2727 Fuller Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105
The Emery
Volume 4 Issue 3 November 2018
The Student Publication of Huron High School
INSIDE: Peter Collins, crossword celebrity, reveals trade secrets
ONLINE: Admin prohibits blankets
LEAD CRISIS
Lead concentrations in water above federal action level throughout district — except at Huron Julie Heng | Staff Editor The Environmental Protection Agency has a federal action level on lead levels above 15 parts per billion (ppb). The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality recommends, and the Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) has instated, remediation for levels above 5 ppb. At Burns Park Elementary, one of Huron’s feeder schools through Tappan, a 2017 First Draw Sample revealed results of 320 ppb. The 250mL of definitively brown water, from a faucet in room 304, was a definite outlier in the AAPS water tests. After procedural flushings, however, Repeat First Draw Tests revealed significantly lower lead levels at 15 and 10 ppb, respectively. Huron, which recently installed water bottle stations with lead filters in 2016, was the only building of 33 tested that did not have detectable amounts of lead. Similar cases have prompted concerns throughout the district after water test-
ing began voluntarily in 2016. According to the Center for Disease Control, symptoms of short-term lead overexposure include abdominal pain, constipation, headaches, irritability, memory loss and weakness. Prolonged exposure puts people at risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, and reduced fertility. The 2018-19 water testing cycle is currently underway, with Phase 1 results recently released. Out of the 10 buildings tested, an average of just over 2 locations per school were contaminated above the AAPS rule. In other words, 1% of the 456 locations tested contained water samples flagged above the AAPS and EPA action level. The district has proposed the following steps to address lead contamination above 5 ppb: 1. Install water bottle filling stations with NSF certified lead filters. 2. Continue the flushing of all water systems following extended school breaks. Complete See more | Page 2 Graphic by Sonali Narayan.
ONLINE: Huron alumnus subject to deportation
ONLINE: Crimes of Grindelwald review
Huron’s Coffee Shop: student group practices job skills Sami Ruud | Staff Editor When most students get to school in the morning, they go to class, sit at their desks, and listen while the teacher talks to them all day. However, in one class, the students get to experience what it is like in a real-life job. The students in the life skills class run a coffee shop right in their classroom. The class is completely student run, and the teens have different roles that are equivalent to the roles that workers at coffee shops would have. “The students interview just like they would for a job, and there is a manager, a student who records orders, two baristas, and two delivery students,” said Nicole Pilkins, teacher of the Life Skills class. Every morning a Google form is sent out to all staff, and the staff is
able to fill out the form if they want coffee. That form is also pulled up on a computer in the Life Skills classroom, and when teachers fill it out, the information can then be recorded onto a slip of paper by Mackenzie Pryor-Bell. “When the order pops up on the sheet on the computer, I write it down on a slip of paper and give it to the baristas, or if we have a walk-in order I would do the same,” Pryor-Bell said. Once the order has been given to the baristas, they start to make the order. One barista, Hunter Ward, said that making the coffee helps teach him skills that he could use in a real job. “When you have work like at McDonalds in the morning when someone asks for a cappuccino coffee, you See more | Page 2
Senior Aref Abdeljaber delivers a coffee to Sara-Beth Badalamente during first hour. The coffee is only available to teachers. The coffee shop helps the students practice skills that they will be able to implement in a real job setting after high school. Photo by Sami Ruud.
26 Huron musicians selected for annual MSBOA All-State band and orchestra Austin Aldrich | Staff Writer
Juniors Tom Zhang and Zeke Zhao practice in preparation for the annual multi-cultural show in December. The club, which meets every Thursday during 8th hour, welcomes anyone who is interested in Chinese culture. Photo by Louise Depa.
Chinese Club takes the stage for the first time Louise Depa | Staff Writer For the first time, Huron’s Chinese Club is joining the annual performance-based Multi Cultural Show, which will take place Dec. 21. Every year for the show, there are dance performances from multiple clubs, and now, this includes one from Chinese Club. “We have three groups right now: one is doing a traditional lion dance, another is a duo group doing a breakdance, and another is just a group dance for anyone who wants to do it,” said junior Selina Liu, one of the dance leaders of the club. Performance and dancing are
new things for Chinese Club, as their usual focus is on language, traditional Chinese games, and local community outreach. The reason they decided to do something new and join the assembly this year is because they want to bring more aspects of traditional Chinese culture, like the famous lion dance, into Huron for the audience to see. “We never had the lion dance before, so I hope it will be interesting for the audience to see something new,” Liu said. “Since that represents China, we will be representing a big part of the school.” Even though this See more | Page 2
All-State. To most, this is the insurance company with the hands. To some, it is one of the most important musical events of the year. Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA), AllState ensembles, are groups of select high school musicians who meet for a long weekend at the start of every calendar year. Auditions were held for spots in these ensembles in mid-October, and results have just come out. “The performances by these students will be a showcase of what is happening in our Michigan schools bands and orchestras,” said MSBOA Executive Director, Charles Bullard in a letter that accompanied the audition results of the All-State ensembles. “The Directors are to be recognized as well for their dedication to bring their students enrolled in instrumental music to this high level of achievement.” With this level of prestige given to students by a director of MS-
BOA, it is very competitive for a spot. This year, 2,700 students statewide auditioned for 387 spots in five different ensembles. The math on this works out to a 14 percent acceptance rate which is equivalent to the admissions rate for Northwestern University. 50 out of the 387 spots were filled with students from Ann Arbor and even more impressively, 26 out of those 50 were from Huron High School. “There is a sense of pride associated with making All-State,” said junior Jake Lee, who has made All-State five times so far in his musical career. “It’ll be good to get back to Grand Rapids. I look forward to seeing all the friends I’ve made there in the past.” Sophomore Anders Ruiter-Feenstra is the bass section leader of the MSBOA All-State Orchestra. “The audition was hard,” Ruiter-Feenstra said. “I practiced a lot so I was comfortable going into the audition. In the end, it all came down to one
Upcoming instrumental concerts
Orchestra: Dec. 3 at 7:30p.m. in Meyers Auditorium Band: Dec. 17 at 7:30p.m. in Meyers Auditorium All-State: Jan. 26, 2019 in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Visit our new website at thehuronemery.com and follow us on
2019 All-State members from Huron Band (16) Harley Graves, Audrey Wu, Brian Song, James Xiu, Dave Kim, Marissa Redding, Felicia Sang, Alexis Joslin, Daniel Hou, Scott Knudsen, Koen van Nieuwstadt, Benjamin Zhang, Dawson Hartman, Johnson He, Sophie Smit, Alexandra Kukucka Orchestra (7) Bryce Yung, Young Seo Lee, Lief Lin, Juan Oh, Sebastian Berofsky, Rhea Cong, Anders Ruiter-Feenstra Jazz Band (3) Jake Lee, Tim Kohn, Austin Aldrich recording.” MSBOA All-State is a way to showcase the best high school musicians that Michigan has to offer. These selected musicians meet in Grand Rapids at the start of the year to play in various ensembles and perform for one another. Huron has 26 student musicians who were selected for this honor and that is a majority of the musicians from Ann Arbor who were selected.
@thehuronemery
News
2
Stories of immigrants: students strive to learn English Sao Ohtake | Staff Writer
Misaki Mochihara - junior - came from Japan 1.5 years ago - learned English since the 7th grade - used to attend an English class 4 times a week (while in Japan) Q: How did you learn English from your teacher in Japan? A: In the English class I was taking, my teacher mainly explained English grammar. A few times during class, students asked questions to the teachers. I didn’t receive any special training for acquiring English listening skills. I had tests and just prepared for them. All the explanations during English classes were done in Japanese. Regarding English speaking skill, the only thing we did was to read dialogs in the textbook. I think Japanese public schools do not think English speaking and listening skills are important. To practice English reading I read a textbook in class. Teachers put the highest emphasis on reading. Q: What was your biggest challenge in the process of learning English? A: Because I didn’t need to use English when I was in Japan, I didn’t think learning English was challenging. In addition, my grade in English class in Japanese high school was pretty good. Since I came to the U.S., I realized that I could not talk fluently with native English speakers. Vocabulary did not come out of my mouth when I was talking with someone. Although I knew how to read, how to write, and the meanings of a lot of English vocabulary, I did not know how to pronounce words. Q: What is the best way to learn English for you? A: I believe the most effective way to learn English is to make non-Japanese friends. By making friends, I gained chances to listen to and talk in English. Also, unlike teachers, you can relax when talking with friends. So I think making friends is very important if you are learning English. Additional tips are to memorize lots of English terms. If you spend a good amount of time living in the U.S., you will acquire listening skills naturally.
