Ramparts February 2012

ramparts VOLUME 20, ISSUE 5

HOLT HIGH SCHOOL

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

FEBRUARY 2012

Photo by Meg McKay

NEWS:

Next year brings changes to the normal school day.

Students will return to semesters starting for the 2012-13 year.

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FEATURES:

Gauges and tattoos: two trends that help students express themselves.

Saddle up, Cowboy

Guys give the dance team a hand during pep assembly page 14

Seniors Nick Worden and Chris Mee perform with the dance team in the Winterfest Pep Assembly to a mix of country songs.

Photo by Zahra Ahmad

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Photo by Dalton Gibson

SPORTS:

Fifteen senior athletes take part in the Signing Day celebration.

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News

February 2012

F.Y.I.

NHS APPLICATIONS

Applications are available in the Counseling Office. The application requires a letter from someone who the applicant has done community service for, six teacher recommendations, 20 hours of community service and an essay saying why the applicant wants to be part of NHS. The deadline for the applications is February 28.

BATTLE OF THE BANDS

The Student Council will host tryouts for Battle of the Bands in late February or the beginning of March. They’re looking for garage bands. At least half of the band’s members need to be HHS students. So if you think you’re good, look for signs in the hallways for more information. The Student Council also needs financial sponsorship for Battle of the Bands. If you think you can help, contact Student Council advisor Grant Melville in E120.

BILLY DEAN CONCERT

Country singer Billy Dean will be performing at HHS on Saturday April 14. His much anticipated performance is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. in the Margaret Livensparger Theater. For reserved seats the price is either $20 or $25.

To order tickets go to http://holt. tix.com.

WINTERGUARD

Winterguard spins flags and rifles to music competing against other schools in the state. They practice every Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Their next competition is on March 16.

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 1012 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.

Holt High School Ramparts

Art showcase exhibits student talent MSUFCU holds artwork contest for students and school Cody Shattuck news editor The MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU ) held the MSUFCU Student Art Exhibition for the fifth consecutive year this month.

Throughout the month of February, visiters could vote on their favorite art piece.

150 art pieces were entered into the contest from 15 area high schools. Participating schools included Holt, DeWitt, East Lansing, Mason, Okemos and Williamston. Students in grades 9-12 were allowed to enter their artwork.

Categories featured at the exhibition included paintings, sketches, 3D pieces and photography. Each school submitted the 10 most promising and creative pieces for the contest.

“The three art teachers along with the interns choose 10 pieces we thought had the best chance of winning. We are proud of all our students and their work,” art teacher Heidi Irvine said. “It’s a great example of what the new generation is creating. It’s also a showcase of Lansing’s talent.”

Out of the artwork entered, three types of awards are given to the students in the contest.

The Juried Award is an award which is given by the judges that determine the winner by reviewing the art to make the final decisions.

Three students are picked for this award.

The Pe o p l e’s Ch oic e Award is given to the top three artists with the most votes online and at MSUFCU Headquarters in East Lansing. Voters were able to cast up to five votes for their favorite individual pieces.

The School Spirit Award is given to the school that receives the highest number of votes total from both voting types: online and in person.

Prizes included $300 and a $50 gift card to Blick Art Materials for the first place winner, $200 for second place, and $100 for

Artwork by Meghan Klauka

Inspired by the issue of self-harm, senior Meghan Klauka designed her painting for the MSUFCU Art Exhibit to raise the awareness for such problems. Klauka was one of ten students who were entered into the contest. the third place winner. There are also cash prizes for 10 honorable mentions.

Irvine said that this is a great chance for high school students who want to get their work out in the public.

“Art is a communication. This is a chance for them to expose and show art that they are proud of,” Irvine said. “Art class helps students to synthesize and communicate their own creative ideas about what is going on in the world.”

Not only do students like to communicate their work, they see it as an honor to be entered into the event.

“It means a lot to me. I don’t necessarily think that I will win, but knowing that mine got entered in the competition at all is really an honor,” senior Ashlee Bowden said. “I would encourage students to get involved in art now, so that it will be something they will carry on in the future.”

Other students were entered into the contest by the teachers, but still feel proud about what they get to accomplish. “ It ’s a great opp or tu nit y to see other local students’ art. I feel there are some really good pieces in the contest,” senior Joey

Buckland said. “There are a lot of interesting works, with unique ones with different colors and contrast.”

Senior Meghan Klauka hopes to continue her work with art in her free time as a hobby. With the artwork that was submitted into the contest, Klauka hopes to raise awareness of problems within the world.

Klauka said her piece was inspired by friends and people that go through difficult times in life. The piece she created was one that illustrated self-harm.

“I don’t really have any goals for a career in art. But I want to continue it as a hobby,” Klauka said. “I have been involved in art and art class my whole life. What makes this special is that we can bring awareness to situations that people face.”

The showcase is not only a good way to see artwork of various students. It’s also a way for the voice of students to be heard, Irvine says.

“Several people in the community feel that the voice of the young generation is important.

We want to see and hear their talent and ideas,” Ir vine said. “Some people made this opportunity happen, with a lot of volunteering.”

Artwork by Ashlee Bowden

Featured Artists Featured artists in this year’s Art Exhibit at the MSU Federal Credit Union included six seniors, two juniors and two sophomores.

Ashlee Bowden, senior Joey Buckland, senior Casey Harkema, senior Madison Hayes, senior Zoe Howard, junior Whitney Howe, sophomore Meghan Klauka, senior Jenna Lu, sophomore Lexi Waldrop, junior Nate Workman, senior

News

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Holt High School Ramparts

February 2012

SADD brings awareness to issues Club members focus on teen issues in the month of February feature editor

Friends For Life Friends caring for friends was the focus of the Friends for Life campaign. Senior Lauren Maier is a member of SADD and was in charge of the Friends for Life campaign planning.

“I made a banner for people to sign that vouches you will be a good friend,” Maier said. Members also passed out candy Smarties and Dum Dums at the event to symbolize making smart decisions over bad ones.

During this campaign, SADD wanted to stress the importance of making good decisions, and

Photo by McKenna Glisson

Last spring the members of SADD created a banner for students to commit to never drinking and driving, which resulted after the accident last year in January. It hangs in the center commons to as a reminder to the students of what they agreed to do. how each choice that you and your peers make can affect each other.

“I feel many people in high school have certain friends for the wrong reasons,” Maier said. “I want people to know that no matter what, it’s never too late to make a new true friend and that you are never alone.”

Sticky notes were placed on the mirrors of the boy’s and girl’s bathrooms with tips on how to be a good friend as a reminder of the right way to treat friends.

The campaign went on during both lunches on February 22, 23 and 24 in the center commons.

Fliers were placed around the school to help bring awareness for the event.

Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year according to the SADD website. During the month of February, SADD brings awareness about a very common problem for teenagers: dating violence.

SADD members will make announcements next week at the end of the day over the intercom stating one fact about teen dating violence.

“Our hope is that if we can draw attention to one person about the severity of dating violence, then we can help someone get out of get out of that relationship and help them realize they deserve so much more,” Sweitzer said.

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week National Eating Disorder Awareness Week takes place from February 26 to March 3.

“I feel like people don’t pay attention to this problem,” Wright said. “I hope to draw attention to it so that they can get help.”

Wright, who is organizing the event, plans to sell T-shirts during the week in center commons.

Everyone is welcome to join SADD and help bring awareness to the school about the problems teenagers face.

SADD meets Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. in Sweitzer’s room E116.

PALs perform skits on bullying Washington Woods students learn about the issues of bullying McKenna Glisson staff writer Bullying is just a something many children experience, but not all of them know how to handle it and need to learn.

The Peer Assistance Leadership (PALs) members

ACT/MME TESTING

The ACT and the Michigan Merit Exam (MME) are scheduled for all juniors in March. On Tuesday, March 6, juniors will be taking the ACT. Only juniors will attend school on Tuesday. On Wednesday, March 7 and Thursday, March 8 juniors will take the MME and Work Keys.

