Vol. 2, Issue 5

CHARIOT THE

TROY HIGH SCHOOL

TROY, MI.

VOL. 2 ISSUE 5

MARCH 17, 2017

CULTURAL PHENOMENA PAGE 8

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News

The Chariot

The official student newspaper of Troy High School Website troychariot.org Twitter thechariot_news Instagram thechariotnews Snapchat thsTHE_CHARIOT

Staff

Leah Graham, editor-in-chief Jenny Boudon, cartoonist Bianca Bucholtz, copy editor Sarah Semon, design editor Annie Smuts, entertainment editor Sarah Funk, co-feature editor Natalie Suh, co-feature editor Elizabeth Graham, graphics editor Kendyl Gatzemeyer, marketing editor Liam Clancy, news editor Skyla Jewell-Hammie, opinion editor Elisabeth Andrews, co-photo editor Silvia Hoxha, co-photo editor Tracy Cabej, profile editor Katie Bogdanovich, source editor Gabrielle Francois, web editor Priya Bandstra, staff writer Patti Kubota, staff writer Sara Lewandowski, staff writer Morgan MacDonald, staff writer Kaitlyn Piggott, staff writer Stella Spagnuolo, staff writer Jack Stromberg, staff writer Megan Wallace, staff writer Maddie Young, staff writer Jayna Rumble, adviser

The Chariot Staff Policy The Chariot is a student-produced news publication that publishes information relevant to the times as well as material that is essential to the overall well-being of its readers. It is The Chariot’s responsibility to cover school, city, state, national and international events and issues that affect the concerns of the campus, its students or its readers.

The Chariot operates as a designated public forum for student expression. The Editorial Board consisting of student editors is the sole decision-making and policy-setting body of The Chariot and has final say over all content decisions. The adviser and administration have a non-review role and may offer advice on sensitive issues and will offer criticisms as warranted but the Editorial Board reserves all rights to determine what material shall be published.

Editorials represent the collective opinion of The Chariot staff.

Opinions expressed by individuals and in letters to the editor represent those of the author. Letters to the editor should be typed, double-spaced and must include the author’s name, signature and class or position. Names of individuals may be withheld upon request, pending a vote of the Editorial Board.

Letters may be submitted in hard copy to room 204 at Troy High School or via email at troynewspaper@gmail.com. All letters are subject to review by the Editorial Board. Letters will not be edited except to fix space limitations. Should the Editorial Board deem a letter to be potentially libelous or containing content inappropriate for publication it will return the letter to the author with an opportunity for corrections. The Editorial Board is solely responsible for these decisions. Letters must be received one week prior to print publication to be included in print.

Students and families walk at a Relay For Life event.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROCHELLE HOLMAN

Smith Middle School to Host Relay for Life Event Students form teams in order to participate in an annual charity walk on Saturday, June 3 in an effort to help raise money as well as awareness for the American Cancer Society.

BY SILVIA HOXHA // CO-PHOTO EDITOR Relay For Life, the primary monetary event for the American Cancer Society, will be hosting its chief fundraiser at Smith Middle School on Saturday, June 3 from noon to midnight. Leading up to the event, teams from all over the city will be organizing fundraisers while also arranging the walk.

“Team members take turns walking around a track or designated path,” Rochelle Holman, community manager for the Relay for Life of Troy, said. “Each team is asked to have a member on the track at all times.”

This year’s Relay For Life is Olympic-themed. As of now, there are three Troy High teams who are participating in the event, one of which is Project Lead’s Troy Lifesavers team.

Team captain and senior Shannon Lin has been helping organize partnerships with restaurants to help raise money. “[Some of the partnerships are with] Chipotle on March 11 and

Panera Bread on March 30,” Lin said. “A great way to help contribute to the organization is by attending [these] fundraisers.”

Junior Jacob Sirhan, who also has his own team for the fundraiser, has been participating in the event for six years and said that the cause is a personal one for him.

“My grandma died when I was eight years old from cancer,” Sirhan said. “Since then, I’ve had four or five other family friends and family members who have died [because of cancer] or have gotten it. This year, I’m the captain of my own team. It’s something I love to do.”

Lin said that she decided to participate for the experience.

“I joined [to help] out a cause that affects so many,” Lin said.

Relay For Life isn’t only a local organization. More than 20 countries participate in the event.

“We are hoping many more schools and students join us for

2017,” Holman said. “Students can also bring friends and family and just come out for the day, walk the track with us, participate in the fun and help us celebrate cancer survivors.”

Middle and high schools in Troy have participated in Relay For Life for many years, with Smith Middle School being the largest fundraising team for several years.

“We depend on the young people,” Sirhan said. “We depend on NHS to volunteer.”

The American Cancer Society provides programs and services to cancer patients and their families, and it uses volunteers to raise funds.

“They provide education regarding cancer and cancer screenings, as well as provide for critical, cutting-edge cancer research,” Holman said. “Cancer patients don’t stop because they’re tired, and, for one night, neither do we.”

COVER PHOTO BY LEAH GRAHAM

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News

PHOTO BY LEAH GRAHAM

Senior Megan Durell teaches special education students in the LINKs class.

Events Raise Awareness for Special Education Students Different organizations and clubs are working toward eliminating derogatory vocabulary and building recognition for people with disabilities.

BY KATIE BOGDANOVICH // SOURCE EDITOR On March 14 the Special Olympics World Winter Games officially began. This year the games are being held in Austria, featuring thousands of athletes from all around the world. The Special Olympics are the world’s largest sports organization for people with physical disabilities. Some of the sports featured are basketball, alpine skiing, volleyball and golf.

“I definitely think Special Olympics are super super important. That is because they give people the opportunity to be a part of something like a team,” senior Megan Durell said.

The Special Olympics works to spread acceptance throughout the world with trainings, competitions, health screenings and fundraising events.

While those all over the world are working and participating in the Special Olympics, students are taking part in another organization to help raise awareness for those with disabilities. Spread the Word to End the Word is a national campaign organized to help spread awareness to try to end the use of “retard.” This word has been used as a derogatory synonym for “dumb” or “stupid” for many years.

“People do not try and understand others. I find it completely offensive and insensitive to put down a group of people,” senior Brianna Zuhl said.

One of the main goals for this organization is to replace the R-word with a different one: respect. The term was once used as a medical term, but

over the years became a taunt to put people with disabilities down. Many different websites

“People do not try and understand others. I find it completely offensive and insensitive to put down a group of people.”

-senior Brianna Zuhl

offer people the opportunity to take the pledge and help end the use of this word. “I believe

awareness is the key to knowledge. The more people communicate, the more other people become aware. Then we can all help Spread The Word To End The Word,” special education teacher Jeff Uberti said.

Student to Student has also been raising awareness for kids with disabilities. Club members work with these students and participate in different activities with them to help them feel more included.

