NORTH GROSSE POINTE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
SINCE 1968
POINTE FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015
THIS IS WHAT WE DO HERE
FRESHMEN
2 – Friday, May 22, 2015 – North Pointe
10 useful tips to surivive freshman year Put in effort.
Try something new.
The saying, “freshmen year doesn’t count” is a myth. Colleges see your full transcript, which includes your grades from semester one and two of all four years in high school and your cumalative GPA, which includes freshman year. It’s better to start strong than on the wrong foot.
It sounds cheesy, but it’s important. Tr ying new things can help you discover talents or interests you may have. Not only will it help you expand your interests, but getting involved at school is beneficial when applying for colleges and is a good way to meet new people. North has a variety of clubs, electives and sports (see Pages 3, 4, 5 and 7 for the complete lists) so there’s options for ever yone.
Respect the staff.
Having a healthy relationship with your teacher will make your life a lot easier. It may also help you down the road when you need teacher recommendations, as colleges usually require two to three in addition to a counselor recommendation. Participating in class and working hard on assignments are just some of the ways to form a good relationship.
Check Pinnacle.
Finding out about missing/late work is your responsibility, not your teacher’s. If you see something unusual or have a late assignment, email your teacher. But remember, when emailing a teacher, you should always be sure to use proper grammar and manners.
INTERN
Learning the ropes If it’s advice about being a freshman that you’re looking for, look no further because I am one. Yes, me. A freshman. A little tired and behind on homework, but a freshman indeed. Transitioning into high school is not as big of a deal as you might think. I’m here to debunk all (or most) of the misconceptions you may have about going into your first year of high school. I’ve been a ninth grader for over a semester now, so obviously I am an expert. If you are an avid TV watcher like me, you have probably seen multiple teen dramas centered around the trials and tribulations
Do not fall behind on work. High school is faster-paced than middle school, and with seven periods instead of six, the course load is heavier. If you start to let yourself slip, it will be harder to catch up, and your grades can suffer. Know your teachers’ policies on late work because late is always better than never.
Have school spirit.
In high school, it’s actually cool to like your school. Don’t be afraid to go all-out for spirit week or big games. The more elaborate you get, the more fun you w ill have, and the Instagram pictures turn out better. Participation in school activ ities is easy and fun. Many kids attend sporting events to cheer on their classmates, and the student section is always brimming w ith energ y when the Norsemen are on the field.
Relax.
North might look big and scary, but after a few days, you’ll get it down to a science. High school is meant to prepare you for college, but there is no need to overstress about your future. Have fun while you’re here, and try to take advantage of every opportunity.
Don’t follow the herd.
This goes for classes, sports, activities and almost everything. Find out what your personal passions are and pursue them, instead of doing what all of your friends are. Also, know that a lot of your friends will change over the course of high school, but it’s natural for everyone to grow during these four years. You may lose some friends or gain some, but you will find your group eventually.
By Abby Cadieux
Follow the rules.
Stay organized, have your materials, and be on time. If you are tardy, you can get caught in a hall sweep and receive a detention. Detentions can interfere with sports, and unserved detentions can lead to inschool suspensions, which show up on your transcript, so stay punctual.
of high school students. I have news for you: they are wrong. And ridiculous. And I’m pretty sure no freshman in the history of forever has looked like half of the twentysomething-year-olds playing them (looking at you, MTV.) What I’m trying to communicate to you is that the change really isn’t that dramatic. If you ask any teenager about school, you will most likely be met with a groan and a long list of all the things they hate about it, like setting a 6:30 a.m. alarm and their gruesome, daily workload. Truly, however, there are some pretty cool things about entering this next chapter of your life. It’s not scary. The large campus and the loads of new people you will meet will shrink after just a little while being here. You may get lost once or twice – and that’s okay. It’s pretty much a freshman rite of passage. You’ll get away with it at the beginning of the year. No one expects a fresh-faced newbie to have the school memorized after just a few weeks. In terms of classwork, you shouldn’t worry too much. Teachers are understanding of
Don’t be scared of the upperclassmen.
