Ramparts December 2011

ramparts HOLT HIGH SCHOOL

VOLUME 20, ISSUE 3

In it to

Win it

Basketball teams set goals for the upcoming season

Holt Senior High School 5885 West Holt Rd. Holt, MI 48842

DECEMBER 2011

Photo by Amy Clark

NEWS: Senior Drew Dyer commits to U-M Naval ROTC program.

PAGE 4

page 14

Photo by Anna Pavlik

FEATURES: Find out the best ways to stay fit during the holiday season.

PAGE 11

HOT SPOT: Students talk about some of their favorite videos on YouTube.

PAGE 12 Sophomore Don’Quall Jackson goes up for a basket against Lansing Eastern. The game ended in double overtime with a loss of 77-79.

Photo by Chloè Henley

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December 2011

F.Y.I. RAMPAGES YEARBOOK

The 2011-12 yearbook will be available for orders with a fee of $75 until today, December 16. After that there will not be any extra copies available for purchase. See flyers in the hallways for more information.

Also see yearbook adviser Clara Swihart for order forms. All orders should be returned to Swihart in E221 or W205. NATIONAL HONOR

SOCIETY

NHS members have 10 community service hours due January 3. Students can find volunteer hours from activities like food drives and tutoring.

A sheet is posted near the Counseling Office where NHS members can volunteer for more service opportunities.

PALS

PALS Exchange Day is coming in the spring. PALS will go to another school for a day and go to classes with their PALS students. Then the other school’s PALS students will come to HHS and see how classes are.

STUDENT SUCCESS ROOM

The Student Success Room is a place where students can go and study, do homework, or sign up for a tutor. It is held Monday-Thursday in the library and lasts from 2:45-3:45.

Any 10-12 grade students are welcome to attend. Students must have their own transportation home. Contact Student Success Coordinator Joann Weil at 699-6423 with any further questions.

MESSIAH

Choir members, both past and present, will join together to perform Handel’s Messiah. The concert will include religious holiday music and solos from graduates and current students.

It will be held in the Margaret Livensparger Theater on Saturday, December 17 at 7 p.m. The suggested donation for audience members is $10.

News

Holt High School Ramparts

Students help out local community As the holidays approach students and staff help out Zack Gilliland

staff writer This is the time of year when people help others in need.

Volunteering is one way some students give back to a community and help out. Others donate to charities. Business teacher Margo Strong’s Web Publishing class adopts a family every year for the charity Give-a-Kid-a-Christmas. Strong has been participating with this charity for about 10 years.

Around the holiday season Strong’s class gets a list of clothes and sizes the family needs and anything that they would like for Christmas.

This year Strong’s class is shopping for a five-year-old girl.

“I’m proud of my students,” Strong said. “They always want to help.”

A few volunteers go out with the money donated and purchase the gifts for the family. The class never knows who the family is.

Other students are finding ways to help out as well.

Senior Nathan Haering volunteers whenever he can, and enjoys doing what he does. Haering volunteers at

Photo by Zack Gilliland

Students from the Web Publishing class adopted a family and pose with the gifts they bought. The gifts will be picked up and given to the parents for wrapping and then opening on Christmas Day. his church, other churches, Toys for Tots, and anything else he can.

“I volunteer because I find that there is no more beautiful purpose in this world, than to enhance the lives of others through love and volunteering,” Haering said.

Haering said he believes that it is better to give than receive, especially during the holiday season.

Senior Evan Robertson said he likes to help people out and see people happy who aren’t always happy. Robertson volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, churches and schools.

“I think it’s good to give back to

the community,” Robertson said. “It gives you a deeper appreciation of the community.”

Junior Evan Edwards volunteers roughly two hours every other week at his church and other organizations that need help. Edwards said he volunteers because he wants to give back to the organizations he likes and believes in what they do.

“Volunteering is important as to give back to the community because people often take for granted what the community gives them,” Edwards said.

Edwards also said that volunteering is fun depending on

what he is doing, but it is overall gratifying.

The HHS staff also has a way to help out during the holiday season.

Ever y year, the staff gets a Christmas tree from the Give-a-Kida-Christmas foundation. The tree has gold stars on it that have items like clothes or a toy that a family’s child would like.

Any adult in the community can come in and take a star, purchase the gifts and bring them to the school.

The school also participated in Toys for Tots. Students and staff could go out and purchase a gift and bring it unwrapped to the office.

these families in need.

NHS held a collection in classrooms from December 6 through the 15.

It ran throughout the school and encouraged students to participate and contribute. “I like to help out with the one who are impoverished and can’t afford day to day items. Just seeing other people find happiness in a good deed that I contributed to makes me feel happy,” senior Jordan Herron said.

The group collected items such as canned and boxed goods, items that could be stored for a while without spoiling.

The Food Bank is supported by community donations from individuals, churches and businesses, as well as grants. The food bank is staffed by unpaid volunteers.

These can be year-round volunteer opportunities.

“I encourage others to help out volunteering or donating because the feeling you get from helping others will just be amazing,” Herron said.

Volunteering for the food bank

A local volunteer helps out by placing a container of Pringles in a box at the Holt Community Food Bank. The food bank takes donations year round.

Holt Community Food Bank seeks help Students bring in donations for the Holt Food Bank Dalton Gibson staff writer The National Honor Society and the Holt Community Food Bank are having a Christmas distribution for families who are going hungry this holiday season. The Christmas distribution will be held tomorrow at the Holt Community Food Bank.

According to the Food Bank’s website, over 41,000 people in Ingham County are living in poverty.

Each one misses more than eight meals per week.

Fo r t y - f i v e p e rc e n t o f Mi d Michigan’s population benefits from the Food Bank, with the largest age group being under 18.

Twelve percent of that population is the under the age of five. The Holt Community Food Bank tries to help

Photo by Michael Hua

can take the form of many tasks, including picking up and sorting food, distributing food, delivering to shut-ins, stocking shelves, loading and unloading trucks, participating in holiday distributions, working at fundraising events, and much more.

“I do what I can to help out other people. I know we have a lot of flyers up around the school, and we’re hoping a lot of people participate,” senior Kali Schlee said.

Math teacher Grant Melville’s class has collected around 40 to 50 items for the food drive. Some students even gave him $15 to buy some food for the drive.

“It isn’t about who gives me the most for the drive, but it’s about how much one family is able to give,” Melville said.

Any students or student groups who want to volunteer, can call 694-9307 for more information.

News

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Holt High School Ramparts

Step Team takes back the spotlight Group back up and ready to perform

Zahra Ahmad staff writer After more than a year of absence, junior Jade Minor is bringing the Step Team back to HHS. The group was put off during the 2010-11 school year due to a lack of leadership.

Administration has agreed for the group to be brought back. Spanish teacher, Karen Holman-Cervera is the advisor. They will perform at the JV boys basketball and girls varsity basketball games.

“It happened last year in Spanish.

I asked why didn’t we have a Step Team and decided it would be a great idea to bring it back up with the administration, and now that it’s up I am very excited to see what we will accomplish,” Minor said.

Minor, the group captain, said she has high hopes for the team. The standards are set as the group gets ready for the season to begin.

“I really want this to be a bonding experience. The Step Team is about sisterhood, and I also want others to see that Holt isn’t just

the stereotypical cheerleaders and football stars. It shows a different side of the school that’s often unseen or ignored,” Minor said.

Junior Amber Boyd said she hopes to gain another step family outside the one of her church, where she credits much of her experience.

“I have prior experience to step through my church, so when I found out about the Step Team coming back up I was really excited to share my love of step with everyone else,” Boyd said.

Senior Danae Brown said that step is a way of expressing who she is through a different action.

Brown explains her excitement when hearing the news of the Step Team returning.

“I knew my friend Jade was talking about bringing it back up, but when I found out that it was actually back I was very excited,” Brown said.

“Hopefully, as the year goes we’ll grow closer together as a group and become a step family.”

The group has routines planned out and they say they expect a good outcome from the crowd. Minor explains the reputation step may hold and how the group wants to change it.

“A lot of people see step in a negative perspective. They see it as a provocative way of dance and it really isn’t,” Minor said. “With time, I hope

Cody Shattuck news editor Just last year, 55,867 car-deer accidents were reported statewide, with more than half not being reported. In 2011, 43 accidents have been reported so far this winter. With this being said, a deer management group may play a crucial role in helping with this issue.

Recently in East Lansing, a group of hunters participated in a deer management team to help take down the deer population that is currently expanding.

