North Pointe Feb. 28, 2018

ON CAMPUS PAGE 4 AP Environmental Science classes create dishes using only organic ingredients during the Fresh Food Festival

NORTH

GROSSE POINTE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL

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SINCE 1968

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28, 2018

New elementary school enrollment plan considered

UPCOMING

EVENTS

NORSE NIGHT AUCTION Saturday, March 3 at 6 p.m. at Assumption Cultural Center PARENT TEACHER

CONFERENCES

Thursday, March 8 from 5-8 p.m. in the gym

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INSIDE

"I THINK IT'S AN ARGUMENT OF

WHETHER THEY SHOULD BE PAID OR NOT. I DON'T THINK IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH RACE." PAGE 8

"IT'S IMPORTANT

THAT YOU "GET START INFORMED EARLY. AND MAKE GET YOUR VOICE YOURWE HEARD. PROFILE CANNOT GOING AFFORD TO LOSE NOW ."

THEM." PAGE77 PAGE

Pink slip possible for 389

ABBEY CADIEUX

Board of Education discusses fate of the 389 St. Clair Ave. district administrative building in budget parameters

By Abbey Cadieux & Alex Harring EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & MANAGING EDITOR

When senior Alex Dean went to the district administrative building at 389 St. Clair Ave. (commonly referred to as “389”) for meetings with the district-wide diversity team, she said she saw many filled offices and people bustling about.

“The offices were very busy, and there were often families having meetings with different people working in the building,” Dean said.

However, although it may appear busy to an outsider, 389 is approximately 75 percent unoccupied, Board of Education treasurer Judy Gafa said.

Because of this, the Board of Education is considering the idea of selling, leasing or renting 389. The building sits on 14.1 acres of land and would be worth $324,000, according to commercial real estate advisory firm Plante Moran Cresa.

A few years back, there were more people working in 389 than there currently are. Budget cuts and dwindling enrollment have caused the number of employees situated in the building to drop.

Gafa said currently, the superintendent, assistant superintendent, curriculum directors, registration and business offices, human resources workers, communication persons, bookkeepers and some events are housed in 389.

According to Superintendent Gary Niehaus, office space in Grosse Pointe City rents for about $25 per square foot on on average. Gafa is strongly in favor of renting and notes that doing so

would provide additional revenue for the district.

Gafa said selling 389 is a one-time influx of cash. Renting, on the other hand, would be a steady source of money toward the district’s general fund.

“Every member of the Board is in agreement that that building might not be

“

Every year we have less kids, and the less kids we have, the less money we get.

Judy Gafa

“

SPRING MUSICAL Thursday, March 8 at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center

necessary anymore since we are decreasing staff and our ‘footprint,’” Gafa said. “We might not need that building anymore.”

Ultimately, the goal of taking action regarding the ownership of 389 is to generate revenue. To construct a definite plan and include it in this year’s district budget by June 30 would be unrealistic, Gafa said. As of now, 389’s fate is up for debate.

The discussion regarding the sale, lease or rent of the 23,103-square-foot building was born out of the Board’s determined budget parameters, which were voted on this past January. Budget parameters give the district’s administrative team a sense of what the Board is willing to do with the

school system’s budget.

While the district would profit from selling, leasing or renting 389, some funds will need to be redistributed for buildings or office space for current 389-based employees. To Gafa, reconfiguration is the only caveat.

Taking the overhead to run the building into account, such as custodial service, property insurance, technology and utilities, the district would save about $71,000 annually from the operation of 389.

“Now, (selling the building) doesn’t take care of our shrinking enrollment.

We sell that building, we get a one-time infusion of cash … we’re losing a hundred students a year. That’s projected on live births in Wayne County,” Gafa said. “So right now, we know how many babies are born in Wayne County, and we can kinda predict in our school district how many are going to come into kindergarten based on that number, and the number of houses for sale in the district.”

This effort, in addition to other policies proposed by the Board, could potentially remedy some of the effects of the district’s structural deficit. Actions such as shifting 389 and the triangulation idea alone will not diminish the deficit, acting as a “bandage on a laceration,” Gafa said.

“Every year we have less kids, and the less kids we have, the less money we get,” Gafa said. “You have to solve that problem by actually tackling the declining enrollment piece instead of just selling off assets, because we can sell building after building after building, but if we don’t begin to tackle that structural deficit, we’re not gonna keep up.”

Routine district blocking inhibits inquiries

By Amber Braker & Sophie Kehrig PAGE EDITOR & STAFF REPORTER

In January, senior Ruth McCuen was frustrated to find that some of her favorite YouTube videos were blocked on her school account. Much of the content that comprises “I Don’t Bi It,” a series created by YouTuber Alayna Fender to dispel myths about the LGBT+ community, is restricted.

McCuen is dissatisfied with the way the district currently filters information, and believes that what is considered appropriate should be updated.

“I’m not a fan of (the district web restrictions) because they block sites and videos that could be informational to students that don’t have access to it at home,” McCuen said.

Other students and teachers have dealt with similar problems.

Junior Mary-Ann Essak has run into issues using the online dictionary SpanishDict.com in class.

“When I look it up on my phone on the Wi-Fi it blocks it. It will be there and two seconds later it will refresh and it will be like ‘it's restricted,’” Essak said. “I can’t look up the word, and I have to ask Señora and Señora judges me.”

While the consequences in this instance may not exactly be dire, such technological roadblocks can inhibit the learning environment in varying degrees.

While doing a research project for Black History Month, sophomore Brianna Horton couldn’t access information on the

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VOLUME 50 | ISSUE 11

News Briefs

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achievements of a historical figure because the site was blocked.

Freshman Brett Aresenau was studying for science when he was restricted from watching an educational video about neutrons. While he was inconvenienced by the filter, Aresenau believes in the necessity of it.

“They should block inappropriate sites and stuff, and maybe games, because you should be working on schoolwork,” said Aresenau.

Technology teacher Sean McCarroll has encountered obstacles in the classroom while trying to use a screen capture application.

“One of the hardest parts is not knowing what is and is not blocked. We can assume that there are certain types of content that are blocked, but something like that I would have never anticipated would have been blocked, so when it popped up I didn’t know what to say other than ‘well you can do it at home now, because you can’t do it here,’” McCarroll said.

Chris Stanley, district director of instructional technology, offers a solution to teachers and students alike for these problems.

“All staff members have been given access to a website approval form. Staff are asked to fill out the form, and if it’s designed for educational use, we have the option to unblock the site,” Stanley said via email.

By Zoe Graves & Emily Widgren PAGE EDITOR & STAFF REPORTER

Social studies teacher Bridget Cooley has a daughter who will be starting kindergarten in the district this fall, and the date she registers may determine which school she attends.

With a looming budget deficit of over $2 million, the district is looking into triangulation, a new policy that will turn the nine elementary schools into triads. The Board of Education will be voting on whether or not to accept the policy for the 2018-19 school year in an attempt to maximize the available resources within the district.

With triangulation, parents who register their children after May 1 will potentially be put on a waiting list if the grade they’re registering for is already at the recommended class size. If a space has not opened up at the home school by Aug. 15, the student will be placed at one of the other schools in their triad.

According to Superintendent Gary Niehaus, the district had to add four kindergarten classes in the 2017-18 school year to meet the school system’s class size parameters and spent nearly $500,000 to do it. Niehaus and certain members of the Board believe that triangulation will be helpful with the tight budget the district now has.

When Cooley heard about the solution, she was concerned at first but believes that it will not be much of an issue.

“I think all of our elementary schools are exceptional, so I don't think it would harm the education of any GPPSS student,” Cooley said via email. “ I know people have discussed closing a school, but I think that's a really tough call to make. This seems to be a much less painful option.”

School Board President Brian Summerfield, however, doesn’t think that triangulation will be helpful in solving the budget deficit.

“I do not think triangulation will (help combat budget reductions), although I think a variation of the policy will make a significant difference. We need to be able to budget and provide parents as much choice as possible to achieve the best result for each student,” Summerfield said via email. “We expect to save about $400,000 per year if the policy is enacted, although that amount could vary depending on how many additional sections would have been required to be added if such policy were not in effect.”

Summerfield says that the Board has been thinking about adopting triangulation for a couple of years.

He said that since this policy will only affect families who enroll late, it will not be much of an issue, and the policy is being considered because it would open up more spaces for children to enroll.

“The idea was if a family was attempting to enroll in a school that was full, they could choose any other school in the District with space available,” Summerfield said.

