ct Grand Ledge High School’s
The Comets’ Tale
Senior Lauren Lawler runs her own business
See more on page 3
The safety of hockey continues to progress See more on page 5
Taking a trip to a new reality—Oculus Rift is a new way to play video games See more on page 6
Safety does not have to be a luxury Volume 47 Issue 6 March 2015 820 Spring St. Grand Ledge MI 517-925-5848
Delta Center students will not get a new playground now that the bond did not pass
kids to play on.” Katie Twarozynski ‘17 Metcalf was quite disappointed when the bond did not pass because now many parts of Copy Editor the district will not receive all of the funding Before registered voters turned in their they needed. With no money, the elementary ballots on Feb. 24, Delta Center students held schools that need new playgrounds will not their own version of the democratic process. be getting them. Students from Delta Center were given three The bond not only would have helped with choices to vote on for the new playground new equipment, it would have helped with equipment that would be built if the bond heating systems in buildings in the district passed. But, it didn’t. For two schools in and athletes getting their new fields. Grand Ledge, Delta Center and Wacousta “There is no money to get new playground Elementary, new playgrounds are not in equipment for either Delta Center or the budget. While it was announced Wacousta,” Metcalf said. “We have GMB by administration, before the Architects inspect the playgrounds. They bond vote, that Wacousta have someone certified to do this and they Elementary’s beloved use a state manual that outlines safety “Dream Depot” would most requirements and guidelines.” likely be disassembled due Safety is truly important for children to it being unsafe, the depot who play on equipment and the burden on will be re-inspected to see if parents’ wallets. In New York, injuries on it can remain where it is for playgrounds cost taxpayers 20 million dollars students. in the last decade. Parents have also filed “There are no plans to 577 claims against the Parks Department replace the playground at according to a comptroller report from the Delta Center,” Scott Eckhart, New York Post. principal at Delta Center, said. “The personal injury claims jumped 53 “The current structures on the percent from fiscal year 2005 to 2014,” playground will remain in place until the Comptroller Scott Stringer said. “Most district receives adequate funding to replace accidents are skinned knees or elbows, but the outdated/not-up-to-code ones.” sometimes much more serious incidents Since there are no new plans for new occur.” equipment, students will continue to play on Recess is very important for a child’s the current structures available. Even though development in elementary school. According the playground is old, Eckhart believes that it to Beulah Erhiawarien, the coordinator of is still safe to play on. Kaboom, a nonprofit organization to get “Our district does a nice job of children playing in America, 80 percent of maintaining and fixing the principals report that recess has a positive playground when there is impact on academic achievement. These a need,” Eckhart said. facts are important to keep in mind when “Students will still play the schools decide to keep or destroy their outside on our playground playground equipment. structures.” “Children deprived of play can show a Superintendent Brian number of increased problems with social Metcalf is in charge of all integration,” Erhiawarien said. “There is of the funding across the even a greater likelihood of felony arrests by district and handles the young adulthood. These may seem like silly inspections as well. claims, but playgrounds really are essential “We will have all of the to a young student’s development.” playgrounds in the district Wacousta’s playground was built in 1990 inspected again this year,” Metcalf and Delta Center’s was built in 1995. Metcalf said. “We have all playgrounds added it is unfortunate that the elementary inspected every few years to make sure students will not able to see new playgrounds that we are maintaining safe equipment for in the near future. A Delta Center student slides down the slide during recess. The students will continue to play on the current playground and the district will keep it maintained.