“Freshmen Friday” or days when the upperclassmen prank the freshmen do not exist. If you join a club or sport, you can get to know people from all grades. Other programs like Link Crew and Freshman assist are full of upperclassmen who are invested in your success.
the fact that you are making the transition and are still getting used to the school. You will be (ever so slightly) nudged into (constantly) thinking about the grades that are going on your transcript. As a freshman, you will witness your upperclassman friends get slowly drawn into the tide of preparing for college. You don’t (and really shouldn’t) have to worry about that yet. You are likely to have a few elective classes and extracurriculars with said upperclassmen (don’t be shy, now, participate as much as you can.) This is when you will become most familiar with the dynamics of the high school hierarchy. Fear not, though, there will always be a few other fellow froshes to accompany you at the bottom of the food chain. Right off the bat you’ll find that students have a bit more freedom. Some perks included in the High School Experience Package are: more leniency with the use of cell phones (the most life-changing of all privileges in my opinion), the ability to listen to music in class (when appropriate), and the
right to sport your backpack wherever you want. Whether you are investing in a new North Face backpack fit for trekking up the mountain-esque staircases or opting for an oversized handbag – it no longer has to sit in your locker all day. Oh, the joys of being a high schooler. You’re not bound to know everything during your first year here. You’ll learn as you go. We all do. My best piece of advice for newbies is to look both ways before sauntering out into the parking lot – it’s loaded with new drivers. The only mystery to me still is why there are significantly fewer kids using their lockers. Where is everyone keeping their binders? Their backpacks aren’t full. What is their secret? If you find out before I do, let me know. Overall, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. In my humble freshman opinion, we have an awesome student body (#NorsemenPride) and a dedicated staff. You will have a great time here. Enjoy it.
3 – Friday, May 22, 2015 – North Pointe
ELECTIVES
Unique classes create fresh opportunities By Emma Brock, Radiance Cooper & Sarah Wietecha ASSISTANT EDITORS Junior Nuha Mosa’s interests in business led her to a class called Business Explorations her freshman year. The class prepared her for a possible path in business. “We did a lot of group projects in t he class, a nd it helped me develop a lot of my sk ills like work ing in a group, a nd it helped me to develop my presentation sk ills a lso,” Mosa sa id. “I just enjoyed it overa ll because it was a new class to me, a nd I lea rned a lot about myself a nd about business in genera l.” Mosa recommends Business Ex plorations as a n elective class for f uture freshmen because it’s practica l. “It’s somet hing t hat you wa nna be interested in because it’s gonna help you go in t hat pat h, if business is t hat direction you wa nna go in life.”
An interest in sociology drove junior Maria Familara to take the course. She says that the class gives students a wider perspective on the world. “I learned about society … in kind of a scientific perspective, I guess. You kind of see how relationships (work) and just the bigger picture of the world, and you see things not as like an American from Michigan looking into a culture in Africa,” Familara said. “You’re seeing it from a world perspective. You learn to see things as a big picture.” Familara said teacher Dan Gilleran made Sociology worthwhile. “Mr. Gilleran is the best teacher in the world,” she said.“He’s understanding and open-minded. He’s the adviser for Diversity Club. He’s really nice,” she said. “He’s a laid-back teacher, but at the same time, he’s got a good balance of strictness and coolness.” Familara says that Sociology is the perfect class for freshmen who are finding themselves. “If you’re really interested in people and how the world works, you should take this class.” Familara said.“High school is about finding out what you like and what you don’t like, so experiment as much as you can because life is about experiences.”