“I joined because after doing a year of LINK class I became really interested in helping special ed kids, so I wanted to be more involved with them out of school and Student to Student,” junior Caitlin Smith said. “Deleting this word from everyone’s vocab means a lot to me because the kids I work with have had this used to de-

scribe them but they are just like us.”

Student to Student was formed two years ago.

“Myself and a former THS student, Bobby Hahn, created the club when I was a sophomore. I have always been a part of it,” Durell said.

The club recently became a class. Members of the class work with students with disabilities on different everyday activities.

“I plan on majoring in Special Education and Intervention Specialist at BGSU next year; it is a big passion of mine,” Durell said. “Most people do not see the damage they do when they carelessly throw around the R-word but it is time the use of this word came to an end and we start thinking before we speak.”

News

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Seniors Allison Feng and Shannon Lin (left) play with the Symphony Orchestra at a city council meeting on Monday, March 6.

PHOTO BY LEAH GRAHAM

Band and Orchestra to Perform in NYC The students in the band and orchestra programs will take separate trips to New York City to play concerts at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.

BY BIANCA BUCHOLTZ // COPY EDITOR Every year the bands and orchestra take a group trip and have previously gone to places like Disney World and Nashville, Tennessee. This year, the band and orchestra will go to New York City.

“I’m really excited for New York because I love big cities,” senior Symphony Orchestra violinist Allison Feng said. “I’ve wanted NYC as my senior year orchestra trip since freshman year. My friend Shreya and I have been obsessed with NYC for years, and it’s so cool that we actually get to go together.”

While in New York, the groups have a list of activities planned for the trip, including attending a Broadway show and sightseeing.

“It’ll probably be places like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building,” Feng said.

They will attend the current run of “Aladdin” on Broadway.

“I think we are going to see ‘Aladdin,’” junior Symphonic Band percussionist Karthik Ganapathy said. “I am very excited.”

While on the trip, band will be performing at Lincoln Center, home of the Metropolitan Opera,

New York City Ballet, the New seems nothing short of fitting.”

“I am excited and nervous to York Philharmonic Orchestra While the band plays at the play at Carnegie Hall,” senior Symand other performing arts pro- Lincoln Center, orchestra will phony Orchestra violist Andrew ductions. The band, under the perform at Carnegie Hall, which Li said. “It’s just a great venue, and direction of Brian Nutting, will houses three different perfor- I can’t wait to see how we sound. perform on March 24, for which mance halls within it. Carnegie I think my first reaction will be to they have been rehearsing since Hall was previously home to New the size of Carnegie Hall. I spent the beginning of the year.

York Philharmonic Orchestra and a lot of time in my closet practic“I am exing, so the size cited to play at change will be Lincoln Cenrefreshing.”

“My favorite part of the whole trip ter,” Ganapathy Though the will be remembering the said. “I primarp er for mances ily play mallets, will be the main whole trip as my last orchestra and I will be a event, severmemory of Troy High. featured soloal members of No matter how good or bad the trip ist in the New both band and York concert. orchestra said is, I’ll have something to remember.”

Normally it is they are excited -senior Symphony Orchestra just our parents about the trip to watching us, New York itself. violist Andrew Li and over there “I think my it will be great favorite part will to play in front be just being of a packed audience that hasn’t American Academy of Dramat- in such a big and busy city, since heard us. That is an experience ic Arts. It is now a venue where it’s definitely a change from the not many high school bands get world-renowned musicians and suburbs,” Feng said. “I love the to have. It is always exhilarating productions perform. The orches- atmosphere and convenience of to play a part of such a prestigious tra, under the direction of Bryan New York and hope that we’ll get group that plays the highest cali- Kolk, will play on March 20 at the time to walk around and explore ber of music. Taking our class, our Symphonic Series For Bands and by ourselves. We also get to miss energy and talent to New York Orchestras event. three days of school.”

For several seniors going on the trip, they are excited about spending time with their friends and enjoying their last trip with the school.

“I’m less excited about New York and more excited about spending time with my friends,” Li said. “I’ve found that these places are only fun because I spend it with others. My favorite part of the whole trip will be remembering the whole trip as my last orchestra memory of Troy High. No matter how good or bad the trip is, I’ll have something to remember.”

The trip had been planned for several months.

“This is something that everyone looks forward to from the beginning of the year,” Ganapathy said. “The band trip always just brings people together. It’s a lot of time that you spend around people and playing music. Who doesn’t love making music? It really is such a great experience that I get to go to New York during my four years of high school and I am really looking forward to it.”

News

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Foreign Exchange Students Arrive in America Japanese high school students fly in to experience American culture by living with Troy students and families for three weeks.

BY PATTI kUBOTA // STAff wRITER On March 7, 13 high school exchange students flew in from Japan and were each paired with a student from Troy High to live with for three weeks. The objective of the host families is to make their exchange student feel like part of their family and to help them improve their English. Host students bring their exchange students around with them everywhere they go, including classes, sports practices and clubs.

Although some students had to make some adjustments in order to give their exchange students somewhere to sleep, others didn’t have to prepare as much.

“The only reason I can host is because I have a bunk bed in my room, so it’s pretty lucky that I do,” freshman Sunny Gronstad said.

Sophomore Katie Krell is also sharing a room with her exchange student.

“The student will be sleeping in their own bed, but they will be sharing a room with me since I have three other siblings in the house,” she said.

Japanese teacher Kim Benbow hopes that both the Japanese exchange students and his Japanese students will benefit both lin-

guistically and socially from the experience. He likes to think of the host students and exchange students as brothers and sisters.

“I want young people from different cultures to get to know each other,” Benbow said.

“What if they don’t like the food? What if they find their experience here boring?

What if I accidentally say something insulting to them?”

-sophomore katie krell

Gronstad is hosting a 16-yearold girl named Mariko Miyake. He hopes to become good friends with Miyake by bringing her to different places around Michigan.

“I’d like to take them to the museums in Detroit,” Gronstad said. “I think that’s always fun.

I’m super looking forward to just hanging out with her.”

Gronstad said he is nervous about how he will talk to her.

“I think my biggest fear is the language barrier,” he said.

Krell is also hosting a 16-yearold girl named Mano Kondo.

Krell said she wants to bond with Kondo and get better at speaking Japanese by doing a variety of activities with her such as shopping, bowling and laser tag.

“I’m hosting this year because I thought it would be a new and exciting experience,” Krell said. “I get to meet new people and learn things about their culture and be able to improve my Japanese with someone native to the language.”

Although Krell is excited to host, she said she had a few concerns.

“What if they don’t like the food? What if they find their experience here boring? What if I accidentally say something insulting to them?” Krell said.

The students leave on March 25, but the host families will stay in touch with them after they fly back home to Japan.

PHOTO COURTESY Of kIM BENBOw

Japanese foreign exchange students arrive at the airport.