Illustration of playground equipment currently at Delta Center Illustration by Sarah Sims/The Comets’ Tale
Safety of different surfacing 6 in of shredded rubber protects a 10 ft. fall 9 in. of sand protects a 4 ft. fall 9 in. of pea gravel protects a 5 ft. fall 9 in. of wood mulch protects a 7 ft. fall 9 in. of wood chips protects a 10 ft. fall
There is an estimated 200,000 emergency room visits from playground equipment each year Crossing the monkey bars is an elementary student at Delta Center Elementary School. Because the bond failed to pass students at Delta Center will not be getting the new playground that students had voted on. Photos by Amy Case and Katie Twarozynski/The Comets’ Tale
about 44% of injuries are from falls and 23% are from equipment related hazards Information from michigan.gov Department of Human Services
Inappropriate surfacing Asphalt Carpet not tested Concrete Dirt Grass CCA treated wood mulch
Michigan’s playground report card 2000 C
2004 C+
Age-Appropriate:
D-
B
Fall Surfacing:
F
B
Equipment Maintenance:
F
B+
Supervision:
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The Comets’ Tale • Opinion • March 2015
Stress
Then Vs. Now
Katie’s Korner: “Unbroken” book review
Gabrielle Cushman ‘17
Stress. It is like that one annoying friend that simply has to be a part of everything in your life. Everyone experiences stress; kids, teenagers and adults. Yet adults seem to think that their stress is far worse than a high school students,’ which I find highly unlikely. Too many times have I heard the phrases “you’re just exaggerating,” “you just complain for the heck of it,” and “if you think that is stressStaff Writer
Katie Twarozinski ‘17
Copy Editor With the recent release of the movie “Unbroken,” many people are swarming to ready the book and you should too. Unbroken, written by Laura Hildenbrand, starts out with Italian-American Louis Zamperini’s childhood and all of the mischief he caused and got into. When he reached high school, his brother decided to step into his life and turn him around. He got Zamperini into running track, so he would have an outlet for his negative energy. In the beginning, Zamperini absolutely hated running but ran anyway to please his family. Once Zamperini started running, he (and almost everyone else in town) realized he had real talent.. When he achieved the nation’s record, he became interested in attending the 1936 Olympics. He made the cut and soon travelled over to Berlin, Germany. In the races, he came in seventh place, but set an American record for the 5,000 meter run. Shortly after returning home from the Olympics, Zamperini is drafted for the war. He goes to a base in Texas and when Pearl Harbor is bombed, he and his crew are sent out to Hawaii. They are assigned to a B-24 bomber that was known to break down and not be a very reliable plane. One day when the crew is sent out on a bombing expedition, their plane gets torn up by Japanese bombers. The plane goes down, leaving Zamperini and two others stranded in a raft in the middle of the Pacific ocean and the rest of the crew dead. Days and days pass, with no sign of rescue. The three friends try to keep positive vibes going but are soon discouraged when they lack water, food, and are exposed to much sunlight. Each day is a fight to continue on as their strength deteriorates. Conditions in the war camps were absolutely brutal. Months and months went until Zamperini was worn away to skin and bones. No matter the conditions, though, Zamperini remained strong and hoped and prayed for a rescue or an end to the war. The time finally came when the war ended and the camp was liberated. Zamperini returned home and started a family. He experienced much PTS; but he swears he only got through it with the help of God. In the end, Zamperini forgave the Japanese and even went back to the country for the 1981 Olympics, carrying the torch for the games. “Unbroken” was an extraordinary book. To imagine the events in this book actually took place is unbearable. The author used such colorful language to describe the events that took place in the book. I can completely understand why Zamperini was known as unbroken. He never gave up and never let “The Bird” have the satisfaction of breaking him. I would give this book ten out of five stars. I do not think I have ever read a book as powerful as this. If you have already seen the movie, be warned when reading this book: descriptions are more powerful in words than on the screen.
College Standards
ful, wait until you graduate!” High school is known as the time where every decision you make will affect your future in some way. High school students are walking stress hives. Adults need to get off their high horses and realize that our stress is as great as theirs. High school has changed with time, and our stress now is way different from their stress then. Adults need to understand that times are different now, and we are under new amounts of stress from brand new outlets that they have never experienced. As high school continues to evolve, so does the stress; and it is not going anywhere.
Social Media
Sheltered Children
Realationship Standards
Students had freedom. They were considered adults and responsible much earlier in their lives. Their parents did not have a hand in everything they did. Laws were less restrictive and safety was not as concerning.
