North Pointe - Issue 15 - May 31, 2017

LIFE PAGE 10 Abandoned Packard Plant in Detroit becomes a playground for urban exploration.

CHLOE RIBCO

NORTH

GROSSE POINTE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL

UPCOMING EVENTS SENIOR EXAMS

POINTE WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

SINCE 1968

Plant staff risks losing jobs to privatization

Friday, June 2 for sixth and seventh hours Monday, June 5 for fourth and fifth hours Tuesday, June 6 for second and third hours Wednesday, June 7 for first hour

ONE-ACT PLAYS

June 1 in the Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m.

NORTH-SOUTH OUTDOOR CONCERT SAT TESTING

June 3 in designated class rooms at 8 a.m.

UNDERCLASSMAN FINAL EXAMS

Monday, June 12 through Thursday, June 15

GRADUATION

Thursday, June 15 at North at 6 p.m.

INSIDE

so

"We are privileged

to go to our schools and live where we do. Why waste what we have on disinterest?"

PAGE 7

"The

solution

ENGINEERING | Head engineer Andrew Praedel in the boiler room, which engineers and custodians maintain. "There are regular duties you have to do every day. You have to record pressures and temperatures and make sure machines are running the way that they are supposed to. Everything we do changes depending on what the weather is outside," Praedel said.

By Katelynn Mulder EDITOR When hall monitor Sheilagh Riley, a lifelong Grosse Pointe resident, attended the Board of Education meeting on Monday, May 22, she wasn’t just going as a concerned constituent.

Riley was sitting in solidarity with her fellow support staff members from all over the district who will face unemployment if privatization, a heavily debated topic in the district, occurs.

With declining enrollment leaving a $2.4-million structural budget deficit, the Grosse Pointe Public Schools system is looking for possible ways to save money.

One is privatization, or transferring to a private company that will be in charge of allocating maintenance jobs in an effort to save money by re-staffing and lowering the wages or benefits given to the new workers.

Custodian Joann Smith, who also could be facing privatization, said that she has experienced this before at her previous school.

“I worked for another school district for 21 years, and then they privatized us. And they presented an offer to us and asked us if we wanted to work at $8 an hour,” Smith said. “It wasn’t comparable to what we were making, so we all lost our jobs pretty much.”

At the Board of Education meeting on Monday, May 22, constituents voiced concern about the possibility of the privatization of custodial staff.

The final decision of whether or not privatization will be implemented was moved to the week of June 5.

However, the Board also said during the meeting that they recognized that

student and staff relationships are weren’t allowed to do that work for the important. School Board treasurer company that I worked for. They didn’t Judy Gafa said that it is the Board's want us doing it. They wanted to charge responsibility to balance the budget, extra for it. The cost saving would not and that may require privatization. necessarily be what it is as advertised.”

“The downside is that these Riley said that she does not think would be contracted employees, replacing the current staff members meaning they are not hired directly with workers from a company is a by the district,” Gafa said via email. good idea.

“Consistency is another possible “It’s good for consistency to have issue, and quality the same hall of work could monitors here at be an issue. least for a year.

Ad m i n i s t r a t i o n But from year to would need to year is so much address these issues better because we with the third-party know the kids, vendor.” the kids know P r iva t i z a t io n us. I’ve known a would ultimately lot of these kids help the district because I worked save money by at Parcells since cutting the benefits they were in sixth workers would grade and they receive, such as are now in tenth healthcare and grade,” Riley said. pensions while “They know also lowering the me, they trust new staff’s wages, me ... I think it's according to good to have custodian Al Fox. consistency to Al Fox However, head know the same Custodian engineer Andrew person is going Pradel said that to be here, and in theory, privatization could be more I‘ve been in Grosse Pointe and lived in costly than it appears.

Grosse Pointe community my whole “I did work for a facilities life. I went to South, my kids went management company in an auto plant, to North, so I'm very invested in the and we had a strict list of stuff that we schools, and you know I'm North's were allowed to do even down to a lot of biggest cheerleader.” electrical work, plumbing and that kind Junior Sophie Kehrig said she of stuff,” Pradel said. “We do not have believes that a sense of community a plumber. We don’t have an electrician. could be lost as many students know The engineering staff is in all the who works in the maintenance crew. buildings, and the central maintenance However, she also said that with take care of all that work, and we such a large budget deficit the school

“

The only reason why I have stuck around because of all the cuts are the kids.

It's the only reason why I am still here.

“

Friday, June 2 at 7 p.m.

system might be forced to make necessary changes.

“I think sometimes you have to do what you have to do even if people would prefer it the way we have it now,” Kehrig said. “As much as it is frustrating, that might need to happen.”

Education support personnel Kim Van Gorder said that she agrees with Riley. She said that students should have a consistent set of staff members who care about them personally.

“We don't want strangers in our building. And that's just a small amount of people, the hall monitors. How about when you privatize all the custodial group, all the plant guys,” she said.

“That's a big group, and when you have strangers in, they’re coming and going all the time and things going on that's really scary.”

Besides losing a sense of community and recognition for the students, programs implemented for years could also be eliminated by privatization.

Every day at both North and South, students with special needs learn different life skills by working with the custodians in the cafeterias.

Fox said this program has been around for five years.

Other students also work in the kitchen of the cafeteria and in the Student Union, while even more help with recycling.

Fox said that if privatization occurred, all of these programs could be lost.

“Twelve years now I have had kids work with me during fifth and sixth hour, and those were troubled kids that needed guidance,” Fox said.

“They help any way possible, and they get more out of it in my opinion then we get out of it ... and the only reason why I have stuck around because of all the cuts are the kids. It's the only reason why I am still here.”

to white

privilege

isn’t just realizing it’s a real

thing."

PAGE 8

CHLOE RIBCO

TEAMWORK | Custodians have programs with students and special education students that allows them to help with maintenance duties. Under a privatized company, this may no longer be possible. "What you have walked into is a program that we started back at South," custodian Al Fox said. "Special needs kids come and help us during fifth hour, and what they do is learn basic job skills that they need to survive in the world."

@thenorthpointe www.northpointenow.org

VOLUME 50 | ISSUE 14

News In-Depth

2-3 4-5

Reviews On Pointe

6 7

Editorial On Campus

8 9

Life Sports

10 11-12

NEWS

2 – Wednesday, May 17, 2017 – North Pointe

All Counter Top Media Tables have 6 outlets and 4 USB ports and 6 students per table.

3 Counter Top Collaborative Tables with attached stools (4 per table) — each with 3 outlets and 2 USB ports.

Round Tables with 4-6 students per table.

MICHELLE DAVIS

Business teacher renovates classroom with increase in funds

By Amber Braker & Lyndsay Kluge ASSISTANT EDITOR & STAFF REPORTER Business teacher Michelle Davis has always wanted to renovate her classroom and because of the increase in state funding for Career and Technical Education programs, she will finally get the chance.

The increase in CTE funding is a part of Michigan’s state government’s PRO campaign, which aims to encourage vocational careers.

CTE programs provide students with skills, knowledge and training for future careers in fields such as manufacturing, information technology and health science.

“Last year was our first year as a CTE program, a career and tech education program through the state of Michigan, so any students that go through our business classes, TV classes or the foods classes here at North receive extra state funding money and they have to go directly back into those programs for students,” Davis said. “This year I had about $24,000 to spend, so I am going to gut

my room and redo the whole thing.”

Davis plans to update her room with a 21st century feel similar to the model classroom and innovation lab. It will include collaborative work stations, whiteboard tables, flat screen TVs, and comfortable seating areas with sofas, end tables and lamps.

Sophomore Bret Carlson said the room will have a positive effect on his learning because more tools will be available.

“I’ve seen the plans and I think there’s gonna be really cool things,” Carlson said. “There’s gonna be more devices to use and there can be more projects that can be done and lessons learned.”

Davis is also redoing her teacher work station. Her desk will have two pieces. One part of the desk will be detachable and heightadjustable. This will allow her to move it around the room and use it as a podium. She hopes these changes will provide a more immersive learning environment.

“I’ve never been a fan of a traditional classroom. So, if you go into my room right

now you’ll notice that there are big tables and chairs, and I function in a group setting as much as I possibly can with what I have to work with,” Davis said. “So I think that lends itself to more engagement and production.”

Freshman Christina Braker is currently taking Davis’ marketing class. She took the course to learn more about a field that she is considering a future career in. Her favorite part of the class is the Seal the Deal challenge in which students work in teams to create an ad campaign that promotes an original menu item at The Big Salad. Braker is excited about the renovation and feels that it will help make students more productive.

“It will probably be really cool and it might help us to actually learn more about (marketing) instead of just being bored sitting at a desk just zoning out,” Braker said, “I think that I can get comfortable and relax and actually pay attention instead of just thinking about getting out of the class and leaving.”

The furniture for the classroom has been ordered and will begin arriving as the summer

progresses. Davis plans to put the room together herself throughout the summer so that it will be finished by the start of next school year.

