factors that contribute to a student dropping a class, W hite believes the main reasons aren’t always centered around difficulty of the singular class but the schedule as a whole. “The reasons kids drop a class, the vast majority of the time, are to add a tutorial so that they could have some breathing room due to the extracurricular activities, and they see how better quality life they can have by knocking out a bit of work during the day,” W hite said. “I’ve had some kids who have tutorials every year and they do great, 4.0 students. I have some who wait until the senior year. I just think it depends on what their (homework) load is, what their anxiety level is, what they can handle, and sometimes, rather than take a class they don’t have a lot of interest in, they can take a tutorial where they can get their homework done in.” The decision to take regular Precalculus has served Kusch well and has helped him find a balance of rigorous to moderate courses. “I wouldn’t say it’s a lot easier, but I just feel a lot more comfortable. Every day going into class, I was just like, ‘Ugh what’s going to happen today.’ Every day was a struggle — two hours of homework a night.” Kusch said. “If you want to be a math major, you probably should stick out with honors, but I’m not, so I was comfortable dropping it. And I know my colleges, so I know I’m okay.”
AP Biology Earth Scien ce
A nt AP Gov hr AP Chemistry opo lo gy Honors Precalculus
Catcalling CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
“I think sometimes just seeing the behavior is eye-opening. Especially in the part of the video when she is followed, that takes it to another level that becomes pretty threatening, when some strange man is walking alongside you because you are not responding to his catcall. It’s like the expectation is you have to respond when a man talks to you, which you don’t, especially if you don’t know them.” Kuhl believes that the video helped to bring attention to the problem, but the solution lies in education. “The biggest thing would be for people to work with young men. For parents to talk with their sons about what’s appropriate and what’s not appropriate and why. I think it’s education that really moves us beyond what is culturally acceptable if it’s not appropriate. Really, that takes education from those closest to us, like our family,” Kuhl said. Educating young children can help to clear up miscommunication between genders about what comes off as a compliment and what can be perceived as a threatening situation. “Some of them mistakenly think that they’re trying to give her a compliment, but there’s also an issue of power involved. You know, the idea that I have power because many times men have a physical power over them, but I’m gonna exert my societal power or whatever over women,” Gilleran said. “Many times I just don’t think they’re really thinking. They’re not thinking of the consequences. They’re not thinking. They’re just saying it, and some of it might be peer pressure with the guys, their buddies, ‘Look how cool I am,’ that whole thing. ‘I’m a he-man, macho, so let’s make a comment about her appearance.’” The nature of the comments can make women feel that the environment they are in is unsafe, and because catcalling wasn’t widely perceived as negative before the hollaback! video was aired, women often are concerned nobody would help them. Another concern Gilleran sees with catcalling is the effect that it can have on a woman’s self esteem. “If you’re repeatedly exposed to it, sure it can have a negative effect. The woman that was involved in it, in an interview, she said she was out, and she was afraid physically walking down the streets of New York. She said some guy was following her, and she physically felt like she was in danger, and she was grateful that there was a producer nearby, and she had the camera on her, able to record it. But she thought, ‘If I didn’t have that, what would’ve happened?’ So yeah, I think there’s an element that could be ... physical danger involved—not always, but certainly there’s an element of that,” Gilleran said. Martinez says it’s also up to the girl to help neutralize the situation. “Ignore, ignore, ignore,” she said. “If there’s a more effective way, I’d love to hear it.”
Marchiori Catering Services for Your Special Occasion
Ask for Tony Marchiori 21800 Marter Rd. St. Clair Shores (586) 771-8600
Instant Norseman Updates
text You can follow us on Twitter “follow mygpn” on your phone to without setting up an account. 40404
IDEAS
North Pointe – Friday, Nov. 14, 2014 –3
Back to basics
“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.” BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY Erica Lizza CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Anu Subramaniam CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Haley Reid CO-MANAGING EDITOR
Olivia Asimakis NEWS EDITOR
Brittney Hernandez LIFE EDITOR
Wendy Ishmaku BUSINESS MANAGER
Dora Juhasz WEB NEWS EDITOR
Jennifer Kusch IDEAS EDITOR
Kaley Makino WEB IDEAS EDITOR
Ritika Sanikommu ASSISTANT EDITOR
Emily Martinbianco WEB LIFE 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.
OUR EDITORIAL
JENNFER KUSCH
Catcalling crosses lines Women hear it on the streets, at the store and when they are just trying to go about their daily routines. For some, it’s just white noise. For others, it degrades and publicly objectifies them, eliciting a sense of shame and self-consciousness. Catcalling is offensive, outdated and needs to stop. While catcallers may consider derogatory comments about a woman’s appearance compliments, they aren’t always so innocent. There’s a big difference between politely complimenting someone you know and rudely remarking on a stranger’s physical attributes. Unwarranted or explicit comments from strangers aren’t f lattering—they’re threatening. Women can’t tell the intent of the person dishing out the remarks, and too many men view overtly sexual, extremely inappropriate and frank ly unnerving actions as compliments. Often, these comments are an attempt to prove masculinity, and men don’t consider their disrespectful and dismissive nature. Comments about physical appearance can be f lattering when delivered by someone with genuine intent or a familiarity with the recipient. But they can also make a woman feel defined by her exterior. However a woman chooses to respond to such advances, there’s no way to avoid a Catch-22. If a woman ignores the seemingly harmless f lirtations, she risks angering her harassers by opposing their advances, and she may escalate an already tense situation. But responding to such advances only encourages objectification. Those who stand up for women may be labeled extreme feminists, and victims are told they’re “asking for it,” regardless of how they’re dressing. True, a woman dressing in ridiculously revealing clothes can’t expect to go unnoticed—donning skyhigh heels, f lashing miles of skin and f launting clothes that leave nothing to the imagination will attract attention. But too often, people dismiss catcalling and blame it on the victim’s fashion choices. Wearing revealing clothing may garner more inappropriate remarks, but it doesn’t vindicate catcallers in any situation. If students follow the dress code, that becomes a moot point. While some catcalling purposefully offends, we understand that not all comments are meant to have this effect. But that doesn’t mean they are any less harmful. What does a girl learn when she is told to appreciate a stranger’s unsolicited remarks about her appearance? That she should look for others’ affirmation to feel self-assured? That she should accept a complete lack of autonomy in public spaces? That she should be grateful someone finds her attractive? None of these lessons has any place being taught in schools. Schools are places for students to learn and socialize, and no one should feel uncomfortable while doing so. If we want all students to thrive—socially, emotionally and academically—we need to ensure they don’t feel intimidated because of how others react to their gender or appearance. Some people say that “ boys will be boys,” but shouldn’t we expect more from young men? A bar should be set, and degrading behavior should not be condoned or ignored. Catcalling is sexual harassment and should be treated as such. While it may be unpleasant, students who experience catcalling should take the initiative to report their harassers. We can’t expect unacceptable behavior to change if we continue to tolerate it.