U-M Admits, Denies Deferred Applicants

Students hear back about the status of their admissions.

BY LEAH GRAHAM // EDITOR-IN-CHIEf

A wave of students who were deferred from the University of Michigan after applying early heard back regarding their admission status on Friday, March 10. 241 Troy High students applied in December and 129 were admitted as of, March 14.

“They get 53,000 applications for 6,500 spots,” guidance counselor Anne Young said. “Can you imagine the odds? The number of applicants have gone up across the country, so the odds have gotten harder.”

Senior Audrey Thompson was one of the students accepted on March 10.

“When I found out I was honestly very surprised,” she said. “After getting deferred, I had lost some hope of getting in so I started looking towards other schools like MSU and Penn State.”

All applicants not accepted by

U of M were deferred, not redeny, so that I can finalize jected. where I’ll attend.”

“I never thought they deYoung said that students ferred everyone in the past,” should “continue to show inYoung said. “This time they terest” if they are deferred. did defer everyone. They had “You want to send an email done no denials. They were saying how interested you are all deferrals.” because it’s your number one Senior Ameen Namboorichoice of where you want to madathil Sinaph was deferred go and then if you’ve done as well. anything like been in the play “Although I was disapwith a big part or an acapointed when I received my demic club event like DECA, decision, the deferral hasn’t [you] could email that upchanged my opinion on the date,” she said. school much,” he said. “The Senior Sofia Salinas’s adbiggest mental obstacle for mission status was also upme- and for everyone else in PHOTO COURTESY Of AUDREY THOMPSON dated. the same boat as me, I’m sure- Senior Audrey Thompson visits campus.

“I found out at midnight,” out, but I’ve been trying to stay as right now is the uncertainty of she said. “I was studying for my not knowing. It’s a little stressful objective as possible. At this point, test and I just absolutely freaked seeing nothing change every time I I would just like to know what my out. I woke up my whole entire check when a wave of decisions roll decision is, whether it’s admit or family. Everybody was sleeping and

I was screaming. I felt like I wasn’t able to do it and then I realized that I actually could, so it’s like I accomplished one of my biggest dreams, so now I feel like super confident about going to school.”

Thompson said she was excited about being admitted as well.

“I was super stoked to get in,” she said. “I had worked really hard to bring my grades up and score well on my ACT, so it felt like all my hard work had finally paid off. I don’t think getting deferred makes me any more or less comfortable about going to U of M- I understand that for early decision picks, they accept students who have family ties to Michigan, and the kids who have near perfect grades.

Waiting to hear back sucked, but my good news was totally worth the wait.”

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Sports

PHOTO BY LEAH GRAHAM

Senior varsity softball player Mary Cianciolo grips her facemask during an away game last season.

Fewer Players Try Out for Softball Due to homework and busy schedules, students who peviously played said they decided not to join the team in order to focus more on school.

BY MADDIE YOUNG // STAFF WRITER MEGAN WALLACE // STAFF WRITER The girls softball program has been seeing fewer and fewer players at tryouts the past couple of years. The tryouts for the 2017 season began on March 13, and most players said they expect to have a good season. While there have been enough players to fill three teams- varsity, junior varsity and freshman- in years past, some said it has been harder figuring out positions with limited player options.

“In the past couple of years, numbers have gone down so much at tryouts,” varsity softball player junior Caitlin Moon said. “It went from like 20 to 30 girls trying out for varsity to barely enough to make a team.”

Many student athletes find it difficult to balance sports and academics, which is why some girls do not try out.

“Playing a sport and being in school at the same time is very stressful for a lot of people, so they get overwhelmed and don’t want

to play again the next year,” varsity softball player senior Emma Marshall said.

It is a trend among many upperclassmen, especially seniors, to quit playing their sport in order to alleviate stress in their final year before graduating.

“Senior year, people don’t want to play a sport; they don’t want to be overwhelmed,” Marshall said.

Some players felt that more importance is placed on academics, rather than practicing sports.

TIME published a study asking students what value they placed on academics on a scale of 1-10. The average response was a 9, indicating that the majority of teens view themselves as students before an athletes.

Busy schedules make it difficult for students to attend practices and games. This is why many students are forced to pick just one activity that they want to pursue after school, which leads many players to opt out of softball.

“With all of the extracurriculars that Troy High offers, there’s less time in the day to schedule practices without missing things like band, orchestra and jobs,” varsity softball player senior Brittany Malaga said.

Sophomore Leya Chambo, who played varsity softball last year, decided not to try out again this year. “[I’m] stressing about school and a bunch of AP courses and the SAT. It was hard balancing everything,” Chambo said.

Experienced players are leaving, and some said they felt that any new or less experienced players might present the team with small setbacks. Instead of moving forward, returning players may have to cover old plays and techniques again.

“You have to relearn all the plays and drills, so you have to teach the few new kids. We have less time to be learning new things rather than going over old stuff,” Marshall said.

While having fewer players can

make some aspects of the season harder, Moon said she feels that good things can come out of this, too.

“I think the players who will end up playing will be more dedicated,” she said.

However, Moon said she also feels that a large team offers a larger support system and a greater opportunity to bond with new people.

“I feel like it’s better to have more people on the team because then there are more people supporting you,” Moon said.

Varsity coach Tom Calnen said he believes this year will show improvements from last year, despite the falling number of players.

“We went through some serious growing pains but I think that it kind of woke everyone else back up. There is a recommitment to understanding what it takes to be successful,” Calnen said.

Some players said they felt that getting girls interested in softball

at a younger age would help by the time they reach high school. Longer lasting interest would then lead to more dedication and more girls at tryouts.

“I think if we talk to kids in middle school and younger and get people to start enjoying the sport at a young age then they won’t be nervous to try out in high school,” Moon said.

Malaga and Calnen agreed that the program needs a way to involve more of the youth in the community.

“We need to spread awareness,” Malaga said. “It’s not the most popular sport at Troy High, but if younger kids can learn and think it could be fun then that could help.”

Calnen said he feels that while not a large number of girls try out, those who do are exemplary.

“I have been proud of the program because of the type of kids we have; there is such a huge bar for new players to live up to,” Calnen said.

Sports

Indoor Track Wins First in Several Events

7 Nine runners qualify to compete at the Michigan Indoor Track State Finals.

BY MEGAN WALLACE // STAFF WRITER MORGAN MACDONALD // STAFF WRITER The indoor track team traveled to Aquinas College in Grand Rapids for the Michigan Indoor Track State Finals on Feb. 24. Nine runners qualified through the Breen Track Club, which consists of runners and coaches from across the state. Math teachers Eric Prowse and Michael Messina, along with Matthew Richardson, coached. The nine runners who competed were seniors Alyssa Asmar, Brandon Davis, Andrew Dingwall and Islam Aly; juniors Megan Worrel and Hannah Palomino; and sophomores Lauren Fulcher, Abby Kerr and Donald O’Keefe. The team has been training for the state meet since the end of cross country season in October.

