Volume 5 Issue 4

CHARIOT TROY HIGH SCHOOL

TROY, MI.

VOL. 5, ISSUE 4

The Voices Issue

APRIL

2

VOICES

Paving New Paths Senior Ambika Tripathi paves the way to a brighter future for students and teachers with the new addition: Courtyard Club

By Gabby DeRose // Staff Writer For senior Ambika Tripathi, the promise of a more eco-friendly school is enticing. During her junior year, Tripathi and her peers created the Courtyard Club, which aims to benefit students and staff by reforming the unused courtyard in the center of the school’s main hallway system.

She hopes, through the use of her club, that the creation of another passageway through the courtyard would decrease traffic within the halls and the main stairwell, as well as provide a small patch of nature within the school’s walls for students to enjoy.

Tripathi describes her motives in full, hoping to benefit the school as a whole.

“As we came up with the idea for the project, we realized how beneficial a courtyard would be for the school [since all the hallways are so crowded],” she said. “It’s genuinely difficult to move from class to class because of the congestion.”

With the implementation of the club, Tripathi wishes to provide for incoming freshmen that may be intimidated by the chaotic hallways as she once was.

“Ever since I was a freshman, I’ve always had trouble in the halls since they’re always just so full of people,” Tripathi said. “Especially on the first floor— it’s basically impossible to use the main staircase there. That hallway struggle made me passionate about this project.”

Senior Divya Shankar, Tripathi’s close friend and supporter, shares her opinions on Tripathi and her project.

“Ambika sincerely believes in the courtyard,” Shankar said. “Her creation of the club with her organic [chemistry]

group wasn’t just an experience for her to put on college apps, she sincerely believes in the idea and has arguably worked the hardest to achieve it for future students.”

Tripathi hopes the club will continue on in her stead following her graduation this spring, and calls for help from younger classmates to take up the torch in her place.

“We’re trying to create something that’ll really benefit the school for anyone who’s sick of the hallway congestion and want potential opportunities for outdoor classrooms,” she said. “Since everyone on the current board and I are all seniors, we really need underclassmen to get excited for this project so we can continue it throughout the next few years.”

Outside of the courtyard club, Tripathi’s interests lie elsewhere outside of school.

When she isn’t focusing on work for the club, Tripathi can be found with her friends or practicing drawing, one of her other passions.

“I’m passionate about drawing— I’ve been doing it for years and honestly seeing how much I’ve improved never fails to surprise me,” Tripathi said.

Again, Tripathi’s close friend remarks on her strengths as a leader and as a passionate friend.

“Ambika is an incredibly hardworking individual who does her best to achieve her goals without bulldozing over anyone else,” Shankar said. “I believe that after high school Ambika will be someone her peers look up to. She is someone who dedicates herself to what she is doing and will not hesitate to lead other people into her passions.”

Photo by Gabby DeRose

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VOICES

Basking in the Light Print Editor-in-Chief Kaitlyn Piggott recounts how she has grown to be the person she is today and how she finds the light

By Kaitlyn Piggott // Print Editor-in-Chief I never kept an actual diary; looking back, I probably should have. Ever since I could remember, I had a difficult time expressing my emotions out loud, often quiet from all things truthful and meaningful. I lived in a tight-knit family that weathered impeccable storms with strength and dignity. I wore all the struggles of our family on my back, knowing full well I didn’t have to, and the worrisome heart inside my chest began to tint my soul.

We were textbook worthy cases of medical mysteries and heartbreaking constant cycles of stress and pain. It brought us together really — all the trips to the hospital, the symptoms to watch for, the new normalcy — but it shut me out sometimes.

Growing up, for the majority of my life that is, I wasn’t a part of the family in the “there’s something ‘wrong’ with you” category. I just watched as my brothers braved through their own struggles. I never really felt left out, but there would always be some things I wouldn’t really understand because I didn’t walk in their shoes. I just watched, grieving the pain they had, and wishing I could take it all away, but knowing I couldn’t. There is a bit of hopelessness I always felt as I constantly just watched, knowing that I couldn’t help the people I loved; I was no doctor, no adult, just a child.

There is no greater pain than seeing someone you love struggle, but not being able to make it all better. There was nothing I could say, nothing I could do, which made me feel entirely worthless. My brothers and I were always close we bickered over stupid things but they were always my world,

my best of friends and bodyguards against any horrors that came my way. I didn’t want to worry my family with my meaningless concerns growing up, or the feelings I felt about the situations that plagued their lives. I never made myself a priority and I wanted to wash who I was in the waves that crashed into our sands because I didn’t want the attention. I tried to divide myself: no I wasn’t in their shoes, and no I didn’t understand their circumstance entirely, but I lived in the same house, ate the same food, heard the same conversations. I understood, to a certain extent, that we were different, and that it wasn’t fair. In my house, if it rained, it definitely full-on poured.

I never wanted to talk about it, how I was sad about how everything in my life seemed harder than in my friends’, how growing up people didn’t understand how much it hurt me, how it impacted me in my life. My greatest fear was always something bad happening to my family. I trembled until I fell asleep. I cried in the shower so no one would hear.

I hid myself in my closet because the darkness concealed the pain in my body from everyone else. There was always a worry in my head, my house could reach a pretty high level of stress because we weren’t like everyone else. I bottled up how I saw the storm that raged over our heads and how it scared me to numbness. I bottled up how the anxiety from everything caused me to shake so much that tears would fall down my face. I thought I was helping, but in reality I was tearing myself apart. My imagination and the circumstances haunted my darkest of night-

mares. I wished everything would just stop for once so we could be a normal family, with simpler concerns, nothing to really worry about. I just wanted the hurting to stop. My bottle would overflow with these emotions, crack until it eventually burst, resulting in an unexpected scream-filled outburst or a small fit of choking sobs.

