SCHS Source Sept. 2013

Siri, Will you go to HOCO with me?

What’s Inside Perspectives Staff Editorial: School Provide Technolgoy is Necesary

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White Level Helen Grandis

Black Level

Homecoming Activities

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Notable Alumni

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Technology

Find us on the Web:

David Shin

Jim and Liz Murray Evette Moawad Hanna

Homecoming

Hybrid Classes

Carolyn Cerny Leila Freijy Sherry Fallon Dr. Rey Fermin Shruti Patel

Blue Level

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Troubles

Thank you to our donors!

Gold Level

News Rochester Alive

Editoral Policy

Joe and Lena Murray Matthew Schmucker Kathy and Keith Phelps Patrick Seyferth Chris and Bridget Theodoroff Sarah Khan

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Technology Policies

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Info-fun

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www.schssource.wordpress.com

Introductory Level Rose Sicilia Jeanne Vargo Christina Mai Jennifer Huber Paul Shuler Don Morris Malisa Langusch Becky Sekulovski Beverly Sweda Mary Patterson Christina Isaacs Janice and Simon Dover Gloria Berger

think you’re pregnant?

We, the Stoney Creek Source staff, produce this publication to accomplish the following goals: The Source will serve as a means of communication between students, teachers and members of the community. We will respect all opinions and present them in an unbiased manner. The Source will inform and entertain readers and address trends and issues important to its audience.

Although we are a student publication, produced by Writing for a Publication class, we will strive to make the Source accurate and truthful to adhere to all standards of professional journalism. We recognize and respect the privileges given to us under the First Amendment, including the freedom of speech and of the press. The Source is a forum of student expression and we, the staff have the editorial authority to make our own content decisions. We will provide a sounding board for the student and the community; therefore the opinions expressed in by-lines opinion articles and letters should not be considered to be the opinion of the entire newspaper staff, the advisor and the school administration, or the student body as a whole.

Staff Editors-in-Chief

Chase Heinemann Tori Phelps

Photography Editor

Erika Williams

Web Editor

Mila Murray

Multimedia Editor

Simon Sun

Social Media Edtior

Bridget Bartos

Staff Writers

Kara Blackburn, Jenna Borowski,

You Have Choices

Chevalier, Diamond Deshazer, Harrison Dover, Kyle Krucki, Adrian Munteanu, Yera Patel, Julia Saleski, Matt Schmucker, Ryan Sennett, Kevin Shin, Rachel Tudor, Miles Vedder, Madison Young

Crossroads Pregnancy Center

248-293-0070

@scsourceonline

Road Test Coupon $5.00 off American Driver Testing

On The Cover: Photo illustration by Chase Heinemann

Must present This Coupon Test Fee with Coupon is $40 Coupon Expires 10/15/13 MAY ONLY BE USED FOR CAR TEST AT 23 MILE & SHELBY ROAD LOCATION

Appointment Required 586-909-8814 2

SOURCE

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Contact Letter Policy: Letters to the editor and guest articles and art may be submitted to Mrs. Gayle Martin in Room C285. All letters articles, and art must be signed.

Names be withheld upon request.

The Source 575 E. Tienken Rd. Rochester Hills, 48306 Email: gmartin@rochester.k12.mi.us

Members National Scholastic Press Association Michigan Interscholastic Press Association

EDITORIAL: IN OUR HONEST OPINION

learning brings new TALKING TECH: Blended opportunites to newspaper

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tense, regretfully behindschedule newspaper room most closely resembles a fragile, tightly packed balloon.

But instead of the oxygen that allows for than-rubber walls of the room.

In a class where weeks inevitably become days and days painfully become hours, the students that make up the staff of The Source rely heavily on the convenience of the technology provided by the school district to create their publication, or else the delicate balloon will splatter the walls with proud by-lines and clever headlines.

Thankfully, the technology available to the district’s students is more than capable of such a challenge.

At the start of every school year, the rookie students of the class are introduced to the publication process.