The idea was proposed in Meridian Township, where 23 members set out on the trip. This was the pilot run for the management group, who had a goal in mind when they set out to hunt: reduce the deer population. Although there is no direct correlation as to if the hunting will help with the

In Brief

 FINANCIAL AID FORMS

This year students can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www. fafsa.gov. Deadlines for Michigan are March 1 and the FAFSA must be applied for every year by deadline.

The Counseling Office would like to remind students that as economic times get tougher it is important to remember to sign up for FAFSA as early as possible to have an increased chance of receiving money for college. The FAFSA program does not discriminate and anyone applying is eligible to receive the money.

Photo by Zahra Ahmad

Step team practice in the Black Box room after school Tuesday December 6,2011. Members gather to practice for upcoming performance . we can change how they see step and able to get a strong bond between the show off how fun and creative it is.” girls and allow them the feeling of The members feel that the Step having a second family through step.

Team makes a large contribution to “I have high hopes that the team the school. Brown says she has hopes will bond well together I want them of getting the crowds they perform for to know that we’re a family when we extremely energized. step together, and I think it’s very “A big personal goal is to not only important that girls understand that,” do good on the step team, but also Minor said. know that we were able to get the The Step Team is now back and crowed amped up for the games,” welcomes any new members that are Brown said. interested in joining. Practice is held Pleasing the audience is not the on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from only goal the team has for the season. 2:40-3:45 in the EMIC room.

Another goal, as Minor said, is to be

Hunters attempt to lower overpopulation New group helps to lower Michigan’s deer population

December 2011

overpopulation issue, there still might be hopes that it can help alleviate the car deer accidents that occur throughout the year.

“If the deer are over populated they could end up in the roads. If they do, then people could get hurt and even if they don’t end up in the roads, there isn’t enough food available for all the deer,” senior Emily Washabaugh said. “More deer will end up dying of starvation than how many would be killed to control the population.”

However, there are some disadvantages that go into being a hunter and searching for the deer.

In the state of Michigan today, a hunter must know all the safety and ethical rules when out to hunt.

Michigan.org provides many tips, rules and facts for hunters of all ages. Every hunter must have a license as well as successful completion of a Hunters Education class.

Another factor is to know the different seasons of which hunting occurs, certain days and which animals are allowed to be hunted, as well as the use of certain guns and in which zones. Those who are thinking of hunting and in possession of a firearm, crossbow, slingshot or bow and arrow must have a hunting license with them and identification to purchase that license which is demanded by the state of Michigan.

“The best way to go about getting a license is to take hunters safety and then apply for it at a local gun or sporting store,” senior Kurtis Smith said. “I hunt in the ZZ zone which means that it is a private land zone. Make sure you know where you are hunting at. Ask the person whose property it is you are hunting on and make sure it is ok to hunt there.”

People have many different viewpoints when it comes to the hunting of animals, whether it could benefit the state or diminish the inhabitants.

Washabaugh said that it is more about helping them out than it is of just killing.

“I know some people say it’s bad to hunt because you’re killing an animal, but where I hunt, at my cabin, up north, the deer are too populated,” Washabaugh said. “So if we don’t hunt them they will starve over the winter, so we’re actually helping them.”

Students who hunt suggest that it’s important to keep hunting safety in mind.

“You should only go out and hunt if you know what you’re doing,” senior Adam Thurston said.

“Guns aren’t toys to play with, so always stay safe and know what you are doing. When you are out hunting, make sure that you have food and warm clothes with you.”

GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCE

The Gay-Straight Alliance is kicking the year off with educational events.

The most recent occasion was the GSA Fishbowl. The Fishbowl was a chance for students to ask the GSA members questions about the club and about themselves anonymously, in a fish bowl, and hear the answers that the GSA had to offer.

“It’s a way for students to learn about other students that are different from them,” said English teacher Erin Umpstead about the event.

If students are interested in joining can the GSA contact Umpstead for more information in room W218.

QUIZ BOWL

The winter league has started up for Quiz Bowl. Practices are held every Tuesday and Wednesday after school at 2:45 until 4 p.m. in room E113 for both JV and varsity teams.

The team will start competing in the 20th Tri-County Winter League on Wednesday, January 25. Competitions will be held every Wednesday after that for the next five weeks.

MIDWEST CHORALE

Chorale will be performing at Grand Rapids on January 21 as part of the Midwest Competition they were selected to participate in. The selection process was decided last year with an honor for the returning members. Chorale, along with the other selected schools, will be in the event. It is open to the public, and everyone is welcome to attend.

News

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December 2011

Holt High School Ramparts

Student commits to becoming a Naval officer Drew Dyer signs commitment papers to NROTC Ben Blanck entertainment editor Every year young men and women join the United States Navy. This year one of Holt’s own is taking the steps to become an enlisted officer in this specific branch of the military.

On November 16, senior Drew Dyer signed the papers to receive a scholarship committing himself to the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program at the University of Michigan.

NROTC is a program formed by the United States government to expand the population of officers in the military through colleges around the nation. Dyer received a scholarship of $180,000 to attend a U-M program.

An extensive selection process was involved in the awarding of the scholarship, including several essays and applications as well as a face-to-face interview with the commanding officer of the NROTC program at U-M. Dyer didn’t originally want to become an officer in the Navy.

Photo by Amy Clark

Dyer signs papers to U-M NROTC program on November 16, while receiveing scholarship. Parents Andy and Teresa Dyer watch as their son commits to the Navy in college at U-M and for four years after he finishes his education.

“It really didn’t sound that great to me until this past year. My sister is at the Naval Academy and I never really wanted to do what she does,” Dyer said. “However, the NROTC allows me to live a normal college life while preparing to be in the Navy. It was only these past few months that I

have wanted to be a part of the Navy.”

Ac c o rd i n g t o D y e r, j o i n i n g an NROTC program is a serious commitment for any person who decides to make it. Enlistees have a regular physical training schedule and required classes for the program, as well as a four-year enlisted naval

officer commitment after completion and graduation from college. Dyer’s inspiration for becoming a Naval officer is his sister.

“My sister was probably my biggest inspiration to join the Navy, but I wanted to do it in a way that was more comfortable to me. The possibilities

of travel and everything that I will be able to do has been the most inspiring to me,” Dyer said.

Dyer said he would like to pursue a degree in computers and technology.

He said he would also like to follow a job in the Navy in this area because he said feels working with the most advanced technology in the world would be very interesting to him.

Dyer’s counselor Bob Bower offered some information about the Program.

“NROTC is a great opportunity for those qualified students who want the military experience without being confined by the traditional service academies,” Bower said.

Dyer’s parents said they are proud of their son’s commitment.

“TheNROTC program will encourage Drew to develop morally, mentally and physically and will imbue him with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty,” Andy and Teresa Dyer said in an email. “We are very proud of Drew and all of his accomplishments that lead him to this scholarship opportunity and that our son will be an officer in the Navy.”

Dyer said he chose the NROTC program at U-M because he has always wanted to go to U-M to continue his education, and when he decided that he was interested in the Navy it was the perfect opportunity.

News

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Holt High School Ramparts

December 2011

Bill in Congress could change the online world Stop Online Piracy Act causes debate Daniel yu

staff writer The Stop Online Pirac y Act (SOPA) is a bill that is intended to help protect movie studios, record studios and others with copyrighted material from illegal circulation on the Internet. It was introduced in the House of Representatives on October 26. The Senate is discussing a similar bill called the Protect Internet Protocol (IP) act.

O nline pirac y is the act of downloading illegally distributed copyrighted material. This material usually includes songs and movies.

It is a crime to download material without the company approval of the product.

The bill will essentially give the corporations the power to sue any website that breaks these new rules and have the government block access to them from the public.

“I am not for the bill. It is an example of a bill that sounds great but in reality would have a negative effect on the Internet,” business teacher Margo Strong said.

She said that the wording of the bill might sway people to support the bill even when they don’t understand the possible consequences.

“The legislature should be looking at the big picture of how their proposed bills and laws affect all aspects of the Internet,” Strong said.

Some critics of the bill are saying

that it will only cause censorship of the Internet because the bill gives the government the right to shut down websites unfairly. Big search engines like Google would be unable to give links to sites that are blocked by the government.

According to Arthur De Vany, Professor of economics at UC Irvine, and David Walls, Professor of economics at the University of Calgary, the movie industry loses $3 billion to $4 billion every year because of pirated films. Though the numbers are hard to calculate exactly, this industry only makes $10 billion annually and losing that much money is a major issue.