Sophomores and seniors will have late start both days. The ACT and MME are mandatory graduation requirements for all juniors. Students need to bring identification, either driver’s license or student ID, and are reminded to leave cell phones at home. Information and practice ACT problems can be found at www. actstudent.org

Anna Pavlik Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) took the initiative in the month of February to bring awareness to three issues in the high school. During the past month, the club has organized events and activities to promote and inform students about the importance of friendship, dating violence and eating disorders.

“We help teens in all aspects of their life,” SADD advisor Kellie Sweitzer said.

SADD continues to bring awareness to many different topics throughout the school year.

“If we can help one student in one area make a better decision then that’s a really good thing,” Sweitzer said. “That’s success.”

SADD is sending members to a “Most Teens Don’t” campaign in Eaton Rapids. The idea is social norming, which means they are trying to find out what the real facts about teenagers are compared to what the stereotypes are.

“I hope to learn new information that we can share with the school,” sophomore Melodie Wright said. “ We want to show that some choices aren’t cool and even though people think that most teens do, in reality most teens don’t.”

In Brief

have come up with scenarios called bully skits that they narrated at Washington Woods. The students at Washington Woods acted them out.

The choir and Men of Holt S\students will also be performing at Washington Woods after spring break.

High school students have joined PALs to help people in every way and to send a positive message.

“I want everyone, including younger kids, to be more aware of bullying and how to take a stand in a bullying situation,” senior Amanda Lester said.

These skits were situations that the PAL’s have experienced or witnessed at some point in their life.

“It is to show that HHS students have learned from those experiences and now want to share with the younger students how to deal with those issues in an effective way. The main goal is to teach students how to deal with these conflicts to reduce the occurrence of bullying and victimization,” PAL’s advisor Rebecca Fredrigo said.

HHS and middle school students sang a song about bullying that goes along with Washington Woods bullying curriculum. The counselor from Washington Woods, Matt Bliton, spoke at the assembly. Officer Hall also spoke out against cyber bullying.

BLOOD DRIVE

The National Honor Society (NHS) and American Red Cross will give students and staff the opportunity to donate blood on March 19. In order to donate you must be at least 17 years old, meet height and weight requirements, and be in good health. Be sure to bring donor card or a government issued photo I.D.

TRI-COUNTY’S GOT TALENT SHOW

Tri-County’s Got Talent for Alcohol Awareness is a talent show that will be held on Saturday, April 21 in the Dewitt High School Auditorium at 6 p.m.

Students that live in the tri-county area can audition for the show on Saturday, March 3 and Saturday, March 10 at Imagine This Church in Grand Ledge. Performances can include singers, musicians, dancers and other acts.

SCHOLARSHIP PACKETS

Seniors can pick up scholarship packets in the Counseling Office.

Only Holt High School graduates have access to these 15 scholarships that are sponsored by many local businesses. All requirements for the scholarships must be turned into the Counseling Office by March 29 at 3 p.m.

DECA

Students from the Retail Marketing class compete in this annual competition. Going up against students across the state, our event winners will be competing Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3.

News

4

February 2012

Holt High School Ramparts

Administration chooses to return to semesters Preparing for the 2012-2013 school year, adjusting to a 2x6 schedule Meg McKay editor-in-chief In an effort to balance the budget, Holt schools will be returning to semesters next school year. During a faculty and staff in-service on January 16, Principal Brian Templin announced that the change would occur next school year with the hopes of saving the district $100,000.

The change was formally announced to parents at Parent Information Scheduling Night on Monday, February 6. It will be included in the proposal to the school board on March 19 that will address ways of cutting costs for the upcoming school year.

By going back to semesters, students will have fewer spaces in their schedules to take elective courses. Although Superintendent Dr. Johnny Scott declined to interview for Ramparts, he stated in an article in the Holt Community News that he thought the change was a way “to help college bound students” while “making the school more efficient.”

With trimesters, students have more half days with an additional set of exams, causing additional planning throughout the district. The fact that there will be three fewer exam days is projected to save the district a significant amount.

Junior Sherye Bradley thinks it may be hard to transition credits from trimester form to semester form, but was happy with the change.

“It’s a good thing because there are less finals and cramming,” Bradley said.

Some students are worried about how they are going to do

Photo by Meg McKay

Psychology teacher Russ Olcheske’s class plays the plunger game as review for an upcoming test. Because Psychology is an elective class, it is in jeopardy of having fewer enrolled students as a result of the cutback in number of elective spaces. academically based on the amount of information they will have to retain.

“It’s a bad thing because there will be more to remember for exams,” sophomore Courtney Bagley said.

Because there will be complications with maintaining enough credits to graduate, while taking four years of some electives, for example band/choir or languages, the district has decided to count some of the elective credits attained in eighth grade.

Students who begin a language in eighth grade, for example, will be allowed to use the credit they receive as part of their credit at the high school level.

Spanish teacher Karen Holman-Cevera said that communication is a key to learning a language. She acknowledged that with any big decision there are pros and cons, and she said

she liked the opportunity going back to semesters provides.

Some new classes that were added this year may also be in jeopardy. Advanced Psychology was started to be an extension to the regular Psychology course. When the district changed to a 3x6 schedule and the hours were shortened, classes like Psychology had to cut a large amount of content.

“It’s a simple math problem; less kids will have space to take it,” Psychology teacher Russ Olcheske said.

In Olcheske’s opinion, the changes are being made to simply save the district money, which can sometimes be frustrating.

The budget will be better predicted once the school knows exactly how much money they will receive per student from the state.

News

5

February 2012

Holt High School Ramparts

Spring musical brings up story about sexism Great acting, singing and dancing are in the upcoming production “9 to 5” Ana Moncao staff writer A comedy that, behind its smart humor, critiques the sexist way women were treated a few decades ago, is the best description for this year’s spring musical “9 to 5.” The story is about three women who go out to work and find themselves working for an unbearable boss. As the musical goes on, they try to get even with him because of his mistreatment in the office.

“The plot takes place in the 1980’s, and it’s about three secretaries that are poorly treated by their boss and they plan on killing him, but they end up kidnapping him,” said junior Megan Myers, one of the leads in the show.

The cast promises to keep the audience entertained by funny and clever lines, great dancing, at least 15 songs, and of course, excellent acting.

The students are excited about the musical, especially because they had to work hard to get their funds back. The district froze funding for the show earlier this year. After a group of students went to the school board meeting and gave speeches to prove how important the arts are for students, the board reinstated the musical.

“We fought hard to be able to do this musical, and everyone will get to watch their friends dancing, acting and singing great music,” junior and ensemble participant Shyanne Conerly said.

The original production went off Broadway in 2009. It is based on the movie “9 to 5” starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as Doralee Rhodes, Judy Bernly and Violet Newstead, respectively. The students who play the main characters are sophomore Emily Hadick (Doralee), junior Megan Myers (Judy), freshman Makayla Kost (Violet), with junior Collin McCarthy as Franklin Hart, their boss.

“He’s kind of like the bad guy. He is sexist, he treats them badly, and that’s why he gets kidnapped and everything,” McCarthy said.

Guests will enjoy a great story performed by 36 students showing their acting, dancing and singing skills, directed by the Vocal Music Director Monty Bishop. The production also includes a pit orchestra, and two magic boxes that are going

Photo by Ana Moncao

Senior Brian Thering, freshman Makayla Kost and sophomore Emily Hadick practice in the band room for their roles in the upcoming musical “ 9 to 5 “. The cast has practice every day of the week to improve their chemistry and their performances. to rotate to change the scenery. One side is painted for the bullpen and the other one for Hart’s office. There are a total of four scenes on the boxes.

Performances will be held in the Margaret Livensparger Theater Thursday, March 22 through Saturday, March 24 at 7 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on March 25 at 2 p.m. The production is open not only for students but for everyone that would like to watch it.

“Besides students, I think parents would like to watch it because they can relate to that time,” Conerly said.

The entrance fee is $6 for students and $8 for adults. Tickets are available through the Community Education office or at the door.

Spring Musical “9 to 5” Thursday, March 22, Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24 at 7 p.m.

