Vol. 9, Issue 1

THE

CHARIOT

TROY HIGH SCHOOL

TROY, MI.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 1

NOVEMBER 2023

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NEWS

2 The Uncivilized Stimulant of the Civilized World

THE CHARIOT STAFF

Troy High School students have a complex relationship with caffeine.

Jiwoo Park // Staff Reporter

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ria Gupta GRAPHICS TEAM Ria Gupta, Ainsley Giorio and Grace Haugk PUBLIC RELATIONS EDITORS Ainsley Giorio, Michelle Baik and Laith Hermiz BUSINESS EDITOR Michelle Baik BODY COPY EDITORS Ashley Park and Grace Haugk ADVISER Morgan Clark STAFF REPORTERS Eddie Angers Patrick Mahoney Kate Bullock Henry McBrien Lindsay Burke Bushra Mohammed Robin Han Maya Nagy Mehereeen Kaur Jiwoo Park Nidhi Kuchulakanti Aanya Shah COVER BY Bushra Mohammed OUR MISSION STATEMENT 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 and 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.

Opinions expressed in letters to the editors represent those of the author. Letters to the editors 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 via email at troychariot@ 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 be returned to the author with an opportunity for corrections. The Editorial Board is solely responsible for these decisions.

The Chariot’s purpose is to be the voice of the school. Its purpose is to shed light on groups and people that are not often discussed while bringing news that is important to the community.

THE VOICE OF TROY HIGH. WE SEE YOU. WE HEAR YOU. WE GET YOU.

Caffeine is a stimulant that increases circulation of chemicals in the body, the brain, and the nervous system. In small doses, caffeine has the benefit of being able to make one feel more refreshed and focused. They come in “coffee, black and green tea, cocoa, cola soft drinks and energy drinks” according to Better Health Channel. While it does have advantages, some negative symptoms of being dependent on caffeine include fatigue, crankiness, continual headache, sweating, muscle pain and anxiety. Each caffeinated drink varies in the caffeine levels. For example, while an energy drink has approximately 160 mg per 250 ml, cola drinks have 20-29 mg per 375 ml.

For teens, it is recommended to limit consumption to “100 milligrams of caffeine a day- or less” according to UTHealth Houston.

There are various caffeinated drinks being consumed by Troy High School students such as Monster Energy, coffee, RedBull, Bang, matcha, Alani Nu energy drinks, Celsius and Panera’s Charged Lemonade.

Some side effects of caffeine are “insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, nausea, increased heart rate, and other side effects” according to WebMD. They also list taking care of migraines, improving breathing in

premature infants, headaches after surgery, tension headaches and improving mental alertness as ailments caffeine is effective for.

Having one or more caffeinated drinks daily is pretty normal for students in Troy High School. While students are drinking the amount of caffeine they are cautioned against, they are aware of it.

“Every day, but I’m trying to get it to every other day,” junior Sydney Trumbull responded when asked about the frequency of her caffeine consumption.

Similarly, junior Aanika Nanda said, “Too much; depending on the day, one or two energy drinks.”

Despite the negative health effects, the primary reason that many students still choose to drink caffeine is because of the positive effect of staying awake.

In fact, junior Naomi Player stated the reason she started drinking caffeine, “I was so tired, and they had it in the school store.”

History teacher Scott Gibbons expressed a similar situation for himself, “It started when I was in college. I had early morning classes.

I don’t like coffee, so soda ended up being a way to get the caffeine without the yucky coffee taste.”

For his students, Gibbons believes drinking caffeine is all for the same reason. “School is early for the

teenage brain.”

While he does understand why students consume so much caffeine, he doesn’t think it’s the best for them. “Teenage sleep cycles are messed up anyway and too much use of caffeine will make those sleep schedules worse.” He agrees that while students feel the need to drink caffeine because of their odd sleep schedules, it doesn’t make it any better, even though their tiredness is why many consume caffeine.

As for changing the daily caffeine consumption, Nanda said, “I don’t think it’s going to change.”

Player commented, “It’s an addiction at this point,” which may be why changing this long-standing routine might feel impossible.

Additionally, students can’t give up caffeine additionally because it has positive effects that they value.

“Positively, I focus better at school and stay awake,” Trumbull said.

Caffeine helps with the result of having an abnormal sleep schedule but not the problem itself. Like Gibbons said, it only makes it worse.

However, students evidently have a hard time meeting the required sleep amount each day, so they resort to a way to clear up the outcomes of that issue of fatigue such as excessive caffeine intake, risking the consequences.

3

NEWS

Up in Smoke A look into the state of and perspectives on drug use in Troy High School.

Eddie Angers // Staff Reporter, Graphic by Ria Gupta // Editor-in-Chief, Graphics Editor

According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, drugs

are defined as “a substance other than food intended to affect the structure or function of the body.” This encompasses alcohol, nicotine and other substances.

In the state of Michigan, nicotine, alcohol and marijuana are illegal to possess and be used by anyone under the age of 21, with exceptions for medical marijuana users. Despite this, these drugs are used by students of Troy High School, sometimes even on school grounds.

Although the term “drug” encompasses many different substances, Brian Jones, Troy High School’s School Resource Officer, says that drug usage within Troy High School is “predominantly vaping.”

According to Jones, vape products are the most common drugs found on school grounds, with the distribution between THC and nicotine vapes being about 50-50. While less common, Jones has also come across alcohol and marijuana.

Of course, drug use is not limited to merely what occurs within Troy High School’s campus. Jones adds that, in general, “Psilocybin mushrooms are making a comeback, heroin [and] cocaine are always popular [and] marijuana in general is probably among the most popular next to alcohol.”

The question of which drugs are in use by and available to students is not particularly vexing. For Jones, the most vexing question is, “Why students would want to use something, knowing what we know.”

The question of why, is a complicated and, for some, painful question. To understand it, even with all the known side effects and dangers of drug abuse, one must begin to understand the students who have partaken in it.

An anonymous source,

called Source A, is an ex-user. Source A said,“I’ve been two months sober now, but when I was smoking and doing drugs, mainly weed, I was smoking almost every day. Every day I came to school, I was smoking.”

Source A’s habit was a heavy one that would come to consume part of their academic day. “It was always in the bathroom,” they explained when asked where they would typically go to smoke.

“If I just didn’t smoke that day in school, I’d go to a friend’s house,” they elaborated, shedding light on the extent of the problem.

While on the subject of other students and friends who use drugs, Source A described it as a “huge thing.

I have people who tell me they smoke that I had no idea they would or even people that shock me that they do.”

When asked to elaborate on which type of students surprised them, Source A gave an unexpected group: “Surprisingly, athletes; like a lot of athletes.”

Source A said, in their opinion, the reason for student drug usage is divided.

“It’s a 50-50 split. A lot of it can be just stress and stuff and what kids are dealing with, but it can also be from peer pressure or they just want to genuinely try it, they’re just interested in it.”

Source A’s own reason for starting, is in the first half of the split. “When it was originally given to me, I was like twelve or thirteen.

I was just going through a really rough patch and I just kinda stopped caring.”

They continue on in a somewhat somber tone, “I was in a depressive state, and when I tried it, it made everything bad go away.”

Source A, of course, is not alone in their experiences of drug use. Another anonymous source, Source B, says that they “use them [drugs] probably every day.”

Source B’s ongoing drug

use consists of “mostly marijuana. Once in a while I do a psychedelic.”

Just like Source A, Source B knows of other drug users.

When asked if their friends partake in drugs as well, Source B, without much hesitation, responded, “most of them, yeah.”

Source B describes that their start to using drugs was far from curiosity, or genuine interest. “I was younger, I was homeless for two years.” Solemnly, they continued, “I saw a lot.”

“I used to do harder stuff.

I used that as an escape from a lot of stuff that I saw and went through.” They continued, “Nowadays, I’ve been off that kind of wild stuff, and I’ve been more on just marijuana.”

When asked if they ever intend to stop fully, Source B responded, “I don’t think I’m gonna stop, to be honest with you. I think I’m gonna slow down though.”

Source B, however, did not begin to slow down for no reason. After waking up from a bender, lost and without a way to get home, Source B called their girlfriend, who they had just argued with about becoming sober.