Some of the most anticipated classes freshmen look forward to aren’t necessarily the academic ones, they’re the subjects that they find the most interesting — electives. While many classes are semester-based, some students prefer to participate in electives for several school years. Many Norsemen, like sophmore Lolly Duus, have found themselves in tight knit communities as a result of their scheduling decisions. “There’s so many things that I love about choir, but I just love performing on stage with my friends,” Duus said. “We’re all like a really big family, and we all love each other so much, and singing with other people makes me so happy.” Throughout the duration of their time at North, students have a variety of elective courses at their disposal. “Freshmen are eligible to take computer classes, to take TV production, Lifeskills, Pastries, Foods for Fitness I and II,” counselor Barbara Skelly said. “They can take art, they can certainly participate in band, choir and orchestra. There are a lot of options for freshmen.” Freshmen are required to take a set of mandatory classes in order to graduate as a senior, and many of the requirements can be fulfilled with alternative elective classes. “There are requirements that can be met through elective choices such as computers, or how you meet your arts requirement,” Skelly said. “(It) could be (Foods for Fitness), it could be band, so kids have options for their graduation requirements.”
After deciding that Mythology would be a fitting elective for her last year of high school, senior Dana DeBuc left with a greater understanding of the Greek gods. “It consisted of teaching us how chaos worked, how the world was created in the Greek gods’ minds,” DeBuc said. “It taught us how to form our opinions better about Greek mythology as a whole, and it was a very good class to learn and experience the Greek mythology firsthand.” DeBuc feels that the class is manageable for students with a busy schedule. “The teacher was really nice. He gave us leeway on some of the projects, and there wasn’t a lot of homework to do except vocab. That’s it.” DeBuc said that it’s important to possess an interest in the subject before signing up for the class. “Other students should take this class if they’re really interested and they’re really focused on Greek mythology,” she said. “Otherwise, you’re not gonna have as much fun as I did in Greek Mythology.”
Electives are not only exciting to take, but they also can help to guide students in the right direction for their future career choice. “I get to sing every day after school ... and if I don’t have rehearsal after school (then) I’m not doing anything, so staying in choir helps me stay in shape and rehearse for the career I want to have in musical theatre,” Duus said. The freshmen can take a wide variety of electives at North, including some that are unique to the school. “We have Astronomy here, and there aren’t a whole lot of schools that offer Italian, and you have a language requirement but it is your choice as to which one,” Skelly said. “Many kids take foreign languages to meet the requirement, but some kids take more than one foreign language. We have Applied Medical Research that kids can take senior year. That’s a science class.” Senior Charlie Delaney is in a drawing and painting class this year for her arts credit. “(My favorite thing about electives is) the fact that there is no requirement, you just do whatever you want to do,” Delaney said. Different electives are highly recommended for incoming freshmen to take so they have the opportunity to experiment with their interests. “I would highly recommend that they take an art class or a choir class because you really get to show your creativ ity through that,” Duus said. “A lot of times in school you’re thinking logically, you’re not thinking as creatively as you’d like to. So by taking a performing arts class or choir class, you can show your creativ ity and use it more often than you normally would.”
Performing Arts
NEWS EDITOR & SENIOR ASSISTANT EDITOR
By Billy Moin & Brittney Hernandez
LEFT: AcaFella performed at the Great Works Concert on March 26 in Assumption Greek Orthodox Church.
-AcaFella - selected choir -Counterpointe - selected choir -Dance Team - performs at the pep assembly -Drama Club - performs in the play -Jazz Band - selected band -Movie Club -Pep Band - plays at assemblies, awards nights, football games and basketball games. -Pit Orchestra - takes part in plays and musicals -Solo & Ensemble - band/orchestra, individual/group competitions -Step Team - performs at pep assembly -Video Club
LEFT: Interact Club packs lunches for the hungry.
-Diversity Club -Gay/Straight Alliance (G.S.A.) - promotes equal rights for people of all sexualities -Interact Club - does community service -Link Crew - Helps incoming freshmen transition to high school -Norsemen K.N.O.T.S. - works with special needs students -Students Against Violations Against the Environment (S.A.V.E.) -Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.) -Women In Leadership Leading Our World (W.I.L.L.O.W.)
