November_2016 by TheEmery

Huron High School 2727 Fuller Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105

The

Emery

Vol 2 Issue I November 2016

The Student Publication of Huron High School

School | 2 Local

| 3

Cheer

| 7

News

TWO

Three

News

Sumerton takes a new lead Glinski’s test seat smarties Sydney Neeb | STAFF WRITER

hile with his family at Cedar Point this summer, Michael Sumerton’s phone began to buzz. And it didn’t

Architecture and Design | Arts and Sciences | Engineering | Management

stop. “Texts and calls were coming in so fast, I couldn’t call Human Resources to accept the position,” he said. The math and engineering teacher was in line for the Gatekeeper when he was offered an assistant principal position at Huron High School. And he described the moment as “pure joy.” When Dr. Janet Schwamb announced Sumerton accepted the position he received 73 texts in 18 minutes. “The student body and families have been extremely encouraging and have made my transition very smooth,” Sumerton said. “I have a great deal to learn, which is exciting. I’m hoping to help make all the work our staff does to give students an amazing educational experience as efficient and rewarding as possible. Another goal is to bring a lot of energy and love for the Huron community into all I do in River Rat Nation. It’s good to be a rat.” Being a class principal opens up an opportunity to help many more students and staff, a challenge he is passionate about. Sumerton loves his new job position, but misses teaching and the bond a teacher has with their students.

slam it,” he explained During his journey to becoming Huron’s assistant principal, he taught in California, Germany, Detroit and Ann Arbor over 17 years. With four years being spent at Huron, his experience has been life changing. “I LOVE being a River Rat! Huron is my home,” he said. As a teenager in high school, S u m e r t o n worked many New assistant principal Michael Sumerton is constantly on the move learning new parts of his position. Even on his busiest days he always makes connections with students and teachers different jobs from in the building. Last week he was in charge of running the severe weather drill and the EOS fast food and dish survey. His leadership roles are growing with each week. Photo by Grace Walker washing to being a caddy at a counHis new title as the assistant principal definitetry club. After he ly keeps him busy. A three tiered stack of V8 graduated from Novi High in ‘91, he went to vegetable drinks line the back wall of his office study chemical engineering at Michigan Tech to assist his busy schedule. University. After a short stint in engineering, “I have 20 seconds for lunch. Shake it and

he studied secondary education in math and English at Eastern Michigan University, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees. “I enjoyed being a chemical engineer, but working with students has always been my passion,” Sumerton said. “To help a student find success and grow into the best version of themselves. Now that’s something to spend your life doing.” When Sumerton isn’t working he loves just being a dad. “Being a father and husband has been the best way for me to gain humility and lose selfishness,” Sumerton said. “A life of service is the only way to be truly happy.” He loves being with his children wrestling, playing in their 25 foot sandbox, climbing the rockwall and slide he built in their house. He and his wife will welcome their tenth kid in November. “After having a miscarriage last year, which was traumatic, our children approached us wanting one more sibling,” his wife Caty Sumerton said. “We prayed about it as a family and really felt at peace about the decision. Having a baby is a life changing experience each and every time. Your family is 100 percent better in ways you never would have guessed - always positive. We are excited to welcome a new Sumerton into the world in less than a month.”

Anna Weigel | STAFF WRITER

There have been many changes in Huron High School this year: new closed campus rules, permanent two lunches and mandatory seven hours. One of these changes is happening in the classroom: new furniture in social studies teacher Taylor Glinski’s room. Glinski received an experimental set of classroom desks, tables, couches, lighting and dry erase boards four weeks ago from Steelcase. There are orange couches that face each other in the back corner with an overhanging lamp, which promotes discussion. There is also a high-top table with four chairs that establishes another creative space for students. The orange, red and grey desks have wheels on them, as well as a desktop that is adjustable depending on how far away the student wants their desktop, a cupholder and a shelf underneath the chairs for backpack storage. They were given to her by 10th and 12th grade principal Marcus Edmondson, who chose her classroom after several observations of her mobile teaching style. “When he came into my classroom to observe me there were lots of times my kids were moving furniture to facilitate debates, and other lessons like that,” Glinski said. These new desks are part of a pilot program ran by the district. There are other versions of this experiment in other schools, some elementary schools and one middle school. Edmondson was informed of this program over the summer and thought of Glinski. “The deputy superintendent for elementary said we are getting a shipment of new chairs around the district as a pilot program,’” Edmondson said. “They are going to be chairs that people can move around in and do group collaborative work.” No one knew what these chairs were going to look like until they arrived at Huron. In the past few weeks, Glinksi has invited students who do not have her class into her classroom to allow them to discover her new furniture. When one of Glink-