After stories are selected and divided up amongst the staff, the creative process keyboard as gentle thoughts transform into elegant sentences. These words transfer to their respective pages in the book and layouts materialize around the text. Without the technology provided

Source Staff Vote: Technology enhances students’ educational experiences.

by the school district, the entire class’ efforts would be rendered useless; the vibrant designs would dissipate back words would return to their jumbled state in the writers’ minds.

On top of the necessity of computer capabilities for a successful issue to be produced, the nature of the class has recently adjusted towards a structure more suited for the modern age of media publishing. Adopting the blended class style, our reporters can utilize about 40 percent of the time previously spent in a classroom can be spent selling advertisements to local businesses, interviewing those featured in stories, etc. This additional opportunity allows for a fuller publication and deadlines are now handled via submission over Docs and Edmodo.

According to Rochester Community Schools’ blended learning handbook, hybrid classes are simply giving Stoney students more opportunities during their four years in these halls.

“Students follow the same curriculum and maintain the same work load as students in non-blended classes, but have more choice in where

and when they do their work,” the hndbook says.

As described by multimedia editor Simon Sun, the blended class style has in recent years at Stoney, adapting to classes as diverse as newspaper, AP Art, and French 4/AP. Newspaper, Martin thinks blended “The reason I wanted it to be a hybrid class was because it is traditionally a class where students would already be working a lot on their own; it’s not a traditional sit-down kind of class,” Martin said. “It just made sense to make the transition, and it will hopefully give kids more freedom to work.”

Technology has become an integral part of modern life, including publishing.

Thanks to the technical opportunities of the Rochester Community Schools district is offering students in various classes, The Source’s staff in addition to the entire student body is given the chance to thrive in an enriching environment dedicated to being on the cutting edge of technology.

Blended classes available at Stoney Creek

Members of The Source’s staff

40%

21

Required class time

Computers labs at Stoney Creek

6

180

Days in an average school year

Maximum hours out of class

72

Source: Rochester Community Schools Blended Learning Handbook

&PRRR

GRRR

Agree: 91%

GRRR

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST, FOLKS!

Q:

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BY THE NUMB3RS

The Source asked students: What do you like about blended, or hybrid, classes?

Tanner Clarke, senior

Maddy Abernathy, junior

“Online learning allows you to work independently while still having class time to be taught and ask questions to your teacher.”

“I can come home and do classwork as homework, instead of going to class, and I’m able to look things up if I don’t know it.”

Melly Houghton, junior

Kyle Butler, senior

“I can sleep in, or get Starbucks in the morning. It just gives me more freedom as student. ”

“I think it really helps prepare me for learning in college. It’s nice to practice independent learning.”

Traumatic Traffic: Tienken’s reconstruction pushed back to mid-Nov. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

She Can’t Stop: Miley Cyrus has turned into quite the Wrecking Ball since her VMA performance.

Friday Night Football Fallout: Canceled football game causes many Kid Cudi attendees to angrily stay home.

Batman and Bieber: Rumors have been swirling that Justin Bieber has been cast as Robin in the upcoming sequel to the “Man of Steel” movie. And you thought it couldn’t get Knight.

PRRR Bill Nye the Dancing Guy?: Our favorite from middle school science makes a comeback on his home network!

The Wonders Never Cease: Wonderbread funding prompts the return of Hostess baked goods! iOS 7? More Like iOS Heaven: Apple’s latest operating system debuted with an all-new look, but gets to 7% quickly.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

SOURCE

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It’s alive!

“Rochester is an all-American town. It has the feel of something you would see in a Norman Rockwell painting.”

Live mannequin event will strike downtown Rochester in early October

Cathy Schulte Holy Cannoli’s Owner

by Victoria Phelps

O

n Oct. 3, the mannequins will begin to blink.

This isn’t another conspiracy theory. Twenty-seven businesses in downtown Rochester will participate in the debut of the town’s live mannequin event called “Rochester Posed.” At 6 p.m. the stores will reveal their windows, each of which will depict a scene they selected from Norman Rockwell’s various paintings.