Then, of course, I had to get sick, which in reality totally blind-sided me. Before, when all the issues weren’t about me, I hid in the shadows and tried to cope, but with this, all the illnesses now thrown my way, it was about me. I’ll be honest, it was rough, and again I didn’t think it was fair. I lost pieces of who I was. For a long time, I hated who looked back at me as I stood in front of a mirror.

I hated the way she seemed weak and tired, upset and broken. It was another faze, of trying to understand who I was and attempting to figure out the why that I knew I never would. Like everything else, I struggled to be okay with who I was and what was going on.

I was unwillingly added into the “there’s something ‘wrong’ with you” category, and let me just say, it was unnerving.

After a while, I noticed the storm still over my head, pulling me down with symptoms and strange test results, but this was just again another bump in the road. Another obstacle my family and I had to overcome.

At one time or another I think every teen or preteen feels misunderstood, lost in the world. I know I was. My bottle at about sixth grade was only being held together by some duct tape. It was also the first time I completed writing a novel. I wrote away my emotions.

Sixth grade, I wrote about a girl who finally found that her older sister meant the world to her and they were a team and not enemies, when the “worry bully” was beating me up about my older brother. In seventh grade, I wrote about an overprotective girl who fought tooth and nail for her family, when I began to idolize the heroines in the pages of books I thought I couldn’t achieve.

In eighth, I wrote about a tagteam of boys and girls, mirrored the strength I saw in my family, and a sister and brother who put each other first, when I feared for my little brother.

Ninth, I wrote about a boy who sacrificed his everything for his siblings, when I felt I wasn’t doing enough. In tenth, I wrote about a girl who loses her ability to do what she loves and her best friend picking up her broken pieces, when I had hip surgery and my health drastically worsened. In eleventh, I wrote about how a girl finds her way in the world when I didn’t know mine. In twelfth, I wrote about numerous families at their worst of times but how they stuck it out, together, when I needed a reminder that everything would be alright. I found comfort in the words on a page, secretly stashed away in notebooks or in a file to never be looked at again. It gave me strength, courage in the face of all odds. I let out my frustration in a snarky comment from a main character, my gloom in a rainy setting, my annoyance in an eye roll and a bit of sass from a heroine, but most of all, I wrote about optimism so I could see it too. It was my way of not feeling guilty about my emotions, but it was also a way I could show someone protecting their family in a way I nev-

er seemed to manage.

I think about the hand we were dealt as a family; in some ways it was pretty shabby, but it has molded me into who I am. I got sick in the tenth grade and I’ll be sick until the day I die, but this was when I really began to look at everything thrown at my family differently. It shaped me into a girl who counts her blessings before she goes to bed, makes mistakes but learns from them, embraces each new day thankful for getting thus far and celebrates the small victories in life but stays grounded to the real world. I go about each day hiding myself behind the wall I have built up around me, but I chip at it with a picket. I cry because now I know it makes me human, and that just because I do doesn’t mean I’m hurting my family.

Through everything, I have become more empathetic, less likely to judge and easier to approach. I’m not an open book.

It is difficult to get to the core of me. Sometimes I’m overly sensitive, sometimes words hurt me more than a push would. I write because it is more natural than breathing and it has become who I am, the gift I have found in the darkness.

So now I bask in the light that is my life. I walk around with the stars shining down and the moonlight on my back, because I have learned beauty and strength in everything.

There is still the darkness that left me trembling, the storm that made me scared, but now I see the rainbow and I embrace the rain because the rain, after all, isn’t so bad. It can be hard, it can suck, but it’s just rain. I guess in hindsight, my family was strong, but maybe I was too, just like all those characters I write about.

VOICES

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Sharing is Caring Freshman Aleena Malik strives to spark change and help other people

By Murryum Farooqi // Body Copy Editor A girl runs up to a large rectangular table pushed against a wall in the cafeteria. On the table, there is a small assortment of random foods: a green apple, something wrapped in saran wrap and a small container with marinara sauce sitting nestled together on a far end of the table. She excitedly picks up the apple. This apple, and the table itself, represent freshman Aleena Malik’s goal to reduce food waste on a local level, and her passion for helping those around her.

The Share Table is the product of a human impact project Malik and her classmate, freshman Cecelia Fan, worked on for Biology Teacher Meghan Sermo’s class earlier this year. It is a table in the cafeteria where students can leave unwanted and sealed food items.

For Malik, this wasn’t just any other school project, but an opportunity for her to take action on Islamic values that her parents have encouraged her to live by her entire life.

“We would never waste a grain of rice,” Malik said. “You’d take as much as you wanted, and then you finished that. You don’t throw anything away. I noticed that in

this American culture, people just take a bunch of stuff and they just throw it all away. They don’t realize that you’re wasting resources — just think of how much water it took to make that rice, all the labor it took.”

Malik felt especially encouraged to take action against food waste while she was doing her research.

“After discovering staggering statistics of just how much food waste America threw out, I was angry,” she said. “According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, [as of 2016], about 40 percent of all produce in the U.S. is wasted!”

Sermo explained what it was like watching Malik go through the process of making the Share Table accessible to students.

“I knew Aleena could get it done,” Sermo said. “She was very passionate about the waste that we as humans leave at Troy High.

Her and her partner did a ton of research … She actually even reached out to multiple administrations in the district and teachers in the district and also people in the government to get just ideas.”

Senior Caroline Zhang, a friend

of Malik’s, describes the special attributes Malik brings to the table.

“I think Aleena’s dedication to her ideas is most inspiring about her,” Zhang said. “Aleena wants to make a positive change in the world.”

However, Malik also talks about how sometimes it’s not easy to stay positive.

“One big obstacle is having a negative view of yourself and your capabilities from exposure to competitive peers who treat you inferior especially in academics, extracurricular activities, and so on,” she said.

Dealing with criticism in a constructive way is something Malik is always working on.

“Getting over the roadblock of others’ judgement and doing what’s best for me has been something I have been and still am adapting to today,” she said.