Triangulation would primarily be affecting kindergarten students, where the recommended class size is 24 compared to the 27 of first through fifth grades. Niehaus said that if a family did end up attending somewhere other than their home school, they would have the option to return there if they registered on or before May 1 the following years.

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Editorial On Campus

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Life Reviews

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In-Depth Sports

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NEWS

2 – Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 – North Pointe

IN BRIEF Parents Club holds annual Norse Night Auction On March 3, the Parents Club will host the annual Norse Night Auction. The fundraiser will be held at the Assumption Cultural Center at 6 p.m. Anyone in the community over the age of 21 is invited to attend and bid on items donated by parents, teachers and local businesses such as a Detroit helicopter ride, an MGM Casino package, jewelry, massages and wine.

Proceeds will be used to transform underused classrooms into collaborative teaching and learning spaces, where classes can collaborate across curriculum areas.

Parents Club president Gretchen Schock hopes to match or surpass last year’s auction, which raised $50,000.

“I see it as a celebration of the award-winning teachers that we are so fortunate to have at North,” Schock said via email.

“That’s why we are calling it ‘The Best for The Best.’ Not only do the students benefit from these great teachers, but as a parent, I love knowing my children have wonderful teachers.”

Triangulation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“They would be allowed to come back to their original home school.

This primarily happens in kindergarten where the class size is 24 students," Niehaus said via email.

The district’s problem occurs when a school has already met its cap of 24 students in each kindergarten class and a student enrolls later in the year, therefore exceeding that cap. The district must then hire a new teacher and make another class at that school just to accommodate that one student.

Since the class size for first through third grades increases to 27 students,

Blocking CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“All staff members have been given access to a website approval form.

Staff are asked to fill out the form, and if it’s designed for educational use, we have the option to unblock the site,” Stanley said via email.

The district doesn’t actually choose what kind of content is barred, a company called Fortinet, and Google do, for the district networkThe Children’s Internet Protection Act requires that schools and libraries bar minors access to “inappropriate matter”, and both Fortinet and Google adhere to the criteria.

That being said, some websites or videos blocked by these safeguards

and increases again to 30 students for fourth and fifth grades, Niehaus said that this is normally a one-year situation.

"We believe once a kindergarten student is assigned, met the classroom teacher and know there will be less students that all will be wokred out," Niehaus said.

While some families may be unhappy about the idea of the new policy, Cooley said that it won’t be a big issue.

“I think that if worried parents went and toured the other buildings, they would see that all Grosse Pointe teachers care deeply about kids,” Cooley said.

“Their children will receive a great education no matter where they land.” do not contain obscene material and provide that students find beneficial.

While some of the restricted videos in “I Don’t Bi It” contain explicit sexual innuendo, others simply discuss sexuality and gender in an inoffensive manner.

Similar to “I Don’t Bi It,” YouTuber Laci Green’s series of sex education videos sponsored by Planned Parenthood are blocked. McCuen thinks these sort of restrictions keep students from valuable and necessary information.

The district has the power to override both Fortinet and Google’s implementations of FCC guidelines as they see fit. McCuen wishes the restrictions were based on explicit content as a whole instead of a few key buzzwords.

“There’s pros to it, because clearly the blocks can block out stuff about sex or stuff like that in which you’re not going to want high schoolers or middle schoolers to see that or hear about it. But at the same time, it also can prevent valuable learning.”

Student Association hosts second blood drive Student Association will hold their second blood drive through Michigan Blood March 14 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m in the PAC. With a parent’s permission, all healthy students over age 16 are allowed to donate.

Every student who participates will be required to give a pint of blood. While Student Association adviser Jonathan Byrne doesn’t believe first-time donors should be nervous, he suggests all students get a good night's rest and eat a quality breakfast the morning before the drive.

“It doesn’t hurt. You don’t have to worry about that,” Byrne said. “You may feel a little woozy after, but it's not nearly as serious as people make it out to be.”

Byrne said because it's for a good cause, any student who is eligible should participate.

“Blood drives are a really great thing for the community,” he said. “It's a good way to get students and teachers involved in helping other people.”

Students compete in MLK writing contest In honor of the 1968 speech that Martin Luther King Jr. delivered at Grosse Pointe South, the city of Grosse Pointe is holding a contest for students to voice their emotions on the progress America has made since the civil rights era. Students can express themselves using any medium they can imagine. Social studies teacher Terri Steimer believes this is a good time to reflect on the permanent shifts in society since that era.

“I always wonder, would MLK Junior be proud of the progress, or would he say its a journey and the job is not done yet.”

Art will be judged and displayed on Wednesday, March 14 at 7:00 p.m. at South. In total, $2,500 will be distributed between first through fourth place winners.

“Yes there’s money attached to it, don't get me wrong, I understand the value of that,” Steimer said, “but to me, I also look at it as the opportunity to voice emotions regarding civil rights.”

Harbinger holds open mic night Harbinger, North’s Literary Magazine, held its first Open Mic Night Thursday, Feb. 15 from 6-8 p.m. The evening featured musical performances, poetry and short story readings and other artistic demonstrations by students.

Last year, Harbinger held a poetry slam. But English teacher Charles Crimando said Open Mic Night reached a broader spectrum of students because it allowed participants to bring whatever talents they have to the table. It also gave them the unique opportunity to demonstrate those talents in a positive, encouraging space.

“It's important that students have the ability to express themselves in a creative outlet,” Crimando said. “I think (it will) provide a community of people to share their art.”

This night is also designed to encourage Harbinger’s outreach by showing students the creative space Harbinger offers.

"Harbringer meets every Tuesday after school, so everyone is welcome to come and give their input," Crimando said. "We try to encourage as many voices as we can."

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CDC.GOV/FLU/INDEX

AMELIA NOWICKI

Flu season more severe than past years

By Sofia Ketels & Amelia Nowicki PAGE EDITOR & STAFF REPORTER

Instead of taking his midterm exams with the rest of his class, sophomore Ben Reiter spent an entire week bedridden from the flu. Having to stay home sick for a week or more has not been an uncommon experience amongst North students this flu season, and the trend continues as flu season continues its course.

Every year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that anywhere from 5 to 20 percent of the population gets the flu, placing many others in Reiter’s shoes.

“For two weeks, I had to come after school every other day to get them all in,” said Reiter. “I had really awful headaches, and I had to constantly keep drinking water, or else I’d get dehydrated.”

According to Dr. Ruta Sharangpani, who works with the Wayne County Health Department, the most common strain of the flu this season has been the H3N2 strain.

H3N2 is closely associated with severe illness, and Sharangpani believes it could be a contributing factor as to why this flu season is

more severe than it has been in almost a decade.

Sharangpani said that the best course of action when students to get sick is to stay home from school and to not come back until their fever has been gone for over 24 hours without having taken any ibuprofen or Tylenol. Other preventative measures include diligent hand washing and covering sneezes and coughs.

“I know a lot of people who, if they did get the flu, couldn’t really miss a whole week of school because that could really toughen their grade, and there’s tests coming up before break,” Reiter said. “Missing those would be a huge thing.”

This season, the flu vaccine has proven to be less successful than it has been in years past.

According to Time Magazine, the vaccine has had a 17 percent effectiveness rate against this year’s strain of H3N2 flu virus. Because of this, sophomore Olga Stathis and Reiter agree that the vaccine isn’t really a necessary means of flu prevention.

“If you’re scared about getting the flu, then you should probably (get the flu vaccine),” Reiter said. “But 10 percent is not the world’s largest difference, and it might not be worth your time.”

Stathis hasn’t gotten a flu shot since she was young and has only gotten sick with the flu once. She believes that the effectiveness of flu shots depends on the person’s immune system and that getting them is a personal choice.

While the vaccine may not be able to prevent the disease entirely, studies by the CDC and others have shown that the vaccine can still reduce the rate of severe complications while also shortening the course of the disease, according to Sharangpani.

Still, Reiter, Sharangpani and Stathis all agree that one of the more effective ways to prevent the rapid spread of the flu this season is to stay home from school or work if you are experiencing flu symptoms. Stathis added that coming to school sick isn’t much better than staying home, since the student would be less able to concentrate, which could just as easily cause grades to suffer. She also said the well being of classmates should be another consideration for students.

“I mean if you’re sick and you have the symptoms, I think you should stay home,” Stathis said. “Not just for your sake, but for the safety of others so they don’t get sick.”