Going steady just sounds less serious. Teenagers could go on dates with different people and not be committed to any of them; they would see if they had chemistry first before calling it official.
Parents have probably just learned their lessons from when they were rebellious children, but students now seem to have their parents looming over them to make sure they are staying safe. Laws involving schools and students are much stricter. Teenagers are supposed to act like adults, but they do not get the benefits of being treated like adults back.
Expect to be asked to be someone’s significant other before actually going on a date. Relationships are also treated so seriously. It is like you are signing a contract to be this person’s date forever, and then when you break that oath you are shunned for months.
Then: Colleges looked for the same standards as today, but with less of an emphasis on extracurriculars. Standardized tests were still very important towards filling out a good application to the college of your dreams.
There was no social media. Rumors went around by word of mouth, which made them much less likely to get around the school within a day. Also, there was no pressure to have a certain amount of followers on social media. Technology was limited as well, so there was no worry to learn how to use it.
Now: College costs and debt have increased by about $10,000 within the last 15 years. Acceptance rates have gone down by around 15 percent. You have to have a lot more than grades and a good standardized test score now. Extracurriculars are as important as grades to colleges nowadays. You cannot just be a kid with a good memory that spits information out on tests and gets good grades from it. You have to actually be doing something else with your life besides school, which is really hard to balance with modern-day academic standards.
Social media is an essential part of every student’s life. If you are not on it, you are missing out on big events and information. If you are on it, the constant worry of how your followers stack up against others and what someone will comment on your status or picture brings your stress and anxiety up.
Money saving tips to take to the bank
1. Saving some of your paycheck for other things. Like save 20% towards your college fund. Katherine Davidson ‘17
Staff Writer As the generation slowly grows up, we start to crave independence. We want to do everything by ourselves. we want to go to college, get a brand new car or backpack across Europe with our best friends. Only there is a problem; money. It can punish or save us. It pays for that used car teens get when they turn 16. It pays for their college career. It even pays for the food on the table before them. Acquiring this green resource is the problem that many young adults face throughout their life.
2. Pocket change jar. Have a little jar to throw your spare coins that hang out in your pockets all day. 3. Pick up some odd jobs, for example babysitting, cleaning house or lawn care for neighbors. 4. Adding up total as you shop, don’t buy on impulse. 5. Walk or carpool to get to where you are going.
“Music is made for everyone”
Everyone has their own music taste and we should celebrate that. Music can bring us together, it shouldn’t tear us appart Taylor Kennaugh ‘16 of my favorite songs out loud. And it sucks. I want Staff Writer the people close to me to Okay, public serrespect my favorite music and vice announcement, you are not enjoy it with me, but instead I just keep it to myself. It makes you better than the second guess the things you like, people around which is an awful feeling. you simply Music is a matter of opinion, because you listen and just like everything else, to a certain genre of music, or a people have differing opinions. specific artist. So stop judging The type of music a person people for the music they choose chooses to listen to is completely to listen to. up to them. Think about it, you My friends and family judge would never yell at someone for my music preference all the time. eating a food that you do not like. Dirty looks, negative comments, Because people are allowed to all of that, simply for playing one
Mission Statement The Comets’ Tale, a newspaper produced for and by students of Grand Ledge High School, will provide the student body with information pertinent to events, activities and issues that affect GLHS students.
Editors-in-Chief
Sarah Sims Jake Thomann
Managing Editor
Sarah Clinckscales
Business Manager
Mary Vu
Copy Editor
Katie Twarozynski
News Editor
Bry Leach
eat whatever they want, and you commenting that you do not like the food they are eating makes no difference to that person’s taste buds. They will still like the food, regardless of what you say. Music is the same way. People like what they like, and you cannot change that. Just let people enjoy the music they want to listen to and accept that people are not going to like all the same things as you. Another thing, your gender does not determine your music preference. I am sick of people assuming I listen to a certain genre, just because I am a girl.