si’s classes were polled, most said they enjoy the chairs. One main complaint of students is there is limited desk space and a small storage space for backpacks. “These chairs are interesting,” freshman Maddie Bowers said. “They provide a slight distraction for students, which, for some, make it easier for kids to concentrate. This, however, can cause students to sit wherever they want.” One of Glinksi’s main critiques is there are no new wheelchair accessible tables in her class. She is currently contacting multiple companies about getting furniture that will work for her students that use wheelchairs. Students in teacher Taylor Glinski’s fifth hour class work on a societal religion assignment. The new desks with Glinski also said that she orange chairs provide a unique flow to the classroom. This set up makes doing group work more efficient and fun. thinks the chairs, while Photo by: Sydney Neeb. useful in her class, might wonder if these desks will be put into more classes after the have to be tweaked to work in all classes. positive outcome of them being placed in Glinski’s classroom. “I do think there could be benefits to having it in more classFor now, Edmondson is just glad to be a part of the program. rooms than just one,” Glinski said. The impact of this experiment is still unclear. Many

Huron River Rat rookies This year Huron hired 37 new staff members. Each addition of The Emery will feature eight of the 37.

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Mellisa Herskowitz

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Academic programs

Nicole Pilkins

Melissa Saeed

Ms. Pilkins is a special education teacher. She went to Eastern Michigan University and Madonna college. Her favorite banned book is Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Sallinger. A quote she would like her students to live by is “be the change you wish to see in the world” -Mahatma Ghandi.

Ms. Saeed teaches French 1 and French 3. She went to the University of Michigan Flint and Marygrove college. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell is her favorite banned book. A quote she would like students to live by is “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” -Golden Rule.

Marie Whybark Jonathan Cook Brittney Wolak

Ms. Whybark is a math teacher that Senorita Herskowitz teaches Algebra 1 and teaches Spanish 1 Algebra 2. She went and Spanish 4. She went to the Universi- to both the University of Vermont and the ty of Michigan. Her favorite banned book University of Michis Harry Potter and The igan. Her favorite banned book is The Prisoner of Askaban Da Vinci Code by by J.K Rowling. A quote she would like Dan Brown. A quote her students to live by she would like her is “somos autores de students to live by is “you can not control nuestras consecuencias” which translates the direction of the in English to “we are wind, but you can always adjust your the authors of our sails.” consequences.”

Mr. Cook teaches business classes including webpage design, money management and computer applications. He went to Eastern Michigan University. A quote he would like his students to live by is “work hard, have fun, make history,” -Jeff Bezos. His favorite banned book is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Ms. Wolak is a teacher consultant, she works mostly with special education students. She attended Eastern Michigan University. her favorite banned book is All Quiet On The Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque. A quote she would like students to live by is “Hakuna matata” which translates in English to “No Worries.”

Salena Tabor

Allison Rose

Ms. Tabor is an art teacher. She teaches art and design classes. In the photo, she’s holding her daughter Fiona. She went to college at Siena Heights University. A quote she would like her students to live by is “Sometimes a loss is the best thing that can happen. It teaches you what you should do next time,” -Snoop Dogg. Her favorite banned book is Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume.

Ms. Rose is an English teacher. She teaches English 10 classes. She studied at the University of Michigan. Quotes she would like students to live by are “Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart,” and “That best portion of a mans life, his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.” She enjoys both East of Eden by John Steinbeck and Native Son by Richard Wright.