Cathy Schulte, one of the owners of Holy Cannoli’s, is excited about the event’s Norman Rockwell theme.

“Rochester is an all-American town. It has the feel of something you would see in a Norman Rockwell painting,” Schulte said.

The mannequins of the displays will be acted out by employees, actors, and even local high school students. Shoppers will have two hours to browse through the windows before the mannequins walk off. They are encouraged to vote for their favorite display by placing their ballot in the voting boxes at each scene. The winning business will be announced on downtown Rochester’s Facebook page sometime the following day. It’s also going to be a shopping and dining event, so participating businesses will run sales specials before and after the mannequin reveal.

Events Coordinator Stephanie Hellebuyck, who worked on the committee organizing Rochester Posed, said that they wanted

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SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

the event to have a theme in order to make it more exciting and pointed. They felt that the idea for a Norman Rockwell theme

you.”

a variety of scene options that could appease the town’s wide variety of shops.

The owner of South Street Skateshop, Linda Gallaher,

She also encourages high school students to come downtown for the event. She believes that students will relate well to the overall theme, since a lot of Rockwell’s paintings depict young

“We do have historic buildings, many with beautiful windows that can support this event,” Gallaher said.

Businesses had to work hard to select the perfect scene for their window, though, as all aspects had to be considered.

“I just looked for a Norman Rockwell painting with only one actor where our actor could be sitting down!” Gallaher said.

Other businesses, like Holy Cannoli’s, wanted the scene

life.

“The picture we chose is of a baker with cakes all around him,” said Schulte. “It seemed appropriate since we make cakes and cannoli. Although we’re not technically a bakery, we do make some wedding cakes and we make cassata cakes, which have latiers, employee Danielle Cummings was tight-lipped.

“It’s supposed to be a secret!” Cummings said. “I can’t tell

Cummings does believe that the theme will be the perfect

Hellebuyck thinks that Rochester Posed will become an annual event with a theme that changes year to year. She estimates that 5,000 people will come downtown for the event this year, but hopes that the number of businesses involved and people visiting grows quickly within the next few years.

“I think it’s new, I think it’s fresh, and I think that people will really enjoy it,” Gallaher said. “I hope that it’s something that people can look forward to every October.”

For more information see: downtownrochestermi.com

Tienken traffic troubles drivers The construction on Tienken from Sheldon to Rochester Rd. that will widen the road to posed to end on Nov. 15 and a new project is scheduled to start in March 2014

by Matt Schmucker ROAD CLOSED. LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY. Everybody has seen their fair share of annoying, irritating road construction signs. And if someone hadn’t before, they’ve from Sheldon Road to Rochester Road outside Stoney Creek. Why has Tienken Road been torn up?

Junior Nolan Bick said “I think that they’re widening it to three lanes.”

For no reason at all? Yes, it seems like, at times, Oakland County likes to tear up random parts of roads just to make life Yes, according to the Rochester Hills website (rochesterhills. org), the Tienken construction has a purpose more than just torturing all of us; the road will be widened to three lanes and a new center left hand turn lane is being added to the road. The project

Future phases down the road Stoney Creek High School

Sheldon Rd.

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pushing the date back is a possibility. Through the whole construc-

Junior Nolan Bick, Cross Creek Resident

school’s start. The new circle has raised concrete sidewalks and a new road surface. in and out of the building still have to detour by either taking Rochester to Mead Road and turning back down Sheldon, or by coming up on Dequindre Road to Runyon Road and up Sheldon. According to John Kelley, assistant principal, buses can’t cut through neighborhoods legally because of weight issues, so these two routes are the only options for buses that take the area under construction.

However, one other detour route people frequently use to the displeasure of residents in the area is Cross Creek Boulevard, which runs straight through from Rochester to Sheldon. While this is a handy road to use for people cutting from Rochester to Sheldon, people that live in the neighborhood are not pleased with

says, “It’s a lot more backed up, especially while people are going to school.”

Bick stated, “It’s congested, but not unbearable” Harrison also added, “It’s hard getting out of the subdivision at around 5 or 6 o’clock at night.”

