The Huron Emery, April, 2020

THE

HURON EMERY

@THEHURONEMERY

HURON HIGH SCHOOL, 2727 FULLER RD., ANN ARBOR MI 48105

VOL. 5 ISSUE 5

NEWS:

Assessing the COVID-19 crisis PAGE 4

OPINION:

I battled cancer in middle school PAGE 7

REVIEW:

Is Teaspressa any good?

NEWS

PAGE 13

Saline’s covert racism goes viral MANIT PATEL STAFF WRITER

On Jan. 28, the Huron Men’s Basketball Team took on the Saline Men’s Basketball Team. While the Rats handily beat the Hornets 61-45, the game was overshadowed by the enormous police presence: the number of Saline police cars stationed there was in the double digits, with officers everywhere.

Just two days before the game, on Jan. 26, a group of Saline High School students created a group chat with content in the messages that was starting to make national news.

Huron’s athletic director,

briefs

New club aims to promote human trafficking awareness LYDIA HARGETT STAFF WRITER

Huron’s New Huron Against Trafficking Club, or HAT for short, has just started. HAT, intended to increase awareness about human trafficking, is run by sophomore Eva Erhardt and advised by Betsy Clyde.

Since HAT is starting in the second semester of the school year, there is not that much time to do any huge projects this school year, but the club hopes to complete many projects next year.

“We want to sell fair trade hats or other clothing as well as reach out to local businesses,” Erhardt said. “We also want to give presentations about human trafficking to elementary and middle school students.”

Tony Whiren, took a leadership role with Saline’s administration.

“Both schools wanted everyone to feel comfortable and safe,” Whiren said. “Planning ahead and taking extra precautions made this happen; Saline’s AD did a great job.

Overall, Saline did a really good job planning for security for fans and for the students’ safety.”

The group chat was titled “Racist 轢轢.” In it, numerous students of Caucasian descent used the n-word.

Saline High School senior Karamba Kaba was added to the group chat and witnessed the usage of the n-word as well as phrases such as “white power” and “the south will rise again.” Kaba

decided to speak out against what was occurring in the group chat by posting screenshots of the conversation on his Snapchat story.

From there, the screenshots and quickly circulated to people outside of the group. Complaints from students in Saline, who experienced similar racist aggressions similar to what Kaba went through, increased.

The next morning, Superintendent of Saline Public Schools Scot Graden released a public statement regarding the incident. That same day, eight students who were involved in the group chat were suspended

See RACISM, PAGE TWO

In spite of social distancing, GIDAS continues meetings online VISH GONDESI SPORTS EDITOR Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Huron GIDAS (Genes In Diseases and Symptoms) has adjusted to having online sessions using the Zoom platform.

Other classes have had similar meetings, yet no clubs have followed this path.

As part of “Operation Face Shield,” Robert Cupit and other engineering teachers throughout the district are 3-D printing PPE for local healthcare workers. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROB CUPIT

AAPS engineering teachers 3-D print much-needed PPE Junior Aarush Goel works on his abstract for an upcoming GIDAS competition. SHIKHA GOEL

See more briefs, PAGE TWO

ERIC HENG COLUMNIST

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, personal protection equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers is in desperately short supply. Ann Arbor’s own engineering teachers have stepped up to help the fight by

3-D printing face shields.

The “Operation Face Shield” effort was picked up by Ann Arbor STEAM engineering teacher Bill Van Loo, who said the idea of 3-D printing masks “was really a collaboration of the maker community.”

See PPE, PAGE FOUR

THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 5: APRIL

2 | NEWS

New Huron ninth and tenth grade office professional hired ALENA HALLIWELL STAFF WRITER

chology,” Newman said. “That way, I would be able to teach U.S. government.”

The new secretary in Newman sees herthe ninth and tenth grade of- self working as a secrefice, Brooke Newman, is ready tary and thinks she will be to take on the year at Huron. the secretary throughout Newman is from South Gate her time in college. and hopes to gain

“I am hoping experience in the it will lead into a teaching field. job in this school

“I am goor another school ing to school to be district, but I rea teacher, so it’s ally enjoy Huron,” something I’ve alNewman said. ways been passion Newman curate about,” Newrently has a lot of man said. responsibilities

Newman within the buildis currently work- PHOTO COURTESY OF ing. Her days start ing towards her BROOKE NEWMAN out with attenteaching degree at dance, submitting Eastern Michigan University; work orders and setting up for she is studying secondary ed- any sort of meetings throughucation and social studies with out the day. The rest of the political science. day she does paperwork, and

“I am majoring in psy- near the end of the day, she

gives out student bus tokens and PowerSchool passwords.

Once the students leave, she will finish up any voicemails and reply to parents or transfer them to Assistant Principal Sumerton.

“I have enjoyed my time here, and I very much do enjoy coming to work,” Newman said.

Newman’s favorite thing at Huron is the students.

“I feel like I have a purpose here in whichever way possible,” Newman said.

“I have always been a great motivator. I’m the oldest of five children, so I always look out for my younger siblings, and that’s kind of how I look at everyone. I’ve always been a positive motivator.”

Assistant Principal Michael Sumerton thinks Newman is a really good fit at Huron.

DAILY HEADLINES ON THEHURONEMERY.COM - Schools are closed for the year and here’s what to expect - STUDENTING ep. 1: So you think you can multitask?

- Things to do while staying protected from COVID-19

RACISM | FROM PAGE ONE indefinitely, or until the investigation into the incident was concluded and proper punishment was determined.

The students will continue their academic progress while on suspension,

“Students will be receiving work again, but not going on campus or entering the high school,” Graden said in his statement. Furthermore, “[a]dministrators at Saline High School conducted a thorough investigation of the situation and determined that the incident represents an act of racism that created harm to all of our students, especially students of color. Hate, prejudice, and racism have no place in our schools or our community.”

Graden also called for Saline to have a series of “community conversations.”

The first “conversation” took place the day after the students were suspended.

At that meeting, Saline students discussed how racist incidents in school have affected them as students and people, and noted that the group chat racism was not an isolated incident.

“I honestly hope you can do something to make us feel comfortable walking the hallways of that school,” Kaba said to the school board, frustration and sadness evident in his voice. “I feel like everybody

is looking at me the wrong way. I don’t like being here no more.”

Kaba wasn’t the only one. MLive reported on Kadhan Nadarajah, a junior at Saline High School, who commented that “the system is broken.”

“One of the students who said those comments grew up a mile from my house,” Nadarajah said, noting that it has been difficult to fit into not only the Saline community but his ethnic community as well. “My whole life, I’ve been trying to act white, basically.

Now I go and talk to my Indian friends and they say, ‘you’re whitewashed,’ and it’s because of the system that we live in.

I’m being forced to be a certain way.”

Additionally, as reported by MLive reporter Martin Slagter, one student had to end her relationship because her father would not allow her to date black people.

That same student has been texted racial slurs and been compared to a monkey by a teacher.

Fast forward to Feb. 12: four of the suspended students from the group chat decided to take legal action against the school. Two of the four are reportedly facing expulsion, according to ClickOnDetroit. When The Emery tried to reach out to one of the students, they stated, “I’m sorry I’m not allowed to say any-

thing and nobody else is at this time.”

The lawsuit, filed by David Kallman, against the Saline Area Schools states that, “One of the African-American children jokingly suggested that everyone on the chat say the n-word at the same time to stop racism and many of the children did so.”

When The Emery followed up with Kallman, he restated that stating the n-word came from a suggestion within the group chat.

“The school doesn’t have authority to act, because the incident, which occurred off of school grounds, happened in their own private homes,” Kallman said. “They only have authority to discipline for anything done in school, and more importantly they are not the parents of the kids. Students are being deprived of rights of public education and First Amendment rights.”

Kallman likened the situation to a drug legalization rally.

“If a student went to [such] a rally...the school wouldn’t have any jurisdiction to suspend or expel that student, because the student is exercising their right to free speech,” Kallman said.

“These students were merely exercising their right to free speech, and the schools are not censors of this. It’s frankly un-American.”

BRIEFS | FROM PAGE ONE

Keeping the club active is a point of pride for members, allowing them to uphold a part of their schedule and do something meaningful during the school closure.

“GIDAS is oriented around a year-long research project for members, and I think working towards this long-term goal, which we’ve had since the beginning of the year, helps people retain a sense of normalcy,” senior Eleanor Lin, GIDAS president, said. “Of course, it’s also nice just to check in on each other during meetings and make sure everyone is physically and emotionally well.”

GIDAS elected to continue to meet because their abstract submissions are still due on April 19. This year’s abstract is on opioid addiction, and members look at datasets to draw conclusions about something relating to it.

These abstracts are a way for students to apply their knowledge of scientific processes learned in school.

Abstracts will likely be judged in an online event rather than the typical conference hosted by

Earlier in the year, GIDAS made candy DNA as a team building activity. PHOTO COURTESY OF ELEANOR LIN

miRcore at the University of Michigan according to Lin. GIDAS is also offering one-on-one sessions with experienced board leaders as an additional resource to help members get this done outside of school.