They continued with a tinge of regret. “I didn’t want to. Screamed at her, cussed her out, left. Got high as f—, drunk as h—.”

“Woke up somewhere, I didn’t know where I was, and called her.” They ended their story with a bit of a chuckle. “She basically just forced me to get off of it for a ride home.”

Source B’s final remarks on drug use in Troy High School are simple. “I think there’s definitely overuse.”

Overuse was one important factor for Source A quitting drugs entirely. “I kinda realized how bad my addiction was getting.” Another reason, they added, “I was getting caught. I kinda just took a step back and was like ‘What’s going on?’”

Source A had further reasons to quit their habit. “The amount of money I wasted on it was just insane.” They continued, “I probably spent around over 3000 dollars in two years.”

Source A added that “In the span of how long I’ve been smoking I’ve probably spent enough to buy a used

car.”

Source A’s final reasons for quitting are focused on the future. “I wanna get my car, and I have to be drug tested for that, but I also just wanna be able to take a break from it, finish high school without it.”

Their advice for others who use drugs focuses on retaining control. “Moderation is very important. Taking very long healthy breaks is important. Making sure you don’t become addicted is important.”

Source A concludes by saying that “If you are addicted, [be sure] to seek out help if you need it.”

While Sources A and B turned to drug use as a means for coping, they recognize that drugs are sometimes used by their peers for more recreational purposes. Assistant Principal Dan House, who often handles cases of student discipline for the sophomore and senior classes, has his own take on the question of why students turn to using drugs, especially during school. “Young people seem to have that view of immortality more than someone my age, and so they feel that nothing is going to affect them to where it can take control of their life.”

House states that when he encounters cases of drug use in Troy High School, “It would be more the cool, peer pressure side than the coping side.”

In addition to peer pressure or looking cool, House suggests another reason students may smoke, particularly in school. “Sometimes I think it’s for the thrill. Why would you want to do that in school, unless you want to get caught?”

While vaping is a very common drug-related offense in school, House says that, in terms of discipline cases at Troy High School, “A classroom incident is more likely to occur than vaping.”

Alcohol use in Troy High School is hardly a pressing issue. House says that a single case of alcohol use a year is “on the high end.”

In terms of prevention of drug use in school, the options are more limited.

House explains, “We have to have reasonable suspicion, we can’t just every day call a

kid in and search him. They have to do something.”

The prevention that is present, however, emerges in an educational format.

House says “Health [class] I think is an important one [preventative measure], they definitely address that issue [of drug use].”

The primary strength Troy High School has to combat the issue of drugs is the help that exists for those who have fallen into drug use. “We want the best for every kid here, and I think all of us in this office and the teachers in this building take that very seriously as our responsibility.”

House explains, “If a student is caught, we try to prevent it from happening in the future, so we have Troy Youth Assistance that we send them to.”

According to their website, Troy Youth Assistance is a non profit organization which “provides confidential, short-term, family-centered counseling and referral services for youth, 17 years of age or younger, and their families who live in Troy or attend Troy schools.”

House explains that, “We’re [Troy High School staff] not therapists.”

Despite this, Troy High School still has resources in house that students can utilize. House regularly meets with some students to find ways to support them through their struggles.

House, however, does not shoulder all of it alone. Social workers also talk with students and counselors are able to regularly communicate with parents.

The staff of Troy High School are not alone. House explains how they “rely on outside sources too. There’s a lot of free things, like Troy Youth Assistance is free and all it needs is a referral.”

House’s advice for all students is, “Try to think things through before you do something.” House gives this advice, not just for drugs, but for all aspects of life.

For students struggling with an addiction, House encourages them to, “Reach out, talk to your counselor, talk to your assistant principal. We’re here to help.”

NEWS

What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

4

A comparison of careers high schoolers want at a national level versus at Troy High School.

Ainsley Giorio // Public Relations Editor, Graphics Editor There is a culture within Troy High School where certain careers are seen as the “norm” or the best path. For instance, the top career category chosen by Troy High School students is “Business,” which is in complete contrast to the category of “Youtuber/ Influencer” chosen by students on a national survey conducted by YouGov. At a national level, the top five careers chosen by high schoolers are predominantly careers that do not have a stable demand for work. At Troy High School, the top five careers chosen by students could all be considered stable in nature.

When asked what is influencing students to choose careers considered traditionally stable, Thomas Keegan, Troy High School counselor, stated, “Troy promotes students’ ideas of ‘great’ life outcomes, and we try to encourage kids to seek out high academic pursuits. We encourage kids to take at least one AP class to have that [high academic] exposure.”

Keegan then shared that, in contrast to Troy High School’s culture of “high academic pursuits,” other places around the United States may lack an academic “pushing.”

If schools do not heavily

National Statistics:

promote academics, it is logical that students would find interest in a variety of careers that may land in a less academic category. Troy High School directly promotes students taking higher-level classes, so students can explore their different academic interests and come to an educated conclusion on what they may want to pursue as a career. If students are not given a slight push into more academic-based classes, they are more likely to come to a conclusion about what they want to do in the future based on their non-academic activities and interests.

Athletics, music, acting and art are all typically things people choose to pursue in their free time. So, without an academic push, many high schoolers will gravitate to these same passions as future careers, as they don’t have a full perspective on academic and non-academic careers.

This same idea can simultaneously be applied to Troy High School, but in the opposite sense. Troy High School promotes academic pursuits as it allows students to experiment with a variety of academic areas. However, if an individual is experiencing a continuous amount of external pressure, which could come from friends, family or a finan-

cial situation, to pursue strictly academics, they may lose sight of other possibilities. This, hypocritically, does not offer students a full academic and non-academic perspective of possible careers.

There are some careers that do appear on both charts, but their positions tend to be rather different. “Professional Athlete,” which is the third most chosen career by high schoolers at a national level, is at the bottom of the list of careers chosen by Troy High School students. This could be due to the fact that Troy High School’s environment promotes academics as opposed to athletics.

When asked why she wanted to pursue a career in athletics rather than a more traditional career, senior Erica Didocha, who is interested in being a professional hockey player, said she wants to be able to compete in hockey, but if something happens, she will still have opportunities to “be a coach, physical therapist or manage [a sports team].”

Didocha continues, “I think I would still really like to do that, because I’m still able to be there and be a part of the community.”

Didocha is interested in pursuing athletics because of her individual passions as well

Troy High Statistics:

as the community. In a career that is typically considered to lack stability, Didocha has found solutions to give her future a sense of security.

In contrast, senior Rebecca Austin, who wants to be a sports medicine physician, is interested in a more traditional career. When asked why she wants to pursue this career, she responded, “I want to be able to help athletes prevent and recover from injuries, because that’s something I have struggled with. I want to be better than the doctors I’ve had.”

Also, when asked if she had ever or would ever consider a non-traditional career, Austin said, “Yes. Last year I wanted to be a pilot, and when I was younger, I wanted to be a singer.”

Austin stated she decided against these careers because “I wanted to be a doctor for a long time, so I decided against aviation because I didn’t have any experience in it beforehand, and it’s kind of a hard field to get into. Then singing, I just stopped singing.”

With that, there is a stark contrast in students pursuing careers in the arts, significantly less than they have in previous years. In the past two years, 30 students collectively planned to go into a career based in the

arts, whereas this year only two students planned to pursue this type of job.

When asked what might be causing the shift away from more artistic careers, Keegan said, “All students now [those who were surveyed] were heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic during their formative years. Economically, that took a toll on people, so I think job security and safety, in a traditional role, may play a part in that.”

Many saw loved ones struggle during the pandemic to provide in the same way they were pre-pandemic. Many even lost their jobs because the demand for their career, at that time, was less than it would be traditionally. This may cause students to seek out stability in their future careers out of fear that they may not be able to provide for themselves or others in the future if they do not pick a safe and stable option.

With factors such as students searching for stability in their careers and Troy High School’s promotion of academic pursuits, many students are continuing to lean towards more academic or stable careers.

NEWS

How to “Go Blue”

5

How attending Troy High School affects your chances of getting into the University of Michigan.