So, as convenient as it seems, try to use the detour up and around on Mead instead of cutting through Cross Creek.

According to the RCOC (Road Commission for Oakland County), this project will cost an estimated $2,000,000. Of that $2,000,000, $1,600,000 will be federally funded and the rest will be split between the RCOC and the city of Rochester Hills. After the completion of this project, Oakland County is scheduled to do construction on Tienken on the other side of Rochester Road all the way to Livernois. This new phase is scheduled to start in March of 2014, and will add a roundabout at Tienken and Livernois.

So, the hassle of having to drive around Tienken will be over on Nov. 15, $2,000,000 later, so students like Bick and Harrison, don’t have to drive around the detour signs until January when phase two begins.

Rochester Rd.

Widen Tienken Rd. between Rochester Rd. and Livernois Rd. to three lanes Start date: March 2014 Construct a traffic circle at Livernois Rd. Start date: March 2014

For more information see:

rochesterhills.org rcocweb.org

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Cross Creek resident and freshman student Kelsey Harrison

(Above and above right) Traffic Troubles: from Tienken Rd. to Mead Rd. during construction. Drivers have experienced back ups and delays, especially during peak hours before and after school. (photos by Matt Schmucker)

Start date: June 1

Tienken Rd.

“It’s congested, but not unbearable.”

Widen Tienken Rd. between Sheldon Rd. and Rochester Rd. to three lanes.

Livernois Rd.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

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These playlists are made up from polls of Stoney Creek Students at lunch.

Freshman Playlist 1. Royals by Lorde 2.Roar by Katy Perry 3.Best Song Ever by One Direction 4. Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus 5. Radioactive by Imagine Dragons

Please don’t sto

Student Coun harmonious H

S

by Bridget Bartos and Rachel Tudor enior Laura Cosentino and homecoming chair anxiously await #NPHOCO. “Decorations have to be done!” Cosentino keeps Student Council members on task during sixth hour. “The Homecoming court ballets need to be counted! Everyone needs to be working! We need to prepare!” Cosentino’s voice proves her nerves for the arrival of Homecoming.

Student council members’ eagerness for this week has been lacking as the preparation has been very pressing, in opinion of Freshman Melissa Ruprich. With the planning for spirit week, homecoming game, and homecoming dance, stress is a common emotion in room (C332).

Track 1: #NPHOCO

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According to Junior Caroline Bracey, Student Council duos work together to create a dream homecoming theme every year. The top three are selected within student council and later voted on by students. The Roaring Twenties and Luau Out were overruled this year by #NPHOCO this year.

“I think #NPHOCO was chosen over the other themes because not everyone may enjoy the twenties, or the beach, but everyone enjoys some type of music”. Bracey says.

The theme of #NPHOCO displays the popularity of twitter hash tags, each class has a different music genre to support #NPHOCO. Seniors were given rap, juniors have country, the sophomore class has pop, and freshmen were assigned rock.

Sophomore Mandy Van Dan Elzen said, “I am so happy we have pop! Everyone likes it and it’s so fun! I’m glad we have it!”

Sophomore Playlist

1. Berzerk by Eminem 2. Roar by Katy Perry 3. Royals by Lorde 4. Safe and Sound by The Capitals 5. Radioactive by Imagine Dragons

Track 2: Spirit Week Spirit week lost Friday this year to a Professional Development day, cutting spirit week down to four days.

“My favorite theme is tie-dye/neon day because it’s fun to see the school all colorful!” said Sophomore Jenny Cline.

According to Andrew Pitlock there will be some new twists to the assembly and the music that will be played will be highly enjoyed by the student body. There will be a spin-off of the game, “Don’t Forget the Lyrics”. A diversity of music will be played, along with new games that will not be revealved until the day of the assembly.

