ON CAMPUS PAGE 4 LEFT: Television Production classes are now using drones to film intros for the announcements.
NORTH
COURTESY OF GABE KORKMAZ
GROSSE POINTE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
POINTE FRIDAY, OCT. 9, 2015
SINCE 1968
Beloved activities director finishes final homecoming
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF PAT GAST
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & EDITOR
Cookies. Pep assembly. Graduation. WILLOW. The Union. North. These words have become synonymous with activities director Pat Gast over the past 21 years. Gast started working at North during the 1994-1995 school year after spending several years as a “professional volunteer.” She applied for the job while her son was a senior and was met with some dismay when he found out she’d be at school so much. Since then, Gast has become involved a wide range of activities, including Spirit Committee, Step Team, WILLOW, special education programs, the Union and Student Association. After over two decades of involvement, Gast has reached a decision to retire. This will be her last year. “I’ve done millages for the school system. I’ve saved some schools from being closed. I’ve done archives for Orchestra Hall. I worked for the Junior League. I was Designer Chairman, and I ran a tearoom and made a lot of money and did all that stuff,” Gast said. “Then I started working here, and I fell in love with you guys.” To honor her years here, Student Association president Nicoletta Valenzano, secretary Stephanie Godoshian and adviser Jonathan Byrne decided to have a group of students close to Gast sing a song from her favorite movie, Pitch Perfect. “I think it’s really cool that we’re doing it for her. I’m kind of sad because she won’t be at my senior pep assembly, but I’m happy we can help make her last one special,” junior Chloe Ribco said. Alumni, including Class of 2015 alumnus Michael Marchiori, are also returning for Gast’s last assembly. “I think this just means that we have to make it the best one yet,” Marchiori said via email. “Mrs. Gast has given so much to GPN over the years, and now it’s our turn to show that her generosity hasn’t gone unnoticed.”
With Gast at the helm, the pep assembly has undergone an evolution. Originally, it was after lunch and extremely rowdy. Gast said students were not behaving properly, and even the football team was acting up. Now, the pep assembly is in the morning and is more engaging. Behavior at the assembly is part of a class’s spirit points, so students have not had as many behavioral problems. Gast also recalls the rebirth of the pep band. When Gast first started out, the pep band could fit in the back of a pick-up truck. However, through conductor David Cleveland’s efforts, the pep band has expanded to over 75 members and is a big hit at the pep assembly each year.
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Mrs. Gast has given so much to GPN over the years, and now it’s our turn to show that her generosity hasn’t gone unnoticed. Michael Marchiori CLASS OF 2015 ALUMNUS
“Last year, that moment when the drum line all of a sudden, they started to play, we turned the lights out, and all of a sudden, everybody (recorded them) with their cell phones. It was like wow, that was such a moment for me. It’s like this is what it is, bringing everyone together. Because that’s what the pep assembly is. That’s the school spirit. That’s the spirit I have in my heart. I drive a green car, red too, but I drive a green car. I love North. I have a lot invested here.” Gast does still feel students are taking advantage of privileges like the pep assembly and toga day.
IDEAS - PAGE 8
LIFE - PAGE 5
“We are young but, as morbid as it sounds, that doesn’t always matter.”
Left: Senior Rachel Backer has created a campaign in for 2016 presidential candidate Bernie Sanders called “Grosse Pointe for Bernie.” RACHEL BACKER
@thenorthpointe www.northpointenow.org
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By Anu Subramaniam & Mora Downs
VOLUME 48 | ISSUE 2
Calendar | 2 News | 3
She feels that the students leaving after the pep assembly or during toga day don’t take into account the work that goes into spirit week and are jeopardizing the future of these traditions. Her hope is for students to remain in school so that the traditions can continue. “Last year, I noticed there was an awful lot of seniors here on toga day, which made me very proud. But they still took advantage of it,” Gast said. “You work so hard to do the pep assembly. You have no idea what goes into putting on a pep assembly. I mean, look how hard the dance team is working, the cheer team, the football team. I’ve got two practices with them at night next week, just to make it all happen. And then we practice at seven in the morning to make sure that all the games (run smoothly).” Gast’s work toward the pep assemblies has been widely noted by students and teachers. Good friend and health teacher Ann Starinsky has seen the pep assemblies improve annually and attributes the improvements to Gast’s attention to detail and hard work. “I’ve never known someone that puts so much heart and soul into everything she does,” Starinsky said via email. “Never afraid to take on a challenge, and always has the best interest and well being of the students here at North as her focus.” Gast believes it is really important for her to be at work every day to help the school. “What happens if a student needs me, and I’m not there? That bothers me. If I’m not there, and a student needs me,” Gast said. “My job here is to make sure that all your wants and needs are met. You know, if you have a question, if I don’t have the answer, I’ll try to find the answer. If you’re looking to do something, I’ll try to find a place for you. That’s kind of what my job is. I’m now not just the mom here. I’m the grandma.” TO READ MORE ABOUT PAT GAST GO TO WWW.NORTHPOINTENOW.ORG.
IDEAS - PAGE 8
“Why isn’t stress treated the same in schools as physical illness?”
DARCY GRAHAM
On Campus | 4 Life | 5
Ideas | 7 Reviews | 8
Sports | 10 Popping the Bubble | 12