“I do workouts three times a week and run six times a week,” Davis said.

The team had been working for time during the school year, doing an assortment of workouts and runs to prepare.

“It really depends. We do mile-

age days and then workout days, so it varies each time,” Palomino said.

The 4x400 relay team placed first overall.

“I definitely think all the training paid off. I could tell a difference from the beginning of the season to the end,” Fulcher said.

However, Fulcher said she prefers the 60 meter hurdle.

“I like hurdles,” she said. “Because it’s not just running. It adds a different, more fun element.”

Fulcher has been running track since eighth grade.

“I think it is really rewarding.

Not only is it relaxing, but it’s good for your health too,” she said.

Palomino and Worrel were two of the four runners on the 4x800 relay team, which also took first place.

“Before I run, I get pretty nervous, but I try not to let it get to me,” Palomino said.

Worrel finished in first place overall in the women’s 800 meter

run and both Palomino and Worrel qualified for Nationals in New York on March 10.

“I knew I had a shot at winning going into the race, but I was going to have to run really fast and have a really good race,” Worrel said. “When the race was over I was so excited and thankful that I could do as well as I did. It is all due to the amazing coaches we have on our team and also the support from all of my teammates.”

Messina said the team improved a lot over the past few years. He believes that if they get more kids into running at a younger age they can have even more runners qualifying for big meets.

“I’d say we are making progress and heading in the right direction,” Messina said. “We have to keep striving to improve in the future.”

Now that the indoor track season is over, the runners transition to the outdoor track spring season, which started on March 13.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAN WORREL

Junior Megan Worrel runs at the meet at Aquinas College.

248-436-8230

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In-Depth

EVENTS SPOTLIGHT CULTURE, IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES In addition to recent protests and a documentary filmed on campus, showcases celebrate various traditions and customs as well as heritage throughout southeastern Michigan.

BY TRAcY cABEj // PROfILE EDITOR LIAM cLANcY // NEWS EDITOR GABRIELLE fRANcOIS // WEB EDITOR SARA LEWANDOWSkI // STAff WRITER STELLA SPAGNuOLO // STAff WRITER

A

heavy duty camera panned to show the dozen students arranged in a circle of desks. One by one, they looked into the lens and introduced themselves. The first question posed was an icebreaker of sorts: where do you call home?

The answers varied: Japan, China, Albania, Pakistan, Korea and Troy. Moderators recentered the conversation intermittently if it digressed from the topic of interest- the experiences of first and second generation members of immigrant families.

Junior Alisa Young was born in Japan and moved to the U.S. when she was young.

“I’ve had this experience where I go to Japan and talk to my Japanese friends,” she said. “They’ll tell me, ‘Wow, your Japanese is so Americanized, you have an accent.’ Sometimes I find myself using Google Translate for certain words I don’t know because I’ve become accustomed to English so much that I’ve forgotten a lot of

Japanese words. I think it’s good to keep in touch with your other culture once in awhile just to keep up with it.”

The dialogue was filmed for

“There’s a pretty large diversity of the different types of dances that we do. I never thought I would see a Raas group at Troy High.”

-IASA member sophomore justin jones

a documentary facilitated by the Council of Asian Pacific Americans and funded by a $25,000 grant from the Michigan Humanities Council.

A Day Without Immigrants Feb. 16

PHOTO BY ELISABETH ANDREWS

Junior ESL student Karen Alvanez listens to a book talk.

Southeastern Michigan has a large population of foreign-born residents, and, according to the latest census figures, Troy has the second highest percentage in the state at 27.7 percent.

Many clubs, both official and unofficial, celebrate the cultures of these different communities.

The school chapter of CAPA organized the filming session. Other events, such as the Troy Social Justice Project’s annual Culture Show and the Indian American Student Association’s Tamasha: The Spirit of Celebration, spotlight the variegated heritage and customs of the student body.

IASA’s competitive dance team Troy Zahara performed at Desi Tashan on Friday, March 3.

“It’s a healthy competition between the different schools of our region,” IASA board member junior Ethan Lazrado said. “There’s also a larger circuit in colleges, so this funnels us into that.”

Zahara won first place in 2016.

This year, seven teams competed

Troy Zahara member senior Serena Yee pivots onstage at Desi Tashan, an an

in the event at Northville High School, but Zahara didn’t place.

Tamasha, IASA’s next event, is a showcase of various Indian dances on March 30. Sophomore Justin Jones will perform two dances, Bhangra and Raas.

“Raas is a traditional dance form,” he said. “Bhangra is a Punjabi dance that was originally meant to celebrate the harvest in India, and now it’s a very energetic, lively dance that a lot of people

enjoy seeing.”

The IASA board, a leadership panel composed primarily of upperclassmen, handled the logistics of the show.

“Preparing the IASA show is a lot of work because we have seven different dances in the show,” Lazrado said. “We need to make sure that every dance is show-ready and each dance is eight minutes long, so it’s a lot of preparation. We also have to check up with each dance

CAPA Community Dialogue Feb. 28

PHOTO BY LEAH GRAHAM

Senior Jesse Yin speaks about his experiences on-camera.

Desi Tashan March 3

Junior Esha Ghosalkar performs at De

In-Depth

9

PHOTO BY LEAH GRAHAM

nnual cultural high school dance competition.

to make sure they’re on track.”

Junior Kamal Kadari is the choreographer for the South Indian dance.

“It’s different from the others because all the others are just traditional dances, but South Indian has a hip hop element and has American culture mixed into it,” he said. “When I’m making the mix, I like mixing the Indian dance and hip hop dance moves into one. My main focus is to ex-

pand the Indian culture by teaching Indian dance and hip hop and mixing them into one.”

Of Troy’s immigrant population, about 25 percent of foreign-born residents are from India, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

“My parents had a job lined up for them here,” sophomore Harsh Narayankar said. “Immigration doesn’t have that big of an effect on the community because not everyone is bad.”

According to a 2015 study from the Pew Research Center, 45 percent of U.S. adults said immigrants are making American society better in the long run while 37 percent said the opposite.

In response to a recent spike in anti-immigrant sentiment- the Southern Poverty Law Center counted 280 cases of harassment or intimidation in the 10 days after the Nov. 9 election- “A Day Without Immigrants,” a dual boycott and strike, was staged on Feb. 16. Many immigrants across the country stayed home from school and work for a day to protest President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration and his latest executive order to curb travel from six Muslim-majority countries.

“My parents moved here to get a better life for us because we wouldn’t have had the same rights in the Middle East,” sophomore George Azar said. “I like Troy because it is so culturally diverse, so you could have a class of like thirty people and you could have 95 percent of them be a different culture than you.

Troy High wouldn’t be Troy High without immigration. If it was all one ethnicity, no one would really learn anything cultural-wise because everyone would be the same.”