“It’s going to start coming in a little at a time. I’m going to gut that room and clean the carpet first, and then paint in the room,” Davis said. “Then I have to put all of the stuff together, it comes in boxes so, it's going to be a lot of work.

Davis’ classroom is not the only thing being updated. She is also modernizing her course structure. In order to make her lessons more engaging and realistic, she has decided to eliminate conventional testing. Her classes will now feature exclusively practical assignments like the Seal the Deal challenge.

“Right now, most of my classroom is reality based or project based. There’s very few tests now, but next year tests will be gone. Everything will be business run,” Davis said. “Instead of testing anymore, it will all be reality based and project based so that students are actually seeing the connection between business content and the real world.”

NEWS Outbreak of fidget spinners attacks schools

North Pointe – Wednesday, May 31, 2017 – 3

NEWS BRIEFS PhUn day Health Careers Investigation Club, Chemistry Club Outreach Program and Applied Medical Research students participated in the annual Physiology Understanding Day on Thursday, May 25.

The purpose of PhUn Day is to provide underprivileged students the opportunity to come to North and experience a day full of education about chemistry and the human body. The event was designed by the American Physiological Society and was first held at North during the 2011-12 school year.

Senior Steven Levick is in Applied Med ran an experiment station about the skeletal system.

“From this activity, I hope I will be able to gain a better understanding with teaching people from different backgrounds,” Levick said. “I think the lessons and skills I will learn from this will definitely help me in the future.”

Changing email providers Starting next year, the district will officially move from Microsoft Exchange, the current email provider, to Google Suite according to Director of Instructional Technology Chris Stanley.

This means teachers will now only have one Gmail account along with Google calendar and contacts. With the exception of specific classes that may need to continue to utilize Microsoft Office, the majority of classes will be shifting to Google Applications.

English teacher Alyssa Sandoval is a firm believer that this change will benefit the staff and students.

“It’s going to make my life easier because having two separate accounts is difficult, and I think Gmail has everything built into it,” Sandoval said.

AP exam meetings During the week of June 5, Advanced Placement teachers will be inviting students to attend informational meetings about AP courses.

Each meeting has its own specific time, place and date and will be held both before and after school.

The teachers who will teach AP classes will present their own focus for the meeting. Some teachers will explain summer projects, others will be discussing the rigors and specifics of the course.

Every meeting will clearly define the expectations students will encounter in a particular class.

“It is important that each and every student gets a “snapshot” of the AP course that they have registered for and specific information that is related to that course,” AP United States History teacher Terri Steimer said. “Exact information is always helpful. Fact is better than rumor.”

By Syeda Rizvi

National German exams Junior John Huskin along with other students taking German, took the German National Exam.

This online test shows where each student is in their ability and consists of two sections, a reading one and a listening one.

Huskin said that South has been taking the test for years.

“We didn't take it last year or any other year but South has been taking it. My friend he has taken it, Zack Pierce, he is at South,” Huskin said. “So I really wanted to take it last year to see how I compared with him, but now I’ve taken it this year and I tied with him I think. We both got silver, so that was pretty cool.”

North-South combined outdoor concert The North-South combined outdoor concert will take place on South’s soccer field Friday, June 2 at 7 p.m.

Together, the orchestras from both schools will play Howard Hanson’s “Symphony No. 3.” Concert bands will be playing music from “Fantasia 2000” and music from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” The band will also play music from the 1991 movie “Robin Hood Prince of Thieves” and a famous Henry Fillmore march called “The Klaxon.”

Band teacher David Cleveland said the outdoor concert is a community event, and all are welcome to come.

“It's an annual traditional, end-of-the year big closer for the school system,” Cleveland said. “We combine all the talent from both schools and get a big outdoor concert.”

By Katelynn Mulder

By Giuseppe Parison STAFF REPORTER Over the course of the past several months, classrooms from across the nation have all been obsessed over one thing—fidget spinners.

A fidget spinner’s design is relatively simple, generally consisting of two to four wings strutting off a center, weighted in a way that allows the device to spin freely and smoothly with little effort.

These seemingly harmless devices first introduced as a therapeutic remedy for people suffering from ADD, ADHD and other disorders inhibiting focus have gone from a small niche item to an adolescent sensation.

However, as publicity rose, so did controversy.

With so many people utilizing these objects as more than toys, many teachers have been fed up.

Some teachers, like environmental science teacher Christopher Skowronski, sees no use in them.

“They’re not necessary for the high school student,” Skowronski said.

“With anything, the person has to police themselves and think ‘Is it helping or hurting my distractibility?’ If it's helping, I would say maybe have a conversation with

Clearing the

H

the teacher first and say ‘Hey this is helping me do well in class.’ If they’re not talking to the teacher, it looks like they’re just playing a game which may hurt their performance in class.

School psychologist Christine Kuhl has a similar outlook on fidget spinner, acknowledging their purpose but also condemning their effectiveness. She thinks that rather than having the fidget spinner be used as

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

something to occupy a person’s hands while they attend to other things, it actually becomes the thing they end up paying attention to, which is not a fidget device’s purpose.

“I think that there are a lot of fidget tools out there that are a lot less distracting to others and the environment,” Kuhl said. “I have seen kids using them and they seem pretty absorbed in them, so to me that's kind of defeating the

Thirty-seven other brothers were charged in connection with the event after a pledge lost consciousness and died from assault to the head.

At least one hazing death a year has occurred from 1969 to 2017—and in many years, multiple deaths have occurred on numerous campuses—in addition to many more injuries caused by hazing. The University of Maryland found that over half of college students are involved in some form of campus hazing. Of those, 95 percent do not report it.

Because some of the tasks can require illegal activities, such as underage alcohol consumption or assault, pledges and fraternity brothers employ a “Code of Silence” and aren’t allowed to talk about what happens. In fact, 82 percent of hazing-related deaths involve the use of alcohol.

As other hazing horror stories have been brought to light including the case of a 19-year-old from Pennsylvania State University who died this February because of a hazing-related accident, colleges have begun to crack down on Greek Life regulation. Penn State announced they will be bringing back a policy of issuing “report cards” to sororities and fraternities to help students avoid chapters with a bad reputation.

Social studies teacher Barry Mulso attended Western Michigan University and was president of Phi Sigma Kappa. He said that simply relying on self-regulation for fraternities may not be enough, and in his experiences in Greek Life, some form of school regulation was the norm.

“Fraternities and sororities have never had a completely free hand. There has always been

Z

Greek Life under fire for recent fatal hazing incidents

By Lindsey Ramsdell & Ritika Sanikommu EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & SENIOR ASSISTANT EDITOR Although there are more restrictions on fraternities and sororities today, hazing is not a thing of the past. Recent accounts have even proved fatal in some cases, but it doesn't deter senior Alex Vandoorne, who will be rushing at Michigan State University next fall.

Hazing, or ridicule and strenuous tasks that pledges are forced to undergo for initiation into Greek Life, is forbidden by 44 states.

However, it is still very much a part of Greek Life, especially in fraternities. Vandoorne said it is important to keep an open mind when hearing about hazing incidents, as only the most extreme cases are shown in the news.

“It is scary and it's obviously appalling that some students would have to go through that,” he said. “I think there's bad everywhere and I think it's more so coming out now with the hazing and stuff, but I think if you find the right fraternity, I think it is more positive than negative.”

The most current attack against fraternities comes from Baruch College where four former fraternity brothers have just pleaded guilty in the third-degree murder of a pledge.

purpose. The purpose of the fidget is really to keep your hands active so that you can tune into instruction or sit still.”

Senior Christian Flannery has mixed feelings about the situation, understanding the usefulness of the item but at the same time disliking what it has turned into.

“I mean I understand what they're for, I just don't like why people are using them,” Flannery said. “Fidget spinners and the fidget cube, they’re meant for people who f i d g e t obviously and (who) can't focus, but everyone's turning i t into a trend. You have companies popping up out of nowhere being like ‘Hey, they're m a k i n g money off of this.

Let’s make this bedazzled one that also lights up and by the way they’re 200 dollars."

Although it may be a popular trend, Flannery does see the use in fidget objects.

“I’ll mess around with them and I could see the feel of it. Having it just sit there kind of rocking back and forth with the spinning motion, it’s soothing or calming,” Flannery said.

“I have ADD and ADHD, so to me that is like sitting on the beach, it feels calming and soothing, but at the same time I hate myself for it because everyone is using it as a trend.”

university regulations and things like that— they govern them. But now, whether or not the university enforces those things frequently is an issue,” Mulso said. “One thing that stood out to me about (Phi Sigma Kappa) was that they were really anti-hazing ... it didn't make sense to treat somebody like dirt for an entire semester and after that time period goes by, ‘so hey, now you're my buddy.’ Yeah, we just found that really hypocritical.”