Hi, my name is Jennifer, and I’m basic. Before this year, I would have been considered just another teenager. Now, I am labeled a “basic,” corrupting the originality of my generation. Cliché or contrived, call me what you please. I was once a mocker of my unoriginal classmates, but I have MY TURN since joined them. JENNIFER KUSCH To be honest, I don’t really mind, and here’s why: 1. Chai. Pumpkin Spice. Vanilla-latteespresso-doubleshot-blah-blah-cinnamon-y goodness. I may seem like a desperate sheep in search of my herd when I jog into school with a recently barista’d drink of highly caffeinated, 100% sugar in my hands, but really, that stuff is just plain delicious. The pretense of an expensive Starbucks or Biggby drink may coin me as just another basic, but those drinks are overpriced gold. If I had the energy and motivation to make it myself at home, I would—I don’t. Instead, I am on a first name basis with all of my baristas (hey Natasja). 2. My glasses are huge, tortoise-shelled behemoths that take up half my face even though I’m not casted as a nerd in an 80s movie. 3. I own an embarrassing amount of overpriced workout clothes that have never seen the fluorescent lights of a gym. 4. I spent $140 dollars on a pair of rain boots. 5. I consider all of my music “indie” and “alternative,” when in reality it’s more mainstream than the Top 40 that blasts from 98.7. 6. I can be heard saying the following, like, literally, all the time: lol, fab, totes, literally, omg, like, stahhhp, hashtag and I can’t even. 7. I check my horoscope. It’s surprisingly accurate. 8. I have a wedding board on Pinterest and a
“They’re making remarks about my body, but they don’t really know who I am ... they don’t really take time to get to know who I am .” Aundriana Boles FRESHMAN
baby clothes board and maybe a future-housewhen-I’m-rich-and-successful board. Did I mention that I’m 17 and single? 9. Green military jackets. I strolled into the J. Crew outlet, and a bright golden light and angel’s voices emanated from around the coolest jacket I’d ever seen. Olive green, utilitarian and J. Crew. To call it love is an injustice. I strutted into school that first day feeling so good—until I saw that half my AP U.S. History classmates were donning the same jacket. #trendsetter 11. I consider watching romantic comedies on my couch, alone, stuffing my face and being single a special skill. 12. I wear knee-high socks unironically. 13. I bake, and I bake often. I also commence my confectioning by taking photos of my food for everyone to ignore and not actually care about. 14. I live for brunch. I may also refer to breakfast as brekky. Leave me alone. 15. Hoarders may or may not be filming an episode about my scented candle stash. 16. Zumba. Yoga. Been there, done that. 17. I cried while watching The Notebook. 18. The fact that Here Comes Honey Boo Boo was cancelled upset me more than it should have. I also watch Teen Mom, The Real Housewives (every city!), and The Bachelorette. I don’t think that being basic is as awful as some people have taken it to be. I may buy overpriced clothes and have an uncomfortable dependence on pumpkin spice and salted-caramel everything, but I’m still a person. If someone took the time to look past the labels and Mumford and Sons, they would see that I’m just another human (in an original way). However, I have now embraced my role as the antagonist of creativity in the name of pumpkin spice, because fighting the stigma is a battle not worth fighting. A label is a word and a latte is a drink, and if someone can’t look past that then they aren’t worth my time, or any other basics. But you should keep your distance. I’m pretty sure it’s contagious.
“It’s kinda rude, but I think it’s a compliment at the same time, so I don’t get offended from it.”
“I think it’s really immature, and you shouldn’t talk like that to girls.”
Kayla Byrom
David Archambeau
SOPHOMORE
JUNIOR
YOUR TURN: What do you think about catcalling? By Yena Berhane & Sydney Benson
“I think it’s normal, like it’s regular. People do it all the time. It’s okay.”