At the end of the day, Malik believes being there for others allows her to put things in perspective.

“Helping others gives me a sense of purpose greater than myself and allows me to see the bigger picture, rather than focusing on my personal struggles,” Malik said.

Expression

Graphic By Emy Galustyan

Senior Nicole Ryan Expresses herself through colorful clothing

By Emy Galustyan // Cartoonist and Graphics Editor

Photo By Murryum Farooqi

Senior Nicole Ryan may have caught people’s eye in the hallways.

Her colorful clothing draws attention in any room, surrounded by the usual blacks and greys. Matching her pink hair, she chooses to dress in neons and pastels, accompanying her funny and cheerful personality among friends and classmates.

“I suffer from a couple mental illnesses, so coming to school can really be hard,” Ryan said. “Even though I might be struggling, picking out awesome outfits can really help.”

Ryan’s favorite choice of outfit is her bright pink cardigan, accompanied with some textured patterned black and white pants and her choice of pink pastel tank top underneath, accented with her bright eyeshadows and blushes and eyeliner stamps.

“So far I haven’t gotten any

mean comments,” Ryan said.

“Even if I did, I won’t care. I’m proud of my looks and I’m proud of myself for coming to school as an individual. I feel most myself when I’m dressed up in my cute clothes.”

Senior Kate Gendrushke, one of Ryan’s close friends, describes Ryan as a “total muse.”

“Even when things drag her down she doesn’t fail to be so bright and bring a smile to a room,” Gendrushke said. “She’s just so bright and colorful. Someone who makes others feel so happy and always brings a laugh to the room deserves the world.”

Ryan walks through the halls, hair bouncing and her bright clothing glowing among the ocean of dulls and monochromes, blasting music through her headphones as she infects people with a smile.

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VOICES

A Voice to be Heard

Senior Hannah Richards has a state-implemented program for new drivers who have never learned about being pulled over

By Olivia Perron // Website Editor-in-Chief

For young adults, being pulled over for the first time can be a scary experience. In driver’s education, a student may have never been taught the procedure on what to do in the situation. Senior Hannah Richards saw the gap in what is taught and took action with “Relax Respect Respond.”

Richards spent 2-3 years working on the state-implemented program. She was able to work with local police, state police and state politicians in order to take her program from the local to state level.

As a girl scout of South Eastern Michigan, Richards started this program in order to earn her Precious Metal Award. It is the last and hardest award to earn in Girl Scouts, requiring that she obtain gold, silver and bronze badges first.

Richards took the idea of youth and police relationships and wanted to turn it into something anyone can learn when they start driving. Richards not only earned her Precious Met-

al Award, but is also the first Girl Scout to have her program turned into a badge itself.

In order to spread awareness of her program, Richards made a video with a professional camera crew and Troy Police Officer John Julian. Julian has worked with Richards on this program since her first email with him, asking his thoughts on helping her make it a reality.

“She really tried to push this to be more than just a Girl Scout project to really something that can be pushed statewide and potentially around the country,” Julian said. “I think it’s cool that she really had that vision to have her idea and then to really broaden it and see the potential for it.”

After spending time and effort on something she truly cared about, she got some results. From local to state-implemented programs, Richards’ project has grown. Though the program is meant to be good, and cause good change, she

has also faced her own set of problems along its course.

“I had a few incidents where there was a lot of hate towards me and they didn’t want the project,” Richards said. “I just kept going with it because there were so many people and so many experiences and opportunities that I got with it.”

Friendship is a key value of Richards; she cares about the people in her life and treats them with all the love she can give. Senior Angelina Upton explained that Richards is never a judging person and is always honest and kind. Upton also spoke about how much Richards has accomplished thus far.

“Hannah is the most hard working person I know and she has done extremely well with the time she’s had here,” Upton said. “I’m very impressed with her.”

Humble is a word used by Upton to describe Richards.

Richards is said to be a person

Photos By Olivia Perron of much integrity and sincerity. Though much of her time is devoted to the three R’s program, she doesn’t care if she gets all the credit, she cares that the program elicits change for the better.

“You do things because you want to do and I know like, I’m not gonna probably get recognition for creating a state program,” Richards said.

“I have one life to live, I have goals every day, I have personal things that I prioritize in my life and I just go after it.”

Her sister, freshman Emma Richards, has watched the work she has done and strives to be a stronger person thanks to her sister.

“I’m more vocal now be-

cause of Hannah,” Emma said.

“I used to be super shy and wouldn’t say anything.”

Richards spends each day working toward the goals she has set in life. As a child, she wanted to work as an aerospace engineer, now as a young adult headed to college she is still pushing for that goal and getting closer to it. Each goal she makes doesn’t get thrown away or forgotten, if she makes a goal to change the world, she’s going out and changing the world.

“Know that even at a young age, your voice can be heard,” Richards said. “Because change only happens when you speak.”

VOICES

6

The Tee on a Student Golfer

Senior Ella Szczublewski begins the next chapter of her life going away and playing golf at Kalamazoo College in the fall

By Jessica Geisler // Staff Writer As a girl that tends to go under the radar, senior Ella Szczublewki describes herself as a shy and friendly person.

Recently, she committed to playing golf at Kalamazoo College starting in the fall of 2020.

Friends and family are nothing but excited for her as she begins to embark on her new journey, playing what is known to be Szczublewski’s favorite sport.

According to Szczublewski, the reason she loves golf is because of the environment that the sport provides her.

“It is a sport that is not only an individual effort, but a team one as well,” Szczublewski said.

She believes Kalamazoo is going to provide her unique opportunities other colleges cannot give her as a student athlete. Kalamazoo is a school that prides itself on putting academics above athletics, so even though she will be a student athlete, Szczublewski

knows Kalamazoo College will help her to thrive in her academics as well.