A 2016 poll from Vox and Morning Consult reported that “Americans’ views about immigration differ substantially ac-

Culture Show

PHOTO BY LEAH GRAHAM

“It’s fun to see how people integrate their culture into American culture, to show that even though we all live in America, we still bring our cultures with us.”

-sophomore Prisha Grover

the Middle Eastern Student Association. The show took place on March 16 in the auditorium.

“It’s fun to see how people integrate their culture into American culture, to show that even though we all live in America, we still bring our cultures with us,” sophomore Prisha Grover said.

“It’s a combination of dances and performances from cultures

around the world. I guess with all the tension going on right now, and because ours is about Middle Eastern culture, it’s kinda cool to see that it’s not all just what we see in the media.”

The show included a variety of acts, such as KPop groups, slam poetry, Italian opera and traditional Chinese dancing.

Freshman Gina Moy performed American Sign Language.

“This is the first time in the entire history of Troy High that there has been someone performing sign language,” she said.

“The Cultural Show is where many people can just share what they love about their own culture, share their beliefs and their values and what they love about it in their own way. There’s dancing, there is poetry, whatever you want, as long as you express your love for your culture.”

Back at the CAPA documentary filming session, senior Jesse Yin identified with Young’s anecdote about Americanized language.

“Growing up my first words were in English, which is really weird because my whole family is Chinese,” he said. “I think it’s because I watched so much TV. It’s something that’s pretty scary because it’s so easy to be able to just lose your culture because you’re surrounded by so much outside influence. Keeping in touch with your culture is something you have to work at.”

IASA

March 16

esi Tashan in Northville.

cording to where the immigrants are from; immigrants from Europe and Asia are viewed much more positively than immigrants from Africa and Latin America, and immigrants from the Middle East are viewed least positively of all.”

IASA was also involved with the Troy Social Justice Project’s annual Culture Show, along with

March 30

PHOTO BY NATALIE GuISINGER

Sophomore Anatalia Klein (right) hula dances at the 2016 Culture Show.

PHOTO BY NATALIE GuISINGER

Junior Afriti Chinoy performs on stage at IASA last year.

10

Below the Scenes

Features Members of the pit orchestra play live music to provide the soundtrack to school musicals.

BY SARAH SEMON // DESIGN EDITOR The stairs down to the pit orches- twist to it,” Kamat said. “Whenevtra were dimly lit, the smell of stale er we’re resting, I find myself just popcorn hung in the air. Descend- grooving to the beat.”

“Guys and Dolls” is known for ing into the pit was a minuscule adventure, dodging the various mu- its up tempo and energetic music, sicians scrambling before rehearsal. which can be challenging to perUnderneath the stage, the ceiling form.

“I can’t really pick one [song] was covered in multicolored signatures of the seniors who played in because there is challenging parts years past. Complaints on the lack in each song,” senior violinist Sang of space were shouted out, but the Yoon Moon said.

While being in pit unites this musicians made the best of it.

“We’re going to arrange it like group of students, there are many a jazz band,” director Brian Nutting reasons why the musicians joined. said.

Some pit members found it was just Seats moved accordingly while another way to keep up their passion the actors and actresses tested their of playing music. mics overhead. A hodgepodge of “I love my instrument, I love musounds filled the room as warm- sic, I love viola, and violin actually ups began. Scales, excerpts from has given me some insight on how the opening number of “Guys and to play viola,” Kamat said.

Others found it to be a fun after Dolls” and tuning notes floated out of the pit and up to the world above. school activity where they could not “Half the people apparently think only play music but stay connected what’s being played is a professional with their friends.

“I love hanging out with my recording,” senior viola-turned-violin player Vineet Kamat said. “Other friends and we all decided to do it PHOTO BY LEAH GRAHAM people don’t even know that pit even together,” Sabelhaus said.

Members of the pit orchestra pack up after the in-school performance of “Guys and Dolls.” exists, and most people think that Some students were needed to fill there is some professional pit we’re the instruments quota.

Leading up to the show’s paying that’s being brought in.”

“There’s not a lot of upperclassopening night, rehearsals started There was a collection of live men who play saxophone in Symaround 2:30 p.m. and were led by performers underneath Nutting. Nutting selected the the stage playing the piece he felt they needed to run soundtrack of “Guys and through and made any changes “Half the people Dolls.” Out of the 31 musihe deemed fit. The rehearsals cals put on by Troy Theatre apparently think what’s also required collaboration Ensemble over the past few with the cast. being played is a decades, 28 of those musi“Sometimes the singers from cal soundtracks were perprofessional recording. the musical come down and formed by a student orchessing with us,” Youness said.

Other people don’t tra. Pit is composed of those “They tell us what they want in Symphonic Band as well even know that pit even to rehearse, if they want us to as Symphony Orchestra take it faster or slower, change exists, and most people this or that.” due to the limited number of spots. The musicians go The members gave buddy think that there is some through an audition probags to one another once a professional pit we’re cess, then rehearsals begin. week during the running of the “We had auditions a show, filled with snack food, paying that’s being few months back and, after candy and trinkets. winter break, we started rebrought in.”

“I play pit for the food,” hearsing about twice a week Moon said.

-senior viola-turned-violin with each other,” junior flute For some pit members, playplayer Vineet Kamat player Elayna Sabelhaus ing in the show is a feeling of said. “Just a few weeks ago, being a part of something bigthe singers started to come in [to phonic [Band], so they needed ger than just the music. sing] with us.” someone,” sophomore saxophone “It’s fun to be part of a muLike audience members, pit mem- player Jenna Youness said. Youness sical; I’m not much of an actor is one of the four underclassmen in bers also had their favorite songs. or singer so when I can join “My favorite number has got to pit, which is mainly comprised of PHOTO BY SARAH SEMON through music, it’s cool,” YouBand director Brian Nutting conducts the pit orchestra. be ‘Havana’. It’s got such a nice Latin juniors and seniors. ness said.

Features

11

Students Start Nonprofit

Step On Poverty’s goal is to help businesses in developing countries develop their economies.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL LIN

Juniors Josiah Willis, Michael Lin and William Zhang collect shoes for Step On Poverty.

BY ANNIE SMUTS // ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Junior Michael Lin recently created the district-wide nonprofit Step On Poverty, which promotes beneficial economic practices in developing countries. In August 2016, Lin was approached by former Athens seniors to create the organization.

“We realized the potential of non-profit work and saw that [none] in Troy are tailored to the ability and skills of students,” Lin said.

Lin is the executive director and oversees the organization’s three initiatives: consulting, environmental and shoe. The first is focused on marketing for local businesses.

“We offer our free services to restaurants and business to help them branch out in our community,” sophomore Puja Kumar said. “In return we hope to gain a business relationship for future endeavors.”

They also hope to improve the local economy by developing businesses’ websites and their social media presence and solving problems. Two different groups are focused on Troy and Ann Arbor.