Leadership & community service
With 32 clubs offered at North, there are plenty of ways for students spend their after school hours
Welcome to the club
4 – North Pointe – Friday, May 22, 2015
-North Pointe - newspaper written by journalism students -Valhalla - yearbook produced by the yearbook staff
ABOVE: The Student Association held it’s annual “Little Girl’s Night Out” on Feb. 9.
ABOVE: The journalism students from both publications took a trip to Washington D.C. for the National Scholastic Press Association’s National High School Journalism Convention.
Journalism
-Close Up - goes on a trip to Washington D.C. -Distributive Education (D.E.C.A.) - business -Student Association (S.A.) - all of the school’s senators -Young Americans for Freedom (Y.A.F.) - conservative, educational group
Politics & business
CLUBS
-Archery ABOVE: The Gearheads -Gearheads Robotics cheer at the Howell -Health Careers Investigation Club (H.C.I.C.) Robotics Competition. -Quiz Bowl - Trivia team that competes against other schools -Radio Astronomy Team (R.A.T.Z.)
Science & competition
-Foreign language clubs - French, German, Italian ABOVE: The French Club and Spanish has a party. -Harbinger literary journal - submission based poetry and art publication
English & foreign languages
North Pointe – Friday, May 22, 2015– 5
MAP
6 – North Pointe - Friday, May 22, 2014
demyst i f ied
High school survival
GUIDE
fin you ding rr oom
By Audrey Kam & Nathan Lonczynski
North
EDITOR-AT-LARGE & STAFF REPORTER
front of school
Even-numbered rooms are on the inner side, odd numbered rooms are on the outer side.
Top view: B Building East
West
Teacher name Class Auxiliary uses for room
To science wing and C building ALIEXPRESS.COM
floor
B 302
High school can be a confusing place, and while we can’t tell you exactly why your friend did that, we can show you what’s what around the school. This map has everything you need to decipher your schedule and put you in the right class on time this fall.
A quick E front SCIENC B BUILDING view of North 3
South
Language arts classes
C BUILDING Performing Arts classes (Band, Orchestra, Choir), Planetarium, and access to the PAC (includes Multi Purpose Room and Stage)
2 1
Social Studies and Foreign Language classes
Math classes
Library Access You can only get to the library from this staircase on the second floor of the B building.
your locker is here
A BUILDING Applied arts, the cafeteria and sports facilities (locker rooms, gymnasium, and access to the turf.
VECTORJUNKIE.COM CLIPARTPANDA.COM YAYMICRO.COM CLIPARTBEST.COM CLKER.COM CLIPARTLORD.COM CLIPARTZEBRAZ.COM
SPORTS
7 – Friday May 22, 2015– North Pointe
Spring Baseball
Boys golf
“I suggest to the incoming freshmen to try sports because it’s a way to make new friends. It is a big commitment because you have it every day after school whether it’s baseball, basketball, football, and even on the weekends so you have to be very committed.”
Boys lacrosse
Crew
Girls Lacrosse
Jimmy Mazzola Boys baseball
Girls track
EDITORS
Boys track
Boys basketball
“Make sure your grades stay on top and you get along with the coaches well, and just have a good time with it.”
Nadia Anusbigian Girls lacrosse
Jordan White Boys basketball
“ You should try out because it gets you more connected with school, and you meet a lot more people, and it’s ... really competitive and fun.”
“I highly recommend playing a high school sport. It’s a great way to meet upperclassmen and be a part of something bigger than yourself.”
Will Carlson Boys baseball
Girls Soccer
Natalie Barstys Girls hockey
Softball
Gymnastics
Boys hockey
Boys swimming
“Try a new sport because the people are really helpful, and the coaches and sophomores will help you out a lot. You should not be afraid to try a new sport.”