Szczublewski’s friends have been supportive about her future at Kalamazoo. Senior Izzy Merem, believes that playing golf at Kalamazoo is going to be a great experience for her friend.

“I know that she will thrive in a smaller school environment,” Merem said. “Golf has taught Ella that quitting is never the answer, and I can’t wait to watch her grow even more in college.”

Szczublewski’s younger sister, freshman Kaylee Szczublewski, is excited for her sister to get the opportunity to continue playing the sport that they have played together for years.

“I believe that Kalamazoo is a great fit for Ella because everyone is very nice and welcoming,” Kaylee said.

The people surrounding

Szczublewski have nice things to say about her and they feel so lucky to have had her in their lives.

“Ella is the person that will be there for you no matter what,” Merem said. “She will help you get through your worst times, while always taking your side and giving you great advice.”

Kaylee is especially sad her sister is leaving, but knows that Szczublewski will go on to do amazing things.

“Ella is a very sweet person,” Kaylee said. “She will always put other people’s needs before her own.”

Szczublewski accredits her family for being who she is and following her

passion for golf.

“My family has always done a great job in supporting my decision in whatever I do,” Szczublewski said. “They have never pushed me to play golf in college, but as soon as my dad found out I wanted to play in college he was more than

thrilled.”

Overall, Szczublewski and the people in her life are very excited for her to start her new endeavors at Kalamazoo College. According to her friends and family, she will be greatly missed in Troy, but Kalamazoo is ready to welcome her.

Photo Courtesy of Ella Szczublewski

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7

VOICES

Someone That Goes Above and Beyond

Senior Peter Pawlowski works hard, balancing life while working fifth hour on computer repairs with Computer Technician Jose Martinez

By Lola Pinneo // Staff Writer People often go about their day without realizing the people surrounding them who make it happen. People tend to overlook the staff, teachers, administration and students who keep the school moving smoothly.

In the school, there are different positions that include staff and students working hand-in-hand, like library helpers and peer mediators.

For the 2019-2020 school year, senior Peter Pawlowski has filled a position assisting the technology team. He talks about the work he does with Computer Technician Jose Martinez.

“With Jose, I help teachers with classroom [technology] issues and re-image laptops,” Pawlowski said. “I started

with Jose this school year, but I’ve been volunteering and working with the tech department for a year.”

Pawlowski has the ability to do this job through the Senior Business Internship Co-Op class, which offers real world working experiences to students.

“I like that I have an hour that’s not a class and I get to do something very different than the rest of my day,” Pawlowski said.

He works hard at school, but he also upholds his moral values too according to Martinez.

“Peter is a polite, respectful young man who is eager to learn and grow his skill set,” Martinez said. “He has a very good memory, but also a very

good demeanor with everyone he interacts with.”

Martinez has enjoyed watching Pawlowski learn.

“I have gained personally by working with Peter,” Martinez said. “It is satisfying to watch a young person, who is eager to learn, grow into a position where he offers creative solutions and different perspectives.”

As Pawlowski nears graduating, other students may wonder what it takes to fill this position. Martinez explains the qualifications.

“Peter also works at our Technology Resource Center after school, making him a prime candidate to broaden his skills,” Martinez said. “A future student considered for this position does not necessar-

World Traveler

By Luanni Ford // Staff Writer Sophomore Asami Mori is an exchange student from Japan staying in the U.S. for the school year. She came over with a program called Youth for Understanding, an organization that gives high school students ages 15 to 18 a chance at a scholarship as well as the opportunity to experience a new culture.

Mori had that opportunity. “[I’ve] wanted to come to America for a long time,” Mori said.

Mori says her interest in coming to the U.S. was first sparked when her parents and a friend came.

“My parents graduated from American college so they speak English very well,” Mori said. “My friend was [in the] YFU program two years ago, so I heard about YFU from her.”

Many things shifted for Mori upon acceptance to the program; she had to experience a culture shock and adjust to a whole new family.

Her host mom J’Nine Per-

kowski loves having her as a daughter and has learned from her.

“This is our first time hosting and we didn’t know what to expect, but Asami made it very easy for us,” Mrs. Perkowski said.

“She asked good questions and helped us feel comfortable asking her questions. It’s really cool to learn about the differences between American and Japanese culture. We’ve learned so much from her.”

She also talks about how Mori is basically her daughter now and how simple the transition was for her.

“Having Asami in our family has been an easy adjustment for us because she is just a great person all around,” Mrs. Perkowski said.

Sophomore Ariel Perkowski is the “mastermind” behind Mori coming here. She was in contact with YFU and eventually got approved for Mori to stay with them.

“When my family and house was approved to host an

ily need that type of prerequisite, but should have some understanding and desire in this field.”

Even though Pawlowski

does not plan to pursue a career in the computer technology field, he will use the skills he has learned from this position to do great things.

Photo By Rory Knauss

Sophomore Asami Mori, originally from Japan, is staying in Troy, Michigan as an exchange student for the school year

exchange student, they asked us if we had any specifications like gender or interests,” Perkowski said. “When my parents asked for a girl, we were then given a list of four students. Each had about a paragraph biography about their family, interests, hometown etc. All of the students had applied for an exchange in a country they chose, which they then had to pass a language test. We chose which student we wanted and were given their email to communicate.

Asami came about a month later.”

Adjusting to American life wasn’t easy for Mori. She had to come to a new school in a whole new country.

“I like to talk to people, but not in America,” Mori said.

“I don’t have confidence. I’m so afraid of making mistakes.

They have different cultures so sometimes I don’t really understand what they do.”

Even though it’s tough for Mori sometimes, she has made connections with her host fam-

ily.

“They’re so sweet,” Mori said. “They care a lot about me.

They treat me as their kid.”

Mori has since had to face another struggle: homesickness.

“I hadn’t been thinking that my family is the most import-

ant thing in my life before I came here,” Mori said. “However, I found how great they are because they know me.