Sunday, March 25 at 2 p.m.

Entrance Fee: $6 for students and $8 for adults.

Starring Emily Hadick, Megan Myers and Makayla Kost as Doralee Rhodes, Judy Bernly and Violet Newstead

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Viewpoints

February 2012

Holt High School Ramparts

Our View Semester scheduling brings change

T

he Class of 2012 hasn’t dealt with semesters since junior high and once they graduate, every class behind them will experience changes within the school. Next year, the school is going to go back to a semester system in order to save money from budget cuts made by the government. This change is expected to save $100,000.

Schools around the area have already felt cutbacks with less money coming in from the State of Michigan. The school is anticipating the years to come and money must be saved in order to be financially stable.

Teachers always complain about cramming material into a trimester because they feel like they’re being rushed. By going back to semesters, teachers will be able to go more in depth with their material that was intended for a semester. Exams will also be timed well because instead of having exams before every holiday, students can enjoy their breaks and come back to focus for exams. During a semester schedule, exams will most likely be placed around January and at the end of the school year.

The reason why the school went to a trimester system was to open up space for all students to take more classes. The problem with semesters is that there are only 12 open time slots to fill classes. With only 12 slots, language and art classes will be impacted again because core classes already take up eight slots within a student’s schedule. Only seniors will enjoy their semester schedules because only one English, math and economics credit is required and students may fill their nine slots with any electives they please.

Students only have to take two semesters of their core classes, but the drawback behind this is that exams will cover more material and possibly be longer in length. Students may need to put the extra time and effort in order to do well on exams. If students are struggling in their classes, the benefit of having semesters is that students will be given more time to raise their grades and get help from their teachers.

Next year, semesters will bring abrupt changes into everyone’s lives. Some of these changes will benefit certain individuals and other changes will impact them in a negative way. The semester scheduling is a scary first step, but the decisions that were made will be taken into effect no matter what.

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.

Athletes are underappreciated Some sport teams aren’t getting glory they deserve

sports that we have in the school, I underappreciated some of the sports realized how twisted the reality of teams are at our school. student support is. The gymnastics How many students are in the team has an amazing record of 7-1. stands at these sports events? I know The varsity softball team that I am from experience that there’s not a on has been league champions the whole lot. The stands are smaller past three years in a row with an 11-1 and the student section is nonrecurring record. existent. But why? Gymnastics, boys It’s not just girls sports teams swimming and softball all tend to that don’t have a better record g e t s tu d e nt s’ than the football Comparing these t e a m a n d t h e attention. The boys swimming teams’ records with those basketball team. It t e a m h a s a sporting events that have doesn’t even cost record of 7-1, yet to get into hundreds of people in anything the bleachers some of the other are not filled the stands, I realize how sporting events, underappreciated some such as softball, with students.

When was the of the sports team are at yet students pay $5 last time you our school. every time they go went to a Holt to a football game football league and basketball championship game or basketball game. game? How about a district I understand that overall, this is a championship game in either of football and basketball loving nation. those sports? Fans hardly ever get to It’s not just in our school that these experience a district or league title sports get more attention, but it’s all game in football or basketball, yet for over the country. the past three years softball has had I’m certainly not saying to stop both district championship games supporting our more well-known and league title games. Comparing teams, but instead show more these teams’ records with those support to our underappreciated sporting events that have hundreds sporting teams, too. of people in the stands, I realize how

“

Anna Pavlik

I

t’s amazing how many people fill our stands during a football or basketball game. An entire section is dedicated to the students, filled with fun activities, a cool theme and a lot of cheering. Not only are the stands packed with students, but parents, community members, alumni and friends also join together for these big events. It’s amazing how supportive we are of our teams.

That’s when I first thought about how many sport teams we have in all different seasons. There’s a lot more than just the boys basketball and football teams.

When I think about the other teams’ record and all of the other

Your View Segregation hasn’t changed Dear Editor, After several years of racial segregation and even after electing an African-American man as president, there is still racial tension between black and whites in America. I recently watched a news broadcast in Detroit and one of the stories talked about how a teacher gave an assignment where the African-American students had to act, talk, walk, etc. like slaves and had to write journals explaining what their masters looked like. These African-American students said that they felt embarrassed to be black. As I watched, it led me to think about the real reasoning behind African slavery.

Many years my people have fought for equal rights and even in today’s world, as those rights are given, we are still reminded of the harsh past that our ancestors once faced. Why still discriminate if we claim to be one of the greatest countries in the world? Why is it okay to break down the human spirit of a person? These questions run through my mind

”

constantly, but I am a witness to racism. The best healing from this hurt is to hold my head high, know my right and purpose in life, and to never let another person break me down because of the color of my skin. This issue is still common but yet ignored.

We as all people should help each other and work together, not separate.

Melissa Carter, sophomore Judged on standardized testing Dear Editor, Over the years it has been debatable whether standardized testing is a good way to judge the students’ ability to learn and understand the material. In my opinion standardized testing isn’t a good method to use because it doesn’t show the creativity and critical skills of the student, but rather if the student can memorize the dates and facts that don’t mean anything to the student.

Most students are missing out on the “out of the box” kind of thinking that is very key when you’re in college and working when you get older. What’s the point in teaching the material if it’s all about memorization and not about understanding of the reasons?

Teachers can get caught up in having

to base the material on the tests the students will have to take and not helping them gain the real world knowledge that will help them succeed in life.

Standardized tests can also put a great deal of stress on not only the students, but the teachers, too. Stress can cause students to think negatively about school and learning in general.

Students become worried about how they will do on the test, which never helps them to do better. Children and teens almost become numbers. People can judge us by the number we get on the test.

I think that they will always be some sort of standardized testing, but there are other ways to test a student’s ability and understanding through ideas like verbal tests where the students are forced to explain why the answer they gave is right.

Zach Hulliberger, sophomore 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

Striving for school supplies Hot or not?

Trimesters:

Limited supplies affects the student body

at best anymore.

If paper and tissue are things we run Because very few classes actually out of just after passing the half-way have textbooks, all the work students point of the year, there’s a problem. do come on white printer paper. When a school budget can’t meet Trying to do school work without the requirements to run successfully, something to do it on, would make there’s a problem. it nearly impossible. When we have There are some easy solutions: to show our rearrange the work or practice priorities and p ro b l e m s, i t ’s Back in k inder- g e t s o m e e x t r a necessary to have participation. Have scrap paper. Math garten, as a part of our s t u d e n t s b r i n g c l a s s w i t h o u t school supply list, we things in or require scrap paper is were asked to bring in t e a c h e r s t o h av e just as difficult things available in as English class boxes of tissues and their classrooms. If w i t h o u t s c ra p wipes. we have participation paper. on a greater scale, Students are there should be no told things like ‘the school doesn’t way we can’t supply our year. We have any’ and ‘there’s none in the could find cheaper ways to supply building’. How is that possible? our school with the necessities.

Evidently, we have worksheets to do Some alternatives are to buy each day and handouts to read, so are recycled paper, let students use we really that low with our resources? devices for notes, or take tests on the I fully understand that there are computer. These are just a few ways certain things in a budget. Some to save paper. materials schools just can’t go While it may be fortunate for us, it without. But when paper and tape are could be just as unfortunate, that the two of those materials, it’s absolutely school has found the money to buy necessary to do something. more supplies. Because we acquired Back in kindergarten, as part of the money somehow, we have more our school supply list, we were asked of the supplies we were low or out to bring tissues and wipes. Just like of, but at what cost? Where did the then, maybe that’s what we need to money come from? Let’s just hope it do now - make it a requirement of the price we pay isn’t too great. students to bring in those supplies.

“

Meg McKay

S

tacks of paper, boxes of tissue; rolls of tape, containers full of staples: the beginning of the school year always brings a count of what supplies will be needed for the year. But, this year it appears that we’re already running low.

Why is this, you ask? Well, who really knows the answer to that question? At the start of each year we are told to be sparing with the resources we use and how much we actually need. Budget costs have clearly been seen this year. But, have we gone too far now?