Q & A four

Dr. Janet Schwamb shares about the changes at Huron this school year. Harley Hagen| EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

five

Feature Q: Many people have said that the locked doors are due to the intrusion last year, is this correct? Why are there suspicions of this happening again? A: “While the intruder last year did cause us to examine and look at our building safety plan, the district had already installed the security door system in schools around the district. Huron administrators made a decision during the summer to lock the doors in September to further enhance our building security.”

the other comprehensive high school lunch models. These indicators were weighed against potential lunch models. Based upon the result of this decision process, Huron’s lunch option included two lunch periods Monday through Friday and a closed campus during each lunch period, with the exception of an open campus on Fridays for seniors. This model is more aligned with the other comprehensive high schools in AAPS and prioritized student safety and academic achievement.”

Q: Although people can be buzzed in at the main office, what are the Q: With the doors being locked, the traffic of students has been heavy. Has there consequences for sneaking off of campus? been any ideas on how to fix the rush of students in the hallways? A: “Leaving campus any day other than Friday for seniors and for all other A: “Initially, student traffic in the hallways, particularly at the beginning and student in grades 9, 10, and 11 who do not have this privilege will be handled by at the end of lunch was heavier. We have added opening the cafeteria doors our Class Principals on an individual basis. As I mentioned earlier, the ability to to the cafeteria proper during lunches, as well as the door under the arch near leave campus on Friday for seniors is a privilege and if it is not used responsibly the Media Center being held open by a community assistant at the end of each by a senior, the privilege can be revoked.” lunch hour. This has helped reduce the crowds leaving the cafeteria area and has been assisting students who eat outside during lunch.” Q: Could the passing time ever be increased again to help the flow of students? Q: What are the rules like at the other Ann Arbor high schools for lunch and doors being locked? A: “While the other comprehensive high schools have not moved to locked doors yet , they both have stricter lunch rules. Skyline High School is a closed campus for all students every day. Pioneer High School is an open campus for seniors only, every other Friday. Huron High School still enjoys more open campus privileges for seniors, which is every Friday.” Q: Could we ever keep the doors unlocked for lunch and expand the space that students have to eat?

<< Upgrades to the senior lounge < new paint < sound system < adapter to play videos from your phone < microwave

A: “We review our bell schedule each year. However, at this time there is no plan to adjust passing time during this school year.”

< table coverings

<< Coming soon

Q: Why can’t juniors leave the campus on Fridays?

< new chairs < foosball table

A: “We have aligned our open campus more with the other comprehensive high schools. Open campus on Friday has become a senior privilege only. Privileges are something that are earned and rely on responsible use of the privilege. If a senior does not use the privilege wisely it can be revoked.”

Q: What is the intended outcome of A: “We have already expanded the having many restrictions for students doors that will be unlocked during at Huron? Do these changes have lunch, which include the cafeteria anything to do with transitioning to This year new policies were put in place to keep Huron safer. One of those changes is to keep all doors. We have also expanded the an IB school? exterior doors locked during school hours. To enter the building, students, staff and visitors must lunch room area with the creation buzz in at the front doors, under the arch or by the athletic entrance if they are coming into the of a new ‘Senior Lounge.’ Like last A: “Each year, during the summer, building during school hours. Photo by Harley Hagen year, students can eat outside by the Huron administrators review our tables and under the arch. Students school’s safety plan and make cannot eat in other areas of the enhancements. Just a reminder, that school because teaching and learning is going on in these areas and eating in last year we removed the restriction for students to wear hats. Huron students these areas would be disruptive.” now enjoy the ability to wear hats at Huron. The locking of the doors is part of an enhanced safety plan, not a restriction, which impacts not just students, but staff and parents as well. Transitioning to an IB school includes increasing Q: In the past, upperclassmen have been able to leave the campus, why has this academic rigor for all students. Eliminating disruptions in the hallways during rule been changed? Does that have an effect on why the doors are locked? lunch hours and reducing tardiness before and after lunch is certainly aligned with this transition.” A: “There is no relationship between our campus being an open campus privilege on Fridays for seniors. The rule for upperclassmen being able to leave campus was changed. During the summer, building administrators reflected Q: Many Huron parents have had multiple children in our school, has there been on choosing the best student lunch option for 2016-17. There had been a much feedback regarding the rules this year? significant number of tardies and absences before and after the lunch hours last year. Criteria that we considered included student safety, student achievement, A: “There has been a little feedback. Some parents feel closed campus will assist reducing custodial cleanup after lunch, minimizing disruptions in the hallways in keeping students safer (open campus changes). The parents I have spoken during lunch, eliminating students eating in hallways during lunch, reducing to about the locked exterior doors understand the rationale and support the absences from class before and after lunch, reducing tardy returns to class implementation.” after lunch, recognizing seniors, and a greater alignment and consistency with