“I’m excited to have so many new members in GIDAS this year; a club that does genetic disease research and advocacy isn’t exactly what freshmen might have in mind when they come to orientation, but we’ve found people who are interested in just that,” Lin said.

The consistent participation in this unsettling time seems to prove that’s true.

Kallman said he didn’t of many student conversations condone the use of the n-word, at Huron. but said that the school was The basketball game “blowing this entire situation against Saline was an opporout of proportion.” tunity for Huron students to

John Kava, the lawyer showcase their leadership. representing the Saline School According to Whiren, it was a District in the case, did not re- very quiet game from the Saply to The Emery’s interview line’s student section overall. request. However, Superinten- “The students that dent Graden was interviewed were disciplined do not reflect in regards to the community of the legal action Saline,” Whiren being taken. said. “We were

“I don’t not worried about expect anyone fights. There is in our commualways good comnity to act with petition and high racist comintensity play with ments,” Graden Saline. There were said. “There is no fights, nothing case law assosaid out of context ciated with acwithin the student tivity outside sections.

Both of school that sides and teams TONY WHIREN impacts the that night did a ATHLETIC DIRECTOR learning envigreat job. At the ronment.” end of the night

Graden is referring to we all wanted to make sure it the 1969 Tinker v. Des Moines was a fun and exciting athletSupreme Court case, which ics event for fans and the studetermined that students dents.” have the right to exercise free Prior to the game, speech that does not “mate- Whiren talked to student secrially and substantially inter- tion leaders and the students fere” with the school’s opera- about sportsmanship and tion. respect. Coaches from both

It is unknown wheth- schools spoke to their teams er or not the case is proceeding as well. Head Huron varsity due to the impact of COVID-19 coach Waleed Samaha talked on the State of Michigan. to his team about maintaining

With the age of the sportsmanship, respect and students involved and being so integrity. close in proximity to Ann Arbor, the incident was the topic

“

The students that were disciplined do not reflect the community of Saline.

THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 5: APRIL 3 | NEWS

Teachers reach agreement for compensation MISHAL CHARANIA ONLINE EDITOR

“I hope to keep teaching. I really hope to keep teaching,” Milne said. “I have a passion for it. It’s what I’ve

On March 22, the always done. It’s what I’ve almembers of the Ann Arbor Ed- ways wanted to do. I do believe ucation Association ratified a that if there is not compensatentative agreement that was a tion in the next year or two, result of several months of ne- really good teachers will be gotiation. The tentative agree- looking into other fields.” ment will give teachers addi- Many teachers, intional pay compensation and cluding Milne, recognize that health care benefits. they didn’t go into teaching

“We still have much because they expected earning to do as a movement,” an a lot of money, but rather beAnn Arbor elementary school cause they love teaching. teacher said. “Many teachers AAPS teachers are have and still feel disrespected paid on a 10-step scale that by the district in many ways.” also includes lanes (see graph The disrespect felt ic below). Teachers are hired

by Ann Arbor teachers stems in at different steps based on from them not moving up on their experience. Even if a the pay scale. A decade ago, teacher has six years of prior steps were given as automatic experience, they do not necin a teaching career, but that essarily start on step six, they has since changed. may get hired in at a lower step. If a teacher starts on the step, for the first 10 years Holding multiple first the teacher works in Ann Arjobs is a reality for bor Public Schools, as long as the contract allows it, they go AAPS teachers Huron history teach- up a ‘step’ in their pay. In addier Kathryn Bellows came to tion, on the same scale, there AAPS looking for a better way are also lanes. A teacher can of life while pursuing teaching. change lanes based on their educational experience which She wants increases their pay. Part of to make a the tendifference tative in her stuagreedents’ lives, ment but she changcan’t make es how a difference steps when she will be can’t pay awardher morte d . gage.

BelTeachLUKE MILNE lows hasn’t ers will received her be on yearly “step” “half-steps” instead of “full in the three years she has steps” for the next three years. taught here.

“

If there is not compensation in the next year, good teachers will be looking into other fields.

Her co-worker history teacher Luke Milne is in the same situation. Milne coaches football and baseball during the school year in addition to working another job over the summer. Milne is part of the 66 percent of AAPS teachers who have more than one job to afford the cost of living according to the AAEA. Milne considered looking into other professions before the passing of the tentative agreement because teaching alone hadn’t allowed him to support himself as much as he would like to.

Teachers continue to ask for support from AAPS

As a form of action teachers across the district wear their ‘Support Ann Arbor Teachers’ shirt provided by the AAEA. They also attended the Board of Education meetings to try to inform parents and students about their current pay situation.

The Support Ann Arbor Teachers movement, a group of AAEA union mem-

English teachers Claire Federhofer, Letitia Simmons, Sara-Beth Badalamente, Alison Eberts and Kris Zager wear their “Support Ann Arbor Teachers” shirts each week. “[The school board] can tell us up and down how much they appreciate the teachers but when you don’t show it, it becomes really hard to believe,” Eberts said. ““If I were to leave, it would be the hardest, most heartbreaking decision I’ve ever made.” PHOTO COURTESY OF ALISON EBERTS bers, work to advocate for fair treatment and compensation of teachers. Bargaining for steps was pushed back to this past fall while an overall contract was ratified to ensure a smooth start to the 2019-2020 school year.

“No settlement is perfect,” AAEA President Fred Klein said. “We believe that this is the best we could have done this year. It’s for multiple years which is good.”

Times have changed for the teaching profession

English Department Chair Sean Eldon is a member of the AAEA negotiating team. They negotiate salaries on behalf of AAPS teachers.

Eldon has taught at Huron for 17 years and understands why newer teachers may look into other career options when they haven’t received increases in their pay.

“As a young teacher.

I received steps, I received those regular pay raises,” Eldon said.“The funding situation in the early 2000s when I began my career is very different than it is today. And so

I have a great deal of compassion for teachers who are newer to the profession because they haven’t seen those kinds of wage increases.”

Even though teachers aren’t allowed to openly talk to students about the ongoing salary negotiations during class time, if students ask about what the teachers think they are allowed to answer and talk about their opinions outside of school hours. Burns Park elementary school teacher Nishi Crook has talked to parents about her experiences as a part of the movement and hopes to get more opportunities to educate the community about the situation.

“[Students are] really interested in what’s going

on in our district and why I wear the shirt, which is really awesome,” Crook said. “I let them know that I can talk more about it after school hours outside of school.”

Teachers plan to continue to sit in on board meetings and express their concerns, and they remain optimistic for future negotiations.

“We’re asking for [the school board] to prioritize teachers; this could be the start to a positive trend,” Crook said. “We’re asking them to show respect and show us that they understand.

One of the things we’ve been sharing is how can we put students first when teachers are put last?”

Tentative agreement changes 2019 - 2020

2020 - 2021

- All employees active as of Dec. 31, 2019 will receive a onetime bonus - The bonus will value 2.25% of the AAEA payroll - Employees hired after Jan. 1, 2020 will receive a bonus based on number of days they are expected to work

- Everyone will receive a halfstep advancement - Teachers on step two will be moved to step three - 1.7% increase to the district’s premium share towards health insurance - AAEA members can request additional leave surrounding holiday breaks

2021 - 2022 - All employees will receive a half-step advancement - 2% increase to step 11 - 1.5% increase to the district’s premium share towards health insurance

GRAPHIC BY MISHAL CHARANIA AND CLARA BOWMAN

THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 5: APRIL 4 | NEWS

Our COVID-19 COVID-19 Our timeline ... ... so so far far timeline Dec 2019 - Feb 2020

COVID-19 cases emerge in China and across the globe

Michigan is one of states hardest hit by COVID-19. As of April 8, Michigan had the third most confirmed cases in the country with over 18,000.

How HowAnn AnnArbor ArborPublic Public Schools Schoolsisisresponding responding 1.

Prioritizing student, staff and fam-

ilies‘ mental and physical health with consistent access to counselors, support staff, and community resources.

Originating in Wuhan, China, COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus, began rapidly spreading throughout the city and country at the end of 2019 through the beginning of 2020. The first known case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was found in Washington on Jan. 15, 2020.

March 10 10 March

First confirmed COVID-19 cases in Michigan

Michigan was one of the last states to have a confirmed case, and the number of confirmed cases have been growing exponentially ever since. However, the doubling rate has been decreasing in recent days.

March 12

2.

Continuation of quality education and learning

with a distance-learning model. For the first three weeks, teachers assigned enrichment activities to keep students engaged. Starting April 13, the learning system will be more robust and structured. Additionally, the district will offer enhanced optional education opportunities in late-spring and summer to keep students on tracks. The suspension of face-to-face classes will not disrupt grade-to-grade transitions or graduation.

3.

Continue equally serving the community: AAPS has been con-

AAPS announced all schools to be closed for several weeks

All AAPS schools were to be closed until April 3, later extended until April 10. Students had a final half day of school on March 13 to collect items. The district aimed to continue to provide students and families with meals and access to technology. During this period, teachers and students were encouraged to remain engaged and connected. Many teachers offered “enrichment activities for students. However, none of it is for a grade.