Patrick Mahoney // Staff Reporter, Graphics by Ainsley Giorio // PR Editor Troy High School seniors are now weeks past the Early Action deadline for college admissions and eagerly await their decisions. They’ve spent hours researching schools, writing essays and filling out the Common Application, yet the admissions process remains enigmatic. Of the universities on the minds of Troy High School students, none are more discussed than the University of Michigan. With the decision date rapidly approaching, a closer look at statements put out by the university’s Department of Undergraduate Admissions is needed to determine what really gets one into the University of Michigan.

The University of Michigan is consistently ranked among the top public schools in the nation, and only admits students that demonstrate strong academic and personal qualities. In a statement put out by the Department of Undergraduate Admissions, it is stated that “Academic strength, certainly as an indicator of how thoroughly you’ve been prepared to succeed in a dynamic interdisciplinary environment, is key [to the selection process].” In short, admissions officers need proof that an applicant is capable of handling the rigor of a University of Michigan education.

The University of Michigan’s Common Data Set from the 2022-2023 admissions cycle reveals that an applicant’s GPA

is the most important factor in admissions, closely followed by standardized test scores, application essays, counselor and teacher recommendations, personal qualities and whether or not a student is the first in their family to attend college.

Of the students who enrolled in the University of Michigan for the 2023 fall term, over 92% had an unweighted GPA of over 3.75, and most had an

SAT score between 1350 and 1530. Undoubtedly, applicants must meet extremely high standards if they are to gain admission to the university.

However, being admitted into any university is never a pure numbers game, and an applicant’s background and character play a large role in the admissions process. The University of Michigan’s Department of Undergraduate Admissions confirms that the “admissions process considers all aspects of your record and

experience. Applicants [are not admitted] solely on the basis of any single criterion.” Furthermore, the University of Michigan is committed to fostering diversity on campus and “gives consideration to applicants with particular indicators such as coming from a low socioeconomic status school or household by considering whether the applicant is from a geographic area, socioeconomic profile, neighborhood, or high school that is currently underrepresented in our student community.”

While the university affords special consideration to students from underrepresented schools and areas, the university also places students from overrepresented schools under more scrutiny, posing a challenge for Troy High School students. According to records released by the University of Michigan, Oakland County sends more students to the University of Michigan than any other county in the country. Not only that, but Troy High School is the third largest University of Michigan feeder school in the country. A feeder school is a High School that sends a large, often disproportionate number of students

to a given university. Being that overrepresented schools are held to higher standards in the admissions process, applicants from Troy High School must outperform rural applicants by wide margins.

Though Troy High School students must overcome greater academic hurdles than students from other areas to be considered for admission, attending a feeder school does provide Troy High School students with certain advantages.

Namely, the university is familiar with Troy High School’s rigor and quality of education, and in the University of Michigan’s admissions process, student’s from Troy High School, along with Pioneer High School, Detroit Country Day School and the International Academy, are projected as more likely to succeed at the University of Michigan. While going to a feeder school does place an application under stricter scrutiny, it can also increase the efficacy of

applicants.

Compiling the information provided by the University of Michigan, the applicant that has the highest likelihood of admission is someone with straight As, a rigorous course load and an SAT score of over 1530. This person should be of an underrepresented region, ethnic group or income level and they should have a stellar application essay. However, the Department of Undergraduate Admissions explains that the admissions process is holistic and evaluates students based on a range of factors. When considering that the University of Michigan is known to reject students that score in the 99th percentile on the SAT, have straight As and demonstrate strong personal qualities, there is truly no “perfect applicant,” and the University of Michigan encourages anyone to apply, regardless of the heights they reached in High School.

NEWS

Panini Predicament

6

A look into an eventful day at Troy Hgh School.

Henry McBrien // Staff Reporter, Graphic by Grace Haugk // Body Copy Editor, Graphics Editor Many enjoy the fresh taste of the hot paninis from the Troy High School cafeteria.

However, on Oct. 30, 2023, the Troy High School kitchen was in chaos when a sandwich maker caught fire. The smoke from the fire caused a fire alarm activation and a subsequent evacuation. Remo Roncone, principal of the school, commented on the situation, “I think that the building was cleared in a timely manner [and] the response time by the fire department was exceptional.”

But what goes on behind the scenes of evacuations? During the process, Officer Brian Jones, a school resource officer at Troy High School, helped first responders determine the source of the fire. He stated, “I was in the building when the alarm was activated. I immedi-

ately think of either the science department or the kitchen. I then helped the first responders locate the fire.”

Both Jones and Daniel House, a vice principal of Troy High School, agreed that both the science department and kitchen are serious risks.

House stated, “The science department is a risk, due to the gas and hazardous chemicals.”

He continued, “The kitchen is also an obvious risk.”

There are steps being taken to combat these risks. Aside from the emergency gas shutoffs found in chemistry labs and the fire sprinklers in the kitchen, the Michigan government’s answer is instituting drills. According to the State Police Office of School Safety, a total of five fire safety drills must be conducted by every

public school in Michigan.

In House’s opinion, the drills are a valuable resource in training. He stated, “The most effective training method is to drill, drill, drill.”

The first response time also plays a vital role, according to Roncone. He stated, “The first firefighter to show up was in a Tesla; we didn’t even know he was a firefighter! The response time is remarkable for an all-volunteer force.” Troy is unique in that it has an all-volunteer firefighting force. This differs from major cities, such as Detroit, that have a professional force. This means that most Troy firefighters are paged away from their personal lives to help respond to emergencies, hence why some arrive in their personal vehicles.

The panini maker was hast-

ily moved outside by the Troy Volunteer Fire Department and extinguished. The total school time lost was approximately 15 minutes. Some might think of these drills as repetitive or annoying. But there are

real cases like this, where firefighters need to act quick. At the end of the day, this shows how important these seemingly routine drills are.

Why So Blue?

Exploring the seasonal ebb and flow of emotions.

Maya Nagy // Staff Reporter

As the days get shorter, and the seasons get colder, Michigan transitions from spring to fall and finally to winter. The ground freezes, and snow begins to fall. But as the snowflakes fall, something else is rising: a feeling of sadness.

“I haven’t found enjoyment

in what I used to,” said sophomore Frank Columbo. “It’s like winter strips the world of color and me of my happiness.”

Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as seasonal depression, is characterized by recurring episodes of depression that happen around

the same time each year, most commonly in the fall and winter months. While symptoms may vary from person to person, they all boil down to feeling worthless or guilty, changes in sleep patterns, loss of energy and a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. However, despite the strong association with the seasons, there is no solid evidence that the cold weather is at fault. Here are the factors that may play a part in this seasonal sadness.

The article, What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Seasonal Disorder, talks about how reduced exposure to natural daylight during the fall and winter months can disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm. This disruption can affect the production of hormones such as serotonin and melatonin, both of which play a role in mood and character.

Melatonin levels vary based on the amount of sunlight the body receives, with the hormone being responsible for good sleep

and mood regulation. Elevated melatonin levels can contribute to feelings of fatigue and depression. As for serotonin, it’s the hormone linked to well-being and happiness. With less sunlight being absorbed, the body decreases the amount of serotonin and melatonin produced, which can lead to depressive symptoms.

“During the summer, I feel so happy because there’s no school and no stress. I enjoy my summer activities and the people I’m around,” says Sophomore Ryan Renalds. “In the winter, no matter how happy I am, there’s this weight pushing down on me.”

This brings up an additional factor that contributes to these winter blues: stress. Seasonal affective disorder states that the sudden change of environment from an active summer to sitting for hours with assignments being thrown at students in the fall and winter can heavily affect a person’s mood.

For some, transitioning

from fall to winter can lead to sadness. According to the article, 7 Things to Help Avoid Seasonal Affective Disorder, getting outside more, keeping a journal for sorting out emotions, writing down positive things and making plans to reach out to others, or things to avoid isolation in general, can make a difference. Alternatively, there’s always the option of hibernating until the spring.

As the seasons transition from fall to winter, being mindful of mental health and taking proactive steps to ensure that the season’s cold and darkness don’t take over is key to healthy fal and winter seasons. Winter may bring its challenges, but with the right strategies and support, joy can still be found in the midst of the chill.