Eliza Delores Telan - junior - came from the Philippines one year ago - first language is Tagalog, or Filipino Q: How did you learn English from your teacher in the Philippines? A: Since I was in third grade, my school teacher used advanced English. In my daily life, we used English and Tagalog, combined together. In addition, in school we used English so I could improve my English. The teachers gave students a lot of handouts for improving pronunciation. Also, students learned English grammar for preparing for computer English tests. Q: What was your biggest challenge in the process of learning English? A: The biggest challenge for me was that I did not know how to pronounce some advanced words and therefore I needed to use dictionary every time I encountered difficult words.
Nhi Nguyen - senior - came from Vietnam 2.5 years ago - learned English since elementary school, but did not know how to speak English at all until coming to the U.S. Q: How did you learn English from your teacher in Vietnam? A: Every single day when I was in Vietnam, I attended English class and had to memorize five vocabulary terms for a quiz. A few years after attending the class, however, I forgot most of the vocabulary terms I learned. In the English class, other students and I learned writing, speaking, and reading. Q: What was your biggest challenge in the process of learning English? A: My biggest difficulty was learning vocabulary. When unknown words suddenly showed up while reading English books, I had a difficult time understanding the meaning of the passage. Q: What is the best way to learn English for you? A: I learned English through watching movies and talking with friends. When I watch movies, I put English subtitles. I talk with my friends a lot, too.
Faiza Asif - sophomore - came from Pakistan in the 8th grade, 3 years ago - first language is Urdu - has been learning English for more than three years. Q: How did you learn English from your teacher in Pakistan? A: I learned English in an international school back in Pakistan. In Pakistan, I went to English medium school, where I took all the classes in English. I again learned English from my English teacher after coming to the U.S. I was in ESL class when I was in 8th grade, and took English Plus class in 9th grade. However, my English is now good enough that I am in English 10 with other native English speakers.” Q: What was your biggest challenge in the process of learning English? A: For me, learning English was not difficult as I spoke English in my country. However, the difference was pronunciation. Back in Pakistan, people had an accent when they spoke English. When I came to the U.S. first, I was surprised by the different pronunciation. Q: What is the best way to learn English for you? A: From my childhood, I was always watching English movies. I love English movies. Also I have been watching dramas in English. In addition, I can check my pronunciations by talking with English speakers.
Q: What is the best way to learn English for you? A: I watched American TV shows to learn English. By watching TV shows, I learned how to pronounce and speak English. Using English audio and subtitles was the best way to learn English by connecting visuals with pronunciation.
Chinese Club at Multi-Culti 2018
District addresses concerning lead levels CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Julie Heng | Staff Editor 3. Complete an inventory of all drinking water sources. Test all drinking water and food preparation sources. Implement appropriate remediation/ mitigation activities for any drinking water source locations measuring >5ppb across the district. 4. Educate students, staff, and parents by sharing best practices to avoid lead contamination. Install signage in low priority locations, such as bathroom sinks, custodial closets, etc. to advise
that water in these locations is not for consumption. 5. Add lead information in an annual report to the Board of Education. Post results of AAPS Testing for Lead in Drinking Water Program on the AAPS website. Information and updates from Superintendent Swift can be found on the AAPS Water Testing website. Phase 2 results, which examine the rest of the K-8 campus buildings, are expected in December 2018.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR STAFF MEMBERS JULIE HENG AND SAMI RUUD who placed at the National Journalism Education Association WriteOff Contests in Chicago! Julie won a top ranking of superior in feature writing and Sami won an honorable mention in sports writing!
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Louise Depa | Staff Writer
Life Skills coffee shop is now up and brewing CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
SAmi Ruud | Staff Editor will know how to make that,” Ward said. “It also teaches responsibility.” Ward also helps clean the tables and dishes after they finish making each drink. “In real jobs like when you’re going to McDonald’s and making coffee, after you make the coffee you’re probably going to have to clean everything up, and wait for the next order to come in,” Ward said. After the coffee is made, students deliver the coffees to the classrooms of the teachers who ordered. Ward said he is still improving “I need to train how to speak, like when you say ‘You’re welcome’ and ‘Have a good day,’ and how to interrupt a class,” Ward said. “In the mornings teachers get here so early that sometimes we don’t have time to make our own coffee, or we get here and realize it’s a two coffee type of day, so we can easily order it when we get to school the morning,” academic support teacher Rachel VanRiper said. “I think it teaches the students a lot of life skills as well and also benefits [teachers], especially since it is cheap coffee.”
Chinese Club’s dance team poses for a photo after school during their practice rehearsal. Watch for their lion dance at Multi-Culti 2018! Photo by Louise Depa.
TOP: Senior Aref Abdeljaber prepares the coffee orders for the day. MIDDLE: Sophomore Hunter Ward makes sure the room is ready for business by cleaning the tables and chairs. BOTTOM LEFT: A freshly brewed cup of coffee sits on the counter, ready for delivery. BOTTOM RIGHT: Freshman Mackenzie Pryor-Bell fills out a coffee order slip to give to the baristas. “After work every day we get a cup of coffee if we want,” Ward said. Photos by Sami Ruud.
Advertise with us online and in-print! Contact thehuronemery@gmail.com for more information! View our website for information about guest writing or come to room 4203.
is something new, they are confident in their ability to put on this performance. They have not only been practicing for multiple weeks, but also some students, like junior Tom Zhang, who is the treasurer for the club, are experienced dancers who can help teach and lead the other members. “I learned how to dance five years ago. Since then, every year I would do about 5 or 6 dance performances,” Zhang said. However, he knows that learning how to dance is not as easy as it seems. “I started dancing because my friend wanted me to dance with him, but at the time I couldn’t dance, so I learned how to,” Zhang states. “At that time, I thought dance was hard.” Despite that, he is confident that both the experienced and inexperienced dancers in the Chinese Club will be well prepared for the show. Although he is confident, he has some personal worries. “I’m only a bit nervous because this is the first time I will have danced in America,” said Zhang. He is not sure how the American crowd will differ those in China that he is used to. There has been also some talk on how they will differ from a bigger club that also represents Asian culture, Asian Pacific Education Exchange (APEX). However, Chinese Club members say not to worry. “APEX is pretty different from this club,” Liu said. “Of course, APEX is way bigger, but we just started this year so we will bring new things. Our lion dance will be way different.” Both clubs are planning on bringing exciting performances to the show, hoping that the audience will enjoy them.
Opinion The Student Publication of Huron High School
Adviser Sara-Beth Badalamente
Editor-in-Chief Kara Kozma
Staff Editors Jack Harrison Julie Heng Sami Ruud
Staff Designers Louise Depa Jack Harrison Julie Heng Kara Kozma Samantha Ruud Alyssa Salamin David Shen Cierra Slater
Staff Writers Helen Abraha Leonardo Aguirre Austin Aldrich William Beaune Keven Cerda Kade Cupp Louise Depa Keiyon Fifer Jessica Fraser Daulton Meadows Daniel Middaugh Johannah Mogbo Eli Nelson-Ulsh Manit Patel Niya Phillips Jazlyn Rhodes Richarra Roach Cheyanne Roy Alyssa Salamin Zoey Schaap David Shen Cierra Slater Shannon Stocking Johan Villalobos Calderon George White La’Taiya Wilson
The Emery Staff Policy The Emery is a newspaper produced by and for the students of Huron High School. The Emery exists to inform and entertain the student body by producing quality content on a variety of school, community, national, and international issues. We at The Emery aim to improve ourselves as writers, thinkers, and communicators serving communities to which we belong, and we strive to maintain the highest degree of journalistic integrity. All opinions pieces published by The Emery reflect only the views of their authors, not those of the adviser, editor-in-chief, editorial board, or other staff members. The Emery achieved a Gold Ranking in the Spartan Critique for the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 academic years. The Emery is a member of the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association, and the Journalism Education Association.