All in-person AP and IB exams will not be held. Both organizations developed alternative testing methods for students to show mastery of subjects.

March 24

Governor Whitmer signed the order to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Under the order, essential workers, such as medical professionals and those working at grocery stores may continue working. Everyone else must remain in their residence. Individuals may go outside for walks, bike rides and other essential functions, as long as it is not in groups outside the household. Violators of the order may face up to a $1,000

April April 22

read the All K-12 face to face instruc- full story tion suspended for the remainder of the school year

This was an anticipated order from Governor Whitmer. Under the order, individual districts are given the flexibility to determine a plan to continue learning. Districts also were given the option to continue the school year into the summer, but teachers must be paid through the end of the school year.

PPE | FROM PAGE ONE

He learned of the effort from Ann Arbor local and registered nurse Kevin Leeser, who found the design from a Czech company called Prusa3-D. Prusa3-D published the 3D face shield design that could be printed by 3-D printers worldwide, allowing anyone with a 3-D printer to help produce PPE. Each shield consists of four parts: a headband, a rubber band, a piece of plastic trans-

the class of

20 20

over

Michigan stay-at-home order goes into effect

After remaining hopeful at first, MHSAA canceled the remainder of all winter and spring high school sports seasons.

tinuing meal service since March 13 by distributing and delivering food every three days for students to take home. The district has provided technology to families who need it to continue learning at home. AAPS is also providing additional support services to help students with special needs accommodate to distance learning.

parent plastic and a bottom piece securing the prote ctive visor When Van Loo joined the effort, he immediately set out to recruit other AAPS engineering teachers to help out and do the same.

Robert Cupit, one of Huron’s own engineering/ PLTW teachers, has also started 3-D printing masks in his own home using Huron Engineering’s 3-D printers.

“The process is pretty simple but lengthy,” Cupit said. “We modified an exist-

7,000 7,000

classes transitioning to distance learning

will graduate on time

60,000 more than

meals distributed to AAPS families

52 52

18,500

students outside theclassschool days of room 3-D print the parts.AAPS Once school distance learnthe part is printed we use buildings closed our ing Cricut machines to cut transparency paper to

37

CLARA BOWMAN |NEWS EDITOR

ing C A D file face shield design... and imported it into a Slicing software that cuts solid objects into layers. Once again, we then export the new sliced file into our 3-D printing software to actually

make the actual clear shield.

The final step is assembly which also includes attaching the band around the back of the head support.”

One major advantage of 3-D printing PPE is

Read the full story on thehuronemery.com

Donate to help AAPS teachers produce face shields for medical workers

THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 5: APRIL

5 | OPINION

The Young Scientist

Put science first: why face masks matter ERIC HENG COLUMNIST

Let’s take a look at a tweet from the U.S. Surgeon-General on Feb. 29: “Seriously people- STOP BUYING MASKS! They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!”

This message is contradictory. Why would masks that supposedly have no effect on normal people be helpful to healthcare providers? If they aren’t useful, why would their absence be a risk?

Clearly, scientific fact must be separated from social demands.

Wearing masks is useful, not only for sick patients, but also healthy individuals and asymptomatic carriers. COVID-19 is primarily a droplet-spread disease, so masks are useful for

people sick with COVID-19 as it limits their respiratory droplets, which could transmit the virus. Currently, people in the U.S. are advised not to get tested if they do not have symptoms. With increasing evidence that asymptomatic carriers can still transmit the disease, healthy people should also wear masks, as they would not know if they are asymptomatic carriers.

Studies regarding the effectiveness of surgical masks for everyday people have yet to emerge. But as “Rational use of face masks in the COVID-19 pandemic,” a recent article published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, emphasizes, “there

is an essential distinction between the absence of evidence and evidence of absence.” The researchers encourage the use of masks if supplies permit. In fact, many of the nations that have controlled their COVID-19 outbreaks, such as China, South Korea and Singapore, are also the ones with the most stringent mask policies. Health officials from those countries attribute face masks as part of their success.

Health organizations should not have denied the power of masks in preventing COVID-19. Rather, they should have focused on the horrendous problem of scarcity. Masks and many other

GRAPHIC BY ERIC HENG AND MISHAL CHARANIA

medical supplies are in short supply, and their benefits to healthcare workers far outweigh the benefits to any regular person, as healthcare workers have much more exposure to the virus.

The hard truth is that we do not have enough masks. In fact, the dwindling supply is already forcing some doctors to reuse masks, as their hospitals have already run out.

But that doesn’t mean lying about the inherent capability of masks.

The claim of American public health officials that “healthy people get no benefit from wearing masks” is detrimental to the scientific community and public trust. Their contradictory statements can degrade the reputation of public health institutions, leading people to follow the advice of other non-reliable sources, or worse, scammers looking to profit from the crisis.

Interestingly, it seems that the debate on masks

“

has split among cultures, East and West. In eastern countries, wearing masks seen as a benefit to the whole populace and a social duty.

Where wearing a mask is much more ubiquitous, many people have worn face masks in the fight against COVID-19.

Meanwhile, in western countries, there is a social stigma surrounding masks, which are much more uncommon and usually only worn by sick people. This has resulted in a steady refusal by the general American public to don masks, as well as a fear factor associated with mask-wearing.

In times of crisis, the public must have a clear idea of what they are doing and why they are doing it. And we will not have second chances: in Italy, coffins are being lined up. In Iran, bodies are piling up in mass graves. So let us separate the question of whether masks are useful from how we should best distribute masks. Masks are useful for everyone, but healthcare providers should have first priority to access them.

Scientific fact must be separated from social demands.

THE EMERY 2019-2020 STAFF

It’s time to stay home Staff Editorial

People: now is not the time to be going to Hawaii. Or anywhere, really.

We get the temptation. Airline tickets from Detroit to Honolulu, usually over $1,000, are now priced as low as $200. It’s a fabulous deal. But frankly, the reality behind it is a lot less glamorous.

The stay-at-home order issued

by Governor Whitmer on March 23 was intended to limit non-essential travel and encourage self-isolation as much as possible. However, social media has exploded with videos of college students and teenagers booking cheap plane tickets and partying on the beaches of Cancún and Miami. At the same time, many of the same partygoers are posting how appreciative they are of frontline medical professionals. Really? Because your actions don’t reflect cooperation with what those medical professionals are advising.

Experts predict that this pandemic will last for months, possibly years.

Yes, from a historical perspective, the government should have been more vigilant and transparent in fighting fake news and establishing the seriousness of the situation. But this is out of our control.

Ultimately, you are responsible

for your own actions. The Miami beachgoers are as responsible for furthering this outbreak as the governor who long refused to close Florida’s beaches. So if you want things to go “back to normal,” you have to do your part. Especially when asymptomatic carriers are so prevalent, and possibly even more virulent, in the general population, now is not the time to take risks or make assumptions. Even though young people may be less likely to die, new data shows that those aged 2060 are taking up a significant number of beds in U.S. hospitals. Plus, any additional body puts strain on the already-thin healthcare system. And we don’t want to get to the ethical dilemmas that many countries now face in terms of deciding who lives and who dies.

The Emery staff knows that not everyone has the option to stay home. But we are asking you, if you can, to stay put.

The best way to protect yourself as well as the people around you is to stay inside. If you must go to the store, socially distance and wear a mask.

It is time to take this pandemic seriously. Selfish behavior will only prolong this crisis, and we will all pay the price.

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: Julie Heng 2020hengjulie@aaps.k12.mi.us Sami Ruud 2020ruudsamanthaa@aaps.k12.mi.us ADVISER: Sara-Beth Badalamente Clara Bowman News Editor Nathan Penoyar Opinion Editor Maya Kogulan Arts & Entertainment Editor Vish Gondesi Sports Editor Shannon Stocking Design Editor Ridhima Kodali Copy Editor Mishal Charania Online Editor Hana Hughes Social Media Editor Kaitlyn Sabb Business Manager Austin Aldrich Ira Brann Glory Bradley Ivan Cardenas Sydney Cohen Alex Cole Micah Cross Kade Cupp Joshua Durant Aaron Garrett Liam Goff Juan Gonzalez-Esquivel

Liam Graham George Gueorguiev Alena Halliwill Lydia Hargett Davis Malmer Brian Moskus Blake Mundy Manit Patel Nancy Shevtsova Matt Wyderko Samer Yassir Feiyu Zhang

THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 5: APRIL 6 | OPINION

The importance of media accountability

Media pundits often seek to advance their own personal agenda. It is the job of viewers to call them out and hold them accountable. GRAPHIC BY MAYA KOGULAN

NATHAN PENOYAR OPINION EDITOR A Native American veteran facing off with a group of high school kids, some in MAGA hats. A thirty-second viral social media clip. A video that everyone could see to interpret for themselves. Needless to say, the media firestorm generated from the incident was surreal.

Nathan Phillips, the Native American man seen facing off with the Covington

Catholic kids, was interviewed immediately after the incident by many media outlets.