“I don’t think it’s fair. As long as people put the company labels on it’s fine,” junior Zachary Ly said about people using music on sites like YouTube.

Ly likes to check out music before he wants to buy it. Music sources like iTunes give a short preview of every song before listeners can purchase it.

Ly says that lots of people use pirated music, but they aren’t bad people.

“It’s culture. Music defines a lot of high school and life in general,” Ly said.

An article in the New York Times states that global music sales have dropped about 30 percent from 2004 to 2009 and continue to drop.

The industry federation says that 95 percent of all music downloaded online is pirated music.

“I believe that the bill would destroy the creativity of the Internet users,” senior Eric Dawdy said.

Dawdy said he thinks that the Internet should be a place where teens can be free to do what they

Photo by Daniel Yu

Senior Eric Dawdy logs into one of the school computers located in the library. He may not be able to enjoy the same social networking and media sites that he used to if the Stop Online Piracy Act passes through Congress. want and express themselves in ways that they can’t in real life.

“The bill doesn’t seem right and I don’t think that it will pass. Teens or adults will probably find a way around their new rules anyway,” Dawdy said.

Many social networking sites and popular media sites that high schoolers use may also become blocked if the bill is passed, such as Facebook, Tumblr, Mediafire and Megavideo. These sites are problematic because anyone is able to post and share music and movies that are pirated. “ The Internet is something everyone uses to express themselves.

If they take it away teens will be mad,”

senior Shannon Kraemer said.

Kraemer visits Tumblr most often or at least half an hour a day. She says that the corporations already have too much power and control over the political system.

According to BBC News, companies like Google, Facebook, and Apple are the largest job creators of this time and passing this bill would cause serious problems for them. Many jobs would be lost and the economy would be lost without its “golden goose.”

A letter of petition from the large Internet companies was sent to the leaders of the House and Senate. The letter was signed by representatives from Google, Facebook, Yahoo, eBay,

SOPA facts The bill is still in Congress and there is no set date for voting. For more info visit: www.Publicknowledge.com and search “Stop Online Piracy Act.”

AOL, Twitter, LinkedIn, Mozilla, and Zynga. Many other sites and Internet users are protesting this bill.

The website Smartplanet.com says that 87,834 Tumblr users called their representatives to protest the bill.

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Viewpoints

December 2011

Holt High School Ramparts

Our View Internet sites face censorship issue

S

ure, we all have probably done it before or watched a friend do itdownloading that song off of that one website. But do we even realize it is an illegal act? It is, and it’s called piracy.

If a bill introduced to the Senate called Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA bill) passes, many of our online websites could be facing major changes. Internet sites such as Facebook, Yahoo, Twitter, eBay and YouTube could be blocked from the public use, redirected if accessed, or even charge fees for use.

The reason for prohibition of these popular sites is because the amount of online piracy has gotten out of hand and the government wants to stop the distribution of illegal material over the Internet.

Some supporters of the bill say censorship on the Internet needs to occur, while others think that sites allowing users to post videos or music, should start some sort of redirection page or blockade if the sites are intended to be accessed by a user. Charging fees to keep people from wanting to be a part of these illegal distribution sites is also a possibility.

If the Senate passes the law they will be limiting the freedom of information that citizens are allowed to see if the sites post them, and even the rights of the Internet sites involved. People use these websites for many acts of piracy such as downloading music illegally, copying pictures without credit given, watching bootlegged videos and distributing videos off of YouTube without legal permission.

Some might say that such bills will help the entertainment industry by limiting the use of any possible illegal downloads. However, some feel that if they take away these sites, the public will have no way to preview new songs, or videos ahead time which could lead to them eventually buying the entertainment later. These sites might be taking away money from the industries, but they also are promoting new songs and videos, making the popularity rate grow.

Many website owners and users are protesting this bill. Passing this law will only upset many who use the Internet distribution sites.

However, if people actually followed the law that is in place already, new restrictions that conflict with our rights wouldn’t have to occur. With all the freedom we have on the Internet, we are also expected to illustrate responsibility to follow the law. Maybe we should all be a little more responsible next time we are downloading off of that one website, and we won’t have to have new rules placed over us.

ramparts Editors in Chief:

Managing Editors: News: Opinion: Features: Hot Spot: Sports: Staff Writers:

Adviser:

Chloé Henley Meg McKay Cody Shattuck Tori Frailey Anna Pavlik Ben Blanck Michael Hua Zahra Ahmad, Maya Fews, Dalton Gibson, Zack Gilliland, McKenna Glisson, Hannah Marsh, Ana Moncao, Daniel Yu Amy Clark

Editorial Policy: Ramparts is published by the Journalism class of Holt High School.

The newspaper serves the students and staff of Holt High School and as a connection to the Holt-Dimondale community.

The objective of Ramparts is to publish a factual, informative and entertaining newspaper, and to provide a forum for the expression of diverse viewpoints.

The opinions and views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, the adviser, or all Ramparts staff members.

The editors reserve the right to reject any material that is libelous, obscene, or poses an immediate and material disruption to the educational environment.

Ramparts prints letters to the editor and guest editorials as space allows. Letters must be typed, less than 200 words in length and signed. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit for length. Ramparts will not print letters that are obscene, libelous or that target an individual.

Advertisements that are obscene, misleading, or illegal to minors will not be printed. Ramparts reserves the right to reject any advertisement. To place an ad, contact the adviser or the Ramparts staff at (517) 694-2162.

Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service.

What’s the point of fighting?

Students who fight are just putting a show

Meg McKay

W

hen we were in kindergarten we used to fight over toys and who was best friends.

It was cute when we were that little.

Now fast forward to high school.

The fights that should be silly and unimportant seem to be the end of the world.

With rumors of fights spreading fast, students tend to mesh stories together. By lunch, there are rumors that ‘he’ started it or ‘she’ started it on any given day. The rumors almost challenge teenagers because some people think they have to prove to everyone they would win, or they aren’t chicken or any other number of justifications.

But let’s be real for a minute. What is the point of fighting at school? Why

would you ever fight and jeopardize your education to put on a show for a bunch of people? Sure, you will probably get suspended for however long, and come on, those are free days out of school.

But what happens when you go back to school? Nobody really cares.

Only a few of your friends talk about what happened; the rest of the school has forgotten your name, why you fought and who you fought.

The point of most fights isn’t even worth getting in trouble. When a fight happens do you ever hear anything about why they fought? No. We let little things that people say or do affect every action. When people say things about another, instead of doing the honorable thing and confronting them, they fight.

Who won the game, which team played better, who deserves to go to this or that game? Guys, really? Is it going to matter in the long run? The score of the game isn’t going to get you anywhere in life.

Girls, do you really think he cares enough for you to fight over him?

He has more fun watching you fight.

Would you rather get over a silly teenage crush or lose a friend over unimportant things?

We have a job as students. We wake up each morning, and like those

whose job is to get up and go to work, our purpose is to get up and learn to soak up everything we can while we have the time. Every morning when we walk into school it’s our job to pay attention to the math that we don’t think we will never learn, to the english that we’re supposed to already know, to the science we don’t think that we use daily.

When people fight it doesn’t only affect them, it affects all students because teachers become distracted, administrators become distracted, even fellow students become distracted. Then who is doing their job? No one can. They are all concerned about not letting something like this happen again; about making sure all the students are safe.

So, let’s think about this. What is the point in fighting about immature high school drama? People are fighting for their lives daily. We take for granted how easy we have it compared to people with real lifethreatening issues. If you’re going to fight, make it a topic worth fighting for, and if it’s worth fighting for it’s not worth getting physical about. Use your brain the next time you think about getting into a fight. Where could that energy and time be better used?

an injury.

Allowing the girls to have a football team known as powderpuff, would solve this problem in many ways. It would let the girls feel as if they are important and are given justice to be able to play the sport they like. Tackling would be prohibited and this sport would have flag football instead, basically because it is safer. If 5-year-old boys and girls play flag football easily on a team, why not let high school-aged girls play flag football as a friendly sport? Many girls would be happy to just have at least one annual game and practice, but the bottom line is women just want the chance to play football without it involving a big argument.

Ma ny h ig h s c h o o l s a c ro s s the nation allow girls to play powderpuff. It has been said that Holt hasn’t allowed this to happen because in the past girls got rough and someone got hurt. If rules were clearly set and the players promised

to play fair just as any other sport/ activity, I believe that less injuries are likely to happen. If an injury did occur, no one would be sued or get in trouble, unless of course it was on purpose, and with that said it would be just like in any other sport injury and should be given the same amount of attention based on the injury.