Mike Bowden SENIOR
“Sometimes it can be offensive ... sometimes it can be not so derogatory. I think it’s a very fine line between it being accepted and becoming derogatory.” Shannon Holmes DISTRICT TRANSITION COORDINATOR
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: Erica Lizza, Anu Subramaniam MANAGING EDITORS: Haley Reid, Andrea Scapini SECTION EDITORS: Olivia Asimakis, Katelyn Carney, Brittney Hernandez, Jennifer Kusch WEB MANAGING EDITOR: Emma Puglia WEB SECTION EDITORS: Yena Berhane, Dora Juhasz, Kaley Makino, Emily Martinbianco BUSINESS MANAGER: Wendy Ishmaku PHOTO EDITOR: Alanna Sparks ASSISTANT EDITORS: Josie Bennett, Emma Brock, Mora Downs, Audrey Kam, Billy Moin, Thomas Remenar, Ritika Sanikommu, Gowri Yerramalli STAFF REPORTERS: Radiance Cooper, Luke Sturgill, Addison Toutant INTERNS: Sydney Benson, Caitlin Bush, Allison Lackner, Lauren Sexton, Conner Bott
“I think it’s inappropriate, wrong and bullying, if not worse. It’s sexual harassment.” Brian White COUNSELOR
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 myGPN.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: @myGPN FACULTY ADVISER: Shari Adwers, MJE
EDITOR’S DESK BRITTNEY HERNANDEZ
The f-word The dreaded f-word. The word that strikes fear and anxiety into the minds of those who don’t understand. The word that ignites fires and flames of passion in those who firmly believe in its use and meaning. The word that is arguably one of the most controversial words in history: feminism. This noun is deadly to the modern misogynist, and I’ve heard it can start wars. There’s also a rumor that it’s the main reason for divorce and hatred between the sexes. I’m here to refute those claims. “What is a feminist? I hear they burn their bras and have violent outbursts.” The answer to this question may vary based on who’s being asked. I can’t remember the last time I set fire to my undergarments, but I do know how I define what I am. Essentially, a feminist is someone who believes in complete equality. Not just social, political, economic and civil rights for all humans, but equality and opportunity in every aspect of the word. “What are the core beliefs of a feminist? I hear they think all men are scum.” A feminist does not hate men. Many men have claimed to be feminists themselves. A feminist believes that the biological differences between man and woman do not limit nor define one’s abilities. They actually believe that natural freedoms and rights of the people, despite gender or other differences, should be embraced. They believe that education should be attainable to all. “Why do we need feminism? Last I checked, women have equal opportunities to men.” It is no secret that, generally, men and women are treated and looked at differently. So who needs feminism? The millions of girls sold into sex trafficking each year. The young girls all around the world who are robbed of their innocence every day. The girls who are beat and murdered because they yearn for an education. The millions of females that are paid an average 22% less than men in a year. The people who leave their houses fearing for their safety because of who they are. The aching hearts of a broken world—they are the reason we need feminism. “What is the goal of feminism? I hear it wants to make women the supreme gender.” The goal is that gender does not determine one’s standing. That women are no longer objectified. That the use of selling products through the sexual appeal of women and men will no longer be needed. That race will not be the determining factor of your fate. That the word ‘feminism’ will not be needed in the future because complete equality will have been reached. “Why are you a feminist?” All of the above. I will fight until the day that I can walk down the street and feel safe, knowing that I am not ‘asking for it.’ I will fight until the right to say “no” is taken seriously. I will fight until the world comes together and declares that there is no longer a separation between humans because it is true. I will fight until a human is just that and nothing less. If the world is so prompt to saying no to feminism, then what other -ism is it denying a voice to? There’s more to fight for. I have found the -ism that I believe in. What’s yours?
ON CAMPUS
4 – North Pointe – Friday, Nov. 14, 2014
Valhalla, North Pointe students hit D.C. Journalism and yearbook students attended the National Scholatstic Press Association’s National High School Journalism Convention Nov. 6 through Nov. 8 in Washington, D.C. By Dalaney Bradley & Ava DeLoach ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITORS
LEFT: Seniors Haley Reid, Emily Martinbianco, Karina Lucchese, Wendy Ishmaku, Andrea Scapini and Kaley Makino pose with their bucket hats in the metro station. “Emily Martinbianco brought a bright orange bucket hat as a joke, and we all jokingly made fun of her for looking ridiculous, so to annoy us, she actually wore it to our classes and out in the city,” Lucchese said. “After the first day, we thought it was just really funny, so by the end of the trip, we all wanted one. It was completely by chance that we passed this little stand of souvenirs, and they had D.C. bucket hats, so obviously we had to get them.
FACES IN THE CROWD Alaina Streberger
When junior Alaina Streberger’s dad was diagnosed with Celiac disease two years ago, her family joined him in his gluten-free switch. “At first, I didn’t want to do it at all, and whenever ... I would go out, I would eat all of the bread I could get my hands on,” Streberger said. After researching how processed wheat is used in bread products, Streberger became more willing to compromise. “My dad read a couple books about it, and I read them too, and it was about how all of the wheat is altered now, and it’s really bad for you,” Streberger said. “I haven’t had it for about a year, and now when I do have it, it upsets my stomach.” After learning more about processed food, the family decided to limit themselves to eating healthier, more natural foods. “We try to stay away from processed foods,” Streberger said. “My mom just buys a lot of fruits and vegetables.”
Rachel Malinowski Flying became more than just a vacation experience for freshman Rachel Malinowski. It’s now a hobby. “My dad just recently got his pilot’s license, and we are renting planes in the Marine City area. He goes up there in the winter and summertime, and I’m his co-pilot,” Malinowski said. For Malinowski, co-piloting includes taking over the wheel controllers and flying with the assistance of her father. However, being partially in charge of the plane doesn’t faze her. “The first time when I went up there, it was freaky, but then I got used to it. And so now I’m going to be taking lessons in the summertime,” Malinowski said. She estimates that she legally will be able to fly solo by the age of 17. “When everybody says, ‘I have my driver’s license,’ I can say, ‘Well, I have my pilot’s license,’” Malinowski said.
BELOW: The group spent their last day in Washington D.C. viewing major monuments including the Capitol building, whose dome is under construction.
Nick Zoia
Junior Nick Zoia is living a student’s dream—he is making money at school. Zoia has been a part of the Performing Art Center (PAC) stage crew since 2013 when North performed Brigadoon. Zoia’s job includes helping with a variety of things backstage, but his main focus is on stage lighting. “I help out with everything, but I do lighting most of the time. I do spotlight for a lot of concerts and I designed the lights for the North play,” Zoia said. Zoia has enjoyed volunteering and hopes to continue. “I help out with all the stuff you don’t see backstage during musicals, concerts, and tasks like that. It starts out as volunteer hours, you can start being paid,” Zoia said. Zoia’s overall job is to make sure that the show runs smoothly. He plans on continuing to work stage crew until he graduates.
ABOVE RIGHT: The students gather for a photo at their meeting spot across from the Newseum on Wednesday, Nov. 5. Freshman Allison Lackner’s favorite part of the tour was the behind-the-scenes video about the bombing and destruction of 9/11. “The Newseum is so cool. It was my second time there, and it was great to go back,” Lackner said. “I also like the 4-D video we saw on the first journalist man and woman.” LEFT: Juniors Dalaney Bradley, Ava Deloach, Jen Kusch and Nikki Stein visited the famous Georgetown Cupcake store. “We got some for ourselves and for our advisers,” Kusch said. “They were good. I got a caramel apple (cupcake).”
By Andrea Scapini, Brittney Hernandez, Caitlin Bush & Allison Lackner
FIVE MINUTES WITH
Astronomy teacher Ardis Herrold By Billy Moin ASSISTANT EDITOR
ARDIS HERROLD
Astronomy teacher Ardis Herrold excavates wonderstone in New Mexico. “Quartz is a mineral, calcite is a mineral, so a lot of what I collect, they’re not just rocks,” Herrold said. “They’re minerals. They’re fossils.”