7

NEWS

New Changes for a New School Year Early release days are replacing last year’s late start days.

Bushra Mohammed // Staff Reporter There have been many new schedule changes made in schools all over the Troy School District. One new change includes adding early release days. This new addition will be replacing the late start days schools had last year. Do not be mistaken; these early release days are not like regular half days. On typical half days, school would end around three hours earlier and there would not be an allotted time for lunch during the school day. In contrast, early release days end an hour and a half earlier and have a designated time for lunch.

The reason why the Troy School District has early releases or late start days is primarily due to teachers having meetings with staff and administrators in the district. These meetings consist of staff development and other issues among administrators. Teachers and staff have specific meeting times that take up hours of the day.

On early release days, classes start at the regular school start time. However, dismissal is at 12:40 p.m. with each class being 39 minutes long. The unusual part of the schedule is

that students have time for lunch during fourth hour.

This causes lunch to start at 9:30 a.m. These changes have sparked many mixed opinions among students and staff.

Umaima Baseer, a junior at Troy High School, expressed her opinion on how lunches on early release days are unnecessary and way too early. “A lunch starting at 9:30 in the morning is crazy. Having lunch at fifth hour would at least be a little more towards lunch time, not breakfast time.

There seems to be no point in bringing lunch if you are going to eat it right in the morning.”

Sydney Barosko, a science teacher at Troy High School, explains why lunches are served on early release days. She explains that the reason the district must have lunches on early release days is to meet mandatory time requirements from the state. Due to this, the district is unable to have half days on these designated days.

“From my understanding, the reason we are serving lunch now is to have it count as a school day and that we are running into some issues in time at some

schools on giving enough instructional time to meet the requirements of the state.”

After seeing these new changes, students and staff have many different opinions. Some prefer early releases and some prefer having late start days. One of the reasons some students prefer late start days is due to school starting later, allowing students to get a bit more rest in the morning.

Senior Samridhi Sharma states the reasons she likes late start days more than early releases. “I prefer late start days because I like waking up in the morning and seeing sunlight outside, feeling more fresh. I also liked how classes switched around on late start days.”

However, many students have different opinions on late start days and prefer having early releases. Nisha Hari, a junior at Troy High School, explains her opinion and reasons why early release days are better than late start days. “Early release days are generally better than late start days. The day feels shorter and classes feel shorter compared to late start days, where the day feels pretty long because most of our classes are after eight.” Generally,

students are having back and forth arguments on whether the district should have kept late start days or that the new early releases were a better idea.

Some teachers argue that late starts were harder for teachers due to them having to teach a full day after having morning meetings.

Having early release days will make it easier for teachers having to balance meetings and teaching students during the day. Barosko explains why she prefers early releases primarily based on the professional develop-

ment viewpoint.

“Late starts were harder than early releases because during late starts we still had the full day coming up and teachers were less focused due to meetings in the early morning. On early releases, knowing that teaching is done for the day, it is easier to focus on collaboration.”

Although there are many mixed opinions among students and staff, schools in the district will continue to have early releases on days scheduled for staff meetings. For those who prefer late start days will have to get use to early releases for the time being. Let’s see where this new change will lead to and what other changes the district has in store.

FEATURE

8

Catching a Break

A look into why fall break, used to combat students’ poor mental health, isn’t offered at Troy High School and what the effects of one would be.

Ria Gupta // Editor-in-Chief, Graphics Editor, Grace Haugk // Body Copy Editor, Graphics Editor

In a coffee shop in late October, amid the bustle of the afternoon rush, a student sits at a table all alone.

They’ve got loads of homework ahead of them, but they can’t seem to keep their focus. It isn’t the wafting scents of a fresh pumpkin brew. It isn’t the classical jazz on loop in the background.

It’s mental exhaustion.

The longest stretch of the school year without a designated break is from Labor Day to Thanksgiving break.

Many students have sat in a coffee shop, unfocused, or at home, burdened by the sheer amount of tasks placed on their shoulders. This phenomenon is strongest during the fall. In a survey of 88 Troy High School students conducted by The Chariot, nearly 90% of respondents admitted to feeling a significant amount of mental exhaustion in the past 12 months.

Furthermore, 50% of students named October as the month in which they felt the most overwhelmed. The same survey concluded that 87.5% advocated for the implementation of a fall break at Troy High School, agreeing that this would help alleviate some of this mental exhaustion.

Fall breaks usually occur in the month of October and have been slowly put in place at the university level since the mid to late 1990s.

At schools like the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, fall breaks have been part of the cal-

endar year for decades. At others like Central Michigan University, fall breaks have only become more common after COVID-19 and the resulting mental health crisis.

A fall break at Troy High School would theoretically consist of a long weekend during the month of October; a momentary pause during the longest, uninterrupted stretch of the school year. The break promises to ease tensions during a busy time period for all students.

Research shows that mental health of students tends to be significantly worse in the months of October and January, with anxiety specifically peaking in the former.

When asked if he’d noticed a similar trend, Ali AliAhmed, a counselor at Troy High School, shared: “The entire month of October is pretty complex. For a lot of our seniors, they are working with the college application process and trying to keep their grades up as much as possible.” The counselor also mentions the PSAT and other CollegeBoard assessments that take place in the beginning of the year. “Kids start to realize [that] junior year is an important year or that the college application process is a class in itself.”

However, the stress of October isn’t entirely limited to the upperclassmen. “You have the ninth graders transitioning from middle school to high school, coming to a much bigger school. Then you have

the sophomores, trying to quizzes and assessments; bring their grades up if their to feel overly prepared inninth grade year wasn’t as stead of just prepared.” good as they wanted it to be.”

Seniors at Troy High Joseph Verhelle, an En- School often have “senior glish teacher at Troy High skip days” at the end of OctoSchool, commented on the ber to work on college applistresses shared by freshmen cations instead of attending in his classes: “Everything school. Ali-Ahmed believes is new to them. You start that a fall break would negetting into November and gate the need for seniors to they’re like, ‘I don’t know if I miss a day of school and any can do this forever or for the related assignments. “Havnext four years of my life,’ ing that break within the so they start getting a little fall would be nice because squirrely.” He continues, “I it’s more systematic rather find myself repeating, ‘This is than missing assignments,” the hardest part of the school he said. “If it’s scheduled, year, you just have to make teachers can plan ahead to it through this,’ but then make sure to have that litI’m like, we’re just surviv- tle break that’s necessary.” ing our school year instead He continued, touching on of thriving and learning?” the lack of relaxation providEnglish teacher Emily ed by these student-planned Rusk shares his sentiment. “senior skip days.” “A part of “The new back-to-school you did not enjoy your time honeymoon phase of being off because you’re thinking excited to be back and ready about the assignments you’re to be on your game; it fades missing.” He echoes that a so fast because you get so fall break would likely elimtired. They give you inate or greatly reduce the that break in college impact of this issue on both and we should seniors and teachers. also have that.”

The effects “ su W sc rvi e’r The realiof a fall break ste hoo ving e zation that are not limitin ad l ye ou October ed to research g a o ar r h a s papers and hypond f th inz e r o in lea rivtheticals.

Former g.” rn days off Troy High School stusurprised Alident Caroline Huang is Ahmed. “It’s a a freshman at Michigan great checkpoint,” State University, one of the Ali-Ahmed said. “A break or many higher education ina pause in reality [where stu- stitutions to become part dents can] utilize that time to of the growing trend to imstudy or catch up on missing plement a fall break. Huang assignments, projects, tests, discussed the stress she felt

prior to participating in her first fall break as a freshman this year: “I was starting to get a little depressed and overwhelmed before break so it was a nice refresher to meditate and relax.”

Huang spent her fall break with family, recuperating from the wearisome first few weeks of freshman year. “Break was good for my mental health and I think I needed it,” Huang concluded.

At Michigan State University, the gap between the start of the school year and fall break is only four weeks.

At Troy High School, the gap between the start of the school year and Thanksgiving break is thirteen weeks.

English teacher Lisa Knudson reiterates the need for a fall break at Troy High School.

“It is not only just needed; the stretch from August to Thanksgiving is the hardest stretch of the entire school year. When we hit this point, kids are burned out, teachers are burned out, nobody has patience anymore and everybody just needs a day off.”