During cold season, students as well as teachers appreciate having nice soft tissues. When our sore runny noses are bright red from constantly wiping and blowing them, all we want is a tissue to help. But we can’t even have the scratchy tissues

”

Three chances to get in all the classes we want, 18 classes a year.

This gives us enough time to get in our credits and take the electives we’re interested in.

February 2012 Semesters:

Only two chances to get in all the classes we want. It’ll be harder to get our credits in and harder to take the electives we want.

Speak up

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

“I would want to be a kangaroo because I can always put stuff in my pouch and hop around.”

Kaleb Akers, sophomore

“A cat because they sleep all day. Everyone loves them because they’re so cute, cuddly and fluffy.”

Morgan Burton, senior

“I would be a tiger because they’re just sweet.”

Phil Dietz, sophomore

“I would be a dolphin because they get to swim really far and they are free. They have no worries.”

Allison Pingston, junior

“Panda bear because they are chill.”

Sanda Vazgec, junior

Corrections Cartoon by Chloe Henley

Ramparts is committed to printing news that is both informative and accurate. If we get it wrong, we want to put it right. If you are aware of any errors of fact in our reporting please contact us in room E221 or send an e-mail to ramparts@ hpsk12.net.

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Features

February 2012

Holt High School Ramparts

Students display personalities and expression Unique body art is form of expression for students and staff

Whose ear is whose?

1. English intern Brett Robb 2. Junior Jenna McNamara 3. Senior Lauren Stubblefield 4. Junior John Murphy

Tori Frailey opinion editor

Photo by Tori Frailey

Junior Annie Boyd displays the tattoo she has on her foot. Like many other students at the high school, Boyd uses tattoos and piercings to represent who she is through body arts.

A.

B.

Photo by Tori Frailey

Senior Jacob Zajac has a tattoo that represents his family. The Polish emblem and his last name on his right shoulder are presented. the rest of your life. No matter how you choose to express yourself some of the results can be permanent. Knowing the risks and dangers is also something to consider before running out to get tatted up or pierced.

“You need to make sure you really love it before you go do it,” senior Lauren Stubblefield said.

Stubblefield made sure she knew the risks and considerations to be informed of before gauging her ear.

Some risks of getting a piercing, especially gauges, include infections, foul odor, or in the worst case, if the lobe is stretched too quickly, the ear could become permanently damaged and stay stretched out forever.

Tattoos can also leave a lifelong lasting form of art on the body. The effects include, allergic reactions to tattoo dye or ink, bacterial infections within the skin, or inflamed areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue.

These are all things to take into consideration when contemplating lifelong body art such as a tattoo.

Another result of tattoos is permanency. When ink is injected under the skin; it is being placed into the underlying layer of connective tissue, the dermis. Cells in the dermis layer are not regularly shed and replaced. Once the ink is in the dermis, it stays there.

“I think you should wait until you are fully grown before getting something tattooed on your body,” junior Steven Liddell said. “Unless it is something of great meaning that you won’t regret.”

The only way to “remove” a tattoo is through laser removal, light therapy or special medicated creams, which are costly.

Knowing the risks and procedures of these body arts is vital to the personal decision of deciding on what type of permanency is right for you. If care instructions are followed correctly, and if it is a definite choice being made by the one getting the art, and only them, then should there be no reason for your form of expression to not be stated.

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C.

D.

Answers: 1-C, 2-A, 3-B, 4-D.

Walking through the school halls, you notice students’ forms of expression in a variety of ways: bright colors, long socks, hats, glasses, jewelry and more.

We all express ourselves however we see fit to our personalities.

Some forms of expression can be permanent, such as tattoos and piercings. Tattoos and piercings have been a common form of expression dating back thousands of years. Mummified bodies have been found with tattoos that could be traced all the way back to 3300 B.C. Tattoos are a common custom used in America to express personal beliefs or expression. A tattoo is a puncture wound, made deep in the skin, that’s filled with ink. It is made by penetrating the skin with a needle and injecting ink into the area, usually creating some sort of design.

In some cultures, like Africa, stretching or piercing the skin is a popular form of expression, particularly the lips. According to www.ezakwantu.com, a gallery of African art, in some African cultures, it is customary to pierce the lower lip and then stretch the skin out with plugs made out of wood, ivory, clay, bone, shiny metal or even shell. The size of the plate represented social or economic importance.

A more common form of piercing in America is known as ear gauges.

Gauges are similar to the African lip plates except in place of the lip being stretched, the earlobe is stretched to a desired size. The smaller the number of a gauge, the bigger the piercing size and jewelry.

MSU English intern Brett Robb has gauges and plans on keeping them at their current size.

“I have always wanted to get my ears pierced, but it never seemed like that big of a deal to me,” Robb said.

Expressing yourself can take many forms, some of which can stay with you

Photos by Tori Frailey

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Features Holt High School Ramparts

double trouble

9

February 2012

Twins at HHS share out the benefits and consequences of being born in multiples Chloe Henley

editor-in-chief

From sharing clothes to sharing friends, children born in multiples seem to have the best of both worlds. However, being a twin comes with many disadvantages.

According to multiples.about.com, it is said that the chance of having twins are about three out of every 100 births. Multipes at HHS talk about their experiences.

Seniors Lindsay and Lauren Strong Eldest twin: Lindsay, by one minute Pros: “You always have a best friend with you wherever you are and you’re never alone. It’s pretty much like a best friend that lives with you,” Lauren said.

Cons: ”You have to share everything,” Lindsay said.

Do you ever feel as if you can read each other’s minds?: “Yes, we say each other’s sentences, have the same dreams and always talk at the same time,” Lauren said.

Do you always feel as if you are seen as a package deal rather than an individual?: “Yes just because we always have to have our birthday party together, but I like it like that sometimes,” Lauren said.

“Not at all. We are more individual people,” Lindsay said.

What ways are you different from your twin?: “I like more girly things,” Lindsay said.

“Everything. Like our tastes in guys, clothes, sports and Photo by Lindsay Strong. Used with permission.

Juniors Martin and Michael Welch Eldest twin: Martin, by 16 minutes Pros: “I can always blame him for stuff,” Michael said.

Co n s : ” I t ’s n o t a ny different from having other brothers or sisters. You just have to share things,” Martin said.

Do you ever feel as if you can read each other’s minds?: “No, but we know if something is bothering the other, just like you would with a close friend,” Martin said.

Do you always feel as if you are seen as a package deal rather than an individual?: “Sometimes. People often expect us to be doing the same things,” Martin said.

What ways are you different from your twin?: “We are fraternal, and he is four inches taller than me. Michael has blonde hair with blue eyes and is more open to try new things,” Martin said.

Interesting fact: Michael said that most people don’t believe that they are even related.

Seniors Jenna, Alex and Nick Payne Eldest triplet: Jenna, followed by Alex and then Nick Pros: “Their hot friends,” Jenna said. “ There is always somebody else to drive when you don’t want to,” Nick said.

Cons: ”People are constantly comparing us.

We are different people,” Jenna said.

Do you ever feel as if you can read each other’s minds?: “Yes, that is why we are so smart,” Jenna said.

Do you always feel as if you are seen as a package deal rather than an individual?: “Yeah, sometimes. We are always viewed together as triplets rather than just as ourselves,” Nick said.

Seniors Lauren and Travis Potter Eldest twin: Lauren, by two minutes Pros: “It’s nice to have similar situations going on agewise, such as starting high school,” Lauren said. “There was always someone to play with when we were little.”

Cons: “We had to share our first car,” Travis said.

Do you always feel as if you are seen as a package deal rather than an individual?: “No, since we are boy/girl twins. We are more seen as individuals,” Lauren said.

What ways are you different from your twin?: “Our appearances, hobbies and sports are all different,” Lauren said.

How can people tell you apart from one another?: “Nick and I have the same smile, but other than that, we look different,” Jenna said.

Photo by Jenna Payne. Used with permission.

Sophomores David and Daniel Nguyen-Tran Eldest twin: David, by seven minutes Pros: “It’s fun to confuse people, and you always have a best friend. We can talk in Vietnamese about stuff, for example, people,” David said.