For science teacher Ardis Herrold, rocks are more than just the bits and pieces that help to form the ground we walk on. They’re her passion. “I’m a geologist, so I started collecting rocks in college when I was studying geology, and I’ve been collecting them ever since,” Herrold said. Originally, Herrold planned to go into a different field of science. “I loved astronomy since third grade, and when I went to college, I wanted to be an astronomer,” Herrold said. “But after about a year, I really got sick of all the math, and I thought, ‘You know, if this is what astronomy is, I don’t want to do it.’ So I switched to geology because I saw they were having a lot more fun.” But Herrold has a more reflective interest in geology as well. “I guess it’s the scale. The rocks have been here a lot longer than us, and they’ll be here after we’re gone, just like the stars,” Herrold said. “And you can learn a lot about the history of the Earth and how it’s changed over time by studying geology, but there’s a lot of practical reasons peo-
ple study it too, so it’s something I’ve found very interesting.” During the past 25 years, Herrold has amassed thousands of rocks, but she doesn’t keep all of them. “Some of them I keep, some of them I give away as gifts, and most of them I give to the two teaching organizations I work for, which are the Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association (MESTA) and the National Earth Science Teachers Association,” Herrold said. These organizations are also part of the reason that Herrold collects rocks. “In both of those groups, we have rock raffles for teachers, so the really nice things I get, I give away as a raffle item,” Herrold said. “We also collect lots of smaller rocks for teachers so they can use them in their classroom. Let’s say there’s an earth science teacher who needs 30 pieces of sandstone. We have to collect a lot of pieces to satisfy all of the teachers who come to us and want rocks and fossils and minerals.” Herrold collects for other reasons too. “Every rock teaches you something about its history and the history of our planet,” Herrold said.
What do you do at your observatory? Do you just look at the stars or the formations? I’ve done all sorts of things. I study variable stars, which are stars that change in brightness. I’ve done a lot of planetary study, especially with Jupiter and Saturn because those are the ones you can see some detail on.
What’s your favorite TV show? It’s a new show called Madam Secretary. Have you heard of it? Sunday nights, pretty good. That’s my new favorite. Are any of your other family members geologists? Do they collect rocks or go on it with you? No, none of them even went to college, so no. I have a lot of friends who collect rocks. A lot of the friends I have who are teachers who are in Michigan Earth Science Teachers (Association), so we all collect rocks in MESTA. And when I go on these rock collecting trips, I usually go with one or more of them, and we go to places to collect. Do you have any other hobbies? I play guitar and drums. I do a lot of hiking, in the summers mostly because that’s when I have time. And I’m an amatuer astronomer—I have my own observatory out in Arizona. Where did you grow up? I grew up down river, just south of Metro Airport in a little town called New Boston.
LIFE
North Pointe – Friday, Nov. 14, 2014 – 5
Teachers reveal their prior professions before education careers By Haley Reid & Andrea Scapini MANAGING EDITORS
Tom Beach Assistant Principal, former social worker
Michelle Davis Business teacher, former advertiser
North Pointe: What got you into social working? Beach: When I was in high school, I started volunteering sometimes. There was a building next door to us, at the high school where they were working with kids. I started volunteering my time working with young kids then. As I was in college, I’ve always been really into relationships. I had a very big group of friends all throughout high school and college, and everybody would come to me to help them solve their problems, so I kind of fell into that and then started pursuing that in school.
North Pointe: What got you into advertising? Davis: I wanted to be a TV production teacher. So when I was in college, I was working, and I got a job working in advertising, and when I graduated from Central Michigan, there were no teaching jobs, so I stayed in the advertising field.
NP: How did you find the job working at North? Beach: While I was in private practice, I worked with somebody who worked in the Grosse Pointe school system as a social worker, and she was retiring, and she said, ‘Hey, there’s an opening, and you would be great. You’ve been working with teenagers for 20 years now.’ And that’s how I got my job here. I was a social worker here. My first year in ‘97, I worked at three schools: the Children’s Home of Detroit, Poupard and here.
NP: What did you like about advertising, and what made you choose teaching overall? Davis: Advertising was a great job and was a great experience because I got to travel. I enjoyed doing the ads. I made a lot of money. But the hours were long. I couldn’t take vacations between May and November because we were doing car commercials, and that’s when the new models came out. They could tell me in two hours, ‘You’re on your way to L.A. Pack your bags.’ If you’re trying to have kids and have a family, there’s no way that’s going to happen.
NP: Do you see ties between your social work career and what you do now? Beach: Absolutely. Most people think that the assistant principal job is nothing but beating up on kids and giving them consequences, when really, the majority of my job I’m sitting down with students helping them problem solve because students don’t act out most of the time because they want to. They’re acting out for a reason. Most of the time they’re acting a certain way because something’s going on, so I talk to them about developing skills that they need to have to handle things better.
Jennifer Weisbrodt Psychology teacher, former interior designer North Pointe: When did you realize that you wanted to go into interior design? Weisbrodt: After I started at MSU (Michigan State University), I started out with a major in psychology and realized that they had a fabulous interior design program, so I double majored my second year at MSU. NP: How did your career in interior design start? Weisbrodt: I did an internship in Palm Beach, Florida my third year at MSU. I absolutely loved it and was able to work on Rod Stewart’s house and some other really prominent clients. NP: What drew you to interior design? Weisbrodt: I just loved the creativity aspect of it. That’s why I like teaching. I feel like it’s still a very creative field, just in a different way. You’re creative with minds as opposed to being creative with fabric and some of those tangible things. NP: How long were you working there? Weisbrodt: I was there for three years, and then I moved to London, England with my husband, and he did graduate school there, and I still did design in London. But when we moved back, we wanted to be in Michigan ... but interior design is very different here. So at that point, I had done enough traveling in Spain to realize I loved Spanish. So I got my additional degree in Spanish with my teaching certificate. And when I originally started teaching, it was Spanish. And then I was fortunate enough to be able to teach psychology. NP: Is there anything you miss about interior design? Weisbrodt: I love where I am, and I have enough fun with my own home that it fulfills that need. This is, to me, more important. When there’s issues, it makes sense. It’s with a child’s life. We’re not talking about fringe on a pillow.