Senior Matt Moores said that although it is appropriate for schools to regulate Greek Life, chapters should also be regulated from the inside. He also thinks the pledges should be proactive in their rushing experience.

“I believe there could be some more regulation, but I don't believe that the school should be super involved in fraternities,” Moores said. “Hazing is something that I've thought about when considering rushing, but I feel despite the horror stories we hear on the news it's not all bad. In addition, I feel like the person rushing has some responsibility to know when it's going to far and call it quits.”

But despite severe hazing accounts, students are not giving up the opportunity to join a fraternity or sorority. Currently, there are over nine million Greek members nationally. Mulso recalls participating in several philanthropy projects through his fraternity, and both he and Vandoorne appreciate the social aspect of Greek Life.

Apart from all of the negative news that's come out, I would say that (Greek Life) has a strong base, and when you go away to college, like I’m going to Michigan State, there’s going to be 40,000 undergrad kids, and I think it's good to have to have a group of people that you can count on and can be there for you and be like ‘brothers’ in a sense,” Vandoorne said. “I'd say that's an upside, and that's probably the reason that I'm going to do it.”

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IN-DEPTH

4 - Wednesday, May 31, 2017 - North Pointe

Destructive dieting Several recent studies have shed light on misconceptions about the benefits of different diets

Low-fat diets cause more weight loss than their low-carbohydrate counterparts Low-fat, high-sugar diet products increase fat generation

Low-sodium diets fail to lower blood pressure BILLY MOIN

By Sonny Mulpuri & Billy Moin EDITOR & SENIOR ASSISTANT EDITOR Every five years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture publishes Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The guide emphasizes healthy eating habits and aims to reduce chronic health issues, which aff lict about half of the population.

The department’s web site offers tips for eating healthy, including advice on sodium, fat and other food components that are commonly asked about. One of the recommendations is that anyone 14 years old or older should cap their sodium intake at 2.3 grams each day in order to maintain a low blood pressure.

However, Boston University School of Medicine professor Lynn Moore and a groups of researchers recently concluded a 16-yearlong study that debunked such notions about the dangers of sodium. Moore’s group tracked the relationship between blood pressure and sodium intake in 2,600 men and women.

Results showed that people who consume less than 2.5 grams each day actually had higher blood pressure than their counterparts.

Moore’s study also found that people with higher and lower sodium intakes than the average American put themselves at higher risk of heart disease. The scientists noted that higher intakes of other nutrients, such as calcium, potassium and magnesium, could be linked to lower long-term blood pressure as well.

A similar study conducted by the worldwide Public Health Research Institute in 2016 supported the results of Moore’s study. After using a pool of 130,000 people, PHRI’s study found a correlation between low sodium consumption (3 grams or less daily) and higher risk for heart disease and mortality.

The general conception about the effect of sodium on the human body is starting to be disproved, but that isn’t the only notion that is starting to lose credibility.

Researchers at the University of Georgia studied the different effects of low-fat, highsugar; high-fat, high-sugar and balanced diets.

They noticed that the low-fat and high-sugar diet led to about twice as much fat generation as the balanced ones, despite containing about the same number of calories. The low-fat diet was designed to mimic typical diet products, leading researchers to conclude that diet foods may actually lead to weight gain.

However, low-fat diets result in more fat loss than low-carb diets in humans according to www.sciencedaily.com. Reducing fat intake leads to overall weight loss while carb reduction leads to more fat burning. Given this data, the scientists involved in the study want to conduct more research to see exactly how the brain functions and how the body responds while maintaining both diets. This will give a better understanding of which diet impacts what.

On the other hand, low-carb diets can also have their benefits. They can be healthier for

the heart in the sense that the proteins and fats that are being consumed are of the healthy kind, like those found in fruits and vegetables.

This is one advantage that animal-based fats and proteins can’t provide. According to www.hsph.harvard.edu, one study tested different low-carb diets against each other and found that diets filled with vegetable fats and proteins led to 30 percent lowered risk of heart disease and 20 percent lowered risk of Type 2 Diabetes.

As more options for healthier alternatives are being churned out each year, consumers start to develop a mindset that new products are always more beneficial to health. In some situations, that isn’t the case. A UNC-Chapel Hill study found that low-and reduced-foods sound healthier to consumers, but that’s not necessarily true. Because those labels only refer to one specific nutrient, others could make the product just as unhealthy as before, if not worse. For example, the study pointed out that certain reduced-fat chocolate milk products contain more sugar than the usual products, making them no better than their standard counterparts.

As previous conceptions about what constitutes a healthy diet are proved false, consumers should not always believe what they are told. Having a good grasp on what the better options are will go a long way in maintaining a proper and healthy lifestyle.

IN-DEPTH

North Pointe – Wednesday, May 31, 2017 – 5

ANNA POST

REVIEWS

6 – Wednesday, May 31, 2017 – North Pointe

Coming to the big screen in Summer '17

By Erin Kaled & Asia Simmons

STAFF REPORTER & SENIOR ASSISTANT EDITOR

COMINGSOON.NET

“Wonder Woman” - June 2, 2017 Rating: PG-13 Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen Originally debuting in 1941, D.C. Comics’ “Wonder Woman” makes another appearance in theaters June 2. Wonder Woman, who starts out as Diana, Princess of the Amazon, is fighting a war to end all wars when a pilot explains the troubles going on in the outside world. This drives Wonder Woman to leave her hometown to join the battle.

"The Mummy" - June 9, 2017 Rating: PG-13 Cast: Tom Cruise, Sofia Boutella, Annabelle Wallis, Russell Crowe A mummy who has been dead since ancient times is awakened in the modern era.

As her destiny was wrongfully taken from her, she brings revenge and panic to those around her. Nick Morton (Tom Cruise) is destined to save the world from the Mummy’s dark magic.

IMDB

"Dunkirk" - July 21, 2017 Rating: PG-13 Starring: Harry Styles, Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Cillian Murphy Former One Direction member Harry Styles makes his movie debut in this film about the Battle of Dunkirk that occurred in 1940. It depicts the warfare that occurred between the French and the British. French troops navigate their way through the beaches in Dunkirk and IMDB

IMDB

"Despicable Me 3"- June 30, 2017 Rating: PG Cast: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Trey Parker.

The highly anticipated return of “minions” will take place in the third installment of “Despicable Me.” This kids movie kicks off summer June 30. “Despicable Me 3” follows Gru as he attempts to stop former 80s child star Balthazar Bratt. Between watching his girls and stopping evil, he meets his long lost twin brother, Dru.

APP

MOVIE

IGN

“Spider-Man: Homecoming” - July 7, 2017 Rating: PG-13 Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Downey, Jr., Michael Keaton After working with the Avengers in “Captain America: Civil War,” Spiderman decides to return home and live a normal life with his aunt while being mentored by Tony Stark. But doing daily routines becomes impossible as his thoughts of saving the world from villains begin to consume his life.

ALBUM

SHOW

PRISON BREAK

EVERYTHING EVERYTHING

BATTLE BAY

HARRY STYLES

Based on the book of the same name written by Nicola Yoon, "Everything, Everything" the movie centers around Madeline Whittier’s (Amandla Stenberg) life before IMDB and after she falls in love with the boy next door.

Madeline has a disease called Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), that weakens her immune system. As a result she is allergic to basically everything and never leaves her house. But when Olly Bright (Nick Robinson) and his dysfunctional family move into the neighborhood, she finds a reason to look at the world outside her window, and rediscovers the life her illness has caused her to miss out on.

At first glance this movie may seem like the typical teen romance. In many ways it follows the same template: girl meets boy, they fall in love, an obstacle stands between them that they’ll overcome before the final kiss and the credits role. But despite its formulaic nature, fans of the genre will recognize and enjoy its unique components.

The soundtrack fits the movie’s vibe perfectly.

The songs range from mostly instrumental indie tunes to electronic pop. But each captures the mood of its complementary scene.

"Everything, Everything" isn’t exactly the same as the book, but there are fewer fundamental changes than is common with on-screen adaptations. Even much of the dialogue is almost exactly as it appears in the book.

But some of the actors aren’t identical to their descriptions. Maddy’s mom is African American rather than Japanese. But fans will still recognize the characters and their other traits are unchanged.

Most of the small changes mainly serve to help translate the story from text to visuals. For example, Madeline and Olly get to know each other over instant message. This format works in a book but not in a movie.

So, rather than countless scenes of them in front of a computer screen typing out conversations, the movie’s creators decided to portray their conversations over IMs as Maddy might picture them. Her wild imagination transports them to wherever she would rather be, chatting face-to-face.

"Everything, Everything,” while mostly geared toward people who read the book, is not hard to follow for those who didn’t. It is somewhat typical, but still worth watching for those who enjoy teen romance movies.

Created by seasoned mobile developer Rovio, Battle Bay is an intense team-based shooter where players take control of gunships to battle their enemies ITUNES to the death.