Give the girls a chance to show we can responsible and have the same rights of boys athletics. Let us join several of the other high schools who have had no serious issues and had plenty of success and fun by allowing girls to play powderpuff in high school.

Lauren Strong, senior

Your View Girls have right to play football Dear Editor, For many years in professional, minor, and high school, womens sports have been put aside behind mens athletics. Most people would agree that men are stronger, faster, and are more entertaining when it comes to sports. That may be true to some, but women feel as if they are unimportant and also unrecognized. I strongly believe that a change does need to happen in order for women to feel a part of the sports world in today’s society.

For several years now, the district of Holt hasn’t allowed the girls to create their own football team. I might point out that it is the law that athletic directors and coaches have to let girls try out for football, but of course the disadvantage to that is it known that the girls who make the team will not play often, or at all. I believe that is because the coaches and players are scared to play them or tackle because it might result in

Express your view If you’d like to comment on an article in Ramparts, or any issue in the news, write us a letter to the editor of 150 words or less and e-mail it to us at ramparts@hpsk12. net.

Viewpoints

7

Holt High School Ramparts

Christmas behind the counter Hot or not?

Another perspective on the sale season

December 2011

Winter fun:

Winter blues:

Having snowball fights with friends in the fresh new snow.

Getting soaking wet in the dirty slush when the snow melts.

Speak up

If you could go anywhere in time, where would you go and why?

Chloe Henley

A

dded hustle and bustle can contribute to flared tempers during the holiday shopping season. Working in the retail industry is not always easy. When customers are respectful it not only makes my experience better, it also makes the time go by faster, but it makes the customer happy too. Here are the 10 top things of what not to do during the holidays from a worker’s perspective.

1. Customers sometimes feel the need to complain about the temperature, smell, music and lighting of the store. The associates don’t have any power over that, so don’t address the problem with me. If you have a problem with the atmosphere of the store, take your opinion up to someone with authority, such as a district m a n a g e r, o r spend your time shopping online.

2.

When customers clearly see workers folding clothes and they have the audacity to go through and tear apart every shirt that was just folded. Now workers have just spent an unnecessary hour folding a hundred shirts just to fold them again. It’s a waste of time and energy. Ideally, workers wish that customers would ask to see the shirt they are wanting to view or ask for their size. This allows both the customer and the worker to be satisfied, since workers will be a lot more respectful to customers when they receive the same treatment in return.

3. During a sale, customers find it appropriate to ask for a gift receipt after the transaction is over. Now, you are not only making all of the 100 other customers waiting in line mad, I have to get my manager to return it

“I would go back to my basketball championship of last year, so I could tell the point guard to give up the ball.”

Mitchel Thurston, sophomore

Cartoon by Chloe Henley

all and then ring it back up.

4. When a customer wants to see a shirt that is above their vertical reach, workers don’t have a problem getting it down until they ask for every size on the shelf, ranging from XS to XL. How old are you? Shouldn’t you know your size by now? Workers would hope that customers would ask how the sizes run and if the sizes run big in that store, they would seek a large instead of a medium.

5. Customers who bring 50 items into the fitting rooms and then only buy a couple of things while leaving the other 48 pieces of merchandise on the fitting room floor. A respectful customer would know that there is a large rack located at the entrance to the fitting room that is perfect for holding unwanted merchandise.

6. When people complain about the prices of items and beg for workers to give them a discount. I’m the low-man on the totem pole and have no authority over how much something is sold for. Customers should know that in every store, all merchandise goes on sale after a few weeks and if you have a problem with paying the full price of an item, check back in a week or two or ask for it for Christmas.

7. When customers find it appropriate to ask workers to throw

Retail workers are “ much more likely

to be courteous to a customer, if the customer is being courteous as well.“

away their gum, slobbered on ice cream or any other trash. The mall has garbage cans located two feet away from every store at their convenience to throw it away before or after entering a store.

8. When a customer walks in the door of the store and a worker greets them to see how their day is doing.

Instead of a reply, the customer glares at the worker and remains silent. Now, not only does the worker feel dumb for talking to themselves, they are now put in a bad mood because the one time they do their job correctly to communicate with customers and the worker gets no response. Even a smile works.

9. When customers frantically search for a worker to help them. Do you work here? No, I just carry around a walkie-talkie and a set of keys for the fun of it. You wouldn’t go up to someone unless they had a red shirt on and a pair of khaki pants at Target, would you?

10. When customers ask you to wrap their gifts for them. Do I look like Santa? Located in most malls are gift wrapping stations that are mostly on a donation basis to help support local businesses or groups.

Not only do the excessive holiday hours take away from quality family time and a social life, workers are stuck facing rude customers every day. Retail workers are much more likely to be courteous to a customer, if the customer is being courteous as well.

“I’d love to see the Renaissance. It was traditional, and the artwork and architecture of the time period are my favorite.”

Hana Kamel, junior

“I would go back to when the Turks took over Constantinople to see why they changed the name.”

Amanda McCuistion, sophomore

“To the Revolutionary War era because I want to see if George Washington really had wooden teeth or not.”

Drevaughn Croskey, junior

“I’d go really far into the future, like 3000, because I want to know what it will be like. But obviously I’ll be dead by then.”

Shannon Kraemer, senior

Corrections

In the November issue of Ramparts, sophomore Rheja Hammond was incorrectly identified as a junior, and junior Alex Schmierer was incorrectly identfied as a senior. Ramparts regrets these errors. If you are aware of any errors of fact in this issue, please notify us in room E221.

8

December 2011

Features

Holiday favorites Meg McKay

editor-in-chief

Holt High School Ramparts

Teachers share some of their favorite holiday music, treats and events during the holiday season

Christmas with the Cappellettis With little kids, Christmas time can be busy.

Social studies teacher Hannah Cappelletti shares how Christmas day this year should go for her family.

7 a.m. – Wake up and give the kids bottles.

Open presents from under the tree; one-year-old Evelyn (Ev) watches big brother Lucius (Lu) get his new bike. Ev sits in her new purple polkadotted chair.

9 a.m. – Travel in pajamas to Mrs. Cappelletti’s parents’ house. Open more presents with cousins Maddie and Jack. Mrs. Cappelletti’s whole family is there.

12 p.m. – Awesome Christmas brunch. All different breakfast foods will be there.

Cappelletti’s take some time to rest, breathe and relax before more commotion.

3 p.m. – They head to Mr. Cappelletti’s parents house, just down the street, to play at their other grandparent’s house with cousins.

5 p.m. – Christmas dinner at Mr. Cappelletti’s parents’ house. Mr. Cappelletti’s whole family is there.

6 p.m. – Family opens more presents.

7 p.m. – Time to travel back home. Both kids get a bottle, pajamas on, time for bed.

8 p.m. – The Cappelletti’s finally make it to the couch, trying to stay awake; a successful day of family and fun.

12-3 p.m. –Kids lay down for nap time.

Illustration by Meg McKay

Mrs. Weil’s Anisette cookies with icing: an Italian cookie Christmas classic



Mr. Emerson’s holiday playlist Band director Michael Emerson shares some of the songs that give him Christmas spirit.

Charlie Brown Christmas jazz songs

by Vince Guaraldi Trio “I got it the album when I was in high school.

It takes you back to being a little kid and the spirit of Christmas,” Emerson said.

Some other favorites include: “Sleigh Ride”

by Leroy Anderson “White Christmas”

by Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters “Hark The Harold Angels Sing”

by Nat King Cole



Anisette Cookie

4 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup white sugar 1/2 cup milk 2 eggs 1 tablespoon baking powder 2 teaspoons anise extract (or almond)

For Cookies

1. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes); add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each; add anise extract.

2. Blend flour and baking powder. Start by adding 1/3 of these dry ingredients to the butter/sugar in the mixer; add 1 tablespoon milk. Add another third of the flour and another tablespoon of milk. Mix in remaining flour, dough should be a brownie batter consistency.

3. Use a 1 tablespoon cookie scooper to make simple round drop cookies.

4. Bake cookies 10-12 minutes (they won’t be brown, but the insides will be soft and cake – like).

Illustration by Chloe Henley

Icing

2 cups confectioner’s sugar 3 tablespoons milk 1/8 teaspoon anise extract Food coloring Decorative candy sprinkles

For Icing

1. Mix sugar, milk and extract to make a sugar glaze.

“When I make the icing, I make it thick, but then I microwave it for 10 seconds so it is thin enough for dipping. Also I like to divide the mixture into thirds, then add ONE drop of food coloring to each batch,” Weil said.