Barry Mulso Social studies teacher, former butcher North Pointe: How long were you a butcher? Mulso: I started when I was 14, and I worked there about 20 years. NP: Did you stay at the same butcher shop for the entire 20 years? Mulso: Yeah, I did. I started out sweeping the f loors and ended up running the place. NP: Were the kinds of jobs that you had to do ever dangerous? Mulso: Yeah. Well, anytime you’re operating power equipment like band saws and meat grinders and meat slicers and things like that, and of course you’re always working with a knife in your hand, and your hands get slippery. I cut my finger off one time. It didn’t really hurt. The funny thing was that I was student teaching at the time, and I was working on the weekend, and I slipped and sliced my finger off, my middle finger right at the knuckle. So they sewed it back on, and it worked. It burned like the devil. So I just kind of held on to it and drove up to the hospital, and they put my finger back on. NP: How did you transition from the food industry to teaching? Mulso: I was looking for something else to do. I always liked the food industry. I liked the retail business. I liked the interaction with customers and things like that. I still run into a lot of my old customers in Rochester, and they’re like, ‘Hey Barry!’ So, you know, we did develop those relationships and everything, but that industry wasn’t going where I wanted it to go. All of the mom and pops were being pushed out by the bigger stores, and if you didn’t go big, you might as well go home. I just felt I had something more to offer than being the guy with the good food in the neighborhood.
NP: How long did you do advertising? Davis: I worked in advertising for eight years before I actually got a teaching job.
NP: Do you find it more rewarding to be a teacher or an advertiser? Davis: There are different challenges. It’s definitely more rewarding for me to be a teacher. But it’s more about watching kids grow and see things, and learn things. When I worked in advertising, I expected everybody to be a professional and work at the same level.
Jonathan Byrne English teacher, former restaurant manager North Pointe: Is catering something that you’ve always been into? Byrne: Actually, I started in the restaurant business. So when I was in high school, I started in restaurants, and when I went to Michigan State I studied hotel/restaurant management. I managed restaurants for a couple of years, and then I decided to go back to school to be a teacher, and as I was doing that, I worked for a catering company. NP: What was your job at the restaurant? Byrne: I’ve done literally every job that you can do in a restaurant. I’ve worked as a host, a busboy, a server, a bartender, a manager, a cook. NP: Were you always passionate about cooking, or did it come from working in a restaurant? Byrne: I’ve always liked to cook. My mom taught me how to cook when I was little. I took cooking classes in high school. When I was in college, I worked as a cook, so that was where I developed a lot of my skills to be able to cook. It’s just a hobby of my wife and mine. We just cook all the time. NP: Is there anything you miss about it? Byrne: Yeah, I do miss the energy ... Our favorite thing to do is go out to eat. But if you’re asking me if I would go back, I would not. If I won the lottery, I might open a restaurant so I could hang out there, but I would never run a restaurant again because it’s too stressful.
Albina Trumza Italian teacher, former wood carver North Pointe: When did you work as a woods craftsman? Trumza: I was a woodcarver before going to college. I did it in Albania, in my country. Since my father was an anticommunist, I was not allowed to go to college, so I could get a job, but I could not choose the one that I want. They just told you what to do, and I had no idea about the carving, but they just put me in that position, and then you try the best. I found out that I liked it. NP: Did you work your way up to making more difficult structures? Trumza: No, you had no choices from the beginning. They just gave you whatever they needed you to do, and then you try. I liked it, and they noticed that I do have some talent, and then from the first month, I was put with the new models in the first month of work. It had two advantages. First, you had to directly deal with the artists who created the models, and I was applying them straight in wood. Second advantage was you were not timed because the rest of the workers were all timed. You had to do so many pieces a day. So most of the time I wasn’t timed because you want to do the first one well without timing. They noticed that from the beginning. NP: What brought you to teaching? Trumza: I was teaching in Albania after the communist system was gone, then I could go to school and I studied law. So I started teaching part time German, and then I taught at the university and high school in Albania. So I was a teacher. I had some experience with teaching. NP: Did you initially plan on teaching in America then? Trumza: Absolutely not. I never thought that I will be a teacher here. I had no clue. I was telling myself that I would probably not stay here for more than three months here, and I’ll go back. Not that I didn’t like America in the beginning, but I like it now that I know America. But when I didn’t know what America offers, I didn’t like it at all. I had all my family there, but now I have all of them here.
LUKE STURGILL
6 – Friday, Nov. 14, 2014 – North Pointe
REVIEWS
ALL ART BIG MACHINE RECORDS
2006
By Jennifer Kusch & Mora Downs IDEAS EDITOR & ASSISTANT EDITOR
2008
2010
2012
2014
1is989 too2014
Remember when Taylor Swift was a curly-haired, cowboy-boot-wearing country singer? Yeah. We can’t either. Swift, once credited with resurrecting the country music scene, has shed her Tennessee skin and donned the musical likeness of sugar-pop New York in her new album 1989. She traded her Nashville digs for a sleek, new Big Apple apartment. The album reflects her changes in location and style (bye-bye big hair). Swift’s new look and sound are nearly unrecognizable from the country sweetheart we all knew in her previous albums, Speak Now and Fearless. While her heartfelt and boy-centric lyrics may have been the fodder of endless jokes, the old Swift had something going for her. She was unique in a sense that she didn’t conform and wrote from the heart about her own experiences. She was real, and she was a force to be reckoned with. However, Swift acknowledges that her “haters gonna hate hate hate hate hate,” so hear us out: this album, overall, is a dud. Not because the music is exceptionally awful but because it is a beacon of conformity. Swift sounds like every pop singer to ever grace the stage, and that is what is so disappointing. Now she is just another Lorde-esque wannabe hipster with an album in the pop section on iTunes. For the most part, the album itself is decent. Many of the songs reverberate with unique beats and heartfelt lyrics.