Matches take place on a variety of maps, each with different architecture that changes the way players tackle the battle. There are two win conditions: either wipe out the entire enemy team with a plethora of weapons or take control of the capture point. These death matches are extremely thrilling, and that’s only aided by the multitude of loadouts each ship can have.

Gunships come in five categories: Shooter, Speeder, Enforcer, Defender and Fixer. Each one has a set number of weapons and items that can be equipped. The specific types of equipment are entirely up to the player’s preference.

Want to play an Enforcer decked out with mortars to assist your team from the back line, or a Speeder who can sneak in to destroy Fixers? Both are viable options, and that’s the beauty of this system. There is a loadout for every player out there that caters to their unique play style.

Further adding to this customization is the crew members. They can be trained to increase their level and gain perks, which passively upgrade the capabilities of different weapons and items. At each level, there is often a choice between two perks, and players will have to choose between them.

This is all accompanied by a charming art style and an adrenaline pumping, in-themoment soundtrack. The many maps of the game have several set pieces that give them a unique feel, be it Damage Depot’s destroyed freeway overpass or the dilapidated train tracks of Drop Dead Gorge. Most music in the game is percussion and guitar-based, which makes it memorable while playing, but the tracks don’t tend to stick around for long afterwards.

Battle Bay is a quintessential game for mobile devices. From its exciting team-based gameplay to the sheer array of customization available, to the top-notch presentation, there’s no excuse not to play this gem of a game.

Following in suit of former bandmate Zayn Malik, Harry Styles released his self-titled, debut solo album on May 12.

Styles achieved fame from One Direction but laid HSTYLES.COM low after the split.

He announced his first single “Sign of the Times” in late March and released the song on April 7. A second song from the album “Sweet Creature” hit iTunes shortly after.

“Harry Styles” is composed of ten songs with a variety of different sounds and genres mixed in. The overarching genre ‘pop’ is best to describe Styles’ album as the songs don’t all fit into one category.

His debut single “Sign of the Times” was the perfect song to launch his solo career, as it’s one of the best on the album. The vocals are exquisite and show off Styles’ vocal talent and range, which was not as prominent in One Direction’s work. The song crescendos to an epic ending, complete with a choir and a sound that can fill stadiums.

The first track “Meet Me in the Hallway” has an eerie feel up until the chorus, where Styles’ beautiful vocals are accompanied by acoustic guitar reminiscent of the Beatles, which is fitting, as Styles recorded the album at Abbey Road Studios.

“Ever Since New York” is breezy and laid back with a dreamy harmonized chorus that makes the perfect song for relaxing. “From the Dining Table” wows listeners with its minimal music and sole focus on Styles’ whispery voice in the beginning but comes in with an orchestra and harmonies to spice up the song.

However, Styles’ album isn’t just slower ballads. He incorporates more rock-based, upbeat tunes into his work as well. “Only Angel” starts off slow with a choir but quickly reveals the true, fast pace and carefree tone of the song. “Woman” ties styles of David Bowie and Elton John to give the song a retro feel.

“Harry Styles” is a wonderful first glimpse into Styles’ solo career. The ten versatile songs are for more than just One Direction songs.

It has a chill and relaxed tone that makes it universal and able to be enjoyed by all.

"Everything, Everything"; Stella Meghie; 2017; 96 mins; PG-13

“Battle Bay”; Developed by Rovio; 2017;Available for free download.

By Amber Braker

By Addison Toutant

“Harry Styles;” Harry Styles; Erskine Records; 2017.

By Mora Downs

IMDB

"An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power" - July 28, 2017 Rating: PG Cast: Al Gore In a follow-up to the movie “An Inconvenient Truth” (2006) former Vice President Al Gore returns to warn the world of the incoming energy and climate crisis. Filmed in Paris and the Philippines, Gore urges people to understand the risks and potential apocalypse climate change may bring.

After a seven year break, “Prison Break” returns for a fifth season. It shows a new angle while sticking to the same formula which made the show successful in the first place.

The show revolves YOUTUBE.COM around Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller), who was believed to be killed in the season four finale, and his brother Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell). When Burrows receives a blurry picture of Scofield he gets suspicious if his brother is truly alive and heads to investigate in Yemen, a country in the midst of a civil war.

What made the show so great in its early seasons were the impossible plans Scofield and Burrows had to come up with to escape prison and the dramatic ways in which they execute them. Once again, this is the strength of the show, watching Scofield and his ragtag group of inmates attempt to break out of prison.

This time, the addition of a foreign country in the midst of its demise helps strengthen the plot even more. The further the show goes on, the more is revealed, including the fact that Scofield has an in with the leader of terrorist organisation ISIL. All of the mystery that surrounds the show is what helps make it become more engrossing episode by episode.

The main issue is the lack of a true villain.

In the early seasons, the show was filled with multiple creepy and selfish characters who weren’t as vital to the main story as they could’ve been, but still added small conflicts from episode to episode and developed over time. This season, the characters who were meant embody the previous characters didn’t pan out and came off as annoying or unnecessary to the show. This could be fixed if there was a clear main villain but just like the original seasons did, the villain would be hidden until later on and their motive wouldn’t be revealed.

Overall, season five of "Prison Break" does what it did well in its first run through by having a fun, but somewhat unrealistic show that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. At the same time, it also struggles to utilize characters other than the main core to strengthen the show.

"Prison Break;" Fox; TV-14

By Billy Steigelman

IDEAS

North Pointe – Wednesday, May 31 2017 – 7

ON POINTE Top 10 things we're talking about this summer

By Caitlin Bush MANAGING EDITOR

1 Event

DETROIT RIVER DAYS

DETROIT RIVER DAYS

Detroit River Days, a three-day festival held on the Detroit Riverfront, will take place June 23-25. The festival offers boat tours, jet-ski demonstrations, ship exhibits and live entertainment. Samples from local restaurants and food trucks are also available to check out. For more information, go to www. riverdays.com

3

2

Event

Must-Try

OUTDOOR CONCERT

QLINE

QLINE, Detroit’s newest streetcar, opened to the public Friday, May 12. It is owned

by M1-RAIL and has 20 stops along Woodward Avenue.

Rides are free through June 30. For more information, go to www.qlinedetroit.com.

The orchestra, in partnership with South High School, will host an outdoor concert on South’s soccer field. Stop by and take a listen Friday, June 2 at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

ERERINNE LUBINSKI ERINNE LUBINSKI ERINNE LUBINSKI

WIKIPEDIA

4

5

Event

6

Album

ONE ACTS

Event

WITNESS

KENDRICK LAMAR KENDRICK LAMAR

ALTITUDE TICKETS VAHALLA STAFF

Katy Perry is releasing her fifth pop album, “Witness,” Friday, June 9, which features artists like Nicki Minaj and Skip Marley. It will include 15 songs and popular hits “Chained to the Rhythm” and “Bon Appétit.”

On Thursday, June 1, students will perform their OneAct Plays in the Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m.

Each play is directed by a senior. Tickets are $5.

7

Calvin Harris’s fifth album, “Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1,” debuts Tuesday, June 30. It features artists include Ariana Grande, Big Sean, Future, John Legend, Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj.

Album

FUNK WAV BOUNCES VOL. 1

Kendrick Lamar will be at The Palace of Auburn Hills to perform songs from his most recent album, “DAMN.” Popular songs include “DNA.” and “HUMBLE.” The show is Wednesday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, go to www.kendricklamar.com.

8

Game

TIGERS The Detroit Tigers (21-20) will take on the Chicago White Sox (20-22) at Comerica Park Friday, June 2 at 7:10 p.m.

TIGERS

ITUNES

9

Event

BRUNO MARS

10

Bruno Mars will perform at The Palace Of Auburn Hills Saturday, August 12 at 8 p.m. performing songs from his album “24K Magic” like “24K Magic” and “That’s What I Like.”

For tickets, go to www. brunomars.com.

Event

BELLE ISLE GRAND PRIX

Chevrolet will host its annual Grand Prix at Belle Isle June 2-4. Guests will experience car races and live music.

Visit www.DetroitGP.com for ticket information.

ITUNES GRAND PRIX

Mediocrity is not the standard MY TURN SARAH WIETECHA In my four years of high school, I’d like to think that I haven’t slacked off. I’ve participated in as many extracurriculars as possible, maintained a good GPA and tried to put effort into the work I do. This applies to most of my peers. Notice I said most.

Increasingly, the mood of not only seniors, but underclassmen, is to try just enough to get by.

Many students have made it a habit to go to class, do the minimum required and get through school unscathed. In my mind,

this is deplorable. I would never be able to bring myself to do something like that.

How could you be in a school as qualified and privileged as ours and not want to be involved? It just doesn’t make sense to have such an ingrained sense of indifference.

However, I do need to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. This sense of doing half the work and getting full credit has been the standard for many since elementary school.

The quicker the work got done, the sooner friends could go out and play. It’s the same way in high school, except instead of playing, we’re going to Tropical Smoothie Cafe.