Rusk agreed. She expressed that teachers’ poor mental health at this point is only harming their student’s own struggles. “There are so many pressures that we as teachers put on ourselves, especially to support our students in so many ways. I just feel like at this point in the year, if your mental capacity is not up to standard, how are you supposed to support your stu-

9

FEATURE dents too? We’re also strug- plained it as the following: gling. It’s just very hard.” “We have to meet the expecKnudson added on, ac- tations of the state, we have knowledging the importance to meet the expectations of of rewarding herself with our community and then we fun things during the year want to be good partners in to keep her motivaworking with our teachers tion up. In Octoto make sure ber, though, she that they feel “I don’t know said, “I don’t feel supported too. if I can do like [rewards There’s a lot of are] as wardifferent parties inthis forever or ranted during volved in that work. for the next this stretch; It’s challenging.” four years of like I haven’t The state of Michmy life.” earned it.” igan currently reVerhelle quires that schools elaborated on operate at a 180some of the s t r u g - day minimum with at least gles teachers face in the fall. 1,098 instructional hours.

“Compared to the other pe- The district determines the riods of the school year, I best way to meet state retake more naps. I’m less quirements in a series of productive. I’m just not in negotiations with the Troy tip-top shape right now com- Education Association, also pared to in the early spring.” known as the teachers’ union.

He then described how DiPilato dispelled any prolonged fatigue can have rumors saying that Troy an effect on his students. High School exceeds the “I’m a terrible teacher during state-mandated limit by eight that time. No one wants to days. “Troy High School does be around me. I don’t want not exceed 180 instructionto be around them. It’s just al days.” She continued, exnot productive for learn- plaining that the district’s ing.” Teachers’ mental health school year is extended in during this time period is comparison with other disas much a concern as stu- tricts because of long weekdents’ mental health when ends at the end of marking advocating for a fall break periods. Having those days addition to the calendar. off in the middle of the inWhile there seems to be structional period adds enough desire for a fall a week at the end of break the school year. “It l feels a lot longer.” a t n e m “If your not up When negotiaty is a t ing the district capacit rd, how a d calendar, atn a t s to posed p u Troy tendance s u o are y our y High rates per t r o p to sup ” ?

School, day play an o o t s t studen the proimportant role. c e s s To be considered a behind full instructional day, the implementing new breaks school must have 75% of in the Troy School Dis- its students in attendance. trict Calendar may be more Currently, Troy High School trouble than it’s worth. averages at a rate of 96%.

Christine DiPilato, the DiPilato acknowlAssistant Superintendent of edges that mid-to-late OctoSecondary Instruction for ber brings its own set of chalthe Troy School District, ex- lenges to students. “That’s

when a lot of the anxiety starts to ramp up. We see students start to make poor decisions, we see disciplinary issues, we see mental health start to drop a little bit.” She added that teachers may be feeling the same mental exhaustion as students as they adhere to the same calendar. “Teachers are tired, too.”

Currently, the Troy School District is in the negotiation w a n t process with the teachers’ to go to school anunion. Alongside working on other week in the likely, DiPa new contract, the negotia- summer, though. We get ilato questions, “How are tions will also out later than anybody.” we providing that release focus on curatThis isn’t as simple as it valve for students when the ing a new calmay sound, how- pressure becomes high?”

“Ho endar for the ever. If a break is w pro are next conadded in October, v rele idin we tract cythe instructional day ase g th stu cle. requirement must den valve at the ts w for be met through other bec pres hen The means; by either limom s state es h ure iting other scheduled igh of Michbreaks in the year or ?” igan has reextending the school year cently repealed further into the summer. a piece of legislation With a fall break at Troy requiring schools to open High School being unafter Labor Day. Before its repeal, the Troy School District would submit annual requests to bypass this legislation. This allowed the school year to begin in late August rather than the state-mandated early September.

Without this early start, 1. Change your the year would continue sleeping patterns. even later into the summer.

DiPilato acknowledged the lack of contentment 2. Maintain a healthy diet. surrounding the extended school year and the issues 3. Hang out with friends and that this creates: “No one family. wants to go to school on June 20th. We all want to be done that first or second 4. Attack the stressor week of June if we can be.” head-on.

This is echoed throughout the district, including by teachers. Knudson expressed her wish for a fall break, but Background courtesy of pixaby.com with one condition: “I don’t

Ali-Ahmed’s Tips for Coping with Stress

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OPINION

Cluster-Pluck Thanksgiving is a great time for pointing out hypocrisy.

Ria Gupta // Editor-in-Chief, Graphics Editor

As Canadians wrap up their festivities and Americans begin their meticulous planning, the holiday of Thanksgiving crawls closer and closer to the forefront of everyone’s mind. Who’s coming? What’s for dinner? Do we really want to cook an entire turkey this year? Questions asked while scrolling through Instagram or TikTok, past videos calling for justice for the Palestinians in Gaza and child laborers in the Congo.

Thanksgiving has always had a very tumultuous history. It began as a way for pilgrims in New England to give thanks to God for good harvests and plentiful food stores. However, The National Museum of the American Indian contributes this to the assistance of the local Wampanoag not, as the pilgrims believed, God or simply good luck. In American history, Thanksgiving celebrations are based off of the feast shared between the Wampanoag and the pilgrims in 1621. The two parties in attendance are the only things the majority of the research agrees on.

Britannica lays out the feast of Thanksgiving as the following, “Since Plymouth

had few buildings and manufactured goods, most people ate outside while sitting on the ground or on barrels with plates on their laps.

The men fired guns, ran races, and drank liquor, struggling to speak in broken English and Wampanoag.”

Even elementary schools push the narrative of a friendly feast. Children make pilgrim hats and Native American headdresses while posing for pictures with teepees in the background, gross misinterpretations of what the Wampanoag would’ve actually worn and lived in.

While The National Museum of the American Indian does not dispute the activities done during the feast of 1621 as laid out by Britannica, the museum stresses the importance of acknowledging that the feast was not an accident where the Wampanoag wandered into the Plymouth settlement. The feast was a deliberate act of fostering diplomacy, peace and respecting alliances. It was a failed attempt, however, as the pilgrims of Plymouth would encroach their way into Wampanoag land and beyond.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Darius Coombs, a Wampanoag cultural outreach coordinator, said, “For us, Thanksgiving kicked off colonization.

Our lives changed dramatically. It brought disease, servitude and so many things that weren’t good for Wampanoags and other Indigenous cultures.” Indigenous tribes to North America have taken to celebrating Thanksgiving as another holiday, the National Day of Mourning.

The holiday was only made official over two hundred years later on Nov. 26 of 1863 after President Abraham Lincoln demanded a ceasefire during the Civil War. Prior to this, Thanksgiving was a primarily New England tradition.

It was only precedent that allowed the holiday to become a post-Civil War celebration.

Both of Thanksgiving’s “origin stories” are written in blood. Post-Civil War, the holiday became an excuse for blatant nationalism as Europeans immigrated into the country and Native Americans were pushed out west. Its celebration has received scrutiny from

multiple groups, with the Wampanoag and other Indigenous groups being the loudest voices.

Justification, however, finds itself in the word “family.” It’s a time to gather, break or mend relationships. The feast doesn’t actually mean to celebrate genocide; it’s only an excuse to get the family together.

Or, Thanksgiving is the most convenient setting to stuff yourself up with food before camping outside Oakland Mall for Black Friday sales.

But then, of course, there’s the moral question: is it possible to celebrate family on a day where afterward thousands of other families were massacred?

No. Not only is it grossly cruel to celebrate what others lost so violently on the day the tragedy occurred, calls for a ceasefire or humanitarian intervention elsewhere ring hollow when the current precedent is set at Level We Will Celebrate Where You Mourn. If that sounds like an exaggeration, Americans only have to look at the turkey that they have prepared in the oven and the foliage-covered table mat.

Kisha James, a woman of

the Wampanoag tribe, asks, “Try to divorce your Thanksgiving celebrations from the Thanksgiving mythology.

No more pilgrims and Indians, no more teaching your children about the first Thanksgiving as we learn it in public school where it was a friendly meal.”