Sailing
Girls tennis
Winter
By Andrea Scapini & Mora Downs
Figure Skating
Girls Basketball
“I would recommend (playing a sport) because you get to know people and and the experience is different than middle school sports, it’s more competitive in high school and there’s more of a drive feeling to get better.” Zaire Summerville Wrestling
Girls Hockey
Competitive cheer
Synchronized swimming
Fall
PHOTOS TAKEN BY PHOTOJOURNALISM
Wrestling
Boys cross country
Boys soccer
Boys tennis
Football
Field hockey
Girls cross country
Girls golf
Girls swimming
Sideline cheer
Volleyball
Dance
“I highly recommend coming in as a freshman to do sports, because you meet a lot of new people that you haven’t met before. So coming into school, you already have friends. Coming from a small school like Star of the Sea, I didn’t know a lot of the people when I came to North. But since I did field hockey, I met a lot of new people, so when I walked into class, I knew people ... from field hockey.” Sydney Murray Field Hockey
8 – Friday, May 22, 2014 – North Pointe
HOMECOMING
The how-to’s of homecoming:
Each fall, students take part in T-shirt making, float building, a school-wide pep rally and a parade leading up to the annual homecoming dance
By Haley Reid & Lillian Rancourt MANAGING EDITOR & STAFF REPORTER
MARIA LIDDANE & ALLISON FLY
T-shirt do’s and dont’s DO: - Buy a size larger. Seniors re-wear their past homecoming shirts during their last spirit week. Purchasing a larger size will ensure that the shirt will still fit during senior year. - When wearing T-shirts on spirit day, pair it with accessories and other matching spirit wear. Don’t be afraid to go overboard. - Be sure to wear spirit shirts on the class’ assigned spirit day, during the pep assembly and at the homecoming parade.
DON’T: - Avoid cutting shirts too much and make sure to follow dress code regulations. Tank tops are allowed, but no crop tops. - Don’t over decorate. A little glitter goes a long way. - Don’t dispose of spirit shirts after homecoming.
Float building and parade
Pep rally
Each of the grades has a float in the parade, which coordinates with the class’ sub-theme of the school’s homecoming theme. Weeks before the homecoming parade, the students can go to float-building parties, which are located at a student’s home. There, students can help build their class’ float. This is a good opportunity to renew old friendships and make new ones. No art skills are needed. Just bring team spirit. “It’s fun because I get to walk around with all of my friends. I used those horn things, I blew them, and it was hype,” freshman Jonathan Hawring said. After school on the Friday before Saturday’s homecoming dance, it’s encouraged that students march with their class in the float parade. Students who wish to participate can meet at Monteith Elementary School before the start. Then the colorful procession marches up Cook Road to Morningside Drive to the North football field before the start of the homecoming game. At the parade, the floats are judged in several categories. The winning float is announced during the homecoming game. “We encourage that they wear their shirts and that they support their class and walk with their class and their float,” freshman class adviser Wendy Spreder said.
On the last school day of spirit week, classes crowd in the gymnasium for the annual homecoming pep rally. Students sit with their grade to cheer, chant and dance, competing against the other classes. “The seniors make notice of themselves by running in with their flag and screaming and yelling. There’s a lot of activity,” Spreder said. Students don’t want to miss the pep assembly’s yearly activities. The boys varsity football team’s choreographed dance and the announcement of the homecoming court winners are yearly traditions. The marching band, the step team and the dance team perfom which contributes to the lively atmosphere in the gym. Also during the pep assembly, there are many competitions, such as the student pie-eating contest and games of tug-of-war, which is divided into two rounds. First, the seniors are paired with the freshmen and compete against the junior and sophomore class. The second round is the winning students against teachers. Students can participate in the pep assembly by signing up to compete in a game, or simply show their Norsemen pride in the stands. “It’s just a great afternoon of games,” Spreder said. “Anyone can be involved.”