This is a dangerous cycle.

Where does being involved start though? For many, putting yourself out there and being expressive is scary. You're vulnerable to opposition and judgement.

However, getting involved allows someone to connect with a group of people with

like interests. It allows everyone to bring out the best in those around them.

It may seem scary or daunting at first but ends up being something that has the possibility to change your life. We don’t always notice or utilize the resources around us. It is sad that not everyone takes it upon themselves to take advantage of what we’ve been given as a student body.

Having the ability to participate extracurriculars is a gift and should be used wisely. It’s a shame seeing so many students missing chances to better themselves and our school. We are better than that as a student body. We can do more.

Some of the best years of our lives will come from high school. Should they be remembered as boring and dull or vibrant and filled with activity and fond memories? I prefer the latter.

Maybe it’s an issue of not being able to

find your niche. Finding something that makes you want to come to school will, in turn, make you want to do more work. Or maybe it’s a sense of entitlement, a sort of "I don’t need to do this because I know that someone else will." It could also be a case of insecurity — not believing that you’re qualified to do the thing you set out to do.

Whatever the case, don’t just sit idly on the sidelines and watch opportunities pass by.

Being uninvolved is a waste of resources in Grosse Pointe. We are so privileged to go to our schools and live where we do. Why waste what we have on disinterest? Get out there and make something of yourself.

If you don’t, you’ll regret it.

Trust.

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 Caitlin Bush MANAGING EDITOR

Alex Harring MANAGING EDITOR

Lindsey Ramsdell EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Anna Post EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Sonny Mulpuri SPORTS EDITOR

Katelynn Mulder LIFE EDITOR

Katie Thomas IDEAS EDITOR

Abbey Cadieux EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Michal Ruprecht EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Amber Braker ASSISTANT EDITOR Our editorial represents the opinion of the North Pointe Editorial Board consisting of the editors above. Members who have a conflict of interest with an editorial topic do not partake in that meeting or vote.

OUR EDITORIAL

North Pointe – Wednesday, May 31, 2017 – 8

Walking in our shoes Glue guns, swords and Netflix haven’t been the normal devices used to bring up racism and white privilege. But the way the conversation is getting across is diversifying. In the past month, the new Netflix series “Dear MY TURN MAX MURRAY White People” and an incident at Colgate University have again brought these issues to light.

Colgate University was put on lockdown because a student reported an armed black male walking around campus. However, this accusation turned out to be false. What’s crazy about this is the man wasn’t armed. He was just a student on his way to an art class. He was carrying a glue gun.

Four hours of a locked-down campus, where numerous black male lives were put into question, all because of a glue gun. If this doesn’t show the subconscious fear of black men in society, then maybe what happened next will make it clear to you.

Jenny Lundt, a Colgate sophomore used this incident to show that white privilege is still existent and black people in America are discriminated against.

On Facebook, she posted a picture of her carrying a sword around campus, however students, faculty and campus police didn’t take this as a threat. As a matter of fact, “People laughed b- oh look at that harmless, - silly white girl - with a giant sword!!” she wrote.

If this doesn’t show white privilege in America then what does it take?

The Colgate University lockdown leaves me questioning how many more examples of white privilege it will take for the world to realize it’s a real thing.

Why when a white male maliciously takes the

lives of innocent black citizens, in a church, it is attributed to mental illness. Why when a black male is stopped by police they are beaten and treated like scum?

Why when a star swimmer at Stanford University rapes a woman, he only gets six months in a county jail?

All examples of times where white individuals have gotten just a slap on the wrist, where people of color get the worst possible circumstances.

Just as Colgate University’s lockdown and numerous other examples in American history have portrayed the privileges of white Americans in this country, a recent Netflix hit has offered a satirical alternative.

“Dear White People” is a fictional series depicting the lives of African American students at an Ivy League school. The show focuses on many issues in the world such as interracial relationships, what it’s like being a minority and the lives and history of African Americans, but it also does a good job of showing white privilege in a lighter manner.

An example of this from the show is when the white students at the university hosted a “black face” party. The party was shut down however the students who hosted the party and attended were not punished at all.

Although this is a fictional situation it still shows the privilege that white students receive, even at universities who “focus” on diversity, inclusiveness and forward thinking.

The solution to white privilege isn’t just realizing it’s a real thing. It’s depressing when the world acts as if it’s not real when these situations clearly prove the opposite.

Everyone needs to be able to put themselves in each other's shoes and sympathize with their cultural issues, instead of acting as if history hasn’t played an essential role in the way people are treated today.

AMBER BRAKER

Reinventing student feedback Bogged down with assignments on top of finals on top of end-of-unit tests, aggressive, exhausted students often take to the internet to voice their complaints. Posting about problematic teachers online accomplishes nothing and only serves to make our school look bad. For the benefit of students and teachers, the Editorial Board supports the establishment of end-of-year reviews for all teachers.

As opposed to venting online, an actual method provided for students to give feedback to teachers will garner positive results for the entire school. When there is a problem, it must be addressed. When there is room for improvement, all members of the learning community must strive to make progress, inch by inch.

This is not to say that there are not channels for students to voice their concerns already because there are. Encouragement of reviews will pique the interest of more timid students and ensure that all learners have the opportunity to chime in. The voices that mute themselves are often those who have the most to say.

An emphasis on ref lection betters individuals in the long run because it mirrors the growth mindset that many teachers value. Recognizing how we can improve, what areas need improvement and what needs aren’t being met is key for achieving success. Some teachers input this kind of ref lection into their year-end schedules, but broadening their scope would really help everyone.

There is not much to be gained from going on social media and sending out petty posts that just linger out on the web. If an issue is so pressing that one is compelled to hit "post," it’s important enough to bring some professional attention to it.

The more collaboration and cooperation there is among students and faculty, the more productive we can be in the classroom. Engaging in a proper dialogue instead of sending out poison-pellet posts about the same grating classroom habits is infinitely more productive.

Think of all the good that could arise when pithy comments are turned into action. The teacher who lagged behind in curriculum and didn’t prepare their students for testing will be recognized, as opposed to going through another year of setting students back.

Conversely, the teacher who prepared their students well will get the recognition he or she deserves.

To some extent, feedback for most or all students will make the collective student body’s voice stronger and more cohesive. When students can band together and be completely honest about the learning that is going on at school, true progress will be made.

Behind every jab regarding school lies truth.

Comments and concerns are just as valid at school as they are in the workplace. If a problem continually occurred year after year at Ford or General Motors, action would be taken.

Anonymous or not, teacher reviews would catalyze a healthy environment where learning happens on both ends of the educator-pupil relationship. A problem being nipped in the bud honestly, as opposed to being blown up on www.RateMyTeachers.com would save teachers a lot of strife, and for schools it could save their reputations.

Posting online does not generate anything positive and is damaging.

In order to prevent students from lashing out at teachers in a public way that could be harmful to both the teacher and the school's esteem, the school should provide them an avenue to voice both criticisms and compliments in a constructive way.

“More than two cups (is bad for you). I don't really drink caffeine."

“Two cups is too much. I don't drink caffeine.”

“Probably the amount in a Monster (is too much). It depends. Sometimes I'll have a cup of tea in the morning or coffee, but not much more."

Cailin Empson

Walter Walker

Kelly Brewer

FRESHMAN

JUNIOR

SOPHOMORE

YOUR TURN: How much caffeine do you think is bad for you and how much do consume a day? By Dajai Chatman

“Sixteen ounces is too much caffeine. I usually have like a pop a day.”

“Teenagers don't need any coffee. For adults, it's another story. (I drink) too much (coffee) to admit.”

“Anything more than four cups is probably too much.

In the morning, I drink a lot, four to six cups, but it's over a four-hour period.”

Clifford Antkowiak

Chris Skowronski

Tracey D'Hondt

SENIOR

NORTH

SCIENCE TEACHER

POINTE

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: Abbey Cadieux, Lindsey Ramsdell MANAGING EDITORS: Caitlin Bush, Alex Harring EDITORS-AT-LARGE: Anna Post, Michal Ruprecht SECTION EDITORS: Katelynn Mulder, Sonny Mulpuri, Katie Thomas BUSINESS MANAGER: Allison Lackner SENIOR ASSISTANT EDITORS: Mora Downs, Billy Moin, Ritika Sanikommu, Trevor Mieczkowski, Tommy Teftsis, Dajai Chatman, Nathan Lonczynski, Gieuseppe Parison, Asia Simmons, Addison Toutant, Josie Bennett, Emma Brock ASSISTANT EDITORS: Elizabeth Ballinger, Amber Braker, Zoe Graves, Sofia Ketels, Syeda Rizvi STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS: Katie Link, Alyssa McLarty, Lauren Sexton, Kennedy Williams STAFF REPORTERS: Rory Angott, Erin Kaled, Lyndsay Kluge, Bella Lawson, Tarun Sanikommu, Billy Steigelman

MATH TEACHER

The North Pointe is edited and produced by Advanced Journalism students at Grosse Pointe North High School and is published every two weeks. It is in practice a designated public forum without prior review.