Cons: ” We get the same presents for Christmas and our birthday.

Everyone always expects you to be the same and best buds,” Daniel said.

Do you always feel as if you are seen as a package deal rather than an individual?: “Yes, because we mostly do the same things together, and we feel weird without the other twin,” David said.

What ways are you different from your twin?: “David prefers to dress nice, and I like to dress comfy. Also, David likes spicy food and I don’t,” Daniel said.

How can people tell you apart for one another?: “You can tell us apart by our hair because my hair is longer. We are fraternal twins but people still can’t tell us apart,” David said.

Photo by Lauren Potter. Used with permission.

Sophomores Kristi and Carly Harless Eldest twin: Kristi, by one minute Pros: “You can share clothes, and you always have someone to be around to help with homework because we have a lot of the same classes,” Carly said.

Cons: ”People are constantly asking us if we are twins wherever we go somewhere, and it’s kind of annoying,” Kristi said.

Do you ever feel as if you can read each other’s minds?: “Yeah. Sometimes she will be singing the same song that’s in my head in another room,” Carly said.

Do you ever buy matching clothes?: “Not as much as much anymore. We used to all of the time when we were little, but now if we do buy the same clothes, they are usually different colors,” Kristi said.

What ways are you different from your twin?: “I am the more outgoing and loud twin,and my twin, Carly is always telling me to calm down and is more reserved,” Kristi said.

How can people tell you apart for one another?: “Carly has a rounder face and longer hair. I have a beauty mark on my cheek, and our personalities are different,” Kristi said.

Photos of Welches, Nguyen-Trans and Harless’ by Chloe Henley

10

Features

February 2012

It’s in the genes Anna Pavlik

Bouquet of hope

A

The 2012 mythical end of the world gets closer Students share “last day” plans for 2012

Fact or fiction?

A Ramparts survey of 154 students was conducted to see what students thought about the 2012 myth. Is the 2012 myth true or false?

Zack Gilliland staff writer The myth that the world is going to end on December 21, 2012, according to the Mayan calendar, is one of the world’s many controversies.

Now just because the Mayan calender said the world would end on this day doesn’t mean it will. The Mayan calender was like the modern Gregorian calendar, which is 365 days long. The Mayans also measured time in two different periods.

There was a “short-count” and “long-count.” The short-count is 52 years long and the long-count is 5,125, which is coming to an end on December 21. After that calendar ends it would start over the next day, December 22, just as if our calendar would end on December 31, and start over January 1, the next year.

A myth also says that gravitational effects from the planets lining up with each other this year will somehow affect the Earth. According to NASA the planets won’t line up on December 21.

According to junior Ryan Phillips, the world is not going to end at the end of this year.

“If I could do anything on the last day, I’d spend time with my friends and play video games we love to play,” Phillips said. “I’d also go to Chuckie Cheese’s.”

Phillips also said that if, by the small chance the world does end,

As the Earth rotates, it burns as the end of the world unfolds. The world is rumored to end on December 21.

Photo by istock.com

he would like to go to Italy because he is part Italian, or go to Wrestlemania, because he enjoys watching wrestling.

Solar flares are a myth that have been predicted to cause the end of the world. When a solar flares slam into Earth, they create auroras and can cause damage to satellites and power lines. They do cause damage, but the damage inflicted isn’t long lasting.

Back in 1859 a “super storm” occurred that caused a lot of damage for the time period. That damage, however, would be much greater during our day because we are so dependent on technology.

Should people dwell on the fact that it could happen? Probably not.

But if it does happen, we should all

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s I walked into my house, I greeted my mom with a smile and a kiss on her cheek. “Who’s this for?” I asked, looking at the box on the table. “For you! Open it!”

Although many say that high school is the best time of our lives, many have found out that it’s also some of the hardest times.

While going through a particularly rough patch, I was faced with the question that we all have from time to time: “What the heck do I do now?” My mother reminded me of one thing, “You always have family.”

I still moped around and threw myself a pity-party (it wasn’t that great of a party), wondering how people could do this to me and why people were doing this to me, but I tried to remember what my mother told me.

After about a month later, I had enough. My true friends and my family members had told me that it was time to forget the ones who brought me down, forgive and move forward.

So I engaged myself in beneficial activities. I joined a youth group and started going to church more.

I constantly studied outside of my nursing class, determined that one day I will be the pediatric emergency room nurse that I want to be. I hung out with my best friend for endless hours. I did everything and anything I could. I was lost in happiness and focusing on the right things, with my amazing family and friends by my side who slowly watched me become myself again.

This is when the box caught me off guard. It wasn’t my birthday or a holiday or anything special, it was a normal Tuesday. So when I opened the box to find a big bouquet of fresh flowers. I asked, “What are these for?”

“Read the card,” my mom said.

It read: “These petals of the iris represent faith, hope and wisdom.

These are gifts that are wished for you every day. You are special and we love you! Love, Aunt Lisa and Uncle Kenny.”

They knew what I was going through and watched me go through it. In the middle of my little mess, I forgot how blessed I was to have family.

I called my aunt choked with tears, endlessly thanking her. In my head I was silently thinking, “Thank you for believing in me, and thank God for my family.”

Holt High School Ramparts

do something that we normally do on a regular old day.

Junior DaVon Harris is one of the many non-believers in the “2012” myth.

“We have had so many judgment day predictions, and I have always had great days on those days, so I don’t believe in the myth,” Harris said. “On the very slim chance that the world does end, I’d sit at home eating burritos, drinking Slurpees while playing my Xbox 360 and PS3.”

Harris also said he would visit every state in the United States because he hasn’t been in them all and would like to experience different ways of living.

Senior Alexander Argenta is also one of the many who don’t believe the myth, that the world is going to

Source: Ramparts survey

end.

“I don’t believe the world will end this year, but I’m hoping for a zombie apocalypse, if it does happen,” Argenta said. “I think that would be the best way for the world to end.”

Argenta also said that he would like for this to happen, so he can do something that he normally wouldn’t do.

“If this does happen, I’d rob a bank in 30 seconds or less, even if all I stole was a pen or the plants they have,” Argenta said.

There are many speculations about the world coming to an end at the end of this year but according to NASA, none of the “predicted” dooms-days are going to happen-at least not in our time.

Features

11

Holt High School Ramparts

February 2012

Shake, Shake, Shake it up!

Ramparts visited fast food restuarants to review the most popular and nutritious shakes Michael Hua sports editor Would you like fries with that shake? A perfect addition to any greasy fast food meal is a shake. With so many different dessert options, what makes a shake worth the extra money? A shake is unique because it serves as a dessert, but it can be consumed while eating the main course of a meal. Many people compare a shake to ice cream, but there’s a unique difference.

“Shakes are the perfect dipping sauce for fries,” senior Elizabeth McKerr said.

Unlike a shake, ice cream is heavier and has an icy texture to it. When someone tries to eat their ice cream with their food, it doesn’t taste right because dessert is meant to be ordered and eaten after a meal.

McDonald’s Shamrock Shake (medium 16 oz.)  (550 calories, 13 g of total fat, 13 g protein):

This seasonal shake is only available from the beginning of February to early April every year. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, this special shake was created and became a hit during a few months of the year. When taking the first sip of the shake, there’s an exciting minty flavor that goes into your mouth. It’s nothing like mint chocolate ice cream, that most people expect it to be. There’s no mint chunks that overwhelm your every bite.

“I love the Shamrock Shake because I’m part Irish and the taste gets me every time,” McKerr said.

Wendy’s Original Chocolate Frosty (medium 16 oz.)  (420 calories, 11 g of total fat, 10 g protein):

The original chocolate Frosty is the healthiest shake by far. You may argue that a “Frosty” is a mix between a shake and ice cream because a Frosty is a little thicker than a shake, but it just tastes right with a meal. Either way, people treat a Frosty like a shake because it pulls together a perfect meal.

The chocolate Frosty is creamy and is sweet enough to go well the salty fries.