The Senate after midterms: where does America go next? Conservative Corner Jack Harrison | Staff Editor
Initial prediction (as of Nov. 5, 2018): Republican majority of 51 to 49 will increase to 53 to 47. Result: 5347 (Given Hyde-Smith wins runoff). The media has portrayed the latest midterm elections as a huge victory for the Democratic Party. But this isn’t the full story. Typically, the sitting party in power loses two to three senate seats. But the Republicans actually gained seats. By holding the senate, it prevents President Trump from any impeachment votes initiated by the House Democrats. But more importantly, President Trump can continue his successful agenda of judicial appointments in many circuit courts and potentially in the Supreme Court. He can also appoint new members of his cabinet, as Attorney General Jeff Sessions has already resigned, though his absence is unfortunate because of the immigration progress he made. Furthermore, the senate results demonstrate the power of the “Trump Effect.” In the key Senate races where President Trump campaigned, Florida, North Dakota, Missouri and Indiana, the seats flipped, as the candidates embraced his national platform. Perhaps, maybe he should have gone to Arizona and Nevada, more moderate areas which flipped to Democrats. Prediction: I do think the House will go to the Democrats, since many candidates are up for election in districts where Clinton won. The seats in California, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan and North Carolina will be where the House is decided. Result: Of the seven undecided districts, Democrats won 37 house seats doing well in these states. I acknowledge that this is a succesful number which could climb. But remember, Obama lost 51 seats in 2010, so the Republicans’ loss in nowhere near Obama’s. Aside from negativity about Trump, many of the Democratic candidates were quite moderate, not talking about impeaching Trump and actually talking about issues. Some even vowed
(WIN) v. Beto O’Rourke: CORRECT O’Rourke has certainly attracted a lot of attention and a whopping 40 million dollars from donors. Although I think he will make to not back Nancy Pelosi as Speaker. the race within several points because Many candidates were diverse and not establishment politicians with business, of his enthusiastic young base, the red makeup of Texas will propel Cruz to military and CIA backgrounds. victory. O’Rourke is also extreme left The House will determine on immigration issues, which does not the 2020 presidency: If the Democrats fare well in Texas. maintain a moderate platform (many of the incoming ones are moderate) Tennessee - Marsha Blackburn and bring real change to healthcare (WIN) v. Phil Bredesen CORRECT (not single-payers) and immigration, Blackburn began to pull they will win the presidency, assuming away recently, but I think this race is they do not have a radical like Kamagoing to be closer than some think. la Harris running. Bredesen is a recent However, if they former Governor embrace the Adam of Tennessee who is Schiff agenda of all quite moderate and If the Democrats mainthings Russia and the Maxine Waters agen- tain a moderate platform was elected twice. He is the only type da of impeachment and bring real change to of candidate that and harassment, Republicans will use healthcare and immigra- could flip the seat so keep an eye on this this as leverage and tion, they will win the one. In fact, he even blame Democrats for said that Democrats presidency, assuming they any change that does the not happen. do not have a radical like mishandled Kavanaugh hearings. Kamala Harris running. Predictions from Indiana Nov. 5, 2018 Senate Race - Joe Donnelly (WIN) v. Net loss of Mike Braun: WRONG 1 current Republican Trump won Indiana seats: WRONG - 2 by 20 percent and it’s Vice President were lost Mike Pence’s home state. However, Donnelly is a relatively moderate Arizona Senate Race - MarDemocrat. Although he voted against tha McSally (WIN) v. Kyrsten Sinema: Kavanaugh sharply, because there is a WRONG Libertarian candidate polling around This race has been the top, if 5 percent, this will allow Donnelly will not the most scrutinized and watched win. race across the country. I believe BRAUN WON THIS SEAT McSally was the only candidate from BY 6 POINTS. BUT I DID SUSPECT the Republican primary with a chance THIS COULD HAPPEN AS THE LIBto defeat Sinema. The fact that she ERTARIAN CANDIDATE DID NOT received 53 percent of the vote in the TAKE VOTES AWAY FROM BRAUN. primary indicates how popular among Arizona Republicans she is—notably Florida Senate Race: Bill moderate Republicans as she defeated Nelsen (WIN) v. Rick Scott WRONG two hardcore Trump candidates. Given Scott is the current Governor, this statistic, I think she will win. but him passing gun control and other THIS RACE WAS EXTRmeasures has helped him appear to not MELY TIGHT< BUT MARICOPA be too conservative. However, Nelsen COUNTY TURNED OUT TO ELECT has a lot of power and is the type of SINEMA. Democrat that can unite moderate and very left voters. It is though very possi Texas Senate Race: Ted Cruz
“
“
The Emery
3
ble Scott could win. THIS WAS SURPRISING TO ME. I ASSUMED THE DEMOCRATIC ENERGY FOR ANDREW GILLUM WOULD PROPEL NELSON TO THE WIN. THIS ELECTION WAS HIGHLY SCRUTINIZED AND DECIDED BY 10,000 VOTES.
Montana Senate Race - Jon Tester (LOSS) v. Matt Rosendale: WRONG Trump won by around 20 percent. Tester is a somewhat of a moderate Democrat that has maintained his popularity. However, he did not vote for Kavanaugh and recently, the Libertarian candidate told his supporters to vote for Rosendale. Tester is projected to win around 4 percent, but I think Rosendale is going to flip it. I KNEW THIS WOULD BE A STRETCH, BUT ROSENDALE SURE MADE IT CLOSE. Missouri Senate Race - Claire McCaskill (LOSS) v. Josh Holley: CORRECT This race has remained practically tied the last few weeks. Trump won this state by almost 20 percent, pointing to how red it is. Secondly, Holley is a candidate that easily can bring out the Trump base while not isolate moderates. Finally, McCaskill did not have a moderate voting record this year, as some pundits said she needed to have. West Virginia Joe Manchin (WIN) v. Patrick Morrisey: CORRECT Trump won almost 70 percent of this state, but yet I think it will remain Democrat. Manchin being the only Democrat to vote for Kavanaugh I think insured his safety. His opponent is not a candidate that will isolate Republicans, but Manchin’s popularity among independents should maintain his seat. Pennsylvania Senate Race - Bob Casey (WIN) v. Lou Barletta: CORRECT Although Trump narrowly run this state, Bob Casey is very popular and his challenger Lou Barletta is too conservative to pick up the purple Pennsylvania voters.
Parents: please be courteous about the senior lot Staff Editorial
Huron parents have gotten multiple emails from staff members stating that they cannot park in the senior lot. Is that so difficult to understand? “You” refers to the parents. “Cannot” is straight-forward: it means you cannot. “Park” means putting your enormous car in a student parking spot. “In the Senior Student Lot” refers to the Huron Senior Student’s Lot. Put it all together and you get, drumroll please, “You cannot park in the student lot.” Simple. There are two student lots: the Senior Lot and the Junior Lot. Students prefer to park in the smaller, closer Senior Lot, and we fight with each other to get a spot in the Lot. It’s almost like a blood bath. Parents make things worse by stealing our parking spots because their children wait until the last minute to go into school. Just pull up into the senior lot, drop your kid off, and leave, or park in the Junior Lot and let your child out from that lot. Your child will survive. Student drivers, on the other hand won’t. It is winter. It’s cold and slippery. If students are forced to park in the Junior Lot because you guys are taking up the Senior Lot spots, then we will have to park in the Junior Lot and walk a longer distance. Think of all of the things that can go wrong: we could slip, fall, and break a bone; we could get hypothermia; we could get hit by one of the subpar drivers in out parking lot. A lso, before you guys go off about how we’re being hypocrites by saying that we do not want to walk form the Junior Lot but your kids should, know that we payed $60 for a parking pass (with an extra $5 if we lost it) and have earned the privilege to park in the Senior Lot rather than the Junior Lot, unlike parents. Also, like I said, you can always just quickly pull up into Senior Lot and drop your kid off if they don’t want to walk all the way from the Junior Lot. You guys are supposed to be smart enough to understand this. Do. Not. Park. In. The. Senior. Lot.
Huron’s senior parking lot is completely full on a daily basis. Photo by David Shen.
Not sick, just dramatic: mental health Richarra Roach | Staff Writer
Mental stability is a luxury.