Comments should be directed to the student editors, who make all final content decisions. The views expressed are solely those of the authors or the student editorial board and do not reflect the opinions of the Grosse Pointe Public School System.

We are a member of the Michigan Scholastic Press Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association and Student Press Law Center. We subscribe to McClatchy-Tribune Information Services and iStockphoto.com.

One copy is available free to all community members. Additional copies may be purchased. Our editorial policy and advertising rates are available online at northpointenow.org. The North Pointe is printed on 100% recycled paper.

CONTACT US 707 Vernier Road Grosse Pointe Woods MI, 48236 Phone: 313.432.3248 Email: northpointe@gpschools.org Twitter: @TheNorthPointe Website: northpointenow.org

INTERNS: Jamie Brewer, Maggie Carron, Maggie FACULTY ADVISER: Shari Adwers, MJE Dollar, Nadia Fama, Colin Haroutunian, Mariah Loper, Brooklyn McWhorter, Adam Schwartz

EDITOR'S DESK KATIE THOMAS

Cultures or costumes?

The world is a melting pot of different people who share ideas, values and even cultures. While trading lifestyles is essential, there can be situations where sharing cultures can instead turn into stealing cultures.

Many of us know singer Miley Cyrus as the Disney Channel actress who ditched her “Hannah Montana” identity for an older, more mature version. In 2013, the child star shocked millions by twerking on live TV and creating a very hiphop based, female-rapper persona through her album “Bangerz.”

Her plan to leave Disney behind couldn’t have been more successful as her album sold millions and she was given a place in mainstream music. Four years later, Miley Cyrus has released her latest single “Malibu.” But this time around, she’ll be replacing “edgy rapper Miley” for “mellow, folksy Miley.”

While experimenting is encouraged for artists and some people are happy to see Cyrus go in a new direction, others have a hard time forgetting her heavy imitation of black culture back in 2013 and her willingness to throw that identity—and essentially an entire culture—away after she’s profited from it.

This is cultural appropriation at its finest.

Rightfully so, cultural appropriation is a largely discussed and disputed topic, however there still many gray areas and confusion surrounding the issue. It’s not only about what people do to “borrow” another culture, it’s also about what they don’t do when they’ve borrowed it. At the end of the day, the person who has reaped the benefits of another culture can shed that identity like snakeskin and continue with their lives.

Those who are being stolen from (usually marginalized groups of people) don’t have that luxury.

The infuriating truth is, someone like Selena Gomez or Kylie Jenner wearing a bindi or cornrows is praised and labeled as fashionable or edgy. While the people who wear a bindi for their religious beliefs or cornrows to maintain their hair are judged stereotypically or sometimes looked down upon.

When money or attention is involved, appropriators are the first to endorse another culture, but as soon as a social issue arises, they are also the first to hide in the shadows and turn their heads the other way.

Rap and R&B are central pieces of black culture not only because they are wildly popular but because they have direct roots to hardships endured by the black community.

Music stood as a form of empowerment and unity during trying times, such as spirituals that were sung by slaves in the nineteenth century or the conscious R&B during Civil Rights era. When an artist like Miley Cyrus or Justin Timberlake comes into the scene and makes millions off of these culturally significant genre, it’s discouraging to the people who actually created the music from a place of importance.

There is an unfortunate blurred line between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation.

This doesn’t mean that all cultures should be separated or that anyone who likes something outside of their culture is appropriating. What it means is that we just need to be careful in how we are borrowing from other cultures.

Sharing cultural ideas is not only encouraged, but it’s necessary to our progress as a society. Our exchange of lifestyles needs to be rooted in a place of respect and understanding of who created it and why. This means giving credit where it’s due.

This means engaging in aspects of a culture outside of the aesthetics, making an effort to acknowledge their history. This means holding ourselves accountable.

As we continue to diversify ourselves and our mindsets, people will grow to respect and understand each other’s cultures even more, learning the difference between appreciating and appropriating. For now, let’s just start by remembering that cultures are not costumes.

ON CAMPUS

Kings and queens of choir

North Pointe - Wednesday, May 31, 2017 - 9

FACES IN THE CROWD Joe Hamouda

While other students were getting some much needed rest over spring break, freshman Joe Hamouda was in Egypt learning the history behind the great pyramids as well as the people who built them. Along with a group of family friends, Hamouda toured ancient ruins and temples in the 125-degree heat.

While in Egypt, Hamouda had the opportunity to immerse himself in the culture and language of the Nubian people, or those descended from ancient Egyptians. After experiencing the culture and history of the Egyptians, Hamouda reflected on American traditions. He said he feels that second- and third-generation immigrants such as himself often become more closedminded toward other cultures. He appreciated the opportunity to experience this one.

“I thought it was really interesting,” Hamouda said. “I thought it's like a whole different part of the world that people in America don't understand very much.”

Lily Adzigian

By Zoe Graves ALL PHOTOS BY MIKAL DUNLAP ASSISTANT EDITOR GONNA THRILL TONIGHT | Pointe Chorale, Treble Choir, Choraliers and Norsemen perform "Thriller" as their opener. “I really, really enjoyed it,” said sophomore Daniel Bernas, a member if Norsemen. “I think it went pretty well. We all recovered (from the power outage) and it turned out really nicely,” said sophomore Caitlyn Mocan.

JOYFUL NOISE | The Acafellas perform one of their songs. “This was the only concert this year that we’ve done choreography in, which I wouldn’t really say is a first, but it’s just interesting,” said freshman Rob Hetzler, who is in Norsemen.

SOLO SUPPORT | The Norsemen choir looks on as sophomore Darrius Stuckey sings a solo. “It was really fun,” said freshman Alex Jakubiec, who is also a member of Norsemen. “Everyone had so much energy, it was really upbeat, and I could tell the crowd loved it.”

Before this year, senior Lily Adzigian said she had never shown much interest in community service and had only done a small amount for school. However, in her Exploring Global Issues class, Adzigian was able to explore several different opportunities to connect and volunteer with school-affiliated and local organizations.

Adzigian says that the required volunteer work in Exploring Global Issues was the main thing that exposed her to many different ways to help out Grosse Pointe and other surrounding communities. In just the past year, Adzigian has begun to tutor outside of NHS in addition to volunteering at the VA hospital, Grosse Pointe Theatre and Full Circle.

In the future, Adzigian is planning to attend Central Michigan University and participate in their multicultural advancements program, which helps students participate in community service in order to promote student achievement. After graduation, Adzigian hopes to volunteer for and help people around the world.

“I really want to travel and help people and less fortunate communities,” Adzigian said. “I just want travel and help out around the world.”

David Hardy

DEDICATION | Junior Jonas Gee, a member Pointe Chorale, sings a solo. “(Choir is) one of those things that I don’t really think about,” said sophomore Daniel Bernas, who is a member of the Norsemen choir. “I just know that I’m going to be in choir the next year, and that I’m going to be giving more to the choir next year than I did this year and even more so the next year after that.”

HARD WORK PAYS OFF | The Norsemen choir perform. “We started working on the songs about a month before the concert, maybe a month and a half,” said Daniel Bernas. “We were still working on them up until the day of the concert, they were not perfect even the day before the concert. So we really used that time to get the dancing and the songs perfect, because we had to focus much more on the dancing because that’s much harder than singing.”

FIVE MINUTES WITH

French teacher Elizabeth Hill

By Zoe Graves ASSISTANT EDITOR

COURTESY OF WENDY SPREDERI ZOE GRAVES

FUN IN FRANCE | French teacher Elizabeth Hill stands with a French flag in her classroom. "I lived (in France) for a year after college and taught English at a high school," Hill said. "I spent a summer there in college, and then I was also lucky enough to go in high school."

For the majority of the day, room B205 is unoccupied. It belongs to French teacher Elizabeth Hill, who spends only first hour at North and the rest of her day at Parcells.

French has always been a passion of Hill’s, and she has been lucky enough to visit France three times. After she finished college, she lived in France for a year and taught English at a local high school. Hill also spent a summer there during college and visited while she was in high school. “(When I lived there) it was very sort of remote,” Hill said. “I lived in this little country village, so I was able to speak a lot of French and get to know local people a little bit. And then it was interesting too, to work at a high school and see how different their education system is from ours, and just to experience that firsthand.”

Getting to experience the culture of France was interesting for Hill, since aspects of it felt familiar to that of Michigan. She saw a lot of similarities when she lived in a more rural area of France but saw a lot of noticeable differences in how people

present themselves socially and how they interact.

Along with French, travelling is something else Hill loves to do.

“The year that I spent in France, I was able to travel a lot, and I really liked Eastern Europe,” Hill said. “I went to Budapest and Vienna, and that was really cool. I loved Spain. I also spent some time in Argentina. That was pretty amazing.”