Town hall addresses infrastructure issues

By Michael Hartt & Jordan Craighead STAFF REPORTERS

School Board Trustees such as Kathy Abke as well as other Grosse Pointe Public Schools administrators are concerned with the $110 million of critical repairs that must be addressed within the next one to three years.

According to a report by real estate company Plante Moran Cresa and obtained through the Blue Ribbon Committee, there are over $20 million worth of critical repairs that need to be done at North alone.

The Blue Ribbon Committee defines critical needs as essential components to keep schools running safely. GPPSS administrators discussed the critical needs and possible solutions at the Grosse Pointe North town hall meeting on Feb. 6.

Deputy Superintendent of Education Services Jon Dean said the critical needs

resemble repairs that any homeowner would need to make regularly.

“We are talking about fixing the basics — making sure the plumbing works, the electrical works and the lights turn on,” Dean said.

More specifically, the issues at North defined as critical at the town hall were security hardware, windows, light fixtures, plumbing, asbestos abatement and heating and cooling systems.

The main security concern discussed involves the lack of inside locks on classroom doors. Security needs around GPPSS include the need for secure school entrances, meaning that there should only be one available monitored entrance for each school building.

“The first (critical need) to me would be all the locks on the doors,” Dean said. “If there is a security issue to that door right now, I would have to go outside and lock it with a key, which, in a lockdown situation, could be detrimental to

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the safety of the students within the room.”

Head Engineer at North, Andrew Praedel, said that GPPSS would need to make a bond proposal to make the necessary repairs possible because GPPSS is currently in debt. Praedel said the cost of doing those projects is well beyond the district’s regular budget.

The School Board has already put a proposal on the ballet to raise taxes within GPPSS boundaries by one and a half mills. For a house costing $300,000, taxes would go up by approximately $225 per year.

Although GPPSS Superintendent Gary Niehaus said that he hoped for the millage to go through, he noted that the most important goal of the town hall series is to take the taxpayers’ advice into consideration.

“We need to listen,” Dr. Niehaus said. “We need to formulate how much we think we’re gonna need to go to referendum, and we need to build a consensus to see if that's the right thing to do.”

EDITORIAL

NORTH

POINTE

“Grosse Pointe Public School administrators and teachers are responsible for encouraging and ensuring freedom of expression and freedom of the press for all students, regardless of whether the ideas expressed may be considered unpopular, critical, controversial, tasteless or offensive.”

BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY Abbey Cadieux EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Lindsey Ramsdell EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Alex Harring MANAGING EDITOR

Rory Angott PAGE EDITOR

Sofia Ketels PAGE EDITOR

Syeda Riviz PAGE EDITOR

Arzoo Chhaya STAFF REPORTER

Michael Hartt STAFF REPORTER

Caitlin Bush MANAGING EDITOR Zoe Graves PAGE EDITOR Hannah Zalewski PAGE EDITOR

Amelia Nowicki Charles Bernas STAFF REPORTER INTERN 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

ZOE GRAVES

Positives of triangulation policy out weigh inconvenience A policy of triad schools will be implemented for the registration of elementary students this year. The triangulation of districts is a step in the right direction.

By placing elementary schools into clusters of three—the Central, North and South ends—students who enroll after May 1 will be assigned a school from that triad, regardless of distance from home. Whoever enrolls before that date will go to the institution closest to their home. This policy is said to save the district around $500,000. Once a student is placed, they will not be asked to move schools again throughout their elementary years.

Granted, the triangulation of districts may make it more difficult for people to travel to school. If a family misses the enrollment date, their children will go to a school from the triad that may not be the closest institution to them. With that being said, all the schools are within a 10-minute drive.

Although it might not be as convenient for them, it is worth the trouble.

Last year, before this policy was implemented, the board had to spend $500,000 in accommodations for students who registered late. Grosse Pointe Public Schools continues to offer accommodations to those families that missed the deadline for this upcoming school year. The students who registered after May 1 are not automatically sent to another school. They are put on a waitlist, and families with siblings at the school are given first priority if space becomes available. In the grand scheme of things, it’s a win-win situation.

We take our school system for granted.

North offers 26 Advanced Placement courses. East Detroit High School only offers five. According to niche. com, we have the number one teachers in the state of Michigan. We have seven-period days instead of six.

We have been given so many privileges especially in comparison to other schools in Michigan.

It’s not even that the triangulation policy is forcing the enrollment of all children to poor quality schools. It only applies once the deadline has been missed. This law is to reinforce mainly elementary class sizes, specifically kindergarten, as the maximum number of students allowed in one classroom is 24, while for first through third grades, it’s 27, and in fourth and fifth grades, it’s 30.

GPPSS is losing money. So if families have to travel the extra mile because they missed the deadline, that small distance is worth it because this policy will save our district half a million dollars. It is a small price to pay to save a lot more.

Being forced to join a new school district later on can have an impact on one’s life because once you move, you’re automatically the new kid, which makes triangulation all the better. One of the benefits it can have is that you move at a young age and go through the same feeder schools until high school graduation.

The institutions in each triad are all the same quality schools so the educational value is not impacted. If you register after the deadline, all that will happen is the district will put students in a school close to them, just not the closest.

But this is just the beginning. It’s great that our district can save money by making such accommodations. However, students and the rest of the community should have a say in how these funds are used. The district and students can collaborate to create an even better schooling atmosphere.

That said, triangulation should help balance the budget and improve school utilities.

The only disadvantage to the triad plan is for those who don’t take the responsibility to register on time. Even then, if there were to be any special circumstances, there is still a waitlist, and your odds increase significantly if you have siblings that go to the same school. If GPPSS is already low on money, then how much harm can an extra five-minute drive be? Triangulation is worth every penny saved.

North Pointe – Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 – 3

Focus on the positive

In a world filled with fighting, violence and political turmoil, the news MY TURN seems to always ERIN be negative. KALED On Feb. 9, an estimated 30 million viewers tuned into the opening ceremony of the winter Olympics, and even more caught at least a glimpse of the games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

While Twitter feeds and other news outlets are usually filled with fighting and fake news, these two weeks are occupied with the encouraging news we haven’t seen in a while. From the inspirational storytelling of the athletes’ families to the medal celebrations, the world is a bit less angry.

There’s a power in the Olympics that brings the world together and provides relief from the negatives, even for just a shor t period of time. Par tisan issues are pushed aside over our love of Shaun White, Lindsey Vonn and Jamie Anderson, and Team USA provides a source of pride for the American people. It’s a refreshing mix of good news. For the past two years, there’s been nothing but confusion and anger being aired and now there’s a sense of peace throughout the country.

So how do we keep the positive energy f lowing? How do we remind the world that there’s light throughout the darkness?

First, news outlets shouldn’t be covering every single thing President Tr ump does. We don’t need to know about his weird habits. Everybody has them. If it’s impor tant, repor t it. If it’s not, don’t waste people's time.

W hat comes next? T he Oly mpics conclude d Feb. 25, a nd t he u n it y t he world felt is over. T he me d ia is focuse d on t he re cent F lor id a school shoot i ng, a nd t he world is mou r n i ng toget her. T hen t he

“I’m washing my hands, bundling up and staying away from people that have the flu.”

me d ia wi l l be back to at t ack i ng Tr u mp a nd ou r relat ions wit h Nor t h Korea.

I’m not sayi ng a l l t he t h i ngs t he me d ia repor t s a ren’t i mpor t a nt , but it’s n ice to se e t he posit ive news out weigh t he negat ive for once. Two yea rs ago was a si mpler t i me. T he world se eme d happier, a nd t here wasn’t a const a nt d ivide tea r i ng us apa r t. Is it possible to get back to t hat place of t ra nqu i l it y?

According to the Huffington Post, constantly seeing negative news has been linked to PTSD, stress, anxiety and depression.

Researchers also believe that seeing too much negative news can either cause somebody to be sensitized or desensitized.

In order to feel less guilt about the news, people should turn off their TVs and realize that although there are plenty of tragedies, there are plenty heroic stories as well. Like the storytelling of the Olympics—how an athlete got where they are and what they plan to do next— or cheering on the winners of an award show, even when they’re over. If you dig deep enough, you’ll find positivity somewhere on CNN, in the Washington Post or even the New York Times.

However, these two weeks have provided a restoration humanity needs. The world comes together and cheers each other on, and for the first time in two years, people can give a much needed sigh of relief.

Humans need to look forward and realize that not all news is bad. We can get past this time if we focus on the side of humans the news never really shows. Yes, there was a tragedy, but we could also focus on the heroes and remember the fallen together.