If Americans would like to help abroad, we need to start looking inward. Liberation for the Palestinians in Gaza is not a separate cause from the Indigenous peoples of North America.

As we preserve acts of Palestinian resistance through keffiyehs and watermelon iconography, we should preserve the real histories of the people who lived on this land before us. For a holiday focused on tradition and family, we ought to do justice to the non-colonial party present at the feast of 1621.

In the checkout line, take out the frozen turkey and cornbread mix. It can wait for the winter holidays.

Photo courtesy of Karen Rinaldo, “The First Thanksgiving 1621.”

OPINION

11

My Happy Meals Reviews of various popular fast food restaurants.

Nidhi Kuchulakanti // Staff Reporter

Subway My experience with Subway was an absolute delight. My spontaneous decision to be daring and add two sauces instead of one worked perfectly in my favor; the mixture of honey mustard and chipotle southwest sauce was an absolute delicacy. The ratio of veggies to sauce was absolutely faultless. I have no regrets. The veggies and sauces all blended very well together. This concoction was wonderful. I give Subway a 12.5/10.

Five Guys The words delight and Five Guys cannot even fall in the same stratosphere. The only vegetarian option at Five Guys was the Veggie Sandwich, but eating it made me feel as if I was eating a cold and tasteless salad topped with a sesame bun. I felt like a human in a bunny body. However, Five Guys receives three points for the wonderfully crisp fries and free peanuts, and one point because I feel pity. I rate Five Guys a 4/10.

Wendy’s Not a delight, but it was alright.

The spicy chicken nuggets were close to fast food perfection; a good amount of spice and a nice crunch. However, the spicy chicken sandwich and fries brings Wendy’s down four points. The fries genuinely tasted like raw potatoes cut into a fry shape. They were so hard to finish. Additionally, the spicy chicken sandwich was the flattest and most boring sandwich. Due to Wendy’s inconsistency in quality, I rate it a 6/10.

Chick-Fil-A Chick-Fil-A never misses. The very first bite was an absolutely riveting experience. The chicken was very crunchy and hot.

It tasted very fresh and was very fulfilling. However, the spice did lack a little and, coming from a pickle lover, there weren’t nearly enough pickles.

However, due to how absurdly amazing the chocolate milkshake was and how crunchy the fries were, Chick-Fil-A gets a 10/10 from me.

Taco Bell Last but not least, the Taco Bell Crunchwrap. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and the mixture of flavors was wonderful. However, due to the excessive amount of nacho cheese, the Crunchwrap ended up being a little soggy, but that is only a small price to pay for this glorious concoction. Unlike Wendy’s, Taco Bell always remains consistent in quality. I rate it an 8.5/10.

A review of the latest fragrant Sofia Coppola film.

Robin Han // Staff Reporter, Graphic by Grace Haugk // Body Copy Editor, Graphics Editor The movie opens up with away that this is directed by Before I saw the film, I Coppola does an amazing job a shot of Priscilla’s perfectly Sofia Coppola. was indifferent about how with showing the fame and polished feet, her red toes conCoppola’s latest film, “PrisJacob Elordi would play Elvis. fortune of Elvis, with his gluttrasting the pink shaggy carpet cilla,” depicts the tumultuous Him being an Australian with tonous consumption of food while a cover of “Baby I Love and morally questionable gapped teeth is possibly the in his bed and lavish visits to You” by The Ramones plays in relationship between Elvis and complete opposite of who Elvis the casino. The costumes were the background. Shots of her Priscilla Presley. Many movies was, but I also knew he was very accurate to the time peripastel pink makeup products about Elvis Presley, including typically typecast as a man od and also used to symbolize and red lipstick stains are 2022 Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis,” with anger issues. change. Priscilla started off as shown. Often described as focused on Elvis himself, I was surprised at how good innocent and modest, wearing “fragrant,” the pastel color practically making Priscilla a the acting was overall in this pink and muted colors, but scheme in the introduction is a background character. Coppomovie. The movie has scenes slowly started wearing mature major givela’s biopic focuses on Priscilla where Elvis would be unconblue clothes to please Elvis. and her struggles during their trollable with anger and take it Her virgin short hair and relationship. It is based on out on Priscilla. Elordi’s anger bare face slowly became more Priscilla Presley’s novel, “Elvis is very convincing, and I think mature, with jet black eyeand Me,” and gives the story a he is charming enough to the liner to match with her dyed new perspective instead of the point where he almost seems black hair. As she and Elvis glamorous story that audiencredeemable, in a sick and accu- grew further apart, Priscilla es are used to. rate way. Cailee Spaney gives went back to her natural look, For decades, Priscilla a heartbreaking performance symbolizing her detachment would casually bring up how as Priscilla. We see her as the from Elvis.

Elvis would control her life, young girl she was, always While the aesthetics of the even down to her hair and soft-spoken and calm, while movie were incredible, I felt makeup. It paints a vibrant also dealing with traumatic like the storyline was lacking. picture of what their relaabuse.

Overall, it’s pretty choppy once tionship was like, especially The movie was visually Priscilla moves into Graceland. since Priscilla herself was beautiful. The costumes, colors We don’t really get to know involved in making the film. and shots were breathtaking. who she is as a person, rather

we see her as a victim and nothing more than that. We don’t see her develop, and the movie jumps to a point in her life where she is ready to leave the toxic relationship. We don’t see who she is outside of Elvis either, whether that was purposeful or not. I loved the visual aspect of the movie, but I felt like that was the only thing that was focused on. The rest felt rushed and overlooked.

Photo courtesy of AP News

OPINION

Holly Jolly Trader Joe’s A detailed review of some Trader Joe’s new holiday items.

Michelle Baik // Business Editor, Public Relations Editor

As the clock hits midnight on Nov. 1, it is only right to immediately switch into the holiday mode. Trader Joe’s seems to be on the same page with the release of their holiday items in stores. I will be reviewing a variety of holiday products with my professional opinion. Special thanks to my mom’s credit card for making this happen.

Candy Cane Chocolate Covered Almonds

The traditional Joe-Joe’s get a holiday makeover with a combination of dark chocolate and peppermint. In an interesting twist, these cookies taste surprisingly similar to Thin Mints, a classic Girl Scout’s delicacy. The cookie inside is still very crunchy and not soggy at all, making it the perfect holiday treat. I would give this item a 12/10.

Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Joe-Joe’s

The traditional Joe-Joe’s get a holiday makeover with a combination of dark chocolate and peppermint. In an interesting twist, these cookies taste surprisingly similar to Thin Mints, a classic Girl Scout’s delicacy.

The cookie inside is still very crunchy and not soggy at all, making it the perfect holiday treat. I would give this item a 12/10.

Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa Stirring Spoon

Eggnog Greek Yogurt

Hot cocoa is a staple in holiday treats. This hot cocoa stirring spoon takes the idea of hot cocoa to a whole new level. This innovative idea allows for single serving hot cocoas without the mess of the powder and measuring cups. Simply place the spoon into a mug of warm milk and enjoy your salted caramel hot cocoa. I used almond milk which definitely cut the sweetness.

The marshmallows shrunk within the warm hot cocoa and the flavor of this drink was just alright. This item comes with the experience, but I don’t think that I will buy this again. I give this a 6/10.

As someone who has never tried eggnog before, this yogurt was a pleasant surprise. It has a very creamy consistency and is sweet and rich with just a hint of warm spice that elevates the flavor. Unfortunately, it does contain whole milk, which is bad news for my lactose intolerant friends. If you’ve never had eggnog before, it tastes similar to a custard or melted vanilla ice cream. I would definitely buy it again, so I give it a 10/10.

Gingerbread Cake & Cookie Mix Be warned: the ginger aspect of this mix should not be taken lightly. The recipe was simple and straight-forward, even giving you the choice between making a gingerbread cake or cookies. With only an egg and stick of butter, I quickly whipped up a batch of these cookies. The first bite of this cookie could only be described as gingery. The texture was very chewy and, although I got used to the flavor, it is still an acquired taste. But with the easy recipe and complex taste, I give this mix a 8/10.