Are you for or against closed campus? For Closed Campus

1% Neutral Stance:

16 %

Against Closed Campus

14 % Neutral Stance:

44 %

For Closed Campus Against Closed Campus

42 %

83 %

100 students were polled

50 staff members were polled

George White| STAFF WRITER

Six

opinion

________________________

The Emery

The official student newspaper of Huron High School ________________________

Staff Harley Hagen - Editor- in- Chief Staff Writers Jack Harrison Kara Kozma Jack Kroll Karley Misek Sydney Neeb Anna Weigel George White Adviser: Sara-Beth Badalamente

________________________

Light our paths STAFF EDITORIAL Last year a safety concern was brought about regarding the crosswalk to Huron High on Huron Parkway. To aid in making drivers more cautious with students crossing the road during dark mornings, Ann Arbor’s city council approved a grant to add lights to the crosswalk signs. This school year, parents are again expressing a safety concern for the crosswalk on Fuller Road after an Ann Arbor student passed away tragically two weeks ago. Community High junior Qi-Xuan “Justin” Tang was crossing Fuller road on Oct. 26 when a car struck him. We are deeply saddened by this loss for Justin’s family, friends and our community. To avoid the safety issues, lights must be added to the crosswalk on Fuller as well. In 2013, 4,735 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States according to the CDC. This averages to one crash-related pedestrian death every two hours. To decrease the chances of anything like this happening in the future, the crosswalks around not only Huron High school but all schools in Ann Arbor should be lit. We urge you to make our community safe for pedestrians by contacting the city administrator Howard Lazarus at hlazarus@a2gov. org or by phone at 734.794.6110. You may also contact the city council at CityCouncil@ a2gov.org, visit the Ann Arbor website a2gov. org to find more information.

Get more info at a2gov.org

Conservative Corner

Peter A. Collins

ACROSS 1. Reverberate 5. Jerks 10. Flat ___ pancake 13. Appear 14. Detroit Pistons great Thomas 15. Zodiac symbol 16. Pepper grinder 17. Rodeo rope 18. "At Last" singer James 19. Slip away secretly 21. Like many musical wonders 23. Crude shelters 24. Horizon 25. "Tuesdays With Morrie" author 28. Cry of understanding 30. Line of Canon cameras 31. Simple Simon met one 33. One who works at home? 35. ___ Friday's (restaurant chain) 38. What 24-Across, 51Across, and 29-Down all are 42. "To Kill a Mockingbird" author Harper 43. Commotion 44. "Peter Pan" author 45. Large tub 48. Mich. neighbor 50. "It's possible" 51. Covered wagon passenger 54. Genuine 56. Friends 57. Part of VCR 61. Lose on purpose? 62. Mob enforcers 64. Medical image 65. ___ temperature (was feverish) 66. Bizarre 67. Assistant 68. Summer hours in ASquared 69. Business bigwigs 70. Swamp growth DOWN 1. Shade trees 2. Invent, as a phrase

Seven

Photostory

23 25

28 32

44 48

56 61

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 15. 20. 22. 24. 25. 26. 27. 29.

Bringing back Huron cheer

Place for a patch Tulsa's state Amelia Earhart, for one Patriotic chant at the Olympics Shopping aid ___ Vegas Trembled Class that studies Manet and Monet, maybe Silky fabric Let up "Forget You" singer Green 2004 movie "Harold & ___ Go to White Castle" "Bill ___, The Science Guy" Costco competitor, for short "Be ___!" ("C'mon, help me out!") Geometry class topic Big-hearted River through Gallup Park

32. Org. for Curry, Durant, and James 34. Banned chemical 36. Smooth-talking 37. Cry of understanding 39. Smell 40. Fatah rival 41. Spoken test 46. "West Side Story" girl 47. Casual shirt, casually 49. Ill-fated 51. San Diego baseball player 52. Trojan War epic 53. ___ Lauder cosmetics 55. Over half of assassins? 57. Medical breakthrough 58. Destiny's Child, for example 59. Small amounts 60. Peer group? 63. Base 16, for short