However, it’s nothing new. The influence of Swift’s good friend Lorde is evident, but it undermines the album, as most stars in Swift’s set are trying to rebrand themselves as alternative and end up sounding more mainstream in the process. The lyrics of some of Swift’s new songs are just as catchy as her classic guitar-dominated country chart-toppers of 2010. She doesn’t call out ex-boyfriends, which highlights a level of maturity not present in some of her older hits like “Back to December.” Songs like “Wonderland,” “Blank Space,” “I Know Places” and “Welcome to New York” may not sound like Swift’s old work, but they seem to embody the girl-next-door nature that made her so lovable in the first place. But the remaining songs on the album aren’t memorable. One of Swift’s best qualities was her ability to write songs that get stuck in your head. “Clean” and “Style” don’t sound anything like the Swift that America fell in love with and are easily forgotten. At one point, all of Swift’s songs were distinguishable, as they each had a factor that made them somewhat different. If you can listen to 1989 straight through and manage to hear a difference among songs, you’ve got talent. All of them have the same beat, tempo and purpose that seem to blend together into a big pile of uniform waste. It’s inevitable that people change. Miley went from a Disney star to a pixie-haired rocker who “can’t be tamed,” and Demi Lovato transformed from a bubbly actress with a head of bouncy waves to a tortured, fresh-out-of-rehab songstress with a half-shaved mane. Unfortunately, most stars revamp themselves to be dif-
ferent and market themselves to a more unique audience. But when Swift reconstructed her reputation, she lost what made her special. Swift used to be an idol for girls that didn’t fit in. She proved you don’t have to be beautiful, charismatic or popular to be successful. In essence, she was the “every girl” and the “it girl” at the same time. Now she’s no longer sitting on the bleachers with the band kids, waiting for the football player to ditch his mean-girl girlfriend for the girl next door. She’s the cheer captain—and even plays one in her music video. Through changing her music, Swift changed her image and also what she stands for. True Swifties will support the singer no matter what. The album isn’t lousy and may be more enjoyable over time. However, those who fed off her distinct style among a sea of white noise will be disappointed—1989 isn’t Taylor Swift. This has been the year of the hipster, the year of the underground scene flooding the mainstream, the year of reinvention and regression. It’s painful, but it’s true: 1989 is too 2014.
Taylor Swift 1989 Big Machine Records 2014
HEARTSTRINGS
CIRCLE
JUNGLE JUICE BAR
HOUSE OF DVF
After trying her hand at countless genre of music, Leighton Meester has found her musical niche in the whimsical world of soft inWWW.ITUNES.APPLE.COM die-alternative. Basking in the glow of this new sound, Meester has released Heartstrings, her first solo album. Known to most as Gossip Girl’s princess of the Upper East Side, Meester has released her long-awaited debut album with nine lush, sultry tracks. The album’s adult sound allows the established actress to shed the childish light of her former singing career after dabbling in notso-grown up musical forms when she broke out as a singer in 2009. From pop to country, Meester has tried it all, but none fit quite like the indie tunes that her new album embraces. Her mature sound has molded to the alternative genre, but it’s unique to her musical resume. Meester whispers soft soprano vocals accompanied by a flow of guitar-driven music. The warm indie tracks sway with heavy folk and pop influence. Fully embracing her new self and style, Meester is truly becoming an artist to be respected. She has even revamped her style to match her sound. Her long waves, boho beach style looks and calmed nature echo the tunes she sings. With the mysterious sound of her already-popular song, “Heartstrings,” Meester whisks listeners into an indie paradise. Head-bobbing is hard to resist with the song “Run Away” playing. Gossip Girl lovers beware, this is no Blair Waldorf production. All grownup and making a new name for herself, Meester is sure to find success in her soft indie tunes.
Don’t be fooled by the title—the “circle” is actually an oval. Circle is an app that w ill keep gamers entertained WWW.A797.PHOBOS.APPLE.COM for hours. This app takes skill, and players improve the more they play. To succeed, one must have good hand-eye coordination in addition to patience. Circle is a free app when dow nloaded w ith in-app purchases. However, there is an additional charge to purchase diamonds or to avoid ads. The purchasing feature is placed in circles at the bottom of the screen, which is inconvenient because it is easy to accidentally tap when starting the game. Playing is simple—tap the screen at the right time in order to keep the circle from colliding into the dreaded black line. The circle is connected around the line, making it a challenge not to crash. Hitting the line is frustrating, but the addictive nature of the game draws users in, feeling compelled to hit play again. A recent update added a new diamond feature. As gamers bounce along the line, they encounter diamonds either above or below the line, and the goal is to collect them. Players can eventually buy upgraded circles already equipped with diamonds. Circle is a straightfor ward yet challenging game that will entrance gamers, until they beat their current high score.
It’s not easy being a healthconscious, vegan-inspired con su mer when living in a processed, carnivorous world. Jungle WWW.JJBMICH.COM Juice Bar, or JJB as it’s commonly known, understands that. JJB opened its doors in May 2013 when two local women decided it was time to share their “health wealth” with the community. They understood that a disadvantage to living in suburbia is that it’s hard to find places that cater to specific dietary needs. They plan to make the JJB Grosse Pointe Park location the f lagship store in a national chain that supports a healthconscious America. Each of JJB’s signature juices are named after rainforests to symbolize the business’ commitment to the environment. The owners believe that the love of raw, organic food should go beyond concern for nutrition. Though it is well-known for fresh fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies, JJB also provides nutritious, meatfree snacks such as vegan pizza, vegetable panini and a variety of soups and salads. Jungle Juice Bar provides the perfect hangout for vegetarians, vegans, healthy-eaters and organic food enthusiasts alike. Its quaint setting and relaxed ambience is a nice break from the chaos of daily life. The small, quiet room adjacent to the store creates a serene study environment. If you’re craving something green but aren’t interested in driving all the way into the city to get your nutritious fix, Jungle Juice Bar is the place to head.