One in four people in the world will suffer or have suffered from mental illness at some point in their lifetime. Additionally, according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, African American adults are 20 percent less likely to report psychological distress than white adults. This comes as no surprise considering the fact that higher rates of exposure to unemployment, poverty, and systematic (as well as general) racism cause African American people in this country to be susceptible to mental illness. Many people are be shocked by this notion because there is a huge lack of conversation regarding mental illness in the African American community. There is a stigma that projects
the idea that people with mental illness are simply “crazy”—that mental illness is for white people, it’s not real at all, it’s all in your head, people with mental illnesses are just being dramatic. It reduces serious disorders such as depression to just “the blues,” which suggests that mental illness is something you can simply pray over or “snap out of” and all of the pain will magically go away. Curiosity may be raised regarding where this ideology comes from in the first place. It is no secret that African American people have endured many years of oppression in this country and are still seeing the effects of it today. As a result of everything African American people have been through as a race, they are now expected to have tough skin and be strong all
of the time. They are not allowed to be weak or vulnerable without criticism. However, the stigma labels mental illness as a weakness. This idea—as well as the other ideas involved in the stigma— is the exact reason as to why so many African American people struggle with seeking help, opening up about their illness to those close to them, and even admitting the fact that there is a problem to themselves. Instead of going to a professional, it is common for a African American person to only turn to their friends, family, or church for help. However, while these resources can provide significant comfort, additional resources are often necessary. On the contrary, reaching out to one’s friends, family and church can be problematic because these can be the same resources
that discourage the mentally ill from seeking help by reinforcing that harmful stigma. While it is a shame that so many people are suffering in silence, it is not too late to make a change. Society as a whole must educate those who do not understand the reality of mental illness. We must speak out to make the message loud and clear. We must encourage equality between physical and mental health. We must show compassion and understanding towards those suffering from mental illness. As African American people, we must collectively work to support and listen to our mentally ill. If we can do that, then better days are sure to come.
Opinion
4
Progression or Regression? Neither. Cierra Slater | Staff Writer Americans pride themselves on the progression of society and the notion that everyone is treated equally. The following timeline shows that may not be the case.
August Florida Sheriff shoots two unarmed black defendants after their convictions are overturned
1951
August Emmett Till is murdered for allegedly making advances towards a white woman. His accuser states that she lied 60 years later
1955
January Klansmen abduct and drown a black man in Alabama
February 17 year old Trayvon Martin is shot and killed by neighbor George Zimmerman while walking back from the store
2012
June Dylan Roof murders 9 African American members of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church
1957 September Tulsa police officer fatally shoots an unarmed black man after responding to a call about a stalled car
2016
September Four black girls are killed in a church bombing at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church
1963
2015
September Jersey City Riots spark after claims of police brutality
1964
February Nikki Yovonia accuses two Sacred Heart University football players of rape
2017
June 17 year old Antwon Rose is shot by police while fleeing from a traffic stop
2018
Socks: a condescending and insignificant analysis
David Shen | Staff Writer
T
here are always elements of our lives that we don’t appreciate until they’re gone. Naturally, technology of incredible power comes to mind: the miracles of glass and plastic we call phones. The invisible waves of universal connection we humbly dub Wi-Fi. The rolling giants of steel and oil that we trust to take us wherever we please, so long as we believe that we possess a semblance of control. Centuries of ingenuity, imagination, and the daring to think beyond brought us these miracles, yet we barely spare any time to consider how lucky we are. And why should we? We were born with these gifts, and, to put it as simply as possible, they are normal to us. But if there’s one object both seemingly insignificant yet staggeringly crucial to modern life, it would be none other than the humble sock. To some, this bold proclamation would warrant little more than an eye roll, but please, consider the following. To those who infinitely prefer shoes to sandals (and despise the
crime against humanity that is socks and sandals), socks are the quintessential bridge between any pristine set of shoes and increasingly damp pair of feet. Shockingly, the feet produce about a pint of sweat per day (and who knows what bodies of water a bodybuilder roasted in summer heat could produce!). As far as I know, there is simply no way to keep your feet dry throughout an entire day, as far too many factors affect your sweat output. Imagine a dystopian world of stinky feet, rancid shoes, and devastated noses, all of which could potentially become reality without the blessing of socks. And the variety! Of course, the first mental image of socks conjured are those of the classic white variation, quite possibly the most bland (but functional) variant out there. But the possibilities are endless: so long as it fits, the sock can be customized and adapted to your heart’s desire, making it just as versatile a tool as any other piece of clothing. We underestimate the power such a minor detail - especially
in a piece of cloth meant for one of the filthiest parts of the body - can hold over an entire wardrobe. Whether you want to make a statement or avoid making the wrong one, the sock reflects a piece of you, in a strange way. Are you the type who perfects the tiniest of details? Are you the one who pursues harmony for any piece of clothing? Most importantly,
are you the one who underestimates or overestimates this tiny, tubular piece of cloth? A tes-
Photo by Sami Ruud.
tament to any
garment’s strength is its longevity, and the sock, firmly embedded in clothing culture alongside woven icons such as the eternally enduring shirt and pants, has carved a universal niche in lives of any sane human being. The humble sock will forever be bound to the appendage and the footwear it cradles so tenderly, a testament to the accomplishments and struggle mankind willfully undertook to perfect fashion and comfort for even the most rank areas of the body. So the next time you slide on a pair of your favorite socks, patterned or plain, remember why exactly they’re there, and for what purpose. Sure, it’s nowhere as complex or miraculous as your phone or your car, but we take the simplest, yet indisputably crucial things for granted. Value the little, value your socks, and walk around with pride, knowing that one of humanity’s most underappreciated symbols of civilization are on your feet.
Want to talk to a trained peer? Don't be afraid to seek student counseling
Mary Claire Logue | Guest Writer
B
eing a high school student can be difficult. Classes can be stressful. Relationships, with classmates and with family members, can be a source of severe anxiety and distress. Moreover, according to one study, more than 1 in 5 high school students suffer from depression. More likely than not, none of this comes as a surprise to you. In fact, it may describe a few of you, or the person sitting next to you. Huron High School has a resource to help students with such issues/ Huron participates in the Peer
Facilitation Program. This program is designed to help students with their social or academic problems by providing them with one-on-one “peer to peer” counseling (or “facilitating”) from a fellow student who is trained to do just that. Why have a fellow student do the facilitating? Because some aspects of being a high schooler are only understood fully by another high schooler. In fact, when a student comes in to talk to a peer counselor, he or she would be talking to someone who may have gone through similar struggles. And your problem doesn’t have to be a big one. The peer facil-
itators are willing and eager to talk through any issue you might have, whether it be drama with your friends, difficulty with your classes, or even issues with your family. Whatever it is, you should feel free to drop by. We’re in room 6131, right next to the counseling office with a sign that says Peer Office on the door. Someone staffs the Peer Office every hour except for sixth. If you think you would like to be a peer facilitator yourself, here’s how you would go about it: Start by taking the one-semester “Peer Facilitating” class taught by Mrs. Glinski in room 4209. In this class you learn how to ask
open questions and how to be an active listener, and you learn about a range of mental health issues that might come up in your counseling sessions. At the end of the semester, you would get to practice counseling one of the experienced facilitators using a hypothetical training problem. At the end of the course, the senior peer facilitators choose the new peer facilitators from the members of the class. Peer facilitators need to be active listeners who are open minded, sympathetic, interested in helping others, and committed to maintaining confidentiality. If this describes you, give it a try.
Theresa McKelvey and Celia Kent are Peer Counselors during fourth hour. The door to the Peer Lab, located next to the counseling office, is open every hour. Photo by Sara Badalamente.