He had been at the 2019 Indigenous People’s March, which had occurred at the same time as the 2019 March for Life, which was the event that the Covington Catholic kids attended. Phillips claimed during an interview with Savannah Guthrie of the Today Show that the students had been chanting “build that wall, build that wall,” and that he was “trying to walk away,” but “was blocked.”

The kids weren’t acting racist towards anyone.

They had come to the March for Life all the way from Kentucky and were just about to

leave.

“To be honest, I was startled and confused as to why [Phillips] had approached me,” Nick Sandmann (who bore the brunt of the media scrutiny) said in a statement. “I was worried that the situation was getting out of control. I believed that by remaining motionless and calm, I was helping to diffuse the situation. I said a silent prayer that the situation would not get out of hand.”

Many in the mainstream media didn’t retract until about a week later. Some people in the media tried to justify their initial takes by maintaining that the kids shouldn’t have been there and

doubled down. Unfortunately, this is only one example out of many of the media seeking to push a preconceived narrative about people that they disagreed with.

The media on both sides has a significant amount of bias. In the era of the Internet, people only look at sources that reinforce their perspective, often not hearing the other side and as a result society has become more polarized. It’s important to hold the media to a standard of honesty and decency, whether it be media on the left, right, or center. Unfortunately, the media has had a lot of trouble recently with telling the truth and failing us.

The media is also filled with hacks on both sides who often flip-flop based on who’s in power. For example, when Barack Obama said that he would be willing to meet with the North Korean dictator, Sean Hannity of Fox News said that it was a “disturbing [display] of Obama’s lack of foreign policy expertise.” But after Trump met with Kim Jong Un in 2018, Hannity praised the move as “A huge foreign policy win for President Trump.” This shows Hannity’s complete hypocrisy when it comes to the way he talks about politicians who he likes and politicians who he doesn’t like.

Another example of a hypocrite in the media is

Don Lemon of CNN. When Trump’s campaign posted a meme to it’s Twitter photoshopping Trump over Thanos and snapping away several prominent Democrats, Lemon reacted on his segment by saying “This is literally crazy.

Are you people insane? Go ahead, troll the Democrats on Twitter. Do this stupid, silly you-know what. Play this stupid, juvenile meme game.”

But just a month later, guests on a CNN panel with Lemon anchoring made jokes at the expense of Trump and his supporters insinuating that Trump supporters were dumb, uneducated lemmings. Lemon responded by laughing at the “juvenile” jokes. That is ultimate hypocrisy.

When the media is held to account to be honest and trustworthy, they will be less likely to put false information out in the general public so as not to lose credibility. They will be forced to be more accurate. People need to call out the media when they are dishonest.

It is important to check out multiple sources when it comes to covering events, because if someone only checks out one source then they might have the wrong information. It is important to hear multiple perspectives on an issue so as not to get in an ideological bubble and be one-sided.

Close enough: the evolution of my name and Sri Lankan-American identity

MAYA KOGULAN ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

I have the type of name that scares substitute teachers. When they get to my name on the attendance list, some will pause, and others will spell my name out loud.

Only the bravest will attempt to pronounce it.

My name is Umaiyal (um-may-yall) Kogulan (cogu-len). While I now find humor in all the pronunciations of my name, growing up, it was a constant reminder that I will always be a foreigner in my own country.

My kindergarten teacher was the first person who Americanized my name.

She had thin blond hair, wore chunky gemstone jewelry and always had a scarf draped around her neck. In my young eyes, she was a true “American.” When she was unable to learn the real pronunciation of my name, I felt as if America couldn’t accept my full Sri Lankan identity.

Instead of continuing

to correct her, I simply accepted my new Americanized name, Oo-mail. I hated it.

My name, intended to honor the Hindu goddess Parvarthi, was shape-shifted into gibberish. However, at the time, I thought it was the price I had to pay to assimilate into American culture.

I went through school carrying the burden of my name. Kids would make fun of my name at recess.

Some teachers would ask me to go by a nickname to make it easier. By 5th grade, I would respond to mail, mayo or anything that remotely sounded similar to my name.

It got worse in middle school. My middle school volleyball coach gave up attempting to pronounce my name at tryouts. So for two years, she called me “U” at practices, games and even the awards banquet. I will forever remember images of our opponents’ confused faces when she yelled “U go for the ball.”

As time passed, the two different pronunciations started to represent the duality in my life. Umaiyal (Oomail) was American. She wore sparkly Justice clothes, made loom bands with her friends

GRAPHIC BY MAYA KOGULAN

and ate lunchables. Umaiyal (um-may-yall) was Sri Lankan. She wore half saris, did classical dance and ate dosas.

I became incredibly frustrated living between this duality. I wanted a name that naturally flowed off the tongue, a name that was printed on genetic keychains at gift shops, a name that didn’t make people double-take.

When I went to high school in a new town, I thought of it as a restart. I started introducing myself as Maya. Arrogantly, I thought it

would solve my identity crisis.

However, I will always have brown skin. I will always be Sri Lankan. I couldn’t hide my cultural insecurity behind a white name. Although it made ordering at Starbucks easier, I was still trapped between two opposing cultures.

Over the past year, going by Maya has taught me one thing: I will forever live between two cultures. I can’t change that with my name, clothes, or friends. Slowly, I am beginning to learn the the beauty of belonging to two

cultures. It is a privilege not a burden.

Children shouldn’t be conditioned to resent their cultural heritage. That starts in kindergarten classroom.

The simple act of learning the correct pronunciation can change their self-image.

The truth is if we can learn to pronounce names like Timothee Chalamet and Arnold Schwarzenegger, we can learn to pronounce all names, including Umaiyal Kogulan.

THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 5: APRIL 7 | OPINION

FOUR WALLS my battle with cancer WILL BORING STAFF WRITER Alone in my room, I was cold, bald and pale. I was weak. I felt trapped by the way the walls of my room surrounded me: four walls of silence, four walls of loneliness, four walls of isolation.

Cancer is a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body. It takes over your life. Before being stuck in my room, I had a life. A good life. I had friends, things to do and a purpose. Everything changed when I was diagnosed in my second year of middle school.

RAIN ON MY PARADE

I had just finished my seventh grade year at Clague.

It was one of the best years of school for me. I started breaking out of my comfort zone, making new friends, starting to build a reputation for myself.

“

who we talked on the phone with examined me, and once again concluded that it was an enlarged lymph node caused by a bug bite. She showed me a diagram of the lymphatic system on the human body, which is a network of tissues and organs that help the body get rid of toxins, wastes and other unwanted materials.

She instructed us to go into a local clinic to get my blood drawn and tested, just to make sure there was nothing to worry about.

Of course, she said, there was a chance it could be malignant, but it most likely was benign. I was concerned that it was cancerous despite her reassuring hypothesis, but I still had hope.

What more could I do but hope?

It took about an hours for the lab results. The anticipation was killing me. My dad got a call from the office and once again, my nurse’s hypothesis was the same as before. There were no signs of any cancer cells in my body. My blood count for my immune system were different then how they normally would look, but she said that was because my body was fighting off something related to the supposed bug bite. I let out a sigh of relief. I walked around with a smile on my face for the rest of the day.

It seemed like I had lost my grip on gravity. The world didn’t feel real.

That summer, I’d hang out with friends — buy comics at The Vault of Midnight, wander around downtown with friends, even walk on the railroad tracks for fun. Life was moving in the right direction.

I had no idea that everything would change in a matter of a day.

In late July, during the week of my 13th birthday, I went up North with my mom and grandmother to a cottage. Towards the end of our stay, we were playing a game of cards at the kitchen table when my mom noticed a huge lump on the left side of my neck, from just below my ear running down to the middle of my neck.

My first thought was that a spider had bitten my neck and my body was just having an allergic reaction.

My mom didn’t think it was anything to worry about, but I insisted that she call my doctor.

REASSURING WORRIES

The nurse on the line agreed that it most likely was a benign lump caused by a bug bite. She told us to apply pressure and a hot or cold compress on the lump. If there wasn’t any decrease in the size of the mass, I needed to get it checked out.

But by the time we got back home from Burt Lake, the mass wasn’t getting any smaller, and my parents thought I should get seen right away. The nurse

“

my parents and I took a breath even worse. I trip to Rondeau, Canada, could hardly breathe. to a cabin owned by one of Tears rolled down my my mom’s close friends, cheeks as I turned to Lisa. Loading our truck my dad.