“We’re trying to make Troy more economically well by helping small businesses in our area,” chief marketing officer sophomore Tiffany Guo said.

The environmental initiative makes sure that businesses are using ethical environmental practices to come up with positive solutions and make an impact. A sound environment can ensure that businesses are able to be self-sustainable. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, American consumers spent $400 billion at self-substainable companies in 2010.

Step On Poverty’s largest initiative is the shoe initiative. The goal is to send shoes collected from the

Troy area to developing countries for businesses in the area to resell for low prices.

“We hope to empower the youth, enact charitable acts with economic pragmatism and reveal the potential of non-profit organizations.”

-junior Michael Lin “Other shoe charities contributed to ‘economic dumping,’” Lin said. “While free shoes were giv-

en to people in underdeveloped countries, local businesses attempting to make and sell shoes were put out of business and people lost their jobs.”

As of early March, Step On Poverty collected 3,777 pairs of shoes, surpassing their original goal of 3,000 pairs. Now they hope to collect 9,000 pairs. On various occasions, the Troy High and Athens National Honor Societies, Project LEAD and Step On Poverty members have put up fliers at schools and at the Troy Public Library.

They also went door to door asking for gently used shoes.

“We’re halfway there, and, since we’ve worked really hard, it has made us even more motivated,” Kumar said.

Recently, the organization welcomed new members and advertized at Troy schools to recruit students. Since putting up fliers in November, the organization wel-

comed eight new members from throughout the district.

“We hope to empower the youth, enact charitable acts with economic pragmatism and reveal the potential of non-profit organizations,” Lin said.

Other members are also working toward long term goals.

“I hope to obtain a board position on the main board of directors for this club in the coming year,” junior Cynthia Xiong said. “I’d like to help the club gain awareness and help it make a greater impact on our community.”

Step On Poverty now has more than two hundred likes on Facebook.

“Co-founding and running this organization has challenged the limits of what students and I can achieve, whether it’s impacting the community on a local or international level,” Lin said.

Entertainment

12

‘LEGO Batman’ Wins Box Office

Oh, My Lanta!

Donald Glover stars in “Atlanta” on FX.

pHOtO COUrteSy OF FX

Childish Gambino, or Donald Glover, continues to succeed in the entertainment industry.

By Skyla Jewell-Hammie // OpiniOn editOr Donald Glover continues to rise with awards, new albums, TV shows and movies. Although throughout the years Glover has had small parts in movies, he gained a high amount of praise after his breakthrough show “Atlanta” hit TV screens on FX. Students like senior Zama Buthelezi still had something to say about him even though she hasn’t listened to much of his music.

“He’s so talented, which is a weird thing to say considering I don’t really listen to his music,” Buthelezi said. “I haven’t seen ‘Atlanta’ yet, but I really want to.”

As he is just beginning to rise in show business, he has always been praised for his music. Recently on March 9, he was permitted a Gold Certification by the Recording Industry Association of America for the hit song “Redbone” off his recent album release, “Awaken, My Love!” Although many found Glover through his hit albums “Because the Internet” and “Kauai,” he still manages to flourish as Donald Glover, the actor, producer, writer and comedian.

His fame led him to the lead voice as Simba in “The Lion King” remake which will earn him a bigger range of recognition with all ages. His voice is something usually heard through a bluetooth speaker, but this time it will be the voice of an animated character all generations have grown to love since its release. He also recently signed to upcoming movie releases of “Han Solo: A Star Wars Story” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” These three movies will gain Donald Glover an even larger fan base.

“I have never heard about him until it was announced that he would be in ‘‘The Lion King’’ remake,” senior Caroline Nicholas said. “From what I know as a musical artist, he seems to be pretty cool.”

Like Buthelezi, Nicholas had not really heard anything other than what “The Lion King” has in store for Glover.

Glover started working for Tina Fey as a writer on “30 Rock” and later portrayed a college student on “Community.” Now, Glover is a

Golden Globe, NAACP and Critic’s Choice Award winner for his work as an artist and on “Atlanta.”

All over the nation, he attracts an eclectic group of fans from different places and different ages. Students like sophomore Jayson Youn expressed praise and gratitude toward Glover. Youn even went as far as writing and presenting a tribute speech about Glover.

“He is successful in everything he does whether it is in [television], movies, music and comedy,” said Youn. “He still is one of my favorite artists.”

Childish Gambino is known for his low-leveled voice turned high with sultry verses. His different sounds capture audiences with the message behind his voice.

“Awaken, My Love!” has a different sound altogether, one that audiences have compared to Prince.

That comment alone is a high praise and it shows how much Glover is appreciated as an artist.

There is still confusion if Donald Glover and Childish Gambino are the same person, but either way, the fans appreciate the talent.

Opening weekend leaves ‘LEGO Batman’ in the lead.

By JaCk StrOmBerG // StaFF writer On Feb. 10, Warner Bros. released “The LEGO Batman Movie.” It beat out its two top competitors, Universal Studios’ romantic drama “Fifty Shades Darker” and Lionsgate’s action-thriller “John Wick: Chapter 2,” both of which are sequels in their franchises.

Directed by Chris McKay, “The LEGO Batman Movie” was meant to be a spin-off of 2014’s “The LEGO Movie,” directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, which has grossed $469.2 million total since its release. “LEGO Batman” had a budget of $80 million, which is $20 million more than the original film.

“LEGO Batman” is based in the same imaginary universe as “The LEGO Movie.” Will Arnett returns as the voice of Batman, joined by Michael Cera as Robin and Rosario Dawson as Batgirl. Other supporting roles include Zach Galifianakis, Jenny Slate, Conan O’Brien, Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill.

“It was the only good movie out at the time,” sophomore Max Alfes said. “There were just a bunch of horror movies out, and I’m not really into horror movies. I liked the humor, and how it incorporated all the characters. It had all the characters from the comics. So not just Batman, but Superman and others.”

Alfes gave his theory on why “LEGO Batman” was more successful than its competitors.

“Only older people go watch ‘Fif-

ty Shades Darker’ or ‘John Wick,’” Alfes said. “But people of all ages will go see ‘LEGO Batman.’”

However, not everyone had positive views of the film.

“I thought it was boring,” sophomore Michael Castiglione said. “At first, I thought it would be kind of like ‘The LEGO Movie,’ and I enjoyed ‘The LEGO Movie.’ Its humor was directed towards kids, but in a sense it was still funny, kinda like Spongebob, I guess. But then, ‘LEGO Batman’ was way too kiddish. It was like Spongebob post‘Spongebob Movie.’”

Castiglione said he believes the film was more successful because it did a better job attracting younger audiences than “Fifty Shades Darker” and “John Wick” did at attracting adult audiences.