Or the recent developments in science, space and education. Hopefully, these Olympic games inspire people to keep the positivity f lowing for at least a little while.

“I'm just staying away from people that’s sick, and I got my flu shot, and I don't really be outside like that.”

Brooklyn Bonner

Jermaine Woods

SOPHOMORE

FRESHMAN

“Washing my hands, making sure I disinfect everything around me, drinking some tea and some hot chocolate.”

Darianna Gantt JUNIOR

YOUR TURN: What do you do to protect yourself from flu season? By Audrey Boles

“Getting lots of rest, washing my hands constantly and making sure I’m eating right.”

Malik McPherson SENIOR

NORTH

“Keeping a coat on, keeping my hands washed and staying free from other germy people.”

“I wash my hands a lot.

Actually, that's it. I do a lot of hand washing to make sure the germs are off.”

Barry Mulso

Renee Borowicz

SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER

LIBRARY ASSISTANT

POINTE

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: Abbey Cadieux, Lindsey Ramsdell MANAGING EDITORS: Caitlin Bush, Alex Harring EDITORS-AT-LARGE: Anna Post, Michal Ruprecht BUSINESS MANAGER: Allison Lackner WEBSITE MANAGING EDITOR: Sonny Mulpuri WEBSITE EDITORS: Erin Kaled, Billy Steigelman PAGE EDITORS: Rory Angott, Amber Braker, Zoe Graves, Sofia Ketels, Katelynn Mulder, Syeda Rizvi, Katie Thomas, Hannah Zalewski STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS: Marina Gabriel, Jillian LaPere, Rachel Malinowski, Alyssa McLarty, Ashley Sexton, Nya Tatum, Kennedy Williams STAFF REPORTERS: Nick Asimakis, Elizabeth Ballinger, Arzoo Chhaya, Jordan Craighead, Michael Hartt, Sophie Kehrig, Mariah Loper, Brooklyn McWhorter, Taylor Mitchell, Abi Murray, Amelia Nowicki, Adam Schwartz, Sarah Shanley, Cairington Stahl, Benjamin Uram, Emily Widgren INTERNS: Amelia Abraham, JoAnna Alexander, Charlie Bernas, Aundrianna Boles, Savannah Burguron, Maggie Carron, Nadia Fama, Colin Haroutunian, Donald Hightower, Raven Jason, Cheryl Knorp, Emily

McCloskey, Preston Rossignol, Katlyn RoodBallard, Amelia Schock, Sydney Semack, Jonathan Smith, Cordy Wettstein The North Pointe is edited and produced by 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. Readers are encouraged to write letters to the editor. Letters are edited only for length and are screened for libel and obscenity.

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.

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CONTACT US 707 Vernier Road Grosse Pointe Woods MI, 48236 Email: gpnnorthpointe@gmail.com Phone: 313.432.3248 Twitter: @TheNorthPointe Website: northpointenow.org FACULTY ADVISER: Shari Adwers, MJE

EDITOR'S DESK RORY ANGOTT

Be heard

In the 2016 election, only 53 percent of eligible voters faced the lines to practice the precious landmark of democracy: voting.

During midterm elections, like those in 2014, the turnout was even lower. Only 36 percent of people voted. Only 36 percent of people practiced what our founding fathers so selflessly fought for.

Voting, when we turn 18, is our obligation as citizens. It’s our civic duty to serve the values of the United States.

People often think that their vote doesn’t really matter.

When you look at elections, like 2016, in which roughly 3 million more voters turned out for Hillary Clinton than for Donald Trump, how could you blame them?

Well, no matter how true and valid their case may be, your vote does absolutely matter. Because, even if sometimes our electoral system may seem unfair, it almost always plays out in support of the people’s view.

Even if you’re a Democrat in the burnt-in red state of Utah, you have a duty. You have to vote.

Even if you’re a Republican in the seemingly endless blue ocean of California, you have to vote.

Even if you’re a devoted member of the Green Party, you still absolutely have to vote.

You may not get your way.

That’s just how life works. But to deny yourself such a fragile right, a right that in countries like North Korea and Cuba is still denied, is merely selfish.

Consider the lives lost in the American Revolution. The tens of thousands of Americans that fought for our future and of the people who continue to serve our military today, those who are working to retain our rights as Americans and to deliver them to others around the world.

As a 15-year-old sophomore, I can’t vote, and chances are, the majority of you can’t vote either.

Often times, high school students tend to ignore politics because they’re ‘boring’ or they think that they’re irrelevant. However, when it comes time for the 2020 presidential election, every student in this school, other than the class of 2021, will be able to vote.

That may seem so grudgingly far off. Two whole years. But, it’s not. In a year’s time, the primary campaigns will be well under way, and it’s time that we all begin to learn about our nation’s government.

Whether you decide to vote Republican or Democrat, I don’t care. All I care about is that you vote.

Most seniors will even be able to vote in the elections this November, the elections many of you may not even be aware of yet. Among other things, Michigan will be voting on whether or not we send Debbie Stabenow back to the United States Senate and choose who will become our governor.

If we want to be selfless, we have to vote. If we want other countries to look at our country and see what represents our own personal values, we have to vote.

Again, your vote matters.

There is no doubt about that. When countries like Syria held their first democratic elections, the smiles that filled news feeds around the world showed just how fulfilling that obligation of voting is. You, as an American, are entitled to that joy of voting.

Their democracy may not be perfect, but it is theirs.

Our democracy may not be perfect, but it is ours.

We, the people, own this country.

We, the people, are obligated to vote not just to entertain the candidates, but to make sure our voices—our starspangled voices—are heard.

ON CAMPUS

4 – Wednesday Feb. 28, 2018 -North Pointe

Organically made

FACES IN THE CROWD Andrew Peabody

AP Enviromental Science students make organic food during Fresh Food Festival

By Sofia Ketels PAGE EDITOR

HALLE PEPPER

FRESHLY MADE| Senior Sam Potter's organic dish sits ready to be sampled by other students. "We made quinoa salad," Potter said. "It has black beans, corn, onions, quinoa and avocado in it. We decided to make the quinoa salad because it’s healthy and organic and it looks good. It was different from what everyone else was making."

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TASTE TESTING | Seniors Brendan Berger and Brendan Bergeron eating their dishes of food. Senior Danny Morrison believes that this project taught students an important lesson. “(Organic food) tastes the same, even better sometimes (than regular food)," Morrison said. " I think that everyone can learn something from being all organic."

MIXING IT UP| Seniors Sam Potter and Hannah Naimo prepare food to be served to their class. Another student, senior Emma Tompkins, made corn, avocado and black bean salsa. "(We chose it) because we like how it tastes and it's vegan. It's all natural ingredients from the earth," Tompkins said.

While freshman Andrew Peabody enjoyed the festivities of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, he prepared for a gymnastics competition with his teammates and family on Feb. 9.

He placed third in vault and said he’s proud of his accomplishments. He added that he's grown more confident and closer with his teammates and family.

“I was happy because it’s such a hard vault and I landed and stuck it,” Peabody said via email. “I got to have fun and travel around and learn new things and history and see the different environment.”

Although this is his first time in the city, he is no stranger to travel. He said he travels to Florida at least two times a year with his uncle, who does car commercials in Florida. Peabody said enjoys travel and hopes to return to New Orleans and Florida.

"I just love traveling because it's so much fun," Peabody said. "You get to see new places and people."

Adam Suarez

Casting his line out into the Lake St. Clair waters, sophomore Adam Suarez feels the pull of long upheld family ties.

Since he was 3, fishing has been Suarez’s main hobby.

His dad originally got him into it, and it is now his favorite method of bonding with his father.

“We go out and fish for hours and just talk about how our days went and stuff like that. It’s really nice,” Suarez said.

He said his favorite fishing spot is at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club because he’s found it to have the best opportunities for a catch.

“The best part of the experience is waiting for maybe hours on end for a catch, and then finally snagging a fish. It makes me happier than anything,” Suarez said.

The largest fish he’s ever caught was a four-foot long bull shark in Florida while on vacation three years ago.

“I hope I’m able to keep fishing for a really long time. It’s something I never want to let go of,” Suarez said.

Carter Peck

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SERVING FOOD| Seniors Demitri Gritsas and Jonas Gee enjoying some organic dip. Senior Sam Potter appreciated that all of the food was made all-natural. "Our lesson was to learn about how to grow stuff without pesticides and with all-natural stuff and no fertilizers," Potter said.

COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEF | Senior Daniel Morrison holds the pasta that he made for the class. "(The goal is) just to show that organic is healthier for you and better for the environment instead of using pesticides and other different materials that could harm the environment," Morrison said.

One of your average gamers, senior Carter Peck realized his love for video games early in life. “(I was) maybe like 7, maybe 5 (when I played my first video game). Probably because my parents played (Legend of Zelda: The) Wind Waker and stuff,” Peck said.

As he got older, he began playing more games and experimenting with different genres, but his favorite games are medieval games with an open world.

“Wind Waker I re-played like 20 times, it’s such a good game,” Peck said. “I used to play a lot of Halo, but since they kept coming out with new consoles and they didn’t really have a whole lot of games, I switched to PC.” Peck said that his dream is to be a game tester, where he can get paid for helping develope or test new games.

“I would like to get payed to actually play stuff, even if it's clunky and stuff. Just to see it get better as it goes will be interesting,” Carter said.

By Halle Pepper, Brooklyn McWhorter & Preston Rossignol

FIVE MINUTES WITH

Business teacher Chris Smith

By Sydeney Semack STAFF REPORTER

CHRIS SMITH

WELL-TRAVELED| Business teacher Chris Smith stands outside of the Church of Saint Sava with his friend Branislav in Serbia. "I lived in Thailand for almost a year and I worked at a high school teaching English and I also worked for Carnival cruise lines for two years, so I was traveling the Caribbean for that," Smith said. " I also have met people around the world from working these different jobs I have had, and sometimes I will stay with them, or sometimes they even will come with me."

In just the past year alone, alumnus-turned-new business teacher Chris Smith has been to 17 countries for leisure. One of his favorites was Serbia.

“I got a lot of cool experiences there. It was a former communist country, so you just got to see the cool history,” Smith said. “I also got to stay with a couple cool families. We got to farm and get our dinner from the backyard.”

He invested time into learning the history behind the former communist country, moving among different host families as he traveled.

Although Smith sometimes travels alone, he has made friends along the way. He worked on Carnival Cruise Line ships for two years, expanding his travels throughout the Caribbean. He plans on traveling to Alaska and Vietnam in the near future.

Despite Smith’s love for travelling, he has known from a young age that he always wanted to be a teacher.

In the past six years, he has taught locally working with special needs students and as a longterm substitute at Pierce Middle School.

But, after working as a substitute, he decided to

synthesize his passions for teaching and travelling. The result: Smith spent almost a year teaching in Thailand.

Many American teachers that move to foreign countries usually teach what they know best, that being their native language. Smith was no different. In turn, he started learning a lot about Thai culture, and started picking up the language quickly.

“I worked at a high school teaching English,” he said. “I learned to speak Thai pretty fluently in the first four months I was there, sometimes I will now say something in Thai and my students will be pretty shocked.”

Although he’s taught “on and off,” most of his adventures abroad involved some sort of interaction with kids. When he was with Carnival, his role involved working with kids.

For the foreseeable future, Smith will be in the business education department, doing what he has imagined himself doing since he was in elementary school.

“I remember when I was as early as third and fourth grade, I would see my teachers that I really liked and the fun things they did,” he said. “(I would) think ‘one day I wanna do that.’”

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT?

I am not sure, I really want to go to some new place, but if I had to pick a place to return, I would say Thailand, but I think Alaska and Vietnam are next.

FAVORITE MOVIE? I would say my favorite movie I have seen over the past year is "The Nice Guys,' with Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe.

FAVORITE MUSICAL ARTIST?

Right now I have been listening to Waylon Jennings.

FAVORITE BOOK?

My favorite book is probably "Middlesex," it is named after the street in Grosse Pointe, I actually picked it up because I saw it was on a Pulitzer Prize list and I had no idea what it was about, and when I opened it I was like this takes place where I live, so it really drew me in.

LIFE

JI

LL

PE

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RS

FUN IN THE LAB | Senior Michal Ruprecht works on the ligand Chemistry Club created at the University of Detroit Mercy.

Ruprecht joined Chemistry Club his sophomore year, and is currently the President. “I actually was not interested in chemistry. I thought it was super boring at first but once I started doing AP chemistry and paired it with Chem Club I got to see how amazing it is and how fun it is,” Ruprecht said. “I think it’s a really great way to inspire kids.”

By Rory Angott & Emily Widgren PAGE EDITOR & STAFF REPORTER

When senior Michal Ruprecht walked into his Intro to Organic Chemistry class Nov. 10, he expected no more than an average day. Little did he know, he’d leave the room with the American Chemistry Society Ciba Travel Award in Green Chemistry, an award that had never before been given to anyone other than an undergraduate and graduate student.

In recognition of his accomplishment, United States Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder sent Ruprecht a letter commending his work in mid-February and late January, respectively.

“One day Mr. Kosmas stood up, and he was going crazy. He didn’t know what was going on, and I was confused,” Ruprecht said. “He asked me if I’d seen the email, and I hadn’t, so I walked up, and he showed me, and it was an email from the American Chemistry Society. I’d gotten the Ciba award for Green Chemistry Research.”

Ruprecht and the rest of the Chem Club team worked together to create a ligand, a molecule

with the potential to remove harmful metals such as lead from water sources. Their research was inspired by the Flint Water Crisis. Ruprecht compared the ligand to a claw machine, its three arms branching out to pick out what’s bad.

In the past, Ruprecht didn’t express very much interest in chemistry. In fact, he said he found it quite boring in the beginning, and it wasn’t until he joined Chem Club and paired it with AP Chemistry that he began to enjoy it.

His mother, Beata Ruprecht, said that growing up, Michal was always a very curious kid.

Because of that, she wasn’t surprised when he decided to take on the research and was excited to see where it would take him.

“He’s been interested in a lot of things before.

Whether there’s some other science, he’s just interested in science in general,” Beata said.

“He’s always been very driven, and I think that chemistry is one of the sciences that has a lot potential in the future. I think it’s really a good thing (for him).”

Michal’s chemistry teacher, Steven Kosmas, coached him through the award application process.

Kosmas’s goal was to be sure Michal could

North Pointe – Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 – 5

Senior wins the American Chemistry Society Ciba Travel Award

Senior Michal Ruprecht became the first high school student to ever win this award in Green Chemistry on Nov. 10 for his work with the Chemistry Club on their ligand

win the award not only for himself, but for the Chem Club as a whole.

“Michal has taken a lot of initiative to move the Chem Club forward,” Kosmas said via email.

“He won an award that I give out to a student that has done the most to promote science outreach in the community. This is the NEST (Network of Educators in Science and Technology) award that is sponsored by a group out of MIT.” Michal said both of these awards have shown him that chemistry can actually create, change and open new opportunities for society as a whole.

Often times, people are inspired by their parents when choosing their career paths.

Michal, while taking some inspiration from his parents, who are both doctors, takes most of his inspiration from his grandmother, Elżbieta Kozłowska-Kikolska.

“She been practicing in the medical field for a long time. She still is. She’s inspired me because she had to live through World War II (in communist Poland),” Michal said. “She was sent to a camp because her dad was a teacher. She’s a big inspiration to me.”

MICHAL RUPRECHT

Although he wants to go into the medical field, Michal doesn’t want to be a doctor in the traditional sense.

He said that, after conducting the research at the University of Detroit Mercy which led to his award, he realized his interest lies in the application of chemistry to the medical field.

Beata said this award has opened many new horizons for Michal’s future not only in his future education but his career and even events that are taking place very soon. He plans on using part of the grant that came with the award to join the American Chemist’s Society and present at their National Meeting in Boston this summer.

Michal encourages all people to not only join Chem Club but aim towards STEM activities in general because he believes if people follow what they’re passionate about, they can accomplish great things.

“The whole thing was to inspire kids and young high schoolers to join STEM one day,” Michal said. “We want to promote more women, more minorities to come to Chem Club and, ultimately, to STEM. Hopefully, we make that accomplishment.”

ALL PHOTOS COURTEDSY OF DARIANAA GANTT

UNIFIED | Junior Darianna Gantt stands in front of the Union with a group of students who participated in the blackout. Gantt started the blackout becuase she doesn’t think Black History Month gets enough recognition at North.. “North doesn’t do a good job celebrating Black History. Black History Month isn’t even celebrated in the school because they don’t want to offend anyone,” Gantt said. “I can recall talking about black history month and a caucasian person asked why wasn’t there a white history month like how delusional is that. I think that question arose because the teachers don’t do enough to teach about the African American history.”