Boring was treated at CS Mott hospital with our bags and other “I don’t want to die.” personal items only took an as a 12-year-old. PHOTO COURTESY OF My dad looked at me hour, but it felt like several. BORING and said, “You’re not By the end, I felt light-headgoing to die.” exam table’s crinkly paper, ed, short of breath and tired and the doctor took a look at despite only carrying three QUESTIONS the lump on my neck. After bags. I climbed the steps to checking around my upper UNANSWERED my bedroom to rest and I felt body, he found a few, small

The doctor left the even more exhausted. pea sized lymph nodes that room and came back with

We drove three hours weren’t supposed to be there. a CD copy of my scans. He to Rondeau, but eventually we

After leaving to rehanded the disk to my dad made it to the dead end of the view the results of my scans, and told him that I needed to road where Lisa’s cabin was. the doctor walked back in go to the ER at Motts ChilAfter we pulled in and parked, with a worried look on his dren’s Hospital, to be re-evalI was hit with a sudden feeling face. uated. of exhaustion. It was difficult

“It looks like lympho I slowly walked out of to breathe and I was drenched ma.” the room with and made eye in sweat. I had to lie down.

At first I didn’t have a contact with my doctor. Tears

Lying on that couch, clue what “Lymphoma” was. flooded my eyes as I looked it felt like I had 200 pounds Then, I thought “cancer.” him in the face. on my chest. My dad took my

I asked my doctor in

“I’m sorry,” he said. temperature. It was way over a shaky voice if that’s what he 98.7. My parents quickly got meant by “Lymphoma.”

ALONE ON MY OWN on the phone with my doc He nodded.

Abandoning a friend tor’s office and were ordered with cancer is one of the to drive to the nearest urgent FEAR worst things that someone care as soon as possible. In a

My mom started can do. state of concern and confushaking. As tears fell down my I spent most of 2017 sion, parents’ traumatized faces, all sitting in the living room on my I could hear was ringing in my the couch, staring out the picparears.

It seemed like I had lost ture frame window, watching ents my grip on gravity.

The world each car go by, wondering immedidn’t feel real. what I did wrong. diately

I was pulled back

I noticed that friends reinto the Earth by a turn of my and people from school packed doctor’s computer screen.

A always expected me to feel everyset of lungs my lungs aphappy.

But I couldn’t.

Chemo thing peared on the screen.

A large, wipes the energy out of your back white mass spread around the body, but it also finds a way to into center of the photo.

It was a wipe the smile off your face. the truck. We barreled our malignant tumor, the size of a way across the border and softball, inside my chest, comdown the highway to IHA Read the full story on pressing down on my lungs.

Urgent Care. thehuronemery.com

The shock of my di When we arrived, we agnosis made my shortness of were seen by a doctor, a tall man and had a particularly balding head. He said that he wanted me to get a chest x-ray to test for abnormalities. They had me stand on a mat in a gown with my feet spread apart. Then, I was told to lift my arms up and hold a cold metal bar just above my head, and take a breath as deeply as I could.

The scan went quickly and I was taken back into the examination room where Blood draws became regular for Boring as he had to monitor my parents were anxiously his blood cell counts. PHOTO COURTESY OF BORING waiting. I laid down on the

Chemo wipes the energy out of your body, but it also finds a way to wipe the smile off your face.

A SHORT TRIP TO CANADA

A couple of weeks later, in the middle of August,

THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 5: APRIL 8 | FEATURE

The beauty of spring emerges in the park

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3

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1. Swans appear in Geddes Pond as the warm weather emerges in Ann Arbor. 2. The empty wooden bridge in Gallup Park connects the park trails together. 3. The sun beams through the tree branches along the lake in Glencoe Hills. 4.Water beads bounce off the white kalanchoe. 5. The metal crane stands against the spring blue sky. 6. A single flower stands in front Geddes Pond. 7. The Glencoe Pond reflects the bare trees. 8. Snowdrops bloom in Gallup Park.

NANCY SHEVTSOVA

DP Art Students reflect on their final exhibition and canceled showcase

“

The theme of my exhibition was “when and if we change, where do we go?” It really encompassed my junior year, I was going through so many changes socially, emotionally and mentally. My theme ironically ties into all the changes I am going through now with the coronavirus. Although I am heart-broken about the cancellation of the exhibition, I will forever be grateful for Ms. Tabor and my classmates for pushing me to my creative potential.

NAOMI JOHNSON, 12

“

My exhibition’s theme is “starting a conversation”. I have been working non-stop to complete all my pieces in time for the showcase. Last week, I created “Poise and Envy,” a mixed media photograph of my friend.

Even though I made it last minute, it was my favorite piece of the show. I am disappointed about the cancellation but I understand safety comes first.

I just really wanted to show my hard work from the past two years to my family and friends.

JADE WILSON, 12

“

My theme was human experiences. I have struggled with mental health in the past. The only honest way for me to create genuine and thoughtful artwork was to embrace those experiences. I am very sad about the cancellation. It was such a labor intensive experience to put it all together.

Even without the showcase, the class was still worth it. It prompted me to do new projects under unique parameters and pushed me to work with new

LILLIAN DOWDS, 12

MAYA KOGULAN

THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 5: APRIL 9 | FEATURE

2018-2019 Huron High School Report card Racial Makeup

american-indian: 0.4% arab-american: 2.1% other: 0.6% latino: 5.1% caucasian: 36%

multi-ethnic: 17.9%

sat: Mean scores

English/Language Art s 559 Math 578 Overall 1137 Number Tested 366

Nm Semifinalists - 39

To become a national merit semifinalist, on the PSAT/NMSQT of thei r junior year, students have to score very highly, typi cally in the top 1% of all students.

african-american: 18

.6%

asian: 22.2%

Math proficiency - 70% Reading Proficiency - 80% graduation rate - 93%

ap: Advanced Placement Exams

Total Grades Reporte d Total Number Tested Scores of 3 or Higher

708 342 90%

teacher-student Ratio: 16:1 counselor-student Ratio: 249:1

HANA HUGHES SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 5: APRIL 10 | FEATURE

Portraits of love

Soyeon Kim’s adoption fundraising journey

JULIE HENG EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Soyeon Kim loves people. That’s probably why she’s a teacher — she loves people and the connections she can make with them.

“If it doesn’t happen, I get depressed and lonely,” Kim, a Huron art teacher, said. “Not that I can make strong relationships with everybody at once.

But [having] strong relationships at any moment is very, very important to me.”

And that’s what she strives for. As a teacher, she loves to meet and raise students.

“But my impact is very minimal or small and short-term, and I don’t like that short term relationship,” said Kim, who only teaches semester courses. “Four months is everything I have. As soon as I feel like I connect, they leave.”

S o the way Kim sees it, the most meaningful thing in life is to raise a human being.

“Whenever I deal with mothers and fathers, parents in general, I get touched by their commitment, passion and compassion,” Kim said. “And that love. That unconditional love.”

She sees it whenever she talks to parents — with students’ parents at parent-teacher conferences, with her friends who are parents, everywhere.

Adopting “The way international- they articulate ly from Korea their children costs up to and the way they $54,000. care for their Visit the Kims’ children?

It’s GoFundMe touching,” Kim page here: said. “I admire those parents.

And that’s another huge part of me that wants to be a parent.”

That road has not been easy. By 2015, Kim had had a couple of miscarriages. After consulting a fertility doctor, she and her husband Brandon were

considering in vitro fertilization (IVF), the artificial fertilization of eggs and sperm outside the body.

At the same time, her husband was studying at the Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids. Coincidentally, for his pastoral examination, he received a case study about IVF.

“[N]ormally they make way more embryos than they need because the success rate is so low. And then once they are successful with the first few, then what do you do with the rest of them?” Kim explained. “[In the case study,] the female partner said, ‘I treat them as children.’

And the male partner said, ‘Just mere cells. We can just t h r o w t h e m away.’”

A s Kim and her husband started looking into this case study, it got her thinking.

There are plenty of children who need homes. Is it really important for us to have biological children?

“I have been a teacher for a long time,” Kim said. “So I see all the children, thinking, ‘What if this is my child? What if that is my child?’”

She found that she was willing to accept anyone as her child.

“As long as we build a relationship, I think it’s okay that it’s not a biological child.”

When adopting internationally, Kim said the adoption agency advised adoptive parents to learn and educate the child about their culture of origin.

That’s why they’re looking to adopt from Korea.

“We both are Korean and [it] would be natural to raise the child in Korean culture,” Kim said.

The adoption process is long and tedious.

As part of a home study, prospective parents under-

go countless background checks and examinations and interviews with social workers, arrange extensive legal documentation, study online training courses and write essays.

“At one point, we were given a list of all these illnesses that a child can potentially have, and then we had to check off if we’re willing to accept it [and to] how severe a degree,” said Kim, who consulted a doctor to understand it better. “That was a very difficult process because some diseases were more severe. Like, heart defects are very common in children in South Korea. So it’s kind of like a process, mental preparation for us.”

Now, adopting a child can be expensive.

Adopting internationally from Korea, which requires additional processing and travel fees, can cost nearly $50,000.

“We saved $10,000, but it still wasn’t enough.

Not even close,” said Kim, who has been saving for over three years now. “We’re fundraising about $30,000 and then hoping we can loan another $10,000.”

As part of the fundraiser, Kim opened commissions for portraits.

“I didn’t even expect anybody would be interested. Maybe one or two people,” Kim said. “I was kind of hesitant to [open commissions], because I’ve never sold [or] charged anyone for my work.”

Within a day, she received two requests.