Student Council members will continue to work after the assembly on Thursday

Meet the Senior Homecoming Court

Christian Nafso

Shannon Sovey

Griffen Dean

Laura Cosentino

Junior Playlist 1. Summertime Sadness by Lana del Rey 2. Mirrors by Justin Timberlake 3. Wake Me Up by Avicci 4. Roar by Katy Perry 5. Applause by Lady Gaga

V V

op the music!

ncil Plans Homecoming

o

Track 3: Preparation After nominating and electing Homecoming Court, students will see the people they chose to represent their grade displayed in vintage cars during the homecoming game. Each When Saturday rolls around, students will prepare for the dance.

“I am really excited! It’s going to be so much fun! said Freshman Katie Garity.

Student Council Member Kaylee Dimoff says “The last week will be the most stressful

Track 4: Dancing Queen

said, “The theme is all music so there is a lot you can do with that. There is a lot of good ideas we were able to use, and, of course, the dance is always fun.”

Track 5: Homecoming Dance “It will be really cool to see all the work we’ve done come to life on Saturday, and even more fun to take it all down the next day”. said Garity According to Cosentino, student council members will show up at school on sundy at around twelve. The members will take charge of their hallway, taking everything down they pu up. Student Council will then get together and discuss the weekend.

“Even though we have to come and take everything down, it pays off by being able to see all the progress we’ve made throughout the year.” Bracey said.

With a week left there is still a lot to do, according to Student Council.

Chris Dibble

Jen Semaan

Alyson Boe

Joe Cox

V V

Nails will be done prior to October 5, in order to leave time for hair and makeup. Dresses will have no imperfections as the girls thought long and hard on which dress to choose. The guys, however, will simply shower, do their hair, and throw on a suit. “I am kind of nervous getting ready because there is so much to do but it’s fun!” Dimoff said. As 8 p.m. on October 5

Senior Playlist 1. Wake Me Up by Avicci 2.Clarity by Zedd 3. Tom Ford by Jay Z 4. Holy Grail by Jay Z 5. Mirrors by Justin Timberlake

by Mila Murray That distinctive light blue box with the label Tiffany & Co. is something many American women hunt Brooke Houghton, a 2005 graduate, found something better at Tiffany & Company: A job as a post-productions photographer, retouching catalog, magazine, and advertisement photos for one of the most luxurious jewelry brands in America.

“I always loved retouching,” Houghton said in a phone interview. “It was something I was good at. There is so much you can do with photography.”

Houghton’s art career started in high school when she joined a Drawing 2 class. Later on she realized drawing wasn’t her thing, so Diane Heath, art teacher, pushed her into a photography class.

“As soon as my eye got behind that lens something happened, not to sound cliché,” Houghton said.

“It’s odd how much a singular moment can change your entire life.”

Before her life changing job at Tiffany & Company, Houghton worked at an Apple store in Michigan. A specialist selling computers was not where she wanted to be after majoring in photography and attending an art

school. She dreamed of going to New York.

“With my background knowing Photoshop and InDesign, I was able to be transferred to an Apple store in Soho, New York where I taught photography classes in a theatre that was a part of the store,” Houghton said. “I was totally broke but somehow you make it in New York!”

For a year she worked at the Apple store in Soho with a scary uncertainty about whether or not it was a good idea to pursue her career in such a competitive industry.

“When I moved to New York, I had no friends, no money, no family, no connections,” Houghton said.

“I would just cry at night, like oh my god, what am I doHoughton said.When she studied at College for Creative Studies, she wasn’t expecting the road to a successful art career to be so uncertain.

“Going to school I wanted to be a famous photographer, then I learned that most photographers don’t actually design the pictures. So that made me rearrange my priorities,” Houghton said. “I’m glad that I ended up working in a high fashion company, or in other words, a luxury brand.”

Brooke Houghton 2005

Post Production Photographer

by Mila Murray

John Rapson 2005 Performer

{

He toured our halls and now he’s touring the world.

John Rapson has been living his life in the French revolution ever since he auditioned for “Les Misérables” in 2010. Transitioning from playing the Cowardly Lion in one of his high school musicals to bravely entering the professional theatre world, Rapson is an inspiration.

Rapson majored in Musical Theatre at the University of Michigan but it was high school where his career really began.

“My participation in theatre and choir in high school shaped the man-- and the actor-- I am today,” Rapson said.