“Wendy’s Frostys are healthier which makes it so good,” Harris said.

“Shakes are a better dessert because they’re easy to drink while eating,” junior Kayla Valles said.

Shakes are available at most fast-food restaurants because they’ve gotten so popular. From young teens to the elderly, everyone loves to enjoy a delicious shake when going out for fast food.

“Shakes just add something sweet to a meal,” sophomore Averie Harris said.

It’s obvious that shakes are delicious, but what restaurant has the best shake? A mission was set to test and review different shakes in the community. The following list orders the shake from best to worst, using a five star system.

Steak and Shake Peanut Butter Cup (regular 20 oz.)  (1030 calories, 113 g total fat, 23 g protein): Steak and Shake is one of the most popular places to purchase a shake, (hint: “Steak and SHAKE”.) The Peanut Butter Cup is one of the most popular, according to some waitresses. A mixture of Reese’s and Snickers are combined into a very thick shake. Without a doubt, the shake is delicious, but eating the shake with greasy food can be too much to take in. The average person should take in 2000 calories a day and consuming this shake takes up half of your daily intake, which makes the shake very unhealthy.

“I only get the shake once in a while, but it’s delicious and goes well with their burgers and fries,” Valles said.

Maggie Moo’s Cookies and Cream (regular 20 oz.)  (1076 calories, 63.6 g of total fat, 16.8 g protein):

Maggie Moo’s is known for their ice cream. The ice cream is creamy and there are many unique flavors, ranging from pistachio to cotton candy. They can take any ice cream flavor with toppings and mix it in a blender to serve it as a looser shake.

Many people love their Cookies and Cream shake because it tastes exactly like the ice cream, but can be consumed simply through a straw. The only downfall is that the shake also takes up 1/2 of your daily intake of calories.

“Maggie Moo’s is the ice cream Ukai,” senior Dalton Stiles said.

Arby’s Jamocha Shake (medium 16 oz.)  (506 calories, 13 g total fat, 13 g protein):

Photo by Michael Hua

Arby’s is known for their curly fries and roast beef sandwiches, but they also are home to their shakes. The flavors vary from chocolate, vanilla and their most famous and advertised, Jamocha. The Jamocha shake is a perfect combination of chocolate and coffee flavors blended together to make a thick and creamy beverage that will go perfect with any meal, or for any daytime snack. Arby’s is not usually the first place that comes to mind when getting a quick bite, but with curly fries, the Jamocha shake can be a good addition to your meal.

“I love chocolate and the Jamocha shake is extra chocolately,” junior Sean Bulkowski said.

12

The Hot Spot

February 2012

Holt High School Ramparts

America chooses its next star

More singing competitions give opportunity to unknown talent Daniel Yu staff writer

Singing competitions have gained popularity all over the world during the past few years. With shows like “American Idol,” “The Voice” and “The X Factor,” more people have the opportunity to take a shot at making it big. Even though the odds of winning are slim, viewers enjoy the thrill of the competition and many true stars are born. These shows give the audience the choice of who will win by voting for their favorite singer or singers by calling, texting or voting online and people continue watching to see who will make it to the end.

The X Factor “The X Factor” is a singing competition which was created

by Simon Cowell, the former “American Idol” judge. Unlike “American Idol,” groups can audition and the show has no upper age limit. Once contestants pass the auditions, they are split into four categories: boys 12-29, girls 12-29, individuals over 30 and groups. Four judges mentor each group, and they compete against the other judges while viewers vote for the winners.

“There are more bad contestants on “American Idol” which is why I like “The X Factor” more,” senior Chelsea Pentz said.

Pentz says that the good singers get recognized more and that she voted for the winner in the last season.

“These shows are good. They give people the opportunity that they normally wouldn’t have,” Pentz said.

Last year’s winner was Melanie Amaro. It was the first season of “The X Factor” in the U.S., and Fox announced that they have changes coming for the next season.

Auditions for the next season of “The X Factor” begin September 21.

Photo by Ian Derry / FOX

Simon Cowell was a former judge on “American Idol.” He created “The X Factor” and is also a current judge on the show.

Photo by Rick McKee / FOXs

Thousands come to auditions for “American Idol” in North Charleston, South Carolina. Out of all the people that compete, only one singer will be crowned the next American Idol and be rewarded with a contract with a major record label and a cash prize.

American Idol One of the most popular and oldest singing competitions, “American Idol” set the bar for future shows to try and surpass.

Contestants audition for judges who pass them into the finals, and then the voting system allows viewers to send multiple votes through phones or the Internet for their favorites. The winners of the show get a recording contract with a major music label, and the top ten finalists get the opportunity to go on tour together.

Past notable winners of “American Idol” include Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, David Cook and Scotty McCreery. Many finalists also become famous and get recording contracts, like Chris Daughtry and Adam Lambert.

“I don’t really watch the show, but they’re cool because it’s about discovering talent,” junior Jason Daman said. “Some of them are stupid, but once you get down to the finals they’re all good singers.”

One must be a United States citizen and between the ages of 15 and 28 to compete in “American Idol.” Although many people are able to compete, some don’t believe the show is a good representation of music.

“These shows take music and make it about ratings instead of the true human experience,” senior Brian Thering said.

“There are students in this school with a better grasp of singing, composition and music theory, who are actually capable of using music to convey a message, and none of them will ever be

recognized because they haven’t sold their soul to pop music.”

“American Idol” is currently airing on Fox at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The Voice “The Voice” is another new singing show in the U.S. and has a unique concept that the other shows don’t have. Four celebrity judges act as coaches just as in “The X Factor,” but the competition is based entirely on “the voice” of the contestant.

The judges have their backs turned as the contestant sings, but viewers at home are able to see who is performing and if a judge likes the voice then they turn around. By turning around, the judge picks that singer for their team, and the four judges train and compete against the other teams like in “The X Factor.”

“I like ‘the Voice’ TV show because it’s a really unique way of choosing who’s in, and I do vote,” sophomore Whitney Howe said.

The four celebrity artists that judged last year’s show were Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and Christina Aguilera.

The winner of the show gets $100,000 and a recording contract with Universal Republic. Last season’s winner was Javier Colon.

“I’m not sure if I’d go on. I don’t do a lot of singing, but it’d be a great experience,” Howe said.

“The Voice” is currently airing every Monday at 8 p.m. on NBC.

The Hot Spot

13

February 2012

Holt High School Ramparts

Taking home the gold

It’s that time of year again: award season. This year, the students have taken over the votes. Who will rise to the top?

Hannah Marsh

staff writer February is the month for awards. A survey was distributed to HHS to see who would win at the Grammy’s if students could control the votes.

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

What’s stuck in math teacher Heidi Misaras’ head?

Style of music: “Most consistently I like country. I like to listen to it when I ride my horse.”

“Banana Pancakes” by Jack Johnson “It’s an easy listening song.”

Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times, MCT

Best Pop Album/Solo Performance, Album of the Year

“Someone like you” and 21 put Adele at the top of the charts this year for album of the year, best pop album and best pop solo performance.

“Adele’s a really good singer,” junior Hailee Butler said. “She has really good lyrics. I like her songs because she doesn’t need inappropriate lyrics to get everyone’s attention, she’s just good.”

Best Rap Album

Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter IV won the prize for best rap album. The album includes popular songs such as “How to Love” and “6 Foot, 7 Foot.”

“Lil Wayne’s music is so fun to listen to. I love listening to it in my car, singing into the steering wheel and learning the raps,” junior Maci Palmer said.

Photo by Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/MCT

Best New Artist/Best Alternative Album

The best new artist, Bon Iver, also won the award for best alternative album with his album Bon Iver.

“I love his mellow tunes,” junior Rachel Dillingham said. “It’s easy listening, and it can always set the mood. I like that he’s growing more popular, like being featured in songs by popular artists.”

Nominees

Nominations for the Grammy Awards, with the students’ choice in bold.