2. Hold cookie in your hand and turn upside down to you can dip the top half in the glaze; turn over and immediately top with sprinkles so they will stick.

3. Allow icing to harden overnight; then store in air-tight containers or freeze.

Recipe by allrecipes.com

Features

9

Holt High School Ramparts

December 2011

School clubs offering multiple opportunities Groups focus on interests of students Cody Shattuck news editor Students who enjoy extracurricular activities have a lot to look forward to when deciding which clubs and activities interest them.

Many of the clubs offered have similar activities and meeting times. However, some vary and go beyond classroom learning to provide more knowledge and skills for the future. Some clubs are geared and focused to help in the community and make people aware of issues.

Key Club What it is: It is a club designed to develop leadership for students, as well as doing acts of service. The club works closely with Kiwanis Club. The club also attends competitions and events to learn and enhance leadership skills.

Advisor: The current advisor of Key Club is social studies teacher Dave Runyon Goal: The goal of Key Club is to develop confident and caring leaders in the school.

Activities: Key Club recently delivered dictionaries to Wilcox Elementary School.

They also go to Sycamore Elementary School where they pop and pass out popcorn to kids.

In the past they have had canned food drives.

“I joined Key Club because of the opportunities to volunteer and contribute to my community,” sophomore Rheja Hammond said.

Joining: Anyone and everyone can join the club at any time regardless of economic standing or grades.

Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) What it is: It is a student or peer-run club that is directed towards giving peers the tools and resources to make smart, good, healthy decisions in life, hoping to prolong the lives of students.

Advisor: The current advisor of SADD is family & consumer science teacher Kellie Sweitzer.

Activities: SADD recently held Red Ribbon Week where they tied red ribbons to the antennas of students’ cars to remind them to drive safely.

“A focus of SADD is to get students to help their friends make good decisions and hopefully help them live a long and healthy life,” Sweitzer said.

Joining: Anyone can join at any time. Meetings are held on Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. in E116.

Debate What it is: Debate is a club where two teams face each other, to win an argument over an issue. One team takes the affirmative side and the other takes the negative side. The goal of Debate is to be the better of the two teams and make the point more convincing.

Advisor: Debate team’s coach is currently social studies teacher Guil Northrup.

Goal: The goal this year for the Debate team is to attend as many tournaments as possible.

They also are looking to compete at the varsity debate, which takes place the first week of January. They have two competitions in January and February, as well as an end of the year debate in May. Joining: Students can only join the team at the beginning of the season in the fall.

Science Olympiad What it is: Science Olympiad is for all students who are interested in science, math and engineering. It is an academic club that is also competitive that gives students the chance to enhance work ethic. The club participates in events in which they circulate through labs and different stations to work with the skills they learned in practice.

Advisor: The current coach is science teacher Heather Peterson.

Goal: The goal of Science Olympiad is to give students the opportunity to learn science and have fun. If anyone is interested in pursuing a career in a science or engineering field, Science Olympiad can help with gaining skills and knowledge.

“There are study events where students learn material, then take tests in stations,” Peterson said. “Many events attended are lab-based where students rotate through lab stations and answer questions.”

Joining: Any 9-12 grade students can join the team. Members must be passing their classes and getting at least a C in their science and math classes. Meetings are Tuesday through Thursday from 2:45 until 4:30 p.m. in W209.

Asian Club What it is : A group designed to build relationships and explore the Asian culture.

It is a cultural outreach club, so students can learn and better understand the Asian society.

Advisor: Asian Club’s advisor is English teacher Olivia Nelson.

Goal: Asian Club would like to recruit any members who are interested in learning about another culture. They welcome all students regardless of ethnic background. Asian Club wants to invite students to explore and enjoy the Asian culture.

Joining: It is an open club, where anyone can join at any time. Meetings are held after school, normally on Wednesdays. Asian Club also has a group on Facebook.

Photo by Cody Shattuck

The members of Spanish Club sing versions of Christmas carols in Spanish at Great Lakes Christian Homes on December 6. The members included seniors Chris Lewis and Monique Bailhe along with junior Chris Gillespie and teachers Karen Holman-Cervera and Kelsey Gustafson.

German Club

International Club

What it is: German Club gives current and past German students the opportunity to do extracurricular work with German. It’s a way to get to know the language as well as hang out with other students who study German.

Advisors: German and English teacher Janine Baker & German teacher Rosie Peters.

Activities: The German Club is planning to visit the Holocaust Museum in Detroit. They are also talking about going on a music trip to hear Mozart style music at the Wharton Center. A class trip to Germany is also being planned.

Joining: Anyone can join the club at any time.

Students have to be enrolled currently or previously in a German class.

What it is: International Club is designed so that the students and staff of the high school can learn, gain knowledge and be informed about the different cultures and nationalities of the world.

Activities: The club usually tries to pick a theme from a country, and then they play the cultural music from that country during lunch.

International Club is currently working on a bulletin board as well.

Advisor: The current advisor is health teacher Elizabeth Graf.

Joining: Anyone can join International Club at any time. Students who wish to be part of this club should see Graf in room E124.

Meetings are held on Wednesday mornings from 10-10:30 a.m.

Spanish Club What it is: Spanish Club gets students more involved in Spanish and having fun while learning. It gives students the opportunity to try different activities outside of the class.

The club also gives members the chance to participate in cultural activities.

Advisor: Spanish teacher Karen HolmanCervera.

Activities: Some activities the Club participates in are restaurant outings, caroling during the holidays, World Language Week, designing T-shirts for the club as well as celebrating the various Spanish holidays.

Joining: Anyone can join the club at any time.

Students do not have to be in a Spanish class to be involved with the club. Meetings are before or after school on Wednesdays. See HolmanCervera in E107 for information and to sign up.

Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) What it is: GSA, or the Gay-Straight Alliance, is a club set up so that students can feel safe with who they are. The club welcomes everyone who wants to be involved.

“I joined GSA because I felt that the people there had something in common with me,” sophomore Adam Perry said. “They helped to give me support, so I’m glad that I joined.”

Advisor: The current advisors of GSA are social studies teacher Dave Runyon and English teacher Erin Umpstead.

Activities: GSA participates in community service acts for the Holt community, as well as holding bake sales, sponsoring an annual Ally week, and putting posters throughout the school to raise awareness of bullying issues.

Joining: Any is free to join GSA at any time.

GSA welcomes everyone.

10

December 2011

It’s in the genes Anna Pavlik

In the stands

I

have danced and played softball my entire life. It goes back to little dance shoes and t-ball bats. They are two of the most important things in my life.

I’ve danced with over three studios, two dance teams, and have played for five softball leagues. I’ve had approximately 10 recitals, roughly 80 softball games just in my high school career, not counting my upcoming senior year, around 15 softball games every season since t-ball. I’ve performed about 30 half time shows so far, with around 30 competitions.

Unless my dad’s sick, in the hospital, has extremely important prior arrangements or is out of state, he has never failed to be in the stands.

It’s unreal when my dad isn’t there, like I don’t quite know what to do. There could be hundreds of people watching me perform or playing in a game, but if he’s not there, then it feels like the bleachers are completely empty.

What if I start pitching badly, or I mess up during a performance, and he’s not there to calm me down and tell me it’s ok?

On the extremely rare occasion my dad doesn’t come to a game or performance, he always calls me minutes before, wishing me good luck and telling me to ‘rock it.’

It’s always been hard to explain why it’s important for him to be there, but after gaining the title ‘Dance Team Daddy’, I know that my team understands. When he’s not there at softball games, I find my coaches and teammates asking me where he is.

He’s a trooper, that’s certain. Not many dads could handle the usual four to eight hours we spend at dance competitions, not to mention the four hours of driving it takes to get to some competitions. Or the double headers played for several hours, twice a week in softball season. Or sitting through the three to four games that are played in softball tournaments on the weekends.

How my dad does it with a smile on his face? I’ll never be able to tell you.

Not only is he physically there, he’s there with food in between games and performances. He’s there with my dance bag over his shoulder or my softball bag trailing behind. But most importantly, he’s there with love, encouragement and support. That’s why I need him at everything, and that’s why he’s always there.

Features Holt High School Ramparts

How to get a date in

10

Hannah Marsh staff writer

When it comes to dating, is it more important to look nice or be nice? A survey was distributed to HHS students to get a better insight on the dating game. From least to most important, the results were ranked.