According to Brandon Ulrich, choir director, Rapson was a devoted choir and performance kid. He joined choir as soon as the school was open (which was his sophomore year), and had a lead part in all of the musicals he auditioned for.

“I credit Brandon Ulrich and Tim Lentz with a lot-- and I don’t thank them often enough-- because honestly these guys changed my life,” Rapson said.

He started his professional musical theatre career Currently he plays Grantaire and Bamatabois and is the understudy for Javert in the Toronto Production of “Les Misérables”. After that closes he will go to New York to start rehearsing for the Broadway Production of what? “Les

Misérables”.

“The show works on every level and there’s something in it for everyone...even an actor who’s been doing it for two and a half years and almost 1,000 times,” Rapson said.

The audition process-- or in other words the casting director having to sit through hundreds and hundreds of people all trying to get a spot-- was one of the biggest later auditions in the long painful process, so after several callbacks he was luckier than ever to actually get a spot.

“The Toronto Production and Broadway Production had their own audition processes as well,” Rapson said.

“And, clearly, I have been very fortunate to get to continue with the show in these amazing cities.”

Acting and singing for people who traveled to see something truly extraordinary like “Les Misérables” was his goal. As of right now Rapson hopes to be in the show for a good while, but like anyone, he has his dream projects.

Sweeny Todd, Amadeus, and lot’s more.

“I am convinced I have one of the greatest jobs in the world,” Rapson said. “To hear the incredible reaction we get from [the audience] nightly-- well, there’s just nothing like it.”

}

“Theatre and choir in high school shaped the man and the actor I am today” - John Rapson

stoney alumni make us proud with unique careers

It all began here.

glory days

by Mila Murray

There’s a minor planet named after him.

He’s worked at the Center of European Nuclear Research in Switzerland.

Now 2007 graduate Thiago Olson is working on something that could change people’s lives.

Physics teacher Eric Thuma remembers the day back in 2004 when Olson asked him if he knew what a “Farnsworth Fuser” was. Like most human beings, Thuma had no idea what this sophomore was talking about. But

Thiago Olson 2007

nuclear fusion.

The next day, Thuma asked Olson what that was all about. Turns out Olson wanted to build one.

He wanted to build a nuclear fusion reactor.

In his basement.

“I told him, ‘Well, that sounds kind of crazy, but if you want to give it a shot I’ll give you what assistance I can,’” Thuma said.

It cost Olson $2000 and 2 years. When Olson was -

teenth amateur in the world to build this complex machine generating atomic energy.

But it’s an invention not many people have heard of that he’s working on right now.

Olson came back to the Michigan, Ann Arbor to be exact, and is the CEO of Protean Payment, according to LinkedIn. According to Newsle, Protean Payment is developing an Echo card, which allows users to combine all of their credit cards, debit cards, even personal information in one card. If the user needs to use their debit card, for example, they will touch the one of the three sensors on the Echo card and it will act as their debit card.

First an amateur nuclear scientist and now a full scale inventor, Olson’s life after school went in the exact direction he sent it in years ago. Science.

As long as the minor planet 23262 Thiagoolson Olson, one of our very own alumni.

Inventor

by Ryan Sennett He is one of only 77 men to be able to say that he

believe it.”

With the Cougars Fisher played quarterback and get attention from colleges he should play on the offensive line. Fisher had the size, strength, and speed to play any-

rating from Recruits.com, but still Central Michigan saw his potential and recruited him.

Through Fisher’s collegiate career he performed well and stood out his senior year earning a First Team All-American title from Pro Football Weekly, Second Team All-American honors from Sports Illustrated and a Third Team Honors from the Associated Press. Fisher’s rise to fame inspires the Cougars today our Senior Captain and All League Center David Kerr said, “He shows that with hard work you can achieve your goals no matter how great they are.”

The Kansas City Chiefs played the Jacksonville Jaguars in week one and cruised to an easy 28-2 win. The Chiefs coaching staff really wanted to test their recruit and ran almost solely to his side, even though he was battling a hand injury during the game.