Jingle Jangle Pretzel Twists

These TikTok-famous pretzel twists did not live up to the hype. The peanut butter coated pretzel that is covered with dark chocolate gems and JoeJoe’s cookie bits seemed to be just that. The combination of these delicious snacks did not create anything new and lacked a festive flair. I would give them a 5/10.

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Pixels of Personality Ranking teacher Bitmojis

Ainsley Giorio // Public Relations Editor, Graphics Editor Morgan Clark: English Teacher and The Chariot Adviser 7/10 I’d like to see some growth in her bitmoji; I’m pretty sure it’s been the same since my freshman year. However, I am a fan of the jeans; that exposed ankle is completely reflective of Clark’s style.

Julie Tucker: Spanish Teacher 9/10 Denim on denim on denim, love it.

I am also a big fan of the matching blue socks, sneakers and glasses.

Very monochrome.

Amy Feldkamp: English Teacher 6/10 Some essence of Feldkamp is lacking from this bitmoji, but I am struggling to identify how it could be remedied. I also don’t believe I’ve ever seen Ms. Feldkamp in glasses.

Alyssa Armstrong: Science Teacher 10/10 Love the pose, love the hoops, love the shoes. Just so cute.

Rachel Ritchie: Science Teacher 7/10 Her and Ms. Clark have very similar bitmojis. The platform shoes are a statement. I would love to see some.

Kyle Larson: Science Teacher 10/10 So accurate it’s insane.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Laith Listens

A young man’s ramblings on recent music.

Laith Hermiz // Public Relations Editor ONE MORE TIME by Blink-182 - Vile despicable noise.

Sound that makes you want to crawl into a hole to be euthanized.

Blink-182, keep it in the decade you did it in. Your singer sounds like somebody mocked a Green Day song and took it too far. The tone of the bass and guitar is equally bland and resembles the music of a middle school rock band. No, that isn’t true, and it is an insult to the multitudes of middle schoolers who try hard to make good bands. Blink-182. Possibly the worst band of the century, of the past 1000 years or of all time.

0/5, you fraudulent musicians.

Victim Mentality by Ethereal Tomb - Wow. I’ve really admired the music of Ethereal Tomb for a long time but this album and song really showed how talented this band is. From the evil fried vocals to fuzzed out bass and guitar with groovy drums underneath to serve the song’s purpose, this music hits hard. The distortion of the guitars hurt your ears when they turn on and it should. The lyrics about native oppression make you uncomfortable and they should. The music is disgustingly beautiful and it must be. The intervals between notes can make the hairs on your arm stand upright upon their announcement, and that’s just how they wanted it.

Within the lyrics of Ethereal Tomb’s music there lies more discomfort.

In the song “Victim Mentality,” white fragility is a concept that is explored. When asked about what white fragility looks like, Alexander Senum, frontman and guitarist of Ethereal Tomb said that “an example that comes to mind is someone confronting and accusing me that my music is racist against and based on hatred of white people.”

The genius in this band’s music and the thought which Senum expresses through these songs to an

audience of all races is simply brilliant. Listening closely to this music reminds us that, like Senum said, “true power is that of consciousness.” Ethereal Tomb is a wake up call. 5/5.

“Slut!” by Taylor Swift - Alright Swifties, I am decently impressed.

When it comes to melancholic pop music, this is good. I really like the instrumental in this song, from the deep bass that booms at the perfect time to the synth melody that shines above Taylor Swift’s voice. It’s almost like a 1990s EDM song’s track was revived to fit into the music style Swift has curated.

That style has been perfect for teenagers since the early 2010s to listen to. While I wouldn’t seek out music clearly made for the average teenage girl or young adult, this track has my respect. My only complaint is that it’s corny, but the cornball aspect ties together the EDM backing track and the pop vocals and lyrics.

4/5.

Now and Then by The Beatles This melancholy tune, the final one from The Beatles, is a great way to end their legacy. An artificial intelligence generated John Lennon sings of contrasting now and then. And of course this is ruined by Ringo Starr, who plays the grooviest beat he could think of under the song. I shouldn’t be this sad and also feel the urge to tap my foot at the same time. But that is the genius of The Beatles. They’re probably the first band with this level of popularity to convey this many complex emotions with such upbeat emotions. 5/5.

View troychariot.org for an extended version.

Photos Courtesy of Spotify

Cozy Creations

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A warm, fuzzy blanket for the coming winter season.

Ashley Park // Body Copy Editor Disclaimer: This blanket is a beginner-friendly craft and does not require previous knowledge of knitting or crocheting.

However, knowing one or the other may be helpful. Refer to YouTube for similar tutorials or visuals.

As winter comes fast approaching, a warm, fuzzy blanket is an essential for days in front of a fireplace witha cup of hot chocolate. This pattern is a step by step list of instructions for the perfect blanket for the upcoming cold weather.

Here is a list of supplies needed: • Yarn (Size: Jumbo - 7) • Scissors Step 1: The first step to starting all yarn crafts is creating a slip knot. Take the end of the yarn, and create a loop over the long end connected to the skein of yarn. Pull the long end of the yarn through the loop you just made. The loop should be loose enough to put your yarn and fingers through the hole.

Step 2: Next, figure out what size you want your blanket to be. This will help you to think about how much yarn you will need to use. Create a chain to the width you want your blanket to be.

Step 3: To start hand-knitting, create loops in the chains that you just made. Take t h e long end of the yarn and pull it through the holes of the chains. Make the loops as even as possible to avoid making awkward holes

in your blanket. To start a new row, simply add loops into the loops you just added to the chains. Continue adding loops to your loops until you reach the desired length for your blanket.

Tip: If you would like to use multiple colors, once you finish your rows, cut off the yarn for the next row you want to use a different color. Then, as if this was the original yarn you were working with, start your new row with the new color the same way as stated in step 3. Tie together the ends of the different colored yarn together and weave them into the edges of the blanket to hide them.

Step 4: Once you’re done with your blanket and are happy with the size, you need to cast it off so the blanket doesn’t unravel. To cast off, loop the previous loop into the next loop. Continue until you reach the end of the row. For the last loop, pull the remaining yarn through the loop and fasten the end.

Step 5: Tuck the ends of the yarn into the edges of the blanket and cut off the excess yarn sticking out. This makes your blanket look neater, but if this blanket is for yourself, you can leave it be. Whether you make it for a loved one or for yourself, this blanket will help you spend this winter season warm and cozy!

Photos by Ashley Park

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Thanksgiving: The Sequel

An inside look at all the creative recipes that can be made with Thanksgiving leftovers.

Lindsay Burke // Staff Reporter, Graphics by Grace Haugk // Graphics Editor, Body Copy Editor Some of the best dishes only make an appearance one night of the year, but they don’t have to. With Thanksgiving being the holiday that produces the most food,

it also creates an abundance of leftovers. While the typical reheating of everything is a classic, some of these special dishes could be entitled to more than just the microwave.

Senior Kira Lauta, offers some new spins on the classic dishes to spice up typical leftovers. “If there is some broth leftover, we use pasta and cover it in the broth and add turkey and eat it with pasta.” Lauta also says a fan favorite in her house is making turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce. A cold turkey sandwich is a simple option that can be advanced to include all

THE CHARIOT STAFF

leftovers in one dish.

A more advanced recipe that will take leftovers to the next level comes from English teacher Suria AliAhmed. While she appreciates a good cold turkey sandwich, her family puts a more creative spin on their turkey leftovers. “I like to make slow-cooked taco meat with the turkey.” AliAhmed’s family are big taco lovers. By incorporating their favorite holiday foods into tacos, she gets to enjoy both of her favorites in one dish. Ali-Ahmed replaces the shredded chicken she would normally use in her taco recipe with leftover turkey she makes in the slow-cooker.

It is hard not to associate

the word feast with the size of the meal produced on Thanksgiving Day. To prepare for this, senior Grace Cueny spends the days before the Thanksgiving holiday cooking all the food she will enjoy on Thanksgiving with her friends and family.

However, with the joy of the delicious meal also comes the excitement that comes with a bounty of leftovers.

“Typically we divide them evenly among everyone who cooked and then we will make turkey sandwiches by taking the turkey and adding sharp white cheddar, a little bit of gravy and maybe some lettuce or cranberry sauce on there.” Cueny said.