Staff Writers
Austin Blatt Amy Case Gabrielle Cushman Katherine Davidson Alicia DeGroat Michael Glasgow Taylor Kennaugh Bobby Mitchell Angela Pontius
Guys are allowed to listen to boy bands and girls are allowed to listen to screamo. Gender has nothing to do with the genre of music you listen to, and do not let anyone tell you otherwise. It is very annoying to have people tell you that you should not listen to a certain genre simply because of your gender. If someone is making you question the music you listen to, you should just ignore them. Nothing but your personal opinion matters when it comes to music. It is all about personal preference, and you are the only
Savannah Wear Nathan Werner Michael Wilson Alexis VelasquezMayhew
Adviser
Sara-Beth Badalamente
one that can decide what you prefer. Music is made for everyone to enjoy and it is meant to be shared. Having a common interest in a band or artist can even bring people together and start new friendships. So next time you dislike an artist or song your friend is listening to, do not make them feel bad about liking it. There is a difference between pointing out why you do not like the song and just making fun of the person for listening to that song. Just agree to disagree and move on.
Letters to the Editor are encouraged by The Comets’ Tale staff. Letters may pertain to an article written or simply act as a form of student expression. All letters must be deemed publishable by the Editorial Board including the adviser. They should be 200 words or less but may be edited for content of length. All letters to the Editor must be signed. To send a letter to the Editor students may drop them in the publications room (room 113).
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The Comets’ Tale • Feature • March 2015
Sophomore Mason Miller designs a new floorplan during his architecture class. During his school day Miller takes a hefty load of advance classes and taught himself Algebra 3 and Trig last summer. Photo by Alexis Velasquez-Mayhew /The Comets’ Tale
More than advance
Conquering AP classes as a sophomore Mike Glasgow ‘16 Staff Writer
Senior photoshoot with Rebecca Houlhan makeup done by Lauren Lawler. Lawler’s passion to express herself through make-up began before she got to high school. She created a automated make up brush called PROCLEAN that she hopes can come out within the next five years. Courtesy photo
Changing the art of make-up Alicia Degroat‘16 Staff Writer
Having an invention patented is not something many people do in their entire lifetime. This is not the case for senior Lauren Lawler. Doing makeup is her passion, so she set out to revolutionize the makeup industry. “I started getting into makeup before freshman year,” Lawler said. “I thought of it as a way to express myself and make money at the same time.” As Lawler began to perfect her talent more and more, she started offering to do other people’s makeup for a reasonable price.
“I usually do most people’s makeup around the times of banquet and prom,” Lawler said. “I have two different applications. The first application I charge 50 dollars for a standard, and for the second I charge 60 dollars which includes airbrush, eyelashes and a free lipstick.” Of course every artist has their favorites to use on their clients. “I absolutely love ‘Too Faced,’ ‘Benefit,’ and ‘N.Y.X.,’” Lawler said. “Surprisingly, I also really like the ‘Wet n’ Wild’ face powder, it almost looks good on everyone! I don’t think ‘Mac’ is really the great brand everybody makes it out to be, their
stuff is easily duped by other companies. You’re basically just paying for the name.” For every makeup artist, or anybody that does makeup in general, it is a huge pain to clean a makeup brush. Luckily, Lawler has an extravagant idea to save time and money. “It’s called ‘PROCLEAN,’” Lawler said. “It is an automated makeup brush sanitizing machine with rubber arms that agitate the bristles using an alcohol based sanitizer and squeezes out the dirty liquid. It then dries the bristles using a UV light in under ten minutes. I plan to release this product within the next five years and to make the
cost between 50-100 dollars.” After high school, Lawler plans to go to LCC for two years and then transfer to MSU, getting a masters in merchandising and advertising. “I’m very excited to find out what is in store for me,” Lawler said. “I can’t wait to continue the rest of my life doing something I adore; helping people and doing makeup.” To contact Lauren Lawler for an appointment Phone number: 5176433177 website:MakeupbyL.weebly. com
P r O m
P & M
Ladies:
FUNERAL HOME
JOHN R. MURRAY 301 East Jefferson St. Grand Ledge, Michigan 48837 •
Fax: (517) 627-1079 Phone: (517) 627-2147 •
P & M PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE COMETS’ TALE
?