Entertainment
5
First Man: An Out of This World Experience in particular, the Gemini-Agena mishap, is a prime example of this. With every spin, it draws you in closer and closer, making it feel more real every second. Just based off of that
formance. Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler, and Corey Stoll all give very intriguing performances that just add to the drama of the film. Overall, it is one of the best acted movies of the year. The last really solid aspect of First Man is the emotional value it has. Chazelle, having already shown this talent in the last 10 minutes of La La Land, is a master of manipulating emotions. Here it can be attributed to two major components, the first being the overall way of filming. It has somewhat of a “documentary” feel. The camera angles and lighting make it look like it was footage from cameras from the moment. It adds to the realism of the film. The other component is the ending on the moon, which I will not spoil, but scene really enhance the overall importance alone, I would be of family that the movie promotes. The simply shocked if ending makes you feel more connected the film didn’t win to the character of Neil and is just more either a Sound Mixreasons to guess that First Man will win ing or a Film Editing Best Picture. Award at the Oscars Of course there are one or two this year. negatives to the film. It is way too long Another truly fantasand much too slow. At 138 minutes, it tic element is the acting. is the eighth longest movie I have seen Now, everyone has heard this year. A lot of scenes could be cut the buzz about Ryan Gosling, who may or shortened, especially the final moon finally win his Oscar, but in my opinion, landing scene, but it is essential to the Claire Foy is the true highlight of the story, so it does make sense why they film. Going back to the Gemini-Agena decided to have it in. However, that is scene, Foy’s character really my only comJaney Armstrong heads plaint. I find it very to the Control Room similar to last year’s to confront the heads Blade Runner 2049, as of the program about it is quite slow with Now, everyone has heard turning on a radio box, a very long runtime. letting her know how the buzz about Ryan GosHowever, the fantastic Neil is doing. That en- ling who may finally win his visuals and sound, as tire scene outside the Oscar, but, in my opinion, well as some amazing control room is fantasperformances, add tic. It lasts for around Claire Foy is the true highup to one of the best maybe a minute, but light of the film. made films of the it has some of the year, which needs to best acting you’ll see be seen on the biggest all year. Well, at least screen possible. First until the next great Man is a true testamoment of acting a ment to the wonder half hour later. Again, Claire Foy delivers and art of the cinema. a powerhouse moment right before Neil is about to head off to space. The raw Stay up-to-date with the latest emotion you can hear in her voice is new movies with Daulton’s simply astonishing, and, having never reviews on our website! seen any of Foy’s other projects such as “Creative Commons Astronaut” used The Crown or Unsane, I will definitely under CC BY. attempt to do so. However, Foy isn’t the only one who delivers an amazing per-
“ “
Daulton Meadows | Staff Writer Damien Chazelle, one of the best directors in Hollywood today, has only directed three films. First, he made Whiplash, winner of three Academy Awards including Best Supporting Actor for J. K. Simmons. It is also the 44th highest rated movie of all time on IMDB, often regarded as the premier movie database. He followed that up with La La Land, winner of six Academy Awards including Best Actress (Emma Stone), Best Original Song (City of Stars), Best Director (himself), and Best Picture (for three minutes). It also tied the record for most Academy Award nominations with 14 and is the 227th highest rated movie of all time on IMDB. Now, Chazelle has made First Man, his first film based off of a true story, starring Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong in the tale of the extremely dangerous mission to the moon. When it opened on Oct. 12, I among many others flocked to the theatre to see the movie hailed by critics as one of the best films of the year. Here are my thoughts on it. So, it is a great movie, and, surprisingly, the best thing about it is something that a lot of people don’t really think about. The sound and visuals of the film are phenomenal. I saw this in an IMAX theatre, and it makes all the difference. Every Chazelle movie so far has received at least an Oscar nomination for both sound mixing and film editing. I doubt that First Man will be any different as the editing in both departments is purely incredible. There are several scenes in the film, mainly taking place in space, which document the more perilous moments of the journey, which are both completely engrossing and have intensity which will keep you on the edge of your seat. This is due in large part to the sound and visual editing style. There are entire sequences that are just an assault on the senses. One scene
Possible is everything. Lawrence Technological University isn’t for just anyone. We want the future designers, engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs who will create the innovations of tomorrow. Why do students choose LTU? ltu.edu/studentstories
5th
in nation for boosting graduates’ earning potential
11:1
student/faculty ratio
86%
students employed or registered for graduate school at commencement
100+
career events a year
ltu.edu/applyfree
Architecture and Design | Arts and Sciences | Business and Information Technology | Engineering
The new “The Hate U Give” movie highlights current issues of racism and police brutality. The film made $7.5 million box office weekend.
The Hate U Give: White Privilege from a Minority’s Perspective La’Taiya Wilson | Staff Writer
passed key components that were either altered or not included at all in the movie (which is typical for most movies stemmed from a novel). Aside from that, the main character in the novel was more brown-skinned than the main character in the movie, which is significant because it adds on to the colorism depicted in society. However, now that I have watched the movie, I could not see anyone else that could’ve played the part any better. With that being said, the minor critiques do not take away from the fact that the storyline, production, and actors’ performances were phenomenal. Mixing in the old school (Tupac and Black Panther references) along with the new (recent music and current day racism) the overall message allowed the film to be watched and enjoyed by all age groups, adding to the overall success of the movie.
Powerful. Potent. Efficacious. Recently released, “The Hate U Give,” definitely had this effect. Starr Carter is a senior high school juggling two worlds - the poor black neighborhood in which she lives and the white preparatory school which she attends. The balance between the two becomes more complex when she witnesses her neighborhood best friend lose his life at the hands of a police officer. Starr must find balance in her worlds, find her voice, and fight for what she believes in. “The Hate U Give” definitely grabbed the audience’s attention through provoking strong emotions and highlighting current day issues of racism and police brutality. The film demonstrated to current white privilege presented in today’s society and presented a response to this in a minority's perspective. It encompasses comedy, societal commentary, love, pain, and hate into one film. With a stunning lead performance by Amandla Stenberg mixed with outside influences such as family, friends, and societal pressures, there is no doubt that the movie alongside the novel, “The Hate U Give,” by Angie Thomas was a great success. Although the movie was a great success, there are a few adjustments that Like the movie? Try the book! La’Taiya personally prefers the ending could’ve been made. For and the specifics in the book by Angie Thomas. You can find it at the instance, the book encom- Huron library (if it’s not checked out). Photo by Julie Heng.
Feature
6
Huron alumna leaves the classroom to join the counseling team Clara Bowman | Guest Writer
“I have seen the most opposite extremes in terms of students,” counselor Emily Mashal said. “I had a student who lives in a $40 million house—they owned islands, and they had a private plane. And then I worked with students in crack houses in West Chicago, and I heard those stories too.” From a young age, it seemed as though teaching was the only viable career option for Mashal. “My dad always said, ‘You know what, it’s a great lifestyle; if you like to help people, be a teacher,’” Mashal said. “It almost felt like that was my only choice, and my brother’s a doctor. Not that I don’t love what I do, but I felt like my dad was like, ‘Jason be a doctor, Emily be a teacher.’ I do actually think it was the perfect career choice for me, but I never really considered anything else.” Mashal has taught Spanish, math, and health across several schools in both the Chicago area and New York City. “I love all of it because I just love teaching kids,” Mashal said. Despite her love for teaching, Mashal noticed her focus shifting and her career evolving.
“I give grades, I know students earn those grades, and I always give opportunities for kids to do better,” Mashal said. “I never had a student fail in seven years of teaching, I had one withdraw. I didn’t allow students to fail, I always followed up with them. But because of those relationships they were always talking to me. They were coming in asking questions about college and their families, and I liked that dynamic more than I appreciated the classroom. I just liked being with my students.” Mashal started her counseling degree at DePaul University in Chicago and got her master’s in arts and counseling psychology along with her master’s in education with a certification as a school counselor at Columbia. Starting her career on the West Side of Chicago, Mashal taught children who were on the very lowest end of the social spectrum. “I worked in West Chicago at Crane Tech High School in an achievement academy where students were working on their middle school diplomas,” Mashal said. Mashal also recalls instances of a 12 year old pregnancy and gang violence injuries. However, her exper-
tise spans all the way to New York City where she worked with some of the most extravagant students imaginable. “I had a student who had a $40,000 clothing budget a month from China,” Mashal said “She had her own personal shopper. She had multiple fur coats. She threw away her Louboutins at the end of the year. Threw them away! Just trash.” Mashal also noted that the private New York schools remind her of Gossip Girl. From the children of dictators to injuries due to gang violence, Huron High School guidance counselor Emily Mashal, has truly seen it all. “I don’t remember talking to my counselor,” Mashal said. “I remember going to my counselor one time in all four years of high school to ask for a transcript for my college application.” As a 2003 Huron High School graduate, Mashal brought her career full circle by working at a guidance counselor at the Ann Arbor school, despite having only gone to her own Huron counselor once. “I grew up in Ann Arbor, and I went to Huron High School,” Mashal said. “Now that I have two kids, I’m happy to be home close to my family.”
Emily Mashal is Huron’s newest counselor. She, her husband, and two children just moved back to Ann Arbor. Photo courtesy of Emily Mashal.