They know how to treat me.

I don’t have to explain why I act that way. A week ago, I called my parents, I cried. Even though I wasn’t sad.”

Photo By Luanni Ford

8

Humans of Troy High

Students and staff members tell all about themselves Story by Kaitlyn Piggott // Print Editor-in-Chief Olivia Perron // Website Editor-in-Chief Photos by Rory Knauss // Staff Writer

“Kind of nice”

Freshman Nicolas D’Mello What gets you up in the morning?

My alarm.

What is something you will never get sick of?

I like to hang out with my friends. Mostly we go to people’s houses, sometimes a movie, the mall. It’s funner than being at home and it makes me happy.

Do you have any advice you wish you had known earlier in your life?

Try harder in school. Mostly I just chill out and I don’t really do that much work and I feel like I should do more.

“Hardworking and outgoing”

Senior Kathryn Shetler

Who is the most important person in your life?

My sister because she set an amazing example for me to follow in her footsteps and for like the way she lived life.

What is the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?

Push away a friendship who didn’t treat me right.

If you could go back in time and tell yourself something that you know now what would it be?

That I can relax and not take school as seriously because it’s all gonna work out in the end.

“Nice guy, funny and friendly”

Sophomore Domonick Thomas What is your greatest accomplishment?

In basketball, I won a championship with the league I played on. [Winning] makes me feel really good and happy. A lot of joy.

Do you have any knowledge now you wish you had before?

I suppose I wish I knew what to do, what to work on [for basketball] because I got some stuff I didn’t know what to do and I messed up. So I wish I got to work on it and get help.

What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?

Probably being peer pressured into doing stuff like drugs and smoking and I didn’t do it. I just didn’t listen to anybody. I said I had to do stuff when they invited me places. I have no regrets.

VOICES

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VOICES

“Easy going, go with the flow”

Staff Rosemary Golec What gets you up in the morning?

I don’t really have a passion. I just enjoy everyday.

How would you say you impacted the school?

I love my job and I hope my positive attitude sends a good vibe to people.

Do you have any advice you wish you knew earlier in your life?

Don’t sweat the small stuff cause it’s all small stuff.

What possession is the most important to you?

My dog l love him. He just brightens my day.

“Bubby and outgoing” Junior Maggie Huber

What is one of your greatest accomplishments?

“Being captain for Forensics because I worked really hard for it and it’s something I am passionate about. I’m really proud of being captain because I love it so much. [My favorite part is] sharing my voice and performing for other people. [My favorite memories are] making semifinals and states for the past two years.”

Who are some of the most important people in your life?

“Two really important people in my life are my dad and I would say [English Teacher Harriet] Clark. My dad [is one of them] because he has taught me to stand up and use my voice and be proud of myself and that I can do anything I want to. Then Mrs. Clark because she’s literally the boss. I can come to her and talk to her about anything and she’s always supported me. No matter what. She’s encouraged me to stand up and use my voice like my dad has and she’s taught me how to use it. She’s given me opportunities to use it as well.”

“Athletic human and helpful”

Senior Noah Tanguay What gets you up in the morning?

You know, I wake up in the morning, and I have Calculus first hour, and I’m like Calculus BC is going down. So, I get up there and I’m like boom, boom, boom, pound out Calculus.

What is the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?

I think the biggest obstacle has to be that, I work and play a sport, so [I have to] manage my time properly. It kind of creates a huge obstacle for me, considering I work 20 hours a week and on top of that play for 15 hours a week.

So it’s like a lot to do, and then plus fun APs and homework.

If you could go back in time and tell yourself something what would it be?

Be more social. My first few years of high school I was never social. It’s not as much fun that way, so I’m trying to make up for that this year.

VOICES

10

Rushing to the Spotlight Junior Amy Yang has loved art for as long as she can remember, and now she is ready to no longer be an anoymous artist

By Andy DeGrand // Staff Writer As students walk down the fine arts hallway, there are many works of art that can attract one’s attention. Many students appreciate the paintings, sculptures and more, as they walk down the hall. Almost every piece of art has a name next to it, except one.

Junior Amy Yang is an artist, and she is ready to take credit for her art that is hung up around the school.

“I’m 17 years old now, I should start to show my art and take credit for my art and tell it,” Yang said.

Yang has gone more than three years being anonymous about her artwork. Since Yang was in middle school, she has been anonymous. Many artists like to show their art and make it known that it is theirs. Yang has yet to take public pride in her art until now.

Many students might not understand why someone would want to be anonymous about their artwork, and many artists have different reasons; Yang has her own.

“Well I just feel like it’s nothing to really brag about,” Yang said. “Nowadays, people brag about their art. I just like be-

ing humble in a sense, and it is actually kind of fun watching how people are trying to figure out who made it.”

Yang has many projects around the school, without her name next to it.

“I have done a realistic Scratchboard of a Blue Jay and I have done a huge phoenix bird in the art hallway,” Yang said.

Yang has been making art since before she started school.

Her inspiration is what has helped her keep making art. Inspiration can be a burst of creativity in a literary, musical or other artistic endeavour. Most artists have inspiration to keep going.

Yang has her own inspiration for her art.

“Well, ever since I was little I was always inspired to draw because of my sisters, even before I went to school honestly,” she said.

Yang continues to say that her friends are also her inspiration. Junior Katherine Ni is one of those friends, and she has her own opinion about Yang being anonymous.

“I mean it’s her choice, but I feel like she should really em-

Go Figure

By Emma Mertz // Staff Writer Many sports that aren’t high school sponsored sports are often overlooked and people may not realize how serious and possibly interesting they are.

Junior Rachel Burke has been figure skating since she was seven years old. While figure skating is commonly perceived as a sport that is very graceful and elegant, Burke believes it is much more than that.

“The conditioning skaters have to do is a lot,” Burke said.