The big night only happens once a year, so perfection is the goal. By following the tips below, everyone will be able to dance the night away and make it one to remember, not regret.
PETERS & MURRAY
petersandmurrayfh@comcast.net www.petersandmurrayfuneralhome.com
Taking AP calculus your sophomore year is something few people can say they have done. Sophomore Mason Miller happens to be one of those few people, and he worked hard to get there. To get more advanced at math and so he could calculus as a sophomore, he taught himself algebra 3 and trigonometry when he got bored the summer after his freshman year. “I want to go into the field of either nuclear or particle physics,” Miller said. “They both sound fairly interesting, and I found that with nuclear physics there are both theoretical and more practical fields.” Miller has big plans for the future and he will need the math and science skills he works for in school. He hopes to go to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, or maybe even Michigan State University. While Miller is quite smart on his own, he still has to work hard to do well in a subject. “I’m terrible at a lot of the electives like art, but I’m fairly good with classes like the computer programming electives and with the core classes like English, science, history and mathematics,” Miller said. Miller expects the workload to be a lot heavier next year with the AP classes he is considering taking. “I want to take more of the AP
classes I find interesting, which is mainly science and mathematics,” Miller said. “I do want to continue in French, and even though I do not like English and history as much, I want to take more advanced classes for those.” Outside of school, Miller likes to read when he has the time to, cross country ski and play Magic the Gathering with friends. Interestingly, he also avoids most social media because he finds it to be irrelevant at times. “I find that social media is wonderful when people have something worth saying on it,” Miller said. “It is very easy to start up an account and say something with it. The problem with it is that so much of it is not worth saying, like people posting on a social media site what they ate for breakfast.” Miller believes the biggest problem that society faces today is apathy. “People just do not get as motivated, and I think that’s causing things to go down the drain,” Miller said. “People complain about problems yet they do not do anything to solve them. They complain about jobs being outsourced to China, problems with the climate, and laws they do not like, yet they won’t do anything to change it.” Unlike some people in today’s society, Miller hopes that in the future he will be able to find solutions to problems people are faced with rather than complaining and doing nothing to change them.
Gentlemen:
• Schedule appointments for hair, makeup, nails or spray tans several weeks to a month in advance to make sure you can get the best work done at the best time for your schedule. • Make sure you’re on the same page as your date for plans. Discuss who’s paying for what as well as when and where you will meet, and make sure to have dinner reservations two weeks in advance. As for Prom night, don’t be “fashionably late.” Plan your day accordingly. • Try on your dress and accessories at least a week in advance to make sure no last-minute alterations are needed. Pack a Prom Emergency Kit to take with you all night. Extra bobby pins and safety pins, touch up make-up, gum or mints, lotion and medicine are necessities for the unpredictable and long night. If you find yourself needing anything else, chaperones are always equipped with their own emergency kit to help you dance through the whole night. In the heat of everything, don’t forget to have fun! Relax, dance, be safe, and don’t forget to thank your date at the end of the night.
•
•
• •
Make sure to ask your potential date to prom 1-2 months in advance to ensure that she doesn’t catch another date, so you can coordinate outfits, and allow ease in planning so you’re not frantic the week before. Either go with a simple and traditional “Will you go to prom with me” approach, or search websites like Pinterest for creative and unique Promposals. According to Baryames Tuxedo’s store manager Rebecca Perry, tux rentals should be planned 1-2 months in advance. Her advice is, “To coordinate with your date, ask her opinion on basic styles or colors. Feel free to add your own style and flair to your prom attire. You don’t have to match perfectly, but compliment her look. If you aren’t sure, simple is good, go for a classic look. Visit Baryames Tuxedo for final fitting and pick up of tuxedo. The night of Prom, exhibit your best manners. Open doors, pull out chairs, and escort her to the door once the night is over. Respect both your and her parents by getting home safe, before curfew and showing up sober. Thank your date before you go home!