Student organizes black out Junior Darianna Gantt brought students together in her second annual Blackout in support of Black History Month on Feb. 17

By Katie Thomas, Savannah Burguron & Donald Hightower PAGE EDITOR & STAFF REPORTERS

One day in February 2017, junior Darianna Gantt encouraged her friends to wear all black to school in hopes of doing her part to celebrate Black History Month. A year later, Gantt once again organized her annual “Blackout” Tuesday, Feb. 13. This time however, her initiative had numerous participants throughout the school, showing the impact of student-led events.

“My goal with my Blackout was to be able to get some unity throughout the school,” Gantt said. “It’s important to celebrate Black History month because it isn’t supported like it should be in schools and also worldwide. That’s why I really wanted to do at least do something to honor Black history. It may not be much, but it’s effective all over the school.”

Dan Gilleran, social studies teacher and adviser of the Diversity Club, said the Blackout was an important way of celebrating Black History Month that united the school. While the Diversity Club has been raising awareness of the historic month for 17 years through different displays and events, Gilleran said more could always be done to make Black History Month a more inclusive celebration for the school.

“I liked it because it was very symbolic. It gets the whole school involved,” Gilleran said. “I thought it would be cool if we could coordinate

it next year with the Diversity Club and make it more school-wide.”

From passing out flyers to posting the event on social media, Gantt was able to network the Blackout to people even beyond her own social circle and grade.

Senior Antonio Spindler saw Gantt’s flyer on a friend’s Snapchat story, which led to his participation. He took part in the Blackout in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and as an acknowledgement of the hardships African Americans have faced throughout history.

“I participated because it’s important to get the message across that Black lives are equally as important, and just to show what we have been through,” Spindler said. “Its cool, people are trying to make a change, and that’s what we need to see more of.”

Gilleran said that while staff members can

encourage social awareness, it’s ultimately the students who have the most impact, which is why the Blackout had the success that it did. He personally has felt frustrated about how to celebrate Black History Month but said that students have a wider reach when it comes to getting the message across.

“Of course we’ve got resources and so forth, but it makes so much more of a DARIANAA GANTT stronger impact if it comes from the students and if it’s student-led,” Gilleran said. “I think everybody in the school has a responsibility, and teachers certainly play a role in that. It helps to facilitate, but it’s going to work

(better) when it comes to the students, is the bottom line.”

Gilleran said this should be taught throughout curriculum and in classrooms to recognize the culture all year round, not just during one month.

Gilleran does his part and attempts to spread awareness all year through events hosted by the Diversity Club.

“It’ll create discussion and generates different ideas going on within the students, of what they can do for the school and to continue it throughout, not just in February,” Gilleran said. “The more inclusive you can be, the better for everyone, and it helps every student, and not just black students. It’s to help everybody so that they get a full picture of our history and what’s going on.”

Gantt agrees that black history should be celebrated all year because African Americans haven’t received the recognition that they deserve for their accomplishments throughout history. For Gantt, the celebration of black culture never stops.

“I absolutely love being African American because we’re always on the forefront of shifting culture, and by that I mean setting trends, creating what’s hot, just being dope,” Gantt said. “I love being black because we have shown through history that we can overcome so many obstacles and during black history month, I am reminded of those certain things and why I love being the race that I am.”

REVIEWS

6 – Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 - North Pointe

'Black Panther' pounces to the top

By Taylor Mitchell STAFF REPORTER

"Black Panther" Marvel PG-13

The most anticipated, talked-about film of 2018 so far has broke Twitter and many film records since its premiere. “Black Panther,” starring Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong’o, Michael B. Jordan and a myriad of electric supporting actors, has created its own movement on social media and completely lives up to the hype.

Showcasing their excitement for the film’s release, moviegoers took on the identity of citizens from the fictional land of “Wakanda,” dressing in traditional African garb.

“Black panther” opened with the fifth highest weekend box office numbers of all time, and it’s brought in $426 million worldwide in gross box office total. This is the movie we all have been waiting for.

The latest Marvel blockbuster takes place in the supposedly developing African nation of “Wakanda.” But the country has a secret history. Wakanda quietly possesses the strongest metal in the world of Marvel, “vibranium,” an extremely valuable resource that contributes to the country's advanced technology.

The main character, T’challa (Chadwick Boseman) takes on the role of king of Wakanda after his father is killed in Marvel’s previous movie, “Captain America: Civil War.” Not only does his father's death mean the title of King, but also the responsibility of becoming the Black Panther, Wakanda’s historic protector. T’Challa now has to protect his people and their secret riches from being revealed to the rest of the world. While ruling his country, he also has to battle against those who want his throne and the precious Vibranium, especially main antagonist Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan).

“Black Panther” acts as more than just an action-filled superhero movie, in the perfect way it also speaks on issues

that plague black communities. The movie proudly breaks stereotypes of all kinds, from the international success of a movie with mostly black actors to challenging how society views black women through the iconic female cast members. “Black Panther” skillfully shoots down the typical female storyline as every woman in the film is versatile, strong, influential. In fact, T’challa’s protectors are not big me n w it h g u n s but f ie r c e A f r ic a n wome n w it h s p e a r s.

The bold Okoye (Danai Gurira) leads the female warriors, and in times of battle will always chose to protect the throne even if it means sacrificing her own personal decisions. Standing just as strong is Nakia, (Lupita Nyong’o) a spy for Wakanda who works alone busting undercover missions in the outside world.

Then there is Shuri (Letitia Wright) the sassy scientist who is the sister of T’challa and is known in Marvel comics as the smartest person in all the universe.

These three women embody everything media has lacked in the portrayal of women, especially black women, in film. They are African women who have difference in personality, beliefs, but still all stand together for Wakanda.

While addressing issues of feminism and black pride in the film, “Black Panther” also stays true to the roots of all Marvel movies, creating an action-packed thriller that viewers love. Scenes of fighting and battle were intense and took the audience through every single emotion, from fear to excitement to joy. Villain Killomonger’s disturbed yet meaningful character was an important start for the story of T’challa. Each actor takes on their role amazingly. Audience members are sure to have left the theater with not just the excitement for the upcoming Marvel film “Avengers: Infinity War,” but also anticipation for the progression of Black Panther himself.

For many, the film was a cultural moment in black history. From the traditional garb worn by the actors to the chilling authentic African music played throughout, director Ryan Coogler intricately paints a refreshing and positive picture of African culture. T’Challa’s admirable traits as a king and heroic nature as Black Panther make him a very important role model, especially for young black viewers who can see themselves in him.

"The Beautiful and Damned" (2017) iTunes, $11.99

.MARVELCOM

TV SHOW

APP

VIDEO GAME

ABSENTIA

MAD SKILLS BMX 2

OIK MEMORY

For all of the Castle fans that are still out there, that have been without a show for a few years now, there’s hope.

For people that ABSENTIA-TV.COM loved Detective Kate beckett (Stana Katic) in "Castle", then you will be sure to love FBI agent Emily Byrne in this murder mystery on Amazon Prime Video giving you an automatic connection to this show.

This is Stana Katic’s first character as a main role since the last season of "Castle" that aired back in 2016. Though Kate Beckett was a memorable fighter, in "Absentia," she does not lose that trait. "Absentia" is about a FBI detective Emily Byrne who went missing for six years. When Byrne went missing during the six year span, everyone around her speculated and assumed that she was gone. But they were wrong.

As Emily Byrne goes on to find her abductor, who actually happens to be a serial killer, the investigation becomes even more messy. Byrne finds out that she has been framed for a homicide too, but the ones closest to her believe that she was the one who committed the murder, as the evidence continuously leads to her. One of them being her husband Nick Byrne (Patrick Heusinger), which leaves Emily leaving her family behind to find out who’s really behind the forging.

Nick and the FBI try to find Emily to take her in, which leaves you on the end of your seat and exciting witch hunt.

This thrilling murder mystery of trust and picking who’s side to be on leaves your head spinning. Each character is a possible suspect.

Though a slow start in the first few episodes, it soon picks itself back up, and very soon you will be quickly pressing the next up button. The acting in this show is incredible; it all feels so real and seems like you are right there as an FBI agent investigating with them. And each new scene and move is terrifying and jaw-dropping. For anyone that is a murder mystery guru or anyone that just loved Stana Katic in "Castle," this is a definite must see.

While players listen to the fastgliding sound of dirt bikes in the app Mad Skills BMX 2, they must also balance technique and patience.