“I think most people see skating as just about being ‘graceful,’ but in reality it takes a ton

of strength and stamina to be able to do jumps and you have to be really flexible as well so I think I spend about seven hours a week training off ice.”

Not only does Burke do a lot of conditioning to get better at skati n g , but she a l s o com-

brace her art more,” Ni said.

“It would help with her confidence and make her more open to criticism so she can grow. I would like her to get more credit because I feel like she doesn’t see herself being appreciated as much as she actually is being appreciated.”

Yang isn’t the only artist that is anonymous, but many artists have their own reason why they are or aren’t. Yang says it depends.

“I just feel like art is something where people can express themselves, so it really depends,” Yang said.

Ni agrees, but also would like more anonymous artists to take credit for their art.

“I would like to see more anonymous artists show themselves because I want to see who they are and their personality and how it [their art] can reflect their personality,” Ni said.

Yang has a little longer to keep hanging art up around the school, and she says art is more than just drawing to her.

“It’s just something I feel passionate about,” Yang said. “I just have this fondness where I can be as creative as I want,

decide how much fun I want to have, how much [effort] I can put into it. It’s just one of the beauties of art, which is why passion plays a huge role in

art if you don’t have enough passion for art, you are not going to enjoy it and that ruins the purpose of art in the first place.”

Photo by Andy DeGrand

Junior Rachel Burke discusses her journey of figure skating Photo by Emma Mertz

petes in many skating competitions.

“I wanted to start skating competitively because I love

skating and it is something that I have to work really hard at, so seeing it pay off is something that really motivates me.”

Junior Kristina Chen has been skating with Burke since their freshman year of high school.

“She’s an outgoing person, really nice when you meet her, but a crazy and sweet person once you’ve known her,” Chen said.

Burke has been skating for nine years, so skating has been a big part of most of her life.

She says one of her greatest accomplishments was winning state championships two years

in a row. However, with accomplishments come difficult parts that need to be overcome.

“The biggest obstacle I have had to overcome in skating was realizing that I’m not going to do my best at every competition and that I can’t always win,” Burke said.

Through her years of skating, Burke has received support from her family and friends.

“I would consider my family being my biggest supporters throughout my skating career because they support me with all the time and money that goes into skating,” Burke said.

11

VOICES

Teaching More than Content Science Teacher Noelle Wald impacts her students

By Manny Al-Nsour // Staff Writer

Photo by Manny Al-Nsour

In the four years students have together in high school, the people one surrounds themselves with can make a difference. While many students turn to their peers, some find deeper connections with their teachers. Some students meet teachers that change their lives.

For many, Biology and Forensic Science Teacher Noelle Wald is one teacher who has done that. Many of the students she has have only good things to say about her, and she is well-liked around the school. She has changed many students’ lives in her time at Troy High.

Senior Ronnie Roach, is one student that has been affected

by Wald’s actions.

“Mrs. Wald has made me a happier, kinder person,”

Roach said. “She has the most amazing personality and she’s so nice to everyone. It makes me want to be like her. She’s the one that made me want to be a teacher. [She has] helped me through so many issues and I don’t know where I would be without her. She has made my highschool experience so much better.”

Outside experiences can largely impact one’s life choices.

Wald discusses her realization that she wanted to be a teacher after seeing her own kids grow and learn.

“I was a stay at home mom for 7 years, so watching my kids learn and watching them process things was a big thing,” Wald said.

Wald has provided a safe space for students, whether

they’ve had her as a teacher or not. She has taken many under her wing and given them a place where they belong, no matter what their background is.

“I have had kids come here depressed, I’ve had kids crying, I’ve had kids who were physically injured, I’ve had kids whose parents are not treating them well, kids who can’t talk to their parents,” Wald said. “I’m hoping people know that if they ever need anything they can come and talk to me.”

She teaches her students more than biology or forensic science, and many believe she makes it fun along the way.

“I would ask her all the time ‘when am I going to use this’ and she always had an answer,” sophomore Elena

Zesses said.

Many don’t see it, but teachers change students’ lives everyday. Wald does so much for her students, she has touched students lives in a way many can’t with her deep care and support for her students.

“Mrs. Wald has to be one of the most caring teachers in the school,” Zesses said. “Mrs. Wald pushes us to keep a positive outlook on life and when things go wrong she helps find solutions to solve the problem no matter what the situation is.”

For many, Wald has been there for her students whenever they need her, whether they are going through something at home or having problems at school, she doesn’t hesitate in stepping in and helping out.

“Since freshman year she has become my school mom,” junior Natascha Lagesse said.

“She helps me with 90% of everything and always checks up on me.”

What sets Wald apart from other teachers is her raw passion for not only teaching this generation but being a helping hand along the way. She loves her students in a parent-like manner. She gives kids a place where they belong.

“I hope that I give off a positive vibe,” Wald said “I hope my students know they can depend on me. I hope they feel important. I hope maybe sometimes they can take the advice I gave them and put that into their lives. I would like to think I have some sort of influence. They’re important to me, I love them.”

12

VOICES

Monica “The Missile” Senior Monica Roberts has a need for speed, she has been drag racing for years and it is part of what makes her who she is

By Meriam Meram // Body Copy Editor From the outside, senior Monica Roberts may seem like the typical 18-year-old high schooler who is busy with school work and loves to hang out with friends. But there is more to Roberts than meets the eye, something a little more “fast-paced.” Roberts is a drag racer; and no, not the kind on Ru Paul’s Drag Race. Although she may have started racing when she was eight, drag racing has been a part of her life and family since before she was born.

Roberts’ father Wayne Roberts was a racer as well, blaming himself for getting his daughter into racing.

“I started racing when I was 16 [and] returned to racing the year before Monica was born,” he said. “Monica loved my race car and by 3 years old was asking to go out to the track and see me [race].”

Five years later, Roberts was in a car of her own, speeding around the track. During one of her first races though, she got into a potentially fatal accident, which gave her the infamous nickname: Monica

“The Missile.”