Buddy’s Boutique Professional Products Used Quiet and Calm Atmosphere Gentle Grooming 3668 Jefferson Hwy Grand Ledge, MI 48837 231-5548
Ad.
The Comets’ Tale • Advertisment • March 2015
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5 Jones shoots for higher hoops
The Comets’ Tale • Sports • March 2015
Jones’ four year journey from the basics to the elite
Sarah Clinkscales ‘15 Managing Editor
Step into my office: with Austin Blatt
The United States does not like soccer. We act as if soccer is a curse word. It seems like the only way people watch soccer is when someone is playing FIFA. Plus, we call it soccer. I think calling it soccer is stupid; it will now be referred to as football. The opposition to football in America is very puzzling to me. During the summer when the only sport on is baseball, doesn’t it seem that this country would turn to the only other sport that is on? Football is the world’s sport. Across the planet millions and millions of people watch the game. There are literally thousands of teams that you can choose from. Whether it’s in Spain with Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atletico. England with Liverpool, Manchester United or Arsenal. You can go to France, Turkey, Sweden, Russia, and Belgium. Heck, you can even look in your own backyard at the MLS. Seattle, Salt Lake, Toronto, New York. All of these are places you can look for your potential favorite teams. Then there are the players. The ones who make “The Beautiful Game,” truly beautiful. From Neymar to Dempsy. Ibrahimovic, Ronaldo, Messi, Suarez. These are the guys who make football such an enjoyable experience. Nothing is better than watching a beautiful cross sent into the box and seeing it head headed right into the back of the net. This is what makes the opposition so frustrating to me. American football, the football you all know, has been America’s pastime for the at least the 20 years. Yet, there has not really been any improvement in the way the game is played. In football (soccer, I hate calling it that), the game is constantly changing. Whether some inventive manager brings in a 3-4-3 formation, or you have a boring manager and run a 5-4-1 with fullbacks making runs into the box. Which actually would be pretty interesting to see. I think that it is time to embrace football as an entity in the United States. MLS is starting to bring in real deal talent like Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard, Kaka, and David Villa. Montreal finally had a breakthrough season and is in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League. Football needs to become a force here. It is inevitable that it will. I, for one, am ready for that change.
The number zero does not equal nothing for varsity basketball captain Cassell Jones. For some, minimal wins would be discouraging, but to Cassell, it was an opportunity to overcome a challenge and prove his talent. Cassell is a winner. “We have improved every year we have had Cassell in the program and that is all a coach can ask for,” varsity basketball coach Scott Lewis said. During his freshman year, when Cassell was bumped to varsity, they won four games. Sophomore year there were eight wins, last year a total of 14, and this year so far 18 wins. When the seniors graduated after his freshman year, the team started fresh, bringing new talent, with Cassell leading the team. “Cassell’s biggest strength as a captain is his experience,” Lewis said. “He has been a four year varsity player, so all the guys on the team look to him as someone who has been here before. He can truly lead by example.” Other than Cassell’s phenomenal performance on court, his work ethic and drive speak louder than words. He plays on both sides of the ball, and models what is expected out of the rest of the team. Cassell attends individual workouts, weight room sessions, summer league, camps and shootouts. “I think it says a lot about the things we do here in the off-season to develop talent,” Lewis said. Cassell put in a lot of hard work that did not go unnoticed. He was nominated to be a part of the McDonalds All-American game. 496 high school basketball players are nominated; Cassell was one of only 16 from Michigan and the only player nominated from MidMichigan. A total of 24 players are selected to play in Vegas. “I really felt privileged and honored to be nominated,” Cassell said. “All of my hard work was being recognized and paying off.” During the season so far, one of Cassell’s best moments was how he responded to adversity in the GL v. Portland game. Because of issues off court, he didn’t play the first half but he came out and played hard during the second half. “Adversity introduces us to our true selves, and how he responded was great,” Lewis said.