Huron students’ favorite Thanksgiving foods Alyssa Salamin | Staff Designer
What’s Your Krypietonite?
# 1 Mac and
Cheese: This creamy dish was surveyed as the number one favorite Thanksgiving dish to eat with stuffing at #2!
For those of you that think I just wrote about Fossil Fighters, that was an intro and this is a review. The difference is that I will very briefly go over the plot and have less restraint regarding spoilers, as I will use some Japanese names. Considering I will have less restraint on plot, read my intro or play the game first. If you want to read this anyway, go ahead. However, it is time to start this, so welcome to Vivosaur Island and Fossil Fighters! Fossil Mechanics: The fossil rocks that you dig up throughout the game can contain one of four parts: the head, body, arms, and legs. You can also dig up Jewel Rocks, which you can clean for Jewels that can be sold for Gold (G). However, you can’t revive a Vivosaur without the head part. It can become pretty frustrating trying to get the head if you keep digging up every part but the head. Fighting Mechanics: The battle has one Attack
Cherry Pie
Sweet Potato Pie
Pumpkin Pie Peach Pie
riter gh | Staff W
Pecan Pie
Chocolate Pie
s r e t h g i F Fossil u Dan Midda
Apple Pie
Zone (AZ), two Support Zones (SZ), and one Escape Zone (EZ). The AZ is where the most damage and status inflictions will occur. The SZ are sort of like spare slots in case a Vivosaur is defeated or if you want one to be safe. In the SZ, if a Vivosaur can affect stats, that’s where it will do so. The effects will be either positive or negative, affect your side of the field or the enemy’s side, and the changes are percentages. In the EZ, A Vivosaur can’t attack, but it also can’t be damaged, and after two turns they will re-enter a battle by going into a empty SZ. As for attacks, most of them only inflict damage, some do nothing but inflict a status and some can do both. Considering there are status effects, let’s go over them. Every status effect can be two colors, gold or white. Gold is stronger than white, but gold is rarer. The most standard of these effects is Poison, which will do some damage to the affected Vivosaur once the turn is over. You need Vivosaurs to fight with, so let’s go over digging them up.
Digging Mechanics: The mechanics are pretty simple: press the A Button to swing your pickaxe, which will dig up a fossil rock if the pickaxe is near the rock. You can also find objects in the field that can be broken for small amounts of G. There are other objects that can’t be broken that are darker versions of the breakable ones. When you dig up a fossil rock, it will be put into your case, where you keep rocks until you clean them. To find rocks, you use your sonar, which can be upgraded for a bigger monitor. There is also a filter that will remove boring old regular rocks, and bigger cases so you can hold more rocks. Now, cleaning. Cleaning Mechanics: When you clean a fossil, you are trying to remove as much rock as you can in 90 seconds without damaging the fossil too much. You have a X-ray, a hammer and a drill. Once the shop is open, you can obtain a Super Drill and a Hyper Hammer for 25,000 G, which are stronger versions of the drill and hammer. However, you still have the original tools and there is no X-ray upgrade. The Super Drill and Hyper Hammer help you clean faster, but they can cause more damage. Negatives: My biggest issue with Fossil Fighters (aside from feeling like nobody remembers it), is it can be a pain finding certain pieces with every
sonar upgrade. Either you can’t find a head or you want pieces you can’t find. Grinding for pieces is really tedious. Jewel rocks are annoying, because you always have to fight for one. I’ve never had an experience where you get a jewel rock without a fight. I also dislike sensitive rocks, because they are very trollish. Another issue I have is the generally accepted opinion that Dinoking is harder than the final boss, Gajigaaji (Those are the Japanese names for both characters). I beat the final boss without losing a single Vivosaur, while to Dinoking I think I lost one. Speaking of Dinoking, the post game battle with him is brutal. The reason I say this is that Dinoking’s team consists of Dinoking in his battle form, a Penta, and a Compso. Compso is a support type Vivosaur that lowers your attack and defense by 90 percent. For a measure of what that means, the highest attack stat in the game is 99. Compso reduces that to 14. That means that you do negligible damage to his Vivosaurs, including attack boosts. What I recommend you do for this fight is use 100 percent poison moves on Dinoking to defeat him quickly. The poison damage isn’t affected by the 90 percent attack decrease, so gold poison will do over 100 damage, which is more than one sixth of Dinoking’s max HP of 600. Once Dinoking is defeated, you’ve pretty much won. because Dinoking won’t try and get Compso back into the SZ. His Penta can heal with Sacrifice, That’s all I really have for negatives, so
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Other/ don’t eat Lemon Meringue Pie
time for the positives. Positives: To start this off, I really like how the actions of the Hero grow from stopping a Dino Medal Thief to saving the world. Like Ness from Earthbound, in fact. Also, I’ll call the hero Hunter, as that was his name in the manga, and it makes it easier to refer to him. The music is very well made. For example, the Dinoking fight music is intense and very fitting for a powerful king. I also really love the Gajigaaji battle music (shame that it’s wasted on such a weak opponent). I also like Duna’s theme as it’s quite fitting for a mysterious girl. These are some pretty high compliments, because I’m a serious metal head, to the point where I almost listen to nothing but metal. I also really like the starter Vivosaur Spinax. It’ll fit on most teams pretty well due to how well rounded it is. The last thing is I like how much post-game content Fossil Fighters has. It keeps the desire to keep playing I can’t really think of any more positives, so it’s time for a brief run of the plot. Overall: As one of my first DS games, I have strong memories with it. The one that sticks out in my mind the most is that Loki was very difficult for me, I lost to him constantly. But that isn’t my score, and I give Fossil Fighters a 4 out of 5. It is a very well made, the plot is well put together, and it’s overall fun.
Feature
7
Crossword Celebrity: thirteen letters down Calculus teacher Peter A. Collins has published 104 puzzles for the NYTimes — the 13th most in modern history
Julie Heng | Staff Editor shavings. “My wife thought I lost my Peter A. Collins has debuted mind, considering all the hours I put 489 new words in the crosswording into making the first puzzle,” Collins universe. says. A notable one? . That first attempt got “I don’t know if I should rejected. be proud or ashamed of it,” admits But Will Shortz, New Collins, who has taught math at Huron York Times crossword editor, noted since 1981. “That’s the thing about potential. So from there, Collins crosswords—you don’t want to use the purchased a book of Shortz’s favorite same old stale words that you see all puzzles, and was blown away by the the time.” ingenuity in the compiled themes. It’s not the first title in There were all sorts of explicit Collins’s long list of cruciverbalist and implicit rules in crossword accolades. constructing—subtleties most people See, Collins is a bit of a don’t immediately see. The grid usually crossword celebrity. At 104 published has 180 degree symmetry, for example, puzzles and counting, he’s the 13th as well as theme symmetry, few black most prolific modern-day New York squares, and a high word-to-square Times crossword constructor. Online ratio. critics rave about his clever themes. At Collins’s first crossword was the annual American Crossword Puzzle published in USA Today in late 2005, Tournament in Connecticut, people but his first Times byline would come want to meet him. Just two weeks ago, as a surprise. another constructor arranged to have By May 2, 2006, Collins was dinner with him. doing the Times crossword every day at “I wanted to get 100 in the lunch with a colleague who has since New York Times, and I made it past retired. that,” Collins “I started doing says. “Now I the puzzle that day,” don’t really Collins remembers. have any “It seemed kind of numeric goals familiar, and I looked The puzzle that day seemed as far as getting kind of familiar, and I looked up at the name of it, published. I just and I was like, holy up at the name of it, and I do it because I cow! That’s me! That was like, holy cow! That’s me! my puzzle!” enjoy it. It’s a creative release.” Peter A. Collins After that first Collins, Times publication, who played a Collins started creating lot of baseball, dozens of puzzles. At basketball, one point, he had 20 and football growing up, only began lined up on deck for publication in the seriously doing the daily puzzle in 2005. Times. Then, he decided to try constructing His dad would try every single one himself, with graph paper, a one published. dictionary, a pencil, and a lot of eraser “He wasn’t very pop culturally
“ “
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 by PETER A. COLLINS Copyright 2009, The New York Times. Reprinted with permission from the creator.