House of DVF, starring fashion mogul and former Belgian princess Diane von Furstenberg, isn’t your average reality show. E!’s newWWW.EONLINE.COM est addition to its reality-show lineup is similar to fashionbased TV staple Project Runway, but House of DVF takes a more unique approach. The show follows von Furstenberg and her namesake brand as contestants compete for a chance to work as her brand ambassador. Ten contestants fight for one of eight coveted spots, and only one will become the DVF brand ambassador. To win, contestants face challenges similar to those of the actual job. They handle whatever is thrown at them, including von Furstenberg’s harsh critiques. The girls are tasked with attending social events, fashion shows, magazine shoots andcharity events. They complete all of their tasks while under the tutelage of von Furstenberg’s real assistants. The show conveys the catty and phony nature of the fashion world, but it also emphasizes that the winner is supposed to be the honest and most humble girl. House of DVF’s emotional drama often overshadows the other facets of the show. The endless tears and fights can be disappointing to viewer who watches for the fashion, rather than the drama. As is expected from a reality competition, there are contestants that capture viewers’ hearts, while there are others viewers love to hate. The fights, the fashion and the competition make House of DVF a can’t-miss show. It’s a robust mix that appeals to viewers of all interests. This gives the show the potential to overshadow Lifetime’s Project Runway franchise. House of DVF airs Sundays on E! at 10 p.m.
Leighton Meester; Heartstrings; Hotly Wanting; 2014.
Circle; Ketchapp; Oct. 17, 2014; Apple; Free.
14929 Charlevoix Street, Grosse Pointe Park; (313) 571-3075; jjbmich.com.
House Of DVF; 2014; TV-14; E!
By Emily Martinbianco
By Caitlin Bush & Allison Lackner
By Kaley Makino
By Lauren Sexton
SPORTS Michigan must hit it out of the park with next AD hire
North Pointe – Friday, Nov. 14, 2014 – 7
Not your typical fantasy Students follow weekly NFL games, participate in fantasy football leagues By Billy Moin & Conner Bott ASSISTANT EDITOR & INTERN
By Katelyn Carney
SPROTS EDITOR
The resignation of athletic director Dave Brandon has University of Michigan fans shivering at the thought of what might become of their esteemed football program if officials bungle the choice of replacement. Yes, U-M has other sports. But in reality, football is the athletic epicenter. It foots the bill for all other intercollegiate athletic programs. College football is big business, and business is good. The Wolverine football program generates $80 million a year through ticket sales, licensing, shared TV revenue, advertising, jersey and sports paraphernalia sales. This business began during U-M’s glory years in 1921-1988 when Fielding Yost, Fritz Crisler and Don Canham held the AD reins and built Michigan into an athletic powerhouse with incomparable triumphs. But for the last 26 years, the program has deteriorated into the sad state it is today. Long gone are the days when the Big Ten conference was referred to affectionately as “the Big Two (U-M, OSU) and the Little Eight.” Today, the Wolverines have no chance of making the top 25 much less making college’s new four-team playoff system. They’ve lost all but one of their last 10 matchups against archrival Ohio State, and they’ve lost six of the last seven against in-state rival Michigan State. This is enough to make fans place all their chips on a Detroit Lions win. Before I continue, let me be clear: I’m not bashing Dave Brandon. Let’s look at the history of the system. The last six Michigan athletic directors all had one common flaw. They were “Michigan Men” (a term coined by legendary coach Bo Schembechler), and that was probably bullet point number one on their resumes. Dave Brandon himself played football for Bo in the 70s and later sat on the U-M Board of Regents. Brandon was successful as a businessman at both Valassis and Domino’s Pizza. He increased U-M revenues, improved facilities, raised over $200 million and created outdoor hockey extravaganzas. But an athletic director for a major college has to be so much more. An AD must not just promote the brand. He must protect it. An AD must not only create a new fan base. He must retain his current one. He must create interest and buzz to secure future recruits. He must increase ticket sales while satisfying loyal season ticket buyers. And he must always, always appease alumni who financially support the program. Dave Brandon failed on all five counts. He alienated student fans with new, expensive ticket policies. His search to replace coach Rich Rodriguez was tepid at best. While OSU hired a Tier A coach in Urban Meyer, Brandon hired a no-name coach from San Diego State who admittedly would have walked across the country for the job. While Brandon was able to lighten alumni wallets at fundraising events, fans fumed as his promotions reached Barnum & Bailey levels with mascots, new uniforms, legendary jerseys and even the suggestion of game day fireworks. Warren Buffett said it only took “one hundred years to build one of the most recognizable brands, and a matter of a few weeks to destroy it.” Those few weeks were this season when student season ticket sales dropped 33%, QB Shane Morris was allowed to play despite his concussion and a student petition to have Brandon fired gained more than 10,000 signatures in 24 hours. The end result was security guards escorting Brandon to the front door, cardboard box of belongings in his right hand, pink slip in his left. U-M President Mark Schlissel has appointed Jim Hackett interim AD. Hackett’s another Michigan Man, and that’s just not good enough. Michigan must conduct a national search and hire the most qualified and experienced athletic director on the planet to restore the Michigan program to prominence where it can compete for not just Big Ten Championships but National Championships. Early front-runners appear to be Boston College’s AD Brad Bates or Arkansas’s AD Jeff Long. The Michigan job is a preeminent position, and top candidates will line up as long as one of the qualifications isn’t being a “Michigan Man.” Heck, as a staunch Michigan fan, I’ll take the “Marlboro Man” if he can coax Jim Harbaugh to coach the team to wins over MSU and Ohio State. But it’s not just U-M that’s at fault here. Society as a whole clings to familiarity and overwhelming pride in its product, rejecting alterations despite limited success. The definition of insanity is trying the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result. When something doesn’t work, it needs to change. The sooner we all grasp that concept, the better off we’ll be.