10

Go Natural In a test of make-up vs. natural looks, more people voted for the natural aspect. Ditch the pounds of make-up and keep it simple.

“Girl, God didn’t give me you because you’re beautiful when you cake on make-up, it’s because you’re beautiful without it.” –Paul Guilfoyle, junior

9

Dress comfortably Girls: put the pumps away. Boys: try a hoodie on. Most people voted for a casual look rather than an over-the-top one.

“Girls should show who they really are and not dress up to try and impress people with their clothes instead of their personality.” –Quinton Kustasz, junior

8 7 6

Healthy hair Survey shows that guys like girls with long hair and girls like guys with short hair. When thinking hair, remember two things: keep it clean, keep it cute.

“I brush my hair like twice a day and use an overnight treatment every night to keep it healthy.” –Kristi Harless, sophomore Make eye contact Respondents said that the eyes are important. Look people in the eye for a more successful approach.

“Eye contact is important. It just is.” Emily Zimmer, senior

5

ways

Keep calm Respondents said that they like a significant other who is laid back rather than one who is assertive. Try calming down and just going with the flow for a day.

“You need to be calm because if you’re all worked up you’ll get nervous and you won’t be able to get your thoughts straight and have a good conversation.” -Dominic Mosher, sophomore

4 3 2

Smile Survey shows that people are interested in seeing you smile on a date. Show off your pearly whites!

“If you don’t smile, it looks like you don’t want to be there. Smile.” -Skylar Schafer, sophomore Be exclusive Survey results tallied exclusivity two to one vs. an open relationship. Don’t go into the relationship wanting to date other people. If you’re seeing one person, only see one person.

“As much fun as having two girlfriends would be, I’d rather have one girlfriend that can make me happy.” -Son Ly, senior

Make an effort to spend time together Survey shows that alone time is important. It’s not about what you’re doing, but who you’re doing it with. Try and plan one-on-one dates instead of group ones; it’ll give you a chance to get to know each other better.

“My idea of a perfect date is something simple and romantic, like dinner and a movie of my choice. Just something where we can spend time together.” –Teryn Henderson, junior.

1

Be social It’s hard to find a date if you don’t meet new people. Be out-going and introduce yourself to any potential love interests you meet along the way. You never know when you’ll find ‘the one.’

“Out going girls are easier to talk to than girls who don’t talk or like go out and do anything.” -Eric Potter, sophomore

Be yourself According to respondents, personality is more important than looks. Appearance may be what attracts someone at first, but a good personality keeps them around.

“It’s rare to find a guy that acts himself these days. It’s nice to meet a guy who’s confident enough to be himself around other people.” –Kenzie Lane, senior.

Junior Paul Guilfoyle is one of many students to share some of their dating wisdom with the Ramparts staff.

Dates students dig

Here are a few HHS students’ ideas on the perfect date.

“Random! Like where they take me on the train to Chicago to see a play and watch a Bulls game.” -Junior Rachel Dillingham

“Hanging out with good food and good movies, like chicken and ‘Transformers.’”

-Junior Corey Williford

“It doesn’t matter what we’re doing as long as we’re together, that’s what’s really important to me.”

-Senior Samantha TenHove Photos by Hannah Marsh

Features

11

Holt High School Ramparts

December 2011

Winter doesn’t always need to involve couch

Anna Pavlik feature editor As fall sports end and temperatures drop, students tend to want to dive under the covers on the couch.

Winter is often considered to be the one season where people become the unhealthiest. They eat the most over the holidays and don’t feel like going outside into the cold to get the proper amount of exercise recommended.

According to the websites WebMD and The Walking Site, a 30-minute workout and a combination of 10,000 steps a day is what’s recommended.

Some students, despite the cold weather, think that it’s important to stay fit during the winter months in order to be in shape for the season sports they play.

“I hate being cold,” senior Skylen Powell said. “But I want to go into my high school season fit so that I am prepared already and can focus on the technical stuff once the season starts, instead of running and doing fitness.”

Powell plays soccer for the varsity team and runs after school. She also works out and trains with teams.

These are all indoor activities she does to stay fit during the off-season.

Some students participate in the same indoor sports during winter that they participate in during spring, summer or fall.

“I play indoor lacrosse during winter,” senior Tobin Egger said. “It’s

Photo by Anna Pavlik

Using the weight room provided in the school gym is some students way of getting exercise in the winter season. Senior Tobin Egger takes advantage of free, professional workout equipment that he wouldn’t get at home. important for me to stay fit during the winter season because I need to be ready for my spring lacrosse season.”

Although there are many ways to exercise outside, there are plenty of indoor activities that are available to do as well. Depending on preferences, indoor or outdoor activities can be made possible during the winter season.

Math teacher Heidi Misaras said that staying fit all year long is

important to her.

“Not only does it make me feel better and beat the winter blahs, it keeps me healthy,” Misaras said.

Misaras keeps herself healthy by running approximately three miles a day. She also lifts weights and rides her horse a few times a week.

Organizations like the YMCA and AL!VE offer multiple indoor activities and provide a place to go with a wide variety of sports, events and

exercise opportunities. The YMCA has many different locations and is a volunteer-based facility that has many indoor activities such as an indoor swimming pool, other sports, exercise equipment, camps and much more.

AL!VE is a new building in Charlotte that was created by Hayes Green Beach Hospital. It was recently built as a way to spark the community’s general well-being. With several different activities and time frames, it provides a flexible schedule for all of its visitors.

With consuming more food over holidays and having less exercise, it can be a growing problem to stay fit.

Just because the recommended amount of exercise is 30 minutes and 10,000 steps, it doesn’t matter how much a person exercises if they don’t take into consideration the food that they’re eating. A person can exercise for two hours everyday, but if they’re drinking several pops and not eating the appropriate food, then the exercise isn’t going to help the body stay healthy. It’s a combination of both.

“It is difficult to not eat a little more during the holiday time since there is more available,” Misaras said.

“However, I try to keep lots of healthy options nearby and fill up on those.”

Although the temperature can make exercises like running and shooting hoops outside seem unbearable, there are other activities that need the cold temperatures and snow in order to do them.

“I still go outside during the winter to exercise,” junior Kevin Caron said.

“I snowboard and try to be outside as much as possible.”

Activities like skiing, snowboarding, sledding and snowball fights can be fun and enjoyable and that makes going outside exciting rather than a freezing encounter.



Temperatures dropping shouldn’t mean health does, too

Safely exercise outside For those brave enough to go outside to do their regular exercises, these are a few tips to keep the body both healthy and safe. Keep these rules in mind if cold temperatures are in the forecast.

1. Get warm first. Cold temperatures make your muscles tight and prone to injuries. Get your body moving before intense outdoor activities.

2. Insulate your body. Dress in lots of layers. This provides the most effective heating method, and allows you to take off a layer or two if your body gets too warm.

3. No sweat. Avoid sweating that causes the clothing layer closest to your skin to get wet, it will make you chilled. You don’t need to sweat to have a good outdoor workout.

4. Don’t strip when you get inside. Don’t immediately remove layers when you get inside. Give your body time to adjust. Post exercise hypothermia (a condition of having a dangerously low body temperature) is possible when your body rapidly loses its heating stores.

5. Drink up. Staying hydrated when exercising in the winter is as important as in the summer, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

6. Lighten up. It’s best to exercise outdoors during daylight hours.

Source: American Fitness Professionals and Associates

12

The Hot Spot

December 2011

Tune in to the best

Holt High School Ramparts

videos of all time

Students talk about their favorite motion pictures on a popular video blogging website Chloe Henley

editor-in-chief

Justin Bieber’s Tricks For Picking Up Chicks

From Tumblr to Twitter, individuals all have their own way of blogging.

Within the last few years, YouTube has been a hot video blogging site that allows users to post videos on music, comedy, how-to’s and many other topics.

Race for my lunch!

“I would say that my videos just come natural to me,” senior Jacob Eisenhauer said.

“It’s an honor to be a part of his videos,” senior Ben Majeske said.

Mad TV- Can I Have Your Number?

“The guy on the video cracks me up. I always repeat the lines with my friends because I can never get enough of it,” Chandler said.

Where’s The Chapstick?!?

“It wouldn’t be so funny if it wasn’t the girl that was beat boxing. Whenever I can’t find my chapstick, I always rap this song,” Chandler said.

MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON, TWO “Marcel the Shell just came out with a sequel which I was really excited for,” junior Taylor Kring said.

Nobody’s Perfect “One of my favorite channels is DogLover199709. It’s this chunky girl that takes time to think of dances,” Akers said.