In his office, math teacher Peter A. Collins shows off an aptly trigonometric-function-themed crossword. A small student-gifted “The Man, The Myth, The Legend” name plate sits on his desk corner. “I’m happy that I’ve started the careers of a few other crossword people,” Collins says. “In fact, one of my former students at Huron has the distinction of being the youngest female published in the New York Times.” Photo by Julie Heng.
wise, so if there would be rap artists, or even TV show references, he had a hard time with those, but geography and history he was great at,” Collins says. “He was very dutiful.” Collins has learned quite a bit of trivia himself as a constructor in the last 13 years. Many obscure facts comes from Wikipedia tangents, but coming up with new clues mostly involves keeping his eyes and ears open. “When I hear a new phrase, or a new person who becomes famous, I’ll add Kanye West or Chance the Rapper or something to my word list,” Collins says. “It expands your ability to write fresh, clever puzzles.” Now, it takes Collins about six hours total to construct a crossword, usually not all in one shot. Across 1. Pilots 6. Biographical info 9. Lab wear 14. “Farewell, François!” 15. Marked, on a ballot 16. Oscar-winning Marisa 17. Gladiolus 19. Ain’t how it should be? 20. Spic and Span competitor 21. Asia’s ___ Sea 22. Rome-to-Belgrade dir. 23. They’re usually aimed at heads 28. Areas between hills 31. Like Death Valley 32. Ancient Greek portico 33. Captured 35. Furthermore 37. Beer may be on it
He works on one or two a month. Even though Collins has whittled the crossword-constructing process down, coming up with any good theme still takes time and a stroke of luck. The ideas emerge while he’s walking, riding his bike, or laying in bed at night. Just take a look at his portfolio (conveniently compiled at xwordinfo.com for anyone curious). Hours of care are taken to assemble miniature houses, fish, and DNA strands of letters, to hide Beatles members, date movies and Hemingway references in a simple boxed grid. Take “New World Order,” which hides the anagrammed word “world” within phrases like “swordlily,” “blowdryers,” and “fieldwork.” See it?
38. Shake-up in the global balance of power ... and a hint to the circled letters 42. New Jersey’s Fort ___ 43. Author Silverstein 44. Originally 45. Digging 47. Jai ___ 49. Health menace, briefly 53. Need a nap 56. Actress Peeples 57. Copier unit 58. Doing better at the casino, say 61. Kind of patch 63. It’s done outside a lab 65. Idolize 66. School department 67. Renaissance faire sight 68. “The Bells of St. ___” 69. “You got it!” 70. Gripped on a bench
Find the solution to Wednesday, December 9, 2009 here: https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=12/9/2009
“He loves showing off his themes,” says Bianca, Collins’s daughter and student at Eastern Michigan University. “He doesn’t want to give away too much, but you can tell he’s excited.” Most people are interested when they learn of Collins’s ability, too. Even if they don’t solve crosswords themselves, they know of an aunt, grandfather or cousin who does. Above all, they don’t expect a calculus teacher to be so proficient in wordplay. “I don’t know!” Collins says, laughing. “I just really like words, and what they mean, and how they can be used differently, and how they can interact and interlock in a puzzle. Something about that I just find appealing!”
Down 1. Latched, in a way 2. Currie who wrote “A Parliamentary Affair” 3. Train company founded in 1900 4. Piddling 5. Some cold ones 6. Armpit 7. Solidify 8. Joseph ___, who lent his name to some ice cream 9. M.V.P. of the first two Super Bowls 10. Some eels 11. Dish that may be prepared in a special pan 12. 1900-99, e.g.: Abbr. 13. Do-it-yourselfer’s purchase 18. It’s a long shot, usually 21. Builds an extension 24. Unwritten rules 25. Wacky 26. Jet engine’s output 27. Spring run 29. “How disgusting!” 30. Scatters seeds
34. Something a doctor should do 36. Tram loads 38. Roger Maris, for the Yankees 39. Like some paint 40. Move, to a real-estate broker 41. The Pistons, on a scoreboard 42. “What’s the ___?” 46. Famed Chicago livestock owner 48. Keys 50. Negatively charged particles 51. Buchanan’s predecessor 52. Listened, poetically 54. Challenges 55. Actor Brynner 59. Year the Vandals sacked Rome 60. River in a 1957 film 61. Impact sound 62. Vitamin no. 63. Former baseball commissioner Vincent 64. Tick off
The Corner Health Center, a place for all students
to help with mental illness. They also CHEYANNE ROY | Staff Writer have counseling for issues such as The Corner Health Center depression, anxiety, bullying, eating is a teen-centered medical clinic that disorders, ADHD, and stress. They provides judgment-free, high-quality also provides a wide, prenatal care, health services for teens age 12 to 25. Founded in 1980, the Corner is the only general healthcare services, and support systems for all young people. Their teen-focused health clinic in Michigan. “There was a disproportionate staff, professionally trained physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, social workers, rate of teen births from Ypsilanti, and health educators, are there to compared to Ann Arbor,” said support and provide services. Morghan Williams, Director “The Corner is a great of Community Relations and space if you have questions or if Organizational Development. So you participate in risky behavior,” a group of people got together and Williams said. “Outside of that, it’s started providing birth control in just a great place a corner of for general doctors Ypsilanti High appointments because School. “State we really strive and laws changed, I want kids to know that this focus on adolescents and we weren’t able to pass out is for every youth no matter and supporting them in birth control who you are, what you believe taking responsibility in their own health care.” on school in, or where you come from. The Corner’s campuses. But doors are also open this still was to everyone in any a big issue, so Morghan Williams situation. opened the first “My personal goal main building is that teens know this and since we’ve is a resource for them,” expanded to Williams said. “I feel that historically three main buildings.” the Corner has been labeled as a place The Corner provides a where you can only come if you’re a full range of health care services pregnant teen or if you participated and programs such as mental in risky behavior. Now that we put health services. The Corner has a focus on LGBTQ youth we get the psychiatrists to prescribe medication
“
stigma that you can only come if you are a part of that group. “Even with that reputation, The Corner can be a diamond in the rough for some. “I think it’s a local place that does serve everybody and they have a lot of great programs that support student and support people that are in those situations and not a lot of places do that anymore, they have great resources for all student seeking counseling and assistance with mental health concerns as well,” Huron counselor Nina Perko said. The Corner also has a variety of programs that teach students about health and peer support and leadership. “The Corner has a theater troupe, that are students that are trained by professionals. You act and make friends, and educate your peers on healthy behaviors as well as health issues affecting teens,” Perko said. The theater troupe performs plays in health classes in high schools in southeast Michigan on a variety on health awareness issues such as HIV and depression. “It’s cool because their acting is education,” Perko said. “So it makes it more fun opposed to a teacher sitting there telling you about health.” Theater troupe meets on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at The Corner. But The Corner also has other programs to support youth such as a
The Corner Health Center is located at 47 N Huron St in Ypsilanti. Photo by Cheyanne Roy.
Leadership Council and a Community Advisory Council. “It’s just a way for teens to get involved in the community to help promote healthy behavior,” Perko said. The Corner, being so centered around young and having only youth patients is aware and cautious of health care, prices for services and parental involvement. “We take almost all insurances here, and, if you are uninsured, you can pay on a sliding scale where we assess whether you have a job or not.” Williams said. “They would either put you on a payment plan or your service would be free.” Parental intervention can also be a hurdle in a teen’s healthcare, and the Corner is aware of this and has policies to accommodate. “If you want The Corner to
be your primary care facility, and are under the age of eighteen, then you would come into the Corner with your parent one time.” Williams said. Your parent would sign a release form that says if you want to come back you can come without them. If you need sexual health care, any person twelve or older can get confidential sexual care without parent’s permission. For mental health care, if you’re over the age of fourteen, you can get confidential mental health care for either twelve sessions or four months to see where you’re at and get a trusted adult in your life. The Corner is a great resource for teens to go for a long variety of health services. It also provides a multitude of programs that support and educate youth in our community.