“You go down the straightaway on the track and then there’s a turnoff,” Roberts said.

“I had been told multiple times, ‘Monica, don’t take that turn so fast’ but I just wanted to have some fun. So I took the turn way too fast, I couldn’t control [the car] and I was heading straight for the big truck on the side of the track. I smack the steering wheel last-minute, the wheels completely turn, I hit the guardrail right on the post and flew 14 feet over the truck.

I was completely fine.”

When she was 13, Roberts decided she wanted to take racing more seriously, garnering the approval of her parents, especially her father.

“If she can do what she loves for a living and get paid for it at the same time, that would be wonderful,” Mr. Roberts said.

“Not too many people get that opportunity, but Monica has the skill, personality, drive and work ethic to pull it off. Monica is a driven to perfection [type of] person, a very hard worker and one of the two best kids on planet earth.”

Roberts’ work ethic and drive has served her well, allowing her to win numerous races in the Midwest division as well as nationally, and even attend a National Championship.

“My biggest race is definitely my National Championship that I won,” Roberts said. “The first year I went to the Western Finals [for the National Hot Rod Association’s conference] and I runnered-up there which was big. The next year, I went back and I won that [in 2015].”

Although Roberts may be a competitive, straight-faced racer on the race track, she describes herself as very different in school and in her other extracurricular activities.

“In school, I try to be friends with people, [be] outgoing, nice and I try to have fun and enjoy my friends,” Roberts said.

Junior and close friend of three years, Akshaya Suvarna manages to see Roberts’ work ethic shine through outside of racing.

“She is definitely the most hardworking person I have met,” Suvarna said. “She real-

ly does put her all in stuff and wants it to be the best she can make it, she never gives up.

I think it’s amazing that she loves racing and I love seeing her doing something that she loves.”

Roberts will be attending Michigan State University in the fall. She will be going into Mechanical Engineering and hoping to apply what she learns in school to the race track.

Photo Courtesy of Monica Roberts

The Beatboxing Legend of Troy High Senior Ethan Alexander, who recently was crowned Mr. Troy High, discusses his talent of beatboxing and why he first started

By Grace Johnson // Staff Writer “Hip-hop is supposed to uplift and create, to educate people on a larger level and to make a change,” Doug E. Fresh said, the inventor of the art of beatboxing.

Human beatboxing in hip hop originated in the 1980s.

Many individuals may think of Vanilla Ice, Doug E. Fresh and Justin Timberlake. But at Troy High, a name that may come to mind to students is senior Ethan Alexander. Staff and students may know Alexander from being in a class with him or from seeing him walking through the halls, but many

may also know him for his talent of beatboxing.

Alexander says he never considered taking beatboxing seriously, and that it’s just always been a cool thing he could do.

“I intend to keep it that way,” Alexander said. “Now that I’ve matured more, I realize how annoying it would be to have to listen to that 24/7.

It kind of evolved into a more spontaneous thing.”

Many don’t find his talent annoying. In fact, close friend and senior Connor Levitt finds Alexander’s talent to be fasci-

nating.

“I think it’s so cool, and it’s not really popular in music anymore, so bringing something old or a throwback like that into the new world would get people’s attention,” Levitt said.

Alexander may be known for being one of the few if not the only beatboxer at Troy High, but he also is known for his leadership abilities and hard working mentality.

“I think Ethan is not only an amazing beatboxer, but an amazing person,” Levitt said.

“We met in first grade on the

playground, and we’re neighbors so we hung out a lot through elementary school, middle school and still to this day. He’s definitely a doer, he always gets everything done and he’s just a natural leader.”

Even though Alexander doesn’t plan to take his ability of beatboxing long term as a career, many students appreciate the times he has performed Graphic by Kaitlyn Piggott for them.

VOICES

A Leader

13

Sophmore Declan Mallaney teaches students to be themselves always

By Vanisa Kumar // Staff Writer When the former leader of the Gay Straight Alliance became a senior, one person could become the co-leader. This certain person was sophomore Declan Mallaney. This position needed to have someone proficient, kind and strong. Through his leadership of GSA Mallaney helps support and stand up for those a part and not part of the LGBT community.

Mallaney believes that individuals should let people be able to talk free of prejudice and discrimination and feel safe from the closed-minded indivuals that start discriminatory fights. By holding GSA meetings every Thursday with the help of his co-leader senior Laila Khan, he hopes to promote normalcy for the LGBT community.

While Mallaney’s peers now see him as confident and proud, that was not al-

Achieve the style you want!

ways the case.

“I wish I knew that I was ok to be myself and be Wopen about who I am,” Mallaney said. “It took me so long to accept and love who I am. Coming out as trans to everyone on social media and in class, I was scared of the judgement and losing friends. Some people did leave me but I was expecting it from the beginning.”

Mallaney’s journey has been difficult, but he never let that stop him from finding himself. Through this act of self discovery, he figured out how to make others feel just as welcome, encouraging club members of GSA to be themselves and fight for their own rights.

The GSA remains a fully secretive club when it comes to who is a member and what is discussed at meetings. Many have anonymously opened up to Mal-

laney’s pursuit of making club members feel included and heard during discussion.

Khan, who originally met Mallaney through GSA, describes her changing relationship with Mallaney.

“He had come to the club as an annoying freshman when I was just the leader of the club,” Khan said. “I thought he was the worst of all of the freshmen, but it turns out he stuck around and is actually a really chill person, he won’t disappoint.

He was able to go from ‘that annoying freshman’ and take on a leadership position in GSA in a short time.”

It is easy for some to feel unsure about what to say or who one is. From being a student to being a leader, a “freshie” to a right-hand man, Mallaney found himself and helped others find themselves as well.