Fisher even “impressed” his new Head Coach, Andy Reid, in his NFL debut, but before that the Chiefs also signed him to a $22 million contract with a $14.5 million

signing bonus making him the eighteenth highest paid tackle in the NFL. Fisher will have many challenges ahead of him as Coach Reid, said in a post-game interview with the media, he still has “a couple of things in the run game he’s got to learn how to feel…” meaning that Fisher must adjust to the speed of the players on his and the opposing team.

He must learn how the NFL players move and how they will attack him. He drew the attention of many analysts through his performance, but this was to be expected due to his draft position.

The staff also had Fisher put on some weight to battle the larger, faster, and stronger NFL caliber defensive lineman, and he still managed to be quick and physical. Fisher is expected to get from his current 305lbs to 340lbs.

Fisher’s former Coach and current Notre Dame Prep Assistant Coach Jeffrey Allor says that Fisher “pulled every ounce of potential out of his 6’7” frame with a strong work ethic, determination, and unwavering commitment.”

Head Principle Larry Goralski believes that Fisher’s achievements show “Perseverance” for the school.

Fisher’s “unique situation where he can work in great cato be the absolute best at everything he does.

Goralski believes that Fisher has “paved the way for other athletes at Stoney to not be overlooked because no team will want to miss the legacy Eric Fisher has left behind.”

Eric Fisher 2009 NFL Football Player

The

Education Revolution Internet-age course options allow student exploration

by Simon Sun Junior Sydney Watson occasionally sleeps in until 7:30, and doesn’t arrive at school until second hour.

No, she isn’t skipping class. Instead, she is taking a hybrid class, a course that involves a mixture of traditional and online class settings.

“I was really excited when I found out that the class was hybrid,” Watson said. “I’m used to the same type of class every day, so it was refreshing to try something new.

It’s fun!”

Watson, who is taking French 4, is just one of many students who are experiencing a more widespread implementation of hybrid classes. According to assistant implemented last year, including just three courses. Due to their successes, though, the number was increased to eight this year.

“The teachers saw how the blended model worked, and many started wondering if they can have one,” Kelley said. “The expansion was mainly teacher-driven.”

According to eSchoolNews, hybrid classes are gaining popularity throughout the country. One reason for the concept’s new widespread application is that they allow students to learn at a more individualized pace.

Kelley also offers a few other explanations. don’t have to get up early in the morning or can leave early in the afternoon,” he said. “They can work whenever and wherever they want and can use the normal class time for one-on-one help with the teacher.”

Watson agrees.

“It’s more independent. Plus I get to sleep in!” Watson said.

But blended classes aren’t the only alternative class options. Students are also taking online courses through Michigan Virtual High School, everything from AP Calculus to Chinese. However, both Kelley and counselor Paul Carlin say that online classes are only used to resolve schedule “We don’t have a lot of these options as they are a bit costly,” Carlin said. “So, how we manage the limited

Although online classes are not new, they are a truly modern-day approach to learning, as blended classes are.

Kelley says he hopes such approaches will continue to be implemented and offers his vision of the future.

“We were able to adapt the blended concept to what we already have,” Kelley said. “But I think and I hope that, in the future, we’ll take it a step further and have even

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

5-6 5% 3-4

52% 30%

24% 56%

1-2 1% None 15%

Of students admit to sometimes using a phone in class for recreational purposes

M

T

W

Th

45%

F

Of students use technology for class weekly

77.9% Of students say technology has a positive impact on their learning

112

Number of students out of 170 that say school technology is poor compared to their own

50%

Sophomore Chris Stowell, who is taking AP Calculus BC online, offers another explanation as to why these alternatives are less popular.

“It might be hard to learn for some, as they need someone there to answer questions. Online is completely independent,” Stowell said. “I only took it because Calculus

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54%

17%

Strict

Relaxed

How many teachers do you have that have a relaxed/strict cell phone policy?

= 10 students

Data from survey of 170 students, freshmen - seniors, on Sept. 19.

