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2011 says goodbye to Breslin stage Walking across the stage at graduation is the event that most high school students Shaquila Doss look forward to. For Reporter some, it will be one of their proudest moments; students work hard to reach that one special moment. For nearly 20 years “walking across the stage” in the Lansing School District meant a trip up the ramp at the Breslin center in East Lansing. This year, however, the class of 2011 will see a change: the district signed a one-year contract with the Lansing Center to hold graduation in the city of Lansing for the first time in two decades. Everett will be the first school to see graduate in the new building, at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 5. Superintendent Jim Davis said the decision to change the location of graduation was his. Given the tight economic times, the district is reviewing the cost of all activities. Davis saw the Lansing Center change as a way to save money, and also to allow the city of Lansing to host an event for Lansing schools. Many people have speculations about how the different location will affect the outcome. “I had some trepidation and concerns about parking and if there would be any inconvenience because graduation is now on a Sunday,” said head secretary Nita Kennedy, who has coordinated Everett’s graduation for nearly 20 years. Superintendent Davis believes that the Lansing center has plenty of room for students and parents, and is working with the city to work out the parking situation. There is plenty of parking, he said. Whether parking in the downtown ramps is as convenient as parking in the large surface lots at Breslin remains to be seen.
WHAT’S • • NEXT FOR • SENIORS •
The other two graduations will take place around the same time as a Lugnuts baseball game, which may result in an increase in traffic. The game should not affect Everett’s ceremony. Another concern Davis said he is aware of is the fact that students and parents will all be on the same level. At Breslin, parents were all seated above the floor level. Organizers hope to communicate with parents and make sure they know to leave the aisles open where students are will be entering and exiting. Many seniors do not understand why the change from Breslin was made, and believe that it is unfair. “I think the major change is that the Lansing Center is a smaller place and it’s going to be too loud,” said senior Jordan Walker. As for the space issues, Davis is confident that it will not be a problem. As a matter of fact, Davis said he is sure that people will love the look of the Lansing Center, as well. “The Lansing Center is spectacularly functional and beautiful, I think people will be very happy,” said Davis. Although the superintendent and other district members are optimistic, some students still do not like the idea. “Graduation has always been at the Breslin center so it has become a tradition,” said senior Chantel Dedrick. “I think this change is a very bad idea.” Although the change has been made this year, the district is not in a long-term contract with the Lansing Center. Depending on the feedback from this year’s program, the venue could be changed again next year. “We will be asking for parent and student feedback, we want our students and parents to be happy,” said Davis.
Prom: May 20 Last Day of School: May 27 Presentation of Roses: June 2 Graduation: June 5
Voice
Yo u r S c h o o l . Yo u r Vo i c e .
Volume 51, Issue 5 May 4, 2011 Everett High School 3900 Stabler Rd. Lansing, MI (517) 755-4472
“LOL-a-Thon 4: Laugh Hard With a Vengeance” The fourth annual LOL-a-Thon was held April 21. The stand-up comedy event raised money for The Viking Voice. Those in attendance said they had a great time, and were looking forward to next year’s event. From left to right, Everett graduates Brandon Briegel and Vincent Mata; senior Mickale Nelson. Also performing were graduate (and Voice editor) Chris Fobbe and staff members Brent Pohlonski and Viking Voice adviser Chad Sanders.
US history students experience history in DC
The social studies department recently took a trip to Washington DC with 40 Shaquila Doss students. The five-day Reporter trip let students visit numerous museums and attractions. Any current of previous US History students were allowed to go on the trip. The trip cost the students $375, which covered the cost of their hotel and transportation. The other expenses were covered by the social studies department from the money made at the Snowflake Ball. The social studies department has been taking trips for about 20 years and plans to continue this tradition. They have taken other trip to places such as New York, Atlanta, and Virginia. They put the
trip together themselves so that they can make it cheaper for the students. “Everything is so expensive, by doing the trips ourselves instead of paying a company we can keep the cost down,” said US history teacher Judith Hightower. Though it is supposed to be a fun trip, it is still an educational experience for the students. Everywhere the students go, they are being taught something new that pertains to history. “The trips are supposed to make history come alive outside of the classroom,” said history teacher Lothar Konietzko, who has been taking social studies trips for about the last six years. Specialized Media Tech Mary Bahl chaperoned the trip, and said she is looking forward to going on a future one.
“This is a very busy trip, we visit museums, businesses, and monuments,” said Bahl. With so many things planned, the students didn’t have much down time. “I had fun,” said Sophomore Codi Stockenauer. “The thing that was most interesting to me was the holocaust museum.” Other students enjoyed the trip and had positive things to say, as well. “I had fun on the trip,” said sophomore Kristin Nelson. “What I liked most was the natural history museum.” The social studies department has been talking about new places to take students in the future; it may be somewhere new, but anywhere they choose will have something to do with US history.
what’s inside? 2 Walk Out 4 Day of Silence 6 Harry Potter 7 Chris Brown 8 Girls’ Soccer