“So I drew those two and [posted them] on Facebook,” Kim explained.

“And every time I post a new drawing on Facebook, I always get more requests and more requests.”

So far, Kim has finished 17 portraits and has 31 more requests lined up. Portraits, which start at $100 and go up to $300 depending on the medium, size and number of subjects featured, take at least ten hours to finish.

“$100 for 10 hours, I get $10 [per hour],” Kim

Art teacher Soyeon Kim appreciates all moms. “[At conferences], I always say great job and thank you for sharing your child with me, your support, your love,” Kim said. MAYA KOGULAN said. “So it’s minimum Kim said. “I’ve never met wage, right? I am not trying him. [But] I think that story to make profit out of any- was something very rewardbody. If it wasn’t for fund- ing. I just love that connecraising, I probably would tion and recognition and have not done this.” relationship and...people’s

When she first stories.” opened the commissions, Which is why, as Kim would draw for five she waits for a child to be hours straight, examining referred for adoption from photos from different an- Korea, she will continue gles, analyzing poses and to draw these portraits — expressions to capture a Christmas gifts from a wife model’s essence. to her husband, surprise

“It’s intense,” Kim Valentine’s gifts from a boysaid. “My eyes hurt. My friend to his girlfriend. Gifts neck hurts. My head hurts. for a parent, or a child, or It’s a lot of work.” a grandparent or a grand Now, she works on child. the portraits for two or three “People don’t rehours each day after work, quest their self portrait,” rotating among several so Kim said. “It’s never a self she can keep her eyes fresh. thing. It’s always somebody She’s adding color and cal- else and gifts. And I think ligraphy and backgrounds that’s very important to and finding ways to add her me.” own creative style.

All these stories

Even better, she is strengthen her determinatouched by the stories of tion to be a good mother. people who “I know the commission stories of portraits from hard things her. go I just want to do some- parents O n e through person want- thing good. Something — every ed a portrait parent, no meaningful. of his mother, matter how whom he nevgood the SOYEON KIM er met after child is,” she divorced his father. He Kim said. “It doesn’t matdidn’t have a picture of her, ter. If the child is sick, your save a very old, very pixelat- heart aches. If the child is ed, very blurry photo from going through some relahis uncle. tionship problems, your

“I don’t know him,” heart aches. Life is hard.”

Kim pauses.

“But I just want to do something good. Something meaningful.”

“

In art school, teacher Soyeon Kim drew a lot of self portraits, to the point that she got tired of seeing her own face. Now, she’s testing out new subjects and art styles. MAYA KOGULAN

THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 5: APRIL 11 | FEATURE

The girl behind the mask reveals her story MISHAL CHARANIA ONLINE EDITOR

even though it was treated, the pneumonia came back. This

is when she first realized that

If sophomore Ashley there was something wrong Wang doesn’t wear a mask, with her lungs. she could be hospitalized. For “The doctor told me her, a common cold could be that if a virus comes into my fatal. Ashley has primary cil- lungs, I might get an infection iary dyskinesia, a genetic dis- or get sick,” Ashley said.“The ease that prevents bacteria virus could be fatal, so the docalong her respiratory tract and tor told me to wear a mask.”* other tissue and organ linings While Ashley had from being cleaned out and worn the mask when she was swept away. in Japan, she first started

In other words, Ashley wearing the mask at Huron in wears a mask so she doesn’t the middle of the first semesget extremely sick. She doesn’t ter. She noticed the strange have the flu, COVID-19 or any looks she got from people and other virus. She’s not infec- how students in the hallway tious at all. would specifically avoid her.

Ashley came from Ja- “There’s no pan seven months ago. She mask-wearing culture here, lives with a host family be- it’s very different,” Ashley cause she wants to be fluent said. “[Outside of school] evin English. She erybody watches doesn’t regret me and thinks moving to the ‘oh she’s wearing United States, a mask,’”* even though she Ashley’s host has faced hurtfamily works to ful comments protect Ashley as and actions. much as possible.

TeachShe takes mediers and stucations everyday dents avoid her. and frequently Groups of stuhas doctor visdents will scatits. She finds it ter when she stressful to take walks by. She’s as many precaubeen spit on, in tions as she can PHOTO COURTESY Of ASHLEY the hallways. to make sure WANG

A l l that she doesn’t because she get sick, but she wears a mask. has been supported by the

When she first landed friends she has made in her in the U.S. Ashley immediate- classes. ly contracted pneumonia, and “My friends have

GRAPHIC BY MAYA KOGULAN

helped me with my transition into America by listening to what has happened to me,” Ashley said. “Just having someone who is willing to listen to me supported me the most through this transition.”*

Ashley only takes off her mask at school in room 2205A, her English plus class.

Hala Boles, her teacher, creates a positive environment for her students and has no tolerance for bullying.

“I have a rule in my room to respect yourself, your classmates, your teacher and anybody that comes in the room at all times,” Boles said.

“The nurse asked that we read the statement [about Ashley’s condition] and I asked Ashley if she wanted me to read it in class, and she said yes.”

Boles is a calming presence in Ashley’s life. When Ashley first started wearing the mask to school, Ashley faced criticism from a student in Boles’ class. Boles immediately tried to make sure that Ashley wasn’t ostracized by her classmates.

“There was an issue where somebody told her,‘if you don’t want to come to this class you can take online classes’ and I addressed that in a bigger perspective,” Boles

said to uphold a respectful environment in her class. Even though Ashley has faced crude comments and staring, she isn’t afraid to start a conversation with someone she doesn’t know. She accepts if they don’t answer.

“I take the initiative to talk to somebody,” Ashley said. “In all of my classes, the teacher has already told my classmates about the reason why I wear a mask - but in the hallways, people don’t know.”* *Quotes translated by Hana Hughes and Misaki Mochihara

Huron alumna MYNA’s suspension lead her to musical success

conveyed the emotion that her said. “I needed to find new MAYA KOGULAN

own voice carried. ways to keep myself busy, ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

When she entered since my parents were always

Five years ago, MYNA Huron High School, she joined working. I started going was sitting in the 10th grade both Bel Canto choir and nu- to the neutral zone and office receiving a suspension. merous acapella groups. But creating music. It alNow, the 20-year-old Hu- outside her musical classes, lowed me to meet othron graduate has gained over MYNA found high school suf- er artists and col55,550 streams on Sound- focating leading her to often laborate together Cloud, is performing at 2020 feel like an outcast. on our creSXSW and became a finalist “I remember walking ative proof the Inaugural 2019 Motown to my mom’s car by senior cesses.”

Accelerator Artists year with no friends,” B y Grant program.

MYNA said. “I was al- her junior

Her musical ways deep in thought in year, she beginnings started my head, so it was hard was writat age four with her relating to others. I want- ing and mother, who used to ed to talk about the real releasing sing her classical In- Listen to MYNA’s issues. It was frustrating m u s i c latest EP, Bad Luv. dian bhajans. She seeing people walking in regularly started to emulate her moth- the hallways stuck in their own onto Sounder’s tones and naturally fell in problems, not even acknowl- Cloud. She love with the art of singing. edging the major problems af- r e c e i v e d

“Music has been my fecting the world.” immediteacher since birth,” MYNA She was rebellious ate success said. “It taught me how to cope and refused to accept the sta- with her first with life. It’s allowed me to tus quo. It was MYNA’s stub- song “Lemon create a personal memoir with born nature that would get Tree” gaining each new release being contin- her into trouble at school. She over 21,000 uation of the last story.” didn’t like following rules, streams.

She started exploring which ultimately led her to a “ I t her passion for music in mid- suspension in her sophomore felt so good to dle school, where she learned year. see that peoto play the viola, piano and “After I got suspend- ple were vibing guitar. However, she found ed, I wasn’t allowed to stay with my music,” that none of those instruments after school anymore,” MYNA MYNA said. “I

didn’t feel like a kid making music in the neutral zone, I felt like an artist.”

Only a year later, she released her full-length EP, Roy G BIV. Through this project, she w a s able to creatively explore h e r synesthesia.

“When I experience different emotions, I see colors wash over me,” M Y N A said. “Roy G BIV allowed me to express each color through song.

For JAY FREE

example, when I get panic attacks, I see all red. So, I made “premature (red)” very anxiety inducing with the lyrics about my triggers.”

MYNA’s creativity didn’t go unnoticed. The Motown Musician Accelerator, a program that helps Detroit area artists, saw her talent.

She was awarded a spot in their 12-week program, which provides artists with mentorship, industry connections and grants. Through the program, she was able to buy her own equipment and start her independent own record label.

“I had to forge my own path.” MYNA said. “ Growing up, there were no Indian-American artists for me to look up to. Representation in music is so important. Even though we aren’t in the center of conversation, our role as observers matter.”

As MYNA’s music career pushes forward, she hopes her music will break down barriers for other young aspiring Indian-American singers. Most importantly, in uncertain and anxious times, she wants to use her music to spread love.