Album of the year Adele 21 Foo Fighters Wasting light Lady Gaga Born this way Rihanna Loud

Song of the year Kanye West “All of the Lights” Mumford & Sons “The Cave” Bruno Mars “Grenade” Bon Iver “Holocene” Adele “Rolling in the Deep” Best Country Album Jason Aldean My Kinda Party Eric Church Chief Lady Antebellum Own the Night George Strait Here for a Good Time Taylor Swift Speak Now Best Rap Album Jay-Z & Kanye West Watch the Throne Lil Wayne Tha Carter IV Lupe Fiasco Lasers Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Kanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Best Pop Album Adele 21 Cee Lo Green Lady Killer Lady Gaga Born this Way Bruno Mars Doo-Wops & Hooligans Rihanna Loud Best Pop Solo Performance Adele “Someone Like You” Lady Gaga “You and I” Bruno Mars “Grenade” Katy Perry “Firework” P!NK “F---in’ Perfect” Best New Artist The Band Perry Bon Iver J. Cole Nicki Minaj Skrillex Best Alternative Album Bon Iver Bon Iver Death Cab For Cutie Codes and Keys Foster the People Torches My Morning Jacket Circuital Radiohead The King of Limbs

Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times, MCT

Song of the Year

Song of the year goes to Kanye West with his hit song “All of the Lights” from the album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.”

“I love Kanye,” junior Katie Patterson said. “He’s a lot different than other rappers because he has style, and his ego makes him fun to listen to. He has good beats.”

“House that built me” by Miranda Lambert “Chicken Fried” by Zach Brown Band “I enjoy listening to country while riding my horse, and these are just two of my favorites.”

“We are young” by FUN “My body” by Young the Giant “They’re good work-out songs.”

What’s stuck in sophomore Averie Harris’ head?

Style of music: “Country and pop because it is very uplifting.”

“Chances” by Five for Fighting “I love to listen to it when I’m down.”

“God gave me you” by Blake Shelton “It makes me think of the people I love.”

“Next to you” by Connor Maynard “This is just a really good love song.”

Photo by Hanh-Khayat/Abaca Press/MCT

Best Country Album

HHS’s vote went to Jason Aldean with My Kinda Party for best country album this year.

The album includes songs such as “Dirt Road Anthem” and “My Kinda Party.” Aldean’s album was ahead of popular votes such as Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum, but walked away with the title of Best Country Album.

Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times, MCT

“You can” by David Archuleta “It makes me really happy when I listen to it”.

“Hero” by Enrique Iglesias “I like all of his music and this is my favorite.”

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

Sports

February 2012

The Press Box BOYS BOWLING

record: 7-4 league standing: second place season highlight: “Definitely Jackson, we lost by one game.

Everyone there was really loud, and we didn’t play our best during the last game,” senior Scott Reid said. in their words: “I’d like to see more girls join because we have been having problems with having enough players,” junior Martin Welch said.

 GIRLS BOWLING

record: 0-12 season highlight: “Definitely bowling the first match of the season and scoring that first point, because you know you’ve worked hard to earn it” sophomore Katelyn Lander said. in their words: “We are working hard this year and becoming closer as a team, constantly trying to improve.

We hope to do better this season and continue to build a team, “ senior Jenny McClumpha said.

CHEERLEADING

record: n/a season highlight: “Christmas party we decorated cookies and afterword went to Applebee’s, “ junior Maci Palmer said. in their words: “Making sure we are a team at the end of the day no matter we feel about each other”, junior India HeardBenford said.

GYMNASTICS

league placing: Third place season highlight: “ The team Christmas party,” senior Christina Lueder said. in their words: “Always having fun no matter what we are doing,” junior Teryn Henderson said.

HOCKEY

record: 6-5-1 league standing: fifth place season highlight: “Playing with your friends and going on road trips,” junior Zach Carey said. in their words: “Winning in overtime against Portage Northern,” junior Zach Bertram said.

Holt High School Ramparts

Wild West dancers hit pep assembly Annual guy-girl dance takes on country theme Zahra Ahmad staff writer The guy-girl dance took place at the annual Winterfest pep assembly. The preparation for the dance was a new experience for the boys that had signed up. Guys that have participated in previous years assure those dancing for the first time it’s hard work but a lot of fun.

The dance is held by the dance team as a break from the competitive season. Girls ask the guy of their choice if they are willing to participate in the dance. If the guy agrees, they attend practices and prep for the performance which was held February 10 in the high school’s gym.

“I’ve been in the guy girl dance since the tenth grade and it’s never easy. As long as you go to the practices and put some effort in it you get the hang of it,” senior Christopher Mee said.

Although it may be a slight struggle for the guys who agreed to the dance, for the members of the dance team it is meant for fun and a break from competing. Missing a small step at practice isn’t going to cause much harm to anyone.

“It’s just something more fun and lighthearted it give us a break from the competitive season,” senior Alyssa Robinson said.

Although the dance isn’t meant to be taken too seriously, both the dancers and their partners hope for a good reaction from the audience. For those who are participating for the first time in the dance, missing a step is what they worry about most.

“I’ve been doing the dance for two years now, and every year one of my friends asks me to do it

Photo by Zahra Ahmad

With a salute to the crowd, seniors Anna Pavlik, Audrey Soblesky and Holly Eastman finish the dance.

The dance team plans on using this dance for a competition later this season. with them,” junior Aaron Mull said. “I just hope the crowd likes the dance because the girls and guys put a lot of work into it.”

Gearing up for the dance both the guys and girls attended practices early Wednesday mornings.

Practice was based around getting some experience in for the guys who had never participated in such an event.

“Practices are much slower and easier, just to make it easier on the guys, so we do things simple,” Robinson said.

For guys who are participating for the first time in the dance, remembering the routine is key for a great outcome.

“My personal goal is to do good and remember all of my steps especially since this is my first year,” senior Nick Worden said. “I’ve always known that

dance was hard and it’s really tough to remember the entire routine.”

This isn’t the first time for guy dancers. It is also the first for some girl dancers as well. For senior Kelsie Schafer, this is the first guy girl dance she has participated in.

“This is my first year on dance so the guy-girl dance is new to me,” Schafer said. “I just hope the guys enjoy it, and that I don’t miss a step during the performance.”

Experienced or inexperienced, many of the guys that do agree to do the dance can conclude that all the work put into it is worth it in the end.

The dance team also held the guy-girl dance later on at the boys varsity basketball half time show.

Success puts teams in the spotlight Stand-out teams have caught attention due to a successful season Maya Fews staff writer As college basketball heads into the second half of the season, teams prepare to add to their win column and improve on crucial mistakes in hopes of making it past the first round of the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament known to fans as March Madness. Based on the games played so far, some teams have displayed traits that will help them go far in the tournament.

Some fans are willing to say that these teams will make it to the Final Four.

Skilled sophomores: Ohio State currently holds the number one spot in the Big Ten

conference and is ranked within the top five of the nation. With key wins over Duke, Florida and Kansas, the young Ohio State Buckeyes have proven they can compete with some of the best teams in the nation. Lead by sophomores Aaron Craft and Jared Sullinger, the Buckeyes have a balance between passing and shooting that allows the team to be successful.

“It takes true talent and hard work from players and coaches to be in the top 25 for like ten years straight,” junior Shane Chandler said.

Unexpected ranking: The Ohio Valley conference is not seen as power conference compared to others, due to the strength of teams.

Currently ranked number seven in the country, the Murray State Racers were once an unknown team and are now ranked in the top ten in the country.

“It’s tough to determine how good Murray State is because they don’t play as tough teams compared to the power six conferences,” junior Austin Carr said.

Murray State has been called the Boise State of college basketball because the two teams have been ranked within the top ten of the nation without having a strong schedule.

Nation’s best: With only one loss in the season, it is no surprise that Kentucky is the number one team in the nation. Like Ohio State, Kentucky is also young. Recruiting seems to be a strength of Kentucky with a skilled freshman class.

“Coach John Calipari is a good recruiter and they get a top five recruiting class every year,” junior George Edelman said Controversial team: With controversy over Syracuse’s assistant coach, the Syracuse Orange have not used that as an excuse to play poorly, with only one loss to Notre Dame. The Orange are currently ranked number two.