Over the summer, Hill is planning on continuing her own education and working on getting her masters degree at Middlebury College in Vermont.

She will be in a French immersion program and will be speaking French the entire time she is there.

School is one of the factors that made Hill want to become a teacher, as it has always been something she found fun.

“I always really loved school, and I have always enjoyed spending time with kids, so I kind of put those two together. But it wasn’t so much teaching in general. I just love French so much that I don’t think I ever could have taught any other subject,” Hill said. “I love the sound of it, I love the culture, I love the people.

I just think it’s such a fascinating and beautiful place, and I really enjoy speaking the language.”

For six years, senior David Hardy has dedicated himself to music. Hardy was introduced to music by his middle school choir teacher, Carolyn Gross, at Brownell Middle School and knew it was something that he would enjoy for years to come.

This year, Hardy participates in three choirs at North: Pointe Chorale, Norsemen and Acafellas. He plans on continuing his musical journey when he goes to college next year. “(Next year I’m attending) Saginaw Valley State,” Hardy said. “I'm pretty sure I'll be joining the glee club, and I want to get a major in music theory.”

Hardy was introduced to music theory by North’s choir teacher Ben Henri.

“You start to learn key signatures and things like that, read music and start to understand it,” Hardy said. “You start to create some of your own (too).”

By Sofia Ketels

TEACHING AT TWO SCHOOLS I really like it because I get to be part of both worlds. And I feel like I understand Grosse Pointe Schools a little bit better because I’m in two of them and I can see what’s sort of similar and what’s different.

And I also just really enjoy my high school students, and it’s a nice sort of change from middle school, but then I get to have fun with the middle schoolers too.

FAVORITE TV SHOW OR MOVIE I’m watching "Master of None" right now and I really like that. Maybe a favorite movie, "Ferris Bueller". I love "Ferris Bueller."

FAVORITE BOOK I really like “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood. I’ve been hearing about this TV series that they made but I haven’t been able to watch it yet.

FAVORITE HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL I like to play soccer, I really like to bike, and travel and read, and I’m learning some photography stuff so I’m playing around with that lately.

LIFE

10 - Wednesday, May 31, 2017 - North Pointe

Students go on Global Leadership Adventures

PHOTOS FROM CAMRYN SIMON AND MAGGIE MATTES

By Michael Ruprect EDITOR

Many students vacation in tourist hotspots like Florida and Mexico, however, sophomores Camryn Simon and Maggie Mattes chose to travel to authentic, non-tourist communities.

They visit countries through Global Leadership Adventures. GLA’s mission is to to inspire high schoolers to realize their potential to transform the world and their role in it. To accomplish this, students perform community service, experience hands-on learning, culture immersion and adventure. The organization offers summer trips to countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Last summer, Simon traveled to Chiang Mai, Thailand. Mattes went to St. Mathew’s Village in Belize.

“It was a ton of fun,” Simon said. “It’s not really a place that I would ever be able to go just for a normal vacation, so there was an opportunity, so I wanted to take it.”

Both Simon and Mattes spent three weeks in the countries. During their time there, they visited an elementary school, painted walls, paved driveways, taught kids English and planted gardens.

While in Thailand, Simon also did tourist attractions like riding elephants and ziplining through a forest.

Although both girls went by themselves, Simon’s mom, Anne Simon, said these trips help to teach skills like independence that a traditional classroom can’t. She added that the values GLA trips instill in students can help them in future careers.

“Though I worry about her when she is off on her own, I want her to experience all that life offers. I want her to meet other people and learn from everyone, and I don’t want her to be afraid to explore any opportunity life may offer to her,” Anne said via email.

“Also, I hope she learns to take pleasure in the simple things, to learn from the kids she helps, to learn the value of service to others.”

Camryn and Mattes decided to go on a GLA trip because their siblings had gone on them. Both girls also wanted to expand their knowledge of other cultures.

“It helps you become more independent and more out there in the world,” Mattes said. “It’s just really good to see how other people in different countries live and see how different our lives are compared to theirs, and it’s a good refresher for everyone.”

Because of their positive experiences, both Camryn and Mattes said they plan to go to Ghana and Tanzania this summer, respectively.

Anne said the trips also allow kids to gain an appreciation of their own lives and the world, which spurs their love for traveling.

“I think that (Camryn) comes back from these trips with a bit more empathy and understanding for people as well as a better perspective on her own life,” Anne said. “It helps her to slow down and see someone else’s point of view just a little bit better. It also lets her know that the world is a very wonderful place worth working hard to earn the opportunity to explore.”

Although the trips Camryn and Mattes took were organized through GLA, both hope to travel independently one day. Camryn said that these experiences will also help her make career choices in the future.

“I want to be a doctor or something and travel to places. I can determine where I want to go based on places I’ve already gone or heard about,” Camryn said. “I just think it’s a really good experience that not a lot of people get to go on, and it’s just such an eyeopening experience, and you feel really good about yourself for doing all of this service, but you also have a really fun time, and you meet kids from all around the world or country. It’s just cool to experience a new culture and live in a different place for a couple weeks.”

HELPING OTHERS | Sophmore Maggie Mattes helps a group of students. “My siblings) thought it was really fun and I just thought it would be a good experience to help other people,” Mattes sadi.

“It helps you get a better understanding for the outside world and all that.”

OFF TO THAILAND | Sophmore Camryn Simon works with a student. “I think it gives kids a good opportunity to see how lucky they are and to give back and help others and it makes them appreciate everything they have more and not take things for granted,” Simon said.

Abandoned buildings become students’ stomping grounds

By Chloe Ribco STAFF REPORTER

The Packard Plant is a symbol of the strength in the Motor City. It was a booming car plant that fell to ruin under a crumbling economy, a playground for urban explorers from around the world and a new light in the rebirth and regrowth of Detroit having a significant impact on native Detroiter Geoffrey Young.

Fifteen minutes down I-94 West are the remnants of a once three-story Packard Automotive Plant. When the plant was built, it not only reinforced the automotive significance of Detroit, but also revolutionized construction and architectural procedures. The Kahn Bar with a reinforced rebar system, used in the original construction of the building, is still used today.

Along with groundbreaking concrete technologies, the Packard Plant was also a hub for wartime artillery during both World Wars. In 1942, the plant halted all automotive production and began making Rolls Royce aircraft engines and naval engines for the U.S. along with its allies. During the war years, the plant employed around 36,000 people.

Although the war brought great prosperity to the plant, the multi-story factory plan became obsolete and according to packardplantproject.com, production was moved to a more modern factory on

Conner Avenue in 1954. The Packard Car Company went out of business completely in 1956 and the plant was sold for parts and leased out to various tenants.

By 2010, all of the tenants left and due to bankruptcy the plant became completely abandoned, making it the urban explorer’s paradise. Urban exploring is exactly what it sounds like, exploring urban locations, but specifically abandoned buildings.

“Exploring the remains of old buildings has always got my eye, there’s so much history in them and so much to learn,” said Mullens.

Although Mullens prefers less popular locations, such as the Northville Psychiatric Hospital, people come from near and far to get their own in depth history lesson inside the Packard ruins.

That is, until Fernando Palazuelo, a Spanish developer and CEO of Arte Express, bought the property with huge plans for renovation. He claims to have put faith in the project after being impressed by the power, charisma and future of the town.

“I think that every city has a heart and whenever that thing is sort of decaying or beating less than it wants to, that’s kind of sad for the city,” English teacher Geoffrey Young said. “So, I appreciate seeing the heart of downtown and midtown and the cultural areas have a new life in them I think that’s very exciting, it gives people in the city a thing to be proud of and also attracts the people from outside.”

When visiting the plant now, security guards are prowling around the clock, being sure to keep trespassers off the property. The building is still approachable but only from public streets, one step on the property and guards are quick to approach, although they are generally very nice and will give insight on what’s off limits and what’s fair game, the main concern is safety when walking among the rubble and waste that is left of the buildings. “(I usually go urban exploring) on the weekends later at night usually, which probably isn’t good.” Senior Emily Maul, addressing the danger of urban exploring at night.

The first stage of reconstruction began on Tuesday, May 16 and the whole project is expected to be complete in anywhere from seven to 15 years, but tenants may begin moving in by next year.

The project has locals excited for the future and is bringing a feeling of hope to our city.

“I think if I were to visit or if I had visited the area of the packard plant say 10 years ago, there’s a sort of decayed look of the area and I think that whenever you take that thing and start to revitalize it, that it says something to the residents that their city has value still, and that the things that were part of the past are still very much present and useful. So, I think it’s a very exciting thing for the city to see that happen,” Young said.

CHLOE RIBCO

SPORTS

North Pointe – Wednesday, May 31, 2017 – 11

PLAY BALL | Junior Peter Ciaravino bats at the Mac White Championships. “I love the team we bond very well and that shows on and off the diamond., sophomore Nik David said. “ We all worked hard during practice and games, and we all put in the work,. that was needed to win.”