ITUNES This game is very similar to the app Rider. In both, users have cutozming options and graphics move at rapid speeds, which keeps gamers on the edge of their seats.

However, Rider is a single-player game, while Mad Skills BMX 2 allows users to compete with computergenerated opponents.

In this game, users and randomly generated players race through short and large pits by pressing the forward button to jump or down to accelerate.

Players need to complete multiple challenges to advance to the next level. This unique aspect demands much craft from players and motivates them to continue progressing through the confrontations that arise even if it seems like there are only a few levels.

Upon every successful win against an opponent, users win cash, which could be used in the rider or bike shop. The rider shop focuses on the player’s clothing and allows one to match it to the bike’s design, while the bike shop improves the bike speed and jump, leading to more successful runs.

The soundtrack has a flow to it with a competitive vibe. The quick-moving sound of the bike hitting the dirt provides a rush of adrenaline, adding to the competitiveness of the game.

The game’s only real drawback is that the user is required to complete a tutorial level at the beginning. Even if it helps with the controls of the game, users should learn by themselves. Independence would add more suspense and drama as the gamer would have to form their own strategies through trial and error.

Mad Skills BMX 2 is a thriller that requires thinking and motivation from the start to end. Although the tutorial mode is annoying, it’s a great app for anyone looking for a challenge.

"Absentia"; 2017; TV-MA

By Mariah Loper

"Mad Skills BMX 2"; 2018; Available to download for free.

By Adam Schwartz

Insultingly easy in the beginning, “Oik Memory” is a low-priced computer game that thankfully grows in intensity over time.

Unfortunately, its levels only STEAM test memory and patience, rather than any particular skill, leaving it a boring test rather than an interesting concept.

Each level is generated in a variety of shapes made up of individual blocks, displayed in an overlooking view. In the first few levels, the shapes are understandably simple, resembling squares. At the end, though, they appear more like webs, a genius manner of adding complexity.

Once the level is started, a pattern is provided for the player, in which each block lights up. There doesn’t appear to be an option to quicken or slow this display, which would be beneficial to save time for the simple levels, yet helpful to increase preparation time towards the harder ones.

After being shown the pattern, the player is expected to repeat the puzzle or risk restarting with the pattern shown again.

The starting levels are absurdly simple, with only a few blocks to click per pattern.

They’re so easy they could be completed in seconds. In fact, the first 36 levels can be done in under a half hour, even with reattempts on a few of them. There is little reason to replay a level after its completion, as it is not randomly generated.

Additionally, the electronic music of the game only serves as an obnoxious disruption in the memorization of patterns.

Ultimately, the theme and rhythm adds little to t he at mosphere of t he ga me a nd is best mute d.

As the player progresses, the complexity is necessary towards the end. It proves challenging to remember patterns with nearly 10 blocks dispersed throughout a web. Even so, once a player reaches the later levels, it’s clear that there is little technique involved with the game and that completion of earlier levels will not cultivate any skills for future puzzles.

More or less, it becomes evident that the best use of the game is to waste time.

"Oik Memory;" 2017

By Colin Haroutunian

ALBUM

BLACK PANTHER

ITUNES

To match the hype of the highly anticipated film, Marvel enlisted the help of rap mogul Kendrick Lamar and label CEO, Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith to curate the “Black

Panther” soundtrack.

Through a series of 14 tracks, the rapper and the CEO of his label, Top Dawg Entertainment, give anxious fans a musical glance into the world of Black Panther before the release of the blockbuster movie.

Lamar’s musical portfolio includes critically acclaimed and socially aware albums “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City,” “To Pimp a Butterfly” and “DAMN,” and the “Black Panther” soundtrack proves to be another achievement added to his catalog.

While Lamar is fully featured in five of the 14 songs on the album, the rapper’s familiar vocals can be occasionally heard in the background of every track, reminding listeners just how much of a creative hand he had on this project. Unlike a typical soundtrack, only three of the songs on the project are featured in the film, while the others are inspired by the movie.

The guest-list on “Black Panther” is, expectedly, star-studded. From Future, Travis Scott and the Weeknd to Khalid, SZA, the album has some of the best artists that hip-hop and R&B have to offer.

Rightfully so, each track seems to properly embody the “Black Panther” film, in completely different ways. Tracks “The Ways” and “I Am” offer slower, intense R&B tunes, while faster songs “X” “King’s Dead” and “Paramedic” fit into the action scenes that the movie is sure to have.

No two songs sound the same, keeping listeners on their feet and showcasing the versatility of Hip Hop and R&B. A portion of the tracks have allusions to the superhero movie, while even featuring African beats that add even more credibility and variety to the project. Not only is the film “Black Panther” set to break box office records, it’s also a significant film for Black culture.

Lyrically, this project is hard-hitting and prideful, a necessary combination for the movie, especially in its release during Black History Month. This soundtrack is equally as important for the culture as the movie is, Black excellence at its finest.

"Black Panther The Album Music From And Inspired By"; 2018; Available to download for $9.99.

By Katie Thomas

IN-DEPTH

North Pointe – Wednesday, Feb. 28 – 7

BUILD YOUR BR AND

By Rory Angott & Zoe Graves PAGE EDITORS

When North alumna Melina Glusac began her freshman year of college at the University of Michigan and dove into the workforce, she realized that she needed to start paying more attention to her résumé.

“After my freshman year of college — that’s when I got hired on our school newspaper at the University of Michigan called the Michigan Daily — I started getting clips, I started writing a bunch of articles and I was like, ‘Wow, I really need to compile this and sort of record what I’m doing,’” Glusac said. “I think it’s important that you start early. Get your profile going now.”

In order to minimize the stress of college applications and increase students’ chances of being accepted to their top colleges, counselor Jennifer Sherman recommends that students focus on building their résumés early on.

While academic accomplishments play a major role in being accepted to college or being hired for a job, Sherman said it’s important to also keep a list of all extracurricular accomplishments throughout high school so that they can be easily transferred to a résumé.

“I think it’s important for students to start creating a résumé as they enter high school in ninth grade,” Sherman said via email. “It might not look polished yet, but creating a list of the activities you have been involved in and any awards or honors you earned is important because students often forget when they get to

junior/senior year when they are applying for a job or completing an application for college.

Don’t get caught up in how the list looks, but find a place to keep a list so you’re ready for any application.”

According to business teacher Brian Levinson, professionalism is key for an effective résumé.

“It’s important for it to look clean,” Levinson said. “Employers don’t expect it to be lengthy in terms of work experience when you’re so young so don’t worry about length, just worry about your quality.”

Glusac, who had an internship at MTV, said that using an online portfolio has helped her pave the way in the workforce. Glusac used Weebly.com to create her portfolio, which she filled with links to both her résumé and writing she did for various newspapers and websites.

Students can create their own to showcase any work they have done throughout their career whether that is art, research projects or performance recordings. Weebly.com, Wix. com, Wordpress.com and Google Sites are free for users to build a website using a template or starting from scratch.

Executive director of Habitat for Humanity Detroit and former interim Mayor Ken Cockrel has seen many applications throughout his career. He says that volunteer work is one of the keys to building an effective résumé.

“I think a lot of employers now are actually looking to see not only what expertise or skill sets a potential employee brings to the table,

but I think they also want to know that that person is a well-rounded individual,” Cockrel said. “So I think if somebody has a résumé that shows that they have volunteered and done community service with different organizations including Habitat, I think it could enhance their résumé and maybe make a little more attractive candidate to the potential employer.”

Sherman agrees with Cockrel on that issue, as she believes service work shows that students care about other people and want to help with something that is bigger than themselves. She said that this will stand out to colleges and employers that are looking for people who want to enhance the community around them.

Aside from any job or volunteering experience a student may have, Sherman also recommends that students include their educational achievements and grades. She says not to worry about having the “right” sport or club on their résumé or college application, rather to be active in activities they are passionate about.

“I would include the following in your résumé: high school you attend, including your current cumulative GPA, work experience (even if it is through family), clubs/sports, volunteer work, honors/awards and two names of people that would be a reference for you,” Sherman said. “For a high school student, those two names would be adults from school or activities you’re involved with.”

Another valuable item to include on a résumé are internships. Although it may be

slightly harder for high school students to find internships, seniors going into college and college students have many different internship opportunities available.