“I think they will probably be a number one seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament,” Edelman said.

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Holt High School Ramparts

February 2012

The Press Box BOYS BASKETBALL

record: 3-7 league standing: Fifth place season highlight: “I want the team to learn how to start great and finish great. Okemos and Sexton are big rivals. I would like to see us beat them,” sophomore Collin Jones said. in their words: “I think we are improving a lot, and people are underestimating us. I hope we can finish the regular season strong, win districts and move onto playoffs,” senior D.J. Hull said.

DANCE TEAM

Photos by Ben Blanck

(Left) Senior Lauren Strong throws her second ball and tries to pick up a spare against Everett for the team. It is her last year on the team, but she wishes the girls luck next year. (Right) Junior Steven Liddell aims to get the strike at the match between the Holt Rams and the Everett Vikings.

Bowling teams react to mixed season Varsity team takes aim for states Ben Blanck entertainment editor The Holt Ram bowling teams are back on their feet setting goals and hoping to do well in this year’s season with their new head coach Cliff McClumpha and qualifying the boys team for the regional tournament in early March.

So far the boys team record is 7-4, but they hope to get as many more wins as possible and live up to the standards set by the teams in past years.

“We’re doing good, not quite like years in the past because we still don’t have the same type of chemistry in the team as we have in the past years. A lot of the team graduated, but we are in the process of getting closer and becoming better as a team,” senior Scott Reid said.

Several seniors on the team agreed that there have been a lot of changes and re-adjusting in the past few years, but this team has a lot of new talent and fresh chemistry to work with for future seasons.

Bowling requires strategy both for the single player and as a team effort. Many different positions ex ist on the team such as an anchor, who is the last to bowl and tends to be the most consistent bowler on the team.

Another important role for the team is the lead off bowler, who is the first to bowl and is a good and enthusiastic bowler with the goal of setting a positive tone for the match. Also a complicated scoring system involved to determine who goes home with the win.

“Each individual player on the team plays against each other for their point, then you add the whole team’s points together to see who wins the game overall,” senior Zach DeBar said. “Then you play to Baker Games after that. A Baker game is where you have five players bowl one game as a team.”

Each member of the team had something certain that they enjoyed the most about bowling.

These ranged from having fun with friends to eating the pizza at Mason City Limits, their home lanes.

“Competition is my favorite part of bowling because that’s where the all of the excitement and adrenaline is,” said senior Zach Bailey, “The cheering and the chants would be enough to get anyone going no matter what sport it is at.”

The bowling team, like most any other competitive team sport, has a major rival in their league.

“I would say that Jackson is probably our biggest rival. It is always an intense and close match.

We are usually the two best teams in the league fighting each other for first,” coach Cliff McClumpha said.

The girls, despite hard efforts, have not won a match yet, but are making it their goal this season to become true competitors and are 0-12. They are hoping to get their first win and end their losing streak and get back into the competition.

“We’re doing alright, but could definitely be doing better. We are becoming closer as a team, and having fun which is important to us,” senior Jenny McClumpha said.

Many of the girls on the team have a lot of experience in the sport, both on the school teams and outside of the school on their own time.

“The best part about bowling would be the feeling you get when you beat your opponent. I chose bowling over any other spor t becaus e I have be en bowling for many years, and it’s a family tradition that I got into,” sophomore Katelyn Lander said.

The girls on the team say that their biggest rivals are Mason and Jackson because they are always the closest matches. They say these are always the hardest teams to beat.

Both of the teams home lanes are in Mason City Limits Bowling Center and they are thankful for the support they receive from the community. They always welcome more fans from the student body.

season highlight: “The girls are getting closer and working better together this year. We have a lot of team chemistry and I think we’ll do well this year and continue to work hard and improve,” senior Audrey Soblesky said. in their words: “The guy-girl dance is one of the best parts of the season because we get to do something different that a lot of other schools don’t,“ senior Kelsie Schafer said.

BOYS SWIMMING AND DIVING

record: 7-1 league standing: Second place season highlight: “The Okemos meet was our biggest because it was the battle for first place,” senior Mike Ramer said. in their words: “I feel that we have done really good since our class has reached this year. We are excited to see how we will finish,” senior Dan Kalchik said.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

conference record: 5-2 league standing: Second place season highlight: “East Lansing is always a big game, and we have lost to them many times,” sophomore Emma Sluiter said. in their words: “I hope to see the team work better as a team in certain scenarios, making the last shot or play better defense,” senior Shaleen Williams said.

WRESTLING

conference record: 12-12 league standing: Second place season highlight: “Grand Ledge is our biggest meet because they are our biggest rival,” junior Dominick Trevino said.

Sports

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February 2012

Holt High School Ramparts

Senior athletes celebrate success on Signing Day Athletes celebrate with friends and family Dalton Gibson staff writer Every year at the beginning of February, student athletes who plan to play at the college level sign to their future schools and celebrate their accomplishments. Fifteen senior athletes participated in this year’s Signing Day celebration on February 2 in the John W. Chi Library Most of the athletes already signed to their college before this date, and the day was just a celebration, but a few athletes actually did sign with their college that day. Senior Skylen Powell signed with Saginaw Valley to play soccer.

“I signed with this college because the school is new and clean. Also the soccer team is really awesome.

I love the coach and the dorms are amazing,” Powell said.

Some of these student athletes have been dreaming of this day for

Photo by Dalton Gibson

Fifteen seniors take part on Signing Day and sign to their colleges on February 2 in The John. W. Chi Library. The seniors had friends and family come out to support them on this day and they all celebrated their accomplishments. a long time. Now that they are with the team they have worked so hard for, they want to give back and give their best for their team.

“I have always wanted to play football for Michigan State University.

I’ll put forth my best effort, and I will sacrifice myself for the team,” senior Evan Fischer said.

Signing Day was a day to recognize all of these athletes, and their family and friends came to take pictures and watch as each player was announced.

Each player stood up said their name, sport, what college they’re

Don’t Miss This

Boys Varsity Basketball March 1

They will play Lansing Catholic Central High School next Thursday at home, starting at 7:30 p.m. Come support the team before the district tournament.

The theme of the game will be a “Hawaiian Out.”

Hockey February 25

The team will play against Jackson High School tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. A win tomorrow will move the team up the CAAC standings.

Boys Swim and Dive February 25

They will compete at the Conference Finals tomorrow at 2 p.m. at East Lansing High School. Holt and Okemos will compete for the honor of conference champions.

attending, and then they gave thanks to everybody who has helped them get to where they are today.

After they were announced and took pictures, they ate food, snacks and drinks. Many of the student athletes said they are excited to start going to college and be on campus.

“I am very excited to play lacrosse in such a competitive atmosphere. I am also excited to meet new people,” senior Jenna Payne said. Payne will attend Detroit Mercy to play lacrosse.

Not only are these students going to college for sports, but most of

them already know what they want to major in. Some know what they want to do, but others are undecided.

These students will major in subjects like exercise science, criminal justice, psychology, radiology, pre-med, insurance and risk management.

For most of the student athletes, college will be a long drive from home, and they won’t be able to see their family as much. Ben Steward and Dan Romigh are going to Bowling Green and Findlay, which are in Ohio.

Others will only be a short drive from home at schools like Lansing

Community College.

The students say they will keep in touch when their families visit on weekends to watch the athletes play. They will also stay in contact by calling family on the phone a lot and using Facebook.

Even though some students are anxious and a little bit nervous to go to college, other students are excited.

“I’m excited to be in college to start becoming independent and to learn how to do things on my own,” senior Tayler Peiffer said. She is going to be playing volleyball at Jackson Community College.

These students might be a little stressed living the college life because not only do they have sports but they must keep up with their studies.

“I am excited to get on with my life and play football at Bowling Green State. I’m also just ready to have some college fun,” senior Ben Steward said.

These 15 student athletes are ready to stand up and conquer all of the challenges that the college life has to offer.

“I am ready to be in the college atmosphere and to start a new chapter in my life,” Romigh said.