Top: Cassell Jones dribbles basketball down court against the Eastern Qaukers in the first game of the March playoffs. Comet’s won the game 60-44. Bottom: Jones jumps for rebound, colliding with Eastern player number 32. Photos by Sarah Clinkscales/The Comets’ Tale Basketball is a deciding factor in what college he will attend. Superior State, Aquinas, Lindenwood Illinois, and MSU have shown an interest in recruiting Cassell. Saturday, Feb. 28, the Spartans invited Cassell to check out the locker rooms and watch a game. “They saw me play at East Lansing,” Cassell said. “They seemed interested I would say.” Over the past weeks the Comet’s had two losses, against Everett and East Lansing, which cost the team the conference title. Past years having 18 wins and only two losses would have out-right won the title. “We have probably one of the toughest class A districts in the state and we have to take it one
game at a time,” Lewis said. “That being said if we take care of business and earn a chance to get to the district finals, we will hopefully have the opportunity to avenge a loss from either EL or Everett.” The team showed improvement which is what Lewis wants heading into march. Cassell believes they can make a run for the playoffs and carry their majority winning streak to the Breslin Center. For Cassell Jones, the number zero has endless possibilities. It means achieving his goals and setting his standards high. It is his last year, a total of 32 wins under his belt, and a bright future ahead of him. Cassell builds from the ground up.
Hockey hurts, whether helmets are on or off Michael Glasgow ‘16 Staff Writer
A varsity hockey player warms up on the ice before practice begins at The Summit. Warming stretches muscles and increases blood flow reducing the chances of an injury. Photo by Michael Glasgow/The Comets’ Tale
When it comes to sports with lots of injuries, hockey is probably one of the first that comes to mind. A sport involving ice, checking, and skates is undoubtedly going to have its share of horror stories. For the Grand Ledge/Fowlerville varsity hockey team, injuries have been a large obstacle the team has had to overcome. “The first two weeks were the only weeks we had where everybody was healthy,” senior captain Michael Foran said. “Then all three captains were injured and a couple of our good players.” Knee injuries, dislocated shoulders and lacerations on the head and face are among the most common hockey injuries. It is not limited to these, however. At the
professional level, players have had arteries sliced by another player’s skate nearly causing them to bleed out. On a few occasions players have even died playing the rough sport. Fortunately, there has only been one incident of this in the National Hockey League when Bill Masterton died of a traumatic brain injury from being checked in a game. However, this was roughly 50 years ago, and the sport has changed. “Like almost all pro players then, Masterton was not wearing a helmet,” writer Richard Bak said on blog.detroitathletic.com. “Not only were the existing versions of headgear uncomfortable and illfitting, but helmeted players also had to endure a chorus of derisive remarks from their bareheaded brethren.” Since then, hockey has become
safer for players. Rule changes and improved equipment technology are credited for much of that, but coaching is also a contributing factor. The single biggest change that has improved safety is helmets being required for players. Masterton’s death at the time was before that rule was in place, and it could have saved his life had it been. “Although many players in the early days of the sport wore tukes or baseball caps, it was merely an attempt to keep warm, not protected,” Bak said. As it should be expected, safety is a huge concern for coaches at any level. Injuries are always a worry, and with possible rule and equipment changes in the future, hockey should only become safer.
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The Comets’ Tale • Entertainment • March 2015
Oculus user illustration by Michael Wilson/The Comets’ Tale Logo illustrations by Jake Thomann/The Comets’ Tale
Photos by Mary Vu/The Comets’ Tale
HOW DOES
VIRTUAL REALITY WORK? TWO LENSES attached to the inside of the headset cover the user’s eyes when they have the headset strapped to their face.
Photo from Sega/Alien: Isolation The video game is split into two images, One for each lens. This results in the merging of the two images to create one full image that immerses the user’s vision.
The Oculus Rift Virtual reality headset completely covers the user’s vision when the device is strapped on.
The user is free to look around the game with the headset on. the headset tracks head movement and makes the user feel like they are “inside the game.”