Jenna Marbles is a YouTube sensation that posts a weekly Wednesday night video about getting stuck in sticky situations or what tricks Justin Bieber uses for picking up the ladies.

“I love Jenna Marbles. She’s hilarious and I could seriously watch her all day,” sophomore Sarah Hua said.

“Jenna Marbles has good imitations of people and has a great Jersey accent. She always talks to her animals,” sophomore Alyssa Chandler said.

“I like the videos she makes about what Nicki Minaj wants in a man, how to get a someone to not talk to you, and how to trick people into thinking that you’re really good looking. I see her videos everywhere, and it’s something that is relatable to everyone, and she gives good solutions,” senior Alexis Akers said.

Jenna Marbles most viewed videos •How To Get Ready For A Date

•Things To Do Instead of Cleaning Your Room

•What Disney Movies Taught Me

•Snooki’s Confessions

Me singing Should’ve Said No by Taylor Swift “Nichole337 messes up all of the words, the videos are always all up in her face and she thinks she’s really good,” Akers said.

Neature Walk - Episode 1 “The quote ‘Well that’s pretty neat’ I like it because the guy in the video says it funny and he says it when he is looking at grass or nature,” junior Anissa Martinez said.

How to braid your hair “I always watch videos on how to braid my hair. People always ask me how I do it and I just say YouTube,” Hua said.

Photo illustration by Chloè Henley Photos by YouTube.com. Used with Permission.

The Hot Spot

13

Holt High School Ramparts

OLD NEW competition websites face

Maya Fews

staff writer

‘Tis the season for new websites. New sites offer options for listening to music, social networking, presentations and searching the web. These websites are either something new in practice or a spin on old favorites.

Google+, Prezi, Spotify, and Pinterest have caught the attention of students and staff alike.

December 2011

My Tunes We’ve selected two people to interview and find out what music they love this month.

What’s stuck in social studies teacher Corey Martin’s head?

Style of music: Martin likes bluegrass because of what the sound is about, grunge rock because that is what he grew up listening to and underground hip-hop because the lyrics are politically dangerous.

Prezi

Pinterest

Screenshot from Pinterest.com

Pinterest is an online bulletin board where users create a board on any topic, and attach things like pictures that are called “pins”. With Pinterest users, are able to follow specific boards by other Pinterest users.

“One of the best parts is, that if you find say a recipe you like, there’s a link to its original site so you can get the whole recipe,” junior Carson Polakoswki said. “With clothing, if you find something you like and want to buy, the picture will have a link to the store or site where it’s from.”

Compared to Tumblr a website that also uses pictures to convey words, Tumblr is used for blogging purposes while Pinterest is used to keep track of things users come across when browsing the web.

Prezi is an alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint. It’s an online presentation that allows the user to zoom in on a specific aspect of their presentation.

“Prezi is basically a huge workspace that allows you to spread out, angle and group your work together,” junior Nathaniel Hooper said.

Hooper mostly uses Prezi in his A.P. Comparative Political Systems class because Prezi has all of his work and diagrams in one place to make it easier to present to the class. A drawback of Prezi is the occasional errors that come with using an online website.

Prezi allows the current workspace to be accessed and edited by more than one person, where PowerPoint only allows one person at time to access one specific PowerPoint. There are three versions of Prezi: Public, Enjoy and Pro with public being the only free option.

Screenshot from Google+.com

Google+ is the new social networking site from Google, with features like a game room, hangouts where users video chat with friends, and its own search bar that will show friends’ ratings or opinions about each item posted.

Instead of having one large group of friends that can see every post like Facebook, Google+ is designed so users can group their friends and other loved ones into “circles” and decide which circles users would like to share information with.

“I like that you can decide which group of people you can share things with,” junior Sean Bulkowski said.

What’s stuck in sophomore Danielle Grow’s head?

Style of music: “I like anything besides reggae. I’m really into the acoustic version of songs because it’s mellow and soothing.

It’s more like poetry than regular pop.”

Spotify Google+

Screenshot from Prezi.com

“Middle Mountain Towns” by Green Sky “It’s an escape from my normal verbal existence.”

“The Kids aren’t Alright” by The Offspring “It’s a reminder of my youth.”

“Lonest Expression” by Binary Star “It’s real hip-hop without the stereotypes.”

“Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show “Reminds me of my Tennessee roots.”

Screenshot from Spotify.com

Spotify is a digital music site where users are able to listen to music by typing the song or artist into its search bar. With Spotify, users are able to listen to any type of music without having to download it. Spotify is similar to Pandora because with both sites users are able to creates playlists.

“The difference between Spotify and Pandora is the user can create a playlist directly from where the music is being played, so instead of writing a song on a piece of paper it can be added to a new playlist,” junior Alexis Waldrop said. “The feature I like the most is, you can click multiple genres of music at a time, so it will create a personal mix tape so every song that is played, is in a genre you love.”

Spotify also gives users the chance to share with their friends on Facebook what they are listening to and also see what others are listening to.

“Death of me” by City and Colour “It’s poetry. It talks about how people run to the wrong solution for their problems.”

“If you Can’t Hang” by Sleeping with Sirens “It’s catchy and talks about how people come and go out of your life, and seem like they mean so much but really mean nothing at all.”

“Little Lion Man” by Mumford and Sons “I like it because it has a really different tune and is easy to relate to.”

“Andria” by La Dispute “It’s a really strong song, and the lead singer even sounds passionate about his words.”

If you’d like to tell us what songs are stuck in your head, e-mail a list of five songs and your comments to ramparts@hpsk12.net

14

December 2011

The Press Box BOYS BOWLING

season goals: “My goals this year are for the team to make it to states and for me to be a contributor by being a good bowler on varsity,” sophomore Cody Snow said. in their words: “I think we will do well, but not as well as past years. I am looking forward to a fun season. We have more motivation compared to skill, but we all have dedication to the team,” senior Scott Reid said.

GIRLS BOWLING

season goals “Going into the season I am ready to have some fun. I am hoping we do good all year. We are prepared to win and will give it all we got,” senior Jenny McClumpha said. in their words: “This year I am hoping that the team makes it to regionals, and I personally want to make it to regionals as well,” junior Darion Greenlee said.

CHEERLEADING

season goals: “I’m excited for our performance during Winterfest and even though only two girls are coming back to the stunt group from fall, it will be easy to re-work them,” senior Ericka Halfman said. in their words: “In any other sport, if you miss the catch, all you lose is the ball,” senior Kaitlyn Barner said.

Sports

Holt High School Ramparts

Basketball teams maintain traditions The boys and girls teams hope to keep up and surpass past successes

Michael Hua sports editor

Boys basketball

Girls basketball The team has won four straight district titles and won at least 15 games each season in the last four years.

Compared to the successes of past teams, the girls have the same goals but want to set higher expectations so they can advance to the regional tournament and then the state finals. This year’s team is different because there is a new offense. There are only three seniors on the team with many young players are stepping up.

“The girls are always competing for positions, so the line-up can really change at any time,” coach Doug Harkema said.

Many schools have already dropped Holt from their schedules because they dropped their basketball teams or decided that they don’t want to play Holt anymore; forcing the team to play tougher teams in the schedule. Harkema said the team isn’t scared because it will only make them better to play more competitive games.

“Eight to nine girls may contribute during each game, and the biggest key is if everyone can stay on the same page because it doesn’t matter who shines,” Harkema said.

The team’s goals are to compete in the league, win the league title for the fifth straight year, and accomplish anything past that. Their next game will be tonight at 6 p.m. at Everett High School.

The team is made up of 16 players, all ranging from young sophomores to veteran seniors. Eight seniors will be returning from last year and six of those eight have a lot of experience, five who started in games. Coach Matt Essel reflected on the number of players on the team.

“We have two guys that are injured and one more can’t play yet because he’s a transfer,” Essel said. “That means 13 guys can dress for games.”

Although the team has many players on the varsity squad this year, players may move up and down from JV, depending if players get healthy. If all the players end up staying on varsity, the team has four assistant coaches this year, allowing everyone to have repetitions in practice.

“I’m not worried, and we’re fine right now. We have lots of experience, and compared to last year, there were only three seniors and one started,” Essel said. “We’re a lot deeper this year and there are many players that are skillful.”

The team has won three of the last four districts and has been to three regional finals in three years. Some post-season goals the team has are going deep into the regional tournament, competing with Sexton and Okemos, and winning districts. Their next game will be tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Everett High School.