(Photos by: sernior Lyna Ikharbine, sophomore Karley Misek and sophomore Madison Echlin)

Why do you believe what you believe? Jack Harrison |

The Emery Staff Policy The Emery, a newspaper produced for and by the students of Huron High School, will provide the student body with information pertinent to events, activities and issues that affect HHS students. Letters to the editor are encouraged by The Emery’s 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 4203)

With the presidential election just around the corner, it is the perfect time to ask ourselves the question: Why do we believe what we believe? The purpose of posing this question is not necessarily to encourage a change of mind or get us to deem our views and opinions invalid. Rather, asking ourselves this question may be an opportunity to develop a greater conviction for our beliefs because we have a better understanding of why we hold the beliefs that we do. So how do we come to believe what we believe? At a young age, many of us get our beliefs from our parents, adopting similar views and opinions because we tend to trust them. As we get older, this can make questioning our beliefs difficult because we may realize we no longer agree with many of the fundamental, long standing beliefs we have grown up with all our lives. Some of us may take the complete opposite view of our parents, solely because we do not want to agree with anything our parents believe. Our peers also have a major influence on our beliefs, especially as teenagers.

Sometimes being accepted by our friends becomes too important that we risk letting others do our thinking for us. Social media also inundates us with partial news, such as sound bites from debates, edited video clips from protests or biased commentary from reporters. This can make it hard to evaluate the facts and come to our own beliefs about an issue or an event. Latching onto one sided reporting is a mistake I have made, not giving myself the opportunity to hear both sides of an issue before making a decision about what I believe. One of the reasons America is so unique is that people are allowed to express their opinions and share their beliefs as stated in the first amendment. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion… or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble…” While this provides the opportunity for free and open exchange of different perspectives and ideas, whether between friends, family or what is available in the media, it can be overwhelming as our own beliefs can get lost in the shuffle. As high school students, some of whom will be voting in next month’s election, I challenge you to invest some time and effort

in really thinking not just about what you believe, but the why behind the what. As you go through this process, you may come to realize what you once believed no longer lines up with what you now feel is important and becoming more passionate about. Or, perhaps it will line up with your own life experiences and be a direct reflection of what is important to you, deepening your passion and conviction for those beliefs. As I have gone through this process of evaluating why I believe what I believe, I have realized I sometimes side with my political party without always fully understanding the position of the party. For example, although I consider myself a conservative, as I investigated the party’s position on the environment and spending, I found I actually lean more left. I encourage you to take the time to reflect on your beliefs to understand why you believe what you believe. That way you can stand behind them and own them as yours! If you are interested in learning more about the Youth Conservatives Club, please come to a meeting directly after school on Mondays in 4203 starting next week. If you have any questions about the club or comments on the article please email me at jack48105harrison@gmail.com

1. Huron has not had a cheer team in five years. With enough student interest, the team was created once a coach was found. Tryouts were the first week of June. Twelve tried out and 10 made the cut. 2. The cheerleaders made up the routine for this year’s homecoming pep rally. The coaches took what the girls created and added to it to make it the perfect first routine to share with the school. It took one week to create and perfect. “Formation” by Beyonce, “Work” by Rhianna, “JuJu on that Beat” by Zay Hilfigerrr were some of the featured songs in their mix. 3.Sophomore Bre’oine Robinson and junior Kayla Wright are the co-captains of the team. “It means working with the other captain to build our team together as a whole and to do well,” Robinson said. “It also means being a leader and role model for the other girls.” 4.Junior Aireonna Robinson performs at the pep rally. “I feel good. I’m nervous at first because I don’t know what to expect, but I love cheer and I love my cheer pals. Five minutes into the first quarter I’m ready to have fun.” 5 During “Ju Ju on that Beat,” sophomore Bre’oine Robinson said she was focused to “Hit it hard, give attitude and don’t mess up.” Her favorite part about cheerleading is “the bond that we all have.” 6.“I was nervous and didn’t want to mess up,” sophomore Richarra Roach said. When it was done, she felt accomplished.

EIGHT