Infographic by Simon Sun

Of students say SCHS’ technology policies should be more relaxed

Does technology belong in school?

Students adjust to varied technology policies at school

by Erika Williams

S

enior Emily Stolicker has adapted to the policies at school regarding cell phones and other miscellaneous technology over the last three years.

At Stoney Creek, each teacher has a different set of rules pertaining to technology, some more lenient than others. Students have to adjust to different technology rules in different classrooms.

“You just have to remember the standards of each teacher,” Stolicker said. “I’ve gotten used to it over the years.”

An article on CNN.com by Anna Akbari, Ph.D., media, culture, and communication professor at New York University, explains teens’ attachment to technology and how it is taking over their lives. She stresses the importance of the ability to break away from technology.

According to Akbari, a professor on the less lenient side, the classroom is a “sacred place,” not to be undermined by technology.

Science teacher Todd Vince agrees with this opinion.

He describes his classroom rules as “old school.” He believes class time is class time.

“I don’t think the teenage brain can handle too many distractions when they think they can,” Vince said. “So the cell phone, to me, is a distraction from learning in my class.”

Sophomore Christian Heinemann has a different perspective of technology in school.

“Well, technology can get more updated information because the textbooks are older than every single person in this school,” Heinemann said.

As for positive effects of technology in a classroom, according to Vince, the cell phone has very few. He admits,

he has students use their cell phones sometimes, strictly for educational purposes.

“If it’s ‘worth a Google,’ which is an expression I use, it’s positive to use a cell phone,” Vince said, “but there’s a Unlike Vince, math teacher Craig Rizzi has a different perspective on how technology should be handled in class.

In his classroom, students are encouraged to participate in online discussions on Twitter.

“I like to have my students engage in things outside of the classroom,” Rizzi said.

An article published on Edutopia.org by Audrey Watters, an education technology journalist, backs up Rizzi’s opinion on how technology can add to learning experiences. According to the article, cell phones broaden a range of media for teachings, such as online forums.

“I’m okay with letting students use cell phones in class when they have individual work time,” Rizzi said, “as long as they are not spending 20 minutes scrolling through their news feed, Instagramming pictures of their lunch.”

Rizzi even admits to glancing at his phone a few times during class. According to Rizzi, he feels like he can relate to students and their cell phone habits.

“Being a younger teacher, I understand students’ tolerance policy,” Rizzi said.

Conversely, in the CNN article, Akbari states that people need to “unplug” and “create boundaries,” meaning that there is a time and place for technology. People should have at least one time in their day to fully “unplug” and distance themselves from cyberspace. She states that

But how should teachers handle technology wedging its way into the classroom?

According to the Code of Conduct, a student gets placed on Step Two when they reach the point where their phone gets taken away from them, to be picked up by their parents. However, whether or not a phone gets taken away depends on the teacher.

Vince agrees with the fact that there should not be a general policy for technology in school.

“I didn’t grow up with cellphones…you guys have,” Vince said. “I don’t have that skill set to incorporate technology into the classroom.”

Parallel to that, according to Akbari, students should power off when entering a class room. She describes her “wired in” students as anxious whenever they get a text in class. It’s an impulse decision to respond immediately.

Some students of hers will not even realize what they are doing until she points it out. students’ opinions, Heinemann can see her side of the subject.

“People are so connected to social media that chatting online has become their major source of communication,” Heinemann said.

Naturally, Vince agrees with this statement.

“I think the depth of relations has been eroded by the cell phone and will continue to do so,” Vince said.

As for Stolicker, she believes that the rules that have been put in place are for a reason.

“People need to realize that technology can be helpful, but shouldn’t take over education,” Stolicker said.

world. They have eye contact and concentration.

“Technology helps everyone to enjoy learning.It’s more interactive.”

-Freshman Charli Carnill

“A rich school district consisting of rich students should have up to date technology always.

Period.”

-Senior Ryan Hettle

“Usually the phones that get taken away are smartphones, because there are so many things you can do with them.”

Photos by Erika Williams

-Sophomore Nic Napeolone SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

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