Coach Doug Harkema

Coach Matt Essel

Photos by Michael Hua

Player stats for 2010-11 season

DANCE TEAM

season goals: “I’m most excited about going to Piston’s and hopefully placing in that,” junior Holly Eastman said. in their words: “I enjoy dance team because I get to learn new dances and hang out with my friends,” junior Reanna Cantrall said.

Tara Lierman Freshman Lierman averaged 15.2 points per game in the 8th grade season.

Sarah Gray Sophomore Gray averaged .78 points per game, .78 rebounds per game, seven total assists, and five total steals.

Shaleen Williams Senior

Don’quall Jackson Sophomore

Williams averaged 6.83 points per game, 3 . 2 2 reb o u n d s p e r game, 41 total assists, and 41 total steals.

Jackson averaged 4.52 points per game, 1 . 4 3 re b o u n d s p e r game, 41 total assists, and 29 total steals.

Sherye Bradley Junior

Monte Jackson Senior

Collin Jones Sophomore

Jones averaged six points per game, three rebounds per game, 13 total assists, and 13 total blocks.

D.J. Hull Senior

Hull averaged 1.68 point per game, 1.05 rebound per game, 14 total assists, and 11 total steals.

BOYS BASKETBALL in their words: “I want to

beat Sexton, win the district championship, and be AllConference,” senior Monte Jackson said.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

in their words: “I want to be

the top rebounder of every game and get more than five double doubles this season,” senior Haley Powers said.

Autumn Baker Senior

Baker averaged 3.62 points per game, 2.67 points per game, nine total assists, eight total blocks, and eight total steals.

Haley Powers Senior

Powers averaged 3.30 points per game, 4.78 rebounds per game, 25 total assists, 10 total blocks, and 16 total steals.

Bradley averaged 1.54 points per game, .46 rebounds per game, six total assists, two total blocks, and four total steals.

Jackson averaged 1.39 point per game, 0 . 7 2 re b o u n d s p e r game, two total assists, and four total steals.

Blake Darling Senior

Darling averaged 7 points per game, 2.76 rebounds per game, 11 total assists, 12 total blocks, and 24 total steals.

Jordan Herron Senior

Herron averaged 10.7 points per game, 6.77 rebounds per game, 41 total assists, 12 total blocks, and 25 total steals.

Sports

15

Holt High School Ramparts

How much will students pay to play?

Ramparts compares the expense of four different sports McKenna Glisson staff writer

Sports are very important in high school, whether you’re on the bleachers or in the game.

Some count on sport programs to keep them active and others count on them to get into good schools.

For some students, the cost of playing a sport can determine whether they are able to play that sport or not. Many sports require the athlete to buy a lot of the equipment, or to purchase a uniform or maybe they will even have to pay a playing fee.

Some sports do team fundraising where they

Bowling ball: $50-$180 each Shoes: $40-$50 Bag: $17-$160 Cleaner: $25 Tape: $10 Towel: $5 Shoe brush: $10 Grip: $20 Pads for shoes: $30

Bowling

have a team fund that they can take money out of for certain equipment and fees. Others require athletes to pay for a lot of their own equipment that they’ll need to be successful at their sport. It can be especially hard for those who are just starting out at a sport or are put on a new team that will need new uniforms.

These are some of the basics you need for four of the school sports.

Basketball

December 2011

The Press Box GYMNASTICS

season goal: “Hopefully our team’s going to states.

We’ve been working hard and practicing more. Our biggest competition was Grand Ledge and they moved to a different region, so that opens up a spot for us,” junior Jennifer McKee said. in their words: “It’s a really competitive sport. Even though it’s pretty individual, it’s a team sport even if people don’t think so,” junior Taylor Hull said.

HOCKEY

Men’s shoes:$20-$195 Women’s shoes: $52-$125 Undershorts: $10 Socks: $25-$30 Ankle braces:$15

season goal: “We want to win the league championship and then districts. After that our goal is to win regionals and I’m excited to play my first year with Holt,” junior Erick Sundstrom said. in their words: “I hope to win the league and beat Grand Ledge, as well as do well in the playoffs. There are ten seniors on the team and we hope to have leadership. Our first league game was against Dewitt St. Johns at Suburban Ice,” senior Nick Payne said.

SWIMMING AND DIVING Photo by McKenna Glisson Photo by Tori Frailey

Head(head of the stick): $50-$125 Shaft(lacrosse stick): $30-$160 Goggles: $30-$65 Mouth guard: $5 Helmet: $110-$320 Gloves: $25-$180 Men’s cleats: $40-$130 Women’s cleats:$60-$90 Paying fee: $60

Lacrosse

Shoes: $50-$120 Socks: $20 Sweatshirts: $30 Shorts: $30 Ear guards: $25 Knee pads: $10-$22 Dri-fit shorts: $30 Compression shorts: $30

season goal: “Our goal is to win the conference championship and we really want to beat Okemos. There are ten seniors on the team and there should be strong leadership throughout the season,” senior Dan Kalchik said. in their words: “I’m looking forward to finishing out the year with the conference title in our hands because for the past two years, we’ve lost by a small margin in points. I want to leave a legacy behind for our underclassmen,” senior Erik Fiasky said.

WRESTLING

Wrestling Photo by McKenna Glisson

Photo by McKenna Glisson

season goal: “I’m most excited for all the tournaments and having a good time,” senior Robert Barrios said. in their words: “Wrestling is my life and the team is my family,” sophomore Kyle Granger said.

Sports

16

December 2011

Holt High School Ramparts

NBA bounces back into their awaited season The usual 82 games played by the NBA will be reduced

Tori Frailey opinion editor Pistons, Knicks, Heat, oh my. So many teams in the NBA but exactly how much time to fit them all in?

The NBA’s pre-season and first two months of the real season resulted in inactivity due to a lockout.

Many fans questioned if an NBA season would even occur, but after the 149-day hold on the 2011-12 season, the NBA will soon resume on Christmas day.

The lockout was caused by a collective bargaining disagreement, between the company, the coaches and the players.

It was time for the players and coaches to all agree on a new settled payroll that expressed how much profit owners make vs. how high a player’s salary can be.

The NBA players had reason to believe the union was not bargaining

Don’t Miss This

Al Diaz/Miami HeraldMCT

Players from the Miami Heat reunite as they prepare for their 2011-12 upcoming season. The season is starting on Christmas day after a 149-day lockout. fairly, and so, had filed an unfair labor practice charge against the National Labor Relations Board. This charge is no longer in effect and has been lifted.

While the company loses $300 million a year, the players still earn 57 percent of league revenue. Losing so much money and still giving so much

Girls Basketball December 16

Tonight this team will be playing against Everett. The game starts at 6 p.m. at Everett High School.

Boys Basketball December 16

This team will be playing against Everett High school tonight at Everett.

The game starts at 7:30 p.m.

Wrestling January 11 The team’s next home meet will be on January 11 against Lansing Sexton High School at 7 p.m.

Boys Swimming & Diving January 5

The team will be competing at Dewitt High School on Thursday at 6 p.m.

away was the majority of the conflict.

“The players and coaches already get paid millions of dollars. They shouldn’t make this big of a deal out of it,” senior Kaleb Benjamin said.

“It’s just greedy.”

People who are NBA season-ticket holders now have a handful of tickets

for games that never happened. The NBA is offering ticket holders refunds plus interest for all canceled preseason and regular season games.

New higher ticket prices are expected for this season as a way to raise money the company lost during the lockout.

The coaches and players aren’t the only ones who have been affected. The ushers, security guards, concessions, electricians, janitors, parking facilities and TV networks that air NBA season games are all feeling a negative impact and a need to somehow make up for the lost revenue.

“I think they shouldn’t be complaining. There are other people who rely on the season other than them. If they’re still rich then the players should just do their job,” senior Zach Debar said.

So far, in total, restaurant owners have lost about $1 million already this year than they have any other year during the usual NBA season.

Now that the season is back on, and crowds will soon be attending the games on December 25. Restaurants are in high hopes to make up for money that has been lost.

“I don’t think the lockout was necessary in the first place, but it’s

good both sides were able to come to an agreement and continue with their season,” Benjamin said.

Christmas game day will consist of five games: Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks, Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers vs.

Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic vs.

Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors The regular 82 game season is now a 66 game season after losing 16 games.

“If they didn’t have a season all the fans would hate it, and regardless of the wait, I will love the season the same,” Debar said.

Ron Jenkins/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT

The Dallas Mavericks are the returning champions of the NBA championship. They are expected to do well despite the lockout.