“
Sports
8
The Little Giant, Drew Brees
The greatest quarterback of all time, both on and off the field
Austin Aldrich | Staff Writer
The goat. A farm animal that is one of the oldest domesticated animals that can be used for milk, meat, fur, and skins. There is, however, a different meaning of the word “goat” when used to describe someone. It means that you are “the greatest of all time.” When abbreviated: GOAT. When talking football, many quarterbacks throughout the years have dominated the National Football League (NFL). They rack up points, win championships, and become not only become football legends but known to all. With so many different candidates for the GOAT quarterback in the NFL, there is only one fair way to pick one: stats. Tim Lynch is the head sportswriter for an internet media company and blog spot called the Mile High Club. Based in Denver Colorado, Lynch has created a mathematical formula to fairly adjudicate quarterbacks in question. Lynch used over 19 different categories and systems to adjudicate quarterbacks he feels can be considered the greatest of all time in the NFL. And at the top of that list? Current New England Patriots QB Tom Brady. Brady’s win in Super Bowl LI has made him 5-3 in Super Bowls. He is one of only three quarterbacks (with Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw) to win four Super Bowl titles. He’s 183-52 as a starter in the regular season. His 24 playoff wins are the most ever. Brady, who will turn 42 next year, is likely to play four or five more years if his body can hold up. Nothing in his game shows a decline. The fact of the matter is that in this day and age, everything can be measured through stats. While only numbers, these stats are created and designed o analyze and rank players in question. Stats should be trusted and relied on to deliver a fair rank of players and adjudicate all parts of their game. In the end, there is clear evidence that Tom Brady is, without question, the GOAT.
Manit Patel | Staff Writer Numbers. That is what is newly dominating sports. The statistical revolution that took over baseball is now taking over other sports too. Houston Rockets General Manager, Daryl Morey, has built a roster full of efficient 3-point shooters and stout defenders, and has led a statistical insurgency in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Meanwhile, in the National Football League (NFL), statistics merit that none other than Drew Brees from Purdue is the greatest quarterback of all time. At the age of 39, on Oct. 8th, 2018 with 18 seasons of experience, Brees broke Peyton Manning’s all time passing yards record of 71,940 yards, which is about 41 miles, the distance from Huron to the Ambassador bridge (which connects Michigan to Canada). He has dominated the NFL, with more seasons of 5,000 passing yards than all the other quarterbacks in the NFL’s history combined. He has led his offense, almost single-handedly, with very mediocre defenses on the other side of the ball for his team the New Orleans Saints. Brees is also one of the greatest comeback artists ever, with 44 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter (leading his team to score in which the final lead change of the game is the result), and has 31 fourth quarter comebacks (when the team is down by a touchdown or more entering the 4th quarter).
While Brees’ impact on the field has sent shockwaves throughout the NFL, it’s his off-the-field contributions to society that really cements his place as one of the greatest humanitarians ever. He has raised over $25,000,000 for cancer patients. To go along with that, when Brees was signed by the Saints following his horrific shoulder injury, in which he tore his labrum and partially tore the rotator cuff of his throwing arm, he contributed heavily to the recovery effort of the victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. All in all, Brees is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to ever take a step on the football field.
Tom Brady: undisputed GOAT Considering the statistics, no other NFL quarterback can compare
The alarming state of college basketball The sport of basketball is in a flux. It has been since James Naismith invented it to keep gym students active on a rainy day. Since Adolph Rupp’s 1951 Kentucky team had an entire season suspension in which they were banned from all NCAA competition. Since the recent scandal came out incriminating 3 Adidas officials, with many more to come, and the Arizona Wildcats paying DeAndre Ayton $100,000 to play basketball for them. This is just college. The NBA is lead by icons such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, and has been wildly entertaining Manit Patel | Staff Writer
Basketball photo from Transparent PNG.
even though it is a foregone conclusion the Golden State Warriors will win the NBA Finals this year, due to the fact they can put a lineup on the field that features 5 NBA AllStars. High School Basketball is as strong as ever though, with top prospects ready as ever to make the transition from the high school pace, to dominating college basketball. Miles Bridges, Collin Sexton, Kyle Lowry, Markelle Fultz are just a few of the many players involved in the recent NCAA Basketball scandal that has come to fruition over the past year. When Yahoo Sport! obtained documents that revealed an enormous money scheme in which money was being transferred to recruits, and the families of recruits in exchange for the recruits to play for big name colleges such as Duke, Kentucky, Michigan State, and North Carolina, the college basketball world was stunned. It was reported by ESPN that Sean Miller and the Arizona Wildcats basketball program paid touted recruit DeAndre Ayton a whopping sum of $100,000 to play basketball for them. Since then the drama over the scandal has died down, but now college basketball fans are obsessing over… that’s right, recruits. The new fad in basketball is Duke’s Fab Four. The trio of R.J. Barrett, Cam Reddish, Zion Williamson, and Tre Jones who took spots 1,2,5, and 15 respectively in 247Sports recruit rankings. That quartet took national headlines when they walloped number 4 Kentucky by an astounding 34 points. That quartet outscored the entire Kentucky team by 5 points. From that point it looked like their inexperience wouldn’t be a problem. Then they played Gonzaga in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational Final. Gonzaga looks like a contender for the first time in 2 years, and they have experience which showed when the controlled the game against Duke end-to-end for a 89-87 thriller. Kansas is another team that looks like a serious contender. They have great wins over good teams like Tennessee, Marquette, and Michigan State. While college basketball has come under scrutiny for the scandal, the future has never been brighter with stars like Zion Williamson at the forefront.
Joe Wade combines YouTube with varsity baseball Kade Cupp | Staff Writer
Fascinated by the idea of being a YouTube star when he was in eighth grade, Joe Wade, a junior on the Varsity baseball team, decided to start a YouTube channel to use as a platform for showcasing his shoe collections, baseball highlights, and his everyday adventures including pranks and vlogs from his vacation trips. Wade initially started his YouTube channel because he was Wade frequently derives inspiration for his YouTube videos in his “fascinated by how much own baseball career. He has a series on his channel dedicated to updating his subscribers on his baseball career. Photo courtesy of Joe money YouTube stars made, and wanted to live Wade. baseball in the future. the life of a YouTube star.” Wade isn’t “In my baseball career, I aim a star yet, but YouTube means much to get the experience to be a starting more to him than just internet starpitcher for an NCAA Division I Coldom. He currently has 820 subscribers, lege” Wade said. and his most popular video has over Wade often goes to prospect 91,000 views. He says his youtube chan- camps, including one at the University nel has benefited him in many ways, of Notre Dame, where he participated some of which are unexplainable. in a two day overnight camp, and col “My youtube channel has ben- lege scouts watched him and hundreds efited me by forcing me to expand my of other high school baseball players horizons on what I like to do,” Wade compete for the best stats, including said. “If I didn’t start YouTube back in timed 40 yard dashes, up-tempo scrim8th grade, I wouldn’t be interested in mages, and exit velocity. any sorts of film making. Right now I Wade says his youtube chanam in DP filmmaking, where we learn nel and baseball career coexist signifia lot about what it takes to create film. cantly within each other. It’s a two year course, and I hope to “My baseball career and youstudy film in college after that.” tube career benefit each other greatly Wade has big dreams for his because my youtube videos are about baseball career as well. He plays travel my baseball career and my whole expebaseball along with high school baserience playing baseball,” Wade said. ball, and hopes to play Division one
UPCOMING GAMES: DEC
3
DEC
4
DEC
5
DEC
6
BOYS’ VARSITY BOWLING
vs SALINE HIGH SCHOOL
3:30p.m. BOYS’ JV BASKETBALL
at LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL
7p.m. GIRLS’ VARSITY BOWLING
vs BEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL
3:30p.m. GIRLS’ JV BASKETBALL
at SOUTHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
5:30p.m.
DEC
3
DEC
4
DEC
6
DEC
6
GIRLS’ VARSITY BOWLING
vs SALINE HIGH SCHOOL
3:30p.m. BOYS’ VARSITY BASKETBALL
at LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL
7p.m. GIRLS’ VARSITY HOCKEY
at REGINA CATHOLIC HIGH
4:55p.m. GIRLS’ VARSITY BASKETBALL
at SALINE HIGH SCHOOL
7p.m.
DEC
4
DEC
5
DEC
6
DEC
7
BOYS’ FRESHMAN BASKETBALL
vs LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL
4p.m. BOYS’ VARSITY BOWLING
vs BEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL
3:30p.m. BOYS’ VARSITY SWIMMING
at SOUTH LYON HIGH SCHOOL
6p.m. MENS’ BASKETBALL
vs BROTHER RICE HIGH SCHOOL
5:30 and 7p.m.