The Thanksgiving season comes with new recipes

each year, but it’s always the same thing when it comes to leftovers. While the plain reheating of everything does a quick job of clearing out those leftovers, such a special holiday should require more than just a simple warm in the microwave.

With some dishes requiring days of work, their leftovers can require the same attention. As Thanksgiving is an important holiday to many families, why not let the leftovers feel equally important?

SPORTS

A Look Into the Winter Captains

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Features on a few 2023-2024 school year winter sports captains.

Mehereen Kaur // Staff Reporter

As the fall sports season at Troy High School has come to an end for the 2023-2024 school year, the winter season has opened for many sports. Synchronized swimming, hockey and many more sports are in session for this school year.

Troy United Girls Hockey Team Senior Shaelyn Pettinga, a captain of the Troy United girls hockey team, started playing hockey in her freshman year.

Pettinga started playing hockey during freshman year. “On the first day of skating, it was a welcoming environment and that is what gets me to do stuff. Everyone was really supportive of each other as a community.”

When Pettinga was given the role as a captain for the hockey team, she felt “really special to be a captain because that means that you get a special role and you proved to the team that you have good leadership skills, so it is really important. I also feel valued in a way being a captain for the team.”

Synchronized Swimming Junior Ana Sofia Hernandez Gomez, captain of the synchronized swimming team, has been swimming for eight years. When Gomez was awarded captain of the team she felt nervous. She wanted to make sure that she included everybody on the team as a new captain and that her season wouldn’t suffer from any complications.

When asked about what made her want to try Synchronized Swimming, Gomez replied, “I started the sport because I was kind of tired of swimming. It felt boring and I wanted to try something new and more challenging so I joined synchro.”

This year, Gomez shared, “My goals for the team is to get first at States and reclaim our trophy.” As a captain, she hopes to make the season enjoyable to create a more united team.

Gomez shared that, “As long as we keep our effort up and create a good team environment, it will only be a matter of time before we start getting the results we want and beat our opponents.”

Boys Swimming Senior Andrew Meng, captain of the boys swimming team at Troy High School has been swimming for 11 years and has swam for the school team all throughout his high school. Meng’s performance goals for this year’s boys swimming season is to win more meets this year.

Meng shared that he is excited to be a captain of the team this year. “It was pretty exciting to be able to step up into a role that I have seen upperclassmen do before me and lead the team to victory.”

“After I did some swimming lessons and found out that I was good at it, it made me want to continue the sport,” Meng commented on his passion for swimming.

What The Puck

A look into a rumor about the The Troy United Girls Hockey Team.

Kathryn Bullock // Staff Reporter Troy High School has many athletic clubs and teams students can join, including its very own girls hockey team that was recently formed in 2019. Although it’s still fairly new, there are rumors going around that the team is splitting up. Brendan Kischnick, Troy United Girls Hockey team head coach, has responded to those rumors in a recent interview.

“We do have some trouble right now with the amount

of girls playing on the team,” Kischnick stated.

“Some girls quit, some girls go and do other things,” the head coach says. When asked if recruitment issues were the problem, Kischnick replied with a stern “yes.” The coach goes on about how recruitment has been a “problem.”

“Last year we had about 38 girls with the team, this year we’re down to 15.” The news is a mystery to why girls aren’t joining this

year’s Troy United Girls Hockey team.

Junior Solanda Mills, who has been with the Troy United Girls Hockey team since her freshman year, gave her thoughts on if the team will break up.

“It’s really unclear right now,” Mills expressed. “We have gotten a few new girls this year but the issue with that is we can’t put them on the varsity team,” the junior hockey player confessed.

Mills goes on about the other difficulties the young hockey team are facing.

“Because so many people have quit, we have less people to share the cost of the

ice build, because hockey is really expensive.”

“The price has shot up really high, and I think that’s scaring even more people away because not everybody can pay 2,000 dollars for the season.”

Mills added on saying, “Hockey equipment is a whole separate thing. The 2,000 is just for the ice build split between all of us.

Most of the equipment are hand-me-downs.”

When asked if there have been any cliques or gossip groups within the hockey team that would spread this rumor, Mills said, “There used to be somewhat of a

separation, but we mostly all get along. We joined this team all together.” Mills declared with confidence.

While there are just enough girls to play this season, the Troy United Girls Hockey team are still looking for more players.

It has not been declared by the hockey players nor coaches that the team will split. However, the Troy United Girls Hockey team are always open to new players. The team still awaits a final conclusion if the team is continuing or ending.

Photo by Michelle Baik

NOV 2023

Behind the Ballot

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A quick guide on how to exercise your right to vote.

Aanya Shah // Staff Reporter, Graphics by Maya Nagy // Staff Reporter Voting is widely regarded as one of the most important civic duties in the United States. From the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to the passage of the 19th Amendment, suffrage has been fought for since the inception of the United States democracy. Despite voting being the cornerstone of the American government, many eligible voters aren’t sure how to register to vote.

A Pew Research Center survey indicated that approximately 40% of eligible voters weren’t certain about their state’s registration deadlines or rules, highlighting a key fault in public awareness surrounding voter registration.

A common misconception is that registering to vote requires extensive paperwork, detailed personal information and takes weeks. Ryan Werenka, Troy High School Advanced Placement U.S. Government teacher, says otherwise: “It [registering to vote] takes about 90 seconds.” On Michigan’s voter registration form, there are only three identification information components needed:

1. Name 2. Address 3. Michigan driver’s license number OR the last four digits of your Social Security Number Kaeshav Krishna, Troy High School Student and Model United Nations President, voices that, “It would be nice if there was a very public and up-front way for

us to register to vote, especially for us [students] who turn 18 or are 18 right now.”

Your vote makes a difference, especially as a young person. Millions of young voters cast a vote each election, and are therefore an important demographic that significantly affects the nation’s political proceedings. Young voters in Michigan in particular have been voting at higher rates.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has noted this hike, “A strong democracy requires informed and engaged citizens, and Michigan is leading the way in ensuring our youngest voters are active participants in determining our future.”

However, Michigan is not the only state to witness the effects of increased youth voter turnout. The recent Ohio election on Nov. 7, 2023 led to unexpected results. As a traditionally Republican state, Ohio had banned abortion as well as recreational marijuana use in 2022. After this past election, however, Ohio voted to enshrine the right to abortion in their constitution, as well as legalized marijuana

for people 21 and older. At the same token, youth voter turnout among Ohioans was markedly higher, and the majority of young voters were in support for both issues.

According to an ABC News exit poll, “Young voters were particularly apt to back both measures: Seventy-seven percent of those ages 18-29 were for the abortion referendum and 84% were for legalizing marijuana.”

The results of the Ohio election are a testament to the impact of young voters and how they inspire legislative action shaping their communities. It is equally vital for Troy High School’s eligible voters to participate in elections to ensure their voices surrounding local, state and national legislation are heard.

Through voting, your stances on policies will be represented by your corresponding legislators and directly impact healthcare, education, justice and several other core tenements of society. Political participation of young voters shapes the future of society, and just a single vote from this demographic ensures that the diverse concerns and aspirations of the younger generation are considered in decision-making processes.

How exactly do you register to vote? Here are five simple steps to register in Michigan: 1. Ensure that you’re eligible to vote in Michigan. To be eligible, you must be a U.S. Citizen, a resident of Michigan, and 18 years of age by November 5th, 2024.

2. Choose how to register: a) In Person: You can register to vote in person at any Secretary of State branch, local county, or city clerk’s office. Bring a driver’s license or state ID. b) Online: Visit the Michigan Secretary of State website and use the online voter registration system. Fill out the required information, including your driver’s license or state ID number, and follow the prompts to complete the registration process. c) Mail: Download the votUse this QR code to er registration form from register to vote! the Michigan Secretary of State website, complete the form and mail it to your local county clerk’s office. Provide a copy of acceptable identification.

3. Be sure that you register within 15 days of Election Day. 4. After registering, you will receive a voter registration card which confirms that you are a registered voter in Michigan.

5. Vote! On Election Day, navigate to your assigned polling location through the Secretary of State website.