By Tommy Teftsis SENIOR ASSISTANT EDITOR

Dominance is detrimental SONNY’S SIDE NOTE SONNY MULPURI

The NBA playoffs started 39 days ago. In that span, both the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers have lost one game combined.

Golden State has swept each of their opponents into the Finals, with the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round, Utah Jazz in the conference semi-finals and the San Antonio Spurs in the conference finals. The Cavaliers made mincemeat of the Indiana Pacers and the Toronto Raptors in the first two rounds while losing their first game of the postseason to the Boston Celtics but still won series in five games. This feat should be applauded, but it’s also a concern for the future of the league.

In this year’s conference finals, the Warriors blew out the Spurs by 36 points. How do you go out on national television and get blown out on your quest to an NBA title?

The answer is by having to face a superteam.

After the Warriors broke the NBA record for most wins in one season with 73 and fell one win short of back-toback titles, they inked 2014 Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant this past offseason. Instantly, they became a shoein for the NBA Finals.

They came into the postseason with four all stars— Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Durant and Stephen Curry—and Curry’s the league’s back-to-back MVP. No Western Conference playoff team stood a chance against

“

I think we’ve got what it takes to win it all if we play how we’re capable of.

“

MAC White champs head to playoffs

After pounding L’anse Creuse High School Levick tries to be an inf luencing 7-0 on Monday, May 8, the varsity boys baseball role on the team as a senior captain. team (26-6 overall) clinched the MAC White Levick is in his third year on the team and championship, its second in a row. sees himself in an important role, guiding Sophomore Chad Lorkowski pitched a the underclassmen and leading the team. Like complete game, allowing one hit Sumbera, Levick said and no walks. Lorkowski threw he noticed steady 77 pitches, including 52 strikes, improvement with his in the nine-inning effort and team this year. struck out 11.

“Our pitching has In the fourth inning, the gotten a lot better Norsemen hit the Lancers with since the beginning of four runs. Lorkowski led off with the year. The starters a home run. After that, junior started off shaky, but Tyler Hill walked, and senior have been solid ever Ryan Mazzola reached on an since,” Levick said. error to put two men on base.

“I think a lot of our At a 1-0 count, senior Steven success comes from Levick hit a bomb to left field, getting the job done extending North’s lead to four Steven Levick when we need to and runs. Junior Peter Ciaravino hit a SENIOR clutching up, even when we rocket to right field in the sixth aren’t great all the time.” inning, effectively putting the game out of reach.

On another note, the team is also on the For head coach Frank Sumbera, league titles younger side, with four sophomores on the team. are nothing new. In 45 years of coaching, his Sophomore Nik David is one of those players. teams have won 24 such championships. But, He knew some of the kids from football and he has also seen this team standout more than around school, but became closer with them other teams in the past. this year.

“We have a situation where we have a “I love the team. We bond very well, and that great senior leadership, a solid pitching staff, shows on and off the diamond,” David said. great defense and some really timely hitting,” Both David and Levick have tremendous Sumbera said. confidence in their team’s fortitude for the Sumbera wants to take each season game- postseason. After making it to regionals last by-game, and recognizes the team’s potential year, they are hoping to go even furhter. playoff threats.

“We knew that we had to put the hard work “We have a really competitive district with and effort in to try to make it farther than that,” South High School and the University of David said. “We can make it pretty far if we put Liggett, so both of those teams are gonna be big in our full effort and know that our end game is roadblocks that we’re going to have to deal with winning a state championship.” when we move on to the state tournament,” Sumbera said.

them, and it shows in their f lawless 12-0 steamrolling of their competition.

In Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers didn’t come into the playoffs as the one seed, but instead that title went to the Boston Celtics. Still, they were the favorites of coming out of the East and to face the Warriors for the third straight time.

They’ve made that path easier by compiling an 12-1 record and just closed out the Celtics—whose star, Isaiah Thomas, was just taken out for the rest of the playoffs by a hip injury. Bravo to the Celtics who tried to overcome the superteam big three of Lebron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving for just another win, let alone trying to win the series.

As James finished this series off, it’s now his seventh consecutive Finals trip. However, it’s more commendable for a single player to dominate the NBA rather than two super teams.

It’s the first time in league history where two teams started the postseason 10-0. It’s also the first time in the league’s 70-year existence where two teams meet in the Finals for a third straight time. That’s taking account the 80s, 90s and 2000s when teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Celtics and Chicago Bulls had Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan on them. I’m not doubting that this upcoming Finals series will be an engrossing one, but other teams’ performances against the Warriors and Cavaliers have diminished my excitement.

I haven’t watched more than 30 minutes combined of the playoffs so far because it isn’t fun to watch. I know who is going to win just by looking at their roster. It’s the same thing that’s going on in California with Chino Hills High School and the Ball brothers, all of whom have committed to UCLA while Lonzo is a projected top-three pick in this year’s draft.

They smack almost all of their opponents just because Lonzo, LiAngelo and Lamelo Ball take over their games.

People get bored of watching the same thing over and over, and the appeal that it starts out with eventually dies out.

UPCOMING GAMES BASEBALL

Home against Notre Dame Prep on Wednesday, May 31 at 4 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER

Home against L’Anse Creuse North High School Wednesday, May 17 at 4 p.m.

BOYS GOLF

MHSAA Finals from June 9-10

BASEBALL

Home against L’Anse Creuse High School on Thursday, May 18 at 4:30 p.m.

SOFTBALL Districts on Saturday, June 3 at 12 a.m.

BASEBALL Districts on Saturday, June 3 at 10 a.m.

There’s no feeling of the underdog coming out on top. The NBA has become predictable, and that’s why their ratings keep slipping.

Stars are forming teams just so that they can add a ring to their resume. They know that the players they surround themselves with is what will win them a championship. By creating a Big Three or Fantastic Four with other players around the league, they have a high probability in doing so.

The modern-day NBA team isn’t built like the 2004 Pistons where stars are born out of hard work and determination— champions are formed with great team chemistry.

The teams are now just a combination of two or three all-stars who are looking to win a championship and not have to put all the burden on their shoulders. It may be fun and relaxing for those stars to watch their team win night after night. But as fans, we start to lose interest because there aren’t any unexpected plays that happen that can possibly change the game. The dominance of dream teams is too overwhelming for the other teams in the conference with the amount of fight they are putting up.

Putting the league back to its prominence shouldn’t be up to the owners or commissioner Adam Silver. That responsibility should lie on the players. They should want to have the competitiveness in them to give their legacy more meaning by winning titles by themselves and being the piece that a franchise builds around in order to win a championship.

In the future, basketball fans and players will look back upon teams like the Warriors and the Cavaliers and undermine their accomplishments because they know that they just stacked their teams with the best talent and had the most amount of money to lure in big names just for another banner in the rafters. Fans deserve the best basketball all year around, especially when it comes to the playoffs.

But if the situation that is taking place this postseason continues, the NBA will be in for a rude awakening.

SPORTS

12 – Wednesday, May 17, 2017 – North Pointe

Spring season wrap-up

By Chloe Ribco & Alyssa McClarty SENIOR ASSISTANT EDITOR & PHOTOGRAPHER

BASEBALL | Sophomore Nik David pitches at the North-South game at Comerica Park on April 14. “We’re used to playing at a high school stadium and knowing that you’re playing at a major league field, that helps your game,” senior Sam Cross said.

ALYSSA MCLARTY

BOYS TRACK | Junior Mikey Ciaravino competes in a meet against Romeo. “The most fun thing about track is) the crowd cheering your name,” junior Julian Williams said.

ALYSSA MCLARTY

GIRLS LACROSSE: Sophomore Helen Michaelson plays against Huron High School.

“We got along really well. We had a good season and we worked together team while putting our aside our differences,” freshman Celesta Paolucci said.

GPNATHLETICS

SAILING| Junior Ellie Frame and senior Matt Moores sail in a regatta at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. “I joined the team because I really enjoy sailing and I really enjoy improving on sailing and practice will always make you better,” Frame said.

ALYSSA MCLARTY

GIRLS SOCCER | Freshman Meg Pangborn competes in a home game against Lakeview High School on March 29. North won the game 8-0. “When we talk and come together we play a lot better, normally in the second half we were a better team,” freshman Kate O’Shee said.

GPNATHLETICS ALYSSA MCLARTY

GIRLS TRACK| Freshman Tessa Bessette competes in a home meet. “Our new head coach Diane Montegomery helped push up with a bunch of hard workouts to get the times that we wanted,” junior Madison Murray said.

ALYSSA MCLARTY

BOYS LACROSSE| Junior Max Paton competes in the May 12 game against De La Salle. “We’ve had a pretty good season so far.” said senior Marc Filippelli.

“We have playoffs now and we just need to keep winning, keep playing hard.”

GPNATHLETICS