Photo Courtesy of THS GSA

VOICES

14

The Good Outweighs the Bad

Sophomore Lillian Ni takes time to have important travel experiences even though it is during the standard school schedule

By Bridgette Scott // Staff Writer

Sophomore Lillian Ni was nervous about leaving when a family trip was planned to Fuzhou, China for a funeral. She was there from the start of winter break until midterms.

People travel for a variety of reasons, whether it be for a job or a trip to learn or even a fun trip to relax and enjoy. For Ni, it was to be there and visit with loved ones and spend that quality time she wouldn’t have gotten while at school.

“Once I came back, everything felt different and a bit strange,” Ni said.

Some of Ni’s friends, like sophomore Annie Schroeder, didn’t know why Ni wasn’t at school and was worried.

“I didn’t know she was leaving, but I was curious as to where she went,” Schroeder said.

Traveling to China and back was the last thing on Ni’s mind when she was getting ready for midterms.

“The trip wasn’t planned,” Lillian’s mom said. “[We found out] last minute a week or two before break.”

This left Ni in a rush to

make sure she could arrange everything at school with her teachers before she left.

“I got my homework and study guides before I left, my teachers just hoped for the best, but I didn’t really tell people I was leaving,” Ni said. “Everyday I would spend a few hours doing homework and studying for my midterms [while away].”

Although Ni had to work to catch up on school, the time she took to venture and see her family was much needed and appreciated.

“While getting a break during the school year, I was still missing school and having to make it all up while on my ‘break’ from it,” Ni said.

Ni thought she had accounted for everything for her trip but ran into something unexpected when she got to Fuzhou.

“There were many surprise factors at the funeral,” Ni said.

“It was super spooky because of how traditional it was and they burned the body in front of you.”

Many of Ni’s friends

missed her very much while she was away.

“I love Lillian, she’s the sweetest,” Schroeder said.

“Lillian’s very smart, she’s the kindest person I know, she’s really funny, and she’s a gorgeous queen. I love having her around.”

Without hearing about Ni’s trip the stigma of missing school might still be intact. The trip was a positive and much needed experience for Ni. Despite the work, she is happy she went. Ni is very passionate about her travels and enjoys the concept of trying new things and living a different life for a little bit apart from regular activities.

“I drank a lot of boba and got to visit my family,” Ni remembered. “Lots of new experiences you never thought you needed can arise, but you might get lost a few times.”

For some it’s impactful to get lost and experience new things in another place, it could possibly shape one’s life. For Ni, the time she spent with her family was especially significant because it was in a time

when she normally is at school so the atmosphere was different than it is when she has seen them before. Travel can be a healthy way to learn and grow.

Sometimes the places someone goes and the people someone meets may teach them the same characteristics they are taught in school.

Photo by Bridgette Scott

15

VOICES

Cycling Into a New Club

Junior Zavaar Shah, a biker enthusiast, started his own cycling club with some friends and he hopes it continues to grow

By Ping-Yu Hsu // Staff Writer Junior Zavaar Shah has been a biker enthusiast ever since he was in elementary school. With this passion of his, he started the cycling club during the winter season.

Shah wanted to start the club earlier, but is also happy that it’s beginning now.

“I would have started during the fall, but it took longer than expected to start the club,” Shah said. “But winter biking is more intense due to the harsh weather which can also be fun.”

Shah is very excited for the spring season, where members will start to ride longer distances and will be more welcoming to new members, unlike the winter season.

“The spring routes will be less intense because of the better weather and longer routes,” Shah said. “Unlike winter where the weather is often harsh, thus making the trails shorter and making students stray away from the club.”

Before Shah started the cycling club, he was biking with his friends, junior Alex Prater and junior Sohil Ramachandran, who are now officers of the cycling club.

Prater, the co-president of the cycling club, has

been cycling since he was little and has known Shah since they were middle schoolers.

He says they have known each othe due to their mutual interest in biking.

“He is very hardworking and determined,” Prater said. “If he enjoys something, he always puts all of his effort into that thing.”

When given the opportunity by Shah to start the club with him and Ramachandran, Prater agreed, stating that he also thought it was a great idea and saw potential in the club.

“I agreed to start the club because it seemed like a great idea and I shared his vision in the potential of this club,” Prater said.

Ramachandran is the secretary of the cycling club. He and Shah met when they were children and

have been biking together since.

“Zavaar is a nice guy,” Ramachandran said. “He’s very passionate about a few things a n d

works really hard on his passions such as coding and biking.”

Ramachandran was discussing plans about what to do in the summer when Shah brought up the idea of starting a cycling club.

Ramachandran agreed because he thought it’d be a great idea to share the experience he had from biking.

“During the summer, Zavaar and I were bored and were thinking of where we should bike,” Ramachandran said. “Then Zavaar came up with the idea of starting a cycling club which I agreed because we wanted to share the experience from biking we had over the summer.”

Shah has many plans for his new club. He wants to be able to get more members as well as to try and make this club become an official club.

“We plan on expanding our social media influence and advertise

a lot more during spring because people like to ride bikes in good weather,” Shah said.

“I think the more people there are in the club, the higher chance I’m able to make this club official so more people can experience cycling.”

Shah’s interests include not only cycling, but also coding.

He started coding when he was in 7th grade and is still coding now.

“I’ve always been into computers ever since I was a kid,” Shah said. “In middle middle school, development of software in computers intrigued me.”

Shah states that he’s not sure what he wants to do in the near future, but has a general idea.

“As for college, I’m still not quite sure about what subject I want to get into,” Shah said.

“However I definitely want to do something that involves computers and coding.”

He has many personal goals he wishes to accomplish and hopes he will manage to achieve these goals.

“In terms of biking, I want to be able to increase my endurance so I can ride my bike to farther places” Shah said.

“Coding-wise, I still wish to improve my skills and knowledge of coding, and with hardwork and patience I know I’m able to reach these goals.”

Photo by Ping-Yu Hsu

Just Another Day

By Rory Knauss // Staff Writer