The recent business growth in Detroit, especially in the Downtown, Midtown and Corktown areas, has opened up more opportunities than ever for students. In the past, Habitat for Humanity Detroit has given summer internships to college students, and the Detroit City Council and Mayor’s Office has offered internships as well. Habitat also allows younger students to help with smaller volunteer projects, such as community cleanups or blight remediation initiatives.

“As more and more businesses come to the City of Detroit, they’re looking for people that they can offer internships to or other sorts of specialized programs especially for young people,” Cockrel said.

Glusac, now a senior at the University of Michigan, said that after keeping a list of all of your accomplishments, assembling them into a presentable format is important, whether that be a physical résumé or an online portfolio.

“Be bold and be a little funky with your résumé, that’s what the creative industry especially is looking for,” Glusac said. “You have to realize that it starts now — no pressure — but it starts now.”

Contributing: Donald Hightower

ZOE GRAVES

SPORTS

8 – Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 – North Pointe

Paid to Play?

By Michal Ruprecht & Emily Widgren EDITOR-AT-L ARGE & STAFF REPORTER Senior Mario Lorelli is getting his brackets ready for the National Collegiate Athletic Association March Madness Competition. However, Lorelli, who will be playing Division III lacrosse at Wittenberg University, said there is a big issue usually overlooked by many fans.

“March Madness is a huge amount of money for the NCAA, and the players who are putting on the show get nothing of it,” Lorelli said. “They’re the ones with the talent and are putting on the show, and the NCAA who’s bringing in all the money should at least share part of it with the athletes.”

However, Lorelli said Division I athletes should be the only ones paid because they have more demanding schedules compared to Division III athletes like himself.

Senior Rachel Malinowski will be playing Division II volleyball for Southeastern Community College in Idaho next year and said athletes should be supported in their education.

“Honestly, they should help them with their books and tuition and stuff if they’re not getting a full ride or whatnot,” Malinowski said.

“It should be something earned, like if you are all-state that year, you should get paid towards your tuition and your books and stuff like that, so they’re not spending it.”

Cross country and track coach Lauren Nixon disagrees. According to Nixon, many players already have partial or full scholarships to attend a college or university, so they shouldn’t be paid. She added that payment could cause players to lose passion.

“I feel that college athletes now, who aren’t paid, push themselves to become better with hopes of going to the National Basketball Association, National Football League, etc.,” Nixon said via email. “It

UPCOMING GAMES GIRLS VARITY BASKETBALL MHSAA district game Wednesday, Feb. 28 at home at 7 p.m

creates more passionate players because they are playing for the love of the game.”

Although there is a push to pay college athletes by many, Lorelli, Nixon and Malinowski said that if paid, some college students may be irresponsible with money. “ I t

their mom and dad will give them more money.”

On Wednesday, Feb. 21, the Federal Bureau of Investigation uncovered specific amounts of money paid to individuals by the NCAA, according to Yahoo Sports. Nixon also said that new issues like how much money each player receives may arise because of the report

AN

depends on how you were raised. My parents are very, ‘you need to do this yourself,’ so I just start budgeting earlier with my money,” Malinowski said. “But with kids who are just given the money by their parents (and) when they get paid, they just spend it on whatever they want because

GIRLS VARSITY HOCKEY

Home game against South High School on Thursday, March 1 at 4 p.m.

BOYS VARSITY SWIM MHSAA finals on Friday, March 9

COURTESY OF TERESA BENNETT

MEET THE FLINSTONES |Senior Josie Ciaravano poses with her teammates on the girls basketball team. Athletic secretary Teresa Bennett said that team bonding and having fun inspired the road rallies, which have become a tradition for athletes. “So then we saw how much fun they had doing it and we were like ‘You know what? This would probably be a fun thing - like a team bonding thing for your team.’” she said.

“That’s kinda when I took over and started doing it and this is actually gonna be our 30th year of doing it.”

BOYS VARSITY HOCKEY

MHSAA regionals on Saturday, March 3 at 12 p.m. at Liggett High School

GYMNASTICS

MHSAA regionals on Saturday, March 3

TRACK

Boys conditioning on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Girls conditioning on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

PO

ST

Contributing: Cordy Wettstein

Road rally scavenger hunt serves as team bonding for winter athletes

Individual states on Thursday, March 1 at 9 a.m.

Away game against South High School on Thursday, March 1 at 7 p.m. at South

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reported that some people attribute the debate to a discussion of race. Blacks make up the majority of college athletes in the Division I men’s and women’s basketball and the Division I upper Football Bowl Subdivision level, which are the highest revenue-generating sports. The article also said that 52 percent of black fans believe college athletes should be paid, while only 27 percent of whites agree.

Lorelli, Nixon and Malinowski don’t think it’s an issue of race.

“I think it’s an argument of whether they should be paid or not. I don’t think it has anything to do with the race,” Lorelli said. “There are plenty of sports that have multiple races that are the top player.”

Although former basketball player Ed O’Bannon and others have won lawsuits against the NCAA, the rules haven’t changed.

Malinowski said that though payment should be limited, if rules change, money may damage some players’ passions in the long run.

“When you start throwing money into the game, the fact i s a lot of people will do it for the money instead of the love of the game,” she said. “I honestly really don’t think about it too much. I mean, it’s not that big of a deal. I mean, it’s college.

If you truly love the sport, you’ll do it no matter what―if you’re paid or not. And honestly, I don’t care if I’m not getting paid or whatever because I just love the sport too much.”

and Malinowski added that under-the-table payments may continue.

“I feel like even if you get paid, you’re still gonna want more, so there will still be more money if they sponsor different brands,” Malinowski said. “I think it will always be a problem.”

The Huffington Post article also

WRESTLING

BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL

Students debate if student athletes should be paid to compete at the colligate level

PLAYING DRESS UP| Sophomore Christina Braker poses next to her teammates dressed as a cheerleader. Braker also believes that the road rallies are a good way for student athletes to bond and make memories. “My favorite memory was probably when Ava drove off and left our manager, Billy behind.” she said.

By Katelynn Mulder PAGE EDITOR One day a year, the varsity girls basketball team can be spotted driving around Grosse Pointe in costumes and hunting for clues to solve their annual road rally scavenger hunt. Now on its 30th year, senior Josie Ciaravino said that she has participated in three different road rallies, and that each one has been a lot of fun for her.

“We do a road rally and we make teams, it’s pretty fun we get to drive around all of Grosse Pointe and we have to solve puzzles.

It’s really meticulous, like you have to do everything the right way,” Ciaravino said.

Athletic secretary Teresa Bennett said that she and her husband, coach Gary Bennett, had been doing road rallies for fun for years before introducing the team to it. She said one year they invited two girls who had once been on their basketball team to join them in a rally.

After seeing how much fun they had, the couple decided to introduce road rallies to the basketball team.

“They are like puzzles... there’s usually three or four girls to a car. We always start at the school. I always have

10 clues for each car,” Bennett said. “Each car decides how they’re gonna dress up, it’s like a theme. We’ve had girls that went to Star of the Sea or St. Joan, so they dress up in their plaid skirts. We’ve had cheerleaders, we’ve had them dress up as the coaches. I think one time they all dressed up as Mr. Bennett where they dressed up in corduroy pants and plaid shirts.”

Sophomore Christina Braker participated in the road rally for her second time this year. She said that the challenges that the road rallies present to the team helps the girls bond.

“The road rallies are a fun team bonding activity in which we drive around all over Grosse Pointe,” Braker said. “We are solving puzzles in order to find our final destination which is a restaurant. It’s a fun and exciting game.”

Bennett said she has made the clues for each of the road rallies.

She said that she gets inspiration for her clues from a variety of sources including past road rallies and puzzle books.

“I think I pulled the back of Dunkaroos, it was a cookie, and on the back of the box, it just happened to be a basketball hoop,”

Bennett said. “I’m like ‘I can use that,’ cut out the back of the thing and it said start at the top and you work your way through the maze and where you came out at is where you would go to the next destination.

So that would be a type of a clue.”

At each destination, the girls find a clue that will bring them one step closer to the next. The final clue brings them to a restaurant where they have a team dinner.

The first team to arrive at the destination wins bragging rights for the season.

One of Ciaravino’s favorite parts of the activity is being surprised by the costumes that each team comes up with.

“Each team gets to pick a costume and they hide it from each other until the day of it. So they walk in and everyone is in these funny costumes and so they get to pick it all themselves,” Ciaravino said. “And we get to drive around Grosse Pointe all day with each other and in the end we go out to eat.

It’s really fun, it’s like a fun day of bonding.”

Contributing: Arzoo Chhaya