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THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 5: APRIL 13 | ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT

Table-side

From left to right: Teaspressa serves a variety signature drinks suggested by baristas or designed by the customer. Customers are greeted by a flower wall and pink undertone upon walking in. The marble tables give the cafe a modern feel. LYDIA HARGETT

Teapressa: Aesthetic enough?

KAITLYN SABB AND LYDIA HARGETT STAFF WRITERS

Teaspressa, located in downtown Ann Arbor, pushes the boundaries on the conventional cup of tea.

The founder, Allison DeVane, created a cup of tea that has the caffeine of coffee without the harmful side effects. The popular cafe has been featured in various mainstream publications and appeared on “Shark Tank.” In around a year, the Ann Arbor location has gained popularity among both students and families.

Teaspressa offers many different tea and coffee drink combinations. You can either order one of their specialty drinks or you can build your own. The cafe has signature coffees/teas such as Black Rose and London Fog that can all be adjusted to your liking. The drinks not only look pretty, but also taste delicious. There are also many pastries and bagels you can order with toppings such as fresh fruit or rose petals. You can tell that the staff takes extra care just to make sure the flowers or spices on top of your food look beautiful.

Additionally, the em-

ployees know that the menu can be confusing, and they are happy to help if you have any questions and will be glad to give you a great suggestion based on your preferences.

Teaspressa was picture-ready and the space included marble tables, balloons, couches and a flower wall. The cafe was kept clean and the style was modern, with large open windows and a pink undertone. It is the perfect location to meet with your friends or study.

However, this comes at a cost. While the drinks taste good, they are pricey.

Most drinks cost more than five dollars, and for the av-

erage person, that is a lot for one drink. The cup sizes were not too small, and the designs that the barista made in the coffee made up for the high price. Compared to mainstream coffee shops, this cafe provides drinks with unique flavors and many healthy options.

We would recommend Teaspressa to students looking for a change in their daily cup of coffee.

Our favorites from the menu were their specialty drinks and the Honey Berry Mint toast. Although it’s on the pricier side, the beautiful drinks make it worth it!

wwwwwwww

Stay entertained during the quarantine online resources to avoid boredom

MAYA KOGULAN ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

1

Watch a movie with friendsmum

Stream movies on Netflix Party with an unlimited number of friends. Parties must all individually own a Netflix account to stream.

4

Go on a scavenger huntses-

The application Goosechase allows you to set up and play scavenger hunts with friends around the house.

2

Visit a museum issestis

Many famous museums such as the National Gallery of Art are offering free virtual tours that can be found on their website.

5

Play a party game issestis

JackBox sells a variety of online party games. If you don’t want to pay, they offer a version of Pictionary called Drawful for free. us

3

Learn a new skillissestis

Many universities and companies have developed free online classes. Try a Harvard coding class or a Nikon photography class. Many

FOOD

The food and drinks are beautiful and healthy.

DECOR

The decor is modern and aesthetic.

VALUE

The cafe is high-end. with expensive prices.

THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 5: APRIL 14 | SPORTS

In light of school closures, seniors reminisce about previous spring sports seasons VISH GONDESI SPORTS EDITOR

SPORTS

On April 3, the Michigan High School Athletic Association canceled the 2020 spring sports season.

With the stricter quarantine and social distancing policies being enforced, spring athletes can’t practice beyond the confines of their household. Despite attempts to train during the hiatus by completing technical drills and conditioning, the likely possibility of the season being canceled looms over them.

Huron seniors like lacrosse captain Alex Dubin and soccer captain Jadyn Smith are among those who find themselves in this situation.

“If I knew last year that it could possibly be my last year suiting up for Huron, it definitely would’ve taken a toll mentally, and I can’t believe I might be done,” Dubin said.

Throughout his career, Dubin was always integral to the lacrosse team, leading them to a signature win over Lincoln as the leading scorer. Despite not having a winning record, Huron had loftier goals this year to flourish into a better team. For Dubin, he might not be the one to lead that charge.

Smith was supposed to relish her last year of competitive soccer, after several years of club and school play, yet now she won’t make a return.

“There’s not much you can do about it, but it’s still frustrating,” Smith said.

“We had a new coach this year and I was really starting to get to know and like him, the other people on the staff, as well as all of our teammates,” Smith said. “Not being able to get to know them further is a big part of the reason I was pretty sad about not being able to play.”

With more clarity being gained daily with the situation and listening to Governor Whitmer’s declarations, it was almost inevitable the season had to be canceled. Before the announcement, there was speculation as to what the MHSAA could do to salvage it.

Jadyn Smith showers Coach Lee Hudson with Gatorade shortly after the district final win against Skyline. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEREK SMITH

“I thought they should let people prac- next play,” Dubin said. “It’s a gift to play the tice for a week and then play the state tourna- sports that you play, and anything can happen so ment,” Smith said. you have to love the sport for what it is.”

Similarly, Dubin wished Sports provide something that no othto play a shortened season, er things can, as the memories associated with while recognizing that it might them have no other source. Anyone who’s played be unrealistic based on current a sport knows it, and it’s why athletes are always circumstances. able to recollect certain moments in detail. For

Even with the can- Smith, it was in the district final against Skyline. celation, these two’s athletic “Last year when we won districts, in the careers won’t stop this year. last five minutes it started raining, but there was Smith will be playing college also a rainbow,” Smith said. “It was a really cool basketball rather than soccer moment because my sister made the game-winat the University of ning penalty kick, and it Michigan-Dearborn, was just really sweet.” and Dubin will stick with lacrosse at

Riveting moKalamazoo College. The limitations ments like these are placed by COVID-19 and not playing the ones that won’t be a spring sport can hinder their trainmade a reality with the ing for the next level. cancellation of spring

“I was supposed to play sports, whether the deagainst some incoming teammates cision has validity due to and this definitely impacts how I can COVID-19. The choice is get better,” Dubin said. a disappointing one, and

If anything positive can be the nation has to continlearned from this, it’s that athletes Alex Dubin will be playing laue searching for a more crosse at Kalamazoo College, shouldn’t take any day for granted. favorable outcome. All

“You could always have your which has several players from the seniors deserve it. last game because you don’t know Ann Arbor high schools. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEX DUBIN what’s going to happen on the

forms, I got a sponsor,” Dimcheff said.

However, he ran into some trouble.

School administrators weren’t able to contact Dimcheff as quickly as he wanted, and it appeared the club was stuck over some district policies. Meanwhile, the Frisbee sea“cutters,” can move.

The goal is to have a cutter son was fast approaching. Dimcheff receive the disk in the correct end- eventually ended up talking to Sam zone on the field, and games are typ- Rosewig. “ [Sam] is somehow inically played until time runs out. Play volved in the WTMC team with anis fluid and turnovers are fairly comother highschool in the mon. area,” Dimcheff said.

Dimcheff had “He directed me toward played on the Clague creating a United States Middle School Ultimate of America Ultimate, or team, which placed secUSAU team.” ond in the state-wide

After making adjusttournament. He has ments, his club eventualbeen thinking about Ultimate was officially got approved.

Dimcheff starting a team since ly recognized by the plans to advertise the eighth grade.

Olympic committee club over the early morn “I realized Hu- in 2014. PHOTO COURTEron didn’t have a team, SY OF SANTERI VINAMAKI ing announcements.

“It took a long time, but and that kinda sucked, we’re really excited to get started this because I wanted to keep playing spring,” Huron French teacher and for my school, so I filled out all the

updates

An Ultimate Wait for Ultimate Frisbee ELIOT DIMCHEFF GUEST WRITER

Seven million people play ultimate frisbee in the world. However, Huron has never had an ultimate frisbee team, although other high schools have already established teams. Andrew Dimcheff wanted to change that.

Ultimate Frisbee is a sport that blends both football and soccer.

Seven players pass a flying disc to one another using a variety of techniques. Players “handling” the disc must remain stationary while they throw it but receiving players, called

Andrew Dimcheff has waited many months for this club, and will have to continue to wait until the COVID-19 situation comes to an end. ELIOT DIMCHEFF sponsor Andrea Clyne said. “As a former player at U of M, I’m really excited to get this off the ground.” Dimcheff encourages everyone to join.

“I’m eternally thankful to everyone else who helped to make this dream of mine a reality… because it was really not just me,” Dimcheff said.

THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 5: APRIL 15 | SPORTS

INSTANT HIGHLIGHTS, 360s MID-AIR, JUMPING OVER SOMEONE WHO’S 7’5

WELCOME TO THE 2020 NBA DUNK CONTEST.

1

Graphic by Vish Gondesi Credits: 1- Nam Y. Huh, AP 2- David Banks, AP. Basketball hoop photo by Marcus Quigmire

2

2020 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Review

On the morning of Feb. 16, the Orlando Police sent out a tweet to the Chicago police about a robbery. It wasn’t done well since everyone’s seen it on national television; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon had the All-Star dunk contest title in Chicago taken from him.