Opening weekend, “The LEGO Batman Movie” was No. 1 in box office ratings, at $53 million. “Fifty Shades Darker,” which grossed $46.6 million, came in second. In the following weeks, “LEGO Batman” successfully maintained its place in box office ratings, up until the release of Jordan Peele’s “Get Out” on Feb. 24. “LEGO Batman” made more money than any other movie this year so far. On Rotten Tomatoes, 91 percent of its professional reviews were positive, and 88 percent of reviews by top critics were positive. It has an audience approval rating of 85 percent. It also received 7.7 out of 10 stars on IMDB. Overall, “LEGO Batman” had a quite successful debut.

GrapHiC By eliZaBetH GraHam

Entertainment

Popular Shows That Are No More

13 Fan-favorite TV shows are canceled as bigger and better shows move in to fill their spot with better ratings.

By kaitlyn piGGOtt // StaFF writer Much has happened this past year in terms of TV. After the eighth season of “Castle,” it was canceled. Beloved ITV’s “Downton Abbey” had its final show in March. The teen drama “Pretty Little Liars” is ending with its seventh season. But what about new shows? TV’s new drama “Designated Survivor” has very high ratings.

The hit TV show “Castle” ran for eight seasons. The show ended because Stana Katic, who played the lead female role, Katherine Beckett, wasn’t coming back for season nine. Among the rumors of why Katic wouldn’t be returning to the show was producers didn’t sign her up for another season. The show was falling behind in ratings in its last season, but the final episode was the season’s high.

“I mean I love ‘Castle,’ but it was a little bit repetitive,” sophomore Gabriella Grodsky said. “Beckett and Castle were just a little bit weird. It was kind of just their love story which is the same thing over and over again.”

Another well-loved show that was canceled was “Downton Abbey.” It was canceled in 2015, but

the series finale aired last March.

The five-season series won three Golden Globe Awards. Producers said the show ended because Maggie Smith, who played Lady Violet Crawley, quit the show.

“I think after awhile ‘Downton Abbey’ gets recycled a lot because they run out of plot ideas where it’s like they kill off everyone,” senior Alice Fahy said. “So, they have to start a whole new cast and I’m like, ‘You should just end it.’ That’s what they did with ‘Downton Abbey.’ Eventually they were like, ‘It’s enough,’ and they just stopped.”

Freeform’s teen drama “Pretty Little Liars” is on its final season.

The series finale will be a two-hour “movie,” as creator Marlene King called it. The seven-season series was Freeform’s 2016 most-watched show.

“I was kind of upset about that, but the last season wasn’t that good,” freshman Madison Bloch said. “I think if it went another season then it would’ve gotten a little bit repetitive.”

What about the new shows? The fate of the new ABC show “Designated Survivor” is uncertain. ABC has yet to announce to the public

Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic film one of the last episodes of “Castle.”

if the show is being renewed or canceled. The concept is centered around an American cabinet member who is chosen to not go to the State of the Union Address. He is sworn is as president after all of the national government officials go to the address, which becomes the tar-

get of a terrorist attack.

“I watch ‘Designated Survivor.’ That came out late last year,” Grodsky said. “I think that it will come back. It is really good, and it involves America, which is really insane.”

Much has happened in the previ-

pHOtO COUrteSy OF aBC

ous year of the ever-changing world of TV and next year, many suspect, will be no different. “Pretty Little Liars” will be missed, as well as “Castle” and “Downton Abbey,” but “Designated Survivor,” if renewed, has the capability of being a show that runs for many seasons.

Opinion

14

‘Hope Will Never Be Silent’

Looking back on nearly 48 years of fighting, we have come too far to stop now.

BY BIANCA BUCHOLTZ // COPY EDITOR On Feb. 22, the Trump administration revoked federal guidelines for transgender students to use the bathroom of their preferred gender identity in schools, an act signed into law by President Obama in May 2016. Following this decision, people were outraged. A sense of hope had been diminished, one that fueled a movement - a fight - for nearly 48 years.

The movement, known as the gay liberation movement, is mostly nonexistent in mainstream history. That is, until 1969, when an unannounced police raid took place at the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in New York City.

Police barged in and forced men and women into lines. Many were asked to reveal their gender identity by stripping naked, and those who were caught “crossdressing” were arrested. For three days, people of and for the movement flooded the streets, chanting “We shall overcome” and “Gay power,” and police cars were burned by people demanding respect and representation.

Cleve Jones, who participated in those riots told Mother Jones on Dec. 6, “People who say violence doesn’t accomplish

anything have not read history.

I don’t celebrate that reality, but there you have it. All of these things help you build your movement toward your eventual goal.”

Shortly after, the movement found a leader: Harvey Milk.

Milk was the first openly gay politician to be elected to public office in California. Both in life and in office, Milk fought for equal rights for all genders, sexualities and races. He represented the Castro district, one of the first gay villages. His voice, loud and proud, was with him until his last day, when a homophobic coworker assasinated him. His message and story have inspired generations of people who still fight.

Though change was made, many things remain stagnant.

People continued to speak up for inequality and injustice. Following the efforts of Harvey Milk, the fight for the right to marry ended victoriously on June 26, 2015, when the Supreme Court finally ruled same-sex marriage legal.

When you look at all that has been done, at where we are, it’s incredible just how much progress has been made, but it is certainly not all that can be done. For

years, same-sex marriage was the main battle of the cause; yes, we won that, and yes, we have made a difference - but we can not stop there. There is so much more to be done.

GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis told The Daily Beast, “We must not only advance policies.

We must also accelerate acceptance of the LGBT community— because laws alone won’t end discrimination, people do.”

Gay marriage is not the end of this fight. The community still needs change, a lot of it. We still need women’s rights, especially for the lesbian and bisexual female community. We need equal rights for all races. We need transgender rights and representation.

We will keep fighting.

In late March, Gavin Grimm, a 17-year-old transgender boy, was scheduled to stand before the Supreme Court to fight for transgender rights. His efforts has been made public and many people across the country have been supporting him on social media.

Following Trump’s reversal of the federal government’s position on transgender rights, the Supreme Court decided to no longer take the case. The case would have

been the first relating to transgender rights.

“Thousands of transgender students across the country will have to wait even longer for a final decision from our nation’s highest court affirming their basic rights,” Sarah Warbelow, the legal director of the Human Rights Campaign told the New York Times.

Though this was a major setback in the fight for transgender rights for students, Grimm held out hope for a better future telling The New York Times, “I will be fine.

Regardless of what obstacles come before me, regardless of what hatred or ignorance or discrimination I face, I will be fine, because I have love on my side. This fight is bigger than me.”

Some people say, “Haven’t you already won?” The answer is no. The fight is bigger, and for Grimm and so many others, it will continue. No matter what setbacks and downfalls we will face, we will rise.

There is still so much more to win. People deserve hope. They deserve equality and justice for

American Tunnel Vision

PHOTO COURTESY OF ZACHARY BUCHOLTZ

A painting of Milk is on the wall of his old campaign office.

all. That’s what they were promised. That’s what they deserve.