According to ibtimes.com, about 111.5 million people, just a little over one third of the U.S. population, tuned in to watch Super Bowl XLVIII. To bring some more thrill to the rest of the season, junior Adam Hilu plays fantasy football. “I play with my friends who are all juniors at North,” Hilu said. Fantasy football is a game football fans play during the regular season by building a fictional team with actual professional players on it. “At the beginning of the (fantasy football) season, before the football season starts, there’s a draft with all the players in the league. And (with) each team, we pick individual players from each and every team,” Hilu said. “After the draft, you end up with a certain amount of players for all different positions, and every week we play. Based on how well you do, you get points and the team with the most points wins.” Fantasy players organize themselves into leagues, usually with friends, and compete with the teams in their leagues. “I have played three years in (my) league,” freshman Kenny Heaton said. There are some leagues that take the game seriously. One fantasy league in Nebraska even makes the last place finisher get a tattoo. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Hilu and his league keep the stakes rather low. “We put, I think we put $10 (each), so like $100 (total). We take it kind of seriously, but a lot of it’s just joking around and for fun,” Hilu said. However, even though they are playing the
same game, Heaton and one of his league members, freshman Billy Steigleman, play for different reasons. “It makes me feel like a coach and gives me a reason to watch more of it,” Steigleman said. Whereas Steigleman plays in order to watch more, Heaton plays because it is another way to hang out with his friends and watch the game with them. Part of the fun also comes from the inevitable twists and turns, such as big-time players getting hurt or even suspended. “It’s been pretty good for me. I actually had Calvin Johnson, and I traded him away right before he got injured. And I had Ray Rice, and he got suspended, but it didn’t really impact me,” Hilu said. “There are a couple players ... who got in trouble with the league, I think, and so their season is kind of suffering from that, I guess.” Along with these surprise injuries and suspensions, certain players have stepped up their game, helping out the fantasy players. “I have Arian Foster and Antonio Brown who have been doing amazing,” Heaton said. But some fantasy participants have been disappointed by their players’ performances. “Mostly LeSean McCoy. I picked him first round, second pick, and he is only the fifteenth best running back,” Steigleman said. For Hilu, fantasy football is about more than just having fun and messing around with his friends. “I’ve always liked football, watching football is fun, but it kind of just makes watching football more fun, because you have certain players to cheer for,” Hilu said.
The top three projected picks from the beginning of the season
EN. WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Peyton Manning
Eddie Lacy
Quarterback Denvor Broncos Projected yardage: 5,210 Current yardage: 2,912 Projected number of touchdowns: 48 Current touchdowns: 29
Running Back Green Bay Packers Projected yardage: 1,220 Current yardage: 478 Projected number of touchdowns: 10 Current touchdonws: 4
We love our students
North sign up Weeken d Stu den ts - discoun ted to $35 per mon th North Family membership - $55 per mon th Only a few miles from Grosse Pointe North. The biggest gym with the most classes and the most equipment of any place in Grosse Pointe.
COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG
COMMONS.WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Calvin Johnson
Wide Reciever Detroit Lions Projected yardage: 1,664 Current yardage: 461 Projected number of touchdowns: 12 Current touchdowns: 3
here GRAND RAPIDS, MI
you can experience what life is like at Aquinas College. Join us for AQDays! General Friday, November 7 Science, Nursing & Math Friday, November 14 Leadership Friday, December 5 Athletic Saturday, January 31 To register: aquinas.edu/aqday or 800-678-9593
FEATURE
8 – North Pointe – Friday, Nov. 14, 2014
How to ace admissions The lengthy and tedious nature of college applications can cause anxiety, but following a few tips can make the whole process more manageable and less stressful. By Dora Juhasz & Brittney Hernandez WEB SECTION EDITOR & LIFE SECTION EDITOR
TIP #1: Advanced Placement (AP) classes can give you a jump start on your college academic track, even without passing all of the AP exams. Every college is different, but overall, taking AP classes and having AP credits can cut the cost of tuition. AP classes also give students a firsthand experience of what college classes are like. English teacher Andy Montague believes that can be a major benefit. “I think every university has its own policy. For example, in my discipline, some universities will accept threes, some will accept only fours or fives, and some will only accept fives. Some universities, I’ve heard, are not accepting AP credits at all. So you really need to find out what your university is doing. So that’s my piece of advice ... find out what each university’s protocol is,” Montague said. “I think it’s a good experience whether or not you even pass the test. I do know some students who take it just to be around students who take that discipline seriously.”
TIP #2: Harnessing the tools of social media can be a huge advantage. While many students use online media for entertainment and social purposes, creating accounts and websites that will market and highlight unique skills may attract positive attention from college admissions counselors. Senior Graham Eger has done exactly that. “I market myself to potential colleges the same way a business advertises to potential customers. I use a website (www.grahameger.com) which is an online presence that I am in complete control of. Unlike Twitter, Facebook or Myspace, where people can mention me in tweets, on my website I have complete control of everything that colleges see,” Eger said. “It is well known that colleges do Internet searches during the application review process. If I can control exactly what they see when they search my name, I hope to gain a competitive edge on other applicants that may have a tainted digital footprint.”
TIP #3: You should ask for help with college applications. Counselors are more than happy to sit down with students and help them with their college applications. But even then, some students need to seek out other sources for help. Hiring an application consultant, like senior Chris Bahr did, can really improve college applications. “There was a woman I went to three times that helped me with my essays. We took the essays I wrote and edited them, keeping the good and replacing the bad. I was struggling to put my thoughts into words, and she helped me do that,” Bahr said. “With her, my essays were more effective in getting my point across, and I answered the questions more directly.”
TIP #4: Once you’re at college, issues like a bad roommate can be fixed.
Studies show that a disruptive or disagreeable roommate in college can negatively affect academic performance. Sydney Thompson, a 2014 alumna now at the University of Michigan, avoids her dorm room because of her roommate. “It was kind of just like a buildup of things, kind of like not responding to situations well and being really inconsiderate when I’d ask her not to do things or to do certain things that I felt were pretty reasonable. Just being kind of selfish with things and not returning the favor when I would do something nice for her,” Thompson said. “It was just a buildup of inconsiderate things of being passive-aggressive, where I kind of realized that I spend more time out of the room than I spend in.” While Thompson is willing to stick with her current roommate for the rest of the year, she advises future college students to take the initiative to change roommates if it becomes a major problem.
ADVERTISEMENT
The competition was tough. But we came out ahead. UDM’s undergraduate management program in our College of Business Administration is now ranked 14th in the nation by U.S.News & World Report. That’s right: UDM’s undergraduate management program ranked ahead of Boston College, Carnegie Mellon University, Case Western Reserve University, the University of Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State. So you can be confident that our Jesuit- and Mercy-inspired approach to business is a smart choice for your career. Plus, UDM has been accredited for 65 consecutive years by the AACSB, the world’s premier accrediting agency for business schools.
UDM’s College of Business Administration now also offers the Commerce Scholarship, worth $25,000 per year to qualified students entering the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration or 5-Year Accelerated BS/MBA program. Dual Enrollment courses are also available. For more information, contact us at 800-635-5020 or admissions@udmercy.edu.
We want great things for you.
business.udmercy.edu