This isn’t the first time he’s been wronged. In the 2016 dunk contest, Gordon saw Zach Lavine win the title, even though he arguably completed some of the most dazzling dunks in the entirety of the contest’s history. The photo of him literally sitting on air after leaping over the Magic’s cartoon dragon mascot went viral, but he still didn’t end up with the trophy. Considering what’s happened recently,

VISH GONDESI SPORTS EDITOR

it makes it more clear that he never will, and for all the exhilarating moments he’s been tied to in the contest it’s obvious he should’ve won this one.

Therefore, after the battle in a post-match interview with ESPN Gordon publicly stated that he wouldn’t be participating in the contest again.

“It’s a wrap,” Gordon said. “I feel like I should have two trophies, so it’s over for that.”

Something that didn’t end nearly as quickly was the media’s highlight reels of Gordon’s performance. Even after participating in the Dunk Contest two times before, his creativity didn’t wane.

Throughout the event, he meshed high-flying acrobatics with raw power in every dunk.

This combination led to a series of theatrics, as he pulled

off a one-armed 360-degree dunk on the baseline, jumped over Chance the Rapper while

Aaron Gordon has been a high-profile dunker since high school, and is pictured throwing one down in the Mcdonald’s All-American Game. TONYTHETIGER/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

doing a through the legs dunk and finally ended it by clearing the current tallest NBA player, fan-favorite Tacko Fall.

Yet even after Gordon was able to dunk over Fall’s 7’5 frame (he merely grazed him with his thigh), the judges weren’t impressed. They humorously decided to make him come up one point short, giving him a 47 on his last dunk when Derrick Jones Jr., his main competitor, previously received a 48. Dwayne Wade was one judge who contributed to Gordon’s shortcoming, and consequently his reaction to the loss has been memed all over the internet.

He probably tried to coordinate a score with his fellow judges that would be the same as Jones Jr. with a 48, though it obviously didn’t materialize.

It’s not to say that Lavine or Jones Jr. didn’t de-

liver a breathtaking display of dunks. Simply put, when someone talks about these dunk contests, Gordon’s name is the first to come up. He surpasses the dunks of his competitors while mixing in the memorable ones which will circulate and inspire others for generations to come.

Gordon has been utterly robbed twice. Dishearteningly for the city of Orlando and its police force, Chicago can’t do anything to placate Gordon for this mistaken decision.

“I don’t know who gave me the 9s, but I’m going to find them,” Gordon said. Regardless of the joke it’s clear that Gordon, and fans all across the U.S, have finally had enough.

NFL prepares for official virtual draft to host 58 players, first-ever in its history

VISH GONDESI SPORTS EDITOR

Kids vying to be the next superstars in major sports always clutch the dreams of hearing their name called in the draft close to their hearts.

For this year’s NFL prospects that might be through the computer screen.

This marks the first time in the NFL’s century-long history where the draft will be taking place virtually. It has raised a fair share of doubt and sheer surprise among NFL teams, players and personnel who probably anticipated that COVID-19’s spike in the U.S. would lead to a cancellation.

“Because of [the] circumstances, Clubs have been advised to prepare to conduct the 2020 Draft entirely outside of their facilities and in a fully virtual format, with club

personnel in separate locations and able to communicate with one another and Draft headquarters by phone or internet,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a memo.

He also cited that he wanted all personnel to respect and follow government-sanctioned health practices as part of the reasoning behind the decision.

Other than out of health necessity, the move by Goodell also makes sense from a marketing standpoint. While other leagues are scrambling to find entertainment for their fans the NFL will retain one of its largest events. The new setup will definitely intrigue the likes of sports fanatics along with the other millions of people who wouldn’t notice the draft unless they were quarantined.

Yet the positives arouses the nonbelievers.

Many teams are curious as to how trades will be executed efficiently because of the plethora of other things they have to monitor, such as reviewing intel, calling in their picks, and communicating with each other remotely.

Ann Arbor Pioneer graduate and current Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was also unsure of the safety of a virtual draft due to hackers.

“Yeah, big concern,” Harbaugh said on a Zoom call via Jonas Shafer of the Baltimore Sun. “Every time I read something in, like, the Wall Street Journal or the New York Times that talks about how messed up Zoom is, or some of these other deals ... I immediately text it to our IT people, and [director of football administration] Nick Matteo’s one of those guys, and they

assure me that we are doing everything humanly possible.”

With Zoom’s colossal uptick in usage, the platform has been trying to tighten its flaws albeit not specifically for the NFL draft. The possibility of leaked playbooks and draft picks before they are finalized, definitely contribute to these tangible worries.

“We are operating in an environment unlike anything we have experienced before, one that requires flexibility, patience and cooperation,” Goodell said.

In this crisis, breaking from the norm is a require-

ment and in the NFL the first radical change will be the draft.

One pick can alter the course of a franchise, whether it be the many first overall picks who have made a game-defining impact or the ones near last as in the case of players like Tom Brady. Knowing this, the NFL shifting the draft online was a calculated risk, but it might have an ample payoff in the end.

MARIANNE O’LEARY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 5: APRIL 16 | FEATURE

THE SECRETS TO SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS Zingerman’s Delicatessen first offered traditional Jewish sandwiches. It now offers its own candy, baked goods, meats, coffee and cheeses. NANCY SHEVSTOVA

NANCY SHEVSTOVA STAFF WRITER

Zingerman’s is one of the most successful businesses, not only in Ann Arbor, but throughout Michigan. Zingerman’s is love from first taste.

Fragrant bread, unforgettable brownies, excellent coffee, home-made cheeses and excellent service - these are just a few things that make Zingerman’s so memorable. Developing a successful business is hard work that requires a lot of attention, patience and creativity.

Getting to know entrepreneurs, not only as business owners, but also understanding their personalities and values, can help give insight to what makes them successful.

In 1982, Ari Weinzweig and Tammie Gilfoyle helped found Zingerman’s.

Now composed of a bakery, Zingerman’s Roadhouse restaurant, a creamery and coffee shop, Zingerman’s assortment of fresh breads, pastries, sandwiches and more keeps over 500,000 visitors

each year coming back for more.

“The development of such a business is connected with many things,” Weinzweig said. “Great food, service, a place for people, and lots of hard work. I wrote an essay entitled 12 Natural Business Laws. I think that every business that is a healthy organization lives in reinforcement with this vision of nature, a certain leadership, and a quality product. ”

Weinzweig is well versed in food, histories and other cultures but believes Zingerman’s is constantly evolving because “you need to constantly improve.”

To build his career starting in 1982, Weinzweig personally worked a lot on himself: he ran, read and studied. Gilfoyle also supports the answer and believes that even small achievements help her grow and develop further.

“I always want to keep growing,” Gilfoyle said.

“I physically grow vegetables and fruits. You see a small

Zingerman’s started off in March 1982 with five tables and four stools. NANCY SHEVSTOVA

sprout, and he wants to grow motivated, and I noticed that and grow.” he really loves history and

A successful team for other cultures,” Gilfoyle said.

Weinzweig “We travel a is people lot. Ari always who work does research well togethto find the er, have a best cheeses, common get to know vision and cheese makshared valers and exues. Teamplore old ways work, coof cooking operation, and respectrespect, ing traditions appreciand other culation are tures.” the main They like to criteria for go back to a successtraditional ful team things and try for Zingto make them erman’s even better. owners.

Weinzweig Every busiand Gilfoyle ness has its put a lot of challenges work, love, and Weinz- Zingerman’s has been award- a t t e n t i o n , weig be- ed multiple awards, including imagination, lieves that a James Beard award. NANCY creativity and it is always SHEVSTOVA care into their better to business. solve difficulties together.

Weinzweig believes that his

“I think it’s normal to goal is to read and learn somefall and make mistakes every thing new. day, because we all make mis- “Every morning I takes. But you get up and keep write a diary, chat with intergoing.” esting people and learn every Weinzweig said. thing,” Weinzweig said.

Gilfoyle believes that when The owners also people hold on to the tragedy stress the importances of havof the fall, they feel guilty. And ing good personal connections this does not help move for- with individual customers. ward.

“I try every day to

“Personally, what Ari wish them a really good day, and I do every day is that we no matter what day it is,” run, do exercises, or walk,” Weinzweig said.

Gilfoyle said. “It helps you This level of attention think the truth.” and enthusiasm does not only

Zingerman owners are makes an impact on the busitrying to get motivation from ness, but also the community everywhere. at large.

“It’s cool that Ari is “This is an established

place in the city, just as people come to them to celebrate,” Gilfoyle said. “The city becomes part of your family. Ari is widely open to the public, and he often receives letters of thanks or stories sent to him.

Every person matters, every person matters, every interaction matters. It is like a symphony. Each instrument is involved in a song. If you do not have all the elements working together, this will not work.’

Today, the Zingerman’s has the foods that we observe in our society. And it is constantly moving, developing and improving. Because those who are at the head of the Zingerman never stop in their achievements and hard work. And let the Zingerman’s reach a new professional level and will be recognized not only across America, but across the world.

Additional reporting by Manit Patel.

As Zingerman’s became popular in Ann Arbor in the 1980s, the franchise expanded with baked goods and catering.

The franchise is now seen as an Ann Arbor staple. NANCY SHEVSTOVA