As Harvey Milk said, “Hope will never be silent.”

We’ve got to give them hope.

The world watched us during the election, but we’ve failed to see the turmoil the world is in.

BY NATALIE SUH // CO-FEATURE EDITOR America is stuck in the mindset the world revolves around us.

With our strong presence in world affairs, we’ve unknowingly developed a severe case of American tunnel vision.

While the American public fixated on the U.S. election, South Korea impeached president Park Geun Hye after a scandal. For months, South Koreans flocked the streets to protest and eventually forced her resignation, but Americans haven’t batted an eye. South Korea, one of the world’s richest countries and a U.S. ally, overthrew its president, yet only 13 out of 100 Troy High students polled had seen news coverage on it.

Maybe it’s because I’m Korean-American that I care, but if Americans impeached the presi-

dent, the whole world would flip chairs.

In fact, the whole world was and is watching us. Countries like Mexico, Canada, England, Venezuela and France closely followed our election, remarking on American politics. France is in the middle of their own election cycle right now; however, it’s hardly made headlines here. Only 21 percent of students had seen media coverage of it. Can you recall when another country’s election made headlines here?

We’ve been trained to focus only on domestic issues or international issues that directly affect us.

Everyone, even American politicians, suffer from tunnel vision.

Gary Johnson, for example, infamously asked “What’s Aleppo?” during a debate. The consequences

of tunnel vision are severe. 400,000 people died in the Battle of Aleppo, which lasted a staggering four years before ending in rebel withdrawal.

I’m not going to act like I know if we could have prevented it or stopped it altogether, but I do know that we could have done more. 14.9 million people are still in need of humanitarian aid in Syria, according to the Assessment Capacities Project. With all of the wealth in which we bask in, we could have found something to give to aid the innocent civilians caught in the turmoil. We’ve done it before. After World War II, the U.S. and their allies sent supplies to West Berlin because they were in desperate need. Perhaps if we were properly informed on Aleppo we could have done something sooner, but it’s far

GRAPHIC BY ELIZABETH GRAHAM

too late now.

There are politics behind all the decisions that the government would have to make before intervening, but innocent people were dying. I can’t see how that in itself isn’t a good enough reason to intervene.

Innocent people are still suffering in South Sudan. Famine has plagued the country due to persisting drought and war. According to CNN, 100,000 people are on the brink of starvation and 4.9 million people need help due

to the effects of the famine. These people lack water and food, yet Famiglia, a New York City pizza chain, is opening a branch in Ghana where they will ship their own water across the Atlantic ocean. Sending water is a feasible course of action to help, but it will only be done for profit.

So what will we do? Will we ignore cries for help, or will we actually take ownership of the power that we were lucky enough to have and help a dying cause. The world is watching. Are we?

Opinion

15

In Need of a Material Memory Community lacks conversation and concern of students’ mental health and a substantial memorial for Danny Ashtiani who passed away last May.

BY SARAH FUNK // CO-FEATURE EDITOR Walking through the hallways, alumnus Kyle Villamil (‘16) has countless memories of his high school experience: rollerblading through the halls on the night of Snowcoming, fooling around in art class, painted his chest with his buddies for a well thought out homecoming proposal, getting his first job and cheering at football games. All of these moments were shared with his best friend Danial Ashtiani, who died of suicide last May. Though the memories of Danny will forever stay in the minds of those close to him, there is nothing at this school as proof he is gone or ever was here.

In newspaper and yearbook, you get your own brick on the wall to decorate and personalize.

When you make all-state for a sport, you get your photo in the commons. When you choose a college, you sign your name on your school’s pennant. All things to remember you and your accomplishments- whether they be your hobbies, your athletics or your grades. Something to leave your mark.

Since Danny left, there is nothing to show for his presence or his absence. After a shortlived gathering where the walls were chalked with kind words, it was washed off the next day.

Little attention was paid, save for an announcement the following day and a moment of silence.

There is clearly no set course of action for such a tragic situation, but it is important for a community to be open and band together. This is where Troy High could do more. Danny’s older sister, hasti Raveau, who is a clinical physcology student pursuing her doctorate, reached out to the school and offered to discuss the importance of mental illness. Her overtures have so far led nowhere.

Many students have taken the lack of action to commemorate Danny’s death by the school as Troy High’s lack of priority in student’s mental health, a growing issue with 20 percent of teens

PHOTO COURTESY OF HASTI RAVEAU

Danial Ashtiani would have graduated this year with the Class of 2017.

between the ages of 13 and 18 having a mental disorder. By 14, 50 percent of these illnesses begin, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. “[The administration] likes to believe that school is only based solely on academics, but the amount of stress and pressure that circulates through our halls has a correlation with [mental illness],” senior Julia Alaimo, a close friend of Danny’s,

said. “Of course, it is easier to forget, but that does not make it the right thing to do. Mental illness

Danny earlier this year, Julia and I printed out multiple photos of Danny, brought a memory book and sticky notes to decorate his locker. Within weeks, we were asked to move the photos and notes into his locker because the memorial made some students and teachers feel uncomfortable and guilty.

However, having physical proof somewhere in the school feels necessary to move on while

“It is easier to forget, but that does not make it the right thing to do.”

-senior Julia Alaimo

will forever be on the back burner in the eyes of Troy High.”

In an effort to commemorate

at the same time taking precautions to not let something like this happen again. Mental illness isn’t something to be taken lightly. Being asked to hide away his memories in the locker were the opposite of what we wanted.

Being asked to move everything physical behind shut doors felt like just that-closing off the conversation.

After bargaining to leave a single photo up with pens and a sticky note pad, I watched kids knock the pens off and walk away, freshmen passed by with puzzled faces and the majority of students gave looks of ignorance toward the seemingly insignificant locker. It seemed as though an event that had changed my life and the lives of so many close to me was slowly being forgotten by everyone else, everyone who knew Danny solely as one of 2,000 other students.

“Out of sight, out of mind” never felt more true. Only to solidify those feelings, the photo on Danny’s locker was taken down because unkind words were written on it. Though the vandalism revealed the lack of sensitivity among some students, the expirience of a community coming together to support a loss is what was ultimately missing.

Memorials are important to remember and honor someone’s life as opposed to his death, not to dwell. No one wants to constantly think about their losses.

Danny was a part of our community and he took his own life at a young age. He deserves a memorial as a remembrance, an apology and something or somewhere for people to feel they can be open about their problems. Something to focus on the good to remember him by. One idea for a memorial is a tree planted in Danny’s honor in the friendship garden here at Troy High. This small gesture could be seen as a place to go when struggling and would begin to open up a discussion on mental illness and materialize Danny’s memory.

The Chariot

Boudon’s Blueprint

16

BY JENNY BOUDON // CARTOONIST